A Microbiological Assessment of Restaurant Menu Contamination

The importance of the cleanliness of the food contact surface has been recognized however, the cleanliness of non-food contact surface such as menus is thought to be under-estimated. The aim of this study is to determine the cleanliness of menus at a restaurant, evaluate current cleaning protocol and provide recommendation for improving menu cleanliness. This study will use microbiological data to analyze the cleanliness of the menus. A pretest will verify the most commonly touched areas of the menu by consumers. Based on the result of the pretest, menus will be collected from casual-family dining restaurants and analyzed for total microbial counts. Anticipated results will help guide restaurant managers establish effective cleaning protocols and improve food safety for the general public

A Comparison of the Restaurant Selection Preferences between Residents and Visitors of South Florida

The purpose of the present study is to examine of selection preferences and to compare residents’ preferences with visitors’ ones in South Florida. Using data 290 customers in full-service restaurants, results show that consumers’ restaurant selection preference between residents and visitors is not significantly different; however, there are significant differences among demographic profiles. Implications are discussed to develop unique marketing strategies to attract both residents and visitors in South Florida

Mobile Phone Technology and Online Sexual Harassment among Juveniles in South Korea: Effects of Self-control and Social Learning

Mobile phones are increasingly developing into a technology-based device that everyone is dependent on. While previous research has been extensive in examining different theoretical explanations for interpreting juvenile delinquency, research on mobile induced online sexual harassment among juvenile populations have been rather scarce and limited. As a result of this dearth, the present study employs a theoretical approach in rationalizing why juveniles commit online sexual harassment using their mobile phones. Elements from both social learning and self-control theories are used to assess the causes for online sexual harassment using mobile phones. By conducting binomial logistic regression analyses, this study finds that both social learning and low self-control components are salient factors in determining the causes of juvenile sexual harassment in cyberspace. From these findings, policies will be introduced to address the major causes of juvenile online sexual harassment using mobile phones

Labisia pumila extract protects skin cells from photoaging caused by UVB irradiation

Labisia pumila (Myrsinaceae), known as "Kacip Fatimah," has been used by many generations of Malay women to induce and facilitate child birth as well as a post partum medicine. However, its topical application on skin has not been reported yet. In this study, we have focused on the anti-photoaging effects of L. pumila. Extract of L. pumila was first analyzed for their antioxidant activities using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) since UV irradiation is a primary cause of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the skin. The 50% free radical scavenging activity (FSC(50)) of L. pumila extract was determined to be 0.006%, which was equal to that produced by 156 microM ascorbic acid. TNF-alpha and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) play a primary role in the inflammation process upon UV irradiation and are known to be stimulated by UVB. Treatment with L. pumila extract markedly inhibited the TNF-alpha production and the expression of COX-2. Decreased collagen synthesis of human fibroblasts by UVB was restored back to normal level after treatment with L. pumila extract. On the other hand, the enhanced MMP-1 expression upon UVB irradiation was down regulated by L. pumila extract in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, treatment of normal keratinocytes with L. pumila extract attenuated UVB-induced MMP-9 expression. These results collectively suggest L. pumila extract has tremendous potential as an anti-photoaging cosmetic ingredient

Description of the Diadegma fenestrale (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Campopleginae) Attacking the Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Lep.: Gelechiidae) New to Korea

Diadegma fenestrale is known as a parasitoid of the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella. The potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) is one of the most destructive pest of potatoes. Also, we found this species attacking the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). Ratio of parasitism is 20-30% and cocoon of lepidopteran was parasitic ichneumonid species after 3 days. This species and the genus Diadegma are recorded for the first time from Korea. In this paper, description of the parasitoid and photographs of the diagnostic characteristics are provided