Production of microparticles from milk fat products using the Supercritical Melt Micronization (ScMM) process

The ScMM (Supercritical Melt Micronization) process was applied for the production of microparticles from anhydrous milk fat (AMF) and a diacylglycerol-based modified milk fat (D-AMF). Both fats were able to dissolve ca. 30 wt% CO₂ in the studied pressure and temperature ranges, being the CO₂ amount slightly higher for AMF. A melting point depression was observed in both systems in the presence of CO₂. Two powder morphologies were obtained (spherical hollow particles and a mass sponge-like broken particles) depending on the ScMM process conditions. The concentration of CO₂ in the fat melt was the main process variable affecting the particle morphology, followed by the temperature of the melt. The small broken particles originated from the breakage of spherical fat particles that solidified before all CO₂ could escape from the atomized droplets. While the hollow spheres had a tendency to agglomerate, the broken microparticles constituted a free-flowing powder as long as they were stored at low temperatures (up to −18 °C). Both types of particles have a potential for being incorporated in refrigerated or frozen food products as a structuring agent.     

Maximizing efficiency in the transition to a coal-based economy

Energy is the lynchpin of modern society. Since the early 1970s, growing dependence on foreign energy sources, oil in particular, has constrained US independence in foreign policy, and at times, inhibited economic stability and growth. Addressing oil dependence is politically and economically complex. Proposed solutions are multifaceted with various objectives such as energy efficiency and resource substitution. One solution is the partial transition from an oil- to coal-based economy. A number of facts support this solution including vast coal reserves in the US and the relative price stability of coal. However, several roadblocks exist. These include uncertain recoverable reserves and the immaturity of “clean” coal technologies. This paper provides a first order analysis of the most efficient use of coal assuming the transition from oil to coal is desirable. Scenario analysis indicates two possible transition pathways: (1) bring the transportation sector onto the electric grid and (2) use coal-to-liquid fuels to directly power vehicles. The feasibility of each pathway is examined based on economic and environmental factors, among which are energy availability, affordability and efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Results indicate that partial transition of the transportation sector onto the electric grid offers the more viable solution for coal-based reduction of the US oil dependence.     

3D printing of bone substitute implants using calcium phosphate and bioactive glasses

Customized implants for bone replacement are a great help for a surgeon to remodel maxillofacial or craniofacial defects in an esthetical way, and to significantly reduce operation times. The hypothesis of this study was that a composite of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and a bioactive glass similar to the 45S5 Henchglass^® is suitable to manufacture customized implants via 3D-printing process. The composite was chosen because of the bioresorption properties of the β-TCP, its capability to react as bone cement, and because of the adjustability of the bioactive glass from inert to bioresorbable. Customized implants were manufactured using the 3D-printing technique. The four point bending strength of the printed specimens was 14.9 MPa after sintering. XRD analysis revealed the occurrence of two other phases, CaNaPO₄ and CaSiO₃, both biocompatible and with the potential of biodegradation. We conclude that it is possible to print tailored bone substitute implants using a bioactive TCP/glass composite. The glass is not involved as reactive substance in the printing process. This offers the opportunity to alter the glass composition and therefore to vary the composition of the implant.     

Five decades of Computer-Aided Ship Design

This article will present a synoptical review of key developments in Computer-Aided Ship Design since its inception about five decades ago. Milestone events and major innovations will be identified in several categories of ship design application with the principal emphasis on the methodologies, the modeling and the integration of the ship design process. The discussion will address many specific subtasks of ship design on the common platform of a human-guided, computer-based decision process.     

Subdivisions of inferior temporal cortex in squirrel monkeys make dissociable contributions to visual learning and memory.

Inferior temporal cortex of squirrel monkeys consists of caudal (ITC), intermediate (ITI), and rostral (ITR) subdivisions, possibly homologous to TEO, posterior TE, and anterior TE of macaque monkeys. The present study compared visual learning in squirrel monkeys with ablations of ITC; ITI and ITR (group ITRd); or ITI, ITR, and more ventral cortex, including perirhinal cortex (group ITR+), with visual learning in unoperated controls. The ITC monkeys had significant impairments on pattern discriminations and milder deficits on delayed nonmatching to sample (DNMS) of objects. The ITRd monkeys had deficits on some pattern discriminations but not on DNMS. The ITRd monkeys were significantly impaired on DNMS and some pattern discriminations. These results are similar to those found in macaques and support the proposed homologies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Similarity K-d tree method for sparse point pattern matching with underlying non-rigidity

We propose a method for matching non-affinely related sparse model and data point-sets of identical cardinality, similar spatial distribution and orientation. To establish a one-to-one match, we introduce a new similarity K-dimensional tree. We construct the tree for the model set using spatial sparsity priority order. A corresponding tree for the data set is then constructed, following the sparsity information embedded in the model tree. A matching sequence between the two point sets is generated by traversing the identically structured trees. Experiments on synthetic and real data confirm that this method is applicable to robust spatial matching of sparse point-sets under moderate non-rigid distortion and arbitrary scaling, thus contributing to non-rigid point-pattern matching.     

An integrated 16/spl times/16 PVDF pyroelectric sensor array

This paper presents a fully integrated PVDF-on-silicon pyroelectric sensor array. The pyroelectric sensor has two main features: a subpixel low noise charge amplifier and a self-absorbing layered structure. The integrated low noise charge amplifier is implemented in a standard CMOS process technology. It is located directly under the sensing structure, maximizing the pixel fill factor. The self-absorbing pyroelectric sensor is a three-layer stack, consisting of a conductive polymer as an absorber layer and front electrode, a thin PVDF film as the pyroelectric material, and a rear metal layer acting as a reflector layer and rear electrode. The manufacture of the pyroelectric sensor array requires five maskless post-CMOS processing steps and is compatible with any n-well, double metal, double polysilicon, CMOS process. The array has an average pixel voltage sensitivity of 2200 V/W at 100 Hz, an NEP of 2.4/spl times/10/sup -11/ W//spl radic/Hz at 100 Hz, and a specific detectivity of 4.4/spl times/10/sup 8/ cm /spl radic/Hz/W at 100 Hz.