Survival Kinetics and Antimicrobial Interventions to Mitigate Foodborne Pathogen Contamination of Low-Moisture Foods

Contamination of low-moisture foods (LMFs) with foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella and Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) has been rising over the last couple of years. Commodity groups such as peanuts, tree nuts, and their products are frequently recalled when associated with illness outbreaks resulting from these pathogens. In this project, two major challenges related to understanding the survival kinetics of pathogens and the efficacy of novel antimicrobial treatments in mitigating their risk in LMFs were systematically investigated. Studies were conducted for determining the survival kinetics of three Salmonella spp. strains in three different tree nut flours (i.e., almond, chestnut, and hazelnut flours). The effect of storage relative humidity (RH): 25, 45, and 70% on the survival kinetics was determined over a period of 120 days at 21±2ºC. Results indicate that the type of tree nut flour and storage RH has a significant (P≤0.05) effect on survival. Salmonella survived better at lower RH (25 or 45%) compared to higher RH (70%) conditions. The effect of flour composition on the survival of Salmonella needs to be further investigated. In another study, the efficacy of UVC treatment in comparison to heat treatment to mitigate the risk of Salmonella and STEC was determined using peanut flour as a model food. Hot-water treatment resulted in a 3 to 4 log CFU/g reduction of tested pathogens. Raising the treatment temperature from 60 to 80°C and increasing the treatment time from 1 to 30 min increased the log reductions. UV-C treatment was found to be equally (if not more) efficacious in reducing pathogen CFUs. A reduction from 2 to 3 log CFU/g was observed after a 60 min treatment time. Weibull model best predicted the thermal death and UV inactivation kinetics of tested pathogens in peanut flour. Further studies should be focused on increasing the UV-C efficacy on par with heat treatment and determining the effect of these treatments on quality characteristics of tested LMFs

Looking Beyond First-Person Effects (FPE) in the Influence of Scarcity Appeals in Advertising: A Replication and Extension of Eisend (2008)

In this paper, we replicate and extend Eisend’s (2008) pioneering work on first-person (FPE) effects in the context of scarcity appeals in advertising, using ‘influence of presumed influence’, a broader and less restrictive theoretical perspective compared to FPE to develop a revised conceptual model. Specifically, we hypothesize that it is the perceived influence on self and others, rather than the difference between them as hypothesized by Eisend (2008) that mediates the impact of value perception on purchase intention. Using a student sample similar to Eisend (2008) albeit with a different product category and advertising stimulus, we found that value perception has a direct positive effect on the perceived influence on others that affects the perceived influence on self, which in turn influences purchase intention. Besides offering an alternate model for future researchers to explore the role of scarcity appeals in advertising, our findings may also help advertisers focus on the perceived influence on others and use it to influence consumers’ own value perceptions and purchase intentions

Scarcity Appeal in Advertising: Exploring the Moderating Roles of Need for Uniqueness and Message Framing

In this article we examine differences in the impact of message framing and scarcity appeal types in advertisements on consumers with varying levels of need for uniqueness (NFU). Results from two experimental studies support a two-way NFU × scarcity interaction, wherein participants with lower levels of NFU show a greater impact of demand (versus supply) scarcity appeal on their attitudes and purchase intentions; whereas participants with higher levels of NFU show a greater impact of supply (versus demand) appeal. In addition, we found support for a three-way interaction, which shows that, under both gain and loss frames, participants with lower levels of NFU prefer demand over supply appeal; whereas under the loss frame, participants with higher levels of NFU prefer supply over demand appeal. We discuss the conceptual contribution and managerial implications of these findings

IS IT THE RIGHT TIME TO HAVE A POPULATION CONTROL LAW IN INDIA?

 The rising population of India is one of the major problems of the country. The present population of India consists of over 1.32 billion people. The big population of India undoubtedly provides large work-force resources which, if properly utilized, can highly advance the economic prosperity of the country. However, a large number of people are poor and illiterate. Their basic needs are not being met. Under the existing condition of our economy, it cannot be said that the vast masses of people growing out of proportion to our resources are really an asset to the country. We have to give more attention to the growth of population and its relation to the problem of unemployment and capital formation in the country.Â

Metabolic Syndrome: Trend Study in a Working Population

Introduction/Background: Presently, non-communicable diseases play a vital role in the determination of overall health status of an individual. Metabolic syndrome (MS), as per WHO criteria, is associated with obesity as a major pre-determinant risk factor and other co-morbidities, viz., diabetes mellitus (DM) Type 2, which increases the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Aim/Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze its trend in a working population w.r.t some important defined variables (demographics, work profile and individual MS components), to correlate the prevalence over a few years and to justify need for control measures. Methodology: The study was conducted on employees of an automobile manufacturing unit; inclusion criteria-all executives (senior manager and above) who readily underwent check-up; exclusion criteria-employees unwilling for check-up; data collection was done through executive health check-up reports; analyzed by a crosssectional study with last 6 years’ data. Total data sample strength was N=700 approximately; 4 sample groups were thus selected from year 2009-10 (n=169), 201112 (n=215), 2013-14 (n=254) and 2015-16 (n=335). Statistical methods used were correlation regression for study validation and ANOVA with p-value for mean comparison. Data analysis was done using SPSS v16. Study was pre-approved ethically and informed consent for the study was received from subjects. Results: The prevalence of MS, {p-hat ()} over the years varied age group wise with increasing in 2013-14 and 2015-16 data from 0.017 to 0.111 and 0.052 to 0.084 respectively. Correlation between BMI (predictor constant) and SBP (dependent variable) showed r=0.093 and r2=0.009. Similarly, BMI vs DBP, BMI vs FBS and BMI vs TG showed positive correlation. Comparison of BMI means for all the years’ data through ANOVA (Post hoc Dunnett T3) test revealed statistically significant v-value of <0.05 while comparing data set of year 2011-12 with 2013-14 and also between years 201314 and 2015-16. Conclusion: The study justified the need for application of preventive measures in the form of health education, promotion of health awareness and regular health check-ups

An Epidemiological Cross- sectional Comparative Study of Morbidity Profile in an Automobile Manufacturing Unit

Introduction: Occupational etiology as a determinant of morbidity risk factor is often correlated but difficult to signify. An automobile manufacturing unit was chosen for study with the aim to study the socioeconomic, demographic & occupational profile of 2 groups- 1) workers & junior management & 2) senior management, to identify & assess the morbidity factors influencing them, to make comparison of the factors between the two groups & deduce inference & to suggest recommendations for controlling them. Method: The study design used was a cross- sectional simple random sampling study done over a period of 12 months in 2013-14. The sample sizes were 923 & 229 respectively. Study inclusion criteria: All permanent workers working for more than 2 years, willing for check-up. Group 1- up to Manager grade & group 2- senior manager & above. Exclusion criteria: Workers not willing to participate. Study process: Informed consent, structured interview, clinical check-up with documentation & data analysis by MS Excel 2007 software. Results: Average age for the two groups were 40.05 ± 9.54 years & 46.9 ± 6.22 years respectively, literacy level (more than secondary level) 30% & 100% respectively, experience 15.3 ± 3.1 years & 6.7 ± 2.4 years, job profile- work in hazardous areas & sedentary in group 1 while more of sedentary nature but supervisory in hazardous areas in group 2, co-morbid factors like addiction 21 ± 5% & 9 ± 2.74%, obesity 49 ± 9.4% & 65 ± 6.29%, hypertension 20 ± 5.5% & 23 ± 10.25% , diabetes mellitus 4 ± 2.2% & 8 ± 4.5%, high stress levels 5 ± 2.3% & 24 ± 7.9%, dyslipidemia 4 ± 2.4% & 22 ± 6.97%, with sedentary lifestyle 6 ± 2.3% & 21 ± 5.3%, other morbidities related to work profile like musculoskeletal disorders 55 ± 9.8% & 10 ± 5.3%, allergic/ inflammatory manifestations including skin disorders (viz. dermatitis) 14 ± 5.1% & 4 ± 2.7%, eye complaints (viz. soreness, redness, watering, itching etc.) 32 ± 9.4% & 29 ± 3.6%, respiratory symptoms (viz. cough, phlegm, chest tightness, breathlessness) 21 ± 6% & 4 ± 2.5% respectively. Conclusions: Morbidities & health risks related to allergic, inflammatory or infective etiology due to physical, chemical or biological hazards were more significant in the first group but those related to psychosocial hazards viz. occupational stress & lifestyle disorders were predominant in the senior executive group. Thus, control measures aimed at reducing the impact of risk factors & morbidities are to be precisely defined keeping in mind the distinct differences between the 2 groups & their responsible factors

Signless Laplacian energies of non-commuting graphs of finite groups and related results

The non-commuting graph of a non-abelian group $G$ with center $Z(G)$ is a simple undirected graph whose vertex set is $G\setminus Z(G)$ and two vertices $x, y$ are adjacent if $xy \ne yx$. In this study, we compute Signless Laplacian spectrum and Signless Laplacian energy of non-commuting graphs of finite groups. We obtain several conditions such that the non-commuting graph of $G$ is Q-integral and observe relations between energy, Signless Laplacian energy and Laplacian energy. In addition, we look into the energetic hyper- and hypo-properties of non-commuting graphs of finite groups. We also assess whether the same graphs are Q-hyperenergetic and L-hyperenergetic.Comment: 39 page

A Review on Mouth Dissolving Film

Mouth dissolving film is the most advanced oral solid dosage form due to its flexibility and comfort in use. Mouth dissolving films are oral solid dosage form that disintegrate and dissolve within a minute when placed in mouth without taking water or chewing. This dosage form allows the medication to bypass the first pass metabolism so bioavailability of medication may be improved .Mouth dissolving film has potential to improve onset of action lower the dosing and eliminate the fear of chocking. Formulation of mouth dissolving films involves both the visual and performance characteristics as plasticized hydrocolloids, API taste masking agents are being laminated by solvent casting and semisolid casting method. Solvent casting method being the most preferred method over other methods because it offers great uniformity of thickness and films prepared having fine glossy look and better physical properties. Mouth dissolving films are evaluated for its various parameters like thickness, physical property like folding endurance, disintegration and dissolution time. This review gives an idea about formulation techniques, evaluation parameters, overview on packaging and some available marketed products of mouth dissolving films. Keywords: Mouth dissolving film, solvent casting, fast disintegratio