Quality parameters of hunted game meat : sensory analysis and pH monitoring

The aim of the present research is to propose a new, quick and objective method for the certification of hunted and/or culled wild game meat quality and to monitor its origin and the hunting practices adopted by hunters. The expected deliverable is a new labelling scheme for Italian hunted wild game meat that will guarantee high quality and safety standards for consumers and will decrease transaction costs of the supply chains. During the 2015, 2016 and 2017 hunting seasons, 1,056 hunted wild ungulates were sampled. Specifically, alpine chamois (n=537), roe deer (n=113), red deer (n=342) and wild boar (n=64), which were all hunted in the VCO2-Ossola Nord hunting district (Verbania Province, Piedmont, Italy). Samples of the longissimus dorsi were collected to evaluate the nutritional parameters and the acid profiles of the products. As a measure of meat quality, pH values have been recorded after slaughtering by inserting a probe in the semimembranosus muscle. The results were categorized as DFD (pH 656,2), intermediate DFD (5,8 64pH<6,2) and high-quality meat (pH <5,8). As explanatory variables for the quality of wild game meat, differences based on age, gender and hunting practices were considered. Concerning the latter variables, measures were collected from animals received at hunting districts control centers by trained technicians who also collected information on the hunting practices, i.e., bleeding and evisceration of the carcasses and number of shots. Nutritional values showed low fat (<3 g per 100 g), low saturated fat (<1,5 g per 100 g) and high protein contents. Furthermore, wild game meat has high values of \u3c93 and CLA, ensuring a positive \u3c96/\u3c93 ratio. Differences were found in the concentrations of fat between age and gender, considering that during the mating season, adult males' weight loss can exceed 40%. Hunting practices seem to affect meat qualit

Skill execution and sleep deprivation: effects of acute caffeine or creatine supplementation - a randomized placebo-controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We investigated the effects of sleep deprivation with or without acute supplementation of caffeine or creatine on the execution of a repeated rugby passing skill.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Ten elite rugby players completed 10 trials on a simple rugby passing skill test (20 repeats per trial), following a period of familiarisation. The players had between 7-9 h sleep on 5 of these trials and between 3-5 h sleep (deprivation) on the other 5. At a time of 1.5 h before each trial, they undertook administration of either: placebo tablets, 50 or 100 mg/kg creatine, 1 or 5 mg/kg caffeine. Saliva was collected before each trial and assayed for salivary free cortisol and testosterone.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Sleep deprivation with placebo application resulted in a significant fall in skill performance accuracy on both the dominant and non-dominant passing sides (p < 0.001). No fall in skill performance was seen with caffeine doses of 1 or 5 mg/kg, and the two doses were not significantly different in effect. Similarly, no deficit was seen with creatine administration at 50 or 100 mg/kg and the performance effects were not significantly different. Salivary testosterone was not affected by sleep deprivation, but trended higher with the 100 mg/kg creatine dose, compared to the placebo treatment (p = 0.067). Salivary cortisol was elevated (p = 0.001) with the 5 mg/kg dose of caffeine (vs. placebo).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Acute sleep deprivation affects performance of a simple repeat skill in elite athletes and this was ameliorated by a single dose of either caffeine or creatine. Acute creatine use may help to alleviate decrements in skill performance in situations of sleep deprivation, such as transmeridian travel, and caffeine at low doses appears as efficacious as higher doses, at alleviating sleep deprivation deficits in athletes with a history of low caffeine use. Both options are without the side effects of higher dose caffeine use.</p

Half-Time Strategies to Enhance Second-Half Performance in Team-Sports Players: A Review and Recommendations

The competitive demands of numerous intermittent team sports require that two consecutive periods of play are separated by a half-time break. Typically, half-time allows players to: return to the changing rooms, temporarily relax from the cognitive demands of the first half of match-play, rehydrate, re-fuel, attend to injury or equipment concerns, and to receive tactical instruction and coach feedback in preparation for the second half. These passive practices have been associated with physiological changes which impair physical and cognitive performance in the initial stages of the second half. An increased risk of injury has also been observed following half-time. On the day of competition, modification of half-time practices may therefore provide Sports Scientists and Strength and Conditioning Coaches with an opportunity to optimise second half performance. An overview of strategies that may benefit team sports athletes is presented; specifically, the efficacy of: heat maintenance strategies (including passive and active methods), hormonal priming (through video feedback), post-activation potentiation, and modified hydro-nutritional practices are discussed. A theoretical model of applying these strategies in a manner that compliments current practice is also presented

Failles, diaclases et déformations dans les craies blanches du Bassin de Mons : la carrière CBR à Harmignies

International audienc

Sugarcoating Food Technologies and consumers’ acceptance of long-life fish

Fish consumers are increasingly looking for sustainable, safe and healthy products. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of informative messages on consumers’ acceptance of shelf-life extension on fresh packaged fish. In order to examine the effect of informative messages on consumers’ acceptance, an online survey on the acceptance of shelf life extension (SLE) technology by 10 days on fresh fish has been carried out. A sample of 530 consumers from Northern and Southern Italy was asked to evaluate a fictional portion of fresh Orata fillets presented as packaged by using SLE technology. The subsequent observation of the outcome of the survey highlights that different information strategies may moderate negative attitudes towards food technology applied to fish industry. The study presents a limitation that should be underlined. As the survey was conducted in the Italian context, results may lack of external validity. Thus, we expect to integrate the information obtained from this preliminary study with new surveys that could be focused on understanding the determinants of this attitudinal structure. Thus, studies investigating the interventions to increase food technology acceptance may help to reduce consumers’ skepticism towards food innovation

Can belemnite distribution reveal pressure solution processes along faults ?A case study in the chalk of the Mons Basin, Belgium

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Fracture analysis in the Boom Clay (URF, Mol, Belgium)

The first results of fault and fracture analysis carried out during recent tunnel excavation in the Boom Clay are presented. A detailed registration of fault geometry, fracture characteristics and fracture evolution during excavation allowed a first assessment of fault kinematics and origin. Failure of the clay by accommodation to relatively strong differential stress initiated by tunnel excavation results in peculiar fault geometry, distributed symmetrically around the tunnel axis. The development of localised tension- and shear fractures, and well-developed slickensides by 'artificial', excavation related stresses is put forward.status: publishe