Measuring the research performance of UK computer science departments via network DEA

In this study we evaluate the research performance of the Computer Science departments in United Kingdom. We consider the research activity as a series process with two components, where the first component portrays the research productivity and the second component portrays the impact of the research outcomes of each department. The analysis is based on the data drawn from the Research Excellence Framework 2014 (REF 2014), which is the system for assessing the quality of research in the higher education institutions of United Kingdom. We carry out the assessment by employing the composition approach of Network Data Envelopment Analysis (Network DEA). Also, we encompass a qualitative aspect into the exercise based on the categorization of the publications provided by REF 2014.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Gentle Sterilization of Carrot-Based Purees by High-Pressure Thermal Sterilization and Ohmic Heating and Influence on Food Processing Contaminants and Quality Attributes

Pressure-enhanced sterilization (PES) and ohmic heating (OH) are two emerging sterilization techniques, currently lacking implementation in the food industry. However, both technologies offer significant benefits in terms of spore inactivation using reduced thermal intensity in food products, as well as minimized effects on sensory and nutritional profiles. In this study, PES and OH were tested based on possible food safety process windows in comparison to thermal retorting, to optimize the food quality of carrot-based purees. The following parameters related to food quality were tested: texture, carotenoid content, color, and detectable amount of food processing contaminants (FPC) formed. Application of the innovative sterilization techniques resulted in a better retention of color, texture, and carotenoids (for PES) as well as a reduced formation of food processing contaminants. Importantly, a significant reduction in the formation of furan and its derivates was observed, compared to the retorted samples. Hence, both sterilization technologies showed promising results in the mitigation of potential toxic processing contaminants and retention of quality attributes.TU Berlin, Open-Access-Mittel – 202