Physicochemical and Sensory Evaluation of 'Rocha' Pear Following Controlled Atmosphere Storage

ABSTRACT: The effects of several processing factors (storage time, time in the open air at room temperature, and overhead concentrations of O₂ and CO₂) on color, firmness, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, and sensory attributes of pears (cv. Rocha) grown in 2 locations were studied using a multiple linear regression model. Backward elimination (F ≥ 0.005) was used to assess the significant factors. Extended storage time, long‐time exposure at room temperature, and high O₂ concentration played major roles on color changes assessed instrumentally and further confirmed by a sensory panel. Firmness was strongly affected by storage time and by time in the open air at room temperature. Finally, PPO activity was dependent on the growing location.     

Empirically derived subtypes of adolescent depression: Latent profile analysis of co-occurring symptoms in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS).

A latent profile analysis was conducted on the co-occurring symptoms of 423 adolescents diagnosed with major depressive disorder as part of the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS), a multisite, randomized treatment trial. The participants had a mean (SD) age of 14.6 (1.5) years; of the sample, 45.6% was male and 73.8% was white. Scores on the primary subscales of Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised were used as indicators in the analysis. Five classes of symptoms best described the clinical presentation of adolescents enrolled in the TADS. Of the adolescents in the sample, 80% were assigned to classes with clinically significant elevations on 1 or more subscales of the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised. The 5 classes met empirical criteria for distinctiveness and were validated against clinical diagnoses, child-rated symptoms, and clinician-rated functional impairment. The findings are consistent with prior studies that showed a high rate of co-occurring symptoms among depressed adolescents. The discussion focuses on understanding subtypes and comorbidity in adolescent depression as well as the implications for treatment and for prevention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Design of a high-pressure ebulliometer,with vapor-liquid equilibrium results for the systems CHF2 Cl + CF3 CH3 and CF3 CH2 F + CH2F2

We describe the design and operation of a new high-pressure metal ebulliometer which can operate at pressures to at least 3 MPa in the range 220–400 K. Infinite-dilution activity coefficients are presented for the system CHF₂Cl + CF₃-CH, at 275 K and for the system CF₃-CH₂F + CH₂F₂, at 260, 230, and 300 K. The Wilson activity coellicient model and a virial coefficient model are applied to these systems, and the phase equilibrium conditions are calculated. The results are shown to agree well with predicted and with published measured values. The excess enthalpy is calculated and compared with results from a Peng Robinson equation of state. Vapor densities on the dew curves are given.     

Behaviour of mesogenic side group polyacrylates in dilute and semidilute regime

The solution behaviour of a new mesogenic side group polyacrylate in tetrahydrofuran and toluene has been investigated by static and dynamic light scattering. In the dilute regime the polymer behaves as typical polydisperse linear chains in good solvent and the dynamics is dominated by a single fast mode. Cluster formation was detected starting at a concentration around 50 g l⁻¹. It seems to be independent of the solvent as well as of polymer molecular weight. In the semidilute regime, the behaviour of the reduced osmotic modulus leads to the conclusion that repulsion between the chains is stronger than in linear macromolecules. The appearance of larger clusters was revealed above a characteristic concentration and is slightly dependent on the polyacrylate molecular weight. The dynamics was generally characterised by a fast mode related to the cooperative diffusion and by a slow mode associated with large clusters. The existence of a network of multiconnected clusters is envisaged with increasing solution concentration.     

Optimization techniques for curved path computing

Participating media with an inhomogeneous index of refraction make light follow curved paths. Simulating this in a global illumination environment has usually been neglected due to the complexity of the calculations involved, sacrificing accurate physical simulations for efficient visual results. This paper aims to simulate non-linear media in a more reasonable time than previous works without losing physical correctness. Accuracy is achieved by solving the Eikonal equation of geometrical optics, which describes the path followed by a light beam that traverses a non-linear medium. This equation is used in the context of a photon mapping extension.     

Carbon based electronic materials: applications in electron field emission

The influence of the different types of bonding present in a range of carbon based materials is discussed as a precursor to describing the field emission characteristics of carbon cold cathode materials. Some of the controlling factors which govern electron emission from carbon based cathodes are discussed. It is shown that from disordered carbon films the interplay between the clustered sp² phase and the insulating sp³ matrix is important. The transition from a ‘back contact’ to ‘front surface’ controlled emission mechanism is described in terms of the sp² content and field penetration. A possible reason for high field enhancement factors found in disordered films also is provided. It is further shown that changes to the sp² phase by current stressing can improve the field emission characteristics. Emission from carbon nanotubes is also discussed and the prospects for new types of nanotube – polymer composite based cathodes are also considered.     

Rheological behaviour of processed avocado pulp emulsions

Shear rate vs. shear stress data were obtained on avocado pulp in water emulsions using a concentric cylinder rheometer and fitted to a power law model. Dilution, as volume fraction of water, had a pronounced effect on the apparent viscosity of the pulp emulsions and the Richardson equation, (η_R= exp.( a φ) for the emulsion viscosity fitted the data well. A mean slope coefficient, a , of 4.57 can be used as a first approximation. Enzymatic treatment (40°C, 1 h), is slightly more effective than thermal treatment (65°C, 1 h), in reducing the initial apparent viscosity of the pulp-water emulsions     

The microbiology of mixed salad containing raw and cooked ingredients without dressing

Growth of aerobic mesophilic bacteria in mixed salad without dressing, containing cooked sweet corn and raw endive, was similar to that of raw endive alone. At 9°C, sweet corn permitted the growth of the lactic acid bacterium Leuconostoc mesenteroides , whenever the bacterium was present on raw endive, whereas no growth of lactic acid bacteria was recorded on raw endive alone. Listeria monocytogenes , artificially inoculated in the samples, grew more in the mixed salad than in the raw endive alone, for products stored at 6°C and 9°C. Acidification of sweet corn to pH 5.0 was proposed to reduce the development of L. monocytogenes in the mixed salad to a level similar to that recorded in the raw endive alone. Acidification with citric acid reduced spoilage of sweet corn, whereas acetic acid caused necrosis on the leaves of raw endive.     

Localization by immunoelectron microscopy of Schistosoma mansoni antigens in the glomerulus of the hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) kidney

Gene therapy has the potential to provide cancer treatments based on novel mechanisms of action with potentially low toxicities. This therapy may provide more effective control of loco-regional recurrence in diseases such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as systemic control of micrometastases. Despite current limitations, retroviral and adenoviral vectors can in certain circumstances provide an effective means of delivering therapeutic genes to tumour cells. Although multiple genes are involved in the process of carcinogenesis, mutations of the p53 gene are the most frequent abnormality identified in human tumours. Pre-clinical studies both in vitro and in vivo have shown that restoration of p53 function can induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Phase I clinical trials now show that p53 gene replacement therapy is feasible and safe using both retroviral and adenoviral vectors, and that it induces tumour regression in patients with advanced NSCLC and recurrent head and neck cancer. Other pre-clinical studies indicate that gene therapy may have useful synergy with cytotoxic and radiation therapy. This paper describes the different gene therapy strategies under investigation and the pre-clinical data that provides a rationale for the gene replacement approach, reviews clinical trial data and presents novel ideas for improving current vectors and gene delivery to tumours.