Spectrometric analysis of phototransformations of natural pigments in extra virgin olive oil

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is produced from the olive trees fruits (lot. Olea europeae), and due to the high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and other bioactive compounds, EVOO is considered beneficial for human health. Among other types of vegetable oils EVOOs are those with the highest content of compounds with bioactive properties. EVOO’s quality depends on various factors: degree of fruit ripeness, environmental conditions, growing region and techniques of processing and storage. Thus, pigments naturally degrade in oil during storage. The oxidation processes in olive oils are principally due to hydrolytic degradation, auto and photo oxidation. These processes mainly depend on fatty acid composition and on the presence of other bioactive components in EVOO. Components in EVOO such as phospholipids, carotenoids, tocopherols and chlorophylls can potentially act as anti- or pro-oxidants determining olive oil stability. Photosensitizers in EVOO are the main initiators of the light-induced oxidation, while the presence of antioxidants creates a protective effect. The purpose of this research was to investigate pigments in EVOOS, their aging processes and the effect of antioxidants on phototransformations. Four commercially available EVOOs was chosen for the experiments. While measuring absorption, fluorescence and excitation spectra of the specimens we have studied the phototransformations occurring while irradiating the samples with a light and also while monitoring aging process in EVOO. While studying fluorescence spectra of EVOO’s we have found that the irradiation of EVOO sample leads to the formation of hydroperoxides of unsaturated fatty acids. Which are responsible for the typical unpleasant aroma

Organization multiculturalism development based on J&A company model

Teorinėje darbo dalyje analizuojami pagrindiniai multikultūriškumo aspektai: rasė, etniškumas, lytis, amžius, seksualinė orientacija bei religinė orientacija. Analitinėje baigiamojo darbo dalyje pateikiami ir analizuojami kultūros dimensijų tyrimo rezultatai, atlikto „J&A“ organizacijoje bei Vytauto Didžiojo Universitete, naudojant kultūros dimensijų klausimyną. „J&A“ įmonė nagrinėjama taip pat kitų tyrimo metodų pagalba: stebėjimo, interviu su įmonės vadovu ir darbuotojais, statistinių duomenų bei įmonės vidinių dokumentų analizės metodais. Projektinėje darbo dalyje suformuluoti tokie sprendimai: 1) suvienodinti moterų ir vyrų atlyginimus; 2) įdarbinti mažiausiai 3 moterimis daugiau nei yra dabar; 3) deleguoti mažiausiai vienai moteriai vadovavimo darbo grupei užduotį; 4) neatsižvelgiant į lytį, išrinkti atsakingą asmenį, kuris koordinuotų visų darbo grupių darbą; 5) įsigyti vadovui „amatininko kortą“ („Handwerkskarte“); 6) įgyti vadovui kurio nors remontų darbo ar susijusios su remontais profesijos meistro titulą; 7) paskatinti darbuotojus ir sudaryti jiems sąlygas įgyti reikiamą kvalifikaciją; 8) paskirti kompetentingą asmenį, kuris užsiimtų įmonės įvaizdžio kūrimu, reklama ir personalo integravimu, atsižvelgiant į multikultūrinės įmonės ir aplinkos ypatumus; 9) priimti studentą atlikti Erasmus praktiką „J&A“ įmonėje.The goal of the present final paper is to identify the problems which hinder the efficient existence of multiculturalism in the J&A organization, and to propose solutions to the said problems. The theoretical part of the paper focuses on the analysis of the main aspects of multiculturalism, namely the race, ethnic background, sex, age, sexual orientation and religious orientation. The analytical part of the paper presents and analyzes the results of the research on cultural dimensions, which was carried out at the J&A organization and at Vytautas Magnus University using a cultural dimensions questionnaire as a research method. The analysis of the J&A enterprise also relies on other research methods, namely observation, interviews with the Chief Executive Officer and the employees of the company, analysis of statistical data and analysis of the internal documents of the company. The research yielded the following proposals: 1) to make the salaries of male and female employees equal; 2) to employ at least 3 women more in comparison to the present situation; 3) to select at least one female leader to manage a group task; 4) to select one person as a chief supervisor of all groups disregarding the sex of that person; 5) the chief executive officer of the company is to obtain an Entrepreneur Card (German: Handwerkskarte); 6) the chief executive officer of the company is to obtain professional qualification enhancement certificate at mastery level in any field related to repair works; 7) to motivate the employees and to create the necessary conditions for them to enhance their professional qualification; 8) to assign a properly qualified person for taking care of the company’s image, advertising and integration of the personnel, considering the peculiarities related to the multicultural environment of the company; 9) to take a student for Erasmus internship at J&A.Vytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Examining the relative influence of peer and parental attachment on school victimization

There is considerable evidence showing that attachment to parents and peers serves as a protective factor against adolescent anti-social behavior. However, less is known about whether the strength of these attachments serves as a protective factor against being victimized at school. Furthermore, no study has examined the relationship between primary language spoken at home and victimization experienced at school. In a sample of 1200 middle and high school students from an urban-fringe school district, the current investigation examined links between the strength of attachments to parents and peers and the frequency of victimization reported by students. Participants completed surveys in their classrooms as part of a random stratified sampling of classrooms from 6th–12th grades, which included self-report measures of the strength of attachment to primary caregivers and peers, frequency of victimization experienced at school, and primary language spoken in the home. Students who reported stronger attachments to parents and peers, reported less frequent victimization, though results appear to be clinically insignificant. Furthermore, students who reported speaking a language other than English in the home reported more frequent victimization, though attachment did not mediate this finding. These findings suggest the need for interventions which foster the development of strong attachments, and which address improving tolerance for students who speak languages other than and in addition to English

Research of pheophytin-a phototransformations in antioxidant medium.

Extra virgin olive oil’s price is relatively higher compared to other vegetable oils because of its high quality. For this reason, there are known cases of counterfeiting. Olive oil quality depends on various factors: the region where olives were grown, fruit ripeness level, storage, processing and so on. Improper storage of olive oil can affect the taste of the oil and it can start to decay. Because olive oil is processed from olives, it has natural photosensitizers such as chlorophyll or its derivatives. The sensitizers are the main reason of the photooxidation, but olive oil also has natural antioxidants that can protect olive oil from oxidation. The purpose of this research was to investigate extra virgin olive oils, their aging processes and the effect of antioxidants on pheophytin-a phototransformations. At first four olive oils were chosen. While measuring their absorption, fluorescence and excitation spectra it was found that there are two antioxidants: α-tocopherol and β-carotene, also there are two chlorophyllic substances: chlorophyll-a and pheophytin-a. Later, observations were made on the process of olive oil aging. β-carotene and pheophytin-a spectra intensities decreased over time. Also, by irradiating the samples with a blue LED light, oil bleaching effect was observed with and without artificially added α-tocopherol. It was found that the different concentrations of added α-tocopherol differently affected the bleaching effect of olive oil, and irradiation resulted in the formation of pheophytins-a photoproduct, which over time returned to original structure

Original filing title: Society of Scholars | Paffenbarger, Ralph Seal, Jr.

neg #01443Candid photograph of Society of Scholars at the Evergreen reception for Society inductees. This photograph is from contact sheet #01385

Original filing title: Society of Scholars

neg #01409Society inductees and other guests at Evergreen House reception

Original filing title: Society of Scholars | Paffenbarger, Ralph Seal, Jr.

neg #01443Candid photograph of Society of Scholars at the Evergreen reception for Society inductees. This photograph is from contact sheet #01385

Original filing title: Society of Scholars

neg #01410Society inductees and other guests at Evergreen House reception