Sweetness and texture perceptions in structured gelatin gels with embedded sugar rich domains

Layered and homogeneous gelatin gels with controlled rheological properties were compared for their sensory characteristics, specifically sweetness, hardness, breakdown behaviour and frothing. All gels and layers had a gelatin/water concentration of 5%. The total sugar concentration was 9% in the layered samples and 0, 9, 15 or 22.5% in the homogeneous samples. These concentrations corresponded to the concentrations in the single layers.A seven-layered sample with different sugar concentrations in the layers gave a higher early sweetness intensity than a homogeneous gel with the same mean total sugar concentration. All layered gels were similar in hardness, breakdown behaviour and frothing; for the homogenous samples, sensory hardness was decreased in samples with much sugar. These gels also fell into smaller pieces than the sugarless sample. This study shows that it is possible by controlling the sugar distribution within a sample to produce sweeter gels while the sugar content is maintained.     

Polymorphism in the bovine growth hormone gene affects endocrine release in dairy calves

The objective was to test whether calves with the Leu/Leu genotype release more growth hormone (GH) than calves with Leu/Val and Val/Val genotypes. Danish Holstein (n = 286), Danish Red (n = 68), and Danish Jersey (n = 61) calves were genotyped for the Leu/Val polymorphism in the GH gene and assessed for GH release following inducement by the growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH). Three GH traits were assessed for each calf: BASELINE, PEAK, and RATE. BASELINE and PEAK are the mean concentration of GH in blood sampled before and after GHRH inducement. RATE is the disappearance rate of GH in blood sampled after GHRH inducement. Danish Jersey calves with Leu/Leu genotype had a higher PEAK and RATE than calves with the Val/Val genotype, whereas the Leu/Val genotype had an intermediate response. The contribution of the Leu/Val polymorphism to the total genetic variation of the BASELINE, PEAK, and RATE traits was 5, 30, and 27%, respectively. By contrast, the amount of GH released by the Danish Holstein and Danish Red calves was not influenced by their GH genotype. Further studies involving calves with all three genotypes are required to further elucidate whether this polymorphism has a functional role or whether it works through a linked-gene effect specific to certain cattle breeds.     

Parallel flow measurements in microstructures by use of a multifocal 4 x 1 diffractive optical fan-out element

We have developed a multifocal optical fluorescence correlation spectroscopy system for parallel flow analyses. Multifocal excitation was made possible through a 4 x 1 diffractive optical fan-out element, which produces uniform intensity in all four foci. Autocorrelation flow analyses inside a 20 microm x 20 microm square microchannel, with the 4 x 1 fan-out foci perpendicular to the flow direction, made it possible to monitor different flows in all four foci simultaneously. We were able to perform cross-correlation flow analyses by turning the microstructure, thereby having all four foci parallel to the direction of flow. Transport effects of the diffusion as a function of flow and distance could then also be studied.     

The optimal graph partitioning problem

Summary In this paper we consider the problem of partitioning the set of nodes in a graph in at mostp classes, such that the sum of node weights in any class is not greater than the class capacityb, and such that the sum of edge weights, for edges connecting nodes in the same class, is maximal. This problem can be formulated as a MILP, which turns out to be completely symmetrical with respect to thep classes, and the gap between the relaxed LP solution and the optimal solution is the largest one possible. These two properties make it very difficult to solve even smaller problems. In this paper it is shown how it is possible to preassign certain nodes to certain classes, thus reducing both the symmetric nature of the formulation, the number of variables and constraints and the gap. It is also shown how the gap can be reduced even further by introducing combinatorial cuts. Computational results based on the two formulations of the problem and combinatorial cuts are presented.     

Humidity sensitivity of optical structures prepared by r.f.-biased r.f. sputtering

In an attempt to produce optical structures with a lower humidity sensitivity than that of structures deposited by conventional evaporation, we used r.f.-biased r.f. sputtering for the preparation of coatings. The sensitivity was effectively reduced owing to the high density of bias-sputtered films which are subjected to controlled ion bombardment during their growth. Our experiments suggest that neither rate monitoring nor optical monitoring is necessary, at least not in the preparation of simple structures with few layers, if glow discharge sputtering processes comprising r.f. substrate biasing in diode, triode or magnetron set-ups are used to deposit the coatings.     

Determination of metals in fish livers by flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy

The samples are digested in nitric acid and evaporated to near dryness. Hydrogen peroxide is then added for complete oxidation of fat residues. Determination of metals is performed by flameless AAS with graphite furnace and results evaluated by the method of standard addition. The method is suitable for the determination of some non-volatile metals in fish livers in which the amount of available sample is limited; Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn have been determined in such samples.     

Intermittent melphalan and prednisolone therapy in plasma cell myeloma

Thirty-two consecutive, previously untreated patients with plasma cell myeloma were treated with 4-day courses of melphalan (0.25 mg/kg/day) and prednisolone (2 mg/kg/day) every sixth week. The observation period ranged from 26 to 75 months and the total median survival time was 29 months. 75% of the patients responded to therapy and their median survival time was 42 months. Sex did not influence either the response rate or the survival time. Most patients were treated in an out-patient clinic and required a minimum of check-ups.