Structure-modifying alkaline and acidic pH-shifting processes promote film formation of soy proteins

The effect of pH-shifting, a process that induces the molten globule state in proteins, on the film-forming potential of soy protein isolate (SPI) at different temperatures was investigated. Partial unfolding at pH 1.5 or 12, followed by refolding at pH 7.0, was performed to alter the protein structure. Glycerin-plasticised films were prepared from pH-treated SPI at ambient temperature (20 °C), or by heating at 50, 60, 70, or 80 °C (30 min). Tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EAB), water vapour permeability (WVP), protein solubility (pH 3–7), and non-participating proteins of films were analysed, and the film microstructures were examined. The pH₁₂-treated SPI spontaneously formed a transparent, slightly yellowish film at 20 °C, which had the greatest EAB, while pH_1.5-treated and native SPIs required preheating at 50 and 70 °C, respectively, to form a film. Heating generally decreased solubility and WVP but increased TS. Films formed from both pH₁₂- and pH_1.5-treated SPIs were more elastic (up to 2-fold greater in EAB, P < 0.05) than the film formed from untreated SPI despite slightly reduced TS and WVP. Electrophoresis revealed disulphide bonds between A and B subunits of glycinin being a dominant force in pH₁₂- and pH_1.5-treated SPI films, while noncovalent forces were abundant in untreated SPI films. The pH₁₂-treated SPI film consisted of more interactive protein strands than other SPI films, which seemed to explain its superior elastic properties.     

Evaluation of small-scale combustion of an insensitive high explosive formulation containing 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN), and 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX)

ABSTRACT

Energetic materials are often disposed by open-burning or open-detonation as it is a cost-effective and efficient means of destroying explosive material, and often minimizes the need to transport hazardous explosives to treatment facilities. This practice is often scrutinized for the negative environmental impact of the odorous and unsightly toxic gaseous emissions as well as the resulting deposition residues, which often contain unburned energetic materials. With the increasing use of Insensitive High Explosive compositions in munitions, it is essential that the potential environmental impact of their disposal is assessed before their extensive use to prevent the kind of contamination incidents experienced with legacy explosives. Therefore, the aim of this work was to develop a controlled laboratory experiment to identify the gaseous emissions and the energetic material residues that are generated through the combustion of the IHE components 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN), and 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). A sealed vial containing small (mg) quantities of energetic material was heated until the energetic material combusted. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS) was used to calculate the oxygen consumption and to identify the gases that were generated. The solid residues were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to quantify unburned energetic material. Results showed that DNAN was the most resistant to burning, thus leaving significant quantities of unreacted starting material in the vial. An interesting observation for the IHE formulation was that DNAN also inhibited the combustion of NTO and RDX. The gases emitted during the open burning of IHE components and mixtures included CO, CO₂, and N₂O as expected, but the proportions differed when the components and mixture were compared, reflecting the influence of DNAN on the burning behavior. From our data, we concluded that open-burning DNAN-based formulations is an environmentally unfavorable waste-management practice for the disposal of IHEs mainly due to generation of solid residues as well as unburnt DNAN.     

Crystallization behavior of milk fat,palm oil,palm kernel oil,and cocoa butter with and without the addition of cannabidiol

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cannabidiol (CBD) on the crystallization behavior and physical properties of various fats. Anhydrous milk fat (AMF), palm oil (PO), palm kernel oil (PKO), and cocoa butter (CB) were chosen for this study, for their unique crystallization behaviors. CBD was added at 1 and 2.5% wt/wt to these fats, and the crystallization behavior was evaluated at 26°C for AMF and PO and at 22°C for PKO and CB. Control samples with no CBD were prepared and evaluated as well. Results show that CBD delayed the crystallization of all fats with the least effect observed for the PO. Slight increases in crystal size were observed with the addition of CBD for all samples. CBD did not affect the melting profile of AMF or CB, but it increased the peak temperature of PO and decreased the enthalpy of PKO. Similarly, hardness was only affected by CBD in PO samples, with harder materials obtained for samples containing 2.5% CBD. The same trend was observed for elasticity. In addition, the elasticity of AMF increased with the addition of CBD but not its hardness. Overall, this study indicates that the effect of CBD on fat crystallization is highly dependent on the type of fat used. Producers of fat-based products that are willing to include CBD in their formulations must carefully control processing conditions to ensure product quality.     

Are Phosphatidylcholine and Lysophosphatidylcholine Body Levels Potentially Reliable Biomarkers in Obesity? A Review of Human Studies

Phosphatidylcholines (PCs) are the major components of biological membranes in animals and are a class of phospholipids that incorporate choline as a headgroup. Lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) are a class of lipid biomolecules derived from the cleavage of PCs, and are the main components of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) that are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Since obesity is associated with a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, one can anticipate that the lipidomic profile changes in this context and both PCs and LPCs are gaining attention as hypothetically reliable biomarkers of obesity. Thus, a literature search is performed on PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Literature (LILACS), and Excerpta Medica DataBASE (Embase) to obtain the findings of population studies to clarify this hypothesis. The search strategy resulted in a total of 2403 reports and 21 studies were included according to the eligibility criteria. Controversial data on the associations of PCs and LPCs with body mass index (BMI) and body fat parameters have been identified. There is an inverse relationship between BMI and most species of PCs, and a majority of studies exhibited negative associations between BMI and LPCs. Other findings regarding the differences between PCs and LPCs in obesity are presented, and the associated uncertainties are discussed in detail.     

Attentional task aptitude and performance anxiety.

Anxious responding (trait, state, and test anxiety) has a negative impact on overt performance. Researchers have used a unidimensional method of assessing anxiety and performance, although a more informative approach would involve a comprehensive assessment battery and multiple performance tasks. Incorporating this strategy, the authors measured the impact of anxiety on 4 attentional processing tasks. Results revealed that "types" of anxiety symptoms were differentially related to attentional task performance; test anxiety accounted for the most variance in predicting performance on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition (D. Wechsler, 1997) letter-number sequencing and digit-span subtests, trait anxiety and fear of negative evaluation were more significant in predicting Stroop performance, and math anxiety accounted for the largest variance toward understanding Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (C. W. Lejuez, C. W. Kahler, & R. A. Brown, 2003) scores. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sources and growth dynamics of fecal indicator bacteria in a coastal wetland system and potential impacts to adjacent waters

Coastal wetlands are receiving increased attention as a putative source of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in Southern California coastal waters. We examined temporal trends of water and sediment-associated FIB after rain events along with spatial sediment characteristics at two sites within the Santa Ana River wetlands and made comparisons to FIB levels observed in adjacent surf zone waters. During the first two rain events, total coliforms (TC), Escherichia coli (EC) and enterococci (ENT) in wetland water and sediment samples peaked either on the same day or within several days of the rain event, while the third resulted in elevated wetlands sediment TC levels only. TC in adjacent coastal waters consistently peaked on the same day as the rain event and decreased quickly thereafter (within 1 day). The TC/EC ratios of surf zone samples consistently fell below 10, indicating an increased probability of human fecal contamination whereas wetland TC/EC ratios were higher, averaging approximately 60 and 14 at each site. These results suggest sediment-associated FIB populations may be distinct from those found in the water samples, or at least have internal dynamics independent of water-borne populations. Increases in sediment-associated FIB may be due to in situ population growth and/or increased survival due to changes in environmental parameters (salinity, moisture and nutrient input) resulting from the rain events. Spatial differences in between the two sites may be due to sediment differences such as organic content and finer grain size and/or discrete sources of FIB.     

The Japanese Photographers of Broome: Photography and Cross-Cultural Encounter

The remote West Australian town of Broome has a unique photography heritage that sheds new light on the complexities of photography and intercultural relations. During the early twentieth century thriving Japanese communities were established in this region around the lucrative pearling industry. These Japanese communities also helped to develop a fascinating photography culture in Broome. Photography was not simply a business opportunity for the Japanese or a means of documenting people and events; it was a medium through which hierarchised social relations were produced, redefined, and challenged. This article examines photographs by these Japanese residents as an important site of cross-cultural communication and interpretation. These photographs of Anglo-Australian, Japanese, and Aboriginal residents of Broome enrich the study of cross-cultural photographic encounters, and emphasise the dynamic and dispersed qualities of Australian photographic practice and history. Here national histories of photography are usefully conceptualised as the products of imbricated social, economic, and cultural relations that operate across regional, national, and international realms.     

A neural approach for estimation of per capita electricity consumption due to age and income

Electricity consumption is influenced by number of adults and children and their relationship at household level. Household income also plays a critical role on expenditure on electricity. Accordingly, this article presents a joint probability model of electricity demand based on occupants’ age grades and household income levels. A bottom-up strategy is developed using a micro level database of 70 Australian households. A neural regression-generalization technique is devised to estimate electricity demand using back-propagation and cognitive mapping. The aggregated result is then validated against 2012 Australian national census. Accordingly, the model is improved based on a top-down review. The results show per capita electricity demand by adult and child at 0.408 kW (69 kWh/week) and 0.226 kW (38 kWh/week), respectively. The equivalent dollar values are $13.6/week and $7.6/week in 2012. At macro level, the model reveals per capita demand by all individuals at 0.324 kW (54.35 kWh/week) equivalent to dollar value of $10.87/week, across Australia. The results also show higher percentage of per capita demand for adults in high and medium income classes, and the otherwise for low income class. Ratio of child’s demand over adult’s demand is highest among the low income households, and lowset among the middle income households, while best balance between adult and child per capita demand belongs to the high income.