Stabilization of oil-in-water emulsions by enzyme catalyzed oxidative gelation of sugar beet pectin

Enzyme catalyzed oxidative cross-linking of feruloyl groups can promote gelation of sugar beet pectin (SBP). It is uncertain how the enzyme kinetics of this cross-linking reaction are affected in emulsion systems and whether the gelation affects emulsion stability. In this study, SBP (2.5% w/v) was mixed into an oil-in-water emulsion system (4.4% w/w oil, 0.22% w/w whey protein, pH 4.5). Two separate, identically composed, emulsion systems were prepared by different methods of preparation. The emulsions prepared separately and subsequently mixed with SBP (referred as Mix A) produced significantly larger average particle sizes than the emulsions in which the SBP was homogenized into the emulsion system during emulsion preparation (referred as Mix B). Mix B type emulsions were stable. Enzyme catalyzed oxidative gelation of SBP helped stabilize the emulsions in Mix A. The kinetics of the enzyme catalyzed oxidative gelation of SBP was evaluated by small angle oscillatory measurements for horseradish peroxidase (HRP) (EC 1.11.1.7) and laccase (EC 1.10.3.2) catalysis, respectively. HRP catalyzed gelation rates, determined from the slopes of the increase of elastic modulus (G′) with time, were higher (P < 0.05) than the corresponding laccase catalyzed rates, but the final G′ values were higher for laccase catalyzed gels, regardless of the presence of emulsions or type of emulsion preparation (Mix A or Mix B). For both enzymes, rates of gelation in Mix A were higher (P < 0.05) than in Mix B, and higher stress was needed to break the gels in Mix A than in Mix B at similar enzyme dosage levels. These differences may be related to a lower availability of the feruloyl groups for cross-linking when the SBP was homogenized into the emulsion system during preparation.     

Energy demand in the Norwegian building stock: Scenarios on potential reduction

A model has been developed for studying the effect of three hypothetical approaches in reducing electricity and energy demand in the Norwegian building stock: wide diffusion of thermal carriers, heat pumps and conservation measures, respectively. Combinations of these are also considered. The model has a demand side perspective, considers both residential and service sectors, and calculates energy flows from net to delivered energy. Energy demand is given by the product of activity and intensity matrices. The activity levels are defined for the stock and the new construction, renovation and demolition flows. The intensity properties are defined in archetypes, and are the result of different energy class and heating carriers share options. The scenarios are shaped by combining the activity flows with different archetypes. The results show that adopting conservation measures on a large scale does allow reducing both electricity and total energy demand from present day levels while the building stock keeps growing. The results also highlight the importance of making a clear distinction between the assumptions on intensity and activity levels.     

Sex differences in impulsivity: A meta-analysis.

Men are overrepresented in socially problematic behaviors, such as aggression and criminal behavior, which have been linked to impulsivity. Our review of impulsivity is organized around the tripartite theoretical distinction between reward hypersensitivity, punishment hyposensitivity, and inadequate effortful control. Drawing on evolutionary, criminological, developmental, and personality theories, we predicted that sex differences would be most pronounced in risky activities with men demonstrating greater sensation seeking, greater reward sensitivity, and lower punishment sensitivity. We predicted a small female advantage in effortful control. We analyzed 741 effect sizes from 277 studies, including psychometric and behavioral measures. Women were consistently more punishment sensitive (d = ?0.33), but men did not show greater reward sensitivity (d = 0.01). Men showed significantly higher sensation seeking on questionnaire measures (d = 0.41) and on a behavioral risk-taking task (d = 0.36). Questionnaire measures of deficits in effortful control showed a very modest effect size in the male direction (d = 0.08). Sex differences were not found on delay discounting or executive function tasks. The results indicate a stronger sex difference in motivational rather than effortful or executive forms of behavior control. Specifically, they support evolutionary and biological theories of risk taking predicated on sex differences in punishment sensitivity. A clearer understanding of sex differences in impulsivity depends upon recognizing important distinctions between sensation seeking and impulsivity, between executive and effortful forms of control, and between impulsivity as a deficit and as a trait. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Synthesis,Biological Evaluation of 1,1‐Diarylethylenes as a Novel Class of Antimitotic Agents

The cytotoxic activities of 23 new isocombretastatin A derivatives with modifications on the B‐ring were investigated. Several compounds exhibited excellent antiproliferative activity at nanomolar concentrations against a panel of human cancer cell lines. Compounds isoFCA‐4 ( 2 e ), isoCA‐4 ( 2 k ) and isoNH₂CA‐4 ( 2 s ) were the most cytotoxic, and strongly inhibited tubulin polymerization with IC₅₀ values of 4, 2 and 1.5 μM , respectively. These derivatives were found to be 10‐fold more active than phenstatin and colchicine with respect to growth inhibition but displayed similar activities as tubulin polymerization inhibitors. In addition, cell cycle arrest in the G₂/M phase and subsequent apoptosis was observed in three cancer cell lines when treated with these compounds. The disruptive effect of 2 e , 2 k and 2 s on the vessel‐like structures formed by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) suggest that these compounds may act as vascular disrupting agents. Both compounds 2 k and 2 s have the potential for further prodrug modification and development as vascular disrupting agents for treatment of solid tumors.     

Fatty acid composition of pinaceae as taxonomic markers

Following our previous review on Pinus spp. seed fatty acid (FA) compositions, we recapitulate here the seed FA compositions of Larix (larch), Picea (spruce), and Pseudotsuga (Douglas fir) spp. Numerous seed FA compositions not described earlier are included. Approximately 40% of all Picea taxa and one-third of Larix taxa have been analyzed so far for their seed FA compositions. Qualitatively, the seed FA compositions in the three genera studied here are the same as in Pinus spp., including in particular the same Δ5-olefinic acids. However, they display a considerably lower variability in Larix and Picea spp. than in Pinus spp. An assessment of geographical variations in the seed FA composition of P. abies was made, and intraspecific dissimilarities in this species were found to be of considerably smaller amplitude than interspecific dissimilarities among other Picea species. This observation supports the use of seed FA compositions as chemotaxonomic markers, as they practically do not depend on edaphic or climatic conditions. This also shows that Picea spp. are coherently united as a group by their seed FA compositions. This also holds for Larix spp. Despite a close resemblance between Picea and Larix spp. seed FA compositions, principal component analysis indicates that the minor differences in seed FA compositions between the two genera are sufficient to allow a clear-cut individualization of the two genera. In both cases, the main FA is linoleic acid (slightly less than one-half of total FA), followed by pinolenic (5,9,12-18:3) and oleic acids. A maximum of 34% of total Δ5-olefinic acids is reached in L. sibirica seeds, which appears to be the highest value found in Pinaceae seed FA. This apparent limit is discussed in terms of regio- and stereospecific distribution of Δ5-olefinic acids in seed triacylglycerols. Regarding the single species of Pseudotsuga analyzed so far (P. menziesii), its seed FA composition is quite distinct from that of the other two genera, and in particular, it contains 1.2% of 14-methylhexadecanoic (anteiso-17:0) acid. In the three genera studied here, as well as in most Pinus spp., the C₁₈Δ5-olefinic acids (5,9-18:2 and 5,9,12-18:3 acids) are present in considerably higher amounts than the C₂₀Δ5-olefinic acids (5,11-20:2 and 5,11,14-20:3 acids).     

Computer anxiety: Comparison of research from the 1990s and 2000s

As computers became ubiquitous in businesses, homes, and schools, there was increasing concern about computer anxiety and its effect on individuals. The first academic articles on computer anxiety were published in the early 1980s. Since that time, hundreds of papers have been published on the topic. Yet, up to this time, no one has done a comprehensive review of computer anxiety. In this article, 276 articles on computer anxiety are reviewed. From a synthesis of the articles and variables studied to date, a framework is developed that outlines the primary topics studied in computer anxiety literature. Nine antecedents, five correlates, and two outcomes of computer anxiety are identified as the most studied variables in the literature. In addition, a statistical comparison is done to compare the distribution of computer anxiety topics and results published in the 1990s to those published in the 2000s. Suggestions for future research in computer anxiety are proposed.     

Supercritical water for environmental technologies

OVERVIEW: Supercritical water is a great medium in which to perform chemical reactions and to develop processes. Due to its unique thermo‐physico‐chemical properties, supercritical water is able to play the role of solvent of organic compounds and/or to react with them. These specific properties have been used since the 1990s to develop new technologies dedicated to the environment and energy. IMPACT: Supercritical water based technologies are innovative and efficient processes having a strong impact on society, the environment and the economy, and is termed a sustainable technology. APPLICATIONS: Three main applications for supercritical water technology are under development: (i) supercritical water oxidation (SCWO); (ii) supercritical water biomass gasification (SCBG); and (iii) hydrolysis of polymers in supercritical water (HPSCW) for composites/plastics recycling. In this paper some fundamentals of supercritical water are first presented to introduce the above three major developments. Then these technologies are reviewed in terms of their present and future industrial development and their impact on the environment and on energy production. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biological Removal of High Loads of Thiosulfate Using a Trickling Filter Under Alkaline Conditions

Uncontrolled release of thiosulfate can cause high oxygen demand, or generate toxic compounds under anaerobic scenarios. Biooxidation of thiosulfate in a biotrickling filter (BTF) colonized by an alkaliphilic sulfide-oxidizing bacterial consortium was studied at pH ≈10. Inlet thiosulfate concentrations were varied from 3.5 to 21.3 g L^?1, with a residence time of 216 s, emulating conditions encountered in wastewater from mining processes. Sulfate production, oxygen concentration, and biomass in both packing and effluent were periodically analyzed to characterize bioreactor performance. Removal efficiencies near 100 % were obtained during the entire experimental period, with a maximum elimination capacity of 242 g thiosulfate m^?3 h^?1. Although the BTF was able to transfer large amounts of oxygen to biooxidize thiosulfate to sulfate, under high initial thiosulfate loads, thiosulfate was not completely oxidized to sulfate, since biooxidation was conditioned to oxygen supply. Respirometric tests performed to investigate biomass adaptation and activity revealed oxygen consumption values of 0.5 mmol O₂ (g protein)^?1 min^?1 for the period with the highest thiosulfate inlet load.     

Comparison of the water-soluble carbohydrate composition and fructan structures of Agave tequilana plants of different ages

The composition of water-soluble carbohydrates from Agave tequilana plants of 2, 4 and 6½ years were compared by HPLC, HPAEC-PAD, MALDI-TOF-MS and GC–MS. The plants of 2 years exhibited the highest levels of free monosaccharide and low molecular weight fructans (DP 3–DP 6) with potential application as prebiotics. A maximum of fructan polymerisation was achieved at 4 years with mean DP from 3 to 30, then it was decreased at 6½ years with mean DP from 4 to 24. The linkage analysis showed an increase and decrease in the branching degree from 2 to 6½ years with a maximum at 4 years, correlated to changes in t-β-d-Fruf linkages with increased and decreased synthesis of (2→1) and (2→6)-β-d-Fruf as well as 1,6-di-β-d-Fruf linkages.     

Systemic inflammatory load in humans is suppressed by consumption of two formulations of dried,encapsulated juice concentrate

Chronic inflammation contributes to an increased risk for developing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. A high “inflammatory load” is defined as elevated inflammation markers in blood or other tissues. We evaluated several markers of systemic inflammation from healthy adults and tested the hypothesis that two formulations of encapsulated fruit and vegetable juice powder concentrate with added berry powders (FVB) or without (FV) could impact markers of inflammatory load. Using a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled approach, 117 subjects were randomly assigned to receive placebo, FV, or FVB capsules. Blood was drawn at baseline and after 60 d of capsule consumption. We measured inflammatory markers (high sensitivity C‐Reactive Protein, Monocyte Chemotactic Protein‐1, Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 1‐β, and Regulated upon Activation, Normal T cell Expressed and Secreted), superoxide dismutase, and micronutrients (β‐carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E). Results showed Monocyte Chemotactic Protein‐1, Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 1‐β, and RANTES levels were significantly reduced and superoxide dismutase and micronutrient levels were significantly increased in subjects consuming both FV and FVB, relative to placebo. Data suggest a potential health benefit by consuming either formulation of the encapsulated juice concentrates through their anti‐inflammatory properties.