Enzymatic modification of the functional, nutritional and sensorial properties of soybeans for special feeding

Production of new protein-based products for special nutrition such as hypoallergenic infant formulas, fortified beverages and nutraceutics, require ideal ingredients. Protein ingredients were developed by enzymatic hydrolysis and methionine synthesis of soy protein. Hydrolysis was done at 4% (w/v) using porcine pancreatic enzymes (4% w/w), 50 degrees C, 6 h and pH 8. After drying powder was resuspended (20% w/v) and incubated with 7.6% (w/w) methionine methyl-ester, 1% (w/w) chymotrypsin and 3 M glycerol, 37 degrees C, 3 h and pH 7. Hydrolysates were fractionated by ultrafiltration (UF) before and after enrichment (E): FI > 10, 10 > FII > 3 and 3 > FIII > 1 kDa. Functional properties, amino acid content, anti-physiological factor activities and antigenicity were assayed for all the UF fractions and the soybean meal. Protein quality bioassay and sensorial test of an non-enriched fraction and an enriched fraction were performed. Functional properties were positively modified by hydrolysis and synthesis by using a minimum time and methionine added for the last reaction. After UF all the fractions under 10 kDa showed 100% solubility (pH 4 and 7), good clarity, acceptable foam capacity and negligible antigenicity and antiphysiological activities. Additionally, methionine enrichment enhanced their nutritional value, upgrading sulfur amino acid requirements for infants and adults. Because functionality and nutritional value FIII-E could be used for hypoallergenic infant formulas, FII-E for fortified soluble formulas and nutraceutics and FI-E for a semi-solid baby food.     

Correlation between upper and lower sidebands

Experimental measurements supported by a simple model show that the upper and lower phase modulation (PM) noise sidebands are always equal and 100% correlated, independent of the noise power originating from multiplicative or additive processes. Similarly, we show that the upper and lower amplitude modulation (AM) noise sidebands are also equal and 100% correlated, independent of the noise power originating from multiplicative or additive processes, Moreover, the single sideband (SSB) PM noise is always equal to one-half the total PM noise. The same is true for the AM noise. Although the upper and lower PM or AM noise sidebands are equal and correlated for broadband additive noise, the phase between the AM and the PM sidebands varies randomly with time. These conclusions still hold even when the RF noise sidebands are not symmetric about the carrier.     

A survey of electric and magnetic fields among VDT operators inoffices

The ambient electric and magnetic fields as well as the electromagnetic fields associated with video display terminals (VDTs) at 150 offices are measured. The aim of the study is to determine the general level of the various electromagnetic parameters in offices and establish a technical base for a case referent study of skin symptoms among VDT workers. The median value of the 50-Hz background field in the 150 offices is 0.07 μT. Seven of the offices have background levels higher than 0.5 μT, which is high enough to cause distortion of the picture on the screen. The dominant source for electric fields in the ELF range is electric equipment in the office, not the VDTs. The equivalent surface potential is less than 0.5 kV for 63% of the measured VDTs. The computer monitor is a major source of magnetic fields in the offices. The median value of the magnetic field in the ELF range in front of the VDT is 0.21 μT, and in the VLF range it is 0.03 μT     

T cell interactions with extracellular matrix proteins in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy

The roles of auxin and cytokinin in cell cycle reactivation were studied during the first 48 h of culture of mesophyll protoplasts of Nicotiana tabacum. Using hormone delay and withdrawal studies we found that auxin was required by 0-4 h of culture, whereas cytokinin was not required until hour 10-12, which is 6-10 h before S phase. Cycloheximide blocks division, indicating that protein synthesis is required. In an effort to detect a molecular response to either hormone, we examined the expression of the cell cycle marker, cdc2. Cdc2 expression was detected by 12 h of culture, coincident with the timing of the cytokinin requirement and well before the entry into S. However, cdc2 was partially induced by either auxin or cytokinin alone, suggesting that cdc2 expression is not the primary target of either hormone. Our hormone delay experiments suggest that there are separate signal transduction pathways leading from auxin and from cytokinin to reactivation of the cell cycle and that these pathways converge before S. The underlying mechanisms for these distinct pathways remain to be elucidated. Key Words. Auxin-Cytokinin-Tobacco-Protoplast-Development-cdc2     

Observation of an undecagold cluster compound in the scanning transmission electron microscope

A water-soluble undecagold cluster compound has been shown to be visible in moderate dose images (10⁴ electrons/nm²) obtained with the scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The properties of this compound render it potentially useful as a marker for specific sites within biological molecules.     

Methods and Procedures for Computer Based Handling of Components Reliability Data at FTL (The Swedish Military Electronics Laboratory)

In order to turn reliability prediction into a readily available tool, a system for computerized handling of failure rates was developed at FTL. This system, which is named RPP-1 (Reliability Program One) is presently covering data of electronic and electromechanical components. From a given list of components and data on stresses and working conditions, the failure rates are automatically searched, processed, and pooled in an assessment for an equipment. To make this possible, a number of decisions and judgements had to be taken regarding codes, formulas, models, bank structure, application factors, etc. This paper gives a summary of the FTL solutions for those basic questions. The system?actually a system of subprograms?has been developed at the Swedish Military Electronics Laboratory. The project was headed by the the author of this paper.     

Directional guidance from audible pedestrian signals for street crossing

Typical audible pedestrian signals indicate when the pedestrian walk interval is in effect but provide little, or even misleading information for directional alignment. In three experiments, blind and blindfolded sighted adults crossed a simulated crossing with recorded traffic noise to approximate street sounds. This was done to investigate how characteristics of signal presentation affected usefulness of the auditory signal for guiding crossing behaviour. Crossing was more accurate when signals came only from the far end of the crossing rather than the typical practice of presenting signals simultaneously from both ends. Alternating the signal between ends of the crossing was not helpful. Also, the customary practice of signalling two parallel crossings at the same time drew participants somewhat toward the opposite crossing. Providing a locator tone at the end of the crossing during the pedestrian clearance interval improved crossing accuracy. These findings provide a basis for designing audible pedestrian signals to enhance directional guidance. The principal findings were the same for blind and sighted participants and applied across a range of specific signals (e.g. chirps, clicks, voices).