Classification of feeding fats by FT‐IR spectroscopy

In this paper, a technique useful for the classification of different food oil co‐ and by‐products of potential use for feed preparation is shown. The proposal is based upon a Fourier transform infrared evaluation of different classes of compounds, and its elaboration was carried out starting from the knowledge of the chemical composition of each feedstock category. Using this technique, a sure classification of fatty acid calcium soaps, fully hydrogenated fatty acids, lecithins, acid oils from chemical refining, acid oils from physical refining and fish oils can be easily done. The remaining categories of animal fats, fried oils and oils recovered from exhausted bleaching earth can be differentiated by using one or two additional chemical tests. The scope of this paper is to provide a quick, easy and non‐expensive tool for a correct classification of feedstock, in order to allow the choice of correct and applicable analytical tests for the evaluation of the quality and of the composition of each sample.     

Terital MAP--一种新的抗起球聚酯纤维

本文阐述了织物起球的机理和测试方法，介绍了纤维抗起球的途径以及一种新的抗起球聚酯纤维。     

Iron-binding ability of melanoidins from food and model systems

Soluble high molecular weight fractions isolated from the development of the Maillard reaction in 22 different model systems and food matrices were studied in order to assess their iron-chelating ability in vitro. Melanoidins and iron were incubated in a Na-acetate buffer (0.1 M, pH 5) at different weight ratios and free iron was measured by FAAS and the bathophenantroline procedure at the steady state. Melanoidins were classified at three levels according to their number of co-ordination sites for iron. Melanoidins from coffee (medium roasted), different types of beer (Pilsener, Abbeys, and dry-stout styles), and sweet wine (Pedro Ximenez) exerted a low iron-binding effect compared with melanoidins from model systems. The type of sugar was shown to be a significant parameter for obtaining melanoidins with high iron ability, and glucose was more efficient than lactose. No relationship was observed between browning and iron binding ability of melanoidins from model systems. The chromophoric residues were not the main co-ordination sites for iron complexation in the melanoidin structure.     

Nonverbal indices of arousal in group psychotherapy.

Examined psychometric properties of a nonverbal measure of arousal in psychotherapy (J. K. Burgoon et al, 1989) used with depressed clients in 2 types of group psychotherapy: experiential (n?=?18) and cognitive (n?=?13). Results indicate that both general and specific aspects of emotional arousal can be reliably rated from nonverbal behaviors. Vocalic tension, nervous vocalizations and laughter, kinesic random movement, and vocal expressiveness were associated with higher global arousal. A 2nd study looked at the relationship between nonverbal arousal and within-session benefits in the 2 group psychotherapies. A depressed S experiencing positive response to therapy and one experiencing a poor response were studied from each type of therapy. Different patterns of arousal characterized the different group therapy modalities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hyperhomocysteinemia: Focus on Endothelial Damage as a Cause of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to maintain and/or achieve a satisfactory erection. This condition can be influenced by the presence of atherosclerosis, a systemic pathology of the vessels that also affects the cavernous arteries and which can cause an alteration of blood flow at penile level. Among the cardiovascular risk factors affecting the genesis of atherosclerosis, hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcys) plays a central role, which is associated with oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. This review focuses on the biological processes that lead to homocysteine-induced endothelial damage and discusses the consequences of HHcys on male sexual function     

Integrators’ Air Transport Networks in Europe

Integrators are shipping carriers that control complete air and road delivery networks and offer a wide range of package delivery services. Despite the increasing relevance of small package delivery services in the European air transport market, very little has been written on integrated carriers’ air transport networks on the Old Continent. In this paper we examine the network configurations of DHL, FedEx, TNT, and UPS in terms of hubs, spokes, and market shares. Our results show that integrators operate hub-and-spoke networks. Network indices and centrality measures confirm that their network structures are more similar to those of full-service passenger carriers rather than those of low-cost carriers. However, the nature of their hub-and-spoke systems is different because freight tons, as compared to passengers, are more easily flown along multiple-stop and circular routes. As a consequence, FedEx, TNT, and UPS operate non-pure star networks with a dominant central hub and a set of intermediate airports acting as stops between the central hub and (usually) one “external airport”. DHL operates a multi-hub architecture, with a main dominant hub in Leipzig and a set of “secondary hubs” that provide several connections to other network nodes. Furthermore, we provide evidence of the most important intra-Europe and long-haul routes for each integrator, showing that DHL seems to have a more developed Europe-Asia connection, and is the only integrator to connect Europe to Sub-Saharan Africa. Finally, we show the high degree of complementarity existing between FedEx and TNT networks and that such complementarity is confirmed also by an analysis of their market shares in the different European sub-markets. Despite the significant level of market concentration, our analysis shows that the recent merger between FedEx and TNT is not expected to significantly modify market equilibrium in Europe.

     

Quantitative analysis of convective dose in hemofiltration and hemodiafiltration: "predilution" vs. "postdilution" reinfusion

In hemofiltration (HF) and hemodiafiltration (HDF), removal of medium and high-molecular-weight solutes is greatly enhanced by convective mechanisms as compared with simple diffusion; increasing convective flows may allow greater removal rates of these solutes. Use of "predilution" (pre-H[D]F) may allow higher ultrafiltration rates than the "postdilution" mode (post-H[D]F); yet, the dilution of plasma water may have unpredictable effects on "endogenous" water convection. We have applied a mathematical analysis to evaluate and compare endogenous water convective flow rates in pre-H(D)F vs. post-H(D)F. Endogenous plasma water recovered in ultrafiltrate was calculated according to patient (hematocrit, total protein level) and session parameters (blood flow, ultrafiltration rate, programmed weight loss), in absolute terms and as a fraction of endogenous plasma water delivery to the filter. Maximally efficient post-H(D)F was modelled according to a preset postfilter hematocrit or filtration fraction. Nomograms were constructed expressing endogenous water convective fluxes in relation to parameters of interest (ultrafiltration rate, blood flow, hematocrit) with both post-H(D)F and pre-H(D)F, and "efficiency" of pre-H(D)F vs. post-H(D)F (as the ratio of endogenous water convective flow rate with the 2 techniques) as a function of the ultrafiltration/reinfusion rate. In post-H(D)F, the model predicts maximal ultrafiltration rates within the limits of a preset hemoconcentration at the filter outlet; additionally, the model allows to calculate ultrafiltration/reinfusion quantities to be set in pre-H(D)F to equal and overcome maximal convective efficiency of post-H(D)F. This "equivalence" ultrafiltration rate may greatly vary according to patient's hematocrit and blood flow, so that the ultrafiltrate-reinfusate volume available in the system dictates, in any patient, which mode of reinfusion may attain higher "endogenous" convective flow rates. Pre-H(D)F may allow higher fractional and absolute "endogenous" convective flow rates as compared with post-H(D)F, provided that adequate amounts of reinfusate are available. For lower reinfusate volumes than "equivalence" values, post-H(D)F remains a better option.