Dialectical argumentation to solve conflicts in advice giving: a case study in the promotion of healthy nutrition

Conflict situations do not only arise from misunderstandings, erroneous perceptions, partial knowledge, false beliefs, etc., but also from differences in “opinions” and in the different agents' value systems. It is not always possible, and maybe not even desirable, to “solve” this kind of conflict, as the sources are subjective. The communicating agents can, however, use knowledge of the opponent's preferences, to try and convince the partner of a point of view which they wish to promote. To deal with these situations requires an argumentative capacity, able to handle not only “demonstrative” arguments but also “dialectic” ones, which may not necessarily be based on rationality and valid premises. This paper presents a formalization of a theory of informal argumentation, focused on techniques to change attitudes of the interlocutor, in the domain of health promotion.     

Some effects of modified-atmosphere packaging and vacuum packaging in combination with antioxidants on quality and storage life of chilled potato strips

A modified-atmosphere packaging system for chilled fresh potato strips, which rapidly produced oxygen levels < 3%, was identified. This system enclosed the strips within 25 μ low density polyethylene film heat sealed to a fibre tray lined with Surlyn-PVdC-Surlyn, and the package flushed with an initial atmosphere of 5% O₂, 10% CO₂. An equilibrium-modified atmosphere of 3–4% CO₂, 1–2% O₂ was established after 3 days' storage at 5°C. This modified-atmosphere package, used in combination with dipping of potato strips in a 10% ascorbic acid solution, inhibited enzymatic discoloration for 1 week at 5°C. Vacuum packaging within a Surlyn/PVdC-coated polyester film, with or without dipping in ascorbic acid solution, inhibited discoloration of chilled potato strips stored at 5°C for at least 2 weeks.     

Residential Perceptions and Housing Mobility in Scotland: An Analysis of the Longitudinal Scottish House Condition Survey 1991-96

This paper seeks to develop the evidence base for urban, neighbourhood and housing policies, that aim to increase neighbourhood satisfaction and reduce residential instability. Using the longitudinal Scottish House Condition Survey 1991-96, the paper examines whether residential perceptions are generally significant predictors of individual house moving intentions and behaviours, taking into account factors related to life cycle stage, employment, tenure and type of neighbourhood. The effect of specific residential perceptions on overall satisfaction with the home and neighbourhood is traced through moving intentions to actual moves over the 1991-96 period. Using a sample of matching respondents surveyed twice in 1991 and 1996, the paper also examines whether changed residential perceptions affect moving intentions. There is evidence that deteriorating neighbourhood perceptions increase the likelihood that an individual would consider a house move, while greater satisfaction with the home is associated with reduced moving intentions.     

Modified atmosphere packaging of broccoli florets

A retail packaging system was used to study the atmosphere modification which developed within sealed packages of prepared broccoli florets with a range of polymer films of different gas permeabilities (oxygen permeability 3000–32,500 ml/m²/day/atm). Three methods of sealing were investigated and modified atmospheres (MA) were produced both naturally by respiration and by application of gas flushing techniques. The effects of these MA conditions on sensory quality were observed by monitoring colour change and development of off-odours. A 2–3% O₂, 2–3% CO₂ equilibrium MA was established using LF film to package broccoli florets when stored at 5°C. This, the only consistently aerobic MA attained, did not markedly improve retention of quality of broccoli florets when compared with broccoli stored in air. When broccoli florets were packaged with films which resulted in very low O₂ atmospheres (1% or less) foul of-odours shortened broccoli storage life.     

Recrystallization in Sugar/Stabilizer Solutions as Affected by Molecular Structure

The influence that a range of polysaccharides (galactomannans) had on ice recrystallization was determined. The concentration dependence of the recrystallization inhibition occurring with locust bean and guar gums was determined. The degree of galactose substitution in a range of enzyme modified guars was dominant in the effect of a galactomannan to inhibit recrystallization. The fine structure of the substituents were less important. Where the galactose content of comparable polysaccharides was similar the fine structure became dominant. The influence of sugar size on recrystallization was also investigated. Increasing molecular weight resulted in reduced recrystallization rates. The observed rates appeared to follow Williams -Landell-Ferry kinetics.     

TOXICOLOGY AND HISTOPATHOLOGY OF THE HEAT-STABLE ENTEROTOXIN OF YERSINIA ENTEROCOLITICA IN INFANT AND ADULT MICE

Yersinia enterocolitica heat-stable enterotoxin (YST) was partially purified by ion exchange, gel filtration and Fast Protein Liquid chromatography. Infant mice given YST orally (p.o.) exhibited diarrhea 4 h after administration; a few infants died by 6.5 h. Pups dosed intraperitoneally (i.p.) and adults dosed p.o., i.p. and intravenously showed no symptoms during the 7 days of observations. Tissues of adult mice orally challenged with YST showed no pathological changes by light microscopy. Livers of infant mice orally dosed with YST showed evidence of severe glycogen depletion. The intestinal tracts of YST-dosed (p.o.) infant mice exhibited severe pathological changes including: epithelial cell and villous tip necrosis, villous edema, and capillary and lacteal engorgement. Kidneys of YST-dosed (p.o.) infant mice exhibited devacuolization of the proximal convoluted tubule cells which indicates metabolic inactivity and a probable decrease in the resorption of glomerular filtrate (protein, carbohydrate, electrolytes and water).     

Denitrification of Wastewater: Operating Experiences in the US and Pilot-Plant Studies in the UK

Due to the EC urban wastewater treatment Directive, considerable attention has been focused on nitrogen removal, particularly from biological filter nitrified effluents. The paper presents a reliable and proven full-scale fixed-film denitrification system installed in the US and evaluated on pilot scale by Severn Trent Water. Methanol has been used as a carbon source dosed prior to the deep-bed sand filter. The filter removes considerable suspended solids as well as providing the hydraulic retention and surface area for the growth of the biological denitrifying bacteria. Flow sheets of typical US installations are given and operational data with costs are presented for the pilot-plant evaluation.     

Influence of metal ions on lead complexation in wine

Lead in wine is recognised as a potential health risk, but the total lead concentration of wine is not necessarily an indication of bioavailability. A more realistic approach to potential bioavailability is to study the chemical distribution of lead and examine factors that will influence this distribution. Stripping potentiometry, which enables a dynamic study of lead chemistry, was used to monitor the influence of strontium, barium, calcium, zinc, copper and potassium on lead binding in wine. Strontium was found to displace part of the bound lead, whereas barium caused an initial release of lead which was subsequently reincorporated. Zinc, calcium, copper and potassium had no effect on lead complexation. Competitive experiments involving lead and strontium or lead and barium showed that strontium limits the binding of lead, but that barium has little effect overall except on the initial rate of incorporation of lead. The observations are interpreted in terms of the ability of the acidic polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan-II to interact with lead, strontium and barium, but not with other cations. Some advantages of stripping potentiometry as a method to study the labile lead concentration, as influenced by strontium and barium, are outlined.     

MIXER VISCOMETRY to CHARACTERIZE FLUID FOODS WITH LARGE PARTICULATES

Mixer viscometry is an effective means of characterizing fluids containing particulates. an interrupted helical screw impeller used to determine the flow behavior of fresh concrete was scaled‐down to analyze fluid foods with large particulates. the mixer viscometer constant was determined to be 1.6 rad^?1 by the matching viscosity method. Large particulate food materials successfully investigated in this study included cream corn, salsa, smooth pasta sauce and chunky pasta sauce. Apparent viscosity curves were constructed from torque and angular velocity data. Testing materials exhibited shear‐thinning behavior and temperature dependence. Analysis revealed K and n values ranging from 10.1 Pa sⁿ to 40.3 Pa sⁿ and 0.17 to 0.36, respectively. Regression control charts, based on apparent viscosity and average shear rate data were constructed for each product. A protocol is presented for producing and utilizing these charts as a statistical quality control tool for industry.