Shelf life of powdered Campomanesia adamantium pulp in controlled environments

The objective of this study was to evaluate the shelf life of powdered guavira pulp obtained by a foam mat drying process. The dehydrated guavira pulp was packed into low density polyethylene (LDPE) bags and stored under two controlled conditions: environmental (25 °C, RH 75%) and accelerated (35 °C, RH 90%) for 90 days. The shelf life was accompanied by carrying out the following analyses every 10 days: moisture content, water activity, vitamin C content, pH and titratable acidity. Vitamin C was the quality attribute used to determine the shelf life of the product, by determining its degradation kinetics as a function of storage time. The linear regression data showed that the vitamin C degradation reaction fitted the zero and first order kinetic models. The shelf life of the powdered guavira pulp under environmental conditions was approximately 49 days, and under accelerated conditions (35 °C) 45 days. The Q10 was equal to 1.09, predicting a shelf life similar to that found under environmental conditions. The moisture content for these conditions was 10.0% e 5.4% for 35 °C and 25 °C, respectively. The above demonstrate the efficiency of the accelerated test in predicting the shelf life of the product.     

Time and space for segmenting personal photo sets

Multimedia Tools and Applications - A personal collection of photos shows large variability in the depicted items, making difficult a fully automated solution to cope with sensory and semantic...     

Low-cost deployment proposal to urban mobility in smart cities

Rational use of cars in smart cities can represent an economical and cheaper way to decrease the quantity of cars on the roads to better the life quality of the populations. This paper presents a low-cost deployment proposal called “URCa project” to reach these goals and proposes a paradigm change by sharing the cars considering some logistic aspects including car ride mechanism. Technical feasibility to deploy this solution was checked by means of a proof of concept. The concept was proven by passenger counting and license plate that are essential information in this solution were obtained taking photographs, applying two types of recognition algorithms and sending the results to be stored and evaluated by analytic data processes of a transit regulatory agency showing that this project is technically viable. The low-cost solution was justified by a financial analysis based on both costs (URCa solution and a bridge) that has shown a ratio of 1:10,000.

     

Ethyl group as matrix modifier and inducer of ordered domains in hybrid xerogels synthesised in acidic media using ethyltriethoxysilane (ETEOS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as precursors

Hybrid silica xerogels favourably combine the properties of organic and inorganic components in one material; consequently these materials are useful for multiple applications. The versatility and mild synthetic conditions provided by the sol-gel process are ideal for the synthesis of hybrid materials. The specific aims of this study were to synthesise hybrid xerogels in acidic media using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and ethyltriethoxysilane (ETEOS) as silica precursors, and to assess the role of the ethyl group as a matrix modifier and inducer of ordered domains in xerogels. All xerogels were synthesised at pH 4.5, at 60 °C, with 1:4.75:5.5 TEOS:EtOH:H₂O molar ratio. Gelation time exponentially increased with the ETEOS molar ratio. Incorporation of the ethyl groups into the structure of xerogels reduced cross-linking, increased the average siloxane bond length, and promoted the formation of ordered domains. As a result, a transition from Qⁿ to Tⁿ signals detected in the ²⁹Si NMR spectra, the Si–O structural band in the FTIR spectra shifted to lower wavelength, and a new peak in the XRD pattern at 2θ < 10° appeared in the XRD patterns. Mass spectroscopy detected fragments with high numbers of silicon atoms and a polymeric distribution.     

Photoluminescence study of GaAs thin films and nanowires grown on Si(111)

Mg-doped GaAs nanowires have been grown by molecular beam epitaxy on a partially Au-coated Si(111) substrate by the vapor–liquid–solid mechanism. Outside the coated areas, a thin film of GaAs was grown epitaxially at the same time. The optical properties in both parts of the sample were investigated by photoluminescence spectroscopy, as a function of temperature. A structured emission in the range ～1.25–1.55 eV was observed at 10 K and the resemblances in both cases were identified. The radiative transitions are discussed with relevance to known defect centers in the GaAs thin films and to their possible relation with the zinc-blende and wurtzite phases in the nanowires. The presence of both crystalline phases in the nanowires was confirmed by μ-Raman spectroscopy.     

In vitro intestinal absorption of amino acid mixtures extracted from codfish (Gadus morhua L.) salting wastewater

This study reports on the intestinal permeability of salt‐containing mixtures of amino acids extracted from codfish salting wastewater. Permeability was evaluated in vitro using the Caco‐2 cell line model; cell integrity during exposure to mixtures of amino acids was estimated by measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). The effect of salt (NaCl) on the permeability and on the intestinal cell's integrity was also examined. Permeation rate (i.e. transport) was ≥95% for all amino acids except for creatine, for which it was 6%. Values for apparent permeability coefficients, P_app > 10^?5 cm s^?1, for mixture with isotonic concentration of NaCl suggest that amino acids are very likely to be absorbed in humans. Mixture with a hypertonic level of NaCl exerts a cytotoxic effect in intestinal cells resulting in a loss of epithelium integrity. Results show that isotonic mixture of amino acids extracted from codfish salting wastewater could be used in food, feed, cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. These applications could contribute to the fish industry sustainability.     

Improvement of mead fermentation by honey‐must supplementation

Through honey's fermentation, diverse beverages can be obtained, among which is mead, an alcoholic drink with 8 to 18% of ethanol (v/v). Since honey is a matrix with a low nutrient concentration and other unfavourable growth conditions, several problems are usually encountered, namely delayed or arrested fermentations, unsatisfactory quality parameters and lack of uniformity of the final product, as well as unpleasant sensory properties. In this context, the aim of this work was to optimize mead production through honey‐must supplementation with (a) salts, (b) vitamins or (c) salts + vitamins. The effects of the honey‐must formulation on the fermentation kinetics, growth profile and physicochemical characteristics of final meads were evaluated. The results showed minor differences in the fermentation profile and time between fermentations with the different formulations. The growth profile was influenced more by the yeast strain than by the supplements added to the honey‐must. In general, the honey‐must composition did not influence meads’ final characteristics, except regarding the SO₂ concentration of the meads produced using the strain QA23. In summary, the addition of salts and/or vitamins to honey‐must had no positive effects on the fermentation, growth profile or characteristics of the final products. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Femtosecond-laser selective printing of graphene oxide and PPV on polymeric microstructures

Direct laser writing techniques are suitable for the high precision-patterning of 2D and 3D micro/nanostructures, featuring a variety of geometries and materials. Here, we demonstrated the use of laser-induced forward transfer with fs-pulses (fs-LIFT) to selectively transfer graphene oxide and poly(p-phenylene vinylene) patterns onto polymeric microstructures, fabricated by two-photon polymerization. The influence of different fs-LIFT experimental parameters on the width and height of the printed patterns was investigated. Upon optimum fs-LIFT parameters, we achieved homogeneous printed areas of both materials onto specific regions of the microstructures. Raman spectroscopy confirmed that fs-LIFT does not change the donor material upon transfer. Overall, this work demonstrates a promising strategy with precise printing capabilities, thus opening new opportunities for the development of photonic and optoelectronic devices.