Mayonnaise production in batch and continuous process exploiting magnetohydrodynamic force

Mayonnaise currently is produced using high shear stirrers. Here we present a new production method using a magnetic emulsification device. According to the new method a stable oil-in-water emulsion is formed by pumping the two immiscible liquids through a magnetohydrodynamic dispersion device consisting of a Venturi provided with an orthogonal permanent magnetic field. As a proof of concept, magnetically emulsified highly viscous mayonnaise was produced in a batch process and in a continuous process. The viscosity of the mayonnaise was significantly enhanced by applying the magnetic field. The oil droplet size distribution of mayonnaise produced using the magnetic emulsification method was similar to mayonnaise produced with conventional high shear mixers. In contrast to conventional processes no fast moving mixers were needed in this new mayonnaise production scheme.     

Effects of climate change on biomass production and substitution in north-central Sweden

In this study we estimate the effects of climate change on forest production in north-central Sweden, as well as the potential climate change mitigation feedback effects of the resulting increased carbon stock and forest product use. Our results show that an average regional temperature rise of 4 °C over the next 100 years may increase annual forest production by 33% and potential annual harvest by 32%, compared to a reference case without climate change. This increased biomass production, if used to substitute fossil fuels and energy-intensive materials, can result in a significant net carbon emission reduction. We find that carbon stock in forest biomass, forest soils, and wood products also increase, but this effect is less significant than biomass substitution. A total net reduction in carbon emissions of up to 104 Tg of carbon can occur over 100 years, depending on harvest level and reference fossil fuel.     

The definition of partnering as a Wittgenstein family‐resemblance concept

This article on partnering and family‐resemblance makes two contributions to the debate about the definition of partnering in construction. The first is a distinction between general prerequisites, components and goals when discussing the concept. In order to understand what is specific about partnering the focus should be on the components, which are identified through a literature review. The second contribution is to apply Ludwig Wittgenstein's idea of family‐resemblance to the partnering concept. His idea is that a complex concept can be understood as a network of overlapping similarities. From the literature review it is concluded that there are two necessary components in partnering – trust and mutual understanding – and that a number of different components can be added to form a specific variant of partnering. This provides a new method to define the vague and multifaceted concept of partnering in a flexible and structured way.     

Making concentrated solar power competitive with coal: The costs of a European feed-in tariff

The European Union has yet to determine how exactly to reach its greenhouse gas emissions targets for the future. One potential answer involves large-scale development of concentrated solar power (CSP) in the North African region, transmitting the power to Europe. CSP is a relatively young and little utilized technology and is expensive when compared to other methods of generation. Feasibility studies have shown it is possible to generate enough power from CSP plants in Africa to spearhead the EUs climate goals. However, the costs of such a project are less well known. Currently, CSP must compete with low cost coal-fired electricity plants, severely hindering development. We examine the possible investment costs required for North African CSP levelized electricity cost to equal those of coal-fired plants and the potential subsidy costs needed to encourage growth until the technologies reach price parity. We also examine the sensitivity of investment and subsidies to changes in key factors. We find that estimates of subsidy amounts are reasonable for the EU and that sensitivity to such factors as perceived risk and learning rates would enable policy-makers to positively influence the cost of subsidies and time required for CSP to be competitive with coal.     

How can you resist? Executive control helps romantically involved individuals to stay faithful.

In the present research, we examined why some people have more difficulty than others in staying faithful to their romantic partners. Three studies supported our main prediction that executive control is associated with romantically involved individuals' ability to stay faithful. Study 1 showed that participants with a higher level of executive control reported less difficulty in staying faithful to their partners than did those with lower levels of executive control. In Study 2, romantically involved male participants were placed in a waiting room together with an attractive female confederate. Results showed that participants with a higher level of executive control showed less flirting behavior with the confederate than did those with lower levels of executive control. Study 3 demonstrated that a higher level of executive control was related to a lower expressed desire to meet an attractive other, but only for romantically involved participants. Together, these studies showed that executive control helps romantically involved individuals to deal with the lure of attractive alternatives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Identifying multiple roles of ICT coordinators

This study reports on the development and validation of measurement scales to study the different roles fulfilled by ICT coordinators. Based on a review of the literature, a 24 item questionnaire was constructed and administered to a sample of 177 Flemish ICT coordinators working in primary education. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a four-factor solution: the ICT coordinator as a planner, a budgeter, a technician, and an educationalist. Qualitative data corroborated these roles. This study provides a quantitative measure of the different roles assumed by ICT coordinators in practice. The implications of our findings for schools, researchers and policy makers are discussed.     

Consumer evaluation of venison sensory quality: Effects of sex,body condition score and carcase suspension method

Intact fallow bucks (n = 20) and non-pregnant fallow does (n = 24) (Dama dama), in the body condition score (BCS) of 2, 3 and 4 (lean, prime and fat) and rising 2 year old red deer stags (n = 26) (Cervus elaphus) of the same BCS range (2–4) were used in this study to determine the impact of sex, BCS and method of carcase suspension on consumer perception of venison quality. Consumers were asked to evaluate cooked meat samples (M. gluteus medius) on an unstructured line scale for colour, flavour, tenderness, juiciness and overall liking. Meat from both fallow deer and red deer was preferred by consumers when carcases had hung by the pelvic suspension (PS) method compared with the Achilles tendon (AT) method of hanging (p < 0.001). Consumers also noted a difference in colour between sexes in fallow deer venison, with venison from 36 month-old does being darker (p = 0.015), and preferred venison from does over 18–24 month-old bucks. There was a significant difference in the consumer scores for tenderness in red deer stags of BCSs 2 and 4 (p = 0.05) with panellists determining BCS 4 animals to be more tender; however no tenderness differences were observed for fallow deer does compared with bucks.