Pecan nuts might become contaminated with foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella and E. coli., through birds and other potential sources of contamination that can lead to serious illness or even death, as well as financial losses. For example, the outbreak of Salmonella in pecan products in Texas caused major product recalls in 2010. Irradiation with electron beams could be an effective method of preventing potential outbreaks without changing the pecans' taste, color and flavor and without causing any risk of recontamination before the product reaches the consumer. However, when irradiation is applied alone, the shelf life of the product is decelerated because of the detrimental effect of lipid oxidation. Therefore, to extend the shelf of the pecans while assuring their safety, irradiation of pecans under modified atmosphere packing (MAP) conditions could be a viable option. This research showed that when treated with electron beams, surrogates of Escherichia coli (a cocktail of BAA-1427, BAA-1428, and BAA-1430), and Salmonella (S. Typhimurium LT2) were more resistant to ionizing radiation (higher D10 values) when packed under vacuum (VP) than under air or other MAP conditions. This research also showed that lipid oxidation in pecans (due to exposure to ionizing radiation) shows a lag phase, probably due to the antioxidants present in pecan nuts. The lag phase represents a delay period before the pecan nuts start to get rancid (increase in PV formation), and it is best described by a modified Gompertz model. Kinetic evaluation of the lipid oxidation reaction suggests that the dose level has a more drastic effect in PV formation than the type of package used during the irradiation treatment, e.g., vacuum packed versus nitrogen-packed. Moreover, accelerated shelf life studies (4 weeks at 48.9oC) showed that vacuum-packed (VP) pecans can be stored at -25 degrees C up to three years, while irradiated (at 3.0 kGy) VP pecans can be stored only for eight months, without the detrimental effects of lipid oxidation. Therefore, irradiation of pecans under air at 3.0 kGy reduces the shelf life of the nuts in terms of rancidity, but vacuum-packaging can be used to extend their shelf-life. Irradiation in oxygen packaging increases rancidity and the oxidation reaction rate accelerates with increasing dose. Irradiation under nitrogen packaging requires lower doses to achieve the almost same number of log reductions in microbial population. The use of nitrogen packaging also inhibits the oxidative reaction leading to rancidity in pecans. Although there are some drawbacks to the application of nitrogen packaging in an irradiation plant (special machinery and packaging films (permeability specifications for N2 gas)), the savings induced by avoiding recalls may make this technology worthy of consideration.

Change in adaptive outcomes of children who are treated for brain tumors is examined using longitudinal data. The children received different types of treatment from none to any combinations of three treatments, which are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. In this thesis, we use mixed model to find the significant variables that predict change in outcomes of communication skill, daily living skills and socialization skill. Fractional polynomial transformation method and Gompertz method are applied to build non-linear longitudinal curves. We use PRESS as the criterion to compare these two methods. Comparison analysis shows the effect of each significant variable on adaptive behaviors over time. In most cases, model with Gompertz method is better than that with Transformation method. Significant predictors of change in adaptive outcomes include Time, Gender, Surgery, SES classes, interaction between Time and Radiation, interaction between Time and Gender, interaction between Age and Gender.

Sigmoid curves have found broad applicability in biological sciences and biopharmaceutical research during the last decades. A well planned experiment design is essential to accurately estimate the parameters of the model. In contrast to a large literature and extensive results on optimal designs for linear models, research on the design for nonlinear, including sigmoid curve, models has not kept pace. Furthermore, most of the work in the optimal design literature for nonlinear models concerns the characterization of minimally supported designs. These minimal, optimal designs are frequently criticized for their inability to check goodness of fit, as there are no additional degrees of freedom for the testing. This design issue can be a serious problem, since checking the model adequacy is of particular importance when the model is selected without complete certainty. To assess for lack of fit, we must add at least one extra distinct design point to the experiment. The goal of this dissertation is to identify optimal or highly efficient designs capable of checking the fit for sigmoid curve models. In this dissertation, we consider some commonly used sigmoid curves, including logistic, probit and Gompertz models with two, three, or four parameters. We use D-optimality as our design criterion. We first consider adding one extra point to the design, and consider five alternative designs and discuss their suitability to test for lack of fit. Then we extend the results to include one more additional point to better understand the compromise among the need of detecting lack of fit, maintaining high efficiency and the practical convenience for the practitioners. We then focus on the two-parameter Gompertz model, which is widely used in fitting growth curves yet less studied in literature, and explore three-point designs for testing lack of fit under various error variance structures. One reason that nonlinear design problems are so challenging is that, with nonlinear models, information matrices and optimal designs depend on the unknown model parameters. We propose a strategy to bypass the obstacle of parameter dependence for the theoretical derivation. This dissertation also successfully characterizes many commonly studied sigmoid curves in a generalized way by imposing unified parameterization conditions, which can be generalized and applied in the studies of other sigmoid curves. We also discuss Gompertz model with different error structures in finding an extra point for testing lack of fit. / Statistics

Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:46:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Larissa.pdf: 1850942 bytes, checksum: 055f99877063a1e529d77540c0b94279 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-01 / Livestock, especially cattle, has been considered one of the main sectors that is responsible for global warming due to rumen methane emission and, to a lesser extent, methane emission by residues. Another concern is the correct disposal of agroindustrial residues. The wet brewery grain is considered as polluting as animal wastes. Thus, such wastes must have correct destination, so their use to feed animal is an option. The wet brewery grain has been recorded as an important substitute for fodder and/or grain in ruminants diet. Thus, this study aimed at evaluating the potential for methane production in cattle fed diets containing different levels of wet brewery grain inclusion, to replace bulky diet, with 0, 20, 25 and 30% rates in dry matter percentage. Four castrated steers, with rumen cannula were studied and distributed in a Latin square design (4x4) in four experimental periods of 21 days each (14 days of adjustment and 7 days for data collection). During the last week of each period, the animals manure and ruminal fluid were collected, whose anaerobic digestion essays were analyzed, during the period of 120 days. So, the following parameters were evaluated: removal of total and volatile solids, removal of soluble chemical oxygen demand, cumulative and daily production of methane, volatile fatty acids production (lactic, acetic, propionic and butyric), acidity/alkalinity ratio and pH of reactors. In order to record ruminal fluid, 96-hour tests were performed in the laboratory to observe the influence of wet brewery grain inclusion on methane and volatile fatty acids production inside the rumen. The statistical evaluation of the process was obtained with curves of cumulative production of methane that were adjusted according to Gompertz modified model. Tukey test was used to compare averages with 5% significance. According to these data, it is concluded that wet brewery grain inclusion influenced on methane production for these animals. There was effect of treatment and period for cumulative production of methane (L). The treatment with the largest inclusion of wet brewery residue showed the highest potential of methane production in wastes. The wet brewery residue inclusion did not affect the production of volatile fatty acids inside rumen. The cumulative methane production (mL) of ruminal fluid was influenced by the inclusion of wet brewery residue on animals diet. Nevertheless, the lowest production occurred with an increasing supply of wet brewery residue. The Gompertz modified model provided a good adjustment to the methane production data. Consequently, wet brewery residue can be considered an alternative diet to replace corn silage up to 30% (DM), since it reduces methane production inside the rumen (environmental benefit) and increases methane production from residues (energy and economic benefit). / A pecuária, sobretudo a bovina, tem sido considerada um dos principais setores responsáveis pelo aquecimento global, devido à emissão de metano ruminal e, em menor proporção, à emissão de metano pelos dejetos. Outra preocupação é a correta destinação dos resíduos agroindustriais. O resíduo úmido de cervejaria é considerado tão poluidor quanto os dejetos animais. Desta forma, é importante que este subproduto tenha destino correto e uma opção é o uso na alimentação animal. O resíduo úmido de cervejaria tem se mostrado um importante substituto para forragens e/ou grãos na dieta de ruminantes. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial de produção de metano de bovinos alimentados com dietas que continham diferentes níveis de inclusão de resíduo úmido de cervejaria (RUC), em substituição ao volumoso da dieta, cujas doses foram: 0, 20, 25 e 30% em porcentagem de massa seca. Foram utilizados quatro bovinos machos, castrados, portadores de cânula ruminal, distribuídos em delineamento quadrado latino (4x4), em quatro períodos experimentais de 21 dias cada (14 dias de adaptação e 7 dias de coleta de dados). Na última semana de cada período, coletaram-se dejetos e líquido ruminal dos animais. Com os dejetos coletados, realizaram-se ensaios de biodigestão anaeróbia, no período de 120 dias, nos quais foram avaliados a remoção de sólidos totais e voláteis, a remoção da demanda química de oxigênio solúvel, a produção diária e acumulada de gás metano, a produção de ácidos graxos voláteis (lático, acético, propiônico e butírico), a relação acidez/alcalinidade e o pH dos reatores. Em relação ao líquido ruminal, foram realizados testes de 96 horas, em laboratório, para verificar a influência da inclusão de RUC na produção de gás metano e ácidos graxos voláteis no rúmen. Para a avaliação estatística do processo, utilizaram-se curvas de produção acumulada de metano, ajustadas segundo modelo de Gompertz modificado. O teste de Tukey foi adotado para comparação das médias, com nível de significância de 5%. Com os dados obtidos, conclui-se que a inclusão de resíduo úmido de cervejaria teve influência na produção de metano nesses animais; houve efeito de tratamento e período para a produção acumulada de metano (L). O tratamento com maior inclusão de resíduo úmido de cervejaria apresentou maior potencial de produção de metano nos dejetos; a inclusão de RUC não alterou o perfil de produção de ácidos graxos voláteis no rúmen; a produção acumulada de metano (mL) do líquido ruminal foi influenciada pela inclusão de resíduo úmido de cervejaria à dieta. Todavia, a menor produção ocorreu com o aumento do fornecimento de resíduo úmido de cervejaria. O modelo de Gompertz modificado apresentou bom ajuste aos dados de produção de gás metano. Logo, o resíduo úmido de cervejaria pode ser considerado alimento alternativo para substituir a silagem de milho, em até 30% (MS), uma vez que diminui a produção de metano no rúmen (benefício ambiental) e aumenta a produção de metano nos dejetos (benefício energético e econômico).

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T19:23:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Larissa.pdf: 1850942 bytes, checksum: 055f99877063a1e529d77540c0b94279 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-01 / Livestock, especially cattle, has been considered one of the main sectors that is responsible for global warming due to rumen methane emission and, to a lesser extent, methane emission by residues. Another concern is the correct disposal of agroindustrial residues. The wet brewery grain is considered as polluting as animal wastes. Thus, such wastes must have correct destination, so their use to feed animal is an option. The wet brewery grain has been recorded as an important substitute for fodder and/or grain in ruminants diet. Thus, this study aimed at evaluating the potential for methane production in cattle fed diets containing different levels of wet brewery grain inclusion, to replace bulky diet, with 0, 20, 25 and 30% rates in dry matter percentage. Four castrated steers, with rumen cannula were studied and distributed in a Latin square design (4x4) in four experimental periods of 21 days each (14 days of adjustment and 7 days for data collection). During the last week of each period, the animals manure and ruminal fluid were collected, whose anaerobic digestion essays were analyzed, during the period of 120 days. So, the following parameters were evaluated: removal of total and volatile solids, removal of soluble chemical oxygen demand, cumulative and daily production of methane, volatile fatty acids production (lactic, acetic, propionic and butyric), acidity/alkalinity ratio and pH of reactors. In order to record ruminal fluid, 96-hour tests were performed in the laboratory to observe the influence of wet brewery grain inclusion on methane and volatile fatty acids production inside the rumen. The statistical evaluation of the process was obtained with curves of cumulative production of methane that were adjusted according to Gompertz modified model. Tukey test was used to compare averages with 5% significance. According to these data, it is concluded that wet brewery grain inclusion influenced on methane production for these animals. There was effect of treatment and period for cumulative production of methane (L). The treatment with the largest inclusion of wet brewery residue showed the highest potential of methane production in wastes. The wet brewery residue inclusion did not affect the production of volatile fatty acids inside rumen. The cumulative methane production (mL) of ruminal fluid was influenced by the inclusion of wet brewery residue on animals diet. Nevertheless, the lowest production occurred with an increasing supply of wet brewery residue. The Gompertz modified model provided a good adjustment to the methane production data. Consequently, wet brewery residue can be considered an alternative diet to replace corn silage up to 30% (DM), since it reduces methane production inside the rumen (environmental benefit) and increases methane production from residues (energy and economic benefit). / A pecuária, sobretudo a bovina, tem sido considerada um dos principais setores responsáveis pelo aquecimento global, devido à emissão de metano ruminal e, em menor proporção, à emissão de metano pelos dejetos. Outra preocupação é a correta destinação dos resíduos agroindustriais. O resíduo úmido de cervejaria é considerado tão poluidor quanto os dejetos animais. Desta forma, é importante que este subproduto tenha destino correto e uma opção é o uso na alimentação animal. O resíduo úmido de cervejaria tem se mostrado um importante substituto para forragens e/ou grãos na dieta de ruminantes. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial de produção de metano de bovinos alimentados com dietas que continham diferentes níveis de inclusão de resíduo úmido de cervejaria (RUC), em substituição ao volumoso da dieta, cujas doses foram: 0, 20, 25 e 30% em porcentagem de massa seca. Foram utilizados quatro bovinos machos, castrados, portadores de cânula ruminal, distribuídos em delineamento quadrado latino (4x4), em quatro períodos experimentais de 21 dias cada (14 dias de adaptação e 7 dias de coleta de dados). Na última semana de cada período, coletaram-se dejetos e líquido ruminal dos animais. Com os dejetos coletados, realizaram-se ensaios de biodigestão anaeróbia, no período de 120 dias, nos quais foram avaliados a remoção de sólidos totais e voláteis, a remoção da demanda química de oxigênio solúvel, a produção diária e acumulada de gás metano, a produção de ácidos graxos voláteis (lático, acético, propiônico e butírico), a relação acidez/alcalinidade e o pH dos reatores. Em relação ao líquido ruminal, foram realizados testes de 96 horas, em laboratório, para verificar a influência da inclusão de RUC na produção de gás metano e ácidos graxos voláteis no rúmen. Para a avaliação estatística do processo, utilizaram-se curvas de produção acumulada de metano, ajustadas segundo modelo de Gompertz modificado. O teste de Tukey foi adotado para comparação das médias, com nível de significância de 5%. Com os dados obtidos, conclui-se que a inclusão de resíduo úmido de cervejaria teve influência na produção de metano nesses animais; houve efeito de tratamento e período para a produção acumulada de metano (L). O tratamento com maior inclusão de resíduo úmido de cervejaria apresentou maior potencial de produção de metano nos dejetos; a inclusão de RUC não alterou o perfil de produção de ácidos graxos voláteis no rúmen; a produção acumulada de metano (mL) do líquido ruminal foi influenciada pela inclusão de resíduo úmido de cervejaria à dieta. Todavia, a menor produção ocorreu com o aumento do fornecimento de resíduo úmido de cervejaria. O modelo de Gompertz modificado apresentou bom ajuste aos dados de produção de gás metano. Logo, o resíduo úmido de cervejaria pode ser considerado alimento alternativo para substituir a silagem de milho, em até 30% (MS), uma vez que diminui a produção de metano no rúmen (benefício ambiental) e aumenta a produção de metano nos dejetos (benefício energético e econômico).