O processo de microencapsulação vem sendo bastante aplicado em alimentos e um dos objetivos que vem se destacando atualmente é o controle da liberação do agente ativo no tempo e local desejado. Portanto, o objetivo do trabalho foi microencapsular agentes refrescantes (xilitol e mentol) a aplicá-los em gomas de mascar, objetivando prolongar a duração da sensação de refrescância. Xilitol e mentol foram microencapsulados utilizando o método de coacervação complexa. As microcápsulas foram caracterizadas quanto ao tamanho médio, morfologia (microscopia ótica, confocal e eletrônica de varredura), cor instrumental, higroscopicidade, umidade, atividade de água (Aw), solubilidade em água, isotermas de sorção, espectroscopia no infravermelho por transformada de Fourier (FTIR), comportamento térmico (por Caloria Diferencial de Varredura - DSC), eficiência de encapsulação e controle de liberação. As gomas de mascar foram produzidas no laboratório de pesquisa e desenvolvimento de uma indústria de alimentos. Oito formulações foram produzidas, sendo quatro com as microcápsulas e quatro com os ingredientes livres. As gomas foram analisadas em relação à umidade, Aw e cor instrumental; por meio da análise do perfil de textura (TPA) avaliou-se a dureza, elasticidade, mastigabilidade e a coesividade das gomas. Análise de tempo-intensidade (TI) das gomas de mascar foi realizada com 19 provadores treinados para avaliar a duração da sensação de refrescância fornecida por esses ingredientes. As microcápsulas obtidas apresentaram características adequadas para aplicação em alimentos, como tamanho médio de partículas de aproximadamente 100 µm e baixos valores de umidade, Aw, solubilidade e higroscopicidade. Por meio da microscopia confocal e da análise de FTIR confirmou-se que os núcleos foram completamente encapsulados pelo material de parede, demonstrando o sucesso da técnica empregada. A eficiência de encapsulação foi alta para o mentol, mas relativamente baixa para o xilitol. Por meio da análise de DSC constatou-se que o xilitol e o mentol passam do estado cristalino para o estado amorfo após o processo de microencapsulação, o que não interfere nas propriedades do mentol, mas no caso do xilitol sim, pois sua refrescância é atribuída ao seu calor de dissolução endotérmico. As gomas de mascar apresentaram baixos valores de Aw e umidade, o que favorece a estabilidade microbiológica. Em relação ao perfil de textura, observou-se que a presença do xilitol melhorou os parâmetros de textura das gomas, pois as gomas produzidas com este composto apresentaram os menores valores de dureza, mastigabilidade e elasticidade. A presença das microcápsulas não interferiu significativamente em nenhum dos parâmetros de textura analisados. A análise de TI confirmou que as microcápsulas foram hábeis para promover liberação gradual do mentol e do xilitol, pois a refrescância das gomas de mascar contendo as microcápsulas durou mais tempo que as gomas de mascar com os ingredientes livres. / The microencapsulation process has been widely applied in food and one of the aims that have been highlighted is to control the release of the active agent at the desired time and local. Therefore, the objective was to microencapsulate cooling agents (menthol and xylitol) to apply them in chewing gum, aiming to prolong the feeling of freshness. Xylitol and menthol were microencapsulated using complex coacervation method. The microcapsules were characterized by particle size, morphology (optical microscopy, confocal and scanning electron), instrumental color parameter, hygroscopicity, moisture, water activity (Aw), solubility, sorption isotherms, Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal behavior (Differential Scanning Calorie -DSC), encapsulation efficiency and release control. The chewing gums were produced in the research and development laboratory of a food industry. Eight formulations were produced, four with microcapsules and four with free ingredients. The gums were analyzed for moisture, Aw and instrumental color parameter; by texture profile analysis (TPA) was evaluated hardness, springiness, chewiness and cohesiveness of the gum. Analysis of time-intensity (TI) of chewing gum was conducted with 19 trained panelists to evaluate the duration of the freshness sensation provided by such ingredients. The microcapsules obtained had characteristics suitable for application in foods such as average particle size of approximately 100 µm and low levels of humidity, Aw, solubility and hygroscopicity. By confocal microscopy and FTIR analysis it was confirmed that the cores were completely encapsulated by wall material, ensuring the success of the technique. The encapsulation efficiency was high in menthol microcapsules but relatively low for xylitol microcapsules. By the DSC analysis it was found that xylitol and menthol crystalline state transform to the amorphous state after the microencapsulation process, which does not affect the properties of menthol, but in the xylitol yes, because their freshness is attributed to its endothermic heat of dissolution. Chewing gums showed low values of Aw and moisture, which favors the microbiological stability. Through TPA, was observed that the presence of xylitol improved the texture parameters of the gums because the gums produced with this compound showed the lowest hardness, chewiness and elasticity. The presence of the microcapsules was not significantly influenced the texture parameters analyzed. Time-Intensity analysis confirmed that the microcapsules were able to promote gradual release of menthol and xylitol, because the freshness of chewing gum containing microcapsules lasted longer than the chewing gum free ingredients.

No description available.

Background: With the development of organic food market, the marketers are required to investigate how to satisfy their customer in order to gain more profit and competitive advantages in the market. The investigation of customer satisfaction helps the researchers know the requirement of customer. Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to explain what factors affect customer satisfaction towards organic food. Methodology: The quantitative approach had been applied in this study. All the data was collected through self-completion questionnaire while SPSS has been used to analyze the data. Findings: The results indicated that price, taste and freshness can affect the customer satisfaction towards organic food while the food safety will not lead to the influence of customer satisfaction in this research

A qualidade do pescado está condicionada a diversos fatores, entre eles os métodos de insensibilização. Nesta pesquisa foi utilizado o choque elétrico em diferentes intensidades como método de insensibilização do bijupirá (Rachycentron canadum), e avaliados seus efeitos sobre a qualidade dos peixes resfriados e filés congelados. O experimento foi realizado em dois ensaios, sendo o primeiro insensibilizando os peixes com eletrochoque de intensidades de 100; 150 e 200 Volts, e armazenados refrigerados durante 21 dias. No segundo ensaio foi aplicada corrente elétrica utilizando as intensidades de 50; 100; 150 Volts, seguida de filetagem e estocagem sob congelamento. Os peixes utilizados em ambos os ensaios foram obtidos de uma piscicultura comercial localizada no litoral norte do estado de São Paulo a cerca de 50 km por via marítima da cidade de Ubatuba-SP. As variáveis de qualidade dos peixes avaliadas foram características físicas, químicas e sensoriais como bases nitrogenadas voláteis, medidas dielétricas, índice de Rigor Mortir, pH, desnaturação proteica, perfil de ácidos graxos e suas relações, textura, cor, drip loss, cooking loss, capacidade de retenção de água (CRA), avaliação sensorial do frescor, ATP e produtos da degradação, e oxidação lipídica. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi um fatorial 6X3, seis tempos de análise e três intensidades de choque elétrico no primeiro ensaio; no segundo ensaio foi utilizado o esquema fatorial 4X3, ( quatro tempos de análises e três voltagens de choque). Foram observadas diferenças significativas (p<0,05) em ambos os ensaios para a maioria das variáveis analisadas, tanto para os tratamentos, tempo, como também para a influência do tempo de armazenamento dentro de cada tratamento. No entanto, para os dois ensaios o número de variáveis com significância entre os tratamentos, foi menor em relação ao número de variáveis em que houve significância para os tempos de conservação, sendo a interação tempo*tratamento a que obteve significância expressiva dentro dos resultados encontrados. Nestes dois ensaios realizados utilizando a refrigeração e congelamento do bijupirá, foram observados os melhores resultados para o tratamento com a intensidade em 150 volts para a maioria das variáveis analisadas onde houve diferenças significativas (p<0,05) entre os tratamentos. Concluiu-se também que o bijupirá pode ser conservado em até sete dias após abate em conservação refrigerada e até 180 dias quando estocados em congelamento. / Fish quality is subject to many factors, including the stunning methods. In this research we used the electric shock at different intensities as stunning method cobia (Rachycentron canadum), and evaluated its effects on the quality of chilled and frozen fish fillets. The experiment was conducted in two trials, the first desensitizing the fish with electroshock intensities 100; 150 and 200 volts, and stored refrigerated for 21 days. In the second assay was applied using the electrical current intensities 50; 100; 150 Volts, then filleting and storage under freezing. The fish used in both assays were obtained from a commercial fish farm located on the northern coast of São Paulo about 50 km by sea from the town of Ubatuba, Brazil. Fish quality traits were physical, chemical and sensory characteristics as volatile nitrogenous bases, dielectric measurements, Rigor Mortir index, pH, protein denaturation, fatty acid profile and their relationships, texture, color, drip loss, cooking loss, water holding capacity (WHC), sensory evaluation of freshness, ATP and degradation products and lipid oxidation. The experimental design was a 6X3 factorial six times analysis and three electric shock intensities in the first test; the second test was used factorial 4X3 (fourstroke analyzes and three shock voltages). There were significant differences (p <0.05) in both trials for most variables, for both treatments, weather, but also to the influence of storage time within each treatment. However, for the two trials the number of significant variables between treatments was lower than the number of variables that were significant to the storage times, with the interaction time*treatment they received substantial significance within results found. In these two trials conducted using the cooling and freezing Bijupirá, the best results for the treatment intensity at 150 volts for most variables where there were significant differences (p <0.05) were observed between treatments. It was also concluded that cobia can be kept within seven days of slaughter in cold storage and up to 180 days when stored at freezing.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram desenvolver o protocolo do Método do Índice de Qualidade (MIQ) para avaliação da qualidade sensorial da pescada amarela parcialmente eviscerada e armazenada em gelo; avaliar as alterações sensoriais, químicas e microbiológicas da pescada amarela durante o armazenamento e indicar os parâmetros mais adequados para avaliação da qualidade propondo limites de aceitação para a espécie. Quatro lotes com peixes recém capturados em Praia Grande-SP foram transportados à Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA) e armazenados entre camadas de gelo (0-1ºC) em câmara fria. Periodicamente 5 peixes foram amostrados e submetidos às análises sensorial (para desenvolvimento do protocolo MIQ e posterior avaliação), microbiológicas (contagens de psicrotróficos, coliformes totais e fecais, Salmonella sp, estafilococos coagulase positiva) e químicas (bases nitrogenadas voláteis-BNV, trimetilamina-TMA, triptofano livre e uréia). A qualidade da pescada amarela comercializada em 14 pontos de venda nas cidades de Santos, São Vicente e Praia Grande foi avaliada utilizando-se o protocolo MIQ desenvolvido, análises microbiológicas e químicas. O protocolo MIQ desenvolvido apresentou aumento linear do índice de qualidade (IQ) ao longo do armazenamento. Nos peixes do lote 1, contagens de psicrotróficos atingiram 107ufc/g no 14º dia. Nos lotes 3 e 4 esse limite foi alcançado entre o 6º e 8º dia. Contagens de E.coli superiores a 102ufc/g foram observadas em 9,5% dos peixes do lote 1 após 21 dias de armazenamento e em 15,25% dos peixes do lote 3 no 6º e 9º dia. Staphylococcus aureus estava ausente em todos os peixes e Salmonella sp foi detectada foi detectada em 7,4% das pescadas amarelas analisadas. Os valores finais de BNV variaram de 23.8 mg/100g a 159 mg/100g em pescadas amarelas e foi dependente da carga microbiana inicial. Todos os lotes apresentaram aumento no teor de TMA, que variou entre 0,18 mg/100g e 15,44mg/100g. As amostras de pescada amarela comercializadas apresentaram IQ variando de 2 a 23, indicando um tempo provável pós captura de 3 até 14 dias. Todos os peixes analisados estavam livres de Salmonella sp e E.coli. Staphylococcus aureus foi determinado em níveis abaixo do limite estipulado pela legislação. Contagens de psicrotróficos acima de 107ufc/g foram observadas em 50% dos peixes. Coliformes totais variaram de 102ufc/g até 107ufc/g. Os valores de TMA e BNV foram maiores que os estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira em 50% e 65% dos peixes, respectivamente. No entanto, em relação à TMA, concentrações superiores a 4mg/100g foram encontradas em peixes que apresentaram contagens de psicrotróficos, concentração de BNV e IQ aceitáveis, sugerindo valores em torno de 12-14mg TMA/100g de peixe como limite adequado para consumo de pescada amarela O valor 30mg de BNV/100g recomendado pela legislação brasileira parece ser adequado como limite de comercialização de pescada amarela, porém a concentração de BNV não está diretamente relacionada ao tempo de armazenamento desde a captura. Triptofano livre e uréia não foram parâmetros químicos adequados para avaliação do frescor da pescada amarela. O protocolo MIQ foi eficiente para a avaliação da qualidade de pescada amarela, apresentando boa correlação entre a perda da qualidade sensorial e o tempo de estocagem. A análise de correlação entre os resultados das diversas análises sugere que a pescada amarela, quando eviscerada e resfriada em gelo, mantém características adequadas para consumo até o 8º dia de armazenamento. Diversos estabelecimentos comerciais de Santos, São Vicente e Praia Grande disponibilizam para os consumidores pescada amarela resfriada em condições inadequadas para consumo de acordo com a legislação brasileira. / The objectives of this study were to develop a Quality Index Method (QIM) scheme for sensory evaluation of partially gutted Acoupa weakfish; to evaluate the sensory, chemical and microbial changes during storage in ice and to suggest the best parameters for quality evaluation and limits of acceptability of this fish species. Four groups of Acoupa weakfish caught in Praia Grande, São Paulo state, were transported to the Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA) within 24h of their capture and stored between layers of ice (0-1ºC) in chilling room. Periodically, 5 fishes were sampled and evaluated by sensory (QIM), microbial (counts of psychrotrophic, total and faecal coliforms, Salmonella sp and coagulase-positive Staphylococcus) and chemical (volatile base nitrogen-VBN, trimethylamine-TMA, free tryptophan and urea) analysis. The quality of samples of Acoupa weakfish commercialized in fourteen markets in Santos, São Vicente and Praia Grande cities was also evaluated. The QIM scheme presented linear increase of QI during the storage. In fishes of group 1 the counts of psychrotrophic bacteria reached 107cfu/g at the 14th day of storage. In groups 3 and 4 this limit was reached between days 6 and 8. Counts of E. coli higher than 102cfu/g were detected in 9.5% of the fishes belonging to the group 1 after day 21. This level was also detected in 15.25% of the fishes of the group 3 after days 6 and 9. Staphylococcus aureus was not detected and Salmonella sp was present in 7.4% of the Acoupa weakfish in groups 1 and 2. VBN contents ranged from 23.8 mg/100g to 159 mg/100g and was affected by the microbial load at the beginning of the storage. All the groups of Acoupa weakfish in this study, presented increases in TMA contents during storage and the values ranged between 0.18 and 15.44mg/100g. The samples of Acoupa weakfish obtained from markets showed QI ranging from 2 to 23, suggesting a storage time between 3 to 14 days respectively. All the fishes were free from Salmonella sp and E. coli. Counts of Staphylococcus aureus were lower than the amount determined by the Brazilian legislation. Counts of psychrotrophic bacteria higher than 107cfu/g were observed in 50% of the fishes. Counts of total coliforms ranged from 102cfu/g till 107cfu/g. TMA and VBN contents were higher than the amount allowed by the Brazilian legislation in 50% and 65% of the fishes, respectively. Nevertheless, TMA contents higher than 4mg/100g, were detected in fishes presenting low counts of psychrotrophics, low VBN levels and low QI. Contents ranging from 12-14mg TMA/100g of fish are the suggested limits of consumption for Acoupa weakfish. The limit of 30mg of VBN/100g of fish, allowed by the Brazilian legislation is the appropriate amount for commercialization of Acoupa weakfish, although the VBN contents are not directly related to the storage time. Free tryptophan and urea were not useful as quality indices for Acoupa weakfish. The QIM scheme was effective for quality evaluation of Acoupa weakfish showing significant correlation with quality loss and storage time. Results of correlation analysis allow suggesting that Acoupa weakfish, when gutted and maintained in ice, is suitable for consuming until day 8. Several markets in Santos, São Vicente and Praia Grande commercialize chilled Acoupa weakfish that are unacceptable for consumption according to the Brazilian legislation.

O processo de microencapsulação vem sendo bastante aplicado em alimentos e um dos objetivos que vem se destacando atualmente é o controle da liberação do agente ativo no tempo e local desejado. Portanto, o objetivo do trabalho foi microencapsular agentes refrescantes (xilitol e mentol) a aplicá-los em gomas de mascar, objetivando prolongar a duração da sensação de refrescância. Xilitol e mentol foram microencapsulados utilizando o método de coacervação complexa. As microcápsulas foram caracterizadas quanto ao tamanho médio, morfologia (microscopia ótica, confocal e eletrônica de varredura), cor instrumental, higroscopicidade, umidade, atividade de água (Aw), solubilidade em água, isotermas de sorção, espectroscopia no infravermelho por transformada de Fourier (FTIR), comportamento térmico (por Caloria Diferencial de Varredura - DSC), eficiência de encapsulação e controle de liberação. As gomas de mascar foram produzidas no laboratório de pesquisa e desenvolvimento de uma indústria de alimentos. Oito formulações foram produzidas, sendo quatro com as microcápsulas e quatro com os ingredientes livres. As gomas foram analisadas em relação à umidade, Aw e cor instrumental; por meio da análise do perfil de textura (TPA) avaliou-se a dureza, elasticidade, mastigabilidade e a coesividade das gomas. Análise de tempo-intensidade (TI) das gomas de mascar foi realizada com 19 provadores treinados para avaliar a duração da sensação de refrescância fornecida por esses ingredientes. As microcápsulas obtidas apresentaram características adequadas para aplicação em alimentos, como tamanho médio de partículas de aproximadamente 100 µm e baixos valores de umidade, Aw, solubilidade e higroscopicidade. Por meio da microscopia confocal e da análise de FTIR confirmou-se que os núcleos foram completamente encapsulados pelo material de parede, demonstrando o sucesso da técnica empregada. A eficiência de encapsulação foi alta para o mentol, mas relativamente baixa para o xilitol. Por meio da análise de DSC constatou-se que o xilitol e o mentol passam do estado cristalino para o estado amorfo após o processo de microencapsulação, o que não interfere nas propriedades do mentol, mas no caso do xilitol sim, pois sua refrescância é atribuída ao seu calor de dissolução endotérmico. As gomas de mascar apresentaram baixos valores de Aw e umidade, o que favorece a estabilidade microbiológica. Em relação ao perfil de textura, observou-se que a presença do xilitol melhorou os parâmetros de textura das gomas, pois as gomas produzidas com este composto apresentaram os menores valores de dureza, mastigabilidade e elasticidade. A presença das microcápsulas não interferiu significativamente em nenhum dos parâmetros de textura analisados. A análise de TI confirmou que as microcápsulas foram hábeis para promover liberação gradual do mentol e do xilitol, pois a refrescância das gomas de mascar contendo as microcápsulas durou mais tempo que as gomas de mascar com os ingredientes livres. / The microencapsulation process has been widely applied in food and one of the aims that have been highlighted is to control the release of the active agent at the desired time and local. Therefore, the objective was to microencapsulate cooling agents (menthol and xylitol) to apply them in chewing gum, aiming to prolong the feeling of freshness. Xylitol and menthol were microencapsulated using complex coacervation method. The microcapsules were characterized by particle size, morphology (optical microscopy, confocal and scanning electron), instrumental color parameter, hygroscopicity, moisture, water activity (Aw), solubility, sorption isotherms, Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal behavior (Differential Scanning Calorie -DSC), encapsulation efficiency and release control. The chewing gums were produced in the research and development laboratory of a food industry. Eight formulations were produced, four with microcapsules and four with free ingredients. The gums were analyzed for moisture, Aw and instrumental color parameter; by texture profile analysis (TPA) was evaluated hardness, springiness, chewiness and cohesiveness of the gum. Analysis of time-intensity (TI) of chewing gum was conducted with 19 trained panelists to evaluate the duration of the freshness sensation provided by such ingredients. The microcapsules obtained had characteristics suitable for application in foods such as average particle size of approximately 100 µm and low levels of humidity, Aw, solubility and hygroscopicity. By confocal microscopy and FTIR analysis it was confirmed that the cores were completely encapsulated by wall material, ensuring the success of the technique. The encapsulation efficiency was high in menthol microcapsules but relatively low for xylitol microcapsules. By the DSC analysis it was found that xylitol and menthol crystalline state transform to the amorphous state after the microencapsulation process, which does not affect the properties of menthol, but in the xylitol yes, because their freshness is attributed to its endothermic heat of dissolution. Chewing gums showed low values of Aw and moisture, which favors the microbiological stability. Through TPA, was observed that the presence of xylitol improved the texture parameters of the gums because the gums produced with this compound showed the lowest hardness, chewiness and elasticity. The presence of the microcapsules was not significantly influenced the texture parameters analyzed. Time-Intensity analysis confirmed that the microcapsules were able to promote gradual release of menthol and xylitol, because the freshness of chewing gum containing microcapsules lasted longer than the chewing gum free ingredients.

O objetivo desse estudo foi determinar a vida útil da tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) inteira armazenada em gelo, usando analises sensoriais (Método do Índice de Qualidade), físico-químicas (bases nitrogenadas voláteis totais - BNVT, sustâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico - TBARS, pH, cor, textura e microbiológicas (microrganismos mesófilos e psicrotróficos). Uma equipe de sete provadores foi treinada durante sete sessões para avaliação sensorial de frescor em peixe cru e filés cozidos. Um esquema QIM foi otimizado para tilápia inteira e outro desenvolvido para filés cozidos, com 19 e 12 pontos de demérito, respetivamente. Três lotes de tilápia foram usados e os exemplares foram armazenados durante 13 dias em gelo para avaliar as alterações dos atributos de qualidade (aparência, brânquias, olhos, parede abdominal). A vida útil da tilápia do Nilo armazenada em gelo foi determinada em oito dias com base no critério sensorial dos filés cozidos, e pode ser usada como referencia para predizer o tempo de conservação residual. O índice de qualidade apresentou uma alta correlação linear com o tempo em gelo (IQ = 1,3865 x dias + 0,7922, R2 = 0,96), assim como também todos os atributos de qualidade. As análises sensoriais mostraram ser adequadas e confiáveis para avaliar o grau de frescor da tilápia, porem é recomendado usar no mínimo quatro peixes e mais do que um avaliador. A firmeza diminuiu durante o tempo de conservação em gelo (r = -0,73). Há uma pobre correlação entre os índices físico-químicos e microbiológicos e o tempo em gelo, não sendo considerados parâmetros confiáveis para avaliação das alterações da qualidade da tilápia do Nilo. Porém, peixes com até 13 dias não representam um risco para o consumidor, considerando que não foram ultrapassados os teores limites de BVNT (< 30 mg N/100g) nem de micro-organismos mesófilos viáveis (< 107 UFC/g). / The aim of this study was to determine the shelf-life of whole Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) stored in ice, using sensory analysis (Quality Index Method), physicochemical (total volatile base nitrogen - TVB-N, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances - TBARS, pH, color, texture and microbiological (mesophilic and psychrotrophic). A sensory panel of seven assessors was trained during seven sessions for sensory evaluation of fresh fish and cooked fillets. A QIM scheme was optimized for whole tilapia and other developed for cooked fillets, with 19 and by 12 points of demerit, respectively. Three batches of tilapia were used and the fish were stored on ice during 13 days to evaluate the changes in quality attributes (appearance, gills, eyes, abdomen). The shelf-life of Nile tilapia stored on ice was determined in eight days based on sensory analysis of cooked fillets, and can be used as reference to predict the remaining shelf life. The quality index had a high linear correlation with time on ice (QI = 1.3865 x + 0.7922 days, R2 = 0.96), as well as all quality attributes. Sensory analysis showed to be adequate and reliable for assessing the degree of freshness of tilapia, however it is recommended to use at least 4 fish and more than one assessor. The firmness decreased during the ice shelf life (r = -0.73). There is a poor correlation between the physical, chemical and microbiological indexes and the time stored on ice, whereby they\'re not considered reliable parameters for assessing changes in quality of Nile tilapia. However, fish up to 13 days do not represent a risk for the consumer, considering they were not exceeded the limits of TVB-N levels (< 30 mg N/100 g) and also not the viable mesophilic microorganisms (< 107 CFU / g).

One of the issues when attempting to verify security properties of a protocol is how to model the protocol. We introduce a method for verifying event freshness in tools which use the applied π-calculus and are able to verify secrecy. Event freshness can be used to prove that a protocol never generates the same key twice. In this work we encode state in the applied π-calculus and perform bounded verification of freshness for MiniDC by using the ProVerif tool. MiniDC is a trivial protocol that for each iteration of a loop generates a unique key and outputs it to a private channel. When verifying freshness, the abstractions of ProVerif cause false attacks. We describe methods which can be used to avoid false attacks that appear when verifying freshness. We show how to avoid some false attacks introduced by private channels, state and protocols that disclose their secret. We conclude that the method used to verify freshness in MiniDCis impractical to use in more complicated protocols with state. / Ett av problemen som uppstår vid verifiering av säkerhetsprotokoll är hur protokoll ska modelleras. Vi introducerar en metod för att verifiera att skapde termer inte har använts förr. Denna metod kan användas i program som använder applicerad π-kalkyl som input och kan verifiera sekretess. I detta arbete visar vi hur protokoll med persistenta variabler kan modelleras i applicerad π-kalkyl. Vi verifierar även MiniDC för ett begränsat antal iterationer med hjälp av ProVerif. MiniDC är ett enkelt protokoll som för varje iteration av en loop skapar en nyckel och skickar den över en privat kanal. När man verifierar att skapade termer inte har använts förr så introducerar ProVerifs abstraktioner falska attacker. Vi beskriver metoder som kan användas för att undvika dessa falska attacker. Dessa metoder kan användas för falska attacker introducerade av privata kanaler, persistenta variabler eller protokoll som avslöjar sin krypteringsnyckel. Vår slutsats är att metoden som används för att verifiera MiniDC är opraktisk att använda i mer komplicerade protokoll med persistenta variabler.

Research in consumer behavior has focused predominantly on how consumers make purchase decisions. However, much less attention has been directed toward examining post-purchase behaviors. In this dissertation, I examine how ownership affects individuals' disposal decisions of their current possessions. In essay 1, I investigate how differences in duration of ownership affect consumers' food waste behaviors. I demonstrate that the same food products are more likely to be wasted as well as wasted more of when they are owned for a longer duration (vs. purchased more recently). I also delineate how this wastage can be reduced. In essay 2, I explore how a specific post-ownership experience, evaluations (positive vs. negative), influences consumers' recycling behaviors, even when these evaluations (e.g., taste of a drink) do not affect recyclability (e.g., of the bottle). I demonstrate that consumers will be more likely to recycle products associated with positive (vs. negative) evaluations, and, thus, will be more likely to recycle a drink's bottle when the taste is evaluated more positively. / Doctor of Philosophy / When thinking about the field of consumer behavior, most might believe it to involve studying how consumers evaluate products and make purchase decisions. Very few might believe that studying post-purchase behaviors also falls within the realm of consumer behavior. Unfortunately, these beliefs are quite common, and are not held by lay people alone. In fact, in the past, even researchers thought of consumer research as being synonymous with buyer behavior. However, researchers now recognize that consumer behavior is a dynamic ongoing process, which does not just start and end with product purchase. In this dissertation, I focus on one type of consumers' post-purchase behavior, disposal decisions. Specifically, I look at how ownership affects individuals' disposal decisions of their current possessions. In essay 1, I focus on consumers' food waste behavior. I study how differences in how long they have owned a food product (duration-of-ownership) affect their food evaluations as well as food waste behavior. I find that even when two food products are otherwise identical (i.e., same manufacturing/expiration dates, not expired, previously unopened), consumers are more likely to waste as well as waste more of the one purchased earlier (a longer duration-of-ownership) than that purchased more recently (a shorter duration-of-ownership). I also suggest one strategy to help reduce this food wastage. In essay 2, I focus on consumers' recycling behavior. I study how product evaluations affect consumers' recycling decisions. I find that even when these evaluations (e.g., taste of a drink) have nothing to do with the container (e.g., bottle of the drink), consumers are more likely to recycle the drink's bottle when they like the taste than when they do not like the taste of the drink.

Age of Information (AoI) is a performance metric that can be used to measure the freshness of information. Since its inception, it has captured the attention of the research community and is now an area of active research. By its definition, AoI measures the elapsed time period between the present time and the generation time of the information. AoI is fundamentally different from traditional metrics such as delay or latency as the latter only considers the transit time for a packet to traverse the network. Among the state-of-the-art in the literature, we identify two limitations that deserve further investigation. First, many existing efforts on AoI have been limited to information-theoretic exploration by considering extremely simple models and unrealistic assumptions, which are far from real-world communication systems. Second, among most existing work on scheduling algorithms to optimize AoI, there is a lack of research on guaranteeing AoI deadlines. The goal of this dissertation is to address these two limitations in the state-of-the-art. First, we design schedulers to minimize AoI under more practical settings, including varying sampling periods, varying sample sizes, cellular transmission models, dynamic channel conditions, etc. Second, we design schedulers to guarantee hard or soft AoI deadlines for each information source. More important, inspired by our results from guaranteeing AoI deadlines, we develop a general design framework that can be applied to construct high-performance schedulers for AoI-related problems. This dissertation is organized into three parts. In the first part, we study two problems on AoI minimization under general settings. (i) We consider general and heterogeneous sampling behaviors among source nodes, varying sample size, and a cellular-based transmission model. We develop a near-optimal low-complexity scheduler---code-named Juventas---to minimize AoI. (ii) We study the AoI minimization problem under a 5G network with dynamic channels. To meet the stringent real-time requirement for 5G, we develop a GPU-based near-optimal algorithm---code-named Kronos---and implement it on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) GPUs. In the second part, we investigate three problems on guaranteeing AoI deadlines. (i) We study the problem to guarantee a hard AoI deadline for information from each source. We present a novel low-complexity procedure, called Fictitious Polynomial Mapping (FPM), and prove that FPM can find a feasible scheduler for any hard deadline vector when the system load is under ln 2. (ii) For soft AoI deadlines, i.e., occasional violations can be tolerated, we present a novel procedure called Unstable Tolerant Scheduler (UTS). UTS hinges upon the notions of Almost Uniform Schedulers (AUSs) and step-down rate vectors. We show that UTS has strong performance guarantees under different settings. (iii) We investigate a 5G scheduling problem to minimize the proportion of time when the AoI exceeds a soft deadline. We derive a property called uniform fairness and use it as a guideline to develop a 5G scheduler---Aequitas. To meet the real-time requirement in 5G, we implement Aequitas on a COTS GPU. In the third part, we present Eywa---a general design framework that can be applied to construct high-performance schedulers for AoI-related optimization and decision problems. The design of Eywa is inspired by the notions of AUS schedulers and step-down rate vectors when we develop UTS in the second part. To validate the efficacy of the proposed Eywa framework, we apply it to solve a number of problems, such as minimizing the sum of AoIs, minimizing bandwidth requirement under AoI constraints, and determining the existence of feasible schedulers to satisfy AoI constraints. We find that for each problem, Eywa can either offer a stronger performance guarantee than the state-of-the-art algorithms, or provide new/general results that are not available in the literature. / Doctor of Philosophy / Age of Information (AoI) is a performance metric that can be used to measure the freshness of information. It measures the elapsed time period between the present time and the generation time of the information. Through a literature review, we have identified two limitations: (i) many existing efforts on AoI have employed extremely simple models and unrealistic assumptions, and (ii) most existing work focuses on optimizing AoI, while overlooking AoI deadline requirements in some applications. The goal of this dissertation is to address these two limitations. For the first limitation, we study the problem to minimize the average AoI in general and practical settings, such as dynamic channels and 5G NR networks. For the second limitation, we design schedulers to guarantee hard or soft AoI deadlines for information from each source. Finally, we develop a general design framework that can be applied to construct high-performance schedulers for AoI-related problems.