Spinthariscope Based MPPC Alpha Detector

Instruments and Experimental Techniques - An alpha particle detector was constituted by favour of an MPPC (Multi-Pixel Photon Counter) using a ZnS(Ag) sheet named “spinthariscope.” It...     

Effects of psyllium and cellulose fibres on thermal,structural, and in vitro digestion behaviour of wheat starch

The study investigated the effects of adding different types of fibre (psyllium and cellulose) on in vitro digestion behaviour of wheat starch with its thermal and structural properties. Psyllium and cellulose fibres interfered with the wheat starch differently. Psyllium fibre hindered starch gelatinisation, restricted the loss of starch crystallinity, and decreased the accessibility of enzymes to starch. In contrast, cellulose fibre had no significant effect on gelatinisation and loss of crystallinity but limited the digestive enzyme mobility. The impact of psyllium was more pronounced than cellulose on reducing starch digestibility. Rapidly digestible starch fractions of the cooked starch reduced from between 57.90 ± 0.60–69.72 ± 0.46 (% in starch) to between 28.06 ± 0.36–46.34 ± 1.10 (% in starch) and 53.23 ± 0.36–66.71 ± 0.24 (% in starch) for psyllium and cellulose fibre, respectively. This information could be helpful to design foods containing starch with reduced digestibility for a healthy diet.     

An environmentally friendly process for preparing commercial ceramic foam composites based on frit/glass wastes

Considering the size of the amount of energy consumption in ovens during the production of gas ceramic foam materials in the ceramic industry, it can be stated that natural gas is one of the highest energy resources. Natural gas consumption during the production has been evaluated and financial analyses were made for saving consumption amounts. Raw materials and glass/frit wastes obtained from different regions were investigated and their chemical compositions were determined by X-Rays fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) analysis. Compared to their current alternatives, glass foams with homogenous structure and low density were developed by adding frit/glass wastes in the amount of 80%-90%. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis has been conducted for mineralogical investigation of the samples. Also, to analyze the pore sizes and examine the surface morphology of foams, SEM images were obtained. With the addition of glass/frit wastes, natural gas consumption decreased (ca. 20%-25%) in firing process.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of α‐Hydroxy Ketones via Benzaldehyde Lyase‐Catalyzed C−C Bond Formation Reaction

(R)‐Benzoins and (R)‐2‐hydroxypropiophenone derivatives are formed on a preparative scale by benzaldehyde lyase (BAL)‐catalyzed C−C bond formation from aromatic aldehydes and acetaldehyde in aqueous buffer/DMSO solution with remarkable ease in high chemical yield and high optical purity. The substrate range of this thiamin diphosphate‐dependent enzyme was examined with respect to a broad applicability of this benzoin condensation‐type reaction in stereoselective synthesis.