Soybean Hulls as an Iron Source for Bread Enrichment

Soybean hulls, a concentrated source of iron, may have potential as a source of iron fortification in baked products. Retention of ⁵⁹Fe in rats from white bread containing intrinsically labeled soybean hulls did not differ significantly (p<0.05) from extrinsically labeled white bread fortified with bakery grade ferrous sulfate (70.4 and 63.1%, respectively). Physical and sensory evaluations of bread containing up to 5% soybean hulls did not differ from white bread in loaf volume, cross-sectional area, tenderness or overall acceptance. These results suggest that soybean hulls are a good source of available iron and may be added to bakery products without deleterious effects in baking performance and sensory acceptability.     

Storage of Structured Beef Steakettes Produced with Algin/Calcium/Adipic Acid Gel

Binding properties and shelf-life characteristics of solid-muscle structured beef produced with algin/calcium/adipic acid binding gel were evaluated. Juncture binding strength and surface discoloration were not affected by refrigerated storage of meat blocks up to 35 days. Fresh steakettes had stronger muscle junctures than frozen steakettes in both raw and cooked forms. Rancidity development was greatest in steakettes stored in oxygen permeable packages. Results indicated structured meat products bound with algin/calcium/adipic acid gel maintained integrity following extended refrigerated and/or frozen storage.     

Decomposition of Time Series Dynamic Linear Models

This paper derives the admissible decompositions for a time series dynamic linear model, assuming only that the model is observable. The decompositions depend on factorizations of the characteristic polynomial of the state evolution matrix G into relatively prime factors. This generalizes the method of West (1997 ) which considers one decomposition in the particular case where G is diagonalizable. Conditions are derived for a decomposition to be independent. These results show that no autoregressive process of order d has an independent decomposition for any integer d . Two illustrations of this procedure are discussed in detail.     

Properties of Thorium Oxide Ceramics

Included in this report are data concerning the strength, density, and porosity that may be expected of thoria ceramics formed by dry-pressing and isostatic pressing and fired at 1400°, 1600°, and 1800°C. By dry-pressing and firing at 1400°C., a density of 60% of theoretical (10.05) was obtained; at 1800°C. the density was increased to 80% of theoretical. By isostatic pressing a density of 87% of theoretical was obtained at 1800°C. A study of the densification of thoria ceramics by small additions of other inorganic materials showed the very marked effect of CaO (or CaF₂) in proportions of 0.5 to 3%. In proportions of 0.5 to 1%, CaO additions produced densities of 97% of theoretical for ThO₂ when fired at 1800°C. Experimental results intended to explain this phenomenon tended to substantiate the theory that it is due to formation of holes by substitutional solid solution and migration of ions in the altered structure. Thoria ceramics in the form of 12-in. rods, 1.5 in. in diameter, and small (0.1-in.) pellets with CaO additions were made having densities up to 97% of theoretical; evaluation of the abrasion resistance and strength is given. Porous thoria ceramics with densities of only 50 to 60% of theoretical were produced by addition of volatile material. Tests of the solubility of thoria ceramics showed that water at 250°C. had no effect. Ready dissolution was obtained with nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid as a catalyst.     

A test for periodic effects in time series data

Systems modelling frequently is dependent upon the analysis of sample data to enable establishment of functional relationships. This may be concerned with the evaluation of periodic or cyclical effects in time series data. Autocorrelation, using a Student's t text statistic, is often utilized to ‘investigate’ such effects. However, this test statistic is not applicable since basic assumptions are violated. Thus, an alternative statistic and the relatively unknown Wald and Wolfowitz non-parametric circular serial correlation coefficient, is discussed in this paper. To facilitate use of this test statistic, a FORTRAN subroutine is included.     

GUAR AND LOCUST BEAN GUMS AS PARTIAL REPLACERS OF ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR IN BREAD: AN OBJECTIVE AND SENSORY EVALUATION

All purpose flour was partially replaced with locust bean (LBG) and guar gums at 0% (control), 2% and 4% replacement levels in a bread product. All bread treatments were evaluated objectively and subjectively. Two percent LBG replacement significantly increased standing height. Firmness of bread was significantly firmer. Crumb color was not significantly different for any of the 5 bread treatments. Crust color was not significantly different for any of the 5 bread treatments. Crust color, however, was significantly lighter for the control in comparison with the 2% and 4% guar and 4% LBG breads. Two percent guar produced a more even cell size distribution throughout the bread crumb. For all 5 bread formulations moistures were not significantly different. Sensory evaluation revealed a significant difference between the control and 4% LBG. Neither the control nor 4% LBG breads were not significantly preferred. Both gums were found to retard bread staling; 2% LBG was the most effective.     

Comments on ‘Frequency domain properties of Kalman filters’

In their recent paper, Grimble and Åström (1987) were motivated by several industrial examples to derive some frequency domain properties of the application of Kalman filters. The analysis presented related the Kalman filter application to the classical solution for such problems, namely the use of a notch filter. This note reports a more general framework for the Grimble and Åström results and presents an alternative derivation of the Kalman filter zero frequency gain property.     

An assessment of quality management in the US/Mexico export processing industry

The focus of this analysis is on the critical issues of quality performance and management in manufacturing facilities operating under the co-operative US/Mexico export processing system. Results of the study reveal that a multi-faceted, proactive approach is extensively used in achieving world-class quality levels, and that quality management methods and techniques can be successfully transferred and implemented between First and Third World socioeconomic environments. Adjustments to the quality management methods are necessary to account for differences in ownership and in mode of operations.     

A ROUGH SET/FUZZY LOGIC BASED DECISION MAKING SYSTEM FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

Abstract

A method of performing prognostic modeling of disease states is proposed. The technique uses rough sets to extract rules from a database. The data is then reformatted into a fuzzy logic template, and a learning algorithm is used to adjust the fuzzy set membership functions. The method is applied to the POSCH problem, which looks at risk factors associated with the progression of coronary artery disease. The POSCH data has several shortcomings, including a limited number of cases, correlated inputs, as well as noise on both the inputs and outcome. The problem was to predict progression of atherosclerosis in the LAD three years after baseline based on physiologic data available at baseline. The proposed rough/fuzzy set method correctly predicted progression of atherosclerotic disease in 69% of the patients, which is statistically better than neural network, rough set and logistic models performed.