Rapid prediction of pork quality : correlation of fresh meat measurements to pork water holding capacity and its technological quality

Water holding capacity (WHC) of pork defines the sensory appreciation and processing yields of meat. Pork varies in WHC and is mainly generated by differences in post mortem muscle metabolism of carcasses. Nowadays, the pork processing industry performs sorting of carcasses and primal cuts on the basis of weight and lean characteristics. Additional sorting by WHC can further optimize processing yields of pork products. The aim of this thesis was to validate rapid prediction of pork WHC. The first objective of this thesis was to investigate the possibilities of a rapid prediction of pork WHC by measuring parameters such as pH, colour L*, drip loss%, water absorption, and by NIRS at laboratory scale and at pig processing plant scale. Results revealed that NIRS prediction equations could be developed to predict drip loss% and colour L* of pork samples. Equations for colour a*, b*, and pHu were not applicable for prediction of WHC. The positive results of NIRS to predict WHC and colour L* at laboratory scale led to further research to study NIRS prediction of pork quality (pH, colour L*, and WHC) under pig processing plant conditions. It was concluded that NIRS prediction equations can be used for screening WHC at pig processing plants. Also, characterization of moisture loss from muscle early post mortem and whether these losses are useful in predicting WHC of fresh pork was investigated. Results revealed moisture losses from muscle tissue early post mortem which suggested that select time periods correspond to culmination of biochemical and physical events facilitating moisture release, which can be used for early drip prediction. Results suggested an approach for capturing moisture release early post mortem which may be used to predict WHC in pork. The second objective was to investigate if predictions of pork WHC could be used to optimize processing of pork. Technological yields could not be predicted (R2< 0.21 and RPD < 1.1) by NIRS. Pre-selection of back bacons by NIRS predicted WHC values, did result in significant different average pHu and colour L* between both groups. It was concluded that NIRS can be used to predict rapid fresh ham quality for sorting and optimization of the cooked ham process. The overall conclusion of this thesis is that NIRS prediction equations for WHC can be developed for pork loin samples measured at pig processing plants and that these prediction equations can be used to optimize processing of pork.</p

A Disengaging Metal Spike and Putting Green Quality

Over the past few years, some disadvantages to alternative spikes have surfaced. The amount of damage to putting surfaces is in question, but the damage may not be noticed immediately, as it is with the conventional 8-mm length metal spike. The present study questions the effect of alternative spikes on putting green quality and ball roll

Extravasation of leukocytes in comparison to tumor cells

The multi-step process of the emigration of cells from the blood stream through the vascular endothelium into the tissue has been termed extravasation. The extravasation of leukocytes is fairly well characterized down to the molecular level, and has been reviewed in several aspects. Comparatively little is known about the extravasation of tumor cells, which is part of the hematogenic metastasis formation. Although the steps of the process are basically the same in leukocytes and tumor cells, i.e. rolling, adhesion, transmigration (diapedesis), the molecules that are involved are different. A further important difference is that leukocyte interaction with the endothelium changes the endothelial integrity only temporarily, whereas tumor cell interaction leads to an irreversible damage of the endothelial architecture. Moreover, tumor cells utilize leukocytes for their extravasation as linkers to the endothelium. Thus, metastasis formation is indirectly susceptible to localization signals that are literally specific for the immune system. We herein compare the extravasation of leukocytes and tumor cells with regard to the involved receptors and the localization signals that direct the cells to certain organs and sites of the body

Genomic investigations of unexplained acute hepatitis in children

Since its first identification in Scotland, over 1,000 cases of unexplained paediatric hepatitis in children have been reported worldwide, including 278 cases in the UK1. Here we report an investigation of 38 cases, 66 age-matched immunocompetent controls and 21 immunocompromised comparator participants, using a combination of genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and immunohistochemical methods. We detected high levels of adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) DNA in the liver, blood, plasma or stool from 27 of 28 cases. We found low levels of adenovirus (HAdV) and human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) in 23 of 31 and 16 of 23, respectively, of the cases tested. By contrast, AAV2 was infrequently detected and at low titre in the blood or the liver from control children with HAdV, even when profoundly immunosuppressed. AAV2, HAdV and HHV-6 phylogeny excluded the emergence of novel strains in cases. Histological analyses of explanted livers showed enrichment for T cells and B lineage cells. Proteomic comparison of liver tissue from cases and healthy controls identified increased expression of HLA class 2, immunoglobulin variable regions and complement proteins. HAdV and AAV2 proteins were not detected in the livers. Instead, we identified AAV2 DNA complexes reflecting both HAdV-mediated and HHV-6B-mediated replication. We hypothesize that high levels of abnormal AAV2 replication products aided by HAdV and, in severe cases, HHV-6B may have triggered immune-mediated hepatic disease in genetically and immunologically predisposed children

Validation of aircraft noise prediction program

Predictions made with NASA's aircraft noise prediction program (ANOPP) were compared with flyover noise data. A data base of six flyover noise runs for the DC-10-40/JT9D-59A configuration was used. For all power settings, ANOPP consistently underpredicted the low frequency spectral levels, overpredicted high frequency spectral levels and, consequently, overpredicted the inlet and aft PNLT time histories

Prediction of pork quality with near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS): 1. Feasibility and robustness of NIRS measurements at laboratory scale

The objective was to study prediction of pork quality by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology in the laboratory. A total of 131 commercial pork loin samples were measured with NIRS. Predictive equations were developed for drip loss %, colour L*, a*, b* and pH ultimate (pHu). Equations with R2 > 0.70 and residual prediction deviation (RPD) = 1.9 were considered as applicable to predict pork quality. For drip loss% the prediction equation was developed (R2 0.73, RPD 1.9) and 76% of those grouped superior and inferior samples were predicted within the groups. For colour L*, test-set samples were predicted with R2 0.75, RPD 2.0, colour a* R2 0.51, RPD 1.4, colour b* R2 0.55, RPD 1.5 and pHu R2 0.36, RPD 1.3. It is concluded that NIRS prediction equations could be developed to predict drip loss% and L*, of pork samples. NIRS equations for colour a*, b* and pHu were not applicable for the prediction of pork quality on commercially slaughtered pigs

Persistence of oral coatings of CMC and starch-based custard desserts

Food coatings that remain after swallowing starch-based or CMC-based custard desserts were investigated for 19 subjects. Foods were orally processed for 5 s using a pre-defined protocol, after which the food was swallowed. The remaining food coating was assessed sensorially as well as instrumentally using turbidity of rinse water. The instrumental and sensory results indicated a gradual decline of food coatings over intervals up to 180-270 s. Decline rates of coatings of individual subjects related significantly to their decline rates in perceived fattiness. Decline rates were somewhat faster for the starch-based custards indicating a role of salivary amylase in clearance of starch-based foods. No evidence was found for mechanical clearance with tongue movements. In stead, decline rates of coating after swallowing were primarily determined by oral movements before swallowing, whereby intense oral movements produced relatively little oral coatings and relatively slow decline rates, and vice versa. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Prediction of pork quality with near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) 2. Feasibility and robustness of NIRS measurements under production plant conditions

Longissimus dorsi samples (685) collected at four processing plants were used to develop prediction equations for meat quality with near infrared spectroscopy. Equations with R2 > 0.70 and residual prediction deviation (RPD) = 2.0 were considered as applicable for screening. One production plant showed R2 0.76 and RPD 2.05, other plants showed R2 4.0%). 64% from the superior group and 56% from the inferior group were predicted correctly. One equation could be used for screening drip loss %. Best prediction equation for L* did not meet the requirements (R2 0.70 and RPD 1.82). pHu equation could not be used. Results suggest that prediction equations can be used for screening drip loss %

The Status of Air Quality in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Remote Sensing Perspective

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has prompted global governments to take several measures to limit and contain the spread of the novel virus. In the United States (US), most states have imposed a partial to complete lockdown that has led to decreased traffic volumes and reduced vehicle emissions. In this study, we investigate the impacts of the pandemic-related lockdown on air quality in the US using remote sensing products for nitrogen dioxide tropospheric column (NO2), carbon monoxide atmospheric column (CO), tropospheric ozone column (O3), and aerosol optical depth (AOD). We focus on states with distinctive anomalies and high traffic volume, New York (NY), Illinois (IL), Florida (FL), Texas (TX), and California (CA). We evaluate the effectiveness of reduced traffic volume to improve air quality by comparing the significant reductions during the pandemic to the interannual variability (IAV) of a respective reference period for each pollutant. We also investigate and address the potential factors that might have contributed to changes in air quality during the pandemic. As a result of the lockdown and the significant reduction in traffic volume, there have been reductions in CO and NO2. These reductions were, in many instances, compensated by local emissions and, or affected by meteorological conditions. Ozone was reduced by varying magnitude in all cases related to the decrease or increase of NO2 concentrations, depending on ozone photochemical sensitivity. Regarding the policy impacts of this large-scale experiment, our results indicate that reduction of traffic volume during the pandemic was effective in improving air quality in regions where traffic is the main pollution source, such as in New York City and FL, while was not effective in reducing pollution events where other pollution sources dominate, such as in IL, TX and CA. Therefore, policies to reduce other emissions sources (e.g., industrial emissions) should also be considered, especially in places where the reduction in traffic volume was not effective in improving air quality (AQ)