EMULSION COATING TO EXTEND POSTHARVEST LIFE OF MANGO (MANGIFERA INDICA CV. MANILA)

A coating emulsion was prepared using maltodextrins, carboxymethylcellulose, propileneglycol and a mixture of s orbit an fatty acid esters with an HLB of 6. The emulsion was sprayed on fully mature, unripened manila mangoes, which were the stored at 15 and 25C and 80–85% R.H. At 25C it was observed that rate CO² production increased and lost in control fruits after 12 days of storage. Coated mangoes kept their rate CO² production and suffered only 8% weight loss after 21 days of storage. After storage, the coating was washed out and fruits were allowed to ripen naturally, which occurred in 3–4 days. The results obtained from this study indicate that application of the hydrophobic coating extended the postharvest storage of mangoes for at least 20 days more than uncoated fruits.     

Consumer acceptability and purchase intent of probiotic yoghurt with added glucose oxidase using sensometrics,artificial neural networks and logistic regression

This research aimed to identify the drivers of acceptance and purchase intent of a probiotic (Bifidobacterium longum BL05) nonflavoured yoghurt supplemented with glucose oxidase, and to model the consumers’ acceptability using sensometrics and artificial neural networks (ANN). Consumers (n = 100) evaluated the degree of liking of yoghurt assays in respect of appearance, aroma, taste, texture and overall linking. Sensometric techniques – multiple linear regression (MLR), partial least squares regression (PLS), principal component regression (PCR) – and ANN were used to model the overall liking. Sensory drivers of global acceptance and purchase intent were also determined using logistic regression (LR). Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) identified three consumer segments that presented differences in all sensory attributes evaluated (P < 0.05). The ANN model showed the best performance to predict overall liking, followed by the MLR, PLS and PCR, indicating that taste and texture were the most significant attributes impacting the yoghurts overall liking. In accordance with the logistic models, overall acceptance and purchase intent could be predicted with 81.94 and 85.49% accuracy, respectively. The logistic regression indicated that taste was the attribute that contributed significantly (P < 0.0001) to higher scores for purchase intent and was considered the driver of acceptance.     

AZEOTROPE OF 2-METHYL-1.3 BUTADIENE-N-PENTANE SYSTEM AT DIFFERENT PRESSURES

Composition and boiling points of the azeotrope comprised of 2-methyl-l,3 butadiene and normal pentane are reported within the 53.03-101.60 K Pa pressure range. The uncertainties in the measured variables are: 0.001 mole fraction, 0.1 K Pa pressure and 0.03 K temperature. The parameters and their temperature trend. for the Wilson and the UNIQUAC solution models are also reported. These last parameters were extrapolated to predict the vapor-liquid equilibrium in the same system at 310.93, 316.48 and 322.04 K, obtaining satisfactory results at 310.93 K. and fair results at the other two temperature levels. Since the experimental results from this study cover better than others the range of likely application, its use is recommended in preference to earlier reported data.     

Implant surface features as key role on cell behavior

It has been recognized that physical and chemical properties of biomaterial surfaces mediate the quality of extracellular matrix (ECM) that may affect cell behaviors. In nature, ECM is a heterogeneous three-dimensional superstructure formed by three major components, glycosaminoglycan, glycoconjugate, and protein, that anchors cellular compartments in tissues and regulates the function and the behavior of cells. Changes in the biointerface alter the quality of ECM and morphology through cell surface receptors, which, in turn, enable it to trigger specific cell signaling and different cellular responses. In fact, a number of strategies have been used to improve the functionality of surfaces and direct cell behavior through precisely designed environments. Herein, we aimed to discuss, through a science-based viewpoint, the biomaterial surface features on cell behavior and analyze the impact of cell physical modification on dental implant development.     

Analysis of electric quadrupole radiation in the time domain: application to large-current radiators

In this paper, the fields created by a hertzian electric quadrupole fed by a non-sinusoidal signal are analysed in the time domain. The results are compared with those obtained for an electric dipole and are applied to the study of the field created by the practical antenna, the large-current radiator.     

INCIDENCE OF MESOPfflLIC ANAEROBIC BACTERIA AND LACTIC ACID BACTERIA ON SLICED BREAD UNDER MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING DURING STORAGE

A total of 192 samples of sliced bread of different composition, water content and pH were selected to test the efficiency of modified atmospheres packing (MAP) on total mesophilic anaerobic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts during MAB storage. The addition of calcium propionate and the storage temperature influenced significantly the counts. During most of the storage period at 15–20C, the concentration of O₂ was very low and that of CO₂ was constant or increased according to the atmosphere used. LAB counts increased in a significant way in the first week under CO₂ atmospheres. For the sliced bread, the highest counts were obtained under CO₂ atmospheres. In general, we consider that the presence/absence of calcium propionate added had a greater influence than the MAP conditions.     

A PROCEDURE FOR THE OPTIMAL SYNTHESIS OF PLANAR MECHANISMS BASED ON NON-LINEAR POSITION PROBLEMS

The present paper describes a procedure for the optimal dimensional synthesis of mechanisms which is based on the solution of non-linear position problems. Planar mechanisms are modelled very easily by means of finite elements of bi-hinged rod type. The judicious choice of constraint conditions makes possible the solution of classical position problems: initial, finite-displacement, deformed and static-equilibrium problems, as well as the main types of dimensional synthesis: path generation, functions, rigid body guidance, mixed, and multiple. A single synthesis error function applies to all these types, and moreover is general since it is valid for mechanisms of any configuration. This function is based on the idea that the best mechanism for the given synthesis conditions is the one that least needs to be deformed when it is obliged to satisfy them exactly, to which end the elastic deformation of the elements is permitted. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.