Characterization of O/W model system meat emulsions using shear creep and creep recovery tests based on mechanical simulation models and their correlation with texture profile analysis (TPA) parameters

The effects of different oil and temperature levels on the viscoelastic behavior of O/W model system meat emulsions were assessed using creep and creep recovery tests. The viscoelastic behavior of such emulsions was characterized using the Burgers model parameters. In addition, texture profile analysis (TPA) of cooked meat emulsions was carried out to find a possible relationship between the creep and creep recovery data and TPA parameters. The final percentage recovery of the emulsions remarkably increased with oil content, but decreased with temperature level. Significant correlations among the creep-recovery data and TPA parameters were observed, this enabling meat processor to predict TPA parameters by resorting to shorter and less material consuming creep and creep recovery tests.     

Effects of inulin and oligofructose on the rheological characteristics and probiotic culture survival in low-fat probiotic ice cream

ABSTRACT:  The effects of supplementation of oligofructose or inulin on the rheological characteristics and survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis Bb-12 in low-fat ice cream stored at –18 °C for 90 d were studied. Addition of oligofructose or inulin to ice cream mix significantly increased apparent viscosity and overrun and developed the melting properties in ice cream during storage ( P < 0.05). However, the highest increase in firmness, the lowest change in melting properties, and the longest 1st dripping time were obtained in probiotic ice cream containing inulin ( P < 0.05). Some textural properties have also improved especially by the end of storage. Freezing process caused a significant decrease in the viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis Bb-12 ( P < 0.05). Oligofructose significantly improved the viability of L. acidophilus La-5 and B. animalis Bb-12 in ice cream mix ( P < 0.05). Although the viable numbers for both bacteria decreased throughout the storage, the minimum level of 10⁶ CFU/g was maintained for B. animalis Bb-12 in only ice cream with oligofructose during storage.     

A highly directive dipole antenna embedded in a Fabry-Perot typecavity

We investigate the origin of the directivity of a dipole antenna embedded in a dielectric slab Fabry-Perot cavity. It is shown that the focusing effect is due to the angular selection rules in the Bragg-type mirror and is directly correlated to the frequency selectivity of the cavity. For a 6 GHz resonant device, having a quality factor of 100, the aperture of the beam pattern (E-H plane) is close to 12° in agreement with the arguments based on frequency and angular selectivities. Hence, this kind of cavity could be used in free-space based communication links     

Prediction of Covid-19 Based on Chest X-Ray Images Using Deep Learning with CNN

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused trouble in people’s daily lives and ruined several economies around the world, killing millions of people thus far. It is essential to screen the affected patients in a timely and cost-effective manner in order to fight this disease. This paper presents the prediction of COVID-19 with Chest X-Ray images, and the implementation of an image processing system operated using deep learning and neural networks. In this paper, a Deep Learning, Machine Learning, and Convolutional Neural Network-based approach for predicting Covid-19 positive and normal patients using Chest X-Ray pictures is proposed. In this study, machine learning tools such as TensorFlow were used for building and training neural nets. Scikit-learn was used for machine learning from end to end. Various deep learning features are used, such as Conv2D, Dense Net, Dropout, Maxpooling2D for creating the model. The proposed approach had a classification accuracy of 96.43 percent and a validation accuracy of 98.33 percent after training and testing the X-Ray pictures. Finally, a web application has been developed for general users, which will detect chest x-ray images either as covid or normal. A GUI application for the Covid prediction framework was run. A chest X-ray image can be browsed and fed into the program by medical personnel or the general public.     

Classification of Kashar Cheeses Based on Their Chemical,Color and Instrumental Textural Characteristics Using Principal Component and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis

Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were applied to investigate physicochemical and instrumental textural properties of fresh kashar cheese. Four different principal components sufficiently explained the variability in the cheese samples. In addition, hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to group the kashar cheese samples regarding physicochemical and instrumental textural properties. Instrumental textural properties indicated greater variability than chemical composition of cheese samples. Principal component analysis revealed that color parameters were positively correlated with textural and chemical parameters. The results of this study revealed that other parameters rather than chemical composition would be effective on the instrumental textural properties. It was proved that principal component analysis was a very effective statistical tool to determine quality of cheese samples. According to the principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis results, the attributes defining the kashar cheese samples were determined to be primarily the texture profile analysis parameters.     

Optimal design of MR damper via finite element analyses of fluid dynamic and magnetic field

In the last decade many researchers have been carried out on semi-active control systems, a large number of academic publications have been presented. Semi-active control systems which are used the magnetic field controlled fluid have been shown significant improvements by the researchers. In the study, a design optimization method that has been carried out for the objectives of target damper force and maximum magnetic flux density of an MR damper has been presented. Finite element methods, electromagnetic analysis of magnetic field and CFD analysis of MR flow, have been used to obtain optimal value of design parameters. The new approach that is use of magnetic field and MR flow together and simultaneously has specified optimal design values. Two optimal design of MR damper obtained have been verified with experimental study by manufacturing and testing of the dampers.     

Proximate Analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Adenanthera pavonina</Emphasis> L. Seed Oil,a Source of Lignoceric Acid Grown in Pakistan

Adenanthera pavonina L. is indigenous to Pakistan a proximate analysis of the seeds was carried out and a physicochemical characterization of the seed oil and also a quality evaluation of the oil was made. The hexane-extracted oil content of the seed was 13.32 ± 0.55 %. Analysis showed the seed of A. pavonina contained appreciable amounts of protein (22.14 ± 0.78 %). Fiber and ash contents were 3.13 ± 0.64 and 4.53 ± 0.47 %, respectively. Triacylglycerol (97.51 ± 1.12 %) was predominantly present in the seed oil. Unsaponifiable matter (0.95 ± 0.10 %), peroxide value (11.43 ± 0.51 mequiv./kg) and saponification value (196.3 ± 0.87 mg of KOH/g of oil), iodine value (83.73 ± 1.18 g I/100 g oil) are in close agreement with the edible seed oils. α-Tocopherol was the predominant tocopherol 152.33 ± 13.19 mg/kg of oil while sterols are present at a significant level. Linoleic acid (42.97 ± 0.91 %) and oleic acid (17.89 ± 0.54 %) were found predominantly in unsaturated fatty acids while lignoceric acid (20.24 ± 1.12 %) was the predominant one among the saturated fatty acids. Lignoceric acid is rarely found in seed which is an essential nutrient for growth, development and maintenance of the brain. It is concluded that A. pavonina seeds appear to be a potential source of lignoceric acid and linoleic acid. This oil can be utilized in the manufacture of cosmetics, paints, varnishes, soaps, pharmaceutical products, biodiesel and blended formulations. The high protein content revealed that the seeds could be a good source of energy.