Pullulan‐based films and coatings for food packaging: Present applications,emerging opportunities,and future challenges

Societal and industrial demands for lower environmental impact, cost effectiveness, and high‐performance goods and services are increasingly impacting the choice of technologies which are developed and deployed in consumer products. Like many other sectors, food packaging is moving to new technologies; the use of biopolymers is one of the most promising strategies toward an optimized use of traditional packaging materials (e.g., oil‐based plastics) without impairing the goal of extending shelf life. Among other food packaging materials, pullulan is attracting much attention due to its unique features. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of current and emerging applications of pullulan within the food packaging sector. In particular, the functional properties of interest for the food packaging industry will be discussed in light of the physicochemical attributes of this exopolysaccharide. Future challenges that may dictate the successful penetration of pullulan in the food packaging market are also outlined. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40539.     

Synthesis of hydroxyapatite crystals using carboxymethyl inulin for use as a delivery of ibuprofen

In the present study biodegradable, environmentally friendly polysaccharide-based polycarboxylate, carboxymethyl inulin (CMI), was used to produce hydroxyapatite (HAP) particles by wet chemical synthesis under controlled temperature, pH, and atmospheric conditions. The morphology and microstructure of the HAP nanoparticles were investigated by XRD, SEM, DTA–TGA and FTIR. CMI affects morphology, surface area, dimension and particle size distribution of the crystals. The reduction in size is greater in the direction of the c-axis. The increase in the polymer concentration to 7.5 g/L resulted in the mixture of nanoparticles with particle sizes of less than 100 nm. The SEM micrograph shows the formation of well-crystallized, agglomerated small particles of HAP. X-ray analysis has shown that the resulting particles have high thermal stability.The obtained crystals were used to produce tablets by direct compression of HAP. The influence of sample's CMI concentration on drug release profiles was investigated by using ibuprofen (C₁₃H₁₈O₂) as a model drug. The model was used to determine the effective diffusion coefficient of the drug from the tablets. A good agreement between experimental data and model predictions was obtained as calculated in the present work. The values of the diffusion coefficients range from 1.62 × 10^? 7 to 4.72 × 10^? 7 m² h^? 1.     

Amplify-and-Forward Cooperative OFDM with Multiple-Relays: Performance Analysis and Relay Selection Methods

In this paper, we investigate a cooperative system with multiple relays and amplify-and-forward relaying over frequency-selective channels. To extract the available multipath diversity, we employ orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with precoding. Through the derivation of pairwise error probability (PEP), we demonstrate that PEP is not a simple exponential function of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), but it includes a term that involves some power of logarithm of the SNR. If that term is ignored, the diversity order is given by the summation of the channel length in the direct link and the minimum of channel lengths in each relaying link confirmed by simulation results. Based on the PEP expression, we also propose two relay selection strategies; one is on a per-subcarrier basis and the other is on an all-subcarrier basis. Our simulation results indicate that both strategies result in performance improvements although the per-subcarrier method performs better.     

Modulus of elasticity of substandard and normal concretes

Modulus of elasticity is an important parameter used for the structural assessment and retrofitting of concrete structures. In this study, an experimental investigation on the modulus of elasticity of concrete was carried out, the results of which is presented. 60 mixtures were prepared, in which the effects of water/cement ratio, maximum size of the aggregate, aggregate type, and fly ash content were investigated. In order to obtain very low quality concrete, the water/cement ratios were increased to as high as 2.2. Modulus of elasticity of the concretes was obtained according to ASTM C469. Compressive strength and ultrasound pulse velocities of the concretes were also recorded. The experimentally obtained modulus of elasticity values were compared with those calculated by using prediction models given in a selection of codes of practice. Dynamic moduli of elasticity of the concretes were also obtained.     

The preparation of core–shell Al2O3/Ni composite powders by electroless plating

Core–shell nanostructured Ni-coated Al₂O₃ composite powders were synthesised by using the electroless plating method. The influence of the chemical components and powder concentration in the Ni coating was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. The results show that the concentration of the plating components plays an important role in the formation of core–shell Al₂O₃/Ni composite powders. The nickel content in the composite powders could be effectively controlled by adjusting the nickel chloride content and the concentration of NaH₂PO₂·H₂O in the plating solution. The nanostructure of the crystalline Ni coatings was observed to be very attractive for achieving good bonding between ceramic particles and matrices for composite production.     

A production insensitive compact power divider

Power dividers are inevitable components in most microwave systems. Well known topologies like Wilkinson power divider are widely studied in the literature. An “all 50 ohm power divider” is another topology presented in the some works. In this study, an all 50 ohm structure is taken as the basis and a compact-easy to implement modification the power divider is proposed. A sample structure is designed, implemented and measured to prove the topology. The decreased sensitivity to production tolerances is demonstrated by various design modifications. Comparisons with well-known topologies are given for reference.     

Effects of UV-C Light Processing on Some Quality Characteristics of Grape Juices

White and red grape juices (GJs) were subjected to ultraviolet C (UV-C) light as a non-thermal preservation technology using a coiled tube UV-C reactor with nine lamps. The effects of UV-C light on microbial (total aerobic count and yeast and mould count) and some chemical quality characteristics (total phenolics, antioxidant capacity, anthocyanin and polymeric colour, etc.) of white and red GJs were investigated. The results were compared with control (untreated) and heat-treated juice samples. Single-pass UV-C treatment (12.6 J/mL) of white and red GJs resulted in 3.51 and 3.59 log reductions in total aerobic count and, 2.71 and 2.89 log reductions in yeast and mould counts, respectively. The microbial loads of both GJs were completely eliminated after two passes through the reactor (25.2 J/mL). After UV-C and heat treatments, there were no significant changes in antioxidant capacity, total phenolics, titratable acidity, soluble solids and pH of white and red GJs (P?>?0.05). The losses in monomeric anthocyanins were 6.1% and 8.7% after UV-C treatment of 12.6 and 25.2 J/mL doses, respectively. However, anthocyanin level of red GJ was significantly affected by the heat treatment with an 11.8% loss (P?<?0.05). The percent polymeric colour of the red GJ with heat treatment was significantly higher compared to the colour with the UV-C treatment.     

The Synthesis and Characterization of Melamine Based and [Fe/CrSalen] or [Fe/CrSalophen] Capped Polimer Schiff Base Complexes

In this study, by using previously reported monomer complexes [(2-(4-carboxybenzimino)-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine)(salen/salophenFeIII)], [(2-(4-carboxybenzimino)-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine)(salen/salophenCrIII)], [(2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzimino)-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine)(salen/salophenFeIII)] and [(2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzimino)-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine)(salen/salophenCrIII)] obtained by Uysal and Uçan (J Inc Phenom Macrocycl Chem, in press), sixteen new polimer Fe(III) and Cr(III) complexes involving tetradentate Schiff bases N,N′-bis (salicylidene)ethylenediamine-(salenH₂) or bis(salicylidene)-o-phenylenediamine-(salophenH₂) with 2-(4-carboxybenzimino)-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine or 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzimino)-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine (Uysal and Uçan, J Inc Phenom Macrocycl Chem, in press) and terephthaldehyde or glutaraldehyde have been synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analysis, ¹H N.M.R., FT-IR spectrscopy, MS, thermal analyses and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The complexes have also been characterized as low-spin distorted octahedral Fe(III) and Cr(III) bridged by catechol and/or COO^? groups.     

Combustion properties of laminated veneer lumbers bonded with PVAc,PF adhesives and impregnated with some fire retardants

In this study, the effects of impregnation materials di‐ammonium phosphate, aluminium sulphate, potassium carbonate, calcium chloride, zinc chloride on combustion properties of 3 ply laminated veneer lumbers (LVL) produced from Walnut (Juglans regia L.) using phenol–formaldehyde (PF), poly (vinyl acetate) have been investigated. The pressure‐vacuum method was used for impregnation process. Combustion test was performed according to the procedure of ASTM‐E 69 standards. During the test, mass reduction, temperature and released gas (CO, NO_X, SO₂, O₂) were determined every 30 s. As a result, zinc chloride was found to be the most successful fire‐retardant chemical in LVL at PF adhesive. Since it diminishes combustion, the fire retardant of LVL produced from walnut using PF adhesive can be advised. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Axis I psychopathology in individuals with traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVES: To assess the incidence, comorbidity, and patterns of resolution of DSM-IV mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Diagnoses (SCID) was utilized. Diagnoses were determined for three onset points relative to TBI onset: pre-TBI, post-TBI, and current diagnosis. Contrasts of prevalence rates with community-based samples, as well as chi-square analysis and analysis of variance were used. Demographics considered in analyses included gender, marital status, severity of injury, and years since TBI onset. SETTING: Urban, suburban, and rural New York state. PARTICIPANTS: 100 adults with TBI who were between the ages of 18 and 65 years and who were, on average, 8 years post onset at time of interview. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SCID Axis I mood diagnoses of major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder; anxiety diagnoses of panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and phobia; and substance use disorders. RESULTS: Prior to TBI, a significant percentage of individuals presented with substance use disorders. After TBI, the most frequent Axis I diagnoses were major depression and select anxiety disorders (ie, PTSD, OCD, and panic disorder). Comorbidity was high, with 44% of individuals presenting with two or more Axis I diagnoses post TBI. Individuals without a pre-TBI Axis I disorder were more likely to develop post-TBI major depression and substance use disorders. Rates of resolution were similar for individuals regardless of previous psychiatric histories. Major depression and substance use disorders were more likely than were anxiety disorders to remit. CONCLUSION: TBI is a risk factor for subsequent psychiatric disabilities. The need for proactive psychiatric assessment and timely interventions in individuals post TBI is indicated.