Functional properties of corn and corn–lentil extrudates

Functional properties of corn and corn–lentil extrudates were investigated as a result of extrusion conditions, including feed rate (2.5–6.8 kg/h), feed moisture (13–19% wet basis) and extrusion temperature (170–230 °C). Lentil was used in mixtures with corn flour at a ratio of 10–50% (legume/corn). The water absorption index of extrudates increased with extrusion temperature and feed moisture content and decreased with feed rate and lentil/corn ratio. The water solubility index of extrudates increased with temperature, but decreased with feed moisture content and feed rate. The oil absorption index of extrudates increased with extrusion temperature and decreased with feed rate, feed moisture content and lentil/corn ratio. Generally, the use of lentil flour led to products with lower values for functional properties. Principal component analysis of functional properties discriminated samples with appropriate functionality based on industrial use.     

Predicting substance abuse among youth with, or at high risk for, HIV.

This article describes data from 4,111 males and 4,085 females participating in 10 HIV/AIDS service demonstration projects. The sample was diverse in age, gender, ethnicity, HIV status, and risk for HIV transmission. Logistic regression was used to determine the attributes that best predict substance abuse. Males who were younger, HIV positive; homeless; involved in the criminal justice system; had a sexually transmitted disease (STD); engaged in survival sex; and participated in risky sex with men, women, and drug injectors were most likely to have a substance abuse history. For females, the same predictors were significant, with the exception of having an STD. Odds ratios as high as 6 to 1 were associated with the predictors. Information about sexual and other risk factors also was highly predictive of substance abuse issues among youth. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The nestos delta geothermal field and its relation to the associated self potential (sp) field

Prospecting for geothermal reservoirs by geophysical methods has proved to be a challenge in recent years. In the case of Nestos geothermal field, considered to be a blind field (no surface manifestation), the geological and geophysical data were studied and intercorrelated. The geophysical results from SP, gravity, and VES data were compared with basement morphology and tectonics, as well as with the high temperatures measured in the area of main geothermal interest. As a result, the highly conductive subsurface zone and high temperatures observed on the ground surface were closely associated with a specific fracturing system. The latter was successfully mapped by the SP method. The SP method also defined certain fracture zones which, being highly electrically polarized, are hypothesized as future geothermal targets.All existing geophysical data have been re-evaluated, along with the SP data acquired over the geothermal field, and compared with the thermal contour maps and regional tectonics of the area.A deep borehole, drilled earlier in the area of the geothermal field, detected high temperatures in the basement (115°C), but very low flowrate of the geothermal fluids. According to the results of this study, this is due to the fact that the borehole was located outside the area of the main fracture zones of geothermal interest.     

Mechanical Properties of Corn-Legume Based Extrudates

The effect of extrusion conditions, including feed rate (2.52–6.84 kg/h), feed moisture content (13–19% wet basis), screw speed (150–250 rpm), and extrusion temperature (150–260°C) on the mechanical properties of corn/legume-based extrudates was studied. White bean and lentil were used in mixtures with corn flour at a ratio of 10:90 up to 90:10 (corn:legume). Simple power models were used to correlate breaking stress and corresponding strain with extrusion conditions and material characteristics. The influence of feed rate on the extrudates mechanical properties was incorporated in the mean residence time. The breaking stress of extrudates decreased with temperature, residence time, and corn to legume ratio, and it increased with feed moisture content. The corresponding strain showed an opposite trend. Screw speed did not affect the extrudate properties. The use of lentil flour led to a product with higher breaking stress. Furthermore, in a previous work, the porosity of these products was modeled and, now, it was found that breaking stress and porosity of the extrudates could be correlated by an exponential relationship.     

Expression and function of neurotrophins and their receptors in human melanocytes

Melanocytes and cells of the nervous system are of common ectodermal origin and neurotrophins (NT) have been shown to be released by human keratinocytes. We investigated the expression and function of NT [nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), NT-3, NT-4/-5] and their receptors in human melanocytes. Human melanocytes produce all NT in different amounts, whereas they only release NT-4. NT-4 release is downregulated, whereas NT-3 is upregulated by ultraviolet (UVB) irradiation. Melanocytes treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) express TrkA and TrkB, but not TrkC. NT fail to stimulate melanocyte proliferation, whereas they stimulate the synthesis of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1). Finally, NT-3, NT-4 and NGF increase melanin production. Taken together, these results demonstrate an intriguing interaction between melanocytes and the nervous system. We speculate that NT could be considered the target of therapy for disorders of skin pigmentation.     

Sex differences in vocal interaction with mother and stranger in Greek infants: Some cognitive implications.

Studies in the US rarely find differences in the social–vocal behaviors of male and female infants, and when such differences are found, they favor females. The present study examined whether this pattern would hold true in Greece, where the parental preference for boys over girls could differentially affect rearing behavior. Ss were normal 3-mo-olds, 39 reared by their parents and 25 reared in an institution. Ss' vocal interaction pattern was assessed by differential vocal responsiveness (DVR) to mother/caretaker or a stranger during 3-min social–vocal interactions. Home-reared males had higher DVR scores than home-reared females, whereas no such sex difference was obtained for the institution-reared infants. Also, the affective voice quality rating of mothers talking to their sons was higher than that of mothers talking to their daughters, whereas no such difference existed in the way caretakers talked to the institution-reared infants. Results suggest that early differences in vocal-interactional patterns, and possibly cognitive processing, may be attributable to differences in parental behavior. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Structural Properties of Corn-Legume Based Extrudates as a Function of Processing Conditions and Raw Material Characteristics

The effect of extrusion conditions, including feed rate (2.52–6.84 kg/h), feed moisture content (13–19% wet basis), screw speed (150–250 rpm), and extrusion temperature (150–230°C) on structural properties of corn-legume based extrudates was studied. Four different types of legumes, chickpea, mexican bean, white bean, and lentil were used to form mixtures with corn flour in a ratio ranging from 10 to 90% (corn/legume). A simple power model was used to correlate porosity with extrusion conditions and material characteristics. The influence of feed rate in the extrudates porosity is incorporated into mean residence time. Porosity of extrudates was found to increase with temperature and residence time and to decrease with feed moisture content and corn to legume ratio. Screw speed did not affect extrudates properties. Expansion ratio showed a similar behavior with porosity. The addition of legumes (protein source) led to more dense products. Comparatively, the usage of white bean in mixtures for the production of snacks, led to a product with higher porosity than those with other legumes.