Lamb meat--importance of origin and grazing system for Italian and Norwegian consumers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the importance of geographic origin and grazing system for Norwegian and Italian consumers' probability of buying lamb meat. The study consisted of a qualitative part with focus groups followed up with a quantitative survey in each country. Included in the survey was a conjoint design with origin of the meat (Norway, Italy and New Zealand) and pasture (lowland pasture and mountain pasture) as factors, plus questions about consumers' motives underlying selection of food. Results from the study shows that country of origin is important for consumers' buying probability of lamb meat, in both countries domestic meat was preferred. In addition, a higher probability of buying meat from lamb grazing on mountain pasture than from lamb grazing on lowland pasture was identified. It is important for producers of lamb meat to increase the communication of these elements in a competitive national and international food market.     

Influence of CYP1A2 and NAT2 Metabolic Phenotypes on Smokers' Urinary Mutagenicity

The influence of the metabolic phenotypes NAT2 and CYP1A2 on urinary mutagenicity of 118 smokers was studied. Mutagenicity of urine samples was determined by Ames test (preincubation plate incorporation assay on YG1024 Salmonella typhimurium strain with S9 mix). Urinary nicotine plus its metabolites were determined to check cigarette smoke intake. The N -acetyltransferase (NAT2) and cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) phenotypes were measured by the molar ratio of urinary caffeine metabolites, determined by HPLC analysis. Urinary mutagenicity was significantly higher in smokers CYP1A2 extensive (EM) than in CYP1A2 poor metabolizers (PM) (Mann-Whitney U test, p = 0.020). Linear multiple regression analysis shows that an increase in urinary mutagenicity levels was significantly related to cigarette smoke intake and to CYP1A2 N -hydroxylation activity ( t = 5.06, p < 0.001, and t = 2.33, p = 0.021), but not to NAT2 acetylation phenotype. In conclusion, phenotypic differences in metabolic activation of tobacco smoke mutagens are able to modulate the presence of mutagens in urine of cigarette smokers and, consequently, the potential genotoxic risk.     

Enhanced utilisation of nonmarketable fish: physical,nutritional and sensory properties of ‘clean label’ fish burgers

Four ‘clean label’ formulations for fish burgers made with mechanically separated fish meat were characterised in sensory, textural and chemical terms. The formulations differed in the ratios of European sea bass to rainbow trout (50:50 and 30:70) and the ratios of fish to potato flakes (dry matter ratio, DMR: 2.5:1 and 1.5:1). The sensory profile was mainly influenced by DMR. Recipes with the higher DMR were positively correlated with sandy, dry and crusty attributes, salty taste and overall flavour. Soft texture was perceived for recipes with the lower DMR, although no differences in texture were detected by a texturometer. Lowering DMR increased ash and water content and decreased protein content, as expected. The results indicated that 100 g of burger provided more essential fatty acids than the recommended daily intake, irrespective of formulation. In conclusion, multiple factor analysis indicated that the main changes detected and perceived were due to DMR.     

Neuroradiologic study of partial temporal epilepsy

MR imaging is considered the neuroradiological procedure of choice for the study of intractable partial epileptic patients. The role of CT-scan is limited to the demonstration of calcific components of the lesion and of bony abnormalities of the adjacent skull. In this chapter we describe an MR protocol for the evaluation of temporal lobe epilepsy patient; moreover, here there are described neuroradiological characteristics (MR and CT) of the more frequent temporal lobe lesions.     

Feasibility Study of Rotorcraft Fire Fighting for High-Rise Buildings

Fire risk in high-rise buildings is of special concern to the fire community, since it is crucial but still technically extremely challenging to significantly improve the current fire fighting capabilities when a calamity happens above the “seven story limit.” In fact, at the moment, there is a lack of effective means for fire fighting in this rare but potentially deadly and costly accidents. To address this problem, in this work we provide a preliminary exploration of a new concept for fire suppression: the use of rotorcraft vehicles for aerial fire fighting in high-rise buildings. If available, such system could effectively support fire fighting efforts conducted with conventional means; moreover, it could provide for one of the very few alternatives to classic systems in certain critical cases such as postearthquake fires. At first, we analyze the operative context with the help of a few reference realistic scenarios which allow for the estimation of some key physical parameters. Next, we evaluate two alternative fire extinguishing technologies, and we identify in the water impulse cannon the solution which seems to be the most effective and compatible with the use on-board a rotorcraft for the scopes considered in this work. The analysis leads us to the identification of a target vehicle as a possible candidate platform for the development of a fire fighting helicopter. Finally, we propose a preliminary design of the fire fighting kit, and we evaluate the handling qualities of the vehicle during operations with reference to the ADS-33 normative.     

A comparison of two new take-away strategies and their relation to rating and ranking of extrinsic properties of dry cured ham

This paper is a study of the relationship between rating, ranking and take-away choices of dry cured ham. Extrinsic attributes related to country of origin, ageing time and price are considered and we study average population results as well as individual differences. Two tests with different sample size and different take-away strategies are explored. The results show that the ranking and rating data provide similar information in both tests. From an average point of view the stated results have also similarities with the take-away results, but with some notable differences. Relatively large individual differences in ranking of the products were observed in the two tests. Another finding in this study is that information about type of meal has a strong effect on the ranks of the products for all responses.