Ethanol extracts of “jenipapo” (Genipa americana Linnaeus), “umbu" (Spondia tuberosa Arruda), “siriguela” (Spondia purpurea Linnaeus) and “mangaba” (Hancornia speciosa Gomes) were prepared from separate pulp, seeds and peel; except mangaba which are used pulp and peel. The investigation of antioxidant capacity of the ethanol extracts were carried out by the methods of determining the content of ascorbic acid and total phenolics; scavenging 2, 2 -diphenyl-1-picrilhydrazyl and 2, 2’- azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical, antioxidant capacity of reduction of iron and copper and lipid peroxidation using a biomimetic membrane system, and measurement enzymatic of catalase and superoxide dismutase. It was also analyzed the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, cytotoxic effect on corneal epithelial cells of sheep, as well as phytochemicals assays and identification of phenolic compounds and organic acids present in the extracts by UPLC - MS. The highest values of total phenolic content were obtained with peel and seed extracts and to ascorbic acid in the seed of siriguela, showing better antioxidant activities of seeds and peel extracts of siriguela and umbu. Lipid peroxidation assays indicated that genipap pulp is a promising antioxidant. Genipap pulp and siriguela seed ethanol extracts presented an acetylcholinesterase inhibition zone similar to that of the positive control, carbachol. The investigation of phenols and organic acid contents revealed the presence of quercetin (48,38 to 3,88 μg.g-1), quinic acid (43,28 to 41,88 μg.g-1) and citric acid (3,78 to 0,43 μg.g-1) in several extracts and chlorogenic acid with the highest amount found in siriguela seeds (356,93 μg.g-1). These data suggest new uses for these foods as potential antioxidant supplements for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A partir das cascas, polpas e sementes do jenipapo (Genipa americana Linnaeus), umbu (Spondia tuberosa Arruda), siriguela (Spondia purpurea Linnaeus) e mangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomes) foram preparados extratos etanólicos, com exceção da mangaba onde o extrato foi preparado utilizando casca e polpa. Os extratos foram submetidos à investigação da capacidade antioxidante através dos métodos de determinação do conteúdo de ácido ascórbico e fenóis totais, sequestro do radical 2,2-difenil-1-picril-hidrazil e 2,2´- azinobis (3-etilbenzotiazolina-6-ácido sulfônico), capacidade antioxidante de redução do ferro e cobre, lipoperoxidação utilizando um sistema de membranas biomimético e mensuração enzimática da catalase e superóxido dismutase. Também foi avaliada a atividade inibitória da enzima acetilcolinesterase, o efeito citotóxico em células epiteliais da córnea de ovelhas, além da realização de ensaios fitoquímicos e a identificação de compostos fenólicos e ácidos orgânicos presentes nos extratos. Os maiores teores de fenóis totais foram obtidos nos extratos das cascas e sementes e no referente ao ácido ascórbico na semente da siriguela, apresentando melhor atividade antioxidante os extratos das sementes e cascas da siriguela e do umbu. Porém, no ensaio de peroxidação lipídica, o extrato etanólico da polpa de jenipapo demonstrou ser um antioxidante promissor. Os extratos etanólicos da polpa do jenipapo e da semente da siriguela apresentaram uma zona de inibição da enzima acetilcolinesterase semelhantes ao controle positivo, carbacol. Na investigação dos compostos fenólicos e ácidos orgânicos por UPLC-MS verificou-se a presença nos extratos de quercetina (48,38 a 3,88 μg.g-1), ácido quínico (43,28 a 41,88 μg.g-1), ácido cítrico (3,78 a 0,43 μg.g-1) em vários extratos. E ácido clorogênico, na semente da siriguela (356,93 μg.g-1). Os resultados obtidos desses extratos sugerem novas formas de utilização desses alimentos como potenciais suplementos antioxidantes na indústria alimentícia, farmacêutica e cosmética.

La représentation de phénomènes naturels fait partie des domaines les plus complexes et les plus actifs de la recherche en informatique graphique. Notre compréhension de la nature s'améliorant au fil des années, les chercheurs ne cessent de proposer des nouveaux modèles, toujours plus pertinents les uns que les autres, et permettant de reproduire les différents phénomènes naturels que nous pouvons observer autour de nous, dans la vie de tous les jours. Nous nous sommes intéressés à la représentation du fruit et des différents éléments qui le caractérisent. Le fruit est un objet complexe et, en fonction de la précision requise, sa conception à l'aide de logiciels de modélisation 3D peut très vite devenir compliquée. Notre modèle permet de générer une grande variété de fruits de formes différentes ainsi que les différents éléments de leur structure interne et ce, grâce à l'utilisation d'une seule grammaire. Au sein d'une même espèce, les fruits générés seront tous différents au niveau de leur forme, tout en restant semblables. La seconde partie de nos travaux porte quant à elle sur la représentation des imperfections géométriques qui sont propres aux fruits. Les fruits sont le résultat de l'enchaînement d'un très grand nombre de processus physiologiques complexes qui interagissent fortement entre eux. Lorsque le bon fonctionnement de l'un de ces processus est compromis, cette anomalie se matérialise sur le fruit par l'apparition de défauts au niveau de sa forme. Notre modèle propose une approche simple, basée sur l'utilisation de grammaires, qui permettent d'altérer soit la forme générale d'un fruit soit des parties de sa surface. / One of the largest areas of research in computer graphics deals with natural phenomena representation. Over the years, as our understanding of nature grew, researchers started to propose new ways of simulating the various natural phenomena that we can observe in our everyday life. In this thesis, we focused on the representation of fruits. The fruit is a complex object. Depending on the desired accuracy, modeling a 3D fruit using classic 3D modeling software can become very tedious. We propose a model for generating vast varieties of fruits as well as their internal structure, thanks to the use of a single formal grammar. Each fruit that will be generated using our method will have global features that characterize its species, but it will also have local variations that are specific to it. The second part of ou work involves the representation of geometrical imperfections along the fruit. The fruit is the result of a series of physiological processes that strongly interact with each other. When one of these processes does not work the way it should, this dysfunction is materialized in the form of a shape defect. Our model introduces a simple approach, based on the use of grammars, which will allow us to apply variations on fruits in order to generate various categories of shape defects.

MSc (Applied Mathematics) / Department of Applied Mathematcs / See the attached abstract below

Objectifs : Les inégalités sociales de l’alimentation sont vécues différemment parmi les populations vulnérables. Cette étude examine la relation entre le statut d’immigration, l’insécurité alimentaire (IA) et la fréquence de consommation de fruits et légumes (F/L) et de boissons sucrées (BS) dans les ménages à faible revenu pendant la pandémie de COVID-19. Méthodes : Étude transversale auprès de 467 adultes (231 immigrants, 236 personnes nées au Canada) dans quatre quartiers défavorisés de Montréal (Québec). La fréquence de consommation de F/L et de BS a été modélisée selon l’IA et l’environnement alimentaire (densité des commerces d’alimentation, perceptions d’accès physique aux aliments sains et utilisation des ressources alimentaires communautaires) pour l’échantillon total et selon le statut d’immigration. Résultats : Les immigrants consommaient plus fréquemment des F/L (3,19 ± 1,64/jour) et moins de BS (0,22 ± 0,39/jour) que ceux nés au Canada (respectivement 2,80 ± 1,78 et 0,43 ± 0,88/jour). L’IA grave était fortement associée à une fréquence de consommation moindre de F/L. L’utilisation de kiosques de F/L chez les Canadiens natifs et des perceptions positives d’accès aux aliments dans les commerces chez les immigrants étaient associées à une fréquence de consommation plus élevée de FL. L’IA modérée était associée à un rapport de cotes plus élevé de consommer plus fréquemment des BS chez les natifs du Canada tandis qu’on observe l’inverse chez les immigrants en IA grave. Conclusion : Les inégalités sociales liées à l’alimentation sont vécues différemment chez les populations à faible revenu selon leur statut d’immigration / Objectives: Social inequalities in diet exist among vulnerable populations. This study assessed relationships between immigrant status, food insecurity (FI), frequency of fruit, and vegetable (F/V), and sugary drinks intake among urban low-income households during COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Cross-sectional analysis among 467 adults in 2021 (231 immigrants and 236 Canadianborn individuals) in 4 disadvantaged neighborhoods in Montreal (Quebec). Frequency of F/V and sugary drinks intakes were modeled using multivariate linear regression and logistic regression respectively, including variables of food security status, the density of food stores, perceptions of physical access to healthy foods, and usage of community food resources using multivariate linear regression and logistic regression respectively, for the entire sample then stratified by immigrant status. Results: Immigrants consumed F/V (3.19 ± 1.64/day) more frequently and sugary drinks (0.22 ± 0.39/day) less regularly than Canadian-born individuals (respectively 2.80 ± 1.78 and 0.43 ± 0,88/day). Severe FI was strongly associated with lower frequency of F/V intake. When stratifying by immigrant status, using F/V kiosks was associated with higher frequency of F/V consumption among Canadian-born individuals (β=0.49 times/day, CI= [0.04, 0.94]), and positive perceptions of food access were associated with higher frequency of F/V intake among immigrants. For sugary drinks, moderate FI was associated with higher odds of consuming more frequently sugary drinks among Canadian-born individuals (OR= 4.52; CI= [1.42, 14.35]) and with lower odds among immigrants with severe FI (OR=0.19, CI= [0.05, 0.76]). Conclusion: Social inequalities associated with diet are experienced differently among lowincome populations according to their immigrant status.

The purpose of this study was to determine if the amount and variety of fruit and vegetable intake increased among community-dwelling older adults participating in Kentucky’s congregate meal site program following a series of educational nutrition lessons. A convenience sample (n=35) of community-dwelling older adults at two intervention (n=19) and two control (n=16) senior centers in central Kentucky participated in this quasi-experimental pre-post pilot study. Following the intervention there was a trend towards increased self-reported intake in the variety of fruit and vegetables among the intervention group (range:0.03±3.31 to 1.32±2.75 servings per week); a significant increase in the number of days participants incorporated at least 4.5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day intake; significant increases in the incorporation of fruits and vegetables in evening meal, and all meals (p≤0.05); and phytochemical knowledge (p≤0.05). Actual fruit and vegetable intake at the congregate meal increased post-intervention among the intervention group only (p≤0.05) as measured by plate waste. The mean Phytochemical Index score was 25.4, with participants consuming 79% of the phytochemical- rich component to their meal. These results indicate that theory-based educational nutrition lessons among older adults is linked to favorable trends towards increased fruit and vegetable consumption and phytochemical knowledge.

Microsprinkler irrigation offers excellent flexibility for site-specific management of water and nitrogen inputs for citrus orchards in the southwestern United States. Escalating water costs, declining water availability, and increasing regulation of nitrogen (N) fertilizer use are causing growers to adopt practices to improve water and N use efficiency. A three-year field experiment was initiated in the spring of 1996 on six-year-old pink grapefruit trees at the University of Arizona Citrus Agricultural Center. The objectives of this experiment are to i) evaluate the effects of fertigation frequency and fluid N application rate on the yield and fruit quality of microsprinkler irrigated grapefruit, and ii) develop best management guidelines for fluid N application frequency and rate for microsprinkler irrigated citrus. Treatments include a factorial combination of two N rates (recommended and 2 the recommended rate) and three fertigation frequencies (weekly, monthly, and tri-monthly). Minimal treatment effects were observed during the first season due to the influence of previous management practices. During the second season, fertilized trees yielded greater than the control trees. There was no significant difference between N rates, but fruit yield was generally higher with monthly or weekly fertigation. Leaf tissue samples collected during the second and third growing seasons showed increasing leaf N with increasing fertigation frequency at the high N rate.

This study is about one of the most ubiquitous and yet little studied aspects of ancient Greek religion, the offering of so-called ‘first-fruits’ (aparchai) and tithes (dekatai) in Archaic and Classical Greece (c.700-300 B.C.). A widespread and traditional custom all over Greece and the Greek Mediterranean, the offering of ‘first-fruits’ and tithes entailed using a portion of the proceeds from a diversity of human activities (such as craft-work, fishing, trade, military expeditions) to present something to the gods. I look at the different kinds of aparchai and dekatai offered to the Greek gods by individuals and states under various circumstances, the various contexts in which the language and practice of making such offerings were used, the deployment of this religious custom in politics, and the transformation of a voluntary practice into a religious obligation. Ultimately, however, my major concern is with questions of religious psychology: why people should bring aparchai and dekatai to the gods, and what motivations and expectations they might have had. Because it was such a commonplace practice, the custom has been taken simply as a given in both ancient and modern scholarship; and no attempt has been made to explain its religious significance. By drawing on current anthropological studies of gift-giving, I argue that that aparchai and dekatai do not merely give to the gods, but give back to the gods some of the benefits granted by the divinities in the first place, reflecting first and foremost a sense of dependence on the divine. I suggest that the offering of aparchai and dekatai may be thought of as a means of settling men’s debts to, and thereby maintaining good relations with, the gods, who were considered the sources of both goods and evils. I challenge the emphasis, common in modern scholarship, on material returns as the central motive behind the act of bringing gifts to the gods. Instead I suggest that the study of gift-giving between humans and the divine should embrace the possibility that psychological feelings of dependence on and gratitude to the gods might also have been involved.

Les échanges commerciaux s'intensifient et s'étendent à l'ensemble de la planète. Le consommateur est exigeant et sensible à la qualité et à l'origine des produits alimentaires qu'il achète. Devant la difficulté de mettre en place des systèmes documentaires dans les pays d'Afrique sub-saharienne, des nouvelles stratégies de traçabilité émergent. Parmi les nouveaux moyens de tracer les produits d'origine végétale, l'idée de créer un « code barre biologique » basé sur l'analyse des ADN de microorganismes présents sur les fruits est une piste intéressante. Cette thèse est l'objet d'étude d'un WP dirigé par D. Montet obtenu dans le cadre du projet Inco Innovkar géré par JM Bouvet de l'UR 39. Cette méthode repose sur l'hypothèse que la microflore commensale du fruit de karité est spécifique entre autre d'une zone géographique de production. L'écologie des bactéries, levures et moisissures seront étudiées par le thésard sur le karité et le Physalis, une plante à fruit de la même zone géographique à fort potentiel commercial. L'analyse biochimique des fruits ainsi que l'activité antimicrobienne de certaines molécules sera étudiée (physaline). / Trade intensified and spread to the entire planet. The consumer is demanding and sensitive to the quality and origin of food products they buy. Given the difficulty of setting up documentation systems in countries in sub-Saharan Africa, new strategies are emerging traceability. Among the new means of tracing products of plant origin, the idea of creating a "biological bar code" based on the analysis of DNA of microorganisms on fruit is an interesting idea. This thesis is the subject of a study conducted by D. Montet WP obtained under the Inco project managed by JM Bouvet Innovkar of UR 39. This method assumes that the commensally microflora of the fruit of Shea is among other a specific geographical area of production. The ecology of bacteria, yeasts and molds will be reviewed by the PhD student on Shea butter and Physalis, a plant with fruit of the same geographical area with high commercial potential. Biochemical analysis of fruit and antimic robial activity of certain molecules will be studied (physaline).

The study was conducted to explore the role of social capital in the implementation of Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Programs (FVIP) through a case study of the Appalachian Farmacy (AF) program and to fill a gap in literature on social capital utility in the implementation and evaluation of FVIPs. The study was guided by a conceptual model adopted from Berkman et al. (2000) to identify the mechanisms through which social networks can impact health. A qualitative content analysis was conducted retrospectively on secondary data from the evaluation of AF program to identify social capital attributes. In addition, the study conducted two focus groups with AF participants and four interviews with AF program administrators to explore their perceptions on the role of social capital in the implementation of FVIPs using a phenomenological approach. The study utilized both inductive and deductive analysis techniques with the conceptual model as the guide for analysis. The Bengtsson’s four steps for conducting content analysis were used for AF content analysis and Tracy’s (2013) two-level coding was used to analyze the focus groups and interviews. All the findings were triangulated and mapped on the study’s framework to identify the main and emergent themes. The findings revealed the main avenues for social networks were: cooking classes, farmers markets, recruitment sites, and a low-income housing complex. The main social capital 3 mechanisms were: instrumental and informational social support; social participation and engagement; and social influence. The main actors in the networks were the program administrators, market vendors, and other participants. Lastly, the health pathways identified were the changes in perceptions towards diet and health. The emergent themes revealed that barriers to access and individual characteristics were potential moderating themes, and case management by the program administrators was a potential mediating theme to program implementation. The study showed that the model was effective in exploring social capital in FVIPs. It highlighted the role that social networks, program actors and social capital play in implementation of public health interventions. Social capital may play an important role in health promotion and more research is needed to identify the mediating influences of the model.

Os carboidratos presentes nos alimentos são responsáveis por mais da metade do valor energético da alimentação do homem. Além do aporte energético, esse nutriente tem importante função na manutenção da glicose sanguínea e na integridade e funcionamento do trato gastrintestinal. Os produtos finais da digestão de carboidratos consistem, quase que exclusivamente, em glicose, frutose e galactose. Os carboidratos digeridos e absorvidos no intestino delgado provocam alterações na resposta glicêmica; essa elevação, ao longo do tempo, depende de fatores que interferem na velocidade de digestão e de difusão dos produtos de hidrólise no intestino delgado. Os carboidratos podem ser classificados de acordo com a glicemia pós prandial produzida. O índice glicêmico (IG) expressa de forma indireta, como cada alimento se comporta em termos de velocidade de digestão e absorção de seus carboidratos. A partir dos valores de IG dos alimentos pode-se calcular a carga glicêmica (CG), a qual inclui tanto a quantidade como a qualidade dos carboidratos ingeridos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o IG e a CG de cinco frutos nacionais em indivíduos saudáveis. Em cada ensaio foram elaboradas as curvas glicêmicas produzidas após a ingestão de porções contento exatamente 25g ou 50g de carboidrato disponível dos seguintes frutos: abacaxi pérola (Ananas comosus); amora silvestre (Rubus rosaefoluis); morango oso grande (Fragaria ananassa Duch) e bananas (Musa spp.) mysore e nanica. A partir da relação entre a área abaixo da curva glicêmica dos alimentos teste e a área do pão (controle) foi calculado o IG. A CG foi calculada para cada fruto de acordo com o seu IG e a quantidade de alimento consumida habitualmente pela população. Tanto o cerne quanto a polpa de abacaxi apresentaram alto IG. A banana nanica apresentou IG médio e os demais frutos, banana mysore, morango e amora, apresentaram baixo IG. Em relação à carga glicêmica, a banana nanica apresentou CG média, enquanto os demais frutos apresentaram baixa CG. Nos frutos estudados, a CG demonstrou ser a melhor ferramenta para escolha destes alimentos no plano alimentar, pois expressa não somente a quantidade como a qualidade dos carboidratos. / The carbohydrates are responsible for more than half of the energy value in people\'s nourishment. Besides energy, this nutrient plays an important role in the maintenance of blood glucose levels and in the integrity and functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The final products of the carbohydrates digestion are, almost exclusively, glucose, fructose and galactose. The carbohydrates digested and absorbed in the small intestine cause an increase in the glycemic response, which depends on factors that interfere in the speed of both digestion and diffusion of hydrolysis products in the small intestine. The carbohydrates can be classified according to the post prandial glycemia. The glycemic index (GI) predicts, indirectly, how each food behaves in terms of digestion and absorption speed of its carbohydrates. From the GI values of foods, it is possible to calculate the glycemic load (GL), which includes both quantity and quality of the ingested carbohydrates. This study aimed to evaluate the GI and GL of five Brazilian fruits in healthy subjects. The glycemic curves were elaborated in each essay. These curves were produced after the intake of portions containing exactly 25g or 50g of \"available\" carbohydrate in the fruits: pineapple (Ananas comosus); blackberry (Rubus rosaefoluis); strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch) and bananas (Musa spp.) mysore and nanica. The GI was calculated from the relation between the area below the glycemic curve of the test foods and the area of bread (standard food). The GL was calculated for each fruit according to its GI and the amount of food usually consumed by the population. Both core and pulp of pineapple presented high GI. Banana nanica presented medium GI and the other fruits, banana mysore, strawberry and blackberry, presented a low GI. The banana nanica showed medium GL, while the other fruits showed low GL. In the studied fruits, the GL proved to be the best tool in order to choose these foods in the food planning, once it expresses not only quality but also quantity of the carbohydrates