Effect of high protein rice on nitrogen retention and growth of preschool children on a rice-based diet

The effect of high protein milled rices (IR480-5-9 and IR2153-338-3, 10% protein) on the nitrogen retention and growth of preschool Indian children was assessed in two feeding trials in a residential home. The children were offered, ad libitum, a rice-based diet in four meals daily without vitamin and mineral supplement. The children in the experimental group were given the high protein rice; those in the control group were given a local rice (7% protein). The groups had similar percent apparent digestibility and retention of dietary nitrogen. Statistically significant differences in increase in height and weight between the two groups were not consistently observed at the end of 4.5 to 5 months or 1 year. Possible factors contributing to these results are discussed.     

The immunological consequences of a high intake of soya-bean protein in man

Fifty-three volunteers undertook to consume at least four meals per week based on soya-bean textured vegetable protein (TVP) for 42 days. Changes in dietary habits were assessed and there were no changes in the distribution of energy between fat, carbohydrate and protein. Plasma total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and plasma triglycerides were significantly increased during the experiment (P<0.001). There were no significant changes in soya-specific antibodies (immunoglobulins G, A or M) or in total serum immune complexes in the group as a whole. There was no relationship between the intakes of either milk protein or soya-bean protein and their corresponding antibodies, irrespective of immunoglobulin class. It is concluded that, for most human subjects, there are no apparent immunological consequences of consuming a high intake of soya-bean protein. However, the plasma of a minority of the volunteers showed a marked increase in soya antibodies of some or all classes.     

Protein-rich food mixtures for feeding the young in Egypt II-chemical and biological evaluation

Ten protein-rich baby food mixtures based on popular dishes were formulated mainly from vegetable sources. Such mixtures could be easily prepared at home from locally-produced crops available in markets at low prices. The nutritional studies undertaken on such mixtures, showed that they are rich in protein (17.7–23.2 g/100 g). They contain all the essential amino acids. Biological studies indicated that they are of high biological value and that they could be safely given to children. The costs of such food mixtures are within the reach of most Egyptians.     

Ein Versuch zur Bekämpfung der Rübenaaskäfer mit arsenhaltigen Ködern

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Versuche zur Wirkung von Calciferolködern gegen Ratten und Mäuse in Ägypten

Experiments with 0.1% Calciferolbait (product of DETIA FREYBERG GMBH, Fed. Rep. of Germany) for combatting rats and mice were conducted in the laboratory, stores, and in the fields in Egypt. Efficacy of Calciferolbait on sunflower seeds as well as on wheat-kernels was tested in laboratory experiments against various rodent species spreaded all over the country. In general it was observed, that the quantity consumed by the test animals was higher for maize alone without toxicant than that for Calciferolbait. Results obtained by practical use of Calciferolbait on sun-flower seeds as well as on wheat in the stores and the field revealed that both baits were effective against rats and mice; but the attractivity of sunflowerbait was in general slightly higher than that of wheatbait. In other trials the efficacy of a further Calciferol-freshbait plus 3% sunflower oil as well as of a Calciferol-freshbait without addition of sunflower oil was examined. Results showed that both Calciferolbaits were effective, but the attractivity of the bait with addition of 3% sunflower oil was better than that of the bait without sunflower oil.     

Linear alkane polymerization on a gold surface

In contrast to the many methods of selectively coupling olefins, few protocols catenate saturated hydrocarbons in a predictable manner. We report here the highly selective carbon-hydrogen (C-H) activation and subsequent dehydrogenative C-C coupling reaction of long-chain (>C(20)) linear alkanes on an anisotropic gold(110) surface, which undergoes an appropriate reconstruction by adsorption of the molecules and subsequent mild annealing, resulting in nanometer-sized channels (1.22 nanometers in width). Owing to the orientational constraint of the reactant molecules in these one-dimensional channels, the reaction takes place exclusively at specific sites (terminal CH(3) or penultimate CH(2) groups) in the chains at intermediate temperatures (420 to 470 kelvin) and selects for aliphatic over aromatic C-H activation.     

Heralded entanglement between widely separated atoms

Entanglement is the essential feature of quantum mechanics. Notably, observers of two or more entangled particles will find correlations in their measurement results that cannot be explained by classical statistics. To make it a useful resource, particularly for scalable long-distance quantum communication, the heralded generation of entanglement between distant massive quantum systems is necessary. We report on the creation and analysis of heralded entanglement between spins of two single rubidium-87 atoms trapped independently 20 meters apart. Our results illustrate the viability of an integral resource for quantum information science, as well as for fundamental tests of quantum mechanics.     

Tail reconnection triggering substorm onset

Magnetospheric substorms explosively release solar wind energy previously stored in Earth's magnetotail, encompassing the entire magnetosphere and producing spectacular auroral displays. It has been unclear whether a substorm is triggered by a disruption of the electrical current flowing across the near-Earth magnetotail, at approximately 10 R(E) (R(E): Earth radius, or 6374 kilometers), or by the process of magnetic reconnection typically seen farther out in the magnetotail, at approximately 20 to 30 R(E). We report on simultaneous measurements in the magnetotail at multiple distances, at the time of substorm onset. Reconnection was observed at 20 R(E), at least 1.5 minutes before auroral intensification, at least 2 minutes before substorm expansion, and about 3 minutes before near-Earth current disruption. These results demonstrate that substorms are likely initiated by tail reconnection.