Studies on technological problems associated with the processing of cooked frozen prawns. Pt. 1. Preprocess storage conditions of raw material in relation to quality

The chemical and organoleptic properties of prawn held in ice for different days prior to cooking and the changes after freezing and subsequent storage were studied with three different species of prawn viz. Metapenaeus monoceros, Metapenaeus dobsoni and Parapeneopsis stylifera. The optimum period for which the prawn can be kept under ideal conditions of icing prior to cooking has been worked out.

Observations on the wastage of raw material and recovery of meat in the prawn processing industry

The wastage of prawns due to spoilage in processing factories accounted to about 0-12% in 1974, 0-35% in 1975, 0-3% in 1976 and 0-4% in 1977. Spoilage increases with the time lag between catching and processing and also due to defective icing. The paper discusses the counts of whole prawns required for obtaining meat of specified size grades.

Quality tolerances for water for use in fish processing

A survey on the sources and quality of water used in prawn processing factories has revealed much non-uniformity in the chemical quality. An attempt has been made to study the effect of varying concentrations of chemical constituents in the water used for prawn freezing and its influence on the quality of the prawn after freezing and during cold storage. The results of the study are reported in this communication, together with recommendations on the quality tolerances for water used in fish processing industry.

Quality loss in prawns due to double freezing

Icing is the practice for preserving prawns on board fishing boats in India. Majority of these boats need to preserve the catch only for a few hours because of the short duration of the fishing trip. However, with the anticipated introduction of a considerable number of bigger fishing vessels which can remain in the fishing ground for longer periods, more than fortnight, preservation methods, other than icing are required to retain prime quality. Freezing and cold storage of whole prawns on board followed by thawing and processing on land is a possible proposition. The extent of quality loss in prawns during these operations is one of the important points to be considered. Hence, laboratory scale studies were undertaken on double freezing of prawns and the results are dealt within this communication.

Cellular automata and non-static image processing for embodied robot systems on a massively parallel processor array

Huelse, M, Barr, D R W, Dudek, P: Cellular Automata and non-static image processing for embodied robot systems on a massively parallel processor array. In: Adamatzky, A et al. (eds) AUTOMATA 2008, Theory and Applications of Cellular Automata. Luniver Press, 2008, pp. 504-510. Sponsorship: EPSRC

Processing characteristics and mechanical properties of metallocene catalyzed linear low-density polyethylene foams for rotational molding

The object of this work is to assess the suitability of metallocene catalyzed linear low-density polyethylenes for the rotational molding of foams and to link the material and processing conditions to cell morphology and part mechanical properties (flexural and compressive strength). Through adjustments to molding conditions, the significant processing and physical material parameters that optimize metallocene catalyzed linear low-density polyethylene foam structure have been identified. The results obtained from an equivalent conventional grade of Ziegler-Natta catalyzed linear low-density polyethylene are used as a basis for comparison. The key findings of this study are that metallocene catalyzed LLDPE can be used in rotational foam molding to produce a foam that will perform as well as a ZieglerNatta catalyzed foam and that foam density Is by far the most Influential factor over mechanical properties of foam. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.

Psychocentricity and participant profiles: implications for lexical processing among multilinguals

Lexical processing among bilinguals is often affected by complex patterns of individual experience. In this paper we discuss the psychocentric perspective on language representation and processing, which highlights the centrality of individual experience in psycholinguistic experimentation. We discuss applications to the investigation of lexical processing among multilinguals and explore the advantages of using high-density experiments with multilinguals. High density experiments are designed to co-index measures of lexical perception and production, as well as participant profiles. We discuss the challenges associated with the characterization of participant profiles and present a new data visualization technique, that we term Facial Profiles. This technique is based on Chernoff faces developed over 40 years ago. The Facial Profile technique seeks to overcome some of the challenges associated with the use of Chernoff faces, while maintaining the core insight that recoding multivariate data as facial features can engage the human face recognition system and thus enhance our ability to detect and interpret patterns within multivariate datasets. We demonstrate that Facial Profiles can code participant characteristics in lexical processing studies by recoding variables such as reading ability, speaking ability, and listening ability into iconically-related relative sizes of eye, mouth, and ear, respectively. The balance of ability in bilinguals can be captured by creating composite facial profiles or Janus Facial Profiles. We demonstrate the use of Facial Profiles and Janus Facial Profiles in the characterization of participant effects in the study of lexical perception and production.

AMYGDALAR ROLES DURING EXPOSURE TO A LIVE PREDATOR AND TO A PREDATOR-ASSOCIATED CONTEXT

The amygdala plays a critical role in determining the emotional significance of sensory stimuli and the production of fear-related responses. Large amygdalar lesions have been shown to practically abolish innate defensiveness to a predator; however, it is not clear how the different amygdalar systems participate in the defensive response to a live predator. Our first aim was to provide a comprehensive analysis of the amygdalar activation pattern during exposure to a live cat and to a predator-associated context. Accordingly, exposure to a live predator up-regulated Fos expression in the medial amygdalar nucleus (MEA) and in the lateral and posterior basomedial nuclei, the former responding to predator-related pheromonal information and the latter two nuclei likely to integrate a wider array of predatory sensory information, ranging from olfactory to non-olfactory ones, such as visual and auditory sensory inputs. Next, we tested how the amygdalar nuclei most responsive to predator exposure (i.e. the medial, posterior basomedial and lateral amygdalar nuclei) and the central amygdalar nucleus (CEA) influence both unconditioned and contextual conditioned anti-predatory defensive behavior. Medial amygdalar nucleus lesions practically abolished defensive responses during cat exposure, whereas lesions of the posterior basomedial or lateral amygdalar nuclei reduced freezing and increased risk assessment displays (i.e. crouch sniff and stretch postures), a pattern of responses compatible with decreased defensiveness to predator stimuli. Moreover, the present findings suggest a role for the posterior basomedial and lateral amygdalar nuclei in the conditioning responses to a predator-related context. We have further shown that the CEA does not seem to be involved in either unconditioned or contextual conditioned anti-predatory responses. Overall, the present results help to clarify the amygdalar systems involved in processing predator-related sensory stimuli and how they influence the expression of unconditioned and contextual conditioned anti-predatory responses. (C) 2011 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nop53p interacts with 5.8S rRNA co-transcriptionally, and regulates processing of pre-rRNA by the exosome

In eukaryotes, pre-rRNA processing depends on a large number of nonribosomal trans-acting factors that form intriguingly organized complexes. One of the early stages of pre-rRNA processing includes formation of the two intermediate complexes pre-40S and pre-60S, which then form the mature ribosome subunits. Each of these complexes contains specific pre-rRNAs, ribosomal proteins and processing factors. The yeast nucleolar protein Nop53p has previously been identified in the pre-60S complex and shown to affect pre-rRNA processing by directly binding to 5.8S rRNA, and to interact with Nop17p and Nip7p, which are also involved in this process. Here we show that Nop53p binds 5.8S rRNA co-transcriptionally through its N-terminal region, and that this protein portion can also partially complement growth of the conditional mutant strain Delta nop53/GAL:NOP53. Nop53p interacts with Rrp6p and activates the exosome in vitro. These results indicate that Nop53p may recruit the exosome to 7S pre-rRNA for processing. Consistent with this observation and similar to the observed in exosome mutants, depletion of Nop53p leads to accumulation of polyadenylated pre-rRNAs.

Utp25p, a nucleolar Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein, interacts with U3 snoRNP subunits and affects processing of the 35S pre-rRNA

In eukaryotes, pre-rRNA processing depends on a large number of nonribosomal trans-acting factors that form intriguingly organized complexes. Two intermediate complexes, pre-40S and pre-60S, are formed at the early stages of 35S pre-rRNA processing and give rise to the mature ribosome subunits. Each of these complexes contains specific pre-rRNAs, some ribosomal proteins and processing factors. The novel yeast protein Utp25p has previously been identified in the nucleolus, an indication that this protein could be involved in ribosome biogenesis. Here we show that Utp25p interacts with the SSU processome proteins Sas10p and Mpp10p, and affects 18S rRNA maturation. Depletion of Utp25p leads to accumulation of the pre-rRNA 35S and the aberrant rRNA 23S, and to a severe reduction in 40S ribosomal subunit levels. Our results indicate that Utp25p is a novel SSU processome subunit involved in pre-40S maturation.

The role of the putative 3′ end processing endonuclease Ysh1p in mRNA and snoRNA synthesis

Pre-mRNA 3′ end formation is tightly linked to upstream and downstream events of eukaryotic mRNA synthesis. The two-step reaction involves endonucleolytic cleavage of the primary transcript followed by poly(A) addition to the upstream cleavage product. To further characterize the putative 3′ end processing endonuclease Ysh1p/Brr5p, we isolated and analyzed a number of new temperature- and cold-sensitive mutant alleles. We show that Ysh1p plays a crucial role in 3′ end formation and in RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) transcription termination on mRNA genes. In addition, we observed a range of additional functional deficiencies in ysh1 mutant strains, which were partially allele-specific. Interestingly, snoRNA 3′ end formation and RNAP II termination were defective on specific snoRNAs in the cold-sensitive ysh1-12 strain. Moreover, we observed the accumulation of several mRNAs including the NRD1 transcript in this mutant. We provide evidence that NRD1 autoregulation is associated with endonucleolytic cleavage and that this process may involve Ysh1p. In addition, the ysh1-12 strain displayed defects in RNA splicing indicating that a functional link may exist between intron removal and 3′ end formation in yeast. These observations suggest that Ysh1p has multiple roles in RNA synthesis and processing.

Innovations in knowledge processing and decision making in agent-based systems

This chapter introduces knowledge processing and decision making using agent-based technologies. The importance of creating effective and efficient computerized systems for extracting information and processing knowledge as well as for supporting decision making activities is highlighted. Then, an overview covering agent-based software tools and development methodologies, and usability and challenges of agent-based systems in industrial applications is presented. The contribution of each chapter included in this book is also described.

Properties, processing and performance of rare and natural fibres : a review and interpretation of existing research results

A substantial up-to-date reference manual has been prepared which documents important issues for the supply chain of rare natural animal fibres. New developments in textiles have been included. Cashmere, mohair and camelid fibres have special properties of softness, smoothness and lustre, when compared with sheep wool. They also have other attributes which affect market prices and consumer perceptions, such as being rare and exotic luxuries, and are associated with expensive, comfortable and exclusive garments. These fibres add to the range of wool processing, and add value to wool textiles. Generally, knowledge about these animal fibres is limited, and research effort small compared with research into wool and other natural and man-made fibres. Compared with wool, rare natural animal fibres are more difficult and costly to process. Knowledge about processing these fibres is kept guarded as industrial knowledge. There are problems with clearly identifying rare natural animal fibres when goods are traded or fibres are blended, and fraud is a major concern for textile manufacturers and industry groups. Prickle discomfort in mohair and alpaca next-to-skin wear is a major concern for consumers and textile manufacturers. Natural colours, whiteness and yellowness of rare natural animal fibres are important fibre attributes for dyers and consumers, and the current products have both positive and negative colour attributes for processors. Past investments by RIRDC have made substantial gains in knowledge about fundamental and applied areas of knowledge on the properties, testing and processing performance of rare natural animal fibres.

Characterization and thermal behavior of residues from industrial sugarcane processing

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

An image processing method for morphology characterization and pitting corrosion evaluation

A digital image processing and analysis method has been developed to classify shape and evaluate size and morphology parameters of corrosion pits. This method seems to be effective to analyze surfaces with low or high degree of pitting formation. Theoretical geometry data have been compared against experimental data obtained for titanium and aluminum alloys subjected to different corrosion tests. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.