A Feasibility Study on the Use of Near Infrared Spectroscopy for the Authentication of Depurated Salmon Fillets

Some species of actinomycetes, fungi, and blue-green algae produce semivolatile off-flavor compounds responsible for earthy-musty odorants in water from aquaculture facilities and tend to bioaccumulate within fish flesh. Although these off-flavor compounds are harmless to human health, high levels within fish tissue lead to an undesirable taste leading to an unmarketable consumption quality. Preharvest processes such as depuration can be used to eliminate most of these off-flavor compounds and ultimately enhance salmon quality. This study examined the potential of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to discriminate depurated from nondepurated salmon fillets (n?=?62). Partial least squares discriminant analysis based on NIR spectra correctly classified 100 % of non-depurated and depurated salmon fillets. The successful classification was likely a consequence of statistically significant differences in the content of off-flavor compounds between both samples, which could have been detected by NIR spectra. Thus, NIRS is a fast, inexpensive, solvent-free, and non-destructive technology that can be used for the authentication of salmon with enhanced quality for marketing purposes.     

Applications of the psychotherapy phase model to clinically significant deterioration.

While previous research on deterioration has focused on identifying individuals at risk for negative outcomes, little is known about the nature or pattern by which deterioration occurs. The problem of deterioration is especially salient in training clinics; a setting in which higher deterioration rates have been reported. Two studies were designed to test the applicability of the phase model to deterioration in a training clinic and to replicate the model with a training clinic referral-base sample. In Study 1, the course of therapy was monitored for 135 clients. For the 38 clients who deteriorated during therapy, a model where increased symptoms (demediation) reliably preceded both decreased functioning (dehabilitation) and decreased well-being (demoralization) was found. In Study 2, the same three phases were prospectively monitored for 914 undergraduate students on a weekly basis throughout a single semester. For the 158 individuals who deteriorated during this time, a model where demediation reliably preceded dehabilitation, which preceded demoralization was found. These results have clinical implications for the use of tailored intervention strategies focusing on the deterioration phases. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of Gamma Radiation on the Strength of Plate Glass of Varying Arsenic Content

Samples of plate glass containing a small amount of arsenic oxide as well as arsenic-free samples were subjected to gamma radiation from a cobalt-60 source after which modulus of rupture measurements were made. The arsenic-containing glass showed a significant increase in strength upon irradiation while the arsenic-free glass became weaker.     

Chlorophyll biomass in the global oceans: satellite retrieval using inherent optical properties

In the upper layer of the global ocean, 2082 in situ chlorophyll biomass values (Chl) are retrieved by concurrent satellite-derived inherent optical properties (IOP). It is found that (1) the phytoplankton absorption coefficient IOP alone does not provide satisfactory (Chl) retrieval; (2) the chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) absorption coefficient IOP must also be used to obtain satisfactory retrieval through (Chl) alpha a ph + pa CDOM where p is a constant and a ph and aCDOM are, respectively, the phytoplankton and CDOM absorption coefficients; (3) the IOP-based (Chl) retrieval performance is comparable to standard satellite reflectance ratio retrievals (that have CDOM absorption intrinsically embedded within them); (4) inclusion of the total backscattering coefficient IOP does not contribute significantly to (Chl) retrieval; and (5) the new IOP-based algorithm may provide the possibility for future research to establish the actual role of extracellular CDOM from all sources in the intracellular production of chlorophyll biomass.     

Ocean Experiments And Remotely Sensed Images of Chemically Dispersed Oil Spills

A series of experiments was performed at sea where the effectiveness of dispersants applied from a helicopter was tested on fresh and weathered crude oils released from a surface research vessel. In conjunction with these experiments, remote sensing measurements using an array of airborne optical and microwave sensors were performed in order to aid in the interpretation of the dispersant effectiveness and to obtain quantitative images of oil on the sea under controlled conditions. Surface oil thickness and volume are inferred from airborne measurements using a dual-channel microwave imaging radiometer, aerial color photography, and an airborne oceanographic lidar. The remotely sensed measurements are compared with point sampled data obtained using a research vessel. The mass balance computations of surface versus subsurface oil volume using remotely sensed and point sampled data are consistent with each other and with the volumes of oil released. Data collected by the several techniques concur in indicating that, for the oils used and under the sea conditions encountered, the dispersant and application method are primarily useful when applied to fresh oil.     

Next-Generation NASA Airborne Oceanographic Lidar System

The complete design and flight test of the next-generation Airborne Oceanographic Lidar (AOL-3) is detailed. The application of new technology has allowed major reductions in weight, volume, and power requirements compared with the earlier AOL sensor. Subsystem designs for the new AOL sensor include new technology in fiber optics, spectrometer detector optical train, miniature photomultiplier modules, dual-laser wavelength excitation from a single small laser source, and new receiver optical configuration. The new design reduced telescope size and maintained the same principal fluorescence and water Raman bands but essentially retained a comparable measurement accuracy. A major advancement is the implementation of single-laser simultaneous excitation of two physically separate oceanic target areas: one stimulated by 532 nm and the other by 355 nm. Backscattered fluorescence and Raman signals from both targets are acquired simultaneously by use of the same telescope and spectrometer-detector system. Two digital oscilloscopes provide temporal- and depth-resolved data from each of seven spectral emission bands.     

Atomic force microscopy of human hair

The atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to investigate the surface architecture of the entire lengths of cleaned human head hairs. Many features previously seen with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) were identified. However, the AFM has provided much greater detail and, in particular, the hair's cuticular surfaces appear not to be as smooth as had been previously supposed. A consistent feature was of step discontinuities or "ghosts" on the scale surfaces. These delineated the original location of each overlying scale before its edge had been chipped away. There was a change in the longitudinal angular presentation of the surfaces about each ghost. This means the distal ends of each cuticle cell have been synthesised in the follicle to be thicker than where that same cuticle cell is bounded on both sides by other cuticle cells. The undamaged outer cuticular surfaces at the root end of each hair were covered everywhere by longitudinal ridges (striations). Where the hair surface was worn, the striations terminated at a scale edge ghost. The ridges were approximately 9 nm high and were in parallel array with a lateral repeat spacing of about 350 nm. The striations are evidently formed on the outer surface of each cuticle cell following earlier contact in the hair follicle with the inner root sheath. The study of stained transverse sections of hairs in the transmission electron microscope (TEM) is suggested as a means for throwing some light on the underlying structure and chemistry of the striations. Finally, our AFM studies have revealed that the surface of the freshly emergent hair gradually changes over a distance of about 20 mm and that the surface of the hair for most of its length is quite different from that near the root. This is likely to be of import to those engaged in the hair toiletries industry.     

High-dose transdermal nicotine and naltrexone: Effects on nicotine withdrawal, urges, smoking, and effects of smoking.

Although treatment with transdermal nicotine replacement (TNR) has improved smoking abstinence rates, higher doses of TNR could improve effects on urge to smoke, nicotine withdrawal, and reinforcement from smoking, and naltrexone might further reduce reinforcement and urges. A laboratory investigation with 134 smokers using a 3 × 2 parallel-group design evaluated the effects of TNR (42-mg, 21-mg, or 0-mg patch) as crossed with a single dose of naltrexone (50 mg) versus placebo on urge to smoke, withdrawal, and responses to an opportunity to smoke (intake, subjective effects) after 10 hr of deprivation. Urge and withdrawal were assessed both prior to and after cigarette cue exposure. Only 42 mg TNR, not 21 mg, prevented urge to smoke, heart rate change, and cue-elicited increase in withdrawal. Both 21 and 42 mg TNR blocked cue-elicited drop in heart rate and arterial pressure. Naltrexone reduced cue-elicited withdrawal symptoms but not urges to smoke or deprivation-induced withdrawal prior to cue exposure. Neither medication significantly affected carbon monoxide intake or subjective effects of smoking except that 42 mg TNR resulted in lower subjective physiological activation. No interaction effects were found, and no results differed by gender. Results suggest that starting smokers with 42 mg TNR may increase comfort during initial abstinence, but limited support is seen for naltrexone during smoking abstinence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)