Estimating soybean ground cover from satellite images using neural-networks models

The ground cover is a necessary parameter for agronomic and environmental applications. In Argentina, soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merill) is the most important crop; therefore it is necessary to determine its amount and configuration. In this work, neural-network (NN) models were developed to calculate soybean percentage ground cover (fractional vegetation cover, fCover) and to compare the accuracy of the estimate from Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Landsat satellites data. The NN design included spectral values of the red and near-infrared (NIR) bands as input variables and one neuron output, which expressed the estimated coverage. Data of fCover were acquired throughout the growing season in the central plains of Córdoba (Argentina); they were used for training and validating the networks. The results show that the NNs are an appropriate methodology for estimating the temporal evolution of soybean coverage fraction from MODIS and Landsat images, with coefficients of determination (R ²) equal to 0.90 and 0.91, respectively.     

P16 and HPV Genotype Significance in HPV-Associated Cervical Cancer—A Large Cohort of Two Tertiary Referral Centers

The expression of p16 is a good surrogate of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in HPV-associated cancers. The significance of p16 expression, HPV genotype and genera in the outcome of patients with HPV-associated cervical cancer (CC) is unclear. Our aim is to ascertain the prognostic significance of these factors. Data from 348 patients (median age: 47.5 years old) with CC, diagnosed in two referral centers, were retrospectively collected. Advanced disease (FIGO2018 IB2-IV) was present in 68% of patients. A single HPV genotype was identified in 82.8% of patients. The most common HPVs were HPV16 (69%) and HPV18 (14%). HPV genera reflected this distribution. HPV16 tumors presented at an earlier stage. P16 was negative in 18 cases (5.2%), 83.3% of which were squamous cell carcinomas. These cases occurred in older patients who tended to have advanced disease. In the univariate analysis, HPV16 (HR: 0.58; p = 0.0198), α-9 genera (HR: 0.37; p = 0.0106) and p16 overexpression (HR: 0.54; p = 0.032) were associated with better survival. HPV16 (HR: 0.63; p = 0.0174) and α-9 genera (HR: 0.57; p = 0.0286) were associated with less relapse. In the multivariate analysis, only the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage retained an independent prognostic value. HPV16, α-9 genera and p16 overexpression were associated with better survival, although not as independent prognostic factors. Patients with p16-negative HPV-associated CC were older, presented with advanced disease and had worse prognosis.     

Evolution of Chemistry,Morphology and Rheology of Various Polymer Systems along a Twin‐Screw Extruder

Intermeshing twin‐screw extruders have been recently identified as useful in special application niches such as the extrusion of PVC dry blends (counter‐rotating machines) and compounding operations (co‐rotating machines). Thus, it is of interest to study the mechanical and/or chemical effects that occur along the screw axis of the extruders, since they will dictate the characteristics and performance of the final material. This work aims at illustrating the usefulness of a simple experimental tool recently developed for the study of the physical, chemical and morphological evolution along the extruder of polymer based systems, data being presented and discussed for a number of composites and blends.     

Low-fat frankfurters formulated with a healthier lipid combination as functional ingredient: microstructure, lipid oxidation, nitrite content, microbiological changes and biogenic amine formation

Oil (healthier lipid combination of olive, linseed and fish oils)-in-water emulsions stabilized with different protein systems (prepared with sodium caseinate (SC), soy protein isolate (SPI), and microbial transglutaminase (MTG)) were used as pork backfat replacers in low-fat frankfurters. Microstructure, lipid oxidation, nitrite content, microbiological changes and biogenic amine formation of frankfurters were analyzed and found to be affected by the type of oil-in-water emulsion and by chilling storage (2° C, 41 days). Although the lipid oxidation levels attained were low, replacement of animal fat by healthier oil combinations in frankfurter formulation did promote a slight increase in lipid oxidation. Residual nitrite was affected (P < 0.05) by formulation and storage. Only 51-61% of the added nitrite was detectable in the product after processing and 17-46% at the end of storage. The microbial population was low in all formulations during chilling storage. Spermine was the most abundant amine (19-20 mg/kg), but similar in level to all samples.     

Interaction between copper chloride and caffeine as seen by diffusion at 25 °C and 37 °C

A Taylor dispersion method is used to measure ternary mutual diffusion coefficients (D₁₁, D₂₂, D₁₂ and D₂₁) for aqueous solutions of CuCl₂ (1) + caffeine (2) + H₂O-(3) at 25 °C and 37 °C at carrier concentrations from (0.000 to 0.020 mol dm⁻³), for each solute, respectively. The results are compared with these obtained for the binary systems, that is, CuCl₂ (1) + H₂O (2) and caffeine (1) + H₂O (2), also reported here. From these data it is possible to make conclusions about the influence of the caffeine solutes in diffusion of copper chloride.     

Colloidal aggregation induced by the reduction in pH and the synthesis of new molecular structures during the milk fermentation process

The use of different inocula in the milk‐to‐yoghurt transformation influences the kinetics of the fermentation process. The aim of this work was to study the kinetics induced by Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (Lb–St). The milk‐to‐yoghurt transformation showed no delay in the production of lactic acid for yoghurt produced using Lactobacillus johnsonii with S. thermophilus (La1–St) or Lactobacillus casei with S. thermophilus (Lc1–St); the delays were 20–70 min and 40–80 min, respectively. The absence of delay was 1.0/min (Lb–St) as compared with 0.015/min (La1–St) and 0.7/min (Lc1–St). The kinetics was fitted using second‐order reaction.     

From coffee industry waste materials to skin‐friendly products with improved skin fat levels

Spent coffee grounds (SCG), which are the residue obtained from the treatment of coffee with hot water or steam, can be used for industrial applications, due to the high content in lipids. The cosmetic products might be a suitable application for these types of residues because the barrier properties of the stratum corneum (SC) are largely dependent on the intactness of the lipid lamellae that surrounds the corneocytes. The purpose of this work was to assess the feasibility of using the lipid fraction of SCG extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide in the development of new cosmetic formulations with improved skin lipids (sebum) and hydration. The use of spent coffee lipid extract in cosmetic industry seems to be a suitable approach to recycle the wastes from coffee industry. Emulsion containing 10% of the lipid fraction of SCG (SpentCofOil cream) presented promising characteristics in the improvement of sebum skin levels with a good acceptance by consumers when compared to an emulsion containing 10% w/w of green coffee oil (GreenCofOil cream) and a placebo without coffee oil (NoCofOil cream). Practical applications: In this work, the authors develop and characterize a cream containing 10% of the lipid fraction of SCG extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide with improved skin lipids (sebum) and hydration.     

Is the ubiquitous presence of barium carbonate responsible for the poor aqueous processing ability of barium titanate?

The ubiquitous presence of barium carbonate (BaCO₃ – BC) as an impurity in barium titanate (BaTiO₃ – BT) has been pointed out as the main reason for the well-known difficulties found by many investigators when attempting to process BT powders in aqueous media. Different and controversial arguments have been put forward to justify the observed aqueous processing difficulties of BT, but a satisfactory explanation is still to be found. With this aim, a systematic study was here undertaken to shed further light on the solid/liquid interactions occurring at the surface of BC and BT particles and their impact on the dispersion ability of both powders, separately and mixed in certain proportions. Long term colloidal stability and high solid loadings (60 vol.%) were obtained for BC, while colloidal instability and a lower maximum content of solids (50 vol.%) could be achieved for BT. This responds to the question risen in the title.