Physicochemical, Microbiological, and Sensory Evaluation of Minimally Processed Tarocco Clone Oranges Packaged with 3 Different Permeability Films

ABSTRACT: Fruits of 3 Tarocco clones ('Gallo', 'Arcimusa', and 'Scirè') were sliced, packaged with different permeability films, and stored at 4°C for 14 to 15 d to find the best clone for processing and the most suitable packaging conditions to extend the shelf life of these products. Physicochemical parameters of Tarocco oranges slices, packaged with 3 films of different permeability, did not show marked decay phenomena during the storage days. Only a reduction in the ascorbic acid content was observed in almost all the examined clones, especially in products packaged with the most O₂ permeable films. Concerning microbiological contamination, all clones, packaged with the 3 films, showed, until the 12th storage day, a lower number of colony forming units (CFU)/g (≤ 3.6 × 10⁷ CFU/g) for mesophilic viable counts than the 2 microbiological criteria generally used for fresh-cut fruit and vegetables (10⁸ CFU/g for mesophilic viable counts). In fact, for these products it is possible to expect a shelf life longer than 12 to 13 d. Regarding sensory results, it was observed that the minimally processed Tarocco clone slices packaged with the most permeable to O₂ film were the most appreciated.     

Toward Improved Statistical Reporting in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

Philip Kendall's (1997) editorial encouraged authors in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (JCCP) to report effect sizes and clinical significance. The present authors assessed the influence of that editorial--and other American Psychological Association initiatives to improve statistical practices--by examining 239 JCCP articles published from 1993 to 2001. For analysis of variance, reporting of means and standardized effect sizes increased over that period, but the rate of effect size reporting for other types of analyses surveyed remained low. Confidence interval reporting increased little, reaching 17% in 2001. By 2001, the percentage of articles considering clinical (not only statistical) significance was 40%, compared with 36% in 1996. In a follow-up survey of JCCP authors (N=62), many expressed positive attitudes toward statistical reform. Substantially improving statistical practices may require stricter editorial policies and further guidance for authors on reporting and interpreting measures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Neurodegenerative Disorder Risk in Krabbe Disease Carriers

Krabbe disease (KD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the galactocerebrosidase gene (GALC). Defective GALC causes aberrant metabolism of galactolipids present almost exclusively in myelin, with consequent demyelinization and neurodegeneration of the central and peripheral nervous system (NS). KD shares some similar features with other neuropathies and heterozygous carriers of GALC mutations are emerging with an increased risk in developing NS disorders. In this work, we set out to identify possible variations in the proteomic profile of KD-carrier brain to identify altered pathways that may imbalance its homeostasis and that may be associated with neurological disorders. The differential analysis performed on whole brains from 33-day-old twitcher (galc ^−/−), heterozygous (galc ^+/−), and wild-type mice highlighted the dysregulation of several multifunctional factors in both heterozygous and twitcher mice. Notably, the KD-carrier mouse, despite its normal phenotype, presents the deregulation of vimentin, receptor of activated protein C kinase 1 (RACK1), myelin basic protein (MBP), 2′,3′-cyclic-nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase (CNP), transitional endoplasmic reticulum ATPase (VCP), and N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 protein (NDRG1) as well as changes in the ubiquitinated-protein pattern. Our findings suggest the carrier may be affected by dysfunctions classically associated with neurodegeneration: (i) alteration of (mechano) signaling and intracellular trafficking, (ii) a generalized affection of proteostasis and lipid metabolism, with possible defects in myelin composition and turnover, and (iii) mitochondrion and energy supply dysfunctions.     

Mastery and performance goals predict epistemic and relational conflict regulation.

The present research examines whether mastery and performance goals predict different ways of reacting to a sociocognitive conflict with another person over materials to be learned, an issue not yet addressed by the achievement goal literature. Results from 2 studies showed that mastery goals predicted epistemic conflict regulation (a conflict regulation strategy focused on the attempt to integrate both points of view), whereas performance goals predicted relational conflict regulation (a conflict regulation strategy focused on the evaluation and affirmation of self-competence). Study 1 shows these links via direct self-report measures of conflict regulation. Study 2 shows the same links using the amount of competence reported for the self and for the other as subtle measures of conflict regulation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)