Attraction to amino acids by Lymnaea acuminata, the snail host of Fasciola species

Adult Lymnaea acuminata (average length 20-22 mm) were collected locally from lakes and low-lying submerged fields from Gorakhpur. The chemoattraction studies were made in round glass aquaria measuring 30 cm in diameter and filled to a depth of 10 mm with 500 ml dechlorinated tap water. Each aquarium was divided into four concentric zones. At the starting time of the assay 10 snails were placed on the circumference of outermost zone 0. Snail attractant pellets (SAP) were added simultaneously in the center of central zone 3. SAP of different amino acids were prepared at concentrations of 10, 20, 50, 80 and 100 mM/2% agar solution and, subsequently, spread to a uniform thickness of 5 mm. After cooling, SAP were cut in small pieces of 5 mm in diameter. Lymnaea acuminata's attraction to amino acids was studied using different amino acid concentrations in SAP. Pellets containing amino acids with non-polar R groups (proline and tryptophan), a charged polar group (arginine) and uncharged polar R groups (serine, citrulline and asparagine) were tested. The snails were more attracted to the uncharged polar R group amino acid serine than to other groups of amino acids. The preferred amino acid concentration was 80 mM. The attraction of snails to different amino acids was concentration dependent. Snails could discriminate amongst the different amino acids at > or = 50 mM.

Management of Cross Border Mergers and Acquisitions

This research thesis analyses the motivation behind the cross-border mergers and acquisitions deals. How mergers and acquisitions of new knowledge and assets, enhance business with expansion into new streams and international markets. Also, how mega deals help them to gain a power in the international markets. The research focuses on understanding the interrelation between motivations which are contributing to M&A activities and how issues like cultural differences and different management styles are overcome by these firms in cross-border settings. Chapter 1, gives a background knowledge on cross-border M&A as popular internationalization strategy choice, continuing with describing the process in Finnish and Japanese cultural context, and how these deals are proceeding in particular cases. Chapter 2, reviews the important findings and touches the common gaps or aspects those are not studied extensively, does play a key role in the success and failure of M&A deals. A methodology is presented in chapter 3, presenting the hurdles faced by many in this research field. Chapter 4, present the case study is presented to show how M&A can play an important role in structuring the entire economy of Japan. At last chapter 5, presents the evidence, if cultural, HRM and geographical aspects really contribute to the success of M&A, based on which managerial implications are suggested and propositions are built for future research references.

Caracterização de propriedades funcionais do isolado protéico de sementes de algaroba (Prosopis juliflora(SW) D.C.). modificado por acetilação

O isolado protéico das sementes de algaroba (Prosopis juliflora (SW) D.C.) foi modificado com anidrido acético nas concentrações de 5, 10, 20 e 30% (V/P), resultando, portanto, nos respectivos graus de modificação: 69,5; 83,2; 89,7 e 91,1% da lisina disponível. Caracterizou-se a funcionalidade do isolado nas formas não modificada e acetilada. O isolado não modificado apresentou alta solubilidade em pH ácido e básico, com exceção da faixa de pH 4 a 6. A acetilação deslocou o ponto isoelétrico das proteínas do pH 5 para o pH 4,5 , diminuiu em pequena extensão a solubilidade abaixo do ponto isoelétrico e aumentou a partir do pH 5, principalmente em pH 7. A capacidade de absorção de água e de óleo do isolado não modificado, que por sua vez se mostrou baixa (1,89 e 1,04g/g proteína), não melhorou satisfatoriamente após a modificação. O efeito de modificação nas propriedades espumantes foi maior com relação ao volume e a expansão da espuma formada do que na sua estabilidade. A capacidade emulsificante do isolado acetilado aumentou em grande extensão, no entanto, a atividade emulsificante e estabilidade de emulsão revelaram pequenos incrementos, em comparação com o isolado não modificado.

Functional characterization of acetylated Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa HBK) kernel globulin

Defatted Brazil nut kernel flour, a rich source of high quality proteins, is presently being utilized in the formulation of animal feeds. One of the possible ways to improve its utilization for human consumption is through improvement in its functional properties. In the present study, changes in some of the functional properties of Brazil nut kernel globulin were evaluated after acetylation at 58.6, 66.2 and 75.3% levels. The solubility of acetylated globulin was improved above pH 6.0 but was reduced in the pH range of 3.0-4.0. Water and oil absorption capacity, as well as the viscosity increased with increase in the level of acetylation. Level of modification also influenced the emulsifying capacity: decreased at pH 3.0, but increased at pH 7.0 and 9.0. Highest emulsion activity (approximately 62.2%) was observed at pH 3.0 followed by pH 9.0 and pH 7.0 and least (about 11.8%) at pH 5.0. Emulsion stability also followed similar behavior as that of emulsion activity.

Postharvest respiratory activity and changes in some chemical constituents during maturation of yellow mombin (Spondias mombin) fruit

Mature fruit from the yellow mombin (Spondias mombin) was monitored for its respiration activity. Mature green fruit from the yellow mombin was stored in closed glass chambers and the concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide at the end of a six hour respiration period was determined. At the same interval of time, the lid of the chamber was opened for air renewal. The increase in carbon dioxide and decrease in oxygen concentration demonstrated that the fruit was climacteric. The maximum liberation of CO2 54.2 mL Kg-1 h-1 and maximum absorption of O2 49.0 mL Kg-1 h-1 occurred 186 hours after the harvest which, obviously, represented the optimum fruit quality after the senescence process started. The respiratory quotient of fruit at a climacteric maximum was 1.11 representing the oxidation of carbohydrates. Total soluble solids increased from 9.1 °Brix (initial) to 13.7 °Brix (climacteric maximum) during maturation, while the total number of acids in the fruit decreased during maturation i.e. from 1.55% initially to 1.40% at pre-climacteric, 1.0% at climacteric maximum and 0.8% in the post-climacteric stage. A similar behaviour was observed in the case of ascorbic acid. There was a continuous decrease in chlorophyll and a continuous increase in the carotenoid content of fruit during maturation.

Cinética de la transferencia de masa durante la deshidratación osmótica de yacón (Smallanthus sonchifolius)

El yacón (Smallanthus sonchifolius) es un tubérculo andino de vida útil muy corta bajo condiciones ambientales. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron determinar: 1) la cinética de deshidratación osmótica de yacón, utilizando sacarosa como soluto; 2) el ajuste de la ecuación de Peleg a los datos experimentales; y 3) el coeficiente de difusión usando la ecuación de Hawkes y Flink. La fruta se peló y cortó en placas de 3 x 3 x 0,3 cm. Se la deshidrató osmóticamente con solución de sacarosa al 40% (p/p), hasta aw = 0,97. El proceso se realizó a temperatura de 25 °C y con agitación continua (105 rpm). Se determinó la pérdida de peso de las muestras, la ganancia de sólidos y la retención de agua. Los parámetros obtenidos para el ajuste de pérdida de agua y ganancia de sólidos son respectivamente: k1: 8,2 0,1 y k2: 0,53 ± 0,06; k1: 234 ± 8 y k2: 2,6 ± 0,5. La mayor transferencia de masa, tanto de agua como de soluto, ocurre durante los primeros 60 a 90 minutos de proceso, lográndose una ganancia media de sólidos de 9,5 [g.100 g-1 MF] y una pérdida de agua de 68,8 [g.100 g-1MF]. Se puede asegurar que es posible aplicar satisfactoriamente el proceso de deshidratación osmótica en yacón como pre tratamiento de conservación.

Efecto de gelificantes en la formulación de dulce de yacón

El yacón (Smallanthus sonchifolius) es un tubérculo andino cultivado en las laderas de los Andes. Es una planta perenne que llega a su madurez entre 6-7 meses hasta 1 año, según la altura sobre el nivel del mar. Este trabajo propone la formulación de un producto alimenticio a partir de yacón por agregado de solutos: glucosa y sacarosa y combinación de barreras de estrés. Se estudió el efecto de gelificantes: agar-agar, pectina y goma arábiga, en tres concentraciones: 0,30, 0,41 y 0,48%. Se agregó benzoato de sodio, metabisulfito de sodio y ácido cítrico. Se desarrolló un dulce tipo pan. Se registró la evolución de temperatura durante la cocción. Se empacó y envasó el dulce en bandejas. Se analizaron parámetros de textura principales y secundarios. La formulación que alcanzó valores de textura similares a la referencia fue: 0,48% de agar-agar; 12% de sacarosa; 17% de glucosa; 23% de agua; 996,75 ppm de metabisulfito; 498,50 ppm de ácido cítrico y 1435,7 ppm de benzoato de sodio. Se realizó una prueba sensorial a través de la evaluación de los parámetros más representativos de la textura, utilizando para ello una escala hedónica, determinando la aceptación de la formulación seleccionada.

Secagem de fatias de abacaxi in natura e pré-desidratadas por imersão-impregnação: cinética e avaliação de modelos

O presente estudo teve como objetivos investigar o efeito da impregnação de sacarose e de açúcar invertido na taxa de secagem por convecção de abacaxi e avaliar a adequação de nove modelos matemáticos na descrição das curvas de secagem. Os testes experimentais foram feitos empregando-se coroas circulares de abacaxi in natura e pré-desidratadas por imersão-impregnação em soluções de sacarose (0,40, 0,44 e 0,47 g.mL-1) e em xarope de açúcar invertido. A pré-desidratação osmótica foi realizada a 40 e 50 ºC, por 2 horas, sob agitação de 60 min-1. A secagem por convecção foi feita em secador do tipo gabinete com bandejas, a 60 ºC e 1,25 m.s-1. O grau de ajuste dos modelos foi avaliado por meio do coeficiente de determinação, da raiz do erro quadrático médio, do erro percentual absoluto médio e por análise de dispersão de resíduos. As maiores taxas de secagem foram obtidas para amostras in natura; naquelas pré-desidratadas osmoticamente, o aumento da concentração da solução ocasionou a diminuição da taxa de secagem. O modelo de Wang e Singh foi o que melhor descreveu a secagem por convecção de coroas circulares de abacaxi.

Propriedades funcionais das proteínas de amêndoas da faveleira (Cnidosculus phyllacanthus (Mart.) Pax. et K. Hoffm.) com e sem espinhos

A faveleira possui amêndoas com potencial em óleos e proteínas alimentares e é encontrada em todos os estados do nordeste brasileiro, principalmente nas regiões do sertão e caatinga. Objetivando a sua aplicação em formulações alimentícias, as propriedades funcionais das proteínas de amêndoas da faveleira com espinhos (FCE), e sem espinhos (FSE) foram estudadas. As amêndoas apresentaram, elevado conteúdo de lipídio (40,56 e 40,21%) e proteína (33,00 e 35,77%) e depois de desengordurada, apresentou 57,55 e 63,00% respectivamente. Na obtenção dos isolados proteicos, os índices em proteínas extraídas foram de 83,51% para a FCE e 80,57% para a FSE em pH 10,5. Os índices de proteínas recuperadas através da precipitação isoelétrica foram de 72,84 e 72,11% em pH 4,5. Os índices de proteínas solúveis e as propriedades de emulsificação mostraram-se dependentes do pH, com valores mínimos no ponto isoelétrico e mais elevados em pH ácido e básico ao pI. O isolado proteico da FSE apresentou melhor capacidade de absorção de água e de óleo em relação à FCE. Quando avaliadas através da atividade e da estabilidade de emulsão os isolados apresentaram performance apropriada tanto na região ácida quanto alcalina do pI.

Prevalência de ansiedade e depressão e suas comorbidades em pacientes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise e diálise peritoneal

Introdução: Os pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC) que realizam terapia renal substitutiva (TRS) estão sujeitos a maior prevalência de distúrbios de humor. Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo é comparar a prevalência de ansiedade e depressão nos pacientes que realizam hemodiálise (HD) e diálise peritoneal (DP), levando em conta comorbidades que podem contribuir para isso. Métodos: O estudo foi realizado em Ponta Grossa, PR, com pacientes portadores de DRC, utilizando os inventários de depressão e ansiedade de Beck (BDI e BAI) e a Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão (EHAD). Resultados: Foram estudados 155 pacientes, 128 no grupo em HD e 27 em DP. No primeiro, depressão foi encontrada em 22,6% dos pacientes no BDI e em 9,3% na EHAD, e ansiedade em 25,7% no BAI e em 11,7% na EHAD. No grupo em DP, 29,6% dos pacientes apresentaram depressão no BDI e 14,8% na EHAD, e ansiedade em 11,1% no BAI e em nenhum na EHAD. Conclusão: A realização de hemodiálise ou diálise peritoneal não influenciou na prevalência de ansiedade ou depressão nos pacientes com DRC.

Analysis of a temperature sensitive mutation affecting aldehyde oxidase activity in Drosophila melanogaster

A strain of Drosophila melanogaster (mid america stock culture no. hl16) has been reported to be deficient in aldehyde oxidase activity (Hickey and Singh 1982). This strain was characterized during the course of this study and compared to other mutant strains known to be deficient in aldehyde oxidase activity. During the course of this investigation, the hl16 strain was found to be temperature sensitive in its viability. It was found that the two phenotypes, the enzyme deficiency, and the temperature sensitive lethality were the result of two different mutations, both mapping to the X-chromosome. These two mutations were found to be separable by recombination. The enzyme deficiency was found to map to the same locus as the cinnamon mutation, another mutation which affects aldehyde oxidase production. The developmental profile of aldehyde oxidase in the hl16 strain was compared to the developmental profile in the Canton S wild type strain. The aldehyde oxidase activity in adult hl16 individuals was also compared to that of various other strains. It was also found that the aldehyde oxidase activity was temperature sensitive in the adult flies. The temperature sensitive lethality mutation was mapped to position 1-0.1.

Residues in soils : a gas chromatography - mass spectrometry study

Combined gas chromatography and mass spectrometry has been used to identify unknown residues in soils (especially pesticides). The effect of U.V. light on DDT and linuron and quantitative estimation of elemental sulfur in different soils has also been carried out.

The effect of governance mechanism and structure on fees and performance of Mutual Funds in Canada

Taking advantage of the unique Canadian setting, this study empirically analyzes the impact of presence of the board of directors, as an internal governance mechanism, on fees and performance of mutual funds. Further, the impact of the board structure on fees and performance of corporate class funds is analyzed. We find that corporate class funds, which have a separate board of directors for the fund, charge higher fees; however, they also provide superior performance than trust funds. Furthermore, we find that for corporate class funds, smaller board, with higher percentage of independent directors, and with the fund CEO acting as the chairman of the board is likely to charge lower fees. Also, more independent boards are strongly associated with superior fee-adjusted performance.

ASSESSING THE PERFORMANCE OF EMERGING MARKET MUTUAL FUNDS IN CANADA

Emerging markets have received wide attention from investors around the globe because of their return potential and risk diversification. This research examines the selection and timing performance of Canadian mutual funds which invest in fixed-income and equity securities in emerging markets. We use (un)conditional two- and five-factor benchmark models that accommodate the dynamics of returns in emerging markets. We also adopt the cross-sectional bootstrap methodology to distinguish between ‘skill’ and ‘luck’ for individual funds. All the tests are conducted using a comprehensive data set of bond and equity emerging funds over the period of 1989-2011. The risk-adjusted measures of performance are estimated using the least squares method with the Newey-West adjustment for standard errors that are robust to conditional heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation. The performance statistics of the emerging funds before (after) management-related costs are insignificantly positive (significantly negative). They are sensitive to the chosen benchmark model and conditional information improves selection performance. The timing statistics are largely insignificant throughout the sample period and are not sensitive to the benchmark model. Evidence of timing and selecting abilities is obtained in a small number of funds which is not sensitive to the fees structure. We also find evidence that a majority of individual funds provide zero (very few provide positive) abnormal return before fees and a significantly negative return after fees. At the negative end of the tail of performance distribution, our resampling tests fail to reject the role of bad luck in the poor performance of funds and we conclude that most of them are merely ‘unlucky’.

Two School Administrators’ Perspectives on How Intercultural Education is Promoted in Their Elementary Schools

This study examined the perspectives of 2 elementary school administrators (1 principal of a faith based school, and 1 vice-principal of a public school) towards intercultural education and how it was implemented in their schools. A generic qualitative research methodology guided this study. Face-to-face interviews that used a guide with open-ended questions were used to collect data. Participants were administrators in their respective schools, had been involved in intercultural activities at their school, and were professional acquaintances of the researcher. The interviews were digitally recorded and the interview transcripts were reviewed by participants to ensure accuracy. The administrators’ understanding of intercultural education tended to be limited to learning and celebration of various cultures. The intercultural education strategies used in the respective schools focussed on developing a knowledge base and provided limited intercultural interaction. The public school had greater resources available than the private faith-based school. However, the resources were not always used to facilitate intercultural education. Teachers and administrators were provided with very few professional development opportunities focussed on intercultural education.