Crisp Index Research Articles

A comprehensive study on fuzzy and crisp graph indices: generalized formulae, proximity and accuracy analysis

<abstract><p>This article presents a set of generalized $ \wp $-dependent formulae for fuzzy and crisp versions of various graph indices, including the first and second Zagreb indices, harmonic index and Randic index. These formulae are applied to the identity graph of the commutative ring $ Z_{\wp} $, and the resulting indices are calculated by using MATLAB software for 20 prime numbers. The generated data were applied for machine learning by using Python and Jupyter notebook to investigate the relationship between fuzzy and crisp indices. The article also includes the relationship between fuzzy and crisp indices in the form of six-degree polynomials and an error analysis.</p></abstract>

Active Bionanocomposite Coating Quality Assessments of Some Cucumber Properties with Some Diverse Applications during Storage Condition by Chitosan, Nano Titanium Oxide Crystals, and Sodium Tripolyphosphate

Cucumbers have a short shelf-life of about 14 days, they are perishable due to the high moisture content. This study aimed to study the effects of nano-coating material such as titanium nanoparticles and chitosan with the addition of sodium tripolyphosphate as a crosslinker to enhance cucumber quality during storage. Some essential physical, chemical, and biological parameters were determined. CH-Nano-ST (chitosan/nano titanium oxide crystals/sodium tripolyphosphate) retained the maximum greenness, −7.99, compared to CH-Nano samples, which recorded −7.31. CH-Nano (chitosan/nano titanium oxide crystals) remained the lightest, 44.38, and CH-Nano-ST was a little darker (43.73) compared to the others treatments. The discoloration was extra severe with control (22.30), which started to spoil after the end of the first week. After 21 days of the storage period at 10 °C, the reducing sugars content reduced to reach −0.64 g/100 g and −0.21 g/100 g for CH-Nano and CH-Nano-ST treatments, respectively. The CH-Nano-ST treatment presented a lower value of toughness, followed by CH-Nano at the end of the storage period. Moreover, the highest crispness index was detected for CH-Nano (5.12%), while CH-Nano-ST treatment had a slight decline to reach 4.92%. The biological results indicated that CH-Nano-ST treatment can be applied to delay the microbial contamination of Salmonella spp. in cucumbers as it reached 0.94 log CFU/g, while the CH-Nano treatment reached 1.09 log CFU/g, at the end of the storage period. In summary, nano-coating treatments with the addition of sodium tripolyphosphate can be applied to regulator postharvest quality measurements of the biological activities in cucumbers during storage at 10 °C until 21 days.

The association between fine particulate matter exposure and anxiety in US-based cohort Nurses’ Health Study II

BACKGROUND AND AIM: A growing body of evidence has connected air pollution exposure to anxiety outcomes, but existing studies have only been cross-sectional. Previous studies have found associations of varying magnitude between both short- and long-term fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and anxiety outcomes. Here, we focus on short-term exposure. We examined the association between one-month average PM2.5 exposure and high anxiety symptoms in a prospective nationwide US-based cohort study. METHODS: We included 58,615 participants of the Nurses’ Health Study II (NHSII) who had complete outcome and covariate data in the analysis. Anxiety symptoms (Crown Crisp Index (CCI) phobic anxiety subscale) were measured via questionnaires administered in 1993 and 2005. CCI score was dichotomized at a clinically relevant cutoff (CCI ≥ 6). We used spatiotemporal prediction models to estimate monthly levels of PM2.5 exposure at each participant’s residential address at the time of each questionnaire. We used generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression models to estimate multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS:A total of 6610 participants met the clinical cutoff for anxiety in 1993, and 6727 in 2005. The average one-month PM2.5 exposure level in 1993 was 15.8 μg/m3 and in 2005 was 14.3 μg/m3. After adjusting for individual and neighborhood-level sociodemographic factors, the odds ratio for clinically relevant anxiety symptoms associated with each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure was 1.07 (1.02, 1.07). CONCLUSIONS:In this prospective cohort of US women, we observed increased odds of phobic anxiety in association with an increase in PM2.5 exposure. Our results support the findings from cross-sectional studies indicating that air pollution exposure may be related to adverse mental health outcomes. KEYWORDS: air pollution, short-term exposure, particulate matter, mental health outcomes

Quantitative trait locus analysis of cucumber fruit texture using double‐digest restriction‐site‐associated DNA sequencing

Fruit firmness and crispness are important traits of cucumber because they directly affect its commercial value. We performed quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of these fruit texture traits with the double-digest restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-Seq) technique and detected 31 QTLs for fruit firmness: 11 for placenta firmness, 12 for skin firmness, and 8 for flesh firmness; and 25 QTLs for crispness-related scores: 10 for flesh crispness index, 8 for flesh apparent fractal dimension by Richardson plot, and 7 for flesh apparent fractal dimension by box-counting (Kolmogorov’s dimension). Several QTLs associated with flesh firmness and crispness are located near regions for fruit length, diameter, and length-to-diameter ratio, and for resistance to powdery mildew and downy mildew, indicating that gene linkage is likely to limit breeding efficiency. Our results will contribute to the development of informative DNA markers closely linked to genes for desirable fruit texture traits that are required for effective selection of new cultivars.

Glucose Prediction under Variable-Length Time-Stamped Daily Events: A Seasonal Stochastic Local Modeling Framework.

Accurate glucose prediction along a long-enough time horizon is a key component for technology to improve type 1 diabetes treatment. Subjects with diabetes might benefit from supervision and control systems that accurately predict risks and trigger corrective actions early enough with improved mitigation. However, large intra-patient variability poses big challenges to glucose prediction. In previous works by the authors, clustering and local modeling techniques with seasonal stochastic models proved to be efficient, allowing for good glucose prediction accuracy for long prediction horizons. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data were partitioned into fixed-length postprandial time subseries and clustered with Fuzzy C-Means to collect similar behaviors, enforcing seasonality at each cluster after subseries concatenation. Then, seasonal stochastic models were identified for each cluster and local predictions were integrated into a global prediction. However, free-living conditions do not support the fixed-length partition of CGM data since daily events duration is variable. In this work, a new algorithm is provided to overcome this constraint, allowing better coping with patient’s variability under variable-length time-stamped daily events in supervision and control applications. Besides predicted glucose, two real-time indices are additionally provided—a crispness index, indicating good representation of current glucose behavior by a single model, and a normality index, allowing for the detection of an abnormal glucose behavior (unusual according to registered historical data). The framework is tested in a proof-of-concept in silico study with ten patients over four month training data and two independent two month validation datasets, with and without abnormal behaviors, from the distribution version of the UVA/Padova simulator extended with diverse sources of intra-patient variability.

Instrumental Evaluation of Flesh Texture in Apple Cultivars

We used instruments to analyze the texture of compressed samples obtained from the equatorial portion of apples cut in radial and tangential directions. The flesh firmness evaluation of apples using a penetrometer (Magness-Taylor type) showed a year-to-year correlation, and this was highly correlated with mechanical values, including maximum force (N) evaluated using two instruments in both the radial and tangential directions. On the other hand, no significant relationship between the mechanical values obtained from the instruments and the sensory test results of flesh texture was observed. We adopted a crispness index (CI) value to characterize the mechanical response during the penetration test. The CI value was not correlated with most of the mechanical parameters in the Rheoner analysis. Additionally, we used a TA.XTplus texture analyzer to obtain mechanical and acoustic responses during the penetration test. The maximum and average acoustic pressures (dB) were not correlated with the mechanical parameters. There was a significant correlation between the acoustic profiles and the CI values obtained from the instruments. These results revealed that the CI and acoustic profiles were physical responses that differed from mechanical ones when measuring the flesh texture of apple fruit. In this study, the CI and acoustic pressure were associated with the sensory test results of flesh texture, suggesting that these parameters were effective for objectively evaluating the flesh texture of apples. The cultivars and selections evaluated as having high crunchiness by sensory test showed relatively high CI values and acoustic pressure. In addition, the CI value showed a significant year-to-year correlation (r = 0.68**), implying that it was one of the genetic characteristics responsible for the flesh texture of apples.

The relationship between phobic anxiety and 2-year readmission after Acute Coronary Syndrome: What is the role of heart rate variability?

ObjectivePhobic anxiety is a risk factor for poor prognosis following Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). A psychophysiological marker of vagal function, autonomic dysfunction may play a critical role in this relationship. The aim of the study was two-fold: to assess whether phobic anxiety was characterised by autonomic dysfunction (heart rate variability) in the short (1-month) and longer term (12-months) following ACS, and (ii) to quantify the extent to which HRV parameters modified the effect of phobic anxiety on all-cause hospital readmission over 2 years. MethodsThe ADVENT study followed 416 ACS patients. At 1-month following discharge (T0), phobic anxiety and autonomic functioning were assessed using the Crown Crisp Index (CCI) and 11 indices of heart rate variability (HRV), respectively. HRV was measured again at 12-months (T1) (n = 359). Hospital readmission (all cause) was derived from an audit of hospital records by two medically trained research fellows. Generalised linear modelling (GLM) was used to first determine the association between CCI score at T0 and HRV parameters at T0 and T1. Binary logistic regression was used to measure the relationship between CCI scores and readmission (yes/no) and the extent to which HRV parameters modified this effect. ResultsCCI scores were associated with 7 of the 11 indices of HRV: Average RR (ms), SDRR (ms), RMSSD (ms), SDSD (ms), pRR50 (%), LF Powers (ms2) and HF Powers (ms2) at T0 but not T1. CCI scores at T0 significantly predicted likelihood of readmission to hospital in the subsequent 2 year period. No parameter of HRV at T0 modified this effect. LimitationsWe were unable to provide adjudicated major adverse coronary events outcome data, or account for changes in medication adherence, diet or physical activity. ConclusionsWhile phobic anxiety is associated with both reduced vagal function in the short term after an ACS event and 2 year all cause readmission, HRV does not appear to be the pathway by which phobic anxiety drives this outcome.

On stability of fuzzy formal concepts over randomized one-sided formal context

We propose a probabilistic approach to the issue of one-sided fuzzy formal concepts stability. The modified Rice–Siff algorithm represents a crisp index how to select the relevant concepts from the set of all one-sided fuzzy formal concepts. We suggest to explore the formal concepts stability affected by the random fluctuation of values in a formal context. We describe the algorithm and study the properties of the concept stability using random variables with the Gaussian normal distribution. In combination with the modified Rice–Siff algorithm, the Gaussian probabilistic index improves the analysis of the most relevant one-sided formal concepts from the original one-sided formal context. The connections to recent works in the related directions are presented.

Physical and sensory characteristics of pellets elaborated with different levels of corn grits and whey protein concentrate

ABSTRACT Whey has proteins of high biological value, which has been used as an ingredient in the elaboration of yogurt, milk beverages and as protein concentrates. Food extrusion stands out as one of the most efficient cooking techniques, allowing a number of product types, from soluble flour to convenience products, such as snacks, which have high acceptability by the consumers. Products processed by extrusion, such as those expanded by frying (pellets), have high carbohydrate content, and its enrichment with protein can favor its nutritional aspect. This study aimed to use the whey protein concentrate (WPC) in combination with corn grits in the preparation of pellets. Absolute density, density of expanded pellets, color, crispness index, and pellet sensory acceptance were determined. For the absolute density, contents from 5% to 17% produced denser non-expanded pellets. The higher the WPC content and the temperature of the extruder, the higher the density of the expanded pellets. The crispness index was not altered by the protein content and by the extruder temperature. In the sensory analysis, the preferred samples were the ones with lower WPC levels (5%). We concluded that higher WPC values in the pellets formulation increased their density, but did not alter color and texture, as well as small WPC levels did not affect the acceptance of snacks.

Modeling the Mechanical Texture of Foxtail Millet Extrudates during Hydrosorption with a Modified Peleg-Fermi Model

The objective of this study was to monitor and model the texture changes of foxtail millet extrudates with different structural properties as a function of water activity (<em>a</em>_w). Four extrudates, after equilibrated at <em>a</em>_w of 0.113-0.97, were compressed using a TA.XT2 Texture Analyzer. Two force-related texture parameters, Peak Force (PF) and Total Work (TW) and two jaggedness-related, Number of Spatial Ruptures (NSR) and Specific Ling Length (SLL), were extracted from their force-displacement curves. Water sorption led to loss of jaggedness of their force-displacement curves. All the four texture parameters decreased when a <em>a</em>_w increased to a certain value. Before the decrease occurring, <em>TW</em> and <em>PF</em> increased for all the extrudates with a <em>a</em>_<em>w</em> increase, while <em>SLL</em> increase was observed only for two extrudates and no <em>NSR</em> increase was observed for all extrudates. The critical water activity (<em>a</em>_wc) where texture parameters decreased rapidly ranged between 0.42 and 0.83 depending mainly on the kinds of the extrudates and to some extent on the texture parameters studied. The extrudates with coarse structure exhibited lower force-related values, while the extrudates with fine structure exhibited lower jaggedness-related values. Crispness index, a combination of force- and jaggedness-related texture criteria, decreased almost linearly as a <em>a</em>_w increase up to 0.61~0.66 for all the extrudtes. The Peleg-Fermi equation can satisfactorily model the changes in jaggedness-related texture parameters as a function of <em>a</em>_w. A modified form of the Peleg-Fermi equation, proposed in this study, was needed to model the changes of force-related parameters better.

Exposure to Fine Particulate Air Pollution Is Associated with Anxiety

Exposure to Fine Particulate Air Pollution Is Associated with AnxietyAbstract Number:1959 Melinda C. Power*, Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou, Jaime E. Hart, Olivia I. Okereke, Francine Laden, and Marc G. Weisskopf Melinda C. Power* Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Harvard School of Public Health, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou Harvard School of Public Health, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Jaime E. Hart Harvard School of Public Health and Channing Division of Network Medicine, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Olivia I. Okereke Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School, and Channing Division of Network Medicine, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , Francine Laden Harvard School of Public Health and Channing Division of Network Medicine, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected] Search for more papers by this author , and Marc G. Weisskopf Harvard School of Public Health, United States, E-mail Address: [email protected]rvard.edu Search for more papers by this author AbstractBackground andObjectives: Exposure to air pollution may induce or exacerbate symptoms of anxiety. Our objective was to determine whether higher exposure to particulate air pollution is associated with elevated anxiety symptoms.Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of women throughout the continental United States who were part of the Nurses’ Health Study. We defined elevated anxiety symptoms as a score of 6 points or greater on the Phobic Anxiety subscale of the Crown Crisp Index (CCI), which was completed as part of a self-report questionnaire in 2004. We estimated average exposure to particulate matter (PM) <2.5 μm (PM2.5 ) and from 2.5 to 10 μm (PM2.5-10 ) in diameter in the 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 15 years (1988-2003) prior to anxiety symptom assessment using spatiotemporal prediction models. We also computed residential distance to the nearest major road at two years prior to anxiety symptom assessment. We used logistic regression to estimate the association between each of our exposures and elevated anxiety symptoms as well as models examining the impact of multiple exposure time windows simultaneously.Results: Among 71,271 women (mean age: 70y, range: 57-85y), the prevalence of elevated anxiety symptoms was 15%. Increased odds of elevated anxiety symptoms were observed with higher PM2.5 exposure over several averaging periods (e.g., OR comparing highest to lowest quintile for 1 month average PM2.5 exposure: 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04 to 1.21; for 15 year average PM2.5 exposure: 1.06, 95%CI: 0.98, 1.14). Models including multiple exposure windows suggested short-term averaging periods were more relevant than long-term averaging periods. There was no association between anxiety and exposure to PM2.5-10. Residential proximity to major road was not related to anxiety symptoms in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusions: Higher PM2.5 exposure was related to elevated symptoms of phobic anxiety.

Do genetic risk scores for body mass index predict risk of phobic anxiety? Evidence for a shared genetic risk factor.

Obesity and anxiety are often linked but the direction of effects is not clear. Using genetic instrumental variable (IV) analyses in 5911 female participants from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS, initiated 1976) and 3697 male participants from the Health Professional Follow-up Study (HPFS, initiated 1986), we aimed to determine whether obesity increases symptoms of phobic anxiety. As instrumental variables we used the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene, the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene and a genetic risk score (GRS) based on 32 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that significantly predict body mass index (BMI). 'Functional' GRSs corresponding with specific biological pathways that shape BMI (adipogenesis, appetite and cardiopulmonary) were considered. The main outcome was phobic anxiety measured by the Crown Crisp Index (CCI) in 2004 in the NHS and in 2000 in the HPFS. In observational analysis, a 1-unit higher BMI was associated with higher phobic anxiety symptoms [women: β = 0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.030-0.068; men: β = 0.04, 95% CI 0.016-0.071). IV analyses showed that BMI was associated with higher phobic anxiety symptoms in the FTO-instrumented analysis (p = 0.005) but not in the GRS-instrumented analysis (p = 0.256). Functional GRSs showed heterogeneous, non-significant effects of BMI on phobic anxiety symptoms. Our findings do not provide conclusive evidence in favor of the hypothesis that higher BMI leads to higher levels of phobic anxiety, but rather suggest that genes that influence obesity, in particular FTO, may have direct effects on phobic anxiety, and hence that obesity and phobic anxiety may share common genetic determinants.

A fast and efficient fuzzy approximation-based indexing for CBIR

Crisp index structures introduce the problem of having sharp decision boundaries which may not be found in the real life clustering problems. In real world, specifically in the CBIR context, each data may not be fully assigned to one cluster and it may partially belong to other clusters, as opposed to the crisp index structures which fully affect data to clusters according to their proximity in terms of distance in the high-dimensional vector space. Based on kernel-fuzzy C-means clustering (KFCM) mechanism, this paper presents a fast and efficient index structure to support high-dimensional indexing for both crisp and fuzzy data. The proposed index structure offers a number of advantages such as a compact and efficient fuzzy data clustering. The experimental study demonstrates the efficiency and effectiveness of our method.

Performance of Polygenic Scores for Predicting Phobic Anxiety

ContextAnxiety disorders are common, with a lifetime prevalence of 20% in the U.S., and are responsible for substantial burdens of disability, missed work days and health care utilization. To date, no causal genetic variants have been identified for anxiety, anxiety disorders, or related traits.ObjectiveTo investigate whether a phobic anxiety symptom score was associated with 3 alternative polygenic risk scores, derived from external genome-wide association studies of anxiety, an internally estimated agnostic polygenic score, or previously identified candidate genes.DesignLongitudinal follow-up study. Using linear and logistic regression we investigated whether phobic anxiety was associated with polygenic risk scores derived from internal, leave-one out genome-wide association studies, from 31 candidate genes, and from out-of-sample genome-wide association weights previously shown to predict depression and anxiety in another cohort.Setting and ParticipantsStudy participants (n = 11,127) were individuals from the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study.Main Outcome MeasureAnxiety symptoms were assessed via the 8-item phobic anxiety scale of the Crown Crisp Index at two time points, from which a continuous phenotype score was derived.ResultsWe found no genome-wide significant associations with phobic anxiety. Phobic anxiety was also not associated with a polygenic risk score derived from the genome-wide association study beta weights using liberal p-value thresholds; with a previously published genome-wide polygenic score; or with a candidate gene risk score based on 31 genes previously hypothesized to predict anxiety.ConclusionThere is a substantial gap between twin-study heritability estimates of anxiety disorders ranging between 20–40% and heritability explained by genome-wide association results. New approaches such as improved genome imputations, application of gene expression and biological pathways information, and incorporating social or environmental modifiers of genetic risks may be necessary to identify significant genetic predictors of anxiety.

Characterizing the tissue of apple air-dried and osmo-air-dried rings by X-CT and OCT and relationship with ring crispness and fruit maturity at harvest measured by TRS

Air-dried apple rings were prepared from ‘Golden Delicious’ apples selected at harvest as less mature and more mature according to the absorption coefficient measured at 670 nm by time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy (TRS), stored in air for 5 months, and subjected to air-drying with (OSMO) and without (noOSMO) osmodehydration pre-treatment (60% sucrose syrup). Selected rings were submitted to microstructural analysis by X-ray computed tomography (X-CT), to subsurface structure analysis by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to texture and sound emission analysis by bending–snapping test. Higher crispness index, higher number of sound events and higher average sound pressure level (SPL) characterized the OSMO rings. Total porosity was related to SPL av < 60 , tissue and pore anisotropy to SPL av > 60 , pore fragmentation index to fracturability and specific surface area to the work required to snap the ring. A differentiation of the drying treatments, as well as of the products according to the TRS maturity class at harvest was obtained analyzing by principal component analysis (PCA) microstructure parameters and texture and acoustic parameters. The differences in mechanical and acoustic characteristics between OSMO and noOSMO rings were due to the different subsurface structure as found with OCT analysis. There is an increasing demand of dried crispy fruit as they are considered by consumers healthy, natural and tasty foods. The textural characteristics, exerting a strong effect on crispy and crunchy sensory characteristics, have a great impact at consumption of dried crispy fruit. As their textural characteristics depend on both fruit maturity at processing and processing conditions, food industry is demanding nondestructive techniques which could be used for on-line/off-line sorting of fruit into classes each one more suited for obtaining a specific product. Furthermore, the textural properties of dried foods depend on microstructure, defined as the spatial arrangement of structural components and their interactions. Due to the microscopic complexity, unambiguous methodologies that relate quality to food microstructure do not exist today, in contrast to what already existing for several engineering materials. Hence there is the need of developing methods that measure directly the microstructural properties of dried foods. • The apple maturity at harvest is assessed by TRS. • Microstructural changes in apple rings are found by X-CT and OCT. • AED coupled to texture analysis reveals the mechanical properties of apple rings. • Apple maturity and pre-drying osmosis affect microstructure of air-dried rings. • The changes in microstructure found by XCT and OCT are related to ring crispness.

Fruit Textures of Beit Alpha, Greenhouse, Japanese, Pickling, and Slicer-type Cucumbers

To differentiate the fruit texture characteristics of five major cucumber types (Beit Alpha, greenhouse, Japanese, pickling, and slicer) that are grown worldwide and to identify beneficial traits for cucumber breeding, we compared their physical properties [flesh firmness, placental firmness, skin toughness, crispness index, ratio of placental firmness to flesh firmness (relative placental firmness), and ratio of skin toughness to flesh firmness (relative skin toughness)]. We also compared the time-dependent changes in the physical properties of each type. Although differences existed in the standard size among the various types, physical properties clearly differed among the types and can be summarized as follows: the Japanese type has firmer flesh and placenta, lower relative skin toughness, and the highest crispness; Beit Alpha and greenhouse types have softer flesh, placenta, and skin, and the lowest crispness; the pickling type has firmer (tougher) flesh, placenta, and skin; and the slicer type has softer flesh and placenta, and the toughest skin. The physical properties of sequentially harvested fruits in each cultivar varied widely, indicating that fruit texture is strongly affected by cultivar (or type) and fruit size (i.e., timing of harvest). It is suggested that much attention should be paid to cucumber texture to breed favorable cultivars.

Quantifying cucumber fruit crispness by mechanical measurement

Fruit crispness is of great importance in cucumber as well as in other fruit vegetables, because it relates directly to the commercial value of the product. In breeding projects and pre- or postharvest studies of fruit texture, an effective quantification method has been desired to replace rough, qualitative evaluations of fruit texture based solely on human perceptions. We applied several analytical methods to the force–deformation curve to quantify cucumber fruit crispness and assessed the efficacy of these methods as candidate cucumber fruit crispness indicators for use in breeding or research. Texture parameters for the flesh and placenta of 12 cucumber cultivars, based on the crispness index, apparent fractal dimension, and power spectrum and peak analyses, were calculated from mechanical measurement results. There was a significant large genotypic (cultivar) effect on the texture parameter values and a lesser, but still significant, contribution from the environment. Furthermore, we found strong relationships between these texture parameters and sensory crispness. These results indicate that these methods for analyzing the force–deformation curve provide effective, quantitative indicators of fruit crispness, with considerable promise for application in scientific research and breeding programs.

Influences of Rootstock Cultivar and Storage on the Texture of Cucumber Fruits

In order to clarify the influence of the rootstock cultivar and fruit storage on the texture of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) fruit, we examined the physical properties of the fruit, i.e., flesh firmness, placental firmness, skin toughness, and the crispness index. Cucumber fruits from own-rooted plants and from plants grafted onto the three rootstock cultivars of ‘Shin-tosa’ (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne ex Lam. × C. moschata Duchesne ex Poir.), ‘Hikari Power Gold’ (Cucurbita moschata; for bloomless fruit production), and ‘King Kitora’ (C. moschata; for bloomless fruit production) were used as materials and were stored at 10 or 25°C for up to 7 days under humid conditions (wrapped in polyethylene bags). No distinct influences of rootstock cultivars on the physical properties of cucumber fruits just after harvesting were observed. In addition, there was no clear difference between own-rooted cucumber fruits and all grafted fruits. On the other hand, the flesh firmness and crispness index of fruits from all grafted and non-grafted cucumbers were increased by storage at 10 or 25°C under humid conditions. Differences in the values of physical properties between the fruits stored at 10 and 25°C were very small. These results indicate that the texture of cucumber fruit is affected by storage, rather than by the rootstock cultivar. Regarding fruits just after harvesting or those stored for several days in humid conditions, there was no evidence of a less desirable texture in bloomless cucumber fruits.

Circulating levels of soluble CD26 are associated with phobic anxiety in women

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV or CD26) is an ubiquitously expressed protease that could play a role in the pathogenesis of anxiety in view of its capacity to cleave several behaviourally active neuropeptides. Hereto we sought to determine the relationship between phobic anxiety, as measured by the Crown–Crisp index, and circulating levels of soluble CD26 (sCD26) in a large cohort of 1017 Italian women participating in a general health survey. The association between sCD26 levels and phobic anxiety was tested using simple correlation analysis, linear regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis. A highly significant inverse association was found between sCD26 concentrations and anxiety scores both in simple correlation and linear regression analysis. Compared with subjects in the first tertile of sCD26 levels, the age-adjusted odds ratio for scoring ≥ 6 compared to scoring 0 or 1 was 0.31 (95% CI: 0.18–0.74) for the second and 0.47 (95% CI: 0.34–0.63) for the third tertile. Altogether, our data suggest that reduced plasma sCD26 concentrations could be a marker of high levels of phobic anxiety in women.

Interventions for Family Members Caring for an Elder with Dementia

This chapter reviews 73 published and unpublished research reports of interventions for family members caring for an elder with dementia by nurse researchers and researchers from other disciplines. Reports were identified through searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL, Social Science Index, PsycINFO, ERIC, Social Work Abstracts, American Association of Retired Persons database, CRISP index of the National Institutes of Health, Cochrane Center database, and Dissertation Abstracts using the following search terms: caregiver, caregiving, dementia, Alzheimer's, intervention study, evaluation study, experimental, and quasi-experimental design. Additional keywords were used to narrow or expand the search as necessary. All nursing research was included in the review and nonnursing research was included if published between 1991 and 2001. Studies were included if they used a design that included a treatment and control group or a one-group, pretest-posttest design (ex post facto designs were included if they used a comparison group). Key findings show that approximately 32% of the study outcomes (e.g., burden, depression, knowledge) were changed after intervention in the desired direction. In addition, several problematic issues were identified including small, diverse samples; lack of intervention specificity; diversity in the length, duration, and intensity of the intervention strategies; and problematic outcome measures.