Effect of microwave heating time on the gel properties of chicken myofibrillar proteins and their formation mechanism

The present work was conducted to illustrate the mechanism of gel formation of myofibrillar proteins (MPs) under different microwave heating times. The results showed that the denaturation enthalpy (ΔH) of the MPs significantly decreased when the heating time increased from 3 to 9 s and then completely disappeared as the heating time progressed, indicating that the MPs gradually denatured and subsequently aggregated with increasing heating time, which was further verified by the changes in the secondary structure, electrophoretic bands, and gel properties (e.g., water holding capacity and textural profiles) of the MPs. Microstructural images indicated that the MP gel formed under 12 s had the most compact network, indicating that extended microwave heating time could induce quality deterioration of MP gels. Moreover, the hydrophobic forces, electrostatic forces, and disulphide bonds of the MPs gradually intensified with increasing microwave heating time, suggesting that both non-covalent and covalent bonds could promote molecular denaturation and subsequent aggregation of MPs. In addition, correlation analysis revealed that the changes in the molecular conformation of MPs induced by different microwave heating times could effectively regulate the formation of MP gels and their related properties.     

Contract duration: Barrier or bridge to successful public-private partnerships?

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are predominantly executed through the use of formal contracts which define the relationship between a public agency and private supplier. As such, a PPP is not a generic contract between buyer and supplier but rather a specific contractual arrangement between a public buyer and private supplier. The contract captures the responsibilities of each party in achieving a specific set of performance objectives. Given budgetary pressures faced by public agencies, there is an increasing need for suppliers to make investments which could reduce future-year costs of meeting contract performance objectives. This research addresses two overarching questions specific to the issue of private, supplier-side investment. First, “how does public agency and private supplier perception of risk influence contract duration?” and second, “how does contract duration influence private investment?” To answer these questions, structured interviews were conducted with those in public agencies and private, supplier firms actively engaged in PPPs. Factors suspected to contribute to the risk position of public and private actors were evaluated. Additionally, linkages between public buyer-private supplier risk position, contract duration and private, supplier-side investment were addressed. Outcomes suggest properly structured long-term contracts may: 1) provide the risk mitigation mechanisms needed for both public and private actors, and 2) facilitate private, supplier-side investment.     

Evaluation and validation of an automatic jaw movement recorder (RumiWatch) for ingestive and rumination behaviors of dairy cows during grazing and supplementation

Observation of ingestive and rumination behaviors of dairy cows may assist in detecting diseases, controlling reproductive status, and estimating intake. However, direct observation of cows on pasture is time consuming and can be difficult to realize. Consequently, different systems have been developed to automatically record behavioral characteristics; among them is the RumiWatch System (RWS; Itin and Hoch GmbH, Liestal, Switzerland). Until now, the RWS has not been thoroughly validated under grazing conditions. The aim of the current study was to validate the RWS, against direct observation, in measuring ingestive and rumination behaviors of dairy cows during grazing and supplementation in the barn. A further objective was to examine whether it is possible to refine the algorithm used by the evaluation software RumiWatch Converter 0.7.3.2 to improve the accuracy of the RWS. The data were collected from an experiment carried out with 18 lactating Holstein cows in a crossover block design including 3 treatments and 3 measuring periods. All cows grazed night and day, 19 h/d, and were either unsupplemented or supplemented, with chopped whole-plant corn silage, or chopped whole-plant corn silage mixed with a protein concentrate. During the measuring periods, cows were equipped with the RumiWatch Halter, and their ingestive and rumination behaviors were recorded concurrently by the RumiWatch Halter and by direct observation (690 × 10 min). Comparison of concurrently measured data shows that the RWS detected jaw movements reliably, but classification errors occurred. A low relative prediction error of ≤0.10 for the number of rumination boluses, rumination chews, and total eating chews was found. A high relative prediction error of >0.10 was found for the number of prehension bites and time spent in prehension and eating. Both converter versions performed equally well in differentiating ingestive and rumination behaviors when cows were supplemented in the barn or when grazing and supplementation activities were combined. For grazing cows, with no supplementation, more reliable results for the total number of eating chews, rumination chews, prehension bites, and time spent in these activities were obtained, by using the RumiWatch Converter 0.7.3.11. In light of these findings, further research is warranted to improve the accuracy of the RWS and to allow a differentiation between mastication chews and prehension bites while eating.     

数字化羊绒测色法及其在长度测量中的应用

针对光电法测试纤维长度等性质时,存在纤维的透光及反光信号与颜色高度相关的问题,采用数字化方法表征羊绒的颜色类别并精准地测量羊绒的长度。将彩色光电耦合器作为测色传感器,搭建了更适合纤维材料的测色装置;通过颜色模型在3种色空间的转换,得到3类颜色的羊绒在三维色空间的分布;基于系列实验,创建了有色羊绒的光学参数即无穷厚时的表观反射率表观反射率与测色装置计算的亮度指标之间的换算模型,并用实验证明采用测得的表观反射率可计算得到准确的须丛线密度曲线,从而可用光电法精准测量有色羊绒的长度。结果表明,该测色方法的测样面积大,代表性好,成本低,同时可用于其他纤维和纺织品的颜色测量。     

柔性钙钛矿太阳能电池的制备及性能研究

采用钛箔作为衬底,原位生长二氧化钛薄膜,然后制备有机钙钛矿吸收层及固态空穴传输层,组装成太阳能电池。通过电压-电流曲线测试,结果表明,这种钙钛矿太阳能电池的光生电压达到0.8 V、光生电流达到16 mA/cm²、光电转化效率为10.2%。进一步对电池进行弯折试验,弯折20次后,光电转化效率能达到初始值的85%,表现出良好的柔性特征。     

Reinvestigation of the photostrictive effect in lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate ferroelectrics

Photostriction of lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) was commonly attributed to the combination of anomalous photovoltaic effect and inverse piezoelectric response. Herein, distinct photostrictions are detected in both poled and unpoled PLZT ceramics under 405 and 520 nm laser illuminations. The maximum photostriction around 0.09% is obtained in unpoled PLZT under 405 nm illumination, which is nine times of previously reported value that deduced from poled PLZT. The photoelectric and photovoltaic characterizations of poled/unpoled PLZT further evidence that the detected photostriction shows no direct association with the photovoltage-induced inverse piezoresponse. The light-induced microstructure changes observed by in situ piezoelectric force microscopy are revealed by domain evolutions along the boundaries. The possible photostriction mechanism of PLZT is attributed to the strong photo-induced electron-lattice coupling, which is suggested by the light-induced changes of the Zr/Ti-O-Zr/Ti bonds reflected by the power-dependent Raman spectra. This study extends the photostriction of PLZT to visible light range and will also stimulate reappraisal of the underlying mechanism of photostrictive effect involving ferroelectrics.     

Full-scale experimental investigation on the shock-wave characteristics of high-pressure natural gas pipeline physical explosions

In this study, a series of full-scale high-pressure natural gas pipeline physical explosion experiments were performed, in which the overpressure of the shock waves was measured and analyzed. The concept of “physical explosion linear energy (PEXLE)” was proposed and a “PEXLE model” was established to evaluate shock waves in a cylindrical pipeline with high length–diameter ratio. Equations were fitted to describe the characteristics of peak overpressure, positive pressure duration and specific impulse. Results showed that peak overpressure of shock waves is not influenced by the length of pipeline. With the increase of the propagation distance, specific impulse first increases and then decreases. This indicates that the position of the maximum value of overpressure does not correspond with that of the specific impulse.     

Research on the hot surface ignition of hydrogen‐air mixture under different influencing factors

To further reveal the pre‐ignition characteristics of hydrogen internal combustion engine, the effect of hot surface characteristic parameters on the ignition characteristics of hydrogen‐air mixture was investigated in this research. Based on the prototype of the constant volume combustion bomb with an overhead glow plug, the duration from the heating of the hot surface to the combustion of hydrogen‐air mixture, the so‐called heating duration, was firstly researched under different fuel‐air equivalence ratio, initial temperature, initial pressure, hot surface temperature, and hot surface area, and the influence of each factor on the heating duration was analyzed. The results show that the order of the effect of each factor on the hot surface ignition is as follows: hot surface temperature > initial pressure of hydrogen‐air mixture > equivalent ratio > initial temperature of hydrogen‐air mixture > hot surface area. The influence of the hot surface characteristic parameters on the heating duration was further analyzed in detail. On this basis, the relationship among the critical ignition temperature, the heating duration and the hot surface area was researched and established. The results show that the heating duration is the only major factor affecting the critical ignition temperature. Finally, the research results were applied to analysis the pre‐ignition in hydrogen internal combustion engine.     

智能光电选矿预选抛废技术研究及应用

随着国家对矿产资源开采的不断深入,富矿石、易选矿石逐渐枯竭,入选的贫矿石和难选矿石比例不断上升,导致生产处理成本增加。人工智能、智能光电选矿技术,可以甄别和分拣矿石,实现提前抛废,对矿石进行预富集,提高矿石的入选品位,提升矿石综合利用率,成为解决经济增长中矿产资源短缺重要手段,确保矿产资源安全和矿业经济稳定发展的研究方向。     

液动冲击器孔内工作记录仪的研制

从钻进工程实际出发 ,提出了液动冲击器孔内工作记录仪的功能与技术指标 ,论述了记录仪的组成、工作原理与机械结构。利用记录仪 ,可以获知液动冲击器在孔内的工作情况 ,为优化钻进规程和改进钻具设计提供依据