Variation in Malting Quality and Heat Resistance in the Malting Barley Variety “Alexis”

In earlier studies concerning vigour, where subsamples are heat‐treated before germination there was found heat‐sensitive as well as heat‐resistant barley samples. The vigour model developed by Ellis and Roberts and further developed at Carlsberg, could only describe the heat‐sensitive barleys. Seventeen samples of the “Alexis” variety grown widely in Europe were collected from the EBC trials in 1994 in order to see if heat resistance in barley was influenced by different growing conditions. We found both heat‐sensitive samples following the vigour model as well as pronounced heat‐resistant samples, but these were not divided according to growing conditions. The germination curves dependent on heat treatment and germination time were evaluated by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Heat‐resistant barley samples could be differentiated from heat‐sensitive samples already after ½ h of heat treatment at 68°C (12% moisture) and after 3 days of germination. The barley samples were analysed with regard to malting quality. The PCA evaluation of the data divided the samples according to growing location, mainly due to differences in protein and β‐glucan. However, the malting analyses could not describe the differences in heat resistance and sensitivity of the barleys. The biochemical background of the heat resistance found is discussed on the basis of literature. Our findings should give an experimental basis for exploiting a biochemical principle for heat resistance, which is formed during grain filling and consumed during storage and germination.     

Early childhood socialization in Hispanic families: Context, culture, and practice implications.

Research on early childhood socialization suggests that Hispanic parents differ from parents of other ethnic groups in their child rearing values and the interpersonal behavior they want their children to display at home and school. In this article, the influence of context and culture on child rearing is shown through a review of conceptual frameworks for understanding child socialization in both minority and nonminority families and research on infant–mother attachment and parental beliefs about young children's behavior. This review indicates that parent and child behaviors are a result of different socialization processes that encompass specific cultural values. Implications for professional practice are drawn for child assessment and psychotherapy, family therapy, and parenting skills programs conducted with Hispanics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Controlled-Release Matrix of Acetaminophen-Ethylcellulose Solid Dispersion

In this study ethylcellulose was evaluated as a carrier for preparation of prolonged release acetaminophen tablets. Solid dispersions containing three levels of ethylcellulose and acetaminophen (1:3; 1:1; 3:1) were prepared by the solvent method. Also physical mixtures at the same level of ethylcellulose and acetaminophen were prepared. Systems composed of solid dispersion or physical mixture containing the equivalent weight of 50 mg acetaminophen, Lactose fast-flo as diluent and 1% magnesium stearate as lubricant were compressed into tablets and tested for dissolution. The dissolution data showed that the drug release decreased as the level of ethylcellulose increased in the solid dispersion formulations. The drug release from tablets prepared with solid dispersion followed the diffusion controlled model for inert porous matrix, while the drug release from tablets prepared with physical mixture followed the first-order kinetic model.     

High‐pressure processing effects on the mechanical,barrier and mass transfer properties of food packaging flexible structures: a critical review

Food products can be high‐pressure processed (HPP) either in bulk or prepackaged in flexible or semi‐rigid packaging materials. In the latter case the packaging material is subjected, together with the food, to high‐pressure treatment. A number of studies have been performed to quantify the effects of high‐pressure processing on the physical and barrier properties of the packaging material, since the integrity of the package during and after processing is of paramount importance to the safety and quality of the food product. This article reviews the results of published research concerning the effect of HPP on packaging materials. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface chemistry of tribochemical reactions explored in ultrahigh vacuum conditions

The thermal decomposition of model extreme-pressure lubricant additives on clean iron was studied in ultrahigh vacuum conditions using molecular beam strategies. Methylene chloride and chloroform react to deposit a solid film consisting of FeCl₂ and carbon, and evolve only hydrogen into the gas phase. No gas-phase products and less carbon on the surface are detected in the case of carbon tetrachloride. Dimethyl and diethyl disulfide react on clean iron to deposit a saturated sulfur plus carbon layer at low temperatures (∼600 K) and an iron sulfide film onto a Fe + C underlayer at higher temperatures (∼950 K). Methane is the only gas-phase product when dimethyl disulfide reacts with iron. Ethylene and hydrogen are detected when diethyl disulfide is used.     

Downhole Upgrading of Extra-heavy Crude Oil Using Hydrogen Donors and Methane Under Steam Injection Conditions

An extra-heavy crude oil underground upgrading process is described which involves the downhole addition of a hydrogen donor additive under steam injection conditions (280-315°C and residence times of at least 24-h). Laboratory experiments showed a 4° increase in the API gravity (from 9 to 12°) of the upgraded product, a two-fold reduction in the viscosity and, an approximately 8% decrease in the asphaltene content with respect to the original crude. Further increases on the temperature led to products with improved properties reaching 15°API at 315°C. It was found that the presence of the natural formation (catalysts) and methane (natural gas) is necessary to enhance the properties of the upgraded crude oil. From GC and GC-MS results a reaction pathway is proposed that involves hydrogen transfers from tetralin to the extra-heavy crude oil resulting in the formation of 1,2-dihydronaphthalene. This compound is then transformed into naphthalene, further upgrading of crude oil through hydrogen donation. The results of the experiments carried out in the presence and absence of the mineral formation and with an inert solid (SiC) strongly indicate that the former acts as a catalyst and not as a heat transfer matrix. Isotopic labeling studies (CD₄ and ¹³CH₄) give evidences that, most probably, methane is involved in the upgrading reactions.     

A general class of simple majority decision rules based on linguistic opinions

In this paper we have introduced a class of decision rules related to simple majority, by considering individual intensities of preference. These intensities will be shown by means of linguistic labels. In order to compare the amount of opinion obtained by each alternative, we have considered the total ordered monoid generated by the sums of the original labels, according to an addition and an ordering. In this general framework different sets of linguistic labels can be employed and these sets can be represented by means of diverse mathematical objects. Moreover, on these mathematical representations of linguistic labels several orderings can be considered. Thus, flexibility is an important feature of this new class of group decision making procedures. Some examples of putting in practice the simple majority decision rules based on linguistic labels are provided, and the main properties of these voting systems are analyzed. It is worth emphasizing that these properties are satisfied for any total ordered monoid, regardless of the mathematical representation of linguistic labels or the ordering used to compare collective opinions.     

Towards a new definition of EPOC parameters for anionic electrochemical catalysts: case of propene combustion

The electrochemical promotion of catalysis (EPOC) of propene combustion was investigated using Pt sputtered thin film on an O²⁻ conductor, 8 mol% Y₂O₃-stabilized-ZrO₂ (YSZ). In order to separate the influence of the thermal migration of the O²⁻ oxide ions from the electrolyte to the catalyst surface and the impact of an electrical polarization on the catalytic activity, several light-off experiments (cool down and heat up procedures) were successively performed under different polarizations, i.e. OCV, +2 and −2 V. These experiments have clearly shown that the presence of O²⁻ (thermally or electrochemically induced) inhibits the catalytic activity of the platinum for the propene deep oxidation. These results demonstrate the importance to define a normalized rate enhancement ratio, ρ _n , from a reference value of the catalytic rate corresponding to a Pt surface state free of O²⁻ ions.