Search

Highlights: [•] The absorption of nutrients depends on the composition of a food. [•] The bioaccessibility of compounds in cashew apple juice is higher than in the fibre. [•] Cashew apple is a natural source of minerals with high bioaccessiblity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A system structural analysis of a watershed was made. • The goal was improving integrated water resources management of the watershed. • A 'cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification' method was employed. • An enhanced to the method was proposed to analyze the system. • The key system variables were used to provide strategic and tactical guidance. Currently, many parts of the world are facing challenges resulting from poor water quality and water scarcity. To achieve water sustainability under this scenario, the main causes of water problems must be addressed while simultaneously dealing with their consequences. The development of a systemic perspective of water management is vital for facing such challenges. Integrated water resources management (IWRM) is one approach that analyzes water management from a systemic perspective, and structured systems analysis is a generalized and complementary approach that can facilitate the analysis of water management systems. The objective of this study was to perform a structural analysis of the water management system of the Nenetzingo River watershed (Mexico), with the goal of providing strategic and tactical guidance for the integrated water resources management of the watershed. Thus, in this study, a structural analytical method (cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification [MICMAC]) and a strategic planning perspective were employed. Modifications to the MICMAC method were necessary to comply with the objectives of the present study, leading to the proposal of an enhanced MICMAC method, denominated e -MICMAC. Overall, 49 variables were identified as relevant to the water management system of Nenetzingo, of which eight strongly influence the other variables and 10 are dependent on the dynamics of the system. In addition, nine variables serve as links between the influential and the dependent variables, while 18 variables were unable to be clearly characterized. Finally, three variables were excluded from the systems analysis without impact. Of the total variables, 22 were found to be essential to the system's dynamics and were considered key variables. These key variables were then used to provide strategic and tactical guidance for the IWRM of the study basin. In conclusion, the structural analysis approach enabled the structure of the studied system to be elucidated. The variables that constituted the system were determined in addition to their relationships of influence or dependence. Lastly, the complexity of the analysis was reduced through the determination of key variables. The present structural analysis represents an important tool for achieving the sustainability of water resources in the Nenetzingo watershed and can strengthen planning measures in both the short and the long term while facilitates the definition of scenarios for the implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • This paper gives an analysis of carnauba wax in foods and extending to the different extraction processes. • Chemical and physical characteristics, as well as safety aspects of wax are reviewed. • Utilization of waxes as microcapsulating and food processing agents are investigated. • The main component, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, that has various pharmacological activities, are overviewed. Abstract Carnauba wax is widely used in food, due to its physico-chemical characteristics with a predominance of esters and inert and stable components. Even with so many possibilities for the use of carnauba wax in food, there are still a large number of researchers around the world searching for new applications and a demand for new products with new technologies to improve existing ones. Recently, many parts of research which focus on the use of this wax in conservation and food processing have been carried out, some of which highlight the role of this wax in the microencapsulation of flavours, in preparing edible films and super hydrophobic and biodegradable packaging. This paper discusses the use of carnauba wax in food, including the extraction process of the wax, its chemical and physical characteristics, safety aspects, national and international law and permitted uses, along with the presentation of the main scientific research conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to experimentally examine the effects of content-based shared book reading instruction on the vocabulary development of Spanish-speaking preschool children who were learning English as a second language. Using shared book reading as the mode of instruction, 42 preschool teachers and 252 children from their classrooms were randomly assigned at the class level to either a highly specified content-related book reading intervention or a practice-as-usual shared book reading condition. Children were screened using the preLAS ® and were selected for the study based on their scores at the pre-functional and beginning level of English proficiency. Intervention teachers implemented the curricular intervention in small groups of 5–6 students, five days per week, for 20 min per session, for 18 weeks. Based on multilevel models, findings indicated significant effects of this intervention approach on proximal vocabulary outcomes with no significant effects on standardized vocabulary measures. Implications for practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the cycling technique of triathletes and cyclists on the basis of the cocontraction of selected muscles of the lower limbs and economy at different cadences. The economy (EC) and percent cocontraction from nine triathletes and eight cyclists were compared at 60, 75, 90 and 105rpm cadences. Tests were performed on two separate days. The maximal oxygen uptake was measured and the second ventilatory threshold (VO2VT) was estimated on the first day using a stationary bicycle. On the second day the four different cadences were tested at approximately 5% below the VO2VT. The EMG activity of the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF) and vastus lateralis (VL) was recorded and the EMG signal was normalized using the 60rpm dynamic contraction. The percent cocontractions were calculated from RF/BF and VL/BF muscles. The EC was also calculated. The results showed that cyclists were significantly more economic, indicating that they exerted more power with less VO2, and presented significantly lower percent cocontraction than triathletes (p <0.05). Thus, the results suggest that the cyclists had a better technique than the triathletes. The simultaneous use of the percent cocontraction and economy seems to be a good performance indicator for cyclists and triathletes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]