Influence of extraction procedures on phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Cretan barberry herb

The main goal of present study was the development, optimization and application of different extraction protocols, especially those employing green technologies, in order to obtain from Berberis cretica extracts with high antioxidant capacity. For this purpose, the applied methods: maceration, ASE and SFE coupled with ASE were incorporated. The antioxidant assessment was carried out using DPPH and total phenolic content (Folin–Ciocalteu) assays. Major constituents were elucidated using HPLC-DAD and UHPLC–HRMS/MS (hybrid IT-Orbital trap spectrometer) equipped with an ESI probe.     

Condensing Heat Exchanger

The paper shows a method of designing a heat exchanger recovering heat from the condensation of water vapour contained in flue gases. A heat exchanger condenses water vapour and SO2 （sulphur dioxide） in the presence of inert gases （CO2, CO, N2, O2） contained in flue gases. A mathematical model and a sample design of a heat exchanger were presented. The heat exchange is capable of recovering from a dozen or so to several dozen percent of heat from flue gases escaping into the atmosphere. A second advantage of the heat exchanger is the possibility to reduce the emissions of SO2 considerably. Depending on the parameters, it can be even a sevenfold reduction in the emissions. The main mathematical tool used for designing the condensing heat exchanger is the Colburn-Hougen method. The authors omitted that part of the method which requires iterative calculations. The Mollier diagram was used instead.     

Isomerization of hop extract α‐acids

An isomerization process of the α‐acids contained in hop extract (with magnesium oxide, potassium hydroxide and magnesium peroxide as catalysts at ambient temperature) was carried out. The influence of two factors (the amount of applied catalyst and the isomerization time) was studied. Ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography was used for the evaluation of the isomerization process. The best results were obtained with magnesium oxide. In this case, the influence of the operating variables on the isomerization process and optimal process parameters were determined using statistical methods. The isomerization method described above could be carried out with high efficiency without heating and could be easily adopted and applied on an industrial scale. Copyright © 2016 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) gelation in the brabender measuring mixer. I. Equilibrium state between sliding,breaking, and gelation of PVC

This article discusses the first part of the Brabender typical torque process curves. Rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC; Polanwil S‐61) was processed at various temperatures between 160 and 200°C with blade speeds in the range of 5–40 min^?1. The morphological changes of the processed compound was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy, and the degree of gelation was estimated on the basis of DSC thermograms. The values of torque minimum strongly depends on temperature. Shear rate affects mainly the time of reaching the minimum torque. The grains are disintegrated into the nonuniform particles and aggregates of the dimensions between 20 and 4 μm. The significant variation of the gelation degree was found for the sample produced in the same conditions and unloaded from Brabender chamber at minimum of torque. It was found that the value of the minimum of torque described momentary equilibrium state between sliding of breaking grains and increasing degree of PVC gelation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 966–971, 2004     

Analysis of electrochemical parameters in time domain during the passive layer cracking occurring on the 304L stainless steel in chlorides solution under tensile stresses

Dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (DEIS) has been applied for detailed analysis of the passive–active transient region during the passive layer cracking process. The effect of applied potential and tensile stresses on the passive layer rupture of type 304L stainless steel (SS) immersed in 0.5 M NaCl solution at room temperature was examined. This paper presents instantaneous impedance spectra obtained for 304L stainless steel samples at the different potential values that refer to the transition from passive into active state while crack of the passive layer took place. Besides, differential dependencies of electrochemical parameters versus relative elongation have been presented to illustrate the system's dynamics changes.     

Atomic force microscopy based approach to local impedance measurements of grain interiors and grain boundaries of sensitized AISI 304 stainless steel

The paper presents the results of the AFM based approach to local impedance spectroscopy (LIS) measurements performed within the region of austenite grain interiors and the austenite grain boundaries for both sensitized and non-sensitized AISI 304 stainless steel (SS). The local impedance investigations in the AFM contact mode were carried out after standard tests for susceptibility to intergranular corrosion (IGC). Local impedance spectra recorded in the AFM contact mode for both sensitized and non-sensitized AISI 304 stainless steel within the region of the austenite grain interiors and the austenite grain boundaries demonstrated different shapes and characters. Performed researches revealed significant differences in the charge transfer resistance values recorded for the austenite grain interiors and the grain boundaries depending on the sensitization state. Moreover, proposed AFM based approach allows identification of the IGC process even when a double-loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (DL-EPR) method does not provide evidence of it.     

Multiresolution MUAPs decomposition and SVM-based analysis in the classification of neuromuscular disorders

This paper describes a new method for the classification of neuromuscular disorders based on the analysis of scalograms determined by the Symlet 4 wavelet technique. The approach involves isolating single motor unit action potentials (MUAPs), computing their scalograms, taking the maximum values of the scalograms in five selected scales, and averaging across MUAPs to give a single 5-dimensional feature vector per subject. After SVM analysis, the vector is reduced to a single decision parameter, called the Wavelet Index, allowing the subject to be assigned to one of three groups: myogenic, neurogenic or normal. The software implementation of the method described above created a tool supporting electromyographic (EMG) examinations. The method is characterized by a high probability for the accurate diagnosis of muscle state. The method produced 5 misclassifications out of 800 examined cases (total error of 0.6%).     

DEIS assessment of AISI 304 stainless steel dissolution process in conditions of intergranular corrosion

Results presented in this paper are first that demonstrate instantaneous impedance changes versus reactivation potential detected by means of dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (DEIS) technique for AISI 304 stainless steel dissolution process proceeding during intergranular corrosion (IG) in 0.5 M SO₄²⁻ + 0.01 M KSCN solution of different pHs. Application of DEIS method made it possible to evaluate dynamic changes of the examined system's impedance in conditions of IG. As a result, controlling stage of the overall rate of AISI 304 SS dissolution process was determined. Moreover, the paper proposes an alternative way of assessment of AISI 304 SS dissolution rate during intergranular corrosion based on approximation to theory of iron dissolution in sulfuric acid medium. Simultaneously, on the basis of the DEIS measurements it was possible to obtain information about the degree of sensitization (DOS) of the examined material. Accordingly, performed researches revealed the advantage of the DEIS technique over the electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (EPR) tests when investigating intergranular corrosion process.     

Microwave activated combustion synthesis of porous Al–Ti structures for composite reinforcing

A research on porous Al–Ti materials produced by combustion synthesis is presented. Some of the manufactured preforms could be infiltrated with liquid aluminium alloy to obtain locally reinforced castings. The synthesis progress was analysed, as well as a structure formation, its phase composition, homogeneity degree and type of porosity. Cylindrical green compacts were prepared of Al and Ti powders with various stoichiometric ratios. Synthesis was performed in a specially designed microwave reactor, by placing a compact in a waveguide, in intensely focused field. Temperatures recorded by a pyrometer showed that the synthesis propagation accelerated at the moment of Al₃Ti creation. The highest synthesis temperature was reached by the specimens containing 45–67% Al (all percentages atomic). Microscopic examinations revealed rounded grains, sometimes with cores of solid solution Ti(Al). The grains were basically composed of AlTi₃ that changed to AlTi at the edge. The grain structure was similar in almost all kinds of the specimens, especially in those with higher Al content. Around those grains, envelopes of AlTi and Al₂Ti were formed. Chemical composition of the matrix was approximately equivalent to stoichiometric ratio of the initial powder mixture. XRD investigations confirmed multiphase structure of the obtained compacts and a slight effect of the Ti powder granularity. Some of the specimens revealed regular structure with interconnected porosity. Those materials containing 75, 67 and 55% Al were used for producing the aluminium alloy-based composites.