Impact of octenyl succinylated pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) starch addition as fat replacer on the rheological,textural and sensory characteristics of reduced‐fat yoghurt

The current study evaluated the impact of octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA)‐esterified pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) starch as a fat replacer (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%) on various characteristics of reduced‐fat yoghurt (1.5% fat). Firmness, flow point, storage and loss modulus increased with increasing levels of the OSA starch. The Herschel–Bulkley model was best fit for elucidating their pseudoplastic behaviour. Syneresis decreased considerably, whereas sensory acceptability improved with increasing OSA starch level. Owing to this reduced syneresis, improved structural strength and sensory acceptability, OSA‐esterified pearl millet starch functions as a fat replacer in reduced‐fat yoghurt.     

Use of Sb spray for improved performance of InAs/GaAs quantum dots for novel photovoltaic structures

Photoluminescence output from InAs/GaAs quantum dots has been improved by a Sb treatment immediately prior to capping with GaAs. Spectra taken at 300 and 80 K show a significant increase in output intensity when the quantum dots are exposed for 15 s under a Sb flux of approximately 0.1 monolayers per second, but this improvement is lost when the Sb exposure is extended to 30 s. There is no significant shift in the emission energies between samples indicating strain relief due to the cap layer is not responsible for the improvement. Analysis of temperature dependent photoluminescence taken between 80 and 300 K show increased activation energies at lower temperatures when an Sb spray is used, suggesting passivation of deep defect levels. For the higher temperature activation energy, corresponding to carrier escape from the QD to the barrier, whilst a 15 s Sb spray gives a substantial increase, the longer 30 s Sb spray sees the activation energy decrease, a result deduced to be due to Sb segregation providing shallow defect levels. A band structure including a very thin GaAsSb layer adjacent to the quantum dots is used to explain these results, with the 30 s Sb spray leading to shallow Sb segregation related defects and a lower activation energy. Depth dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data support the band structure proposed to explain the photoluminescence results and also reveals the highest concentration of Sb at the sample surface suggesting a ‘floating layer’ of Sb during growth of the GaAs cap. Some of the implications of these results, for growth of quantum dot samples and for two novel solar cell proposals, the intermediate band and hot carrier solar cells, are discussed.     

Comparison of different mixing phenomena in anaerobic digestion using food waste and sewage treatment plant for green biofuel through simulations of velocity contours

Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics models have been developed for the comparison of diffuser-based biogas recirculation and impeller mixed anaerobic reactors with unmixed reactors for food waste co-digested with sewage treatment plant sludge for enriched with 60–73% of biogas. Enhanced biogas yield was observed in diffuser mixing, intensity of 2 L/min (0.28–1.180 L/g VSr), compared to impeller mixing of 200 rpm. pH of 5.94 from the feed slurry pH range of 7.0–8.4 shows sheathe-broken microbial SEM structure.     

Whole grains and resistant starch rich,reduced‐calorie biscuit diet as a hypoglycaemic,hypolipidaemic and insulin stimulator in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats

A fibre‐enriched, reduced‐calorie biscuit [formulated biscuit (FB)] was evaluated for its antidiabetic and antilipidaemic potential in streptozotocin‐induced diabetes in Wistar rats against control biscuit (CB) having high calorie and low fibre content. Animals were allocated into five groups: a control group fed with synthetic diet, two diabetes‐induced groups (CBD and FBD) and two nondiabetic groups (CBND and FBND). CBD and CBND were fed with synthetic diet + CB while FBD and FBND were fed with synthetic diet + FB. After 6 weeks of feeding, the change in weight of nondiabetic group fed with FB (+16.20%) was nonsignificantly lower compared to control (+33.01%) and CB‐fed (+34.55%) group. Nonsignificant loss in body weight was observed among diabetic group fed with FB (?11.76%) or CB (?36.88%). Feeding of FB led to a significant decrease in fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL‐C, VLDL‐C and atherosclerotic index and increase the HDL‐C. Histological examination showed that feeding of FB was able to partially recover the destroyed β‐cell in STZ‐induced diabetic rats.     

Tool materials influence on surface roughness and oversize in machining glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (GFR-PP) composites

Glass fiber reinforced Polypropylene (GFR-PP) is used in manufacturing industries like bicycles, auto bodies, aircraft, and civil applications due to superior properties. Machining of fiber-reinforced plastics is problematic especially when drilling due to their inherent in-homogeneity, anisotropy and limited plastic deformation. Drilling is often required to facilitate the assembly of the parts to get the final products. Surface quality in drilled composites is an essential design characteristic in many situations, such as accurate fits, aesthetic requirements, etc. The present work deals with detailed investigation on the influence of tool materials and machining parameters during drilling of GFR-PP composite material. The study mainly focused on machined surface quality such as surface roughness of the drilled hole and dimensional inaccuracies such as oversize of the hole. The better dimensional and surface quality of drilled hole is observed from solid carbide drill with a spindle speed of 2500?rpm and a feed rate of 0.05?mm/rev. Regression model is developed using experimental data for estimating the surface roughness and oversize. The developed model has high R-sq value which shows the strong relationship between the model and the response variables. The effect of drilling process parameters and associated interactions are discussed in detail.     

A single-molecule potentiometer

Controlling electron transport through a single-molecule device is key to the realization of nanoscale electronic components. A design requirement for single molecule electrical devices is that the molecule must be both structurally and electrically connected to the metallic electrodes. Typically, the mechanical and electrical contacts are achieved by the same chemical moiety. In this study, we demonstrate that the structural role may be played by one group (for example, a sulfide) while the electrical role may be played by another (a conjugated chain of C═C π-bonds). We can specify the electrical conductance through the molecule by modulating to which particular site on the oligoene chain the electrode binds. The result is a device that functions as a potentiometer at the single-molecule level.     

Influence of soil grading on the characteristics of cement stabilised soil compacts

The paper deals with experimental investigations aiming at specifying optimum soil grading limits for the production of cement stabilised soil bricks (CSSB). Wide range of soil grading curves encompassing both fine and coarse grained soils were considered. Strength, durability and absorption characteristics of CSSB were examined considering 14 different types of soil grading curves and three cement contents. The investigations show that there is optimum clay content for the soil mix which yields maximum compressive strength for CSSB and the optimum clay content is about 10 and 14 % for fine grained and coarse grained soils respectively. Void ratio of the compacted specimens is the lowest at the optimum clay content and therefore possesses maximum strength at that point. CSSB using fine grained soils shows higher strength and better durability characteristics when compared to the bricks using coarse grained soils.     

MADE3D: Enabling the next generation of high-torque density wind generators by additive design and 3D printing

Forschung im Ingenieurwesen - Direct-drive wind turbine generators are increasing in popularity, thanks to recent project developments—especially offshore, where reliability and efficiency...     

Soy protein supplementation does not cause lymphocytopenia in postmenopausal women

Background  

The health benefits of soy isoflavones have been widely investigated; however, there are some concerns as to whether soy isoflavones, similar to ipriflavone, a synthetic isoflavone, cause lymphocytopenia in postmenopausal women. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which 12-month supplementation of 25 g soy protein containing 60 mg isoflavones alters lymphocyte counts or other hematological parameters in postmenopausal women who were not on hormone replacement therapy.