Viscoelastic properties and textural characterisation of high methoxyl pectin of hawthorn (Crataegus pubescens) in a gelling system

The viscoelastic behaviour and texture profile of gels composed of the high methoxyl pectin in hawthorn (HMPH) were studied, and these gels were compared with commercial citrus gels (HMPC). The values of G′ (elastic component) for the HMPH and HMPC gels (1% pectin and pH 3.0) were 2567 and 1177 Pa, respectively, and the values of G″ (viscous component) were 494 and 253, respectively. Because G′ > G″, both of these gels exhibit viscoelastic solid behaviour with predominant elastic characteristics. The viscoelastic behaviours of the gels were analysed using the Burger model. The texture analysis demonstrated that the hardness of the HMPH gels was almost 10‐fold higher than that of the HMPC gels. In addition, the gumminess and chewiness of the HMPH gels were 31.2‐ and 46.1‐fold higher than those of the HMPC gels, respectively. These results could likely contribute to the utilisation of HMPH pectins.     

Effect of ethanol on the antimicrobial properties of chlorhexidine over oral biofilm

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 95% ethanol irrigation, with 5 or 10 min of action, on the antibacterial properties of 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), on oral biofilm, evaluated with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Oral biofilm development was induced in 80 sterilized bovine dentin blocks, distributed in two groups (5 or 10 min) and 4 subgroups, according to time and the solution used: Saline (SALINE5, SALINE10); Saline followed by CHX (SALINE/CHX5, SALINE/CHX10); Ethanol (ETHANOL5, ETHANOL10), Ethanol followed by CHX (ETHANOL/CHX5, ETHANOL/CHX10). The surface of the block was dyed with Live/Dead^® BacLight. Images from different areas were analyzed by BioImage L program. The total biovolum (µm³), biovolum of live cells (green), percentage of live cells of the thickness of the biofilm visualized in CLSM and on surface biofilm were evaluated. Total biovolum and biovolum of living cells showed similar results among the different groups (p > .05). The percentage of living cells in total thickness of the biofilm also was similar among the groups (p > .05), except ETHANOL5, SALINE/CHX10, ETHANOL10, and ETHANOL/CHX10 that showed lower percentage than SALINE5 (p < .05). The ETHANOL10 and ETHANOL/CHX10 also showed lower percentage of living cells than ETHANOL/CHX5 and SALINE10 (p < .05). In relation to biofilm surface, SALINE/CHX5, SALINE/CHX10, ETHANOL5, ETHANOL10, ETHANOL/CHX5, and ETHANOL/CHX10 showed a lower percentage of living cells percentage than SALINE5 and SALINE10 groups (p < .05). Therefore, ethanol has no effect on antimicrobial properties of 2% chlorhexidine, prior when used as endodontic irrigating solution.     

A contribution to understanding the influence of concrete cracking on timber concrete composite bridge beams

Despite of widely implemented advances in TCC bridge technology, there are still no satisfying design recommendations that consider the influence of concrete cracking on the distribution of forces and deformation. A research project at Universidad Austral de Chile studied several aspects of concrete cracking in TCC bridges with timber beams of greater depth than width using elastic dowel‐type shear connectors. One of the results of concrete cracking is a reduction of the slip modulus of the connectors. This weakening was simulated in shear tests by a small gap between the timber and the concrete. A test calibrated FEM model was used for a parametric study of 120 different cases, most of which did not show concrete cracking. Where concrete cracking occurred, it caused an increase in the timber tensile stresses and beam deflection of up to 20 %. We conclude that concrete cracking occurs when the timber‐concrete depth ratio is less than four times the cubic root of the effective flange width of the concrete slab. Beitrag zur Berücksichtigung des Einflusses der Rissbildung im Beton in Holz‐Beton‐Verbundbrücken Trotz des hohen Entwicklungsstands der Holzverbundbrückentechnologie, fehlen ausreichende Entwurfsgrundlagen für die Berücksichtigung des Einflusses der Rissbildung auf die Schnittkraft‐ und Verformungsverteilung. Im Rahmen eines Forschungsprojekts an der Universidad Austral de Chile werden verschieden Aspekte der Rissbildung in Holzverbundbrücken mit Holzbalken mit größerer Höhe als Breite und elastischen stiftförmigen Verbindungsmitteln untersucht. Dabei wurde festgestellt, dass sich die Rissbildung auf den Schubmodul del Verbindungsmittel auswirkt. Dieser Einfluss wurde in Scherversuchen durch einen kleinen Spalt zwischen Holz und Beton simuliert. Anhand eines mit Versuchen kalibrierten FEM‐Modells wurden eine Parameterstudie mit 120 verschieden Fälle durchgeführt. In den meisten Fällen tritt keine Rissbildung auf. Wenn es zu Rissbildung kommt, vergrössern sich die Holzzugspannungen und die Durchbiegung um bis zu 20 %. Wir stellen fest, dass Rissbildung auftritt, wenn das Bauhöhenverhältniss von Holz und Beton kleiner als die vierfache Kubikwurzel der mitwirkenden Plattenbreite der Betonplatte ist.     

Predicting the thermodynamic properties and dielectric behavior of electrolyte solutions using the SAFT‐VR+DE equation of state

We extend the SAFT‐VR+DE equation of state to describe 19 aqueous electrolyte solutions with both a fully dissociated and a partially dissociated model. The approach is found to predict thermodynamic properties such as the osmotic coefficient, water activity coefficient, and solution density, across different salt concentrations at room temperature and pressure in good agreement with experiment using only one or two fitted parameters. At higher temperatures and pressures, without any additional fitting, the theory is found to be in qualitative agreement with experimental mean ionic activities and osmotic coefficients. The behavior of the dielectric constant as a function of salt concentration is also reported for the first time using a statistical associating fluid theory (SAFT)‐based equation of state. At high salt concentrations, the stronger electrostatic interactions between the ionic species due to the dielectric decrement, is captured through the inclusion of ion association. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 3053–3072, 2015     

Fracture of unsaturated polyester and the limitation of layered silicates

In this work, we explain why the incorporation of organically modified nano‐clay into unsaturated polyester resins, unlike epoxy, does not improve their fracture toughness despite continuing aggressive research activities based on this approach. The mechanism behind this phenomenon is explored by studying the effect of mixing method on improving the degree of exfoliation in simple nanocomposites and its final effect on fracture behaviour. Rheometry and X‐ray diffraction show that the two mixing methods lead to different degrees of exfoliation. The mechanical properties primarily depend on clay content and are less sensitive to degree of exfoliation. In the case of toughness, there is no observable effect of degree of exfoliation. This despite the increased fracture surface area evident in SEM images of the sample with finer exfoliation as compared with those of the sample with a lower degree of exfoliation. Dispersed silicate layers influence the toughness by increasing the tortuosity of the crack path locally while micron scale intercalated tactoids can result in crack deflection. Both of these mechanisms depend on localized plasticity for significant energy dissipation. Since unsaturated polyester has very low localized plasticity below ～90°C, one cannot significantly improve its room temperature toughness by manipulating the micro‐/nanostructure of the nanocomposite the nanocomposite without incorporating another material. This new understanding of the fracture behavior of unsaturated polyesters and their nanocomposites allows for the development of more complex toughened systems. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1303–1309, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of Dietary Replacement of Soybean Oil with Different Sources of Gamma‐Linolenic Acid on Fatty Acid Composition of Nile Tilapia

Gamma‐linolenic acid (GLA) plays an important role in the prevention and/or treatment of certain diseases. In this work, we investigate the incorporation of GLA from supplemented feed diets with borage oil (BO) and evening primrose oil (EPO) as substitutes for soybean oil (SO) into the composition of tilapia fillet lipids. High contents of PUFA and n‐6 fatty acids were quantified in fish fillet after 30 days of treatment with SO, BO, and EPO. Feed diets containing BO and EPO were efficient in the incorporation of GLA into fish. Compared to the initial day of the experiment, the increase of GLA was significant (from 6.43 to 13.99 and 15.12 mg g^?1, in lipids of fish treated for 30 days with BO and EPO, respectively). The increase of GLA was also observed in fish which were fed with SO diet (6.43–11.43 mg g^?1). Principal component analysis (PCA) allowed the separation of the treatments and discriminated BO and EPO in a group of fish that received the GLA supplemented diet. In addition to GLA, n‐3 fatty acids were important in the characterization of SO diet and affected the separation of BO and EPO from SO in the PCA score plot.     

Modelling Bonded Shape Memory Alloy Vibration Attenuators Elements Using the Finite-Element Method

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) present the capability to develop large forces and displacements with low power consumption. Due their special characteristics, SMAs have been used in many different applications. Pseudoelastic hysteresis loop observed in austenitic SMAs is associated with energy dissipation. Therefore, pseudoelastic SMA elements can be used as vibration attenuators. Joining methods present some technological challenges for the use of these elements. Welding can strongly affect the properties of the alloy. Mechanical joints using rivets and screws are commonly used but promote stress concentration effects. The use of adhesives offers some benefits, being an alternative to be investigated. This work presents a numerical model based on the finite-element method and experimental procedures to study the behaviour of bonded vibration attenuators with SMA elements. The proposed model considers the pseudoelastic behaviour of SMA elements, and a cohesive zone model was used to study the union between absorber and an aluminium plate. Finally, several loading conditions were analysed with the proposed models to assess the capability of bonded pseudoelastic SMA elements to dissipate energy. The proposed geometry allows the elements to actuate as an efficient vibration attenuator, in particular when submitted to axial loading.     

The effect of the dry glass transition temperature on the synthesis of paraffin microcapsules obtained by suspension‐like polymerization

PRS® paraffin wax was encapsulated by means of suspension‐like copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with butyl acrylate (BA). The effects of the polymeric shell dry glass transition temperature (T_g) and the reaction temperature (T_r) were then studied. Additionally, the evolution of particle diameter, molecular weight, conversion, and T_g during polymerization was also researched. The chemical properties of the shell material (acrylic polymer), together with those found in the core material (PRS® paraffin wax), for instance: polarity and interfacial tensions, largely determine whether the morphology of the microcapsules will be thermodynamically favored or not. The high polarity of MMA (γ₀ = 18 mN m^?1) and BA (γ₀ = 24 mN m^?1) should provide a thermodynamic driving force to cover the paraffin wax droplet which would result in a core/shell thermodynamically favored structure. However, most systems are defined by kinetics rather than thermodynamics such as the monomers dry T_g and T_r. It was observed that penetration of polymer radical chains was severely limited when the dry T_g was ≥10°C above the reaction temperature, resulting in irregular and undifferentiated particles. However, penetration did occur when the copolymeric shell dry T_g was ～10°C below the reaction temperature which led to uniform and spherical particles being synthesized. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:208–214, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Zein film: Effects of dielectric barrier discharge atmospheric cold plasma

Dielectric barrier discharge atmospheric plasma is a novel nonthermal technology for the food and packaging industry. The effects of dielectric barrier discharge plasma on the surface, structural, thermal, and moisture sorption properties of edible zein films have been examined. Plasma treatment increased the surface roughness and equillibrium moisture content of the zein film in a direct relationship with the applied voltage level. No significant difference in the thermal stability of the zein film is also observed after plasma treatment. Dielectric barrier discharge plasma treatments of zein film lead to a change in the protein conformation which is confirmed by X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy. The evaluation of films modifications by plasma discharge will contribute to enhance the in‐package decontamination studies of food products by plasma. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40803.