The influence of protein concentration on key quality attributes of chickpea-based alternatives to cheese.

In response to consumer demands, plant protein ingredients are increasingly being used in the formulation of plant-based alternatives to cheese. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of protein concentration on key quality attributes of chickpea-based alternatives to cheese. Moreover, the age-induced changes in such attributes were assessed, with samples analysed after 1 month of storage. After characterisation of the ingredients, the chickpea-based formulations were prepared by blending chickpea flour and protein concentrate in different proportions to obtain four samples of increasing protein content (i.e., 8.68-21.5%). Formulations were developed at pH ∼4.5, and a moisture content of 50%, with shea butter used to obtain 15% fat content. The differential scanning calorimetry thermograms of the samples showed a main peak around 30 °C, corresponding to transition of the shea butter, and a smaller peak around 70 °C related to starch gelatinisation. Analysis of microstructure showed formation of a protein matrix with more extensive protein structure at high protein concentration. Furthermore, none of the chickpea-based samples melted under the testing conditions and all samples showed increasing values for adhesiveness, springiness and cohesiveness with increasing protein content. However, hardness was the highest for the sample with the lowest protein content, likely due to starch retrogradation. After storage, hardness increased further for all samples. This work improves our understanding of the role of chickpea protein in developing plant-based alternatives to cheese and the challenges therein.

Microgeophysics and geomatics data integration reveals the internal fracturing conditions of the statue of Ramses II (Museo Egizio, Torino, Italy).

The combined acquisition of 3D ultrasonic tomography and radar scans is growing for cultural heritage diagnostics. Both methods proved to be efficient in the detection and location of fractures and weaknesses within the investigated artefacts. Although the two techniques are widely applied together, an integrated approach for data interpretation is still missing. We present the results of radar and ultrasonic prospections carried out on the statue of the young Ramses II, an absolute masterpiece of the Egyptian art preserved in the collection of the Museo Egizio of Torino (Italy). Geophysical results are incorporated within the 3D model of the statue retrieved from total station measurements, ground-based and handheld laser scanning. A data integration approach is then proposed for the joint interpretation of the geophysical results, exploiting the final ultrasonic velocity model and radar attribute analysis (i.e. local dissimilarity computation) to define a combined damage index. The proposed methodology is efficient in fracture detection and location and improves the readability of the final results also for non-expert geophysical interpreters, offering guidance to the museum for preservation and restoration of the masterpiece.

[On some cystographic appearances of prostatic pathology (author's transl)]. / Su alcuni aspetti cistografici di patologia prostatica.

The author reports a personal series of 200 cases of prostatic pathology studied by perfusional urography and by radio-urological instrumental methodics. He considers, especially, some radiographic appearances of involvement of the vesical floor, correlating them with clinic and gross pathology. Thus he pointed out that: the marks on the vesical floor with the aspect of "spread wings" is the most frequent radiographic pattern showing the chronic prostatitis; "the endovesical lacuna" is disregarded aspect of medium lobe's hypertrophy, as well as the "raising as tent" of the vesical floor due probably to an hyposphincteric periurethral adenoma. Although the mameloned aspect of vesical floor is typical, only sometimes it is the sign of an early cancer of the superior face of the prostate.

[A contribution for the radiological study in the open hydatic cysts of the kidney (author's transl)]. / Un contributo allo studio radiologico delle cisti idatidee aperte del rene.

An observation of an open hydatic cyst of the kidney led the author to discuss, on the basis of pathologic correlation, about the possibilities and limits in the radiological study of renal hydatidosis, in general, and of open forms, in particular. Since pielography is still the only research in a position to show very suggesting radiological findings for the diagnosis of this form of hydatidosis, whose personal case is almost a paradigmatic example, the author emphasizes the need to apply it in these occurrences.

[The clinical, radiological and epidemiological aspects of duodenal diverticula (author's transl)]. / Aspetti epidemiologici clinici e radiologici dei diverticoli duodenali.

Ninety-five cases of duodenal divertigestive apparatus. The epidemiological, clinical and radiological features of this form are discussed with particular reference to its complications and associated diseases. The indications for surgery are examined and several cases are presented, along with their radiographical pictures.