Technological functionality of composite flours from sorghum,tapioca and cowpea

Composite flours from accessible raw materials may interest developing countries, cutting wheat import costs, bolstering domestic agriculture and boosting nutrition. Technological functionality (WHC and OHC, pasting, swelling and thermal properties) of composite tapioca, sprouted sorghum, cowpea and wheat flours (at 50%, 33% and 25% (w/w) flour basis) was evaluated. PCA revealed that, in a 50% w/w blend, sprouted sorghum and tapioca were technologically similar to wheat, and thus of interest when gluten's viscoelastic properties are not required (e.g. flatbread). Since cowpea flour can enhance nutrients, a flour from sprouted sorghum, tapioca and cowpea is preferable nutritionally and technologically, and potentially sustainable, its raw materials being available locally. Furthermore, PCA showed that composites of sprouted sorghum, tapioca, cowpea and wheat flours at 25% w/w offer a good compromise between technological and nutritional qualities, while reducing wheat imports and cassava post-harvest losses. These results may herald technologically satisfactory, nutritional, sustainable bakery products.     

High-pressure behavior and tribological properties of wind turbine gear oil

Different types of synthetic polyalphaolefin (PAO) oils and a mineral oil are considered in this study. High-pressure viscosity test was done and pressure-viscosity coefficient was measured for all sample oils. Results showed the better performance of PAO oils than the mineral oil. Authors also tested some other tribological properties such as low-temperature behavior, bulk property, frictional coefficient, and wear behavior, which are important for wind turbine gear oil. Low-temperature behavior and frictional property of PAO oils exhibited the better results. Study also showed that the prediction of low-temperature fluidity is possible using the sound velocity in the oil. Finally, the presence of polymethakrylate (PMA) absorbent in PAO oil exposed comparatively better results among all PAO oils.     

Multicenter validation of a multiplex PCR assay for differentiating the major Listeria monocytogenes serovars 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, and 4b: toward an international standard

The performance of a multiplex PCR assay that separates the four major serovars of the pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes into four distinct PCR groups was evaluated through a multicenter typing study. Identical panels of 90 Listeria isolates were distributed to five participating laboratories that were blind to the nature of the isolates. Isolates were characterized using the previously standardized protocol. Overall concordance was 96.6 to 100%, sufficient for the assay to be used as an alternative to serotyping and confidently applied in laboratories involved in L. monocytogenes typing.     

The relationship between racial identity and self-esteem in African American college and high school students.

The Multidimensional Model of Racial Identity was used to examine the relationship between racial identity and personal self-esteem (PSE) in a sample of African American college students (n?=?173) and a sample of African American high school students (n?=?72). Racial identity was assessed using the Centrality and Regard scales of the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity, whereas the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used to assess PSE. Four predictions were tested: (a) racial centrality is weakly but positively related to PSE; (b) private regard is moderately related to PSE; (c) public regard is unrelated to PSE; and (d) racial centrality moderates the relationship between private regard and PSE. Multiple regression analysis found that racial centrality and public racial regard were unrelated to PSE in both samples. Private regard was positively related to PSE in the college sample. Racial centrality moderated the relationship between private regard and PSE in both samples, such that the relationship was significant for those with high levels of centrality but nonsignificant for those with low levels. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Demand-withdraw communication in severely distressed, moderately distressed, and nondistressed couples: Rigidity and polarity during relationship and personal problem discussions.

This study investigated demand-withdraw communication among 68 severely distressed couples seeking therapy, 66 moderately distressed couples seeking therapy, and 48 nondistressed couples. Self-report and videotaped discussions replicated previous research, demonstrating that greater demand-withdraw during relationship problem discussions was associated with greater distress and that overall, wife-demand/husband-withdraw was greater than husband-demand/wife-withdraw. Results extended the conflict structure view of demand-withdraw by indicating that this gender polarity in demand-withdraw roles varied in strength and direction depending on who chose the topic for discussion, distress level, and marriage length. Further, in videotaped personal problem discussions, typical gender patterns of demand-withdraw were reversed. Across the relationship and personal problem discussions, a pattern of gender polarity emerged when husbands held the burden of changing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sparse PCA for High-Dimensional Data With Outliers

A new sparse PCA algorithm is presented, which is robust against outliers. The approach is based on the ROBPCA algorithm that generates robust but nonsparse loadings. The construction of the new ROSPCA method is detailed, as well as a selection criterion for the sparsity parameter. An extensive simulation study and a real data example are performed, showing that it is capable of accurately finding the sparse structure of datasets, even when challenging outliers are present. In comparison with a projection pursuit-based algorithm, ROSPCA demonstrates superior robustness properties and comparable sparsity estimation capability, as well as significantly faster computation time.     

Interactive data mining informs designed experiments

We illustrate how a Six Sigma project team can apply recursive partitioning to a historical data set to narrow down a list of potential experimental factors and then construct an experimental design using information from the partition analysis. The paper illustrates the value of analyzing historical manufacturing data to inform the choice of factors and levels for statistically designed experiments. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gas barrier and morphology characteristics of linear low-density polyethylene and two different polypropylene films

In this research, linear low-density polyethylene (PE-LLD), cast polypropylene (PPcast), and bioriented coextruded polypropylene (BOPP) were used as polymeric materials. Permeability, diffusivity, and solubility of N₂, O₂, and CO₂ through above polymers were obtained at different temperatures. The structure and thermal–mechanical features of the films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The permeability, diffusivity, solubility, and their temperature dependency were studied by correlations with gas molecule properties. The highest permeation coefficients (>3.8 × 10⁻⁸ cm³ cm⁻¹ s⁻¹ bar⁻¹) are obtained for PPcast at 60 °C. Activation energy for permeation follows the sequence: N₂ > O₂ > CO₂ for PE-LLD and PPcast. On the other hand, the diffusion activation energy follows the order: O₂ > CO₂ > N₂ and N₂ > CO₂ > O₂ for PE-LLD and PPcast, respectively. In the case of BOPP, activation energy follows the sequence: O₂ > CO₂ > N₂; CO₂ > N₂ > O₂; and O₂ > CO₂ > N₂ for permeation, diffusion, and heat of sorption, respectively.     

Design Method of Time-Dependent Local Scour at Circular Bridge Pier

A reliable prediction of local scour depth related to hydrological characteristics such as peak discharge, and time corresponding to the equilibrium scour depth is essential for the efficient design of bridge pier foundation. In this paper, a design method to predict the local scour depth with time is proposed. An experimental program was carried out using a cylindrical pier placed in uniform beds under clear-water flows. The pier scour depth was calculated on the basis of a sediment transport equation. Equilibrium local scour depth is reached when the bed-shear stress tends to critical bed-shear stress in the scour hole. Hence, changes to bed-shear stress at the circular bridge pier should be incorporated in the sediment transport theory. The proposed method follows experimental data of various sources.