Impact of Microwave Processing on Quality of High Value Shelf Stable Fruit Products

Fruits and vegetables are a rich source of health promoting micronutrients and phytochemicals, and their consumption has been associated with reduction of many chronic and degenerative disease. Thermal processing techniques are used to preserve quality and extent of the shelf life of foods, although these traditional processes are associated with specific quality changes in fruits and vegetables. Compared to traditional thermal processing methods, microwave heating provides the potential to improve product quality by virtue of its energy transfer mechanism that provides rapid volumetric heating of food and can potentially enhance overall quality of processed fruit and vegetable products. Though direct comparisons between traditional and microwave heating on quality and nutritional value of commonly consumed fruits and vegetables remain limited. The objective of these studies was to compare high value applesauce and tomato puree products processed by conventional thermal (scraped surface and tubular heat exchangers) and microwave heating systems to better understand the impact of microwave processing on quality characteristics, phytochemical profile and bioaccessibility after process and following storage. Applesauce products formulated with apple puree were pasteurized at 96°C for 60 seconds by either a tubular (TB) heat exchanger or 915mHz Industrial Microwave System (MW) were compared after process and over 52 weeks of storage for color, viscosity and polyphenol content. Generally, no significant differences in polyphenol content of applesauce were observed between the two heating systems. Applesauce processed by MW was observed to maintain more stable color characteristics over shelf life compared to TB processed product (7.4 compared to 11). However, MW processed products were found to have slightly lower apparent viscosity (71.1Pa.s/°brix) compared to TB processed products (103.3Pa.s/°brix). Similarly, tomato puree (8°brix) was generated by hot-break (85°C) and pasteurization (121°C/4sec) using MW/MW or scraped surface/tubular configuration was compared for color, viscosity, and, carotenoid content and bioaccessibility. In contrast to applesauce findings, color stability was found to be higher in SS/TB processed products samples. Further, no differences were observed in consistency and apparent viscosity at low shear rate (1/s) between the two heating systems. However, higher apparent viscosity was observed for microwave products at higher shear rates suggesting some improvement in product consistency with MW processing. Interestingly, no significant differences were observed in lycopene content between processes, however, lycopene bioaccessibility was observed to be higher from tubular compared to microwave processed products. Combined these findings suggest product quality attributes are similar between microwave and conventionally processed tomato and apple products. However, further research is needed to optimize microwave processing parameters to better understand if it can be leveraged to improve product quality, flavor and other parameters for high value fruits and vegetables

Three-dimensional image technology in forensic anthropology: assessing the validity of biological profiles derived from CT-3D images of the skeleton

This project explores the reliability of building a biological profile for an unknown individual based on three-dimensional (3D) images of the individual's skeleton. 3D imaging technology has been widely researched for medical and engineering applications, and it is increasingly being used as a tool for anthropological inquiry. While the question of whether a biological profile can be derived from 3D images of a skeleton with the same accuracy as achieved when using dry bones has been explored, bigger sample sizes, a standardized scanning protocol and more interobserver error data are needed before 3D methods can become widely and confidently used in forensic anthropology. 3D images of Computed Tomography (CT) scans were obtained from 130 innominate bones from Boston University's skeletal collection (School of Medicine). For each bone, both 3D images and original bones were assessed using the Phenice and Suchey-Brooks methods. Statistical analysis was used to determine the agreement between 3D image assessment versus traditional assessment. A pool of six individuals with varying experience in the field of forensic anthropology scored a subsample (n = 20) to explore interobserver error. While a high agreement was found for age and sex estimation for specimens scored by the author, the interobserver study shows that observers found it difficult to apply standard methods to 3D images. Higher levels of experience did not result in higher agreement between observers, as would be expected. Thus, a need for training in 3D visualization before applying anthropological methods to 3D bones is suggested. Future research should explore interobserver error using a larger sample size in order to test the hypothesis that training in 3D visualization will result in a higher agreement between scores. The need for the development of a standard scanning protocol focusing on the optimization of 3D image resolution is highlighted. Applications for this research include the possibility of digitizing skeletal collections in order to expand their use and for deriving skeletal collections from living populations and creating population-specific standards. Further research for the development of a standard scanning and processing protocol is needed before 3D methods in forensic anthropology are considered as reliable tools for generating biological profiles

Rietveld quantitative phase analysis with molybdenum radiation

Building materials are very complex samples of worldwide importance; hence quantitative knowledge of their mineralogical composition is necessary to predict performances. Rietveld quantitative phase analysis (RQPA) allows a direct measurement of the crystalline phase contents of cements. We highlight in this paper the use of laboratory X-ray powder diffraction (LXRPD) employing high-energy radiation, molybdenum (Mo), for attaining the RQPA of cements. Firstly, we evaluate the accuracy of RQPA employing a commercial calcium sulfoaluminate clinker with gypsum. In addition to MoKα1 and MoKα1,2 radiations, Cu and synchrotron patterns are also analyzed for the sake of comparison. Secondly, the assessment of the accuracy of RQPA results obtained using different radiations (synchrotron, Mo, and Cu) and geometries (reflection and transmission) is performed by analyzing two well-known commercial samples. As expected, for LXRPD data, accuracy in the RQPA results improves as the irradiated volume increases. Finally, three very complex aged hydrated cements have been analyzed using MoKα1-LXRPD and Synchrotron-XRPD. The main overall outcome of this work is the benefit for RQPA of using strictly monochromatic MoKα1 radiation. Best laboratory results arise from MoKα1 data as the effective tested volume is much increased but peak overlapping is not swelledUniversidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional. Andalucía Tech

Sistema de informacion para la iglesia cristiana Tiempos de Refrigerio

Tesis de la sede principal Uniminuto - BogotáEn principio la Iglesia Tiempos de Refrigerio era una pequeña célula que poco a poco fue creciendo y fue exigiendo cambios, no solo a nivel espiritual, sino físico también. Aunque se disperse en muchas ocasiones, la finalidad de una Iglesia, no es otra que prestar un servicio a la comunidad. No tan tangible como muchos otros, pero igual o más importante de lo que puede parecer. Y aunque sus fines se alejan de lo vano y material, no se puede excluir de lo que ella por si misma necesita, el control y manejo que requiere y el alcance que puede llegar a tomar, no solo en la gente que asiste, sino también, en la gente que sirve al que asiste

Propuesta de Mejoramiento de la Planeación Financiera del Fondo de Empleados Oficiales del Departamento del Meta FECEDA 2018-2020

82 Hojas.Presentar propuesta de planeación financiera a largo plazo 2018 – 2020, para la empresa FECEDA con el fin de mitigar los riesgos asociados a la disminución de sus excedentes y así aportar a su sostenibilidad y perdurabilidad. Recopilar, ordenar y elaborar un diagnóstico financiero a partir de la información de los estados de resultados y balances de la empresa FECEDA del periodo comprendido entre los años 2015 a 2017. Elaborar la planeación financiera a mediano plazo de la empresa FECEDA para el periodo 2018 -2020. Proponer políticas y estrategias financieras encaminadas a mejorar la planeación de la empresa FECEDA para el periodo 2018-2020.Resultado Final para Obtener el Titulo de Especialista en Finanzas, Tesis (Especialización en Finanzas) Universidad de los Llanos. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas. Escuela de Ciencias Económicas., 2018.EspecializaciónEspecializaciones en Finanza

EVALUACIÓN COMPUTARIZADA DE PRUEBAS PSICOLÓGICAS MEDIANTE EL PROCESAMIENTO DIGITAL DE IMÁGENES

Este trabajo presenta un algoritmo desarrollado en MATLAB® para la evaluación computarizadade pruebas psicológicas realizadas con la técnica de lápiz-papel de opción múltiple. Con la utilización adecuada de las herramientas actuales para el procesamiento digital de imágenes y reconocimiento de patrones, es posible la evaluación automática de cualquier prueba psicológica realizada con la técnica de lápiz-papel utilizando una computadora personal convencional. En este caso, para demostrar el potencial del algoritmo, fue adaptado para la escala básica del Inventario Multifásico de la Personalidad de Minnesota para individuos masculinos. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran 99.5% de exactitud y la obtención de la gráfica del perfil en 40 segundos. Con el formato digitalizado de la hoja de respuestas, el algoritmo realiza el acondicionamiento de la imagen, la detección y clasificación de los ítems y la contabilidad de las respuestas; finalmente, brinda la gráfica del perfil del individuo

Personality Disorders and Health Problems Distinguish Suicide Attempters from Completers in a Direct Comparison

Background Whether suicide attempters and completers represent the same population evaluated at different points along a progression towards suicide death, overlapping populations, or completely different populations is a problem still unresolved. Methods 446 Adult suicide attempters and knowledgeable collateral informants for 190 adult suicide probands were interviewed. Sociodemographic and clinical data was collected for both groups using semi-structured interviews and structured assessments. Univariate analyses and logistic regression models were conducted to explore the similarities and differences between suicide attempters and completers. Results Univariate analyses yielded significant differences in sociodemographics, recent life events, impulsivity, suicide intent, and distribution of Axis I and II disorders. A logistic regression model aimed at distinguishing suicide completers from attempters properly classified 90% of subjects. The most significant variables that distinguished suicide from attempted suicide were the presence of narcissistic personality disorder (OR=21.4; 95% CI=6.8–67.7), health problems (OR=20.6; 95% CI=5.6–75.9), male sex (OR=9.6; 95% CI=4.42–20.9), and alcohol abuse (OR=5.5; 95% CI=2.3–14.2). Limitations Our study shares the limitations of studies comparing suicide attempters and completers, namely that information from attempters can be obtained from the subject himself, whereas the assessment of completers depends on information from close family or friends. Furthermore, different semi-structured instruments assessed Axis I and Axis II disorders in suicide attempters and completers. Finally, we have no data on inter-rater reliability data. Conclusions Suicide completers are more likely to be male and suffer from alcohol abuse, health problems (e.g. somatic illness), and narcissistic personality disorder. The findings emphasize the importance of implementing suicide prevention programs tailored to suicide attempters and completers

Oceanic and Neritic Ichthyoplankton at the Edge of the Continental Shelf in the Southern Gulf of Mexico

Oceanic and neritic ichthyoplankton were examined at a single sampling site at the edge of the continental shelf in the southern Gulf of Mexico. Double oblique tows were made with a 60 cm Bongo net fitted with 505 µm mesh netting. Collections were taken every 2 hours over a 24 h period during spring, summer and fall of 1992. Fish larvae were described as either oceanic or neritic depending upon adult lifestage habitat. The larvae of 59 taxa were collected in spring (50 oceanic, 9 neritic), 53 in summer (26 oceanic, 27 neritic) and 55 in fall (22 oceanic, 33 neritic). Larvae were least abundant during spring and most abundant in fall, for both oceanic and neritic taxa. Highest abundances of larvae were collected at night indicating increased gear avoidance during daylight