Physicochemical variables affecting the rheology and microstructure of rennet casein gels

The rheology and microstructure of a rennet casein system were studied in the pH range from 5.8 to 12.0 during cooling from 80 to 5 degrees C at four cooling rates: 0.5, 0.1, 0.05, and 0.025 degrees C/min. A dramatic increase in storage modulus with pH was observed during cooling at a fixed cooling rate. Continuous networks were formed for gels at pH 7.2 and above, while a discontinuous network was observed for gels below pH 6.5. The monotonic increase in storage modulus with pH could be correlated to the number of net (negative) charges and the strength of the hydrophobic interactions. At a higher pH, the protein micelles were larger due to weaker hydrophobic interactions and stronger repulsive electrostatic interactions resulting from more charges. When these protein micelles aggregated into flocs during cooling, the flocs had similar sizes at different pH values but a smaller fractal dimension at a higher pH. Consequently, for systems of the same protein and salt concentrations, more flocs were present in the gels at a higher pH, which subsequently generated more cross-links and a higher storage modulus. The pH also determined how the cooling rate affected the gel properties. At pH 5.8 and 6.5, the gels were firmest at the fastest cooling schedule, and the cooling rate did not show a trend in affecting the gel strength at the other three rates. On the other hand, a slower cooling rate generated a firmer gel at pH 7.2 and 12.0. The analysis of casein interactions suggests that the cooling rate affected the casein floc size only when repulsive interactions enabled a slow flocculation (at higher pH values) comparable with temperature change rates during cooling. For rennet casein gels of pH within the range of processed cheese products (pH 5.8 and 6.5), particle or cluster rearrangements created more uniform networks for gels cooled at slower schedules and weakened the structure.     

Factors affecting the soil sorption of iodine

Iodine-129 is an important radionuclide released from nuclear facilities because of its long radioactive half-life and its environmental mobility. Its retention in surface soils has been linked to pH, organic matter, and Fe and Al oxides. Its inorganic solution chemistry indicates I will most likely exist as an anion. Three investigations were carried out to provide information on the role of the inorganic and organic chemistry during sorption of I by soil. Anion competition using Cl^? showed that anion exchange plays a role in I sorption in both mineral and organic soils. The presence of Cl decreased the loss of I^? from solution by 30 and 50% for an organic and a carbonated sandy soil respectively. The I remaining in solution was associated primarily with dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The loss rate from solution appears to depend on two reactions of I with the soil solids (both mineral and organic) creating both a release to and a loss from solution, and the reaction of I with the DOC (from very low to high molecular weight). Composition analyses of the pore water and the geochemical modelling indicate that I sorption affects the double-charged anion species in solution the most, particularly SO₄ ^?. Iodide introduced to natural bog groundwater at three concentrations (10^?3, 10^?1 and 10 meq L^?1) remained as I^? and was not lost from solution quickly, indicating that the association of I with DOC is slow and does not depend on the DOC or I concentration. If sorption of I to soil solids or DOC is not sensitive to concentration, then stable I studies, which by necessity must be carried out at high environmental concentrations, can be linearly extrapolated to radioactive I at much lower molar concentrations.     

Factors affecting triadimefon degradation in soils

The degradation of triadimefon [1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-one] was studied in two soils, mollisol and inseptisol, under varying conditions of moisture and temperature, and the role of cow manure amendment and soil sterilization on fungicide degradation was ascertained. The soil moisture content affected the pathway followed for triadimefon degradation. In nonflooded soils (60% water-holding capacity), triadimefon was reduced to triadimenol, and in flooded soils, it was metabolized to the diol derivative [1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one-1,4-diol]. In nonflooded soils, triadimefon was more persistent in soil having more organic carbon content (mollisol), and the amendment of cow manure (5%) further enhanced its persistence. On the contrary, in flooded soil systems, the higher the soil organic carbon content was, the less persistent was the fungicide, and amendment of cow manure further enhanced its degradation. Triadimefon degradation was faster at 35 degrees C than at 27 degrees C. Triadimefon degradation in soils was mediated by the microorganisms, and no triadimefon degradation was observed in sterile soils. Triadimefon (1 mg/kg) did not affect soil phosphatase activity in either of the soils; however, soil dehydrogenase activity was significantly reduced, especially in mollisol soil.     

Factors affecting l-asparaginase activity in soils

Summary Studies on the distribution of l-asparaginase in soil profile samples revealed that its activity generally decreases with sample depth and is accompanied by a decrease in organic C content. Statistical analyses indicated that l-asparaginase activity was significantly correlated (^** P<0.01) with organic C (r=0.86^**) and total N (r=0.78^**) in the 26 surface soil samples examined. There was no significant relationship between l-asparaginase activity and the percentage of clay or sand. There was, however, a significant correlation between l-asparaginase activity and amidase (r=0.82^**) and urease (r=0.79^**) activities in the surface samples studied. The effects of 21 trace elements, 12 herbicides, 2 fungicides, and 2 insecticides on l-asparaginase activity in soils showed that most of the trace elements and pesticides, at the concentrations used, inhibited the reaction catalyzed by this enzyme. The degree of inhibition varied among soils. When the trace elements were compared, at the rate of 5 mol g^-1 soil, the average inhibition of l-asparaginase in three soils showed that Ag(I), Cd(II), Hg(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and V(IV) were the most effective inhibitors (average inhibition 20%). The least effective inhibitors (average 10%) included Cu(I), Ba(II), Co(II), Sn(II), Zn(II), Al(III), Se(IV), As(V), and Mo(VI). Other trace elements that inhibited l-asparaginase activity in soils were Cu(II), Mn(II), As(III), B(III), Cr(III), Fe(III), Ti(IV), and W(VI). When the pesticides were compared, at the rate of 10 g active ingredient g^-1 soil, the average inhibition of l-asparaginase activity in three soils ranged from 4% with Merpan to 46% with Malaspray. Other pesticides that inhibited l-asparaginase activity in soils (average inhibition in parentheses) were Aatrex (17%), Alanap (21%), Amiben (18%), Banvel (12%), Bladex (24%), 2,4-D (17%), Dinitramine (19%), Eradicane (16%), Lasso (40%), Paraquat (33%), Sutan (39%), treflan (7%), Menesan (18%), and Diazinon (33%).     

引起小麦倒伏的因子分析

田间调查和室内测试的结果表明 ,倒伏主要是由于品种、密度、氮肥力及其交互作用造成 .氮肥力过高是倒伏的基础 ,品种、密度、降雨是倒伏的诱因     

Factors affecting the cropping potential of reinstated soils

Abstract. Comparisons of crop production on recently reinstated soil in Northumberland have shown that the reduced yield potential of such soil may not be inevitable. Storage of soil in bunds did not greatly reduce subsequent crop yields, but failure to drain the land did. Provided an effective drainage scheme was installed, arable and grass crops could be grown successfully, responding very well to additions of nitrogen fertilizer and other normal good husbandry practices. To date it seems that neither deep cultivation nor the use of grass leys were as effective in the restoration process as had been expected.     

哺乳动物克隆电融合技术的影响因素

电融合技术是目前动物核移植的最佳融合方法。核移植的融合率直接影响着核移植的效率,是核移植技术的关键环节之一。本文将对哺乳动物细胞核移植中影响电融合效果的相关因素的研究作一综述,以便人们进一步了解电融合的影响因素,从而提高动物克隆的效率。     

Factors affecting the release of flavor encapsulated in carbohydrate matrixes

The effects of water content and temperature variation on the release of flavor components into the headspace over flavors, encapsulated by an extrusion process, in low water content carbohydrate matrixes is studied. The largest amounts of release occurred when the matrix was above its glass transition temperature, whether this was due to increased water content or elevated temperature. Under these conditions up to 70% of the sucrose in the matrix crystallized over a period of 10 days, as quantified using Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy. Smaller amounts of headspace release occurred when the water content of the encapsulated flavor system was decreased from 3. 5 to 3.1% w/w. Small amounts of release occurred from the "as prepared" materials, which were associated with the presence of small amounts of unencapsulated flavor oil with direct access to the headspace. It was concluded that release due to matrix permeability was relatively slow as compared with the above mechanisms.     

Factors affecting lycopene oxidation in oil-in-water emulsions

Evidence that dietary lycopene decreases the risk for a number of health conditions has generated new opportunities for the addition of lycopene to functional foods. This work examined the potential of oil-in-water emulsions as a lycopene delivery system for foods. Oil-in-water emulsions containing lycopene were prepared using different kinds of surfactant (cationic, anionic, and nonionic) and oil types (corn oil, stripped corn oil, and hexadecane). The formation of fatty acid oxidation products and the degradation of lycopene and tocopherol were then monitored. Fatty acids and lycopene had greater stability in oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by cationic dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) or nonionic polyoxyethylene (23) lauryl ether than by anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Oxidative stability in the corn oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by SDS was in the following order: tocopherolhexadecane>tocopherol-stripped corn oil. Lycopene degradation rates were similar in emulsions with and without fatty acids, suggesting that lycopene loss was independent of the presence of fatty acids. These results suggest that the stability of lycopene in oil-in-water emulsions could be inhibited by altering the emulsion droplet interface and by the presence of tocopherols.     

Factors affecting potassium leaching in different soils

Abstract. A set of lysimeter based experiments was carried out during 2000/01 to evaluate the impact of soil type and grassland management on potassium (K) leaching. The effects of (1) four soil textures (sand, loam, loam over chalk and clay), (2) grazing and cutting (with farmyard manure application), and (3) K applied as inorganic fertilizer, dairy slurry or a mixture of both sources were tested. Total K losses in the clay soil were more than twice those in the sand soil (13 and 6 kg K ha⁻¹, respectively) because of the development of preferential flow in the clay soil. They were also greater in the cut treatment than in the grazed treatment (82 and 51 kg K ha⁻¹, respectively; P 0.01), associated with a 63% increase of K concentration in the leachates from the former (6.7 ± 0.28 and 4.1 ± 0.22 mg K L⁻¹ for cut and grazed, respectively; P 0.01) because of the K input from the farmyard manure. The source of fertilizer did not affect total K losses or the average K concentration in the leachates ( P > 0.05), but it changed the pattern of these over time.     

Factors affecting formation of methyl nitrite in soils

The formation of CH₃ONO in 11 soils treated with HNO₂ or NaNO₂ in a closed system, was studied by measuring the concentration in the gas space above the soil and by absorbing CH₃ONO in HI. The gaseous concentration of CH₃ONO increased and then decreased following additions of HNO₂ or NaNO₂, and the production of CH₃ONO increased with increasing concentrations of HNO₂ or NaNO₂ added to soils.
The amounts of CH₃ONO trapped in HI were 13.5 to 20.4 times higher than those determined by integrating under the net production curves. The evolved CH₃ONO amounted to 0.4 to 3.5% of added NO₂⁻, and 4.2 to 50% of the gaseous forms of N absorbed by acidic KMnO₄ solution. The CH₃ONO evolved from soils was positively correlated with the methoxy content of the soils, and inversely related to soil pH, with negligible amounts being evolved from alkaline soils. The results show that CH₃ONO is a product of NO₂⁻ decomposition in soils, and indicate that small concentrations of the gas may be produced in N–fertilized soils in which NO₂⁻ accumulates.     

Factors affecting the success of translocations of the black-faced impala in Namibia

This study analysed 21 translocations of the vulnerable black-faced impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi) to 20 Namibian game farms that occurred between 1970 and 2001, seeking characteristics of the translocated populations and the release sites that significantly correlated with the success of the translocations. Characteristics considered were: initial population size; presence of cheetah and leopard; area; habitat type; occurrence within the historical range of the subspecies and occurrence of trophy hunting. Success of translocations was described by whether the population had a positive growth rate. The success rate of translocations of black-faced impala (62%) was higher than shown in other studies of vertebrate translocations. Initial population size was paramount to the success of translocations. Releases of larger populations were more likely to lead to positive population growth rates than were releases of small populations. The presence of cheetah also influenced the success of translocated populations. In the presence of cheetah, small populations translocated to game farms were significantly less likely to be viable than larger populations. Recommendations for the management of this vulnerable antelope include introducing large initial populations, ideally more than 15 animals, rather than attempting to eliminate cheetah following translocations of impala.     

Factors affecting the magnitude of post-glacial hillslope incision in Japanese mountains

In Japanese mountains, increased post-glacial rainfall triggered gullying in bedrock and thousands of shallow failures in regolith, resulting in widespread hillslope incision. To identify factors influencing the areal extent of the post-glacial incision, fifteen rugged river basins in central and northeast Japan were surveyed. Topographical and geological properties of hillslopes were measured on geomorphological maps, digital elevation data, and geological maps. Analyses of ca. 3,000 0.5 × 0.5 km morphometric samples have shown that the magnitude of regolith failure depends mainly on slope inclination and geology, and subordinately on local storm intensity. The magnitude of bedrock gullying also depends on these three factors, but with greater dominance of storm intensity. These observations reflect the differential stability of hillslopes with varying inclination, erodibility of bedrock, and sensitivity of regolith and bedrock to change in storm intensity. The three factors also exert control on alluvial-fan development in the lower reaches, because they affect the amount of hillslope sediment supply and in turn the type of fluvial processes.     

Factors affecting the bioaccessibility of methylmercury in several marine fish species

Bioaccessibility refers to the maximum bioavailability of pollutant ingested with food, and its measurements can lead to a more accurate risk assessment as compared to the measurements of total concentrations of pollutant in food. This study examined the factors affecting the bioaccessibility of methylmercury (MeHg) in nine species of marine fish with an aim to identify ways of reducing MeHg bioaccessibility. MeHg bioaccessibility without any treatment in the nine species of marine fish ranged from 16.0 to 67.7%. Steaming, grilling, and frying reduced MeHg bioaccessibility by 29.4-77.4% for rabbitfish and 74.6-95.8% for grouper. Co-consumption of phytochemical-rich foods such as green tea decreased the bioaccessibility of MeHg by 72.2% for rabbitfish and 74.0% for grouper, whereas meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid increased it by 39.2-108% for rabbitfish and 45.3-75.7% for grouper. The bioaccessibilities of both MeHg and inorganic mercury were independent of the total Hg concentration and the exposure route (dietary vs dissolved). In eight of the nine species studied, bioaccessibility was negatively correlated with the extent to which MeHg was partitioned into the metal-rich granule fraction and the trophically available fraction. It was positively correlated with partitioning into the cellular debris fraction. This study demonstrated the important control of subcellular distribution in MeHg bioaccessibility.     

Factors affecting thermally induced furan formation

Furan, a potential carcinogen, can be induced by heat from sugars, ascorbic acid, and fatty acids. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of pH, phosphate, temperature, and heating time on furan formation. Heat-induced furan formation from free sugars, ascorbic acid, and linoleic acid was profoundly affected by pH and the presence of phosphate. In general, the presence of phosphate increased furan formation in solutions of sugars and ascorbic acid. In a linoleic acid emulsion, phosphate increased the formation of furan at pH 6 but not at pH 3. When an ascorbic acid solution was heated, higher amounts of furan were produced at pH 3 than at pH 6 regardless of phosphate's presence. However, in linoleic acid emulsion, more furan was produced at pH 6 than at pH 3. The highest amount of furan was formed from the linoleic acid emulsion at pH 6. In fresh apple cider, a product with free sugars as the major components (besides water) and little fatty acids, ascorbic acid, or phosphate, small or very low amounts of furan was formed by heating at 90-120 degrees C for up to 10 min. The results indicated that free sugars may not lead to significant amounts of furan formation under conditions for pasteurization and sterilization. Importantly, this is the first report demonstrating that phosphate (in addition to pH) plays a significant role in thermally induced furan formation.     

植物提取影响因素研究进展

Hyperaccumulators concentrate trace metals and heavy metals in their shoots when grown in metal-contaminated soils and these trace metal-loaded plants may be removed by harvesting the fields. Studies exploring the beneficial role of these hyperaccumulators to clean up the environment have led to the development of phytoextraction. The success of phytoextraction depends upon the high biomass of plant species and bioavailability of metals for plant uptake. The phytoavailability of metals is influenced by soil-associated factors, such as pH, redox potential, cation exchange capacity, soil type, and soil texture, and by plant-associated factors, such as root exudates and root rhizosphere processes (microorganisms). Efficiency of phytoextraction can be improved by advanced agronomic practices including soil and crop management by application of genetic engineering to enhance the metal tolerance, shoot translocation, accumulation, and sequestration and by application of chelate treatments to enhance metal bioavailability. Application of microorganisms including bacteria and mycorrhiza may facilitate the phytoextraction application at commercially large scale.     

Factors affecting diurnal stem contraction in young Douglas-fir

Diurnal fluctuation in a tree's stem diameter is a function of daily growth and of the tree's water balance, as water is temporarily stored in the relatively elastic outer cambial and phloem tissues. On a very productive site in southwestern Washington, U.S.A., we used recording dendrometers to monitor stem diameter fluctuations of Douglas-fir at plantation ages 7 and 8 and related the fluctuations to environmental variables measured on-site. Growing-season diurnal stem contraction (DSC) averaged 0.21% of stem diameter, while dormant-season DSC averaged 0.03% of stem diameter. Maximum daily stem diameter generally occurred between 7:00 and 9:00 Pacific Standard Time (PST) and minimum stem diameter occurred between 17:00 and 20:00 PST. Diurnal stem contraction during the growing season was predicted by a model that included vapor pressure deficit and solar radiation (adjusted R² = 0.84). A similar model predicted DSC during the dormant season with an adjusted R² = 0.26. Soil water availability was high, and soil water content was not correlated with DSC. On four of the coldest winter days (mean daytime air temperature <0 °C), large decreases in stem diameter were observed. Recording dendrometers, used for continuous diameter measurements throughout the growing season, have the potential to provide important information not only on tree growth but also on a tree's water balance.     

精原细胞分化与凋亡的影响因素

人们对哺乳动物精子发生过程已经有了相当多的了解，但对精子发生过程的调控机制仍然了解甚少。生殖激素及原癌基因和肿瘤抑制基因的表达产物对维持正常精子发生中各类细胞的存活、增殖和凋亡，以及各类细胞受损伤后的清除均具有十分重要的作用。本文论述了促卵泡激素、雌激素、雄激素、干细胞因子、Bcl-2家族蛋白及p53蛋白在原细胞的分化和凋亡中的作用，以便人们进一步了解精子发生的调控机制。