Rheology,texture, quality characteristics and immunochemical validation of millet based gluten free muffins

The aim of the study was to develop Gluten free (GF) muffins at par with wheat flour muffins in terms of quality. Finger millet flour (FM) and whey protein concentrate (WP) blends were made in the ratio of 100:0, 95:5, 90:10 and 85:15. As the level of WP increased in the blends from 0 to 15 %, there was a decrease in peak, hot and cold paste viscosities. Muffins made with the blend 90:10 had a highest volume and overall quality scores among the blends. Hence the blend 90:10 was optimized. The improving effects of additives were evident in the texture profile analysis of muffins as additives decreased hardness and increased springiness values. The combination of FM:WP 90:10 + Distilled glycerol monostearate + Hydoxypropylmethylcellulose brought about significant improvement in the quality of the muffins. The GF muffins were immunochemically validated and was found safe for inclusion in the diet of celiac disease patients.     

Preparation of hydrogel impregnated antimicrobial polyurethane foam for absorption of radionuclide contaminated blood and biological fluids

Multi‐purpose polyacrylamide (PAM) and polyacrylamide‐co‐sodiumpolyacrylate (PAM‐co‐NaPA) impregnated polyurethane foams (PUF) loaded with iodine have been prepared by in situ free radical polymerization. The prepared hydrogel networks displayed higher capacity for absorbing biological fluids as compared to regular PUF sheets and cotton matrices used in hospitals for maintaining hygiene conditions in cases of blood spillage and leakages. PAM‐impregnated‐PUF showed 910, 605, and 172% absorption in water, saline, and blood, respectively, whereas PAM‐co‐NaPA‐impregnated‐PUF showed absorption of 1545, 1395, and 269% in water, saline, and blood, respectively in 24 h. Exposure to nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) environment has become a grave predicament in today's world necessitating prevention of radiological contaminations especially in medical facilities. PAM‐co‐NaPA‐impregnated‐PUF displayed 97% absorption of Tc⁹⁹ from whole blood whereas PUF sheets were highly hydrophobic and showed only 1% absorption of Tc⁹⁹ from whole blood. It was also demonstrated that modified foams have long‐term broad‐spectrum antimicrobial properties due to sustain release of ionic iodine. Thus, PAM‐co‐NaPA‐impregnated‐PUF sheets have strong potential to be used as matrices for carrying the injured patients, from field conditions to hospitals expose to NBC environment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43625.     

Synthesis and characterization of terephthalamides from poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste flakes (blow‐molded‐grade industrial waste) were degraded with aqueous methylamine and ammonia at room temperature in the presence and absence of quaternary ammonium salt as a catalyst for various times. The catalyst reduced the time required for the degradation of the PET waste. The degraded products were analyzed with IR, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and differential thermal analysis and were characterized as N,N′‐dimethylterephthalamide and terephthalamide in the case of methylamine and ammonia, respectively. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1515–1528, 2005     

Minimum fluidization velocity at elevated temperature in tapered fluidized bed

Very little data of minimum fluidization velocity at elevated temperatures of tapered bed are available in the literature. This study was undertaken to provide some data under elevated temperature conditions in tapered bed. Data on minimum fluidization velocity have been obtained experimentally for temperature up to 800 °C in case of 0.5 mm diameter of sand particles and up to 500 °C in case of 1 mm diameter of glass beads in tapered bed. An equation valid for the bed has been developed in terms of Archimedes number and Reynolds number. The experimental values for minimum fluidization velocity at elevated temperatures have been compared with the calculated values obtained from present equation and from earlier equations developed by other authors for ambient conditions in conventional (cylindrical) bed and tapered bed. Fairly good agreement was found to exist between the calculated (from present equation) and the experimental values.     

A novel route of synthesis,characterization of terephthalic dihydrazide from polyethylene terephthalate waste and it's application in PVC compounding as plasticizer

The degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste by making use of hydrazine monohydrate was investigated at ambient temperature and pressure. The aminolysed end products obtained were characterized with chemical tests and spectroscopic techniques namely IR, UV‐visible spectroscopy and NMR, and the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The end product was characterized as terephthalic dihydrazide (TPD) and further used in PVC compounding as secondary plasticizer. The hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break, thermal stability, and compatibility of the PVC sheet were studied and concluded that the aminolysed product may find potential application as secondary plasticizer in PVC formulations. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Optical properties of the c-axis oriented LiNbO3 thin film

C-axis oriented Lithium Niobate (LiNbO₃) thin films have been deposited onto epitaxially matched (001) sapphire substrate using pulsed laser deposition technique. Structural and optical properties of the thin films have been studied using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-Visible spectroscopy respectively. Raman spectroscopy has been used to study the optical phonon modes and defects in the c-axis oriented LiNbO₃ thin films. XRD analysis indicates the presence of stress in the as-grown LiNbO₃ thin films and is attributed to the small lattice mismatch between LiNbO₃ and sapphire. Refractive index (n = 2.13 at 640 nm) of the (006) LiNbO₃ thin films was found to be slightly lower from the corresponding bulk value (n = 2.28). Various factors responsible for the deviation in the refractive index of (006) LiNbO₃ thin films from the corresponding bulk value are discussed and the deviation is mainly attributed to the lattice contraction due to the presence of stress in deposited film.     

Structural characterization of tin doped indium oxide films prepared by magnetron sputtering

The structural characteristics of transparent and conducting thin films of tin doped indium oxide (ITO) have been studied by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The ITO films have been prepared by radio frequency sputtering employing a planar magnetron configuration. The effects of variation of substrate temperature and annealing have been studied. Films deposited at substrate temperatures up to 230° C show a marked 1 1 0 preferred orientation, whereas those deposited at 330° C are preferentially oriented in the 3 1 1 direction. Transmission electron micrographs of ITO films deposited on KCI crystals show the possible effects of strain on the structure, which are minimized to a great extent by annealing.     

Scanning electron microscope investigation on the process of healing of skin wounds in Cirrhinus mrigala

Present scanning electron microscope study, reports healing of excised skin wounds in Cirrhinus mrigala. Healing process of wounds, inflicted on head skin, using biopsy punch was observed at intervals—0 hour (h), 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 h, 1 day (d) 2 and 4 d. Accumulation of mucus in wound region within 1h after infliction of wound has been considered an immediate measure to provide protection to injured skin from microbial invasion and other external environmental hazards. On infliction of wound, mobilization of epithelial cells at wound edge is associated with disturbance of coaptive relationship of epithelial cells till original coaptive stability is reached. At 6–12 h appearance of epidermal ridge in region of contact of migrating fronts is due to piling up of epithelial cells. This is associated with cessation of migration of epithelial cells and their simultaneous continual arrival in the region. Speedy epithelialization of skin wounds in C. mrigala like in other fishes, compared to that of mammals and other higher vertebrates, is possibly facilitated owing to surrounding wet external environment. Microridges in initial stages of wound healing appear fragmented without particular orientation. Further, epithelial cells in epithelium in wound region and in region adjacent to wound elongate. These changes are associated with the stretching of epithelial cells indicating their streaming and migration, toward wound. Presence of superficial neuromasts, smallest functional units of lateral line system, a hydrodynamic sensory system, has been associated with important functional significance in fish.