A comparison of flavonoids,carotenoids and vitamin C in commercial organic and conventional marinara pasta sauce

BACKGROUND: Characterising the levels of key phytochemicals in foods commonly consumed in the Western diet is critical for database development, estimating intake and assessing the potential health benefits associated with the consumption of these products. This paper describes a market‐basket evaluation of the key flavonoids, carotenoids and vitamin C in commercial organic (five brands) and conventional (five brands) marinara pasta sauces. RESULTS: Levels of ascorbic acid ranged from undetected up to 6.87 mg per 100 g fresh weight. The levels of total vitamin C in six of the ten samples were significantly lower than the amount listed on the Nutrition Facts Panel (P < 0.001 or P < 0.01). The contents of total vitamin C, flavonoids and lycopene were not statistically different between organic and conventional samples. Conventional pasta sauces demonstrated a significantly higher level of all‐trans‐β‐carotene (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This suggests that any beneficial differences in levels of flavonoids, carotenoids and vitamin C gained through cultivation practices are not measurable at the consumer level in processed tomato products. Additionally, the results point to a large disparity between the actual vitamin C content of these products and the content listed on the Nutrition Facts Panel. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Genetic multilocus studies of different strains of Cryptococcus neoformans: taxonomy and genetic structure

The genotypes of 107 strains of Cryptococcus isolated from the environment or from patients from various geographical areas were determined by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE). We analyzed the relationships between genotype structure and serotype and between genotype structure and strain origin. Twelve of the 14 enzyme-encoding loci studied were polymorphic, giving rise to 48 electrophoretic types. The genotypes of C. neoformans and C. laurentii were very similar. MLEE could not distinguish between these two pathogenic species. A correlation between the genetic multilocus structure and the origin of the sample (from the environment or patients) existed. A second analysis detected a correlation between genotype distribution and serotype. The second analysis considered three serotype groups (B, C, and A plus D plus A/D), proving that serotypes A, D, and A/D are closely related. MLEE is a useful epidemiological tool for improving our understanding of the biology of this fungus.     

The Yeoh model applied to the modeling of large deformation contact/impact problems

The present paper is devoted to the modeling of finite deformations of hyperelastic bodies described by the Yeoh model under contact/impact conditions. A total Lagrangian formulation is adopted to describe the geometrically nonlinear behavior. A first order algorithm is applied to integrate the equations of motion. For the finite element implementation, an explicit expression of the tangent operator is derived. Two numerical examples are presented to show the applicability of the developed approach.     

A compact test structure for characterisation of leakage currents in sub-micron CMOS technologies

This paper presents a compact test structure for the characterisation and modelling of leakage currents in sub-micron CMOS technologies, with which all leakage components can be directly extracted automatically and input/output influence is cancelled. The test structure can also be used for measurement of intrinsic I_ddq for defect detection.     

Influence of non-uniform distribution of shear stress on aerobic biofilms

This work deals with the detachment of biofilm subjected to a shear stress. Biofilms are developed on plates, under very low shear stress for one month and then subjected to an erosion test for 2 h in a Couette-Taylor reactor (CTR). During the erosion test, the plate was fixed on the external cylinder of the CTR. The presence of the plate modifies the velocity field in the CTR. A first zone close to the facing step region is characterized by the detachment of the stream lines. A second zone, downstream, is characterized by a pure shear flow: the distribution of the shear stress is uniform; the residual biofilm mass was measured and the detachment can be classically related to the magnitude of shear stress. In the first zone, the recirculating flow induces a strong non-uniform distribution of shear stress. The residual biofilm mass was also measured and found to be much lower than in the uniform shear stress zone, whereas the magnitude of shear stress is of the same order or even smaller. The assumption of elastic rheology for the biofilm enables the strong detachment observed in the region subjected to non-uniform shear stress to be explained.     

Invariants for the FoCaL language

In this paper we present a FoCaL formalization for quotient structures which are common in mathematics. We first present a framework for stating invariant properties of the data manipulated by running programs. A notion of equivalence relation is then encoded for the FoCaL library. It is implemented through projections functions, this enables us to provide canonical representations which are commonly used in Computer Algebra but seldom formally described. We further provide a FoCaL formalization for the code used inside the library for modular arithmetic through the certification of quotient groups and quotient rings which are involved in the model. We finally instantiate our framework to provide a trusted replacement of the existing FoCaL library.     

如何使用负载分担方法提升输出电流能力

详述设计带2个并联DC-DC转换器的电源的方法和技巧。探讨一种高性价比和高效率的解决方案及其应用设计。     

EPR Investigation and Reactivity of Diesel Soot Activated (or not) with Cerium Compounds

Parameters influencing the diesel soot reactivity versus the combustion reaction are studied on two diesel soot samples. The presence of cerium additives favours the reactivity of the doped soot and shifts the combustion reaction towards low temperatures. However, these additives do not affect the CO–CO₂ selectivity. Oxygenated and non-oxygenated radicals adsorbed on the carbon particulate are evidenced whatever the composition of the soot sample. After a vacuum treatment, the adsorbed hydrocarbons content drastically decreases and the reactivity of both soot samples is attenuated. However, the cerium-doped sample reveals higher radical contents and also higher reactivity than the non-activated soot. The presence of cerium additives stabilises and strengthens radical–carbon interactions and these hydrocarbon radical species play an important role in the activation of the diesel soot combustion.     

Reproductive management practices on dairy farms: The Canadian National Dairy Study 2015

The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to characterize reproductive management practices on Canadian dairy farms and describe differences based on regional and demographic factors. A questionnaire was offered to all licensed Canadian dairy producers and included 189 questions regarding producer and farm background information, herd dynamics, biosecurity, disease prevalence, calf health, animal welfare, milking practices, reproduction, and internet use. Twenty-four questions were related to estrus detection, hormonal protocols for reproduction, insemination, and pregnancy diagnosis. A total of 1,373 producers responded to the survey, representing a response rate of 12.5%. Estrus detection practices in lactating cows were associated with herd size, barn type, region, organic production, breeding method, and age of respondent. The most commonly used estrus-detection method in cows was visual (51.0% of farms for first insemination; 45.5% for subsequent inseminations). Estrus detection for nulliparous heifers was associated with herd size, barn type, region, and breeding method, with visual detection also the most common method for heifers (71.3% of farms). Eighty percent of farms used strictly artificial insemination, 2.8% used natural service only, and 16.8% used a combination of artificial insemination and natural service. Breeding method was associated with herd size, barn type, region, and education level of the respondent. Pregnancy diagnosis method was associated with herd size, barn type, region, and organic production. Ultrasound was the most commonly used method of pregnancy diagnosis (used by 52.2% of farms). Sixty-nine percent of farms rechecked cows for pregnancy, and rectal palpation was the most commonly used method (employed by 48.7%). Reproductive management practices vary considerably among Canadian dairy farms and decisions are associated with farm-level factors, including region, herd size, and barn type, as well as producer-level factors, such as age, managerial role, and education level.     

Direct oxidation route from metal to ceramic: Study on cobalt oxide

The study deals with the direct-oxidation kinetics of micronic-cobalt metal particles and its simulation for the complete transition from metal to ceramic. The simulation was also experimentally verified. All the three possible interfaces, Co/CoO, CoO/Co₃O₄ and Co₃O₄/O₂ (air), have been taken into consideration for the simulation. The complete oxidation kinetics has been investigated from the thermogravimetric studies under isothermal conditions in the temperatures 973–1173 K. A quantitative interpretation based on the diffusion of Co or oxygen ions through the grown oxide layer has been proposed. The activation energy for the oxidation kinetics calculated from the Arrhenius law was 161 ± 20 kJ mol⁻¹.