Volatile 4-alkyl-branched chain fatty acids in New Zealand sheep milk

Sheep milk provides a good alternative source to cow milk since it contains higher total solids and major nutrients. However, the characteristic goaty-sheepy flavour of sheep milk and milk products is less acceptable by some customers. It has been suggested that volatile branched chain fatty acids (vBCFAs), mainly 4-methyloctanoic acid (4-Me-8:0), 4-ethyloctanoic acid (4-Et-8:0), and 4-methylnonanoic acid (4-Me-9:0), are responsible for this typical flavour in sheep and goat milk. The goal of this study was to investigate how vBCFA levels: A) differ between sheep, goat and cow milk; B) vary during the milking season and C) are affected by processing (thermisation and spray drying). Results: A) Sheep milk contains less than half the amount of 4-Me-8:0 and 7-10 fold lower amount of 4-Et-8:0 than goat milk. 4-Me-9:0 is low in both sheep and goat milk. Cow milk has 5-6 fold lower amount of 4-Me-8:0 compared to sheep milk. In addition, odour activity values (OAVs) of sheep milk are 6 fold lower than those of goat milk due to the significant higher free vBCFAs concentrations in goat milk. B) The levels of vBCFAs in sheep milk differed significantly throughout the season with higher levels in spring. C) Thermisation of sheep milk did not affect the levels of vBCFAs, however, spray drying led to release of free vBCFAs particularly towards late lactation which resulted in more than twice of OAVs in milk powder compared to raw milk. These findings provide new insights for processing control and product innovation to develop flavoursome sheep milk products and support the growth of New Zealand sheep milk industry

Air quality benefit of China’s mitigation target to peak its emission by 2030

<p>In 2015, China committed to reducing its emission intensity per unit of gross domestic product by 60–65% from its 2005 rate and to peak its carbon emission by 2030. Problems related to local pollutants and haze are simultaneously worsening in China. This article focuses on the critical topic of co-controlling carbon emission and local air pollutants and evaluates the co-benefit of carbon mitigation in local pollutant reduction by using a partial equilibrium model that links carbon emission and local air pollutants at the technological level. Three conclusions can be drawn from the scenario analysis. First, in the reference scenario, energy consumption and carbon emission continue to increase and air quality is expected to deteriorate in the future. Therefore, current pollutant control measures should be improved. Second, local pollutants will be significantly reduced in the end-of-pipe control scenario, but the reduction will still be inadequate to fulfil the air quality target. Third, emissions of SO₂, NO<i>_x</i>, and PM_2.5 in 2030 will be reduced by 78.85%, 77.56%, and 83.32%, respectively, compared with the 2010 levels in the co-control scenario involving the peaking effort in China. Therefore, the air quality targets can also be achieved when the peaking target is fulfilled. The Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) of China to peak its emission by 2030 is consistent with its domestic interest to improve local air quality.</p> <p><b>POLICY RELEVANCE</b></p> <p>China submitted its INDC to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2015 and has promised to peak its carbon emission by 2030. In recent years, China has also faced severe pressure to address its air pollution problem. Air quality is an important driving force to incentivize more ambitious mitigation measures that can contribute to the simultaneous reduction of carbon emission and air pollutants. Air quality benefit provides a strong justification for the INDC of China and the possibility of early peaking. Moreover, the co-benefit in China can be a reference for other developing countries that are facing the same challenge and can reinforce the initiative of these countries to promote ambitious mitigation actions.</p

AUCs of variables to predict the 28-day mortality rate.

AUCs of variables to predict the 28-day mortality rate.</p

Baseline characteristics of patients in relation to the ICU occupancy rate.

Baseline characteristics of patients in relation to the ICU occupancy rate.</p

Fully Understanding the Photochemical Properties of Bi₂O₂(CO₃)_1–<i>x</i>S_<i>x</i> Nanosheets

The photochemical properties of crystal facets with obviously distinct atomic and geometric structures have been studied widely to date. However, little work has been performed for two or more facets with very similar atomic and geometric structures. Herein, we mainly report the photochemical properties of {001} and {100} facets of Bi2O2(CO3)1–xSx with very similar atomic and geometric structures. The simulation and experimental results show that over {100} facets, sulfur prefers to substitute for the carbonate anion, leading to the formation of an interesting serpentine internal electric field that greatly inhibits the charge recombining of electrons and holes, which has rarely been demonstrated; over {001} facets, however, sulfur preferentially adsorbs in oxygen vacancies, which greatly reduces the surface energy of {001} facets, leading to 80% of the high-energy {001} facets exposed. As a result, the photochemical properties of nanosheets have been greatly improved. This study could help us to fully understand the photochemical properties of semiconductors

Baseline characteristics of patients in relation to the frequency of the need for invasive mechanical ventilation.

Baseline characteristics of patients in relation to the frequency of the need for invasive mechanical ventilation.</p

Logistic regression analysis of the 28-day mortality rate.

Logistic regression analysis of the 28-day mortality rate.</p

AUCs of variables to predict the ICU occupancy rate.

AUCs of variables to predict the ICU occupancy rate.</p

Baseline characteristics of patients in relation to the 28-day mortality rate.

Baseline characteristics of patients in relation to the 28-day mortality rate.</p