Perception of chemosensory stimuli and related responses to flavored yogurts in the young and elderly

This study examined the effects of chemosensory performance of two age groups on ratings of the just-right intensity of odor, flavor and coolness. Two experiments were conducted: (1) creation of a sensory profile by a trained panel and (2) hedonic testing of the yogurt samples by young (n=47, 20–35 years) and elderly (n=45, 65–82 years) subjects, who also participated in tests measuring their chemosensory performance. Eight yogurt samples (2×2×2 factorial design) were flavored with 6 or 10% sucrose, 0.2 or 0.8% lemon aroma and 0.004 or 0.012% menthol. Young subjects outperformed elderly in the olfactory, gustatory and trigeminal perception tests. Their performance in the chemosensory tests affected hedonic ratings of yogurts, especially in the case of the elderly. Among the elderly, just-right flavor was affected by the performance in olfactory, gustatory (sweet, sour) and trigeminal (menthol) tests. Just-right coolness was affected by olfactory perception and by identification of sweet taste. Pleasantness was affected by olfactory and menthol perception. Thus, stimulus-specific losses in chemosensory acuity of the elderly may lead to distorted perception of foods.     

Cyclic crack growth evaluation of a 20MnMoNi55 piping steel in high-oxygen reactor water

Samples of a low alloy steel piping material taken from the full scale corrosion fatigue test loop of the Heissdampfreaktor (HDR) plant have been tested at 240°C in high oxygen reactor water. The small-scale specimens (CT25) were exposed to a similar loading spectrum to that which has been used in the full-scale corrosion fatigue tests at the HDR-plant. During the autoclave tests cyclic crack growth rates were determined. Fracture surface investigations were performed not only for the laboratory test specimens but also for the fracture surface of a sample taken from the HDR test loop piping after the full scale test. In this paper the autoclave testing results and fracture surface observations are presented and compared to those obtained in the HDR piping tests.     

The shared image guiding the treatment process. A precondition for integration of the treatment of schizophrenia

The aim of the study reported here was to develop psychotherapeutic in-patient treatment for acute schizophrenia, following the principles of a need-adapted approach. To improve the integration of experiences which hospital staff have with acutely psychotic patients and their families, systematic supervision sessions were organised. In these sessions, it was possible to achieve shared psychological images through while the whole staff could integrate patients' behaviour and symptoms, both symbolic and non-symbolic. Such an image was called 'the shared image guiding the treatment process' (SIGTP). The process of achieving the SIGTP was interpreted through Peircean semiotics, especially the concepts of indexical, iconic, and symbolical signs. An SIGTP was considered to have been achieved in the early phase of the supervision process in 32 of the 54 cases. For the patients, SIGTP and the need-adaptation connected with it meant achieving a more realistic and more functional ordering of their experiences.     

Mixed methods in international business research: A value-added perspective

The paper considers the use of mixed methods in international business research by reviewing empirical studies in four major journals. A total of 484 articles were reviewed, 68 of which had applied a mixed method strategy. In our analysis we categorize mixed methods according to their use in different stages of the research process and provide a range of alternative designs for mixing qualitative and quantitative methods.     

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) isoflavones: determination of concentrations by plant stage,flower colour,plant part and cultivar

BACKGROUND: Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), a widely used fodder, has recently received considerable interest as a valuable source of isoflavones for many health‐related applications. The aim of this study was to analyse the concentrations of four isoflavones, daidzein, genistein, formononetin and biochanin A, in extracts of leaves, stems, roots and different coloured flowers from red clover by high‐performance liquid chromatography and to determine the antifungal activities of the extracts. RESULTS: Among greenhouse‐grown samples the highest amounts of daidzein and genistein were found in petioles (0.11–0.28 and 0.30–0.54 mg g^?1 respectively), while leaves were rich in formononetin and biochanin A (5.57–9.05 and 10.94–14.59 mg g^?1 respectively). High formononetin concentrations were found in roots, but very little biochanin A. Among field‐grown samples the highest concentrations of daidzein and genistein were detected in stems collected in August (0.24 and 0.55 mg g^?1 respectively), while the highest amounts of formononetin and biochanin A were found in young leaves collected in June (7.47 and 9.69 mg g^?1 respectively). Most of the extracts inhibited the growth of Drechslera teres, while the root extract showed the strongest effect against Microdochium nivale. CONCLUSION: High levels of bioactive compounds found not only in inflorescences but also in roots, leaves and stems suggest that red clover may be an inexpensive and valuable resource for many applications. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

TAS-116, a Well-Tolerated Hsp90 Inhibitor,Prevents the Activation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

Chronic inflammation has been associated with several chronic diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The NLRP3 inflammasome is a central proinflammatory signaling complex that triggers caspase-1 activation leading to the maturation of IL-1β. We have previously shown that the inhibition of the chaperone protein, Hsp90, prevents NLRP3 activation in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells; these are cells which play a central role in the pathogenesis of AMD. In that study, we used a well-known Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin, but it cannot be used as a therapy due to its adverse effects, including ocular toxicity. Here, we have tested the effects of a novel Hsp90 inhibitor, TAS-116, on NLRP3 activation using geldanamycin as a reference compound. Using our existing protocol, inflammasome activation was induced in IL-1α-primed ARPE-19 cells with the proteasome and autophagy inhibitors MG-132 and bafilomycin A1, respectively. Intracellular caspase-1 activity was determined using a commercial caspase-1 activity kit and the FLICA assay. The levels of IL-1β were measured from cell culture medium samples by ELISA. Cell viability was monitored by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) measurements. Our findings show that TAS-116 could prevent the activation of caspase-1, subsequently reducing the release of mature IL-1β. TAS-116 has a better in vitro therapeutic index than geldanamycin. In summary, TAS-116 appears to be a well-tolerated Hsp90 inhibitor, with the capability to prevent the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in human RPE cells.     

UV-induced Persulfate Oxidation of Organic Micropollutants in Water Matrices

ABSTRACT

The efficacies of UV photolysis, UV-activated persulfate (UV/PS), and combined UV/Fe²⁺-activated persulfate (UV/PS/Fe²⁺) systems for degrading of different organic micropollutants in ultrapure water and groundwater were examined and compared. The studied micropollutants belonging to the different classes involved an artificial sweetener acesulfame K (ACE), beta-lactam antibiotic amoxicillin (AMX), and endocrine disrupting compound 4-nonylphenol (NP). Among the studied systems, the UV/PS/Fe²⁺ process showed the highest performance both in degradation and in mineralization of ACE (UVA-induced systems; k_app = 0.126 1/min and 80.3% TOC removal) and AMX (UVC-induced systems; k_app = 1.383 1/min and 85.4% TOC removal), followed by the UV/PS process. In the case of NP trials, the application of UVC/PS systems was the most promising, and after careful adjustment of oxidant concentration, it demonstrated a considerable improvement in the target compound degradation (at a NP/PS molar ratio of 1/4 k_app = 0.024 1/min) compared with the UVC photolysis (k_app = 0.016 1/min). Irrespective of the applied UV-induced treatment process, the efficacy of target compounds degradation was lower in groundwater as compared with ultrapure water trials.     

Impact of forest ditching on nutrient loadings of a small stream--a paired catchment study in Kronoby,W. Finland

The effect of ditching of boreal forest land (W. Finland) on P and N dynamics and export was assessed using a paired catchment approach (response stream + control stream) for a 4-year study period. After the ditching operations, there was a small but significant increase in the NH4+ export, but no significant changes in the concentrations and loads of total reactive P, total non-reactive P, total organic N and NO3-. In both streams, the reactive P fraction largely followed the Fe concentrations. High input to output ratios, and thus, high retention was a typical feature of the inorganic N compounds. Total organic N and the TOC/TON ratio were positively correlated with the total organic carbon.     

Computer-aided calculation of accident costs

Accurate data about accident costs motivate top managers to improve safety in production. The problem has been, however, to specify costs reliably and easily. This article presents the computer-aided module for calculating accident costs in the TATU-Safety Information System developed by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. The module computes the direct costs and company-controlled total costs of accidents. The calculation is based on the accident consequence tree (ACT) method. The software provides information about accident costs to motivate accident prevention. The authors explain the system design of the software and its use in cost calculation. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Comparison of flexibility options to improve the value of variable power generation

As the share of variable generation in power systems increases, there is increasing value in more flexible use and generation of electricity. The paper compares the economic value of several flexibility options in a large power system with a large amount of reservoir hydro power. Generation planning models are needed to consider the impact of flexibility options on other investments in a power system. However, generation planning models do not include all the relevant operational details. The approach in the paper combines a generation planning model with a unit commitment and dispatch model. The results demonstrate the value of coupling the heat and power sectors and the value of transmission. Low-cost electricity storage does not appear to be as decisive in the Northern European context with wind power as the main variable generation source. The paper also addresses methodological issues related to the inclusion of operational constraints in generation planning.