Molecular structure and granule morphology of native and heat‐moisture‐treated pinhão starch

Pinhão seed is an unconventional source of starch and the pines grow up in native forests of southern Latin America. In this study, pinhão starch was adjusted at 15, 20 and 25% moisture content and heated to 100, 110 and 120 °C for 1 h. A decrease in λ max (starch/iodine complex) was observed as a result of increase in temperature and moisture content of HMT. The ratio of crystalline to amorphous phase in pinhão starch was determined via Fourier transform infra red by taking 1045/1022 band ratio. A decrease in crystallinity occurred as a result of HMT. Polarised light microscopy indicated a loss of birefringence of starch granules under 120 °C at 25% moisture content. Granule size distribution was further confirmed via scanning electron microscopy which showed the HMT effects. These results increased the understanding on molecular and structural properties of HMT pinhão starch and broadened its food and nonfood industrial applications.     

Chemical-Shift Perturbations Reflect Bile Acid Binding to Norovirus Coat Protein: Recognition Comes in Different Flavors

Bile acids have been reported as important cofactors promoting human and murine norovirus (NoV) infections in cell culture. The underlying mechanisms are not resolved. Through the use of chemical shift perturbation (CSP) NMR experiments, we identified a low-affinity bile acid binding site of a human GII.4 NoV strain. Long-timescale MD simulations reveal the formation of a ligand-accessible binding pocket of flexible shape, allowing the formation of stable viral coat protein–bile acid complexes in agreement with experimental CSP data. CSP NMR experiments also show that this mode of bile acid binding has a minor influence on the binding of histo-blood group antigens and vice versa. STD NMR experiments probing the binding of bile acids to virus-like particles of seven different strains suggest that low-affinity bile acid binding is a common feature of human NoV and should therefore be important for understanding the role of bile acids as cofactors in NoV infection.     

An investigation of sex discrimination in recruiters' evaluations of actual applicants.

This study investigated whether sex discrimination existed in recruiters' evaluations of applicants in real employment interviews and, if so, whether other variables could explain it. The variables examined were the perceived similarity of the applicant to the recruiter, the interpersonal attraction felt by the recruiter toward the applicant, and the applicant's objectively measured and subjectively measured qualifications. Applicant sex did not directly or indirectly affect recruiters' evaluations of applicants in campus interviews, providing no evidence of sex discrimination. Instead, subjective qualifications had a significant effect on evaluations and also mediated the effects of perceived similarity, interpersonal attraction, and objective qualifications on evaluations. Recruiters saw stronger subjective qualifications in applicants with high scholastic performance whom they viewed as similar to themselves and whom they liked. Perceptions of these qualifications, in turn, were the primary determinant of evaluations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stability analysis of network-based cooperative resource allocation strategies

Resource allocation involves deciding how to divide a resource of limited availability among multiple demands in a way that optimizes current objectives. In this brief paper we focus on one type of distributed resource allocation problem where via an imperfect communication network multiple processors can share the load presented by multiple task types. We introduce asynchronous “cooperative” resource allocation strategies, and show that they lead to a bounded cumulative demand.     

Comparison of orthorhombic and alpha-two titanium aluminides as matrices for continuous SiC-reinforced composites

The attributes of an orthorhombic Ti aluminide alloy, Ti-21Al-22Nb (at. pct), and an alpha-two Ti aluminide alloy, Ti-24Al-11Nb (at. pct), for use as a matrix with continuous SiC (SCS-6) fiber reinforcement have been compared. Foil-fiber-foil processing was used to produce both unreinforced (“neat”) and unidirectional “SCS-6” reinforced panels. Microstructure of the Ti-24A1-11Nb matrix consisted of ordered Ti₃Al (α ₂) + disordered beta(β), while the Ti-21 Al-22Nb matrix contained three phases: α₂, ordered beta (β ₀), and ordered orthorhombic(O). Fiber/ matrix interface reaction zone growth kinetics at 982 °C were examined for each composite system. Although both systems exhibited similar interface reaction products(i.e., mixed Ti carbides, silicides, and Ti-Al carbides), growth kinetics in theα ₂ +β matrix composite were much more rapid than in theO +β ₀ +α ₂ matrix composite. Additionally, interfacial reaction in theα ₂ +β} composite resulted in a relatively large brittle matrix zone, depleted of beta phase, which was not present in theO +β ₀+α ₂ matrix composite. Mechanical property measurements included room and elevated temperature tensile, thermal stability, thermal fatigue, thermo-mechanical fatigue (TMF), and creep. The three-phase orthorhombic-based alloy outperformed the α₂+β alloy in all of these mechanical behavioral areas, on both an absolute and a specific(i.e., density corrected) basis.     

Language disturbances following vascular lesions restricted to the left basal ganglia, thalamus, and white matter.

Examined the relationship between aphasia type and lesion site in 80 subcortical stroke patients. Ss were classified as affected by aphasia, dysarthria, and nonaphasia, nondysarthria. Sites of lesions were identified by means of computerized tomography (CT) scan. No correlation between site of lesions and category group was found. Lesions of the same subcortical structures yielded different neurolinguistic impairment, whereas comparable linguistic patterns were observed with lesions of different deep areas. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A protocol for distributed simulation on a microcomputer network

The computer industry has evolved very rapidly from single-user computers to computer networks where users are able to share both local and remote files. Networks of microcomputers facilitate the integration of all information processing for distributed applications such as database processing and electronic mail. One management application of promising potential for computer networks is distributed simulation. Simulation analysis can be useful to essentially all problem-solving and decision-making on the job.

To implement a particular distributed application, computer communication between processors must be considered. Unlike expensive multiprocessor computers, networks of less-expensive microcomputers do not have pre-established communication paths between processors. This paper addresses how this obstacle may be overcome by using communication protocols based on the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model. Protocol services needed to support a distributed simulation environment will be identified, and their implementation through a prototype will then be investigated and evaluated.     

Spin coating over topography

A model for predicting film thickness profiles around topographical features during spin coating is presented. This model is applicable to features of arbitrary geometry in the two lateral dimensions. This generally permits study of the planarization of real device structures, including both isolated and neighboring features, with any orientation with respect to the wafer center. Predictions from this model agree qualitatively with measured thin-film profiles from interferograms taken during spinning. Phenomena such as pile-up and wakes result from interactions between surface tension and other driving forces in the flow     

Hysteresis effects with ZrO2 oxygen sensors exposed to non-equilibrium oxygen-hydrocarbon mixtures

Hysteresis effects are reported for ZrO₂ oxygen sensors exposed to non-equilibrium oxygen/hydrocarbon gas mixtures. With oxygen/toluene at 800° C, voltage-composition curves differ following composition changes (a) from excess oxygen to excess toluene and (b) from excess toluene to excess oxygen. A catalysis model is developed to account for this behaviour: the Thiele modulus of the catalyst/electrode is presumed to differ under (a) net oxidizing and (b) net reducing conditions. Large scale voltage fluctuations, sometimes exceeding 400 mV, were observed in experiments with oxygen/isobutane mixtures at 600° C. This behaviour is analysed in terms of a kinetic model involving stochastic variations of relative mass transfer coefficients of oxygen and isobutane.