Ice cream supplemented with roasted and grilled corn powders: physical properties, rheology, antioxidant activity, color, sensory evaluation, and production cost

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing milk fat with roasted and grilled corn powders on ice cream characteristics. The results revealed that the use of roasted and grilled corn powders (2, 4, and 6%) resulted in significant changes in the physical and rheological properties of ice cream mixtures. The different levels of corn powders caused an increase in the total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity, while a diverse manner was observed with the progress in storage period. Furthermore, the melting resistance of ice cream treatments significantly increased coinciding with the increase in roasted or grilled corn powders addition levels. In addition, roasted corn powder based-ice cream treatments recorded higher sensory evaluation scores compared to other treatments. The production cost and profit of the produced ice cream were also evaluated, and treatments supplemented with corn powders exhibited lower production cost as compared to the control sample.Universidade de Vigo / CISU

The Gln27Glu Polymorphism in β2-Adrenergic receptor gene is linked to hypertriglyceridemia, hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia in Saudis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>β2-adrenoceptor (β2AR) gene polymorphism glutamine 27 glutamic acid (Gln27Glu) and Arg16Gly were reported to have an association with obesity and obesity related disorders in some population. We evaluated Gln27Glu polymorphism in the β2AR gene in obese Saudi populations to investigate the association of β2AR gene with obesity and other related metabolic parameters.</p> <p>Design</p> <p>We studied possible association of Gln27Glu in β2AR gene with body mass index (BMI), anthropometric measurements and other metabolic parameters. The β2AR gene polymorphism (Gln27Glu) was identified by sequencing PCR products representing locus of interest. Based on BMI, the subjects were divided into three groups, normal weight, overweight and obese. The genotype and allele frequency were calculated separately for each group.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The allelic frequency of Glu27 did not differ amongst the three groups, though the Glu27 homozygote (Glu/Glu) were more in obese subjects and had higher concentration of triglyceride, leptin and insulin compared to in the Gln27 heterozygotes and Gln/Gln homozygotes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this study we were able to provide evidence on the influence of Gln27Glu genetic variant of β2AR gene on lipid phenotypes, insulin and leptin levels in the Saudi populations.</p

IoT-based Machine Learning Comparative Models of Stream Water Parameters Forecasting for Freshwater Lobster

Water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH, and mineral content are important factors for aquaculture. Predictive analytics can predict water conditions in aquaculture and significantly reduce the mortality probability of aquaculture products. This paper applied stream predictive analytics to the freshwater lobster farming dataset where its real-time data supplied by End Node Unit (ENU) which integrated with dissolved oxygen (DO), potential hydrogen (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), and total dissolved solids (TDS). The real-time data of ENU in Structured Query Language (SQL) is normally displayed for remote monitoring and the analytics will only be done after in different processing platform called batch analytics. Instead of batch, this paper demonstrates capability of stream analytics where the real-time data query from ENU streaming through Structured Query Language (SQL) right into R Studio and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) predictions executed on the query table simultaneously on the same processing platform. Previously, ARIMA, Neural Network Autoregressive (NNETAR), and Naïve Bayes, were run and evaluated in R Studio to identify the best algorithm for stream analytics. Prediction procedure in R studio start with importing real-time data stored in SQL database and stream into R Studio using command of “dbGetQuery(con,sql)”. These three models evaluated the performance of freshwater lobster water conditions, dissolved oxygen (DO), potential hydrogen (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), and total dissolved solids (TDS). The data was collected for six months, and 70% was used as training data and 30% as test data. Compared to NNETAR and Naïve Bayes, ARIMA fits the entire data set well for 7 days; the ARIMA model exhibited lower absolute errors for pH and electrical conductivity, with errors ranging from 0.04 to 1.7 across days, while the NNETAR model had generally lower errors for TDS, with errors ranging from 0.3 to 0.7; however, the Naïve Bayes model's performance varied, with the lowest error for DO on day (5) 0.15 but higher errors for other parameters and days, including the highest error for electrical conductivity on day (6) 6.2. In conclusion, the average absolute errors for DO, pH, EC, and TDS are 0.163, 0.064, 0.705, and 0.498, respectively. Our findings underscore the efficacy of ARIMA for comprehensive water quality via stream prediction while highlighting the nuanced strengths and weaknesses of each model in forecasting specific parameters. This study contributes to the aquaculture literature by providing a nuanced comparative analysis of predictive models tailored to freshwater lobster farming, emphasizing the imperative role of stream predictive modelling. It enables real-time monitoring of water quality parameters, ensuring prompt interventions to maintain optimal conditions, thereby minimizing risks, enhancing aquaculture productivity, and ultimately contributing to sustainable and efficient freshwater lobster farming practices

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10&nbsp;years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37&nbsp;years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Catalytic evaluation of Ni-based nano-catalysts in dry reformation of methane

Development of a highly efficient, nickel-based nano-catalyst in the carbon dioxide reformation of methane is reported. The alumina supported Ni-based catalyst with a metal loading of 5wt% was prepared via solution combustion synthesis (SCS) method and conventional wetness impregnation method. Compared to that of conventional Ni(I) catalyst, the Ni(SCS) catalyst exhibited high activity for methane conversion and superior selectivity for H 2 and CO production during dry reforming of methane. This difference in the catalytical performances of both catalysts during the dry reformation of methane was attributed to difference in morphology and chemical structures of the catalysts. The HAADF-EDS analysis of the Ni(SCS)catalyst revealed Ni was homogeneously distributed over the substrate with an average particle size of 7±2.31nm. Additionally, SAED patterns suggested that nickel was mainly observed in the NiAl 2 O 4 phase. These findings were affirmed by the XRD analysis. By contrast the Ni(I) catalyst revealed the presence of free NiO species only.Scopu

Sensing mammographic density using single-sided portable Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

This research paper presents a quantitative approach to sensing mammographic density (MD) using single-sided portable Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). It focuses on three main techniques: spin–lattice relaxation (recovery) time (T1), spin–spin relaxation (decay) time (T2), and Diffusion (D) techniques by testing whether or not the aforementioned techniques are in agreement with the gold standard and with each other when used for scanning breast tissue specimens with a variety of mammographic densities (MDs). The high mammographic density (HMD), intermediate MD, and low mammographic density (LMD) regions of each slice were identified according to the mammogram images. Subsequently, the grayscale values for these regions were quantified. One region was measured from the first sample while the remaining ones were measured from the second sample. The same areas were then exposed to portable NMR, and the sequences used as following: the stimulated echo sequence for diffusion (D), the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) sequence for T2, and saturation recovery sequence for T1. The correlations between the grayscale values and NMR techniques were strongly correlated. The Pearson correlation coefficient, R, of T1 (%) versus grayscale value, D (%) versus grayscale value, and T2 (%) versus grayscale value, was 0.91, 0.91, and 0.93, respectively. Furthermore, the relative water content of the breast slices based on T1, T2, and diffusion (D) measurements were strongly in agreement with each other. The Pearson correlation coefficient, R, of D (%) versus T1 (%), D (%) versus T2 (%), and T1 (%) versus T2 (%), was 0.984, 0.966, and 0.9868, respectively. The three pulse sequences can be employed in a portable NMR device to deliver continuous quantitative measurements of MD in breast tissue samples. As a result, the method demonstrated to be acceptable for determining the distribution of MDs among breast tissue samples without the need for additional qualitative analysis.</p

Pathological studies on some marine fish parasites in Egypt

Marine fish is an important source of high-quality, yet relatively cheap animal protein in the Egyptian’s diet. Although most parasitic diseases might not cause direct losses of fish, it has deleterious effects on their weight gain and marketability and weaken the fish's immune system paving the way for more serious secondary infections. In this study, we recorded the most common parasitic infestations in marine fish in Egypt in the period between winter 2019 to summer 2021 and described their associated pathologic effects. Four hundred fish from seven different fish species (Mugil cephalus, Pomadasys incisus, Gilthead sea bream, Pagrus Pagrus, Morone labrax (sea bass), thunnus thynnus and Caranx crysos) were randomly collected from the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Out of the 400 examined fish, 197 (49.25%) infestations were recorded. The isolated parasites were a crustacean, two cestodes, and a nematode and were morphologically identified as follows: Ceratothoa oestroides, Callitetrarhynchus gracilis, Tetraphyllidean larvae and Hysterothylacium deardorffoverstreetorum). Among the infested fish, the highest prevalence of infestation was recorded by Ceratothoa oestroides (43.65%) followed by Hysterothylacium deardorffoverstreetorum (31.98%) and Callitetrarhynchus gracilis (24.37%), and the lowest prevalence rate was recorded by the Tetraphyllidean larvae (15.74%). The pathologic macroscopic and microscopic lesions associated with each type of infestation are described underscoring the importance of continuous search for and application of possible safe control measures for marine fish parasites to spare the fish industry the detrimental effects of these infestations.Â

Pathological studies on some marine fish parasites in Egypt

Marine fish is an important source of high-quality, yet relatively cheap animal protein in the Egyptian’s diet. Although most parasitic diseases might not cause direct losses of fish, it has deleterious effects on their weight gain and marketability and weaken the fish's immune system paving the way for more serious secondary infections. In this study, we recorded the most common parasitic infestations in marine fish in Egypt in the period between winter 2019 to summer 2021 and described their associated pathologic effects. Four hundred fish from seven different fish species (Mugil cephalus, Pomadasys incisus, Gilthead sea bream, Pagrus Pagrus, Morone labrax (sea bass), thunnus thynnus and Caranx crysos) were randomly collected from the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Out of the 400 examined fish, 197 (49.25%) infestations were recorded. The isolated parasites were a crustacean, two cestodes, and a nematode and were morphologically identified as follows: Ceratothoa oestroides, Callitetrarhynchus gracilis, Tetraphyllidean larvae and Hysterothylacium deardorffoverstreetorum). Among the infested fish, the highest prevalence of infestation was recorded by Ceratothoa oestroides (43.65%) followed by Hysterothylacium deardorffoverstreetorum (31.98%) and Callitetrarhynchus gracilis (24.37%), and the lowest prevalence rate was recorded by the Tetraphyllidean larvae (15.74%). The pathologic macroscopic and microscopic lesions associated with each type of infestation are described underscoring the importance of continuous search for and application of possible safe control measures for marine fish parasites to spare the fish industry the detrimental effects of these infestations.Â