Cyanogenic,carotenoids and protein composition in leaves and roots across seven diverse population found in the world cassava germplasm collection at CIAT,Colombia

The objective of this study was to characterise the nutritional potential of leaves and identify a diversity centre with low cyanide and high nutrient content among 178 Latin American cassava genotypes. This field-based collection represents the seven diversity centres, held at The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT Palmira, Colombia) by the Cassava Program. The cyanide, all-trans-β-carotene and lutein concentrations in cassava leaves ranged from 346 to 7484 ppm dry basis (db), from 174–547 μg g⁻¹ db and 15–181 μg g⁻¹ db, respectively. Cassava leaves also showed significant levels of essential amino acids leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, valine and threonine, and average total protein content of 26.24 g 100 g⁻¹ db. Among seven diversity centres, South American rainforest group showed low cyanide and high carotene content in leaves. In addition, VEN77 and PAN51 genotypes stood out for having low cyanide in leaves and roots and high carotene in leaves. This genetic diversity can be used to select high potential progenitors for breeding purposes.     

Influence of the dispersion of Nanoclays on the cellular structure of foams based on polystyrene

In the present work blends of polystyrene (PS) with sepiolites have been produced using a melt extrusion process. The dispersion degree of the sepiolites in the PS has been analyzed by dynamic shear rheology and X-ray micro-computed tomography. Sepiolites treated with quaternary ammonium salts (O-QASEP) are better dispersed in the PS matrix than natural sepiolites (N-SEP) or sepiolites organo-modified with silane groups (O-SGSEP). A percolated network is obtained when using 6.0 wt% of O-QASEP, 8.0 wt% of N-SEP and 10.0 wt% of O-SGSEP. It has been shown that multiple extrusion processes have a negative effect on the polymer architecture. They produce a reduction in the length of the polymeric chains, and they do not lead to a better dispersion of the particles in the polymer matrix. Foams have been produced using a gas dissolution foaming process, where a strong effect of the dispersion degree on the cellular structure of the different foams was found. The effects on the cellular structure obtained by using different types of sepiolites, different contents of sepiolites and different extrusion conditions have been analyzed. The foams produced with the formulations containing O-QASEP present the lowest cell size and the most homogeneous cellular structures.     

IR与RS-232的匹配技术

现代电子设备通常包含最新的数据通信接口，以实现更高的数据率或增进用户的便利性。红外技术(IR)是数据通信接口的一个很好例子，但有时单独使用这种最新接口还是不够的，设备还需要与采用传统接口如RS-232的老设备兼容才会被用户所接受。因此，常见的红外技术和RS-232共存于同一设备中。     

Design principles underlying circadian clocks.

A fundamental problem for regulatory networks is to understand the relation between form and function: to uncover the underlying design principles of the network. Circadian clocks present a particularly interesting instance, as recent work has shown that they have complex structures involving multiple interconnected feedback loops with both positive and negative feedback. While several authors have speculated on the reasons for this, a convincing explanation is still lacking.We analyse both the flexibility of clock networks and the relationships between various desirable properties such as robust entrainment, temperature compensation, and stability to environmental variations and parameter fluctuations. We use this to argue that the complexity provides the flexibility necessary to simultaneously attain multiple key properties of circadian clocks. As part of our analysis we show how to quantify the key evolutionary aims using infinitesimal response curves, a tool that we believe will be of general utility in the analysis of regulatory networks. Our results suggest that regulatory and signalling networks might be much less flexible and of lower dimension than their apparent complexity would suggest.     

Kinetics of simultaneous two-phase precipitation in the Fe-C system

A theoretical approach for the interpretation of the kinetics of simultaneous stable and metastable phase precipitation in a binary system is proposed. The model, based on the nucleation and growth theory, defines a critical size different for each phase. The size of the clusters evolves by adding or substracting a single atom one at a time. A set of coupled differential equations is obtained for the chemical rate whose solution reproduces the kinetics of thermoelectric power measurements in the Fe-C multiphase system. Suppositions about the growing and dissolution rate constants reduce the size of the equation system with a gain in computation time.     

Diffusion bonding of an aluminium-lithium alloy (AA8090) using aluminium-copper alloy interlayers

Diffusion bonds have been produced between sheets of an Al-Li-Cu-Mg-Zr alloy using aluminium-4% copper vapour deposited metallic interlayers. Microstructural changes occurred both in the parent alloy and in the bond interface after diffusion bonding cycles and post-bonding heat treatments were analysed. Different metallographic techniques (light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy) have been used. Diffusion bonding trials were carried out using the same alloy (AA8090), both in non-superplastic (T6) and superplastic conditions. Differences in their behaviours in relation to diffusion bonding were observed.     

Effects of organic farming on minerals contents and aroma composition of Clemenules mandarin juice

Consumers demand organic products because they believe that the organic products are more flavorful and respectful to the environment and human health. The effects of organic farming on the minerals contents and aroma composition of Clemenules mandarin juices were studied. Minerals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Ca, Mg, K, and Na) were quantified using atomic absorption-emission spectroscopy, while volatile compounds were extracted using the dynamic headspace technique and were identified and quantified by GC–MS. In general, organic farming produced a mandarin juice with a higher quality than that produced by conventional agricultural practices. Higher concentrations of both minerals and positive volatile compounds were found in the organic juice, while the formation of off-flavors was higher in the conventional juice, although threshold values were not reached.