Incorporation of chia seed flour into gluten-free rice layer cake: Effects on nutritional quality and physicochemical properties

The purpose of this research was to incorporate 0% to 30% chia seed flour into rice flour gluten-free layer cake and evaluate its effect on nutritional qualities and physicochemical properties. The supplement of chia seed flour resulted in higher batter viscosity, hardness of gluten free layer cake, crude protein, fat, ash, α-linolenic acid (increase up to 10.2% of total fatty acid), total phenolics content, and reducing power but the lower crust, crumb white index, cohesiveness, and resilience of gluten-free layer cake was found. Substitution of rice flour with 10% prehydrated chia seed flour can achieve a higher center height and volume index of gluten-free layer cakes. Higher carosine and angiotension I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity was observed in the supplement of 10% chia seed flour when compared to a rice flour layer cake. Gluten-free layer cake with 10% prehydrated chia seeds flour had similar overall acceptability, texture, flavor, and odor scores except for lower appearance score to those of gluten-free layer cake made with 100% rice flour and layer cake made with 100% wheat flour. Incorporation of 10% prehydrated chia seed flour results in more desirable volume index of gluten-free layer cake and it is feasible for gluten-free layer cake application. Gluten-free layer cakes with improved quality characteristics and high nutritional value can be manufactured by the incorporation of chia seed flour.     

Processable Thermally Conductive Polyurethane Composite Fibers

The demand for wearable electronics has resulted in an increasing interest in the development of functional fibers, with a specific focus upon the development of electrically conductive fibers incorporable into garments. However, the production of thermally conductive fibers for heat dissipation has been largely neglected. Owing to the very rapid development of miniaturized wearable electronics, there is an increasing need for the development of thermally conductive fibers as heat sinks and thermal management processes. In this study, thermally conductive but electrically insulating boron nitride nanopowder (BNNP) fillers are used to effectively enhance the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of elastomeric polyurethane fibers. Thermal conductivity enhancement of more than 160% is achieved at very low loadings of BNNP (less than 5 wt%) with an improvement in the mechanical properties of the unmodified fiber. These thermally conductive fibers are also incorporated into 3D textile structures as a proof of processability.     

A simple molecular assay differentiates two burrowing mayfly species, Hexagenia limbata and H. rigida (Ephemeroptera: Ephemeridae), in western Lake Erie

Burrowing mayflies (Hexagenia spp.) are important indicators of mesotrophic water conditions, and have been studied for several decades in conjunction with the changing trophic status of western Lake Erie. However, most studies on the biology of burrowing mayflies have failed to differentiate between immature H. limbata and H. rigida, the life stages that are most commonly collected. We developed a simple molecular assay to facilitate species-level identification of the two mayflies as an easier alternative to sequencing the COI gene. We analyzed a total of 152 cytochrome c oxidase, subunit I barcoding sequences from the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) for these mayfly species and developed a diagnostic primer set. We tested our primers on 46 random burrowing Lake Erie mayfly nymphs using both conventional PCR and qPCR. Results of the two methods were consistent and unambiguous. Sequencing of the COI barcoding region in the mayflies confirmed that the PCR assays correctly identified mayflies in all cases. Our assay is simple and effective, and will facilitate species-level identification of burrowing mayflies in future studies on their biology where the two species co-occur.     

Differential protein expression in exosomal samples taken from trauma patients

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are among the most misdiagnosed and underreported types of head trauma. The potential long‐term impact of undiagnosed or incorrectly identified concussions and other head injuries are potentially devastating, as evidenced by the increasing societal burden exhibited by soldiers returning from combat and athletes in contact sports. Concussions and TBI are notoriously difficult to correctly diagnose and prognosis for these injuries is poorly understood. In order to increase the likelihood of successful diagnosis, treatment, and prediction of outcomes, a definitive differential diagnosis will need to be established. The establishment of a “trauma–specific profile” or a panel of known trauma markers will significantly aid in this goal. Small membrane vesicles called exosomes have been shown to contain proteins and injury‐specific biomarkers. In the future it is possible that they could become an important tool, utilized for their diagnostic and therapeutic potential.     

Knowledge of family history as a clinically useful index of psychological well-being and prognosis: A brief report.

Based on an instance of "clinical lore" we assess the efficacy of children's and adolescents' knowledge of family history as an index of psychological well-being and potential for positive change in clinical and educational settings. We report that knowledge of family history is significantly correlated with internal locus of control, higher self-esteem, better family functioning, greater family cohesiveness, lower levels of anxiety, and lower incidence of behavior problems. We suggest that through the use of a brief measure of family knowledge, practicing clinicians can rapidly generate a data-based correlate of children's well-being and likelihood of overcoming psychological and educational challenges. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

High‐Pressure Investigation in the System SiO2–GeO2: Mutual Solubility of Si and Ge in Quartz,Coesite and Rutile Phases

Mutual solubilities in crystalline phases in the system SiO₂–GeO₂ have been investigated up to 10 GPa pressure and 1500°C temperature, using a bulk composition of 50 mol% GeO₂. Solid solution of up to 40 mol% GeO₂ into the mineral quartz has been confirmed as well as solubility of Si into GeO₂ rutile (argutite) and Ge into SiO₂ rutile (stishovite) phases and limited Ge into coesite. Solubility of Ge in quartz is very high, and decreases with pressure, with the univariant quartz‐out reaction occurring near 3.4 GPa at 1200°C. The solubility of GeO₂ in coesite is highest at 3.4 GPa (about 8 mol%) and decreases with increasing pressure. Significantly more extensive solubility than previously reported for the rutile phases has been found and measured in detail as a function of pressure and temperature. Extensive solubility of SiO₂ in GeO₂ is found in argutite at 1200°C, increasing strongly with pressure and reaching a maximum of 25.2 mol% SiO₂ in GeO₂ at 9 GPa. At this point coesite (ss) plus argutite (ss) react to form a stishovite phase with 18 mol% GeO₂, and the mutual solubility in both phases decreases above this pressure. At 1500°C, similar solubilities are observed but the maximum SiO₂ solubility in argutite of just over 25 mol% occurs near 10 GPa. All these solid solutions can be recovered to ambient temperature and pressure. Phase diagrams and unit cell information of the phases are presented here. Based on these results, a useful and industrially relevant, application for accurately measuring high pressure is suggested.     

The Content of Reality Dating Shows and Viewer Perceptions of Dating

This research utilized a content analysis of 64 hours of reality dating shows and a survey of 197 young adults to determine the extent to which the content on these shows was related to actual dating attitudes, preferred date characteristics, and dating behaviors of viewers of that genre. Results show that male viewers, those who perceived higher realism in the shows, and those with higher average viewing scores were more likely to endorse attitudes found within the programming. Dating characteristics were portrayed infrequently, and no relationship between viewing and endorsement of those characteristics was found. Viewing reality dating shows was related to self-reports of drinking alcohol and using hot tubs early in the dating relationship.