Characterization of protein functionality and texture of tumbled squid,octopus and cuttlefish muscles

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tumbling on the physicochemical and textural characteristics of squid (Loligo vulgaris), octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) muscles. Before tumbling the cephalopod samples were placed in plastic bags and 0.5 M NaCl was added. Tumbling process was performed continuously in three different tumbling times (2, 4, and 6 h). The results of the analyses showed that tumbling affected the physicochemical properties of cephalopod muscles. The increase in the time of tumbling resulted in the tenderness of the cephalopod muscles. The total soluble protein, the total free amino acid, and pH values increased with the increase of the tumbling time. The water holding capacity decreased and the cooking loss increased. The squid and octopus hardness and shear force values decreased after tumbling, according to instrumental and sensorial texture measurements. As a result, tumbling was found to be an effective method for tenderizing of squid and octopus muscle, but not for cuttlefish.     

Antioxidant potential and content of phenolic compounds in extracts of twelve selected Malaysian commercial wood species

This study was performed to investigate the antioxidant values of twelve selected Malaysian wood species. Bark and heartwood were extracted with toluene: industrial methylated spirit (Tol: IMS) and evaluated for antioxidant activity. Folin–Ciocalteu reagent was used to determine the total antioxidant activity and total phenols of plant extracts. Free radical scavenging activity was evaluated using 2,2-dipheny-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Extractive yields, antioxidant activity and total phenolic content varied among wood species. N. heimii had the highest extractive yields (23.50 and 9.16 %), antioxidant (93.60 and 83.78 %) and total phenolic content (29.11 and 24.11 mgGAE/g) for bark and heartwood, respectively. The results provided promising evidence that those tropical timbers may be useful as potential sources of natural antioxidants and could be used as drug formulations.     

Relationship among fecal coliforms and <Emphasis Type="Italic"> Escherichia coli </Emphasis>in various foods

For much of the twentieth century, coliform bacteria and especially Escherichia coli have been used as indicators of possible post-processing contamination and the presence of E. coli as an indicator of fecal contamination in foods. In this study, 500 foods in 10 different groups, mainly dairy products, delicatessen products, salads, spices, cream cakes and fresh fruit and vegetable samples, were analyzed for the natural contamination of fecal coliforms and E. coli by the standard most probable number (MPN) method. The difference between weighted means of fecal coliforms and E. coli counts were only 0.246 log₁₀ MPN/g-ml (MPN/gram for solid samples, and MPN/milliliter for liquids). Enumeration results were also evaluated by Pearson's correlation coefficient ( r), Cronbach's alpha (f) and determination coefficient ( r ²) analysis. According to results, although 33 samples contained only non- E. coli fecal coliforms, the results of reliability analyses indicated that fecal coliform counts and E. coli counts may be used interchangeably ( P <0.0001). It can be said that fecal coliform or, preferably E. coli analysis is sufficient for rapid routine determination of fecal contamination, at least for those food groups analyzed in this research.     

Multiple attribute decision-making solution to material selection problem based on modified fuzzy axiomatic design-model selection interface algorithm

Material selection, one of the mostly encountered decision problems in material science literature, is still an onerous task for manufacturing organisations. Achieving accurate solution to this issue, the paper developed a model selection interface to enable analytical solutions to different problem concepts in material selection under multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) environments. Specifically, the generic framework of the fuzzy axiomatic design-model selection interface (FAD-MSI) is modified and successfully applied to the different material selection problem concepts. Consequently, the derived problem-model sets can be referred to accomplish further proposals on this era.     

The microencapsulation of terbinafine via in situ polymerization of melamine‐formaldehyde and their application to cotton fabric

In this study an antifungal pharmaceutical agent, terbinafine, was microencapsulated by using in situ polymerization. The polymerization was carried out at four mole ratio level and preparations were applied to the 100% cotton fabric. X‐ray diffractometry, DSC, FTIR, BET, contact angle measurements, particle size distribution and imaging techniques were performed. Best results were obtained in the case of 8 : 1 mole ratio. Strength of microcapsule applied fabrics to washing and fungus were also determined. After 25 washing cycle, microcapsules were still in the fabric and had antifungal properties against A. niger. Antifungal strength against T. rubrum was observed up to 15 washing cycles. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Numerical Analysis of a Tunnel Support Design in Conjunction with Empirical Methods

In this paper, preliminary support design of a tunnel was analyzed by numerical and empirical approaches. The case study for this analysis is a tunnel to be constructed on the Bilecik-Istanbul roadway in Turkey. The rock mass properties of the tunnel route and design support recommendations were obtained by using an empirical approach. The rock mass properties obtained from the empirical method were used as input parameters for the numerical analysis. The empirical and numerical results, in terms of support design, were evaluated. It was seen that the numerical analysis results supported by empirical values were logical and reliable.     

Electricity demand analysis using cointegration and ARIMA modelling: A case study of Turkey

In the early 2000s, the Republic of Turkey has initiated an ambitious reform program in her electricity market, which requires privatization, liberalization as well as a radical restructuring. The most controversial reason behind, or justification for, recent reforms has been the rapid electricity demand growth; that is to say, the whole reform process has been a part of the endeavors to avoid the so-called “energy crisis”. Using cointegration analysis and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) modelling, the present article focuses on this issue by both providing an electricity demand estimation and forecast, and comparing the results with official projections. The study concludes, first, that consumers’ respond to price and income changes is quite limited and therefore there is a need for economic regulation in Turkish electricity market; and second, that the current official electricity demand projections highly overestimate the electricity demand, which may endanger the development of both a coherent energy policy in general and a healthy electricity market in particular.     

CCII-based PID controllers employing grounded passive components

In this paper, both of current-mode and voltage-mode proportional plus integral plus derivative (PID) controllers employing the second-generation current conveyors (CCIIs) as active elements are developed. The presented novel PID controllers have grounded passive elements that do not need passive element matching, and realize independently adjustable PID parameters. Thus, it is easy to implement these PID controllers in integrated circuits. Several computer simulations are presented to demonstrate the behavior of these proposed PID controllers.     

An exposé of bioenergy and its potential and utilization in Turkey

Turkey is heavily dependent on expensive imported energy resources (oil, gas and coal) that place a big burden on the economy. Air pollution is also becoming a great environmental concern in the country. In this regard, renewable energy resources appear to be one of the most efficient and effective solutions for clean and sustainable energy development in Turkey. Turkey's renewable sources are the second largest source for energy production after coal. About two-thirds of the renewable energy produced is obtained from bioenergy, which is used to meet a variety of energy needs, including generating electricity, heating homes, fueling vehicles and providing process heat for industrial facilities. The amount of usable bioenergy potential of Turkey is approximately 17 Mtoe. This article not only presents a review of the potential and utilization of the bioenergy in Turkey but also provides some guidelines for policy makers.