Effect of poly(ethylene terephthalate) morphology on thermal cis-trans isomerization and photofading of some azo dyes: A kinetic study

Three poly(ethylene terephthalate) films were prepared having the same crystallinity but different morphology. They were colored with azo dyes XC₆H₄N = NC₆H₄N(C₂H₅)₂ (where X is H, OCH₃, CN, and COOC₂H₅). The kinetics of the thermal cis-trans isomerization of these dyes has been studied below the glass transition temperature in the range 25–56°C. The isomerization process was found to be the result of a multiplicity of first-order reactions. The kinetic parameters have been correlated with the order degree at molecular level of the polymer. Lightfastness of the dyes in the polymer matrices has been also investigated: it appeared to be in relation with the supermolecular structure of the film.     

Genetic analysis of avoidance, maze, and wheel-running behaviors in the mouse.

Conducted a genetic analysis of avoidance, maze learning, and wheel-running activity in 1,573 SEC/1ReJ, DBA/2J, and C57BL/6J strain mice and their F1, F2, and F3 progenies. Results show that the mode of inheritance in a given behavioral measure depends on the crosses considered. Thus, a given allele may be dominant in a given hybrid combination and recessive in another combination. The significant genetic correlations between these 3 behavioral measures suggest that these traits could be influenced by some of the same genes. The estimates of heritability are larger for avoidance than for activity, suggesting that the latter trait is more related to fitness. (36 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of plasticizers on the viscoelastic properties of poly(vinyl chloride)

Stress relaxation modulus data, E_r(t), have been determined between ?70 and +170°C on blends of three samples of poly(vinyl chloride) of different molecular weights with di-2-ethylhexyl adipate, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, epoxidized soybean oil, and a poly(propyl adipate), respectively. The relaxation modulus-time–temperature data could be combined into master curves. However, probably owing to the finite contributions of the crystalline phase to the elastic properties, time–temperature superposition is here just marginally valid, and the master curves are only crude, yet still useful approximations. Combination of the present data with the accumulated published information suggests that the viscoelastic properties of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) are determined primarily by the glass transition temperàture of the plasticizer, the compatibility of polymer and plasticizer, and probably also by the crystallites (as crosslinks). The exact role of the crystallites will remain elusive until the advent of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) with controlled crystallinity.     

Effect of residual water content on the physico-chemical properties of sucralfate dried gel obtained by microwave drying

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physico-chemical characteristics of sucralfate humid gel dried by microwaves, in relation to the residual water content. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) allowed for the determination of the water state in sucralfate samples. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used to monitor the changes in sucralfate gel structure induced by the microwave drying. A boundary value of total water content for sucralfate gel samples was found at 42% (w/w). Below this value only bound water was present, whereas above this value, the increase in total water was due to free water. In the physical form of gel, the strength of the coordination between sulfate anions and the positively charged aluminum hydroxide was dependent on the residual water content. The study of the sedimentation behavior of water suspensions prepared with dried sucralfate allowed for the evaluation of the retention of gel properties. We found that the microwave drying process affected the sedimentation of sucralfate dried gel suspensions independent of the residual water content: when suspensions were prepared from sucralfate dried gel powders containing more than 42% (w/w) of residual water, the sedimentation ratio was higher than 0.9. The non-gel powder suspension showed a sedimentation ratio of 0.68 ± 0.02, whereas the sucralfate humid gel suspension did not sediment.     

The clock model and its relationship with the Allan and related variances

The clock errors are modeled by stochastic differential equations (SDE) and the relationships between the diffusion coefficients used in SDE and the Allan variance, a typical tool used to estimate clock noise, are derived. This relationship is fundamental when a mathematical clock model is used, for example in Kalman filter, noise estimation, and clock prediction activities.     

Heterogeneity of subunit composition in lupin globulins. Comparison of proteins from a single seed and from a number of seeds

The subunit compositions of a legumin-like (globulin 8) and a vicilin-like protein (globulin 4) extracted from a plurality of seeds and from a single seed both in commercial and in a selected cultivar of Lupinus albus were studied. In the case of globulin 4, a very similar number of bands were observed in SDS-PAGE, in the protein extracted from a batch of seed and in the same globulin isolated from a single seed. For globulin 8 the SDS-PAGE pattern showed fewer subunits in the protein from the batch of seeds than in that from a single seed. This is more pronounced in the single seed and in the plurality of seeds of a selected cultivar. Reasons for this behaviour are discussed.     

Value of the Di Maria leads in the electrocardiographic diagnosis of posterior myocardial infarct

Authors retain, on the basis of their experiences, that right chest leads proposed by Di Maria for the infer-posterior and postero-basic myocardium wall study can overall be useful in those cases which had posterior myocardial infarction and where standard leads did not show variations or showed untrustworthy variations. Therefore Authors also supported by vectorcardiographic findings, recommend the routine use of Di Maria leads.     

The ultrastructure of the rabbit submandibular gland

The secretory granules of the terminal and pre-terminal tracts of the rabbit submandibular gland display distinct features, while the cell morphology is quite similar. Among these cells, some smaller ones presenting an highly dilated endoplasmic reticulum have been identified in the pre-terminal tracts. Some hypothesis have been formulated concerning the function of these cells.     

Soyabean saponins. IX. Studies of their effect on birds, mammals and cold-blooded organisms

The effect of soyabean saponins on the growth of chicks, mice, rats and Tribolium castaneum larvae and on the survival time of tadpoles and guppies was studied. Soyabean saponins did not impair growth of chicks when added at five times the concentration in a normal soyabean-supplemented diet. They had also no effect on the growth response of rats and mice and on the amount of ingested food, but caused slight growth retardation of Tribolium castaneum larvae. Soyabean saponins showed a pronounced detrimental effect on tadpoles and guppies.     

Genetic bases of the nutritional approach to migraine

ABSTRACT

Migraine is a common multifactorial and polygenic neurological disabling disorder characterized by a genetic background and associated to environmental, hormonal and food stimulations. A large series of evidence suggest a strong correlation between nutrition and migraine and indicates several commonly foods, food additives and beverages that may be involved in the mechanisms triggering the headache attack in migraine-susceptible persons. There are foods and drinks, or ingredients of the same, that can trigger the migraine crisis as well as some foods play a protective function depending on the specific genetic sensitivity of the subject. The recent biotechnological advances have enhanced the identification of some genetic factors involved in onset diseases and the identification of sequence variants of genes responsible for the individual sensitivity to migraine trigger-foods. Therefore many studies are aimed at the analysis of polymorphisms of genes coding for the enzymes involved in the metabolism of food factors in order to clarify the different ways in which people respond to foods based on their genetic constitution.

This review discusses the latest knowledge and scientific evidence of the role of gene variants and nutrients, food additives and nutraceuticals interactions in migraine.