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Journal of Food Protection Aug 2016During site visits of veal processors, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) has reported processing deficiencies that likely...
During site visits of veal processors, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) has reported processing deficiencies that likely contribute to increased levels of veal contamination. Here, we report the results of measuring aerobic plate count bacteria (APC), Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms (CF), and Escherichia coli during eight sample collections at five veal processors to assess contamination during the harvest of bob veal and formula-fed veal before (n = 5 plants) and after (n = 3 plants) changes to interventions and processing practices. Hides of veal calves at each plant had mean log CFU/100 cm(2) APC, Enterobacteriaceae, CF, and E. coli of 6.02 to 8.07, 2.95 to 5.24, 3.28 to 5.83, and 3.08 to 5.59, respectively. Preintervention carcasses had mean log CFU/100 cm(2) APC, Enterobacteriaceae, CF, and E. coli of 3.08 to 5.22, 1.16 to 3.47, 0.21 to 3.06, and -0.07 to 3.10, respectively, before and 2.72 to 4.50, 0.99 to 2.76, 0.69 to 2.26, and 0.33 to 2.12, respectively, after changes were made to improve sanitary dressing procedures. Final veal carcasses had mean log CFU/100 cm(2) APC, Enterobacteriaceae, CF, and E. coli of 0.36 to 2.84, -0.21 to 1.59, -0.23 to 1.59, and -0.38 to 1.45 before and 0.44 to 2.64, -0.16 to 1.33, -0.42 to 1.20, and 0.48 to 1.09 after changes were made to improve carcass-directed interventions. Whereas the improved dressing procedures resulted in improved carcass cleanliness, the changes to carcass-directed interventions were less successful, and veal processors are urged to use techniques that ensure uniform and consistent delivery of antimicrobials to carcasses. Analysis of results comparing bob veal to formula-fed veal found bob veal hides, preintervention carcasses, and final carcasses to have increased (P < 0.05) APC, Enterobacteriaceae, CF, and E. coli (with the exception of hide Enterobacteriaceae; P > 0.05) relative to formula fed veal. When both veal categories were harvested at the same plant on the same day, similar results were observed. Since identification by FSIS, the control of contamination during veal processing has started to improve, but challenges still persist.
Topics: Abattoirs; Animals; Cattle; Colony Count, Microbial; Enterobacteriaceae; Escherichia coli; Food Contamination; Food Handling; Food Microbiology; Meat
PubMed: 27497121
DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-15-572 -
International Journal of Food Science 2022Cashew (), a crop projecting Ghana internationally beside cocoa, is usually cultivated for its nut, for both local and international markets. The cashew apple is...
Cashew (), a crop projecting Ghana internationally beside cocoa, is usually cultivated for its nut, for both local and international markets. The cashew apple is underutilized in many African countries. This study is aimed at determining the knowledge, perception, and utilization of cashew apples in Ghana among stakeholders in the cashew value chain. Results from the study showed that the cashew industry consisted of farmers (89.1%), nut buyers (6.8%), extension officers (3.5%), and processors (0.6%) with uneven distribution of males (66.2%) and females (33.8%). Cashew apple utilization was low (<10%), though 84.37% had in-depth knowledge on the health benefits and value-added products made from the apples. Cashew apple is mainly utilized as fresh fruits or juice, with minor uses as an ingredient in food preparation, animal feed formulation, and production of mushroom, weedicide, ethanol, and manure. The cashew apple processors identified high cost of processing equipment, perishability of apples, lack of capital, market, technical know-how, and government support as challenges. Based on these findings, education of the stakeholders on value addition or processing of the apples at household and industrial levels and provision of stimulus packages to private processors are recommended to maximize cashew apple utilization in Ghana.
PubMed: 35036424
DOI: 10.1155/2022/2749234 -
ACS Nano Mar 2022Machine learning and signal processing on the edge are poised to influence our everyday lives with devices that will learn and infer from data generated by smart sensors...
Machine learning and signal processing on the edge are poised to influence our everyday lives with devices that will learn and infer from data generated by smart sensors and other devices for the Internet of Things. The next leap toward ubiquitous electronics requires increased energy efficiency of processors for specialized data-driven applications. Here, we show how an in-memory processor fabricated using a two-dimensional materials platform can potentially outperform its silicon counterparts in both standard and nontraditional Von Neumann architectures for artificial neural networks. We have fabricated a flash memory array with a two-dimensional channel using wafer-scale MoS. Simulations and experiments show that the device can be scaled down to sub-micrometer channel length without any significant impact on its memory performance and that in simulation a reasonable memory window still exists at sub-50 nm channel lengths. Each device conductance in our circuit can be tuned with a 4-bit precision by closed-loop programming. Using our physical circuit, we demonstrate seven-segment digit display classification with a 91.5% accuracy with training performed and transferred from a host. Further simulations project that at a system level, the large memory arrays can perform AlexNet classification with an upper limit of 50 000 TOpS/W, potentially outperforming neural network integrated circuits based on double-poly CMOS technology.
PubMed: 35167265
DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c07065 -
Frontiers in Bioengineering and... 2022Urine is an attractive biospecimen for diagnostics, and urine-based lateral flow assays are low-cost devices suitable for point-of-care testing, particularly in...
Urine is an attractive biospecimen for diagnostics, and urine-based lateral flow assays are low-cost devices suitable for point-of-care testing, particularly in low-resource settings. However, some of the lateral flow assays exhibit limited diagnostic utility because the urinary biomarker concentration is significantly lower than the assay detection limit, which compromises the sensitivity. To address the challenge, we developed an osmotic processor that statically and spontaneously concentrated biomarkers. The specimen in the device interfaces with the aqueous polymer solution via a dialysis membrane. The polymer solution induces an osmotic pressure difference that extracts water from the specimen, while the membrane retains the biomarkers. The evaluation demonstrated that osmosis induced by various water-soluble polymers efficiently extracted water from the specimens, ca. 5-15 ml/h. The osmotic processor concentrated the specimens to improve the lateral flow assays' detection limits for the model analytes-human chorionic gonadotropin and SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. After the treatment via the osmotic processor, the lateral flow assays detected the corresponding biomarkers in the concentrated specimens. The test band intensities of the assays with the concentrated specimens were very similar to the reference assays with 100-fold concentrations. The mass spectrometry analysis estimated the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein concentration increased ca. 200-fold after the osmosis. With its simplicity and flexibility, this device demonstrates a great potential to be utilized in conjunction with the existing lateral flow assays for enabling highly sensitive detection of dilute target analytes in urine.
PubMed: 35721843
DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.884271 -
Otology & Neurotology : Official... Dec 2021To investigate how higher maximum force output (MFO) in bone anchored hearing systems (BAHS) affects perceived benefit and the subjective experience of sound as well as... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
To investigate how higher maximum force output (MFO) in bone anchored hearing systems (BAHS) affects perceived benefit and the subjective experience of sound as well as hearing outcomes in subjects with mixed hearing loss.
STUDY DESIGN
Prospective single-center, randomized crossover design (A-B-A) with within-subject control design.
PATIENTS
The study included 19 experienced BAHS users with mixed hearing loss in the fitting range of a standard BAHS.
INTERVENTIONS
The study evaluated two sound processors with differing MFOs and sizes-Device A: standard sound processor with a lower MFO and Device B: superpower sound processor with a higher MFO.
OUTCOME MEASURES
Speech recognition in noise at different signal to noise ratios, aided thresholds, and questionnaires.
RESULTS
Speech recognition test showed significant improvements using Device B compared with Device A at both 78 dB SPL (mean difference: 9%) and 75 dB SPL (mean difference: 12%) (p < 0.05). Moreover, speech, spatial and qualities of hearing scale (SSQ12-C) showed a significantly greater perceived benefit with Device B concerning spatial abilities (mean: 0.5-0.6) (p < 0.05). At the conclusion of the study, 58% of participants chose to keep Device A for further use. The main reasons for this were the size of the sound processor and a more comfortable sound experience.
CONCLUSIONS
A BAHS sound processor with a higher MFO leads to improved speech-in-noise performance in loud/noisy listening situations and is perceived as significantly better to process spatial information in daily listening situations. However, the relation between cosmetics and performance is not straightforward, and several factors seem to affect the selection process of BAHS.
Topics: Cross-Over Studies; Hearing; Hearing Aids; Humans; Prospective Studies; Speech Perception
PubMed: 34538851
DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000003331 -
Audiology Research Jan 2023The present study aims to investigate the usage and benefits of cochlear implants (CIs) in elderly patients aged ≥85 years, including their device-handling issues,...
The present study aims to investigate the usage and benefits of cochlear implants (CIs) in elderly patients aged ≥85 years, including their device-handling issues, follow-ups, and the influence on their well-being. The patients answered one questionnaire regarding quality of life, EQ5D-3L, and one questionnaire, obtained from the Swedish CI quality register, regarding usage, handling, satisfaction, remaining difficulties, etc. The medical records were searched for the implantation date, implant model, speech processor model, monosyllabic (MS) word scores, infections over the implant, and compliance regarding scheduled visits to the clinic. The results show that most elderly patients are satisfied full-time users of their implants. Even though most patients had no problems handling their CI, handling issues must be considered. Recurring guidance and training on device operation are needed. We suggest that follow-up visits are essentially needed for this group of patients on a regular basis. CI surgery is considered a safe treatment, even for the elderly. Upgrads to new external equipment (e.g., sound processors) should not be excluded because of their age. The results suggested that the CI positively affected their well-being. This study was approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (5/10-2021, Dnr: 2021-04970).
PubMed: 36825948
DOI: 10.3390/audiolres13010010 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2022Tomato is one of the most important horticultural species all over the world, having high level of consumption and employing many people, both in the primary sector...
Tomato is one of the most important horticultural species all over the world, having high level of consumption and employing many people, both in the primary sector (farmers) and in the secondary sector (traders, seed companies and processors). Nowadays, the use of commercial tomato F1 hybrids tends to prevail because of high yield potential and homogeneity of fruits which are often characterized by lack of quality and sensory characteristics. In contrast, tomato landraces have outstanding quality traits, such as high concentration of antioxidants and organoleptic compounds, as well as often include desirable genes in their genome for adaptability, plasticity, response to low-input conditions, and high fruit nutritional value. Thus, they are appropriate material in the use of sustainable agricultural management systems or as gene donors for the development of new type of tomato cultivars suitable for low-input farming systems. The present experimental study refers to 22 Greek tomato landraces and two commercial cultivars (cv. Macedonia and the F1 hybrid Formula) used as controls, which were characterized by phenotypical markers and evaluated under low-input sustainable farming conditions. Specifically, during this research, measurements were taken regarding yield potential (early production, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, total yield) and fruit quality traits, such as physicochemical characteristics (pH, acidity, and soluble solid components - Brix) also according to nutritional value (content of ascorbic acid, lycopene, total carotenoids, and total phenolics) of tomato fruits. In the most promising landraces (cv. Milo Chalkidiki, cv. Eratiras, cv. Lotos, cv. Aspros lotos, cv. Pantaroza, cv. Karabola and cv. Kardia Vodiou), having comparable yield and fruit quality traits with commercial cultivars, intrapopulation "Pure line selection" method, under low-input farming conditions was applied for two years. Following this approach, we succeed to determine the level of yield potential and provide information for the nutritive value and utilization of typical tomato landraces, improving their yield and fruit quality traits, following a mild intrapopulation selection under low-input farming conditions. This data pipeline is expected to be of interest for organic farmers and processors of high nutritive tomato products, with low carbon footprint for the environment.
PubMed: 36578333
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.994530 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2022The ever-increasing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) systems is underlining a significant requirement for new, AI-optimised hardware. Neuromorphic (brain-like)...
The ever-increasing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) systems is underlining a significant requirement for new, AI-optimised hardware. Neuromorphic (brain-like) processors are one highly-promising solution, with photonic-enabled realizations receiving increasing attention. Among these, approaches based upon vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) are attracting interest given their favourable attributes and mature technology. Here, we demonstrate a hardware-friendly neuromorphic photonic spike processor, using a single VCSEL, for all-optical image edge-feature detection. This exploits the ability of a VCSEL-based photonic neuron to integrate temporally-encoded pixel data at high speed; and fire fast (100 ps-long) optical spikes upon detecting desired image features. Furthermore, the photonic system is combined with a software-implemented spiking neural network yielding a full platform for complex image classification tasks. This work therefore highlights the potential of VCSEL-based platforms for novel, ultrafast, all-optical neuromorphic processors interfacing with current computation and communication systems for use in future light-enabled AI and computer vision functionalities.
Topics: Artificial Intelligence; Neural Networks, Computer; Neurons; Optics and Photonics; Photons
PubMed: 35318356
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08703-1 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2022The last decade has seen significant advances in power optimization for IoT sensors. The conventional wisdom considers that if we reduce the power consumption of each...
The last decade has seen significant advances in power optimization for IoT sensors. The conventional wisdom considers that if we reduce the power consumption of each component (e.g., processor, radio) into μW-level of power, the IoT sensors could achieve overall ultra-low power consumption. However, we show that this conventional wisdom is overturned, as bus communication can take significant power for exchanging data between each component. In this paper, we analyze the power efficiency of bus communication and ask whether it is possible to reduce the power consumption for bus communication. We observe that existing bus architectures in mainstream IoT devices can be classified into either push-pull or open-drain architecture. push-pull only adapts to unidirectional communication, whereas open-drain inherently fits for bidirectional communication which benefits simplifying bus topology and reducing hardware costs. However, open-drain consumes more power than push-pull due to the high leakage current consumption while communicating on the bus. We present , a novel approach introducing low power to the open-drain based buses by reducing the leakage current created on the bus. We instantiate on I2C bus and evaluate it with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) sensors. The results show a 76.9% improvement in power efficiency in I2C communication.
PubMed: 35459059
DOI: 10.3390/s22083074 -
Bioinformatics (Oxford, England) Feb 2019General-purpose processors can now contain many dozens of processor cores and support hundreds of simultaneous threads of execution. To make best use of these threads,...
MOTIVATION
General-purpose processors can now contain many dozens of processor cores and support hundreds of simultaneous threads of execution. To make best use of these threads, genomics software must contend with new and subtle computer architecture issues. We discuss some of these and propose methods for improving thread scaling in tools that analyze each read independently, such as read aligners.
RESULTS
We implement these methods in new versions of Bowtie, Bowtie 2 and HISAT. We greatly improve thread scaling in many scenarios, including on the recent Intel Xeon Phi architecture. We also highlight how bottlenecks are exacerbated by variable-record-length file formats like FASTQ and suggest changes that enable superior scaling.
AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION
Experiments for this study: https://github.com/BenLangmead/bowtie-scaling.
BOWTIE
http://bowtie-bio.sourceforge.net.
BOWTIE 2
http://bowtie-bio.sourceforge.net/bowtie2.
HISAT
http://www.ccb.jhu.edu/software/hisat.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Topics: Algorithms; Computer Systems; Genomics; Software
PubMed: 30020410
DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/bty648