MRI study of bread baking: experimental device and MRI signal analysis

An oven dedicated to a magnetic resonance imager (MRI) was designed and constructed for continuous monitoring of the entire baking process. The general aim was to test whether response variables conventionally measured on bread loaves, such as temperature, density, and water loss, were consistent with those reported for similar products baked in classical convection ovens. MRI images acquired during baking are presented and discussed, emphasising the need to develop quantitative MRI methods allowing conversion of the MRI signal into one variable of interest, such as local density or local water content.     

Food properties that influence neuromuscular activity during human mastication

The rate of breakdown of food in mastication depends on the ratio of two mechanical properties of the food--the toughness and modulus of elasticity (Agrawal et al., 1997)--a result which can be predicted by an analysis of the energetics of fracture. The work input to produce food fragmentation is provided by the masticatory muscles, the activity levels of which depend on sensory feedback from the mouth. Here, we test the hypothesis that the activity of a representative of this musculature is modulated by the above combination of food properties. The surface electrical activity (EMG) of the anterior temporalis muscles of ten human subjects was recorded while subjects chewed standardized volumes of 15 food types. The integrated EMG in these muscles was highly significantly related to the square root of the ratio of the above two food properties. Significant correlations were found between this food property index and integrated EMG, both when data for all chews and all subjects were lumped together (r = -0.86; p < 0.0001) and when correlation coefficients between the index and EMG were plotted for each chew made by each subject. Except for two subjects in the first chew, these coefficients reached and maintained highly significant levels throughout the masticatory sequence. Thus, a clear relationship between the electrical activity of a jaw-closing muscle and the mechanical properties of food has been found for the first time.     

Medical therapy of Graves' disease: does thyroxine prevent recurrence of hyperthyroidism?

Sixty patients with Graves' disease (GD) hyperthyroidism were distributed in two randomized groups. Patients in group A (n = 30) received carbimazole by a titration regimen, and patients in group B (n = 30) were treated with higher doses of carbimazole plus T4. Clinical and analytical evaluations were done at baseline, during treatment (18.4 +/- 2.6 months), and after, until the relapse of hyperthyroidism, or for 4.98 +/- 1.6 yr in patients who did not relapse. There were no differences in clinical parameters, thyroid hormones, or TSH binding inhibitory immunoglobulins (TBII) levels between the two groups, either at baseline or at the end of treatment. Serum TSH persisted undetectable in 16 out of 60 patients (group A: 9; group B: 7), after treatment. Relapse occurred in 38 patients (63.3%), (group A: 18 (60%) vs. group B: 20 (66.7%)). Patients who relapsed had bigger goiters at baseline (P = 0.02) and at the end of treatment (P = 0.03). Eighty-seven percent (14/16) of patients with undetectable TSH after therapy relapsed, vs. 54.5% (24/44) of those with normal TSH (P = 0.01). Undetectable TSH at the end of treatment was the only independent variable in the logistic analysis to predict relapse. Treatment modality did not influence the relapse rate. This study has found that, in Spanish patients, the use of high doses of carbimazole with T4 offers no advantages in the treatment of GD hyperthyroidism.     

Spherical near-field facility for microwave coupling assessments inthe 100 MHz-6 GHz frequency range

This paper describes a spherical near-field facility set up at the Centre d'Etudes de Gramat (CEG) to perform low-power microwave coupling assessments. Specifically, this facility has been designed to determine the coupling cross section of a complex object. However, it can also be used for the characterization of any radiating system in electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) or high-power microwave (HPM) environments. The near-field approach is shown to be complementary and to offer increased flexibility when compared to other more conventional measurement techniques. More particularly, the use of a probe array in the upper part of the frequency band significantly speeds up the near-field measurement process. Consequently, broadband and multiparameter acquisitions can be performed within acceptable duration. The examples given in this paper provide a broad illustration of the capabilities of near-field techniques for EMC and HPM applications     

Efficient parallel algorithms for path problems in directed graphs

In this paper we describe a technique for finding efficient parallel algorithms for problems on directed graphs that involve checking the existence of certain kinds of paths in the graph. This technique provides efficient algorithms for finding dominators in flow graphs, performing interval and loop analysis on reducible flow graphs, and finding the feedback vertices of a digraph. Each of these algorithms takesO(log² n) time using the same number of processors needed for fast matrix multiplication. All of these bounds are for an EREW PRAM.     

ELLIPTIC CURVE CRYPTOGRAPHY BASED AUTHENTICATED KEY AGREEMENT WITH PRE-SHARED PASSWORD

Based on elliptic curve Diffie-Hellman algorithm, an Elliptic Curve Authenticated Key Agreement (ECAKA) protocol with pre-shared password is proposed. Its security relies on the Elliptic Curve Discrete Logarithm Problem (ECDLP). It provides identity authentication,key validation and perfect forward secrecy, and it can foil man-in-the-middle attacks.     

An optical fibre sensor for on-line temperature control of germicidal microwave plasma powered UV lamps

A fluorescent optical fibre sensor is reported which is capable of monitoring the output of a high intensity microwave powered UV light source as well as being implemented as part of an on-line controller of the lamp output. The sensor is a fibre which has had its cladding removed and replaced with a phosphor doped polymer coating. Spectroscopic measurements are used to show that the control of the lamp temperature is important in determining the optimum output power and dominant emission wavelength. The optical fibre sensor provides a practical means of lamp output control in this harsh electrical environment.