1,226 research outputs found

    Estudio preliminar sobre el efecto del ultrasonido en las propiedades fisicoquímicas del vino tinto

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    Ultrasound is regarded as a potential alternative method for improving the quality of some wines. This study was initiated with the objective of evaluating the effects of ultrasound on some important physicochemical properties of red wine such as chromatic characteristics (CC), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, titratable acidity (TA), total phenolic compounds (TPCs) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity (DFRSA). The operational parameters assessed were ultrasound power, ultrasound frequency, exposure time and bath temperature. Results illustrated that there were significant changes in CC, EC and TPC while pH and TA hardly changed except for samples treated at high temperatures. DFRSA was correlated to TPC during ultrasonic treatment. Application of principal component analysis to the experimental data suggested that exposure time was the factor with the greatest ability to induce changes on wine. Results suggested that ultrasound may be applied to improve some physicochemical properties of red wine.El ultrasonido se considera uno de los métodos alternativos potenciales para mejorar la calidad de algunos vinos. Se comenzó este estudio con el objetivo de evaluar los efectos del ultrasonido en algunas de la propiedades fisicoquímicas importantes del vino tinto como son: las características cromáticas (CC), la conductividad eléctrica (EC), el pH, la acidez (TA), los compuestos fenólicos totales (TPC) y el DPPH (1,1-difenil-2-picrilhidrazil) de actividad de eliminación de radicales libres (DFRSA). Los parámetros operacionales examinados fueron: la potencia de ultrasonido, la frecuencia de ultrasonido, el tiempo de exposición y la temperatura de baño. Los resultados ilustraron la existencia de cambios significativos en CC, EC y TPC, mientras que el pH y TA prácticamente no cambiaron excepto en las muestras tratadas con altas temperaturas. DFRSA tuvo correlación con TPC durante el tratamiento con ultrasonido. La aplicación de análisis de componentes principales a los datos experimentales sugirió que el tiempo de exposición era el factor con mayor habilidad para inducir cambios en el vino. Los resultados sugirieron que el ultrasonido podría aplicarse para mejorar algunas de las propiedades fisicoquímicas del vino tinto.National Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 31101324]Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province, China [No. 2015JM3097]Technology Transfer Promotion Project of Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China [No.CXY1434(5)]Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China [Nos. GK201302039, GK201404006

    High-Temperature-Induced Defects in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Anther and Pollen Development Are Associated with Reduced Expression of B-Class Floral Patterning Genes

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    Citation: Muller, F., Xu, J. M., Kristensen, L., Wolters-Arts, M., de Groot, P. F. M., Jansma, S. Y., . . . Rieu, I. (2016). High-Temperature-Induced Defects in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Anther and Pollen Development Are Associated with Reduced Expression of B-Class Floral Patterning Genes. Plos One, 11(12), 14. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0167614Sexual reproduction is a critical process in the life-cycle of plants and very sensitive to environmental perturbations. To better understand the effect of high temperature on plant reproduction, we cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants in continuous mild heat. Under this condition we observed a simultaneous reduction in pollen viability and appearance of anthers with pistil-like structures, while in a more thermotolerant genotype, both traits were improved. Ectopic expression of two pistil-specific genes, TRANSMITTING TISSUE SPECIFIC and TOMATO AGAMOUS LIKE11, in the anthers confirmed that the anthers had gained partial pistil identity. Concomitantly, expression of the B-class genes TOMATO APETALA3, TOMATO MADS BOX GENE6 (TM6) and LePISTILLATA was reduced in anthers under continuous mild heat. Plants in which TM6 was partially silenced reacted hypersensitively to temperature elevation with regard to the frequency of pistilloid anthers, pollen viability and pollen quantity. Taken together, these results suggest that high-temperature induced down-regulation of tomato B-class genes contributes to anther deformations and reduced male fertility. Improving our understanding of how temperature perturbs the molecular mechanisms of anther and pollen development will be important in the view of maintaining agricultural output under current climate changes

    The risk of lung cancer related to dietary intake of flavonoids

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    It has been hypothesized that flavonoids in foods and beverages may reduce cancer risk through antioxidation, inhibition of inflammation, and other antimutagenic and antiproliferative properties. We examined associations between intake of five flavonoid subclasses (anthocyanidins, flavan-3-ols, flavones, flavonols, flavanones) and lung cancer risk in a population-based case-control study in Montreal, Canada (1,061 cases and 1,425 controls). Flavonoid intake was estimated from a food frequency questionnaire that assessed diet two years prior to diagnosis (cases) or interview (controls). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. Overall, total flavonoid intake was not associated with lung cancer risk, the effect being similar regardless of sex and smoking level. However, low flavonoid intake from food, but not from beverages, was associated with an increased risk. The adjusted ORs (95% CIs) comparing the highest versus the lowest quartiles of intake were 0.63 (0.47-0.85) for total flavonoids, 0.82 (0.61-1.11) for anthocyanidins, 0.67 (0.50-0.90) for flavan-3-ols, 0.68 (0.50-0.93) for flavones, 0.62 (0.45-0.84) for flavonols, and 0.70 (0.53-0.94) for flavanones. An inverse association with total flavone and flavanone intake was observed for squamous cell carcinoma but not adenocarcinoma. In conclusion, low flavonoid intake from food may increase lung cancer risk

    Inclusive growth in English cities: mainstreamed or sidelined?

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    <p>The concept of inclusive growth is increasingly presented as offering prospects for more equitable social outcomes. However, inclusive growth is subject to a variety of interpretations and lacks definitional clarity. In England, via devolution, cities are taking on new powers for policy domains that can influence inclusive growth outcomes. This opens up opportunities for innovation to address central issues of low pay and poverty. This paper examines the extent to which inclusive growth concerns form a central or peripheral aspect in this new devolution through the content analysis of devolution agreements. It concludes that inclusive growth concerns appear to be largely sidelined.</p

    A ‘quiet revolution’? The impact of Training Schools on initial teacher training partnerships

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    This paper discusses the impact on initial teacher training of a new policy initiative in England: the introduction of Training Schools. First, the Training School project is set in context by exploring the evolution of a partnership approach to initial teacher training in England. Ways in which Training Schools represent a break with established practice are considered together with their implications for the dominant mode of partnership led by higher education institutions (HEIs). The capacity of Training Schools to achieve their own policy objectives is examined, especially their efficacy as a strategy for managing innovation and the dissemination of innovation. The paper ends by focusing on a particular Training School project which has adopted an unusual approach to its work and enquires whether this alternative approach could offer a more profitable way forward. During the course of the paper, five different models of partnership are considered: collaborative, complementary, HEI-led, school-led and partnership within a partnership

    Flavonoid and lignan intake in relation to bladder cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study

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    Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: There is growing evidence of the protective role of dietary intake of flavonoids and lignans on cancer, but the association with bladder cancer has not been thoroughly investigated in epidemiological studies. We evaluated the association between dietary intakes of total and subclasses of flavonoids and lignans and risk of bladder cancer and its main morphological type, urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC), within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. METHODS: A cohort of 477 312 men and women mostly aged 35-70 years, were recruited in 10 European countries. At baseline, dietary flavonoid and lignan intakes were estimated using centre-specific validated questionnaires and a food composition database based on the Phenol-Explorer, the UK Food Standards Agency and the US Department of Agriculture databases. RESULTS: During an average of 11 years of follow-up, 1575 new cases of primary bladder cancer were identified, of which 1425 were UCC (classified into aggressive (n=430) and non-aggressive (n=413) UCC). No association was found between total flavonoid intake and bladder cancer risk. Among flavonoid subclasses, significant inverse associations with bladder cancer risk were found for intakes of flavonol (hazard ratio comparing fifth with first quintile (HRQ5-Q1) 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.61-0.91; P-trend=0.009) and lignans (HRQ5-Q1 0.78, 95% CI: 0.62-0.96; P-trend=0.046). Similar results were observed for overall UCC and aggressive UCC, but not for non-aggressive UCC. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests an inverse association between the dietary intakes of flavonols and lignans and risk of bladder cancer, particularly aggressive UCC

    The undebated issue of justice: silent discourses in Dutch flood risk management

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    Flood risk for all types of flooding is projected to increase based on climate change projections and increases in damage potential. These challenges are likely to aggravate issues of justice in flood risk management (henceforth FRM). Based on a discursive-institutionalist perspective, this paper explores justice in Dutch FRM: how do institutions allocate the responsibilities and costs for FRM for different types of flooding? What are the underlying conceptions of justice? What are the future challenges with regard to climate change? The research revealed that a dichotomy is visible in the Dutch approach to FRM: despite an abundance of rules, regulations and resources spent, flood risk or its management, are only marginally discussed in terms of justice. Despite that the current institutional arrangement has material outcomes that treat particular groups of citizens differently, depending on the type of flooding they are prone to, area they live in (unembanked/embanked) or category of user (e.g. household, industry, farmer). The paper argues that the debate on justice will (re)emerge, since the differences in distributional outcomes are likely to become increasingly uneven as a result of increasing flood risk. The Netherlands should be prepared for this debate by generating the relevant facts and figures. An inclusive debate on the distribution of burdens of FRM could contribute to more effective and legitimate FRM

    Fertility History and Physical and Mental Health Changes in European Older Adults

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    Previous studies have shown that aspects of reproductive history, such as earlier parenthood and high parity, are associated with poorer health in mid and later life. However, it is unclear which dimensions of health are most affected by reproductive history, and whether the pattern of associations varies for measures of physical, psychological and cognitive health. Such variation might provide more insight into possible underlying mechanisms. We use longitudinal data for men and women aged 50–79 years in ten European countries from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe to analyse associations between completed fertility history and self-reported and observed health indicators measured 2–3 years apart (functional limitations, chronic diseases, grip strength, depression and cognition), adjusting for socio-demographic, and health factors at baseline. Using multiple imputation and pattern mixture modelling, we tested the robustness of estimates to missing data mechanisms. The results are partly consistent with previous studies and show that women who became mothers before age 20 had worse functional health at baseline and were more likely to suffer functional health declines. Parents of 4 or more children had worse physical, psychological and cognitive health at baseline and were more likely to develop circulatory disease over the follow-up period. Men who delayed fatherhood until age 35 or later had better health at baseline but did not experience significantly different health declines. This study improves our understanding of linkages between fertility histories and later life health and possible implications of changes in fertility patterns for population health. However, research ideally using prospective life course data is needed to further elucidate possible mechanisms, considering interactions with partnership histories, health behaviour patterns and socio-economic trajectories

    'From mosh pit to posh pit': Festival imagery in the context of the boutique festival

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    This paper addresses market-based cultural production in the context of the UK festival field, with a focus on the framing of the festival experience through anticipation. In particular, boutique festivals are discussed as examples of a contemporary cultural ?product category? which has emerged and proliferated in the last decade. Through discourse analysis of media representations of boutique festivals, we situate the boutique festival in a broader sociocultural discourse of agency and choice, which makes it meaningful and desirable, and outline the type of consumer it is meant to attract. For the contemporary consumer, the boutique festival is presented as an anticipated experience based on countercultural festival imagery, while simultaneously framing cultural participation through consumption. The paper contributes to a wider debate on the construction of the consumer in the cultural economy
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