Influence of Edible Films upon the Moisture Loss and Microstructure of Dietetic Sucrose-Free Sponge Cakes during Storage

The kinetics of changes in the bound water content in dietetic sucrose-free sponge cakes (DC) during storage was investigated. The effect of edible films of polymyxan, pectin, xanthan, and carboxymethylcellulose upon this kinetics was also investigated. The quantitative changes in both states of water (slightly bound water and strongly bound water) were registered by combined dynamic analysis (thermogravimetry analysis, TGA, and differential thermal analysis, DTA). The moisture changes in DC crumb were analyzed by drying out to constant mass. The rate constants were determined according the equation q = q_oe^-kt. The values of rate constants 'k', in day^-1, concerning the different edible films were as follows: for crumb moisture is (8.00 ≤ k ≤ 12.47) × 10^-3, for bound water is (3.07 ≤ k_w ≤ 6.26) × 10^-2, for slightly bound water is (4.22 ≤ k₁ ≤ 8.49) × 10^-2 and for strongly bound water is (2.02 ≤ k₂ ≤ 5.62) × 10^-2 as compared to 18.53 × 10^-3, 7.16 × 10^-2, 9.04 × 10^-2, and 5.36 × 10^-2 in the uncovered DC, respectively. The best water-retaining effect in respect to crumb moisture during storage was ascertained in the use of polymyxan and xanthan films. The lowest rate constant values for bound water and its two states were measured for DC covered with pectin. The relation between the kinetics of both bound water states during storage and ageing of the crumb of DC covered with different edible films and the crumb microstructure was represented. By means of scanning electron microscope was read the smallest change in crumb microstructure of pectin-covered DC on the sixth day of storage.     

Combined XPS and TPR study of sulfur removal from a Pt/BaO/Al2O3 NO x storage reduction catalyst

Pt/Al₂O₃ and Pt/BaO/Al₂O₃ catalysts (1 wt% Pt, 10 wt%BaO) were sulfated under conditions simulating a real NSR catalyst operation. Comparative TPR and XPS studies of sulfur removal from Pt/Al₂O₃ and Pt/BaO/Al₂O₃ catalysts indicate that the sulfur removal from Al₂O₃ surface precedes reductive decomposition of BaSO₄ (250–400 °C). Barium sulfate decomposition started with further increase in desulfation temperature at the point of surface atomic ratio Ba:S = 1 (~450^o). Simultaneously, an intensive formation of sulfide species on the catalyst surface was observed. Thermodynamic analysis of the desulfation process allows us to hypothesize that barium sulfide formation may hinder sulfur removal under reducing conditions.     

Integrated DeNO x –DeSoot Catalytic Systems with Improved Low-Temperature Performance

Performance of the combined catalysts [CeO₂–ZrO₂ + FeBETA] and [Mn/CeO₂–ZrO₂ + FeBETA], prepared by mechanical mixing of the component powders, was studied in soot oxidation and NH₃-SCR. [CeO₂–ZrO₂ + FeBETA] catalyst (with component volumetric ratio of 3/1) demonstrated efficient soot oxidation at 400–450 °C and DeNO _x performance similar to that of FeBETA catalyst, despite the fact that the amount of zeolite was reduced by four times indicating a strong synergistic effect between the components. Low-temperature DeNO _x performance of the [CeO₂–ZrO₂ + FeBETA] system can be additionally enhanced by doping the CeO₂–ZrO₂ with Mn. It was found that NO _x conversion over [Mn/CeO₂–ZrO₂ + FeBETA] at 150–250 °C was steadily improved by increasing the Mn loading, and [5.4 % Mn/CeO₂–ZrO₂ + FeBETA] attained NO _x conversion above 90 % at T_react ~190 °C. Comparative studies of soot oxidation and NH₃-SCR over combined catalysts and individual components indicated that the soot oxidation activity is assigned to the soot oxidation over ceria–zirconia component, while enhanced low-temperature SCR performance is a result of a “bi-functional” SCR mechanism comprising NO oxidation to NO₂ over CeO₂–ZrO₂ component followed by fast-SCR over FeBETA.     

Modification of T-cell activation marker expression by peripheral blood lymphocytes of persons living in radiation polluted territories

Investigation to effect of low radiation doses in the T-cells activation surface markers expression of resident in 4 radiation zone around Chernobyl. Was observed the increase cells level, which CD4+CD25+ and CD4+HLA-DR(+)-cells markers expression. Were revealed the increase of the apoptosis related CD4+CD+ cells level in peripheral blood.