Texture Changes During the Ripening of Port Salut Argentino Cheese in 2 Sampling Zones

ABSTRACT: Texture changes during ripening of Port Salut Argentino cheese for different sampling zones were studied. Compression relaxation tests were performed and results were analyzed using both Maxwellian and Peleg's models. Elastic equilibrium modulus obtained from the Maxwellian model decreased from 1.22 to 0.11 10⁴Pa during ripening. The constants derived from Peleg's model, k₁ and k₂, diminished with ripening time from 1.18 to 0.71 min and from 1.27 to 1.12, respectively. Asymptotic equilibrium modulus from Peleg's model decreased from 0.95 to 0.07 10⁴Pa during ripening. Rate parameters derived from a 1st order kinetics applied to both equilibrium moduli showed that the decrease was faster in the external zone (0.0846 d⁻¹) than in the central zone (0.0368 d⁻¹). The correlation between equilibrium moduli, salt concentration, moisture content, and maturation indexes was obtained with a determination coefficient of 0.76.     

Feasibility of fishmeal replacement by shrimp head silage protein hydrolysate in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L) diets

This study provides information on the use of shrimp head silage protein hydrolysate (SPH) as an alternative protein source for tilapia feeding. Six diets (28% protein, 12% lipid) were prepared where fishmeal protein was replaced at levels of 0 (control), 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% with the hydrolysate. The diets were supplied to Nile tilapia fry (338 mg initial weight) stocked in plastic recirculating 20 l tanks (10 animals per tank), with three replicates per treatment. After an 8 week experimental period, fish fed the diets containing 10 and 15% SPH showed significantly better performance in terms of final body weight, weight gain (%), mean daily weight gain (mg day^?1), specific growth ratio and feed conversion ratio than those fed the control diet (fishmeal as protein source) and higher‐SPH diets. It is concluded that shrimp head hydrolysate is a promising alternative protein source for tilapia feeding, improving growth ratio at dietary inclusion levels as high as 15%. In addition, the diets with added shrimp silage protein were well accepted by the fish, which avidly consumed the feed during the experiment. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modeling of Calcium Chloride and Pectin Methylesterase Prefreezing Treatments of Strawberries and Jams

ABSTRACT: :
Different calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and pectin methylesterase (PME) prefreezing treatments in a vacuum were used to clarify the most effective prefreezing factors for strawberries and traditional jams. Fractional factorial design and modeling were used. CaCl₂ had the greatest effect on the majority of the 15 studied responses ( p < 0.001). The pretreatment time should be short (about 5 to 10 min), the temperature low (less than 20 °C), the vacuum level high (pressure less than 10 kPa), the CaCl₂ concentration moderate (about 1%) and the dosage of PME comparatively low (about 50 to 100 nkat/g) in order to yield high quality frozen strawberries for jam making.     

Changes in Lake Ontario Total Phosphorus Concentrations 1976–1978

An apparent decrease in total phosphorus concentrations of approximately 4.l μgP/L has been reported recently for the spring values of 1977 and 1978 in Lake Ontario. Investigation of the loading reduction for this period independent of sedimentation factors can account for only 10% of the change. The results indicate that changes in the sedimentation rate of total phosphorus during this period offer an explanation for the majority of the change in concentration.     

Molecular correlations in sheared thermotropic copolyesters showing banded textures

Banded textures produced in a thermotropic liquid crystal polymer by shearing between glass slides are examined by using both transmission electron and polarized light microscopy. The periodic variation in director orientation about the shear axis, as measured by light microscopy, is shown to be distinctly different from that indicated by electron diffraction. Measurements of birefringence and observation of Zernicke phase contrast indicate periodic variations in optical properties of the polymer, in step with the bands. Such effects are accounted for in terms of a synchronous rotation of the planar aromatic groups about the molecular chain axes. Evidence for an out-of-plane component of molecular orientation is also presented.     

Constant stretching rate experiments on low density polyethylene

A simple apparatus for elongational test of molten polymers is presented. Its realiability is demonstrated by means of stress growth in constant stretching rate experiments and relaxation test on a low density polyethylene sample.     

Reconstruction of polygonal sets by constrained and unconstrained double probing

The problem of recovering the shape of planar objects arises in robotics. This work deals with this problem under the assumption that composite double probings are made. Two kinds of double probes are considered and their use for reconstructing convex planar polygons is investigated. For both kinds of probes, lower bounds on the number of probings required for reconstruction under any strategy are obtained and specific strategies which are proven to be almost optimal are provided.     

A real-time neural system for color constancy

A neural network approach to the problem of color constancy is presented. Various algorithms based on Land's retinex theory are discussed with respect to neurobiological parallels, computational efficiency, and suitability for VLSI implementation. The efficiency of one algorithm is improved by the application of resistive grids and is tested in computer simulations; the simulations make clear the strengths and weaknesses of the algorithm. A novel extension to the algorithm is developed to address its weaknesses. An electronic system that is based on the original algorithm and that operates at video rates was built using subthreshold analog CMOS VLSI resistive grids. The system displays color constancy abilities and qualitatively mimics aspects of human color perception.     

Fast algorithms for estimating the correlation functions of large signals

A fast algorithm is proposed for estimating the auto- and cross-correlation functions of a large signal. The algorithm is based on the sectioning method by the fast Fourier transform. We determine the optimal length of the portion of data read from external memory into RAM which achieves T_min—a minimum processing time. An estimate of T_min is obtained.Translated from Kibernetika, No. 3, pp. 78–81, May–June, 1991.