Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a process whereby complex three-dimensional objects are generated. In this study, 3D printing was investigated for food applications, using a commercially available ...processed cheese as the printing material. After melting at 75 °C for 12 min, the processed cheese was printed using a modified commercial 3D printer at low or high extrusion rates. Comparative assessment of untreated, melted and printed cheeses was conducted employing texture profile analysis, rheology, colourimetry and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Processing (i.e., melting and extrusion) had a significant impact upon cheese properties. Melted and printed cheese samples were significantly (P < 0.05) less hard, by up to 49%, and both exhibited higher degrees of meltability, ranging from 14% to 21%, compared to untreated cheese samples. This shows that 3D printing substantially changes the properties of processed cheese, possibly offering new potential applications for tailoring structures using this novel process.
•The feasibility of 3D printing of processed cheese was demonstrated.•3D printing resulted in significant changes to cheese texture.•Changes in melting profile could be related to structural changes during printing.•Key effects of printing were due to heating and shearing forces.•3D printing may have further applications for food and dairy systems.
The scatter of the M dwarf mass–radius relationship Parsons, S G; Gänsicke, B T; Marsh, T R ...
Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society,
11/2018, Letnik:
481, Številka:
1
Journal Article, Publication
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
M dwarfs are prime targets in the hunt for habitable worlds around other stars. This
is due to their abundance as well as their small radii and low masses and tempera-
tures, which facilitate the ...detection of temperate, rocky planets in orbit around them.
However, the fundamental properties of M dwarfs are difficult to constrain, often lim-
iting our ability to characterise the planets they host. Here we test several theoretical
relationships for M dwarfs by measuring 23 high precision, model-independent masses
and radii for M dwarfs in binaries with white dwarfs. We find a large scatter in the
radii of these low-mass stars, with 25 per cent having radii consistent with theoret-
ical models while the rest are up to 12 per cent over-inflated. This scatter is seen
in both partially- and fully-convective M dwarfs. No clear trend is seen between the
over-inflation and age or metallicity, but there are indications that the radii of slowly
rotating M dwarfs are more consistent with predictions, albeit with a similar amount of
scatter in the measurements compared to more rapidly rotating M dwarfs. The sample
of M dwarfs in close binaries with white dwarfs appears indistinguishable from other
M dwarf samples, implying that common envelope evolution has a negligible impact on
their structure. We conclude that theoretical and empirical mass-radius relationships
lack the precision and accuracy required to measure the fundamental parameters of
M dwarfs well enough to determine the internal structure and bulk composition of the
planets they host.
Peer Reviewed
Abstract
We present a search for optical bursts from the repeating fast radio burst FRB 121102 using simultaneous observations with the high-speed optical camera ULTRASPEC on the 2.4-m Thai National ...Telescope and radio observations with the 100-m Effelsberg Radio Telescope. A total of 13 radio bursts were detected, but we found no evidence for corresponding optical bursts in our 70.7-ms frames. The 5σ upper limit to the optical flux density during our observations is 0.33 mJy at 767 nm. This gives an upper limit for the optical burst fluence of 0.046 Jy ms, which constrains the broad-band spectral index of the burst emission to α ≤ −0.2. Two of the radio pulses are separated by just 34 ms, which may represent an upper limit on a possible underlying periodicity (a rotation period typical of pulsars), or these pulses may have come from a single emission window that is a small fraction of a possible period.
A febrile seizure is a seizure occurring in a child six months to five years of age that is accompanied by a fever (100.4°F or greater) without central nervous system infection. Febrile seizures are ...classified as simple or complex. A complex seizure lasts 15 minutes or more, is associated with focal neurologic findings, or recurs within 24 hours. The cause of febrile seizures is likely multifactorial. Viral illnesses, certain vaccinations, and genetic predisposition are common risk factors that may affect a vulnerable, developing nervous system under the stress of a fever. Children who have a simple febrile seizure and are well-appearing do not require routine diagnostic testing (laboratory tests, neuroimaging, or electroencephalography), except as indicated to discern the cause of the fever. For children with complex seizures, the neurologic examination should guide further evaluation. For seizures lasting more than five minutes, a benzodiazepine should be administered. Febrile seizures are not associated with increased long-term mortality or negative effects on future academic progress, intellect, or behavior. Children with febrile seizures are more likely to have recurrent febrile seizures. However, given the benign nature of febrile seizures, the routine use of antiepileptics is not indicated because of adverse effects of these medications. The use of antipyretics does not decrease the risk of febrile seizures, although rectal acetaminophen reduced the risk of short-term recurrence following a febrile seizure. Parents should be educated on the excellent prognosis of children with febrile seizures and provided with practical guidance on home management of seizures.
The relationship between consumer perception of quality and the food industry's drive to satisfy consumer needs is complex and involves many different components. Science and innovation play a major ...role in equipping the industry to respond to consumer concerns and expectations.
This paper examines the main elements of consumer perception of meat with focus on the red meat sector. Emphasis is placed on perception at point of sale particularly the intrinsic quality cues of colour, packaging and degree of visual fat. The state of the art developments in increasing consumers' perception at this point are discussed. Experienced quality cues such as tenderness and flavour are well known as being of immense importance to consumers at point of consumption. The latest technological developments to enhance the quality experienced by consumers are discussed. The use of pre-rigor restraining techniques offers the industry a method for changing its conventional procedures of processing beef for instance. Background cues of safety, nutrition, animal welfare and sustainability are also discussed.
Finally opportunities and challenges facing the industry are outlined. It is concluded that the meat industry needs to invest in and embrace an innovation agenda in order to be sustainable. It must utilise emerging scientific knowledge and take a more proactive role in setting out a research agenda.
The current status of microbiological testing methods for the determination of viable bacteria in complex sample matrices, such as food samples, is the focus of this review. Established methods for ...the enumeration of microorganisms, particularly, the 'gold standard' agar plating method for the determination of total aerobic viable counts (TVC), bioluminescent detection of total ATP, selective molecular methods (immunoassays, DNA/RNA amplification, sequencing) and instrumental methods (flow cytometry, Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, calorimetry), are analyzed and compared with emerging oxygen sensor-based respirometry techniques. The basic principles of optical O
sensing and respirometry and the primary materials, detection modes and assay formats employed are described. The existing platforms for bacterial cell respirometry are then described, and examples of particular assays are provided, including the use of rapid TVC tests of food samples and swabs, the toxicological screening and profiling of cells and antimicrobial sterility testing. Overall, O
sensor-based respirometry and TVC assays have high application potential in the food industry and related areas. They detect viable bacteria via their growth and respiration; the assay is fast (time to result is 2-8 h and dependent on TVC load), operates with complex samples (crude homogenates of food samples) in a simple mix-and-measure format, has low set-up and instrumentation costs and is inexpensive and portable.
The combined effect of pressure and mild temperature treatments on bovine sarcoplasmic proteins and quality parameters was assessed.
M. longissimus dorsi samples were pressurised in a range of ...200–600
MPa and 10–30
°C. High Pressure Processing (HPP) induced a reduction of protein solubility (
p
<
0.001) compared to non-treated controls (NT), more pronounced above 200
MPa. HPP at pressures higher than 200
MPa induced a strong modification (
p
<
0.001) of meat colour and a reduction of water holding capacity (WHC). SDS–PAGE analysis demonstrated that HPP significantly modified the composition of the sarcoplasmic protein fraction. The pressurisation temperature mainly affected protein solubility and colour; a smaller effect was observed on protein profiles. Significant correlations (
p
<
0.001) between sarcoplasmic protein solubility and both expressible moisture (
r
=
−0.78) and colour parameters (
r
=
−0.81 to −0.91) suggest that pressure induced denaturation of sarcoplasmic proteins could influence to some extent WHC and colour modifications of beef. Changes in protein band intensities were also significantly correlated with protein solubility, meat lightness and expressible moisture. These results describe the changes induced by HPP on sarcoplasmic proteins and confirm a relationship between modification of the sarcoplasmic protein fraction and alteration of meat quality characteristics.
Aims
To develop an oxygen sensor‐based method for testing total aerobic viable counts (TVC) in raw meat samples and cattle carcass swabs, which is rapid, simple, affordable, provides good sensitivity ...and analytical performance and allows on‐site use.
Methods and Results
The test uses the same sample preparation procedure as the established plate counting TVC method for meat samples and carcasses, ISO4833‐1:2013. After this liquid samples are transferred into standard 25‐ml vials with built‐in phosphorescent O2 sensors and incubated on a block heater with hourly readings of sensor signals with a handheld reader, to determine signal threshold time (TT, hours) for each sample. The method is demonstrated with the quantification of TVC in industrial cuts of raw beef meat (CFU per g) and carcass swabs (CFU per cm2). Calibration curves were generated, which give the following analytical equations for calculating the TVC load in unknown samples from measured TT values: TVC Log(CFU per cm2) = 7.83–0.73*TT(h) and TVC Log(CFU per g) = 8.74–0.70*TT(h) for the carcass swabs and meat samples respectively. The new tests show good correlation with the ISO methods, with correlation coefficients 0.85 and 0.83 respectively. The testing requires no dilutions, covers the ranges 2–7 Log(CFU per g) for the meat samples and 1–7 Log(CFU per cm2) for carcass swabs, and has time to result 1–10 h with faster detection of more contaminated samples.
Conclusions
The sensor‐based testing demonstrates simplicity, high speed, sample throughput and automation. It can provide a straightforward replacement for the conventional TVC tests, which are time consuming, laborious and have time to result of 48–72 h.
Significance and Impact of the Study
The method(s) can be adopted by the meat industry and research labs, and used to improve microbial quality and safety of meat products and processes.
Antimicrobial activity of low- and medium-molecular weight chitosan and organic acids (Benzoic acid and Sorbic acid and commercially-available nano-sized benzoic- and sorbic-acid solubilisate ...equivalents) was investigated and compared against commercial mixtures of organic acids used as meat coatings (Articoat DLP-02® and Sulac-01®). From the antimicrobials tested, both low molecular weight (LMW) and medium molecular weight (MMW) chitosan exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against all bacterial cultures tested, with mean MIC values of 0.010 and 0.015% w/v, respectively. The results suggested that the MW of the chitosan used effected antimicrobial activity of the chitosan. Nano-sized solubilisates of benzoic acid and sorbic acid had significantly (P < 0.05) higher antimicrobial properties than their non-nano equivalents. The results found in this study open opportunities for the nano-sized solubilisates, derived from food compatible sources, to be used in smart and active antimicrobial packaging applications, as less of the antimicrobial substances in question is required to deliver the same antimicrobial effect.
•The molecular weight (MW) of the chitosan effected antimicrobial activity (AA).•Low & medium MW chitosan had the highest AA against all bacteria tested.•Nano-sized solubilisates of organic acids had higher AA than their non-nano equivalents.
ABSTRACT
Introduction
Active duty service members and their families have limited access to subspecialty surgical care when assigned OCONUS. To address this issue, the Air Force Visiting Surgeon ...Program (VSP) was created to push subspecialty care to these locations. Visiting Surgeon Program was accomplished using temporary duty (TDY) orders. We conducted this 12-year review, 2009-2021, of the program to assess objective measures of impact, identify key lessons learned, and consider the program’s future.
Materials and Methods
In 2009, the senior author, Col Latham, performed a cost analysis of plastic surgery care provided at OCONUS installations and found that TRICARE Overseas often paid rates substantially higher than a TDY assignment for a single procedure. To improve beneficiaries’ access to care while providing a cost savings to the health care system, 2-week plastic surgery missions were proposed to interested OCONUS military treatment facilities (MTFs). Ultimately, four sites selected to host the program in Alaska, Italy, England, and Japan. These sites were selected based on patient volumes, operating room capacity, and local command and surgeon support. By 2015, the Air Force formalized the program via Air Force Instruction 44-102 which outlined roles and responsibilities of MTF Commanders; established points of contact; and instituted key safety measures.
Results
To date, 58 missions have been completed by 21 surgeons through the VSP at Aviano Air Base (Italy; 24.1%), Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (Alaska; 31.0%), Royal Air Force Lakenheath (England; 27.6%), and Yokota Air Base (Japan; 17.2%). While primarily an Air Force program, 17% (10/58) of missions were supported Army or Navy surgeons. Overall, 2,000 patient consultations and 865 surgical cases were performed avoiding $6.7 million in cost. In addition to direct beneficiary care, the VSP also contributed to the participating surgeon and host surgical teams mission readiness.
Conclusions
The VSP provides a template to make select subspecialty surgical care available in a cost-effective manner across the military health system, while also providing a model for the forward deployment of military plastic surgeons and triservice collaboration.
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