A Simple Bio-preservation Technique to Increase Shelf Life of Ampalavi Mango Fruits Using Aloe vera Gel

Aloe vera is being identified as a potential medicinal plant for its application in industries as well as traditional usage. The gel obtained from the leaves of A. vera has numerous properties. In this study, using the gel to extend the shelf life of Ampalavi mango fruits was studied. Even sized, uniform coloured, matured Ampalavi cultivar mango fruits were surface cleaned and coated with 33%, 66% and 100% gel, respectively. Results revealed that the ripening was delayed due to the coating. The total soluble solid （TSS）, pH and weight loss were high in uncoated fruits. The mean pH of the pulp from fruits kept as control was 4.94 at 4 d fruit preservation period （FPP） and was slightly increased to 5.43 within 12 d FPP, whereas the minimal pH （4.69 at 4 d FPP and 5.03 at 9 d FPP） was noticed in 100% gel coated fruits. The TSS （brix） was significantly in higher levels （13.67°Bx within 4 d FPP and 20.77°Bx within 12 d FPP） in control fruits, whereas the minimum TSS value was 9.27°Bx and 18.03° Bx within 4 d and 12 d FPP, respectively, recorded from the 100% gel coated fruits in storage. The weight loss percentage （WLP） was significantly （P 〈 0.05） higher in control fruits （8.46%）, whereas the lower WLP （1.13%） was found in 100% gel coated fruits after 12 d of storage. This low-scale gel coating technique prolonged the fruits shelf life by delaying the fruit ripening. This effect has to be further investigated to commercialize the natural product for large scale ready-made application.

Carcass Traits of the Malagasy Zebu ＂Bos taurus indicus＂ （Linnaeus, 1758）

Improving Malagasy zebu production in the face of booming Malagasy population and regression of the animal number, this study was initiated to put forth some Malagasy zebu carcass weight performance and dressing percentages following slaughter. Measurements concerned live weight before slaughtering, carcass weights, quarters and carcass halves, left and right and the fiffla quarter （blood, leather, intestine, lung, heart, liver, kidneys, spleen and rumen with its content） weights on 544 individuals without distinction （age nor sex）. Descriptive statistical analysis was undertaken to qualify and compare the various weights. It results high proportion females （66%）, smaller size （live weight less than 250 kg, 60%） and 5 live weight classes. Live weight was different in the 2 sexes starting class 3 （live weight 〉 250 kg） （p = 0.0027）. Males fore quarters were heavier than females （p 〈 1‰）. Carcass dressing percentage increased according to live weight class, whereas, 5th quarter yield presented a regressive reduction with increasing weight class. Survey shows an average dressing percentage of 46.20% with an average 5th quarter yield of 37.43%. Malagasy zebus are light weighted animals compared to the African zebus. Precocious slaughtering （before 250 kg live weight） doesn＇t allow a good meat yield.

Nanofillers modification of Epocast 50-A1/946 epoxy for bonded joints

Epocast 50-A1/946 epoxy was primarily developed for joining and repairing of composite aircraft structural components. The objective of the present work is to modify the Epocast epoxy resin by different nanofillers infusion. The used nanofillers include multi-walled carbon nanotubes（MWCNTs）, SiC and Al2O3 nanoparticles. The nanofillers with different weight percentages are ultrasonically dispersed in the epoxy resin. The sonication time and amplitude for MWCNTs are reduced compared to Al2O3 and SiC nanoparticles to avoid the damage of MWCNTs during sonication processes. The fabricated neat epoxy and twelve nanocomposite panels were characterized via standard tension and in-plane shear tests. The experimental results show that the nanocomposites materials with 0.5wt% MWCNTs, 1.5wt% SiC and 1.5wt% Al2O3 nanoparticles have the highest improvement in the tensile properties compared to the other nanofiller loading percentages.The improvements in the shear properties of these nanocomposite materials were respectively equal to 5.5%, 4.9%, and 6.3% for shear strengths, and 10.3%, 16.0%, and 8.1% for shear moduli. The optimum nanofiller loading percentages will be used in the following papers concerning their effect on the bonded joints/repairs of carbon fiber reinforced composites.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding:a report of 228 cases

Objective:To evaluate the surgical outcomes and complications after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding(LAGB)in obese patients.Methods:This retrospective study included 228 patients(73 males and 155 females,mean age,32.5±10.3 years)who underwent LAGB at the Changhai Hospital of the Second Military Medical University from June 2003 to June 2011.The body weight and postoperative complications were followed up.Results:The pre-operative mean body mass index(BMI)was 39.5±6.3 kg/m^(2).Except in one case of inadequate exposure of the stomach,all laparoscopic procedures were successfully accomplished,with no conversion to open surgery.The mean operation time was 65.0±20.3 min.The mean hospital stay was 2.7±0.9 days.Early postoperative complications(<30 days)occurred in five cases(2.2%)and late complications(>30 days)occurred in 75 cases(32.9%),including 56 cases(24.6%)with band-associated complications.The percentage of excess weight loss(EWL%)at 1,3 and 5 years was 40.5±30.5%,59.5±41.5%and 58.9±46.4%,respectively.The percentages of patients with EWL%>25%,>50%and>75%were,respectively,60%,33%and 0%at 1 year follow-up,43%,39%,and 16%at 3 years follow-up and 40%,34%and 16%at 5 years follow-up.Conclusion Although LAGB has low peri-operative mortality and morbidity rates,it is associated with a high late complication rate and unsatisfactory weight loss.It may be optional,but not the first choice,for the treatment of obesity.