Comparison of two methods for extraction of volatiles from marine PL emulsions

The dynamic headspace (DHS) thermal desorption principle using Tenax GR tube, as well as the solid phase micro‐extraction (SPME) tool with carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane 50/30 µm CAR/PDMS SPME fiber, both coupled to GC/MS were implemented for the isolation and identification of both lipid and Strecker derived volatiles in marine phospholipids (PL) emulsions. Comparison of volatile extraction efficiency was made between the methods. For marine PL emulsions with a highly complex composition of volatiles headspace, a fiber saturation problem was encountered when using CAR/PDMS‐SPME for volatiles analysis. However, the CAR/PDMS‐SPME technique was efficient for lipid oxidation analysis in emulsions of less complex headspace. The SPME method extracted volatiles of lower molecular weights more efficient than the DHS method. On the other hand, DHS Tenax GR appeared to be more efficient in extracting volatiles of higher molecular weights and it provided a broader volatile spectrum for marine PL emulsion than the CAR/PDMS‐SPME method.     

Harmonizing agriculture and health sector actions to improve household nutrition: policy experiences from Afghanistan (2002–2007)

Coordination across sectors to address undernutrition with its varied underlying causes remains a challenge in developing countries. In Afghanistan, harmonization of health and agriculture policies and actions to reduce endemic undernutrition occurred during 2002-2007. This qualitative case study explores the forms of harmonization, enabling features and constraints in the policy process. We interviewed 57 stakeholders (39 central level, 18 provincial) involved in public nutrition or food security issues. Forms of harmonization included written policies, reseach, training and advocacy. Important features of the policy process included: policy entrepreneurs with operational and strategic capacity, consensus-building using a shared causal framework, working groups and strategic alliances. This case presents an interesting alternative to a national nutrition coordinating body, an approach that has met with mixed results, often due to the lack of authority, budget, and operational capacity of such a body to oversee ministries and enforce national nutrition objectives. Mid-level professionals mobilized into task forces achieved much with the support of national and international partners. This study highlights the importance of building capacity for sustaining change through local institutions.     

EEM fluorescence spectroscopy as a fast method to assess the brine composition of salted herring

Ripening of barrel-salted herring (Clupea harengus) is evaluated by the use of fluorescence spectroscopy and protein determinations. During ripening, protein degradation takes place in the herring and protein is extracted into the brine. The present study aims at identifying parameters which are correlated to the ripening characteristics of barrel-salted herring and which can provide a better understanding of the ripening process. Front face fluorescence landscapes were obtained by measuring directly on the brine from barrel-salted herring. These data were analyzed by parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC), which revealed four fluorophores, tryptophan (two states), vitamin B6 and riboflavin. All four parameters showed an increase in concentration during the storage period corresponding to an increase in protein content that varied from 3 g/100 g at day 60 to 5 g/100 g after 277 days of storage. It was not possible to see a difference in the development of the four fluorophores during the ripening period. The protein content was predicted from the fluorescence landscapes by partial least squares (PLS). The use of unfolded fluorescence spectra gave an RMSECV of 0.26 g/100 g and a correlation between the measured protein content and the predicted values of 0.86.     

A continuum phase field model for fracture

A phase field model based on a regularized version of the variational formulation of brittle fracture is introduced. The influences of the regularization parameter that controls the interface width between broken and undamaged material and of the mobility constant of the evolution equation are studied in finite element simulations. A generalized Eshelby tensor is derived and analyzed for mode I loading in order to evaluate the energy release rate of the diffuse phase field cracks. The numerical implementation is performed with finite elements and an implicit time integration scheme. The configurational forces are computed in a postprocessing step after the coupled problem of mechanical balance equations and the evolution equation is solved. Some of the numerical results are compared to analytical results from classical Griffith theory.     

A Decade of Oxothiomolybdenum Wheels: Synthesis,Behavior in Solution,and Electrocatalytic Properties

The last decade has see the development of sulfur-containing polyoxometalates (POTMs) as a subclass of the polyoxometalate family. The structural and physico-chemical properties of this emerging class of compounds is dominating by the striking coordination properties of the [Mo₂O₂S₂(OH₂)₆]²⁺ oxothio cation, used as a building block. The cyclic topology of this arrangement corresponds to the main feature of the {Mo₂O₂S₂}-based compounds, able to develop cycle-based chemistry. The control of the linear oligomerization of the {Mo₂O₂S₂} core is achieved by the presence of the anionic component, which acts as a template. Here, we report on recent examples which illustrate how the use of various template ions such as halide, sulfate, polyphosphate, and polycarboxylate anions allows to tune the nuclearity of the inorganic host from {Mo₈} to {Mo₁₈}. A special focus on behavior in solution is given, highlighting the dynamic and fluxional character of these host–guest systems. The Diffusion Ordered Spectroscopy (DOSY) ¹H NMR, carried out on a large series of cycle-based and capsule-like compounds, demonstrates that such a method can be applied for the speciation of POM anions in solution. Finally, electrocatalytic behavior of the {Mo₂O₂S₂}-based compounds is presented. Preliminary results show that the electrocatalytic reduction of protons into hydrogen (HER) could constitute one of the most relevant applications for this class of molecular compounds.     

Preparation of transparent PMMA/Fe(IO3)3 nanocomposite films from microemulsion polymerization

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)/Fe(IO₃)₃ nanocomposite thin films are obtained by in situ particle generation in microemulsions and subsequent photopolymerization of a mixture containing methyl methacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, and crystallized iron iodate (Fe(IO₃)₃) nanorods. Hyper‐Rayleigh scattering measurements combined with X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering are first used to probe in situ the crystallization kinetics of iron iodate nanorods in water‐in‐oil microemulsions prepared with methyl methacrylate as the oil phase and marlophen NP12 as a surfactant. Trimethylolpropane triacrylate is then added as a crosslinker before spin‐coating. Films are deposited on glass substrates for the nonlinear optical characterizations and on silicon wafers for the piezoelectric and mechanical measurements. Nanocomposite films treated by corona discharge are finally characterized through optical microscopy, laser Doppler vibrometry, and Brillouin spectroscopy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1203‐1211, 2013     

Pornography-seeking behaviors following midterm political elections in the United States: A replication of the challenge hypothesis

The current study examined a prediction derived from the challenge hypothesis; individuals who viciously win a competition of rank order will seek out pornography relatively more often than individuals who viciously lose a competition. By examining Google keyword searches during the 2006 and 2010 midterm elections in the United States, the relative popularity of various pornography keyword searches was computed for each state and the District of Columbia the week after each midterm election. Consistent with previous research examining presidential elections and the challenge hypothesis, individuals located in traditionally Republican states tended to search for pornography keywords relatively more often after the 2010 midterm election (a Republican victory) than after the 2006 midterm election (a Democratic victory). Conversely, individuals located in traditionally Democratic states tended to search for pornography relatively less often following the 2010 midterm election than they did following the 2006 midterm election.     

Developing community capacity to treat post-deployment mental health problems: A public health initiative.

Meeting the mental health needs of Veterans returning from recent deployment requires the coordinated effort of partnerships across Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and state and local communities. Although the proportion of Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan who have accessed VA health care has grown, the majority of these new combat Veterans have yet to present for VA care. The stigma associated with reporting a deployment-related mental health problem may be one factor in this, but access to treatment may also be an important concern among the one third of American Veterans who live in rural or highly rural areas. As these Veterans are more likely to present to a primary care, faith-based or mental health provider in their own community, partnerships between community providers, DoD, and VA are of critical importance in ensuring appropriate care, regardless of treatment setting. In an effort to improve services and access to services, especially to rural Veterans, an educational public health initiative was created to educate community providers about military culture, deployment-related mental health issues, VA resources, and evidence-based treatments. We describe the development, dissemination and evaluation of this initiative, as well as lessons learned for future similar endeavors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Incremental Validity in the Psychological Assessment of Children and Adolescents.

Incremental validity in the process of psychological assessment of children and adolescents is explored. The authors highlight the dependence of the incremental validity of assessment information on factors such as goal of assessment, other information available, base rate of the problem or outcome, age or gender of the child, and type of problem being assessed. The authors discuss the incremental validity of assessment information from alternate sources, methods, and constructs. In view of the limited number of studies directly relevant to incremental validity in child clinical assessments, the authors call for more clinically relevant research. To have the greatest impact on child and adolescent services, this research must be readily generalized and immediately relevant to actual clinical practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)