Effects of skim milk concentrate dry matter and spray drying air temperature on formation of capsules with varying particle size and the survival microbial cultures in a microcapsule matrix

The impact of total solid (TS) content in combination with the feed rate and air inlet temperature on the survival of Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei F19 after spray drying in a skim milk matrix has been investigated and correlated with the capsule size. Depending on the experimental conditions, the survival rates ranged from 64 to 0.2%. The higher the air inlet temperature, the lower was the survival rate and an inversely correlation between the TS content and particle size has been determined. These results clearly indicate that process stress analyses and product-related characteristics must not be regarded separately.     

Remendable polymers via reversible Diels–Alder cycloaddition of anthracene‐containing copolymers with fullerenes

Poly(lauryl methacrylate)s with anthracene moieties in the side chain were converted with C₆₀‐fullerene and phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), resulting in new remendable (self‐healing) polymeric materials. The utilization of differently substituted anthracene monomers enabled the tuning of the reactivity and the resulting mechanical properties. Copolymers with different contents of the anthracene moieties were synthesized and characterized using size exclusion chromatography, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). ¹H NMR spectroscopic studies were utilized in order to investigate the reversibility of the Diels–Alder reaction between copolymers with C₆₀‐fullerene and PCBM, respectively, in solution. In order to investigate the conversion of the polymers with C₆₀‐fullerene and PCBM in bulk, additionally, DSC, nanoindentation, rheology, atomic force microscopy (AFM), 3D microscopy, simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) and FT‐Raman investigations were performed. The fullerene‐containing copolymers could be healed in a temperature range of 40–80 °C. Consequently, a new generation of low temperature remendable polymers could be established. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45916.     

Development of novel 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives and closely related compounds as potent and selective dopamine D3 receptor ligands

Based on N-alkylated 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives, which are structurally related to the partial agonist BP 897, a series of novel, selective dopamine D3 receptor antagonists has been synthesised. Derivatisation included changes in the arylamide moiety and the tetrahydroisoquinoline substructure leading to compounds with markedly improved selectivities and affinities in the low nanomolar concentration range. From the 55 structures presented here, (E)-3-(4-iodophenyl)-N-(4-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl)butyl)acrylamide (51) has high affinity (Ki(hD3)=12 nM) and a 123-fold preference for the D3 receptor relative to the D2 receptor subtype. Its pharmacological profile offers the prospect of a novel radioligand as a tool for various dopamine D3-receptor-related in vitro and in vivo investigations.     

Static and Dynamic Mechanical Behavior of Electron Beam‐Cured Monomer and Monomer/Liquid Crystal Systems

Summary: This paper discusses static and dynamic mechanical properties of electron beam‐cured mixtures made of the nematic liquid crystal (LC) E7 and either tripropyleneglycol diacrylate (TPGDA) or propoxylated glycerol triacrylate (GPTA) as monomers differing essentially by their functionality. Dilution of the initial mixture with LC leads to a significant weakening of the film mechanical strength. Strong effects were found on Young modulus and rubbery state modulus. As the concentration of LC increases, these mechanical parameters drop significantly together with the glass transition temperature of the polymer showing a plasticizing effect. The results for the glass transition temperatures for the polymer and the LC were confirmed by thermograms obtained by differential scanning calorimetry.

Storage tensile modulus versus temperature of EB‐cured TPGDA/E7 films for different LC concentrations.     

The concept of a near-field Raman probe

This article considers the possibility to use tips, which are functionalised by Raman active molecules, as new Raman probes for near-field optics in such a way that the Raman spectrum can be recorded of such a tip. If the Raman spectrum of the probe molecules is sensitive to their immediate environment, the probe can be used to map a surface by its local influence on the Raman spectrum of the probe. This new concept may be very promising for the investigation of specific interactions at the nanoscale by an optical response. Examples of the sensitivity of such a probe to the local environment are presented as a basis for further development of such a probe.     

Expected and unexpected plastic behavior at the micron scale: An in situ μLaue tensile study

The study of mechanical properties in micron- and submicron-sized metal crystals raises fundamental questions about the influence of size on different aspects of plasticity. In situ characterization of the microstructure evolution during loading is necessary to understand the physics underlying crystal deformation. In situ μLaue diffraction is able to provide unique statistical information on the evolution of type and density of stored dislocations. Here we show macroscopically expected and unexpected plastic behavior at low strains, observed during in situ μLaue tensile tests on micron-sized, single slip oriented Cu samples. Regardless of the initial behavior, a steady state is reached which qualifies a technical yield criterion at the micron scale.     

Optimizing the ring-rolling operation with process control

To minimize costs in the manufacture of ring-shaped products, the ring-rolling process must be controlled efficiently. Toward this end, a recently developed control system allows nearly unattended operation of ring-rolling machines. The control system determines optimum preform geometry, thereby minimizing scrap; it also continuously monitors the process to adjust for deviations from set conditions. Various operations can be controlled, and process efficiency and quality are greatly improved.     

Metallurgy and processing of coloured gold intermetallics — Part I: Properties and surface processing

Blue and purple gold alloys form in the alloying systems of gold with gallium/indium and aluminium respectively and are known to be very brittle and to possess low corrosion resistance. Taking into account these drawbacks this paper describes the results of a European funded research project. The properties of the blue and purple gold alloys and coatings such as corrosion resistance, metal release rates, hardness and colour and the influence of alloying additions on these properties are presented and discussed. Surface engineering techniques and investment casting were used for manufacturing of jewellery items with selectively coated coloured surface. Coatings of AuGa₂ and AuIn₂ blue gold alloys were applied on 18kt gold and Sterling silver jewellery by electroplating, laser/torch cladding or dipping into liquid gallium. The suitability of blue gold coatings for jewellery purposes will be discussed in the light of reliability and feasibility. The work consists of two parts. Part I describes properties and surface processing techniques while Part II deals with investment casting and related alloy design of coloured gold alloys.     

Correlations for the particle deposition rate accounting for lift forces and hydrodynamic mobility reduction

A numerical procedure is presented which allows one to predict the deposition rate of microparticles suspended in a liquid flow onto the confining walls. Particle transport is not only diffusive but also affected by hydrodynamically induced lift force and reduced particle mobility. An appropriate expression for the lift‐induced migration is introduced into the numerical procedure. Its results agree quanititatively with previously published experimental data showing a significant effect of lift‐induced particle transport. Based on the numerical results algebraic correlations are obtained, which enable to calculate the particle deposition rate in situations where lift forces and mobility reduction diminishes the particle deposition rate.     

Characterization of New PPARγ Agonists: Analysis of Telmisartan’s Structural Components

Telmisartan was originally designed as an AT₁ antagonist but was later also characterized as a selective PPARγ modulator. This study focused on the identification of the essential structural motifs of telmisartan for PPARγ activation activity, elucidating the individual SAR of each different component (shown).