Development of inorganic non-flammable spacecraft potting, encapsulating, and conformal coating compounds Final report

Development of inorganic nonflammable potting, encapsulating, and coating compounds for spacecraf

Physicochemical and sensory quality of chiffon cake prepared with rebaudioside-A and erythritol as replacement for sucrose

2012 Fall.Includes bibliographical references.Rebaudioside-A has been used for many years throughout the world as a non-nutritive sweetener in many different food systems (Goyal et al. 2010), however, up until 2008, it was not an approved food sweetener in the United States (FDA 2008). Prior to this approval, stevia extracts were found in herbal and health food stores throughout the United States since the 1970's (Carakostas et al. 2008). Since the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) in 1994, stevia extracts were legally sold as "dietary supplements" in the United States marketplace (Carakostas et al. 2008). However, under the DSHEA, these products were not permitted to be marketed with any packaging or advertising language suggesting that they be used as a sweetener (Carakostas et al. 2008). Since 2008, Truvia™ brand sweetener produced and marketed by Cargill (2010) has been available on the consumer market in the United States. This sweetener is a mixture of rebaudioside-A and erythritol that is made for a consumer to replace sucrose in applications at a 1:1 ratio (Cargill 2010). The sweetening characteristics of rebaudioside-A appear to be approximately 300 times that of sucrose (Lin and Lee 2005) and digestion, if any, occurs in the large intestine by gastrointestinal microflora, lending a minimal caloric intake to the user. Truvia™ and other blends of rebaudioside-A and erythritol can be used as a natural non-nutritive sugar alternative and may prove to be an effective and acceptable replacement to sucrose in baked systems such as chiffon cake (Cargill 2010). Rebaudioside-A is an leaf extract of the Stevia rebaudiana plant (Cargill 2010) and erythritol is a four-carbon polyol widely found in nature in such food as melons, grapes, pears, seaweeds, fungi as well as naturally occurring in fermented food products (Moon et al. 2010). The purpose of this research was to determine the physicochemical and sensory effects of replacing a mixture of rebaudioside-A and erythritol for sucrose at varying levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) in chiffon cake. Analytical testing of specific gravity, texture, volume, water activity, moisture, color and differential scanning calorimetry was conducted on the five cake formulations in addition to nutritional analysis and a consumer sensory evaluation (n = 40). Five treatments were prepared using four replications in a randomized complete block one factor design. ANOVA was used to determine significant differences. If so, differences among means were examined using Tukey's honestly significant difference. There were no differences in instrumental color of crust or crumb among any of the replacement levels with the exception that crumb color of both the control and 25% reduced sucrose samples were "more yellow" than the 100% reduced sucrose cakes (p < 0.05). Water activity ranged from 0.86 to 0.91 and some statistical differences were found among treatments. However, there were no differences in percent moisture. Texture analysis showed the 25 and 50% reduced sucrose cakes were more tender than the 100% reduced sucrose cake (p < 0.05). Volume and specific gravity tests had no differences among treatments. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that as the replacement level of sucrose with a mixture of rebaudioside-A and erythritol increased, both the onset and peak temperatures decreased. These results corresponded with DSC testing conducted by Lim and others (1992) on wheat starch, sucrose and water interactions. Enthalpy was consistent for the control, 25 and 50% reduced sucrose samples and increased for both the 75 and 100% samples; however, differences were small and would likely not be detectable by consumers. A nine-point hedonic scale ranging from "like extremely" to "dislike extremely" was used to measure overall liking of color of crumb, tenderness, sweetness, aftertaste and overall acceptability. Panelists were asked to rank preference of the five samples from one to five with one being the most preferred. Sensory panelists "liked" all of the chiffon cake samples and the highest "overall acceptability" scores were for cakes prepared with 25 and 50% reduction in sucrose (p < 0.05). These two samples also ranked highest in preference (p < 0.05). Additionally panelists "liked" the tenderness of the 25 and 50% reduced sucrose cakes more than the other samples (p < 0.05). For sweetness and aftertaste, panelists "liked" the 25, 50 and 75% reduced sucrose cakes (p < 0.05). Chiffon cake prepared with 50% sucrose and 50% rebaudioside-A and erythritol resulted in a product with high overall consumer acceptability and 20% fewer calories than one formulated with 100% sucrose

ILS2 Sessions 14 & 16 overview: Frontiers in legume agronomy

Recent developments within legume agronomy were presented in two sessions. An important current focus in legume agronomy is on intercrops or crop mixtures of legumes and grasses / cereals, especially among European scientists. The quantification of legume services in cropping systems and participatory research approaches are other issues gaining interest.Non peer reviewe

Bacterial porin disrupts mitochondrial membrane potential and sensitizes host cells to apoptosis

The bacterial PorB porin, an ATP-binding beta-barrel protein of pathogenic Neisseria gonorrhoeae, triggers host cell apoptosis by an unknown mechanism. PorB is targeted to and imported by host cell mitochondria, causing the breakdown of the mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi m). Here, we show that PorB induces the condensation of the mitochondrial matrix and the loss of cristae structures, sensitizing cells to the induction of apoptosis via signaling pathways activated by BH3-only proteins. PorB is imported into mitochondria through the general translocase TOM but, unexpectedly, is not recognized by the SAM sorting machinery, usually required for the assembly of beta-barrel proteins in the mitochondrial outer membrane. PorB integrates into the mitochondrial inner membrane, leading to the breakdown of delta psi m. The PorB channel is regulated by nucleotides and an isogenic PorB mutant defective in ATP-binding failed to induce delta psi m loss and apoptosis, demonstrating that dissipation of delta psi m is a requirement for cell death caused by neisserial infection

Genetic Variation in Selenoprotein Genes, Lifestyle, and Risk of Colon and Rectal Cancer

BACKGROUND: Associations between selenium and cancer have directed attention to role of selenoproteins in the carcinogenic process. METHODS: We used data from two population-based case-control studies of colon (n = 1555 cases, 1956 controls) and rectal (n = 754 cases, 959 controls) cancer. We evaluated the association between genetic variation in TXNRD1, TXNRD2, TXNRD3, C11orf31 (SelH), SelW, SelN1, SelS, SepX, and SeP15 with colorectal cancer risk. RESULTS: After adjustment for multiple comparisons, several associations were observed. Two SNPs in TXNRD3 were associated with rectal cancer (rs11718498 dominant OR 1.42 95% CI 1.16,1.74 pACT 0.0036 and rs9637365 recessive 0.70 95% CI 0.55,0.90 pACT 0.0208). Four SNPs in SepN1 were associated with rectal cancer (rs11247735 recessive OR 1.30 95% CI 1.04,1.63 pACT 0.0410; rs2072749 GGvsAA OR 0.53 95% CI 0.36,0.80 pACT 0.0159; rs4659382 recessive OR 0.58 95% CI 0.39,0.86 pACT 0.0247; rs718391 dominant OR 0.76 95% CI 0.62,0.94 pACT 0.0300). Interaction between these genes and exposures that could influence these genes showed numerous significant associations after adjustment for multiple comparisons. Two SNPs in TXNRD1 and four SNPs in TXNRD2 interacted with aspirin/NSAID to influence colon cancer; one SNP in TXNRD1, two SNPs in TXNRD2, and one SNP in TXNRD3 interacted with aspirin/NSAIDs to influence rectal cancer. Five SNPs in TXNRD2 and one in SelS, SeP15, and SelW1 interacted with estrogen to modify colon cancer risk; one SNP in SelW1 interacted with estrogen to alter rectal cancer risk. Several SNPs in this candidate pathway influenced survival after diagnosis with colon cancer (SeP15 and SepX1 increased HRR) and rectal cancer (SepX1 increased HRR). CONCLUSIONS: Findings support an association between selenoprotein genes and colon and rectal cancer development and survival after diagnosis. Given the interactions observed, it is likely that the impact of cancer susceptibility from genotype is modified by lifestyle

Social cooperation and resource management dynamics among late hunter-fisher-gatherer societies in Tierra del Fuego (South America)

This paper presents the theoretical basis and first results of an agent-based model (ABM) computer simulation that is being developed to explore cooperation in hunter–gatherer societies. Specifically, we focus here on Yamana, a hunter-fisher-gatherer society that inhabited the islands of the southernmost part of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina–Chile). Ethnographical and archaeological evidence suggests the existence of sporadic aggregation events, triggered by a public call through smoke signals of an extraordinary confluence of resources under unforeseeable circumstances in time and space (a beached whale or an exceptional accumulation of fish after a low tide, for example). During these aggregation events, the different social units involved used to develop and improve production, distribution and consumption processes in a collective way. This paper attempts to analyse the social dynamics that explain cooperative behaviour and resource-sharing during aggregation events using an agent-based model of indirect reciprocity. In brief, agents make their decisions based on the success of the public strategies of other agents. Fitness depends on the resource captured and the social capital exchanged in aggregation events, modified by the agent’s reputation. Our computational results identify the relative importance of resources with respect to social benefits and the ease in detecting—and hence punishing—a defector as key factors to promote and sustain cooperative behaviour among populationSpanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (projects CONSOLIDER-INGENIO 2010 SimulPast-CSD2010-00034 and HAR2009-06996) as well as from the Argentine Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (project PIP-0706) and the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research (project GR7846)

Effect of resource spatial correlation and Hunter-Fisher-Gatherer mobility on social cooperation in Tierra del Fuego

This article presents an agent-based model designed to explore the development of cooperation in hunter-fisher-gatherer societies that face a dilemma of sharing an unpredictable resource that is randomly distributed in space. The model is a stylised abstraction of the Yamana society, which inhabited the channels and islands of the southernmost part of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina-Chile). According to ethnographic sources, the Yamana developed cooperative behaviour supported by an indirect reciprocity mechanism: whenever someone found an extraordinary confluence of resources, such as a beached whale, they would use smoke signals to announce their find, bringing people together to share food and exchange different types of social capital. The model provides insight on how the spatial concentration of beachings and agents’ movements in the space can influence cooperation. We conclude that the emergence of informal and dynamic communities that operate as a vigilance network preserves cooperation and makes defection very costly.MICINN http://www.idi.mineco.gob.es/ CSD2010-00034 (SimulPast CONSOLIDER-INGENIO 2010) and HAR2009-06996; the government of Castilla y Leónhttp://www.jcyl.es/ GREX251-2009; the Argentine CONICET http://www.conicet.gov.ar/PIP-0706; and the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Researchhttp://www.wennergren.org/ "Social Aggregation: A Yamana Society's Short Term Episode to Analyse Social Interaction, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina". The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscrip

Carbon Dioxide Utilisation -The Formate Route

UIDB/50006/2020 CEEC-Individual 2017 Program Contract.The relentless rise of atmospheric CO2 is causing large and unpredictable impacts on the Earth climate, due to the CO2 significant greenhouse effect, besides being responsible for the ocean acidification, with consequent huge impacts in our daily lives and in all forms of life. To stop spiral of destruction, we must actively reduce the CO2 emissions and develop new and more efficient “CO2 sinks”. We should be focused on the opportunities provided by exploiting this novel and huge carbon feedstock to produce de novo fuels and added-value compounds. The conversion of CO2 into formate offers key advantages for carbon recycling, and formate dehydrogenase (FDH) enzymes are at the centre of intense research, due to the “green” advantages the bioconversion can offer, namely substrate and product selectivity and specificity, in reactions run at ambient temperature and pressure and neutral pH. In this chapter, we describe the remarkable recent progress towards efficient and selective FDH-catalysed CO2 reduction to formate. We focus on the enzymes, discussing their structure and mechanism of action. Selected promising studies and successful proof of concepts of FDH-dependent CO2 reduction to formate and beyond are discussed, to highlight the power of FDHs and the challenges this CO2 bioconversion still faces.publishersversionpublishe

What Do We Know About Neuropsychological Aspects Of Schizophrenia?

Application of a neuropsychological perspective to the study of schizophrenia has established a number of important facts about this disorder. Some of the key findings from the existing literature are that, while neurocognitive impairment is present in most, if not all, persons with schizophrenia, there is both substantial interpatient heterogeneity and remarkable within-patient stability of cognitive function over the long-term course of the illness. Such findings have contributed to the firm establishment of neurobiologic models of schizophrenia, and thereby help to reduce the social stigma that was sometimes associated with purely psychogenic models popular during parts of the 20th century. Neuropsychological studies in recent decades have established the primacy of cognitive functions over psychopathologic symptoms as determinants of functional capacity and independence in everyday functioning. Although the cognitive benefits of both conventional and even second generation antipsychotic medications appear marginal at best, recognition of the primacy of cognitive deficits as determinants of functional disability in schizophrenia has catalyzed recent efforts to develop targeted treatments for the cognitive deficits of this disorder. Despite these accomplishments, however, some issues remain to be resolved. Efforts to firmly establish the specific neurocognitive/neuropathologic systems responsible for schizophrenia remain elusive, as do efforts to definitively demonstrate the specific cognitive deficits underlying specific forms of functional impairment. Further progress may be fostered by recent initiatives to integrate neuropsychological studies with experimental neuroscience, perhaps leading to measures of deficits in cognitive processes more clearly associated with specific, identifiable brain systems

Community-level characteristics and environmental factors of child respiratory illnesses in Southern Arizona

Abstract Background Lower respiratory illnesses (LRIs) and asthma are common diseases in children 0.05). Conclusions Our study revealed complex, multi-factorial associations between predictors and outcomes. Findings indicate that many rural areas with lower SES have distinct factors for childhood respiratory diseases that require further investigation. County-wide differences in maternal characteristics or agricultural land uses (not tested here) may also play a role in Pima County residence protecting against hospitalizations, when compared to Maricopa County. By better understanding this and other relationships, more focused public health interventions at the community level could be developed to reduce and better control these diseases in children <5 years, who are more physiologically vulnerable