Thermostability of genetically modified sunflower oils differing in fatty acid and tocopherol compositions

The objective of the study was to investigate the performance at frying temperature of a new sunflower oil with high content of oleic and palmitic acid (HOHPSO) and containing γ‐tocopherol as the most abundant natural antioxidant. HOHPSO either containing α‐ or γ‐tocopherol (HOHPSO‐α and HOHPSO‐γ, respectively) were obtained from genetically modified sunflower seeds and refined under identical conditions. The oil stability against oxidation, as measured by Rancimat at 120 °C, was much higher for the oil containing γ‐tocopherol, suggesting the higher effectiveness of γ‐tocopherol as compared to α‐tocopherol to delay oxidation. Experiments at high temperature (180 °C) simulating the conditions applied in the frying process clearly demonstrated that, for the same periods of heating, the oil degradation and the loss of natural tocopherol were significantly lower for the oil containing γ‐tocopherol. Comparison of different genetically modified sunflower oils with different fatty acid compositions confirmed that oil degradation depended on the fatty acid composition, being higher at a higher degree of unsaturation. However, the loss of tocopherol for a similar level of oil degradation was higher as the degree of unsaturation decreased. Overall, the results showed that HOHPSO‐γ had a very high stability at frying temperatures and that mixtures of HOHPSO‐α and HOHPSO‐γ would be an excellent alternative to fulfill the frying performance required by the processors and the vitamin E content claimed by the consumers.     

Extent of private information disclosure on online social networks: An exploration of Facebook mobile phone users

The present study adopts the Communication Privacy Management theory and investigates the factors that influence the extent of private information disclosure of Facebook mobile phone users. Using a sample size of 488 adult mobile phone users, the study further investigates the differential impact of age on the extent of private information disclosure. Results from the logistic regressions run reveal that use of smartphones to access social networking sites, use of multiple social networks, and being female decrease the likelihood of private information disclosure. In addition, usability problems increase the likelihood of information disclosure by older adults. The analyses show no association between perceived benefit and private information disclosure.     

Mechanisms of developmental regression in autism and the broader phenotype: A neural network modeling approach.

Loss of previously established behaviors in early childhood constitutes a markedly atypical developmental trajectory. It is found almost uniquely in autism and its cause is currently unknown (Baird et al., 2008). We present an artificial neural network model of developmental regression, exploring the hypothesis that regression is caused by overaggressive synaptic pruning and identifying the mechanisms involved. We used a novel population-modeling technique to investigate developmental deficits, in which both neurocomputational parameters and the learning environment were varied across a large number of simulated individuals. Regression was generated by the atypical setting of a single pruning-related parameter. We observed a probabilistic relationship between the atypical pruning parameter and the presence of regression, as well as variability in the onset, severity, behavioral specificity, and recovery from regression. Other neurocomputational parameters that varied across the population modulated the risk that an individual would show regression. We considered a further hypothesis that behavioral regression may index an underlying anomaly characterizing the broader autism phenotype. If this is the case, we show how the model also accounts for several additional findings: shared gene variants between autism and language impairment (Vernes et al., 2008); larger brain size in autism but only in early development (Redcay & Courchesne, 2005); and the possibility of quasi-autism, caused by extreme environmental deprivation (Rutter et al., 1999). We make a novel prediction that the earliest developmental symptoms in the emergence of autism should be sensory and motor rather than social and review empirical data offering preliminary support for this prediction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Who will help prevent sexual violence: Creating an ecological model of bystander intervention.

Given the prevalence of sexual and relationship violence in communities, innovations in prevention are sought. One promising line of inquiry directs efforts not at victims or perpetrators but at community members who are potential witnesses to high-risk events along the continuum of violence or who may need to support victims after an assault. To date, the main organizing framework for understanding bystander behavior is the work of Latane and Darley (1970), who described a series of stages that lead to an individual's decision to intervene or not when someone needs help. Yet this model focuses mainly on factors within the individual or his or her immediate context. In the current review, I use ecological models by Bronfenbrenner (1977, 2005) and Kelly (2006) to expand our view of key factors that help promote and may serve as barriers to helpful bystander intervention. For example, ecological theories suggest important community-level variables, such as campus size or cultural values, that may influence the degree of helping and may, in some instances, be leverage points for creating change. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Structure of pectic polysaccharides isolated from onion Allium cepa L. using a simulated gastric medium and their effect on intestinal absorption

The polysaccharide fraction extracted with simulated gastric juice from onion bulbs contained a mixture of galactan with short-length sugar chains, pectic polysaccharides and evident content of proteinaceous material. Galacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan were the main constituents of the linear regions of the sugar chains of the pectic polysaccharides. The ramified regions included rhamnogalacturonan-I. NMR data revealed that the side chains of the ramified region contained mainly 1,4-linked β-d-galactopyranose residues and lesser content of 1,3-linked β-d-galactopyranose and 1,5-linked α-l-arabinofuranose residues. Furthermore, the proteinaceous material was determined to be partly linked to the sugar chains.     

Examining conflict between components of attitudes: Ambivalence and inconsistency are distinct constructs.

Past research has shown that attitudes can be based on different types of psychological information or components. It has also been suggested that the amount of ambivalence and inconsistency between and within these components are important aspects of attitude structure. In this paper, the authors discuss the relation between ambivalence and inconsistency, and the effects on message processing. To test predictions about the independence of ambivalence and inconsistency, the authors reanalyzed the data from their previous experiment (G. R. Maio et al, 1996; see record 1996-06722-001). The new analyses focused on intercomponent ambivalence and attiduinal inconsistency, in addition to intracomponent ambivalence. Using open-ended measures, the authors calculated indices of ambivalence and inconsistency within Canadian college students' attitudes toward Oriental people. The relations between these constructs were then examined, as were their effects on the processing of strong and weak persuasive messages advocating immigration from Hong Kong. Based on past theorizing and research, and on reanalyses of data, the authors conclude that ambivalence and inconsistency are distinct constructs, which are empirically unrelated and produce different effects on message processing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Peroxidation of microsomal membrane protein—Lipid complexes

Nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation was studied using the TBA test on rat liver microsomal fractions, lipid micelles and structural protein-lipid micelle complexes. The kinetics, response to divalent cations, and iron-ascorbate catalysis were alike in the microsomal fraction and in the complex, but different in lipid micelles. The structural protein represented 41% of the total membrane protein, had a S_20,obs of 3.5 and was hydrophobic. The binding of lipid micelles by structural protein proceeded in two steps, with an initial fast rate followed by a slower rate. The binding appeared to involve a hyrophobic association between lipid and protein as evidenced by insensitivity to pH, ionic strength and lack of preference for the individual classes of phospholipid micelles. Deoxycholate caused an increase in the initial peroxidation rate in microsomal fractions. Iron and ascorbate catalyzed lipid peroxidation in both the microsomal fraction and in the complex. Iron catalyzed lipid peroxidation but calcium, cobalt and copper inhibited the reaction in the SP-lipid micelle complex. Lipid peroxidation in microsomal suspensions, therefore, appears to be determined, in part, by the hydrophobic nature of the protein-lipid association found in membranes.     

Collapse of Steel Bridges

The study concerns bridge collapses focusing on metal structures. It is based on literature and news research, due to the lack of extensive compendiums of this unpleasing but important topic. At first, a short overview of the occidental history of metal bridges is given presenting the historic context for the described incidents. It is followed by a classification of the most common causes of bridge failure, which include structural and design deficiencies, corrosion, construction and supervision mistakes, accidental overload and impact, scour, lack of maintenance or inspection, and force majeure. Some significant historic examples are described. Changes and investigations initiated by the described cases are also mentioned. The work concludes that without the disaster that represents each bridge collapse, we would have neither the structural behavior knowledge nor the relatively high safety of today.