Influence of Addition of Polyols and Food Emulsifiers on the Retrogradation Rate of Starch

The influence of polyols and emulsifiers on hardening of non-glutinous rice starch gels has been investigated. The polyols and emulsifiers were added at concentrations of 6% (w/w) and 0.2% (w/w), respectively , to starch gels (starch content, 30%). The hardening rate and the initial viscoelastic values of gels were computed by analyzing static linear viscoelastic parameters (creep compliance) of the gels stored at 0 C for up to 3,000 minutes. Hardening of gels, i.e., retrogradation of starch, could be described by a first order kinetic equation. Polyols prevented the retrogradation of starch, and formed rigid and stable gel matrices. Emulsifiers also retarded starch retrogradation and stabilized the gel network. The use of the two food additives was successful in retarding the retrogradation of starch. It follows that these effects might be attributed to the water-structure formation effect of polyols and the complex-formation of starch chains with emulsifier molecules

ASCA solid state imaging spectrometer observations of O stars

We report ASCA Solid State Imaging Spectrometer (SIS) x-ray observations of the O stars delta Ori and lambda Ori. The energy resolution of the SIS allows us to resolve features in the O star x-ray spectra which are not apparent in spectra obtained by x-ray spectrometers with lower energy resolution. SIS spectra from both stars show evidence of line emission, suggesting the thermal nature of the x-ray source. However, the observed line strengths are different for the two stars. The observed stellar x-ray spectra are not well described by isothermal models although absorbed thermal emission models with two or more temperatures can provide an adequate fit to the data. For both stars we present evidence of absorbing columns significantly larger than the known ISM columns, indicative of absorption by a circumstellar medium, presumably the stellar winds. In addition, the lambda Ori spectrum shows the presence of emission at energies greater than 3 keV which is not seen in the delta Ori spectrum

Experimental determination of B-T phase diagram of YBa_2Cu_3O_7-d to 150T for B perpendicular to c

The B-T phase diagram for thin film YBa_2Cu_3O_7-d with B parallel to the superconducting layers has been constructed from GHz transport measurements to 150T. Evidence for a transition from a high T regime dominated by orbital effects, to a low T regime where paramagnetic limiting drives the quenching of superconductivity, is seen. Up to 110T the upper critical field is found to be linear in T and in remarkable agreement with extrapolation of the longstanding result of Welp et al arising from magnetisation measurements to 6T. Beyond this a departure from linear behaviour occurs at T=74K, where a 3D-2D crossover is expected to occur.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Disaggregating composite food codes in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey food composition databank

Objective: To disaggregate composite food codes used in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) into their individual food components in order to provide a more complete estimate of intake at the individual food level. Methods: A total of 3216 composite food codes from the NDNS food composition databank were subject to disaggregation. The main food components used were meat, fish, fruit, vegetables and cheese, which were further divided into 26 subcategories. Results: It was shown that previous determination of meat containing composite food codes provided an overestimate of meat intake and underestimate of additional components such as fruit and vegetables. Conclusions: By incorporating disaggregated data into NDNS, variations will be seen in consumption of some main food groups, but these variations may be also attributable to trends in consumption. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64, S32-S36; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2010.207Peer reviewe