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The presence of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms is a concern for the safety of apples. In the present study, we evaluated the hygienic status of electrolyzed water (EW)- or ozonated water (OW)-washed apples, which were stored over 2 weeks under the combination of 2 different temperatures (25 and 30°C) and 2 different relative humidity (RH) conditions (85 and 90%). The average numbers of bacteria or fungi from unwashed and washed apples (EW or OW) did not show statistically significant differences at storage for 0, 1, or 2 weeks and had an increased tendency as the storage temperature, RH, and period increased. Identification of fungal isolates from apples revealed 3 main genera (Fusarium sp., Trichoderma sp., and Alternaria sp.) together with 8 minor genera (Meyerozyma sp., Aspergillus sp., Glomerella sp., Neofusicoccum sp., Penicillium sp., Hypoxylon sp., Talaromyces sp., and Coprinellus sp.). Moreover, sensory tests using EW- or OW-washed apples showed that OW did not significantly affect 5 quality characteristics (appearance, taste, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability). Our data suggest that EW or OW washing did not significantly reduce the levels of microorganisms on apples relative to the unwashed and that EW or OW washing did not deteriorate the quality of washed apples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A radar altimeter (RA) is useful to improve autonomous functions such as landing guidance or navigation control of an aircraft. To ensure more precise and safer flights by aircraft, an interferometric RA (IRA) capable of measuring the angle of a target is required. However, the phase-comparison monopulse (PCM) technique used in IRAs has a problem in that an angular ambiguity arises with respect to a target with multiple reflection points, such as terrain. In this paper, we propose an altimetry method for IRAs that reduces the angular ambiguity by evaluating the quality of the phase. The altimetry method as introduced here is sequentially described based on synthetic aperture radar, a delay/Doppler radar altimeter, and PCM techniques. Finally, a phase quality evaluation method is proposed for use in the azimuth estimation process. Aircraft captive flight test results are presented and analyzed, and the validity of the proposed method is examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]