24 research outputs found
Characterization of the Flavor Profile of Bigeye Tuna Slices Treated by Cold Plasma Using E-Nose and GC-IMS
To avoid heat, treatment induces numerous physicochemical changes under severe conditions in the tuna, cold plasma (CP), as a non-thermal technology, possess objective potential on tuna processing. The effect of cold plasma on the volatile flavor compounds of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) sashimi has been evaluated using electronic nose (E-nose) and gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). GC–IMS results revealed a total of 33 volatile compounds in tuna slices. The effect of CP treatment on tuna flavor was not significant, furthermore CP could protect volatile freshness compounds such as 1-hexanol. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the E-nose and GC–IMS results could effectively differentiate the effect of storage to tuna sashimi. There was a high correlation between the E-nose and GC–IMS results, providing a theoretical basis for establishing the flavor fingerprint of tuna sashimi
Antibacterial mechanism of atmospheric cold plasma against Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas putida and its preservation application on in-packaged red shrimp paste
Characteristics of Speciation of Heavy Metals in Municipal Sewage Sludge of Guangzhou as Fertilizer
AbstractApplication of municipal sewage sludge to agricultural land especially in shallow soils, demands to validate the maximum amount of heavy metal, monitoring its effects on soil and on plants. The use of sewage sludge as a fertilizer and soil amendment has resulted in high concentrations of heavy metals in the soil and food limiting its use. Controlling the pollution of heavy metals is the key factor to realize the safe utilization of sewage sludge. In the present study, the heavy metal stabilizers were added to sludge contained in used plastic containers, through artificially watering or naturally rain falling, the nutrient components flowed out with leaching water and fertilized plants but the heavy metals retained in the sludge within container. The potential toxic risks from heavy metals of sludge depend on their chemical speciation. The contents of heavy metals in different treatments were analyzed and their speciation was determined. The pot experiments with plants (Zea mays and Laetuca satiuali) showed that the positive effects of the mixture of the sludge and K2SO4 on plant production and reduction of heavy metal contents in plants were significant. The BCR sequential extraction procedure was applied for measurement of heavy metals in the experimental sludge. The results showed that the concentrations of Zn were predominant in acid exchangeable and reducible fractions, and Cu was principally distributed in oxidizable fractions. Metals-bound sludge could be collected easily after treatment to prevent the secondary pollution, provided the heavy metals were fixed within the container and reduced obviously the leaching of heavy metals to soil
Flavor anomalies at the LHC and the R-parity violating supersymmetric model extended with vectorlike particles
In this paper, we consider a solution to explain the three discrepancies with the standard model (SM) predictions in flavor observables, i.e., anomalies in B -> K*mu(+)mu(-) and R-K = B(B -> K mu(+)mu(-))/B(B -> Ke(+)e(-)) at the LHCb and an excess in h -> mu tau at the CMS in the context of R-parity violating (RPV) supersymmetry. We demonstrate that these anomalies can be explained within a unified framework: the minimal supersymmetry model (MSSM) extended with 5 + (5) over bar vectorlike (VL) particles. The new trilinear RPV couplings involving VL particles in our model can solve the b -> s anomalies, and the mixing between the SM-like Higgs boson and the VL sneutrino can yield the extra h -> mu tau decay mode.SCI(E)[email protected]; [email protected]
Evaluation of corneal thickness using a Scheimpflug–Placido disk corneal analyzer and comparison with ultrasound pachymetry in eyes after laser in situ keratomileusis
PurposeTo evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of corneal thickness measurements in post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eyes using a rotating Scheimpflug camera combined with a Placido disk corneal topographer (Sirius) and compare the results with those of ultrasound (US) pachymetry.SettingEye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China.DesignComparative evaluation of a diagnostic test or technology.MethodsPatients were examined 3 times with the Scheimpflug–Placido topographer by 2 examiners. The central pupil corneal thickness (CTpupil), apical corneal thickness (CTapex), and thinnest corneal thickness (CTthinnest) were recorded. After noncontact examinations, US pachymetry was used to obtain the central corneal thickness (CCT).ResultsThe Scheimpflug–Placido topographer showed high intraoperator repeatability as indicated by a test–retest repeatability of less than 8.5 μm for CTpupil, CTapex, and CTthinnest, The coefficients of variation (CoV) were less than 0.7%, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was higher than 0.99. Excellent results were also obtained for interoperator reproducibility. All CoVs were less than 0.5%. The 95% limits of agreement between the Scheimpflug–Placido measurement and the US pachymetry measurements were narrow (−16.62 to 12.44 μm for CTpupil versus US pachymetry CCT; −17.49 to 12.16 μm for CTapex versus US pachymetry CCT; −18.59 to 10.90 μm for CTthinnest versus US pachymetry CCT).ConclusionsThe Scheimpflug–Placido topographer showed excellent intraoperator repeatability and interoperator reproducibility of CTpupil, CTapex, and CTthinnest measurements in post-LASIK eyes. The CCT measurements obtained using the device were in high agreement with those obtained by US pachymetry, suggesting that the 2 devices are interchangeable.Financial DisclosureNo author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned
Initial performance predicts improvements in computerized cognitive training: Evidence from a selective attention task
Effects of Rewilding Aquaculture Time on Nutritional Quality and Flavor Characteristics of Grass Carp (<i>Ctenopharyngodon idellus</i>)
Wild fish are preferred by consumers primarily for their superior sensorial qualities, including taste and texture. However, their limited availability often results in higher prices. Considering this, we explored the possibility of enhancing the quality of earthen pond aquaculture fish by transferring them to a near wild environment. This study investigated how rewilding time affects the physical properties, nutritional composition, and volatile profile of grass carp muscle. The results showed that compared to the 0M group, the crude protein content in grass carp muscle did not change significantly (p > 0.05) as the rewilding time increased to 6 months. Meanwhile, the significant increase in hardness and springiness (p < 0.05) indicated that the textural characteristics of muscle, which were key sensory and physical indices of muscle quality, were improved. Although the 6M group showed a 58.93% reduction in crude fat content compared to the 0M group, it retained the highest docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content. Sensory evaluation demonstrated that as the rewilding time increased, the fishy and grassy odors of the rewilding grass carp diminished. Furthermore, cluster heatmaps and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) revealed that cultured grass carp and rewilding grass carp at three time points exhibited differences in various indicators. The variable importance in projection (VIP) showed that volatile flavor compounds (acetone, propionaldehyde-D, 1-penten-3-ol) and hardness were key factors in distinguishing between them. Therefore, extending the rewilding time can potentially enhance the acceptability of cultured grass carp by improving the physical properties, nutritional quality, and volatile profile of the muscle. This approach may provide a new pathway for fish aquaculture
Ball-Milling-Modified Biochar with Additives Enhances Soil Cd Passivation, Increases Plant Growth and Restrains Cd Uptake by Chinese Cabbage
Biochar is a popular amendment in Cd polluted soil. However, the performance of bulk biochar is still less than satisfactory, so effective modification is very important to improve its capacity to adsorb Cd. In the present study, biochar derived from reed straw was modified by ball milling with the addition of either potassium hydroxide (KOH) alone (QK) or combined with attapulgite (QKA). Both batch experiments and pot cultivation were conducted to elucidate the adsorption mechanisms of Cd by modified biochar and their effects on Cd passivation and plant uptake in Cd polluted soil. The results showed that QK and QKA could provide higher pH values, and more oxygen-containing functional groups and minerals compared with bulk biochar (YC), promoting the complexation, ion exchange and precipitation of biochar to cadmium (Cd). The modified biochar was more inclined to multi-layer, non-ideal surface and chemical adsorption, which was an endothermic process. Compared to non-biochar addition (CK), the application of QK or QKA significantly promoted the values of pH, EC, CEC, available potassium and organic matter in soil. The addition of QK, QKA and YC decreased the availability of Cd by 22.61%, 22.32% and 14.16%, accompanied by the increase of residual Cd by 47.96%, 47.60% and 37.27%, respectively, indicating the more effective passivation of the modified biochar (QK and QKA). Compared to CK, biochar applications could significantly improve Chinese cabbage growth, and decrease Cd content in the aerial/edible part of plants by 42.97, 18.16 and 7.29%, respectively, for QK, QKA and YC. With the application of QK, Cd concentrations in the aerial/edible part of Chinese cabbage were reduced to 0.15 mg kg−1 (lower than 0.2 mg/kg, the leafy vegetables national safety standard). Generally, the performance of QK on the remediation effects and vegetable production was better than that of QKA, indicating the potential of QK for the remediation of Cd-contaminated soil and the safe production of vegetables
