A Review on Progress in QSPR Studies for Surfactants

This paper presents a review on recent progress in quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) studies of surfactants and applications of various molecular descriptors. QSPR studies on critical micelle concentration (cmc) and surface tension (γ) of surfactants are introduced. Studies on charge distribution in ionic surfactants by quantum chemical calculations and its effects on the structures and properties of the colloids of surfactants are also reviewed. The trends of QSPR studies on cloud point (for nonionic surfactants), biodegradation potential and some other properties of surfactants are evaluated

Effect of Amorphization Methods on the Properties and Structures of Potato Starch-Monoglyceride Complex

Recently, starch-based fat replacers (FRs) have emerged as unique ingredients, possessing few calories and high vascular scavenger function without adverse organoleptic changes. Here, a two-step modification method for the development of a starch-based FRs is reported. First, native potato starch is amorphized by grinding, alkali and ethanol treatment. Then, the amorphized starch is complexed with monoglyceride. The results show that alkaline amorphous potato starch (AAPS) has the best emulsifying activity; ethanol amorphous potato starch complex (EAPSC) has the highest content of resistant starch (RS) (21.49%), while grinding amorphous potato starch (GAPS) retains the granular structure of the original starch best. The amorphization reduces the amylose content of starch, leading to reduced swelling power and increased digestibility. Complexation, on the other hand, is more like attaching a layer of the hydrophobic membrane. Combined with DSC and XRD, amorphization reduces the value of enthalpy and crystallinity, while the complexation process does the opposite. Overall, EAPSC is the best candidate for novel FRs, due to its greater emulsion stability and enzyme resistance. The experimental results provide a theoretical basis for the application of a novel potato starch-monoglyceride complex in foods such as cakes and snack fillings

An Improved Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm Using Minimum Distance of Point to Line

In a multiobjective particle swarm optimization algorithm, selection of the global best particle for each particle of the population from a set of Pareto optimal solutions has a significant impact on the convergence and diversity of solutions, especially when optimizing problems with a large number of objectives. In this paper, a new method is introduced for selecting the global best particle, which is minimum distance of point to line multiobjective particle swarm optimization (MDPL-MOPSO). Using the basic concept of minimum distance of point to line and objective, the global best particle among archive members can be selected. Different test functions were used to test and compare MDPL-MOPSO with CD-MOPSO. The result shows that the convergence and diversity of MDPL-MOPSO are relatively better than CD-MOPSO. Finally, the proposed multiobjective particle swarm optimization algorithm is used for the Pareto optimal design of a five-degree-of-freedom vehicle vibration model, which resulted in numerous effective trade-offs among conflicting objectives, including seat acceleration, front tire velocity, rear tire velocity, relative displacement between sprung mass and front tire, and relative displacement between sprung mass and rear tire. The superiority of this work is demonstrated by comparing the obtained results with the literature

Genome-wide characterization of L-aspartate oxidase genes in wheat and their potential roles in the responses to wheat disease and abiotic stresses

L-aspartate oxidase (AO) is the first enzyme in NAD+ biosynthesis and is widely distributed in plants, animals, and microorganisms. Recently, AO family members have been reported in several plants, including Arabidopsis thaliana and Zea mays. Research on AO in these plants has revealed that AO plays important roles in plant growth, development, and biotic stresses; however, the nature and functions of AO proteins in wheat are still unclear. In this study, nine AO genes were identified in the wheat genome via sequence alignment and conserved protein domain analysis. These nine wheat AO genes (TaAOs) were distributed on chromosomes 2, 5, and 6 of sub-genomes A, B, and D. Analysis of the phylogenetic relationships, conserved motifs, and gene structure showed that the nine TaAOs were clustered into three groups, and the TaAOs in each group had similar conserved motifs and gene structure. Meanwhile, the subcellular localization analysis of transient expression mediated by Agrobacterium tumetioniens indicated that TaAO3-6D was localized to chloroplasts. Prediction of cis-elements indicated that a large number of cis-elements involved in responses to ABA, SA, and antioxidants/electrophiles, as well as photoregulatory responses, were found in TaAO promoters, which suggests that the expression of TaAOs may be regulated by these factors. Finally, transcriptome and real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression of TaAOs belonging to Group III was strongly induced in wheat infected by F. graminearum during anthesis, while the expression of TaAOs belonging to Group I was heavily suppressed. Additionally, the inducible expression of TaAOs belonging to Group III during anthesis in wheat spikelets infected by F. graminearum was repressed by ABA. Finally, expression of almost all TaAOs was induced by exposure to cold treatment. These results indicate that TaAOs may participate in the response of wheat to F. graminearum infection and cold stress, and ABA may play a negative role in this process. This study lays a foundation for further investigation of TaAO genes and provides novel insights into their biological functions

A Canonical Correlation Analysis of AIDS Restriction Genes and Metabolic Pathways Identifies Purine Metabolism as a Key Cooperator

Human immunodeficiency virus causes a severe disease in humans, referred to as immune deficiency syndrome. Studies on the interaction between host genetic factors and the virus have revealed dozens of genes that impact diverse processes in the AIDS disease. To resolve more genetic factors related to AIDS, a canonical correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between AIDS restriction and metabolic pathway gene expression. The results show that HIV-1 postentry cellular viral cofactors from AIDS restriction genes are coexpressed in human transcriptome microarray datasets. Further, the purine metabolism pathway comprises novel host factors that are coexpressed with AIDS restriction genes. Using a canonical correlation analysis for expression is a reliable approach to exploring the mechanism underlying AIDS

Characteristics and Residual Health Risk of Organochlorine Pesticides in Fresh Vegetables in the Suburb of Changchun, Northeast China

In this study, eleven organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in fresh vegetables in the Changchun suburb were investigated, and their potential health risks were evaluated. The average concentrations of OCPs in edible parts of vegetables were found in the following descending order: Σhexachlorocyclohexanes (ΣHCHs) (6.60 µg·kg−1) > Σdichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (ΣDDTs) (5.82 µg·kg−1) > ΣChlordanes (2.37 µg·kg−1) > heptachlor (0.29 µg·kg−1). Moreover, OCPs in different types of vegetables exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs), and the exceeding rates in various vegetables decreased in the following order: leafy vegetables (19.12%) > root vegetables (18.75%) > fruit vegetables (3.85%). The proportions of OCPs exceeding MRL in different vegetables were found in the following descending order: Welsh onion (22.50%) > radish (18.75%) > Chinese cabbage (14.29%) > pepper (6.90%) > cucumber (3.23%) > eggplant (2.94%) > tomato (2.78%). The sources’ identification results showed that DDTs in vegetables came mainly from newly imported technical DDTs and dicofol, while HCHs originated mainly from lindane. For both adults and children, the average target hazard quotients (avg. THQ) were all less than 1, and the average hazard index (avg. HI) values were 0.043 and 0.036, respectively. There were no significant health risks associated with OCP exposure for the inhabitants of the study area