Observability analysis and state estimator proposal for the chocolate conching process

© 2021 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.The conching process is a crucial stage involving the development of sensory attributes and rheological properties of the final product. Currently, the monitoring of critical variables during this process is done off-line through extensive mea- surements with conventional methodologies based on laboratory analysis, e.g., the quantification of the concentration of the volatile active compounds of the flavor and aroma of a chocolate batch and its viscosity. All of them are related to an indicator for the chocolate sensory quality known as Conching Degree (CD). In this work, the observability analysis for a Phenomenological Based Model for the conching process is done as a first condition for the solution of a state estimation problem. Besides, the initial idea of a virtual sensor is proposed considering the available measurements from the conching process.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Cutting frequency and height on the quality of Megathyrsus maximus (cv. Gattonpanic)

El estudio que se presenta a continuación tuvo como objetivo evaluar la frecuencia e intensidad de la calidad nutricional en la materia seca (MS) del pasto Megathyrsus maximus (cv. Gatton panic), y fue desarrollado en la Cabaña Doña Anita, provincia del Chaco, Argentina. Se empleó un diseño completamente al azar con un arreglo factorial de 2 alturas de corte (A = 0,15 y 0,30 m), 3 frecuencias (F = 30, 45 y 90 días) y 2 tiempos (T = 90 y 180 días) con cinco repeticiones para cada uno (60 unidades experimentales). Se determinó el porcentaje de MS, proteína bruta (PB), fibra detergente ácido (FDA), fibra detergente neutra (FDN) y digestibilidad (DI). En el caso de la PB, se encontró una interacción entre las variables A x T y F x T. Para la interacción T x A, los cortes realizados en menor tiempo presentaron diferencia significativa (p&nbsp:&lt:&nbsp:0,05) en las dos alturas. Para la interacción T x F en la combinación 90 x 30, hay diferencia significativa (p &lt: 0,05) respecto a las restantes combinaciones. Respecto a la FDN, para la variable altura, el contenido de esta se incrementa al aumentar aquella (p &lt: 0,05) debido a un mayor alargamiento de tallos y hojas. En cuanto a la FDA se observaron diferencias (p &lt: 0,05) entre los valores para la interacción T x A para 180 días con 0,15 y 0,30 m. Para la digestibilidad, se encontraron las diferencias significativas (p &lt: 0,05) en la interacción de T x A. Se concluye que el mayor contenido de proteína bruta se obtuvo con la frecuencia de 30 días. La FDN y la FDA aumentaron con el mayor tiempo y la altura de la pastura

Oral administration of zein-based nanoparticles reduces glycemia and improves glucose tolerance in rats

The aim was to evaluate the effect of zein-based nanoparticles on the glucose homeostasis, following oral administration to Wistar rats. For this purpose, bare nanoparticles (NP, with tropism for the upper intestinal regions) and poly(ethylene glycol)-coated nanoparticles (NP-PEG), with the capability to reach the ileum and cecum of animals, were evaluated. Both formulations were spherical in shape, displaying sizes around 200 nm and a negative surface zeta potential. The oral administration of a single dose of these nanoparticles to animals (50 mg/kg) induced a significant decrease of the glycemia, compared control rats and in animals treated with the free protein (p < 0.001). Moreover, these nanoparticles improved the glycemic control against an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test; particularly NP-PEG. These findings would be due to an increased release of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) by L-cells, which are more abundant in distal regions of the intestine. In fact, the GLP-1 blood levels of animals treated with nanoparticles were significantly higher than controls (about 40 % and 60 % for NP and NP-PEG groups, respectively). This higher capability of NP-PEG, with respect to NP, to increase the release of GLP-1 and control glycemia would be related to its ability to reach the distal areas of the small intestine

Preparation and evaluation of PEG-coated zein nanoparticles for oral drug delivery purposes

The aim was to produce PEG-coated nanoparticles (NP-PEG), with mucus-permeating properties, for oral drug delivery purposes by using simple procedures and regulatory-approved compounds in order to facilitate a po- tential clinical development. For this purpose, zein nanoparticles were prepared by desolvation and, then, coated by incubation with PEG 35,000. The resulting nanocarriers displayed a mean size of about 200 nm and a negative zeta potential. The presence of PEG on the surface of nanoparticles was evidenced by electron microscopy and confirmed by FTIR analysis. Likely, the hydrophobic surface of zein nanoparticles (NP) was significantly reduce by their coating with PEG. This increase of the hydrophilicity of PEG-coated nanoparticles was associated with an important increase of their mobility in pig intestinal mucus. In laboratory animals, NP-PEG (fluorescently labelled with Lumogen® Red 305) displayed a different behavior when compared with bare nanoparticles. After oral administration, NP appeared to be trapped in the mucus mesh, whereas NP-PEG were capable of crossing the protective mucus layer and reach the epithelium. Finally, PEG-coated zein nanoparticles, prepared by a simple and reproducible method without employing reactive reagents, may be adequate carriers for promoting the oral bioavailability of biomacromolecules and other biologically active compounds with low permeability propertie

Partially coherent sources with radial coherence

Partially coherent sources with radial coherence are proposed. They present a circularly symmetric intensity profile and a degree of coherence whose absolute value only depends on the angular difference between the two considered points. In particular, the source is completely coherent at pairs of points belonging to the same radius. The modal structure of such sources is determined in the general case, and conditions are derived under which the field propagated in paraxial approximation remains radially coherent at any transverse plane. In such cases, the angular dependence of the correlation function is preserved upon propagation, although the intensity profile generally changes. An example of this kind of source has been experimentally synthesized by means of a simple setup, and its coherence characteristics have been tested by means of a Young inter-ferometer. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America

Precision medicine in sepsis and septic shock: From omics to clinical tools

Endotype; Organ dysfunction; SepsisEndotipo; Disfunción de órganos; SepsisEndotip; Disfunció d'òrgans; SèpsiaSepsis is a heterogeneous disease with variable clinical course and several clinical phenotypes. As it is associated with an increased risk of death, patients with this condition are candidates for receipt of a very well-structured and protocolized treatment. All patients should receive the fundamental pillars of sepsis management, which are infection control, initial resuscitation, and multiorgan support. However, specific subgroups of patients may benefit from a personalized approach with interventions targeted towards specific pathophysiological mechanisms. Herein, we will review the framework for identifying subpopulations of patients with sepsis, septic shock, and multiorgan dysfunction who may benefit from specific therapies. Some of these approaches are still in the early stages of research, while others are already in routine use in clinical practice, but together will help in the effective generation and safe implementation of precision medicine in sepsis

Metabolites in the cervical mucus of dual purpose cows in natural and induced estrus

The objective was to quantify cholesterol, sorbitol, and total protein concentrations in cervical mucus obtained from Swiss x Zebu crossbreed cows (n = 40), in order to associate the same with reproductive capability. Two experimental treatment groups were formed to observe natural (n = 20) and Synchro-Mate B® induced estrus (n = 20). Cervical mucus samples were collected during estrous cycle stages of proestrus, estrus, metaestrus, and diestrus and the cholesterol, sorbitol, and total protein concentrations were quantified by enzymatic reactions and spectrophotometry. All experimental cows underwent artificial insemination and pregnancy diagnosis by rectal palpation. Additionally, the effects of body condition and the estrous cycle stages on cervical mucus chemical composition were studied. The experimental design was completely randomized. Treatment, body condition, and estrous cycle stage all modified the cervical mucus metabolites concentrations (P&lt;0.01). The cholesterol and total protein concentrations as well as changes therein were different during estrus and diestrus (P&lt;0.01). The cows having cholesterol concentrations less than 20 mg.dl-1 at estrus and higher than 50 mg.dl-1 at diestrus, as well as protein values less than 2.5 g.dl-1 at estrus, and higher than 3 g.dl-1 at diestrus; showed higher gestation percentage (P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, the chemical composition of cervical mucus is a useful tool to detect females of high reproductive capability

Polymorphism in Calpain gene of registered Brahman cattle from Mexico

The present study was conducted to assess genotypic, allelic and haplotypic frequencies, in Brahman cattle in Mexico, of three single nucleotide polymorphism markers in the m -calpain gene, previously associated with beef tenderness in European, crossbred, and Zebu cattle (C316, C530, C4751).&nbsp; Three allelic discrimination assays were designed for generation of the said frequencies.&nbsp; The C316 marker showed a high frequency of the heterozygotic genotype (CG = 92%), and frequencies of these alleles were similar (54 and 46% for G and C, respectively).&nbsp; By contrast, for C530, the main segregated genotype was the A alleles homozygote (98%).&nbsp; For C4751, the heterozygotic genotype (CT) had the highest frequency (99%).&nbsp; As to haplotypes, the most frequent compositions were GAT (50%) and CAC (45%).&nbsp; These findings suggest that some favorable alleles for beef tenderness (C in 316 and C4751) are appreciably segregated in the Brahman population sampled. Thus, favorable homozygotic genotypes might be increased by integrated selection programs, including either the single marker or dual marker haplotype evaluation.&nbsp; Further research is needed to determine relationships between meat quality traits (beef tenderness) and productive performance (current selection criteria), thus to promote consumption of Brahman beef and better position it in both national and international markets

Improvement of cardiometabolic markers after fish oil intervention in young Mexican adults and the role of PPARα L162V and PPARγ2 P12A

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) contained in fish oil (FO) are ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) that may induce changes in cardiometabolic markers. Variation in PPAR genes may influence the beneficial responses linked to FO supplementation in young adults. The study aimed to analyze the effect of FO supplementation on glucose metabolism, circulating lipids and inflammation according to PPARα L162V and PPARγ2 P12A genotypes in young Mexican adults. 191 young, non-smoking subjects between 18 and 40 years were included in a one-arm study. Participants were supplemented with 2.7 g/day of EPA+DHA, during six weeks. Dietary analysis, body composition measurements and indicators for glucose metabolism, circulating lipids, and markers for inflammation were analyzed before and after intervention. An overall decrease in triglycerides (TG) and an increase in HS-ω3 index were observed in all subjects [-4.1 mg/dL, (SD:±51.7), P=.02 and 2.6%, (SD:±1.2), P\u3c.001 respectively]. Mean fasting insulin and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c%) were significantly decreased in all subjects [-0.547mlU/L, (SD:±10.29), P=.034 and-0.07%, (SD:±0.3), P\u3c.001 respectively], whereas there was no change in body composition, fasting glucose, adiponectin and inflammatory markers. Subjects carrying the minor alleles of PPARα L162V and PPARγ2 P12A had higher responses in reduction of TG and fasting insulin respectively. Interestingly, doses below 2.7 g/day (1.8 g/day) were sufficient to induce a significant reduction in fasting insulin and HbA1c% from baseline (P=.019 and P\u3c.001). The observed responses in triglycerides and fasting insulin in the Mexican population give further evidence of the importance of FO supplementation in young people as an early step towards the prevention of cardiometabolic disease. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02296385

Produção de carne nos trópicos secos de Tamaulipas, México: cruzamento de Bos taurus e Bos indicus

The objective of this study was evaluated the productive performance in Charolais (CH), Simmental (SM) and Braunvieh (BR) sires and Zebu, (ZE), Suiss (SU) x ZE and CH x ZE dams, among birth and weaning calves weights. The environment is dry tropical with summer rains. The livestock grassing in a introducing grasses Star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) y Guinea (Panicum maximun). The reproduction was artificial insemination with CH, SM and BR semen and natural insemination with CH sires after insemination. The calves were identificated at birth with the mother number and were weighted in the first 24 ours. The data were analyzed with minimum squares method to determinate, season (SE), calf sex (SX) and dam age (DE). The average for birth weight (BW) was 34.6 kg and only the SE were statistical significant (P &lt; 0.05) for this characteristic. For weaning weight (WW) the mean was 165.7 kg and SE and DE and were statistical significant (P &lt; 0.05). The conclusion is that the environmental effects in this study was more important than genetics effects both BW and WW variables.El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la productividad de toros Charoláis (CH), Simmental (SM) y Pardo Suizo (PS) con vacas Cebú (CE), PS x CE y CH x CE a través del peso al nacimiento y al destete de los becerros. El rancho contaba con praderas de Estrella de África (Cynodon nlemfuensis) y Guinea (Panicum maximun), utilizadas con pastoreo rotacional. La reproducción de las vacas fue a través de inseminación artificial con semen de SM, CH y PS y fueron repasadas por toros CH. Los becerros fueron tatuados en la oreja con el número de la madre y se pesaron en las primeras 24 h después del nacimiento. Los datos fueron analizados por el método de cuadrados mínimos para determinar los efectos de año (AN) y estación de nacimiento (EN), sexo de la cría (SX) y edad de la vaca (EV). La media general para peso al nacimiento fue 34.6 kg, solo los efectos de AN y EN influenciaron (P &lt; 0.05) el peso al nacimiento. El mayor peso se observó en los becerros nacidos en 1994 durante la época de lluvias. Para el caso del PD la media fue de 165.7 kg, los efectos de AN, EN, EV y la correlación de AN x EN fueron estadísticamente significativos (P &lt; 0.05), donde los mayores pesos fueron de los becerros nacidos en el año 1994 durante la época de sequía. Se puede concluir que en este trabajo los factores medioambientales fueron más importantes que los factores genéticos para ambas variables.Resumo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produtividade de touros Charolês (CH), Simental (SM) e Pardo Suíço (PS) com vacas Zebu (CE), PS x CE e CH x CE através dos pesos ao nascimento e à desmama dos bezerros. A fazenda possuía pastagens African Star (Cynodon nlemfuensis) e Guinea (Panicum maximun), utilizadas com pastejo rotacionado. As vacas foram cruzadas por inseminação artificial com sêmen de SM, CH e PS e foram cruzadas com touros CH. Os bezerros foram tatuados na orelha com o número da mãe e pesados nas primeiras 24 horas após o nascimento. Os dados foram analisados pelo método dos mínimos quadrados para determinar os efeitos da estação de nascimento (EN), sexo do bezerro (SX) e idade da vaca (EV). A média geral para os pesos ao desmame dos bezerros foi de 34,6 kg, apenas os efeitos da EN influenciaram (P &lt; 0,05) o peso ao nascer. Os maiores pesos foram observados nos bezerros nascidos na estação chuvosa. Para PD a média foi de 165,7 kg, os efeitos de EN e EV foram estatisticamente significativos (P &lt; 0,05), onde os maiores pesos foram dos bezerros nascidos na estação seca. Pode-se concluir que neste trabalho os fatores ambientais foram mais importantes que os fatores genéticos para ambas as variáveis