Kalman Filter bank post-processor methodology for the Weather Research and Forecasting Model wind speed grid model output correction

The performance of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, coupled with a bank of eight Kalman Filters (KFB) as a post-processor toolbox for the three hourly average WRF wind speed forecasts, is investigated and compared to the output of the WRF model alone. Two model set-ups, WRF and WRF+KFB, have been tested for the period January to December 2008 on nine locations corresponding to gradient wind towers of the Cuban Eolic program. Tests demonstrated that the KFB post-processing technique, using a third-order polynomial, combined with a four-point a priori moving window averager for covariance matrix computation, was the best configuration for improving the WRF grid model day-ahead wind speed forecast output. The WRF+KFB approach investigated has been shown to adapt to changing wind speed patterns and to offer improved wind speed forecasts for each location considered, whilst only requiring a limited data set for training purposes.     

Influence of the texture of gelatin gels and pectin gels on strawberry flavour release and perception

The release of strawberry flavour compounds from pectin gels and gelatin gels was evaluated by instrumental and sensory analysis. Three gel textures were established based on Young’s modulus of elasticity (E) for each gel. The E of the low, medium and high rigidity gelatine and pectin gels was 181, 300 and 493 N m⁻², respectively. Air/gel partition coefficients were determined by static headspace analysis. In-nose/proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry analysis produced temporal release profiles. Sensory analysis was conducted to assess perceived odour, thickness, strawberry flavour and sweetness using magnitude estimation. The type of hydrocolloid affected static and in-nose compound concentrations significantly. The pectin gels showed lower air/gel partition coefficients than the gelatin gels, but increased flavour release. Increased gel rigidity resulted in lower air/gel partition coefficients; higher maximum concentrations of volatiles and lower release rates during in-nose analysis; decreased perception of odour, strawberry flavour and sweetness; and higher intensity ratings for thickness in sensory analysis. Consequently, both type of hydrocolloid and rigidity of the sample greatly affected flavour release and perception.     

Phagomagnetic separation-quantitative PCR: A rapid,sensitive and specific surveillance tool for viable Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in bulk tank and individual cow milk samples

Bulk tank milk samples from 392 Northern Ireland dairy farms and individual milk from animals (n = 293) on 4 of these farms were tested by a novel phagomagnetic separation (PhMS)-quantitative (q)PCR assay able to detect and quantify viable Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP), to demonstrate its potential utility as a milk surveillance tool. Viable MAP were detected in 26.5% of the bulk tank milks, with MAP contamination levels ranging from 1 to 8,432 MAP/50 mL of milk; less than 2% of farms had MAP contamination levels >100 MAP/50 mL in their bulk tank milk. Follow-up PhMS-qPCR testing of milk from individual animals on 4 farms that had the highest numbers of MAP in their bulk tank milks indicated that 17 to 24% of animals in each herd were shedding viable MAP in their milk. Mean MAP numbers detected ranged between 6.7 and 42.1 MAP/50 mL of milk. No significant correlation was observed between the detection of viable MAP in bulk or individual milks by PhMS-qPCR and parallel milk ELISA results, or between PhMS-qPCR results and any other milk recording results (somatic cell count, total bacterial count, % butterfat, or % protein). Viable MAP was detected by IS900 qPCR in 52 (85.2%) Pozzato broth cultures of 61 PhMS-qPCR-positive individual milks after 12 wk of incubation, suggesting few PhMS-qPCR results were false positives. The mean sensitivities of the PhMS-qPCR assay and milk ELISA applied to individual milks were estimated by Bayesian latent class analysis to be 0.7096 and 0.2665, respectively, and mean specificities were similar (0.9626 and 0.9509). Our findings clearly demonstrate that the novel PhMS-qPCR assay could be a useful milk surveillance tool for dairy processors, or a milk monitoring tool for Johne's disease control or milk quality assurance programs.     

Swiss-type and Swiss–Cheddar hybrid-type cheeses: effects of manufacture on sensory character and relationships between the sensory attributes and volatile compounds and gross compositional constituents

The effects of manufacturing steps, including rate of acidification in the vat, hot room step, curd wash and ripening temperature, on the sensory character of Swiss-type and Swiss–Cheddar hybrid-type cheeses were determined. In addition, relationships were determined between sensory attributes of cheeses and their gross compositional constituents and volatile compounds. Ten assessors described the sensory characteristics using 12 odour, 19 flavour, four appearance and nine texture attributes. Gross compositional constituents were determined using standard methods. Volatile compounds were isolated using a model mouth apparatus that included a mastication device. Statistical methods were used to reduce the original sensory vocabulary to four odour, eight flavour, three appearance and five texture attributes. Results of a principal component analysis on the sensory data showed clear differences in sensory character between cheese types. For example, the Swiss-type with a low rate of acid production in the vat and a hot room step had a more 'nutty' and 'sweet' flavour than the modified Swiss-type with higher acid production and no hot room step. However, the modified Swiss–Cheddar hybrid with a curd wash step, a higher acid production and no hot room step also had a 'nutty' and 'sweet' flavour. Ripening temperature also has an effect on sensory character. Relationships between sensory character and volatile compounds and/or gross compositional constituents were determined by using partial least squares regression. One odour and one flavour attribute were shown to be correlated with subsets of volatile compounds and gross compositional constituents. Four texture attributes were correlated with subsets of gross compositional constituents. The availability of information on the manufacturing process increased the interpretability of the models.     

Texture of cooked potato II.—Relationships between intercellular adhesion and chemical composition of the tuber

In the variety Majestic, statistically significant relationships were found between intercellular adhesion and the levels of tuber starch, amylose, polyuronide, calcium and magnesium. It is suggested that the relationship between intercellular adhesion and a particular constituent may be modified by the levels of the other constituents. a mechanism is proposed for the action of amylose in influencing intercellular adhesion. the differences in intercellular adhesion, and in the levels of the various intrinsic factors, were produced by feeding plants different nutrient solutions (various chloride/nitrate ratios) or by maintaining different moisture regimes.