Effects of Processing on Curd Yield and Nutrient Composition of Rapid Hydration Hydrothermal Cooking and Traditionally Processed Soymilk and Soybean Curd

Soymilk processed by the Rapid Hydration Hydrothermal Cooking (RHHTC) method had higher thiamin and protein when compared to traditionally extracted soymilk (P<0.0001). Traditionally processed soybean curd had higher protein (P < 0.0001) and fat (P < 0.001) while carbohydrate and ash were lower (P<0.0001) when compared to RHHTC produced soybean curd. Variation in amino acid compositions occurred in soymilks and soybean curds. RHHTC-produced soybean curd had greater curd yields than traditionally produced soybean curd.     

Social Capital and Housing Tenure in an Adelaide Neighbourhood

In this article we compare and contrast elements of social capital across different housing tenures in an Adelaide neighbourhood. Using the results of 530 self-completion questionnaires and in-depth qualitative interviews with 16 people we assess perceptions of conflict across housing tenures and between socio-economic groups, feelings of acceptance and belonging in the local neighbourhood, and levels of involvement in local formal and informal networks. While only a small number of questionnaire respondents reported negative views of socio-economic diversity in the area a theme emerging in the qualitative data indicated that housing tenure was relevant to some of these negative perceptions. Respondents from across different tenure types also reported differences in feelings of acceptance in the neighbourhood, and involvement in formal and informal networks. The study findings suggest that housing tenure is relevant to the development of neighbourhood-based social capital, and that this factor needs to be considered by social planners, housing policy makers and others involved in implementing social mix policies. In addition, the findings indicate the need to consider the community housing and public housing tenures in their own right, given the different models of housing provision, rather than collectively under the common banner of social housing as most research studies do. It is recommended that the full diversity of housing tenure is considered in any future analysis.     

PROPERTIES OF CHITIN DEACETYLASE FROM CRUDE EXTRACTS OF MUCOR ROUXII MYCELIUM

The catalytic properties of chitin deacetylase from Mucor rouxii were studied with the aim of using the results for control of the properties of chitosan prepared by enzymatic deacetylation. A crude deacetylase extract from the mycelium of Mucor rouxii exhibited maximal activity at pH 5.8 with both water-soluble and acid-soluble chitosan. The extracellular enzyme of the culture medium exhibited maximal activity at pH 4.8. The deacetylase in the crude extract was stable over the pH range of 4.1–8.9 at 25C, retaining 85–100% of maximal activity at 40C. The extract was most active towards acid-soluble chitosan at 50C and pH 5.8. Chitin deacetylase was stable to 40C when incubated without substrate, with 85% of the activity retained at 50C. Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Zn²⁺ had no effect on activity, while EDTA, Fe²⁺, and Fe³⁺ caused partial inhibition in extracts incubated without substrate for 1 h at 25C and pH 5.8. The deacetylase in the mycelial extract and in the culture medium was slightly activated by Co²⁺. The differences in temperature optima and thermal stability of deacetylase and hydrolytic enzymes can be used for controlling the degree of hydrolysis of chitosan, while the difference in pH stability has been used for prepurification, resulting in 3-fold increase in specific activity of deacetylase .     

A COMPARISON OF THREE INSTRUMENTAL TECHNIQUES TO EVALUATE BUTTER SPREADABILITY

Three instrumental techniques, cone penetrometry, probe penetration and Instron TPA, were compared as means to describe butter spreadability. A factorial experiment was set up to examine the consistency of winter and summer butter, mechanically worked and unworked, before and after storage and at two measurement temperatures, 5° C and 15° C. Probe penetration provided useful information on the relaxation behavior of butter, as well as contributing to the fundamental knowledge of butter structure. The Instron TPA has the advantage of a link with an internationally recognized system of texture analysis. The technique was also found to show greatest potential as a method to assess the effectiveness of mechanical treatment of butter. Cone penetrometry results were converted to yield values and in conjunction with Haighton's ready reckoner scale of assessment provided a simple and rapid method to describe butter spreadability.     

WHAT'S THE 'HOOD GOT TO DO WITH IT? PARENTAL PERCEPTIONS ABOUT HOW NEIGHBORHOOD MECHANISMS AFFECT THEIR CHILDREN

ABSTRACT: During the past decade, a rapidly expanding body of empirical research has emerged that statistically links disadvantaged neighborhood environments with social and economic outcomes of low‐income, minority children. Nonetheless, the mechanisms by which neighborhoods putatively affect children remain poorly understood. This article examines the perceptions of low‐income parents regarding how their neighborhood might affect their children. We examine quantitative and qualitative data gathered from phone interviews with 246 parents who live in subsidized housing scattered across a wide variety of neighborhoods in Denver, Colorado. We supplement this information with data obtained through a series of focus group interviews with a subset of these parents. Our findings indicate that low‐income parents perceive the following primary neighborhood mechanisms: (1) the degree (or lack) of social norms and collective efficacy (24%); (2) influence of children's peers (12%); (3) exposure to crime and violence (11%); and (4) the presence and quality of institutional resources (3%). Approximately one‐third of all parents reported that their neighborhood had no impact at all on their children, citing that their children were either “too young” to be affected by these mechanisms or that parents had sufficient resources to buffer any deleterious effects of the neighborhood. Parents residing in high‐poverty neighborhoods were much more likely to perceive a neighborhood effect, however. Binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses were employed to identify the extent to which an array of demographic characteristics and neighborhood type correlated with parents' perceptions. Latino parents were significantly less likely than other low‐income parents to report a neighborhood impact mechanism. Relative to those who reported no particular neighborhood impact mechanism, those who identified: (1) safety issues were more likely to have a spouse or parent present, and have low self‐esteem; (2) peer influences were more likely to have higher levels of education and live in a high‐poverty but low‐crime area.     

The Recovery of a Mixed Rare-Earth Oxide and the Preparation of Cerium,Europium and Neodymium Oxides from a South African Phosphoric Acid Sludge by Solvent Extraction

Abstract

A novel process based largely on solvent-extraction methods has been developed for the recovery of rare-earth oxides from waste calcium sulphate sludges obtained during the manufacture of phosphoric acid from a South African apatite ore. A mixed rare-earth oxide (90-98% purity) was first recovered from calcium nitrate leach liquors by extraction with TBP or DBBP, after which it was dissolved in nitric acid to enable pure cerium dioxide (99.98%) to be prepared by selective extraction of cerium(IV) nitrate into TBP. The heavy (yttrium), middle, and light rare-earth fractions were then separated by sequential extraction into D2EHPA at controlled pH values. Pure europium oxide (99.98%) was isolated from the middle fraction by reductive precipitation of europim(II) sulphate, followed by conversion to soluble europium(II) chloride and removal of trivalent rare-earth impurities by extraction with D2EHPA or Versatic 10 acid. Finally, magnet-grade neodymium oxide (95-96%) was obtained from the light rare-earth fraction by extraction of the contained lanthanum, cerium and praseodymium into Aliquat 336 nitrate.