Olive oil extractability index as a parameter for olive cultivar characterisation

Extractability, when applied to the olive oil extraction process is defined as the percentage of oil extracted from the total oil content of the fruit. In this work, extractability index (EI), a new parameter determined in a laboratory oil mill, has been studied for 24 olive (Olea europaea L) cultivars from the Olive Germplasm Bank Collection of Mengibar (Spain). In order to evaluate the genetic variability of this new parameter, the influence of cultivar and tree on EI variability has been analysed in olive fruits collected at the same ripening index. The results indicate that cultivar is the most important variation source. Thus olive oil extractability depends on extraction process variables and cultivar. Extractability index could be used together with pulp oil content (on a dry matter basis) as a parameter for olive cultivar characterisation and selection for breeding projects. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Poly(lactic acid)‐based systems filled with talc microparticles: Thermal,structural, and morphological issues

Polylactic acid (PLA)‐based composites containing 1, 3, and 5% by weight of talc microparticles were prepared by extrusion and characterized in terms of thermal, structural, and morphological issues. The binary materials were then compared with ternary systems including 5% by weight of a secondary poly(ε‐caprolactone) phase alongside with the several talc microparticles contents. The presence of talc brings significant increases of the PLA crystalline degree and reductions of PLA crystal sizes mainly in ternary systems, as shown by both calorimetric tests and wide angle x‐ray diffraction measurements. Morphological investigations performed by scanning electron microscopy and polarized optical microscopy highlighted the reduction of the mean size of the PCL rich domain by increasing the talc concentration as well as the key role of PCL phase as assisting nucleation agent of the main PLA phase. Furthermore, indirect measurements by creep tests of the heat distortion temperature, have revealed increases of this parameter approximately equal to 110 and 175% with respect to the neat matrix for both binary and ternary compounds containing 3% by weight of talc. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1093–1103, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Emerging Workplaces in Post-Functionalist Cities

ABSTRACT

This paper explores new types of workplaces that are emerging due to the growing flexibility in work arrangements and the use of information and communication technologies. In addition to home and office, third places, such as libraries and coffee shops, are increasingly used as temporary workplaces. Moreover, there is a proliferation of co-working spaces that are designed as temporary working locations. Thus, the boundaries between traditional urban functions have become blurred; different functions co-exist in the same spaces, and new functionalities emerge as people take spaces into new uses. We may call our cities “post-functionalist,” ones that are no longer based only on predetermined and designed functions. However, there has been little research on the spatial characteristics of these new workplaces as well as on the social features within these places. These phenomena have been empirically studied through observational studies, interviews, and spatial analyses of three such sites: Café Köket, Meetingpoint, and Helsinki Think Company in the city center of Helsinki. The results reveal new forms of appropriation of public and semi-public spaces for working purposes that have not yet been analyzed in the context of existing urban policies and practices. The findings provide input for future visions and the planning of new workplaces.     

Investigation of the ionisation density dependence of the glow curve characteristics of LIF:MG,TI (TLD-100)

The dependence of the shape of the glow curve of LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) on ionisation density was investigated using irradiation with (90)Sr/(90)Y beta rays, 60 and 250 kVp X rays, various heavy-charged particles and 0.2 and 14 MeV neutrons. Special attention is focused on the properties of high-temperature thermoluminescence; specifically, the behaviour of the high-temperature ratio (HTR) of Peaks 7 and 8 as a function of batch and annealing protocol. The correlation of Peaks 7 and 8 with average linear-energy-transfer (LET) is also investigated. The HTR of Peak 7 is found to be independent of LET for values of LET approximately >30 keV microm(-1). The behaviour of the HTR of Peak 8 with LET is observed to be erratic, which suggests that applications using the HTR should separate the contributions of Peaks 7 and 8 using computerised glow curve deconvolution. The behaviour of the HTR following neutron irradiation is complex and not fully understood. The shape of composite Peak 5 is observed to be broader following high ionisation alpha particle irradiation, suggesting that the combined use of the HTR and the shape of Peak 5 could lead to improved ionisation density discrimination for particles of high LET.     

Assessment of fumonisins B1 and B2 levels in commercial maize-based food products by liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection and postcolumn chemical derivatization

The occurrence of the fumonisins B(1) and B(2) in maize-based food products marketed in Italy was examined. A simply and reliable chromatographic method with fluorimetric detection and postcolumn o-phtalaldehyde derivatization was used for a monitoring of 100 samples (8 flours, 21 corn-meal, 16 snacks, 7 maize samples, 13 gluten-free products, and 35 corn-flakes) bought in local supermarkets during the years 2008 and 2009. The presence of both fumonisins B(1) and B(2), at a concentration higher than 15 μg/kg, was observed in all samples of corn-meal and maize-flour, in 75% of snacks, in 57% of maize samples, in 54% of gluten-free products, and in 29% of corn-flakes. A total of 7 samples including 4 corn-meals, 2 maize-flours, and 1 maize showed a value exceeding the maximum level fixed in the Regulation 1126/2007/EC; no positive sample was observed in corn-flakes, snacks, and gluten-free foods. Fumonisins contamination, on the whole range of maize-based food products analyzed, emphasizes the need of improve agricultural practices, and increase official control and monitoring studies.     

Glycosylation Modulates Plasma Membrane Trafficking of CD24 in Breast Cancer Cells

In breast cancer, expression of Cluster of Differentiation 24 (CD24), a small GPI-anchored glycoprotein at the cell periphery, is associated with metastasis and immune escape, while its absence is associated with tumor-initiating capacity. Since the mechanism of CD24 sorting is unknown, we investigated the role of glycosylation in the subcellular localization of CD24. Expression and localization of wild type N36- and/or N52-mutated CD24 were analyzed using immunofluorescence in luminal (MCF-7) and basal B (MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T) breast cancer cells lines, as well as HEK293T cells. Endogenous and exogenously expressed wild type and mutated CD24 were found localized at the plasma membrane and the cytoplasm, but not the nucleoplasm. The cell lines showed different kinetics for the sorting of CD24 through the secretory/endocytic pathway. N-glycosylation, especially at N52, and its processing in the Golgi were critical for the sorting and expression of CD24 at the plasma membrane of HEK293T and basal B type cells, but not of MCF-7 cells. In conclusion, our study highlights the contribution of N-glycosylation for the subcellular localization of CD24. Aberrant N-glycosylation at N52 of CD24 could account for the lack of CD24 expression at the cell surface of basal B breast cancer cells.     

Poly(lactic acid)/titanium dioxide nanocomposite films: Influence of processing procedure on dispersion of titanium dioxide and photocatalytic activity

Poly(lactic acid)/titanium dioxide (TiO₂) composite films were prepared by direct melt processing using three different procedures (i.e., compression molding, twin‐screw melt extrusion, and melt extrusion and thermoforming). The effect of TiO₂ loading and processing procedures on the phase morphology and on the thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties of the obtained nanocomposites were analyzed respectively by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy‐energy dispersive spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry, universal testing machine, and water vapor and oxygen permeability measurements. The incorporation of TiO₂ nanoparticles into the poly(lactic acid) matrix increased the crystallinity and improved the barrier properties of the composites. The maximum tensile strength was achieved at the 2% content of TiO₂ for the films produced by compression molding and twin‐screw melt extrusion, whereas the tensile strength for films produced by melt extrusion and thermoforming decreases markedly with an increasing TiO₂ content. The photocatalytic activities of the obtained nanocomposites were investigated by analyzing the degradation of methyl orange. Results confirmed that the processing procedures and the distribution of TiO₂ in the polymer matrix are the key parameters, which rule the photocatalytic behavior of composite films. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Assessment of intramuscular fat level and distribution in beef muscles using X-ray microcomputed tomography

In the present research, the X-ray microtomography (μCT) technique was used to quantify intramuscular fat content and to study fat distribution in different breeds and commercial meat joints.     

Effects of dietary protein level on ewe milk yield and nitrogen utilization, and on air quality under different ventilation rates

The experiment, which lasted 53 d, was conducted during the winter (February and March) of 2004 and used 48 Comisana ewes in mid lactation. A 2 x 2 factorial design was used, with ewes receiving two levels of dietary crude protein (CP) (moderate, 16% CP v. low, 13% CP) in the dry matter (DM) and being exposed to two ventilation rates (moderate, 47 m3/h v. low, 23.5 m3/h per ewe) for each dietary treatment. Air concentrations of NH3 and of microorganisms were measured twice weekly. Milk yield was recorded daily. Individual milk samples were analysed weekly for composition and fortnightly for bacteriological characteristics. After the last milk sampling (day 49 of the study period), four animals from each group were placed in a metabolism box and their individual faeces and urine were collected for three consecutive days. Amounts of urine and faeces excreted, and urinary and faecal N outputs were measured. The 16% CP diet resulted in a lower milk casein content and a higher milk urea concentration than the 13% CP diet, as well as in a reduced gross efficiency of utilization of dietary N, a greater amount of N excreted and a higher total coliform concentration in milk. The moderate ventilation rate resulted in higher yields of milk, irrespective of CP content. Significant interactions of CP level x ventilation rate were found for the amounts of urine, of total water and of faecal N, and for mesophilic concentration in milk, the highest values being displayed by the ewes fed the 16% CP diet and exposed to the low ventilation rate. The moderate dietary CP level and low ventilation rate had a deleterious effect on air concentrations of microorganisms and ammonia. Results suggested that a reduction of dietary CP level from 16 to 13% of DM had no detrimental effect on ewe milk yield in mid lactation and could even improve some of its nutritional and hygienic characteristics. Our findings also indicate that the choice of a proper ventilation rate is critical for high efficiency of production in the lactating ewe, especially in intensively managed flocks receiving diets high in CP.     

Solventless Silane Alcoholysis Catalyzed by Recoverable Dirhodium(II) Perfluorocarboxylates

We have developed a novel reaction protocol for the highly efficient and sustainable catalysis of the silane alcoholysis reaction. The catalysts of choice are dirhodium(II) perfluorocarboxylates bearing long perfluoroalkyl chains, which are easily prepared in one step from commercial precursors. Under optimized reaction conditions, these catalysts exhibit up to about 50 times higher activity and 100 times higher productivity than analogous dirhodium(II) complexes described in the prior art. Furthermore, the reaction can be run in a completely solventless fashion. Finally, heterogenization of these catalysts has been accomplished through a novel strategy based on fluorous chemistry. Indeed, perfluorinated catalysts of this kind are easily adsorbed on silica which has been previously functionalized at its surface with perfluoroalkyl chains. Use of such supported catalysts (bonded fluorous phase catalysts) allows an easy and almost complete catalyst separation and recycling with improved catalytic performance.