Technological properties of maize tortillas produced by microwave nixtamalization with variable alkalinity

This research was conducted to determine the quality, physicochemical, textural, compositional, nutritional, viscoamylographic and sensory properties of maize tortillas produced with a Modified tortilla-making process (MTMP) of variable alkalinity (0.125, 0.25 and 0.5% Ca(OH)2 w/w) and compared to the commercial brand MASECA ®. In general, tortillas from MTMP showed higher pH, total color difference (ΔE), tensile strength/cutting force, protein, lipids, crude fibre, lysine, tryptophan, in vitro protein digestibility and lower Hunter L value, loss of weight during cooking and moisture content than MASECA® tortillas. No significant differences were found in the sensory analysis of 22 descriptors of tortillas made from MASECA® and MTMP with Ca(OH)2 concentrations of 0.125 and 0.25% (w/w). However, panelist identified principal effects on changes in four attributes (aroma, appearance, flavor, and after taste flavor) and seven descriptors in tortillas from MTMP prepared with the maximum lime concentration (0.5% w/w). Microwave nixtamalization produce tortillas with acceptable physicochemical, textural, quality, compositional/nutritional and pasting properties.Key words: Maize, modified nixtamalization, tortillas, technological properties

Protective effects of Spirulina maxima on hyperlipidemia and oxidative-stress induced by lead acetate in the liver and kidney

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oxidative damage has been proposed as a possible mechanism involved in lead toxicity, specially affecting the liver and kidney. Previous studies have shown the antioxidant effect of <it>Spirulina maxima </it>in several experimental models of oxidative stress. The current study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activity of <it>Spirulina maxima </it>against lead acetate-induced hyperlipidemia and oxidative damage in the liver and kidney of male rats. Control animals were fed on a standard diet and did not receive lead acetate (Control group). Experimental animals were fed on a standard laboratory diet with or without <it>Spirulina maxima </it>5% in the standard laboratory diet and treated with three doses of lead acetate (25 mg each/weekly, intraperitoneal injection) (lead acetate with <it>Spirulina</it>, and lead acetate without <it>Spirulina </it>groups).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results showed that <it>Spirulina maxima </it>prevented the lead acetate-induced significant changes on plasma and liver lipid levels and on the antioxidant status of the liver and kidney. On the other hand, <it>Spirulina maxima </it>succeeded to improve the biochemical parameters of the liver and kidney towards the normal values of the Control group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It was concluded that <it>Spirulina maxima </it>has protective effects on lead acetate-induced damage, and that the effects are associated with the antioxidant effect of <it>Spirulina</it>.</p

Fuzzy Control Design for a Class of Nonlinear Network Control System: Helicopter Case Study

This paper presents a fuzzy control approach to a helicopter MIMO nonlinear system, implemented on a Networked Control System, as case study. For this, a hardware-in-the-Loop implementation is developed using several multi-channel A/D Cards, integrated to a computer network system. Variant time delays are considered over Ethernet and CANBUS networks. Fuzzy logic is used to deal with the complexity of the integrated computer network as well as with the dynamics of the system. Two fuzzy logic control systems are coupled for both signals of the helicopter case study: yaw and pitch. Both these tend to concentrate around desired references, considering variant time delays

Nonlinear optical properties of Au-nanoparticles conjugated with lipoic acid in water

Gold nanoparticles were chemically conjugated with lipoic acid to control their optical properties. Z-scan and other optical techniques were used to characterize the non-linear behavior of the resulting nanostructured materials. The results show that the nonlinearity is of thermal origin, which can be controlled by the use of lipoic acid as well as other organic molecules conjugated onto metal nanoparticles. In particular, the presence of lipoic acid increases n2 and dn/dT

INVENTORY OF TOURISM RESOURCES OF THE MOUNTAIN AREA OF TEXCOCO, STATE OF MEXICO

Objective. To elaborate an inventory of tourism resources identified in the mountain area of Texcoco, which serve as an instrument for planning and organizing the local tourism system. Design/Methodology/Approach. We considered the application of a survey to the auxiliary authorities, as well as to local and external actors that would allow contextualizing the tourism dynamics in the area. The task was supported by field trips applying the ethnographic method. From the collected data, eight localities were selected within the characteristics, a greater number of tourism resources were identified. Results. It was determined that some of the selected localities have sufficient attributes to potentiate some of their resources as a strategy for local development. Limitations/Implications. The restriction to access information in local offices of the municipal government limited the approach to some resources; thus, self-reported data had to be constructed through the perception of some individuals. Conclusions. It is necessary to develop tourism land-planning instruments through mechanisms of management that include training for local actors on various topics for the sustainable use of tourism resources

Hyperspectral imaging and robust statistics in non-melanoma skin cancer analysis

Non-Melanoma skin cancer is one of the most frequent types of cancer. Early detection is encouraged so as to ensure the best treatment, Hyperspectral imaging is a promising technique for non-invasive inspection of skin lesions, however, the optimal wavelengths for these purposes are yet to be conclusively determined. A visible-near infrared hyperspectral camera with an ad-hoc built platform was used for image acquisition in the present study. Robust statistical techniques were used to conclude an optimal range between 573.45 and 779.88 nm to distinguish between healthy and non-healthy skin. Wavelengths between 429.16 and 520.17 nm were additionally found to be optimal for the differentiation between cancer types.Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León (GRS 2139/A/20); Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (PRE2019-089411); Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI18/00587); Ibderdrola Spain; Junta de Castilla y León (GRS 1837/A/18). This project was funded by the Junta de Castilla y Leon, under the title project HYPERSKINCARE (Ref. GRS 1837/A/18). Lloyd Austin Courtenay is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities with an FPI Predoctoral Grant (Ref. PRE2019-089411) associated to project RTI2018-099850-B-I00 and the University of Salamanca. Susana Lagüela and Susana del Pozo are both funded by the Iberdrola Spain through the initiative Cátedra Iberdrola VIII Centenario of the University of Salamanca. Javier Cañueto is partially supported by the PI18/00587(Instituto de Salud Carlos III cofinanciado con fondos FEDER) and GRS 2139/A/20 (Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León

Extensive Mucocutaneous Histiocytic Sarcoma raised from an Acute B Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Case Report at Hospital Mexico, Costa Rica

Histiocytic sarcomas are rare neoplasms with poor prognosis originating from histiocytic or dendritic cell clones and associated with haematological malignancies such as acute or chronic leukemias and lymphomas. We describe a case of a patient who developed a disseminated and extensive mucocutaneous histiocytic sarcoma during remission.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Salud::Facultad de Medicina::Escuela de Medicin