Survival Analysis to Predict How Color Influences the Shelf Life of Strawberry Leather.

Color change of fruit-based products during storage is an important quality parameter to determine their shelf life. In this study, a combination of relative humidity (RH) and illumination was evaluated on the stability of strawberry leathers. Samples were conditioned at 25 °C, in chambers with RH of 22.5% and 52.3% and under two levels of illumination (no illumination and with a light-emitting diode (LED) illumination at 1010 lx). Samples were analyzed during storage by instrumental color measurements, total anthocyanin content, and consumers' acceptance/rejection of the product color. Current-status survival analysis was performed to estimate the sensory-based shelf-life of the strawberry leather. The chromatic parameters (a* and ΔE* values) and anthocyanin content changed with increasing storage time and RH, fitting a first-order fractional conversion model. Samples conditioned at the higher RH showed a higher reduction of a* values and anthocyanins losses when stored under LED illumination than those without illumination. The increase of RH resulted in a faster increase of the consumer rejection probability and a shorter shelf life of the strawberry leather. For 50% of consumers' rejection, the sensory shelf life of the strawberry leather equilibrated at 22.5% RH was estimated as at least 54 days, while it was reduced to approximately 2 days at 52.3% RH. The red chromatic parameter (a* value) strongly correlated to the percentage of consumer rejection in all storage conditions, suggesting that this analytical parameter can be useful as a predictor of strawberry leather's shelf life. Therefore, the results of this study show the applicability of an approach that integrates instrumental and sensory data to acquire faster information on color changes during the storage of strawberry leather and product shelf-life prediction.

Caracterización técnica y productiva del sistema bovino lechero de las ganaderías asociadas del Cantón Bolívar de la provincia de Manabí-Ecuador / Technical and productive characterization of the bovine dairy system of the associated livestock farms of the Bolivar canton of the province of Manabi-Ecuador

Resumen La presente investigación se basó en la caracterización técnica y productiva del sistema bovino lechero del cantón Bolívar (latitud: -0.841025 longitud: -80.1667) perteneciente a la provincia de Manabí, con el objetivo de realizar el levantamiento de información del estado actual del mismo. Para esto, se conoció el número total de socios activos en ASOGABO (Asociación de Ganaderos del Cantón Bolívar) y se realizó el cálculo de la muestra (10 socios), seguidamente se diseñó un cuestionario, una ficha (aplicada durante 7 días a la hora del ordeño) y se tomó como referencia una lista de verificación del MAGAP. Mediante aquellas herramientas se logró conocer que, en la mayoría de las fincas, la cantidad de leche obtenida es baja en relación a la región Sierra, así mismo, se estableció que finca, grupo genético y tiempo de lactancia influyen estadísticamente en la producción lechera. Por otra parte, se determinó que ninguna finca cumplía con los requisitos establecidos por las buenas prácticas pecuarias en la producción de leche, destacándose tres aspectos como los principales problemas (infraestructura, alimentación y manejo del ordeño).

Abstract This research was based on the technical and productive characterization of the dairy cattle system in the Bolívar canton (latitude: -0.841025 longitude: -80.1667) of the province of Manabí, in order to gather information on its current status. For this, the total number of active members of ASOGABO (Cattlemen's Association of Canton Bolivar) was known and the sample was calculated (10 members), then a questionnaire was designed, a card (applied during 7 days at milking time) and a MAGAP checklist was used as a reference. Using these tools, it was found that, in most of the farms, the amount of milk obtained is low in relation to the Sierra region, and it was also established that farm, genetic group and lactation time have a statistical influence on milk production. In addition, it was determined that none of the farms complied with the requirements established by good livestock practices for milk production, and three aspects were identified as the main problems (infrastructure, feeding and milking management).

Requerimientos de calidad en hemostasia: Variabilidad biológica versus estado actual de la metodología / Quality requirements in hemostasis: Biological variability versus the state of art / Requisitos de qualidade em hemostasia: Variabilidade Biológica versus o Estado atual da metodología

El objetivo del trabajo fue comparar los requerimientos de calidad (RC) de Variabilidad Biológica (VB) con el Estado Actual de la Metodología (EA) en ocho analitos de hemostasia. Se determinó el EA calculando el Coeficiente de Variación promedio ponderado (CVpp) de al menos 6 evaluaciones externas: RIQAS (ET1) y CAP (ET2). Los datos de Error Total aceptable (ETa) por VB mínimo (VBm) y deseable (VBd) se calcularon a partir de los CV intra e inter individuos reportados en www.westgard.com. Los datos obtenidos: Tiempo de Protrombina (TP segundos): ETVBm 7,9%, ETVBd 5,3%, ET1 19%, ET2 13%; Tiempo parcial de tromboplastina activada: (APTT segundos): ETVBm 6,7%, ETVBd 4,5%, ET1 23%, ET2 11%. INR: ETVBm 7,9%, ETVBd 5,3%, ET1 20%, ET2 16%; Fibrinógeno: ETVBm 20,4%, ETVBd13,6%, ET 10%, ET2 16%, FVIII: ETVBm13,3%, ETVBd 8,9%, ET1 30%, ET2 45%, FVII ETVBm16,1%, ETVBd 10,7%, ET1 31%, ET2 42%, Proteína C cromogénica (PCc) ETVBm 28%, ETVBd 18,7%, ET1 36%, ET2 25%; Proteína S libre (PSl ): ETVBm 31,1%, ETVBd 20,7%, ET1 18%, ET2 28%; Antitrombina cromogénica (ATc): ETVBm 12,5%, ETVBd 8,9%, ET1 18%, ET2 28%. Los únicos analitos que cumplen con el requerimiento de calidad de VBm o VBd son: fibrinógeno, PC y PS. Si bien cada laboratorio puede decidir las especificaciones de calidad que desea aplicar, la cuestión a debatir es: "cuál es el requerimiento de calidad deseable para la utilidad clínica de estos ensayos".

The aim of this work was to compare the quality requirements of biological variability (BV) with the state of the art (SA) in eight hemostasis analytes. SA was determined by calculating the weighted average coefficient of vari ation (CVwa) of at least 6 external evaluations: RIQAS (ET1) and CAP (ET2). Data acceptable total error (TEa) for minimum and desirable biological variability (VBm y VBd) was calculated from the coefficient of variation (CV) within-subject and between subject www.westgard.com reported. The following was the data : Prothrombin time ( PT second): ETVBm 7.9%, ETVBd 5.3%, ET1 19%, ET2 13%; Activated partial thromboplastin time (second APTT): ETVBm 6.7%, ETVBd 4.5%, ET1 23%, ET2 11%; INR: ETVBm 7.9%, ETVBd 5.3%, ET1 20%, ET2 16%; Fibrinogen: ETVBm 20.4% ETVBd 13.6% ET1 20%, ET2 16%, FVIII: ETVBm 13.3%, ETVBd 8.9%, ET1 30%, ET2 45% ; FVII: ETVBm 16.1%, ETVBd 10.7%, ET1 31%, ET2 42%; chromogenic Protein C (PCc): ETVBm 28%, ETVBd 18.7%, ET1 36%, ET2 25%; free Protein S (PSf ): ETVBm 31.1% ETVBd 20.7%, ET1 18%, ET2 28%; chromogenic Antithrombin (ATc): ETVBm 12.5%, ETVBd8.9%, ET1 18%, ET2 28%.The only analytes that meet the VBm or VBd quality requirement are fibrinogen, PC and PS. While each laboratory can decide the quality specifications it wants to apply, the issue to be discussed is: "what is the desirable quality requirement for clinical usefulness of these tests?"

O objetivo do trabalho foi comparar os requisitos de qualidade (RQ) de variabilidade biológica (VB) com o estado atual da metodologia (EA) em oito analitos de hemostasia. Foi determinada a EA através do cálculo do coeficiente de variação médio ponderado (CVmp) de pelo menos 6 avaliações externas: RIQAS (ET1) e CAP (ET2). Os dados de erro total admissível (ETa) para VB mínimo desejável (VBm) e (VBd) foram calculados a partir do CV intra e inter indivíduos reportados em www.westgard.com. Os dados obtidos: Tempo de Protrombina (TP segundos) ETVBm 7,9%, ETVBd 5,3%, ET1 19%, ET2 13% ; Tempo parcial de tromboplastina ativada (APTT segundos): ETVBm 6,7%, ETVBd 4,5%, ET1 23%, ET2 11%; INR: ETVBm 7,9%, ETVBd 5,3%, ET1 20%, ET2 16%; Fibrinogênio: ETVBm 20.4%, ETVBd 13,6%, ET1 20%, ET2 16%; FVIII: ETVBm 13,3%, ETVBd 8,9%, ET1 30%, ET2 45%; FVII: ETVBm 16,1%, ETVBd 10,7%, ET1 31%, ET2 42%; Proteína C cromogênica (PCc): ETVBm 28% ETVBd 18,7%, ET1: 36%, ET2: 25%; Proteína S livre (PSl ): ETVBm: 31,1%, ETVBd 20,7%, ET1: 18%, ET2: 28%; Antitrombina cromogênica (ATc): ETVBm12,5%, ETVBd 8.9%, ET1 18%, ET2 28%. Os únicos analitos que atendem o requisito de qualidade de VBm ou VBd são: fibrinogênio, PC e PS. Embora cada laboratório possa decidir as especificações de qualidade que deseja aplicar, a questão a ser discutida é "qual é o requisito de qualidade desejável para a utilidade clínica destes testes?".

Situación actual de la práctica profesional de la neuropsicología en México / Current state of professional Neuropsychological practice in Mexico

El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer las características de la práctica neuropsicológica en México, incluyendo la formación profesional, la situación laboral actual, el proceso de evaluación y diagnóstico, rehabilitación, docencia e investigación. Participaron 171 profesionales en México, quienes respondieron una encuesta electrónica entre el 1 de julio del 2013 y el 1 de enero del 2014. El 76% indicó haber obtenido su entrenamiento en neuropsicología durante el postgrado y, aunque indicaron estar muy satisfechos con su labor, su satisfacción con el salario fue menor. La mayoría trabajan con personas con problemas de aprendizaje (78%) y trastornos de atención e hiperactividad (74%). El 91% se dedica a evaluación y diagnóstico, 61% a rehabilitación, 67% a docencia y 60% a investigación. Los problemas más comunes fueron la falta de datos normativos (63%) y el alto coste de los test (58%). Las barreras más observadas en el desarrollo de la neuropsicología fueron la falta de colaboración entre los profesionales y la falta de programas de formación clínica. Durante las últimas décadas se han logrado importantes avances a nivel profesional en el campo de la neuropsicología en México. Sin embargo, aún quedan aspectos por mejorar como el establecimiento de criterios para la regulación de la práctica neuropsicológica en el país.

The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics of the profession of neuropsychology in Mexico, including the background, professional training, current work situation, evaluation and diagnosis procedures, rehabilitation, teaching, and research. 171 professionals from Mexico completed an online survey between July 1, 2013 and January 1 of 2014. 76% indicated having obtained their training in neuropsychology in a postgraduate program, also to be very satisfied with their jobs, but less satisfied with their salary. The majority works with individuals with learning difficulties (78%) and attention and hyperactivity disorder (74%). 91% works in evaluation and diagnosis, 61% in rehabilitation, 67% in teaching, and 60% in research. Some of the most common problems with the instruments were the lack of normative data (63%) and their high cost (58%). The most common barriers for the development of neuropsychology in Mexico were the lack of collaboration between professionals and the lack of clinical training programs. Even though there have been important progresses in the field of professional neuropsychological practice during the last past decades in Mexico, there are still some aspects to improve, like the establishment of standards for the regulation in the country.