Extraction and reliable determination of acrylamide from thermally processed foods using ionic liquid-based ultrasound-assisted selective microextraction combined with spectrophotometry

Acrylamide (AAm) is a carcinogenic chemical that can form in thermally processed foods by the Maillard reaction of glucose with asparagine. AAm can easily be formed especially in frequently consumed chips and cereal-based foods depending on processing conditions. Considering these properties of AAm, a new, simple and green method is proposed for the extraction of AAm from thermally processed food samples. In this study, an ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [Bmim][BF₄]) as extractant was used in the presence of a cationic phenazine group dye, 3,7-diamino-5-phenylphenazinium chloride (PSH⁺, phenosafranine) at pH 7.5 for the extraction of AAm as an ion-pair complex from selected samples. Under optimum conditions, the analytical features obtained for the proposed method were as follows; linear working range, the limits of detection (LOD, 3S_b/m) and quantification (LOQ, 10S_b/m), preconcentration factor, sensitivity enhancement factor, sample volume and recovery% were 2.2–350 µg kg^?1, 0.7 µg kg^?1, 2.3 µg kg^?1, 120, 95, 60 mL and 94.1–102.7%, respectively. The validity of the method was tested by analysis of two certified reference materials (CRMs) and intra-day and inter-day precision studies. Finally, the method was successfully applied to the determination of AAm levels in thermally processed foods using the standard addition method.     

Touch sensor and photovoltaic characteristics of CuSbS2 thin films

Spin-coated chalcostibite CuSbS₂ thin films (≈500 nm thick) were fabricated and the influence of the drying temperature on the structural, morphological, optical and thermoelectric properties of the films was investigated. Crystalline phase-pure chalcostibite has been obtained for the films dried at 180 °C and 210 °C, while below 180 °C these films are partially amorphous. Surprisingly, at drying temperature of 240 °C, a Cu_xS secondary phase appeared. The increase of the drying temperature leads to the increase of the particle size and the decrease of the optical band gap, which is interesting for optoelectronic applications. The highest power factor value was achieved for the film dried at 210 °C, due to the inexistence of secondary phases, which allowed realizing a stable thermoelectric touch sensor with a V_signal/_noise of 5. In addition, this film was tested as a photovoltaic (PV) device and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.030% with an open-circuit voltage (V_OC) of 0.36 V, a short-circuit current density (J_SC) of 0.278 mAcm^?2 and a fill factor (FF) of 0.27 were obtained. Therefore, this work evidences a pathway toward developing bi-functional devices with simultaneously thermoelectric touch sensor and photovoltaic functions.     

A novel way to production yttrium glass microspheres for medical applications

In this paper a novel method of producing yttrium aluminum silicate microspheres is reported. Yttrium aluminum silicate microspheres around 20–50 μm in size were obtained when an aqueous solution of Y(NO₃)₃ and Al(NO₃)₃ was added to tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and pumped into stirred silicone oil. The particles produced by this method are regularly shaped and very close to spherical. The amorphous structure, Y-O-Si bonds, spherical shapes, composition, and element distribution were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), carbon/sulfur analysis, and SEM/EDS mapping analysis. The results obtained demonstrate that the silicone oil spheroidization method is suitable for the production of yttrium aluminum silicate microspheres. This study also reveals that a high temperature is not required for the production of yttrium aluminum silicate microspheres.     

Effect of γ-irradiation on granule structure and physicochemical properties of starch extracted from two types of potatoes grown in Jammu & Kashmir,India

In this study red and white potato starches were treated with γ-irradiation of 0, 5, 10 and 20 kGy. Physicochemical, pasting and morphological properties of the irradiated starches were investigated. Apparent amylose content, pH, moisture, swelling power and syneresis decreased; whereas carboxyl content, water absorption capacity and solubility increased with increasing irradiation dose. Pasting properties also decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) upon increasing the irradiation dose. Observation under scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed surface cracking of the starch granules by γ-irradiation which increased with increase in irradiation dose. X-ray diffraction pattern remained the same upon irradiation but a decrease in relative crystallinity was observed with increasing irradiation dose.     

Development of questionnaire to assess manufacturing capability along different decision areas

Superior manufacturing capability provides long lasting competitive benefits to a company in the market. It is thus imperative to have an instrument to assess the manufacturing capability of companies. However, empirically tested and reliable tools for the purpose of evaluation of manufacturing capability along different decision areas are scarcely available in the literature. This paper develops questionnaires based on generally accepted principle of instrument design to assess the manufacturing capabilities along different decision areas for four categorization schemes of manufacturing decision areas reported in the literature. The reliability and validity of all four instruments are assessed through responses from managers of 32 manufacturing units and are found to be satisfactory for most of the factors. The criterion validity is found to be fairly good for all the four instruments.     

Ferromagnetic nano model study for the peristaltic flow in a plumb duct with permeable walls

Microsystem Technologies - The purpose of the present enquiry is to analyse the mechanics of an incompressible fluid, with water as base fluid, through a radially symmetric plumb duct with...     

Improving the performance of air conditioning systems by using phase change materials: A review

This paper reviews the application of phase change materials (PCMs) for improving the performance of air conditioning systems. The different methods of integrating PCMs into air conditioning systems are presented. Moreover, the effects of PCM geometry, flow, and heat transfer characteristics on the performance of air conditioning systems and the potential use of PCMs in increasing the energy savings and coefficient of performance of air conditioning systems are also discussed. Recent studies on the thermodynamic (energy and exergy), economic, and environmental benefits of integrating PCMs into air conditioning systems are reviewed. Several methods for the preparation and optimal selection of PCMs are proposed to improve the performance of air conditioning systems, and then the challenges relating to PCM properties, optimal thickness, and PCM containers are highlighted. The economic aspects, humidity effect, life cycle assessment, and use of solid‐solid PCMs are cited as potentially important topics for future research.     

A fog-based security framework for intelligent traffic light control system

Multimedia Tools and Applications - The world is facing many problems including that of traffic congestion. To highlight the issue of traffic congestion worldwide specially in urban areas and to...