Search for new industrial oils. VII

Seed oils from 37 plant species in 18 families have been analyzed for fatty acid composition by the isomerization method. The variability encountered is evidenced by the range in content of component acids: from 0–23% for apparent linolenic acid, from 8–74% for apparent linoleic acid, and from 2–88% for apparent oleic acid. Dimorphecolic acid has been found to the extent of approximately 60% in a second species ofDimorphotheca, D. pluvialis (L.) Moench, and in the closely related species,Osteospermum ecklonis (DC.) T. Norl.O. spinescens Thunb. contained instead 30% of a conjugated triene, presumably the same as the 8,10,12-octadecatrienoic reported from the relatedCalendula officinalis L. Oils rich in monoenoic acids are mostly in the Umbelliferae and Araliaceae and presumably contain petroselinic acid as well as oleic. Presented at the AOCS meeting in St. Louis, Mo., May 1–3, 1961. A laboratory of the Northern Utilization Research and Development Division, Agricultural Research Service, U.S.D.A. Agricultural Research Service, U.S.D.A.     

Infrared Spectrum of the v2+ v6 Band of C13C12H6

The infrared spectrum of the v₂+v₆ band of C¹³C¹²H₆ has been analyzed and a value of B₀= 0.64865 ±0.00005 cm⁻¹ determined. When this value is combined with that found in recent work on isotopically normal ethane, a “r_s” value of 1.527±0.004 A for the carboncarbon bond distance is obtained. (Uncertainties are probable errors.)     

Some Vibrational-Rotational Bands of Deuterated Methanes

A parallel band at 2,200 cm⁻¹ and a perpendicular band at 2,780 cm⁻¹ of CH₃D have been observed under high resolution and analysed. The analysis of the perpendicular band revealed the presence of l-type doubling in the doubly degenerate excited state. From the analysis of the parallel band it is found that B₀= 3.880 cm⁻¹. A hybrid band of CD₃H has been observed near 2,600 cm⁻¹. Both active components, A and E are observed and analysed. The ground state B₀ value found from this analysis is in good agreement with previous determinations.     

Search for new industrial oils. IV

Summary Chemical screening of seed oils continues to reveal nature's diversity. This work provides leads to numerous species which warrant further research to investigate their oil and meal in greater detail, to appraise their crop potential, and to assess their practical value for providing new oilseeds. This is a laboratory of the Northern Utilization Research and Development Division, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture.     

Compositional differences among crambe samples and between seed components

Data germane to the processing and utilization of crambe as a new oilseed include information on variations to be expected in gross composition of the seed (fruit) and its component parts. Seventy-five samples ofCrambe abyssinica Hochst. ex R. E. Fries from experimental plantings in 17 states have been analyzed. Samples as received contained 16 to 62% pod material (pericarp), the extremes representing samples with many seeds removed from the pod or with many pods containing no seed. The amount of pericarp was most often between 25 and 40%. Oil content of seed (without pericarp) ranged from 36 to 54%, with most samples between 40 and 48%; crude protein from 22 to 37%, usually 25 to 30%; and erucic acid in the oil from 39 to 60%, usually 53 to 59%. Total thioglucoside content in 30 samples ranged from 8 to 10% calculated asepi-progoitrin in oil-free meal, although 2 samples were between 4 and 5%. One sample was hand-separated into pericarp (40%) and seed, and the latter was further separated into seed coat (8%), cotyledon (82%) and hypocotyl (10%). The pericarp contained only 0.4% lipid and the respective seed fractions 17, 55 and 38%. Their corresponding protein contents were 4, 23, 23 and 34%; and their thioglucoside contents (oil-free meal), 0.1, 2.1, 10.9 and 13.0%. Cotyledon and hypocotyl were quite similar in amino acid composition. Neither contained hydroxylproline, which is in both pericarp and seed coat. Presented at AOCS meeting in Chicago, October 1964. No. Utiliz. Res. Dev. Div. ARS, USDA. Crops Research Division, ARS, USDA.     

Dihydrosterculic acid,a major fatty acid component ofEuphoria longana seed oil

The seed oil ofEuphoria longana, Sapindaceae, contains 17.4% of 9,10-methyleneoctadecanoic (dihydrosterculic) acid. This identification is based on information from thin layer chromatography, infrared analysis, gas liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy. Since GLC of the oil showed components that emerged between the usual triglycerides, the cyclopropanoid acid is apparently a triglyceride constituent. The presence of smaller amounts, less than 1%, of cyclopropanoid fatty acids of different chain lengths is indicated by GLC and TLC analyses of the methyl esters. The other major fatty acids in this oil are: 16∶0 (19%), 18∶0 (7%), 18∶1 (36%), 18∶2 (6%), 18∶3 (5%) and 20∶0 (4%).Euphoria oil contains considerably larger amounts of cyclopropanoid fatty acids than previously reported in other seed oils. Presented at the AOCS-AACC Joint Meeting, Washington, D.C., April 1968. No. Utiliz. Res. Dev. Div.; ARS, USDA.     

A Systematic Approach to Achieving High Performance Hybrid Lighting Phosphors with Excellent Thermal‐ and Photostability

The authors have designed and synthesized a family of high‐performance inorganic–organic hybrid phosphor materials composed of extended and robust networks of one, two, and three dimensions. Following a bottom‐up solution‐based synthetic approach, these structures are constructed by connecting highly emissive Cu₄I₄ cubic clusters via carefully selected ligands that form strong Cu? N bonds. They emit intensive yellow‐orange light with high luminescence quantum efficiency, coupled with large Stokes shift, which greatly reduces self‐absorption. They also demonstrate exceptionally high framework‐ and photostability, comparable to those of commercial phosphors. The high stabilities are the result of significantly enhanced Cu? N bonds, as confirmed by the density functional theory (DFT) binding energy and electron density calculations. Possible emission mechanisms are analyzed based on the results of theoretical calculations and optical experiments. Two‐component white phosphors obtained by blending blue and yellow emitters reach an internal quantum yield as high as 82% and correlated color temperature as low as 2534 K. The performance level of this subfamily exceeds all other types of Cu–I based hybrid systems. The combined advantages make them excellent candidates as alternative rare‐earth element‐free phosphors for possible use in energy‐efficient lighting devices.     

Psychophysiological stress responses, muscle tension, and neck and shoulder pain among supermarket cashiers.

This study examined psychological and physiological stress, as well as muscle tension and musculoskeletal symptoms, among 72 female supermarket cashiers. Stress levels were found to be significantly elevated at work, as reflected in the catecholamines, blood pressure, heart rate, electromyographic (EMG) activity, and self-reports. Fifty cashiers (70%) suffering from neck-shoulder pain (trapezius myalgia) were found to have higher EMG activity at work and reported more tension after work. Women who kept a diary for 1 week and reported more musculoskeletal pain (above the median) were older, had higher blood pressure, and reported more work stress and psychosomatic symptoms. The elevated stress levels at work are consistent with data from workers involved in other types of repetitive tasks and can be important for the high prevalence of neck and shoulder symptoms among the cashiers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Outdoor grazing of dairy cows on pasture versus indoor feeding on total mixed ration: Effects on gross composition and mineral content of milk during lactation

The influence of feeding system and lactation period on the gross composition, macroelements (Ca, P, Mg, and Na), and trace elements (Zn, Fe, Cu, Mo, Mn, Se, and Co) of bovine milk was investigated. The feeding systems included outdoor grazing on perennial ryegrass pasture (GRO), outdoor grazing on perennial ryegrass and white clover pasture (GRC), and indoors offered total mixed ration (TMR). Sixty spring-calving Holstein Friesian dairy cows were assigned to 3 herds, each consisting of 20 cows, and balanced with respect to parity, calving date, and pre-experimental milk yield and milk solids yield. The herds were allocated to 1 of the 3 feeding systems from February to November. Milk samples were collected on 10 occasions over the period June 17 to November 26, at 2 or 3 weekly intervals, when cows were on average 119 to 281 d in lactation (DIL). The total lactation period was arbitrarily sub-divided into 2 lactation periods based on DIL, namely mid lactation, June 17 to September 9 when cows were 119 to 203 DIL; and late lactation, September 22 to November 26 when cows were 216 to 281 DIL. With the exception of Mg, Na, Fe, Mo, and Co, all other variables were affected by feeding system. The GRO milk had the highest mean concentrations of total solids, total protein, casein, Ca, and P. The TMR milk had the highest concentrations of lactose, Cu, and Se, and lowest level of total protein. The GRC milk had levels of lactose, Zn, and Cu similar to those of GRO milk, and concentrations of TS, Ca, and P similar to those of TMR milk. Lactation period affected all variables, apart from the concentrations of Fe, Cu, Mn, and Se. On average, the proportion (%) of total Ca, P, Zn, Mn, or Se that sedimented with the casein on high-speed ultracentrifugation at 100,000 × g was ≥60%, whereas that of Na, Mg, or Mo was ≤45% total. The results demonstrate how the gross composition and elemental composition of milk can be affected by different feeding systems.