Saponin content of food plants and some prepared foods

Quantitative thin layer chromatography was used to estimate the saponin content of 20 common food plants and also of foods prepared from some of them. The food plants found to be richest in saponins were chickpeas (Cicer arietinum), soya beans (Glycine max), lucerne (alfalfa) sprouts (Medicago sativa) and varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris (navy beans, haricot beans, kidney beans). Saponins were not destroyed by processing or cooking. They were present in falafels (prepared from chickpeas), canned baked beans, canned broad beans and protein isolate from faba beans. However, the saponin content of a fermented soya bean product (tempe) was only half that of whole soya beans. Guar meal (Cyamopsis tetragonolobus) contains saponins but only a trace could be detected in samples of guar gum.     

Effects of tobacco abstinence on food intake among cigarette smokers.

The total caloric and specific nutrient intakes of smokers who became abstinent were compared with those of a control group. Both groups were composed of volunteer inpatients housed in a research ward for 7 days. After smoking ad libitum for 3 days, the experimental group was required to abstain from tobacco for the next 4 days while the control group continued to smoke. Significant increases in total caloric intake and in grams of carbohydrates, protein, fat, and sucrose were observed in the experimental relative to the control group, whereas no significant differences were found in fructose intake. The increase in caloric intake was not specific to increases in snacking. Preliminary analyses showed gender differences in food intake as a result of tobacco abstinence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Tobacco-specific nitrosamines in new tobacco products.

New tobacco products, designed to attract consumers who are concerned about the health effects of tobacco, have been appearing on the market. Objective evaluation of these products requires, as a first step, data on their potentially toxic constituents. Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) are an important class of carcinogens in tobacco products, but virtually no data were available on their levels in these products. In the present study, we analyzed several new products-Ariva, Stonewall, Exalt, Revel, Smokey Mountain, and Quest-for TSNAs and compared their TSNA levels with those in nicotine replacement products and conventional smokeless tobacco and cigarette brands. TSNAs were not detected in Smokey Mountain, which is a tobacco-free snuff product. The lowest levels among the new products containing tobacco were in Ariva and Stonewall (0.26-0.28 microg/g wet weight of product). The highest levels in the new products were found in Exalt (3.3 microg/g tobacco), whereas Revel and Quest had intermediate amounts. Only trace amounts were found in nicotine replacement products, and conventional brands had levels consistent with those reported in the literature. These results demonstrate that TSNA levels in new tobacco products range from relatively low to comparable with those found in some conventional brands.     

Tanacetum (Chrysanthemum) corymbosum seed oil—A rich source of a novel conjugated acetylenic acid

A new conjugated trans,trans-diunsaturated acetylenic acid (17%), found for the first time in nature as a main component of the seed oil of Tanacetum (Chrysanthemum) corymbosum, was shown to be octadeca-8t,10t-dien-12-ynoic acid. Another already known naturally occurring acetylenic acid, crepenynic acid (10%), was found also in the seed oil. The structure of this new unusual fatty acid was confirmed by chromatographic (thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography) and spectroscopic (infrared, ultraviolet, mass spectrometry) methods by using different chemical derivatizations (deuteration, preparation of picolinyl ester, dimethyloxazoline, and maleic anhydride adduct).     

Beneficial effect of carbon–PVA colloid additives for lead–acid batteries

Based on the previous success of adding ultra-fine carbon–PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) colloid solution to restore performance of weak batteries, a large scale test programme of practical batteries including those used in forklift, golf cart, taxi cab, truck and bus applications from 150 companies was carried out. More than 95% of the tested batteries exhibited excellent recovery in performance parameters including the specific gravity (S.G.), voltage and operation time (Ah capacity). The work reported here includes basic research studies to understand better the beneficial action of the carbon–PVA colloid additive.     

Value of cultural pluralism to the generalizability of psychological theories: A reexamination.

Argues that the limited generalizability of psychological theories and hypotheses may stem, in part, from a restricted sampling of psychological theorists and investigators and hence from the homogeneity of their background assumptions, biases, and values. Threats to generalizability at the hypothesis-testing, theory-development, and hypothesis-formation stages of research are discussed using examples from the literature. A cultural pluralism approach is recommended for the recruitment and training of socioculturally diverse psychologists, capable of conducting research in a wider variety of settings with a wider range of Ss. Types of short- and long-term location and recruitment techniques are discussed, and the promotion of the cultural pluralism perspective within the graduate curriculum is addressed. (3 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Examining the construct validity of the Eating Disorder Inventory.

The construct validity of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) was examined in 3 samples. An archival clinic sample (n=318) of women completed the EDI, a structured interview, and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory--II (MCMI-II). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) indicated that neither null nor 1-factor models of the EDI fit item-level or item-parcel data. The proposed 8-factor model did not fit at the item level but did fit item-parcel data. Reliability estimates of the 8 scales ranged from .82 to .93, and low-to-moderate interscale correlations among the eating and weight-related scales provided partial support for convergent validity. EDI personality scales showed moderate interscale correlations and were associated with MCMI-II scales. A final CFA of the EDI scales supported a 2-factor model (Eating and Weight, Personality) of the 8 EDI scales. Strong associations between depression and several EDI scale scores were found in a treatment study sample (n=50). The archival clinic sample scored significantly higher on the 8 EDI scales than the nonpatient college comparison sample (n=487). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An analysis of managers' reactions to their own performance appraisal feedback.

Individuals' reactions to their performance appraisal interviews were examined in two analyses of managers who appraised their subordinates. We hypothesized that managers' reactions toward their own appraisal interview would be influenced by both supervisor satisfaction and favorability of the feedback they received. We also hypothesized that managers' reactions would be affected by system satisfaction (i.e., their attitudes toward the system's ability to document the performance of their subordinates). Questionnaires were administered to managers in eight colleges and universities in one state system. Results indicated that managers distinguished between satisfaction with their own appraisal and its value in improving performance. Appraisal satisfaction was predicted by supervisor satisfaction and the recollection of their rating, but not system satisfaction. In a follow-up analysis, results were confirmed with managers in the original sample. The appraisal's improvement value was associated with supervisor satisfaction, and inversely related with performance rating. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Fracture Mirror-Failure Stress Relations in Weathered and Unweathered Window Glass Panels

Published results for window glass panel failures were analyzed by using finite-difference methods to determine the stress states at the fracture origins. Although the state of stress was often complex, it was found that the maximum principal tensile stress at the fracture origin correlated with the fracture mirror. size. Fracture mirror constants were calculated and found to agree closely with published values.