Antioxidant activity of phytogenous industrial waste and derived extracts for the production of feed and food additives

Organic wastes as well as their ethanolic, water and heptane extracts and fermented products derived from herbs, fruit and vegetables obtained worldwide from food and pharmaceutical industries were investigated regarding their antioxidant activities using different methods [1.1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl, Fe^III‐reduction method and photochemiluminescence (PCL)]. The highest antioxidative activities were exhibited by different products of grape seed wastes (350–830 mg rosmarinic acid equivalent g^?1 dried material = rae g^?1 dm) followed by ethanolic extracts of blueberry (475 mg rae g^?1 dm), larch (219 mg rae g^?1 dm), willow (193 mg rae g^?1 dm) and sunflower presscake (154 mg rae g^?1 dm). Ethanolic extracts of the residues showed comparatively higher activity than water extracts. The least antioxidative capacities were found in heptane extracts of serenoa products (0.4; 0.6 mg rae g^?1 dm) and fermented waste of carrots (1.6 mg rae g^?1 dm). Correlating different assay methods, the strongest correlation was found between Fe^III‐reduction and DPPH‐method (correlation coefficient r² = 0.99**) and the weakest between Fe^III‐reduction and PCL method (r² = 0.57**) for raw materials.     

Low-cost matrix development for an Oxide-Oxide composite

Continuous oxide fiber/oxide matrix composites are attractive for use as high temperature structural materials because they can combine composite properties with long-term oxidative stability. The development of a matrix for such a composite and prevention of matrix-fiber coating interaction is described here. The goal use temperature of this composite is 1100°C to 1200°C. The composite is being developed by the M C Consortium comprising 3M, Rockwell International, and SRI International. The composite consists of an alumina-based woven-tow fiber preform, coated with lanthanum phosphate (monazite) to promote fiber debonding and pullout, in an oxide matrix derived from a preceramic-polymer slurry filled with active and inert powders. This approach to the matrix enables conventional polymer matrix composite technology to be used in composite part fabrication. Only one infiltration of the matrix is required, a critical factor in keeping the cost low.     

Transformative energy efficiency and conservation: a sustainable development path approach in British Columbia, Canada

Achieving the greatly enhanced levels of reduction in energy demand that are required for climate stabilization will require new approaches to energy efficiency and conservation that go well beyond conventional approaches. Broadening the scope from discrete goals to systemic development path changes can contribute to sustainable futures by helping to overcome barriers to energy efficiency and by enhancing and expanding co-benefits, including improving social welfare and energy security. We call this approach transformative energy efficiency and conservation (TEEC). The province of British Columbia, Canada, has recently emerged as a locus for new energy efficiency and conservation initiatives that push the boundaries of what has been tried before in this jurisdiction. This paper examines the British Columbia case concluding that, although still in the early stages, the province is taking steps toward the development path changes that would be required to achieve transformative energy efficiency and conservation.     

农村综合发展——生态，经济与社会各层面的结合

农村是多功能的地区，它不光局限于农业生产。农村有自然景观保护，遗产保护的功能，还有休闲和娱乐的功能，它们也可以起到艺术的功能。全球的农村都发生了很大的变化。全球化的过程，意味着生产方式的改变，这些年农村地区的特色消失已经是普遍的现象。城市化使农村的人口向城市进行转移，农村地区出现了非农业的活动，所有这些变化在带来一些负面影响的同时，对农村发展也是一个机会，因此我们需要改变开发的政策和战略。     

Assessing the value of climate assessments: Progress and future directions.

The authors synthesize existing climate research and climate instruments, as well as introduce several frameworks to help educators understand how institutions and researchers have assessed diversity in the college environment. Over 90 instruments were reviewed and examined for their attention to multiple dimensions of the campus climate, diversity initiatives, and outcomes measures that capture students' values, skills, and knowledge for participation in a diverse society. Frameworks presented include a broad definition of the campus climate, a typology of campus initiatives based on an inventory of campus practice, and a typology of representative outcomes that capture cognitive, socio-cognitive, values/attitudes, and preparation for a multicultural society. Campuses that strive to become functional multicultural learning environments can now rely on a body of empirical information to guide practice and critical self-assessment to deepen their commitment to diversity. The authors recommend that campuses integrate their assessment of the climate with the evaluation of student outcomes and campus practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Different Values,Different Housing? Can Underlying Value Orientations Predict Residential Preference and Choice?

Various demographic, socio-economic and socio-cultural shifts have taken place in recent decades. These trends result in a change in the volume and quality of the housing demand as well as in the choice of location. Consequently, the traditional method, which implies asking relatively simple and straightforward questions about the willingness to move, residential preferences and the current housing situation, might no longer be adequate to explain and predict residential preference and choice. Therefore, a search is going on for new methods. The current paper explores the use of underlying value orientations. Respondents were divided into two groups according to whether they attached more importance to “Self-direction” or to “Security” as a guiding principle in housing. A number of differences were observed. Respondents who find Self-direction important more often live in the city centre and prefer an existing dwelling with an innovative design in a neighbourhood with various types of residents and a mix of residential and commercial land uses. Residents who attach more importance to Security more often live outside the city centre and prefer a newly built dwelling with a traditional design in a neighbourhood with mainly housing and the same type of residents. The results provide some indication that residents may indeed prefer particular dwelling or neighbourhood characteristics because they pursue values and goals that are important to them.     

Preservation of primer and probes on “ready-to-use” 96-well microtiter plates: A step forward towards enhancing throughput and harmonization of real-time PCR applications in food and feed control

Three different agents, trehalose (TRH), gelatine (GEL) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were investigated regarding their capability to preserve oligonucleotides, such as primer and probes or double-stranded plasmid DNA, pre-coated in 96-wells microtiter plates. The evaluation of the retained efficiency of selected multi-copy and two single-copy PCR (polymerase chain reaction) systems revealed best-suited final concentrations in the preservation mix of 1.5% (w/v) for PEG, 0.17% (w/v) for GEL and 0.07% (w/v) - 20/1 (TRH/nucleic acid w/w) - for TRH, respectively. Under these conditions PCR efficiencies did not deviate significantly from non-coated, freshly pipetted control reactions even after three months of storage at room temperature or under thermal stress at constantly 50 °C simulating an ageing effect. Among the three reagents TRH showed best performance since not only the most labile component - the fluorescent probe - is protected from degradation but also double-stranded plasmid DNA which can be used as reference material and in quantitative real-time PCR.