GAS ABSORPTION IN A HOLLOW FIBER DEVICE

The absorption of S0² and NH³ from air and air/CO ² streams was studied for the first time in a certain novel hollow fiber mass transfer device, for various inlet gas compositions, liquid compositions, gas flow rates, and liquid flow rates. The gas and liquid flows were countercurrent. Analyses of the amounts of S0²and NH³ absorbed demonstrate that the hollow fiber unit has a relatively small membrane resistance and is an effective gas scrubbing device. Additionally, it offers a large interfacial area per unit volume, and avoids flooding problems entirely     

Bioequivalence of encapsulated and microencapsulated fish-oil supplementation

Omega-3 oil from fish can be stabilised against oxidation using a variety of microencapsulation technologies. Complex coacervation has been used and found to be commercially useful for fortifying foods and beverages with long-chain omega-3 containing oils. Here we report a comparative human bioavailability study of microencapsulated omega-3 fish oil and standard fish-oil soft-gel capsules. Phospholipid levels of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids increased equivalently in both subjects groups. Also, triacylglycerol levels were reduced similarly in both groups. These results indicate that omega-3 fatty acids have equivalent bioavailability when delivered as microencapsulated complex coacervates or as soft-gel capsules.     

Stabilization of highly unsaturated fatty acids and delivery into foods

Highly unsaturated fatty acids derived from fish or algal oils, particularly EPA and DHA, are in high demand as healthy food ingredients in fortified foods. Due to their oxidative instability most food products incorporate stabilized microencapsulated EPA and DHA oils to avoid negative sensory impact associated with oxidation of these fatty acids. Complex coacervation has been particularly successful in stabilizing fish oil and providing an ingredient with a sensory shelf‐life consistent with that of the food product. Overcoming the technical challenges associated with the instability of these oils will help drive growth of the omega‐3 fortified healthy food ingredient market.     

Contribution of flow deformation to the shrinkage of injection molded PVC

The viscoelastic nature of PVC cannot be ignored during the injection molding process. Strains imposed on the compound during the injection stage display recovery dynamics that are indicative of the temperature at which the strains were imposed. A mathematical model, employing “approximate” time-temperature modulus relationships, provided the basis for interpreting the shrinkage data. A distribution map of the various relative temperatures attained within the part during injection was determined.     

Measurement of the activity of individual subunits of single molecules of the tetrameric enzyme β-galactosidase

Escherichia coli β-galactosidase was incubated in the presence of the slow-release inhibitor D-galactal for 30 min at a concentration of 70 times its K(i). The sample was then diluted 20000-fold into buffer containing the fluorogenic substrate 9H-(1,3-dichloro-9,9-dimethylacridin-2-on-7-yl) β-D-galactoside, reducing the inhibitor concentration to K(i)/280. The sample was subjected to a capillary electrophoresis continuous flow single enzyme molecule assay. As the inhibitor dissociated while the enzyme traveled the length of the capillary, a fraction of molecules showed stepwise increases in activity. This was due to the activation of individual subunits within single molecules. The changes in activity can be largely explained in terms of each molecule containing subunits of indistinguishable activity.     

Impact of freezing and thawing on the quality of meat: review

This comprehensive review describes the effects of freezing and thawing on the physical quality parameters of meat. The formation of ice crystals during freezing damages the ultrastructure and concentrates the solutes in the meat which, in turn, leads to alterations in the biochemical reactions that occur at the cellular level and influence the physical quality parameters of the meat. The quality parameters that were evaluated are moisture loss, protein denaturation, lipid and protein oxidation, colour, pH, shear force and microbial spoilage. Additionally mechanisms employed to mitigate the effects of freezing and thawing were also reviewed. These include the use of novel methods of freezing and thawing, ante and post mortem antifreeze protein inclusion and vitamin E supplementation, brine injection and modified atmospheric packaging.     

Maternal Undernutrition Modulates Neonatal Rat Cerebrovascular Structure,Function, and Vulnerability to Mild Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury via Corticosteroid-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms

The present study explored the hypothesis that an adverse intrauterine environment caused by maternal undernutrition (MUN) acted through corticosteroid-dependent and -independent mechanisms to program lasting functional changes in the neonatal cerebrovasculature and vulnerability to mild hypoxic-ischemic (HI) injury. From day 10 of gestation until term, MUN and MUN-metyrapone (MUN-MET) group rats consumed a diet restricted to 50% of calories consumed by a pair-fed control; and on gestational day 11 through term, MUN-MET groups received drinking water containing MET (0.5 mg/mL), a corticosteroid synthesis inhibitor. P9/P10 pups underwent unilateral carotid ligation followed 24 h later by 1.5 h exposure to 8% oxygen (HI treatment). An ELISA quantified MUN-, MET-, and HI-induced changes in circulating levels of corticosterone. In P11/P12 pups, MUN programming promoted contractile differentiation in cerebrovascular smooth muscle as determined by confocal microscopy, modulated calcium-dependent contractility as revealed by cerebral artery myography, enhanced vasogenic edema formation as indicated by T2 MRI, and worsened neurobehavior MUN unmasked HI-induced improvements in open-field locomotion and in edema resolution, alterations in calcium-dependent contractility and promotion of contractile differentiation. Overall, MUN imposed multiple interdependent effects on cerebrovascular smooth muscle differentiation, contractility, edema formation, flow-metabolism coupling and neurobehavior through pathways that both required, and were independent of, gestational corticosteroids. In light of growing global patterns of food insecurity, the present study emphasizes that infants born from undernourished mothers may experience greater risk for developing neonatal cerebral edema and sensorimotor impairments possibly through programmed changes in neonatal cerebrovascular function.     

Functional polymers and sequential copolymers by phase transfer catalysis

Summary Poly(epichlorohydrin) (PECH) containing pendant mesogenic units separated from the polymer main chain through spacers of zero to ten methylene units were synthesized and characterized. The synthetic pathway used for the chemical modification of PECH involved the phase transfer catalyzed etherification and esterification of the chloromethyl groups with sodium 4-methoxy-4-biphenoxide and potassium -(4-methoxy-4-oxybiphenyl)alkanoates. All the resulting polymers, including that with no spacer, present thermotropic liquid crystalline mesomorphism.Part 29 in this series: C. Pugh and V. Percec, Polym. Bull., preceding paper