The applicability of electronic systems for the quality evaluation of parenica cheese was investigated in fresh smoked and unsmoked cheeses and after seven days of storage. These data were then compared with sensory evaluation results. Fresh samples had stable colour profiles determined by the electronic eye, while the differences in brown colour intensity were confirmed by sensory evaluation. A significant difference in the aroma profiles of samples was recorded by the electronic nose in samples produced in February, April, December (unsmoked cheese) and September (smoked cheese). Based on sensory analysis results using the Wilcoxon nonparametric test, a significant difference was confirmed in February (smoked cheese) and March (unsmoked cheese), when stored cheese had a stronger aroma than fresh cheese (P < 0.05). The suitability of electronic nose and electronic eye for monitoring of parenica cheese quality was confirmed.

In addition to the traditional Quality of Service (QoS) metrics of latency, jitter and Packet Loss Ratio (PLR), Quality of Experience (QoE) is now widely accepted as a numerical proxy for the actual user experience. The literature has reported many mathematical mappings between QoE and QoS, where the QoS parameters are measured by the network providers using sampling. Previous research has focussed on sampling errors in QoS measurements. However, the propagation of these sampling errors in QoS through to the QoE values has not been evaluated before. This is important: without knowing how sampling errors propagate through to QoE estimates there is no understanding of the precision of the estimates of QoE, only of the average QoE value. In this paper, we used industrially acquired measurements of PLR and jitter to evaluate the sampling errors. Additionally, we evaluated the correlation between these QoS measurements, as this correlation affects errors propagating to the estimated QoE. Focusing on Video-on-Demand (VoD) applications, we use subjective testing and regression to map QoE metrics onto PLR and jitter. The resulting mathematical functions, and the theory of error propagation, were used to evaluate the error propagated to QoE. This error in estimated QoE was represented as confidence interval width. Using the guidelines of UK government for sampling in a busy hour, our results indicate that confidence intervals around estimated the Mean Opinion Score (MOS) rating of QoE can be between MOS = 1 to MOS = 4 at targeted operating points of the QoS parameters. These results are a new perspective on QoE evaluation and are of potentially great significance to all organisations that need to estimate the QoE of VoD applications precisely.

The aim of the study is to demonstrate the effect of the addition of vegetable oils rich in EFA on the effectiveness of hydrophobic skin protection preparations intended for work in the wet environment. The research hypothesis assumes that the increase in the concentration of vegetable oils in the formula of protective preparations improves their spreadability on the skin, thus translating into acceptance of the preparations by users, improving their quality of life, strengthening the barrier functions of the skin without reducing the effectiveness of the protective action. The distribution capacity of pure vegetable oils is determined using instrumental analysis and sensory analysis. Also, TEWL tests are used to evaluate their occlusal properties. For protective preparations based on them, the distribution capacity is tested by in vitro methods as well as in vivo tests and sensory analyses are performed. The effectiveness of the tested preparations is measured by tests concerning absorbability, occlusion capacity and washability. The results are analyzed and compared, and a correlation matrix is developed to establish the relationship between sensory and instrumental measurements. The effectiveness of the preparations depends on the type of oil (its spreadability and viscosity) and the amount in the formulation. Practical Applications: For hydrophobic preparations of ointment type, there is a possibility to implement such instrumental techniques as: determination of preparation consistency by means of a cone, ability to distribute by means of parallel plates, but also determination of preparation viscosity by rheological methods. Viscosity, spreading ability, and oil occlusion ability are the most important parameters that should be taken into account when we design hydrophobic skin protection preparations intended for the works in the wet environment.

. In modern medicine, quality of life related to health is considered as the main tool of modern population studies of health and the impact of social, environmental, psychological, and other factors and is an integrated criterion of physical, psychological, and social functioning. However, so far the researchers have not reached a final conclusion on the definition of psychosocial dysfunction, so its understanding as a state of emotional and behavioral disorders that lie in the plane of internalizing or externalizing features is becoming increasingly important. Therefore, the aim of the study was to increase the effectiveness of determining psychosocial dysfunction and quality of life in adolescent schoolchildren by analyzing the results of the screening study. Using the Ukrainian adapted version of the SF-36 and PSC-Ukr questionnaires, 101 high school students and 87 of their parents were surveyed. Processing of statistical data was performed in the licensed software package SPSS Statistic v. 20 using one-way analysis of variance and correlation. The highest level of quality of life associated with the health of high school students was determined by physical functioning, regardless of gender, year of study, and age of students. The level of quality of life on all scales characterizing the psychological component was lower than sufficient. The transition to the graduating year was accompanied by a compensated tension of the system of assessing one’s own health by the physical component with a consistently high level of integration of the psychological component. The most relevant are the indicators of health related quality of life, related to psychological, emotional, social functioning, and their reflection lies in the plane of internalizing signs of anxiety, depression, intrapersonal problems in adolescents. The combined use of the Ukrainian adapted versions of the SF-36 and PSC-Ukr questionnaires are effective in determining the quality of life and psychosocial functioning of school-age adolescents. The obtained results should be considered important for the creation of differentiated programs of psychological intervention to overcome prenosological manifestations of psychosocial dysfunction in order to prevent the development of maladaptive disorders of emotions and behavior in the future.

Introduction: Malnutrition is common among cancer patients and it is reported in a significant proportion of patients with gynaecological cancer (GC). The aim of this study was to determine the association between quality of life (QOL) and hand grip strength (HGS) among malnourished GC outpatients in the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Methods: This study was carried out in a Multidisciplinary Clinic of NCI. HGS was measured using Jamar Hand Dynamometer. Nutritional status was assessed using the scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PGSGA). QOL was measured using the validated European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ C30). Results: A total of 69 patients were selected for the study. Fifty eight (84.1%) were classified as moderately malnourished or at risk of malnutrition (PG-SGA B) and 11 (15.9%) were classified as severely malnourished (PG-SGA C). There was a moderate, significant positive relationship between HGS and functional status (rs=0.275, p=0.022) observed in this study. Besides, in malnourished GC patients with low HGS, results indicated that they had problems with social functioning as well (r=0.255, p=0.035). Appetite was suggested as a predicting factor for low HGS among malnourished GC patients (F=12.253, p=0.001). Conclusion: HGS is a simple objective indicator of functionality and is, therefore, a valid item to be measured when assessing QOL of malnourished GC outpatients.

Abstract The dill (Anethum graveolens L.) is an annual herbaceous plant, which has spread widely in Romanian cuisine and is used entirely: leaves, stem, and seeds. It contains active substances with multiple beneficial properties for human health. The aim of this study was to develop new type of grissini, enriched with powder organic dill obtained from leaves and stems. The organic powders were realized in the framework of SusOrgPlus project in the Research Center for Studies of Food Quality and Agricultural Products, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest. Grissini’s with different percentage of leaf powder organic dill and stem powder organic dill were designed and evaluated in a consumer acceptance test, where the aroma, color, flavor and appearance of the attributes were evaluated. The most valuable products with the highest acceptance scores were selected, further analyzed in an accelerated stability study at different temperatures. The new developed food product enriched with powder from organic stem dill is a healthy alternative snack, with the potential to raise awareness and encourage the consumption of organic products.

Soil and water conservation is an important and based work of sustainable agricultural development. However, how to estimate the real condition of quality evaluation system of soil and water conservation for sustainable agricultural development has become a problem. In this paper, an evaluation system and method provides powerful tools for the soil and water conservation based on induced ordered weighted averaging (IOWA) operator and incomplete information. Firstly, a new quality evaluation system of soil and water conservation for sustainable agricultural development is build based on IOWA method with multiple attributes. Secondly, the method of multiple attribute comprehensive evaluation method with incomplete information is presented to determining variation coefficient and calculating overall evaluation weights. Then, the priorities of quality evaluation are obtained based on the calculating weight of acceptable degree. And the result of quality assessment reveals inner difference of sustainable agricultural development. Finally, the rationality and feasibility of new quality evaluation system is demonstrated by the case study from China.

Highlights This article presents a multiobjective optimization function of power shift quality that uses the calculation formulas of sliding wear work, impact degree, and output torque derived from the analysis of split-phase dynamics. The calculation formulas of impact degree, sliding wear work, and output torque of each phase are derived, and a three-factor evaluation system of power shift quality is constructed. A pattern-search-based optimization method of power shift quality is proposed on the basis of the three-factor evaluation system of power shift quality. The power shift control based on pattern search algorithm optimizes the shift quality evaluation indexes and effectively improves the power shift quality of high-power tractors. Abstract . This study conducts a dynamic analysis of power shift by analyzing the key influencing factors of power shift quality. The power shift process is divided into low gear torque, sliding wear, and high gear torque phases. The calculation formulas of impact degree, sliding wear work, and output torque of each phase are derived, and a three-factor evaluation system of power shift quality is constructed. A pattern-search-based optimization method of power shift quality is proposed on the basis of the three-factor evaluation system of power shift quality. A multi-objective optimization function of shift quality is constructed using the linear change law expression of clutch oil pressure and the calculation of shift quality evaluation indexes of each phase. The multi-objective function is pretreated using a weighted coefficient method, and the change rule of clutch oil pressure is accurately optimized. Simulation and experimental results show that the power shift control based on pattern search algorithm optimizes the evaluation indexes of each shift quality and effectively improves the power shift quality of high-power tractors. Keywords: Pattern search, Power shift, Shift quality, Split-phase dynamics.

Abstract Background Evaluation of physical activity interventions is vital to inform, and justify, evidence-based policy and practice to support population-wide changes in physical activity. Several evaluation frameworks and guidance documents have been developed to facilitate the evaluation and reporting of evaluation studies in public health. However, there is a lack of evidence about whether frameworks are being used to guide evaluation. There continues to be claims of poor and inconsistent reporting in evaluation studies. The aim of this review was to assess the use of evaluation frameworks and the quality of reporting of how they were applied within evaluation studies of physical activity interventions. Objectives 1. To identify whether evaluation frameworks are reported to have been used within evaluation studies of physical activity interventions, and which frameworks have been used. 2. To appraise the quality of reporting with regards to how evaluation frameworks have been used. Method We developed a checklist of indicators to enable a critical appraisal of the use and reporting of different evaluation frameworks in evaluation studies. We conducted a systematic search and review of evaluation studies published between 2015 and the date of the search to appraise the use and reporting of evaluation frameworks. A narrative synthesis is provided. Results The review identified 292 evaluation studies of physical activity interventions, only 69 (23%) of these mentioned using an evaluation framework, and only 16 different frameworks were referred to. There was variation in the quality of reporting of framework use. 51 (74%) studies were identified as being explicitly based on the stated framework, however only 26 (38%) provided detailed descriptions consistently across all the checklist indicators. Details of adaptations and limitations in how frameworks were applied were less frequently reported. The review also highlighted variability in the reporting of intervention components. More consistent and precise reporting of framework and intervention components is needed. Conclusion Evaluation frameworks can facilitate a more systematic evaluation report and we argue their limited use suggests missed opportunities to apply frameworks to guide evaluation and reporting in evaluation studies. Variability in the quality of reporting of framework use limits the comparability and transferability of evidence. Where a framework has been used, the checklist of indicators can be employed to facilitate the reporting of an evaluation study and to review the quality of an evaluation report.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of physical activity interventions is vital to inform, and justify, evidence-based policy and practice to support population-wide changes in physical activity. Several evaluation frameworks and guidance documents have been developed to facilitate the evaluation and reporting of evaluation studies in public health. However, there is a lack of evidence about whether frameworks are being used to guide evaluation. There continues to be claims of poor and inconsistent reporting in evaluation studies. The aim of this review was to assess the use of evaluation frameworks and the quality of reporting of how they were applied within evaluation studies of physical activity interventions. OBJECTIVES: 1. To identify whether evaluation frameworks are reported to have been used within evaluation studies of physical activity interventions, and which frameworks have been used. 2. To appraise the quality of reporting with regards to how evaluation frameworks have been used. METHOD: We developed a checklist of indicators to enable a critical appraisal of the use and reporting of different evaluation frameworks in evaluation studies. We conducted a systematic search and review of evaluation studies published between 2015 and the date of the search to appraise the use and reporting of evaluation frameworks. A narrative synthesis is provided. RESULTS: The review identified 292 evaluation studies of physical activity interventions, only 69 (23%) of these mentioned using an evaluation framework, and only 16 different frameworks were referred to. There was variation in the quality of reporting of framework use. 51 (74%) studies were identified as being explicitly based on the stated framework, however only 26 (38%) provided detailed descriptions consistently across all the checklist indicators. Details of adaptations and limitations in how frameworks were applied were less frequently reported. The review also highlighted variability in the reporting of intervention components. More consistent and precise reporting of framework and intervention components is needed. CONCLUSION: Evaluation frameworks can facilitate a more systematic evaluation report and we argue their limited use suggests missed opportunities to apply frameworks to guide evaluation and reporting in evaluation studies. Variability in the quality of reporting of framework use limits the comparability and transferability of evidence. Where a framework has been used, the checklist of indicators can be employed to facilitate the reporting of an evaluation study and to review the quality of an evaluation report.