We performed a study on 32 idiopathic scoliotic patients (30 females, 2 males) treated with a Chêneau brace. Eighteen patients had a single right thoracic curve and 14 had a single right thoracolumbar curve. We used the TekScan 1 system (ClinSeat Type 5315 Sensor, TekScan, Boston MA, USA) to measure pressures at the skin-brace interface, assess the effect of strap tension and analyze the variation of these pressures with position and activity. The TekScan 1 device enabled identification of the pressure areas corresponding to the brace's three loading points. The pressure under the main pad had a greater mean value than the pressure under the two counter-pads. Tightening the straps led to a significant increase in the pressures, whatever the position studied or the curve pattern. Compared with the standing (reference) position, we observed significantly higher pressures during maximal inspiration ( p 5 0.001) and lower pressures during maximal expiration, in the prone position and after having risen from a lying position, for both thoracic curves ( p 5 0.001) and thoracolumbar curves ( p 5 0.01). The pressures for thoracolumbar curves were lower than those for thoracic curves, whatever the position studied and both before and after strap adjustment. For lying positions, lying on the right side produced the greatest increase pressure. Even though the TekScan 1 system does not provide direct information on the correction of spinal curvature, it appears to be a useful tool in the treatment of scoliotic patients. Strap adjustment clearly influences the applied pressures -particularly those on the rib cage. During activity, there is a natural tendency to decrease the pressure; this justifies efforts to maintain strap tensions in general and during day wear in particular.
The acceptability of Moro, Tarocco, Cara Cara, Shahani, Bream Tarocco, Boukhobza, and Sanguinelli oranges from both commercial and research orchards was tested with adult (n = 152) and child (n = 72) consumers. Qualitative focus groups were also conducted to understand consumer familiarity and thoughts about the fruit. Sensory descriptive and chemical analyses were carried out to identify drivers of liking. Overall, consumers preferred the lighter colored varieties consisting of Tarocco, Cara Cara, and Boukhobza. One cluster of adults (n = 80) showed preferences towards sweet and fruity flavors and away from sourness and citric acid. The second adult cluster (n = 72) was tolerant of the sour fruit but did not like fruit high in bitterness and flavonoid content. The largest child cluster (n = 42) showed preferences for samples higher in orange and tropical flavors (Cara Cara, Tarocco, and Boukhobza varieties). The appearance of the Cara Cara was strongly liked by the consumer population in both quantitative and qualitative settings. Hunter scale a color values strongly correlated to the higher berry/dried fruit flavors, and concentrations of naringenin. Focus group participants noted that they were relatively unfamiliar with blood oranges. Growers and producers may want to invest in the lighter colored varieties, such as Cara Cara, Tarocco, Boukhobza and Shahani, as these were liked by a majority of consumers and were low in less desirable sensory characteristics, such as bitterness and sourness.
Practical Application
Through consumer tests, sensory evaluation, and chemical analyses, this research uncovered which sensory properties may drive consumer acceptance of blood and Cara Cara oranges, and informed potential production and marketing strategies for increasing their consumption. This information should benefit the citrus industry as a whole and may enhance the use of specialty oranges by the food, beverage, and food service industries.
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