Optimum aqueous extraction conditions for preparation of a phenolic‐enriched Davidson's plum (Davidsonia pruriens F. Muell) extract

This study aimed to optimise aqueous extraction conditions for total phenolic compounds (TPC) from Davidson's plum (Davidsonia pruriens F. Muell) and to assess the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of the phenolic‐enriched extract. The results showed that temperature, time and ratio significantly affected the extraction of TPC. Optimization of extraction conditions was performed using response surface methodology (RSM) utilising a Box–Behnken design. Optimal extraction conditions were determined to be temperature: 90 °C, extraction time: 30 min and solvent to mass ratio: 20:1 mL g^?1. The extracted solid obtained under these conditions had low‐moisture content, high water solubility and contained 45 mg GAE g^?1 of TPC, 22 mg RUE g^?1 of flavonoids, 3.2 mg CAE g^?1 of proanthocyanidins, 2 mg CGE g^?1 of anthocyanidins and 56 mg ACE g^?1 vitamin C. The extract possessed potent antioxidant capacity, but was comparatively lower than those of vitamin E and BHT. Thus, Davidson's plum should be further investigated for its potential health promoting benefits and utilisation in the nutraceutical and food industries.     

Health Functionality of Organosulfides: A Review

Phytonutrients are chemicals that are derived from plants and aid in both human health as well as the prevention of chronic disease. One type of phytonutrient classification is organosulfides which includes mostly cruciferous vegetables, as well as garlic. Allium, sulforaphane, glutathione, and isothiocyanates are organosulfides that are examined in this current review of literature for their anti-carcinogenic, anti-thrombotic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-oxidative effects. The following review will also focus on specific research examining the effects of organosulfides on health outcomes such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, diabetes, and hypertension.     

Experimental study of the relationship of processing to the morphology in blends of SBR and cis-polybutadiene with carbon black

The morphology of carbon-black-loaded styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR)/cis-1,4-polybutadiene (BR) blends is characterized as a function of mixing energy input. The blends consist of an 80:20 weight ratio of SBR and BR with the incorporation of 20 phr carbon black via three different schemes. These schemes are: (1) free mixing of the three components, (2) mixing of BR–black masterbatch with SBR, and (3) mixing of SBR–black masterbatch with BR. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and electron microscopy (EM) results indicate that the domain morphology is strongly affected by the manner in which the carbon black is introduced into these blends. Some of the features of the blends are as follows: (1) BR, which is the minor rubber component, is always the dispersed phase, and its domain size decreases with increasing energy input during mixing. (2) In the black–rubber masterbatch mixing, the black always stays in the original rubber phase throughout the mixing process. No significant migration of carbon black from one rubber phase to the other is observed. (3) In the free mixing process, the carbon black agglomerates initially line up along the SBR–BR interfaces, and later disperse throughout the SBR matrix with increased mixing. However, the DSC results suggest that the amount of carbon-black-free BR is decreasing with increased mixing. This would occur if there is created a carbon-black-loaded SBR–BR diffuse interphase. A model is developed to interpret these findings.     

Influence of Magnetic Moment on Single Atom Catalytic Activation Energy Barriers

Catalysis Letters - Design of the molecular environment of single atom catalysts (SAC) is promising for achieving high catalytic activity without expensive and scarce platinum-group metals (PGM)....     

Fire Experiment Inside a Very Large and Open-Plan Compartment: x-ONE

Fire Technology - The traditional design fires commonly considered in structural fire engineering, like the standard fire and Eurocode parametric fires, were developed several...     

Interactions between citizen responsibilization,flood experience and household resilience: insights from the 2013 flood in Germany

As increasing emphasis is placed on the importance of citizens’ taking responsibility for their own preparedness and protection against flooding, it is important to understand the relationship between responsibility and action and how current practices of responsibilization influence household resilience. Based on a survey of 889 households affected by flooding in 2013 in the states of Saxony and Bavaria, Germany, this study investigates the relationship between action and flood experience and how this experience influences whether citizens feel responsible, and therefore the likelihood that they will take action in the future. These findings have implications for household resilience as well as future research.     

Acceptance Criteria for Unbonded Post-Tensioned Concrete Exposed to Travelling and Traditional Design Fires

Fire Technology - Modern architecture is striving for large open spaces, which has resulted in the development of design methodologies such as the Improved Travelling Fires Methodology (iTFM). This...     

Global Deletion of 11β-HSD1 Prevents Muscle Wasting Associated with Glucocorticoid Therapy in Polyarthritis

Glucocorticoids provide indispensable anti-inflammatory therapies. However, metabolic adverse effects including muscle wasting restrict their use. The enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) modulates peripheral glucocorticoid responses through pre-receptor metabolism. This study investigates how 11β-HSD1 influences skeletal muscle responses to glucocorticoid therapy for chronic inflammation. We assessed human skeletal muscle biopsies from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis for 11β-HSD1 activity ex vivo. Using the TNF-α-transgenic mouse model (TNF-tg) of chronic inflammation, we examined the effects of corticosterone treatment and 11β-HSD1 global knock-out (11βKO) on skeletal muscle, measuring anti-inflammatory gene expression, muscle weights, fiber size distribution, and catabolic pathways. Muscle 11β-HSD1 activity was elevated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and correlated with inflammation markers. In murine skeletal muscle, glucocorticoid administration suppressed IL6 expression in TNF-tg mice but not in TNF-tg^11βKO mice. TNF-tg mice exhibited reductions in muscle weight and fiber size with glucocorticoid therapy. In contrast, TNF-tg^11βKO mice were protected against glucocorticoid-induced muscle atrophy. Glucocorticoid-mediated activation of catabolic mediators (FoxO1, Trim63) was also diminished in TNF-tg^11βKO compared to TNF-tg mice. In summary, 11β-HSD1 knock-out prevents muscle atrophy associated with glucocorticoid therapy in a model of chronic inflammation. Targeting 11β-HSD1 may offer a strategy to refine the safety of glucocorticoids.     

Military (in)decision-making process: a psychological framework to examine decision inertia in military operations

Abstract

When understanding how members of the armed forces make decisions in war current military doctrine centers on the military decision-making process (MDMP) – a linear process of identifying, evaluating and choosing the best course of action, while wider theoretical contributions focus on recognition prime models (RPD) of decision-making. In this article, we argue that the SAFE-T model of critical incident decision-making can elucidate the process of decision-making during military operations. The SAFE-T model states that effective decision-making follows a sequential process of situation assessment (SA), plan formulation (F) and plan execution (E) phases, and team learning (T). The central innovation of the SAFE-T model; however, is that it highlights the different ways in which decision-making can de-rail from this optimal strategy, resulting in decision inertia. This article discusses the implications of employing the SAFE-T model as a framework to study military decision-making both in the lab and in the field.     

A Covalent Cysteine‐Targeting Kinase Inhibitor of Ire1 Permits Allosteric Control of Endoribonuclease Activity

The unfolded protein response (UPR) initiated by the transmembrane kinase/ribonuclease Ire1 has been implicated in a variety of diseases. Ire1, with its unique position in the UPR, is an ideal target for the development of therapies; however, the identification of specific kinase inhibitors is challenging. Recently, the development of covalent inhibitors has gained great momentum because of the irreversible deactivation of the target. We identified and determined the mechanism of action of the Ire1‐inhibitory compound UPRM8. MS analysis revealed that UPRM8 inhibition occurs by covalent adduct formation at a conserved cysteine at the regulatory DFG+2 position in the Ire1 kinase activation loop. Mutational analysis of the target cysteine residue identified both UPRM8‐resistant and catalytically inactive Ire1 mutants. We describe a novel covalent inhibition mechanism of UPRM8, which can serve as a lead for the rational design and optimization of inhibitors of human Ire1.