Crystallization characteristics of methyl tallowate and its blends with ethanol and diesel fuel

Methyl tallowate was prepared from edible beef tallow via transesterification, and was blended with ethanol and/or No.2 diesel fuel in different ratios. Crystallization characteristics of methyl tallowate and its blends were studied at temperatures ranging from 22 to −16°C. Blending ethanol with methyl tallowate reduced crystal formation at all temperatures. As the temperature of the blends was reduced from 22 to 0°C, there was no effect on crystal formation of saturated vs. unsaturated fatty acids. Below 0°C, the saturated fatty acids crystallized at a much faster rate than the unsaturated fatty acids.     

Self- and spouse ratings of anger and hostility as predictors of coronary heart disease.

Self- and spouse ratings of anger and hostility were examined as predictors of coronary heart disease (CHD) in 185 cardiac patients. Patients completed the Multidimensional Anger Inventory (MAI) and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability (MCSD) Scale; the MAI (rewritten to 3rd person) was completed by Ss' spouses or by a peer. Thallium scans were used to measure CHD status. Results show that patient-rated MAI scores were inversely correlated with MCSD. There were no gender differences for patient-rated MAI scores, but spouse ratings showed gender effects for Anger-Arousal and Hostile Outlook: Women rated their husbands higher than men rated their wives. Patients with positive thallium scans were no different from those without CHD on patient-rated MAI scores; however, spouse ratings indicated that those with CHD had higher Hostile Outlook and Anger-In scores. After accounting for the effects of traditional CHD risk factors, only spouse-rated hostility contributed significant incremental variance to the prediction of CHD status. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Transport constraints in Soviet petroleum

Crude petroleum flows in the USSR for 1980 are modelled using the out-of-kilter algorithm. Constraints in the petroleum distribution network are identified was well as future problem areas, allowing the rationality of Soviet plans and policies with regard to the system to be evaluated. The main contraints in 1980 were in the European USSR, particularly in the older oil-producing areas, indicating that subsequent additions to the network in these areas have been warranted. Overall, the actual Soviet distribution of petroleum appears to be relatively efficient.     

Reduction of fumonisin B₁ in corn grits by twin-screw extrusion

Abstract: This study was designed to investigate the fate of fumonisins in flaking corn grits during twin‐screw extrusion by measuring fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) and its analogs with a mass balance approach. Food grade corn grits and 2 batches of grits contaminated with FB₁ at 10 and 50 μg/g by Fusarium verticillioides M‐2552 were processed with or without glucose supplementation (10%, w/w) with a twin‐screw extruder. Extrusion reduced FB₁ in contaminated grits by 64% to 72% without glucose and 89% to 94% with added glucose. In addition, extrusion alone resulted in 26% to 73% reduction in the levels of fumonisin B₂ and fumonisin B₃, while levels of both mycotoxins were reduced by >89% in extruded corn grits containing 10% glucose. Mass balance analysis showed that 38% to 46% of the FB₁ species detected in corn extruded with glucose was N‐(deoxy‐D‐fructos‐1‐yl)‐FB₁, while 23% to 37% of FB₁ species detected in extruded corn grits with and without added glucose was bound to the matrix. It was also found that the hydrolyzed form of FB₁ was a minor species in extruded corn grits with or without added glucose, representing <15% of the total FB₁ species present. Less than 46% of FB₁ originally present in corn grits could be detected in the fumonisin analogues measured in this study. Research is needed to identify the reaction products resulting from extrusion processing of fumonisin‐contaminated corn products. Practical Application: Twin‐screw extrusion is widely used in food industry for its versatility. This technology may reduce the level of fumonisins in corn particularly with added glucose.     

"The MMPI–2 Restructured Clinical Scales in the assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid disorders”: Correction.

Reports an error in "The MMPI-2 Restructured Clinical Scales in the assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid disorders" by Erika J. Wolf, Mark W. Miller, Robert J. Orazem, Mariann R. Weierich, Diane T. Castillo, Jaime Milford, Danny G. Kaloupek and Terence M. Keane (Psychological Assessment, 2008[Dec], Vol 20[4], 327-340). The URL for the supplemental material was incomplete. The complete URL is http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0012948.supp (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2008-17693-002.) This study examined the psychometric properties of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) Restructured Clinical Scales (RCSs) in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) receiving clinical services at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. Study 1 included 1,098 men who completed the MMPI-2 and were assessed for a range of psychological disorders via structured clinical interview. Study 2 included 136 women who completed the MMPI-2 and were interviewed with the Clinician Administered Scale for PTSD. The utility of the RCSs was compared with that of the Clinical Scales (CSs) and the Keane PTSD (PK) scale. The RCSs demonstrated good psychometric properties and patterns of associations with other measures of psychopathology that corresponded to current theory regarding the structure of comorbidity. A notable advantage of the RCSs compared with the MMPI-2 CSs was their enhanced construct validity and clinical utility in the assessment of comorbid internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. The PK scale demonstrated incremental validity in the prediction of PTSD beyond that of the RCSs or CSs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of Water and Mineral Nutrient Deficiencies on Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Content ofSenecio vulgarisFlowers

The flowers of Senecio vulgaris contain the alkaloids senecionine, seneciphylline, and their N-oxides, compounds which are toxic to some grazing animals. Deficiencies of water, mineral nutrients, or both did not significantly alter concentrations of the individual alkaloids. However, more favourable growing conditions resulted in a greater quantity of flowers, which animals find quite palatable, so that each of these plants was potentially more toxic because it contained a larger total amount of the alkaloids.     

Thermal conductivity of granular rice starches

Thermal conductivities of four types of granular rice starches, regular, low protein, waxy and low protein waxy, were measured at bulk densities of 600 and 800 kg/m³, temperatures of 20, 50 and 80 °C, and moisture contents of 4, 20 and 40% (wet basis), using a line‐source thermal probe system equipped with a computerized data acquisition system. A completely randomized experimental design with factorial treatment structure resulted in a total of 72 treatments, each with 3 replications. The thermal conductivity was significantly different among various rice starches. Low protein and waxy rice starches had higher thermal conductivities than regular and low protein waxy rice starches. Thermal conductivity increased significantly with increases in bulk density, temperature and moisture content. Prediction models were developed to calculate thermal conductivity values for practical applications.     

Properties of Chitosan Films as a Function of pH and Solvent Type

ABSTRACT: Two different deacetylated chitosans were dissolved in formic, acetic, lactic, or propionic acid to prepare chitosan films. The pH values of the film-forming solutions were adjusted to 3, 4, and 5. Water vapor permeability (WVP), tensile strength (TS), elongation (E), and total soluble matter (TSM) were significantly ( P < 0.05) affected by acid type, pH, and degree of deacetylation (DA). Low DA (LDA) chitosan films had lower WVP and TSM, higher TS compared with high DA (HDA) chitosan films. The E values were not affected by DA. As pH increased, WVP and TSM of chitosan films tended to increase while TS decreased significantly ( P < 0.05). Chitosan films with acetic and propionic acid solvents had low WVP and TSM and high TS, while films with lactic acid solvent had high E and TSM and the lowest TS. Fourier-transform infrared showed peak shifting in the spectra with different solvents and at different pH values. Chitosan films with lactic acid solvent showed a peak shift to a lower frequency range. The NH₃⁺ band was absent in the pH 5.0 chitosan film spectra.