Impact of oregano and virgin olive oil phenolic compounds on acrylamide content in a model system and fresh potatoes

In this study the effect of olive oil and oregano phenolic compounds on antioxidant activity (AOA) and acrylamide formation in a model system and fresh potatoes was evaluated. The addition of oregano phenolic extract in the model system resulted in an increase of AOA and in a reduction of acrylamide content, up to 49%, after heating. On the contrary, addition of olive oil extract resulted in AOA reduction and a concentration-dependent effect on acrylamide formation was observed with a reduction up to 15% (p < 0.05) followed by an increase up to 48%. The same trend, in acrylamide formation, was observed in fresh potatoes but to a lower extent. Finally, addition of tyrosol, oleuropein and p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid in the model system resulted in acrylamide reduction up to 50%. The discrepancy in acrylamide formation, caused by phenolic compounds, is ascribed to their structure and related to their terminal functional hydroxyl and aldehydic groups.     

Synthesis and optimization of PES‐Fe3O4 mixed matrix nanocomposite membrane: Application studies in water purification

A mixed matrix nanocomposite membrane comprising of polyethersulfone (PES) and nano Fe₃O₄ particles was synthesised with an aim to develop a membrane with superior ability to high water flux while maintaining salt rejection efficiency. The study focused on optimizing the effect of different percentages of nano Fe₃O₄ particles addition on the membrane pure water flux, and rejection of both the NaCl and MgSO₄. The results showed that the PES nanocomposite membrane with 15% Fe₃O₄ exhibited the highest pure water flux, while the highest rejection of NaCl and MgSO₄ belonged to the PES‐10% Fe₃O₄. The rejection sequence of PES‐10% Fe₃O₄ membrane was 68% and 82%, respectively. Also it was observed that nano Fe₃O₄ particles improved membrane hydrophilicity, and helped to construct a membrane with desire surface and cross‐section morphology. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1870–1877, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A PCR-Based Assay for the Detection and Differentiation of Potential Fumonisin-Producing Fusarium verticillioides Isolated from Indian Maize Kernels

One hundred and three Fusarium isolates from maize samples collected from different districts of Karnataka state, India, were analyzed with genus-specific, species-specific, and potential fumonisin specific oligonucleotide primers. One set of genus-specific primers ITS F and ITS R based on a highly conserved ITS region of the genus Fusarium were used to differentiate Fusarium species from closely related genera. All the Fusarium species tested scored positive with the ITS pair of primers. Detection and identification of Fusarium verticillioides species was done by using a newly designed reverse primer VERT-R (5′- CGA CTC ACG GCC AGG AAA CC ?3′) based on an intergenic spacer sequence (IGS) combined with an already designed forward primer VERTF-1 (5′-GCG GGA ATT CAA AAG TGG CC -3′) published previously. Out of 103 Fusarium species tested, 83 isolates of F. verticillioides scored positive for VERTF-1/ VERT-R species-specific pair of primers. Further to discriminate potential fumonisin-producing and nonproducing strains of F. verticillioides, the VERTF-1/VERTF-2 set of primers [VERTF-1 (5′-GCG GGA ATT CAA AAG TGG CC -3′) and VERTF-2 (5′-GAG GGC GCG AAA CGG ATC GG -3′)] were used. 64 isolates of F. verticillioides scored positive for VERTF-1/ VERTF-2 pair of primers. In total, three primers, one forward primer VERTF-1 and two reverse primers VERT-R and VERTF-2, were used for the confirmation of F. verticillioides up to the species level and the second pair of primers were used to confirm the potential for fumonisin production. The developed PCR assay should provide a powerful tool for the detection and differentiation of potential fumonisin-producing F. verticillioides strains in a population.     

AuAg alloy nanomolecules with 38 metal atoms

Au(38-n)Ag(n)(SCH(2)CH(2)Ph)(24) alloy nanomolecules were synthesized, purified and characterized by MALDI TOF mass spectrometry. Similar to 25 and unlike 144 metal atom count AuAg alloy nanomolecules, incorporation of Ag atoms here results in loss or smearing out of distinct UV-vis features. We propose that the short and long staples contain Au atoms, while the inner core consists of both Au and Ag atoms.     

Low self-esteem during adolescence predicts poor health, criminal behavior, and limited economic prospects during adulthood.

Using prospective data from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study birth cohort, the authors found that adolescents with low self-esteem had poorer mental and physical health, worse economic prospects, and higher levels of criminal behavior during adulthood, compared with adolescents with high self-esteem. The long-term consequences of self-esteem could not be explained by adolescent depression, gender, or socioeconomic status. Moreover, the findings held when the outcome variables were assessed using objective measures and informant reports; therefore, the findings cannot be explained by shared method variance in self-report data. The findings suggest that low self-esteem during adolescence predicts negative real-world consequences during adulthood. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cocrystallization behavior of poly(n‐docosyl acrylate) with n‐docosanoic acid by X‐ray and differential scanning calorimetry studies

Cocrystallization behavior of comb‐like poly(n‐docosyl acrylate) (PDA) with n‐docosanoic acid (C₂₂) has been studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) methods. The DSC curves of blended samples of neat PDA with C₂₂ show the characteristic melting endotherms that correspond to the melting of the crystallites. DSC measurements of PDA/C₂₂ blends also suggest the existence of another crystalline form induced by the addition of the C₂₂. From the XRD measurements, the existence of hexagonally‐packed crystalline lattice and the phase behavior of PDA/C₂₂ blends at different mole percent are confirmed. Thermal degradation behavior of PDA and its corresponding blends with C₂₂ is studied by thermogravimetric analysis. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 2140–2146, 2005     

Kinetic study of the atom transfer radical polymerization of n‐docosyl acrylate

The atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of n‐docosyl acrylate (DA) was studied at 80°C in N,N‐dimethylformamide using the carbon tetrabromide/FeCl₃/2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) initiator system in the presence of 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the source of reducing agent. The rate of polymerization exhibits first‐order kinetics with respect to the monomer. The linear relationship between the molecular weight of the resulting poly(n‐docosyl acrylate) with conversion and the narrow polydispersity of the polymers indicates the living characteristics of the polymerization reaction. The significant effect of AIBN on the ATRP of DA was studied keeping [FeCl₃]/[bpy] constant. A probable reaction mechanism for the polymerization system is postulated to explain the observed results. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 2147–2154, 2005     

Influence of titanium on the formation of a “barrier” layer during joining an A1N ceramic with copper by the CDB technique

The paper presents the results concerning the formation of a ‘barrier’ layer on AlN ceramic during its joining with copper by the Copper Direct Bonding (CDB) technique. The surface of the ceramic was modified with titanium, using various amounts of this active component. When deposited by sputtering, Ti layers were about 0.35 μm thick. The implantation doses were 1 × 10¹⁶, 5 × 10¹⁶, 2 × 10¹⁷ and 1 × 10¹⁸ ions/cm², and the ions were accelerated by a voltage of 70 or 15 kV. The modified ceramic was joined with oxidized copper in a nitrogen atmosphere with about 1.5 ppm of oxygen using a belt-type furnace. The results of the examinations of the mechanical strength of the joints and of the microstructural and phase changes induced on the surfaces of the joints during the bonding process formed the basis for establishing the optimum conditions of modification of the AlN surface with titanium ions by introducing them just beneath the surface layer of the ceramic. The modification yielded a multiphase ‘barrier’ layer, which ensured a continuous pore-less contact between the materials being joined. The joints thus produced showed a high mechanical strength. Optimum conditions were also established for joining the AlN ceramic directly with copper by the CDB technique in a nitrogen atmosphere.     

Surgical results of persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous

PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical success of patients with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) and to identify preoperative indicators of visual outcome. DESIGN: Noncomparative case series. METHODS: The diagnosis of PHPV was made in 35 eyes of 27 patients from 1982 to 1994. In each case, anterior and/or posterior PHPV findings, preoperative testing, surgical procedures, and visual outcomes were documented. Twenty-nine of 35 eyes were managed surgically. Follow-up ranged from 2 months to 12 years. RESULTS: Of the 35 eyes, 2 (5.7%) had strictly anterior PHPV, 8 (22.9%) had strictly posterior PHPV, and 25 (71.4%) had components of both anterior and posterior disease. Initial lensectomy and vitrectomy was performed in 24 eyes (68.6%). Surgery was withheld in four eyes secondary to severity of disease with an unrecordable visual-evoked potential (VEP). Reoperation rate was 32.3% for membrane reproliferation, glaucoma, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, or strabismus. Best-corrected final visual acuity ranged from 20/60 to no light perception. Six eyes (17%) maintained Snellen visual acuity despite posterior PHPV with some degree of retinal dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of PHPV can result in functional visual outcome despite posterior segment involvement. The degree of ocular malformation, however, will ultimately limit the amount of visual improvement. Preoperative testing, including VEP, may aid in determining surgical candidates.     

Photoinitiation of methyl methacrylate with a novel iron (III) oxalato complex

Summary The photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) by the photoinitiator iron (III) tris (oxalato) ferrate(III) tetrahydrate, Fe[Fe(C₂O₄)₃] . 4H₂O (A) has been studied under UV radiation of 254 nm at 35°C in DMSO. The initial rate of polymerization, R_p is proportional to [MMA]^1.11±0.13. R_p also varies linearly with the square root of [A] up to 5.00 X 10^-4 mol l^-1 and above this concentration, R_p decreases with the increase of [A]. It is likely that at a higher concentration of the complex A, the termination of the polymer chain occurs through interaction between the molecules of the complex. A suitable mechanism has been proposed to explain the kinetics of the reaction.