Improving physicochemical and nutritional attributes of rice starch through green modification techniques.

Rice, has long been an inseparable part of the human diet all over the world. As one of the most rapidly growing crops, rice has played a key role in securing the food chain of low-income food-deficit countries. Starch is the main component in rice granules which other than its nutritional essence, plays a key role in defining the physicochemical attributes of rice-based products. However, rice starch suffers from weak techno-functional characteristics (e.g., retrogradability of pastes, opacity of gels, and low shear/temperature resistibility. Green modification techniques (i.e. Non-thermal methods, Novel thermal (e.g., microwave, and ohmic heating) and enzymatic approaches) were shown to be potent tools in modifying rice starch characteristics without the exertion of unfavorable chemical reagents. This study corroborated the potential of green techniques for rice starch modification and provided deep insight for their further application instead of unsafe chemical methods.

An alternative assessment for transit-oriented developments (TODs) with land use/land cover (LULC).

Cities experience rapid growth, and various drivers shape this growth. Notably, developing countries experience challenges on land use and transportation conflict. The idea of transit-oriented developments (TODs) is a solution for this concern of urbanization while there is no consensus on defining and identifying them. This study concentrated on the dynamics of land use/land cover (LULC) effects on transit-oriented developments (TODs) by utilizing light rail stations from a metropolitan area in Turkey, as this is the first attempt in this geography. Spatial data covers of high-resolution Sentinel 2A remotely sensed data and Google Earth images acquired in 2021. The study performed the analyses within a 500-m light rail train station buffer. The results reveal that TODs include more urbanized, open space, street connection, commercials, and dense population as expected from the TOD concept. Local officials, practitioners, and developers should be involved with the TOD implementation and policy phases to establish tangible developments in urbanization.

Development of prediction software to describe total mesophilic bacteria in spinach using a machine learning-based regression approach.

The purpose of this study was to create a tool for predicting the growth of total mesophilic bacteria in spinach using machine learning-based regression models such as support vector regression, decision tree regression, and Gaussian process regression. The performance of these models was compared to traditionally used models (modified Gompertz, Baranyi, and Huang models) using statistical indices like the coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE). The results showed that the machine learning-based regression models provided more accurate predictions with an R2 of at least 0.960 and an RMSE of at most 0.154, indicating that they can be used as an alternative to traditional approaches for predictive total mesophilic. Therefore, the developed software in this work has a significant potential to be used as an alternative simulation method to traditionally used approach in the predictive food microbiology field.

What can first-year undergraduate students "envision" from a pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic has further compounded the inherent complexities of design pedagogy. At the same time, offering an online teaching method made it imperative to incorporate the pandemic's implications in the design process upon experiencing its adverse impacts. This study investigates landscape architecture students' design approaches and understandings in a real-world studio based on the before and after COVID-19 scenarios. The findings show that most students designed multi-functional public open spaces before the COVID-19 period while they envisioned post-pandemic uses after the COVID-19 period. The study results not only offer insights for online or distance learning for design students, but also prepare design-oriented solutions for the pandemic-related episodes.

Seeking the Nexus Between Building Acoustics and Urban Form: A Systematic Review.

Purpose of Review: Noise is penetrating urban life pervasively and is imperative for demonstrating the factors behind it regarding built environment, aka buildings and urban form. So, this review aims to provide a better understanding of the association between building acoustics and urban form characteristics. Recent Findings: There is a growing attention for building acoustics, including materials and simulation aspects with various increasing urban form attributes, i.e., the built and natural environment and transportation. Summary: Building acoustics is a key aspect of urban life and falls within the interface of various urban form characteristics. While these two main attributes are not sufficiently addressed, they may adversely affect individuals; thus, all the more reason to explore this nexus. This study has evaluated 67 peer-reviewed journal articles after systematically reviewing the triple resources in assessing building acoustics and urban form between 2016 and 2022. This review separates the indoor and outdoor categories within the simulation, theory, building materials, facade, and the built environment sub-categories. The study does not only review the overall scope of present studies but also direct future directions of their associations.

Noise complaints, the COVID-19 pandemic, and compact developments: evidence from five American cities.

The COVID-19 continues to take its toll on human life. Even though to a less threatening extent, and insignificant to some, noise turns out to be one of its consequences without consensus. While individuals experience multiple restrictions and restrain from exuberant activities by spending most of their time at home, reducing public transportation and personal vehicles, overall, they end up reduce anthropogenic noise pressure. On another level, people continue reporting noise concerns at various degrees during the COVID-19 pandemic. To draw a bigger picture as to whether or not these complaints have increased during the COVID-19 compared to the same period last year, this research examines them in five major American cities: New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Dallas. Furthermore, the study also assessed the complaint patterns, whether reported in compact or sprawled areas. The findings highlight that either the noise complaints increased or decreased during the COVID-19 crisis. Accordingly, four of the five selected cities, except San Francisco, showed a decrease in reported noise. As it turns out, compact developments correlate significantly and positively with noise complaints in all study areas, except in Phoenix. These findings call for regulating and prioritizing noise-related policies. Planners and urban designers can thus advise to sustain environmental planning and public health issues, especially in planning compact developments.

Does play-based experience provide for inclusiveness? A case study of multi-dimensional indicators.

Playgrounds are not only for play and fun; they are places that offer diverse experiences for all groups of children. Outdoor playgrounds have been studied as an element of public space for their ability to offer an array of amenities and attributes. In addition to design and planning aspects, inclusiveness is a vital attribute of playgrounds. Inclusiveness within playgrounds provides accessibility for all children regardless of age, gender, and ethnicity, as both physical and social access are considered. Given the rapidly changing global agenda affected dramatically by the COVID-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement, playgrounds have gained even more attention and the importance of inclusiveness has become more prevalent. This study examined the inclusiveness of play-based experiences within a playground in San Antonio, Texas, using mixed methods. The study utilized observational methods, behavior mapping, secondary data for spatial mapping, and a survey conducted in order to understand the perception of playground users. This study evaluated the inclusiveness of the playground and analyzed social and physical accessibility relative to the playground by assessing the diversity of users in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, and disability. The findings of this study show that there is a need for additional studies yielding proposed improvements revolving around playground inclusivity. The study results show that urban designers, urban planners, and policymakers need to collaborate in order to create opportunities that work to eliminate social and physical disparities and that ultimately enhance inclusiveness in playgrounds.

How does transit-oriented developments (TODs) deviate noise pollution of buildings? A comparative study of TODs and non-TODs.

Scholarly debates on the unique features of transit-oriented developments (TODs) have surged over the last decade. Studies have examined their amenities and disamenities; however, lacking is exploring the relationship between TOD sound levels and buildings. Understanding this relationship has implications for communities and the urban form from environmental pollution aspects. This study explores the implications of sound on TOD buildings in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area by comparing them with non-TODs, specifically the relationship between buildings and street characteristics, and sound, as well as the potential effects of this relationship on TOD residents. Data include sound pressure levels through TOD buildings and streets compared with non-TOD buildings and streets. Using a two-level hierarchical linear model (HLM) help examine such characteristics at both micro and macro levels. The findings show that buildings located within TODs are exposed to higher sound levels with 1.4 dB(A) difference. The study provides insights into the relationship between sound, environmental pollution, building science, and transportation-featured elements of the built environment.

The Relationship between Sound and Amenities of Transit-Oriented Developments.

Experts in diverse fields have investigated sound in cities throughout the United States. This research aims to examine sound levels and determine its contributors at the transit-oriented development (TOD) station and neighborhood levels by studying selected Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail stations. A multilevel analysis was performed to model the likelihood of TOD stations and neighborhoods affecting sound levels, controlling for station amenities, socio-demographics and built environment characteristics. Sound measurements were sampled in three time intervals with 15 min sampling over weekdays and weekends at TOD and non-TOD stations by a type II SPL meter that was mounted on a small camera tripod at a height of 1.5 m, at a distance of 1.5 m from rails and curbs. The research team found that amenities, built environmental characteristics, and neighborhood features have significant implications on sound levels at both the TOD station and the neighborhood level, which affects quality of life (QoL). TOD stations that include more amenities have a greater level of significance on sound levels. Additionally, neighborhoods with a pervasive street grid configuration, public facilities, and built environment densities are significantly associated with a likelihood of high sound levels. Conversely, higher population densities and intersection densities decrease the likelihood of a high sound level environment. These patterns provide an arena for transportation, urban, and environmental planning and policymaking to generate transformative solutions and policies.

Development and characterization of edible films based on modified corn starch and grape juice.

Chemically modified corn starch with sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) or citric acid (CA) and grape juice was used to produce edible films. Modification reactions were discussed by results of FT-IR scan, water solubility, swelling power, viscosity and degree of cross-linking properties. Mechanical, barrier, physical (solubility, color, transparency, microstructure) and glass transition temperature properties of films were studied to understand the effects of grape juice and modified starch usage in films. Usage of starch cross-linked with STMP decreased significantly oxygen permeability from 5.82 to 2.51 cm3 µm m-2 d-1 kPa-1, water vapor permeability from 1.89 to 1.38 g mm m-2 h-1 kPa-1, solubility from 0.65 to 0.55 g soluble solid/total solid, percent elongation from 62.96 to 16.47. The chemical reaction between starch and CA affected barrier, solubility and elongation properties of films and values were higher than values of STMP films.

Connecticut (CCCRC) Olfactory Test: Normative Values in 426 Healthy Volunteers.

Application of Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) olfactory test to healthy Turkish volunteers, obtain normative data set and analyse the role of age, sex and smoking on olfactory scores. The present study was conducted at Bezmialem Vakif University, Department of Otorhinolaryngology. Total of 426 healthy volunteers were subjected to CCCRC olfactory test which consists of n-butanol smell threshold test and smell identification test. Olfactory function score was assessed (0: worst score; 7: best score) and mean scores were calculated. Mean age was (36.7 ± 11.1; range, 17-68). 46.2 % of the subjects were male and 53.8 % were female; 37.1 % were smokers and 62.9 % were non-smokers. Mean n-butanol threshold score was 6.36 out of 7, mean identification score was 6.34 and mean total score was 6.35. According to CCCRC score: there were no anosmic individuals, 0.5 % were severely hyposmic, 2.6 % were moderately hyposmic,15.3 % were mildly hyposmic and 81.6 % were normosmic. CCCRC olfactory test is cost-effective, simple and practical. It can be easily applied in clinical settings. The CCCRC olfactory test is appropriate for assessment of olfactory function: Turkish population is familiar in terms of the odors used in CCCRC test. The power of this study is that it provides a normative data set against which many factors can be compared.

Impact of smoking on p65 nuclear factor κB, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression levels in oral mucosa.

OBJECTIVES: Smoking plays an important role in oral cancer development; however, the molecular carcinogenesis mechanism in oral mucosa is not well understood. The aim of this study was to examine and compare the levels of p65 nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expressions between oral mucosa of nonsmoker and smoker volunteers. METHODS: Oral cheek mucosa was collected from 78 volunteers. Smokers were divided into 2 subgroups: light smokers (<40 pack years) and heavy smokers (≥ 40 pack years). Paraffinized tissue immunochemistry was carried out for p65 NF-κB, p38 MAPK, and iNOS expression with specific antibodies. Results were evaluated based on diffuseness and intensity of staining. RESULTS: Group 1 composed of 40 nonsmokers: 52.5% were female and 47.5% were male, with a mean age of 46.4 years. Group 2 composed of 38 smokers (20 light smokers, 18 heavy smokers): 39.5% were female and 60.5% were male, with a mean age of 48.9 years. Total immunohistochemical staining scores of smokers were significantly higher compared with those of nonsmokers in p65 NF-κB, p38 MAPK, and iNOS expression (P < 0.001). The highest p65 NF-κB, p38 MAPK, and iNOS expression levels were detected in the oral mucosa of heavy smokers. The expression of iNOS and p65 NF-κB in heavy smokers was significantly higher compared to that in light smokers (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Although p38 MAPK expressions were higher in heavy smokers compared with light smokers, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show for the first time the significant increase in the expression of p65 NF-κB and p38 MAPK in the oral mucosa of smokers. Levels of p65 NF-κB, p38 MAPK, and iNOS expression in the oral mucosa of smokers were related to the number of pack years.

University of Pennsylvania smell identification test: application to Turkish population.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether UPSIT (The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test) clinical olfactory function test is suitable to assess olfactory function in Turkish population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty healthy Turkish volunteers (21 males, 29 females; mean age 31.5±8.7 years; range 20 to 49 years) who underwent a detailed otorhinolaryngological examination were included in the study. Subjects with abnormal findings suggesting olfactory dysfunction were excluded from the study. UPSIT and Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) tests were carried out for each individual separately. RESULTS: Mean CCCRC test score was 6.3±0.6 out of 7. Ten volunteers scored between 5-5.75 were considered mild hyposmia, while 40 volunteers scored between 6-7 were evaluated as normosmic. Volunteers correctly identified 21.4±4.7 odors out of 40 odors in UPSIT test. CONCLUSION: We concluded that UPSIT test is insufficient for the evaluation of olfactory function in Turkish population. Our results suggest that UPSIT test contains odors which are unfamiliar to Turkish population. Therefore, it is essential to either modify odors of UPSIT test or establish normative data suitable to Turkish population for evaluating the scores to avoid false olfactory function assessment.