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If you've ever owned an American pitbull terrier, you know how loving and loyal they can be. These four-legged creatures warm our hearts and find their way into our families.
They don't display any violence. Quite the contrary! They're playful, affectionate and make great pets.
Then why do they get such a bad rap?
In most circumstances, ill-behaved pitbull puppies are the result of neglectful and harmful pitbull breeders. If you are thinking of adopting a pitbull for your family, congratulations! You've made a great choice.
But before you bring your bully home, it's essential that you learn more about your pitbull breeder. There are several ways you can learn about a pitbull breeder to ensure your pitbull was raised in a healthy environment.
Here's what to look for when searching for a pitbull breeder.
You've seen the photos and perhaps played with a pitbull. One of the unfortunate facts that affect the behaviors of pitbulls is how their breeders treat them.
An abusive breeder just out to make a quick buck who has no sensitivity or understanding of these animals will lose the trust of the pitbulls they breed.
The puppies are typically in poor health and mistrust humans. On the other hand, a good breeder will raise a healthy pitbull.
Beware if a pitbull breeder you found through an advertisement wants to meet you with the pitbull in a public place. They could be hiding something.
Visit the facility or home of the breeder so you get a firsthand look at how the breeder treats pitbulls and what type of care they provide to the dogs they are selling.
Even if the pitbull is out of your area, take a trip to visit the facility. It's a worthwhile investment. At the facility, take note of the quality and condition of the facility.
If you can't visit the facility yourself, see if you can send a friend or family member you might trust who might live in the area.
But it's better to go yourself so you can see if you bond with the pitbull.
When you get to the facility, check out the premises. Are the dogs clean? Is the environment clean? Are the puppies clean? Look around at the other dogs and see if they look happy and friendly or if they have poor temperaments.
You also want to make sure they are well fed and healthy dogs. Do you see any animals with extruding rib cages? This is a warning of malnutrition.
Other signs of unhealthy animals include coughing, lethargy, running eyes and noses and sores on the skin.
If you're interested in getting a puppy, it's likely its parents are on site. You can observe its temperament and the mother and father's behavior. This will provide an idea of what you can expect when you bring your puppy home.
Notice the interaction between the breeder and the pups and adult dogs. Does the pitbull breeder act like he or she generally cares for the dogs?
Watching his or her behavior and looking into her eyes can provide a clue to how she treats animals.
Now, look at the dogs. Do the dogs wag their tails and jump up and down when they engage with their breeder or do they shy away from them?
The internet provides an excellent way to learn more about the breeder online. You can often learn about different breeders you might be considering with a Google search.
Look for positive reviews in places other than a breeder's website. Also look for negative reviews and complaints from prior customers. If you find more than one or two, you know this person is not a reputable breeder.
If you don't know a lot about pitbulls, you can learn this information online. This way you can learn if your breeder is honest as well as learning about the dog you're taking home.
A red flag is when a breeder who claims to specialize in pitbulls has little knowledge or the wrong information about the dog you're about to purchase.
Ask a few questions based on what you've learned through your research to test your breeder's knowledge.
Most breeders who possess extensive knowledge about breeds have owned the breed themselves or care about the animal. This will help you discover if the breeder cares or is just in it for a quick sale.
A reputable breeder will gladly provide you with customer references. Positive references go a long way. Be sure to ask for one than one. When you speak to a former customer, you can learn what it's like to work with the breeder.
If a breeder doesn't offer a list of references to support the quality of their business, that's a red flag. It's usually a good sign to look around for another breeder.
Owning a pitbull puppy requires a variety of documents. Ask the breeder for copies of the puppy's medical history.
You can learn about the pet's general health, the shots it received and learn if it has been spayed or neutered or microchipped.
Last but not least, ask for an invoice for your payments, including deposits and balances.
Incorporate these suggestions to learn more about pitbull breeders and you will be glad you did.
Getting the deets on your pitbull breeder will let you know that they raised happy, healthy puppies or adult dogs that you and your family can love for many years.
Browse our website to learn more about pitbulls or contact us today to get on your way to finding the best pet for you and your family.
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U-Pass prices to go up after Met Council votes to increase Twin Cities' transit fares
The Metropolitan Council voted Wednesday to increase transit fares, resulting in U-Pass prices to rise from $100 to $114 on Aug. 1.
Published July 27, 2017
Beginning this fall, Twin Cities' transit fares will rise after a plan for the increase was approved Wednesday.
The Metropolitan Council voted to up area bus and light rail prices starting this fall. As a result, the University of Minnesota's U-Pass program will also increase from $100 to $114 when the passes go on sale Aug. 1.
All other major fare adjustments, like a $0.25 bump for regular transit rides and a rise from $76 to $83 for the monthly Metropass, will go into effect Oct. 1.
Public transit is a good value even after the fare hikes, especially for students with a U-Pass, said District 8 Metropolitan Council Member Cara Letofsky. Letosfsky represents the University area and serves on the council's transportation committee.
The Met Council hasn't raised fares since October 2008, but voted for the increase Wednesday because members expect inflation and other factors will cause a nearly $110 million deficit by 2020.
"A little fare increase isn't going to solve that, but it does keep us on track [to avoid a deficit,]" Letofsky said.
A more immediate $67.5 million deficit was avoided when state lawmakers comprised in May to fund the Met Council with a one time $70 million allocation for two years.
But the Council is set to face funding difficulties further down the road.
Frank Douma, director of the Humphrey School's State and Local Policy Program, said since not everyone can drive or afford a car, public transit is needed to give some mobility for everyone in society.
Yingling Fan, associate professor with the University's Urban and Regional Planning Area program, said in an email the Met Council's fare increase won't help the regional transit system in the long run because price hikes can hurt ridership and affect those with low-income who need it the most.
The more effective way to increase transit revenue is by increasing the ridership base, she said in the email.
The Met Council estimates the number of rides will drop by 3.8 million, about 4.7 percent of all rides, in the first year due to the fare increase. Ridership levels are expected to return to previous levels after 18 to 24 months.
Even though the price will rise, some students said the U-Pass itself is still worthwhile.
Cameron Thieme, a third-year mathematics University graduate student, said with his frequency of usage — twice a day, five days a week — the cost quickly breaks even.
Fatuma Mohamed, a University English senior, said although the prices for the U-Pass are already high, the deal is worth it and a $14 increase is not major, especially compared to other start of school costs.
Mohamed said without a pass program, she "probably would have chosen a different school," since she knew she would commute.

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Welcome back!
On February 28, 2017 by admin - Uncategorized
We've been gone a while now. This domain was kidnapped just around Christmas and has only now, the 28th of February, been recovered. And NO ransom was paid, thankfully. WE'VE been here all along of course, only the website was kidnapped! Take a look around and let us know what you think …
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a potent mix of creative invention and strategic insight
We're a marketing agency packed to the rafters with whip-smart creatives, strategists, developers and client advocates who love untangling complex problems and making the brands we partner with look really, really good.Get To Know Us
Who We Are
Who We Are
CNP is highly caffeinated and ready to make amazing things.
For more than two decades, we've cultivated a talented family of advertising, marketing and web development pros based in Winter Haven, Florida. Endlessly curious, we're propelled by an innate desire to get to the core of our clients' industries, drawing from that bottomless well of "But, what about…" to push past what's expected and deliver thoughtful solutions to our clients' challenges. Diverse in thought and approach, our collective passion is to help clients from Central Florida to Silicon Valley grow, thrive, stand out, seize opportunities and become wildly successful.View Our Capabilities
WHAT WE'RE MOST PROUD OFMonths of coffee, sweat (and maybe a few drunken tears)
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When you're vying for attention online, you have to provide value fast. You're not just up against your competitors—you're up against every other website. It only takes one second of slow loading for a potential customer to go back to Buzzfeed to look at puppy gifs.


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Below is a repost of information posted recently by Kentwood neighbor Joanna Sutton on NextDoor.
Thank you, Joanna, for your very comprehensive list of resources!
21 Things a Burglar Won't Tell You
Reader's Digest
13 tips from professional burglars on how to stop your house from being robbed
Metro News (U.K.)
We asked 86 burglars how they broke into homes: What burglars said were the biggest deterrents, what didn't stop them and how you can protect your home
KVUE ABC (Austin, TX)
Crime Prevention Tips — Burglary
San Jose Police Department
Essential Crime Prevention Tips Every Homeowner Should Know
Criminal Justice PhD – Information Guide
Property Crime Prevention
City of Palos Verdes Estates, Police Department
10 Simple Ways to Discourage Break-Ins
Safety and crime prevention Tips
Sacramento Police Department
"Here's what the LAPD says you should do if you encounter a knock knock burglar"
Daily News
"Don't Be a Victim: Tips for Preventing a 'Knock Knock' Burglary"
Santa Clarita Gazette
Los Angeles Police Dept, Senior Lead Officer Philip Ruiz
Several years ago, the Mission Hills Area was struck by a rash of "Knock knock home burglaries" involving the Knock Knock Burglary suspects. Though we haven't had any recent incidents in Mission Hills involving these types of burglaries (knock on wood!), there has been several recent burglaries that have been occurring in the San Fernando Valley, involving the "Knock Knock Burglars". It's always best to be aware & prepared for such occurrences.
The Knock Knock Burglary suspects will typically knock on the front door or ring the doorbell to verify if anyone is home. When there is no answer, the suspects then enter the rear of the residence through a side gate or by jumping over a gate. Once in the rear of the residence, they will typically smash or pry a window or a glass door to gain entry inside the house. Once inside, the suspects are targeting the master bed room as well as other areas of the home and removing jewelry, cash, small valuables and small electronics. They then flee within a matter of minutes.
Here are some recommendations to help secure your home and harden the target:
MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOU'RE HOME…Even when you're not.
MAKE YOUR PRESENCE KNOWN: There has been several occurrences in which the resident was home but chose to ignore the door knock or door bell ring. The suspect thinking no one was home then forced entry through the rear of the residence only to be confronted by the homeowner inside. This could lead to a scary situation. If you are at home, make your presence known by looking out and talking through a window or even by talking through the locked front door. Just so that the person on the other end is aware someone is home.
SURVEILLANCE/SECURITY CAMERAS: Web based surveillance and doorbell camera systems will alert and allow homeowners to immediately view and monitor activity from any smartphone or computer which are motion sensor activated and will alert your device when there is activity. They will also lend valuable information and clues to the investigation.
ALARMS: Ensure that security alarms are in good working order and set when not at home whether leaving for 10 minutes or 10 hours. Accessible upstairs doors & windows should have alarm sensors and upstairs rooms should have motion sensors to include the master bedroom.
MOTION SENSOR LIGHTING: Install motion sensor lighting around your home to illuminate normally dark areas around the home. This will also alert residents to outside activity around the home when motion lights are activated.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH: Monitor suspicious activities in your neighborhood and alert your neighbors. Should the activity escalate to a crime about to occur, crime in progress or crime that just occurred, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!
All other City Services: 311


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Craig and I have had a joint dream spinning around in our heads for over 10 years now. Hot Springs, AR has been our special place for our entire relationship. We escape there for a quick weekend vaca any time we get the chance. We renewed our 5 year anniversary vows there and the minute we land at the airport there we automatically feel like we're home. Not home like we'd want to live there everyday but home-away-from-home. Hot Springs to us means slowing down, spending quality time together and having our own individual hobbies there too. It's a place where our brains aren't constantly on work. It takes getting out of town for that to happen.
As we've been vacationing in Hot Springs for years (13 for me, more like 16 for Craig) we've gotten to know some of the locals. Around 2015 we started asking around to try to find a small available lot. We met with a few Realtors and drove around the different areas like Hot Springs Village, Lake Hamilton and up Mount Ouachita. One day about 3 years ago though Craig found a jewel on Craigslist. A tiny lot, at the end of historic Bathhouse Row and within walking distance to my favorite coffee shop The Kollective, Fat Bottomed Girls Cupcakes and his favorite hole-in-the-wall (but award winning!) breakfast spot, The Colonial. Once the site for a tiny yellow house built in the 1920s, it sits next door to an empty lot where the historic 1892 Majestic Hotel stood abandoned for 4 years. The more-than Century-old landmark hotel tragically burned due to arson in 2014 and now the city owns the lot. Rumors of a future concert venue, spa hotel and water park have been floating around for awhile now. He bought the lot for $20,000 and we've since been offered a lot more. The lot has a steep incline from the front to the back, and by incline I mean a 10+ foot cliff. The home we build there will certainly have to be custom designed with the front door on the first floor and the back door on the second! So for the last 5 years we've just sat on the lot, not having time or energy to tackle it yet. Hopefully that will change soon.Our plan is to build a little vacation cottage there mainly so we can hop over to Hot Springs at the spur of the moment and pack nothing at all. It'll be white farmhouse style with a huge front porch and black trimmed windows. We'll also use it for an Air B&B and I'm excited to research and learn all about that business!One main reason I'm eager to get started is because Hot Springs National Park will be one of the "path of totality" towns in the next total solar eclipse. That won't happen again until April 8th, 2024 (you can follow the event here) but last time it did on August 21, 2017 (Great American Eclipse) all of the towns on the path of totality were packed with record numbers of tourists. Hotel rooms are already booking out for that date years on the future now and the event has already been compared to "20 Woodstock festivals occurring simultaneously across the nation". I'd love to be settled in and up-and-running by that time.
Right now I'm thinking about naming the cottage "The Sleeping Porch". Plans are to build a screened-in porch off the upstairs space. The porch will have a swinging bed and views of downtown Hot Springs. I'll get to live out the good parts of my pre-teen favorite movie "Man in the Moon" staring Reese Witherspoon as a tomboy about 13 years old. I'm more excited about this room than any other part of the house but don't worry, Craig has been meticulously designing everything else for about 2 years now (we're our own worst clients). More updates on #TheSleepingPorch as we go along including legit Men in Black showing up, discovery of buried basements and I'm sure many more adventures along the way. Until then, start planning your future stay soon!


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Our Dhamma practice builds an inner refuge that we can truly trust and rely on – a steadying influence through life's challenges to help us meet them with greater wisdom, patience, and forgiveness. In the monastic setting, a dual focus on Dhamma and Vinaya, the monastic code of discipline, further strengthen our ability to let go of ego within the seclusion and support of spiritual community. A talk given at the Ottawa Buddhist Society in 2010.
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Greg Everett is an energy analyst and corporate lawyer at the Houston office of Latham & Watkins LLP.
He spent his final year of law school at Tel Aviv University where he worked as a research assistant to Dr Micha'el Tanchum at the Atlantic Council's Eurasian Energy Futures Initiative.
He also spent time as a Foreign Law Clerk to Justice Elyakim Rubinstein of the Supreme Court of Israel.
Before attending law school, Mr Everett worked as a backing musician for several major-label and independent recording artists, playing on many nationally syndicated late night shows throughout the United States. His writing has appeared in the Bangladesh national news magazine, PROBE. He speaks fluent Arabic.


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An insider's guide to short breaks in Santander, including advice on the best hotels, beaches, restaurants and bars. By Isabella Noble, Telegraph Travel's Cantabria expert.
Why go now?
Far from Spain's most popular tourist trails, Santander will surprise you – in the very best of ways. Behind a misleading façade that lacks the magnificence of other Spanish towns, Cantabria's character-packed capital is a city of atmospheric plazas, grand belle-époque buildings, seaside promenades, sensational beaches, and superb surf, thrown in with an unbeatable setting along the northern side of the Bahίa de Santander and an intriguing historical track dating back to 21 BC. The food is fantastic too, and the city centre's bubbly tapas bars burst with Cantabria's most exquisite flavours. The surrounding coast is sprinkled with some of the finest sandy stretches in Spain and, over in El Sardinero (east of the centre), it's the beach action that takes centre stage.
More Telegraph Travel expert guides
July and August are festival season in Santander, with all kinds of extra musical and after-dark fun to keep you entertained until the early hours; of course this is the top time for hitting the beaches too. Visit in winter, however, and you'll likely get the sands all to yourself (and save on accommodation), but those lively tapas bars, nightspots, and surfers will still be going strong.
Getting there
Brittany Ferries (brittany-ferries.co.uk) sails from Plymouth and Portsmouth to Santander and Bilbao (Basque Country). Ryanair (ryanair.com) flies to Santander from London Stansted and Edinburgh (April to October).
Where to stay
Special treat
A royal welcome awaits at the grand, early-20th-century, oh-so-Santander Eurostars Hotel Real (Paseo Pérez Galdόs 28; 00 34 942 27 25 50; hotelreal.es), which enjoys the finest views around from its idyllic position atop town. Doubles from €130, including excellent breakfasts.
The intimate and impeccably styled Le Petit Boutique Hotel (Avenida de los Castros 10; 00 34 94276 4564; lepetithotelsantander.com), 300m from El Sardinero beach, has seven elegant, contemporary rooms, each superbly themed around a different international city. Doubles from €75, with breakfast.
On a handy central Santander street, Jardίn Secreto (Calle Cisneros 37; 00 34 94207 0714; jardinsecretosantander.com) is a handsomely renovated late-19th-century town house with just six individually fashioned rooms, all beautifully done up in a cosy, quirky, neo-rustic design. Doubles from €50.
On arrival
Join the crowds spilling out from enticingly bubbly tapas bars in Santander city centre. Just above rowdy Plaza de Cañadίo is La Conveniente (Calle Gόmez Oreña 9; 00 34 94221 2887), an enormous, packed-out, old-style bodega serving simple but superb platters of local meats, pates, and cheeses (around €12), along with hundreds of wines. Get here by 9pm to snag a table.
Day one
Kick things off with a leisurely stroll along the seafront Paseo de Pereda promenade and Jardines de Pereda gardens, stopping for coffee and pastries outside under the umbrellas at Café Suizo (Paseo de Pereda 28; 0034 94221 5864), one of Santander's oldest cafés (now suitably modernised).
The Banco de Santander arch takes you into the city centre proper; turn left, passing through grand Plaza Porticada on your way to the majestic, two-church Catedral de la Asunción. Then venture west to the Biblioteca and Casa Museo de Menéndez Pelayo (Calle Rubio 6), picking up traditional Cantabrian treats at the Mercado de la Esperanza (Plaza de la Esperanza).
Yes, it's finally lunchtime. Take the Spanish lead and make this your main meal, with the fantastic contemporary-Cantabrian offerings at classy Cañadίo (Calle Gόmez Oreña 15; 0034 94231 4149; restaurantecanadio.com), overlooking Plaza de Cañadίo. Pinchos from €2; meals around €40.
It's a lovely walk east from the centre to the green-clad Penίnsula de la Magdalena headland and its awe-inspiring views, but otherwise jump on a bus from the Jardines de Pereda or Puerto Chico. Try to catch a tour (€3) around the luxurious interior of the Palacio de la Magdalena (00 34 94220 3084; palaciomagdalena.com).
Santanderinos would be lost without the golden, silky-soft sands of El Sardinero (northwest from La Magdalena), made up of two stunning, kilometre-long beaches backed by lavish early-20th-century architecture. Parade along the promenade, admire the Gran Casino, and don't forget to stop for a sundowner.
You'll probably have worked up an appetite by now, so head back into town to colourful little Asubio Gastrobar (Calle Daoίz y Velarde 23; 00 34 94203 5238; asubiogastrobar.com) for absolutely divine, prize-winning pinchos, from €2.
We all know things start, and go on, pretty late in Spain, so, if you're keen for more, knock back a post-pincho drink (or two) at lively bar Canela in the thick of the Plaza de Cañadίo action.
Day two
From the Estaciόn Marίtima Los Reginas (Paseo de Pereda), take the ferry over the bay to Somo, enjoying fabulous views of Santander as you leave the city behind. Stroll the peaceful golden sands of Playa de Somo and, if you're feeling active, hit the waves for a surfing session.
Back in town centre, head to the excellent Museo de Prehistoria y Arqueologίa de Cantabria (Calle Bailén s/n; 00 34 94220 9922; museosdecantabria.es; €5), which takes you through 175,000 years of local history – from World Heritage-listed prehistoric cave art to the medieval kingdom of Asturias – underneath the 19th-century Mercado del Este. Free Sunday afternoon.
Pop across the road and round things off to perfection with top-notch tapas at long-time local favourite El Diluvio (Calle Ataúlfo Argenta 14; 00 34 94221 8563): just take your pick from the pincho-packed bar (from €2.50).
City checklist
1. For further information on Cantabria, see telegraph.co.uk/cantabria
2. Tourist offices: Oficina de Turismo Municipal (Jardines de Pereda; 00 34 942 20 30 00; ayto-santander.es) and Oficina de Turismo de Cantabria (Mercado del Este; 00 34 942 31 07 08; turismodecantabria.com).
3. Handy bus stops for El Sardinero and the Penίnsula de la Magdalena include Correos, Jardines de Pereda, and Puerto Chico; tickets €1.30.
More Telegraph Travel expert guides
You'd never expect such a character-packed boutique bolthole along central Santander's unassuming... Read expert reviewFrom £ 51per nightRates provided byBooking.com
It doesn't get more classically Santander than this splendid, snow-white hilltop palace, built to... Read expert reviewFrom £ 88per nightRates provided byBooking.com
Set across the top floor of an elegant 1920s building, these four fabulous, boutique-inspired apa... Read expert reviewFrom £ 108per nightRates provided byBooking.com


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After another up-and-down offensive performance from the Steelers on Monday night, Pittsburgh fans rained down "Fire Canada" chants from the stands during Pittsburgh's 26–22 victory over the visiting Browns.
The chants came late in the fourth quarter after a strange play call by offensive coordinator Matt Canada with just over three minutes to go left Kenny Pickett on the turf for a loss of three yards on a quarterback keeper. The Steelers were forced to punt, which required one last defensive stand to clinch the AFC North contest.
The chants began during the television timeout and were heard loud and clear when ESPN returned to the broadcast from commercial.
#Steelers fans chanting "FIRE CANADA" pic.twitter.com/d6nzG7AG9K— Video from: @TSV__1 (@TSV__1) September 19, 2023
Steelers players brushed it off after the game.
"Yeah, we didn't hear that," Steelers center Mason Cole said, via Trib Live. "It wasn't the plays. It was lack of execution again. For whatever reason, these last two weeks, we haven't executed to the level we know we can. We have got to get that fixed."
Pittsburgh tight end Pat Freiermuth echoed the sentiment.
"I mean, we just have to continue to trust the positions [Canada] puts us in. I think that's been successful in camp, so we just have to continue to be in those positions and make plays."
After a lopsided Week 1 defeat at the hands of the 49ers, the Steelers are in the win column despite just 255 yards of total offense on Monday. That will need to be addressed quickly by Canada and Co.—or else the losses likely will start to pile up.
The Steelers head to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders next Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET.


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Our team of experts is here to make your experience high-quality so that you receive the best service in Sacramento.
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No two patients are alike. We focus on caring for the needs of each individual.
In addition to excellent skill with traditional adjustments, The Healing Touch Chiropractic also offers state of the art Decompression Therapy for both the cervical spine (neck) and the lumbar spine (lower back). This is the latest and best non-surgical treatment available for those suffering lower back pain, sciatica, herniated discs, degenerative discs, stenosis, and other lumbar spinal conditions. This is the treatment of choice to consider before going through aggressive cervical or lumbar surgery.
Dr. Darrick Lawson, Dr. Tyler Harrison, and Dr. David Evans also work with auto injury victims who have suffered whiplash or other spinal sprain/strains common to automobile accidents. The Healing Touch Chiropractic team is well equipped to help auto accident victims with the appropriate and necessary paperwork, deal with their insurance company, and even make appropriate referrals to other specialists for a complete evaluation of injuries suffered in an auto accident.
Please check out the New Patient Center and About Us area where you can read about Dr. Darrick Lawson, Dr. Tyler Harrison, and Dr. David Evans. You can also subscribe to the award-winning The Healing Touch Chiropractic newsletter.
It's Your Life… Live it in Health!
Dr. Darrick Lawson has been freeing people from pain since 1991: first in his clinic in Visalia, California, and since 2000 in Midtown Sacramento, California. As a skilled and experienced Chiropractor, he is committed to promoting the health and well being of his patients.
Dr. Tyler J. Harrison is a Sacramento native and the newest member of the Healing Touch Chiropractic team. Dr. Tyler is a second generation Chiropractor and feels every single day is a gift being a Chiropractor. Tyler attended high school at Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks, California. After graduating, he ventured across the causeway, attending UC Davis, studying Psychology and Exercise Biology.
Dr. David Evans was born and raised in the Bay Area in Northern California. After graduating U.C. Davis and Life Chiropractic College West he moved to Sacramento, Ca in 2003 and began his private practice. Dr. Evans has advanced training in post graduate studies in nutrition and exercise. He also was a Qualified Medical Examiner for the State of California in the Workers Compensation system. He is dedicated to continuing learning the newest techniques and treatments to help get his patients living at their fullest potential.
1919 21st Street #101
Sacramento, CA 95811, US


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Saturday, June 18, 2011
Saturday Reading
I rolled out of bed, refilled the food dishes and took stock of the kitchen. I desperately need to wash dishes. I've got them stacked here and there. But, I really don't want to do that now. I am close to finishing this book. I poured myself a bowl of strawberry Frosted Mini-Wheats, took that to my new recliner, reclined and started reading. An hour and a half later, I was done. Now it's time for a review.
Simon Winchester wrote a well-received book called "The Professor and the Madman" about the making of the Oxford English Dictionary. It's been on my TBR (To Be Read) list since coming out. When I bought this book, many years ago, I didn't buy it because of the author's reputation. I bought it because of the subject matter.
"Krakatoa" has come to be synonymous with "major catastrophe". If you are a student or even have a passing interest in world history, the story of this volcano blowing itself apart is compelling. I don't know that I had an expectations for the book other than to learn about the volcano and how its eruption affected the people in Java and Sumatra. It met those expectations.
The criticism I have is that there is a lot of "stuff" in this book, stuff that I don't feel helped tell the story. It's 335 pages, of which, as far as I'm concerned, a good 150 could have been excised and the story not diminished. Politics of the region were not changed by the volcano's eruption, as a for instance. There's 8 pages I didn't need to slog through. In trying to paint a complete picture of the volcano and the area of the world it inhabits, the author's attempt at thoroughness overshot the need to just tell what happened and its repercussions. Not enough was given over to what the area is like now and too much was told about ancient human history.
The volcano doesn't erupt until page 232. I have to say that from roughly page 185 onward, the narrative is compelling. You know he's leading up to the eruption. Once it does explode, the next 50 pages which tell what happened and how the eruption was felt all around the world, are intense reading. Krakatoa had the distinction of being the first natural disaster transmitted with almost immediacy thanks to transoceanic cables. People in London knew it was happening as close to it happening as possible. This would be the 19th century equivalent of the Japanese tsunami.
It's an okay read. If you are interested in scientific developments of the late 19th century, this is a good book to pick up. It did make me wonder what kinds of studies are on-going and what the volcano looks like today. (Thank you, search engine for photos.)
I know, why save something that's a few years old? I always learn something. It's important to me to read through them even if what that will amount to is a cursory glance.
I'm not sure what I will be reading next. I like to put my next book on the dresser by the bed, but nothing leaped out at me from the stack and said, "Read me next!" I think I shall work on the newsletter, cooking, Discover pile. That's not very big and it will be a keen sense of accomplishment when that stack is gone.
Beverage: Belhaven Scottish ale
Posted by Deb Montague at 7:00:00 PM
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Postharvest Handling Practices and Treatment Methods for Tomato Handlers in Developing Countries: A Mini Review
Tomato production has increased in recent years due to the economic and nutritional importance of the crop. This increase is made possible by the numerous research advances made along the entire value chain. However, scientific research has been focussed mainly on production whilst neglecting postharvest issues. Tomato producers have therefore enjoyed good harvests in recent times, though the good harvests of those from developing countries do not translate into profit as most are lost after harvest. From this study, it was revealed that the postharvest quality and shelf life of the fruit in part will depend on some postharvest handling practices and treatments carried out after harvest. Handling practices like harvesting, precooling, cleaning and disinfecting, sorting and grading, packaging, storing, and transportation played an important role in maintaining quality and extending shelf life. Using appropriate postharvest treatments like refrigeration, heat treatment, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) application was also vital. It was concluded by this study that the quality of the harvested fruit can be maintained and shelf life extended by using appropriate postharvest handling practices and treatment methods. Failure to adhere to these practices will result in a high amount of loss.
1. Introduction
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most widely cultivated and extensively consumed horticultural crops globally [1]. Although the crop is believed to have been originated from the wild in Peru, Ecuador, and other parts of tropical Americas [2], the nutritional and economic importance of the crop has led to its global production. By weight, tomatoes rank second only to potatoes in global production of all horticultural produce [3]. Tomato can be eaten in various ways and in a countless number of dishes. It can be eaten raw in salads or as an extract or sauce in many dishes and in drinks [4]. Tomato and tomato-based foods provide a wide variety of nutrients and many health-related benefits to the body [5]. Tomato contains higher amounts of lycopene, a type of carotenoid with antioxidant properties [6] which is beneficial in reducing the incidence of some chronic diseases [7] like cancer and many other cardiovascular disorders [8]. In regions where it is being cultivated and consumed, it constitutes a very essential part of the people's diet. The numerous uses of tomatoes can be a contributing factor to its widespread production. Tomato production has increased in recent years to about 163 million tonnes by 2013 [9] due to the economic and nutritional importance of the crop. This increase according to Alonso et al. [10] is made possible by the numerous research advances along the entire value chain. However, scientific research has focussed on production mainly whilst neglecting postharvest issues. Kader [11] reported that less than 5% of resource allocation in agricultural research in developing countries is on postharvest. This means more than 95% of resource allocation is on production. Research in the production aspect of the entire value chain in tomato production has resulted in improved cultivars or varieties which are high yielding and resistant to both diseases and drought. This has made tomato producers enjoy good harvests in recent years; however, the good harvest of many producers in developing countries does not translate into profit as most are lost after harvest. Postharvest loss is a major challenge hampering tomatoes production in most developing countries [12]. Tomato being a perishable crop as a result of its high moisture content has short shelf life of about 48 hours [13] under tropical conditions. Specialised postharvest handling practices and treatment methods are needed in order to extend the shelf life of the crop after harvest. Failure to adhere to these specialised handling practices and treatment methods will result in high amount of loss. Losses of up to 50% can be recorded in tomatoes between the harvesting and consumption stages of the distribution chain in tropical countries [11, 14] which is in line with estimates by Gustavo et al. [15] that between 49 and 80% of all agricultural commodities end up with the consumer whilst the remainder is lost. It is therefore important to know the appropriate handling practices and treatment methods needed for harvested tomatoes in order to reduce postharvest losses thereby increasing profitability for handlers in developing countries. The purpose of this paper therefore is to look at some postharvest handling practices and treatment methods that can be used by handlers of developing countries and how they can affect the postharvest qualities and shelf life of harvested tomatoes.
2. Some Postharvest Handling Practices for Tomatoes
Physical handling can have a drastic effect on the postharvest quality and shelf life of most harvested fruits and vegetables. For instance, rough handling during harvesting and after harvesting can cause mechanical injuries which can affect the postharvest quality and shelf life of harvested fruit like tomatoes [16]. It is therefore important to know suitable postharvest handling practices needed to maintain the quality and extend the shelf life of harvested tomatoes for producers in developing countries. Some of the handling practices which include harvesting, precooling, cleaning and disinfecting, sorting and grading, packaging, transportation, and storage are discussed below.
2.1. Harvesting
The physiological maturity of any fruit at harvest has an important effect on postharvest quality of that fruit [17]. Therefore, care must be taken as to when to harvest the fruit in order to attain the best quality. The shelf life of fruits and vegetables is described by postharvest physiologists in three stages: the maturation, ripening, and senescence stages. The maturation stage gives an indication of the fruit being ready for harvest [18]. Tomatoes can be harvested in either matured green, partially ripe, or ripe state. Tomato being a climacteric fruit can be harvested at the matured green state allowing ripening and senescence to occur during the postharvest period of the fruit. Producers targeting distant markets must harvest their tomatoes in a matured green state [19]. Harvesting tomatoes in matured green state will not only give producers ample time to prepare the fruit for the market but also prevent mechanical injuries during harvesting. Unfortunately, most producers from developing countries especially those in Africa harvest tomatoes when they are partially or fully ripened [20]. Fully ripened tomatoes are susceptible to mechanical injuries during harvesting resulting in shorter shelf life [21, 22]. Care must therefore be taken when harvesting tomatoes in ripe state to avoid these injuries which will hasten deterioration. Also, the use of harvesting and packaging containers with sharp edges must be discouraged to prevent bruising and puncturing of the fruits. Harvesting of fruits should be done in either early or late hours of the day to avoid excessive field heat generation. The inability of producers to follow these simple but vital harvesting procedures coupled with some inefficiencies (like lack of ready market and processing facilities) in the entire value chain may explain the reasons why there are lots of losses in tomatoes harvested at fully ripened state in most developing countries. Access to ready market is a big challenge when dealing with highly perishable crops like tomatoes in most developing countries. This challenge can be attributed to many factors but the major factor is the pattern of production resulting in high gluts. In most developing countries, a greater proportion of tomato production is rain fed. This causes high peaks in production during the raining seasons which is always more than the local consumption of the crop. The problem is further compounded by the lack of processing facilities or equipment which can be used to process the crop into a more durable form for later use. Processing tomatoes into a more durable form will also serve as a means of value addition which will finally give a better market value for the crop. Producers from developed countries always have supply contracts with multinational supermarkets to supply tomatoes. For instance, Blush Tomatoes, a tomato producing company in Australia, supplies Coles and Woolworth supermarkets with tomatoes making access to market already predetermined [12]. In the case of producers in many developing countries, there is lack of communication between producers and consumers and also lack of market information [11]. This could be the main reason for the mismatch between production and available markets. Producers therefore have to sell their harvest at very low cost to prevent total loss.
2.2. Precooling after Harvest
Field heat is usually high and undesirable at harvesting stage of many fruits and vegetables and should be removed as quickly as possible before any postharvest handling activity [23]. Excessive field heat gives rise to an undesirable increase in metabolic activity and immediate cooling after harvest is therefore important [24]. Precooling minimises the effect of microbial activity, metabolic activity, respiration rate, and ethylene production [25], whilst reducing the ripening rate, water loss, and decay, thereby preserving quality and extending shelf life of harvested tomatoes [26]. The suitable temperature range of about 13–20°C for tomato handling can be attained either in the early hours of the morning or late in the evening [27, 28]. Harvested fruit must be precooled to remove excessive field heat if harvested at times other than the recommended periods. A cheap but effective way of precooling harvested tomatoes for producers of developing countries can be by dipping fruits in cold water (hydrocooling) mixed with disinfectants such as thiabendazole and sodium hypochlorite if availability of clean water is not a challenge. This method is effective in removing field heat whilst reducing microbial loads on the harvested fruits. Tomato producers in developing countries especially those from Africa assemble their harvested produce under tree shade in an attempt to reduce field heat [29]. Tree shade, however, is not a reliable and effective way of reducing field heat in harvested produce. Arah et al. [12] therefore suggested that the adoption of a simple on-farm structure like a small hut made of thatch can be very beneficial in precooling of harvested tomatoes.
2.3. Cleaning or Disinfecting
Proper hygiene is a major concern to all produce handlers, because of not only postharvest diseases, but also incidence of food-borne illnesses that can be transmitted to consumers. According to a report by the Government of India [30], Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, and hepatitis A virus are some examples of disease causing organisms that have been transmitted to consumers through fresh fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, cleaning or disinfecting tomatoes after harvest is not a common practice for most tomatoes handlers in developing countries especially those from Africa. This practice may be attributed to either the unavailability of portable water at the production sites or the sheer ignorance of the practice. However, in places where water is not a constraint, the use of disinfectants in water either for washing or for cooling can reduce both postharvest and food-borne diseases in fruits and vegetables. The use of various disinfectants during postharvest treatment of tomatoes is well documented. For instance, sodium hypochlorite solution has been used to sterilise tomato fruits in order to reduce the incidence of fungal infection before any postharvest treatment was applied [31]. Dipping of tomato fruits in thiabendazole solution reduced the microbial load on the fruits [32]. Fruits and vegetables are usually treated with chlorinated water after washing to reduce the microbial load prior to packaging. Workneh et al. [33] indicate that anolyte water dipping disinfection of tomatoes not only reduced the microbial loads on the fruits but also maintained superior quality of tomatoes during storage. Disinfection can be used in conjunction with hydrocooling to achieve the purpose of reducing excessive field heat and reducing microbial infection at the same time.
2.4. Sorting and Grading
One of the most important processes in packaging and marketing of fruit and vegetables is sorting [34] and grading. Sorting is the removal of rotten, damaged, or diseased fruits from the healthy and clean ones. The damaged or diseased fruits can produce ethylene in substantial amounts which can affect the adjacent fruits [35]. Grading is also the process of categorising fruits and vegetables on the basis of colour, size, stage of maturity, or degree of ripening. The two processes are vital in maintaining postharvest shelf life and quality of harvested tomatoes. Sorting limits the spread of infectious microorganisms from bad fruits to other healthy fruits during postharvest handling of tomatoes. Grading also helps handlers to categorise fruits and vegetables in a given common parameter which enables easy handling. For instance, grading on the basis of colour or maturity stage will help eliminate overripe fruits which will easily produce ethylene to hasten the ripening process in the whole batch. Commercial tomato producers normally use sophisticated systems that require precise sorting and grading standards for their produce. Small-scale producers and retailers in developing countries in contrast may not use written down grading and sorting standards; however, the produce must still be sorted and sized to some degree before selling or processing it.
2.5. Packaging
Packaging is also one of the important aspects to consider in addressing postharvest losses in fruits and vegetables. It is enclosing food produce or product to protect it from mechanical injuries, tampering, and contamination from physical, chemical, and biological sources [36]. Packaging as a postharvest handling practice in tomato production is essential in putting the produce into sizeable portions for easy handling. However, using unsuitable packaging can cause fruit damage resulting in losses [37]. Some common packaging materials used in most developing countries include wooden crates, cardboard boxes, woven palm baskets, plastic crates, nylon sacks, jute sacks, and polythene bags [37]. Most of the abovementioned packaging materials do not give all the protection needed by the commodity. Whilst the majority of these packaging materials like the nylon sacks do not allow good aeration within the packaged commodity causing a build-up of heat due to respiration, others like the woven basket have rough surfaces and edges which cause mechanical injuries to the produce. The wooden crate and the woven palm basket are some of the common packaging materials used in many developing countries especially those in Africa for packaging tomatoes. The major shortcoming of the wooden crate is in its height which creates a lot of compressive forces on fruits located at the base of the crate [38]. These undesirable compressive forces cause internal injuries which finally result in reduced postharvest quality of the tomatoes [20]. There have been suggestions of modifying the wooden crate to make it more suitable for packaging tomatoes. Kitinoja [39] has therefore suggested that the depth of the crate should be reduced considerably to reduce the build-up of compressive forces which can cause mechanical injuries to fruits at the base of the crate after packaging. The palm woven baskets used by tomato handlers have sharp edges lining the inside which puncture or bruise the fruit when they are used. It has also been recommended by Idah et al. [37] that woven palm baskets should be woven with the smooth side of the material turned inward.
2.6. Storage
Tomato has very high moisture content and therefore is very difficult to store at ambient temperatures for a long time. Meanwhile, storage in the value chain is usually required to ensure uninterrupted supply of raw materials for processors. Storage extends the length of the processing season and helps provide continuity of product supply throughout the seasons. For short-term storage (up to a week), tomato fruits can be stored at ambient conditions [40] if there is enough ventilation to reduce the accumulation of heat from respiration. For longer-term storage, ripe tomatoes can be stored at temperatures of about 10–15°C and 85–95% relative humidity [41]. At these temperatures, both ripening and chilling injuries are reduced to the minimal levels. These conditions are also difficult to obtain in most tropical countries and therefore losses of appreciable quantities of harvested tomatoes have been reported [11, 14]. This is consistent with the claim that the quality of tomato is compromised when exposed to high temperatures and high relative humidity [42]. Very low temperature storage too is detrimental to the shelf life and quality of many tropical fruits like tomatoes. For instance, refrigerating a tomato will reduce its flavour, a quality trait of tomatoes which is largely determined by the total soluble solids (TSS) and pH of the fruit [43]. An understanding of the correct temperature management during storage of tomatoes is vital in extending the shelf life of the fruit whilst maintaining fruit qualities. Tomatoes handlers in tropical countries can store tomatoes for short to intermediate time by using evaporative cooling system made from woven jute sacks.
2.7. Transportation
In most developing countries, the production sites for many tomato producers are far from the marketing centres and also inaccessible by road. Transporting harvested tomatoes to the market on such bad road network and the lack of proper transportation like refrigerated vans become a big challenge for both producers and distributors [44]. This challenge therefore causes unnecessary delays in getting the produce to the market. Meanwhile, any delay between harvest and consumption of tomatoes can result in losses [45]. Losses of up to about 20% are incurred by producers due to transportation delays [46]. Producers will therefore make use of any available means of transport for their produce without considering its appropriateness in order to avoid delays. Some modes of transportation include human labour, donkeys, public transport, rented trucks, busses, lorries, fuel tankers, articulator trucks, and pick-up vans [37, 47]. However, the use of appropriate transportation for tomatoes is a major factor to consider in postharvest handling of the fruit. During transportation, the produce should be immobilised by proper packaging and stacking to avoid excessive movement or vibration. Vibration and impact during transportation as a result of undulations on roads are one of the major causes of postharvest losses to most fruits and vegetables especially tomatoes [37]. The bad nature of road networks in most developing countries therefore provides these unfavourable factors during transportation resulting in great losses. The wobbling nature of most of the vehicles coupled with the bad nature of roads causes a lot of mechanical damage to the produce before it reaches its destination. Handlers from developed countries on the other hand use refrigerated containers and trailers which travel on reasonably good roads. Transporting tomatoes in refrigerated trucks is not only convenient, but also effective in preserving the quality of fruits. However, both the initial investment and the operation costs of these vehicles are very high and beyond the affordable reach of most producers in developing countries. Handlers of developing countries therefore transport their produce using the most affordable mode of transport without considering the effect it will have on the postharvest quality of the produce. Even though handlers from developing countries may not have the capacity to use refrigerated trucks, they should be well educated on the consequences that any other transportation option they use may have on their produce.
3. Postharvest Treatment Techniques for Tomatoes
After harvesting, the tomato fruit still remains living and performs all functions of a living tissue [48]. However, the postharvest quality of the fruit at harvest cannot be enhanced by any postharvest technology but can only be maintained [49]. In order to maintain this quality, there are some postharvest treatment methods that have to be adhered to in order to achieve this goal. Below are some of the treatments methods that can be used for harvested tomatoes.
3.1. Refrigeration Storage
Refrigeration is one of the most effective methods of preserving the quality of many fruits and vegetables for several days [32, 50]. Low temperature storage can protect nonappearance quality attributes like texture, nutrition, aroma, and flavour in many harvested fruits [51]. Tomato handlers have also used refrigeration storage for tomatoes in attempt to extend shelf life. However, some fruits and vegetables of tropical origin, like tomatoes, are sensitive to chilling injury when they are stored below their critical temperature of 10°C [52]. This shortcoming of refrigeration storage was reported by Lee et al. [53] and Babitha et al. [54] where low temperatures from refrigeration storage caused chilling injuries which resulted in pitting, uneven ripening, and fungal infestation of stored fruits. This gives an indication that refrigeration storage may not be the most effective method of storing tomatoes for a long period. Another challenge in using refrigeration storage in tomato handling in most developing countries is the huge initial cost which is beyond the reach of most of underresourced handlers. However, in situations where handlers can afford refrigeration storage and temperature regulation is possible, temperatures of about 10–15°C should be maintained to avoid chilling injuries [41]. In spite of the high cost of refrigeration, it is very important to control storage temperatures and relative humidity during storage, as these two parameters are the main causes of deterioration in fruits and vegetables. The required optimum temperatures of about 10–15°C and 85–95% relative humidity [41] can be achieved by using less expensive methods of cooling such as evaporative cooling system as suggested by Workneh and Woldetsadik [55]. In such cooling system, air temperatures can be decreased to about 16°C, whilst relative humidity can be increased to about 91%, which is appropriate for reducing deterioration of harvested tomatoes due to physiological weight loss [56]. Evaporative coolers can be manufactured locally using low cost materials like jute sacks, wooden planks, and basins.
3.2. Postharvest Heat Treatment of Tomatoes
Postharvest heat treatment of fruits and vegetables is receiving more attention as a way of reducing the incidence of chilling injuries in temperature sensitive fruits of tropical origin. It is one of the approaches that can be used to avoid or reduce chilling injuries in stored fruits [57]. Postharvest heat treatments using hot air and heated water have been reported to reduce chilling injuries in fruits like mangoes, oranges, zucchini, and tomatoes [50]. Heat treating of tomato fruit at temperatures of about 37–42°C prior to cold storage can slow down ripening whilst increasing pathogenic resistance when in storage [58]. Some studies have shown that heat treatment prior to storage enhanced or caused no change in some quality traits of stored tomatoes. For instance, TSS of heat treated tomatoes was unaffected when tomatoes ripened at ambient temperatures [59] or when they ripened in a modified atmosphere storage system [60]. However, uniform heat treatment before cold storage at 14°C actually increased TSS and titratable acids (TA) when fruits ripened as compared to the untreated fruits [61]. In situations where refrigeration storage is possible, postharvest heat treatment of tomatoes can be used in conjunction with refrigeration storage in extending shelf life of harvested tomatoes.
3.3. Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)
Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) refers to a packaging technique of using specialised materials in packaging products in a predetermined composition of gases which are mainly oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) after which there is no active effort of modifying the storage space [17]. The packaging materials used in MAP allow for diffusion of gases through them until a stable equilibrium is reached between the external gases and those inside the package [62]. The most commonly used MAP materials are polyethylene terephthalate (PET), low density polyethylene (LDP), high density polyethylene (HDP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene [63], polystyrene [64, 65], and some chemically modified derivatives [17]. The benefit of using MAP is not only in providing a modified atmosphere to control ripening [66], but also in reducing water loss in stored products [67], reducing mechanical injuries, and enhancing better hygiene which reduces the spread of food-borne diseases [66]. MAP creates water saturated or near-saturated atmosphere (high relative humidity) around the fruit which reduces water loss and shrinkage [32]. Water loss and subsequent shriveling of tomatoes in tropical regions are one of the causes of their deterioration. Fruit shriveling may become evident with any small percentage of moisture loss. The use of MAP by tomatoes handlers in developing countries will therefore prevent or reduce the problem of water loss in harvested tomatoes. However, maintaining excessively high level of relative humidity inside the package can result in moisture condensation on the commodity, which will in turn create conducive environment favourable for pathogenic activities thereby increasing the risk of fruit deterioration [60]. Tomato handlers must therefore be trained in the proper use of MAP for tomatoes to avoid moisture condensation which will result in fruit deterioration.
3.4. 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP)
The use of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) has been shown to suppress the action of ethylene in many fruits and vegetables [68]. The rate of ethylene production in harvested climacteric fruit like tomato is indicative of the metabolic activities within the fruit. The higher the metabolic activities within the harvested fruit, the shorter its shelf life. However, the aim of every postharvest technology is to slow down the metabolism in the harvested produce thereby increasing shelf life. The use of 1-MCP by handlers in developing countries is therefore essential in extending shelf life of harvested tomatoes. The use of 1-MCP has been shown to slow down many of the metabolic activities associated with the ripening process such as colour change, cell wall breakdown, and respiration rates making it a useful technique in extending storage life of fruits [69]. Although 1-MCP treatment preserves quality of fruits at advanced ripened stage, its application in green fruit may result in nonuniform ripening [70, 71]. Storing green fruits using 1-MCP must therefore be done with caution in order to achieve full ripeness [72]. In postharvest tomato treatment in particular, 1-MCP has been shown to prolong the shelf life of fruits by retaining fruit firmness and delaying both lycopene accumulation and external colour development [68]. Another benefit of using 1-MCP in tomatoes is the prevention of abscission in fruits that are sold on the vine [73]. This will have a desirable photosynthetic effect in the vegetative tissues which could lead to uninterrupted supply of certain vital substances or nutrients to the fruit thereby increasing the consumption quality. Educating and training handlers on how use 1-MCP in tomatoes will help reduce some amount of postharvest loss associated with the crop.
3.5. Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) Application
Postharvest calcium chloride (CaCl2) application is receiving considerable attention in recent times due to its positive effects on shelf life whilst maintaining quality of many fruits and vegetables [74]. It has been found that calcium chloride delays ripening and senescence, reduces respiration, extends shelf life, maintains firmness, and reduces physiological disorders of many fruits and vegetables [75, 76]. Lester and Grusak [77] also noted that both pre- and postharvest calcium application delayed senescence in many fruits without any negative effect on consumer acceptability. For instance, a 1% CaCl2 treatment was found to have reduced fungal attack, slowed down fruit ripening, and maintained structural integrity of cell walls of strawberry [78], whilst the same application also delayed softening and increased storage life by almost 3 months in Kiwi fruits stored at 0°C [79]. In loquat fruit, calcium chloride (CaCl2) dip extended shelf life by 4-5 weeks [76]. In tomatoes, calcium chloride treatment is vital for maintaining quality of fruits by reducing the physiological disorders, increasing the fruit firmness, delaying ripening process, and prolonging the shelf life [80]. CaCl2 has been found to have delayed fruit colour development in tomatoes and slowed down ethylene production thereby extending shelf life by 92% [74]. Also, fruits treated with CaCl2 have been shown to have reduced physiological weight loss and maintain higher firmness levels during storage [81]. Bhattarai and Gautam [82] also reported a reduction of physiological weight loss in tomatoes from 19% to 17% by using 0.25% CaCl2 application for 10-day storage. However, CaCl2 is a very cheap and soluble salt which can be dissolved into any concentration for use by producers. The affordable cost of the CaCl2 salt and the relatively easy preparation of the solution and its application therefore make it a favourable choice for adoption by underresourced handlers of developing countries in reducing postharvest losses in tomatoes. A simple and cost-effective way of using CaCl2 is by adding the required dosage of the salt in water used for precooling or cleaning of the fruits after harvesting.
4. Conclusion
The postharvest quality status and shelf life of the fruits in part will depend on some postharvest handling practices and treatments carried out after harvest. Even though the quality of any fruit after harvest cannot be improved by the use of any postharvest handling practices or treatment methods, it can however be maintained. Shelf life of the fruit can also be extended when appropriate postharvest handling practices and treatment methods are employed. Failure to adhere to these best practices has resulted in high amount of loss especially in developing countries. Although most tomatoes handlers from developing countries may not have high-tech postharvest technologies in addressing postharvest losses in tomatoes, understanding simple and the best postharvest practices has been found to be beneficial. Postharvest handling practices like harvesting, precooling, cleaning or disinfecting, sorting and grading, packaging, storage, and transporting played an important role in maintaining quality and extending shelf life of the tomato fruits after harvest. Also, the use of appropriate postharvest treatment methods like refrigeration, postharvest heat treatment, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) application was also vital. It is concluded by this study that the quality of the harvested fruit can be maintained and shelf life extended by simply using appropriate postharvest handling practices and treatment methods. Until these simple postharvest practices are followed, postharvest losses in tomatoes will continue to be a major challenge for tomatoes handlers of developing countries.
Competing Interests
The authors declare that there are no competing interests regarding the publication of this paper.
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text:
Blue Puppy Dog Paw Print Gamer Desk Mat
- Regular price
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Transform your gaming experience with our large gaming deskmat. Measuring 30cm x 80cm, this mat provides ample space for your mouse, keyboard, and other gaming peripherals, while also protecting your desk from scratches and spills.
Made with high-quality materials and a non-slip backing, this deskmat is designed to provide a smooth and seamless surface for precision mouse movements and maximum comfort during long gaming sessions. Its large size means you'll never have to worry about running out of space, and its sleek and stylish design will enhance the look of any gaming setup.
Whether you're a professional esports player or just a casual gamer looking to up your gaming aesthetics, our large gaming deskmat is the perfect choice.
So why settle for a cluttered and uncomfortable gaming setup? Order your 30cm x 80cm Large Gaming Deskmat today and experience the ultimate in gaming comfort and performance.


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Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I check the amount of my tuition and fees?
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You can log into the MyDSCC Student Information System to check the amount of your tuition and fees. Once in the system you will need to follow these instructions:
- Click on the Student tab
- Find Financial Aid Awards
- Select the Aid Year you are wanting to view
- Select the Award Overview tab
Do I have to go full time to get financial aid?
FAQ Answer:
- If you are receiving Pell Grant, then you may attend any number of hours as long as you are degree-seeking.
- If you are receiving a student loan, you must maintain at least half-time enrollment. (6 hours)
- If you are receiving TN Promise, then yes, you must enroll and attend full time (at least 12 hours).
- If you are receiving TN Reconnect, then you must enroll and attend at least half-time (6 hours).
- If you are receiving the Hope Scholarship, you must enroll in at least half-time (6 hours)
Before dropping any classes that will change your enrollment status, talk to the Financial Aid Office first. Dropping your enrollment status could result in losing all eligibility for financial aid.
When will verification be complete?
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The verification process varies in the time it takes it to be completed, but typically takes 2-3 weeks after the Financial Aid Office has received all the requested documents. Processing is performed on a first-come, first-serve basis and is done as quickly as possible. You will be awarded any eligible financial aid once the verification process is complete. You can log into the MyDSCC Student Portal to check the status of your financial aid award. Once in the system you will need to follow these instructions:
- Click on the Student Tab
- Click on Financial Aid Awards
- Select the Aid Year you would like to view.
Click on the Award Overview tab.
- Award descriptions, amounts, and the status will display.
- Funds displayed on this page are based on full-time enrollment and may be adjusted based on enrollment.
Have you received my financial aid verification documents?
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You can log into the MyDSCC Student Information System to see if the Financial Aid Office has received your verification documents. Once in the system you will need to follow these instructions:
- Click on the Student Tab
- Find Financial Aid Requirements
- Select Award Year
View Student Requirements
- There will be a red flag beside any document still needed, and a green check beside any document that has been received.
- The 'verification' requirement refers to the entire process, and will not turn to a green check until the entire process is complete.
Who do I speak with about Dual-Enrollment?
FAQ Answer: Contact your high school guidance counselor or DSCC's Assistant Director of Recruitment at 901-475-3132.
How will I know if I can receive financial aid?
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After the financial aid process has been completed, an email listing your award will be sent to your DSCC email address. This email will indicate the amount of aid you can receive based on a full-time enrollment status.
Does DSCC offer any scholarships?
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- Yes, we do have scholarships. You must file a FAFSA and meet all admissions requirements to be eligible. Eligible students are ranked using a formula where financial need is the primary consideration. March 1 is the priority date for scholarships. Additionally, performance scholarships are awarded by the individual departments. Please contact the applicable department for scholarship requirements (e.g. athletic, music).
Why am I on financial aid suspension?
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- All institutions are required to develop a maximum period of time for students to receive aid at their institution, as well as monitor their progress along the way. Students may receive aid for no more than 150% of the hours required for the degree (90 for associate degree students). As a minimum, you must complete 67% of the classes you attempt. A grade of A, B, C, D, or P will be required for successful completion. In addition, you must meet the institution's minimum standards as you progress toward your degree. Failure to meet these requirements will place a student on suspension. View the Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards.
How much loan money can I borrow?
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- The maximum amount a first-year student can receive is $3500 not to exceed $1750 per semester. A second-year student may receive a maximum of $4500 or $2250 per semester.
What is the last day to apply for the upcoming semester?
FAQ Answer: The deadline to apply for admission is found in the academic calendar; however, you are strongly encouraged to apply early so that you will have the best selection of classes. International applicants should contact the Office of Admissions at 731-286-3350.


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Nothing Escapes Our Radiologists' Attention!
What Is Nuclear Medicine?
Nuclear medicine is basically called the imaging technology which is safe and painless.
In Medical Park Nuclear Medicine Center, expert physicians and qualified technologists use very small amounts of radioactive isotopes (or tracers) to help diagnose and treat a range of diseases such heart disease or cancer.
Unlike the x-ray method which displays a body structure, nuclear medicine helps physicians to get information on body functions part by part.
All nuclear medicine examinations include IV injection, inhalation and/or swallowing of specially formulated tracers with imaging at timed intermissions. Tracers are attracted to particular organs, bones or tissues in the body, which then are observable by special types of cameras. It can be easily mentioned that human body is not that prone to reactions arising from these tracers. The total amount of radiation a patient gets from a nuclear medicine examination is comparable to that got during a diagnostic x-ray.
Some of the nuclear medicine examinations need special positioning and the time period needed during the examinations is generally one to two hours. However some takes longer.
Nuclear medicine examination is generally used in children to assess bone pain, injuries, infection or kidney and bladder function. Here are listed below some of the nuclear medicine applications commonly used for:
Below listed areas are the ones which nuclear medicine examinations are made and offered in Medical Park;
Examination Results
Medical Park Radiology Team consists of specially trained experts in obtaining and interpreting medical images collected by using x-rays or radioactive substances (nuclear medicine) or by other means such as sound waves or the body's natural magnetism. These experts will interpret your tests and provide complete information for your doctors.


text: When TSE's Tina Lutz cited denim as her starting point for Pre-Fall, it seemed a little out of the ordinary, since her label is known and beloved for ultra-soft cashmere and knits. Where does indigo-dyedtwill fit in? Lutz is a self-proclaimed denim lover and wore a pair of cropped, slouchy skinnies for her SoHo presentation, but she didn't set out to redesign her own favorites. Her main inspiration came courtesy of artist Jim Hodges' Untitled (One Day It All Comes True), a massive, swirling collage of recycled denim, as well as an abstract blue painting by Hanneline Rogeberg titled Norwegian Outdoors Map to Territory. Both artworks influenced the collection's color palette, including shades of indigo (hinting at various jean washes) and pops of camel and orange (inspired by classic topstitching). Lutz also developed an Italian silk-blend brocade that mimicked destroyed denim; for a more upscale finish, she used metallic silver patches in place of the tattered threads you might find on a pair of vintage Levi's. On a similar note, long, loopy fringe on a black-and-white woven vest resembled an unraveling hem. Those experimental pieces were highlights, but Lutz didn't skimp on her signature sweaters. A black V-neck popover looked particularly covetable, and double-face, rib-trimmed cashmere jackets were simultaneously crisp and cozy.