Predictors and correlates of taste preferences in European children: The IDEFICS study

The present study investigated taste preferences in a sample of 1705 children aged 6 to 9 years from survey centres in Italy, Estonia, Cyprus, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Hungary, and Spain and aimed to identify factors correlated with taste preference. Children’s preferences for varying levels of sucrose (sweet) in apple juice and fat, sodium chloride (salt) and monosodium glutamate (umami) in crackers were assessed using paired-comparison tests. Socio-demographics (age, sex, parental education), early feeding practises (breastfeeding, introduction of fruits), parenting behaviour (TV viewing, using food as a reward) and taste threshold sensitivity for sucrose (sweet), sodium chloride (salt), caffeine (bitter) and monosodium glutamate (umami) were investigated as possible correlates of taste preferences. Parents reported on socio-demographics, early feeding and parenting behaviour. Taste thresholds were determined via a paired-comparison staircase method. Country of residence was the strongest factor related to preferences for all four tastes. Taste preferences also differed by age. Preference for sugar and salt increased between 6 and 9 years of age while preference for monosodium glutamate decreased. The age differences remained significant even after adjustment for sex, country of residence, parental education and early feeding habits. Sex, parental education, early feeding habits, TV viewing, using food as a reward and taste thresholds were not consistently related to taste preferences among the survey centres. In summary, the results highlight the importance of culture and age in taste preferences in children younger than 10 years of age.     

Migration induced material transport in Cu–Sn IMC and SnAgCu microbumps

Microbumps consisting of intermetallic compounds like Cu₆Sn₅ or Cu₃Sn have a longer lifetime during electromigration tests than SnAgCu microbumps. To explain the difference in behavior of Cu–Sn IMCs and SnAgCu during stress test the migration induced mass flux was calculated for Cu₃Sn and Cu₆Sn₅. The results were compared to the mass flux in SnAgCu 305. Furthermore average effective charge values for Cu₃Sn and Cu₆Sn₅ were approximated by comparing the separated movement of Cu and Sn with three different models for an averaged mass flux in the IMCs.     

Pesticide contamination and phytotoxicity of sediment interstitial water to tropical benthic microalgae

Many organic compounds including some herbicides concentrate in sediment, thus it may be expected that interstitial waters contain higher concentrations of these contaminants than the water column. To estimate benthic microalgal exposure to pesticides, sediment and interstitial water sampled in the dry season from four major rivers in north Queensland, Australia, were analysed for these contaminants. Interstitial water extracts from the sediments were tested for acute phytotoxicity to benthic microalgae using PAM fluorometry and the results were compared with chemical analyses of the same water samples. A range of pesticides were detected in both sediment and interstitial waters from all sites, notably the herbicide diuron at concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 11 μg kg⁻¹ dry weight sediment, and up to 68 ng L⁻¹ in interstitial waters. Herbicide concentrations estimated from partition coefficients and the sediment concentrations typically overestimated analytically determined concentrations present in interstitial water by an order of magnitude. The analytically determined herbicide concentrations in the interstitial water explained most of the phytotoxicity measured with the bioassay; however, photoinhibition was slightly higher than expected based on analytical results, indicating the presence of unidentified phytotoxins. These results demonstrate the presence of pesticides in interstitial waters in the Tropical dry season, sometimes at concentrations that may affect sensitive benthic organisms, and supports the use of the I-PAM bioassay as a valuable tool in exposure- and environmental risk- and impact-assessments.     

Increasing attendance at colorectal cancer screening: Testing the efficacy of a mailed, psychoeducational intervention in a community sample of older adults.

This article describes a trial of a psychoeducational intervention designed to modify negative attitudes toward flexible sigmoidoscopy screening and thereby increase screening attendance. The intervention materials addressed the multiple barriers shown to be associated with participation in earlier studies. Adults ages 55-64 (N=2,966), in a "harder-to-reach" group were randomized either to receive an intervention brochure or to a standard invitation group. Attitudes and expectations were assessed by questionnaire, and attendance at the clinic was recorded. Compared with controls, the intervention group had less negative attitudes, anticipated a more positive experience, and had a 3.6% higher level of attendance. These results indicate that psychoeducational interventions can provide an effective means of modifying attitudes and increasing rates of screening attendance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Natural Algacide from Soft Coral Sinularia flexibilis (Coelenterata, Octocorallia, Alcyonacea)

A crude lipophilic extract and specific pure metabolites of the soft coral Sinularia flexibilis have been examined for algacidal properties both in laboratory and field experiments. Laboratory algal bioassays, in which cultures of the common fouling alga Ceramium codii were incubated with six different diterpenes isolated from S. flexibilisrevealed that 11-episinulariolide exhibits strong algacidal properties. Field experiments carried out with treated settlement tiles confirmed the laboratory findings and provided evidence for the algacidal properties of 11-episinulariolide against several other common reef algae. Sinulariolide, which had previously been reported to inhibit the growth of unicellular algae, was approximately one third as effective as its stereoisomer 11-episinulariolide in the laboratory growth inhibition bioassay and showed no significant algacidal properties at the concentrations used in the field experiments.     

Synthesis of novel tricalcium phosphate-bioactive glass composite and functionalization with rhBMP-2

A functionalization is required for calcium phosphate-based bone substitute materials to achieve an entire bone remodeling. In this study it was hypothesized that a tailored composite of tricalcium phosphate and a bioactive glass can be loaded sufficiently with rhBMP-2 for functionalization. A composite of 40 wt% tricalcium phosphate and 60 wt% bioactive glass resulted in two crystalline phases, wollastonite and rhenanite after sintering. SEM analysis of the composite’s surface revealed a spongious bone-like morphology after treatment with different acids. RhBMP-2 was immobilized non-covalently by treating with chrome sulfuric acid (CSA) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) and covalently by treating with CSA/APS, and additionally with 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole. It was proved that samples containing non-covalently immobilized rhBMP-2 on the surface exhibit significant biological activity in contrast to the samples with covalently bound protein on the surface. We conclude that a tailored composite of tricalcium phosphate and bioactive glass can be loaded sufficiently with BMP-2.     

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Scanning droplet cell investigations on single grains of a FeAlCr light weight ferritic steel

Polycrystalline Fe7.5Al7Cr is a ferritic light weight steel that shows a strong anisotropic dissolution behaviour. This electrochemical phenomenon was investigated by use of a scanning droplet cell (SDC). The crystallographic orientation of the single grains was determined by electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD). The fraction of grains with a near 〈1 1 1〉 orientation (<10°) was 1.88 times higher than that of the near 〈0 0 1〉 orientation prior to annealing and 3.58 times higher after annealing. Voltammograms were performed on single grains with low index planes. The critical current density was 53% higher on 〈0 0 1〉 grains as compared to 〈1 1 1〉 grains. These results are used to discuss the electrochemical behaviour of the polycrystalline FeAlCr.