Characterization based on the thermal capabilities of metallized fabrics equipped with hybrid conductive yarns for protective clothing

Electronic textiles are recognized for their conductive characteristics in various fields of research including medicine, communications, power and for the development of protective clothing. Out of the several types of conductive textile available, multi-component yarns and fabrics, produced from continuous copper filament as spiral covering on hybrid cover yarns, have never been investigated for their thermal capabilities. In this study, characterization based on the thermal properties for conventional copper core yarn’s fabric and newly developed copper cover yarn’s fabrics was carried out. The results demonstrate better conductivity of copper cover yarn’s fabrics as compared to the copper core conventional fabrics, which is attributed to its better conduction due to greater percentage of copper and direct contact between the heat flux transducers. With the higher porosity values for the newly developed fabric, the liquid water, water vapour and air transport capabilities, which are key aspects of thermal comfort, significantly improved.     

An investigation into gamma-ray treatment of shellfish using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

BACKGROUND: Gamma irradiation is a safe method for the decontamination of shellfish, and its technical feasibility and safety have been endorsed (FAO/IAEA/WHO). In order to implement proper food‐processing regulations, the identification of radiation treatment is required. In this study, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was employed to identify the irradiation of seven different types of commonly consumed shellfish. RESULTS: Characteristics (g factor and signal intensity) of the EPR spectra of control and irradiated samples were recorded in order to clarify the gamma‐ray treatment of shellfish. Radiation‐specific signals around g = 2.0038 ± 0.0006 (g₁) and g = 1.9996 ± 0.0002 (g₂ and g₃) were observed for all shellfish samples irradiated with absorbed doses of 3 and 6 kGy. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of some shellfish samples were recorded to investigate their mineral profiles. CONCLUSION: The EPR spectroscopic results indicated that carbonate minerals were the source of the paramagnetic species that were produced upon irradiation, entrapped in the shellfish and showed radiation‐specific asymmetric signals whose intensities increased quantitatively with the absorbed radiation dose. The XRD analysis revealed that aragonite and calcite minerals were present in the shells of shellfish. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Analysis of pork adulteration in commercial meatballs targeting porcine-specific mitochondrial cytochrome b gene by TaqMan probe real-time polymerase chain reaction

A test for assessing pork adulteration in meatballs, using TaqMan probe real-time polymerase chain reaction, was developed. The assay combined porcine-specific primers and TaqMan probe for the detection of a 109 bp fragment of porcine cytochrome b gene. Specificity test with 10 ng DNA of eleven different species yielded a threshold cycle (Ct) of 15.5 ± 0.20 for the pork and negative results for the others. Analysis of beef meatballs with spiked pork showed the assay can determine 100-0.01% contaminated pork with 102% PCR efficiency, high linear regression (r(2) = 0.994) and ≤ 6% relative errors. Residuals analysis revealed a high precision in all determinations. Random analysis of commercial meatballs from pork, beef, chicken, mutton and goat, yielded a Ct between 15.89 ± 0.16 and 16.37 ± 0.22 from pork meatballs and negative results from the others, showing the suitability of the assay to determine pork in commercial meatballs with a high accuracy and precision.     

Applicability of different analytical methods for the identification of γ-irradiated fresh mushrooms during storage

Photostimulated luminescence (PSL), thermoluminescence (TL), and electron spin resonance (ESR) analyses were performed to identify γ-irradiated (0, 1,2, and 3 kGy) fresh mushrooms (oyster, king oyster, and shiitake mushrooms) during storage at 5°C. PSL analysis gave negative results [<700 photon counts (PCs)] for the nonirradiated and intermediate (700–5,000 PCs) or positive results (>5,000 PCs) for the irradiated samples. The shape, intensity, and occurrence of TL glow curve in a typical temperature range (150–250°C) along with TL ratio (TL₁/TL₂) provided sufficient information to confirm the irradiation history of samples. Storage resulted in a negligible fading effect on PSL and TL characteristics. X-ray diffraction analysis showed the abundance of feldspar and quartz minerals in the separated dust from mushrooms. In detailed ESR analysis employing different sample pre-treatments, all samples were silent for radiation-specific ESR signals giving only a central signal (g=2.005) that showed an increase in intensity upon irradiation.     

Quality and antioxidant properties of bread containing turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) cultivated in South Korea

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) powder was used to substitute 0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% of wheat flour for making turmeric wheat breads. Proximate composition, physical quality, functional components (curcumin and total phenols) and antioxidant properties of breads containing turmeric were analysed and compared with those of wheat bread. Hardness, crumb colour a and b values, curcumin content and total phenolic contents of breads significantly increased with the addition of turmeric powder. Water activity, specific volume and crumb colour L value of breads decreased with the addition of turmeric powder. Breads containing turmeric powder also showed good antioxidant activity as tested by the β-carotene-linoleate bleaching assay. A 4% substitution of wheat flour with turmeric powder showed acceptable sensory scores which were comparable to wheat bread. Breads containing turmeric powder can thus be developed as a health-promoting functional food.     

Exposure assessment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kimbab</Emphasis>, a ready-to-eat Korean food

The exposure assessment was carried out for Staphylococcus aureus in kimbab by predicting growth of S. aureus and the production of enterotoxin using Food MicroModel® program. Environmental parameters selected were pH 5.5, Aw 0.999, and storage temperatures in the range of 10 to 30°C. It was predicted that 6.3 hr could be a critical time for enterotoxin production while kimbab was stored at 30°C. Mild case scenario analysis showed that enterotoxin could not be produced if kimbab was kept at 10°C during preparation and distribution and then left at 25°C for 4 hr before consumption. In the worst case scenario, the keeping time at 25°C was assumed to be 7.0 hr. The level of S. aureus in the worst case was predicted to be 6.8×10⁶ CFU/g which is lower than the critical level (7.8×10⁶ CFU/g) for toxin production.     

Bimetallic NiCo–NiCoO2 nano-heterostructures embedded on copper foam as a self-supported bifunctional electrode for water oxidation and hydrogen production in alkaline media

Earth-abundant, non-precious metal-based bifunctional electrocatalysts with efficient water splitting activity are of valuable importance in the limitation of energy losses in an alkaline environment. Herein, we report NiCo–NiCoO₂ nano-heterostructures embedded on the oxidized surface of copper foam (NiCo–NiCoO₂@Cu₂O@CF) as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting in 1 M KOH electrolyte solution. In this study, metallic Ni and Co interlinkage with NiCoO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) are suggested to form by thermal decomposition of nickel-cobalt hydroxide precursors embedding on copper foam under a nitrogen environment. Bimetallic thin layered nano-heterostructures of NiCo–NiCoO₂@Cu₂O@CF exhibits a synergic effect of doubly active metals Ni and Co to achieve remarkable small overpotentials of 133 and 327 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm^?2 for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The influential synergetic and structural effects have been extensively discussed to understand the overall water splitting for designing an efficient electrocatalyst. Hence, this phenomenon for surface modification of conductive substrate (CF) with a suitable combination of metal/metal oxide alloying as catalytic material helps us to design and synthesize low cost, highly efficient, non-precious metal-based electrocatalysts for overall water splitting.     

Systematic Mapping Study on Energy Optimization Solutions in Smart Building Structure: Opportunities and Challenges

Wireless Personal Communications - Currently building structure sector takes lead in energy consumption across the globe and is expected to increase by 2% every year. Consequently, being a major...