Spectroscopic evaluation of the colour play effect of thermochromic liquid crystal printing inks

Colour changes of a thermochromic liquid crystal (TLC) ink printed on a black substrate are clearly observed by the naked eye, and therefore it is reasonable to expect that every approach recommended for colour measurements of samples with solid colour would be appropriate. In addition, the published spectroscopic analyses of TLC inks do not provide any guidance or limitations for the measurement geometry. On the other hand, our study demonstrates that spectroscopic measurements of such samples are not so straightforward. When using the most simple and commonly used measurement equipment with a directional illumination and viewing approach, the temperature-dependent spectral features resolve in a narrow spectral region that gives only a small part of the colour play effect. Detection of the entire effect requires the use of integrating spheres, which spatially integrate the radiant flux reflected on a sample in any direction; better results are obtained by spheres of larger diameter. The comparision of spectroscopic and colorimetric results obtained when different measurement geometries are applied on the same sample may demonstrate certain properties of the liquid crystal material inside microcapsules and help in understanding some details of the optical properties of the ink layer.     

Innovative method of Transthoracic Lung Cancer Biopsy of Parietal Lung Tumors under US Guidance after CT Pre-biopsy Planning as an Alternative to CT- Guided Biopsy

The authors compared their earlier results of the tumor biopsies performed under computer tomography （CT） guidance against the results of their recently modified-combined method of visualization and measurement of lung tumor parameters by CT imaging followed by US guided biopsy. In 238 （6.36%） of 3,745 patients in CT examination, the lung tumor was located peripherally, and obtaining histopathological confirmation was crucial to start the proper treatment. The patients were divided into two groups, the division was based on the biopsy method. Within the first group in I 18 patients, parietal lung tumor was confirmed and CT guided biopsy was performed. Within the second group, parietal lung tumor was confirmed in 120 patients and combined method of CT pre- biopsy planning and US guided biopsy were used. Pre-biopsy planning was performed using CT, measurements such as depth and distance of the tumor were made, obtained data were then saved on CT image and patient＇s skin was marked. Then obtained results were analyzed using test for two proportions. The analysis of the results confirmed the higher efficacy of the combined method taking into account the number of complications （p 〈 0.01） and diagnostic histopathological results （P 〈 0.001）. Suggested innovative method, involving both CT pre-biopsy planning and US guided biopsy, allows to analyze simultaneously static CT and dynamic US images and it is considered to be an easy and effective method comparing to relying on static in nature CT images only. Our method is related to a lower complication risk rate.     

Check Your Biosignals Here: A new dataset for off-the-person ECG biometrics

The Check Your Biosignals Here initiative (CYBHi) was developed as a way of creating a dataset and consistently repeatable acquisition framework, to further extend research in electrocardiographic (ECG) biometrics. In particular, our work targets the novel trend towards off-the-person data acquisition, which opens a broad new set of challenges and opportunities both for research and industry. While datasets with ECG signals collected using medical grade equipment at the chest can be easily found, for off-the-person ECG data the solution is generally for each team to collect their own corpus at considerable expense of resources. In this paper we describe the context, experimental considerations, methods, and preliminary findings of two public datasets created by our team, one for short-term and another for long-term assessment, with ECG data collected at the hand palms and fingers.     

A process for the production of a diacylglycerol‐based milk fat analogue

We propose a novel process for the production of a DAG‐rich acylglycerol mixture derived from milk fat. This product has potentially interesting nutritional properties, derived from both its high content of DAG and of short‐chain fatty acids (FAs). The proposed process consists of three steps: lipase‐catalysed partial ethanolysis of milk fat, extraction of the by‐product fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO₂) and isomerization of DAG to increase the proportion of 1,3‐DAG. The experimental investigation of the process steps was done using milk fat and trilaurin. Several lipases were tested for maximizing the percentage of DAG in the acylglycerol mixture produced by ethanolysis. The selectivity of the chosen lipase was such that the produced AG mixture was enriched in short‐chain FAs in relation to the original milk fat. FAEEs were completely extracted from the ethanolysis mixture by SC‐CO₂. In the final process step, we explored the reaction conditions for facilitating acyl migration in the DAG mixture, so that the equilibrium proportion of 1,3‐DAG (～64%) was attained. Our results set the basis for the development of a simple process for the production of a DAG‐rich milk fat analogue.     

Rheokinetic model to characterize the maturation process of gelatin solutions under shear flow

The characterization of maturing gelatin solutions in shear flow is required for an appropriate formulation of food products. Under static conditions, the maturation process of gelatin solutions may be described through a basic structural parameter evolving to the percolation value (gel point). Within the rheological framework, two asymptotic viscosities are well identified for the maturing process of gelatin solutions at the limit zero shear rate. One involves the initial solution viscosity that may be associated with the null structural parameter (the microstructure is not formed yet). The other is the percolation zero shear rate viscosity (assuming an infinite value when approaching the gel time) and corresponds to the maximum value of the structural parameter. Under flow, thixotropic theories combined with the knowledge of suspension rheology allow one to convert directly experimental data obtained as shear stress versus time for a given shear rate into the time evolution of the structural parameter. Consequently rheometric experimental data available places the search for a rheokinetic model of the structural parameter. Here, different expressions for this model are investigated, mainly those involving both the rates of structure breakdown and buildup, where the average cluster size is affected by the shear rate. The rate equation thus obtained may be then applied to arbitrary shear rate histories. Numerical results of the rheokinetic model proposed in this work fit well experimental rheometric data obtained in shear flow for the maturing of different gelatin solutions. Experimental data acquired in this work are presented and discussed in relation to those reported previously in the literature.     

Fatty acid composition of egg yolk phospholipid fractions following feed supplementation of Lohmann Brown hens with humic-fat preparations

The effect of feed supplementation with humic-fat preparations on the fatty acid composition of egg yolk phospholipid fractions was studied. The Lohmann Brown was the experimental hen strain and two feeding mixtures were applied – the standard feed and the mixture supplemented with humic-fat preparations. The fatty acid profile of yolk lipids was significantly affected (P = .05) by the supplementation of feed and total increase of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was established. A different distribution of n-3 PUFA in egg yolk lipid fractions was observed: α-linolenic acid (18:3) was found in the triacylglycerol fraction, whereas docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) was detected in the phospholipid fractions. Supplementation of the hen’s diet with humic-fat preparations resulted in the production of n-3 enriched eggs with decreased n-6/n-3 ratio in all phospholipid fractions in comparison to the eggs from the control group.     

Modeling and simulation of an industrial‐scale parex process

The Parex unit for industrial‐scale purification of p‐xylene was studied through detailed simulation and the accuracy of the developed model tested against real industrial data. Starting from a comprehensive analysis of the construction and operation of the industrial unit, a simulation model was developed that incorporates the existing three major types of dead volumes: bed lines, which connect the beds to the rotary valve, circulation lines, which connect adjacent adsorbent chambers, and bed‐head dead volumes, which are located upstream of each bed due to the existence of internals. By gathering operation data and surveys in the pumparound line and in the extract stream, three case studies were defined and compared with simulation results. The model is capable of predicting the performance of the industrial unit. Further simulations were made and compared with plant data to assess the effect of adsorbent capacity loss on the long‐term performance of the unit. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 1345–1363, 2015     

Towards Supramolecular Catalysis with Small Self-assembled Peptides

Self-assembly of small peptides offers unique opportunities for the bottom-up construction of supramolecular catalysts that aim to emulate the efficiency and selectivity of natural enzymes. Small, information-rich, simple molecules based on amino acids can self-organise autonomously into complex systems with emergent catalytic properties. The power of noncovalent interactions can be used to construct supramolecular peptidic tertiary structures. Moreover, specific functional groups present in amino acid side-chains may present either a catalytic activity by themselves or be able to bind cofactors such as metal ions. In this scenario, although relevant progress has been achieved in recent years, promising applications in biomaterials science are foreseen. In this review, we discuss the state-of-the-art of this approach at the interface between supramolecular chemistry and peptide science.     

Laser‐induced surface structures on gold‐coated polymers: Influence of morphology on surface‐enhanced Raman scattering enhancement

The fabrication of highly sensitive and reproducible substrates for Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) remains a challenging scientific and technological issue. In this work, laser‐induced periodic surface structures are generated on poly(trimethylen terephthalate) films upon laser irradiation with the linearly polarized beams of a Nd:YAG laser (4th harmonic, 266 nm), an ArF excimer laser (193 nm), and a Titanium:sapphire laser (795 nm), resulting in periods close to the laser wavelength when irradiating at normal incidence, and larger periods for different angles of incidence. Additional irradiation with a circularly polarized beam at 266 nm produces superficial circular structures. The nanostructured polymers are coated with a nanoparticle assembled gold layer by pulsed laser deposition at 213 nm. The capabilities of these substrates for SERS are evaluated using benzenethiol as a test molecule and different degrees of Raman signal enhancement are observed depending on the nanostructure type. The highest enhancement factor is obtained by for nanostructured substrates with the highest values of period, depth, and roughness. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42770.     

Resilience to increasing temperatures: residential building stock adaptation through codes and standards

The resilience of the current Spanish residential building stock to increased temperatures is modelled. Homogenized daily temperature data recorded at 50 Spanish meteorological stations for the periods 1950–1979 and 1981–2010 were used to investigate anticipated climate warming on the Spanish residential building stock by means of the degree-day method. Impacts on residential buildings were investigated for three different future time periods (2011–2040, 2041–2070 and 2071–2100) for three representative Spanish provincial capitals. Future climate change scenarios comprising two statistical downscaling methods, three general circulation models and two carbon emission scenarios were used to project local climate. Results show that 72% of current residential building stock in Spain is thermally unprotected. In addition, the energy demand for heating the building sector in Spain is expected to decrease by between 30% (Barcelona, B2 scenario) and 36% (Valencia, A2 scenario) by 2100, while the respective energy demand for cooling could increase by between 107% (Valencia, B2 scenario) and 296% (Madrid, A2 scenario) by 2100. To increase resilience to higher winter and summer temperatures, strategies for modifying the built environment are needed, particularly for the role of building codes and standards.

La résilience du parc bâti résidentiel espagnol actuel face à l'augmentation des températures est modélisée. Les données homogénéisées des température journalières enregistrées dans 50 stations météorologiques espagnoles pour les périodes 1950–1979 et 1981–2010 ont été utilisées pour étudier le réchauffement climatique prévu sur le parc bâti résidentiel espagnol en utilisant la méthode des degrés-jours. Les répercussions sur les immeubles résidentiels ont été étudiées pour trois périodes futures différentes (2011–2040, 2041–2070 et 2071–2100) et pour trois capitales provinciales espagnoles représentatives. Il a été utilisé des scénarios de changement climatique futur comprenant deux méthodes de réduction d'échelle statistique, trois modèles de circulation générale et deux scénarios d'émission de carbone pour prévoir le climat local. Les résultats montrent que 72 % du parc bâti résidentiel actuel de l'Espagne est dépourvu de protection thermique. Il est en outre prévu que la demande énergétique liée au chauffage dans le secteur du logement en Espagne diminue de 30 % (Barcelone, scénario B2) à 36 % (Valence, scénario A2) d'ici à 2100, tandis que la demande énergétique respective liée à la climatisation pourrait augmenter de 107 % (Valence, scénario B2) à 296 % (Madrid, scénario A2) d'ici à 2100. Afin d'augmenter la résilience face à des températures hivernales et estivales plus élevées, il est nécessaire de disposer de stratégies de modification du cadre bâti, concernant en particulier le rôle des codes et des normes du bâtiment.

Mots clés: stratégies d'adaptation, performances des bâtiments, réglementation du bâtiment, parc bâti, changement climatique, degrés-jours, surchauffe, confort thermique, vulnérabilité, Espagne