Rheological characterisation of juices obtained from transgenic pectate lyase-silenced strawberry fruits

The present study is focused on the characteristics of juice made from transgenic strawberry fruits with a 90% reduction on pectate lyase mRNA expression. No differences of soluble solids, pH or solid volume fraction were found between control and transgenic juices. Total sugar content of the serum fraction was also similar but a slightly higher content of large molecular mass polyuronides was observed in transgenic juice. The solid fraction of transgenic juice contained larger particles than did the control. The dynamic shear analysis of the juices showed higher values of the storage (G′) and loss (G′′) moduli versus strain for the transgenic samples, with G′ over G′′ within the linear viscoelastic range (LVR). For both samples, G′ and G′′ increased with frequency, showing a weak-gel response, whereas complex viscosity (η^∗) decreased with frequency, denoting a shear-thinning behaviour. Overall, the transgenic juices showed higher values of G′, G′′ and complex viscosity than did the control within the frequency range assayed and a more solid-like character. These results suggest that effects of pectate lyase-silencing in tissue integrity increased the content of large particles in juice, its viscoelastic properties being modified and its viscosity increased.     

Film optimization of laminated antiferromagnetically coupled media

Longitudinal media with multiple isolated magnetic layers (laminated media) have been shown to have a significant signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) advantage over conventional media. However, the application of laminated media has been hindered by reduced overwrite and wider magnetic pulsewidth compared to conventional media. Some of the major causes for such degradation in recording properties are poor writing of transition in the magnetic layer farther from the head and an offset in the transition position in the multiple magnetic layers resulting from the decrease in head field magnitude with spacing. We find that the transition writing and transition alignment in the multiple magnetic layers of the laminated antiferromagnetically coupled (AFC) media can be optimized by adjusting the magnetic anisotropy of the relevant magnetic layers to compensate for the reduction of the head field magnitude with spacing. This optimization leads to significant improvements in media recording performance, such as an increase of overwrite, reduction of magnetic pulsewidth, and further increase of SNR. Such adjustment should also be applicable to laminated conventional (nonAFC) media.     

A new approach for power system online DSA using distributed processing and fuzzy logic

In this paper, a new approach for power system online dynamic security assessment, as well as a tool for calculating the proposed fuzzy dynamic security index is presented. This proposal is based on a three-stage fuzzy inference system, which composes the fuzzy dynamic security index making use of seven performance indexes herein defined. The calculation of the performance indexes is based on the results obtained through dynamic simulations of the system behaviour after each one of the credible contingencies in a given operation state. With the aim of reducing the calculation time a novel distributed processing of the dynamic simulations is also developed. High voltage systems are used to illustrate the ideas presented in the paper.     

Modeling of a Vanadium Redox Flow Battery for power system dynamic studies

Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRB) is an electrochemical energy storage system based on a reversible chemical reaction within a sealed electrolyte. Several models have been developed which now offer a good understanding of the VRB operating principles; this knowledge is important to evaluate its performance when applied in power systems. However, these models depend on parameters that are difficult to obtain experimentally or in data sheets. In this regard, this article presents a new VRB model based on the stack efficiency curves, usually determined by the manufacturer. This model is especially useful for computing intensive applications, such as power system dynamic studies, in order to maintain a low run-time. Finally, the simulation results obtained through the proposed model are compared with laboratory results of an experimental VRB system, showing a striking resemblance with only a little relative error arising from them.     

The effects of impoundment and non‐native species on a river food web in Mexico's central plateau

Habitat modifications, non‐native species and other anthropogenic impacts have restructured fish communities in lotic ecosystems of central Mexico. Conservation of native fishes requires understanding of food web changes resulting from the introduction of non‐native species, flow alteration and other human impacts. Using δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N analysis of fishes and invertebrates we investigated the effects of non‐native species, and reservoirs on food webs of the Laja river ecosystem (Guanajuato, central Mexico). We estimated trophic position (TP), relative trophic niche and food web dispersion at 11 reservoir, river and tailwater sites. Reservoirs and non‐native fishes modified food webs in the Laja. Food web dispersion was greater in reservoir than in tailwater and river sites. Reservoir food webs had the greatest range of δ¹³C values, indicating a more diverse resource base compared to rivers. δ¹³C values increased with distance downstream from reservoirs, suggesting declining subsidies of river food webs by reservoir productivity. Stable isotopes revealed potential effects of non‐native fishes on native fishes via predation or competition. Non‐native Micropterus salmoides were top predators in the system. Non‐natives Cyprinus carpio, Oreochromis mossambicus and Carassius auratus exhibited lowest TP in the Laja but overlapped significantly with most native species, indicating potential for resource competition. Native Chirostoma jordani was the only species with a significantly different trophic niche from all other fish. Many rivers in central Mexico share similar anthropogenic impacts and similar biotas, such that food web patterns described here are likely indicative of other river systems in central Mexico. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impact of solder pad size on solder joint reliability in flip chipPBGA packages

A variety of parameters impact package reliability. One set of parameters that does not get much attention is the variations in package design that are assembly and vendor related. This study shows that solder pad size is important in solder joint reliability. Differences in solder pad size due to different vendors and processes can affect the reliability considerably. The impact of substrate thickness on package reliability has been shown in finite element stress analysis, moire interferometry experiments, and reliability tests. However, in certain cases, the pad size effect can be so significant that it overrides the impact of substrate thickness. This work indicates that in order to obtain good correlation between predictive engineering results and reliability tests data, this factor should not be ignored. In this study, finite element simulation has been used to quantify the pad size effect on the BGA reliability in the PBGA package. Air-to-air thermal cycling test results were compared with FEM predictions. Optimized pad sizes are discussed and the impact on the solder joint reliability is predicted. Solder pad size effect was found to be a dominant feature in correlating test data with predictions     

Thermal solutions for discrete and wafer-level RF MEMS switch packages

In discrete radio frequency (RF) microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) packages, MEMS devices were fabricated on silicon or gallium arsenide (GaAs) chips. The chips were then attached to substrates with die attach materials. In wafer-level MEMS packages, the switches were manufactured directly on substrates. For both types of packages, when the switches close, a contact resistance of approximately 1 /spl Omega/ exists at the contact area. As a result, during switch operations, a considerable amount of heat is generated in the minuscule contact area. The power density at the contact area could be up to 1000 times higher than that of typical power amplifiers. The high power density may overheat the contact area, therefore affect switch performance and jeopardize long-term switch reliabilities. In this paper, thermal analysis has been performed to study the heat dissipation at the switch contact area. The goal is to control the "hot spots" and lower the maximum junction temperature at the contact area. A variety of chip materials, including Silicon, GaAs have been evaluated for the discrete packages. For each chip material, the effect of die attach materials has been considered. For the wafer-level packages, various substrate materials, such as ceramic, glass, and low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) have been studied. Thermal experiments have been conducted to measure the temperature at the contact area and its vicinity as a function of dc and RF powers. Several solutions in material selection and package configurations have been explored to enable the use of MEMS with chips or substrates with relatively poor thermal conductivity. For discrete MEMS packages, placing the die inside a copper cavity on the substrate provides significant heat dissipation. For wafer-level packages, thin diamond coatings on the substrate could reduce the hot-spot temperature considerably.