Correction to Crum et al. (2011).

Reports an error in "Mind over milkshakes: Mindsets, not just nutrients, determine ghrelin response" by Alia J. Crum, William R. Corbin, Kelly D. Brownell and Peter Salovey (Health Psychology, np). In the second paragraph on the first page, the Allison & Uhl 1964 citation is incorrect. The corrected sentence and full citation is provided in the erratum. All versions of this article have been corrected. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2011-09907-001.) Objective: To test whether physiological satiation as measured by the gut peptide ghrelin may vary depending on the mindset in which one approaches consumption of food. Methods: On 2 separate occasions, participants (n = 46) consumed a 380-calorie milkshake under the pretense that it was either a 620-calorie “indulgent” shake or a 140-calorie “sensible” shake. Ghrelin was measured via intravenous blood samples at 3 time points: baseline (20 min), anticipatory (60 min), and postconsumption (90 min). During the first interval (between 20 and 60 min) participants were asked to view and rate the (misleading) label of the shake. During the second interval (between 60 and 90 min) participants were asked to drink and rate the milkshake. Results: The mindset of indulgence produced a dramatically steeper decline in ghrelin after consuming the shake, whereas the mindset of sensibility produced a relatively flat ghrelin response. Participants' satiety was consistent with what they believed they were consuming rather than the actual nutritional value of what they consumed. Conclusions: The effect of food consumption on ghrelin may be psychologically mediated, and mindset meaningfully affects physiological responses to food. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

情感教育在大学计算机基础教学中的应用

计算机基础课程是本科各专业的必修公共基础课,教师需要与学生进行一对一的教学活动,不仅需要教师能够耐心细致地传授知识,也需要学生做到兴致盎然地接受知识。但目前的大学计算机基础课程教学中出现了教学活动任务化、教学精力减少、教师产生职业倦怠以及学生不适应传统教学方法等问题。针对这些问题,本文将情感教育方法应用到大学计算机基础...     

Chemical basis of egg cannibalism in a caterpillar (Utetheisa ornatrix)

Larvae of the mothUtetheisa ornatrix are shown to cannibalize eggs in the laboratory. They proved most cannibalistic if they were systemically deficient in pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA), the defensive agent that protectsUtetheisa at all stages of development against predation, and whichUtetheisa acquire as larvae from their food plant. In exercising cannibalistic choice,Utetheisa larvae feed preferentially on eggs that are PA-Iaden rather than PA-free. Egg cannibalism can therefore provideUtetheisa with a supplemental means of PA procurement. Moreover, presence of PA in the egg, while providing the egg with defense against predation, can increase its vulnerability to cannibalism. Although evidence is presented thatUtetheisa larvae cannibalize eggs in nature, it is argued that such feeding may occur only opportunistically in the wild, rather than as a matter of course.Paper No. 104 of the series Defense Mechanisms of Arthropods, No. 103 in Eisner and Eisner, 1991.Psyche 98:111–118.     

Acting to self-regulate unhealthy eating habits. An investigation into the effects of habit,hedonic hunger and self-regulation on sugar consumption from confectionery foods

Many people are motivated to eat healthily but find it difficult to override established and less healthy habits. Habits by their nature are unconscious and cued by the environment, thus making them powerful determinants of behaviour. Limited research has explored the role of habit as a mediator between self-regulation and sugar consumption. This study investigated the relative importance of factors that support/impede the consumption of foods with high sugar content and the mediating effect of habit. The study sample was 500 Irish adult’s representative of the population. Sugar consumption, habit, hedonic hunger, self-efficacy, perceived need, dietary planning and dietary self-monitoring were assessed using self-reported measures. A path analysis of the data was used to test the direct and indirect effects of the independent factors on estimated sugar consumption grams per day (g/d). In addition, the interaction effects of self-efficacy and dietary planning/self-monitoring on sugar consumption was examined using simple slope analysis. The results showed that habit had the largest effect in the model and was positively related to sugar consumption g/d (b = 12.09, p < 0.01). While the direct effect of self-efficacy on sugar-consumption g/d was significant (b = −5.25, p < 0.05), this effect was partially mediated by habit (−4.84, Bca CI −7.00, −3.00) and the direct effect of action control on sugar consumption (b = −1.30, p = 0.311) was fully mediated by habit (b = −2.42, Bca CI −3.93, −1.20), which indicates that strong unhealthy habits compete against self-efficacy and can reduce the potential benefits of dietary planning and self-monitoring. The simple slope analysis revealed that action control has a significant negative effect on sugar intake when self-efficacy is weak (b = −5.48, p = 0.01). The direct effect of hedonic hunger on confectionery sugar consumption (b = 1.38, p = 0.376) was fully mediated by habit (b = 5.92, Bca CI 4.20, 8.08) indicating that the desire to eat tempting food may overrides one’s intended behaviour resulting in counter-intentional habits. It is apparent from the findings that a dual strategy of targeting behaviour and the underlying habits may be effective in improving dietary intake and self-regulation is likely to be sustainable only in an environment that facilitates healthy eating behaviour.     

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”: The potentials of apple bioactive constituents for chronic disease prevention

Apples are rich sources of selected micronutrients (e.g., iron, zinc, vitamins C and E) and polyphenols (e.g., procyanidins, phloridzin, 5′-caffeoylquinic acid) that can help in mitigating micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) and chronic diseases. This review provides an up-to-date overview of the significant bioactive compounds in apples together with their reported pharmacological actions against chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. For consumers to fully gain these health benefits, it is important to ensure an all-year-round supply of highly nutritious and good-quality apples. Therefore, after harvest, the physicochemical and nutritional quality attributes of apples are maintained by applying various postharvest treatments and hurdle techniques. The impact of these postharvest practices on the safety of apples during storage is also highlighted. This review emphasizes that advancements in postharvest management strategies that extend the storage life of apples should be optimized to better preserve the bioactive components crucial to daily dietary needs and this can help improve the overall health of consumers.     

IUFoST's strategy to strengthen food security in rural areas of developing countries

One sixth of the world's population is food insecure with many of these people living in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition have multiple reasons, many of which are beyond the reach and capacity of the food science community to remediate. Knowledge of food science and technology can dramatically improve the situation wherever food insecurity exists. This knowledge can increase our understanding of the conditions under which agricultural produce has to be handled, processed and distributed after harvesting. To develop practical measures, the Food Security Task Force of the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) is developing a strategy to expand and broaden the Food Science/Technology knowledge base in neglected geographical areas. Specifically, IUFoST is offering Food Science/Technology training material for non‐academic food industry entrepreneurs utilising distance education technology. Part of IUFoST's effort is the transfer of appropriate technologies for pilot‐scale processes which foster linkages between farmers and food industries and stimulate growing high value crops.     

耐热剂N-苯基马来酰亚胺-苯乙烯共聚物的合成与表征

以偶氮二异丁腈为引发剂,丁酮和乙醇为混合溶剂,采用沉淀聚合和饥饿滴加投料的方式合成N-苯基马来酰亚胺-苯乙烯无规共聚物。考察了偶氮二异丁腈添加量和混合溶剂体积比对共聚物重均相对分子质量和收率的影响,滴加时间与共聚物均质度的关系以及母液循环使用情况。使用凝胶渗透色谱(GPC),傅立叶变换红外光谱(FTIR),差示扫描量热法(DSC)和热重法(TG)对共聚物进行表征。结果表明,当引发剂偶氮二异丁腈用量为单体总质量的0.05%,混合溶剂中丁酮与乙醇的体积比为7:3,滴加时间为5 h时,所合成的共聚物收率98%,平均相对分子质量达到1.3×10~5,均质度高,热性能良好。在上述工艺条件下进行母液循环使用,实验结果基本保持一致。     

Soil degradation as a reason for inadequate human nutrition

Soil degradation affects human nutrition and health through its adverse impacts on quantity and quality of food production. Decline in crops’ yields and agronomic production exacerbate food-insecurity that currently affects 854 million people globally, and low concentration of protein and micronutrients (e.g., Zn, Fe, Se, B, I) aggravate malnutrition and hidden hunger that affects 3.7 billion people, especially children. Soil degradation reduces crop yields by increasing susceptibility to drought stress and elemental imbalance. Strategies include: improving water productivity, enhancing soil fertility and micronutrient availability, adopting no-till farming and conservation agriculture and adapting to climate change. There are also new innovations such as using remote sensing of plant nutritional stresses for targeted interventions, applying zeolites and nanoenhanced fertilizers and delivery systems, improving biological nitrogen fixation and mycorrhizal inoculation, conserving and recycling (e.g., waste water) water using drip/sub-drip irrigation etc. Judiciously managed and properly restored, world soils have the capacity to grow adequate and nutritious food for present and future populations.