Aroma volatile compositions of high- and low-aromatic guava varieties

BACKGROUND: The traditional guava variety cultivated in Israel, ‘Ben Dov’, emits a very strong odour, whereas some newly bred varieties have a mild odour. In this study the aroma profile composition of the high‐aromatic ‘Ben Dov’ variety was compared with those of four new low‐aromatic varieties. RESULTS: Overall, using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, a total of 30 aroma volatiles were detected in fresh ripe guava fruit: 15 of them were specifically detected only in the high‐aromatic ‘Ben Dov’ variety, 13 were detected in both the high‐ and low‐aromatic varieties and two were detected only in the new low‐aromatic varieties. Interestingly, 11 out of the 15 volatiles specifically detected in ‘Ben Dov’ were esters that contribute sweet, tropical and fruity notes. In contrast, ten out of 13 detected terpenes and two detected aldehydes, contributing green, spicy, herbal and woody notes, were common to both the high‐ and low‐aromatic varieties. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, it is concluded that accumulation of esters is the main reason why the traditional ‘Ben Dov’ guava variety emits such a strong tropical fruity odour. In contrast, the newly bred low‐aromatic guava varieties did not synthesise esters at all and thus lacked fruity aromatic notes. Overall, the results of this study point out the important role of esters in forming tropical fruity guava odours. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Psychological stress, occurrence of cancer and cause-specific mortality]

Psychological stress has been claimed to contribute to the onset of cancer and to increase mortality from a number of nonmalignant diseases. We investigated the effect of a genuine psychological stressor, i.e. cancer in a child, on the incidence of cancer and mortality from nonmalignant diseases of 11,231 parents in a Danish nationwide population-based study. The children were identified from records in the Danish Cancer Registry for the period 1943-1985; their parents were identified from population registers. Overall, 1665 parental malignancies were diagnosed from the date the cancer of the child was reported through 1992, as compared with 1702 expected from national incidence rates, to yield standardized incidence ratios of 1.0 (95% confidence interval, 0.9-1.0) for all parents, 1.0 for mothers and 1.0 for fathers. No excess mortality was seen from causes associated with allergic illness, autoimmune conditions, chronic illness or changes in behaviour. Our data provide no support for the hypothesis of an association between psychological stress and the incidence of cancer or mortality from nonmalignant diseases. We conclude that the human organism is highly adaptable, even to extreme psychological stress.     

Effects of stochastic energy prices on long-term energy-economic scenarios

In view of the currently observed energy prices, recent price scenarios, which have been very moderate until 2004, also tend to favor high future energy prices. Having a large impact on energy-economic scenarios, we incorporate uncertain energy prices into an energy systems model by including a stochastic risk function. Energy systems models are frequently used to aid scenario analysis in energy-related studies. The impact of uncertain energy prices on the supply structures and the interaction with measures in the demand sectors is the focus of the present paper.

For the illustration of the methodological approach, scenarios for four EU countries are presented. Including the stochastic risk function, elements of high energy price scenarios can be found in scenarios with a moderate future development of energy prices. In contrast to scenarios with stochastic investment costs for a limited number of technologies, the inclusion of stochastic energy prices directly affects all parts of the energy system. Robust elements of hedging strategies include increasing utilization of domestic energy carriers, the use of CHP and district heat and the application of additional energy-saving measures in the end-use sectors. Region-specific technology portfolios, i.e., different hedging options, can cause growing energy exchange between the regions in comparison with the deterministic case.     

1H NMR studies of the bis-intercalation of a homodimeric oxazole yellow dye in DNA oligonucleotides

Retention of apo B-100 lipoproteins, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and probably lipoprotein(a), Lp(a), by intima proteoglycans (PGs) appears to increase the residence time needed for their structural, hydrolytic and oxidative modifications. If the rate of LDL entry exceeds the tissue capacity to eliminate the modified products, this process may be a contributor to atherogenesis and lesion advancement. LDL binds to PGs of the intima, by association of specific positive segments of the apo B-100 with the negatively-charged glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) made of chondroitin sulfate (CS), dermatan sulfate (DS) and probably heparan sulfate (HS). Small, dense LDL has a higher affinity for CS-PGs than large buoyant particles, probably because they expose more of the segments binding the GAGs than larger LDL. PGs cause irreversible structural alterations of LDL that potentiate hydrolytic and oxidative modifications. These alterations also increase LDL uptake by macrophages and smooth muscle cells. These in vitro data suggest that part of the atherogenicity of LDL may depend on its tendency to form complexes with arterial PGs in vivo. Ex vivo results support this hypothesis. Subjects with coronary heart disease have LDL with significantly higher affinity for arterial PGs. This is also a characteristic of subjects with the atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype, with high levels of small, dense LDL. The LDL-PG affinity, however can be modified by dietary or pharmacological interventions that change the composition and size of LDL. Lesion-prone intima contain PGs with a high affinity for LDL. Increased LDL entrapment at these sites may be a key step in a cyclic atherogenic process.     

Three different criteria for the design of two-dimensional zerophase FIR digital filters

An error criterion for the design of FIR filters is proposed. Filters with relatively many free filter coefficients are designed using the Chebyshev, the weighted-least-squares (WLS), and a new partitioned minimax error criterion, and the performance of the filters is compared. A general and fast technique for the WLS design is also presented     

Does psychosocial intervention in cancer patients affect survival and psychological well-being?]

We have critically reviewed the scientific literature examining the effect of psychosocial interventions on survival and well-being among adult cancer patients. Only studies using randomization and including a control-group not receiving psychosocial intervention were reviewed. Six studies examined the effect on prognosis. In four of these studies survival increased significantly in the intervention group as compared to the control group. All of these studies, however, have methodological flaws, leaving a possible prognostic effect to be clarified in larger, well-controlled future studies. The effect of psychosocial intervention on various psychosocial variables (such as anxiety and depression) was evaluated in 20 studies. Differences in patient populations, intervention strategies, and outcomes decrease the comparability of the results, and the majority of these studies suffer from methodological flaws as well. A positive effect on anxiety and depression immediately following the intervention is, however, reported in the majority of these studies. It is thus possible that the level of anxiety and depression may be decreased by integrating psychosocial intervention in the overall treatment of cancer.     

On convergence proofs in system identification – a general principle using ideas from learning theory

It is shown that learning theory offers convergence analysis tools that are useful in system identification problems. They allow analysis in a parameter-free context, which elevates the analysis from parameter sets to model sets and from parameter identification to model identification. When a parameterization is eventually introduced, this leads to alternative assumptions on the parameterization and parameter set. Moreover, structural identification can be analyzed within the same framework. Another advantage is that the proofs are technically and conceptually simple.     

Mechanism for enhanced external transfer of dimeric IgA over pentameric IgM: studies of diffusion, binding to the human polymeric Ig receptor, and epithelial transcytosis

Transport of polymeric Igs (pIgA and pIgM) across secretory epithelia is mediated by the polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR), also known as the transmembrane secretory component. Compared with local production, external transfer of pIgA is favored 6- to 12-fold over that of pIgM on a molar basis. This transfer may be modulated at several levels: diffusion through matrix and basement membranes, ligand affinity for pIgR, and efficiency of epithelial transcytosis. To investigate these possibilities, we compared the ability of Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells transfected with human pIgR to transport pIgA vs pIgM from the basolateral to the apical face, and examined the inhibitory effect of various filter types used for mounting of the monolayer. Binding data showed that pIgR bound pIgA and pIgM with similar affinity. Internalization of both ligands was fast and took place at similar rates; transcytosis was also found to be equally efficient at the molar level. Thus, the overall rate of transport across the epithelial monolayer was comparable for pIgA and pIgM, and was not further enhanced by ligand stimulation over a 20-fold increased concentration level. Conversely, pIgA had a considerable advantage over pIgM in passive diffusion assays performed in vitro. Moreover, in situ immunofluorescence staining showed retention of IgM over IgA and IgG in mucosal basement membrane zones, in contrast to the preferential epithelial uptake of IgA and, less so, IgM. The biologic consequences of the highly efficient epithelial pIg transport, and the diffusion advantage of pIgA over pIgM, are discussed in relation to the evolution and function of secretory Abs.     

Proportional control?

In modern societies, legal regulations define legal norms within a wide range of life situations; from accepting paternity to paying inheritance tax. Along with every regulation, detailed and complicated requirements are often defined for us to follow, and it is considered criminal not to observe them. Due to the complexity of rules and regulations in modern sources, control measures within fields where ordinary people interact with decision-making bodies may create uncertainty among and resistance by “law-abiding citizens”. This article will focus on control measures within Norwegian public mass administration. An important characteristic of these systems is that many of the legal rules which govern them and which are traditionally found in paper format have been transformed into computer program code. I will explicitly refrain from addressing issues concerning police investigation, state security, and control in situations where providing services (health, education, etc.) constitutes the main activity. When control is discussed in this context, control of both the computerized and manual routines is important because they are so closely connected. Information technology makes available a range of new control measures for ensuring that citizens submit correct information in the course of a decision-making process and the focus here is on this use of information technology.