Novel application of an optical inspection system to determine the freshness of Scomber japonicus (mackerel) stored at a low temperature

Food Science and Biotechnology - This study evaluated the use of an optical inspection system (OIS) to determine the freshness of mackerel (Scomber japonicus). The correlations between the light...     

Highly efficient in-line wet cyclone air sampler for airborne virus detection

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - Early detection of highly pathogenic strains is particularly important from the point of view of controlling and minimizing the spread of the virus....     

Quantitative characterization of intact sialylated O-glycans with MALDI-MS for protein biotherapeutics

For validating O-glycosylation of protein biotherapeutics, we presented a quantitative O-glycomics method which is based on the neutralization of sialic acids, the specific release of O-glycans, and the introduction of permanent positive charge followed by quantitative MALDI-MS analysis. This method shows excellent technical reproducibility, linearity and sensitivity. In addition, it enables the quantification of intact O-glycans with minimal degradation or loss of sialic acids on these glycans compared to a conventional HPLC-based method. We then applied this method to quantitatively characterize O-glycans present on Etanercept. The analysis showed the relative abundances of mono- and di-sialylated core 1 O-glycans - were 79.3±0.8% and 17.3±1.4%, respectively. This glycomics technology could allow for the reliable quantitative analysis of intact O-glycans from glycoproteins and may contribute to validation of O-glycosylation protein biotherapeutics in the pharmaceutical industry.     

Interface-directed spinodal decomposition in TiAlN/CrN multilayer hard coatings studied by atom probe tomography

Microstructural and compositional changes in TiAlN/CrN multilayered films occurring at temperatures up to 1000 °C were studied at different length scales by a combination of atom probe tomography, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. We observe the onset of decomposition of the multilayer structure at 700 °C via the mechanism of interface-directed spinodal decomposition of TiAlN layers, where Al atoms preferentially move toward the nearest interface and segregate there. The interface-directed mechanism later transforms into isotropic spinodal decomposition and is accompanied by intense interdiffusion between the constituting layers. Distinct compositional gradients across columnar grain boundaries (extending perpendicular to the multilayers) are detected at this stage of decomposition. Drastic differences in decomposition behavior across the film depth were observed at elevated temperatures (800–1000 °C): the layered structure completely dissolves in the near-surface part but persists in the regions distant from the surface. The influence of residual stresses caused by the sputter deposition process on the thermally induced evolution of the multilayer thin films is discussed.     

Characteristics of Liquid Penetration into Undoped and Magnesia-Doped Alumina

Liquid-forming impurities (CaO + SiO₂) were placed on the top of undoped and MgO-doped Al₂O₃ powder compacts, and the microstructural evolution and the extent of liquid penetration during heat treatment were investigated. Compared with the undoped specimen, abnormal grain growth was limited and the impurities penetrated more deeply in the MgO-doped specimen. The homogenization of the microstructure and the enhanced liquid penetration in MgO-doped specimens could be explained in terms of an interface roughening or a modification of the liquid-(glass-) phase characteristics, such as viscosity.     

Comparative study of visual and instrumental analyses of shade selection

The difference between visual and instrumental analyses of a shade selection on natural teeth was investigated. With visual analysis, five prosthodontist examined the middle third of the unrestored maxillary right central incisor of a patient using VITAPEN® classical and Vita Toothguide 3D-MASTERsr tooth shade guide. In instrumental analysis, one prosthodontist examined the same teeth using a spectrophotometer (Shadepilot?, Degudent, Hanau-Wolfgang, Germany, software 2.40). Overall, instrumental analysis is more accurate and reproducible than a visual assessment. However, the difference is clinically acceptable.