Comparison of potato varieties between seasons and their potential for acrylamide formation

BACKGROUND: Acrylamide is a probable human carcinogen produced during food preparation, including frying of potato products. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of seasonal variation on tuber composition and its acrylamide generation potential. RESULTS: The chemical composition of potato varieties used respectively for French fry (Bintje and Ramos) and crisp (Lady Rosetta and Saturna) production was studied throughout a storage period of 9 months during two growing seasons (2003 and 2004), in addition to their acrylamide generation potential during preparation of French fries. A significant impact of variable climatological conditions on the reducing sugar, dry matter, total free amino acid and free asparagine contents of tubers was observed. Exceptionally warm summers gave rise to a lower reducing sugar content (expressed on a dry matter basis) and thus a lower susceptibility to acrylamide generation during frying. CONCLUSION: It cannot be excluded that potato growers and the potato-processing industry are confronted with some harvests that are more prone to acrylamide generation than others owing to climatological variability, thus confirming the importance of a multifactorial approach to mitigate acrylamide generation in potato products.</p

Pygmy dipole strength close to particle-separation energies - the case of the Mo isotopes

The distribution of electromagnetic dipole strength in 92, 98, 100 Mo has been investigated by photon scattering using bremsstrahlung from the new ELBE facility. The experimental data for well separated nuclear resonances indicate a transition from a regular to a chaotic behaviour above 4 MeV of excitation energy. As the strength distributions follow a Porter-Thomas distribution much of the dipole strength is found in weak and in unresolved resonances appearing as fluctuating cross section. An analysis of this quasi-continuum - here applied to nuclear resonance fluorescence in a novel way - delivers dipole strength functions, which are combining smoothly to those obtained from (g,n)-data. Enhancements at 6.5 MeV and at ~9 MeV are linked to the pygmy dipole resonances postulated to occur in heavy nuclei.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, proceedings Nuclear Physics in Astrophysics II, May 16-20, Debrecen, Hungary. The original publication is available at www.eurphysj.or

Outcome and risk factors for recurrence of early onset fracture-related infections treated with debridement, antibiotics and implant retention:Results of a large retrospective multicentre cohort study

Introduction: Early Fracture-Related Infections (FRIs) are a common entity in hospitals treating trauma patients and are often treated with a Debridement, Antibiotics and Implant Retention (DAIR) procedure. Aims of this study were to 1) evaluate the recurrence rate after DAIR procedures for early onset FRI, 2) establish the number of surgical procedures to gain control of the initial infection and 3) identify independent predictors for recurrence in this cohort. Methods: A retrospective multicentre cohort study was conducted in two level 1 trauma centres. Consecutive patients who underwent a DAIR procedure between January 1st 2015 and July 1st 2020 for confirmed FRI with an onset of <6 weeks after the latest osseous operation were included. Recorded data included patient demographics, treatment characteristics and follow-up. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess predictors for recurrent FRI. Results: A total of 141 patients with early FRI were included in this study with a median age of 54.0 years (interquartile range (IQR) 34.5–64.0). The recurrence rate of FRI was 13% (n = 19) at one year follow-up and 18% (n = 25) at 23.1 months (IQR 15.3–36.4) follow-up. Infection control was achieved in 94% (n = 127/135) of cases. In total, 73 patients (52%) underwent at least two surgical procedures to treat the ongoing initial episode of FRI, of whom 54 patients (74%) required two to three procedures and 17 patients (23%) four to five procedures. Predictors for recurrent FRI were use of an intramedullary nail during index operation (odds ratio (OR) 4.0 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–13.8)), need for additional surgical procedures to treat ongoing infection during the treatment period following the first presentation of early FRI (OR 1.9 (95% CI 1.1–3.5)) and a decreased Injury Severity Score (ISS) (inverted OR 1.1 (95% CI 1.0–1.1)). Conclusion: The recurrence rate after treatment of early onset FRI in patients treated with a DAIR procedure was 18% at 23.1 months follow-up. At least two surgical procedures to gain control of the initial infection were needed in 52% of patients. Independent predictors for recurrent FRI were the use of an intramedullary nail during index operation, need for additional surgical procedures and a decreased ISS

Concentration of electric dipole strength below the neutron separation energy in N = 82 nuclei

The semi-magic nuclei Ba-138, Ce-140, and Sm-144 have been investigated in photon scattering experiments up to an excitation energy of about 10 MeV. The distribution of the electric dipole strength shows a resonance like structure at energies between 5.5 and 8 MeV exhausting up to 1% of the isovector E1 Energy Weighted Sum Rule.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure

Search for the electric dipole excitations to the 3s1/2⊗[21+⊗31−]3s_{1/2} \otimes [2^{+}_{1} \otimes 3^{-}_{1}] multiplet in 117^{117}Sn

The odd-mass $^{117}$Sn nucleus was investigated in nuclear resonance fluorescence experiments up to an endpoint energy of the incident photon spectrum of 4.1 MeV at the bremsstrahlung facility of the Stuttgart University. More than 50 mainly hitherto unknown levels were found. From the measurement of the scattering cross sections model independent absolute electric dipole excitation strengths were extracted. The measured angular distributions suggested the spins of 11 excited levels. Quasi-particle phonon model calculations including a complete configuration space were performed for the first time for a heavy odd-mass spherical nucleus. These calculations give a clear insight in the fragmentation and distribution of the $E1$, $M1$, and $E2$ excitation strength in the low energy region. It is proven that the $1^{-}$ component of the two-phonon $[2^{+}_{1} \otimes 3^{-}_{1}]$ quintuplet built on top of the $1/2^{+}$ ground state is strongly fragmented. The theoretical calculations are consistent with the experimental data.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

Proximal humeral fractures in children:Large remodeling capacity, conservative treatment

Proximal humeral fractures affect 1.5-3% of all childhood fractures. Usually, these fractures can be treated conservatively depending on age and fracture displacement. The proximal growth plate has a great potential for remodeling. The aim of this article is to clarify which degree of displacement can be accepted in case of non-operative treatment. A 12-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy presented at the ER after falling from a pony and a climbing frame, respectively. Both had a severely displaced proximal humeral fracture with 80-90 degrees angulation of the humeral head relative to the shaft. Both patients were treated conservatively and follow-up x-rays of the shoulder showed complete remodeling of the humeral head with full functional recovery of the shoulder. Due to the remodeling capacity the proximal humerus, severely displaced fractures in children can be treated nonoperatively in most cases. Unnecessary surgical interventions should be avoided