Mathematical modeling of dehydration of 'Fuji' and 'Gala' apples slices using infrared

The objective of this work was to determine and model the infrared dehydration curves of apple slices - Fuji and Gala varieties. The slices were dehydrated until constant mass, in a prototype dryer with infrared heating source. The applied temperatures ranged from 50 to 100 °C. Due to the physical characteristics of the product, the dehydration curve was divided in two periods, constant and falling, separated by the critical moisture content. A linear model was used to describe the constant dehydration period. Empirical models traditionally used to model the drying behavior of agricultural products were fitted to the experimental data of the falling dehydration period. Critical moisture contents of 2.811 and 3.103 kgw kgs-1 were observed for the Fuji and Gala varieties, respectively. Based on the results, it was concluded that the constant dehydration rates presented a direct relationship with the temperature; thus, it was possible to fit a model that describes the moisture content variation in function of time and temperature. Among the tested models, which describe the falling dehydration period, the model proposed by Midilli presented the best fit for all studied conditions.

Cultura organizacional de cursos de ciências contábeis: um estudo em duas universidades públicas

O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi compreender o atual estágio da Cultura Organizacional Acadêmica (COA) em duas Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES) brasileiras, visando identificar possíveis relações entre a cultura e os resultados decorrentes do desempenho dessas IES. A revisão da literatura contemplou as principais teorias sobre cultura organizacional (CO), principalmente as abordagens de Schein (2009), Denison et al. (2012) e Hofstede (2003), além de referenciais empíricos de pesquisadores que se basearam nas abordagens desses autores. A metodologia utilizada teve predomínio qualitativo, com base em etnografia, elementos da observação participante e uso de entrevistas, tanto em profundidade quanto semiestruturadas, que foram gravadas para posterior transcrição e edição. Para o tratamento dos conteúdos das entrevistas, utilizou-se a técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo (DSC) de Fernando Lefevre e Ana Lefevre (2012), com o emprego do software Qualiquantisoft. O campo empírico abrangeu dois cursos de Ciências Contábeis de duas universidades públicas estaduais, contatadas por acessibilidade. Estes cursos foram o do Departamento de Contabilidade e Atuária da Faculdade de Economia, Administração e Contabilidade da Universidade de São Paulo [FEA/USP] e o do Departamento de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas da Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, na Bahia [DCIS/UEFS]. Foram entrevistados 10 docentes do curso da FEA/USP e oito docentes do curso do DCIS/UEFS. Também foi aplicado um questionário para 122 alunos do curso da FEA/USP e 84 alunos do curso do DCIS/UEFS. Os resultados principais são que o atual estágio da COA nos dois cursos das duas IES apresenta-se em polos diametralmente opostos, ou seja, há força na COA do curso da USP, que se reflete na responsabilidade de manter, no presente, os padrões alcançados no passado, e buscar aumentar essa alta referência e visibilidade do curso no país e na América Latina, com orientação estratégica para internacionalização. Em contrapartida, a situação do curso da UEFS é oposta, na qual, de acordo com seus docentes, ele atravessa um período de queda na sua COA, a qual se mantém basicamente adormecida frente às mudanças do ambiente externo, que se reflete em queda dos níveis de qualidade do curso e dos níveis de motivação dos alunos e docentes. Em síntese, os resultados decorrentes do desempenho do curso têm forte dependência da força e solidez de sua COA, materializada na responsabilidade, qualificação e empenho de seus membros (docentes e gestores).

Falling incidence of amputations for peripheral occlusive arterial disease in western Australia between 1980 and 1992

Objectives: To assess temporal trends in the incidence of surgical procedures for peripheral occlusive arterial disease (POAD) and associated changes in outcome as measured by the rate of major lower limb amputations for POAD. Design: a retrospective descriptive population-based study was conducted of the geographically isolated population of Western Austrialia between 1980 and 1992. Methods: Vascular procedures with an accompanying diagnosis of POAD were identified in a computerised system of name-identified records of all discharges from hospital for the population. These procedures were detected using relevant codes from the International Classification of Disease and Procedures. Records of angioplasty and thrombolysis procedures were augmented by searches of hospital-based registers of invasive radiological procedures. The data for the remaining procedures were validated by a review of a random sample of medical records. Results: over the 13 years of the study, rates of major amputations fell significantly for in non-amputation vascular surgery for individuals under the age of 60. In addition, rather than an overall rise in surgery there was shift away from sympathectomy and thromboendarterectomy to angioplasty and bypass surgery. Furthermore, an increasing proportion of all major amputations had a prior attempt at arterial reconstruction. Conclusion: These observations suggest the decrease in major amputations for POAD may reflect a fall in the incidence of POAD, possibly aided by move effective surgery, rather than increased rates of vascular surgery.

Recent trends in Spanish income distribution: a robust picture of falling income inequality

Income distribution in Spain has experienced a substantial improvement towards equalisation during the second half of the seventies and the eighties; a period during which most OECD countries experienced the opposite trend. In spite of the many recent papers on the Spanish income distribution, the period covered by those stops in 1990. The aim of this paper is to extent the analysis to 1996 employing the same methodology and the same data set (ECPF). Our results not only corroborate the (decreasing inequality) trend found by others during the second half of the eighties, but also suggest that this trend extends over the first half of the nineties. We also show that our main conclusions are robust to changes in the equivalence scale, to changes in the definition of income and to potential data contamination. Finally, we analyse some of the causes which may be driving the overall picture of income inequality using two decomposition techniques. From this analyses three variables emerge as the major responsible factors for the observed improvement in the income distribution: education, household composition and socioeconomic situation of the household head.

Fear of Falling Appearing after Post-Acute Rehabilitation is Associated with Reduced Functional Status

Objective: To investigate the association between fear of falling appearing within one month after discharge from post-acute rehabilitation and functional status in elderly patients. Methods: Participants (N=180, mean age 81.37.1 years, 75.6% women) were patients consecutively admitted to rehabilitation over a 6-month period. Demographics, functional, cognitive and affective status were assessed upon admission; functional status was assessed at discharge; history of falls since discharge, functional and affective status were assessed by phone one month after discharge. Fear of falling was assessed using the question: "Are you afraid of falling?". Results: Among patients without fear of falling at discharge (N=95), 20.0% (N=19) reported new fear of falling one month after discharge. Living alone (adjOR=4.9, 95%CI 1.04-23.16, P=.045), functional status at discharge (adjOR=0.5, 95%CI 0.32-0.88, P=.014), and depressive symptoms (adjOR=5.4, 95%CI 1.20-24.32, P=.028) independently predicted fear of falling at one month. There was weak evidence that history of falls since discharge (adjOR=4.1, 95%CI 0.81-21.31, P=.088) was associated with new fear of falling. Developing fear of falling was also associated with reduced functional status at one month (mean basic ADL score: fearful 5.20.8; confident: 5.80.4,P<.001). This association remained after controlling for demographics, functional status at discharge, depressive symptoms, and history of falls since discharge (coef =-0.4, 95%CI -0.73 to -0.16, P=.003). Conclusion: Fear of falling appearing within one month after discharge from post-acute rehabilitation was associated with reduced functional status in elderly patients. Further studies should determine whether early interventions targeting specifically fear of falling in these patients would improve their functional status.

Brasil (1955-2005): 25 anos de catching up, 25 anos de falling behind

Brazil (1955-2005): 25 years of catching-up, 25 years of falling behind. The present paper discusses the Brazilian industrial development under a neo-schumpeterian perspective in the period after 1955. The hypothesis is that, in the last 50 years, Brazil spent the first 25 years catching up and, next, the following 25 years falling behind. The 1955-1980 period, by means of international funding, allowed catching up with the paradigm in maturation within the fourth technological revolution. However, in this period, it was determined the main debilitating elements for the country's entrance in the new techno-economical paradigm of the fifth technological revolution which emerged in the middle of the 70s. It is in the strategy to internationalize the economy, granting the mutinational companies the key-sectors of the national economy dynamics during the catching up period, the main element of dependence in the journey that conditions the current performance, responsible for technology subordination and keeps the Brazilian economy with low dynamism.

A microanalysis of EMG and EEG changes during the sleep onset period (SOP) : a theoretical investigation with practical applications /

The present study has both theoretical and practical aspects. The theoretical intent of the study was to closely examine the relationship between muscle activity (EMG) and EEG state during the process of falling asleep. Sleep stages during sleep onset (SO) have been generally defined with regards to brain wave activity (Recht schaff en & Kales (1968); and more precisely by Hori, Hayashi, & Morikawa (1994)). However, no previous study has attempted to quantify the changes in muscle activity during this same process. The practical aspect of the study examined the reliability ofa commercially developed wrist-worn alerting device (NovAlert™) that utilizes changes in muscle activity/tension in order to alert its user in the event that he/she experiences reduced wakefulness that may result in dangerous consequences. Twelve female participants (aged 18-42) sp-ent three consecutive nights in the sleep lab ("Adaptation", "EMG", and "NOVA" nights). Each night participants were given 5, twenty-minute nap opportunities. On the EMG night, participants were allowed to fall asleep freely. On the NOV A night, participants wore the Nov Alert™ wrist device that administered a Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) when it detected that muscle activity levels had dropped below baseline. Nap sessions were scored using Hori's 9-stage scoring system (Hori et aI, 1994). Power spectral analyses (FFT) were also performed. Effects ofthe PVT administration on EMG and EEG frequencies were also examined. Both chin and wrist EMG activity showed reliable and significant decline during the early stages ofHori staging (stages HO to H3 characterized by decreases in alpha activity). All frequency bands studied went through significant changes as the participants progressed through each ofHori's 9 SO stages. Delta, theta, and sigma activity increased later in the SO continuum while a clear alpha dominance shift was noted as alpha activity shifted from the posterior regions of the brain (during Hori stages HO to H3) to the anterior portions (during Hori stages H7 to H9). Administration of the PVT produced significant increases in EMG activity and was effective in reversing subjective drowsiness experienced during the later stages of sleep onset. Limitations of the alerting effects of the PVTs were evident following 60 to 75 minutes of use in that PVTs delivered afterwards were no longer able to significantly increase EMG levels. The present study provides a clearer picture of the changes in EMG and EEG during the sleep onset period while testing the efficacy of a commercially developed alerting device. EMG decreases were found to begin during Hori stage 0 when EEG was - dominated by alpha wave activity and were maximal as Hori stages 2 to 5 were traversed (coincident with alpha and beta activity). This signifies that EMG decrements and the loss of resting alpha activity are closely related. Since decreased alpha has long been associated with drowsiness and impending sleep, this investigation links drops in muscle tone with sleepiness more directly than in previous investigations. The EMG changes were reliably demonstrated across participants and the NovAlert™ detected the EMG decrements when Hori stage 3 was entered. The alerting vibrations produced by the NovAlert™ occurred early enough in the SO process to be of practical importance as a sleepiness monitoring and alerting device.

A megszokott keretek csapdájában. Gondolatok az Európai Unió 2014-2020 közötti költségvetési kiadásairól (Falling into the trap of usual frameworks. Thoughts on the eu level budgetary expenditures in 2014–2020)

Ebben a cikkben az egész európai integrációs folyamat szempontjából jelentős kérdéskör: az uniós szinten működő közös költségvetés kiadási oldalának 2014–2020 közötti kereteit vizsgálom. Bár kétségtelen, hogy számos megoldatlan probléma a bevételi oldalhoz kapcsolódó ügyek rendezetlenségéből is eredeztethető, ennek elemzésére most terjedelmi okok miatt nem térünk ki. Az uniós szintű költségvetéssel szemben támasztható általános elvi megfontolások elemzése után a 2014–2020 közötti költségvetési keret fő kiadási tételeihez kapcsolódó elmozdulásokat értékelem, rámutatva arra, hogy az új elnevezések mögött alapvetően a régi tartalom húzódik meg, s most is elmaradt a radikális átalakítás. _____ The article examines an important topic from the point of view of the whole integration process: the expenditure side of the union level common budgetary frameworks for 2014–2020. Undoubtedly, several problems are coming from the unsolved issues of the revenue side, however, due to length limits the article doesn’t deal with these issues. The investigation starts with a comprehensive analysis of theoretical background on the main tasks of a union level budget, then the author evaluates shifts among the new expenditure headings in the period 2014–2020. The author points out that the new headings reflect old contents and he concludes that the radical restructuring within the common budget was postponed again.

Malignant Transformation Of An Odontogenic Cyst In A Period Of 10 Years.

Primary intraosseous carcinoma of the jaws (PIOSCC) might arise from odontogenic epithelium, more commonly from a previous odontogenic cyst. The aim of this case is to illustrate that the clinician should consider that an apparent benign dentigerous cyst can suffer malignant transformation and that all material removed from a patient must be evaluated histologically. A 44-year-old man presented in a routine periapical X-ray an impacted lower left third molar with radiolucency over its crown. Ten years later, the patient complained of pain in the same region and the tooth was extracted. After one month, the patient still complained of pain and suffered a fracture of the mandible. A biopsy was performed and carcinoma was diagnosed. The patient was treated surgically with adjuvant radio- and chemotherapy and after 8 years, he is well without signs of recurrences. This report describes a central mandibular carcinoma probably developed from a previous dentigerous cyst.

Influência do processo de secagem na qualidade do cogumelo shiitake

Edible mushroom are highly perishable foods. Drying is an alternative to provide safe storage. In this work, the effects of some drying parameters on the quality of Shiitake mushroom were investigated: geometry of the raw material (whole and sliced), drying temperature (50 °C and 70 ºC) and final moisture content (5% and 15% wb). Experimental kinetics of drying was built and color and texture analyses were done in fresh and in rehydrated dried product. The effect of parameters was evaluated by analysis of variance and test of multiple comparisons. Drying kinetics showed that drying happened in falling-rate period and sliced mushroom dried at 70 ºC required lesser drying time than other treatments. Mushroom dried at 70 ºC showed less darkening. Drying time affected mushroom quality, evaluated by great hardness, gummosis and darkening.

Transiting exoplanets from the CoRoT space mission XII. CoRoT-12b: a short-period low-density planet transiting a solar analog star

We report the discovery by the CoRoT satellite of a new transiting giant planet in a 2.83 days orbit about a V = 15.5 solar analog star (M(*) = 1.08 +/- 0.08 M(circle dot), R(*) = 1.1 +/- 0.1 R(circle dot), T(eff) = 5675 +/- 80 K). This new planet, CoRoT-12b, has a mass of 0.92 +/- 0.07 M(Jup) and a radius of 1.44 +/- 0.13 R(Jup). Its low density can be explained by standard models for irradiated planets.

Interface roughness in short-period InGaAs/InP superlattices

Electron mobility was studied in lattice-matched short-period InGaAs/InP superlattices as a function of the width of the wells. The decreasing mobility with decreasing well width was shown to occur due to the interface roughness. The roughnesses of InGaAs/InP and GaAs/AlGaAs interfaces were compared. Much smoother InGaAs/InP interfaces resulted in higher electron mobility limited by interface roughness.

Manipulation of rest period length induces different causes of fatigue in vertical jumping

The aim of this study was to directly compare the causes of fatigue after a short- and a long-rest interval between consecutive stretch-shortening cycle exercises. Eleven healthy males jumped with different resting period lengths (short = 6.1 +/- 1 s, long = 8.6 +/- 0.9 s), performing countermovement jumps at 95% of their maximal jump height until they were unable to sustain the target height. After short- and long-rest, the maximal voluntary isometric contraction knee extension torque decreased (-7%; p = 0.04), comparing to values obtained before exercise protocols. No change was seen from pre- to post-exercise, for either short- or long-rest, in biceps femoris coactivation (-1%; p = 0.95), peak-to-peak amplitude (1%; p = 0.95) and duration (-8%; p = 0.92) of the compound muscle action potential of the vastus lateralis. Evoked peak twitch torque reduced after both exercise protocols (short = -26%, long = -32%; p = 0.003) indicating peripheral fatigue. However, central fatigue occurred only after short-rest evidenced by a reduction in voluntary activation of the quadriceps muscle (-14%; p = 0.013) measured using the interpolated twitch technique. In conclusion, after Stretch-shortening cycle exercise using short rest period length, the cause of fatigue was central and peripheral, while after using long rest period length, the cause of fatigue was peripheral.

The impact of a 17-day training period for an international championship on mucosal immune parameters in top-level basketball players and staff members

This investigation examined the impact of a 17-d training period (that included basketball-specific training, sprints, intermittent running exercises, and weight training, prior to an international championship competition) on salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA) levels in 10 subjects (athletes and staff members) from a national basketball team, as a biomarker for mucosal immune defence. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected at rest at the beginning of the preparation for the Pan American Games and 1 d before the first game. The recovery interval from the last bout of exercise was 4 h. The SIgA level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and expressed as absolute concentrations, secretion rate, and SIgA level relative to total protein. The decrease in SIgA levels following training was greater in athletes than in support staff; however, no significant differences between the two groups were detected. A decrease in SIgA level, regardless of the method used to express IgA results, was verified for athletes. Only one episode of upper respiratory tract illness symptoms was reported, and it was not associated with changes in SIgA levels. In summary, a situation of combined stress for an important championship was found to decrease the level of SIgA-mediated immune protection at the mucosal surface in team members, with greater changes observed in the athletes.

The influence of resting period length on jumping performance

Pereira, G, Almeida, AG, Rodacki, ALF, Ugrinowitsch, C, Fowler, NE, Kokubun, E. The influence of resting period length on jumping performance. J Strength Cond Res 22: 1259-1264, 2008-The purpose of this study was to determine a resting interval between countermovement jumps (i.e., volleyball spikes) that allows the maintenance of maximal jumping performance. Ten male volleyball players (1.85 +/- 0.05 m, 77.2 +/- 10.6 kg, 21.6 +/- 5.3 years) performed 6 experimental jumping sessions. In the first and sixth sessions, maximal countermovement jump height was measured, followed by submaximal countermovement jumps to the point of volitional fatigue. The number of countermovement jumps was used as a reference to test the effect of rest period between volleyball spikes. From the second to fifth experimental sessions, 30 maximal volleyball spikes were performed with different resting periods (i.e., 8, 14, 17, and 20 seconds) followed by countermovement jumps. Between the 15th and 30th spikes, the blood lactate concentration and heart rate were measured. Because the performance on the first and sixth sessions was the same, no training effects were noticed. During the 8-second resting interval set, the lactate concentration increased significantly between the 15th and 30th spikes (i.e., from 3.37 +/- 1.16 mmol to 4.94 +/- 1.49 mmol); the number of countermovement jumps decreased significantly after spikes compared to those performed without a previous effort (i.e., from 23 +/- 7 jumps to 17 +/- 9 jumps); and these variables were significantly correlated (r = -0.7). On the other hand, the lactate concentration and number of countermovement jumps were stable across the other resting intervals, without a heart rate steady state. The results indicate that an adequate resting period between spikes allowed participants to achieve a lactate steady state in which the performance was maintained during the exercise. These findings show that resting intervals between 14 and 17 seconds, typical during volleyball matches, are indicated to use in volleyball spike drills due to their capacity to maintain maximal jumping performance.