The effect of Camelina sativa cake diet supplementation on sensory and volatile profiles of ewe’s milk

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensory profile based on the principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis of Euclidean distances as well as evaluate a volatile profile in ewes’ milk. The analysis was conducted using SPME GC/TOFMS. Tested milk came from ewes fed concentrate supplemented with 10 and 20% Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz cake (CSC). This plant containing unsaturated fatty acids as well as natural antioxidants (for example, tocopherol), may constitute an excellent source of energy in the feed ratio for animals, at the same time improving the composition of fatty acids in milk fats. Milk of ewes fed CSC had a distinct animal, grainy and processed aroma. After pasteurization, the cooked and dairy fat aroma intensified. At the same time the overall dairy aroma, highly characteristic of the control milk, was considerably reduced. An addition of CSC to the diet of ewes resulted in an increase in the content of volatiles, primarily fatty acids. The applied milk pasteurization had a significant effect on a further increase in the contents of volatiles. First of all furans, furanones and furfural, being the Maillard reaction products, were accumulated.Key words: Sheep milk, sensory analysis, flavor analysis, volatiles in milk

Changes in aroma and sensory profile of food ingredients smoked in the presence of a zeolite filter

During smoking, formation of desirable smoky compounds and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are inextricably linked. We have previously developed a zeolite filter technology (PureSmoke Technology or PST) that reduces the PAH content of a smoke stream, particularly reducing the concentration of benzo[a]pyrene, a known carcinogen, by up to 93%. The aim of this work was to determine whether there were changes in the volatile and sensory profiles of ingredients smoked using PST compared to the traditional smoking process (Trad). Smoked tomato flakes (either PST or Trad) were added to either low-fat or full-fat cream cheese for sensory profiling and consumer preference tests, and volatile analysis was carried out using solid phase microextraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The sensory analysis showed a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in bitterness when the PST was employed and a significant decrease in overall smoky aroma and flavor (p < 0.001), which resulted in an increase in the perception of cheesy aroma and flavor. This was consistent with a decrease in many of the smoky aroma compounds, particularly the guaiacols. However, consumer preference tests showed that there was no adverse effect on the flavor of the products, and there was even a tendency for the PST product to be preferred to the Trad product (p = 0.096). The smoke compounds were quantitated and compared in smoked tomato paste. Odor activity values (OAVs) calculated from the literature thresholds suggested that guaiacol and 4-alk(en)yl-substituted guaiacols are likely to be among the most highly odor-active compounds in these smoked ingredients

Spin-photon interface and spin-controlled photon switching in a nanobeam waveguide

Access to the electron spin is at the heart of many protocols for integrated and distributed quantum-information processing [1-4]. For instance, interfacing the spin-state of an electron and a photon can be utilized to perform quantum gates between photons [2,5] or to entangle remote spin states [6-9]. Ultimately, a quantum network of entangled spins constitutes a new paradigm in quantum optics [1]. Towards this goal, an integrated spin-photon interface would be a major leap forward. Here we demonstrate an efficient and optically programmable interface between the spin of an electron in a quantum dot and photons in a nanophotonic waveguide. The spin can be deterministically prepared with a fidelity of 96\%. Subsequently the system is used to implement a "single-spin photonic switch", where the spin state of the electron directs the flow of photons through the waveguide. The spin-photon interface may enable on-chip photon-photon gates [2], single-photon transistors [10], and efficient photonic cluster state generation [11]

Optical spin locking of a solid-state qubit

Abstract: Quantum control of solid-state spin qubits typically involves pulses in the microwave domain, drawing from the well-developed toolbox of magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Driving a solid-state spin by optical means offers a high-speed alternative, which in the presence of limited spin coherence makes it the preferred approach for high-fidelity quantum control. Bringing the full versatility of magnetic spin resonance to the optical domain requires full phase and amplitude control of the optical fields. Here, we imprint a programmable microwave sequence onto a laser field and perform electron spin resonance in a semiconductor quantum dot via a two-photon Raman process. We show that this approach yields full SU(2) spin control with over 98%π-rotation fidelity. We then demonstrate its versatility by implementing a particular multi-axis control sequence, known as spin locking. Combined with electron-nuclear Hartmann–Hahn resonances which we also report in this work, this sequence will enable efficient coherent transfer of a quantum state from the electron spin to the mesoscopic nuclear ensemble

Structural and micro-anatomical changes in vertebrae associated with idiopathic-type spinal curvature in the curveback guppy model

Background: The curveback lineage of guppy is characterized by heritable idiopathic-type spinal curvature thatdevelops during growth. Prior work has revealed several important developmental similarities to the human idiopathicscoliosis (IS) syndrome. In this study we investigate structural and histological aspects of the vertebrae that areassociated with spinal curvature in the curveback guppy and test for sexual dimorphism that might explain a femalebias for severe curve magnitudes in the population.Methods: Vertebrae were studied from whole-mount skeletal specimens of curved and non-curved adult males andfemales. A series of ratios were used to characterize structural aspects of each vertebra. A three-way analysis of variancetested for effects of sex, curvature, vertebral position along the spine, and all 2-way interactions (i.e., sex and curvature,sex and vertebra position, and vertebra position and curvature). Histological analyses were used to characterize microarchitecturalchanges in affected vertebrae and the intervertebral region.Results: In curveback, vertebrae that are associated with curvature demonstrate asymmetric shape distortion,migration of the intervertebral ligament, and vertebral thickening on the concave side of curvature. There is sexualdimorphism among curved individuals such that for several vertebrae, females have more slender vertebrae than domales. Also, in the region of the spine where lordosis typically occurs, curved and non-curved females have a reducedwidth at the middle of their vertebrae, relative to males.Conclusions: Based on similarities to human spinal curvatures and to animals with induced curves, the concaveconvexbiases described in the guppy suggest that there is a mechanical component to curve pathogenesis incurveback. Because idiopathic-type curvature in curveback is primarily a sagittal deformity, it is structurally more similarto Scheuermann kyphosis than IS. Anatomical differences between teleosts and humans make direct biomechanicalcomparisons difficult. However, study of basic biological systems involved in idiopathic-type spinal curvature incurveback may provide insight into the relationship between a predisposing aetiology, growth, and biomechanics.Further work is needed to clarify whether observed sex differences in vertebral characteristics are related to the femalebias for severe curves that is observed in the population

First searches for optical counterparts to gravitational-wave candidate events

During the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory and Virgo joint science runs in 2009-2010, gravitational wave (GW) data from three interferometer detectors were analyzed within minutes to select GW candidate events and infer their apparent sky positions. Target coordinates were transmitted to several telescopes for follow-up observations aimed at the detection of an associated optical transient. Images were obtained for eight such GW candidates. We present the methods used to analyze the image data as well as the transient search results. No optical transient was identified with a convincing association with any of these candidates, and none of the GW triggers showed strong evidence for being astrophysical in nature. We compare the sensitivities of these observations to several model light curves from possible sources of interest, and discuss prospects for future joint GW-optical observations of this type