Changes of colour and pH in fish musculature after ionizing radiation exposure

Irradiation of meat causes sensory changes as do other technological methods. The most significant sensory and quality indicator of meat is colour; therefore, the effect of irradiated pieces of fish was studied in relation to colour changes. Colour was measured at the musculature of Oncorhynchus mykiss. The parameters of colour, L*, a* and b*, were determined with the portable Superchroma S-Spex (Braive) spectrophotometer in the CIELAB system before irradiation (3 h post mortem) and after irradiation (⁶⁰Co source, a dose of 3 kGy and a dose rate of 3.33 kGy h^–1) (5 h post mortem). The change of L* was identical for both irradiated and nonirradiated samples. This change may be caused by maturation of fish flesh. a* was identical and b* decreased. This effect differs from that of irradiated pork. The decrease of the pH was identical for both irradiated and nonirradiated samples. This change may be caused by maturation of fish flesh.     

Analysis of the Potential Genetic Links between Psoriasis and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Cardiovascular risk factors are one of the most common comorbidities in psoriasis. A higher prevalence of hypertension, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, metabolic syndrome, depression, as well as cardiovascular disease was confirmed in psoriatic patients in comparison to the general population. Data suggest that psoriasis and systemic inflammatory disorders may originate from the pleiotropic interactions with many genetic pathways. In this review, the authors present the current state of knowledge on the potential genetic links between psoriasis and cardiovascular risk factors. The understanding of the processes linking psoriasis with cardiovascular risk factors can lead to improvement of psoriasis management in the future.     

Modeling supply and return line dynamics for an electrohydraulic actuation system

This paper presents a model of an electrohydraulic fatigue testing system that emphasizes components upstream of the servovalve and actuator. Experiments showed that there are significant supply and return pressure fluctuations at the respective ports of the servovalve. The model presented allows prediction of these fluctuations in the time domain in a modular manner. An assessment of design changes was done to improve test system bandwidth by eliminating the pressure dynamics due to the flexibility and inertia in hydraulic hoses. The model offers a simpler alternative to direct numerical solutions of the governing equations and is particularly suited for control-oriented transmission line modeling in the time domain.     

Interaction of hydrocolloid networks with mono- and oligosaccharides

Summary The presented research covers the investigation on the interaction of basic mono- (D-glucose, D-fructose) and a disaccharide (saccharose) with two of the most used hydrocolloids, i.e. guar gum and xanthan. As a basic model the 50% water solution of an appropriate carbohydrate with 1%wt. of a hydrocolloid was chosen. Viscoelastic measurements were carried out at different temperatures. The analysis covered the time-temperature superposition method and fitting the continuous Maxwell model to the experimental data.     

An After‐School Snack of Raisins Lowers Cumulative Food Intake in Young Children

Snacks are an important part of children's dietary intake, but the role of dried fruit on energy intake in children is unknown. Therefore, the effect of ad libitum consumption of an after‐school snack of raisins, grapes, potato chips, and chocolate chip cookies on appetite and energy intake in twenty‐six 8‐ to 11‐y‐old normal‐weight (15th to 85th percentile) children was examined. On 4 separate weekdays, 1 wk apart, children (11 M, 15 F) were given a standardized breakfast, morning snack (apple), and a standardized lunch. After school, children randomly received 1 of 4 ad libitum snacks and were instructed to eat until “comfortably full.” Appetite was measured before and 15, 30, and 45 min after snack consumption. Children consumed the least calories from raisins and grapes and the most from cookies (P < 0.001). However, weight of raisins consumed was similar to potato chips (about 75 g) and lower compared to grapes and cookies (P < 0.009). Raisins and grapes led to lower cumulative food intake (breakfast + morning snack + lunch + after‐school snack) (P < 0.001), while the cookies increased cumulative food intake (P < 0.001) compared to the other snacks. Grapes lowered appetite compared to all other snacks (P < 0.001) when expressed as a change in appetite per kilocalorie of the snack. Ad libitum consumption of raisins has potential as an after‐school snack to achieve low snack intake prior to dinner, similar to grapes, compared to potato chips, and cookies in children 8 to 11 y old.     

Synthesis and properties of polyimides containing polybutadiene blocks

Polyimides containing polybutadiene blocks were prepared by copolycondensation of benzophenone-3,3′,4,4′-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, diphenylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate and isocyanate-endcapped polybutadiene LBD-3000. ¹³C NMR CP-MAS and FTIR spectroscopies were used to determine the chemical structure of the copolymers. TGA showed that the thermal stability of the copolymers in inert atmosphere is almost independent of the polybutadiene content in the copolymer (as follows from the temperature of 10% and 20% weight loss). Stress–strain experiments showed that copolymers containing amounts of polybutadiene higher than 59 wt% exhibited elastomeric behaviour. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Polymer–leather composites. IV. Mechanical properties of selected acrylic polymer–leather composites

An extensive study was made of the mechanical properties of the polymer–leather composite materials reported in previous articles. Polymer was deposited into leather by both emulsion and bulk (or solution) polymerization. Either methyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate, or a fixed comonomer mixture of n-butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate were used over the widest feasible range of composition. Tensile strengths, in analogy with many polymer-treated fibers, were generally smaller than untreated controls, but entensions to break remained fairly constant as composition changed. Polymer–leather composites prepared by both methods were rheologically similar when correlated against the volume fraction of the polymer used. Relative tensile and torsional moduli were greater than unity at small volume fractions of polymer, but higher compositions assumed more of the viscoelastic characteristics of the modifying polymer. The constancy of the glass transition temperature of the polymeric component as composition changed indicated poor domain interactions. However, residual porosity reduced low-temperature moduli anomalously. A modified Halpin–Tsai equation was proposed that qualitatively predicted moduli increase by incremental space filling as either fiber aggregation (from simple air drying of untreated controls) or polymer content increased. The simultaneous rheological dependence of polymer–fiber interactions in composites was also accounted for by the equation.     

Expectation and reality in freshman adjustment to college.

Earlier investigations of the "freshman myth" have focused on the differences between expectations and perceptions of the college environment and have shown that entering students typically anticipate more from that environment than is subsequently realized. The present study examined differences between expectations and perceptions of self-assessed adjustment to college to determine whether students also expect more of themselves than is subsequently realized. Occurrence of the myth in this new form was found among college freshmen at 2 colleges. A college adjustment scale was completed by 185 Ss before entering school, in the 8th wk of the 1st semester, and in the 5th wk of the 1st semester at one school. At the other school, an expectations scale was completed by 172 Ss during the orientation period prior to beginning the academic year. The adjustment scale was completed by 258 Ss in the 8th wk of the 2st semester. 123 Ss completed both scales. Differences in occurrence of the myth in various aspects of the adjustment are described, and the possibility of differences in occurrence at the 2 colleges is considered. Evidence concerning the course of the myth over time is presented, and individual differences in and behavioral correlates of the myth are identified. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Modelling the movement of a two-link manipulator

An algorithm for optimizing the control signal for simple movements of a two-link manipulator with four degrees of freedom is described. Based on the typical movement and functions of upper human extremities, the manipulator (so-called anthropomorphic manipulator) is composed of two links. The motion of the links is developed by four driving motors. The mathematic model is based of the Lagrange equations of the IInd king. The minimization of the time of movement with initial limitation of accuracy is obtained and the error of the final position is minimized without changing the time-optimal criterion. The relations connected with minimalization of both quality factors are considered. At the same time, the algorithm optimizes the torque distribution between the actuators which drive each link of manipulator. As well the manipulator as its activity are modelled on the digital computer. The results of the computer simulation of the algorithm, and the modelling of the time and accuracy optimal control, are presented.     

Measuring adjustment to college.

A 52-item self-report Likert-type scale, yielding indices of 4 aspects of adjustment as well as a full-scale score, was developed and administered once each semester in each of 3 successive academic years to samples of freshman students (N?=?734). Reliability data for the scale as a whole and for the several subscales individually are presented, and validity was assessed through examination of the relationship between the subscales and several independent variables expected to be differentially relevant to the subscales. Implications for use of the scale in counseling and other remedial interventions are discussed. (46 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)