Drying kinetics and physico-chemical quality of mango slices

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is an important tropical fruit consumed worldwide and grown in Italy only in Sicily, where the areas of the Tyrrhenian coast have proved to be suitable to produce valuable fruits. Mango fruit has a pleasant aroma and taste, which are important qualities for consumer’s sensorial acceptance. However, they are highly perishable, prone to progressive undesired changes if stored untreated, resulting in around 25% postharvest losses, which is further increased during storage and transportation. An alternative for reducing the above-mentioned undesired changes is the dehydration of the cut fruit, which reduce the fruit water activity, thereby avoiding the deteriorative process and extending the shelf-life. This study investigates the effect of dehydration at different temperatures (50, 60 and 70°C) on drying kinetics and volatile compounds of two cultivars (Keitt and Osteen) of mango fruits cultivated in Sicily. Significant losses of volatile constituents of fresh mango occurred at higher temperature, especially for the Osteen cultivar. A diffusion model including the effect of shrinkage is also proposed, which may be used to describe drying behaviour of fruits and to define the optimal drying conditions.. Experimental data of the moisture ratio during drying were well predicted by the model

Recent progress of the rulemaking on grid-connected photovoltaic generation

The rationale for the connection of distributed generators to the grid in case of abnormal events has been recently changed, passing from the obligation to switch the local generation off to the requirement of keeping it on within a certain range of frequency and voltage variations with respect to the rated values. This paper summarizes the concepts according to which the new requirements have been set up, with particular reference to the photovoltaic (PV) systems connected to Medium Voltage and Low Voltage systems, and overviews the recent upgrades of the Italian rulemaking process. A real case example showing the voltage and current waveforms during the disconnection of the PV generation within a power plant is presented

The Nucleosome-Remodeling ATPase ISWI Is Regulated by Poly-ADP-Ribosylation

ATP-dependent nucleosome-remodeling enzymes and covalent modifiers of chromatin set the functional state of chromatin. However, how these enzymatic activities are coordinated in the nucleus is largely unknown. We found that the evolutionary conserved nucleosome-remodeling ATPase ISWI and the poly-ADP-ribose polymerase PARP genetically interact. We present evidence showing that ISWI is target of poly-ADP-ribosylation. Poly-ADP-ribosylation counteracts ISWI function in vitro and in vivo. Our work suggests that ISWI is a physiological target of PARP and that poly-ADP-ribosylation can be a new, important post-translational modification regulating the activity of ATP-dependent nucleosome remodelers

Impact of a photovoltaic plant connected to the MV network on harmonic distortion: an experimental assessment

Universitatea Politehnica din Bucuresti (UPB) Scientific Bulletin, Series C (ISSN 2286 – 3540), Vol. 75, Issue 4, 2013, pp. 179-19

Ferromagnetic Resonance Measurement Using a Novel Short Circuited Coaxial Probe Technique

A versatile technique to characterize the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) of ferrite samples using a short circuited coaxial probe is presented. The technique has sensitivity comparable to that of well-established methods besides its non-contact nature, broadband and local. Detailed theoretical approach and simulation studies (Proof of Concept) using HFSS are presented. Microwave measurements on different single crystal and polycrystalline samples (Yttrium Iron Garnet (Y3Fe5O12) YIG and Nickel Ferrite (NiFe2O4) NFO have been performed. We measured the FMR response of these samples as a function of frequency and the data showed the expected variation for both in plane and out of plane magnetic fields

Analysis of aroma compounds of nine autochthonous and non-autochthonous loquat cultivars grown in Sicily

Loquat cultivation in Sicily is mainly based on nonnative cultivars and local ecotypes characterized by high nutraceutical value and appreciable physicochemical characteristics. Increased interest in commercial loquat production has increased the intention to provide premium quality loquat cultivars that include volatile substances capable of conditioning the sensorial properties and, therefore, the acceptability of fruits by consumers. This study determined the content of volatile compounds in nonnative and local loquat fruits grown in Sicily. Analyses were performed on five international cultivars and four local cultivars

Variations of Procalcitonin Serum Levels in Neonatal Period

PCR and qPCR detection of HCV, HBV, Dengue, HIV, HSV, H5, CMV, M. tuberculosis, C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae. This method has been being employed for all PCR diagnostic tests carried out at our laboratory, as well as at other diagnostic laboratories where our PCR diagnostic kits are being used. Conclusion: This method has a broad application potential since it can be used in diagnostic laboratories which are capable of doing PCR to detect human pathogens. Additionally, it can be helpful for developing the standard criteria for diagnostic PCR