High Fidelity Digital Terrain Modelling for the Reconstruction of the Antarctic Sea Floor

Shape-based modelling is a general approach to surface representation, which has a great importance in the specific context of the Antarctic sea floor reconstruction, where measurements can involve critical operations. Here, a method is proposed where shape-based surface reconstruction is achieved performing a geometric reasoning on the raw data to delineate a shape structure on which the final surface model can be built. Data of the Antarctic sea floor are collected by surveys carried out along parallel courses during which the depth of the sea is measured at almost regular intervals. The seabed is then represented by a set of profiles, corresponding to almost vertical cross sections. The surface reconstruction is performed in three steps. First, a shape-based simplification is carried out on the profiles, using a combination of the wavelet theory and the classical Douglas and Peucker algorithm. The second step consists of finding similarities in the morphology of adjacent profiles, which may suggest the presence of surface features, such as ridges and ravines. Finally, the deduced surface features are used to build a kind of skeleton on which the most appropriate triangulation can be constructed.     

Role of PTX3 and complement modulation in the tumor microenvironment

Pentraxin-3 (PTX3), the prototype of long pentraxins, seems to influence complement system (CS) modulation. PTX3 and CS sustain carcinogenesis, enriching tumor microenvironment (TME) with pro-inflammatory molecules promoting angiogenesis in prostate cancer (PC) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Furthermore, cancer cells overexpress complement regulatory proteins, such as CD46, CD55 and CD59, which negatively affect complement pathways for support cancer cells survival. This viewpoint aims to elucidate the ambivalent role of PTX3 and the CS in the context of tumor microenvironment (TME).     

Synthesis of quaternary ammonium bromides of 5-[4-(ω-dialkylaminoalkoxy)phenyl-methylene]-1, 3, 3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo [2.2.2]octan-6-ones as potential UV sunscreens

Materials and methods for the synthesis of eight quaternary ammonium bromides of 5-[4-(ω-dialkylaminoalkoxy)phenylmethylene]-1,3,-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-6-ones are illustrated. They were routinely prepared starting from cineole aminoethers by reaction with primary alkyl bromides and their physico-chemical data are reported. These substances have been tested for UV filtering and/or microbiological activity. The substances have their UV absorption maxima at 315–322 nm. Tests on antimicrobial activity were performed using benzalkonium chloride as reference standard. All quaternary ammonium bromides were totally inactive against Escherichia coli (Gram —) and partially active on Staphylococcus aureus (Gram +). These preliminary findings seem to indicate that these new quaternary ammonium bromides could be considered as potential UV sunscreens.     

INTEGRATING SENSORY ANALYSIS AND HEDONIC EVALUATION FOR APPLE QUALITY ASSESSMENT

ABSTRACT

Apple cultivars were subjected to a consumer test in order to appreciate individual preferences and set up a protocol for a practical hedonic‐sensory evaluation. Cultivars subjected to the test were “Golden Delicious,”“Modì,”“Pink Lady” and “Fuji” of two different origins. Apples had the sensory profile defined by a trained panel and were evaluated by 154 consumers. According to their preferences, consumer population could be divided in six clusters. Consumer preference responses clearly associated the two “Fuji” and showed “Modì” and “Pink Lady” to have appeal on the same consumers groups. Besides expressing hedonic judgment, consumers were requested to indicate the positive sensory attributes determining their choice. Consumers appreciated “Golden Delicious” and “Fuji” on the basis of sweetness and aroma, while preferences for “Pink Lady” and “Modì” were expressed by consumers appreciating crispness, juiciness and a certain degree of acidity. The involvement of consumers in defining attributes driving preferences provides details useful for weighing up the consistency between consumers' response and sensory panel profile.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This work contributes to the knowledge on consumer preferences and concerning apple sensory quality. In particular, the tested varieties could be divided in three groups on the basis of perceived attributes. Knowledge of consumer preferences related to apple qualities can be a key point in planning production and marketing strategies. A protocol integrating sensory characteristics defined by a trained panel, hedonic consumer judgments and sensory preference drivers is proposed.     

SENSORY QUALITY PERFORMANCE OF TWO NECTARINE FLESH TYPOLOGIES EXPOSED TO DISTANT MARKET CONDITIONS

The objective of this research was to evaluate the shelf life of two nectarine flesh typologies in order to determine the exporting potential of fresh nectarines to distant markets. "Maria Dolce" (subacid fruit type) and "Venus" (normal fruit type) nectarines were harvested at two maturity stages, based on fruit ground color. Fruits were stored at 0C and 90% R.H. for 14 or 42 days, simulating storage duration aimed respectively to shipping to close or distant marketplaces. Nectarines were evaluated after a period of ripening at 20C, when flesh firmness reached 9.8–19.6 N. Visual appearance, color, aroma, flesh texture, sweetness, sourness, juiciness, flavor and acceptability were evaluated. Both varieties presented a better eating quality when harvest was delayed. "Maria Dolce" presented high storage ability, reaching even at 42 days the same acceptability of fruit not subjected to cold storage. "Venus" showed a significant decrease in acceptability, indicating a not sufficient tolerance to long storage.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The poor eating quality of fresh nectarines destined to distant markets is one of the main problems that are facing some countries as Chile, which is a conspicuous exporter of off-season stone fruits to the Northern Hemisphere and Latin America. This research is focused on the comparison of quality of a normal fruit type nectarine, which is one of the most cultivated in Chile, and of a subacid nectarine; experimental design simulated two exportation regimes for close or distant marketplaces. Subacid types have been recently available in the world variety assortment system and the sensorial quality performance has yet not been tested after long postharvest storage.     

OPTIMIZATION OF MANUFACTURE OF ALMOND PASTE COOKIES USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

The response surface methodology (RSM) was used in the optimization of a modified recipe of almond paste cookies to pinpoint the best combination of the most important factors, in order to obtain an enhanced product with quality characteristics similar to the typical one. In this modified recipe, bamboo fiber and fructose were added as humectant and anticrystallizing agents to extend the shelf life of the cookies. Five quantitative controllable factors were selected for the experimental design: weight of bamboo fiber, fructose/saccharose ratio (F/S) and weight of egg white as ingredients, and baking time and temperature as process parameters. To assess the product quality, texture, moisture content and color were considered as dependent variables. The three second-order polynomial models obtained by RSM and the subsequent optimization step indicated that a formulation with 28.95 g of fiber, 252.5 g of egg white, an F/S equal to 0.1, baking time and temperature of 21.5 min and 185.5C, respectively, represents the best recipe to manufacture a new product with quality attributes very similar to the typical one and, in addition, with an extended shelf life.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The importance of this work arises from the possibility to obtain new formulations by the enhancement of original recipes of products with a very limited shelf life using a statistical and designed approach. The achieved results led to a higher quality of these products over time, without changing the most important characteristics related to consumer acceptance.     

Application of TLC and HPTLC in the analysis of semipermanent hair dyes

Semipermanent or direct colouring includes any product capable of affecting to some extent a change in the natural hair colour that will last through at least five shampoo washings. Semipermanent dyes are simple and easy to use, as opposed to oxidation dyes, and are normally formulated for application on nonbleached hair. Following increases in supply of such formulations, we have started an analysis for quality control purposes of 21 commonly marketed dyestuffs (nitroaminobenzenes, anthraquinone and Arianor dyes) and 20 colouring products manufactured by four leading companies. By using TLC (silica gel and reversed phase) and HPTLC (silica gel) procedures we have determined relative retention values to 1,3-diamino-4-nitrobenzene of standards and dyes found in the commercial products. All the values reported (standards and samples) are the average of five analytical results (+/-SD).