A proposal for restructuring the layout of continuous freezing tunnels of fresh sausages

Currently companies face a market extremely competitive, in this scenario, to achieve a significant profit margin, is essential to reduce costs and rework. This study was developed in the central food cooperative Aurora (Erechim- RS), in the continuous freezing tunnels, which are responsible for the biggest bottleneck of the company. The continuous freezing tunnels are very unstable, because the products are positioned on a rail, which can or cannot acquire the proper temperature for freezing, generating rework case do not meet the standards. Therefore, the objective was to restructure the current layout of continuous sausage freeze tunnels, based on temperature analyzes to evaluate compliance with the SAI-151-00 Internal Regulation, propose a new layout with static cages for the tunnels, present the budget for that change and to estimate a deadline to investment's payback. For this work were used approach methods qualitative and quantitative. As the purpose is classified as descriptive, methodological, and as to the means to be treated as field research, literature and case study. In order to perform the temperature analysis, the freezing conformity assessment methodology was used and the layout design methodology was used for the development of the new layout, in which a budget analysis was also developed according to the described methodology. With the completion of work was possible to developed a proposal for a new layout that will double capacity of freezing tunnels and meet all applicable standards. Also found through a budget analysis in less than five days of production in fresh pork the expenses will be paid off.

Genipin Cross-Linked Chitosan-Polyvinylpyrrolidone Hydrogels: Influence of Composition and Postsynthesis Treatment on pH Responsive Behaviour

Understanding the factors that influence the pH responsive behaviour of biocompatible cross-linked hydrogel networks is essential when aiming to synthesise a mechanically stable and yet stimuli responsive material suitable for various applications including drug delivery and tissue engineering. In this study the behaviour of intelligent chitosan-polyvinylpyrrolidone-genipin cross-linked hydrogels is examined as a function of their composition and postsynthesis treatment. Hydrogels are synthesised with varying amounts of each component (chitosan, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and genipin) and their response in a pH 2 buffer is measured optically. The influence of postsynthesis treatment on stability and smart characteristics is assessed using selected hydrogel samples synthesised at 30, 40, and 50°C. After synthesis, samples are exposed to either continuous freezing or three freeze-thaw cycles resulting in increased mechanical stability for all samples. Further morphological and mechanical characterisations have aided the understanding of how postsynthesis continual freezing or freeze-thaw manipulation affects network attributes.

Natural freezing survival by painted turtles Chrysemys picta marginata and C. picta bellii

Hatchlings of both the Midland (Chrysemys picta marginata) and Western (C. picta bellii) subspecies of the painted turtle tolerate the freezing of extracellular body fluids while overwintering in terrestrial nests. Fall-collected hatchlings survived 3 days of continuous freezing at -2.5 degrees C, with ice contents of 43.5 +/- 1.0% of total body water (SE; n = 24) for C. picta marginata and 46.5 +/- 0.8% (n = 32) for C. picta bellii. Survival times dropped to 4-5 h when temperature was lowered to -4 degrees C, correlated with ice contents of greater than or equal to 50%. However, C. picta marginata tested immediately after excavation from nests in the spring showed greater freeze tolerance, with survival extending to 11 days at -2.5 degrees C and a higher mean ice content of 50.2 +/- 1.2% (n = 6). Spring hatchlings also had high supercooling points, -1.07 +/- 0.13 degrees C (n = 8), that dropped within 3 days to -4.83 +/- 0.83 degrees C (n = 4), suggesting a breakdown of endogenous ice-nucleating agents when hibernation ended. A search for possible cryoprotectants showed that both subspecies accumulated glucose and lactate in liver during freezing (net increase = 3-13 mumols/g wet wt); both also maintained large free amino acid pools in organs, with taurine making up 21-47% of the total.

Orientational order–disorder transitions in solid hydrogen

We discuss the orientational ordering in solid ortho–para hydrogen mixtures. Following a brief sketch of the properties of the ortho and para hydrogen modifications and the long-range ordering of an assembly of J = 1 quantum rotors (ortho-H2), we consider the nature of the purely local ordering seen in random dilute ortho–para mixtures. Measurements of the quasi-static glass order parameter and the mean correlation time for the molecular alignments are interpreted in terms of a rapid but continuous freezing of the orientational fluctuations.

Observations on the bionomics of the free-living stages of Trichostrongylus vitrinus

Eggs of Trichostrongylus vitrinus in faecal pellets deposited on grass plots each month from April 1981 to March 1982 developed into infective larvae. From October to March development was slow and mortality of the pre-infective stages was very high. From April to September development was more rapid. The weather was generally dry and mortality of the pre-infective stages was high on plots with short herbage but was lower on most of the plots with long herbage, especially in July and August. In the laboratory, development of eggs into infective larvae was completed at temperatures ranging from 4°C to 27°C in faecal pellets which were either kept moist or dried out slowly, but not in faecal pellets which dried out rapidly. The rate of development increased as the temperature rose. Infective larvae survived for up to 16 months on the herbage of grass plots; some survived during very cold weather in the winter of 1981/82. In the laboratory, infective larvae suspended in tap water survived even longer at 4°C and 10°C but not at higher temperatures. They were rapidly killed by continuous freezing. They Survived for up to 8 weeks when subjected to desiccation, The relationship between climatic conditions and the development and survival of the free-living stages is discussed

Observations on the development and survival of the free-living stages ofHyostrongylus rubidusboth in their natural environments out-of-doors and under controlled conditions in the laboratory

SUMMARYFaeces containing eggs ofHyostrongylus rubiduswere deposited on grass plots each month throughout 1980. Eggs in faeces deposited on plots from May to October developed into infective larvae but in May development was completed only in artificially moistened faeces, the weather was warm and dry and natural faeces dried out rapidly resulting in the death of eggs and pre-infective larvae. For the remainder of this period the weather was sufficiently warm and wet for development to be completed. More eggs developed into infective larvae on plots with well-grown herbage than on plots with short herbage. In April a few eggs survived and developed into lst-stage larvae but no further development took place. In the laboratory development was completed at temperatures ranging from 10 to 27 °C but no development took place at 4 °C. Out-of-doors infective larvae survived on herbage for up to 10 months while in the laboratory, infective larvae suspended in tap water survived even longer at 10 and 22 °C, but the larvae were rapidly killed by continuous freezing and by desiccation when the relative humidity was less than 95%. The relationship between climatic conditions and the development and survival of the free-living stages is discussed and a comparison made with the free-living stages ofOesophagostomum dentatum.