Partial least squares and principal components analysis of wine vintage by high performance liquid chromatography with chemiluminescence detection

HPLC with acidic potassium permanganate chemiluminescence detection was employed to analyse 17 Cabernet Sauvignon wines across a range of vintages (1971–2003). Partial least squares regression analysis and principal components analysis was used in order to investigate the relationship between wine composition and vintage. Tartaric acid, vanillic acid, catechin, sinapic acid, ethyl gallate, myricetin, procyanadin B and resveratrol were found to be important components in terms of differences between the vintages.

Partial exfoliation of layered double hydroxides in DMSO : a route to transparent polymer nanocomposites

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), either having nitrate counter anions or intercalated with organic molecules, have been for the first time partially exfoliated in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to form a transparent suspension. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images showed that both the lateral size and the thickness of the LDH nanoplatelets were decreased after the exfoliation. The organic-LDHs maintained their intercalation characteristics, i.e. the thermal stability improvement of the incorporated organic anions, after the exfoliation in DMSO. Transparent ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) nanocomposite films containing partially exfoliated LDHs intercalated with UV absorbers were prepared using DMSO as the processing solvent. As the first reported example of a highly transparent LDH/polymer composite, the obtained composite film had a visible light transmittance of 90% (comparable to that of the pure matrix), was flexible and exhibited an excellent UV-shielding capability and thermal stability.

Scores on the dietary guideline index for children and adolescents are associated with nutrient intake and socio-economic position but not adiposity 1-3

Diet quality indices reflect overall dietary patterns better than single nutrients or food groups. The study aims were to develop a measure of adherence with dietary guidelines applicable to child and adolescent populations in Australia and determine the association between index scores and food and nutrient intake, socio-demographic characteristics, and measures of adiposity. Data were analyzed from 4- to 16-y-old participants of the 2007 Australian Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (n = 3416). The Dietary Guideline Index for Children and Adolescents (DGI-CA) comprises 11 components: 5 core food groups, wholegrain bread, reduced-fat dairy foods, extra foods (nutrient poor and high in fat, salt, and added sugar), healthy fats/oils, water, and diet variety (possible score of 100). The index criteria were age specific. The mean DGI-CA score was low (53.6 ± 0.4), similar between boys and girls, and differed by age; the youngest children scored higher than the oldest children (P < 0.0001). Higher DGI-CA scores were associated with lower energy intake, energy density, total and saturated fat, and sugar intake; higher protein, carbohydrate, fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc, and iodine intakes; and a higher polyunsaturated:saturated fat ratio (P < 0.0001). DGI-CA scores were associated with socio-economic characteristics and measures of family circumstance. Weak positive associations were observed between DGI-CA score and BMI or waist circumference Z-scores in the 4- to 10-y and 12- to 16-y age groups only. This index is the first validated index in Australia and one of the few international indices to describe the diet quality of children and adolescents.

Observation-switching linear dynamic systems for tracking humans through unexpected partial occlusions by scene objects

This paper focuses on the problem of tracking people through occlusions by scene objects. Rather than relying on models of the scene to predict when occlusions will occur as other researchers have done, this paper proposes a linear dynamic system that switches between two alternatives of the position measurement in order to handle occlusions as they occur. The filter automatically switches between a foot-based measure of position (assuming z = Q) to a head-based position measure (given the person's height) when an occlusion of the person's lower body occurs. No knowledge of the scene or its occluding objects is used. Unlike similar research [2, 14], the approach does not assume a fixed height for people and so is able to track humans through occlusions even when they change height during the occlusion. The approach is evaluated on three furnished scenes containing tables, chairs, desks and partitions. Occlusions range from occlusions of legs, occlusions whilst being seated and near-total occlusions where only the person's head is visible. Results show that the approach provides a significant reduction in false-positive tracks in a multi-camera environment, and more than halves the number of lost tracks in single monocular camera views.

Partial state and unknown input estimation for time-delay systems

This article considers the problem of estimating a partial set of the state vector and/or unknown input vector of linear systems driven by unknown inputs and time-varying delay in the state variables. Three types of reduced-order observers, namely, observers with delays, observers without internal delays and delay-free observers are proposed in this article. Existence conditions and design procedures are presented for the determination of parameters for each case of observers. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the design procedures.

Evolution of moisture management behavior of high-wicking 3D warp knitted spacer fabrics

Moisture management behavior is a vital factor in evaluating thermal and physiological comfort of functional textiles. This research work studies functional 3 dimensional (3D) warp knitted spacer fabrics containing high-wicking materials characterized by their profiled cross section. These spacer fabrics can be used for protective vest to absorb a user’s sweat, to reduce the humidity and improve user’s thermal comfort. For this reason, different 3D warp knitted spacer fabrics were produced with functional fiber yarns in the back layer of the fabric (close to the body) and polyester in the front and middle layers (outer surface). Comfort properties such as air and water vapor permeability and wicking and other moisture management properties (MMP) of different fabric samples were measured. It is demonstrated that by using profiled fibers such as Coolmax fiber, moisture management properties of spacer fabrics can be improved, enabling them to be use as a snug-fitting shirt worn under protective vests with improved comfort.

Hedgehog partial agonism drives warburg-lie metabolism in muscle and brown fat

Diabetes, obesity, and cancer affect upward of 15% of the world’s population. Interestingly, all three diseases juxtapose dysregulated intracellular signaling with altered metabolic state. Exactly which genetic factors define stable metabolic set points in vivo remains poorly understood. Here, we show that hedgehog signaling rewires cellular metabolism. We identify a cilium-dependent Smo-Ca2+-Ampk axis that triggers rapid Warburg-like metabolic reprogramming within minutes of activation and is required for proper metabolic selectivity and flexibility. We show that Smo modulators can uncouple the Smo-Ampk axis from canonical signaling and identify cyclopamine as one of a new class of “selective partial agonists,” capable of concomitant inhibition of canonical and activation of noncanonical hedgehog signaling. Intriguingly, activation of the Smo-Ampk axis in vivo drives robust insulin-independent glucose uptake in muscle and brown adipose tissue. These data identify multiple noncanonical endpoints that are pivotal for rational design of hedgehog modulators and provide a new therapeutic avenue for obesity and diabetes.

Maternal feeding practices predict weight gain and obesogenic eating behaviours in young children : a prospective study

Background Maternal feeding practices have been proposed to play an important role in early child weight gain and obesogenic eating behariours. However, to date longitudinal investigations in young children exploring these relationships have been lacking. The aim of the present study was to explore prospective relationships between maternal feeding practices, child weight gain and obesogenic eating behaviours in 2-year-old children. The competing hypothesis that child eating behaviours predict changes in maternal feeding practices was also examined.

Methods A sample of 323 mother (mean age = 35 years, + 0.37) and child dyads (mean age = 2.03 years, + 0.37 at recruitment) were participants. Mothers completed a questionnaire assessing parental feeding practices and child eating behaviours at baseline and again one year later. Child BMI (predominantly objectively measured) was obtained at both time points.

Results Increases in child BMI z-scores over the follow-up period were predicted by maternal instrumental feeding practices. Furthermore, restriction, emotional feeding, encouragement to eat, weight-based restriction and fat restriction were associated prospectively with the development of obesogenic eating behaviours in children including emotional eating, tendency to overeat and food approach behaviours (such as enjoyment of food and good appetite). Maternal monitoring, however, predicted decreases in food approach eating behaviours. Partial support was also observed for child eating behaviours predicting maternal feeding practices.

Conclusions Maternal feeding practices play an important role in the development of weight gain and obesogenic eating behaviours in young children and are potential targets for effective prevention interventions aiming to decrease child obesity.

NSW parliamentary inquiry recommends partial reform to provocation law

This piece reviews the recommendations for reform put forward by the NSW Parliamentary Committee into the Partial Defence of Provocation.