Native milk fat globule membrane damage : measurement and effect of mechanical factors in milk powder processing operations : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology in Food Technology of Massey University

The goal of this work was to measure native milk fat globule membrane (NMFGM) damage in a number of processing operations within the milk powder manufacturing process. Analysis of the literature showed that NMFGM damage was not well understood, particularly as caused by processing operations within factories. Reliable methods of measuring NMFGM damage were not available: current methods had limited scope or were qualitative in nature. In the highly mechanised dairy industry, damage to the NMFGM can lead to serious quality and financial losses owing to consequences such as lipolysis and creaming. The aims of this work were to develop new techniques for measuring NMFGM damage, and to use these in assessing the effects of a number of operations within the milk powder process. The majority of time was spent on developing two new tests, the selective lipolysis (SL1) test and the particle size zoning (PSZ) test. The SL1 test measures a chemical consequence of NMFGM damage, that is the production of free fatty acids (FFAs). The PSZ test measures a physical consequence of NMFGM damage, that is the change in the fat globule size distribution. Controlled experiments were used to measure NMFGM damage in process operations including pumping, agitation, preheating and evaporation. For these operations, variables such as shear, time, temperature, air inclusion and cavitation were investigated. Surveys of two industrial milk powder plants were also conducted. The results showed that the SL1 and PSZ tests were reproducible, sensitive enough to detect NMFGM damage in a number of process operations, and, together, could give a reasonably comprehensive picture of NMFGM damage. The results of pumping and agitation experiments were consistent with previous research, but were more comprehensive. The effects on measured NMFGM damage of the presence of separated fat in foam or as churned fat have hardly been described by previous workers. Results for the effects of preheating and evaporation on NMFGM damage are new, and challenged the findings of previous research. The need to improve the flexibility and practicality of the SL1 and PSZ tests, so they can he used as widely as possible to gain a comprehensive picture of NMFGM damage across many dairy processes, was identified. Studies should be made to connect the results of the particle size zoning and selective lipolysis tests with product quality and process efficiency data from industrial sites

The contribution of fatigue and sleepiness to depression in patients attending the sleep laboratory for evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea

Purpose: A high prevalence of depressive symptomatology has been reported amongst sufferers of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but it remains unclear as to whether this is due to their OSA or other factors associated with the disorder. The current study aimed to assess the incidence and aetiology of depression in a community sample of individuals presenting to the sleep laboratory for diagnostic assessment of OSA. Methods: Forty-five consecutive individuals who presented to the sleep laboratory were recruited; of those, 34 were diagnosed with OSA, and 11 were primary snorers with no clinical or laboratory features of OSA. Nineteen control subjects were also recruited. Patients and controls completed the Beck Depression Inventory, the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to assess their mood and sleepiness, prior to their polysomnography. Results: All patients reported significantly more depressive symptoms compared with healthy controls, regardless of their degree of OSA. There were no significant differences between OSA patients and primary snorers on any of the mood and self-rated sleepiness measures. Depression scores were not significantly associated with any of the nocturnal variables. Regression analysis revealed that the POMS fatigue subscale explained the majority of the variance in subjects' depression scores. Conclusions: Fatigue was the primary predictor of the level of depressive symptoms in patients who attended the sleep laboratory, regardless of the level of severity of sleep disordered breathing. When considering treatment options, practitioners should be aware of the concomitant occurrence of depressive symptoms and fatigue in patients presenting with sleep complaints, which may not be due to a sleep disorder

Seniors and Information Technology: Are We Shrinking The Digital Divide?

The “digital divide” has been present in the field of information technology (IT) since the inception of the digital computer. Throughout the course of history, one group (or more) has had better access to computer and information technology than another faction. For example: rich versus poor, young versus old, advanced societies versus less developed countries, etc. This disparity has existed for a variety of reasons, among them political, cultural, economic and even class or socioeconomic in nature. This paper examines one particular component of this phenomenon, the “gray divide” pertaining to the use of IT by our elderly, or senior citizens. By utilizing census data and marketing research, we paint a portrait of a vastly underrepresented target market pertaining to IT and IT-related products: our seniors. While the elderly have more assets and disposable income than their younger counterparts, by and large the IT industry is aimed squarely away from this ever-increasing group of consumers. We offer insights into this trend and offer suggestions for future research

Mapping the MIS Curriculum Based on Critical Skills of New Graduates: An Empirical Examination of IT Professionals

MIS curricula research almost always focuses on either curriculum issues or the critical skills required of new MIS graduates, rarely both. This study examines both by determining the critical skills required of new graduates, from the perspective of IT professionals in the field, then uniquely mapping those skills into a comprehensive yet flexible MIS curriculum that could be used by any MIS department. Using a sample of 153 IT professionals from six organizations in the mid-South, the results are somewhat surprising. While personal attributes are important, IT workers clearly believe that technology skills are a critical component of an MIS education, in particular database skills (including SQL), computer languages (at least two), and web design proficiency. Results also stress the importance of foundational concepts and knowledge, preparing new graduates for careers and not merely their first job. The impact for MIS curriculum designers is clear: make the major technically robust while simultaneously providing a core foundation in both business and IT. The study strongly suggests that concentrations (two or more sequenced courses) are a must; four are recommended as a result of this study: programming/architecture, telecommunications/networks, database, and web design/e-commerce. Implications are discussed

Seniors and Information Technology: A MIS-Fit?

The “digital divide” between the haves and have-nots in society continues to draw attention in traditional media outlets as well as academic research. Those yearning to join the computer revolution comprise several groups defined by wealth, ethnicity, country (even regions of countries), and age. While there has been research into the digital divide in all of these areas, the focus of this paper is Information Technology (IT) use by the elderly, or our senior citizens. Our interest in this group stems from the dynamic interaction of two forces: 1) senior populations are growing in percentage and sheer number both in the United States and internationally; and 2) as a group, the elderly have more disposable income to spend on IT than their younger counterparts. In order to coordinate our research agenda, the current investigation presents a framework that delineates scholarly inquiry into this topic by the elements of the framework. We look at what has been done, and what we feel needs to be done, in order to incorporate an important demographic group into the mainstream of computing society: our seniors

Nurr1 dependent regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators in immortalised synovial fibroblasts

BACKGROUND: Nurr1 is an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily; these orphan receptors are a group for which a ligand has yet to be identified. Nurr1 has been shown to regulate the expression of a small number of genes as a monomeric, constitutively active receptor. These Nurr1 regulated genes are primarily associated with dopamine cell maturation and survival. However, previous reports have shown an increased expression of Nurr1 in the synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) suggesting a pro-inflammatory role for Nurr1 in RA. In this study we investigate the potential pro-inflammatory role of Nurr1 by monitoring Nurr1 dependent gene expression in an immortalised synoviocyte cell line, K4IM. METHODS: We overexpressed the wild type and a dominant negative form of the orphan nuclear receptor Nurr1, in a model synoviocyte cell line. Using the Affymetrix HG-U133 Genechips we demonstrate the effects on the transcriptome by the receptor. Further evidence of gene expression change was demonstrated using quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA analysis. RESULTS: We show that Nurr1 regulates transcription of a small number of genes for pro-inflammatory modulators of which the most significant is interleukin-8 (IL-8). We also demonstrate increased synthesis and secretion of IL-8 further supporting a role for Nurr1 in inflammatory signalling pathways. CONCLUSION: Using microarray analysis we show that elevated levels of Nurr1 leads to increased gene expression of pro-inflammatory genes: IL-8, Amphiregulin and Kit ligand in a model cell line. This data provides further evidence for an additional role for Nurr1 in inflammation and may play a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

Infrared Instrumentation and Astronomy

Contains research objectives and summary of research on five research projects.Joint Services Electronics Program (Contract DAAB07-76-C-1400)M.I.T. Sloan Fund for Basic ResearchNational Aeronautics and Space Administration (Contract NAS5-23731)National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Grant NGR 22-009-526

Sustainable Rundale, Runrig, and Northern English Open-Field Historical Farming Systems: A Comparative Analysis

The wide spatial distribution and the similarity of the agricultural systems in Ireland, Scotland and northern England suggests that they do not emerge from a common stem, but arose out of independent invention in the form of similar responses in comparable environments to the fiscal and rent demands made upon rural communities and the need to manage the land in a sustainable manner. That view also allows that rundale, runrig and the northern English open fields might have emerged at different times as rural groups worked out their solutions to managing the land