Ethyl cellulose/hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose-based oleogel shortening: Effect on batter rheology and physical properties of sponge cake

This study attempts to fill the gap in ongoing research on the design, optimization, and characterization of ethyl cellulose/hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose-based (EC/HPMC-based) low-saturated oleogel-shortenings by examining their functional effects on physicochemical, and rheological properties in the cupcake and its batter. Thus, the commercial shortening was completely replaced with the oleogel-shortenings in the cake formulation and, then, characteristics of the batter (including specific gravity, emulsion stability, and rheological properties), and cake samples (specific volume, moisture content, and texture properties) were evaluated and compared with each other and the control samples (containing commercial-shortening). In short, the EC-based- and EC/HPMC-based-oleogel-shortenings-batters had more specific gravity and emulsion stability than the control-batter. Liner viscoelastic rang in EC/HPMC-based-oleogel-shortenings-batter, EC-based-oleogel-shortenings-batter, and control-batter was 0.212%, 0.159%, and 0.195%, respectively. EC/HPMC-based-oleogel-shortenings-batter had a more viscoelastic behavior than EC-based-oleogel-shortening-batter after the control-batter (p < 0.05). The results of frequency sweep and dynamic shear tests indicated a higher similarity of the rheological behavior of the EC/HPMC-based-oleogel-shortening-batter with the control-batter. The results of moisture content and texture profile analysis of the cake samples indicated a slower staling in the oleogel-shortenings containing samples, especially EC/HPMC-based-oleogel-shortening type.     

Game theory based models to analyze water conflicts in the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Transfer Project in China

This study applied game theory based models to analyze and solve water conflicts concerning water allocation and nitrogen reduction in the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Transfer Project in China. The game simulation comprised two levels, including one main game with five players and four sub-games with each containing three sub-players. We used statistical and econometric regression methods to formulate payoff functions of the players, economic valuation methods (EVMs) to transform non-monetary value into economic one, cost-benefit Analysis (CBA) to compare the game outcomes, and scenario analysis to investigate the future uncertainties. The validity of game simulation was evaluated by comparing predictions with observations. The main results proved that cooperation would make the players collectively better off, though some player would face losses. However, players were not willing to cooperate, which would result in a prisoners' dilemma. Scenarios simulation results displayed that players in water scare area could not solve its severe water deficit problem without cooperation with other players even under an optimistic scenario, while the uncertainty of cooperation would come from the main polluters. The results suggest a need to design a mechanism to reduce the risk of losses of those players by a side payment, which provides them with economic incentives to cooperate.     

Unilateral digital clubbing in a hemodialysis patient

We present an unusual case of a chronic hemodialysis patient with moderate diffuse acrocyanosis and prominent unilateral clubbing of his right hand fingers, with classic physical features of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. The patient's left hand, which had a functioning arteriovenous fistula, did not show any evidence of clubbing. We briefly discuss the different theories in regards to the pathogenesis of clubbing, and the potential role of arteriovenous fistula in preventing its occurrence.     

Simulation of Construction of Cable-Stayed Bridges

Construction of cable-stayed bridges involves major changes in configuration of the structure with the addition and removal of structural components to the partially constructed structure. At every stage of construction, it is necessary to have sufficient information about the existing partial structure as-built, to verify the requirements called for in the construction guidelines and to investigate the effects of possible modifications in the construction procedures. The final stresses and deformations in the completed structure are strongly dependent on the sequence of events during the construction and the erection procedure used. Therefore, analysis of the actual construction sequence is an important first step in any analysis of the performance of the bridge under external loads. In this paper a general methodology for construction sequence simulation of cable-stayed bridges is presented, and stage-by-stage construction of an actual bridge is simulated. The objective of the simulation is to evaluate short-term and long-term influences of the construction sequence on the structural integrity of the cable-stayed bridge. Comparisons are presented between results from the present analysis, conventional procedures, and the actual field measurements.     

A new empirical model for quiescent annealing of binary co-continuous polymer blends

The high sensitivity of the morphology and final properties of co-continuous polymer blends to thermal annealing has motivated many researchers to study the evolution of their morphology during thermal annealing process. In this work, phase coarsening of a low interfacial tension polylactic acid/polycaprolactone blend and a medium interfacial tension polylactic acid/polyethylene blend during quiescent annealing was studied in detail. To this aim, characteristic length scale of the microstructure of the polymer blends was determined at different annealing times. It was found that the phase size in both blends increased linearly by time at the early stage of the annealing and then the phase coarsening rate gradually decreased at longer times. Finally, the phase size of the blends approached a finite size. The mechanisms involved in the observed phase coarsening behavior were discussed in detail. Linear and exponential phase coarsening models in the literature could not explain the observed phase coarsening behavior in the studied blends. A new empirical model was presented which showed a very good agreement with both the obtained results in this work and the previous experimental data in the literature. The obtained results indicate the significant potential of the new model in analyzing phase coarsening behavior of co-continuous polymer blends.

     

Effect of ultrasound radiation on the size and size distribution of synthesized copper particles

The effect of ultrasound radiation on the size and size distribution of synthesized copper particles was investigated under various concentrations of ethylene glycol (E.G.) as a capping agent. Monodispersed copper particles were produced by the reduction of an aqueous copper (II) sulfate solution at the presence of hydrazine monohydrate. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that the morphology, size, and size distribution of produced particles were influenced by the reducing agent injection rate, capping agent concentration, and sonication. Increasing the injection rate of reducing agent to an amount higher than a critical value decreases the size of copper particles and also converts the monodispersed particles to polydispersed particles. Results of using a sonifier at the reduction stage revealed that finer monodispersed copper particles can be achieved at higher injection rates related to the critical value. Increasing the concentration of E.G. as a capping agent decreases the size of copper particles, while applying ultrasound radiation along with increasing the concentration of E.G. increases the size of copper particles. Morphology of particles varies by the concentration and type of the capping agent. Higher reducing agent injection rates and the application of a sonifier at the instance of reduction result in smaller spherical particles at various capping agent concentrations.     

Beam shaping design for coupling high power diode laser stack to fiber

A beam shaping technique that rearranges the beam for improving the beam symmetry and power density of a ten-bar high power diode laser stack is simulated considering a stripe mirror plate and a V-Stack mirror in the beam shaping system. In this technique, the beam of a high power diode laser stack is effectively coupled into a standard 550 μm core diameter and a NA=0.22 fiber. By this technique, compactness, higher efficiency, and lower cost production of the diode are possible.     

Relationship between J-integral and averaged strain-energy density for U-notches in the case of large control volume under Mode I loading

The main purpose of this technical note is to present a relationship between J-integral and averaged strain-energy density () in U-notches under Mode I loading for brittle or quasi-brittle materials. In this work, control volume includes the rectilinear edge of the notch in addition to semi-circular arc of the notch root. A dimensionless function (f) between J and has been presented in this paper. Finite element analysis has been used for verification. It is found that this relationship is identical for tension or bending loading.     

"Structural equation model of intellectual change and continuity and predictors of intelligence in older men": Erratum.

Reports an error in the original article by D. P. Gold et al (Psychology & Aging, 1995 [Jun], Vol 10[2], 294–303. On page 300, Figure 2, an extra path was inadvertently included in the LISREL program analyzing the data. The correct model is presented. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1995-43339-001.) This study examined the effects of abilities as a young adult, an engaged lifestyle, personality, age, and health on continuity and change in intellectual abilities from early to late adulthood. A battery of measures, including a verbal and nonverbal intelligence (INT) test, was given to 326 Canadian army veterans. Archival data provided World War Two enlistment scores on the same INT test for this sample. Results indicated relative stability of intellectual scores across 40 years, with increases in vocabulary and decreases in arithmetic, verbal analogies, and nonverbal skills. Young adult INT was the most important determinant of older adult performance. Predictors for verbal INT were consistent with an engagement model of intellectual maintenance but also indicated the importance of introversion–extraversion and age. Nonverbal INT in late life was predicted by young adult nonverbal scores, age, health, and introversion–extraversion. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)