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Long Chain (long + chain)
Terms modified by Long Chain Selected AbstractsLong chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) and perinatal developmentACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 4 2001B Koletzko This paper reports on the conclusions of a workshop on the role of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in maternal and child health The attending investigators involved in the majority of randomized trials examining LC-PUFA status and functional outcomes summarize the current knowledge in the field and make recommendations for dietary practice. Only studies published in full or in abstract form were used as our working knowledge base. Conclusions: For healthy infants we recommend and strongly support breastfeeding as the preferred method of feeding, which supplies preformed LC-PUFA. Infant formulas for term infants should contain at least 0.2% of total fatty acids as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 0.35% as arachidonic acid (AA). Since preterm infants are born with much less total body DHA and AA, we suggest that preterm infant formulas should include at least 0.35% DHA and 0.4% AA. Higher levels might confer additional benefits and should be further investigated because optimal dietary intakes for term and preterm infants remain to be defined. For pregnant and lactating women we consider it premature to recommend specific LC-PUFA intakes. However, it seems prudent for pregnant and lactating women to include some food sources of DHA in their diet in view of their assumed increase in LC-PUFA demand and the relationship between maternal and foetal DHA status. [source] Molecular, rheological, and crystalline properties of low-density polyethylene in blown film extrusionPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 12 2007Khokan Kanti Majumder The molecular weight and its distribution, degree of long chain branching and cooling rate strongly influence crystallinity during processing, which in turn determines the processability and the ultimate properties of the blown film. Generally a decrease in the number of branches and molecular weight of the polymer and the cooling rate results in an increase of the crystallinity. Length of the main chain and extent of branching in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) are also factors that affect melt rheology and film crystallinity. Long chain branched polyethylene is suitable in the blown film process due to its better melt strength for bubble stability. The objective of this article is to describe the effect of molecular properties (e.g. molecular weight and its distribution, degree of long chain branching etc) of LDPE on film crystallinity at different cooling rates of blown film extrusion. Two different grades of LDPE were selected to investigate molecular characteristics, crystallinity, and rheology. The resins were processed in a blown film extrusion pilot plant using four different cooling rates. Molecular, rheological, and crystalline properties of the resins were key parameters considered in this study. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1983,1991, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Fatty acid composition abnormalities in atopic disease: evidence explored and role in the disease process examinedCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 9 2008A. Sala-Vila Summary There is a hypothesis causally linking excess intake of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to atopic disease. Under most dietary conditions, the main precursor of eicosanoids is the n-6 PUFA arachidonic acid (AA). AA-derived eicosanoids play many roles in sensitization to allergens and in allergic inflammation. Long chain n-3 PUFAs inhibit AA incorporation into cell membranes and inhibit AA metabolism to eicosanoids. It is hypothesized that atopy is associated with a higher n-6 PUFA status and with a low n-3 PUFA status. However, measurements of fatty acid composition do not provide a clear picture that such fatty acid abnormalities exist in atopy with no really clear pattern of altered status of a particular fatty acid or a particular fatty acid family. There are few reports of elevated linoleic acid in atopy. Some studies report lower amounts of the n-6 PUFAs, including AA, and of long chain n-3 PUFAs in atopy, although observations on this are not consistent. Taken together these data clearly do not support the hypothesis that atopy is somehow associated with a high exposure to, and status of, n-6 PUFAs. Intervention studies with n-3 PUFAs in pregnant women, infants and children suggest some clinical benefits, although how long lasting these are remains to be determined. The observation that there may be low AA status in atopy suggests that fish oil intervention, which targets AA status and metabolism, may not be ideal and that a combination of fish oil with some longer chain n-6 PUFAs may be more efficacious. [source] Cell organization of barb ridges in regenerating feathers of the quail: implications of the elongation of barb ridges for the evolution and diversification of feathersACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 2 2007L. Alibardi Abstract This ultrastructural study on the regenerating feathers of quail describes the cellular organization of the barb ridges responsible for the ramification of adult feathers. Bilateral symmetry of the barb ridges determines the organization of feather cells into feather branching. The length of the barb ridges, derived from the number of cells associated to form the barbule plates, determines the length of the barbule branching. Long chains of barb cells form long barbs that branch from the rachis with an increase of feather size. Supportive cells function as spacers between the barbule cells. New cells derive from stem cells localized in the collar region of the feather follicle, as indicated from the re-organization of collar cells into barb ridges (a morphogenetic process inherited from that of embryonic feathers), production of an embryonic type of keratin (feather keratin), permanence of periderm granules (typical embryonic organelles) in barb vane ridge cells. Variations in the process of barb ridge morphogenesis allow the fusion of ridges into a rachis. The differentiation of hooklets contributes to the origin of planar feathers. Separation between rachis and merging barb ridges is by supportive cells, derived from the marginal plates of the barb ridges. Speculations on the evolution and diversification of feathers are presented. [source] Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) and perinatal developmentACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 4 2001B Koletzko This paper reports on the conclusions of a workshop on the role of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in maternal and child health The attending investigators involved in the majority of randomized trials examining LC-PUFA status and functional outcomes summarize the current knowledge in the field and make recommendations for dietary practice. Only studies published in full or in abstract form were used as our working knowledge base. Conclusions: For healthy infants we recommend and strongly support breastfeeding as the preferred method of feeding, which supplies preformed LC-PUFA. Infant formulas for term infants should contain at least 0.2% of total fatty acids as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 0.35% as arachidonic acid (AA). Since preterm infants are born with much less total body DHA and AA, we suggest that preterm infant formulas should include at least 0.35% DHA and 0.4% AA. Higher levels might confer additional benefits and should be further investigated because optimal dietary intakes for term and preterm infants remain to be defined. For pregnant and lactating women we consider it premature to recommend specific LC-PUFA intakes. However, it seems prudent for pregnant and lactating women to include some food sources of DHA in their diet in view of their assumed increase in LC-PUFA demand and the relationship between maternal and foetal DHA status. [source] Sulfatide with short fatty acid dominates in astrocytes and neuronsFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 8 2006Giorgis Isaac Glycosphingolipids are located in cell membranes and the brain is especially enriched. We speculated that the subcellular location of glycosphingolipids depends on their fatty acid chain length because their sugar residues are constant, whereas fatty acid chain length can vary within the same molecule. To test this hypothesis we analysed the glycosphingolipid sulfatide, which is highly abundant in myelin and has mostly long fatty acids. We used a negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry precursor ion scan to analyse the molecular species of sulfatide in cultured astrocytes and a mouse model of the human disease metachromatic leukodystrophy. In these arylsulfatase A (ASA)-deficient mice sulfatide accumulates intracellularly in neurons and astrocytes. Immunocytochemistry was also performed on cultured astrocytes and analysed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Analyses of the molecular species showed that cultured astrocytes contained sulfatide with a predominance of stearic acid (C18), which was located in large intracellular vesicles throughout the cell body and along the processes. The same was seen in ASA-deficient mice, which accumulated a higher proportion (15 mol% compared with 8 mol% in control mice) of sulfatide with stearic acid. We conclude that the major fatty acid composition of sulfatide differs between white and grey matter, with neurons and astrocytes containing mostly short-chain fatty acids with an emphasis on stearic acid. Based on our results, we speculate that the fatty acid chain length of sulfatide might determine its intracellular (short chain) or extracellular (long chain) location and thereby its functions. [source] Consequences of eicosapentaenoic acid (n-3) and arachidonic acid (n-6) supplementation on mast cell mediatorsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 7-8 2004T. Gueck Summary Mast cells are important players in the pathogenesis of atopic diseases. These cells release immediate-phase and late-phase mediators of inflammation. Fatty acids are incorporated in cellular membranes and therefore seem to influence mediator production and release. A study was conducted to assess the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) on mast cell mediators in a canine mastocytoma cell line (C2). Cells were cultured in a basic medium (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium/HAM's F12 1 : 1, DEH), DEH supplemented with 14.0 ,m EPA (DEH-EPA) or 14 ,m AA (DEH-AA). The DEH-AA cultured cells had increased spontaneous and mastoparan-stimulated PGE2 production and histamine release. Furthermore, the tryptase activity was increased. The DEH-EPA cultured cells rendered elevated levels of PGE2 and histamine release compared with DEH only after stimulation. These levels were significantly lower in comparison to DEH-AA. The increased PGE2 production of C2 cultured in DEH-AA is the consequence of the AA enrichment, because AA is the precursor of PGE2. However, the different effects by AA and EPA on mast cell mediators possibly reflect the higher susceptibility of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to undergo lipid peroxidation, because it is known that altered cellular redox state influences mediator production and release. [source] Influence of dietary lipid source and strain on fatty acid composition of Muscovy duck meatJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 3-4 2004A. Schiavone Summary A trial was conducted to study the effect of dietary 2% soya bean oil and dietary 2% fish oil (FO) on fatty acid composition of breast meat of two different Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata domestica L.) strains. The two strains were a broiler strain selected for meat production and an unselected rural strain. Fatty acid composition of breast muscle was deeply influenced by lipid source. Dietary FO improved the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) of omega 3 series content, while the content of LC-PUFAs of omega 6 series was reduced. Differences in susceptibility in lipid manipulation were found between the two groups of animals suggesting the highest capability of animals belonging to the rural strain in stocking arachidonic acid in breast muscle. As the fatty acid profile of Muscovy duck meat can be considerably modified by changing the fatty acid composition of the diet, and dietary FO represents an easy way to reach this goal, human intake of healthy n-3 LC-PUFAs could be enhanced using this enriched poultry meat, even if the influence of FO on organoleptic characteristics (i.e. off-flavours) must be evaluated. [source] SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF OIL IN DEVELOPING COCONUTJOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 2 2009S. NARESH KUMAR ABSTRACT Studies on seasonal variation in oil and fatty acid profile of developing solid endosperm of two cultivars, West Coast Tall (WCT) and Chowghat Orange Dwarf (COD), and their hybrids indicated that oil percentage increased from 30% in 6-month-old nuts to 63% in matured nuts (12 months old). Nuts sampled during July from different levels of maturity had high oil percentage and followed by those sampled during April, October and January. During nut development to maturity, the percentages and contents of medium and long chain saturated fatty acids increased except that of palmitic and myristic acids. Concentration of long chain unsaturated fatty acids (LCUFAs) in developing coconut kernel were high at 5 and 6 months after fertilization and then decreased toward maturity. The LCUFAs were high in nuts developing during October; consequently, saturated to unsaturated fatty acid ratios were low during October. Results indicated that nuts matured during October had better nutritional quality for human consumption and those matured during January are more suitable for industrial purpose due to higher medium chain fatty acid concentrations. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Coconut is consumed either as the tender nut (5,6 months after fertilization) or as the kernel from mature nut (12 months after fertilization). Recent technologies of making snowball tender nut use the nuts aged 7,8 months old. Kernel also is consumed in this product. Apart from this, the coconut is being increasingly used for making different kernel-based value-added products. This information is useful, as the value-added products are being developed using different maturities of coconut. Hence, it is of paramount importance that the fatty acid profile of coconut kernel is known in detail for assessing the safety of food consumption from the human health point of view. Apart from this, information on the seasonal variation in fatty acid profile of developing endosperm gives an integrated knowledge so as to optimize the usage of coconut kernel for both human consumption and industrial exploitation. [source] Comparison of dietary fat and fatty acid intake estimated by the duplicate diet collection technique and estimated dietary recordsJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 6 2003L. M. Brady Abstract Introduction A high saturated fatty acid intake is a well recognized risk factor for coronary heart disease development. More recently a high intake of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in combination with a low intake of the long chain n-3 PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid has also been implicated as an important risk factor. Aim To compare total dietary fat and fatty acid intake measured by chemical analysis of duplicate diets with nutritional database analysis of estimated dietary records, collected over the same 3-day study period. Methods Total fat was analysed using soxhlet extraction and subsequently the individual fatty acid content of the diet was determined by gas chromatography. Estimated dietary records were analysed using a nutrient database which was supplemented with a selection of dishes commonly consumed by study participants. Results Bland & Altman statistical analysis demonstrated a lack of agreement between the two dietary assessment techniques for determining dietary fat and fatty acid intake. Conclusion The lack of agreement observed between dietary evaluation techniques may be attributed to inadequacies in either or both assessment techniques. This study highlights the difficulties that may be encountered when attempting to accurately evaluate dietary fat intake among the population. [source] Cultured Granule Cells and Astrocytes from Cerebellum Differ in Metabolizing SphingosineJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2000Laura Riboni Sphingosine metabolism was studied in primary cultures of differentiated cerebellar granule cells and astrocytes. After a 2-h pulse with [C3 - 3H]sphingosine at different doses (0.1-200 nmol/mg of cell protein), both cell types efficiently incorporated the long chain base ; the percentage of cellular [3H]sphingosine over total label incorporation was extremely low at sphingosine doses of <10 nmol/mg of cell protein and increased at higher doses. Most of the [3H]sphingosine taken up underwent metabolic processing by N -acylation, 1-phosphorylation, and degradation (assessed as 3H2O released in the medium). The metabolic processing of exogenous sphingosine was extremely efficient in both cells, granule cells and astrocytes being able to metabolize, respectively, an amount of sphingosine up to 80- and 300-fold the cellular content of this long chain base in 2 h. At the different doses, the prevailing metabolic route of sphingosine was different. At lower doses and in a wide dose range, the major metabolic fate of sphingosine was N -acylation. With increasing doses, there was first increased sphingosine degradation and then increased levels of sphingosine-1-phosphate. The data demonstrate that, in neurons and astrocytes, the metabolic machinery devoted to sphingosine processing is different, astrocytes possessing an overall higher capacity to synthesize the bioactive compounds ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate. [source] Ferrocenyl-functionalized long chain branched polydienesJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 10 2009Frederik Wurm Abstract A convenient two-step approach for the synthesis of ferrocenyl-functionalized long chain branched polydienes, based on both butadiene and isoprene, respectively, is presented. Classical living anionic polymerization was used to synthesize different ABn type poly(diene) macromonomers with moderate molecular weights between 1700 and 3200 g/mol and narrow polydispersity. Quantitative end-capping with chlorodimethylsilane resulted in the desired ABn macromonomer structures. In the ensuing Pt-catalyzed hydrosilylation polyaddition, branched, functionalized polydienes were obtained by a concurrent ABn + AR type of copolymerization with mono- and difunctional ferrocenyl silanes (fcSiMe2H or fc2SiMeH). Molecular weights of the branched polymers were in the range of 10,000 to 44,000 g/mol (SEC/MALLS). Because of the large number of functional end groups, high loading with ferrocene units up to 63 wt % of ferrocene was achieved. Detailed studies showed full conversion of the functional silanes and incorporation into the branched polymer. Further studies using DSC, TGA, and cyclovoltammetry (CV) measurements have been performed. Electrochemical studies demonstrated different electrochemical properties for fcSiMe2 - and fc2SiMe-units. The CVs of polymers modified with diferrocenylsilane units exhibit the pattern of communicating ferrocenyl sites with two distinct, separate oxidation waves. The polymers were also deposited on an electrode surface and the electrodes investigated via CV, showing formation of electroactive films with promising results for the use of the materials in biosensors. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2518,2529, 2009 [source] INULIN MILK BEVERAGES: SENSORY DIFFERENCES IN THICKNESS AND CREAMINESS USING R-INDEX ANALYSIS OF THE RANKING DATAJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 4 2007BEATRIZ VILLEGAS ABSTRACT Inulin has interesting functional properties, which are linked to the average degree of polymerization of its chains. The aims of this work were to explore the effect of adding different types of inulin (short chain, native and long chain) on the thickness and creaminess of milk-beverage model systems, and to explore the possibility of using each of the three types of inulin as a fat replacer in skimmed-milk beverages. Sensory ranking data were analyzed using the R-index. For the two lots of samples (whole milk and skimmed milk), all samples with added inulin were perceived as significantly thicker and creamier than the samples without inulin. The fat mimetic capacity of inulin depended not only on the chain length, but also on the concentration of added inulin. In order to obtain milk beverages with reduced fat content having similar thickness and creaminess than those perceived in whole milk beverages, it was necessary to add long-chain inulin at concentrations over 8%. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS In most cases, inulin is added to different foods to supplement them in order to increase fiber ingestion, in amounts that vary between 3 and 6 g per portion, or to assure its bifidogenic nature, adding 3,8 g per portion. The results of this work provide information regarding the effects of inulin on the sensory characteristics of milk beverages, and show that applying the R-index analysis helped detect the small perceivable differences in thickness and creaminess among the samples tested, what will be of great use in formulating low-fat milk beverages. [source] Influence of the pore structure on the properties of silica based reversed phase packings for LCJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 4 2005Zoltan Szabó Abstract This paper describes the preparation and investigation of new, highly loaded, monomeric, silica based, reversed phase C18 and C30 packings. The influence of pore structure and endcapping on the properties of C18 and C30 packings is described. Using hydrothermal procedures, silicas with predictable pore size (9.3,25.5 nm) and surface area have been prepared. Silylation with long chain silanes substantially alters the pore structure of the silica: pore size and pore volume decrease. A new parameter, the volumetric surface coverage [mm3×m,2] has been introduced. This parameter , calculated from on-column measured porosity data , indicates the pore volume portion occupied by the hydrocarbon chains. Endcapping does not significantly change the pore structure of the bonded phases. The reduced retentions (reduced with respect to unit area: [k/m2]) , a good measure for comparing the retention behaviour of packings with different surface areas , are similar for most of the phases, demonstrating good accessibility of the pores for the solutes. Slightly lower retentions were found on the endcapped than on the non-endcapped phases for probes with dense ,-electron system (e. g. polyaromatic hydrocarbons) demonstrating the contribution of silanophilic interactions to the retention. The phases had been successfully used for various demanding separations, e. g. for the separation of flavonoids, carotenoids, resveratrol, and tocopherol isomers, fullerenes, and anions. [source] Omega-3 polyunsaturated acids and cardiovascular disease: notable ethnic differences or unfulfilled promise?JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 10 2010J. V. PATEL Summary., The consumption of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated acids (PUFA) is considered to protect against cardiovascular disease and promote longevity following a heart attack. Historically, research in this area was fuelled by compelling reports of the cardiovascular benefits of omega-3 PUFA in select populations and cultures. More recent studies, in wider populations, suggest discordant findings: differences that are difficult to reconcile as the mechanism of action of omega-3 PUFA are poorly understood. As such, the use of this ,natural treatment' for cardiovascular disease is increasingly controversial, and potentially one of unfulfilled promise. To what extent does ethnicity influence the impact that omega-3 PUFA have on cardiovascular disease and its associated complications? We were interested to review the benefits of omega-3 PUFA in the management of cardiovascular risk amongst diverse ethnic groups. Using a systematic review of literature relating to omega-3 PUFA and cardiovascular disease, we found ethnicity to be a factor that accounts for inconsistency between studies. Some of the effects of omega-3 PUFA are limited to cultures with a very high omega-3 intake, and in turn, ethnicity moderates the efficiency with which PUFA are derived from the diet. Moreover, omega-3 PUFA are an important health care intervention in the current climate of globalization, where supplementation is likely to give protection to cultural groups undergoing dietary transition. Future epidemiological research into the efficacy of omega-3 PUFA in cardiovascular disease should consider the influence of ethnicity. [source] Distinguishing Linear from Star-Branched Polystyrene Solutions with Fourier-Transform RheologyMACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 22 2004Thorsten Neidhöfer Abstract Summary: Fourier-Transform rheology (FT rheology) was used to study the influence of the degree of branching on the nonlinear relaxation behaviour of polystyrene solutions. The results were compared with those obtained under oscillatory shear and step-shear conditions. The different topologies could be distinguished using FT rheology where the other rheological measurements failed. Significant differences occurred under large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) conditions as particularly reflected in the phase difference of the third harmonic, ,3, which could be related to strain-softening and strain-hardening behaviour. Currently, this work is extended towards different topologies in polyolefins (e.g. long chain branched). Phase difference ,3 as a function of the Deborah number De at ,0,=,2 for the polystyrene solutions measured at temperatures from 295 to 350.5 K. [source] Fatty acid oxidation and meiotic resumption in mouse oocytesMOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 9 2009Stephen M. Downs We have examined the potential role of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-induced meiotic maturation. Etomoxir and malonyl CoA, two inhibitors of carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (CPT1), and thus FAO, blocked meiotic induction in dbcAMP-arrested cumulus cell-enclosed oocytes (CEO) and denuded oocytes (DO) by the AMPK activator, AICAR. C75, an activator of CPT1 and FAO, stimulated meiotic resumption in CEO and DO. This effect was insensitive to the AMPK inhibitor, compound C, indicating an action downstream of AMPK. Palmitic acid or carnitine also promoted meiotic resumption in DO in the presence of AICAR. Since C75 also suppresses the activity of fatty acid synthase (FAS), we tested another FAS inhibitor, cerulenin. Cerulenin stimulated maturation in arrested oocytes, but to a lesser extent, exhibited significantly slower kinetics and was effective in CEO but not DO. Moreover, etomoxir completely blocked C75-induced maturation but was ineffective in cerulenin-treated oocytes, suggesting that the meiosis-inducing action of C75 is through activation of FAO within the oocyte, while that of cerulenin is independent of FAO and acts within the cumulus cells. Finally, we determined that long chain, but not short chain, fatty acyl carnitine derivatives were stimulatory to oocyte maturation. Palmitoyl carnitine stimulated maturation in both CEO and DO, with rapid kinetics in DO; this effect was blocked by mercaptoacetate, a downstream inhibitor of FAO. These results indicate that activation of AMPK stimulates meiotic resumption in mouse oocytes by eliminating a block to FAO. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 844,853, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Mechanisms of Action of Dietary Fatty Acids in Regulating the Activation of Vascular Endothelial Cells during AtherogenesisNUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 8 2003Raymond A. Christon PhD Dietary long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish oil appear to be clearly efficient in regulating endothelial dysfunction (or activation), which is the first stage of atherogenesis. Studies on endothelial cells in vitro have shown that the main dietary PUFA and oleic acid may prevent endothelium activation either by inhibiting the expression of adhesion molecules or by improving the nitric oxide production. Saturated fatty acids and also linoleic acid do not inhibit endothelium activation. The mechanisms involved in this inhibition could be related to endothelial cell membrane characteristics or redox status. However, these findings need to be confirmed in vivo. [source] The determination of n -alkanes in the cuticular wax of leaves of Ludwigia adscendens L.PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS, Issue 2 2004A. Barik Abstract An n -hexane extract of fresh, mature leaves of Ludwigia adscendens, containing a thin layer of epicuticular waxes, has been analysed for the ,rst time by TLC, IR and GC using standard hydrocarbons. The leaves contained 22 identi,ed long chain (C15,C36) n -alkanes, accounting for 74.27% of the hydrocarbons present, and an unknown number of unidenti,ed branched chain alkanes. The predominant n -alkane was C25 (11.02%), whilst C18 (7.62%), C20 (6.14%), C29 (5.36%) and C27 (5.29%) n -alkanes were moderately abundant: the C35 homologue was present only in minor amounts (0.22%). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The effect of long chain branching on the processability of polypropylene in thermoformingPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 5 2004A. D. Gotsis Linear polypropylene was modified by reaction with peroxydicarbonates in a twin screw extruder to obtain varied degrees of long chain branching. The melt strength and the elasticity of the modified polymers were found to increase with the modification. The processability in foaming and thermoforming processes improved with branching and showed an optimum, beyond which higher degrees of long chain branching appeared not to help any further. The branched PP samples showed distinct strain hardening in the elongational viscosity, which was absent from the original linear melts. Melt strength, elasticity and strain hardening increased with the increase of the number of long chain branches on the main chain. The effect of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the precursor on the improvement of the processability of the polymer was examined. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:973,982, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers. [source] Partial replacement of fishmeal with sunflower cake and corn oil in diets for tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linn): effect on whole body fatty acidsAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 8 2003J G Maina Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effect of replacing fishmeal with high-fibre and low-fibre sunflower cakes (HFSC and LFSC) on whole body fatty acid composition in tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linn). Sex-reversed O. niloticus males with an initial weight of approximately 16g ± 0.95 (SD) were used. A control diet based on herring meal and soybean meal was formulated. Six test diets were formulated such that low-fibre (LF) and high-fibre (HF) sunflower cakes (SC) contributed 30%, 60% and 80% of the dietary protein, and the diets were designated as LFSC-30, LFSC-60, LFSC-80, HFSC-30, HFSC-60, and HFSC-80 respectively. All fish were held at 25,28°C. They were fed three times daily their prescribed experimental diets for 70 days. At the end of this period they were starved for 24 h and weighed. Five fish representing the average weight of each replicated group (n=3) were frozen in plastic bags at ,22°C for determination of fatty acid composition. Fatty acids in the fish were significantly influenced by diet. Palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids were the most abundant fatty acids in both the diets and the fish. Linoleic acid (18:2 ,6) was the most abundant fatty acid in diets based on sunflower cake. The levels of this fatty acid were also higher in fish fed diets with high contents of the sunflower cakes (LFSC-60, LFSC-80 and HFSC-80) (31.3%, 34.7% and 29.7% respectively) than fish fed the control diet (13.8%). Percentages of long chain polyunsaturated acids of the ,-3 family viz., docosahexaenoic (22:6 ,3) and eicosapentaenoic (20:5 ,3) were low in the diets and in the fish bodies. Fish fed the control diet had a higher level of 22:6 ,3 than those fed the other diets. The possible implications of the preceding findings for human health will be discussed. [source] Stakeholder Reporting: The Role of IntermediariesBUSINESS AND SOCIETY REVIEW, Issue 2 2009PAMELA STAPLETON ABSTRACT Corporate social responsibility encompasses a multiplicity of different concepts, such that its nature is confused, and it remains difficult to operationalize because opening dialogue with and responding to the various expectations of diverse stakeholders is beyond the capacity of many companies. This paper adapts Mayston's normative "information beneficiaries" framework and focuses on intermediaries who might potentially use published financial information to open a restricted form of dialogue with companies, which might benefit unsophisticated stakeholders. The paper examines the Mayston framework using interviews conducted in organizations that might act on behalf of three stakeholder groups associated with gas and electricity suppliers in the United Kingdom, these being: consumers, employees, and the environment. While a long chain of communication exists between utility company and stakeholder, and many organizations do not fulfill their full potential as information intermediaries, there is some evidence that Mayston's framework might well operate in practice. [source] Fatty acid composition abnormalities in atopic disease: evidence explored and role in the disease process examinedCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 9 2008A. Sala-Vila Summary There is a hypothesis causally linking excess intake of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to atopic disease. Under most dietary conditions, the main precursor of eicosanoids is the n-6 PUFA arachidonic acid (AA). AA-derived eicosanoids play many roles in sensitization to allergens and in allergic inflammation. Long chain n-3 PUFAs inhibit AA incorporation into cell membranes and inhibit AA metabolism to eicosanoids. It is hypothesized that atopy is associated with a higher n-6 PUFA status and with a low n-3 PUFA status. However, measurements of fatty acid composition do not provide a clear picture that such fatty acid abnormalities exist in atopy with no really clear pattern of altered status of a particular fatty acid or a particular fatty acid family. There are few reports of elevated linoleic acid in atopy. Some studies report lower amounts of the n-6 PUFAs, including AA, and of long chain n-3 PUFAs in atopy, although observations on this are not consistent. Taken together these data clearly do not support the hypothesis that atopy is somehow associated with a high exposure to, and status of, n-6 PUFAs. Intervention studies with n-3 PUFAs in pregnant women, infants and children suggest some clinical benefits, although how long lasting these are remains to be determined. The observation that there may be low AA status in atopy suggests that fish oil intervention, which targets AA status and metabolism, may not be ideal and that a combination of fish oil with some longer chain n-6 PUFAs may be more efficacious. [source] Chain length effects on nonlinear excitation transitions in trans-polyacetyleneINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 13 2008Pedro Henrique de Oliveira Neto Abstract We investigate the nonlinear excitation transitions in a trans-polyacetylene chain. The Su,Schrieffer,Heeger model was used. The chain length was successively changed so that this modification effects could be explored. The system is composed of a polyacetylene chain initially with a charged polaron. An electron ionization is then simulated and the formation of a couple of solitons took place. It was observed that the chain length influences the spectra, raising concerns about the proper chain length to simulate very long chains. Different boundary conditions were also investigated, and as a result we found that steady chain edges are more appropriate to model long chains, when transitions take place. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008 [source] Identifiability of parameters and behaviour of MCMC chains: a case study using the reaction norm modelJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 2 2009M.M. Shariati Summary Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) enables fitting complex hierarchical models that may adequately reflect the process of data generation. Some of these models may contain more parameters than can be uniquely inferred from the distribution of the data, causing non-identifiability. The reaction norm model with unknown covariates (RNUC) is a model in which unknown environmental effects can be inferred jointly with the remaining parameters. The problem of identifiability of parameters at the level of the likelihood and the associated behaviour of MCMC chains were discussed using the RNUC as an example. It was shown theoretically that when environmental effects (covariates) are considered as random effects, estimable functions of the fixed effects, (co)variance components and genetic effects are identifiable as well as the environmental effects. When the environmental effects are treated as fixed and there are other fixed factors in the model, the contrasts involving environmental effects, the variance of environmental sensitivities (genetic slopes) and the residual variance are the only identifiable parameters. These different identifiability scenarios were generated by changing the formulation of the model and the structure of the data and the models were then implemented via MCMC. The output of MCMC sampling schemes was interpreted in the light of the theoretical findings. The erratic behaviour of the MCMC chains was shown to be associated with identifiability problems in the likelihood, despite propriety of posterior distributions, achieved by arbitrarily chosen uniform (bounded) priors. In some cases, very long chains were needed before the pattern of behaviour of the chain may signal the existence of problems. The paper serves as a warning concerning the implementation of complex models where identifiability problems can be difficult to detect a priori. We conclude that it would be good practice to experiment with a proposed model and to understand its features before embarking on a full MCMC implementation. [source] Modification of cellulose acetate with oligomeric polycaprolactone by reactive processing: Efficiency, compatibility, and propertiesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2009Szilvia Klébert Abstract Oligomeric polycaprolactone (oPCL) was used for the modification of cellulose acetate by reactive processing in an internal mixer at 180°C, 50 rpm, 60 min reaction time, and 45 wt % caprolactone (CL) content. The product of the reaction was characterized by several analytical techniques and its mechanical properties were determined by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and tensile testing. The synthesized oPCL contained small and large molecular weight components. The small molecular weight fraction plasticized cellulose acetate externally and helped fusion. Although composition and structure did not differ considerably from each other when CL monomer or polycaprolactone oligomer was used for modification, the grafting of a few long chains had considerable effect on some properties of the product. The large molecular weight chains attached to CA increased the viscosity of the melt considerably and resulted in larger deformability. oPCL homopolymer is not miscible with cellulose acetate and migrates to the surface of the polymer. Exuded polycaprolactone oligomers crystallize on the surface but can be removed very easily. More intense conditions may favor the grafting of long chains leading to polymers with advantageous properties. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009 [source] Lancefield group C Streptococcus dysgalactiae infection responsible for fish mortalities in JapanJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 12 2004R Nomoto Abstract A Lancefield serological group C Streptococcus sp. was isolated from cultured amberjack, Seriola dumerili Risso, and yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata Temminck and Schlegel, immunized with Lactococcus garvieae commercial vaccines in Japan. The isolated bacteria were Gram-positive cocci, auto-aggregating in saline, morphologically long chains in growth medium, catalase negative and , -haemolytic on blood agar. An almost complete gene sequence of the 16S rDNA of two isolates was determined and compared with that of bacterial strains in the database. The isolates were identified as Streptococcus dysgalactiae based on the results of the 16S rDNA sequence, the bacteriological properties and the Lancefield serological grouping. Oligonucleotide primers specifically designed for the 16S,23S rDNA intergenic spacer region of S. dysgalactiae amplified a gene from all the fish isolates, as well as the type strains , -haemolytic S. dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae ATCC430738 and , -haemolytic S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis ATCC35666, but not those of S. equi ATCC33398, Lactococcus garvieae ATCC43921 and L. garvieae KG9408. The severe necrotic lesions of the caudal peduncle seen in experimentally infected fish were similar to those seen in naturally infected fish. [source] Well-Defined Crystalline TiO2 Nanoparticles Generated and Immobilized on a Colloidal NanoreactorMACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 5 2009Yan Lu Abstract We synthesized well-defined, crystalline TiO2 nanoparticles at room temperature by using spherical polyelectrolyte brush particles as a template. The template particles consist of a polystyrene core from which long chains of poly(styrene sodium sulfonate) are grafted. Tetraethylorthotitanate is hydrolyzed in the presence of brush particles leading to the formation of well-dispersed TiO2 nanoparticles (d,=,4,12 nm). Wide-angle X-ray scattering demonstrates that anatase nanoparticles with high crystallinity have been generated at room temperature. The as-prepared TiO2 nanocomposites present high photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Rhodamine B under UV irradiation. Finally, mesoporous TiO2 structures with defined pore size are formed after calcination. [source] Supramolecular Structures Generated by Spherical Polyelectrolyte Brushes and their Application in CatalysisMACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 9-10 2009Yan Lu Abstract We survey recent studies on composite particles made from spherical polyelectrolyte brushes (SPB) and catalytically active nanoparticles or enzymes. SPB consist of a solid core (diameter: ca. 100 nm) onto which long chains of anionic or cationic polyelectrolyte (PE) are densely grafted ("PE brush"). Immersed in water the PE layer affixed to the colloidal core will swell due to the enormous osmotic pressure of the confined counterions ("osmotic brush"). This confinement of the counterions can be used to generate metal nanoparticles on the surface of the SPB. Moreover, enzymes can be immobilized within the PE layer. In both cases, the resulting composite particles are stable against coagulation and can be easily handled and filtered off. The catalytic activity of both systems is largely preserved in case of the enzymes, in case of the metal nanoparticles it is even enhanced. Thus, the SPB present an excellent carrier system for applications in catalysis. [source] Termination in Dilute-Solution Free-Radical Polymerization: A Composite ModelMACROMOLECULAR THEORY AND SIMULATIONS, Issue 5 2003Gregory B. Smith Abstract Literature data are summarized for the chain-length-dependence of the termination rate coefficient in dilute solution free-radical polymerizations. In essence such experiments have yielded two parameter values: the rate coefficient for termination between monomeric free radicals, k, and a power-law exponent e quantifying how kt values decrease with increasing chain length. All indications are that the value e,,,0.16 in good solvent is accurate, however the values of k which have been deduced are considerably lower than well-established values for small molecule radicals. This seeming impasse is resolved by putting forward a ,composite' model of termination: it is proposed that the value e,,,0.16 holds only for long chains, with e being higher for small chains , the value 0.5 is used in this paper, although it is not held to dogmatically. It is then investigated whether this model is consistent with experimental data. This is a non-trivial task, because although the experiments themselves and the ways in which they are analyzed are elegant and not too complicated, the underlying theory is sophisticated, as is outlined. Simulations of steady-state polymerization experiments are first of all carried out, and it is shown that the composite model of termination both recovers the e values which have been found and beautifully explains why these experiments considerably underestimate the true value of k. Simulations of pulsed-laser polymerizations find the same, although not quite so strikingly. It is therefore concluded that our new termination model, which retains the virtue of simplicity and in which all parameter values are physically reasonable, is consistent with experimental data. Taking a wider view, it seems likely that the situation of the exponent e varying with chain length will not just be the case in dilute solution, but will be the norm for all conditions, which would give our model and our work a general relevance. Normalized chain length distributions from PLP simulations. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||