Origin and Processing Methods Slightly Affect Allergenic Characteristics of Cashew Nuts (Anacardium occidentale)

The protein content and allergen composition was studied of cashews from 8 different origins (Benin, Brazil, Ghana, India, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Tanzania, Vietnam), subjected to different in‐shell heat treatments (steamed, fried, drum‐roasted). On 2D electrophoresis, 9 isoforms of Ana o 1, 29 isoforms of Ana o 2 (11 of the acidic subunit, 18 of the basic subunit), and 8 isoforms of the large subunit of Ana o 3 were tentatively identified. Based on 1D and 2D electrophoresis, no difference in allergen content (Ana o 1, 2, 3) was detected between the cashews of different origins (P > 0.5), some small but significant differences were detected in allergen solubility between differently heated cashews. No major differences in N‐ and C‐terminal microheterogeneity of Ana o 3 were detected between cashews of different origins. Between the different heat treatments, no difference was detected in glycation, pepsin digestibility, or IgE binding of the cashew proteins.     

Hepatobiliary and intestinal clearance of amphiphilic cationic drugs in mice in which both mdr1a and mdr1b genes have been disrupted

The triumph of antibiotics over bacterial pathogens that has occurred in the latter half of this century looks increasingly threatened as we approach the new millennium. Increasing resistance in important pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Shigella, and Streptococcus pneumoniae threatens the lives of millions. The increasing problems with drug resistance in (C. diphtheriae, Salmonella typhi and the pneumococcus in Vietnam are presented as examples of the challenge confronting tropical countries.     

Thermal conductivity of normal liquid3He at finite temperatures

Greywall's experimental data for the thermal conductivity of normal liquid³He are reanalyzed. The temperature dependence at various pressures seems consistent with a law of corresponding states in the sense that it can be described by a universal function of a reduced temperature. It is suggested that the appreciable dynamical screening of the scattering amplitude for the quasiparticles in³He is responsible for this behavior. For illustration the thermal conductivity is calculated at finite temperature for a class of screened interaction models to leading order in the screening parameter. Good agreement is found with experiment by fitting the single Landau parameterA _a ⁰ .     

The influence of substrate chemistry on the adhesion of electrolessly deposited Ni(P) on metal oxide coated ceramics

The adhesion of electrolessly deposited Ni(P) on alumina ceramic substrates which were coated with thin SiO₂, SnO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, Y₂O₃, ZrO₂ and (In,Sn)O_x (ITO) films was studied. The adhesion was measured with the aid of the 90° peel test. Strong adhesion of Ni(P) was found for the substrates with ZrO₂ and Al₂O₃ coatings and weak adhesion for the substrates with SiO₂, TiO₂, SnO₂, Y₂O₃ and ITO coatings. The fracture path and the type of interfacial bonding were analysed using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In the case of the strongly adhering samples, fracture took place through the metal layer and along the interface. In the case of the weakly adhering samples only interfacial failure was observed between the Ni(P) layer and the metal oxide coating. Cross-section transmission electron microscopy studies of the interfaces suggested that the differences in peel energy values are caused by differences in micromechanical interlocking at the metal oxide-Ni(P) interface. In addition, a weak boundary layer which was found to be present at the Ni(P)-alumina interface was absent in the case of the strongly adhering samples with the ZrO₂ substrate coating.     

Aqueous processing of arsenic trioxide to crystalline scorodite

This article describes the conversion of arsenic trioxide into crystalline scorodite (FeAsO₄ ? 2H₂O) using acidic nitrate solutions at temperatures ranging from 140 °C to 160 °C. A schematic process flow sheet is proposed. The reasons for processing arsenic trioxide, especially baghouse dust from metallurgical operations, lie in its toxic character and the fact that market demand for it is decreasing. An environmentally friendly way to dispose of this roaster by-product is as crystalline ferric arsenate (scorodite), since the latter has been shown to be the least soluble “host” mineral for arsenic. To produce crystalline scorodite in bulk has to date not been possible, however. This article describes a new hydrometallurgical approach for converting arsenic trioxide rapidly and at a high yield into crystalline scorodite. It is based on the fact that at 160 °C, ferric does not precipitate as an oxide from solutions that contain 2 M HNO₃. By adding arsenic trioxide to such a solution, ferric precipitates as crystalline scorodite, without other iron species (e.g., hematite) precipitating. This means that a stoichiometric Fe:As ratio is sufficient. When starting with arsenic trioxide, trivalent arsenic will be oxidized before 160 °C is reached due to the strong oxidizing power of nitric acid.     

A novel measurement technique to assess the effects of coronary brachytherapy in clinical trials

This paper presents a novel measurement technique to assess the effects of coronary brachytherapy. This new technique is based upon the conventional quantitative coronary analysis (QCA) technique, which is accepted worldwide as an accurate and reliable analysis tool for clinical trials. This paper provides the definitions and main issues important for correct brachytherapy analysis. Based on these definitions, this novel technique is implemented as an extension of conventional QCA software, as a multisegmental analysis tool. It allows to follow the influence of radiation on restenosis, and the mutual relation between intervention devices. A pilot interobserver study was performed to assess the reliability and reproducibility of the brachytherapy analysis tool, using 15 patient cases. The validation results show that the segment lengths, minimum lumen diameter, and reference diameters of the user-defined and derived (sub)segments can be assessed reproducible. However, these good results can only be obtained, when strict and extensive image acquisition and image analysis protocols are followed. From this pilot validation study presented in this paper and only based on a small number of patients, we may conclude that the software can be applied to clinical trials.     

The electrochemical reduction of nitrate in acidic nitrate solutions

Cathodic regeneration of nitrous acid by electrochemical reduction of nitrates could yield a catholyte which is useful in the processing of manganiferous ores. The purpose of the present investigations was to study the cathodic reaction in an electrolytic cell with an acidic nitrate electrolyte. Electrochemical reduction of nitrate has been investigated in the ranges 0.45–2.70m H+, 0.0–0.1m HNO2, 0.5–2.0m NO3– and 20–80°C at several cathode materials. Potentiodynamic scanning experiments with a platinized titanium cathode showed limiting current densities of 0–300Am–2 at cathode potentials of +950–+700mV vs SHE. At cathode potentials less than +700mV vs SHE, cathodic reduction of nitrous acid to nitric oxide took place. A linear relation between the nitrous acid concentration and the limiting current density was found in this experimental range. Nitrous acid can be produced by cathodic reduction of nitric acid in a membrane cell. However, the maximum concentration of nitrous acid that can be produced is limited by two reactions; decay of nitrous acid to nitric acid and nitric oxide and cathodic reduction of nitrous acid to nitric oxide.     

Routes to residue-free zinc refining

Present zinc refining in sulfate circuits creates considerable amounts of residuals that are often disposed in densely populated sites around the world, creating disposal and environmental liability issues for producers. A combination of chloride and sulfate circuits offers attractive possibilities for residue-free zinc refining, resulting in lower capital and operating costs for producers. For more information, contact G. Van Weert, OreTome Limited, 16668 Humberstation Road, R.R. No. 3, Caledon East, Ontario, Canada L0N 1E0; (905) 880-3142; fax (905) 880-3748.     

Depth and orientation through surface transparency

In the research described in this article we have tested the idea that the recovery of depth and orientation of twodimensional patterns is aided by constraints in the physical world. We presented a variant on a bistable Necker cube. the surfaces of the cube were constructed from transparent planes. We examined which color compositions lead to the highest number of correct identifications of orientation. the results can be explained on the assumption that people use constraints present in additive color mixture. When this type of mixture is used, it leads to significantly better responses. the luminance of the mixed color is the largest contributor.