Effect of drying temperature and storage time on the crispiness of homemade apple snacks

BACKGROUND

The apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) plays an important role in the trendy market of dried snacks because of its exceptional flavor and texture. In addition to the health benefits, there is also a general disposition to consume organic and do-it-yourself products.

RESULTS

Three different drying temperatures, 65, 75, and 85 °C, were tested using a commercial ventilated drying oven in 'Royal Gala' and 'Golden Delicious' cultivars. Physical changes, including texture, color, shrinkage ratio, and microstructure, were evaluated for the temperatures and cultivars considered. Based on the results, particularly in terms of shrinkage, hardness, and crispiness, a drying temperature of 75 °C was selected to perform texture profile analyses throughout the drying period. Storability conditions were evaluated to determine the best moment to maintain the physical properties of the dried snacks during storage. Considered the more important property related to consumer preferences, crispiness was followed with puncture tests.

CONCLUSION

The storage of apple chips, dried at the various temperatures, that must be performed in 5-10 min after removing from the drying oven, was assessed over the course of a month. Both the drying process and the subsequent storage proved effective in preserving the desired texture of the apple snacks, regardless of the specific cultivar or drying temperature used. Through this study, with a refined understanding of the changes occurring during the drying process and the optimization of storage conditions, we can confidently offer consumers the best combination of crispy and healthy snacks that meet their expectations. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Beautiful Strangers: Physical Evaluation of Strangers Is Influenced by Friendship Expectation

People tend to evaluate themselves as better than they actually are. Such enhanced positive evaluation occurs not only for the self but also for close others. We extend the exploration of enhanced evaluation of close others to that of strangers. We predict that when individuals consider becoming friends with a stranger, their preference for a pleasant physical experience will drive an enhanced evaluation of that person. In two experiments, participants who considered friendship with a stranger evaluated the stranger as looking, sounding, and smelling better than how control participants evaluated them. The amount of time participants expected to spend with the stranger predicted their evaluation (Studies 1-2). In a large-scale third study, using various target stimuli, we found that when participants have an interest in a friendship but then are unable to physically spend time together, the enhanced-evaluation effect is weaker compared with when they could spend time together.

Pre-participation physical evaluation in young athletes

The European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP) and the European Confederation of Primary Care Paediatricians (ECPCP) emphasize the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles within the pediatric population. Many health professionals have questions concerning adequate levels of physical activity for both the healthy pediatric population and for those who may have specific complications. Unfortunately, the academic literature that provides recommendations for participation in sport activities within the pediatric population that have been published during the last decade in Europe is limited and is mainly dedicated to specific illnesses or advanced athletes and not toward the general population. The aim of part 1 of the EAP and ECPCP position statement is to assist healthcare professionals in implementing the best management strategies for a pre-participation evaluation (PPE) for participation in sports for individual children and adolescents. In the absence of a uniform protocol, it is necessary to respect physician autonomy for choosing and implementing the most appropriate and familiar PPE screening strategy and to discuss the decisions made with young athletes and their families. This first part of the Position Statement concerning Sport Activities for Children and Adolescents is dedicated to healthy young athletes.

MBboard: Validity and Reliability of a New Tool Developed to Evaluate Specific Strength in Rock Climbers

In the present study, we analysed the validity and reliability of a new tool designed to assist the measurement of maximal upper-limb strength in rock climbers in a specific way, named MBboard. The MBboard consists of an artificial small climbing hold affixed to a wooden board, which is connected to any cable-motion strength equipment to determine the maximum dynamic strength (MBboard-1RM). Ten male rock climbers (Rock Climbing Group, RCG = 10) and ten physically active men (Control Group, CG = 10) performed, on three separate occasions, a familiarization session with procedures adopted during MBboard-1RM testing and two experimental trials (i.e., test and retest) to determine the construct validity and reliability of the MBboard during unilateral seated cable row exercise. In the first trial, the electromyographic activity (EMG) was recorded from the flexor digitorum superficialis. The self-reported climbing ability was also recorded. The RCG had superior performance (i.e. 37.5%) and EMG activity (i.e. 51%) in MBboard-1RM testing when compared with the CG (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the MBboard-1RM results and climbing ability (r > 0.72, p < 0.05). Intraclass correlation coefficient analysis revealed good reliability within trials (ICC > 0.79, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the MBboard is a valid and reliable tool to assess rock climbing-specific maximal strength. The validity of MBboard-1RM appears to be related to the finger flexor muscles activation, probably reflecting the specific adaptations resulting from long-term practice of this sport discipline.

Responsiveness of the Gait Domain of the Functional Evaluation Scale for Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

AIM

To determine the responsiveness of functional gait assessment of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

METHOD

A total of 160 films of 32 children (mean age: 9.5 ± 2.7) with DMD were scored by the gait domain of the Functional Evaluation Scale - DMD. Children were recorded every 3 months for 1 year (0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months). Responsiveness was analyzed by the effect sizes (ES) and standardized response means (SRM).

RESULTS

Responsiveness was low to moderate at the 3-month interval (ES 0.12 to 0.34; SRM 0.27 to 0.80); low to high at the 6-month interval (ES 0.36 to 0.72; SRM 0.37 to 1.10); moderate to high at the 9-month interval (ES 0.70 to 1.0; SRM 0.50 to 1.43), and it was high at the 12-month interval (ES 0.74 to 1.34; SRM 0.88 to 1.53).

CONCLUSION

Functional gait assessment of children with DMD was responsive since 3-month intervals. Responsiveness increased as reassessment intervals got longer. The highest responsiveness was observed when children were reevaluated after 12 months. The use of the gait domain of the Functional Evaluation Scale - DMD is recommended in 6- to 12-month intervals, which showed moderate to high responsiveness.

Comparison of physical examination performance of medical students trained by musculoskeletal versus non-musculoskeletal specialists

AIM

To compare the musculoskeletal (MSK) physical examination skills, knowledge acquisition and performance of first-year medical students trained by MSK specialist tutors to students trained by non-MSK specialist tutors, after a 6-week MSK physical examination tutorial program.

METHODS

Twenty-first year medical students took part in the study. They were recruited into two groups, according to their exposure to either an MSK specialist or a non-MSK specialist tutor during their 6-week MSK training block. Knowledge acquisition was measured via a pre- and post-training objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). We assessed students' self-belief and confidence levels regarding their newly acquired skills via a questionnaire. Independent t tests were used to examine mean group differences of OSCE scores and perceived level of confidence.

RESULTS

Both groups demonstrated a significant improvement (3.9 and 3.8 points, respectively, on an eight-point scale for shoulder assessment, P < 0.01, 3.3 and 3.5, respectively, on a five-point scale for spine assessment, P < 0.01) in OSCE scores compared to baseline after completing the 6-week MSK physical examination tutorial program. There was no between-group difference in the OSCE scores from pre- to post-training (P = 0.92 for shoulder, P = 0.66 for spine) or for perceived level of confidence in performing a basic MSK examination after training (P = 0.91).

CONCLUSION

Students exposed to MSK specialist tutors did not demonstrate increased skill levels or knowledge in the area of MSK physical examination compared to those receiving the same training under the supervision of non-MSK specialist tutors. Both student groups demonstrated improvement.

Reproducibility of an aerobic endurance test for nonexpert swimmers

Background:

This study aimed to verify the reproduction of an aerobic test to determine nonexpert swimmers’ resistance.

Methods:

The sample consisted of 24 male swimmers (age: 22.79 ± 3.90 years; weight: 74.72 ± 11.44 kg; height: 172.58 ± 4.99 cm; and fat percentage: 15.19% ± 3.21%), who swim for 1 hour three times a week. A new instrument was used in this study (a Progressive Swim Test): the swimmer wore an underwater MP3 player and increased their swimming speed on hearing a beep after every 25 meters. Each swimmer’s heart rate was recorded before the test (BHR) and again after the test (AHR). The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and the number of laps performed (NLP) were also recorded. The sample size was estimated using G*Power software (v 3.0.10; Franz Faul, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany). The descriptive values were expressed as mean and standard deviation. After confirming the normality of the data using both the Shapiro–Wilk and Levene tests, a paired t-test was performed to compare the data. The Pearson’s linear correlation (r) and intraclass coefficient correlation (ICC) tests were used to determine relative reproducibility. The standard error of measurement (SEM) and the coefficient of variation (CV) were used to determine absolute reproducibility. The limits of agreement and the bias of the absolute and relative values between days were determined by Bland–Altman plots. All values had a significance level of P < 0.05.

Results:

There were significant differences in AHR (P = 0.03) and NLP (P = 0.01) between the 2 days of testing. The obtained values were r > 0.50 and ICC > 0.66. The SEM had a variation of ±2% and the CV was <10%. Most cases were within the upper and lower limits of Bland–Altman plots, suggesting correlation of the results. The applicability of NLP showed greater robustness (r and ICC > 0.90; SEM < 1%; CV < 3%), indicating that the other variables can be used to predict incremental changes in the physiological condition of swimmers.

Conclusion:

The Progressive Swim Test for nonexpert swimmers produces comparable results for noncompetitive swimmers with a favorable degree of reproducibility, thus presenting possible applications for researching the physiological performance of nonexpert swimmers.

Preoperative medical evaluation: part 1: general principles and cardiovascular considerations

A thorough assessment of a patient's medical status is standard practice when dental care is provided. Although this is true for procedures performed under local anesthesia alone, the information gathered may be viewed somewhat differently if the dentist is planning to use sedation or general anesthesia as an adjunct to dental treatment. This article is the first of a 2-part sequence and will address general principles and cardiovascular considerations. A second article will address pulmonary, metabolic, and miscellaneous disorders.

Preoperative medical evaluation: part 2: pulmonary, endocrine, renal, and miscellaneous considerations

A thorough assessment of a patient's medical status is standard practice when dental care is provided. Although this is true for procedures performed under local anesthesia alone, the information gathered may be viewed somewhat differently if the dentist is planning to provide sedation or general anesthesia as an adjunct to dental treatment. This article, the second of a 2-part sequence on preoperative assessment, will address pulmonary and other noncardiovascular disorders.