A comparative study among landraces of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and P. coccineus L. based on molecular, physicochemical and sensory analysis for authenticity purposes

The common and runner beans are the two most widely cultivated species because of their highly nutritive value for humans and animals. This study was undertaken to interpret data from physicochemical, sensory and molecular (DNA) analyses toward evaluating, characterizing and separating 5 common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and 5 runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus) landraces, cultivated under organic growing conditions. Furthermore, an attempt was made to determine patterns and interrelationships among the quality traits and sensory characteristics to get a better insight into the most effective discrimination between common and runner bean landraces, by means of multivariate analysis (Principal Component Analysis and Discriminant Analysis). In this study an accurate and effective discrimination of bean cultivars and Phaseolus species was possible using different methodologies. PCA was found to be the most informative either by using exclusively physicochemical data (92% of variability) or in conjunction with sensory data (99.4% of variability). P. vulgaris is characterized by 6 parameters (intensity, juiciness, sweetness, brightness, bitterness and consistency) whereas P. coccineus by odor, tenderness and metallic taste. Molecular analysis (MA) proved to be a fast and informative method only for discrimination of the Phaseolus species whereas (DA) highlighted the most important characteristics per cultivar and species. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Surface modified ruthenium nanoparticles: structural investigation and surface analysis of a novel catalyst for oxygen rteduction

ABSTRACT Ruthenium catalysts modified by selenium are of interest as a methanol insensitive oxygen reduction catalyst in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell for mobile application. To elucidate the structural and chemical features of unsupported and carbon supported ruthenium nano particles prepared by thermolysis of Ru3 CO 12 in an organic solvent with and without the presence of dissolved selenium different bulk and surface sensitive methods such as Transmission Electron Microscopy TEM, X Ray Diffractometry XRD, Thermogravimetry coupled with Mass Spectrometry TG MS, X ray Photo electron Spectroscopy XPS and Extended X ray Absorption Fine Structure EXAFS analysis were performed. It was found that the as grown catalytic particles prepared without selenium and handled under ambient conditions are distinguished by a ruthenium core of 4 nm size, the surface of which is covered by an amorphous ruthenium oxide hydroxide and metal organic residues from the process of synthesis. In presence of selenium Ru Se and Se O bondings has additionally been found at the surface. After heat treatment under vacuum organic residues could be removed. The particles can now be described by a metallic core of lt; 10 nm grown by coalescence due to thermal treatment the surface of which exhibits Ru O, Se O and Ru Se bondings. While a pure ruthenium catalyst totally oxidises within several weeks the selenium containing counterpart becomes stabilised against corrosion for years. Beside the protecting property it is suggested that selenium also leads to a concentration of ruthenium d electrons close to the top of the Fermi level facilitating four electron transfer to reduce oxygen at the cathode side of a fuel cell

LLLT for the management of patients with ankylosing spondylitis

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the combined low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and passive stretching with combined placebo LLLT laser and the same passive stretching exercises in patients suffering from Αnkylosing spondylitis. Forty-eight patients suffering from Αnkylosing spondylitis participated in the study and were randomized into two groups. Group A (n = 24) was treated with a λ = 820 Ga-Al-As laser CW, with power intensity = 60 mW/cm2, energy per point in each session = 4.5 J, total energy per session = 27.0 J, in contact with specific points technique, plus passive stretching exercises. Group B (n = 24), received placebo laser plus the same passive stretching exercises. Both groups received 12 sessions of laser or placebo within 8 weeks; two sessions per week (weeks 1–4) and one session per week (weeks 5–8). Pain and function scales were completed before the treatment, at the end of the fourth and eighth week of treatment, and 8 weeks after the end of treatment (follow-up). Group A revealed a significant improvement after 8 weeks of treatment in all pain and function scales. At 8-week follow-up, the improvement remained only for the pain, while for all other function outcomes the differences were not statistically significant. The results suggested that after an 8-week treatment and after a follow-up, the combination of LLLT and passive stretching exercises decreased pain more effectively than placebo LLLT along with the same passive stretching exercises in patients with Αnkylosing spondylitis. Future studies are needed to establish the relative and absolute effectiveness of the above protocol