Effects of milk high pressure homogenization on biogenic amine accumulation during ripening of ovine and bovine Italian cheeses

The aim of this work was to evaluate the biogenic amine (BA) content during the ripening of both bovine and ovine cheeses obtained using milk subjected to a homogenization treatment at 100 MPa before cheese-making. The data obtained were compared with those from cheeses produced by the same milks without any treatment or thermized. The results showed that both microbial ecology and BA concentrations of cheeses during ripening were significantly influenced by the type of milk used for cheese-making and by the treatment applied to the raw materials. In particular, the microbial counts found in Caciotta indicated that the high pressure homogenization (HPH) of milk significantly reduced the presence of the yeasts, Micrococcaceae and lactobacilli at the end of ripening. On the other hand, the HPH treatment of milk favoured the proliferation of yeasts in ovine cheese. Moreover, the ovine cheeses were characterized by a remarkably higher accumulation of BA than bovine cheeses. However, the HPH treatment of milk was able to drastically reduce the biogenic amine concentrations in both cheese typologies at the end of ripening.     

Web Engineering at the Frontier of the Web 2.0: Design Patterns for Online 3D Shared Spaces

Online 3D Shared Spaces (3DSSs) can be regarded as a frontier of the Web 2.0, where users as participants contribute to create a meaningful, engaging experience. Like other complex web applications, the development and evolution of high-quality 3DSS applications requires methodological support—through models, methods, and principles. Yet, the application of structured, engineered approaches to this domain is largely unexplored. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to bridging Web Engineering to the 3DSS world by means of design patterns. We present five patterns that focus on two factors deemed necessary for effective experiences in a 3DSS: Presence (i.e. the feeling of “being there”, typical of “virtual worlds”) and Long-Term Engagement (typical of successful Web 2.0 communities). The patterns presented in the paper distil our large-scale experiences with 3DSSs (that have involved so far over 9,000 youngsters from 3 continents) and are discussed in the light of existing literature.     

Disruption of syntaxin-mediated protein interactions blocks neurotransmitter secretion

The membrane protein syntaxin participates in several protein-protein interactions that have been implicated in neurotransmitter release. To probe the physiological importance of these interactions, we microinjected into the squid giant presynaptic terminal botulinum toxin C1, which cleaves syntaxin, and the H3 domain of syntaxin, which mediates binding to other proteins. Both reagents inhibited synaptic transmission yet did not affect the number or distribution of synaptic vesicles at the presynaptic active zone. Recombinant H3 domain inhibited the interactions between syntaxin and SNAP-25 that underlie the formation of stable SNARE complexes in vitro. These data support the notion that syntaxin-mediated SNARE complexes are necessary for docked synaptic vesicles to fuse.     

Classroom contextual effects on children's play.

Examined the effects of age, sex, and context of preschool classrooms on children's play. In Study 1, observed 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds playing in art, blocks, and replica play areas in their age-graded classrooms. Results suggested that children's play was related to Age?×?Play Area interactions. These relations were not independent of children's sex-related self-selection into the play areas or the number of participants in the areas. In Study 2, same-age, same-sex dyads played with blocks and replica props in experimental playrooms. Play was mediated by age, sex, and play area. Girls' play was less sophisticated than boys' play in the blocks area because it was an area in which males tended to play. Furthermore, the ecological validity of Study 2 was established vis-à-vis Study 1 results. In Study 3, same-age, mixed-sex dyads played in constructive and replica areas in experimental playrooms. No sex or Sex?×?Context effects were observed on play. Boys tended to dominate girls in both contexts. Results are explained in terms of Lewin's model of context. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Electrochromic Polymer‐Dispersed Liquid‐Crystal Film: A New Bifunctional Device

Polymer‐dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) are liquid‐crystal dispersions within a polymer matrix. These films can be changed from an opaque to a transparent state by applying a suitable alternating‐current electric field. PDLCs have attracted the interest of researchers for their applications as light shutters, smart windows, and active displays. For such applications, electrochromic devices, which change color as a result of electrochemical reactions, have also become a recent focus of research. Herein, we report our preliminary results on bifunctional devices based on PDLCs that host electrochromic guest molecules. Such devices allow both an independent and fast switching from a scattering opaque state to a transmissive transparent state owing to liquid‐crystal reorientation and a color change from white (pale yellow) to dark blue, due to either oxidation or reduction of the electrochromic molecules.     

Synthesis and Antiplasmodial Activity of Novel Chloroquine Analogues with Bulky Basic Side Chains

Chloroquine is commonly used in the treatment and prevention of malaria, but Plasmodium falciparum, the main species responsible for malaria‐related deaths, has developed resistance against this drug. Twenty‐seven novel chloroquine (CQ) analogues characterized by a side chain terminated with a bulky basic head group, i.e., octahydro‐2H‐quinolizine and 1,2,3,4,5,6‐hexahydro‐1,5‐methano‐8H‐pyrido[1,2‐a][1,5]diazocin‐8‐one, were synthesized and tested for activity against D‐10 (CQ‐susceptible) and W‐2 (CQ‐resistant) strains of P. falciparum. Most compounds were found to be active against both strains with nanomolar or sub‐micromolar IC₅₀ values. Eleven compounds were found to be 2.7‐ to 13.4‐fold more potent than CQ against the W‐2 strain; among them, four cytisine derivatives appear to be of particular interest, as they combine high potency with low cytotoxicity against two human cell lines (HMEC‐1 and HepG2) along with easier synthetic accessibility. Replacement of the 4‐NH group with a sulfur bridge maintained antiplasmodial activity at a lower level, but produced an improvement in the resistance factor. These compounds warrant further investigation as potential drugs for use in the fight against malaria.     

Role of surface-inoculated Debaryomyces hansenii and Yarrowia lipolytica strains in dried fermented sausage manufacture. Part 2: Evaluation of their effects on sensory quality and biogenic amine content

The aim was to study the effects of Debaryomyces hansenii and Yarrowia lipolytica strains, used with lactic acid starter cultures (Lactobacillus plantarum), in the manufacture of dried fermented sausages in order to understand their effects on volatile profile, biogenic amine content and sensory properties. The experimental data showed that every yeast strain produced a specific profile of volatile metabolic products. The yeasts also gave sausages with distinctive sensory properties. The degree of mincing also influenced these properties, but none of these factors had significant influence upon the accumulation of biogenic amines.