Dielectric Properties of Glasses in the System Nb2O5–Na2O–SiO2

The effect of niobia on the dielectric properties of glasses in the system Nb₂O₅–Na₂O–SiO₂ has been studied from 100 to 10¹⁰ cps. The dielectric constant is high even at frequencies up to 10¹⁰ cps. The Nb⁵⁺ ion, with its small ionic radius and high charge, reinforces the network and raises the dielectric constant.     

DETERMINATION OF FIRMNESS AND SUGAR CONTENT OF APPLES USING NEAR‐INFRARED DIFFUSE REFLECTANCE1

The objective of this research was to study the potential of near‐infrared (NIR) diffuse reflectance between 800 nm and 1700 nm for determining the firmness and sugar content of apples and to ascertain the effects of apple peel and variety on the NIR prediction of these two quality attributes. The spectral reflectance data were acquired from both peeled and unpeeled ‘Empire', ‘Golden Delicious', and ‘Red Delicious’ apples. Statistical models were developed using principal component analysis/regression. Lower correlations of prediction were obtained (r=0.38 to 0.58) between NIR measurement and Magness‐Taylor firmness for both unpeeled and peeled fruit, with the standard errors of prediction (SEP) between 6.6 N and 10.1 N. Improved predictions were obtained when NIR reflectance was correlated with the slope of the Magness‐Taylor force‐deformation curves. Excellent predictions of the sugar content in peeled apples were obtained (r=0.93 to 0.97; SEP=0.37 to 0.42 °Brix). The SEP, on average, increased by about 0.17 °Brix for the unpeeled apples. Variety did not have a large effect on the model performance on sugar content predictions.     

NEIGHBORHOOD HIERARCHY OF NEEDS

Neighborhood and homeowners associations represent two forms of neighborhood governance in the United States, and these residential community associations (RCAs) aid in neighborhood development. In this article, I make the case that RCAs address a hierarchy of needs in the development of the neighborhood. I use a mixed methods approach with surveys and elite interviews of neighborhood and homeowners association presidents in Tallahassee, Florida, to understand what issues and activities are important for their neighborhoods and organizations. With this information, I create a neighborhood hierarchy of needs of issues and organizational needs neighborhoods address in their existence and development. Lower order needs of neighborhoods and neighborhood organizations include addressing crime, engaging in community‐building activities, improving aesthetics, and becoming more formally organized. Higher order needs include providing public goods and commons goods, working with local government on planning projects, hiring a professional staff, and enforcing neighborhood rules and regulations. Pursuing these needs leads to the highest order need in the hierarchy—improving property values. I find that homeowners associations operate at higher levels in the hierarchy of needs due to their legally defined structures and responsibilities established at their inception.     

INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS SALTS IN THE COOKING WATER ON PECTIN LOSSES AND COOKED TEXTURE OF COWPEAS (VIGNA UNGUICULATA)

The effects of processing with solutions of calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium bicarbonate and a local tenderizer known as ‘Kanwa’ (sodium sesquicarbonate) on pectin losses and cooked texture of cowpea seeds were investigated. For comparison, the cowpeas were processed in double distilled water and a local tap water. Analysis included total pectin, calcium and magnesium content, leached solids, texture and water absorption. The results show that CaCl₂, MgCl₂ and the local tap water increased firmness, Ca and Mg content in the cooked beans compared to distilled water; however, water absorption, leached solids and pectin solubilization were decreased by these salts. Kanwa and NaHCO₃ increased water absorption, leached solids and softness in the cooked beans and also increased pectin solubilization but decreased Ca and Mg when compared to distilled water or the other salts. These changes are discussed with respect to the effects of divalent and monovalent cations on the texture of the bean tissue.     

A review of potassium nutrition in grapevines with special emphasis on berry accumulation

Potassium (K) is essential for vine growth and yield. Grape berries are a strong sink for K, particularly during ripening. Excess K levels in grape berries may have a negative impact on wine quality, mainly because it decreases free tartaric acid resulting in an increase in the pH of grape juice, must and wine. In Australia, high K status is common in most vineyards, which reflects the high K and high pH values of most Australian grape juice. This necessitates pH adjustment during the vinification process, and tartaric acid addition is a common practice in most Australian wineries. High K concentration may also lead to excessive loss of the additional tartaric acid by precipitation as potassium bitartrate and, as a consequence, pH adjustment becomes more difficult and expensive. Ensuring naturally low K levels in the berry will help reduce costs of input and waste management at the winery. Potential vineyard management options to manipulate berry K accumulation include selective use of rootstock/scion combination, canopy management and irrigation strategies. However, the impact of these practices on determining the optimum K concentration requires careful calibration of production parameters and the desirable grape juice and wine quality in relation to tissue K concentration. This paper reviews and discusses the possible functions of K in grape berries, translocation of K into the berry, and genetic and cultural factors that may affect the accumulation of K in the berry. This will help to identify the key research and management strategies needed for controlling K concentrations in grape berries.     

The use of transepidermal water loss to measure and predict the irritation response to surfactants

The ability of baseline transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements to predict the response of healthy subjects to a standard soap chamber irritation insult was evaluated. Chambers containing surfactant solutions were applied to the forearms of normal volunteers for five consecutive days. TEWL was measured using a Servo Med Evaporimeter. TEWL measurements were made prior to the first application of the chambers and following the removal of the second set of chambers (the afternoon of Day 1). The correlation between the TEWL values obtained on Day 1 and the subjective evaluation of irritation resulting from the application of two different toilet soaps was statistically significant. This result indicates that damage to the skin is reflected by an increase in TEWL. Interestingly, there was also a statistically significant correlation between TEWL values obtained on the untreated skin at Time 0 and the five-day average irritation score for these two cleansing products. The results of this study indicate that a high baseline TEWL value may be predictive of a high susceptibility to soap irritation as measured by the chamber test.
Le role des pertes en eau transepidermique pour mesurer et prevoir l'irritation due aux tensio-actifs     

Pulsed Ultra High Pressure Treatments for Pasteurization of Pineapple Juice

Sinusoidal and step-pressure pulses were compared with static pressure treatments for the inactivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2407-1a in pineapple juice. No inactivation was observed after 40–4,000 fast sinusoidal pulses (10 cycles/s) at 4–400 sec in the 235–270 MPa range. Static 270 MPa treatments at 40 and 400 sec resulted in 0.7 and 5.1 decimal reductions, respectively. Slower 0–270 MPa step pulses at 0.1 (10 pulses), 1 (100 pulses), and 2 (200 pulses) cycles/s with 100 sec total on-pressure time resulted in 3.3, 3.5, and 3.3 decimal reductions, respectively. A comparable static pressure treatment resulted in 2.5 decimal reductions. Changing the on-pressure/off-pressure time ratio (3:1, 3:3 and 1:3) showed that treatments with longer on-pressure time, e.g., 0.6 sec on-pressure and 0.2 sec off-pressure were significantly more effective showing nearly a 4 decimal reduction in 100 sec.     

THE QUALITY OF VEGETABLE OIL FROM THREE VARIETIES OF SUNFLOWER SEEDS (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS)

ABSTRACT

Vegetable oils become susceptible to oxidation during their processing. The appropriate extraction and refining conditions of oil from two experimental cultivars (Madero‐91 and Cianoc‐2) of sunflower seeds and a commercial one (Victoria) as a control, were studied. Isopropyl alcohol was used in the extraction and refining, and compared with hexane. The refining was performed by the miscella method at 40, 50, 60 and 70%. Free fatty acids (FFA) and malonaldehyde analysis of crude oils afforded no significant differences among solvents and sunflower varieties. In refined oils, differences found with the miscella concentration, the malonaldehyde content and FFA content were not significant. Cianoc‐2 was the best source for oil production because of its lower values in FFA and malonaldehyde content.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The use of hexano in refining vegetable oil in Mexico is common, lack of knowledge about the use of new solvents and their impact on the processing conditions with sunflower seed cultivars is lack. The present work describes at lab scale, the work conditions, advantages and posibilities and limitations of the use on isopropyl alcohol in comparison with hexane and the use of three Mexican cultivar with this approach, with emphasize in oxidation conditions of refined vegetable oil.

     

Thiamin, Riboflavin and Niacin Retention in Cooked Cowpeas as Affected by Kanwa Treatment

Retention of three water soluble B-vitamins in dry cowpeas cooked with a local tenderizer, named “kanwa,” were investigated. Results showed cooking (100°C) in kanwa or sodium bicarbonate decreased levels and retention of vitamins compared to controls cooked in water. Levels of vitamins in kanwa-cooked cowpeas were not significantly different from those in NaHCO₃ cooked samples. Retention in the alkaline cooking processes ranged 15–20% (thiamin), 26–49% (niacin) & 53–64% (riboflavin). Soaking followed by boiling at 100°C or pressure cooking (121°C) increased levels and retention of vitamins.     

FISH OIL WITH ESSENCE OF CHICKEN DECREASES SERUM AND HEPATIC TRIACYLGLYCEROL IN HAMSTERS FED AN ATHEROGENIC DIET

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a mixture of dietary chicken essence and fish oil on possible lowering of blood and hepatic lipids in hamsters. Forty male hamsters were randomly divided into four groups and fed a chow diet, high fat/cholesterol diet (HFC), HFC diets containing 4% (HFC4) or 8% (HFC8) fish oil with essence of chicken for 42 days. The experimental diets contained 10% (w/w) fat. Hamsters fed HFC diets containing either 4 or 8% fish oil with essence of chicken showed significantly decreased serum triacylglycerols (TG) compared to hamsters fed HFC diets. In addition, hamsters fed HFC8 diets exhibited significantly reduced hepatic TG than those fed HFC diet. However, hamsters fed HFC4 or HFC8 diets significantly increased low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) when compared with those on HFC diet. These results suggest that 4% (or more) fish oil with essence of chicken might significantly lower serum TG and hepatic TG in hamsters, but seem to increase serum cholesterol levels on HFC diets.