Generalized additive neural network with flexible parametric link function: model estimation using simulated and real clinical data

Neural Computing and Applications - Artificial neural networks have been proposed in medical research as an alternative to some regression models such as the generalized linear models, being the...     

Ground robotics in tunnels: Keys and lessons learned after 10 years of research and experiments

The work reported in this article describes the research advances and the lessons learned by the Robotics, Perception and Real‐Time group over a decade of research in the field of ground robotics in confined environments. This study has primarily focused on localization, navigation, and communications in tunnel‐like environments. As will be discussed, this type of environment presents several special characteristics that often make well‐established techniques fail. The aim is to share, in an open way, the experience, errors, and successes of this group with the robotics community so that those that work in such environments can avoid (some of) the errors made. At the very least, these findings can be readily taken into account when designing a solution, without needing to sift through the technical details found in the papers cited within this text.     

Biochemical characterization of a semi-purified aspartic protease from sea catfish Bagre panamensis with milk-clotting activity

Food Science and Biotechnology - Pepsin from stomach of Bagre panamensis was semi-purified and biochemically characterized. The acid proteolytic activity and purification fold were...     

Quality and safety of maize (Zea mays L.) from Rondônia state storage units,Northern Brazil

The quality and safety of maize (Zea mays L.) from different grain storage units (GSUs), located in the main producing region of Rondônia State, Northern Brazil, were evaluated. Maize grains (n = 76) stored in four GSUs were collected from July to November 2014 and evaluated for grain damages, humidity, fungi and fumonisins (FBs) content. The climate conditions data were also obtained from plant growing to storage periods. Regarding the moisture content and water activity (a_w), these varied from 10.0% to 16.1% and 0.5 to 0.8, respectively. As expected, fungi spores were present in 94.8% of the samples, prevailing Fusarium genera, with a fungi colony maximum of 2.2 × 10⁴ CFU g^?1. Regarding FBs, 60.5% of the samples were contaminated, below Brazilian and United States maximum limits, but 9.2% had levels higher than the European legislation.     

Microbiological,physical and chemical characteristics of freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in modified‐atmosphere packaging

This study evaluated the influence of packaging atmosphere (air versus 50% N₂/50% CO₂) on microbiological (mesophiles, psychrotrophs), physical (gas measurement) and chemical (pH, total volatile basic nitrogen [TVB‐N], NH₃, H₂S and biogenic amines) parameters in freshwater prawns during storage at 0 ± 1 °C for 240 h. To select the most appropriate packaging, 21 batches of each treatment were analysed. Both the packaging permeability and the combination of gases affected the shelf life, but the modified‐atmosphere packaging (MAP) was more efficient than air packaging, increasing the shelf life by 40 h. The parameters of pH and TVB‐N showed no statistical difference between the two atmosphere conditions all along the storage period. The biogenic amine agmatine showed potential for use as a quality indicator due to the increased concentration during storage. In further studies, this amine can be applied as an indicator for public health issue.     

Dynamic monitoring of the shelf life of Cobia (Rachycentron canadum): a study on the applicability of a smart photochromic indicator

To ensure the marketing of fresh fish‐based products, it is necessary to develop fast methods that assess its freshness in real time. This study therefore evaluated the applicability of a photochromic time–temperature indicator (TTI) to monitor the time and temperature history during the period of validity of the whole fish of the cobia specimen stored in ice. The TTI response was both visibly interpreted as well as adaptable to measurement using suitable equipment. The results showed that the smart indicator activated during 6 s of ultraviolet light showed a similar rate of deterioration of the analysed product visual response, proving to be a dynamic shelf life indicator that can assure consumers the ultimate quality point of the entire cobia easily, cheaply and accurately.