Liking of food textures and its relationship with oral physiological parameters and mouth-behavior groups

Researchers have categorized people into four “mouth-behavior” groups based on their oral processing preferences, and claimed that members of those mouth-behavior groups differ in their food texture preferences. If people could be classified into groups based on their liking of different textures, food products could be targeted to specific subgroups, potentially enhancing consumer acceptability. In the first part of our study, we grouped people based on their liking ratings of a wide variety of food textures by asking 288 participants to rate their liking of 106 food texture attributes in an online survey. In the second part of our study, we further examined relationships among individuals' food texture liking ratings, mouth-behavior group membership, and measurements of four oral physiological parameters (saliva flow rate, chewing efficiency, biting force, and particle size sensitivity). One-hundred participants completed the online survey on food texture liking, classified themselves into one of four mouth-behavior groups (Chewers, Crunchers, Smooshers, and Suckers), and were measured for four oral physiological parameters. We refuted the idea that large texture-liking subgroups exist. Although our participants self-categorized themselves into the four mouth-behavior groups similarly to previous researchers, our texture liking measurements did not support the presumed preferences of those mouth-behavior groups. Clustering of participants on their oral physiological measurements produced a “low particle-size sensitivity” cluster, a “high biting force” cluster, a “high saliva flow rate” cluster, and a “low saliva flow and low chewing efficiency” cluster. Neither our texture liking nor our oral physiological measurements predicted membership in the four mouth-behavior groups.     

Localisation of Amylose and Amylopectin in Starch Granules Using Enzyme-Gold Labelling

The independent localisation of amylose and amylopectin in a range of dry and hydrated native starch granules with varying amylose content (0—70 %) has been indirectly visualised using enzyme-gold cytochemical markers. Increasing amylose content was clearly demonstrated to result in distinct changes in granule architecture. In the absence of amylose (waxy maize starch) a framework of closely packed concentric layers of amylopectin exists in the granules. Low amylose content (potato starch) results in alternating layers of densely packed amylopectin and amylose molecules. High amylose content (amylomaize starch) granules were shown to possess an amylopectin centre surrounded by an amylose periphery encapsulated by an amylopectin surface. Elongated granules without the amylopectin centre were also observed in high amylose starches suggesting a relationship between amylopectin, amylose and granule shape. A model of starch granule architecture is proposed where increased compartmentalisation of amylose and amylopectin is observed in granules containing increasing levels of amylose.     

Great cities look small

Great cities connect people; failed cities isolate people. Despite the fundamental importance of physical, face-to-face social ties in the functioning of cities, these connectivity networks are not explicitly observed in their entirety. Attempts at estimating them often rely on unrealistic over-simplifications such as the assumption of spatial homogeneity. Here we propose a mathematical model of human interactions in terms of a local strategy of maximizing the number of beneficial connections attainable under the constraint of limited individual travelling-time budgets. By incorporating census and openly available online multi-modal transport data, we are able to characterize the connectivity of geometrically and topologically complex cities. Beyond providing a candidate measure of greatness, this model allows one to quantify and assess the impact of transport developments, population growth, and other infrastructure and demographic changes on a city. Supported by validations of gross domestic product and human immunodeficiency virus infection rates across US metropolitan areas, we illustrate the effect of changes in local and city-wide connectivities by considering the economic impact of two contemporary inter- and intra-city transport developments in the UK: High Speed 2 and London Crossrail. This derivation of the model suggests that the scaling of different urban indicators with population size has an explicitly mechanistic origin.     

金属沾污对超薄栅氧(2. 5nm)特性的影响

采用可控的金属沾污程序 ,最大金属表面浓度控制在 10 1 2 cm- 2数量级 ,来模拟清洗工艺最大可能金属沾污表面浓度 .利用斜坡电流应力和栅注入方式测量本征电荷击穿来评估超薄栅氧特性和金属沾污效应 .研究了金属锆和钽沾污对超薄栅氧完整性的影响 .实验结果表明金属锆沾污对超薄栅氧完整性具有最严重危害 ;金属钽沾污的栅氧发生早期击穿现象 ,而金属铝沾污对超薄栅氧完整性没有明显影响 .     

Effect of temperature on structural properties of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) gel and Weibull distribution for modelling drying process

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) gel was dried at five inlet temperatures 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 °C, in a convective dryer with a constant air flow of 2.0 ± 0.2 m/s. Rehydration ratio, water holding capacity, texture, microstructure and total polysaccharide content were evaluated. Drying kinetics was estimated using the Weibull distribution (r² > 0.97 and Chi-square < 0.0009). Values of scale and shape parameters ranged from 90.94 to 341.06 (min) and 1.43 to 1.49, respectively. Furthermore, the influence of temperature on the model parameters as well as on the quality attributes was analysed using a least significant difference test (p-value < 0.05). These effects were more evident for the long drying period (e.g. 810 min at 50 °C). However, minor alterations in the structural properties and total polysaccharide content were produced at drying temperatures of 60–70 °C, resulting in a high quality gel.     

Boride coatings obtained by pack cementation deposited on powder metallurgy and wrought Ti and Ti-6Al-4V

Wear resistance of Ti alloys needs to be improved, and an effective way to achieve this is through surface treatment. Boronizing is a surface treatment in which boron diffuses into the surface of Ti leading to the formation of hard and wear-resistant Ti borides. Boronizing of wrought and/or cast Ti alloys by pack cementation has been studied, while similar coatings on Ti alloys produced by powder metallurgy (PM) have not been reported. Also critical process parameters for boronizing Ti alloys, such as pack cementation powder composition and the process temperature have not been systematically studied and analysed. The present work reports on the surface modification of PM Ti and PM Ti-6Al-4V by boronizing, and presents some important thermodynamic aspects of the process comparing it with similar coatings applied to wrought Ti-6Al-4V. The coatings were characterised using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. For both Ti and Ti-6Al-4V alloys the use of amorphous B as a B element supplier in the boriding powder pack led to the formation of a uniform external boride layer, while the use of B₄C as a B element supplier in the pack and under the same boronizing conditions, led to the formation of an external TiN layer and an internal layer containing B. The thermodynamic calculations performed proved successful in determining the appropriate conditions for boride coating deposition and estimating the phases likely to be formed. Finally the effect of surface roughness on the coating quality is discussed.     

Arsonoliposomes: novel nanosized arsenic-containing vesicles for drug delivery

Natural and synthetic arsenolipids, have been discovered, synthesized, and evaluated for their biological activity. Arsonolipids, are analogs of phosphonolipids, in which P has been replaced by As. The synthesis of arsonolipids has been explored and a simple one-pot method with high yield is currently available for their preparation. However, although arsonolipids posses interesting biophysical and biochemical properties their anticancer or antiparasitic activity is not considered adequate for therapeutic applications. But when arsonolipids are incorporated in liposomes, the vesicles formulated have interesting possibilities, as seen in a number of studies. In cell culture studies, nanosized arsonolipid-containing liposomes or else arsonoliposomes, showed increased toxicity against cancer cells (compared to that of arsenic trioxide) but at the same time were less toxic than arsenic trioxide for normal cells. Furthermore, arsonoliposomes also demonstrate antiparasitic activity in vitro. Nevertheless, As is rapidly cleared from blood after in vivo administration of arsonoliposomes, and this will highly limit possible therapeutic applications. In addition, the fact that arsonoliposomes were observed to aggregate and subsequently fuse into larger particles in presence of cations, may also be considered as a problem. Thereby, methods to modulate the stability of arsonoliposomes and, perhaps, their in vivo distribution (as surface property modification) are currently being investigated. In very recent experiments it has been shown that arsonoliposome pegylation results in the formation of liposomes with very high membrane integrity. In addition, pegylation results in increased physical stability of arsonoliposomes and abolishment of cation-induced aggregation and fusion. Nevertheless, further in vivo studies are required in order to prove if pegylation alters arsonoliposome in vivo kinetics in a positive way, without affecting their activity. From studies performed thus far it is concluded that arsonoliposomes are nanosized-vesicles with interesting properties that justify further exploitation towards the development of therapeutic systems for cancer or parasitic diseases.     

Ausbau des Stichkanals nach Salzgitter von SKS‐km 3,550 bis 14,918

Expansion of the branch channel to Salzgitter from SKS‐km 3,550 to 14,918 The branch channel to Salzgitter will be extended to the waterway category Vb in the next years. This will enable inland waterway vessels with a width of 11,45 m and a loaded draft of 2,80 m to run it without limitations. The reaches Wedtlenstedt and Üfingen will be extended in most areas to a trapezoidal cross section with a width at water level of 36,90 m and a water depth of 4,00 m. The exit basins of the locks will be extended on one side. Overall about 1 000 000 m² of soil will be moved. About 300 000 m² of clay sealing and 460 000 m² of rip‐rap will be installed. Three culverts have to be replaced by new constructions to adapt to the new cross section of the channel. In addition two bridges will be modified to allow for a clearance of 5,25 m. At present the plan approval procedure is carried out. It is expected to achieve the plan approval order in 2017. The construction is planned to start in 2018. Completion is scheduled for 2024.