University of Bedfordshire

About: University of Bedfordshire is a education organization based out in Luton, Bedford, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 3860 authors who have published 6079 publications receiving 143448 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Luton.

Investigation of the Gel to Coagel Phase Transition in Monoglyceride−Water Systems

Abstract: The gel to coagel phase transition of monoglyceride−water systems has been studied by nuclear magnetic resonance and differential scanning calorimetry. It is shown that the molecular arrangements within the bulk β-crystal of monoglyceride and the coagel phase are identical. The mobility of the glycerol backbone is high in the gel phase. On a decrease of temperature the mobility drops and then crystallization of the gel into a coagel phase takes place where hydrogen bonds among the glycerol groups are formed. A prerequisite for this is that d and l isomers of monoglyceride rearrange within the bilayers through chiral discrimination. The gel to coagel transition can be discussed in the frame of the Avrami theory of crystallization kinetics. The values of the Avrami exponent indicate a transition from a 2-dimensional to a 3-dimensional crystal growth on increasing the monoglyceride concentration. In the case of a 2-dimensional crystal growth the phase transition is diffusion controlled. Moreover, on applying...

A multifaceted approach to investigating pre-task planning effects on paired oral test performance

Abstract: Despite the growing popularity of paired format speaking assessments, the effects of pre-task planning time on performance in these formats are not yet well understood. For example, some studies have revealed the benefits of planning but others have not. Using a multifaceted approach including analysis of the process of speaking performance, the aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of pre-task planning in a paired format. Data were collected from 32 students who carried out two decision-making tasks in pairs, under planned and unplanned conditions. The study used analyses of rating scores, discourse analytic measures, and conversation analysis (CA) of test-taker discourse to gain insight into co-constructing processes. A post-test questionnaire was also administered to understand the participants’ perceptions toward planned and unplanned interactions. The results from rating scores and discourse analytic measures revealed that planning had limited effect on performance, and analysis of the quest...

Claw lesions in dairy cattle: development of sole and white line haemorrhages during the first lactation.

Abstract: Summary The development of claw haemorrhages was monitored in first-calving dairy heifers from 4-weeks beforecalving to 32 weeks after calving. Before calving, lesions were few but the number, extent and severity of claw haemorrhages increased following simultaneous calving and housing. Lesions were most severe in the white line at 9 weeks, and in the sole at 14 weeks, but recovery began while the animals were still housed. That the increase in white line lesions after calving, and the subsequent recovery preceded that of the sole, suggests that the pathogenesis of the lesions may differ in these two anatomical regions. It is proposed that all initial insult to the corium primarily affects the laminar region and that corium damage increases with the resulting alteration in the physical forces on the sole.

p-Phenylenediamine allergy: the role of Bandrowski's base

Abstract: p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) is a commonly used hair-dye and a potent skin allergen. The mechanism of sensitization is unknown, as PPD is protein unreactive. We studied Bandrowski's base (BB), a PPD trimer, as well as 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ), a PPD hapten. PPD patch-test positive patients were patch-tested to BB and BQ. All tests were negative to 0.01% BQ and 0.01% BB. Five of 14 (35.7%) tested had true positive reactions to 0.1% BQ. One percent BQ was found to be irritant. Seven of 43 tested (16%) were positive to either 0.1% or 1% BB. The positive reactions to BB were weak, even when PPD reactions were strong. Mice lymph node assay gave EC3 values of 0.14% for PPD compared with 0.03% for BB. Therefore, BB is approximately 10 times more potent than PPD, taking into account the molarity. We suggest that while PPD may act as a prohapten, there is probably a spectrum of antigenic determinants in vivo. BB may be bound or metabolized by keratinocytes before it reacts with Langerhans cells.