Zein-based anti-browning cling wraps for fresh-cut apple slices

The usage of cling wraps is emerging as an easy and cost-effective approach to protect fresh-cut fruits and vegetables from dust, whilst improving visual appeal on retail counters. This study focused on developing an alternate, protein-based packaging material as a food grade cling wrap for food packaging applications. Zein-based cling wraps were produced, and their physical and mechanical characteristics were evaluated and compared with conventionally used chitosan biopolymer films and commercial synthetic polymer films. Antioxidant potential of the prepared films was studied, and the effectiveness of the developed films as anti-browning cling wraps was evaluated using studies conducted on fresh-cut apple slices at ambient conditions. Anti-browning effects were in par with polymeric counterparts; however, zein cling wraps could better prevent weight loss in apple slices. Zein-based films can be adopted as biodegradable food grade cling wraps as an alternative to chitosan and synthetic polymeric materials.     

Experimental measurement of gain in erbium-doped fluoride fiber amplifier in the 850-nm signal band

In this letter, we report an efficient single-mode Er/sup 3+/ doped fluoride fiber amplifier (EDFFA) in the 850 mn signal band. The Ti-sapphire laser was used to pump the EDFFA at 792 mm with an estimated absorbed pump power of 35 mW. The EDFFA used a 4.2 meter long NA=0.39, /spl lambda//sub c/=850 nm fluoride fiber as the active medium. A peak gain of 25 dB was observed at 852 mm. The gain was measured for a 10 nm region between 847.5 mn and 857.5 nm. The 3 dB gain bandwidth is less than 3 nm. However, the gain exceeded 20 dB over wavelength region of at least 7.5 nm. The gain and the gain bandwidth can be further increased by optimizing the length of the active fiber.     

Construct validity of WAIS—R factors: Neuropsychological test correlates in adults referred for evaluation of possible head injury.

A 3-factor solution of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Revised (WAIS—R; Wechsler, 1981) in 260 adults with suspected head injury suggested relatively good construct validity for the factors, based on correlations with neuropsychological tests purported to measure similar abilities. The Verbal Comprehension factor was related to verbal ability, verbal memory, and executive functioning. The Perceptual Organization factor, although measuring primarily visual–spatial perception and visual constructional ability, was related to visual–spatial memory, visual attention, and executive functioning. The Freedom From Distractibility factor was correlated with two attention measures and was not associated with memory measures. Its association with executive functioning was inconsistent. The findings are discussed in terms of the multidimensional nature of neuropsychological tests and WAIS—R factors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hemispheric contributions to nonverbal abstract reasoning and problem solving.

Hemispheric involvement in reasoning abilities has been debated for some time, and it remains unclear whether the right hemisphere's involvement in problem solving is modality specific or dependent on the type of spatial reasoning required. In the current study, 2 types of nonverbal reasoning abilities were examined, spatial reasoning and proportional reasoning, in 109 patients with cerebrovascular disease that was confined to either the right or the left hemisphere or was diffuse in nature. Results indicated that no lateralizing effects were present based on type of spatial reasoning. Findings are consistent with the suggestion that higher order cognitive processes involved in nonverbal abstraction and problem solving are not strongly lateralized to the right hemisphere but rather are more generally distributed throughout the cortex. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A visual tool for computer supported learning: The robot motion planning example

We introduce an effective computer aided learning visual tool (CALVT) to teach graph-based applications. We present the robot motion planning problem as an example of such applications. The proposed tool can be used to simulate and/or further to implement practical systems in different areas of computer science such as graphics, computational geometry, robotics and networking. In the robot motion planning example, CALVT enables users to setup the working environment by creating obstacles and a robot of different shapes, specifying starting and goal positions, and setting other path or environment parameters from a user-friendly interface. The path planning system involves several phases. Each of these modules is complex and therefore we provide the possibility of visualizing graphically the output of each phase. Based on our experience, this tool has been an effective one in classroom teaching. It not only cuts down, significantly, on the instructor’s time and effort but also motivates senior/graduate students to pursue work in this specific area of research.     

Accumulation of acetone in blood during long-term anaesthesia with closed systems

During closed system anaesthesia with isoflurane, patients with a preoperative increase in blood concentration of acetone (> 10 mg litre-1) had a significantly greater concentration of acetone than patients with an initial normal blood concentration of acetone (P < 0.01). Flushing the closed system with a high flow of fresh gas had no effect on the blood concentration of acetone. Using a large fresh gas flow, there was no increase in blood acetone concentration. Acetone concentrations of about 50 mg litre-1 cause problems such as nausea and vomiting in the postoperative period. These symptoms occurred more frequently after closed system anaesthesia.     

Contact system in healthy term newborns: reference values in cord blood

Humoral hypercalcemia refers to the elevated blood calcium levels caused by neoplasms which release a bone resorptive substance into the circulation. Previously reported infants with malignant and benign solid tumors causing humoral hypercalcemia have presented with large abdominal masses. The case we describe, a hypercalcemic infant due to an occult parathyroid hormone-related protein-containing metanephric adenoma of the kidney, shows that radionuclide bone scanning can be a useful test to identify humoral hypercalcemia. Humoral hypercalcemia stemming from a soft tissue neoplasm should be ruled out, even in the absence of clinical signs of a tumor, if bone scans show generalized uptake in the absence of hypervitaminosis D or radiological signs of bone lesions, and serum parathyroid hormone is low.     

Developing human factors/ergonomics as a design discipline

This paper deals with internal challenges that the human factors/ergonomics (HFE) research faces when wishing to strengthen its contribution to development of work systems. Three established characteristics of high-quality HFE, i.e., HFE takes a systems approach, HFE is design-driven, and HFE focuses on two closely related outcomes, performance and well-being, are taken as a starting point of a methodological discussion, in which conceptual innovations, e.g. adopting the technology-in-use perspective, are proposed to support development of HFE towards the high-quality aims. The feasibility of the proposed conceptual choices is demonstrated by introducing a naturalistic HFE analysis approach including four HFE functions. The gained experience of the use of this approach in a number of complex work domains allows the conclusion that becoming design-driven appears as that most difficult quality target for HFE to reach. Creating an own design discipline identity in a multi-voiced collaboration is the key internal challenge for human factors/ergonomics.     

Different degrees of malnutrition and immunological alterations according to the aetiology of cirrhosis: a prospective and sequential study

Objectives

In this work we investigated how immunological dysfunction and malnutrition interact in alcoholic and viral aetiologies of cirrhosis.

Methods

To investigate the matter, 77 cirrhotic patients divided in three aetiologies [Alcohol, HCV and Alcohol + HCV) and 32 controls were prospectivelly and sequentially studied. Parameters of humoral immunity (Components 3 and 4 of seric complement and immunoglobulins A M, G and E) and of cellular immunity (total leukocytes and lymphocytes in peripheral blood, T lymphocytes subpopulations, CD4+ and CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ ratio and intradermic tests of delayed hypersensitivity), as well as nutrititional parameters: anthropometric measures, serum albumin and transferrin were evaluated.

Results

Multiple statistical comparisons showed that IgM was higher in HCV group; IgG was significantly elevated in both HCV and Alcohol + HCV, whereas for the Alcohol group, IgE was found at higher titles. The analysis of T- lymphocytes subpopulations showed no aetiologic differences, but intradermic tests of delayed hypersensitivity did show greater frequency of anergy in the Alcohol group. For anthropometric parameters, the Alcohol +HCV group displayed the lowest triceps skinfold whereas creatinine – height index evaluation was more preserved in the HCV group. Body mass index, arm muscle area and arm fat area showed that differently from alcohol group, the HCV group was similar to control.

Conclusion

Significant differences were found among the main aetiologies of cirrhosis concerning immunological alterations and nutritional status: better nutrition and worse immunology for HCV and vice-versa for alcohol.