Effects of viscosity on the bitterness and astringency of grape seed tannin

To examine the separate effects of viscosity and sweetness on astringency, aqueous solutions of grape seed tannin (GST) were thickened with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) from 2 to 45 cP (experiment 1) or sweetened with 0 to 1.8 g/L aspartame (experiment 2). Trained subjects continuously rated astringency and bitterness in duplicate. Subjects were categorized by the salivary flow induced by citric acid and ability to taste n-propyl thiouracil (PROP). In experiment 1, maximum intensity and total duration of astringency were significantly decreased as viscosity rose, although time to maximum intensity of astringency was not affected. Maximum intensity and total duration of bitterness were not significantly affected by increasing viscosity; however, the onset of bitterness was significantly delayed. In experiment 2, increasing sweetness had no affect on any astringency parameter, although maximum intensity of bitterness was significantly decreased. Neither PROP nor salivary flow-status had any effect on perception of bitterness or astringency in either experiment.     

Expressed emotion, social skill, and response to negative affect in schizophrenia.

Examined social skills and social perception of 48 schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder patients (aged 18–55 yrs) in response to negative affect as a function of family expressed emotion (EE). Ss participated in a role-play test, a social perception test, and a problem-solving discussion with a family member and were assessed on several measures of symptomatology. EE of family members was evaluated with the Camberwell Family Interview. On the role-play test, Ss with less critical relatives became more assertive in response to increased negative affect from a confederate portraying either a family member or friend, but Ss with highly critical relatives did not. Ss with highly critical relatives were also less assertive when confronted with negative affect from a confederate portraying a family member rather than a friend. The behaviors of both relatives and Ss during a family problem-solving interaction were related to the EE dimensions of criticism, emotional overinvolvement, and warmth. Patient gender was also related to family problem solving but was independent of EE. S's ratings of affect on a videotaped social perception task were not related to family EE, and there were few differences in psychopathology between Ss with high and low EE relatives.… (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relationships between identity formation and computer use among black and white emerging adult females

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between computer use, identity formation, and self-esteem among Black and White emerging adult females. One hundred 56 female college students participated in this study by completing a survey that included the Internet/Computer Use Questionnaire, the Ego Identity Process Questionnaire, and the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale. Racial differences were found between Black and White females with regard to perceived problematic use of the Internet and use of the computer for communication and use of the Internet for schoolwork. In addition, differences between Black and White females were found between identity formation and problematic use of the Internet and between self-esteem and type of use of the Internet. These findings were discussed in relation to future research and interventions.     

Responses of Dairy Cows to Exogenous Bovine Growth Hormone Administered During Early Lactation

Bovine growth hormone was administered to eight Holstein cows during two 10-d periods (commencing 20 and 60 d postpartum). Treatments involved daily subcutaneous injection of excipient (control) or of 50 IU growth hormone. Feed intake and yields of milk and milk components were measured during the last 5 d of treatment. In the first injection period, milk yield of treated cows was 6% greater than that of controls (36.2 kg/d). Fat content of milk was increased by treatment with the result that fat yield was elevated by 25%. Protein content was not altered. In the second period, milk yield increased by 12%, but composition of milk was not changed. As a result, milk energy secretion was increased by a similar amount in each treatment period (4.4 versus 4.5 Mcal/d). Feed intake was not changed in either period. During early lactation the ability of cows to increase milk yield in response to exogenous growth hormone may be limited by the supply of glucose for lactose synthesis rather than by ability to mobilize body reserves in support of lactation.     

A specific,sensitive and high-capacity immunoassay for PAF

A specific radioimmunoassay for platelet-activating factor (PAF) sensitive in the range 10–1000 pg (0.02–2 pmoles) has been developed. Detailed quantitative hapten inhibition studies showed specificity for the acetyl group at C-2 of PAF, a requirement for the ether linkage at C-1 and some tolerance for substituents on the choline nitrogen. No significant cross-reactivity was found with phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine or with lysoPAF. Based on a paper presented at the Third International Conference on Platelet-Activating Factor and Structurally Related Alkyl Ether Lipids, Tokyo, Japan, May 1989.     

Preliminary Assessment of Contaminants in Soft Sediments of the Detroit River

Soft sediments from the Detroit River were analyzed for the USEPA priority pollutants to generally characterize contaminant distribution. Forty-three were detected. Highest heavy metal concentrations were found in the Trenton Channel and immediately downstream of Grosse Ile. They ranged from an area mean (N = 2) of 0.19 mg/kg mercury to 338.7 mg/kg zinc (dry weight). Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons ranged from 0.1 mg/kg to 38.8 mg/kg (mean, N = 2) with the highest levels near Grosse Ile. PCBs ranged from 0.015 mg/kg to 1.7 mg/kg (mean, N = 2). Organochlorine pesticides were not detected except for a trace of heptachlor in one sample. Sediment contamination in the Detroit River is widespread with higher concentrations on the U.S. side downstream of the Rouge River and in the Trenton Channel. The significance of these in-place pollutants to biota and as a source to Lake Erie is still unknown.     

The study of sexual behavior in relation to the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus: Caveats and recommendations.

To create the behavior-change programs essential for limiting the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic, we must obtain a precise understanding of the sexual behavior, knowledge, and attitudes of our nation's various ethnic, racial, social, age, regional, and sexual orientation groups. Such information is necessary for developing the precisely targeted educational programs that currently are our most effective means of reducing risk behaviors and halting the spread of the disease in the United States. These behavioral data are also crucial to biomedical investigations, making possible the identification of appropriate subjects for programs ranging from the testing of vaccines to the evaluation of the threat to pregnant women and their offspring. In this article, we summarize data on sexual behaviors associated with the transmission of the AIDS virus (i.e., human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]) and discuss selected issues relevant to the conduct of research on human sexuality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Decision-directed maximum-likelihood estimation of OFDM framesynchronisation offset

The authors propose a method to estimate the synchronisation offset for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) frame alignment without resort to pilot tones. A decision-directed maximum-likelihood estimation of frame synchronisation offset is derived, and the performance of the proposed scheme is confirmed by computer simulation for QAM systems     

Women Engineers: A Study of Educational Preparation and Professional Success

In an effort to better understand the educational experiences and professional issues facing women in these fields, a survey of women alumnae was conducted. Respondents seemed fairly pleased with the education they received and were heavily influenced by personal aspects of the campus. Relationships with faculty members were described as their most beneficial and detrimental experiences. They particularly liked opportunities to apply their technical knowledge but did not believe there were enough opportunities for application. The need for more female role models and importance of involvement in student organizations were cited by many of the respondents. Self-confidence and good communication skills were rated as the most important qualities for professional success and advancement. Alumnae have pursued training experiences since graduation, but would like to see more opportunities to enhance communication and personal management skills and apply theoretical knowledge built into the undergraduate experience. The findings are discussed in relationship to previous research studies and recommendations are made to improve the technically oriented college environment.     

Gender differences in Scholastic Aptitude Test: Mathematics problem solving among high-ability students.

Examined whether male and female students of high mathematical ability use different solution strategies on math problems that had previously yielded gender differences in correct responding. Structured interviews were conducted with high school students who had scored at least 670 on the math portion of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT-M). Eight types of solution strategies could be further dichotomized as conventional or unconventional in approach. Female students were more likely than male students to use conventional strategies. SAT-M scores were correlated with positive attitudes (confidence and persistence) toward math: use of conventional strategies was correlated with negative attitudes (dislike, nonrelevance) toward math. Findings may help to explain patterns of gender differences on SAT-M problems among high-ability students in which female students outperform male students on conventional problems and male students outperform female students on unconventional problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)