Automated feature accessibility algorithm for inspection on a coordinate measuring machine

In this paper, the issue of inspection planning for a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) is addressed. A method is presented for the automation of the probe selection decision, with the ultimate goal of determining the set of workpiece orientations recommended for use on a CMM equipped with an indexable probe. The methodology uses a computer-aided design (CAD) model of the workpiece and a list of tolerance information as input to a feature accessibility algorithm. For each inspection feature, the algorithm generates a feasible set of probe orientations using information about potential probe/workpiece collisions, and computes an estimate of its percentage accessibility.     

A SCOR-based model for supply chain performance measurement: application in the footwear industry

Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) is a widely employed model for SC performance assessment, regardless its generic nature. This article presents a SCOR-based model for performance measurement in supply chains (SC) and apply it in the context of Brazilian footwear industry. The model has two dimensions: SCOR processes (source, make, deliver and return) and performance standards adapted from original SCOR (cost, quality, delivery and flexibility). This structure delivers a 4 × 4 matrix, with each component assessed under analytical hierarchy process. Using focus groups, SC’s experts weighted each component of the matrix regarding their relevance. Thereafter, SC’s managers indicated respective results. The SC’s overall performance was obtained by adding the performance of all indicators. The model application embraced one focal footwear manufacturer, four suppliers, three distribution channels and a return channel, with 85 indicators assessed. The achieved performance for the whole SC is 75.29%.The main gaps were found in deliver process (12.78 percentual points of difference between relevance and achieved proportions) and in flexibility performance (9.82). Further application is recommended in order to find consolidated results.     

High‐temperature conditioning induces chilling tolerance in mandarin fruit: a cell wall approach

BACKGROUND: High‐temperature conditioning (3 days at 37 °C and 95% relative humidity), which protects ‘Fortune’ mandarins from chilling injury (CI), manifested as pitting in the outer part of the peel (flavedo), was applied prior to cold storage (2 °C) in order to investigate the involvement of cell wall composition in the chilling tolerance of mandarins. RESULTS: Both low‐temperature storage and high‐temperature conditioning barely modified the alcohol‐insoluble substance (AIS) content or the degree of pectin esterification in the flavedo. Water‐soluble pectins (WSP) were higher in heat‐conditioned than in non‐conditioned fruits at the onset of CI. In addition, the heat‐conditioning treatment was able to increase chelator‐soluble pectins (CSP) after short cold storage periods. Covalently bound polyuronides in alkali‐soluble pectins (ASP) increased only in fruits with high incidence of CI. Cellulose and hemicellulose increased at 2 °C in both conditioned and non‐conditioned fruits, indicating that these polysaccharides may be altered by low temperature but are not related to chilling‐induced damage. CONCLUSION: High‐temperature conditioning may reduce chilling‐induced flavedo pitting in ‘Fortune’ mandarin fruit by maintaining normal levels of WSP and increasing putative sites for calcium bridge formation within the cell wall, but not by inducing changes in other matrix cell wall components. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis,Antimicrobial Activity and Food Packaging Applications

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an inorganic compound widely used in everyday applications. ZnO is currently listed as a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) material by the Food and Drug Administration and is used as food additive. The advent of nanotechnology has led the development of materials with new properties for use as antimicrobial agents. Thus, ZnO in nanoscale has shown antimicrobial properties and potential applications in food preservation. ZnO nanoparticles have been incorporated in polymeric matrices in order to provide antimicrobial activity to the packaging material and improve packaging properties. This review presents the main synthesis methods of ZnO nanoparticles, principal characteristics and mechanisms of antimicrobial action as well as the effect of their incorporation in polymeric matrices. Safety issues such as exposure routes and migration studies are also discussed.     

Do as I say or as I do? Food handler's knowledge on good handling practices and evaluation of hygienic–sanitary conditions in hospital foodservices

The aim of the study was to evaluate the overall hygienic–sanitary conditions of university hospitals foodservices and assess food safety knowledge and self‐reported practices of food handlers. A self‐administered questionnaire based on sanitary standards for foodservices was given to 123 food handlers from three public hospitals. Microbiological analysis of food handling surfaces and food hygiene inspections were also performed. Food handlers' self‐reported knowledge and practices reached satisfactory levels (77.2% and 78.1%, respectively), and showed a significant positive intercorrelation (p < .05). Food hygiene inspections in the hospitals foodservices presented a 60.9% average of adequacy and microbiological analysis results showed that 66.7% of the evaluated surfaces presented significant contamination by mesophilic bacteria. The presence of coliforms at 45°C above the safety limit was identified in 47.9% of the surfaces. The results showed a need for motivating hospital food handlers to practice the safe handling knowledge that they have demonstrated in theory.     

FTIR and DSC studies on gamma irradiated P(VdF-HFP) fluoropolymers applied to dosimetry

Radiation effects on semicrystalline poly(fluorovinylidene-co-hexafluoropropylene) copolymer [P(VdF-HFP)] induced by high-energy irradiation were investigated. Films with 150 μm thickness were irradiated with gamma doses ranging from 1.0 kGy to 3.0 MGy. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to follow the radio-induction of new molecular bonds. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was employed to study the crystalline degradation of the irradiated samples. P(VdF-HFP) copolymers have fluorinated monomers [-CF₂-CF-CF₃-] randomly added to the [-CH₂-CF₂-] main chain of PVdF homopolymer. In this case, the [-CF₃-] molecular bonds are branched to the main chain. There is an increasing interest about the effect of high gamma radiation dose on the P(VdF-HFP) radiolysis, once it could enhance some of their already known interesting properties such as biomedical applications and electrostrictive transducers/actuators. FTIR spectroscopic data revealed two optical absorption bands at 1730 and 1754 cm⁻¹ whose intensities are unambiguously related to gamma delivered dose ranging from 0.0 to 1000 kGy. Fading analysis has demonstrated no loss of signal until 11 months after irradiation. DSC and XRD data revealed a continuous decrease in both the melting latent heat and crystalline dimensions for doses ranging from 250 to 3000 kGy. Because of the low fading and the linear behavior with respect to delivered gamma doses of the absorption band at 1754 cm⁻¹, P(VdF-HFP) copolymers are good candidates for being explored for high gamma dose dosimetry application.     

Antioxidant intake among Brazilian adults - The Brazilian Osteoporosis Study (BRAZOS): a cross-sectional study

Background  

Antioxidant nutrient intake and the lesser formation of free radicals seem to contribute to chronic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the intake profile of the main dietary antioxidants in a representative sample of the adult Brazilian population and discuss the main consequences of a low intake of these micronutrients on overall health.     

Nano and submicrometric fibers of poly(D,L‐lactide) obtained by solution blow spinning: Process and solution variables

Nano and submicrometric fibers of poly(D ,L ‐lactide) (PDLLA or PLA) were spun from solutions using a solution blow spinning (SBS) apparatus. Fiber morphology and diameter were investigated by scanning electron microscopy as a function of polymer concentration, feed rate, and air pressure. A more systematic understanding of the SBS process parameters was obtained, and a quantitative relationship between these parameters and average fiber diameter was established by design of experiments and response surface methodology. It was observed that polymer concentration played an important role in fiber diameter, which ranges from 70 to 2000 nm, and its distribution. Lower polymer concentration tended to increase the formation of bead‐on‐string structures, whereas smooth fibers were formed at higher concentrations. Fiber diameter tended to increase with polymer concentration and decrease with feed rate. Based on these results, optimal conditions could be obtained for solution‐blow spun fibers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.     

Effect of chitosan and Dysphania ambrosioides on the bone regeneration process: A randomized controlled trial in an animal model

The focus of this triple‐blind study was on evaluating the effect of chitosan combined with Dysphania ambrosioides (A) extract on the bone repair process in vivo. In total, 60 male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) weighing between 260 and 270 g were randomly selected for this study and distributed into four groups (n = 15). Group C (chitosan), Group CA5 (chitosan + 5% of D. ambrosioides), Group CA20 (chitosan + 20% of D. ambrosioides), and Group CO (Control‐Blood clot). In each animal, bone defects measuring 2 mm in diameter were performed in both tibias for placement of the substances. After 7, 15, and 30 days, the animals were sedated and sacrificed using the cervical dislocation technique and the tissues were analyzed under optical microscope relative to the following events: inflammatory infiltrate, necrosis, osteoclasts, osteoblasts, fibroblasts, periosteal, and endosteal bone formation. The data were evaluated to verify distribution using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, and variance, using the Levene test; as distribution was not normal, data were subjected to the Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn nonparametric tests (p < .05). A significant inflammatory infiltrate was observed in Group CA5 (p = .008) in the time interval of 7 days, and in Group C at 15 (p = .009) and 30 (p = .017) days. Osteoblastic activity was more significant in Group CA20 (p = .027) compared with CA5 in the time interval of 7 days. Group CA20 demonstrated a significantly higher endosteal and periosteal bone formation value in the time interval of 7 (p = .013), 15 (p = .004), and 30 days (p = .008) compared with the other groups. The null hypothesis was refuted, bone regeneration was faster in spheres with an association of chitosan and 20% extract, and complete bone repair occurred clinically at 15 days and histologically at 30 days. The spheres proved to be a promising method for the biostimulation of alveolar bone repair and bone fractures.