Effect of grass vs. concentrate feeding on the fatty acid profile of different fat depots in lambs

The aim of this study was to produce high‐quality meat from lambs under different feeding conditions, as measured by the accumulation of n‐3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) in muscle and subcutaneous fat. In total, 13 male crossbred lambs (Black Head×Gotland), each at 24 kg live weight, were divided into two feeding groups. Lambs were kept either on pasture (pasture grazing, n = 6) or in the stable (concentrate feeding, n = 7). The linolenic acid (C18:3n‐3) contained in the grass was absorbed and deposited into the different lipid classes of muscle and subcutaneous fat. The proportion of total n‐3 fatty acids in the different lipids of grazing lambs was significantly (p = 0.05) higher compared to that in concentrate‐fed lambs. The n‐6/n‐3 ratio (mean ± SEM) in muscle of grazing lambs was 1.2 ± 0.09 in contrast to 2.3 ± 0.09 (p = 0.05) of the animals kept in the stable. In subcutaneous fat, this ratio was 0.9 ± 0.2 in lambs kept on pasture versus 3.5 ± 0.2 (p = 0.05) after indoor keeping. The relative concentration of C18:1trans‐11 in total muscle lipids, phospholipids, triacylglycerols and subcutaneous fat was significantly increased by grass feeding compared to concentrate feeding. Significant influences of feeding were shown for saturated fatty acids. In concentrate‐fed lambs, a lower content of saturated fatty acids was detected. The proportion of CLAcis‐9,trans‐11 (1.9 ± 0.2% vs. 1.1 ± 0.1% in muscle, 2.5 ± 0.2% vs. 1.4 ± 0.2% in subcutaneous fat, 0.7 ± 0.04% vs. 0.4 ± 0.04% in phospholipids) in lambs was significantly (p = 0.05) higher after grazing than after concentrate feeding, respectively.     

Density Measurements of Single Granules Using the Atomic Force Microscope

The density of single spray-dried granules has been determined with a new method based on atomic force microscopy (AFM). Spherical granules with a well-defined diameter are attached to the AFM cantilever, which acts as a beam-type spring, and the mass of a granule is estimated from the shift in the resonant frequency. The error of the measurements associated with the method was estimated to vary between 1% and 5%, depending on the size and shape of the granule. Density measurements of spray-dried WC–Co granules are presented, and the effect of a polymeric binder and dispersant on the consolidation during drying is discussed.     

Quality approach for multi-parametric data fusion

Data fusion has gained widespread use in different areas of measurement in the last years, mainly where the sought output of an analysis cannot be measured directly—medical imaging, non-destructive testing, remote sensing, etc. The process of data fusion as such is not characterized today by any quality characteristics, which makes it impossible to estimate the effectiveness and reliability of the fused data. The authors propose a new approach to the process, free of this drawback. The introduced term of relevant information, with allowance for the first- and second-kind errors and their corresponding penalties, allows application of the Taguchi methodology via the loss function. The presented information scale, with the data-fusion types classified according to the information volume, ensures effectiveness of the planned process. The proposed approach is illustrated in examples of application.     

Inhibitory processes in adults with persistent childhood onset ADHD.

The theory that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) stems from a deficit in an executive behavioral inhibition process has been little studied in adults, where the validity of ADHD is in debate. This study examined, in high-functioning young adults with persistent ADHD and a control group, 2 leading measures of inhibitory control: the antisaccade task and the negative priming task. ADHD adults showed weakened ability to effortfully stop a reflexive or anticipated oculomotor response but had normal ability to automatically suppress irrelevant information. Results suggest that an inhibitory deficit in ADHD is confined to effortful inhibition of motor response, that antisaccade and negative priming tasks index distinct inhibition systems, and that persistence of ADHD symptoms into adulthood is associated with persistence of executive motor inhibition deficits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bone regeneration with glass ceramic implants and calcium phosphate cements in a rabbit cranial defect model

Hydroxyapatite cement (BoneSource®) and brushite calcium phosphate cement (chronOS? Inject) were tested for fixation of glass ceramic implants (Bioverit®) in experimentally created cranial defects in 24 adult New Zealand White rabbits. Aim of the in vivo study was to assess and compare the biocompatibility and osseointegration of the implanted materials. Macroscopic and histological evaluations were performed 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. All implanted materials were well tolerated by the surrounding tissue. Both bone cements exhibited osteoconductive properties. Differences could be detected regarding to the rates of cement resorption and new bone formation. The brushite cement was resorbed faster than the hydroxyapatite cement. The chronOS? Inject samples exhibited a higher rate of connective tissue formation and an insufficient osseointegration. BoneSource® was replaced by bone with minimal invasion of connective tissue. New bone formation occurred faster compared to the chronOS? Inject group. Bioverit® implants fixed with BoneSource® were successfully osseointegrated.     

Distributed energy efficiency in future home environments

In this paper, a new architecture for sharing resources among home environments is proposed. Our approach goes far beyond traditional systems for distributed virtualization, like PlanetLab or grid computing, as it relies on complete decentralization in a peer-to-peer (P2P) like manner and, above all, aims at energy efficiency. Energy metrics are defined, which have to be optimized by the system. The system itself uses virtualization to transparently move tasks from one home to another to optimally utilize the existing computing power. We present an overview of our proposed architecture, consisting of a middleware interconnecting computers and routers in possibly millions of homes using P2P techniques. For demonstrating the potential energy saving of distributed applications, we present an analytical model for sharing downloads, which is verified by discrete event simulation. The model represents an optimistic case without P2P overhead and fairness. The model allows to assess the upper limit of the saving potential. An enhanced version of the simulation model also shows the effect of fairness. The fairer the system gets, the less efficient it is.     

Efficient stabilization of bulk fish oil rich in long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

The aim of the present study was to systematically investigate the possibilities of stabilizing a bulk oil rich in long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids under ambient conditions. Combinations of different antioxidants (α‐, γ‐ and/or δ‐tocopherol, rosmarinic acid and rosemary extract rich in carnosic acid) as well as lecithin and citric acid were systematically investigated. Efficient stabilization was achieved by choosing a combination of tocopherols rich in γ‐ or δ‐tocopherol and low in α‐tocopherol, by including tocopherol‐sparing synergists like ascorbyl palmitate and carnosic acid from rosemary extract and metal‐chelating agents. For carnosic acid, a concentration of 400 mg/kg oil provides sufficient protection; the concentration of the metal chelator should be adapted to the concentration of metal ions present in the oil. As an alternative ingredient with metal‐chelating and tocopherol‐sparing activity, lecithin may be included in the formulation, but its poor solubility in bulk oils limits its use.     

Aroma of dehydrated pear products

Pear purees and cubes were dehydrated with sugars (sucrose and trehalose) addition. Freeze drying and foam-mat drying were used. Manual solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography (GC-flame ionization detector (FID) and GC-MS) was applied to determine the changes in retention of aroma compounds in dehydrated pear purees and cubes. The best retention of aroma compounds in dehydrated pear purees was noticed in the case when freeze drying and trehalose addition were combined. In dehydrated pear cubes, previously dipped in trehalose solution, the highest aroma retention was also determined. This study showed possible application of trehalose as potentially beneficial food ingredient, with the aim to improve the quality of dehydrated fruit products, especially their aroma, and to produce superior dried fruit products or ingredients, which are widely used in food formulation.     

Cui bono? — Ziele und Inhalte eines Datenschutz-Zertifikats

Um ein Datenschutz-Zertifikat zur Best?tigung eines hohen Datenschutz-Niveaus erfolgreich zu etablieren, müssen die Randbedingungen stimmen. Ausgehend vom Informationsbedarf m?glicher Zielgruppen an ein solches Zertifikat begründet der Beitrag die Datenschutzorganisation als Prüfgegenstand und stellt die aus der Sicht der Autoren wichtigsten Inhalte der Prüfung vor.     

Chitosan functionalized with 2[-bis-(pyridylmethyl) aminomethyl]4-methyl-6-formyl-phenol: equilibrium and kinetics of copper (II) adsorption

The complexation agent 2[-bis-(pyridylmethyl) aminomethyl]-4-methyl-6-formyl-phenol (HL) was immobilized in chitosan in order to obtain a new adsorbent material to be employed in studies on adsorption and pre-concentration of Cu(II). The chitosan modified by the complexation agent was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, DSC and TGA. The studies were conducted as a function of the pH of the medium and the mechanism of Cu(II) adsorption in the solid phase was analyzed utilizing several kinetic models. The parameters for the adsorption of Cu(II) ions by chitosan-HL were determined with a Langmuir isotherm, the maximum saturation capacity of the monolayer being 109.4 mg of Cu(II) per gram of polymer. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed that Cu^II ions coordinate to the donor atoms of the HL ligand anchored to the surface of the polymer forming a stable chelate complex in the solid state.