Propolis and carnauba wax-based safflower oil oleogels as fat substitutes in cakes: Production,oxidative stability,and characterization

In this study, safflower oil oleogels were made using propolis wax and carnauba wax in three different concentrations each, and their effectiveness as a fat substitute in cake was evaluated afterward. Oleogels' oxidative stability and characterization were looked into. In oleogels, the oil binding capacity, solid fat content, and crystallization time were all assessed. The cakes underwent an examination for moisture content, texture, and sensory evaluation. Additionally, analyses of fatty acid composition, free fatty acidity, oxidative stability (peroxide value, conjugated diene-triene), 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD), and glycidyl were carried out both before and after baking in oleogels and shortening. Several of the physical, textural, and sensory qualities of the oleogel-based cakes were acceptable when compared to those of the shortening-based cakes. The general acceptability of cakes made with carnauba wax was very high and almost under control. The acceptability of cakes made with propolis wax oleogels was lower than this. The study of these criteria has shown that safflower oil-based carnauba and propolis wax oleogels can be utilized to produce high-quality, healthful cakes with a high amount of unsaturated fatty acids. Practical Applications : To replace fat phases in cake products high in saturated fatty acids and to enhance the fatty acid profile of the cakes, safflower oil-based oleogels with propolis wax and carnauba wax are a very good option. The results obtained provide useful information for the production of high-quality cakes with higher unsaturated fatty acid content, recommended for a healthier diet, with these oleogels containing different concentrations of oleogelator.     

Phenolic composition,enzyme inhibitory,and antioxidant activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bituminaria bituminosa</Emphasis>

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts of Bituminaria bituminosa. In phosphomolybdenum assay, the methanol extract showed the highest activity (166.78 μmol TEs/g dry plant). The water extract exhibited the highest scavenging activity on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^?) and 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazloine-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS^?+). In addition, it exhibited the highest activity in cupric ion reducing (CUPRAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays (41.26 and 46.82 μmol TEs/g dry plant). The extracts did not show cholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibitory activity. However, α-glucosidase inhibition assay resulted in the superiority of water extract (1233.86 μmol ACEs/g dry plant). In the case of α-amylase inhibitory assay, the ethyl acetate extract showed the highest activity (53.65 μmol ACEs/g dry plant). The water extract exhibited the highest phenolic content (31.70 μmol GAEs/g dry plant). In contrast, the methanol extract was found rich in flavonoid compounds (5.29 μmol REs/g dry plant). The water extract contained considerable amounts of rosmarinic acid, luteolin, quercetin, and rutin. Therefore, it can be used as a source of new and alternative antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory agents.     

Oxidation Behavior of Bi(Pb,Ga) SrCaCuO System

A nominal compositions of BiSrCaCuO (3:2:2:3), (2:2:2:3), (4:3:3:4), and BiPbGaSrCaCuO (3:0.5:2:2:3), (3:0.3:0.3:2:2:3) have been prepared by conventional melt-quenching method. The oxidation behaviors of samples prepared were analyzed using a thermogravimetric analyser, TGA. Total mass gains of samples, average oxidation rates and maximum oxidation rates were calculated separately. TGA measurements of all samples were carried out under the normal atmosphere pressure.     

Different design scenarios related to an open loop groundwater heat pump in a large building: Impact on subsurface and primary energy consumption

A multidisciplinary methodology is proposed for analyzing opportunities to use existing boreholes and an open-loop groundwater heat pump to provide summer cooling needs for large university buildings in Turin (NW Italy). The approach starts from a model of the buildings to determine the time profile of the cooling load. This curve is then coupled with a model of the off-design behaviour of the heat pump, which allows calculation of its energy performance (coefficient of performance, electricity consumption, etc.) as well as profiles of water discharge to the aquifer in terms of mass flow rate and temperature.Covering the peak energy needs of the buildings requires a variable amount of groundwater during the day. This could be provided varying the withdrawals from the aquifer but, as possible alternatives, two storage system solutions are examined: (1) chilled water storage and (2) groundwater storage. Simulations show that in both cases the use of storage systems produces environmental advantages, as the extent of the thermal plume reduces significantly. Moreover, chilled water storage presents a benefit in terms of reduced total primary energy consumption. The additional costs incurred by storage systems could necessitate public funding as well as system optimization.     

Pilot Study of Quality Function Deployment in Construction Projects

Quality function deployment (QFD) is a process that has been used for managing the development of new manufactured products. In this process, both spoken and unspoken needs of the customers are determined, prioritized, and translated to design parameters. Such design parameters are assigned specific target values and are frequently checked against customers’ needs throughout the development cycle to ensure customers’ satisfaction with the end product. This paper describes a pilot study in which QFD was implemented in a design-construction project. The project scope involved the preparation of a conceptual design for a modern large-size classroom for college students. The design was intended to become a model for the university’s future classrooms. The study proved that QFD could be successfully adopted in engineering-construction projects. However, the study identified a number of implementation challenges. In addition, more applications are necessary to take the process throughout the full project delivery cycle, as the pilot study involved only the preliminary engineering and conceptual design phase.     

Epidermoid cyst of the brain stem. Case report

OBJECTIVE: To search for the effect and safety of coral porous hydroxyapatite (CHA) implanted material in orbital rim reconstruction. METHODS: 7 cases of orbital rim reconstruction were treated with CHA which is a plate form mass with an interconnected system of canals of approximately 200 microns in size. It has three types: 1.0 cm x 1.5 cm x 5.0 cm, 0.6 cm x 1.5 cm x 5.0 cm and 0.4 cm x 1.5 cm x 5.0 cm. According to the shape of a contralateral healthy orbit, a rubber putty model was made before the operation. An incision was designed at the upper 1/3 of the face for the elimination of wrinkles or a prolonged incision of lower lid bag plastic surgery was made. After the exposure of the defective part of the orbit, a correctly molded CHA tamponade was inserted. RESULTS: The orbital rim reconstruction in 7 cases with orbital defect was successfully treated with CHA. During a follow-up of 3-12 months (average 6.6 months), there was no extrusion or migration of implant. CONCLUSION CHA is a good material for substitution of bone graft and is much better than autogenous tissue of other artificial materials.     

New perylene derivative dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells

We have studied the influence of the spacer alkyl chain length of perylenemonoimide (PMI) dyes on the device performance in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We observed that the dyes with longer and brunched alkyl chains exhibit higher efficiencies in DSSCs. In line with these statements we now report the highest efficiency obtained under standard conditions for a perylene imide derivative with PMI-DA1 that performs 300 mV open circuit voltage, 9.79 mA/cm² short-circuit current and 1.61% overall conversion efficiency.     

An in vitro evaluation of Genipin-crosslinked and Hypericum perforatum incorporated novel membranes for skin tissue engineering applications

Incorporating medicinal plant extracts in membranes have a great potential as scaffolds for tissue engineering applications or vehicles for delivering therapeutic agents. Herein, Hypericum perforatum oil (0.25, 0.50, % vol/vol) loaded membranes were developed with Polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan polymer, where Genipin works as a chemical crosslinker to obtain a wound dressing material with acceptable characterization properties. Chemical groups, surface morphology, water uptake capacity, water vapor permeability rate, hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties of membranes were thoroughly investigated. Increasing oil concentration had a significant effect on the water uptake, surface morphology. and water vapor permeability rate of the membranes. Cytocompatibility of the membrane was also investigated with mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazoyl-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for direct and indirect cell culture studies. SEM was used to investigate the cell morphology on the membranes. The MTT assay findings prove that Genipin crosslinked H. perforatum oil loaded scaffolds are highly biocompatible and enhance the adhesion and proliferation of MEF cells. In addition to this, the genotoxicity test was performed to show DNA fragmentation. Results showed that the H. perforatum oil loaded polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan membrane presents suitable properties for potential skin tissue engineering applications.