\u3cem\u3eShort Communication\u3c/em\u3e: Effect of Storage Temperature on the Solubility of Milk Protein Concentrate 80 (MPC80) Treated with NaCL or KCL

A previous study in our laboratory showed that addition of 150 mM NaCl or KCl into diafiltration water improved the solubility of freshly made milk protein concentrate 80 (MPC80). In the present study, the objectives were (1) to evaluate the solubility of NaCl- or KCl-treated MPC80 samples kept at varying temperatures and then stored for extensive periods at room temperature (21°C ± 1°C); and (2) to determine if MPC80 samples stored at different temperatures and protein conformation can be grouped or categorized together. Freshly manufactured MPC80 samples were untreated (control), processed with NaCl, or processed with KCl. One set of sample bags was stored at 4°C; second and third sets of bags were kept at 25°C and 55°C for 1 mo (31 d) and then transferred to room temperature (21°C ± 1°C) storage conditions for 1 yr (365 d). Samples were tested for nitrogen solubility index (NSI) and for protein changes by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Analysis of variance results for NSI showed 2 significantly different groupings of MPC80 samples. The more soluble group contained samples treated with NaCl or KCl and stored at either 4°C or 25°C. These samples had mean NSI \u3e97.5%. The less soluble groups contained all control samples, regardless of storage temperature, and NaCl- or KCl-treated samples stored at 55°C. These samples had mean NSI from 39.5 to 58%. Within each of these groups (more soluble and less soluble), no significant differences in solubility were detected. Pattern recognition analysis by soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) was used to assess protein changes during storage by monitoring the amide I and amide II (1,700−1 to 1,300 cm−1) regions. Dominant bands were observed at 1,385 cm−1 for control, 1,551 cm−1 for KCl-treated samples, and 1,694 cm−1 for NaCl-treated samples. Moreover, SIMCA clustered the MPC80 samples stored at 4°C separately from samples stored at 25°C and 55°C. This study demonstrates that (1) the addition of NaCl or KCl during MPC80 manufacture reduces the deleterious changes in solubility upon prolonged storage at 4°C or 25°C, and (2) the solubility of samples stored at 55°C is poor irrespective of salt treatment

Metallothioneins pattern during ontogeny of coastal dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, from Argentina

Metallothioneins are signals of metal exposure and widely used in biomonitoring. Franciscana dolphin is an endemic cetacean from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, classified as Vulnerable A3d by the IUCN. Metallothionein, copper and zinc in Franciscana were assessed in two geographic groups; one inhabits La Plata River estuary, anthropogenically impacted, and the other inhabits marine coastal ecosystems, with negligible pollution. Despite the environment, hepatic and renal MT concentrations were similar, but there was a declining trend from early to later developmental stages. Metallothionein K/L, Cu and Zn levels corresponded to normal reported ranges. MT was not related with Cd. Fetal concentrations were higher than its mother. These results and the health status of dolphins are suggesting that MT correspond to physiological ranges for the species, and they are closely to homeostasis of Zn and Cu, according to its ontogenetic changes. The information constitutes the first MT information on Franciscana dolphin and can be considered as baseline for the species conservation

Using the Resected Kidney for Transplantation After Nephrectomy for Nutcracker Syndrome

Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) is the clinical manifestation of unilateral renal venous hypertension. It develops secondary to the nutcracker phenomenon caused by compression of the left renal vein between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. We present the case of a 43-year-old female with a history of left flank pain, pelvic congestion, and hematuria secondary to NCS. The patient frequently required high-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications with minimal relief. She initiated a kidney donor evaluation after electing to undergo a nephrectomy for the possible long-term resolution of NCS symptoms. If diagnosed early, NCS does not generate pathology within the kidney. This finding allows an individual with medically refractory NCS to avoid the morbidity of a complex surgical procedure by instead donating their kidney. Attention to this treatment modality could provide individuals with NCS resolution of symptoms while providing someone with end-stage renal disease with a life-saving organ

The Self-dual String Soliton in AdS_4\times S^7 spacetime

We construct self-dual string soliton solutions in $AdS_4\times S^7$ spacetime, starting from the covariant equations of motion of M5-brane. We study the properties of the solutions and find that their action are linearized, indicating the BPS nature of the solutions, and they have the same electric and magnetic charge. The straight string soliton solution represents the configuration of the membranes ending on M5-brane with a straight string intersection, and it behaves like the spiky solution in flat spacetime. The spherical string soliton solution, which could be related to the straight one by a conformal transformation, represents the membranes ending on M5-brane with a spherical intersection.Comment: 15 pages;typos corrected, references added;published versio

Local minimal energy landscapes in river networks

The existence and stability of the universality class associated to local minimal energy landscapes is investigated. Using extensive numerical simulations, we first study the dependence on a parameter $\gamma$ of a partial differential equation which was proposed to describe the evolution of a rugged landscape toward a local minimum of the dissipated energy. We then compare the results with those obtained by an evolution scheme based on a variational principle (the optimal channel networks). It is found that both models yield qualitatively similar river patterns and similar dependence on $\gamma$. The aggregation mechanism is however strongly dependent on the value of $\gamma$. A careful analysis suggests that scaling behaviors may weakly depend both on $\gamma$ and on initial condition, but in all cases it is within observational data predictions. Consequences of our resultsComment: 12 pages, 13 figures, revtex+epsfig style, to appear in Phys. Rev. E (Nov. 2000

Naturally light right-handed neutrinos in a 3-3-1 Model

In this work we show that light right-handed neutrinos, with mass in the sub-eV scale, is a natural outcome in a 3-3-1 model. By considering effective dimension five operators, the model predicts three light right-handed neutrinos, weakly mixed with the left-handed ones. We show also that the model is able to explain the LSND experiment and still be in agreement with solar and atmospheric data for neutrino oscillation.Comment: About 5 pages, no-figure

Selberg Supertrace Formula for Super Riemann Surfaces III: Bordered Super Riemann Surfaces

This paper is the third in a sequel to develop a super-analogue of the classical Selberg trace formula, the Selberg supertrace formula. It deals with bordered super Riemann surfaces. The theory of bordered super Riemann surfaces is outlined, and the corresponding Selberg supertrace formula is developed. The analytic properties of the Selberg super zeta-functions on bordered super Riemann surfaces are discussed, and super-determinants of Dirac-Laplace operators on bordered super Riemann surfaces are calculated in terms of Selberg super zeta-functions.Comment: 43 pages, amste

CaloCube: a novel calorimeter for high-energy cosmic rays in space

In order to extend the direct observation of high-energy cosmic rays up to the PeV region, highly performing calorimeters with large geometrical acceptance and high energy resolution are required. Within the constraint of the total mass of the apparatus, crucial for a space mission, the calorimeters must be optimized with respect to their geometrical acceptance, granularity and absorption depth. CaloCube is a homogeneous calorimeter with cubic geometry, to maximise the acceptance being sensitive to particles from every direction in space; granularity is obtained by relying on small cubic scintillating crystals as active elements. Different scintillating materials have been studied. The crystal sizes and spacing among them have been optimized with respect to the energy resolution. A prototype, based on CsI(Tl) cubic crystals, has been constructed and tested with particle beams. Some results of tests with different beams at CERN are presented.Comment: Seven pages, seven pictures. Proceedings of INSTR17 Novosibirs

Affective driver-pedestrian interaction: Exploring driver affective responses toward pedestrian crossing actions using camera and physiological sensors

Eliciting and capturing drivers' affective responses in a realistic outdoor setting with pedestrians poses a challenge when designing in-vehicle, empathic interfaces. To address this, we designed a controlled, outdoor car driving circuit where drivers (N=27) drove and encountered pedestrian confederates who performed non-verbal positive or non-positive road crossing actions towards them. Our findings reveal that drivers reported higher valence upon observing positive, non-verbal crossing actions, and higher arousal upon observing non-positive crossing actions. Drivers' heart signals (BVP, IBI and BPM), skin conductance and facial expressions (brow lowering, eyelid tightening, nose wrinkling, and lip stretching) all varied significantly when observing positive and non-positive actions. Our car driving study, by drawing on realistic driving conditions, further contributes to the development of in-vehicle empathic interfaces that leverage behavioural and physiological sensing. Through automatic inference of driver affect resulting from pedestrian actions, our work can enable novel empathic interfaces for supporting driver emotion self-regulation