Conformational changes of polymers in model batter systems

Cake batters - made of flour, egg, sugar and fat - are complex systems. Ingredients interactions and their impact on protein secondary structure and starch conformational structures were studied in model batter systems using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed the possibility of using the pregelatinized starch without affecting protein conformation. The estimation of protein secondary structure highlighted the prevalence of \u3b1-helical structures in the model batter system, while \u3b2-sheets are predominant in flour systems as known in dough systems. The protein conformation in batter system is related to fat-protein interactions and could explain fat functionality in the final product. Starch crystallinity increased when each ingredient - except for pregelatinized starches - was added to the flour. Changes in starch conformation could be related to the redistribution of water between the batter ingredients. The overall results highlighted the importance of ingredients on the structural conformation of the batter polymers - starch and proteins - which could be the key factor to understand the functional properties of the batter

The myth of agency and the misattribution of blame in collective imaginaries of the future

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149565/1/bjos12662_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149565/2/bjos12662.pd

Pesca artesanal do camarão sete-barbas: uma caracterização sócio-econômica na Penha, SC

Marine resources exploration along Santa Catarina coast plays an important role in the socioeconomic and cultural context. Considering this information, the elaboration of a management plan for fishery resources should consider beyond the biological, physical and chemical components, the socioeconomic dimension. This work aimed to characterize the socioeconomic profile of the fishermen of sea-bob-shrimp at Penha (Santa Catarina State). To accomplish this characterization, 55 local fishermen were interviewed, regarding scholar instruction of fisherman and their family, data on fishery activity, destination and commercialization of the shrimp and by-catch, and also the gear utilized in the fishery. Results showed an age composition of fishermen predominantly among 40 and 50 years old, confirming that the activity is performed mainly by the elders of the community, which on the other hand, cannot keep their family only with the fishery profits. Such situation is driving the activity to a decline, in a way that fishermen are being obligated to accept informal jobs, putting in risk their survivorship and a rich Azorean culture.Marine resources exploration along Santa Catarina coast plays an important role in the socioeconomic and cultural context. Considering this information, the elaboration of a management plan for fishery resources should consider beyond the biological, physical and chemical components, the socioeconomic dimension. This work aimed to characterize the socioeconomic profile of the fishermen of sea-bob-shrimp at Penha (Santa Catarina State). To accomplish this characterization, 55 local fishermen were interviewed, regarding scholar instruction of fisherman and their family, data on fishery activity, destination and commercialization of the shrimp and by-catch, and also the gear utilized in the fishery. Results showed an age composition of fishermen predominantly among 40 and 50 years old, confirming that the activity is performed mainly by the elders of the community, which on the other hand, cannot keep their family only with the fishery profits. Such situation is driving the activity to a decline, in a way that fishermen are being obligated to accept informal jobs, putting in risk their survivorship and a rich Azorean culture

Sense of coherence moderates job demand‐resources and impact on burnout among nurses and midwives in the context of the COVID ‐19 pandemic: a cross‐sectional survey.

This study aimed to test the propositions using the job demands‐resources (JD‐R) model for main/moderation/mediation effects of a sense of coherence and practice environment support on mental well-being (anxiety, depression and burnout) outcomes in nurses and midwives in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-sectional quantitative survey. The study was a cross-sectional design using self-report questionnaires reported as per the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Guidelines. Following human research ethics approval (2020.ETH.00121) participants were recruited to take part in an online anonymous survey using self-report instruments to test the JD-R model in Australia. 156 participant nurses and midwives experienced anxiety, depression and emotional burnout during COVID-19. While a considerable proportion of participants indicated high levels of emotional exhaustion, their responses showed low levels of depersonalization (detached response to other people) and high levels of personal accomplishment (high levels of work performance and competence). A sense of coherence was a significant protective factor for mental health well-being for the participants, which is to say, high levels of sense of coherence were predictive of lower levels of anxiety, depression and burnout in this study sample. It is evident that both nursing and midwifery professions require psychosocial support to preserve their health both in the short and long term. Ensuring individualized tailored support will require a layered response within organizations aimed at individual self-care and collegial peer support. There was no patient or public contribution in this study, as the focus was on nurses and midwives

Third structure determination by powder diffractometry round robin (SDPDRR-3)

The results from a third structure determination by powder diffractometry (SDPD) round robin are discussed. From the 175 potential participants having downloaded the powder data, nine sent a total of 12 solutions (8 and 4 for samples 1 and 2, respectively, a tetrahydrated calcium tartrate and a lanthanum tungstate). Participants used seven different computer programs for structure solution (ESPOIR, EXPO, FOX, PSSP, SHELXS, SUPERFLIP, and TOPAS), applying Patterson, direct methods, direct space methods, and charge flipping approach. It is concluded that solving a structure from powder data remains a challenge, at least one order of magnitude more difficult than solving a problem with similar complexity from single-crystal data. Nevertheless, a few more steps in the direction of increasing the SDPD rate of success were accomplished since the two previous round robins: this time, not only the computer program developers were successful but also some users. No result was obtained from crystal structure prediction expert

Practical diagnosis of cirrhosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using currently available non-invasive fibrosis tests

Unlike for advanced liver fibrosis, the practical rules for the early non-invasive diagnosis of cirrhosis in NAFLD remain not well defined. Here, we report the derivation and validation of a stepwise diagnostic algorithm in 1568 patients with NAFLD and liver biopsy coming from four independent cohorts. The study algorithm, using first the elastography-based tests Agile3+ and Agile4 and then the specialized blood tests FibroMeterV3G and CirrhoMeterV3G, provides stratification in four groups, the last of which is enriched in cirrhosis (71% prevalence in the validation set). A risk prediction chart is also derived to allow estimation of the individual probability of cirrhosis. The predicted risk shows excellent calibration in the validation set, and mean difference with perfect prediction is only −2.9%. These tools improve the personalized non-invasive diagnosis of cirrhosis in NAFLD