Total quality index of Agaricus bisporus
 mushrooms packed in modified atmosphere

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the strain of oyster mushroom (OM) Pleurotus sapidus cultivated in a local (commercial) farm, and to generate a total quality index (TQI) on the strain using different modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) gas mixtures. Design/methodology/approach A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the MEGA software to identify the specific strain of P. sapidus grown in a local farm. The effects of MAP on fresh fruiting bodies of the identified strain were determined under three conditions: high carbon dioxide packaging (HCP: 20 per cent CO2, 15 per cent O2), low carbon dioxide packaging (LCP: 2 per cent CO2, 30 per cent O2) and high nitrogen packaging (HNP: 85 per cent N2, 15 per cent O2). All samples were stored at 4 oC for up to ten days, and subjected to total phenolic content (TPC), colour retention (CR) and sensory analysis. Quality parameters such as chewiness and odour were used to obtain the TQI. Findings From the phylogenetic analysis, a new strain (P. sapidus strain QDR) with 99 per cent similarity to P. sapidus was identified. Among the three MAP treatments, HCP recorded the highest TPC (2.85 mg GAE/g) and CR (60.36) after ten days, although only its CR was significantly different (p<0.05) from the control. Feedback from 30 sensory panellists indicated that both HCP and LCP were generally more effective in retaining the colour–odour of OM. The optimum TQI for HCP was obtained based on the observed parameters, which is useful for the large-scale packaging of OM. Originality/value Scientific evidence has revealed that packaging trend for commercially grown OM affects consumer’s acceptance.

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Implementation of external quality assessment of microscopy for improved parasite detection and confirmatory diagnosis of malaria in Tanzanian Military health facilities

BMC Research Notes ◽

10.1186/s13104-020-05290-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Akili K. Kalinga ◽

Saidi Mgata ◽

Reginald A. Kavishe ◽

Lucas Mahikwano ◽

Lucky Temu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

False Positive ◽

Quality Index ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Total Quality ◽

External Quality ◽

Military Health ◽

Laboratory Staff ◽

Negative Results ◽

Smear Preparation ◽

Parasite Infections

Abstract Objective Good quality microscopy is critical for accurate detection and confirmation of malaria parasite infections. Microscopy relies on the skills of technicians to prepare and read slides, high quality reagents, and a good program of internal and external quality control (EQA), which are lacking in most malaria endemic settings. This study was undertaken between January 2016 and December 2018 to pilot an EQA of microscopy for improved diagnosis of malaria and patient care in Tanzanian Military health facilities. Results Of all blood smears crosschecked (n = 4000) at baseline, only 38.5% were incorrectly diagnosed by laboratory staff with false positive and negative rates of 46.7% and 16.4%, respectively. During the implementation of EQA, false positive and negative results decreased due to increased quality index of slide preparation and reading through supportive supervision, and retraining of laboratory personnel. There was a gradual increase of quarterly and annual total quality index for all laboratories, from 60% in 2016 to 78% in 2017 and 90% in 2018. The mean proficiency testing performance scores also increased from 75% in 2016 to 82% in 2017 and to 90% in 2018. Poor blood smear preparation and staining contributed to high false positive and negative rates while EQA helped in improvement of diagnostics.

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Principal Component Analysis of Correlated WEDM Performance Characteristics during Machining ZC63/SiCP MMCs

Journal for Manufacturing Science and Production ◽

10.1515/jmsp-2013-0005 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 13-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Thella Babu Rao ◽

A. Gopala Krishna

Keyword(s):

Principal Component Analysis ◽

Quality Index ◽

Optimization Problem ◽

Principal Component ◽

Component Analysis ◽

Machining Process ◽

Total Quality ◽

Process Variables ◽

Optimal Process ◽

Pulse On Time

AbstractThe present investigation proposes the optimization of the wire electrical discharge machining process for machining ZC63/SiCP metal matrix composite. SiC particulate size and its percentage with the matrix are considered as the process variables along with the most significant WEDM variables such as pulse-on time, pulse-off time and wire tension. In view of quality cut, surface roughness, metal removal rate and kerf are considered as the process responses. Since, these responses are correlated with each other and they need to be optimized simultaneously. Therefore, the problem is treated as multi-response optimization problem. Principal component analysis (PCA) has been implemented to convert the multi-objective optimization problem in to single objective optimization problem by converting the multiple correlated responses in to the total quality index. Taguchi's robust optimization technique has been adopted to derive the set optimal process parameters which maximize the total quality index. The derived optimal process responses are confirmed with the experimental validation tests. ANOVA is conducted find the importance of the chosen process variables on the overall quality of the machined component. The practical possibility of the obtained optimal process performance is observed using SEM studies.

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