ANTI-AMYLASE, ANTI-GLUCOSIDASE AND ANTI-ANGIOTENSIN I-CONVERTING ENZYME POTENTIAL OF SELECTED FOODS

α‐Amylase and α‐glucosidase have been targeted as potential avenues for modulation of postprandial hyperglycemia through mild inhibition of the enzymatic breakdown of complex carbohydrates to decrease meal‐derived glucose absorption. Water‐soluble extracts with optimized phenolic content of selected American and Asian foods were investigated for inhibitory activity against α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase, as well as angiotensin I‐converting enzyme (ACE), which has been linked to hyperglycemia‐associated hypertension. Porcine pancreatic α‐amylase (PPA) was allowed to react with each phenolic‐optimized food extract, and the derivatized enzyme–phytochemical mixtures obtained were characterized for residual amylase activity. The α‐glucosidase and ACE activities were determined in the presence of each phenolic‐optimized food extract. The amylase activity was inhibited more than the glucosidase activity in the presence of these phytochemical extracts, and more so by Asian foods than by American foods. The Asian spice ginger was found to possess strong ACE inhibitory activity in addition to significant anti‐amylase activity. The α‐amylase enzyme inhibition was positively associated with extract antioxidant activity and negatively with extract protein content. The significance of food‐grade, plant‐based amylase inhibitors for modulation of carbohydrate breakdown and control of glycemic index of foods in the context of preventing hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus complications in the long term and ACE inhibitors for modulation of associated hypertension is hypothesized and discussed.     

CLONAL HERBAL EXTRACTS AS ELICITORS OF PHENOLIC SYNTHESIS IN DARK-GERMINATED MUNGBEANS FOR IMPROVING NUTRITIONAL VALUE WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR FOOD SAFETY

Plant phenolics are secondary metabolites that confer beneficial properties to the plants that produce them. Extracts made from plants that produce these phytochemicals are increasingly being recognized for their antimicrobial properties. In this study, we investigated extracts made from high‐phenolics‐producing clonal lines of oregano and thyme for potential as elicitors of phenolic antioxidant production in dark‐germinated mungbean (Vigna radiata,). Mungbean was dark‐germinated under the rationale that any energy stored in the bean seed in the form of starch may potentially be utilized for enhanced phenolics production, since without a light source the dark‐germinated seedling may not stimulate the development of photosynthetic components. Wafer‐based herb extracts showed the greatest ability to stimulate phenolic content in dark‐germinated mungbeans. Three of the oregano extracts were investigated further and showed an ability to stimulate glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and antioxidant activity. These results suggest that the extracts contain an active elicitor that stimulates phenolic antioxidant content, as well as activity of the pentose‐phosphate pathway. In addition, the results of this study suggest that extracts of high‐phenolics‐producing clonal plants may have potential in the food and agriculture industry as seed treatments for preventing bacterial infection in germinating sprouts by stimulating phenolic antioxidant‐producing pathways, as well as for increasing the nutritional value of sprouts for human consumption.     

Storage of common mushroom under controlled atmospheres

The effect of controlled atmosphere (CA) on the shelf-life of the common mushroom ( Agaricus bisporus ) was assessed using six parameters correlated with its commerical qualities. Low CO₂ concentrations (up to 2.5%) reduced brown discolouration compared to the control in air. Higher CO₂ concentrations enhanced both internal and external browning. Low O₂ concentrations reduced growth of micro-organisms, including pseudomonads. Respiration rate, when the mushrooms are placed again in normal air, is proportional to CO₂ concentration during storage suggesting that CO₂ exhibits a phytotoxic effect on mushrooms. A lower mannitol content was noted in mushrooms stored under CA than those stored in air (control). Mushrooms stored in a 5% CO₂ atmosphere for 7 days did not break their veil but their texture was very soft and spongy. Texture losses decreased when CO₂ concentrations increased.     

Zooming In, Zooming Out

This is an exploratory paper about combining logics, combining theories and combining structures. Typically when one applies logic to such areas as computer science, artificial intelligence or linguistics, one encounters hybrid ontologies. The aim of this paper is to identify plausible strategies for coping with ontological richness.     

EFFECT OF CONCURRENT HIGH HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE, ACIDITY AND HEAT ON THE INJURY AND DESTRUCTION OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

The effect of concurrent use of high hydrostatic pressure, heat and acidity on Listeria monocytogenes Scott A and CA was investigated. In general, lethality was enhanced when cells were pressurized at higher temperatures or lower pH. Strain CA demonstrated an additional 3-log₁₀ reduction when pressurized at pH 4.0 as compared with pH 6.0 at 353 MPa, 45C for 10 min. Scott A was reduced an additional 1 log₁₀ by increasing the temperature from 25C to 45C with pressurization at 252 MPa, pH 6.0 for 30 min. Exposure to 404 MPa at 45C for 30 min demonstrated complete injury or death of CA cells with an initial concentration of >10⁸ CFU/mL. At least an 8-log₁₀ reduction was observed for both L. monocytogenes strains Scott A and CA when exposed to the combined treatments of 252 MPa, 45C, pH 4.0 for 30 min .     

Subspace model identification Part 1. The output-error state-space model identification class of algorithms

In this paper, we present two novel algorithms to realize a finite dimensional, linear time-invariant state-space model from input-output data. The algorithms have a number of common features. They are classified as one of the subspace model identification schemes, in that a major part of the identification problem consists of calculating specially structured subspaces of spaces defined by the input-output data. This structure is then exploited in the calculation of a realization. Another common feature is their algorithmic organization: an RQ factorization followed by a singular value decomposition and the solution of an overdetermined set (or sets) of equations. The schemes assume that the underlying system has an output-error structure and that a measurable input sequence is available. The latter characteristic indicates that both schemes are versions of the MIMO Output-Error State Space model identification (MOESP) approach. The first algorithm is denoted in particular as the (elementary MOESP scheme). The subspace approximation step requires, in addition to input-output data, knowledge of a restricted set of Markov parameters. The second algorithm, referred to as the (ordinary MOESP scheme), solely relies on input-output data. A compact implementation is presented of both schemes. Although we restrict our presentation here to error-free input-output data, a framework is set up in an identification context. The identification aspects of the presented realization schemes are treated in the forthcoming Parts 2 and 3.     

Open Sourcery

The reappropriation of abandoned technology is a long-standing practice with a deep history. This is particularly the case when deprived cultures overlap with privileged. Often associated with the underside of emergent technologies, hacker or maker culture provides us with an alternative approach to engaging technology. This article discusses the potential of implementing hacking as a way of making architecture and poetic program. The Dedale studio at the University of Manitoba investigates the civic and architectural implications of discarded technology in the Point Douglas neighborhood in Winnipeg, Manitoba.     

便携式电池供电应用中的DC/DC功率转换

便携式消费类电子产品小型化的趋势继续在业界发展，随之而来的便是电池及其相应容量可用空间不断下降。同时，开发商业上可行的、能量密度更高从而补偿电池空间降低的电池化学技术的相关工作则大幅减慢，这对工程师提出了许多设计挑战，要求他们开发的解决方案既能实现更多的功能，又能保