Summary The kinetics of non‐enzymatic browning of onion and strawberry during storage at different temperature (5, 15, 25, 35, 45 °C) and equilibrium relative humidities (33%, 44%, 53%) was measured. Colour formation in onion was observed by measuring absorbance versus time in aqueous extract solutions. Experimental results of colour formation of onion as a function of time for each level of water activity were best represented by a zero order kinetics, while anthocyanin degradation in strawberry followed a second order kinetics. Rate coefficients obtained in both cases showed an increase in the rate of the reactions with both temperature and water activity. With regard to temperature dependence of rate coefficients, statistical evidence suggest that in the case of colour formation in onion, the Williams‐Landel‐Ferry model is a better representation than Arrhenius. In the case of strawberry it was not possible to reach such conclusion in spite of a lower summation of residuals obtained with the WLF model.
This study aims to create awareness, both within the scientific community and among providers of sports facilities, for individuals with impaired or reduced mobility, promoting the development of technical solutions that allow greater autonomy and social integration of people with disabilities. The purpose of this work is, on the one hand, to evaluate the accessibility of sports facilities for people with reduced mobility and, on the other hand, to investigate why this user group has such low rates of participation in sporting activities. Firstly, using the Portuguese norms and legislation transcribed from European Community directives, a check list was created comprising all the items that sports facilities should abide by in order to provide accessibility and safety to people with reduced mobility. Another questionnaire was designed aimed at this user group, with questions pertaining to their desire and ability to use sports facilities. This questionnaire was distributed in Portugal, in the greater metropolitan area of Porto, to users of Rehabilitation Centres and Physiotherapy Clinics. The results obtained from the check-list showed the compliances and non-compliances of the respective sports facilities, proving that many barriers preventing the participation of people with reduced mobility still exist. Twenty-four people with permanent impairment of the lower extremities (paraplegia) answered the questionnaire pertaining to the desire and ability to perform physical activity. Two individuals (8%) had sporting activities available to them in their area of residence and only five (21%) performed any physical activity. The main reason given for not taking part in any activity was the lack of adapted sports facilities. All the participants felt that taking part in sports is beneficial. The benefits stated were: general well-being and development of the psychomotor component (e.g. coordination, balance, body posture), of physical condition (e.g. strength, resistance, flexibility) and social integration and quality of life. Besides wellbeing, they also mentioned social interaction, a way of occupying their time and an escape from the routine as the main motives for which they would like to take up physical exercise.
The authors aim to investigate the number of trees necessary to capture the CO2 emissions from house–campus travelling, to and from the Maiêutica Academic Campus in the north of Portugal. A sample of the academic community was given an online survey in order to assess mobility practices. Based on the data collected, CO2 emissions, as well as the number of trees necessary to mitigate these emissions, were calculated. The authors estimate that the total emissions resulting from house–campus commutes amount to 2937 tCO2 year−1. To mitigate this amount of carbon dioxide, 138 ha would be necessary to plant 96,539 trees, according to the species’ respective CO2 removal rates. The estimated tree area necessary to neutralize the community’s mobility related CO2 emissions is so high that other alternatives must be considered: a preferred use of public transportation, carpool system, online theoretical classes, rescheduling timetables, green roofs installation, and photovoltaic panels.
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