bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF BARREL TEMPERATURE ON REHYDRATION KINETICS OF DIRECT‐EXPANDED TEF FLOUR BREAKFAST CEREAL
Authors: SOLOMON W.K. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT The effect of barrel temperature (110, 130 and 150C) on the rehydration kinetics of tef flour extrudates was investigated. Rehydration was conducted in distilled water for 300–420 min using a constant‐temperature water bath at 25C (±1C). Water absorption rate was high at the early stages (60–90 min) of hydration, decreased subsequently and finally approached an equilibrium. Three models, namely, Peleg's equation, first‐order kinetic and normalized Weibull model, were fitted to the rehydration data. The three models described the rehydration characteristics adequately (R2 = 0.95–0.99). The water absorption rate and equilibrium moisture content were found to be barrel temperature‐dependent (P < 0.05). Extrudates processed at a barrel temperature of 150C exhibited a high water absorption rate, followed by those extruded at 130 and 110C, respectively. The equilibrium moisture content of extrudates processed at 150 and 130C was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those extruded at 110C. In view of the values of the shape parameter βof the normalized Weibull model, the mechanism of water absorption appeared to be by diffusion for extrudates processed at 130C (β = 0.67), whereas in extrudates processed at 110 (β = 0.89) and 150C (β = 1.03), external resistance to mass transfer and relaxation phenomena, respectively, were found to be the water absorption mechanisms. In comparison, the normalized Weibull model described the rehydration characteristics relatively better, resulting in smaller RMSE value.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSSome extruded food products, like breakfast cereals, are consumed after being rehydrated (e.g., in milk). The rehydration characteristics, in turn, are influenced by the extrusion operating conditions. Fast rehydration without much change in the crispiness is a required attribute of breakfast cereals. Describing and modeling the kinetics of moisture uptake as a function of the operating conditions could lead to a better understanding and control over the mechanisms underlying the sorption process and the ability of the product to rehydrate. Such information is vital in process and quality optimization.
CLARIFICATION OF WATERMELON (CITRULLUS LANATUS) JUICE BY MICROFILTRATION
Authors: CHHAYA Ch. , RAI P. , MAJUMDAR G.C. , DASGUPTA S. , DE S. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT Microfiltration of watermelon juice was conducted using stirred membrane cell in continuous mode. The experiments were conducted at operating pressures of 136.5, 204.7 and 276 kPa, and stirring speeds 1,200 rpm (Re = 1.40 × 105), 1,400 rpm (Re = 1.63 × 105) and 1,600 rpm (Re = 1.87 × 105). Permeate flux decline was analyzed using a first‐order kinetic model, and correlations were developed for the steady‐state polarized layer resistance with the operating conditions, e.g., transmembrane pressure difference, Reynolds number and membrane resistance. The permeate flux was calculated based on the developed correlation, and found to be in good agreement with the actual experimental flux. The change in quality parameters of clarified juice was marginal compared to that of original juice.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe application of membrane technology is one of the emerging areas in food industry. The major application includes fruit juice clarification and concentration. Because of the nonthermal nature of membrane separation, the juice can be clarified at room temperature and packed aseptically for a longer shelf life without the loss of its initial quality parameters. The major problem during clarification is decline in permeate flux of fruit juice with time. Identification of causes for flux decline is essential for designing of membrane modules to make the clarification process commercially viable. The quality of juice during storage is vital, and therefore, determination of variation of its physicochemical properties during storage is also important.
EFFICACY OF INFRARED HEAT TREATMENT FOR INACTIVATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS IN MILK
Authors: KRISHNAMURTHY KATHIRAVAN , JUN SOOJIN , IRUDAYARAJ JOSEPH , DEMIRCI ALI 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT The efficacy of infrared (IR) heating for inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus, a pathogenic microorganism, in milk was studied to investigate the potential of this technology for milk processing. S. aureus population was reduced from 0.10 to 8.41 log10 cfu/mL, depending upon the treatment conditions. The effects of IR lamp temperatures (536 and 619C), volumes of treated milk samples (3, 5 and 7 mL) and treatment times (1, 2 and 4 min) on the lethality of targeted microbes were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). Complete inactivation of S. aureus was obtained in two cases within 4 min at a 619C lamp temperature, resulting in 8.41 log10 cfu/mL reduction. Enrichment resulted in growth as some of the injured cells were able to repair. Further investigation of IR heating for longer treatment times (>4 min) indicated that there was no growth observed following the enrichment in most cases for treatment at the lamp temperature of 619C. The results demonstrated that IR heating has a potential for effective inactivation of S. aureus in milk.To ensure the sterility efficacy, the heating patterns of milk samples under IR radiation were simulated using computational fluid dynamics codes in three dimensions with user‐defined functions for radiative internal energy source terms. The predicted temperature values were in good agreement with the experimental data with the maximum prediction error of 5.2C. Further optimization of the process parameters, i.e., temperature and heating time, using the developed model is expected to ensure that even underprocessed food components will receive desirable doses of lethality, which can result in a commercially successful milk pasteurization method.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSInfrared (IR) heating has been used in the food industry as a heating or drying method because of several advantages such as minimal deterioration in food quality, faster heating and higher energy efficiency. IR heating can effectively inactivate pathogenic microorganisms in dairy products compared with conventional heating. IR heating cannot only effectively inactivate pathogenic microorganisms in dairy foods, but also preserve the quality. Furthermore, IR heating is found to be cost effective as it can reduce the energy consumption up to 44% for various food products compared with conventional heating. Results from this study could provide a basis for the application of IR heat treatment for dairy food processing. Further investigation on sensory and quality changes during IR heating can shed light on the efficacy of this process and may provide a potential novel pasteurization method for the dairy industry.
INFLUENCE OF A BLANCHING PRETREATMENT ON COLOR, OIL UPTAKE AND WATER ACTIVITY OF POTATO STICKS, AND ITS OPTIMIZATION
Authors: REIS FELIPE RICHTER , MASSON MARIA LUCIA , WASZCZYNSKYJ NINA 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to study the influence of different blanching conditions on potato stick color, oil uptake and water activity (Aw ), and optimize the process by means of the desirability function. Color was expressed as properties of L*a*b*and L*C*h*spaces, some of which were fitted by Box–Behnken quadratic models. The blanching optimum conditions were as follows: a concentration of ascorbic acid of 0.2 g/100 g potato, a time of 5.5 min and a temperature of 69C. Responses obtained when using these conditions were −1.68 a*value and −86.31° h*value, which represent a hue in potatoes unaffected by the enzymatic browning. Regarding oil uptake, some of the blanched sticks absorbed 31% less oil than the control. Regarding Aw, all blanched samples presented lower values than the control, suggesting that blanching increases the shelf life of fried potatoes.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis article presents that the optimized blanching process conditions were able to control the enzymatic browning in potato sticks prior to frying, and thus improved their quality. Furthermore, some blanching conditions were found to decrease by 31% the oil uptake in potato sticks, leading to healthier fried potatoes. Finally, blanching significantly decreased the Aw in all fried potato sticks evaluated, suggesting that this process is also a way to increase the shelf life of fried potatoes.
Digital Photography as a Tool to Measure School Cafeteria Consumption
Authors: Swanson Mark 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTBackground: Assessing actual consumption of school cafeteria meals presents challenges, given recall problems of children, the cost of direct observation, and the time constraints in the school cafeteria setting. This study assesses the use of digital photography as a technique to measure what elementary‐aged students select and actually consume from school cafeteria meals.Methods: Before and after still digital photographs were taken of labeled trays for every lunch served to elementary students over 4 lunch periods. Two analysts visually estimated the amount of each item consumed from every tray, and those estimates were compared to evaluate interrater reliability.Results: Collection of photographic data was rapid and did not disrupt the busy elementary cafeteria setting. Analysts’ estimates of consumption levels of meal components (main and side dishes) were within 10% of each other in 92% of the cases. Only 0.2% of items could not be analyzed due to children playing with food or otherwise obstructed photographs.Conclusions: Digital photography offers researchers and school food service personnel a highly accurate and cost‐effective tool to measure actual consumption of school cafeteria meals. Data collected through this method can be evaluated by simple counts of servings of produce or other food groups or by more detailed analyses of nutritional composition.
Implications of excessive water withdrawals to the environment of Northern Cyprus
Authors: Elkiran Gozen , Ongul Zehra 
Published: July 2008

AbstractNorthern Cyprus (NC) is at the cutting edge of complete salinization of freshwater resources. In spite of some precautions taken to reduce seawater intrusion of the groundwater resources, the contamination had increased up to brackish water attribute in the coastal aquifers. The Integrated Water Resources Planning and Management (IWRM) system was introduced as a powerful tool in order to identify water consumption in the country. To perform the future forecast, it is necessary to determine the water needs at the present time; thus, this research analysed the present and historical water budget of the country under normal and drought conditions. The calculations were extended to future forecasting of water needs considering different scenarios for the country. The results obtained were grouped into monthly, sector wise and regional consumptions. The water extractions are linked to the available water amounts, and the water deficiencies in the aquifers were revealed. A rough economical analysis of new water resources was also performed. Conclusions and recommendations are provided to guide scientists, engineers and stakeholders for the future studies and evaluations.
Rural–Urban Analyses of Health‐Related Quality of Life Among People With Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Buchanan Robert J. , Zhu Li , Schiffer Randolph , Radin Dagmar , James Wesley 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT:
Context:

Health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) is a multi‐dimensional construct including aspects of life quality or function that are affected by physical health and symptoms, psychosocial factors, and psychiatric conditions. HRQOL gives a broader measure of the burden of disease than physical impairment or disability levels.

Purpose:

To identify factors associated with HRQOL among people with multiple sclerosis (MS) utilizing the SF‐8 Health Survey. Methods: Data presented in this study were collected in a survey of 1,518 people with MS living in all 50 states. The survey sample was randomly selected from the database of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, using ZIP codes to recruit the survey sample. A multiple linear regression model was employed to analyze the survey data, with the Physical Component Summary and the Mental Component Summary of the SF‐8 the dependent variables. Independent variables were demographic characteristics, MS‐disease characteristics, and health services utilized. Findings: People with MS in rural areas tended to report lower physically related HRQOL. Worsening MS symptoms were associated with reduced physical and mental dimensions of HRQOL. In addition, people with MS who received a diagnosis of depression tended to have reduced physical and mental dimensions of HRQOL. Receiving MS care at an MS clinic was associated with better physically related HRQOL, while having a neurologist as principal care physician was associated with better mental‐related HRQOL. Conclusion: The challenge is to increase the access that people living with MS in rural areas have to MS‐focused specialty care.
Access to Specialty Health Care for Rural American Indians in Two States
Authors: Baldwin Laura‐Mae , Hollow Walter B. , Casey Susan , Hart L. Gary , Larson Eric H. , Moore Kelly , Lewis Ervin , Andrilla C. Holly A. , Grossman David C. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT:
Context:

The Indian Health Service (IHS), whose per capita expenditure for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) health services is about half that of the US civilian population, is the only source of health care funding for many rural AI/ANs. Specialty services, largely funded through contracts with outside practitioners, may be limited by low IHS funding levels. Purpose: To examine specialty service access among rural Indian populations in two states. Methods: A 31‐item mail survey addressing perceived access to specialty physicians, barriers to access, and access to non‐physician clinical services was sent to 106 primary care providers in rural Indian health clinics in Montana and New Mexico (overall response rate 60.4%) and 95 primary care providers in rural non‐Indian clinics within 25 miles of the Indian clinics (overall response rate 57.9%). Findings: Substantial proportions of rural Indian clinic providers in both states reported fair or poor non‐emergent specialty service access for their patients. Montana's rural Indian clinic providers reported poorer patient access to specialty care than rural non‐Indian clinic providers, while New Mexico's rural Indian and non‐Indian providers reported comparable access. Indian clinic providers in both states most frequently cited financial barriers to specialty care. Indian clinic providers reported better access to most non‐physician services than non‐Indian clinic providers. Conclusions: Reported limitations in specialty care access for rural Indian clinic patients appear to be influenced by financial constraints. Health care systems factors may play a role in perceived differences in specialty access between rural Indian and non‐Indian clinic patients.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Risk Behaviors Among California Farmworkers: Results From a Population‐Based Survey
Authors: Brammeier Monique , Chow Joan M. , Samuel Michael C. , Organista Kurt C. , Miller Jamie , Bolan Gail 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT:
Context:

The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and associated risk behaviors among California farmworkers is not well described. Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and associated risk behaviors among California farmworkers. Methods: Cross‐sectional analysis of population‐based survey data from 6 California agricultural regions was performed for participants tested for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhea (GC), and syphilis, and who completed an interviewer‐administered behavioral risk factor survey. Findings: Among the 403 males and 234 females examined and interviewed, males (29.3%) were more likely than females (9.6%) to have had 2 or more sex partners in the past 5 years. Forty‐two percent of males ever had sex with a commercial sex worker; unmarried males were more likely than married males to report sex with a commercial sex worker in the past 2 years. Twelve percent of males and 5% of females reported ever having had an STD. Most participants did not report any methods to protect against STDs. Of 192 males and 178 females tested for CT, 3 males and no females were positive. No cases of GC were found. Of 387 males and 194 females tested for syphilis, 4 males and 1 female had positive rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) results. Conclusions: In this population‐based survey among agricultural workers, there was low STD prevalence but high prevalence of sexual risk behaviors, particularly among males.
Depression and Poverty Among Rural Women: A Relationship of Social Causation or Social Selection?
Authors: Simmons Leigh A. , Braun Bonnie , Charnigo Richard , Havens Jennifer R. , Wright David W. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT:
Context and Purpose:

Depression among rural women is a major public health concern. The purpose of this study was to test the competing theories of social causation and social selection to assess the relationship between depression and economic status for a sample of rural, low‐income women in the United States. Methods: Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data from Rural Families Speak, a US Department of Agriculture‐funded multi‐state, longitudinal study of rural low‐income families (N = 413). Findings: Results indicated that the social causation theory yielded a better approximation of the relationship between economic status and depression (RMSEA = 0.50 for a model based on this theory) than the social selection theory (RMSEA = 0.067). Conclusions: The association between lesser economic status and depressive symptoms is pressing in rural areas, given the high prevalence of both depression and poverty. These findings further emphasize the need for improved mental health services in this vulnerable population.
Fruit and Vegetable Dietary Behavior in Response to a Low‐Intensity Dietary Intervention: The Rural Physician Cancer Prevention Project
Authors: Carcaise‐Edinboro Patricia , McClish Donna , Kracen Amanda C. , Bowen Deborah , Fries Elizabeth 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT:
Context:

Increased fruit and vegetable intake can reduce cancer risk. Information from this study contributes to research exploring health disparities in high‐risk dietary behavior. Purpose: Changes in fruit and vegetable behavior were evaluated to assess the effects of a low‐intensity, physician‐endorsed dietary intervention in a rural population. Methods: The study was a randomized trial of 754 patients from 3 physician practices in rural Virginia. Low‐literacy nutrition education materials and personalized dietary feedback were administered by mail and telephone. Mixed model analysis of variance was used to determine the effect of the intervention on fruit and vegetable intake behavior, knowledge, intentions, and self‐efficacy at 1, 6, and 12 months. Findings: The intervention effect was moderated by age, race, sex, and education. Intake at 1 and 6 months was increased for older and younger participants and those with some college, and further maintained at 12 months by those who did not complete high school. African Americans in the intervention group displayed significantly greater intentions to increase fruit/vegetable intake than whites/others. Knowledge of fruit/vegetable recommendations significantly increased in the intervention group at 12 months, particularly for men. Conclusions: For the rural population, a low‐intensity physician‐endorsed self‐help dietary intervention was successful in initiating fruit and vegetable dietary changes at 1 and 6 months post‐intervention, and increasing intentions to change in African Americans. The relationship of the moderating effects of age, race, sex and education need to be further explored in relation to dietary intervention and dietary behavior change for the rural population.
Ethics Committees in the Rural Midwest: Exploring the Impact of HIPAA
Authors: Having Karen M. , Hale Dena , Lautar Charla J. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT:
Context:

Confidentiality of personal health information is an ethical principle and a legislated mandate; however, the impact of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) on ethics committees ethics committees is limited. Purpose: This study investigates the prevalence, activity, and composition of ethics committees located in rural central and southern Illinois. Additionally, the impact of the HIPAA Officer serving on the committee is reported. Methods: Surveys were mailed to the “Administrator or Ethics Committee Chairperson” at rural Illinois hospitals and skilled care facilities. Survey items included committee composition and perception of HIPAA‐related involvement. Findings: Over one third (36.7%) of the facilities reported having formal ethics committees. Hospitals were more likely (79.3%) to have ethics committees than skilled nursing facilities (20.7%). Ethics committee members usually include an administrator, nurse, and physician. The smaller the facility (based on number of beds), the more likely it was to have a HIPAA Officer on the committee. Committees with a HIPAA Officer were more likely to be involved in monitoring and/or remediation of HIPAA privacy and security violations. Most respondents, however, did not feel the committee should be involved in these issues. Conclusions: Although the sample size is too small to generalize, HIPAA does seem to have an effect on the issues discussed by ethics committees. Furthermore, ethics committees that include a HIPAA Officer in the membership report increased committee involvement in HIPAA related issues.
Promoting Regional Disaster Preparedness Among Rural Hospitals
Authors: Edwards Janine C. , Kang JungEun , Silenas Rasa 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT:
Context and Purpose:

Rural communities face substantial risks of natural disasters but rural hospitals face multiple obstacles to preparedness. The objective was to create and implement a simple and effective training and planning exercise to assist individual rural hospitals to improve disaster preparedness, as well as to enhance regional collaboration among these hospitals. Methods: The exercise was offered to rural hospitals enrolled with the Rural and Community Health Institute of the Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, and 17 participated. A 3‐hour tabletop exercise emphasizing regional issues in a pandemic avian influenza scenario followed by a 1‐hour debriefing was implemented in 3 geographic clusters of hospitals. Trained emergency preparedness evaluators documented observations of the exercise on a standard form. Participants were debriefed after the exercise and provided written feedback. Results: Observations included having insufficient staff for incident command, facility constraints, the need to further develop regional cooperation, and operational and ethical challenges in a pandemic. Conclusions: The tabletop exercise gave evidence of being a simple and acceptable tool for rural medical planners. It lends itself well to improving medical preparedness, analysis of weak spots, development of regional teamwork, and rapid response.