Phospholipid composition of lipid seed crystal isolates from ivory coast cocoa butter

Seed crystals isolated from Ivory Coast cocoa butter were shown to differ in chemical and thermal characteristics from solidified Ivory Coast butter. Higher concentrations of complex lipids in the seed crystals have led to speculation on the role these polar molecules play in lipid crystallization events. Phospholipids separated from lipid seed crystal isolates were twelve-fold more concentrated than the original cocoa butter. Seed crystals contained 3.99% phospholipids while cocoa butter samples contained 0.34%. Phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidic acid were identified in cocoa butter with phosphatidylcholine (37.7%), phosphatidylglycerol (27.3%) and phosphatidyl-ethanolamine (15.6%) being the major phospholipid constituents. Two phospholipids not previously reported in cocoa butter were identified as phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol based on co-migration of standards. Cocoa butter and its seed crystals contained the same phospholipid entities; however, individual phospholipids differed significantly in concentration. Phosphatidylethanolamine (30.4%) and phosphatidylcholine (30.2%) were the major phospholipids in seed crystal samples. Fatty acid composition of cocoa butter and seed crystal phospholipids were found to be similar, with the exception of myristic, stearic and oleic acids. Myristic acid was three-fold higher in phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine in the seed crystals, whereas stearic acid was significantly lower in the seed crystals when compared to the cocoa butter. Concentrations of oleic acid were twice as high in seed crystal phosphatidylethanol-amine and almost four times as high in seed crystal phosphatidylcholine than in corresponding cocoa butter samples. The possible role phospholipids play in seed crystal development and in crystallization events is discussed.     

Extenders or modifiers: A discussion of Weiss and Sampson's control-mastery theory.

Asserts that J. Weiss (see record 1990-17877-001) and H. Sampson (see record 1990-17862-001) are engaged in shaping a theory regarding motivation of unconscious wishes that is linked to Freud's later ego and super-ego theory. This linkage obscures their unique contributions. Six themes from Weiss and Sampson's work are considered innovative departures from Freud: (1) the ego as a motivator of behavior or Weiss and Sampson's object relations perspective, (2) the link between ego motives and attachment research, (3) the nature of the object relational tie, (4) psychic reality and actuality, (5) some clinical implications, and (6) a philosophical assumption about people that underlies their work. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Soldier defense secretions ofTrinervitermes bettonianus (Isoptera,Nasutitermitinae): Chemical variation in allopatric populations

The soldier defense secretions of major and minor soldiers of the East African nasute termiteTrinervitermes bettonianus were analyzed chromatographically and spectrometrically, and the diterpene and monoterpene constituents were determined for three allopatric populations. Incipient colonies from one population raised on food from a second population produced their population-specific terpene pattern independent of food source. Secretion compositions are thus genetically rather than nutritionally determined, in agreement with biosynthetic studies in other nasutes. A minor volatile constitutent, previously proposed to be 3-ethyl-2-octanol was re-identified as (R)-2-decanol.     

Red cell membrane fatty acids, cytosolic phospholipase-A2 and schizophrenia

Forty subjects with schizophrenia and 40 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited, and blood samples were obtained for analysis of red cell membrane fatty acid composition by capillary gas chromatography. A blood sample was also taken from the same population to test for allelic association between schizophrenia and a polymorphism close to the promoter site of the cytosolic phospholipase-A2 gene which is mapped to chromosome 1q25. The schizophrenic population was heterogeneous with regards age, symptoms severity and treatment. A significantly higher percentage concentration of dihomogamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) was found in the red cell membranes of schizophrenics compared to matched controls. All other fatty acids examined showed no difference from the normal population. No correlation was found between any demographic factor, treatment variable, diet, drug use, alcohol or tobacco consumption which could explain the biochemical findings. A negative correlation was found between the concentration of DGLA in red blood cell (RBC) membranes and severity of symptoms of schizophrenia. In particular, there was a significant correlation (r = -0.41, p = 0.009) between DGLA percentage concentrations and 'disorganised' symptoms. No association was found between schizophrenia and alleles of the polymorphism near the phospholipase-A2 gene or between fatty acid concentrations and the presence of any particular alleles. This study therefore finds support for membrane phospholipid abnormalities in patients with schizophrenia and particular symptom clusters, but does not replicate a previous report of an allelic association between a polymorphism close to the site of the cytosolic phospholipase-A2 gene and schizophrenia.     

A higher order finite element algorithm for the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations

A higher order element, the Tocher 10 or C₀ Cubic on triangles, is the base for formulation of a finite element algorithm for numerical calculation of fluid flows governed by the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations. Results from the calculation of supersonic free shear layer flow are numerically accurate and in excellent agreement with finite difference solutions. Diverse characteristics for these two classes of methods emerge when the requirements of core storage and computer time are considered.     

The motivating function of thinking about the future: Expectations versus fantasies.

Two forms of thinking about the future are distinguished: expectations versus fantasies. Positive expectations (judging a desired future as likely) predicted high effort and successful performance, but the reverse was true for positive fantasies (experiencing one's thoughts and mental images about a desired future positively). Participants were graduates looking for a job (Study 1), students with a crush on a peer of the opposite sex (Study 2), undergraduates anticipating an exam (Study 3), and patients undergoing hip-replacement surgery (Study 4). Effort and performance were measured weeks or months (up to 2 yrs) after expectations and fantasies had been assessed. Implications for the self-regulation of effort and performance are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

(Naturgefahren-)Mess- und Frühwarnsysteme: Einzelne rechtliche Aspekte

Das Naturgefahrenpotential steigt, und damit auch die Bedeutung jener Bemühungen, die auf einen wirksamen Schutz vor Naturgefahren abzielen. In der jüngeren Vergangenheit werden verst?rkt Frühwarn- und Messsysteme als eine Strategie zum Schutz vor Naturgefahren eingesetzt. Die damit im Zusammenhang stehenden Rechtsfragen sind vielf?ltig; einzelne davon versucht der vorliegende Beitrag anzusprechen. Da die Kompetenz zur Gefahrenpr?vention und Gefahrenbek?mpfung auf mehrere Kompetenztr?ger aufgeteilt ist, stellt sich die Frage nach M?glichkeiten einer Kooperation in Bezug auf Errichtung, Betrieb und Finanzierung derartiger Systeme. Des Weiteren werden allf?llige Bewilligungspflichten geprüft. Nicht zuletzt werden einzelne zivilrechtliche, insbesondere haftungsrechtliche Aspekte aufgegriffen, wobei sich Besonderheiten aufgrund des "Prototypen-Charakters" dieser Systeme ergeben.