Freezing-thawing effects on the colour and texture of European catfish flesh

The freezing-thawing effect on the colour of raw fillets and on the texture of cooked fillets of European catfish ( Silurus glanis ) was studied. European catfish coming from two rearing conditions occurring in France were analysed by sensory and instrumental measurements. Fillets of European catfish became lighter, yellower and less bright after a freezing-thawing cycle. An increase in hardness and a decrease in resilience, disintegration and shear resistance were also highlighted after a freezing-thawing cycle. We could make the hypothesis that these variations of colour and texture were due either to mechanical damage or muscle protein denaturation. Fillets also became less juicy after a freezing-thawing cycle because of a loss of water-holding capacity.     

In Vitro Framework to Assess the Anti-Helicobacter pylori Potential of Lactic Acid Bacteria Secretions as Alternatives to Antibiotics

Helicobacter pylori is a prevalent bacterium that can cause gastric ulcers and cancers. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) ameliorate treatment outcomes against H. pylori, suggesting that they could be a source of bioactive molecules usable as alternatives to current antibiotics for which resistance is mounting. We developed an in vitro framework to compare the anti-H. pylori properties of 25 LAB and their secretions against H. pylori. All studies were done at acidic and neutralized pH, with or without urea to mimic various gastric compartments. Eighteen LAB strains secreted molecules that curtailed the growth of H. pylori and the activity was urea-resistant in five LAB. Several LAB supernatants also reduced the urease activity of H. pylori. Pre-treatment of H. pylori with acidic LAB supernatants abrogated its flagella-mediated motility and decreased its ability to elicit pro-inflammatory IL-8 cytokine from human gastric cells, without reverting the H. pylori-induced repression of other pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study identified the LAB that have the most anti-H. pylori effects, decreasing its viability, its production of virulence factors, its motility and/or its ability to elicit pro-inflammatory IL-8 from gastric cells. Once identified, these molecules can be used as alternatives or complements to current antibiotics to fight H. pylori infections.     

Examining the Challenges of Scientific Workflows

Workflows have emerged as a paradigm for representing and managing complex distributed computations and are used to accelerate the pace of scientific progress. A recent National Science Foundation workshop brought together domain, computer, and social scientists to discuss requirements of future scientific applications and the challenges they present to current workflow technologies.     

Toxicogenomic analysis of susceptibility to inhaled urban particulate matter in mice with chronic lung inflammation

Background  

Individuals with chronic lung disease are at increased risk of adverse health effects from airborne particulate matter. Characterization of underlying pollutant-phenotype interactions may require comprehensive strategies. Here, a toxicogenomic approach was used to investigate how inflammation modifies the pulmonary response to urban particulate matter.     

Genesis of new HDS catalysts through a careful control of the sulfidation of both Co and Mo atoms: Study of their activation under gas phase

Impregnation of oxidic precursor with thioglycolic acid aqueous solution was successfully used to improve the performances of thiophene hydrodesulfurization catalysts. Raman, EXAFS and XPS studies indicate that addition of this chelating agent affects the sulfidation of the supported metals. The higher catalytic performances were attributed to an optimization of the nature and morphology of the active phase obtained by the use of this chelating agent which permits a simultaneous sulfidation of both Co and Mo atoms.     

Urban Governance and Poverty— Addressing Needs,Asserting Claims: An Editorial Introduction

Introducing a special issue which reports on research on how governance affects the poor in nine cities in Africa, Asia and Latin America, the key components of the conceptual framework are sketched, the methodological approach described and the rationale for the choice of case-study cities outlined. Drawing on concepts of governance, household livelihoods, social capital and civil society, the research reported in the subsequent four papers compares findings from the city case-studies. The papers examine how the organizations, mechanisms and institutions of urban governance have addressed poverty, deprivation and inequality, and whether, how and in what circumstances poor urban residents have been able to make claims on the system. Using a case-study approach, the research attempted to identify and explain similarities and differences between the cities and to explain the governance arrangements and policies identified and their outcomes for the poor. The cities studied were selected to illustrate contrasts in both context and characteristics and are, therefore, used mainly as illustrative examples, as well as to review and refine the conceptual starting points and, where possible, to draw general conclusions.     

Semiconducting properties of thin films with embedded nanoparticles

We demonstrate here the possibility of designing semiconducting thin films with controlled electrochemical properties. The thin films are composed of (i) an insulating binder and (ii) a semiconductor nanopowder which enables the fine tuning of the semiconducting properties of the layers. Thus, p- and n-type silicon particles (obtained from a top-down technique), or metal-oxide ZnO, SnO2 and NiO nanoparticles (synthesized using a bottom-up protocol) are successfully integrated into spin-coated or screen-printed thin films and used as semiconducting materials. The flat band potential (Vfb) of the films is then easily tuned from 0 V to ?1.138 V.     

3D substrate modeling; from a first order electrical analysis,towards some possible signal fluctuations consideration,for radio frequency circuits

3D Si integration seems a right way to go and compete with Moore?s law (more than Moore versus more Moore). However, it is still a long way to go.