Indicator organisms to determine the use of chilling as a critical point in beef slaughter HACCP

End of project reportDuring chilling, temperatures of carcass surfaces at different sites change over time as do other parameters such as water activity (aw), the structure of the muscle and other tissues, as the carcass enters rigor mortis. Many of these factors are known to have a major effect on cell survival and growth and must be considered in determining the influence of chilling on bacterial survival on carcass surfaces. This study aimed to determine if chilling could be used as a critical control point (CCP) in beef slaughter in relation to pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes, using E. coli and Listeria innocua as pathogen indicators. The present study was designed to determine the influence of (a) chilling at 10oC for 72 h on the survival of E. coli and (b) chilling at 4oC for 72 h on the survival of L. innocua inoculated at different sites on beef carcasses. Three sites (neck, outside round and brisket) were inoculated (1) immediately after dressing while hot (E. coli and L. innocua) and (2) when cold after chilling (L. innocua). The influence of changes in surface aw was also considered and their relationship to the survival of E. coli and L. innocua over time was assessed. The data are discussed in relation to the use of chilling as a CCP in beef hazard analysis (HACCP) and the monitoring of neck temperature as the most suitable CCP.National Development Pla

An exploratory randomised controlled trial comparing telephone and hospital follow-up after treatment for colorectal cancer

Aim:  Following treatment for colorectal cancer it is common practice for patients to attend hospital clinics at regular intervals for routine monitoring, although debate persists on the benefits of this approach. Nurse-led telephone follow-up is effective in meeting information and psycho-social needs in other patient groups. We explored the potential benefits of nurse-led telephone follow-up for colorectal cancer patients. Method:  Sixty-five patients were randomised to either telephone or hospital follow-up in an exploratory randomised trial. Results:  The telephone intervention was deliverable in clinical practice and acceptable to patients and health professionals. Seventy-five percent of eligible patients agreed to randomization. High levels of satisfaction were evident in both study groups. Appointments in the hospital group were shorter (median 14.0 minutes) than appointments in the telephone group (median 28.9 minutes). Patients in the telephone arm were more likely to raise concerns during consultations. Conclusion:  Historical approaches to follow-up unsupported by evidence of effectiveness and efficiency are not sustainable. Telephone follow-up by specialist nurses may be a feasible option. A main trial comparing hospital and telephone follow-up is justified although consideration needs to be given to trial design and practical issues related to the availability of specialist nurses at study locations

PIV Study of the Vortex Wake behind a Translationally Oscillating Cylinder in a Quiescent Fluid

The near wake produced by a circular cylinder oscillating translationally in a quiescent fluid or, alternatively, by oscillatory flow past a stationary cylinder at low Keulegan-Carpenter (KC) and Stokes (b) numbers has been investigated using Particle Image Velocimetry. All but one of the two- and three-dimensional regimes of the Tatsuno & Bearman [11] map were investigated. The findings are successfully compared with previous experimental observations and numerical simulations. Twodimensional Particle Image Velocimetry results of regime B show how the symmetrical pattern of vortices around the cylinder becomes three-dimensional. Additionally, the instantaneous results of regime E confirm that there is an intermittent change in the direction of the V-shaped vortices around the cylinder

Image encryption and the fractional Fourier transform

A number of method have been recently proposed in the literature for the encryption of 2-D information using optical systems based on the fractional Fourier fransform, FRT. In this paper a brief review of the methods proposed to date is presented. A measure of the strength/robustness of the level of encryption of the various techniques is proposed and a comparison is carried out between the methods. Optical implementations are discussed. Robustness of system with respect to misalignment and blind decryption are also discussed

NPDD model: A tool for photopolymer enhancement

The use of theoretical models to represent the photochemical effects present during the formation of spatially and temporally varying index structures in photopolymers, is critical in order to maximise a material’s potential. One such model is the Non-local Photo-Polymerization Driven Diffusion (NPDD) model. Upon application of appropriate physical constraints for a given photopolymer material, this model can accurately quantify all major photochemical processes. These include i) non-steady state kinetics, (ii) non-linearity iii) spatially non-local polymer chain growth, iv) time varying primary radical production, v) diffusion controlled effects, vi) multiple termination mechanisms, vii) inhibition, (viii) polymer diffusion and ix) post-exposure effects. In this paper, we examine a number of predictions made by the NPDD model. The model is then applied to an acrylamide/polyvinylalcohol based photopolymer under various recording conditions. The experimentally obtained results are then fit using the NPDD model and key material parameters describing the material’s performance are estimated. The ability to obtain such parameters facilitates material optimisation for a given application

Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Chain Transfer Agents Behaviors in Photopolymer Material

The Non-local Photo-Polymerization Driven Diffusion (NPDD) model indicates how a material’s performance might be improved, and provides a tool for quantitive comparison of different material compositions and to predict their fundamental limits. In order to reduce the non-locality of polymer chain growth (i.e the non-local response parameter, σ) and to improve the spatial frequency response of a photopolymer material, we introduce the chain transfer agent (CTA). In the literature, extensive studies have been carried out on the improvements of the non-local response modifying by the CTA, sodium formate, in the polyvinyl alcohol-acrylamide (PVA/AA) material. In this article, i) based on the chemical reactions of CTA, we extended the CTA model in the literature; ii) we compare two different CTA materials, sodium formate and 1-mercapto-2-propanol without cross-linker in order to obtain the experimental confirmation of the reduction in the average polymer molecular weight is provided using a diffusion-based holographic technique; iii) we examine the non-local responses of several spatial frequencies with the two CTAs. Using the extended CTA model it is demonstrated that the CTA has the effect of decreasing the average length of the polyacrylamide (PA) chains formed, thus reducing the non-local response parameter, especially, in the high spatial frequency case