Quality Index

Aroma is considered as a quality index of olive products. Fermented olives aroma compounds are present both in the fruit matrix and in brine medium. The partition of aroma compounds between fruit matrix and brine medium is deeply different for the two and depends on several factors such as carbon chain length and/or branching, number of polar groups, sodium salt concentration, temperature, etc. In this work, an investigation on volatile compounds quali-quantitative partition in fruit matrix and in brine medium of Greek-style Carolea and Nocellara del Belice table olives has been assessed. Volatile compounds have been extracted by using headspace method for olive fruit and by solvent extraction and distillation for brine medium. Twenty-three volatile compounds in fruit matrix and fifteen aroma molecules in brine medium have been identified by Gas Chromatography and GC/Mass Spectrometry. Results showed that most volatile organic compounds had a major affinity for the fruit matrix depending both on the chemical characteristics of the molecules (chain length and branching, polar or no polar groups, etc.) and on the "salting out" effect due to high NaCl concentration of the brine, which brought aroma compounds to hydrophobic phase of the olive fruit. Industrial relevance: The study could be potentially helpful to develop analytical methods in order to estimate the quail-quantitative composition during the fermentation process. So that it would be possible to implement automatic analytical procedures in the currently used plants for the industrial production for table olives. Furthermore, this study allow us to identify off-flavours formed by anomalous fermentation process, in order to reveal them (both in the fruit and in the brine) in premature times (just in small traces), so to obtain the fermentation process recovery.

A formação de mudas florestais de boa qualidade morfofisiológica envolve os processos de germinação de sementes, que por sua vez é dependente de potencialidades genéticas. Algumas ações no tratamento prévio de sementes podem auxiliar na germinação. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a germinação de sementes e qualidade inicial de mudas de jabuticabeira sob diferentes tratamentos prégerminativos: T1 -sementes completamente limpas; T2 -sementes oxidadas com o fruto macerado; T3 -sementes com polpa; e T4 -semeadura do fruto com semente. O experimento foi conduzido durante o período de outubro de 2007 a agosto de 2008. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Realizou-se a avaliação da percentagem de germinação aos 40, 60 e 90 dias da semeadura, e o cálculo do índice de velocidade de emergência realizado ao final do período. Aos 306 dias após a semeadura foram avaliados os parâmetros morfológicos das mudas, suas relações e o índice de qualidade de Dickson para mudas. Comprovouse que as sementes completamente limpas (T1) ou com endocarpo aderido (T3) foram os tratamentos prévios mais eficazes para os processos de germinação e qualidade da muda formada. Palavras-chave: Jabuticaba; frutífera nativa; propagação sexuada; produção de mudas.

We present a systematic algorithm capable of searching for optimal colors for any lightness L * (between 0 and 100), any illuminant (D65, F2, F7, F11, etc.), and any light source reported by CIE. Color solids are graphed in some color spaces (CIELAB, SVF, DIN99d, and CIECAM02) by horizontal (constant lightness) and transversal (constant hue angle) sections. Color solids plotted in DIN99d and CIECAM02 color spaces look more spherical or homogeneous than the ones plotted in CIELAB and SVF color spaces. Depending on the spectrum of the light source or illuminant, the shape of its color solid and its content (variety of distinguishable colors, with or without color correspondence) change drastically, particularly with sources whose spectrum is discontinuous and/or very peaked, with correlated color temperature lower than 5500 K. This could be used to propose an absolute colorimetric quality index for light sources comparing the volumes of their gamuts, in a uniform color space.

The paper couples the results obtained by applying the expert and the rapid Macrophyte Quality Indices set up to assess the ecological status of the Italian transitional environments according to the requirements by the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/CE). The indices were validated by comparing the composition of the macrophyte assemblages and the values of some bio-physico-chemical parameters of the water column of 20 stations of the Venice lagoon sampled monthly for one year between 2003 and 2005. In 5 stations out of the 20, the ones which fall within the 5 classes of ecological status suggested by the Water Framework Directive, sedimentation rates, sediment grain-size, and nutrient and pollutant (metals, Polychloro-Dibenzo-Dioxins/Furans, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenils) concentrations in surface sediments were also determined. Results showed strong relationships between the trends of these environmental parameters and the composition and structure of macrophyte associations, as well as with the Macrophyte Quality Index assessment. Chlorophyceae showed a trend opposite to Rhodophyceae whose presence was concentrated in oxygenated and transparent environments. Chlorophyceae and the species characterised by low scores prevailed in turbid areas where nutrient and pollutant concentrations were high. Results allowed the identification of the conditions of the ''reference sites'' (confinement areas and sites with high water renewal) and the integration of the dichotomic key used for the application of the R-MaQI.

Coke is central to blast furnace operation, but because it is the most expensive raw material used, there is continuing pressure to minimize its use. Consequently, it has become increasingly pertinent to measure and predict the factors affecting coke performance more accurately. Coke performance is affected both by its properties and blast furnace operation. Recently, the importance of the minerals in coke in determining its performance in the blast furnace has been recognized. Minerals in coke influence its reaction with gas, metal and slag phases. This paper reviews coke behavior in an operating blast furnace with the main emphasis being on the role of its inherent mineral matter. Various techniques including advanced approaches such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) have been used to identify and quantify coke minerals. Fundamental studies based on bench-scale reactors have highlighted the role of various mineral phases on the kinetics of gasification, hot-metal carburization and slag reactions. Because coke reaction rates are influenced by the constituent mineral phases differently, conventional ash analysis is not sufficient to determine the true impact of coke minerals on coke reactivity. The dominant catalytic phases of coke minerals can be identified and related to coke gasification with CO 2 at low temperatures. The kinetics of hot-metal carburization by coke and its temperature dependence is influenced by the melting behavior of minerals. Coke-slag reaction rates are largely influenced by total mineral matter content as well as composition. Coke changes its properties during descent through an experimental blast furnace (EBF) and some of these changes are presented. The increase in the ordering of the carbon in the coke as it descends the EBF can be related to increases in coke ordering in a bench-scale reactor, indicating that order in a particular coke may serve as a thermometer of its maximum exposure temperature. Moreover, coke fines emissions are influenced by the extent of graphitization in industrial blast furnaces. In contrast, coke reactivity in an operating blast furnace is influenced by recirculating alkalis as well as inherent mineral matter. Mineral phases of industrial cokes were found to be changed after CO 2 gasification with increasing reaction temperatures. Coke quality needs in current and emerging blast furnace process innovations are discussed to highlight that existing tests are not sufficient. A comprehensive coke quality index is required, particularly one that incorporates the heterogeneity of coke minerals, in order to make a reliable assessment of the impact of cokes on iron-making reactions. r

Bread quality index was established using the instrumental analysis of bread parameters 12 that influence the consumers' acceptability. The instrumental methods that describe 13 bread appearance, structure and texture have been chosen in order to enable the 14 identification and quantification of main discrepancies of wheat bread produced by 15 different processes such as fully baked frozen bread (FBF), partially baked frozen (PBF) 16 and bread from unfermented frozen dough (UFD) in comparison to bread baked 17 conventionally (CON). The quality index was calculated as a sum of grouped linearly 18 normalized variables multiplied by group factor of significance and relatively to the 19 CON bread. The significant linear correlation was established between instrumental and 20 descriptive sensory analysis of bread appearance (r=0.966), crumb structure (r=0.731), 21 crust appearance (r=0.691) and texture (r=0.664). The presented quality index could be 22 very useful for bread producers when innovative production processes are applied.

Dosimetric evaluations of single and multiple liver tumours performed using intensity-modulated helical tomotherapy (HT) were quantitatively investigated. Step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SaS-IMRT) was used as a benchmark. Sixteen patients separated into two groups with primary hepatocellular carcinomas or metastatic liver tumours previously treated using SaS-IMRT were examined and re-planned by HT. The dosimetric indices used included the conformity index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI) for the planned target volume (PTV), max/mean dose, quality index (QI), normal tissue complication probability (NTCP), V(30 Gy), and V(50%) for the specified organs at risk (OARs). The monitor units per fraction (MU/fr) and delivery time were also analysed. For the single tumour group, both planning systems satisfied the required PTV prescription, but no statistical significance was shown by the indexes checking. A shorter delivery time and lower MU/fr value were achieved by the SaS-...

Quality changes of whole, iced gilthead sea bream were monitored by sensory evaluation, k 1 value, GR Torrymeter, and bacterial counts. The methods were tested for their suitability to determine freshness quality and remaining storage life in ice. Depending on the measured parameter, post-mortem age of the iced fish could be predicted with an accuracy of AE 1.5-3.6 days. Although assessment of cooked fish flavour is the underlying basis for establishing the state of the fish, the quality index method can be more effective for routine freshness evaluations. The k 1 value provides a useful means of monitoring early storage change, resulting primarily from autolytic reactions. Counts of sulphide-producing bacteria can be used to determine the time to rejection, while total counts at 20 C are only poor measures of freshness quality. The GR Torrymeter offers a unique practical tool for assessing freshness quality and remaining storage life of iced gilthead sea bream. #

Objective: To develop an index that assesses the degree of adherence to existing diet-lifestyle recommendations for preschoolers (Preschoolers Diet-Lifestyle Index (PDL-Index)) and to investigate its association with obesity. Design: The PDL-Index was constructed using eleven components (i.e. questions regarding the frequency of consumption of selected foods/food groups, time spent on television watching and on moderate-to-vigorous physical activities). Setting: Scores from 0 to 4 were assigned to all components of the index. The PDL-Index total score ranged from 0 to 44. Higher values of the PDL-Index indicate greater adherence to dietary and lifestyle recommendations for preschoolers or otherwise greater adherence to healthier dietary-lifestyle patterns. Subjects: As a validation procedure, a sample of 2287 preschoolers from Greece (GENESIS study) was used. Results: The participants following healthier diet-lifestyle patterns (third tertile of PDL-Index) were less likely to be obese or overweight/obese compared to those following unhealthy diet-lifestyle patterns (first tertile of PDL-Index). It was observed that a 1/44 unit increase in the score of the PDL-Index was associated with approximately 5 % and 3 % lower odds of being obese and overweight/ obese, respectively. Statistically significant results were observed after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusions: The suggested PDL-Index could help public health policy makers in identifying vulnerable population subgroups and developing cost-effective, targeted intervention actions both in family and preschool settings. In addition, health-care professionals can use the PDL-Index to evaluate diet quality, lifestyle and risk for overweight/obesity at an individual level and counsel parents accordingly.