Gossiping Behavior on Social Networking Sites: Does Gender Matter?

This study examines how gender affects online gossip on social networking sites. Based on gender theories and agency-communion theory, it is posited that achievement value, friendship value, and normative pressure differ according to gender (female vs. male), the level of propensity to gossip (high vs. low), and the interaction between the two. An experimental survey is conducted with 809 general consumers. Between-subjects multivariate analysis of covariance reveals that gender has an impact only on friendship value, whereas propensity to gossip affects achievement value and normative pressure. No interaction effects are observed. However, a subsequent analysis of covariance finds an interaction between gender and propensity to gossip through electronic word-of-mouth for a high-involvement product. In closing, theoretical and managerial implications are discussed while important limitations are recognized.     

A Continuous Process for the Purification of Terpenyl Amines Using a Reversible Acid‐Base Reaction

The reversible reactive extraction of long‐chain terpenyl amines (TPAs) using organic acids as reactive extractants was investigated. The scope of suitable acids has been extended and semicontinuous and continuous experiments were performed to prove the applicability of this concept. High extraction yields could be achieved using a variety of acids in batch and semicontinuous experiments. Furthermore, the recovery and separation of the extracted TPAs from the extractant phase has been studied. The TPAs can be recovered in high yields and purities by simple means of process parameter changes. The proposed process allows the separation and purification of TPAs in high yields and purities without the creation of salts or other chemical by‐products.     

Preparation and characterization of methanol selective membranes based on polyheteroarylene − Cu(I) complexes for purification of methyl tertiary butyl ether

A comparative study of metal ? polymer complexes of Cu(I) with polybenzoxazinoneimide (PBOI) and its prepolymer imide‐containing polyamic acid (PAA) as novel membrane materials for methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) purification was undertaken. The structure, physical parameters and transport properties were characterized in detail to analyse the separation performance of the membranes and obtain new knowledge on the interdependence of the chemical structure and physical data with transport parameters. Thermally initiated conversion of PAA ? Cu(I) to PBOI ? Cu(I) was studied by TGA and DSC. The thermal conversion increases the polymer glass transition temperature and membrane density. Both polymers were applied to pervaporation separation of MTBE from methanol impurities. Membranes based on PAA are highly effective in MTBE purification and preferably permeate methanol. The transport properties of PAA ? Cu(I) membrane are compared with those of known membranes. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Domino reactions of alkane dithiolates with 2,3-dichloro-1-propene in hydrazine hydrate – KOH medium

2,3-Dichloro-1-propene reacts with alkane dithiolates in hydrazine hydrate – KOH medium to produce derivatives of dithiin, dithiepin, chloropropenyl, and allenyl sulfides depending on conditions and dithiolate structure. The formation of the heterocyclic products is a result of possible domino reactions, including a substitution of an allylic chlorine atom, dehydrochlorination, and intramolecular heterocyclization.     

Humic Substances Enhance Growth and Respiration in the Basidiomycetes Trametes Maxima Under Carbon Limited Conditions

Humic substances (HS) represent the major reservoir of carbon (C) in ecosystems, and their turnover is crucial for understanding the global C cycle. Although basidiomycetes clearly have a role in HS degradation, much less is known about the effect of HS on fungal traits. We studied the alteration of physiological, biochemical, and morphological characteristics of Trametes maxima in the presence of HS. Both complete medium and minimal (C-limited) medium mimicking natural environmental conditions were used. Adding HS led to increased biomass yield, but under C-limited conditions the effect was more apparent. This result indicated that HS were used as an additional substrate and agreed with data showing a greater penetration of tritium-labeled HS into the cell interior under C-limited conditions. Humic substances induced ultra-structural changes in fungal cells, especially under C limitation, including reducing the thicknesses of the hyphal sheath and cell wall. In the minimal medium, cellular respiration increased nearly three-fold under HS application, while the corresponding effect in complete medium was lower. In addition, in the presence of inhibitors, HS stimulated either the cytochrome or the alternative pathway of respiration, depending on presence or absence of glucose in the medium. Our results suggest that, under conditions mimicking the natural environment, HS may play three major roles: as a surplus substrate for fungal growth, as a factor positively affecting cell morphology, and as an activator of physiological respiration.     

Spray‐drying encapsulation of citral in sucrose or trehalose matrices: physicochemical and sensory characteristics

The potential of the disaccharide trehalose as carrier for producing spray‐dried citral was examined. Some physical and sensory characteristics of citral encapsulated in matrices containing either trehalose or sucrose and maltodextrin (MD) were analysed. They included water sorption, glass transition temperatures (T_g), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation and citral retention during spray‐drying. The glassy state at room temperature (25 °C) was maintained as far as 33% relative humidities (RH) for the spray‐dried trehalose formulation and 43% RH for trehalose–MD; however, for sucrose–MD and for sucrose formulations, the glassy state was limited to RHs lower than 33% and 22%, respectively. Sensory evaluation and gas chromatographic analysis indicated that citral retention after spray‐drying was similar for matrices containing either trehalose or sucrose. However, trehalose formulations had improved physical stability as compared to sucrose.     

A probiotic soy-based innovative product as an alternative to petit-suisse cheese

The present study aimed to develop a probiotic soy-based product similar to petit-suisse cheese and to evaluate its perspectives regarding potential for consumer health benefits, sensory acceptability, and instrumental texture during storage. Three different trials were studied: MP (milk-based petit-suisse – control); MSP (mixed product with milk cream and soy); SP (soymilk-based product). The formulations were produced with an ABT culture, containing Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5, Bifidobacterium animalis Bb-12, and the starter Streptococcus thermophilus and stored at 4 °C for up to 28 days. Bb-12 viability remained always above 8 log cfu g⁻¹ for all trials, whereas viability of La-5 was satisfactory at the end of storage for MP (7.56 log cfu g⁻¹) and MSP (6.49 log cfu g⁻¹), but only up to 21 days (6.84 log cfu g⁻¹) for SP. The pH remained stable and was lower for MSP (p < 0.05), whereas instrumental hardness and gumminess increased in soy-based products (MSP and SP) and decreased in the control (MP). SP had the highest sensory score means (6.4) on day 21, being sensorially attractive to provide consumers with a functional food without dairy ingredients and with high viability of the probiotic microorganisms.