Effect of Meat Type, Animal Fatty Acid Composition, and Isothermal Temperature on the Viscoelastic Properties of Meat Batters.

Unlabelled: The aim of this research was to simultaneously study the effect of meat type (chicken breast and leg meat), animal fatty acid composition (selected pork backfats having a low and high degree of saturation, respectively), and isothermal temperature (50, 60, 70, and 80 °C) on the viscoelastic properties of meat batters during and after application of different time-temperature profiles. Gelation of meat proteins contributed most to the viscoelastic properties of meat batters during heating, whereas crystallization of the lipids especially contributed to the viscoelastic properties during the cooling phase. Although the meat type had little effect on the final viscoelastic properties of the meat product, the fatty acid composition had a clear impact on the melting peak area (and therefore solid fat content) of lard, and subsequently on the final viscoelastic properties of meat batters prepared with different types of fats, with higher G' (elastic modulus) values for the most saturated animal fat.

Influence of meat source, pH and production time on zinc protoporphyrin IX formation as natural colouring agent in nitrite-free dry fermented sausages.

Nitrite is commonly used in meat products due to its plural technological advantages. However, it is controversial because of its detrimental side effects on health. Within the context of nitrite reduction, zinc protoporphyrin IX (Zn(II)PPIX) formation in meat products as natural red colouring agent has been suggested.

Distributed, signal strength-based indoor localization algorithm for use in healthcare environments.

In current healthcare environments, a trend toward mobile and personalized interactions between people and nurse call systems is strongly noticeable. Therefore, it should be possible to locate patients at all times and in all places throughout the care facility. This paper aims at describing a method by which a mobile node can locate itself indoors, based on signal strength measurements and a minimal amount of yes/no decisions.

Approximate confidence and prediction intervals for least squares support vector regression.

Bias-corrected approximate 100(1-α)% pointwise and simultaneous confidence and prediction intervals for least squares support vector machines are proposed. A simple way of determining the bias without estimating higher order derivatives is formulated. A variance estimator is developed that works well in the homoscedastic and heteroscedastic case.

Statistical approach of assessing the reliability of glucose sensors: the GLYCENSIT procedure.

Background: In healthcare, patients with diabetes are instructed on how to apply intensified insulin therapy in an optimal manner. Tight blood glucose control is also performed on patients treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Different blood glucose meters and glucose monitoring systems (GMSs) are used to achieve this goal, and some may lack reliability.

Glycemic penalty index for adequately assessing and comparing different blood glucose control algorithms.

Introduction: Blood glucose (BG) control performed by intensive care unit (ICU) nurses is becoming standard practice for critically ill patients. New (semi-automated) 'BG control' algorithms (or 'insulin titration' algorithms) are under development, but these require stringent validation before they can replace the currently used algorithms. Existing methods for objectively comparing different insulin titration algorithms show weaknesses.

Predictive models for long term survival after premature rupture of membranes.

Premature rupture of the membranes complicates 30 to 40% of the preterm deliveries. The purpose of this study is to assess the outcome of preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (PPROM) before 26 weeks of gestation and to develop a predictive model for survival. We apply four statistical methods in order to construct a predictive model: Cox's proportional hazards model, logistic regression, least squares - support vector machines and generalized estimating equations.

A possible role of the cytochrome P450c17alpha gene (CYP17) polymorphism in the pathobiology of uterine leiomyomas from black South African women: a pilot study.

Background: To investigate the role of the CYP17 gene promoter polymorphism in the pathobiology of uterine leiomyomas in African and Caucasian women.

Methods: During a 6-month period, 145 Caucasian and black South African women undergoing hysterectomy were included prospectively. Blood samples were obtained for DNA analysis.

Ultrasound assessment of endometrial thickness and endometrial polyps in women on hormonal replacement therapy.

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the thickness and the sonographic features of the endometrium in postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Study Design: This prospective study was based on 483 vaginal ultrasound examinations performed in 238 consecutive postmenopausal women on HRT.

Results: Endometrial polyps were diagnosed by ultrasound in 16.