Development of gluten-free cracker snacks using pulse flours and fractions

With nearly two million North Americans suffering gluten intolerance, the objective of this study was to develop gluten-free, pulse-based cracker snacks that exploit the anti-allergenic and health-enhancing nature of pulses ingredients. Nine commercially available pulse fractions (chickpea, green and red lentil, yellow pea, pinto and navy bean flours and pea protein, starch and fibre isolates) were evaluated in a model cracker formulation. Early prototype crackers exhibited light colour, good flavour, and crisp texture. Based on its acceptability data, processing characteristics and consultation with an industry partner, the chickpea cracker formulation was advanced to a commercial-scale processing trial. The physical and nutritional characteristics of these pulse crackers were similar to existing products on the market. The products were scored highly during consumer acceptance testing. Interestingly, the % daily values per serving of iron in the chickpea crackers were 3–6 times higher than existing products. Based on these findings, pulse-based, gluten-free crackers have good potential for both consumer appeal and imparting health benefits.     

Chemical characterisation of marine aerosol at Amsterdam Island during the austral summer of 2006–2007

Atmospheric aerosols were collected in separate fine (<2.5 μm) and coarse (>2.5 μm) size fractions in the period December 2006–March 2007 at Amsterdam Island in the southern Indian Ocean. A major objective of the study was to assess biogenic impact on the marine aerosol. The samples were analysed for organic carbon, water-soluble organic carbon, major inorganic ionic species, and organic species, including methanesulphonate (MSA), dicarboxylic acids, and organosulphates. The concentrations of sea salt, non-sea-salt sulphate, and water-soluble and water-insoluble organic matter (WSOM and WIOM) were estimated. Sea salt dominated the composition of the aerosol and accounted for 83% and 91% of the sum of the mass of the four aerosol types in the fine and coarse size fractions, respectively. WSOM, which can serve as a proxy for biogenic secondary organic aerosol (SOA), accounted for only 2.8% of the sum of the mass of the four aerosol types in the fine size fraction. MSA was the dominating organic compound with a median concentration of 47 ng m^?3. The organosulphates were characterised as sulphate esters of hydroxyl acids and a dihydroxylaldehyde, which may originate from the oxidation of algal/bacterial unsaturated fatty acid residues. No evidence was found for isoprene SOA.     

Structural equation models of sexual harassment: Longitudinal explorations and cross-sectional generalizations.

Sexual harassment and its corresponding outcomes develop and change over time, yet research on this issue has been limited primarily to cross-sectional data. In this article, longitudinal models of harassment were proposed and empirically evaluated via structural equations modeling using data from 217 women who responded to a computerized questionnaire in 1994 and again in 1996. Results indicate that sexual harassment influences both proximal and distal work-related variables (e.g., job satisfaction, work withdrawal, job withdrawal) and psychological outcomes (e.g., life satisfaction, psychological well-being, distress). In addition, a replication of the L. F. Fitzgerald, F. Drasgow, C. L. Hulin, M. J. Gelfand, and V. J. Magley (1997) model of harassment was supported. This research was an initial attempt to develop integrated models of the dynamic effects of sexual harassment over time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of perinatal hypoxic risk on developmental outcome in early and middle childhood: A twin study.

The goal of this study of 66 twins was to determine whether motor and cognitive functions assessed in early and middle childhood are vulnerable to perinatal hypoxic risk. In an earlier study of 76 infant and toddler twins (S. Raz, F. Shah, & C. Sander, 1996), the authors found that intrapair discrepancy on the Mental Developmental Index, but not on the Psychomotor Developmental Index, of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development was associated with discordance for perinatal hypoxic risk. The twins at lower risk outperformed their higher risk co-twins. In the present study the authors sought to establish in a new sample of preschool and school-age twins whether gaps in performance persist into early and middle childhood. Although the disparity in hypoxic risk between the co-twins was typically moderate, significant intrapair differences were observed on the measure of motor performance. Among the motor abilities examined, skills involving visually guided ballistic arm movements appeared to be the most vulnerable to perinatal risk. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparison of normal forgetting, psychopathology, and information-processing models of reported amnesia for recent sexual trauma.

This study assessed memories for sexual trauma in a nontreatment-seeking sample of recent rape victims and considered competing explanations for failed recall. Participants were 92 female rape victims assessed within 2 weeks of the rape; 62 were also assessed 3 months postassault. Memory deficits for parts of the rape were common 2 weeks postassault (37%) but improved over the 3 month window studied (16% still partially amnesic). Hypotheses evaluated competing models of explanation that may account for reported recall deficits. Results are most consistent with information processing models of traumatic memory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Simulation of irradiation-induced creep in nickel

An experimental technique has been developed to simulate neutron irradiation-induced creep by charged particle bombardment. The experimental apparatus permits on-line computer monitoring of experimental parameters while temperature, stress, and flux are maintained at the desired levels. A typical result obtained with a 0.38 mm (0.015 in.) thick, high-purity nickel specimen bombarded with 22 MeV deuterons at 224°C (435°F) and at a stress of 345 MPa (50.12 ksi) is presented. The result demonstrates that charged particle irradiation can successfully be used to simulate irradiation-induced creep reproducibly in materials whose thickness is typical of nuclear fuel cladding.     

Measurements of isoprene-derived organosulfates in ambient aerosols by aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry-part 2: temporal variability and formation mechanisms

Organosulfate species have recently gained attention for their potentially significant contribution to secondary organic aerosol (SOA); however, their temporal behavior in the ambient atmosphere has not been probed in detail. In this work, organosulfates derived from isoprene were observed in single particle mass spectra in Atlanta, GA during the 2002 Aerosol Nucleation and Characterization Experiment (ANARChE) and the 2008 August Mini-Intensive Gas and Aerosol Study (AMIGAS). Real-time measurements revealed that the highest organosulfate concentrations occurred at night under a stable boundary layer, suggesting gas-to-particle partitioning and subsequent aqueous-phase processing of the organic precursors played key roles in their formation. Further analysis of the diurnal profile suggests possible contributions from multiple production mechanisms, including acid-catalysis and radical-initiation. This work highlights the potential for additional SOA formation pathways in biogenically influenced urban regions to enhance the organic aerosol burden.     

Microbial profile and antibiotic susceptibility of Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. in broilers processed in air-chilled and immersion-chilled environments

Carcass chilling is considered a critical step for inhibiting bacterial growth during poultry processing. The objective of this study was to compare microbiological loads and the incidence of Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. on broiler carcasses subjected to immersion chilling and air chilling. Additionally, the antibiotic resistance patterns of pathogen isolates were determined. The results of this study indicated that the incidence of Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. tends to be significantly lower in air-chilled broilers, suggesting that cross-contamination may be more prevalent for immersion-chilled broilers. No significant differences were detected between chilling treatments for total aerobic populations or for generic E. coli or coliform counts. Psychrotrophic populations were significantly larger (P < 0.05) in immersion-chilled broilers than in their air-chilled counterparts. Campylobacter isolates from immersion-chilled broilers had a higher incidence of resistance to nalidixic acid (NAL) and related fluoroquinolones than isolates from air-chilled broilers did. Additionally, Campylobacter isolates from air-chilled broilers had a higher frequency of resistance to tetracycline than isolates from immersion-chilled broilers did. With regard to Salmonella, isolates from immersion-chilled broilers had a higher incidence of resistance to NAL than isolates from air-chilled samples did. No Salmonella isolates from immersion- or air-chilled broilers were resistant to the fluoroquinolones tested. The chilling method used during processing may influence the microbial profile of postchilled broilers.     

Isoprene epoxydiols as precursors to secondary organic aerosol formation: acid-catalyzed reactive uptake studies with authentic compounds

Isoprene epoxydiols (IEPOX), formed from the photooxidation of isoprene under low-NO(x) conditions, have recently been proposed as precursors of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) on the basis of mass spectrometric evidence. In the present study, IEPOX isomers were synthesized in high purity (>99%) to investigate their potential to form SOA via reactive uptake in a series of controlled dark chamber studies followed by reaction product analyses. IEPOX-derived SOA was substantially observed only in the presence of acidic aerosols, with conservative lower-bound yields of 4.7-6.4% for β-IEPOX and 3.4-5.5% for δ-IEPOX, providing direct evidence for IEPOX isomers as precursors to isoprene SOA. These chamber studies demonstrate that IEPOX uptake explains the formation of known isoprene SOA tracers found in ambient aerosols, including 2-methyltetrols, C(5)-alkene triols, dimers, and IEPOX-derived organosulfates. Additionally, we show reactive uptake on the acidified sulfate aerosols supports a previously unreported acid-catalyzed intramolecular rearrangement of IEPOX to cis- and trans-3-methyltetrahydrofuran-3,4-diols (3-MeTHF-3,4-diols) in the particle phase. Analysis of these novel tracer compounds by aerosol mass spectrometry (AMS) suggests that they contribute to a unique factor resolved from positive matrix factorization (PMF) of AMS organic aerosol spectra collected from low-NO(x), isoprene-dominated regions influenced by the presence of acidic aerosols.     

The influence of organizational tenure on safety climate strength: A first look

This study examined the relationship between the organizational tenure of employees at a given worksite and safety climate strength (i.e., the variability of employees’ perceptions of the policies, procedures, and practices regarding workplace safety). Results revealed that average worksite tenure was related to safety climate strength such that higher average tenure was associated with stronger safety climates. The moderating effect of tenure level on the relationship between tenure and climate strength was also examined. Results revealed a curvilinear relationship between mean worksite tenure and safety climate strength, such that at higher levels of worksite tenure, smaller increases in the group's average tenure improved climate strength to a greater extent than at lower levels of worksite tenure.