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The bonding between electrodes of a power device and Cu bumps based on the surface activation techniques, and the possibility of low-temperature bonding for several bonding methods and material combinations, have been investigated.

Web-based cognitive-behavioral interventions to reduce substance use can be a useful low-cost treatment for a large number of people, and an attractive option in countries where a greater availability of treatment is needed.To evaluate the feasibility and initial effectiveness of a web-based cognitive-behavioral intervention for the reduction of substance use and depression compared with treatment as usual, with and without a printed self-help manual.Individuals seeking outpatient treatment for substance use were randomly assigned to one of the following: (1) the web-based Help Program for Drug Abuse and Depression (n = 23); (2) an in-person session with an addiction therapist and use of the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test Self-Help Strategies guide, followed by treatment as usual (n = 25), or (3) treatment ordinarily offered in the participating treatment centers (n = 26). The study took place in 2013-2014 (trial registration: ISRCTN25429892), and participants completed baseline, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up evaluation interviews.Treatment retention and data availability were comparable in all three conditions. A reduction was observed from baseline to follow-up in average days of use [F(1,28) = 29.70, p0.001], severity of use [F(2,28) = 143.66, p0.001], and depressive symptomatology [F = (4)16.40, p0.001], independent of the type of treatment provided.The findings suggest that the web-based intervention to reduce substance abuse is feasible, although it is not more effective than other intervention modalities; its effectiveness must be evaluated in a larger sample. Attrition was a main limitation; future studies must improve retention and assess cost-effectiveness.

Background and aims Given the scarcity of alcohol prevention and alcohol use disorder treatments in many low and middle-income countries, theWorld Health Organization launched an e-health portal on alcohol and health that includes aWeb-based self-help program. This paper presents the protocol for a multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the efficacy of the internet-based self-help intervention to reduce alcohol use. Design Two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) with follow-up 6 months after randomization. Setting Community samples in middle-income countries. Participants People aged 18+, with Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores of 8+ indicating hazardous alcohol consumption. Intervention and comparator Offer of an internet-based self-help intervention, ‘Alcohol e-Health’, compared with a ‘waiting list’ control group. The intervention, adapted from a previous program with evidence of effectiveness in a high-income country, consists of modules to reduce or entirely stop drinking. Measurements The primary outcome measure is change in the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score assessed at 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes include self-reported the numbers of standard drinks and alcohol-free days in a typical week during the past 6 months, and cessation of harmful or hazardous drinking (AUDIT < 8). Analysis Data analysis will be by intention-to-treat, using analysis of covariance to test if programparticipants will experience a greater reduction in their AUDIT score than controls at follow-up. Secondary outcomes will be analysed by (generalized) linear mixed models. Complier average causal effect and baseline observations carried forward will be used in sensitivity analyses. Comments If the Alcohol e-Health program is found to be effective, the potential public health impact of its expansion into countries with underdeveloped alcohol prevention and alcohol use disorder treatment systems world-wide is considerable.

Preeclampsia is associated with histological alterations in the placenta. These alterations can be described by means of histological techniques. More specifically, immunohistochemistry could be used to detect proteins, and these in turn may be used to identify a specific cell type, to differentiate it from other cell types and to detect the expression of some markers deregulated in preeclampsia.This chapter focuses on the detection of specific cellular and molecular markers that evidence the alterations in the human placenta in preeclampsia.

Given the scarcity of alcohol prevention and alcohol use disorder treatments in many low and middle-income countries, the World Health Organization launched an e-health portal on alcohol and health that includes a Web-based self-help program. This paper presents the protocol for a multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the efficacy of the internet-based self-help intervention to reduce alcohol use.Two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) with follow-up 6 months after randomization.Community samples in middle-income countries.People aged 18+, with Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores of 8+ indicating hazardous alcohol consumption.Offer of an internet-based self-help intervention, 'Alcohol e-Health', compared with a 'waiting list' control group. The intervention, adapted from a previous program with evidence of effectiveness in a high-income country, consists of modules to reduce or entirely stop drinking.The primary outcome measure is change in the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score assessed at 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes include self-reported the numbers of standard drinks and alcohol-free days in a typical week during the past 6 months, and cessation of harmful or hazardous drinking (AUDIT8).Data analysis will be by intention-to-treat, using analysis of covariance to test if program participants will experience a greater reduction in their AUDIT score than controls at follow-up. Secondary outcomes will be analysed by (generalized) linear mixed models. Complier average causal effect and baseline observations carried forward will be used in sensitivity analyses.If the Alcohol e-Health program is found to be effective, the potential public health impact of its expansion into countries with underdeveloped alcohol prevention and alcohol use disorder treatment systems world-wide is considerable.

In this contribution we have determined the effect of limited enzymatic hydrolysis on the emulsifying capacity of amaranth proteins. The action of enzyme (alcalase and trypsin) and the pH of the continuous phase of the oil/water emulsion (pH 2.0, 6.3 and 8.0) were the variables analyzed. The results obtained show that amaranth protein isolates, AI, contain proteins species capable of forming and stabilizing emulsions, mainly at acidic pH (2.0) and to a lesser extent at pH 8.0. While the emulsions obtained are sensitive to creaming and flocculation, they do not undergo destabilization by coalescence. The emulsions prepared from proteins subjected to low grade trypsin hydrolysis (TH2.2) are sensitive to creaming - flocculation, whereas alcalase-hydrolyzed proteins (AH1.7 and AH9.5) exhibited a significant destabilization by creaming, flocculation and coalescence, mainly at pH 6.3. The effect of the pH of the aqueous phase was determining on the emulsion stability beside the structural and physicochemical characteristics of protein species utilized as tensioactive. At acidic pH (pH 2.0) the unfolding and charge of polypeptides and the capacity of form a viscoelastic film at the interface were essential while at alkaline pH (pH 8.0) the balance among high and low molecular mass protein species and flexibility of the molecule fixed the emulsions properties.

Amaranth sprouts are an edible food with good nutritional qualities and potential biological activities of their proteins. The chemical composition, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity of the sprouts were determined. Sprouts showed a protein content similar to the seeds on a dry basis (16%) and a high fiber content (17%). Amaranth sprout proteins presented a capacity to inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme activity similar to other plant proteins (IC50 = 0.9 ± 0.6 mg/mL). This capacity increased after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (IC50 = 0.26 ± 0.07 mg/mL). Besides other non protein molecules, the amaranth sprout proteins also presented ABTS+. scavenging activity (TEAC = 0.32 ± 0.05 mol/mg) that increased after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (TEAC = 0.72 ± 0.08 mol/mg) and oxygen radical antioxidant capacity. According to these results amaranth sprouts are a nutritive food with potential health promoting properties., Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos

Adduct ions of monosaccharide molecules with alkali halide triple ions were analyzed by Fast Atom Bombardment (FAB) and Collisionally Activated Dissociation (CAD) techniques. The adduct ions generally appeared in the form of [S+AiXAj]+, where S=monosaccharide molecule, Ai+=Na+, Aj+=Cs+, and X-=Cl-, respectively. First, in FABMS spectra, (AiXAj)+ adduct monosaccharide molecule ions were identified; second, from the mass spectra, the precursor ions were selected, and it was possible to verify their product ions in the CAD spectra. Then, the relative intensities of the product ions were compared. In the present paper, we report the fragmentation processes of [S+AiXAj]+, the main (AiXAj)+, Ai+, Aj+, (S+Ai)+, (S+Aj)+ product ions, the relative intensities of these product ions, and try to explain the interactions occurring in [S+AiXAj]+ adduct ions.

Se obsevaron partículas finas en relaves generados a partir de la flotación de minerales. Mediante el uso de barrido de emisión de campo (FE-SEM), se observaron las partículas finas a nivel submicrónico con alta resolución. Para la observación de la sección transversal, las muestras de relaves fueron preparados por la sección pulida. Con la combinación de estas técnicas, se determinó la distribución de los metales pesados y metaloides en las partículas finas. Como resultado, cuando se observaron las superficies de las partículas, la detección de Pb, Sb, Fe como se indica que estos elementos coexisten o existen por separado en las partículas finas 1-3um. En la observación de la sección transversal, se encontró que las concentraciones de Zn y Fe diferente en las partículas., Fine particles in tailings generated from the flotation of ores were observed. By using Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), the fine particles were observed at submicron level with high resolution. For the cross section observation, the tailing samples were prepared by cross section polishing. With the combination of these techniques, we determined the distributions of the heavy metals and metalloids in the fine particles. As a result, when the particle surfaces were observed, the detection of Pb, Sb, Fe and/or As indicated that these elements coexist or separately exist in the 1−3 μm fine particles. In the cross section observation, the concentrations of Zn and Fe were found to be different in the particles.

Fine particles in tailings generated from the flotation of ores were observed. By using Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), the fine particles were observed at submicron level with high resolution. For the cross section observation, the tailing samples were prepared by cross section polishing. With the combination of these techniques, we determined the distributions of the heavy metals and metalloids in the fine particles. As a result, when the particle surfaces were observed, the detection of Pb, Sb, Fe and/or As indicated that these elements coexist or separately exist in the 1−3 μm fine particles. In the cross section observation, the concentrations of Zn and Fe were found to be different in the particles. Se obsevaron partículas finas en relaves generados a partir de la flotación de minerales. Mediante el uso de barrido de emisión de campo (FE-SEM), se observaron las partículas finas a nivel submicrónico con alta resolución. Para la observación de la sección transversal, las muestras de relaves fueron preparados por la sección pulida. Con la combinación de estas técnicas, se determinó la distribución de los metales pesados y metaloides en las partículas finas. Como resultado, cuando se observaron las superficies de las partículas, la detección de Pb, Sb, Fe como se indica que estos elementos coexisten o existen por separado en las partículas finas 1-3um. En la observación de la sección transversal, se encontró que las concentraciones de Zn y Fe diferente en las partículas.

This work represents a more precise study of the characteristics of A1XA2+ ions in the gas phase, which can be formed in concentrated electrolyte solutions. In order to obtain the parent ions A1XA2+, a simple system was used, a mixture of two-alkali halide salts in an aqueous solution. In this system, A1+, A2+ are Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+ and X- is F-, Cl-, Br-, I-, respectively. Utilizing Fast Atom Bombardment (FABMS) measurement methods, an A1XA2+ ion type in the mass spectra was obtained, and from this resulting spectrum, an ion was selected to be used as a precursor ion for the next stage. In this way, the Collisionally Activated Dissociation (CAD) spectra were obtained and the product ions identified.

Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) are ligand-gated ion channels that are the predominant neuroreceptors in the mammalian brain. Genes with high sequence similarity to animal iGluRs have been identified in Arabidopsis. To understand the role of Arabidopsis glutamate receptor-like (AtGLR) genes in plants, we have taken a pharmacological approach by examining the effects of BMAA [S(+)-β-methyl-α, β-diaminopropionic acid], a cycad-derived iGluR agonist, on Arabidopsis morphogenesis. When applied to Arabidopsis seedlings, BMAA caused a 2- to 3-fold increase in hypocotyl elongation and inhibited cotyledon opening during early seedling development. The effect of BMAA on hypocotyl elongation is light specific. Furthermore, BMAA effects on early morphogenesis of Arabidopsis can be reversed by the simultaneous application of glutamate, the native iGluR agonist in animals. To determine the targets of BMAA action in Arabidopsis, a genetic screen was devised to isolate Arabidopsis mutants with a BMAA insensitive morphology (bim). When grown in the light on BMAA,bim mutants exhibited short hypocotyls compared with wild type. bim mutants were grouped into three classes based on their morphology when grown in the dark in the absence of BMAA. Class-I bim mutants have a normal, etiolated morphology, similar to wild-type plants. Class-II bimmutants have shorter hypocotyls and closed cotyledons when grown in the dark. Class-III bim mutants have short hypocotyls and open cotyledons when grown in the dark, resembling the previously characterized constitutively photomorphogenic mutants (cop, det, fus, and shy). Further analysis of thebim mutants should help define whether plant-derived iGluR agonists target glutamate receptor signaling pathways in plants.

To obtain a food ingredient composed of soybean and amaranth proteins with better functionality, the proteins were subjected to an acid treatment followed by neutralization. The native and treated proteins, amaranth (A and TA), soybean (S and TS) and the 1:1 mixture (M and TM) were studied. The structural characteristics and surface tension and foaming properties of the proteins were analyzed.The acid-neutralization treatment caused structural modifications on all the proteins. The soybean proteins suffered some conformational changes and dissociation whereas the amaranth proteins were partially hydrolyzed by an endogenous aspartic protease, activated at acid pH. M showed the equivalent presence of S and A proteins, but TM, presented characteristics more similar to the TA proteins suggesting that the amaranth protease acted on the soybean proteins.The acid treatment did not modify the S tensioactivity while TA and TM increased their tensioactivity compared to A and M. Amaranth proteins showed to be faster and more efficient than S in decreasing the surface tension, and present the higher velocity of foam formation. The acid treatment improved the foam formation capacity of all samples. Foam stabilization was also enhanced by the acid treatment, though in this case S proteins were better foam stabilizers than A. Although M showed an intermediate behavior between S and A, the TM showed a foam stability nearer the TS.The mixture of amaranth and soybean proteins subjected to acid treatment make up an ingredient with improved surface and foam properties compared with its non treated components. Fil: Ventureira, Jorge Luis. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; Argentina Fil: Martinez, Estela Nora. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; Argentina Fil: Añon, Maria Cristina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; Argentina