The histology of grain caryopses for nutrient location: a comparative study of six cereals

In this study, we compare the histological localisation of phenols and β‐glucan in six cereal cross sections. The concentrations of β‐glucan and total phenols in whole grain flour (WGF) were also investigated to provide their nutrient content in grams. Cross sections of durum, soft, einkorn and emmer wheat, oats and barley were stained with Azan Trichrome (ATH) and periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) to characterise the morphology and cytohistology of the living cells in the aleurone, subaleurone and germ, as well as the a‐nucleated cells in the starchy endosperm. Phenol localisation in the outer layers was performed by fluorescence microscopy due to the presence of ferulic acid. β‐Glucan, examined with Calcofluor White staining, was found to be located primarily in the subaleurone layer and starchy endosperm of oats and barley. Our findings shed light on why WGF nutritional value is markedly reduced when the bran is removed through milling.     

Self-regulation of goal-setting: Turning free fantasies about the future into binding goals.

Fantasy realization theory states that when people contrast their fantasies about a desired future with reflections on present reality, a necessity to act is induced that leads to the activation and use of relevant expectations. Strong goal commitment arises in light of favorable expectations, and weak goal commitment arises in light of unfavorable expectations. To the contrary, when people only fantasize about a desired future or only reflect on present reality, expectancy-independent moderate goal commitment emerges. Four experiments pertaining to various life domains supported these hypotheses. Strength of goal commitment was assessed in cognitive (e.g., making plans), affective (e.g., felt attachment), and behavioral terms (e.g., effort expenditure, quality of performance). Implications for theories on goal setting and goal striving are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Computation in Sofic Quantum Dynamical Systems

We analyze how measured quantum dynamical systems store and process information, introducing sofic quantum dynamical systems. Using recently introduced information-theoretic measures for quantum processes, we quantify their information storage and processing in terms of entropy rate and excess entropy, giving closed-form expressions where possible. To illustrate the impact of measurement on information storage in quantum processes, we analyze two spin-1 sofic quantum systems that differ only in how they are measured.     

Immuno-MS Based Targeted Proteomics: Highly Specific, Sensitive, and Reproducible Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Determination for Clinical Diagnostics and Doping Analysis

The human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) proteins constitute a diverse group of molecules that displays biomarker value in pregnancy detection and cancer diagnostics, as well as in doping analysis. For the quantification of hCGβ and qualitative differentiation between other hCG variants in a selective, sensitive, and reproducible manner, the targeted proteomics approach based on mass spectrometric (MS) selected reaction monitoring (SRM) detection was exploited. By optimizing immunoaffinity extraction using monoclonal antibodies coated to magnetic beads, access was granted for the MS to the low-abundance target proteins, ensuring proper sensitivity with limits of detection (LODs) of 2 and 5 IU/L, respectively, for urine and serum samples. Validation according to key elements and recommendations defined by the European Medicines Agency in Guideline on Validation of Bioanalytical Methods was performed. For both matrixes this demonstrated good within-day precision results (within 20% for the lowest concentration, and within 15% for the medium and high concentration), good accuracy results (within 15% for all concentrations), and proper linearity, >0.997 for serum and of 0.999 for urine, in the concentration range up to 5000 IU/L. The method's application in clinical diagnostics was tested on samples from a pregnant woman and from patients previously diagnosed with testicular cancer. For doping analysis, samples from one man having received injection of the hCG-containing pharmaceutical Pregnyl were analyzed. The method proved to be quantitatively accurate with indisputable identification specificity, reducing risks of false positive and false negative results. The successfully validated method advocates thus for more extended use of MS in routine analysis.     

Tandem Hydroformylation/Acyloin Reaction – The Synergy of Metal Catalysis and Organocatalysis Yielding Acyloins Directly from Olefins

A novel, atom efficient, orthogonal tandem catalysis was developed yielding acyloin products (α‐hydroxy ketones) directly from olefins under hydroformylation conditions. The combination of a metal‐catalysed hydroformylation and an organocatalysed acyloin reaction provides three atom efficient C C bond formations to linear, multifunctional molecules via linkage of the intermediate n‐aldehydes. Additionally, the rhodium catalyst system gives a high n/bra ratio with an exclusive conversion of the terminal double bond in the hydroformylation and the n‐aldehydes are converted selectively to their acyloins.

     

Representing England's rural-urban fringe

Conflicts over conservation are often regarded as dichotomies of diametrical opposites. When national parks are established in Norway, two stereotypes can be sketched: (1) the ecocentric position valuing ‘pure, authentic nature’, relying on the national government as the only acceptable decision and management level; and (2) a more anthropocentric position valuing cultural landscape elements and certain traditional and future uses of the area, favouring local management. A conflict over restoring a firing range to a state of ‘authentic nature’ for future designation as a national park is examined. The case has raised comprehensive local debate. It is asked whether the relevant actors should be seen as situated in the stereotypes, or whether a more complex three-dimensional picture would provide a better interpretation.     

Sonication Effect on Bioactive Compounds of Cashew Apple Bagasse

This study describes some effects of high-power ultrasound on cashew apple bagasse. The main objective was to develop an optimized process for sonication of cashew apple bagasse, evaluating the effect of ultrasound on antioxidant compounds. To define the best conditions for sonication, a 2³ factorial central composite design was used changing the independent variables: bagasse/water ratio, ultrasonic power intensity (W/cm²), and processing time (min). Antioxidant compounds such as vitamin C, β-carotene, and total phenolic compounds were determined. The total antioxidant capacity (ABTS(2,2 AZINO BIS (3-ethylbenzo thiazoline 6 sulfonic acid) diammoninum salt and DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl-hidrazil)) was also evaluated. A thermal treatment was carried at the highest temperature reached after sonication (51 °C) to evaluate the heat effect due to a temperature increase during processing. Sonication changed the bagasse aspect from a fibrous residue to a pleasant yellow puree. The maximal concentration of vitamin C, phenolics, and β-carotene was obtained when the processing conditions were as follows: bagasse/water ratio of 1:4 (w/w), ultrasound power intensity of 226 W/cm², and 6 min of processing. The high total phenolic content (2186 mg of gallic acid/100 g DW), vitamin C (148 mg/100 g DW), and β-carotene (12 mg/100 g) obtained proved the sonication efficiency. The antioxidant activity determined by the DPPH and ABTS assays confirmed the suitability of ultrasound for the preparation of antioxidant-rich cashew apple bagasse puree.