Newborns discriminate the rhythm of multisyllabic stressed words.

Three experiments were run to test whether newborns were able to discriminate different stress patterns in multisyllabic stressed Italian words that varied both in consonants and in number of syllables. A high-amplitude sucking procedure was adopted in which the experimental group heard 2 sets of stimuli alternating minute by minute, whereas the control group heard only a single set of stimuli. The results showed that stress patterns were discriminated in 2 disyllabic phonetically unvaried words (Exp 1), in 2 trisyllabic consonant-varied words (Exp 2), and in 2 sets of disyllabic words varied in consonants within and between words (Exp 3). The alternation procedure proved to be suitable for examining newborns' abilities of discrimination and categorization. It also lowered the participants' rejection rate compared with the classic habituation procedure. The present results suggest that newborns are sensitive to words' rhythm, as carried by stress patterns, and that this prosodic information is salient even in the presence of substantial consonant variation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development of the chemical model of a typical food product: Olive oil from an italian region (Basilicata)

Samples (158) of olive oil produced in an Italian region (Basilicata) and described by 52 chemical variables were analysed together with samples of different geographical origin, using chemometric techniques. After selection of the variables discriminating best between the samples from Basilicata and those from the reference regions, two homogeneous zones of Basilicata were studied in detail: several class-modelling methods were applied in order to build the models of the oil produced in those areas. Compact models of the northern and central areas of Basilicata were obtained with a variance comparable to the models of well-characterised regions of oil production.     

"Don't know" responding to answerable and unanswerable questions during misleading and hypnotic interviews.

"Don't know" (DK) responses to interview questions are conceptually heterogeneous, and may represent uncertainty or clear statements about the contents of memory. A study examined the subjective intent of DK responses in relation to the objective status of information queried, in the context of memory distorting procedures. Participants viewed a video and responded to answerable and unanswerable questions phrased in misleading or nonmisleading formats, while hypnotized or not hypnotized. Subjective meanings of DK responses were queried, and a recognition measure assessed the contents of memory. Lower DK and accuracy rates were consistently associated with unanswerable and misleading questions. One-third of DK responses were statements that the information had no not presented. When these were recoded, accuracy estimates for answerable questions decreased and more so for hypnotized participants. These results demonstrate that DK responses convey different types of information, thus accuracy estimates in studies that permit DK responses may be misestimated. Robust risks associated with asking unanswerable questions and asking questions at all were observed. Implications for working with DK responses during interviews are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Authenticity and quality of animal origin food investigated by stable‐isotope ratio analysis

Authentication of a food product is the procedure by which it is verified that the product matches the statements on the label, and that it conforms to what is established by regulations. This testing process includes analysis of the ingredients, determination of the geographical origin, and examination of the production methods. In particular, the use of rapid, effective and reliable analytical methods, when correctly applied to verify the authenticity and the traceability of the product, represents a valuable and irreplaceable tool for the authorities to carry out control functions. Tools and methodologies from scientific innovation and technological evolution can help to quickly locate particularly sophisticated frauds and adulterations. The feeding regime of livestock is a fundamental issue for the properties and safety of animal origin food, but this regime is often hidden from the consumer, making the zootechnical sector more prone to fraudulent practices. This review reports the results recently obtained in authentication of animal origin food by the application of stable‐isotope ratio analysis, the most promising analytical technique in this field.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

The Structural Role of Zn in Nuclear Waste Glasses

Addition of ZnO and CaO to current United Kingdom high level nuclear waste (HLW) glass frits is currently under consideration with the aim of improving processing behavior and aqueous durability. This study was performed in order to better understand the structural role of Zn in model U.K. HLW glasses and, in particular, the role of Zn as a network modifier, intermediate, or former in such materials. Zinc K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy was applied to simple soda-lime-silicate glasses doped with ZnO and on model inactive U.K. HLW glasses consisting of simulated Magnox and Blend (25 wt% Magnox + 75 wt% ThORP reprocessing waste) wastes. X-ray absorption near edge and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy provided conclusive evidence that Zn occurs in four-fold coordination with Zn–O contact distances of 1.95 ± 0.01 Å in all glasses studied. Analysis of the extended X-ray absorption fine structure data also indicates the presence of short range order with Si next nearest neighbor atoms present at a Zn–Si contact distance of 3.58 ± 0.03 Å.     

Nitric Oxide: From Gastric Motility to Gastric Dysmotility

It is known that nitric oxide (NO) plays a key physiological role in the control of gastrointestinal (GI) motor phenomena. In this respect, NO is considered as the main non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) inhibitory neurotransmitter responsible for smooth muscle relaxation. Moreover, many substances (including hormones) have been reported to modulate NO production leading to changes in motor responses, further underlying the importance of this molecule in the control of GI motility. An impaired NO production/release has indeed been reported to be implicated in some GI dysmotility. In this article we wanted to focus on the influence of NO on gastric motility by summarizing knowledge regarding its role in both physiological and pathological conditions. The main role of NO on regulating gastric smooth muscle motor responses, with particular reference to NO synthases expression and signaling pathways, is discussed. A deeper knowledge of nitrergic mechanisms is important for a better understanding of their involvement in gastric pathophysiological conditions of hypo- or hyper-motility states and for future therapeutic approaches. A possible role of substances which, by interfering with NO production, could prove useful in managing such motor disorders has been advanced.     

The Role of Epigenetics in Neuroinflammatory-Driven Diseases

Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by the progressive loss of central and/or peripheral nervous system neurons. Within this context, neuroinflammation comes up as one of the main factors linked to neurodegeneration progression. In fact, neuroinflammation has been recognized as an outstanding factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Interestingly, neuroinflammatory diseases are characterized by dramatic changes in the epigenetic profile, which might provide novel prognostic and therapeutic factors towards neuroinflammatory treatment. Deep changes in DNA and histone methylation, along with histone acetylation and altered non-coding RNA expression, have been reported at the onset of inflammatory diseases. The aim of this work is to review the current knowledge on this field.