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Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science... Sep 2021Although tremendous efforts have been made to ensure fresh produce safety, various foodborne outbreaks and recalls occur annually. Most of the current intervention... (Review)
Review
Although tremendous efforts have been made to ensure fresh produce safety, various foodborne outbreaks and recalls occur annually. Most of the current intervention strategies are evaluated within a short timeframe (less than 1 h), leaving the behavior of the remaining pathogens unknown during subsequent storages. This review summarized outbreak and recall surveillance data from 2009 to 2018 obtained from government agencies in the United States to identify major safety concerns associated with fresh produce, discussed the postharvest handling of fresh produce and the limitations of current antimicrobial interventions, and reviewed the intervention strategies that have the potential to be applied in each storage stage at the commercial scale. One long-term (up to 12 months) prepacking storage (apples, pears, citrus among others) and three short-term (up to 3 months) postpacking storages were identified. During the prepacking storage, continuous application of gaseous ozone at low doses (≤1 ppm) is a feasible option. Proper concentration, adequate circulation, as well as excess gas destruction and ventilation systems are essential to commercial application. At the postpacking storage stages, continuous inhibition can be achieved through controlled release of gaseous chlorine dioxide in packaging, antimicrobial edible coatings, and biocontrol agents. During commercialization, factors that need to be taken into consideration include physicochemical properties of antimicrobials, impacts on fresh produce quality and sensory attributes, recontamination and cross-contamination, cost, and feasibility of large-scale production. To improve fresh produce safety and quality during storage, the collaboration between researchers and the fresh produce industry needs to be improved.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Food Microbiology; Malus; United States
PubMed: 34190395
DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12786 -
Critical Reviews in Food Science and... 2019As one of the essential parts in human diet, vegetables are important in health keeping and their consumption increases continuously. Due to their highly perishable... (Review)
Review
As one of the essential parts in human diet, vegetables are important in health keeping and their consumption increases continuously. Due to their highly perishable nature, the shelf life of fresh vegetables is considerably short, due to cellular respiration, microorganism, enzyme reaction, oxidation and so on. Therefore, short- and long-term storages of vegetables are required and various methods and technologies are applied for different commercial goals. For long-term storage, deep frozen storage is one of the most widespread used preservation methods for vegetables, as under temperatures low enough, the rate of most deteriorative reactions and microbial activities are significantly reduced. This review provides a critical comprehensive summary of long-term storage (≥6 months) vegetables under low temperatures (≤ -18 °C), and effects of the storage methods on various quality attributes of vegetables, such as texture, colour, contents of ascorbic acid, chlorophyll and carotenoids. Besides, the impacts of common pretreatments prior to freezing on the subsequent frozen storage are also briefly discussed. The current review shows that although some important biochemical attributes are more or less deteriorated and the quality loss of them is inevitable, a substantial portion of quality attributes appear to be stable during long-term deep frozen storage especially the physical parameters. Meanwhile, pretreatments prior to freezing, such as blanching process, also show significant influence on quality preservation in subsequent storage. Therefore long-term deep frozen storage can be applied as an effective storage method under proper conditions of pretreatments and storage.
Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Carotenoids; Chlorophyll; Color; Folic Acid; Food Handling; Food Microbiology; Food Preservation; Food Quality; Food Storage; Freezing; Hot Temperature; Hydrazines; Minerals; Time Factors; Vegetables
PubMed: 30595028
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2018.1496900 -
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach,... Jan 2023Polymer-based dielectrics have received intensive interest from academic community in the field of high-power energy storage owing to their superior flexibility and fast... (Review)
Review
Polymer-based dielectrics have received intensive interest from academic community in the field of high-power energy storage owing to their superior flexibility and fast charge-discharge ability. Recently, how to suppress the loss of polymer-based dielectrics has been increasingly recognized as a critical point to attain a high charge-discharge efficiency in the film capacitors. Some achievements are made in analyzing the source of loss and suppressing loss via Edison's trial and error method. In this review, the significance of suppressing loss in polymer-based dielectrics is firstly emphasized. Then, different sources of loss are discussed carefully and an in-depth analysis of the related measurements is presented. Next, recent research results in suppressing loss are summarized and discussed in detail according to different strategies. Finally, the challenges and opportunities in the loss suppression research for the rational design of high-efficiency polymer-based dielectrics are proposed.
PubMed: 35924412
DOI: 10.1002/adma.202203623 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2022Stress calculations are necessary to determine the feasibility and profitability of a heat storage tank's construction. The article presented normative methods of stress...
Stress calculations are necessary to determine the feasibility and profitability of a heat storage tank's construction. The article presented normative methods of stress calculations for a heat storage tank. Results were verified by finite element analysis. These stress calculations enabled us to determine wall and weld thickness. The calculations were made on the example of a tank with a nominal pressure of 10 bar. The work undertook an extensive analysis of the stresses occurring in a pressure tank, described the finite element method and showed examples of ways in which it could be used. During stress analysis, three types of materials were compared: carbon steel St0 (S185), stainless steel (304) and boiler steel (P 265 GH). A brief overview of types of thermal energy storages was also provided.
PubMed: 35268878
DOI: 10.3390/ma15051647 -
ChemSusChem Aug 2020The emerging generation of flexible energy storage devices has accelerated the research pace in terms of new materials, new processing techniques, and new designs that... (Review)
Review
The emerging generation of flexible energy storage devices has accelerated the research pace in terms of new materials, new processing techniques, and new designs that can meet the demands of mechanical stability upon bending or stretching at an acceptable cost, without compromising their electrochemical performance. Among the materials currently explored, biomass-derived materials have received extensive attention, because they are renewable, low in cost, earth-abundant and structurally diverse. This review is focused on fundamentals and applications of the bio-derived material bacterial cellulose (BC) in flexible electrochemical energy storage systems. Specifically, recent advances are summarized in the utilization of BC in stretchable substrates, carbonaceous species, and scaffolds for flexible core component construction. Finally, several perspectives related to BC-based materials for flexible electrochemical energy storages are proposed, aiming to provide possible future research directions in these fields.
PubMed: 32394542
DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202001019 -
Experimental & Applied Acarology Apr 2019Dwellings are increasingly well insulated to save energy and this leads to higher humidity and temperature, which improves conditions for mites. Dermatophagoides... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Dwellings are increasingly well insulated to save energy and this leads to higher humidity and temperature, which improves conditions for mites. Dermatophagoides antigens are the main allergens involved and tested in atopic asthma. We developed three new species-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) methods for house dust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae) and storages mites (Acarus siro, Glycyphagus domesticus, Lepidoglyphus destructor). We sampled dust with electrostatic dust collectors, in the bedrooms, under beds and in the kitchens of patients with allergies (n = 24) and healthy controls (n = 18). Mite quantification was carried out with the three new qPCRs and the qPCR previously described for the Dermatophagoides genus. The qPCRs were highly specific and efficient for house dust mite species and the storage mites. Storage mite concentrations were higher than house dust mite concentrations and were higher in dwellings of patients with allergies. Consequently, allergists should test more often patients against the storage mite antigens by prick tests or IgE serology. Dampness is a major factor in storage mite development and the presence of effective mechanical ventilation can reduce storage mite concentrations four-fold. In addition, to limit exposure to dust mites, treatments should be used throughout dwellings and not only in patients' bedrooms.
Topics: Acaridae; Animal Distribution; Animals; Dermatophagoides farinae; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; Dust; France; Housing; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Mites; Population Density; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 31093854
DOI: 10.1007/s10493-019-00376-2 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Jan 2020The intermittent nature of solar energy is a dominant factor in exploring well-designed thermal energy storages for consistent operation of solar thermal-powered vapor... (Review)
Review
The intermittent nature of solar energy is a dominant factor in exploring well-designed thermal energy storages for consistent operation of solar thermal-powered vapor absorption systems. Thermal energy storage acts as a buffer and moderator between solar thermal collectors and generators of absorption chillers and significantly improves the system performance. Vapor absorption chillers are available in half, single, double, and triple-effect modes of operation and operate at temperatures ranging from 75 to 220 °C to produce a cooling effect with COPs ranging from 0.3 to 1.8. Thus, the selection of appropriate solar collectors and thermal energy storages are two significant decisions affecting the consistency of output of a vapor absorption refrigeration system. The present review of state of the art is focused on the appropriate selection, from among different types of solar collectors available to meet the demand of capacity and degree of thermal energy required in operating absorption chillers at optimum performance. Characteristics of various thermal energy storage systems and their integration with solar thermal collectors and absorption chillers are also investigated to meet the demand for heat during non-sunshine hours or periods of low solar intensity. In the latter section, economic feasibility is explored so that a sustainable solar cooling system can be proposed which can work consistently with the best performance throughout its entire life.
Topics: Solar Energy; Temperature
PubMed: 31832966
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06941-x -
MethodsX 2023The study presents a new analytical model capable to reveal the thermal behaviour of all the components of the solar ammonia-water absorption system, powered by...
The study presents a new analytical model capable to reveal the thermal behaviour of all the components of the solar ammonia-water absorption system, powered by parabolic trough collectors, serving different types of food storages: refrigeration chamber, refrigerated food storage, freezing chamber and frozen food storage. The heat inputs, that determine the total cooling load, for each food storage spaces consist of: heat gains through walls, heat gains through ventilation (fresh air), heat that must be dissipated from the stored products (technological cooling load required to cool down the products) and heat gains through operation. The influence of the number of solar parabolic trough collectors and of the storage tank size on different parameters of the refrigeration plant are investigated under low and high storage temperatures.•Food cooling with solar absorption refrigeration system.•Hourly based variation of NH-HO solar absorption system performances.•Long term simulation of solar absorption cooling for refrigeration and cooling.
PubMed: 36691669
DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102013 -
Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal Mar 2022Replantation of fingers is highly complex and technically challenging. Surgeons are serious with their selection criteria as many factors are involved in determining...
Replantation of fingers is highly complex and technically challenging. Surgeons are serious with their selection criteria as many factors are involved in determining good surgical outcome. Improper storages of amputated parts are usually denied the option for replantation. We report a 42-year-old lady who was assaulted with a machete and presented with total amputation of left thumb. The amputated thumb was stored in a plastic bag directly on ice cubes which eventually melted; thumb immersed in water for two hours. On examination, the amputated thumb was neither macerated nor frozen. Replantation was attempted and was successful. There are limited reports on proper methods of storage of amputated fingers pertaining to daily practical scenario. Yet, it is a strict criterion for surgeons in attempting replantation. Direct contact of amputated fingers on ice and immersion in hypotonic solutions leads to irreversible tissue damage. In our case, two hours of unfavourable storage did not affect surgical outcome. In conclusion, clinical assessment of the amputated part is essential in deciding for replantation. Combination of direct contact with ice and immersion in hypotonic solution for two hours should not be a contraindication for replantation.
PubMed: 35519530
DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.2203.019 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Jun 2022Carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems, which is the basis of the global carbon cycle, reflects the changes in the environment due to anthropogenic impacts. Rapid and...
Carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems, which is the basis of the global carbon cycle, reflects the changes in the environment due to anthropogenic impacts. Rapid and effective assessment of the impact of urban expansion on carbon reserves is vital for the sustainable development of urban ecosystems. Previous studies on future scenario simulations lacked research regarding the driving factors of changes in carbon storages within urban expansion, and the economic value accounting for changes in carbon storages. Therefore, this study examined Wuhan, China, and explored the latent effects of urban expansion on terrestrial carbon storage by combining the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) and Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model. Based on different socioeconomic strategies, we developed three future scenarios, including Baseline Scenario (BS), Cropland Protection Scenario (CP) and Ecological protection Scenario (EP), to predict the urban built-up land use change from 2015 to 2035 in Wuhan and discussed the carbon storage impacts of urban expansion. The result shows that (1) Wuhan's urban built-up land area expanded 2.67 times between 1980 and 2015, which is approximately 685.17 km and is expected to continuously expand to 1349-1945.01 km by 2035. (2) Urban expansion in Wuhan has caused carbon storage loss by 5.12 × 10 t during 1980-2015 and will lead to carbon storage loss by 6.15 × 10 t, 4.7 × 10 t and 4.05 × 10 t under BS, CP, and EP scenarios from 2015 to 2035, accounting for 85.42%, 81.74%, and 78.79% of the total carbon loss, respectively. (3) The occupation of cropland by urban expansion is closely related to the road system expansion, which is the main driver of carbon storage reduction from 2015 to 2035. (4) We expect that by 2035, the districts facing carbon loss caused by the growth of urban built-up land will expand outward around secondary roads, and the scale of outward expansion under various scenarios will be ranked as BS > CP > EP. In combination, the InVEST and the PLUS model can assess the impact of urban expansion on carbon storage more efficiently and is conducive to carrying out urban planning and promoting a dynamic balance between urban economic development and human well-being.
Topics: Carbon; China; Cities; Conservation of Natural Resources; Ecosystem; Humans
PubMed: 35147879
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19146-6