Effect of freezing treatments and yeast amount on sensory and physical properties of sweet bakery products

The frozen bakery market has grown significantly in developed countries over the past decade.     

Modeling Incomplete Knowledge of Semantic Web Using Bayesian Networks

ABSTRACT

Interoperable ontologies already exist in the biomedical field, enabling scientists to communicate with minimum ambiguity. Unfortunately, ontology languages, in the semantic web, such as OWL and RDF(S), are based on crisp logic and thus they cannot handle uncertain knowledge about an application field, which is unsuitable for the medical domain. In this paper, we focus on modeling incomplete knowledge in the classical OWL ontologies, using Bayesian networks, all keeping the semantic of the first ontology, and applying algorithms dedicated to learn parameters of Bayesian networks in order to generate the Bayesian networks. We use EM algorithm for learning conditional probability tables of different nodes of Bayesian network automatically, contrary to different tools of Bayesian networks where probabilities are inserted manually. To validate our work, we have applied our model on the diagnosis of liver cancer using classical ontology containing incomplete instances, in order to handle medical uncertain knowledge, for predicting a liver cancer.     

NARP-HPLC/MS and silver cationization fingerprinting of triacylglycerols in wild and cultivar Tunisian peanut kernels

A simple strategy to identify triacylglycerols (TAGs) in wild and cultivar peanuts was performed using on line coupling of non-aqueous reversed phase chromatography-electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (NARP-LC-ESI–MS) with silver nitrate (AgNO₃) as a post-column additive. The combination of the structural information given by MS with chromatographic retention laws led to the determination of the structure of TAGs in wild and cultivar peanut oil. In addition, by using the MS⁵ method, the regio-specificity of the TAGs was determined. It was also demonstrated that in Tunisian peanut oil, the saturates have a preference for the sn-1/sn-3 position for the arachidonic and behenic acids. In the wild variety fatty acids with odd numbers of carbons were found and more TAGs were identified in comparison to the cultivar peanut oil.     

Operator dermal exposure and individual protection provided by personal protective equipment during application using a backpack sprayer in vineyards

According to Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, the safety of the operator concerning plant protection products (PPP) must be evaluated. The levels of operator exposure with use of certified personal protective equipment can be estimated using a model or experimental exposure data. However, the existing models have shortcomings, especially the lack of operator exposure data during upward applications using a backpack sprayer. The aim of this study was to monitor the dermal exposure of operators using backpack motorised mist-blower power sprayers for application of fungicides in vineyards. The measured actual dermal exposure levels ranged from 49.3 mg/kg a.s. (active substance) applied (75th percentile) to 89.2 mg/kg a.s. applied (95th percentile), and were lower than those estimated with the European Food Safety Authority model (5–2 %, respectively). The transfer factors provided by the personal protective equipment (coverall and gloves) were low, 1.7 and 2.4 % (75th percentile) and 5.1 and 8.6 % (95th percentile) respectively.     

Thermal performance study of a vacuum integrated solar storage collector (ISSC) with compound parabolic concentrator (CPC)

This paper deals with the energy performance of a new integrated solar storage collector (ISSC) with compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) conceived in the Thermal Process Laboratory in CRTEn Borj Cedria (North of Tunisia). The novelty in this system is the use of transparent vacuum insulation in the annulus between double half-Cylindrical Plexiglass, and the use of automated nocturnal insulation system, which suppresses heat loss during night. Also, the system is equipped with a mobile support permitting to have many collector orientations toward south, east-south, and west-south in order to maximize the incident solar flux. The experimental study of the ISSC system showed that the thermal loss coefficient of ISSC system is equal to 6.16 W/K for ISSC without nocturnal insulation and without vacuum, 4.69W/K for ISSC without nocturnal insulation and with vacuum, and 4.00 W/K for ISSC with nocturnal insulation and with vacuum. The thermal efficiency of the solar collector is equal to 42.92% for ISSC system fixed without vacuum, 45.95% for ISSC system fixed with vacuum, and 50.56% for ISSC system mobile with vacuum. In order to determine the long-term performance of the vacuum ISSC with CPC, the TRNSYS simulations were carried out by using the component modules modeling the ISSC with CPC concentrator (type 74 and type 60f). Comparison between experimental and predicted results for the temperature difference inside the storage tank during 3 days of January showed reasonable agreement. The numerical results for the ISSC system showed that the annual total energy collected (solar) and auxiliary energy were about 4670 and 1561 MJ, respectively. The annual total auxiliary energy represents about 33.4% of the annual total energy collected (solar). During the summer months (June, July, and August), no auxiliary is needed and the solar fraction (SF) is equal to 100%, where as the annual average SF is about 75%.     

Reconfigurable dual-band circularly polarized microstrip patch antenna for wireless applications

A new design of reconfigurable single-feed circular patch microstrip antenna for dual-band circular polarization application is proposed. The dual-band functionality is realized through incorporating cross-slots of equal slot length in the circular patch and utilizing two PIN diodes to switch the slots on or off. A pairs of tuning stubs are used to tune the circular polarization performance. The design process is presented and good results were obtained.     

A correlation between Malva sylvestris extracts molecules and their corrosion inhibition capabilities

Experimental and quantum chemical investigations have been coupled in order to determine anticorrosion potential of Malva sylvestris extract molecules. The plant extract is a mixture of chemicals of which only four are abundant. Two groups of molecules are evidenced using quantum chemical parameters. The electrochemical investigation has classified the plant extract as a mixed-type inhibitor. The %EI has been only 54.5% due to antagonistic effects of the extract molecules.     

A new model for the prediction of agricultural operator exposure during professional application of plant protection products in outdoor crops

A new predictive model for the estimation of agricultural operator exposure has been developed on the basis of new exposure data to improve the current agricultural operator exposure and risk assessment in the EU. The new operator exposure model represents current application techniques and practices in EU Member States (MS) and is applicable for national or zonal authorisation of plant protection products as well as for approval of active substances in plant protection products (PPP) supporting a stepwise risk assessment. 34 unpublished exposure studies conducted between 1994 and 2009 were evaluated for the new model. To ensure a very high quality of data the studies had to meet a set of quality criteria, e.g. GLP conformity or compliance with OECD guidance. Exposure data and supplementary information on the trials were used for a statistical analysis of exposure factors. The statistical analyses resulted in six validated models for typical outdoor scenarios of pesticide mixing/loading and application. As a major factor contributing to the exposure of operators, the amount of active substance used per day was identified. Other parameters such as formulation type, droplet size, presence of a cabin or density of the canopy were selected as factors for sub-scenarios. For two scenarios the corresponding datasets were too small to identify reliable exposure factors; instead the relevant percentiles of the exposure distribution were used. The whole project report on the development of the new model (including the underlying study data) and the corresponding exposure calculators will be published at the BfR website (http://www.bfr.bund.de) after confirmation of the model by EU MS.