Fast headspace-enantioselective GC-mass spectrometric-multivariate statistical method for routine authentication of flavoured fruit foods

This study describes a rapid total analysis system (TAS) to detect the authenticity of fruit-flavoured foods and beverages by on-line combining headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) with enantioselective GC-MS (Es-GC-MS) and statistical multivariate methods (PCA, HCA). Peach, coconut, apricot, raspberry, as fruits mainly characterised by γ- and δ-lactones as chiral markers, strawberry (α-ionone, linalool, nerolidol, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, 2-methylbutyric acid and γ-lactones) and melon (ethyl 2-methylbutyrate and 2-methylbutanol) were investigated. The system was developed by (a) optimising non-equilibrium HS-SPME sample preparation, (b) speeding-up ES-GC using cyclodextrin derivatives as chiral selectors with conventional and narrow-bore columns and (c) elaborating data by multivariate methods. The resulting TAS affords a reduction of the time needed for the whole analytical process from about 150 min to 20-50 min (67-87% of the current routine method) depending on matrix, sampling and analysis conditions and Es-GC columns.     

Fermented milk obtained with kefir grains as an ingredient in breadmaking

The objectives of this research were to study the effect of the addition of lyophilised kefir milk to premixes for household production of bread and evaluate the quality attributes of them. Four lyophilised samples were obtained from the followings: skim milk, acidified skim milk, fermented skim milk and neutralised fermented skim milk. Breads were prepared with commercial wheat flour, lyophilised milk samples and yeast through a straight dough process. Quality was assessed through loaf volume, crumb porosity and moisture, crumb texture and crust colour. Changes in texture and starch recrystallisation by X‐ray diffractometry were determined after 1 and 3 days of storage at room temperature. Breads with acidified milks showed the highest specific volumes and crumbs with the best texture properties. Crystallinity in bread with fermented milks was higher than for skim milk sample. This would indicate that there would be a certain effect of the type of milk processing on the promotion of starch retrogradation.     

Hot Deformation of AA6082 Containing Fine Intermetallic Particles

Hot deformation of AA6082 aluminum alloy was studied by compression tests carried out between 573 K and 823 K (300 °C and 550 °C) under a wide range of strain rates. Light optical and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the as-received microstructure, which consisted of elongated, partially recrystallized grains containing fine Mg₂Si and AlFeMnSi particles. The hot-deformed material showed the effects of dynamic recovery, i.e., small low angle grain boundary formation and dislocation pinning by fine particles. The flow data were used to calculate the constitutive equations, obtaining high values of n exponent. This behavior was attributed to the interaction of particles with dislocations during hot deformation. Threshold stresses were introduced to adjust the constitutive equation to a n exponent value of 5 at high stresses and a value of 3 in the low stresses range, which was related to dislocations’ climbing and sliding and thus to dynamic recovery. The threshold values were related to the detachment stresses in close connection with the precipitation state which was a function of the deformation temperature.     

Strategies towards injectable, load-bearing materials for the intervertebral disc: a review and outlook

Currently available treatments for the degenerated intervertebral disc present disadvantages, such as surgical invasiveness and inadequate load distribution results. Load-bearing, injectable materials may be interesting for future therapies, but have not been studied in depth. In this study, the existing literature was screened for studies on injectable materials for the intervertebral disc and a rationale for load-bearing, injectable materials was formulated. Requirements for such a material were discussed, partly based on the experience of materials used for similar applications. Important properties were discussed and found to include biocompatibility, bioactivity, porosity, handling, injectability, working time, setting time, radiopacity, containment and mechanical properties, where several of these properties are linked to one another. In conclusion, there is a need for consensus on the properties of new materials developed for use in minimally invasive procedures in the spine. A substantial amount of attention may need to be given to non-toxic setting reactions.     

High Temperature Oxidation and Microstructural Evolution of Modified MCrAlY Coatings

Thermal sprayed MCrAlY coatings are widely used as a bond coat in thermal barrier systems to protect the substrate from corrosion and high temperature oxidation and to improve the compatibility between the ceramic top coat and metallic substrate. In this paper, the high temperature oxidation resistance of MCrAlY coatings with modified compositions was evaluated; in particular, the effect of the addition of reactive and refractory elements (Ta, Re, Si, and Hf) was investigated. MCrAlY coatings were obtained by high velocity oxygen fuel spray and vacuum plasma spray techniques; samples were exposed to air at 1423 K (1150 °C) and the oxidation kinetics were evaluated by measuring the thickness of the thermally grown oxide (TGO) scale at several exposure times. Experimental data confirmed that the oxidation resistance of MCrAlY coatings is strictly related to the amount of the reactive and refractory elements in the starting powders and that a thorough understanding of the microstructural modifications taking place during oxidation is essential for controlling TGO growth and thermal barriers’ durability.     

Luster Pottery from the Thirteenth Century to the Sixteenth Century: A Nanostructured Thin Metallic Film

Luster is a decorative metallic film that was applied on the surface of medieval glazed pottery. It can be obtained via the low-temperature (∼650°C), controlled reduction of copper and silver compounds. In this paper, we show that luster is a thin layered film (200–500 nm thick) that contains metallic spherical nanocrystals dispersed in a silicon-rich matrix and has a metal-free outermost glassy layer that is 10–20 nm thick. Silver nanocrystals seem to be separated from those of copper, forming aggregates 5–100 μm in diameter. This composite structure exhibits optical properties that are dependent on both the particle size and the matrix. Luster is indeed the first reproducible nanostructured thin metallic film that was made by humans.