Smoke

The present study was undertaken to study the effects of application of natural wood smoke on ripening of Cheddar cheese, and to determine the effects of smoking before or after ripening on cheese quality. A 20-kg block of Cheddar cheese obtained immediately after pressing was divided into six approximately 3-kg blocks and ripened at 8 degrees C for up to 270 d. One 3-kg block was taken after 1 d, 1, 3, 6, or 9 mo and smoked for 20 min, then returned to the ripening room for further ripening. Cheeses were sampled at intervals for lactobacilli counts, moisture, pH, and proteolysis. Sensory analysis was conducted on 6 and 9-mo-old cheeses by a trained sensory panel (n = 7). Results show that application of natural wood smoke did not significantly affect cheese pH or primary proteolysis during ripening. However, secondary proteolysis as assessed by the concentrations of free amino acids was generally higher in smoked cheeses than in control cheeses after 6 mo of ripening. Cheese smoked...

Experimental studies of the aerodynamic interference between
passenger cars. Aerodynamic interference covers the
two cases of vehicles in a convoy and in parallel passing
(overtaking). Vehicles are assumed to be moving in
open roads. Flow visualization technique is used to
clarify the flow behavior, especially wake structure
behind interfering passenger cars.
This paper is a trial to further explain the aerodynamic
characteristics, usually reported in the form of pressure
distributions and drag forces, through visible
observations. Visualization images of passenger cars in
close interference are presented for the first time.
Special attention is paid to the effect of Reynolds
number on flow pattern especially in severe interference
conditions. Results show that flow structure around
interfering cars changes dramatically depending on the
gap between the cars and Reynolds number. Interesting
flow structures are captured and analyzed.

ABSTRACT:  Two different protocols for the production of cold smoked salmon were investigated. All fillets were dry salted (18 h, 4 °C) before being allotted to a smoke condensate/liquid smoke protocol (SCP), which included drenching (1 min) in smoke condensate [1:3 (v/v) smoke:water] and drying (150 min, 28.4 ± 2.2 °C) or a wood chips protocol (WCP) that included drying and smoking in a regular smoking chamber (23 °C, 480 min) using wood chips for smoke production. Quality assessments were performed on the smoked fillets at day 0 and after 7, 14, and 31 d of storage (3.4 ± 0.7 °C). Application of the SCP resulted in a significantly higher (P < 0.01) processing yield (89.6%± 0.7%) as compared to the WCP (88.6%± 0.5%). On day 0, the SCP fillets were significantly (P < 0.01) less light (L*) and yellow (b*) and had a lower chroma (C*) and hue (h*) compared to the fillets processed with WCP. From 7 d until the end of storage time, small differences in color were observed. After 31 d of storage, the SCP fillets had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) intensity of oily texture and lower intensity of salty and smoke taste. Texture profile analysis (TPA) showed few significant differences between the processing protocols, although the WCP fillets were significantly harder than the SCP fillets when recording the force at 60% compression of the fillet height. The use of smoke condensate and drenching technology is a way of producing cold smoked salmon with quality characteristics quite similar to those found in commercial “traditional” products, although processors who want to use this technology have to optimize the drying step and the smoke condensate formulation to their specifications.

Background and purpose In Pakistan, almost 70% of the population lives in rural areas. Ninety-four percent of households in rural areas and 58% in urban areas depend on biomass fuels (wood, dung, and agricultural waste). These solid fuels have poor combustion efficiency. Due to incomplete combustion of the biomass fuels, the resulting smoke contains a range of health-deteriorating substances that, at varying concentrations, can pose a serious threat to human health. Indoor air pollution accounts for 28,000 deaths a year and 40 million cases of acute respiratory illness. It places a significant economic burden on Pakistan with an annual cost of 1% of GDP. Despite the mounting evidence of an association between indoor air pollution and ill health, policy makers have paid little attention to it. This review analyzes the existing information on levels of indoor air pollution in Pakistan and suggests suitable intervention methods. Methods This review is focused on studies of indoor air pollution, due to biomass fuels, in Pakistan published in both scientific journals and by the Government and international organizations. In addition, the importance of environmental tobacco smoke as an indoor pollutant is highlighted. Results Unlike many other developing countries, there are no long-term studies on the levels of indoor air pollution. The limited studies that have been undertaken indicate that indoor air pollution should be a public health concern. High levels of particulate matter and carbon monoxide have been reported, and generally, women and children are subject to the maximum exposure. There have been a few interventions, with improved stoves, in some areas since 1990. However, the effectiveness of these interventions has not been fully evaluated. Conclusion Indoor air pollution has a significant impact on the health of the population in Pakistan. The use of biomass fuel as an energy source is the biggest contributor to poor indoor air quality followed by smoking. In order to arrest the increasing levels of indoor pollution, there is a dire need to recognize it as a major health hazard and formulate a national policy to combat it. An integrated effort, with involvement of all stakeholders, could yield promising results. A countrywide public awareness campaign, on the association of indoor air pollution with ill health, followed by practical intervention would be an appropriate approach. Due to the current socioeconomic conditions in the country, development and adoption of improved cooking stoves for the population at large would be the most suitable choice. However, the potential of biogas as a fuel should be explored further, and modern fuels (natural gas and LPG) need to be accessible and economical. Smoking in closed public spaces should be banned, and knowledge of the effect of smoking on indoor air quality needs to be quantified.

Par leurs investissements successifs, les Schneider entraînent une densification de l’espace industriel constituant dès la fin du XIXe siècle l’une des plus grandes usines européennes. Jusqu’à son déclin progressif en 1939, cette ville industrielle se caractérise par une concentration impressionnante de procédés techniques polluants. Non circonscrites aux établissements industriels, les fumées industrielles se propagent dans les quartiers d’habitations donnant à la ville une mauvaise situation hygiénique. Pourtant, les fumées de cette ville-usine ne provoquent que peu de plaintes de la part des habitants ; ce sont davantage les observateurs extérieurs à la ville qui vont les décrire, les penser et les représenter de multiples manières. Les représentations des fumées de ce grand centre industriel évoluent en fonction des contextes économiques, politiques et sociaux du Creusot et de la France, passant d’un véritable culte des fumées à la prolifération de critiques.

Background Air pollution in Darwin, Northern Australia, is dominated by smoke from seasonal fires in the surrounding savanna that burn during the dry season from April to November. Our aim was to study the association between particulate matter less than or equal to 10 microns diameter (PM10) and daily emergency hospital admissions for cardio-respiratory diseases for each fire season from 1996 to 2005. We also investigated whether the relationship differed in indigenous Australians; a disadvantaged population sub-group. Methods Daily PM10 exposure levels were estimated for the population of the city from visibility data using a previously validated model. We used over-dispersed Poisson generalized linear models with parametric smoothing functions for time and meteorology to examine the association between admissions and PM10 up to three days prior. An interaction between indigenous status and PM10 was included to examine differences in the impact on indigenous people. Results We found both positive and negative associations and our estimates had wide confidence intervals. There were generally positive associations between respiratory disease and PM10 but not with cardiovascular disease. An increase of 10 μg/m3 in same-day estimated ambient PM10 was associated with a 4.81% (95%CI: -1.04%, 11.01%) increase in total respiratory admissions. When the interaction between indigenous status and PM10 was assessed a statistically different association was found between PM10 and admissions three days later for respiratory infections of indigenous people (15.02%; 95%CI: 3.73%, 27.54%) than for non-indigenous people (0.67%; 95%CI: -7.55%, 9.61%). There were generally negative estimates for cardiovascular conditions. For non-indigenous admissions the estimated association with total cardiovascular admissions for same day ambient PM10 and admissions was -3.43% (95%CI: -9.00%, 2.49%) and the estimate for indigenous admissions was -3.78% (95%CI: -13.4%, 6.91%), although ambient PM10 did have positive (non-significant) associations with cardiovascular admissions of indigenous people two and three days later. Conclusion We observed positive associations between vegetation fire smoke and daily hospital admissions for respiratory diseases that were stronger in indigenous people. While this study was limited by the use of estimated rather than measured exposure data, the results are consistent with the currently small evidence base concerning this source of air pollution.

This technology assessment determined the feasibility of FAA support for development of a computer-based system to supplement crew function during in-flight fire/smoke incidents. The system was designated Aircraft Command in Emergency Situations (ACES). It was limited to fire/smoke incidents in areas other than power-plant or lifting and control surfaces. It would be used in large commercial air transports. Thirteen scenarios of in-flight fire/smoke incidents which had occurred or were likely to occur were written to define the events to which a flight crew might have to respond. The responses to each scenario, based on current practice, were described and presented on a timeline. The development of each incident was described as were the significant operational and environmental features. An analysis of each scenario was then made to identify problems encountered in detection and management of the incident. Separate analyses of current sensor technology, aircraft computer/ display ...