The effect of oyster shell powder on the extension of the shelf life of tofu

The effects of oyster shell powder addition (0%, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2% of soy milk) on quality and shelf life of tofu (soybean curd) were investigated. Yield and moisture of tofu prepared with 0.1% of shell powder were higher than that coagulated with a single use of MgCl₂. Syneresis was low when shell powder was added to tofu, but higher when MgCl₂ was added. Shell powder addition (0.05% and 0.2% of soymilk) showed a high level in hardness and gumminess comparing with tofu prepared with a single use of MgCl₂. However, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between 0.05% and 0.2% addition of shell powder. When 0.05% of shell powder was added, overall acceptability showed a high score because tofu had a good mouthfeel, moderate firmness and lower beany-flavour. However, there was not a significant difference (p > 0.05) between no addition and 0.05% and 0.1% addition of shell powder. Tofu prepared with shell powder (0.05% and 0.1% addition) had a shelf life of above 2 days longer than that prepared with a single use of MgCl₂. The addition of shell powder (0.05% and 0.1%) for tofu manufacturing resulted in a good sensory evaluation and the extension of shelf life.     

Correlation between activity and oxygen storage capacity of ceria on Pd-only three-way catalysts

One way of enhancing the thermal stability and NO_x, THC and CO conversion of a catalyst is to improve the thermal stability and oxygen storage capacity (OSC) of the ceria. The appropriate mixing ratios of bulk and stabilized ceria are especially very important for designing Pd-only three-way catalysts. In this paper, we discuss the surface phenomena of stabilized and unstabilized (bulk) ceria, the OSC of catalysts, and the correlation between activity and OSC of Pd-only catalysts with mixing ratios of bulk ceria and stabilized ceria.     

Multiwavelength switchable SOA-fibre ring laser using digital micromirrors

A novel multiwavelength switchable SOA-fibre ring laser incorporating digital micromirrors is demonstrated. By controlling the states of micromirrors, the flexible allocation of the wavelength channels and the multiwavelength switching operations is achieved. Up to 12 wavelength channels with 0.8 nm spacing at room temperature are generated.     

Polarity Effects of Polymer Gate Electrets on Non‐Volatile Organic Field‐Effect Transistor Memory

Organic non‐volatile memory (ONVM) based on pentacene field‐effect transistors (FETs) has been fabricated using various chargeable thin polymer gate dielectrics—termed electrets—onto silicon oxide insulating layers. The overall transfer curve of organic FETs is significantly shifted in both positive and negative directions and the shifts in threshold voltage (V_Th) can be systemically and reversibly controlled via relatively brief application of the appropriate external gate bias. The shifted transfer curve is stable for a relatively long time—more than 10⁵ s. However, this significant reversible shift in V_Th is evident only in OFETs with non‐polar and hydrophobic polymer electret layers. Moreover, the magnitude of the memory window in this device is inversely proportional to the hydrophilicity (determined from the water contact angle) and dielectric polarity (determined from the dielectric constant), respectively. Memory behaviors of ONVM originate from charge storage in polymer gate electret layers. Therefore, the small shifts in V_Th in ONVM with hydrophilic and polar polymers may be due to very rapid dissipation of transferred charges through the conductive channels which form from dipoles, residual moisture, or ions in the polymer electret layers. It is verified that the surface or bulk conductivities of polymer gate electret layers played a critical role in determining the non‐volatile memory properties.     

The effect of boron on the abrasive wear behavior of austenitic Fe-based hardfacing alloys

The effect of boron on the abrasive wear behavior of the austenitic Fe–Cr–C–Si–B hardfacing alloys was investigated with varying boron concentration. It was found that the abrasive wear resistance of the hardfacing alloys increased up to 50% compared to that of boron-free alloys with increasing boron concentration. The mechanism of the abrasive wear resistance changed at 0.6 wt.% boron. Below 0.6 wt.% boron concentration, the abrasive wear resistance was improved almost linearly and strain-induced martensitic transformation was considered as the controlling factor for improving the resistance. Above 0.6 wt.% boron, it was observed that the primary borides started to precipitate. Further increase in boron concentration was not able to enhance the resistance due to the negligible change of primary borides’ size and volume fraction. With these results, it was concluded that two different effects of boron on the wear resistance of the austenitic Fe–Cr–C–Si–B hardfacing alloys existed depending on the boron concentration.     

Parametric studies on the performance of anion exchange for nitrate removal

Ion exchange performance to remove nitrate in surface and underground water was studied experimentally in batch and continuous operation systems under various conditions. Data were collected by using commercially available strong-base anion-exchange resins of C1 and OH types. Equilibrium curves, obtained through the batch system and plotted as the concentration ratio versus run time, were used to evaluate the effects of temperature, resin type, and initial feed concentration on the equilibrium characteristics of nitrate. The selectivity coefficients of the resins were correlated as a function of temperature by using the Kraus-Raridon equation. Breakthrough curves, obtained through the continuous column system and plotted as the ratio of effluent to influent concentration versus solution volume passed through the experimental column, gave detailed results about the effects of the system parameters, such as temperature, resin type, feed concentration, volumetric flow rate, column diameter and height on the performance of the anion exchange to remove nitrate. The results of this study could be scaled up and used as a design tool for a water-purification system of real ground water and surface water treatment processes.     

An experimental and numerical study on thermal performance of a regenerator system with ceramic honeycomb

The aim of this paper is to perform the experiment and the numerical simulation for investigating the heat transfer in a regenerator system with ceramic honeycomb and to suggest a useful correlation for optimization of the regenerator system. For achieving this, the effects of some parameters were investigated, e. g., switching time, cell size and length of honeycomb on the mean temperature efficiency. The measured temperatures by R-type thermocouples were compared with the predictions by means of the commercial package, STAR-CD. A useful correlation for thermal efficiency was newly proposed as a function of the normalized switching time, defined in terms of switching time, cell size and length of honeycomb. The results showed that the thermal efficiency is above 90% and the normalized heat exchange rate is higher than 80% when the normalized switching time is less than 1000.     

cDNA cloning and characterization of Type V/XI procollagen α1 chain in the skate, Raja kenojei

The full-length cDNA of the Type V/XI procollagen α1 [pro-α1(V/XI)] chain was determined by the RACE technique, using a cDNA library constructed from the 4-week embryo of the skate, Raja kenojei. The expression property and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the skate pro-α1(V/XI) chain was close to other vertebrate pro-α1(V) chains rather than pro-α1(XI) chains. The present study is the first evidence for the primary structure of full-length cDNA of the pro-α1(V/XI) chain in an elasmobranch.     

Rare earth double activated phosphors for different applications

For the purpose of development of highly energy-efficient light sources, one needs to design highly efficient green, red and yellow phosphors, which are able to absorb excitation energy and generate emissions. In this contribution, we present our results on producing some efficient phosphors with improved luminescence properties. Using double activation, energy could be transferred from one luminescent activator to the other one, resulting in more efficient or brighter device operation. Co-activators could be added to a host material to change the color of the emitted light. The incorporation of Eu³⁺ or Tb³⁺ ions into the CaWO₄ crystal lattice modified the luminescence spectrum due to the formation of the emission centers that generated the specific red and green light. Very efficient new red phosphors based on YNbO₄ and doped by Eu³⁺, Ga³⁺, Al³⁺ allowed recommending these materials as good candidates for different applications including LED and X-ray intensifying screens. For double activated TAG with Ce³⁺ and Eu³⁺ and for different mole ratios of Ce/Eu, the color temperature changed from 5500 K (0.331, 0.322) up to 4200 K (0.370, 0.381) and the light became “warmer”. Application of TAG: Ce, Eu in the light emitting device showed better chromaticity coordinates of luminescence and color rendering index of LEDs.