Comparison of Tetrad and Degree of Difference Sensory Testing Methods in Evaluating the Quality of Flour Tortillas

The Tetrad test is a forced choice discrimination method that has recently gained popularity in the sensory evaluation of foods. It has demonstrated superiority over the triangle test both in theory and practice with its proven relatively large statistical power. Tetrad does have one potential drawback, the use of a fourth sample that may cause panelist fatigue. There have been many studies comparing the Tetrad method with other difference tests such as triangle, 3- AFC, and 2- AFC however, there has been little research comparing the Tetrad and Degree of Difference test (DOD). This project compared the precision and power of Tetrad and DOD by measuring the flour tortilla quality from two different manufacturing lines in one commercial plant to determine if a sensory difference exists. The same group of panelists evaluated tortillas from the two manufacturing lines using the Tetrad and DOD methods. Results showed that the statistical power of Tetrad was higher then DOD at 22% and 18.5% respectively. This higher power indicates that Tetrad may be substituted for DOD to achieve its’ same power using fewer panelist. In addition, Tetrad had a smaller variance of d’ than that of DOD (0.13 vs. 0.28) suggesting that Tetrad was more precise. Therefore, Tetrad is a viable alternative to DOD in determining differences in flour tortilla quality by improving the precision and accuracy of sensory results. The subsequent reduction in the number of panelists required will also reduce the cost of product testing

Influence of Demographics and Buying Capacity on Consumer Buying Behaviour During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Dumaguete City, Philippines

The study looks into how the buying behaviour of the residents of Dumaguete City, in regards to demographics and consumer buying capacity, is influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive research method was used by the researcher, and the testing of the null hypothesis, at 0.05 level of significance, was done through the Chi-Square test of independence. There were 316 respondents, living, working, and studying in Dumaguete City, who participated in this study. The results show that majority of the respondents are experiencing varying levels of financial pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic, which directly influences the buying behaviour of most people. The test result indicated that there is a significant relationship between consumer buying behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic and consumer buying capacity. Furthermore, the results also show that gender, education, and occupation directly influence consumer buying behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lastly, age and family size do not constitute a significant relationship with consumer buying behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic

Instructional Supervision and Performance Evaluation: A Correlation of Factors

The study aimed to determine the correlation between instructional supervision and performance evaluation in the Public Elementary Schools of Bayawan City Division. The survey was descriptive and correlational in nature. It utilized the percentage, mean, weighted mean, and spearman rank correlation coefficient. The study found out that the extent of implementation of instructional supervision as perceived by the experienced teachers was “very high” in terms of the following aspects:(a) concept and purpose of instructional supervision; (b) planning and preparations for instructional supervision; and (c) organization and implementation of instructional supervision; (d) dialogue and discussion in post-instructional supervision; and (e) satisfaction with and evaluation of instructional supervision. Likewise, the extent of implementation of instructional supervision as perceived by the novice teachers was also “very high” based on how they rated their instructional supervisors in terms of the first three areas. In addition, a moderate relationship was found to exist between the teachers’ job performance evaluation and the extent of implementation of instructional supervision in the following aspects: (a) concept and purpose of instructional supervision; (b) planning and preparations for instructional supervision; and (c) satisfaction with and evaluation of instructional supervision

Enhanced Electrochemical Performances of Hollow-Structured N-Doped Carbon Derived from a Zeolitic Imidazole Framework (ZIF-8) Coated by Polydopamine as an Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Doping heteroatoms such as nitrogen (N) and boron (B) into the framework of carbon materials is one of the most efficient methods to improve the electrical performance of carbon-based electrodes. In this study, N-doped carbon has been facilely synthesized using a ZIF-8/polydopamine precursor. The polyhedral structure of ZIF-8 and the effective surface-coating capability of dopamine enabled the formation of N-doped carbon with a hollow structure. The ZIF-8 polyhedron served as a sacrificial template for hollow structures, and dopamine participated as a donor of the nitrogen element. When compared to ZIF-8-derived carbon, the HSNC electrode showed an improved reversible capacity of approximately 1398 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles, with excellent cycling retention at a voltage range of 0.01 to 3.0 V using a current density of 0.1 A·g−1

Genome-wide shRNA screen revealed integrated mitogenic signaling between dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma remains one of the deadliest of human cancers, with most patients succumbing to the disease within two years of diagnosis. The available data suggest that simultaneous inactivation of critical nodes within the glioblastoma molecular circuitry will be required for meaningful clinical efficacy. We conducted parallel genome-wide shRNA screens to identify such nodes and uncovered a number of G-Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR) neurotransmitter pathways, including the Dopamine Receptor D2 (DRD2) signaling pathway. Supporting the importance of DRD2 in glioblastoma, DRD2 mRNA and protein expression were elevated in clinical glioblastoma specimens relative to matched non-neoplastic cerebrum. Treatment with independent si-/shRNAs against DRD2 or with DRD2 antagonists suppressed the growth of patient-derived glioblastoma lines both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, glioblastoma lines derived from independent genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) were more sensitive to haloperidol, an FDA approved DRD2 antagonist, than the premalignant astrocyte lines by approximately an order of magnitude. The pro-proliferative effect of DRD2 was, in part, mediated through a GNAI2/Rap1/Ras/ERK signaling axis. Combined inhibition of DRD2 and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) led to synergistic tumoricidal activity as well as ERK suppression in independent in vivo and in vitro glioblastoma models. Our results suggest combined EGFR and DRD2 inhibition as a promising strategy for glioblastoma treatment

Current Issues in Tender Offer Regulation: Lessons From the British

The recent submission to Congress of several proposed amendments to the Williams Act has again made tender offer regulation a controversial subject. Professor DeMott believes that the debate about regulatory reform can benefit from a comparative study of Britih and American tender offer rcgulation. She finds the British system instructive in three important respects. First, the British system specifically indentifies different kinds of transactions that resemble tender offers and regulates those transactions according to the hazards they create for investors. Unlike the American system, which imposes a single set of highly complex regulations only if a transaction qualifies as a tender offer under nebulous judicial definitions, the British system recognizes that certain acquisitions of a small percentage of a corporation\u27s shares, while appropriately subject to some regulation, need not trigger application of the full panoply of rules. The author also notes that the bright line rules uscd by the British to define regulated transactions facilitate financial and legal planning and promote an orderly market for corporate control. Second, by enforcing a more rigorous view of fair and equal treatment of target shareholders than does the American system, the British system may discourage takeover attempts and bidding contests that benefit shareholders. For instance, the British require that a purchaser of thirty percent of target stock offer to buy out remaining shareholders at tihe highest price it paid for the stock. In the author\u27s view, such a protective rule may be too costly: it may also be unnecessary in the United States, where minority shareholders may enjoy appraisal rights and may bring deritative suits against management more easily than their British counterparts. Third, by requiring that target management provide shareholders with an independent appraisal of each tender offer and obtain the sharcholders\u27 approval before engaging in defensive maneuvers that might defeat the offer, the British system provides a moderate solution to the problem of managerial conflicts of interest caused by hostile takeover efforts. Recognizing that some defensive role for target management may be appropriate. Professor Delfott argues that the British approach may be preferable to current proposals that defensive tactics be prohibited

Fixed-Bed Adsorption of Lead from Aqueous Solution Using Chitosan-Coated Bentonite

In this study, fixed-bed adsorption of Pb(II) from an aqueous solution using chitosan-coated bentonite (CCB) was investigated. Characterization of CCB was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of varying bed height (1.3 to 4.3 cm), flow rate (0.20 to 0.60 mL/min), and initial concentration (500 to 1500 mg/L) on the length of mass transfer zone (Zm) and adsorption capacity at breakthrough (qb) and exhaustion (qe) were examined. Low flow rate and high bed height were determined to cause a longer time to reach breakthrough and exhaustion. Meanwhile, the fixed-bed system was observed to quickly attain breakthrough and exhaustion under high initial concentrations. Kinetic column models such as the Thomas, Yoon–Nelson, and Clark models were used to predict the breakthrough curves. High R2 values (0.9758 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.8087) were attained for the Thomas model, which indicates that there is good agreement between experimental data and linear plots generated by the Thomas model. Moreover, the Thomas model is best in describing the breakthrough curves of Pb(II) removal under a fixed-bed system

Electrochemical Disinfection of Simulated Ballast Water Using RuO2-TiO2/Ti Electrode

The present work investigated the treatment of ballast water via electrochemical disinfection using a RuO2-TiO2/Ti electrode. Batch tests were conducted with simulated ballast water containing Escherichia coli as an indicator organism. The effect of varying NaCl concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3%; w/v) and current densities (0.3, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mA/cm2) on the inactivation of E. coli was examined. Results showed higher disinfection efficiency of E. coli was obtained at higher NaCl concentration and current density. Complete inactivation of E. coli was attained within 2 and 1 min at 0.3 and 1 mA/cm2, respectively, under 3% NaCl concentration. Meanwhile, complete disinfection at 1 and 2% NaCl concentrations was observed in 6 and 2 min, respectively, using a current density of 0.3 mA/cm2. The 100% inactivation of E. coli was achieved with an energy consumption in the range of 2.8 to 2.9 Wh/m3 under the NaCl concentrations at 1 mA/cm2 and 1 min of electrolysis time. The complete disinfection attained within 1 min meets the D-2 standard (<250 CFU E. coli/100 mL) of ballast water under the International Maritime Organization. The values of energy consumption of the present work are lower than previous reports on the inactivation of E. coli from simulated ballast water

Intervention Materials: A Tool in Improving Students’ Academic Performance

This study aimed to develop and use teacher-made instructional materials otherwise known as Strategic Intervention Materials (SIMs), and investigated the impact of these intervention materials in teaching the identified least learned concepts in Science VI namely: Circulatory System, Nervous System and Respiratory System. The study was a mixed method research which utilized an explanatory sequential design where quantitative data collection and analysis occurs first, followed by a qualitative data collection and analysis. It was revealed that there was a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test performance of the students. The utilization of the SIMs is an effective intervention that made students obtained better scores in the posttest