Association of polymorphisms in candidate genes with colour,water-holding capacity,and composition traits in bovine M. longissimus and M. semimembranosus

The objective of this study was to determine the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in selected candidate genes with sensory and technological meat quality traits in commercial cattle. SNP in seven candidate genes were genotyped in 130 crossbred Bos taurus cattle using PCR-RFLP. Reported associations between calpastatin (CAST) and Warner–Bratzler shear force and carboxypeptidase E (CPE) and intra-muscular fat were not confirmed. However, SNP in CAST, amp-activated protein kinase, gamma-3 subunit (PRKAG3), growth hormone receptor (GHR) and stearoyl coA desaturase (SCD) genes were significantly associated with colour traits (p < 0.05). The PRKAG3 SNP was additionally associated with cook loss in M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum (p < 0.05) and tended towards association in M. semimembranosus (p < 0.1). An association with pH was identified for the SCD SNP (p < 0.001). The GHR polymorphism was influential on moisture and intra-muscular fat in M. semimembranosus and protein content in both muscles (p < 0.05). Only CPE was associated with sensory traits (flavour in M. longissimus, p < 0.01).     

Rapid synthesis of polypyrrole nanospheres by greener mechanochemical route

A simple, rapid and efficient route to prepare polypyrrole nanospheres by template-free method is described. This greener route has advantages in terms of good yield, short reaction time, neat conditions and cost-effectiveness. The resultant polymeric material was characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray scattering, cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV–visible spectroscopy. From these studies it is confirmed that the as prepared polypyrrole nanospheres possesses good physicochemical properties.     

An Analysis of Temperature Effect in a Finite Journal Bearing with Spatial Tilt and Viscous Dissipation

The analysis presented herein deals with the evaluation of the pressure, velocity, and temperature profiles in a finite-length plane journal bearing. The geometry of the case under study consists of a spatially tilted shaft. The two-dimensional Reynolds equation accounts for the variation of the clearance gap h with x and z and is used to model the pressure field. The latter is solved for a variety of shaft tilt angles and then used to calculate the two-dimensional flow field. Finally, the flow field is used in the energy equation to solve for the film temperature profile, when the effect of viscous dissipation is taken into account.     

ROTOR MODELING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR BRUSHLESS DOUBLY-FED MACHINES

ABSTRACT

The basic principles of brushless doubly-fed machine (BDFM) synchronous operation are used to establish the essential components of the rotor configuration and alternative types of construction are examined. Certain forms, which appear to be physically realizable only with wound or fabricated rotors, are dismissed in favor of others which may be fabricated or die-cast in a manner similar to the cage rotors of conventional induction machines.

A detailed simulation model is used to predict the performance of a proof-of-concept laboratory machine in a motoring mode which has been correlated with test data. Various developments and options of the rotor configuration are then examined for relative performance at two different speeds using the modeling techniques. The design features considered include (i) alternative interpretations of the nested-loop configuration requirement, (ii) number of rotor loops per nest, (iii) location (span) of rotor loops, and (iv) conductor section of specific rotor bars and end rings.     

Root-zone temperature and nitrogen affect the yield and secondary metabolite concentration of fall- and spring-grown, high-density leaf lettuce

BACKGROUND: Understanding the effects of temperature and nitrogen levels on key variables, particularly under field conditions during cool seasons of temperate climates, is important. Here, we document the impact of root‐zone heating and nitrogen (N) fertility on the accumulation and composition of fall‐ and spring‐grown lettuce biomass. A novel, scalable field system was employed. RESULTS: Direct‐seeded plots containing a uniform, semi‐solid, and nearly stable rooting medium were established outdoors in 2009 and 2010; each contained one of eight combinations of root‐zone heating (?/+) and N fertility (0, 72, 144, and 576 mg day^?1). Root‐zone heating increased but withholding N decreased biomass accumulation in both years. Low N supplies were also associated with greater anthocyanin and total antioxidant power but lower N and phosphorus levels. Tissue chlorophyll a and vitamin C levels tracked root‐zone temperature and N fertility more closely in 2009 and 2010, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Experimentally imposed root‐zone temperature and N levels influenced the amount and properties of fall‐ and spring‐grown lettuce tissue. Ambient conditions, however, dictated which of these factors exerted the greatest effect on the variables measured. Collectively, the results point to the potential for gains in system sustainability and productivity, including with respect to supplying human nutritional units. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparison of the polyphenolic composition and antioxidant activity of European commercial fruit juices

Thirty six commercial European fruit juices were tested to ascertain their antioxidant capacity and polyphenolic composition. Six of the products were labelled 100% pomegranate juice, the others included 20 brands of diluted pomegranate juice or pomegranate blended with other fruit juices and 10 different non-pomegranate fruit juices. The antioxidant capacity of all the juices was determined while anthocyanin, ellagitannin and ellagic acid profiles of the 26 pomegranate juices and pomegranate juice blends were obtained using HPLC-PDA-MS(2). Additional analysis was conducted on seven of the juices using HPLC with an on-line antioxidant detection system. Three of the "pure" pomegranate juices had the highest ellagitannin content and the highest antioxidant capacity. Only one of these three juices was rich in anthocyanins. The other "pure juices" had differences in their HPLC "pomegranate" fingerprint and also had a lower antioxidant capacity, in some cases lower than that of some of the blended juices. Vitamin C rather than phenolic compounds was the major contributor to the antioxidant capacity for some of the juices. Statistical analysis of both the antioxidant assay and the HPLC on-line antioxidant data demonstrated that the ellagitannins were the major antioxidants in the pomegranate juices. The complexity of the polyphenolic profile of pomegranates necessitates the use of HPLC-PDA-MS(2) for a thorough evaluation of juice composition and authenticity.     

Association analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms in DGAT1, TG and FABP4 genes and intramuscular fat in crossbred Bos taurus cattle

Previous studies have indicated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the diacylglycerol-O-acyltransferase1 (DGAT1), thyroglobulin (TG) and adipose fatty acid binding protein (FABP4) genes are associated with intramuscular fat (IMF) levels or marbling scores in beef. The objectives were to estimate the frequency of SNPs in these candidate genes in purebred Irish cattle (n = 459) and to determine if individual SNPs are associated with IMF values of longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) and semimembranosus (SM) muscle of crossbred animals (n = 138). Results indicated no significant association between the SNPs and IMF, despite the power of this study being sufficient to detect an association with SNPs in the DGAT1 and FABP4 genes. The results confirm the lack of an association found by many other studies and suggest that these SNPs are not influential on the divergent IMF levels in the crossbred population tested.     

Cellular and molecular regulation of eosinophil trafficking to the lung

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations of diet and other lifestyle factors with body mass index (BMI) using data from the Oxford Vegetarian Study. SUBJECTS: 1914 male and 3378 female non-smokers aged 20-89 y at recruitment to the study. MEASUREMENTS: All subjects completed a diet/lifestyle questionnaire at recruitment giving details of their usual diet and other characteristics including height and weight, smoking and drinking habits, amount of exercise, occupation and reproductive history. Answers to the food frequency questionnaire were used to classify subjects as either meat eaters or non-meat eaters, and to estimate intakes of animal fat and dietary fibre. Subjects were further classified according to their alcohol consumption, exercise level, social class, past smoking habits and parity. RESULTS: Mean BMI was lower in non-meat eaters than in meat eaters in all age groups for both men and women. Overall age-adjusted mean BMIs in kg/m2 were 23.18 and 22.05 for male meat eaters and non-meat eaters respectively (P < 0.0001) and 22.32 and 21.32 for female meat eaters and non-meat eaters respectively (P < 0.0001). In addition to meat consumption, dietary fibre intake, animal fat intake, social class and past smoking were all independently associated with BMI in both men and women; alcohol consumption was independently associated with BMI in men, and parity was independently associated with BMI in women. After adjusting for these factors, the differences in mean BMI between meat eaters and non-meat eaters were reduced by 36% in men and 31% in women. CONCLUSIONS: Non-meat eaters are thinner than meat eaters. This may be partly due to a higher intake of dietary fibre, a lower intake of animal fat, and only in men a lower intake of alcohol.     

Catalytic Selectivity of Ketalization Versus Transesterification

Selective ketalization of levulinic acid esters (LAE’s) provides an industrial pathway for developing novel, renewable building blocks for the synthesis of novel polymers, functional oligomers, polymer additives, and solvents. Using a relatively low amount of moderate to strong protic acid catalyst resulted in selective formation of ketal at >95% and conversion >95%, without sacrificing reaction speed. The hydrostability of the ketal-ester was also studied in the presence or absence of strong acid. The ketals showed similar hydrostability compared to an ester and superior hydrostability relative to an anhydride in the absence of strong acid.     

The Investigation of Intermediate Stage of Template Etching with Metal Droplets by Wetting Angle Analysis on (001) GaAs Surface

In this work, we study metal droplets on a semiconductor surface that are the initial stage for both droplet epitaxy and local droplet etching. The distributions of droplet geometrical parameters such as height, radius and volume help to understand the droplet formation that strongly influences subsequent nanohole etching. To investigate the etching and intermixing processes, we offer a new method of wetting angle analysis. The aspect ratio that is defined as the ratio of the height to radius was used as an estimation of wetting angle which depends on the droplet material. The investigation of the wetting angle and the estimation of indium content revealed significant materials intermixing during the deposition time. AFM measurements reveal the presence of two droplet groups that is in agreement with nanohole investigations. To explain this observation, we consider arsenic evaporation and consequent change in the initial substrate. On the basis of our analysis, we suggest the model of droplet evolution and the formation of two droplet groups.