Development of low-alcohol isotonic beer by interrupted fermentation

Alcohol-free beer with isotonic properties is getting more popular and its production can be carried out by different production strategies; however, interrupted fermentation is still a challenge. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a low-alcohol isotonic beer (<0.5% v/v) by interrupted fermentation. Moreover, the major objective is to compare the developed product to commercial beverages (sports drinks, ‘Pilsen' regular beer, alcohol-free beers and low-alcohol isotonic beer). The beverages were evaluated based on pH, alcohol content (% v/v), total titratable acidity (mEq L⁻¹), osmolality (mOsmol kg⁻¹), bitterness International Bitterness Units, colour European Brewery Convention, total phenolic compounds (mg L⁻¹ gallic acid), reducing and total sugars (%) and Na and K contents (mg L⁻¹). The developed low-alcohol isotonic beer presented characteristics similar to sports drinks, with the advantage of being richer in phenolic compounds and suitable osmolality. Despite salts were added in its formulation, the grades attributed to all beers employed in the sensory evaluation, as well as the purchase intention did not present significant differences.     

2-Phenyloxazole-4-carboxamide as a Scaffold for Selective Inhibition of Human Monoamine Oxidase B

A series of 2-phenyloxazoles bearing an amide group at position 4 were designed and synthesized for evaluation as potential inhibitors of human recombinant monoamine oxidases (hrMAOs). Results of kinetics experiments demonstrated that all compounds behave as competitive MAO inhibitors, with good selectivity toward the MAO-B isoform. The most potent and selective derivatives are characterized by inhibition constant (K_i) values in the sub-micromolar range and a good selectivity index (K_{i MAO-A}/K_{i MAO-B}>50). Some derivatives were also found to be able to inhibit MAO activity in nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells, taken as a model of neuronal cells. In particular, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-N-phenyloxazole-4-carboxamide (compound 4 a ) may be a promising new scaffold, exerting the highest selectivity and inhibitory effect toward MAOs in NGF-differentiated PC12 cell lysates, without compromising cell viability. Molecular docking analysis allowed a rationalization of the experimentally observed binding affinity and selectivity.     

The effect of a solid additive on rolling fatigue life

Behaviour of a series of lubricant oils and the effect of a non stoichiometric inorganic compound, as solid extreme pressure additive, on rolling fatigue life are studied using the rolling four-ball accelerated service simulation test proposed by Barwell and Scott. The results show, in all tested cases, the remarkable efficacy of this type of additive. The Total Acidity Number (tan) was found to increase with performance time for the case of the base lubricant, while for the oils with additives, it remained at its constant low value. This led to a proposal of a possible mechanism of the additive performance in the rolling process.     

Nanocrystalline TiO2 photosensitized with natural polymers with enhanced efficiency from 400 to 600 nm

TiO₂ sensitization for solar applications requires not only efficient but also stable and inexpensive sensitizers. Different condensed tannins extracted from bark wastes of tropical wood trees were studied as possible sensitizers of TiO₂. These natural polymers adhere strongly to the TiO₂ even from aqueous solutions. Absorption spectra are presented for 1 mM aqueous sensitizing solutions prepared with lyophilized condensed tannins which absorb light in the visible range. Spectral photocurrent measurements and I–V characterization show that no bias is required for electron injection to the TiO₂ from all studied condensed tannins. Incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE) analysis indicates that surface complexation originates absorption bands with different electron injection efficiencies. These play a dominant role in determining IPCE spectral shape. We propose that surface modification by the sensitizer changes the surface trap density, thereby decreasing recombination losses.     

Swoop: A Web Ontology Editing Browser

In this paper, we describe Swoop, a hypermedia inspired Ontology Browser and Editor based on OWL, the recently standardized Web-oriented ontology language. After discussing the design rationale and architecture of Swoop, we focus mainly on its features, using illustrative examples to highlight its use. We demonstrate that with its Web-metaphor, adherence to OWL recommendations and key unique features, such as Collaborative Annotation using Annotea, Swoop acts as a useful and efficient Web Ontology development tool. We conclude with a list of future plans for Swoop, that should further increase its overall appeal and accessibility.     

Vacuum-u.v. circular dichroism of optically active isotactic poly-α-olefins

Summary Circular dichroism of isotactic samples of poly-(S)-4-methyl-1-hexene and poly-(R)-3,7-dimethyl-1-octene, have been measured in the vacuum ultraviolet spectral region (200-140 nm). The c.d. band at about 160. nm accounts for the optical activity in the visible region and reflects the presence of one screw sense helical conformation of the sample examined.The authors thank Prof. W.C. Johnson, Jr., Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, for allowing them to use the vacuum u.v. spectrometer. This work has been partially supported by a N.A.T.O. grant, and by Ministero Pubblica Istruzione (MPI), Roma — Italy.     

The importance of choosing attractors for optimizing chaotic communications

In this brief, we consider methods to improve the performance of chaotic communication schemes. We study a system using a receiver which explicitly includes the presence of noise in the channel. We show how the choice of chaotic dynamical system generating the transmitted signal is crucial. We observe a large variation in bit error rate performance of the system as parameters in the maps are changed, and we propose a simple explanation for this variation.     

A visual news processing environment

CPP-TRS (Tonfoni 1989–94) is both a methodology and a language. Through the methodology (CPP — Communicative Positioning Program) those invisible aspects of communication are identified and represented by the meta-language (TRS — Text Representation Systems), which complements natural language. CPP-TRS is a new paradigm which applies to any communicative context.Icons in CPP-TRS are not intended to represent words or sentences in order to substitute them; they are rather intended to represent visually what natural language does not convey naturally. The improvement of communication is a challenge of the present and the future: CPP-TRS is designed explicitly for it.The CPP-TRS system thus is able to support the user with a set of visual tools, that are specifically suited to structuring text and communicating effectively.The same tools can support communication very effectively in situations where ambiguity can highly compromise the final result.The system may be used in a way that is either opaque or transparent to the reader of the text.Author of CPP-TRS¢ and CPP-TRS¢ Applications Designer.     

The kinetics of gasification of carbon deposited on nickel catalysts

The kinetics of gasification of carbon deposited on nickel foils and nickel-alumina catalysts by steam, carbon dioxide and hydrogen are reported for the temperature range 450–850°C. At atmospheric pressure steam is the most effective gasifying agent. In all cases, the kinetic data obtained at lower temperatures (below 600°C) is consistent with control of the process by the chemical reaction. As the temperature increases, the rates of gasification by steam and carbon dioxide are limited by mass transfer effects. The concentration of methane near reaction sites affects the rate of hydrogen gasification above 650°C.     

A Complete and Highly Effective Mothproofing Agent Comprising a Pyrethroid and a Hexahydropyrimidine

Pyrethroids, considered as a general class of compounds, have been shown to provide effective protection from the larvae of the keratin-digesting insects Tineola bisselliella H., Tinea pellionella Linn., Hofmannophila pseudo-spretella Station and Attagenus piceus Oliv. The position regarding the susceptibility of the furniture carpet beetle to pyrethroids is less clear, however. It has been reported that both deltamethrin and permethrin are effective against Anthrenus flavipes Le Conte, whilst permethrin is also reported elsewhere to be effective against the same species. Results obtained in our laboratory, however, have indicated that pyrethroids may offer inadequate protection against Anthrenus vorax Waterh. [1, 2]. This latter species is identical to Anthrenus flavipes var. seminiveus Casey, a colour variety of Anthrenus flavipes Le Conte. The 1,3-disubstituted5-phenylcarbamoyl-2,4,6-trioxo- and 4,6-dioxo-2-thione-hexahydropyrimidine derivatives described in this paper exhibit a surprisingly high and selective toxicity to the Anthrenus species. Thus, a combination of an appropriate hexahydropyrimidine with a suitable pyrethroid, e.g. permethrin, provides complete control of a wide range of commonly encountered textile insect pests. The influence of substituents on the mothproofing activity is discussed.