Does precontemplation represent a homogeneous stage category? A latent class analysis on German smokers.

The authors examined the subtype structure of smokers classified in the precontemplation stage of change within the transtheoretical model. From a general practice-based sample of 1,499 daily smoking patients from Germany (participation rate 80%), they used a subgroup of 929 smokers who were classified in the precontemplation stage and applied latent class analysis, using the pros and cons of nonsmoking and smoking cessation self-efficacy as the defining variables. Cross-sectional validation of the emerging classes was based on smoking behavior and processes of change variables. For longitudinal validation, generalized estimation equation analyses were used on motivational and abstinence criteria from 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month follow-ups. A 4-class model best represented the data. Three subtypes (labeled progressive, immotive, and disengaged pessimistic) were similar to clusters identified in U.S. studies. The 4th (disengaged optimistic), by contrast, was reminiscent of a type that had previously only emerged in a Dutch study. Cross-sectional and longitudinal validation results confirmed the distinctiveness and predictive power of the classes. The findings highlight the importance of tailoring interventions for smoking behavior change to the needs of different subgroups of precontemplating smokers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Conformational changes of Mal d 2, a thaumatin-like apple allergen,induced by food processing

Mal d 2, a thaumatin-like protein from apple was previously described to react to almost 75% of the apple allergic patient sera. Based on the molecular structure of this protein, the present study focused on the conformational stability of Mal d 2 in relation to in vitro IgE-binding under different physico-chemical conditions and proteolysis. The structural integrity of Mal d 2 was monitored using SDS–PAGE, Western blotting using polyclonal antibodies and human sera, fluorescence spectrometry and circular dichroism. Results confirmed the stability of Mal d 2. However, Mal d 2 was reactive to human serum IgEs mainly after reduction of disulphide bridges fixing the α-helical domain II. Contrary to previous assumptions, the current findings suggest that the allergenic epitopes of Mal d 2 are hidden inside the protein structure and none of the rigorous conditions applied in industrial juice processing or digestive proteolysis enhance or reduce the binding to IgE molecules.     

Effects of light,temperature and water activity on the kinetics of lipoxidation in almond-based products

Lipoxidation in almond-derived products was investigated using the chemiluminescence (CL) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) methods to detect the first and later reaction products, respectively. The effects of light during storage at 5 °C, 22 °C and 40 °C were studied, as well as the effects of combined heat/water activity treatments in the 60–120 °C and 0.38–0.72 range. During storage, light was found to enhance the CL and TBARS values, and specific responses were observed in almond paste and the final Calisson product. During the heating of almond paste, as the initial water activity (a_w) increased, the CL rate constants increased during heating to 60 °C and 80 °C, but interestingly, these values decreased during further heating to 120 °C, whereas the maximum TBARS rate constants occurred at a_w 0.57 at all the heating temperatures tested. The activation energies, based on the CL and TBARS values, decreased specifically when the a_w increased from 0.38 to 0.72, giving overall values ranging from110 kJ mol⁻¹ to 60 kJ mol⁻¹. Likewise, in the same water activity range, the temperature-dependent rate constant enhancing factor (Q₁₀) decreased from 3.3 to 1.6.     

Influence of volume fraction and dispersion rate of grain-boundary cementite on the cold-rolling textures of low-carbon steel

On the technical background of elevated coiling temperatures the influence of the precipitated volume fraction and of the dispersion rate of grain boundary cementite on cold-rolling textures in low carbon steel was investigated. Whilst different dispersion rates with constant cementite volume do not reveal any distinct influence, the rolling texture is lowered by increasing the precipitated volume fraction of cementite.     

Continuous computer controlled production of formate dehydrogenase (FDH) and isolation on a pilot scale

A continuous production process has been developed up to pilot scale (300 l) for FDH production with the methylotrophic yeast Candida boidinii. A high cell mass specific FDH activity (50 U/g) is achieved by process computer controlled supply of pure methanol to operate the reactor at an optimum methanol concentration of 10 g/l. The maximum FDH spacetime yield achievable with this process control involves a residence time of 7 h. The FDH space-time yield (STY) and FDH concentration are a function of the oxygen transfer rate (OTR) of the fermenter (maximum STY = 255 U/(l h) at k_La = 870 l/h). For a reasonable compromise between high FDH space-time yield and high FDH concentration, an optimum residence time is adjustable by regulating the supply of nutrient salt solution in relation to the OTR of the fermenter. On a pilot scale (200 l continuously stirred tank reactor) roughly 4 million U of FDH were produced within 10 days at a residence time of 14.3 h. Isolation of intracellular FDH enzyme was performed using extraction with an aqueous two-phase system (PEG/K₂HPO₄). A technical product quality of 1.2 U/mg FDH was achieved without any chromatographic purification step.     

Accuracy improvement technique for measuring stress intensity factors in photoelastic experiment

Fracture coefficients, together with the exact origin of the crack, were extracted from data sets produced an overdeterministic system solved by an iterative least squares method. Power series type williams equations were used in the analyses. The accuracy evaluation indicated that the first four terms of williams equations are sufficient to describe the stress field in the vicinity of the crack tip for both mode I and mixed mode cases. Experimental study showed that the first two terms of williams equations, which are the same as the modified westergaard equations, cannot be used to extract mixed mode fracture parameters accurately within the data collection region of 0.07 <r/a <0.30, where r and a are radial coordinate and crack length for an edge crack, respectively.     

Preparation of percycloalkylphosphines by catalytic hydrogenation using a Rh/Pt catalyst of the adams type

By smooth catalytic hydrogenation phenylated phosphine oxides are reduced to the corresponding cyclohexyl derivatives using a Rh/Pt catalyst. In chiral phosphines the optical activity is restored.