Protection of maize (Zea mays) and soybeans (Glycine max) using Aframomum danielli

When maize and soybeans were stored under ambient conditions (26ǃ °C/RH 75LJ%) using the ground material of the spice Aframomum danielli (family Zingiberaceae), mouldiness and insect infestation were controlled for 15 months. After eight weeks of storage, chemical compositions of maize and soybeans (moisture content, mc 10.0%) treated with 4.0%, 6.0% and 8.0% ground powder of A. danielli did not differ significantly (P=0.05) from those of untreated (control) samples. However, chemical compositions of samples maintained at 15.0% and 20.0% mc respectively were different from those of control samples (P>0.05). At 10.0% mc, maize and soybean samples treated with different concentrations of A. danielli powder were preferred to treated samples maintained at 15.0% and 20.0% respectively. The preservative capability of the powder of A. danielli was associated with phytochemical components tentatively identified as alkaloids. Viability of maize and soybeans was not affected by treatment with A. danielli powder. The powder of A. danielli has some protective effects on liver cells because it exerted no hepatotoxic effect on test albino rats as serum enzyme levels of glutamate oxaloacetate transmaminase (SGOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were lowered by 67.0%, 86.3% and 49.7% respectively when compared with control albino rats not fed with A. danielli powder in their rations (meals).     

"Empathy: A neglected topic in psychological research": Reply.

Replies to K. B. Clark's (see record 1980-09677-001) article on empathy by distinguishing empathy as a state or condition from the behaviors which stem from that state. Given the prerequisites of understanding and being able to identify emotional behavior, a person with empathy then shifts his or her point of view to comprehend the feeling state of another person. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Changes in the physical and biochemical properties of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) on conversion to ogi

Millet was converted into ogi, a naturally fermented cereal product, by the traditional wet milling/wet sieving process and by fermenting millet meal and ground millet malt. Proximate chemical composition, flavanol content, vitamin A and B₂ contents, energy value, protein and starch availabilities and Brabender paste viscosity of millet grain and ogi were determined. Yields of ogi ranged from 67.5 to 96.5%. Protein, ether extract, ash and crude fibre contents were reduced in ogi by 2.3–24, 3.9–25.5, 14.3–28.6 and 6.6–42.3% respectively, while the soluble carbohydrate content of the grain (68.2 ± 12 g kg^?1) was retained. Flavanol content of millet (1.025 g c‐glycosylflavanol equivalent kg^?1 grain) was reduced in ogi (0.643–0.872 g c‐glycosylflavanol equivalent kg^?1 grain). Vitamin A content was reduced by 21.4–53.4% and vitamin B₂ content was increased by 85.7–242.8% on conversion of millet into ogi. Apparent protein availability increased by 91.3–144.9% with papain digestion and by 47.6–109.5% without papain. However, changes in tryptophan (5.6%) and lysine (5.2%) were less marked, except in ogi from malt, which showed 22.2 and 20.8% increases in tryptophan and lysine contents respectively. Apparent carbohydrate availability increased (by 17–93%) but energy value generally remained the same (highest increase 3.4%) when millet was converted to ogi. Conversion of grain to ogi reduced paste viscosity. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Treating post-concussional syndrome: Post-concussional syndrome and stress reduction therapy.

Patients with postconcussional syndrome (PCS) often report decreased concentration, reduced memory abilities, headaches, elevated anxiety levels, and irritability. The effects of stress reduction techniques in ameliorating the symptoms of PCS in a 48-yr-old male patient 2 yrs postinjury are discussed. Pre- and posttreatment neuropsychological evaluations, personality measures, and physiological responses suggested that stress reduction can be an effective treatment intervention for PCS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Follow-up of 812 girls 10 years after high school dropout.

Compared a droupout group and nondropout group on several variables. The data both predated and postdated the time of school dropout. For analysis the groups were subdivided on time of marriage and intelligence. Dropouts have a higher separation and divorce rate, even when time of marriage is controlled; they have larger families, but apparently only because they have been married longer. In general they marry into a lower socioeconomic status, but only girls from blue-collar families show a downward social mobility. When grouped by intelligence, high and medium intelligence dropouts do not show the upward social mobility that nondropouts do. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social context as a determinant of sex differences in adults' attraction to infants.

70 male and 70 female undergraduates in same- or mixed-sex groups publicly or privately judged pictures of subhuman primate infants and adults for attractiveness. Sex differences were significant but the largest difference between males and females was found when judgments were made in public same-sex groups. Females reported greater attraction to infants relative to their attraction to adults, when judgments were made publicly in all-female groups. Males reported less attraction to infants in all-male public groups than when in private. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perception, attitudes and beliefs, and openness to change: implications for older driver education

With a rapidly aging population, strategies for improving driver safety are beginning to emerge that focus on changing driving behaviors and knowledge. We examined the perceptions of risk, beliefs and attitudes, and openness to change of 86 older participants voluntarily attending a driver education program. It appeared that most people attending these sessions were not necessarily concerned about their own driving, safety or abilities, but were interested in maintaining mobility. They were conservative and reasonably consistent in their attitudes toward traffic regulations and safe driving practices. Some gender differences emerged with more men than women being resistant to changing their driving habits, more men than women reporting that they drive after consuming alcohol and more women than men identifying a role for their families in decision-making regarding driving cessation. This suggests that educational material may need to be targeted differently for men and women. It is anticipated that psychosocial factors related to driving such as driver perception, beliefs and openness to change will be useful for maximizing the fit between education program content and outcomes.     

Impact of social environment on variation in menstrual cycle length in captive female olive baboons (Papio anubis)

Factors affecting menstrual cycles and conception were explored for captive female olive baboons. We evaluated the relationship between the social environment and adequacy of the menstrual cycle in 55 non-conceptive and 21 conception cycles from 23 females. More abnormal cycles were expected for low-status females, and social stress levels were associated with variation in menstrual cycle length. Mean cycle length was 39.9 days (median=38) with a mean follicular phase duration of 23.7 (median=22) days. The duration of the follicular phase was more variable than that of the luteal phase (mean=15.8 days). The first cycle after postpartum resumption of cycling was not markedly different from subsequent cycles in terms of duration or probability of conception. Dominance rank was one significant factor affecting female fertility. Low-ranking females experienced more cycles prior to conception, longer cycles once cycling was well established and had smaller sexual swellings (anogenital area) than did high-ranking females. Both acute and chronic stresses may play important roles in fertility outcomes for these baboons and further research is needed to understand the role of stress and subtle menstrual cycle abnormalities in female mammal fertility.     

Correlations of dietary patterns with prostate health

Both genetic and environmental influences may be involved in etiology of prostate health and prostate cancer. These include ethnic origin, family history, smoking, and diet. Adiposity and excess energy intake are potentially distinct risk factors and positive associations with prostate cancer risk for both were observed among case-control and cohort studies. Some epidemiological studies support an association between dietary fat, particularly saturated or animal fats, and prostate cancer risk. Of these, several suggest reduced risk with low-fat diets high in n-3 fatty acids and increased risk with high-fat diets rich in n-6 fatty acids. Others suggested association with higher meat intake, possibly due to heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, produced during grilling or frying. Positive association of prostate cancer risk with dairy intake could involve alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase activity (required for beta-oxidation of phytanic acid present in dairy products and red meat) or the suppression of vitamin D activity by calcium. Inverse associations were observed with dietary intake of plant foods. These include cereals, soy products, and fruit and vegetable sources of carotenoids. Numerous plant constituents may act synergistically in the prevention and inhibition of prostate disorders. These diet-risk associations may lead to future individualized diet recommendations based upon genetic polymorphisms.