Inhibition of Undesirable Gas Production in Tofu

Of 100 gas-producing bacterial isolates, 65% were Gram-negative. Bacterial growth and gas production in commercial tofu was accompanied by acidification, and pH decreases as low as 5.2. Coliform bacteria constituted 15% of the total bacterial flora. Sporeformers and yeast counts remained < 10³ CFU/mL. Pasteurization was effective in lowering the bacterial counts, and retarded gas production. The addition of lactic acid (reducing pH to 5.5) or lactic acid bacteria (2 × 10⁷ CFU/g) to tofu helped reduce gas production by about 50%. Addition of both lactic acid and Lactobacillus plantarum stopped gas production in contaminated tofu.     

Télédétection des formations géomorphologiques et de la végétation dans un territoire du Haut Atlas oriental marocain a partir des donnees du satellite SPOT

Abstract

L' étude vise á déterminr les possibilités d'identifier sur 1'imagerie SPOT certains éléments géomorphologiques et du couvert végétal en milieu aride. Les réponses spectrales des types de végétation steppique étant proches de celles des sols nus, leur caracterisation doit passer par une cartographie géomorphologique complétés par une recherche sur les relations vegetation-geomorphologie. Ces possibilités sont illustrées à partir des données SPOT images en couleurs composees (canaux bruts ou combinaisons de canaux) et de classifications supervisées appliquées à un territoire test d'environ 42000 ha du Haut Atlas oriental marocain.

The aim of the study is the evaluation of SPOT imagery for the identification of some geomorphological features and vegetation cover in arid areas. The spectral responses of steppe-type vegetation being close to the ones obtained for bare soils types, their characterization must be obtained through a geomorphological mapping, in addition to research on vegetation-geomorphology interrelations. These possibilities are illustrated from SPOT data colour composite images (raw channels or spectral indices) and from supervised classifications applied to a lest area of about 42 000 ha in the oriental High Atlas Mountains of Morocco.     

Effects on the Metals Industries of the Decrease in Oil Prices: A Preliminary Analytical Survey∗

The recent decrease in oil prices should benefit metals producers by reducing costs of production—through lower energy prices—and increasing the demand for metals— through income and substitution effects. It is difficult, however, to predict a substantial return to the earlier relative role of metals: Real energy prices are still well above their levels of 20 years ago; the duration and extent of the oil price decrease is highly uncertain; petroleum generally is not a very important energy input in metal production; other energy prices probably will not decline as much as oil prices; and the effects of the oil price decrease on currency exchange rates and inflation rates are complex and difficult to predict in general and for individual countries.     

SYNTHESIS OF HYBRID LANGUAGES

Abstract

A specific hybrid tool, the Vienna Knowledge Engineering Tool, is used, in discussing the advantages and disadvantages of hybrid systems during their development and application. An object-oriented programming approach is introduced to serve as binding agent between the system components and as friendly interface to the user.     

Caractérisation de formations végétales mediterranéennes à partir de données ‘Thematic Mapper’ Une étude de cas en Andalousie (Espagne)

Abstract

The study is focused on the characterization of vegetation formations in a Mediterranean area (943 km²) located in southern Spain: herbaceous canopies (rangelands), shrubby vegetation (‘matorral’) and complex woody/herbaceous formations (‘dehesa’). Vegetation formations (physiognomical units) have been characterized by their spectral responses in the six reflective TM channels and by vegetation indices. From the ratio index TM4/TM3 there has been derived a map displaying seven classes (water, bare soil and five biomass levels reflecting the hierarchy of vegetation formations). Channels TM3, TM4 and TM5 have been considered for a supervised classification into nine land-cover categories (seven vegetation formations, bare soil and water). The proportion of correct classification of vegetation formations is about 78 per cent when considering test areas. Classification made from three principal components gives similar results.     

Heat Resistance of Salmonella typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes in Sucrose Solutions of Various Water Activities

The heat resistance of Salmonella typhimurium was determined in sucrose solutions with a_w ranging from 0.98–0.83. The D_65.6^o_c ranged from 0.29–40.2 min (> 100-fold increase), with z value 6.5–7.7°C. S. typhimurium was also heated in four chocolate syrups purchased at retail. The D_65.6^o_C ranged from 1.2–3.2 min while the a_w of the syrups ranged from 0.75–0.84. The heat resistance of Listeria monocytogenes was determined in sucrose solutions with a_w ranging from 0.98–0.90. The D_65.6^o_C value shifted from 0.36–3.8 min (10-fold increase); the z value ranged from 7.6–12.9°C.     

ABILITY, VALUES, AND CONCEPTS OF EQUITABLE SALARY INCREASES IN EXERCISE COMPENSATION.

113 GRADUATE BUSINESS STUDENTS RECOMMENDED ANNUAL SALARY INCREASES FOR 10 FICTITIOUS ENGINEERS, EACH WITH A DIFFERENT REASON FOR BEING GIVEN A RAISE. THE MEAN RECOMMENDATION WAS 9.3%. RECOMMENDERS WERE MORE GENEROUS IF SS WERE OF LOWER INTELLIGENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT, AND IF THEY HELD STRONG SOCIAL AND SERVICE RATHER THAN THEORETICAL AND ECONOMIC VALUES. THEY ALSO WERE MORE WILLING TO SPEND COMPANY MONEY FOR OTHER SOCIAL AND PERSONNEL PURPOSES. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

CONTROL OF BACILLUS CEREUS IN HIGH-pH CRUMPETS

Studies were performed to determine the effects of sorbic hydroxamic acid (SHA) and mastic oil–ethanol (ME) or water‐ethanol (WE) emitters on the growth of Bacillus cereus in high‐moisture, high‐pH (～8.9) English‐style crumpets stored at ambient temperature (25C). While SHA (3000 p.p.m.), alone or in combination with ME emitters, was effective in inhibiting the growth of B. cereus for 14 days in high‐pH crumpets, only SHA formulated crumpets packaged in air had acceptable sensory scores at the end of storage. However, ME emitters alone were ineffective in controlling the growth of this pathogen. This lack of inhibition in crumpets was attributed to the poor absorption of mastic volatiles from the package headspace into the food matrix. Whatever the reason, these preliminary studies showed that SHA has the potential to control the growth of B. cereus in high‐moisture, high‐pH crumpets without compromising product quality.