Optimization of the appearance quality in CO2 processed ready-to-eat carrots through image analysis

A high-pressure CO2 process applied to ready-to-eat food products guarantees an increase of both their microbial safety and shelf-life. However, the treatment often produces unwanted changes in the visual appearance of products depending on the adopted process conditions. Accordingly, the alteration of the visual appearance influences consumers’ perception and acceptability. This study aims at identifying the optimal treatment conditions in terms of visual appearance by using an artificial vision system. The developed methodology was applied to fresh-cut carrots (Daucus carota) as the test product. The results showed that carrots packaged in 100% CO2 and subsequently treated at 6 MPa and 40◦C for 15 min maintained an appearance similar to the fresh product for up to 7 days of storage at 4◦C. Mild appearance changes were identified at 7 and 14 days of storage in the processed products. Microbiological analysis performed on the optimal treatment condition showed the microbiological stability of the samples up to 14 days of storage at 4◦C. The artificial vision system, successfully applied to the CO2 pasteurization process, can easily be applied to any food process involving changes in the appearance of any food product

TL1A/DR3 axis involvement in the inflammatory cytokine network during pulmonary sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND: TNF-like ligand 1A (TL1A), a recently recognized member of the TNF superfamily, and its death domain receptor 3 (DR3), firstly identified for their relevant role in T lymphocyte homeostasis, are now well-known mediators of several immune-inflammatory diseases, ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to inflammatory bowel diseases to psoriasis, whereas no data are available on their involvement in sarcoidosis, a multisystemic granulomatous disease where a deregulated T helper (Th)1/Th17 response takes place. METHODS: In this study, by flow cytometry, real-time PCR, confocal microscopy and immunohistochemistry analyses, TL1A and DR3 were investigated in the pulmonary cells and the peripheral blood of 43 patients affected by sarcoidosis in different phases of the disease (29 patients with active sarcoidosis, 14 with the inactive form) and in 8 control subjects. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated a significant higher expression, both at protein and mRNA levels, of TL1A and DR3 in pulmonary T cells and alveolar macrophages of patients with active sarcoidosis as compared to patients with the inactive form of the disease and to controls. In patients with sarcoidosis TL1A was strongly more expressed in the lung than the blood, i.e., at the site of the involved organ. Additionally, zymography assays showed that TL1A is able to increase the production of matrix metalloproteinase 9 by sarcoid alveolar macrophages characterized, in patients with the active form of the disease, by reduced mRNA levels of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that TL1A/DR3 interactions are part of the extended and complex immune-inflammatory network that characterizes sarcoidosis during its active phase and may contribute to the pathogenesis and to the progression of the disease

Estimativa da evapotranspiração e da biomassa de pastagens utilizando o algoritmo SAFER e imagens MODIS.

este estudo objetivou aplicar o Simple Algorithm For Retrieving Evapotranspiration (SAFER) e imagens MODIS, juntamente com medições de campo, para estimar a ET e a Bio de pastagens em fazenda localizada na região do município de Aquidauana, MS

DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURE OF SUPERCONDUCTING HALF WAVE CAVITIES *

Abstract 322 MHz medium velocity half wave resonators (HWR) with β = 0.29 and 0.53 have been designed at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University (MSU) for use in a heavy ion linac. The β = 0.29 and β = 0.53 are to provide 1.9M V and 3.7M V of accelerating voltage with a peak magnetic field of 54mT and 77mT , respectively. The cavities are designed for a peak surface electric field of 30M V /m. The cavities were optimized for manufacturing recommendations based on previous design as well as for stiffness, tunability, assembly, and cleaning. Finite element analysis simulations were performed for mechanical modal frequency analysis, liquid helium bath pressure sensitivity, Lorentz force detuning factor and mechanical force to complete the tuning range. The helium vessel, fundamental power coupler (FPC), and frequency tuner systems which interface to the cavity have been designed and prototypes fabricated

Hypothalamic orexin’s role in exacerbated cutaneous vasodilation responses to an anxiogenic stimulus in a surgical menopause model

Distressing symptoms such as hot flashes and sleep disturbances affect over 70% of women approaching menopause for an average of 4-7 years, and recent large cohort studies have shown that anxiety and stress are strongly associated with more severe and persistent hot flashes and can induce hot flashes. Although high estrogen doses alleviate symptoms, extended use increases health risks, and current non-hormonal therapies are marginally better than placebo. The lack of effective non-hormonal treatments is largely due to the limited understanding of the mechanisms that underlie menopausal symptoms. One mechanistic pathway that has not been explored is the wake-promoting orexin neuropeptide system. Orexin is exclusively synthesized in the estrogen receptor rich perifornical hypothalamic region, and has an emerging role in anxiety and thermoregulation. In female rodents, estrogens tonically inhibit expression of orexin, and estrogen replacement normalizes severely elevated central orexin levels in postmenopausal women. Using an ovariectomy menopause model, we demonstrated that an anxiogenic compound elicited exacerbated hot flash-associated increases in tail skin temperature (TST, that is blocked with estrogen), and cellular responses in orexin neurons and efferent targets. Furthermore, systemic administration of centrally active, selective orexin 1 or 2 and dual receptor antagonists attenuated or blocked TST responses, respectively. This included the reformulated Suvorexant, which was recently FDA-approved for treating insomnia. Collectively, our data support the hypothesis that dramatic loss of estrogen tone during menopausal states leads to a hyperactive orexin system that contributes to symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and more severe hot flashes. Additionally, orexin receptor antagonists may represent a novel non-hormonal therapy for treating menopausal symptoms, with minimal side effects

L’abilità di Decision Making dello studente infermiere e la soddisfazione degli utenti: l’esperienza del Corso di Laurea in Infermieristica di Torino

Introduction. The objectives of a clinic stage were to measure the ability of Decision Making in the 3rd year students before and after stage, where structured educational and tutorial strategies were adopted and to evaluate the level of satisfaction perceived by hospitalized patients. Materials and methods. The study presented is quasi-experimental pre-post. The sample consisted of 14 students of the 3rd year who were asked to produce six clinical cases, for a total of 84 planning assistance both before and after the clinical stage. During the stage clinical case discussions led by the tutor, briefing and debriefing sessions once a week were conducted and the nursing care has been delivered on care plans constructed by the students. The assessment of the degree of user satisfaction was performed using the Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Scales questionnaire, administered both during the internship of students, that in a later date. Results. Students have shown an increase from 19% to 69% in the ability to recognize the priority issues in the post-test as well as relevant interventions, which have grown from 24 to 33%. The related factors and defining characteristics are improved at the limit of statistical significance. Patients were fully satisfied by the students support they received during the clinic stage, but also by the standard care delivered during their absence. Conclusions. The educational and tutorial strategies experienced seem to be significantly related to the ability of Decision Making. The place of training for nursing students has proven to be an effective model of care

A bulk niobium superconducting quarter wave resonator

A bath-cooled all-niobium 160 MHz quarter wave resonator prototype was constructed and tested. The objective of this research has been the development of a high performance accelerating element with {beta}{sub opt} {approx equal} 0.11 for the ALPI linac at the Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro. The design of this resonator was based upon a previous 150 MHz model, with minor changes due to the different frequency and to modified welding procedure. An accelerating field of 5 MV/m was achieved at a power dissipation of 10 W and the low power Q was 2.4 {times} 10{sup 8}. The resonator could dissipate 70 W of power without thermal breakdown. 16 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab