Development of macroporous nanocomposite scaffolds of gelatin/bioactive glass prepared through layer solvent casting combined with lamination technique for bone tissue engineering

In this study, macroporous bioactive nanocomposite scaffolds were developed using cross-linked gelatin and bioactive glass (BaG) nanoparticles. First, BaG nanoparticles were synthesized via sol–gel method and characterized. Then, macroporous nanocomposites were prepared through layer solvent casting combined with freeze-drying and lamination techniques. This research has developed a new composition to produce a new bioactive nanocomposite which is porous with three-dimensional (3D) inter-connected microstructure, pore sizes are 200–500 μm, porosity are 72–86% and BaG nanoparticles are dispersed evenly among cross-linked gelatin matrices. It is mentionable that in this study, we have reported the formation of chemical bonds between BaG nanoparticles and gelatin for the first time. Finally, the in vitro cytocompatibility of the nanocomposite scaffolds was tested using SaOS-2 cell line.     

Effect of Saturated/Unsaturated Fatty Acid Ratio on Physicochemical Properties of Palm Olein–Olive Oil Blend

Although blending polyunsaturated oil with more saturated or monounsaturated oils has been studied extensively, there is no similar information regarding the partial replacement of palm olein with olive oil (OO). Therefore the main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of OO partial replacement (0, 25, 50, 75, 90 and 100% w/w) on the chemical stability of palm olein oil (POO). The physicochemical properties of oil samples namely iodine value, peroxide value (PV), anisidine value, TOTOX value (total oxidation value, TV), free fatty acid (FFA), cloud point, color and viscosity were considered as response variables. Significant differences among the oil blend properties were determined at the significance level of P < 0.05. Apart from FFA, all the response variables were significantly influenced by type and concentration of oils. The oil blend containing 10% POO and 90% OO showed the highest TV (6.10); whereas the blend containing 90% POO and 10% OO exhibited the least TV (2.41). This study indicated that the chemical stability of oil blend significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increasing the proportion of polyunsaturated/monounsaturated fatty acid.     

Recent trends in the lipid‐based nanoencapsulation of antioxidants and their role in foods

Antioxidants may be utilised for two main purposes, to protect the sensory and nutritive quality of the food and/or to protect the body against chronic and age‐related diseases. Generally, antioxidants are subject to process degradation and, when given to the body in their free form, cannot pass cell membranes and are rapidly cleared from the general circulation. Because of their unique properties, lipid‐based nanoencapsulation systems enhance the performance of antioxidants by improving their solubility and bioavailability, in vitro and in vivo stability, and preventing their unwanted interactions with other food components. This paper reviews nanoliposomes, archaeosomes and nanocochleates with respect to their potential applications as antioxidant carriers in foods. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis,characterization, and thermoelectric properties of nanostructured bulk p-type MnSi1.73, MnSi1.75, and MnSi1.77

P-type higher manganese silicide (HMS) has attracted considerable interest due to its remarkable thermoelectric (TE) properties and potential applications at intermediate and high temperature TE devices. In this study, a series of nanostructured bulk p-type HMS materials with different compositions of MnSi_x (where x=1.73, 1.75 and 1.77) were synthesized via mechanical ball milling and hot-press sintering. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the synthesized materials showed that increasing the Si contents yields to a slight shift to higher diffraction angles. The increase in Si content further resulted in a decrease in electrical conductivity and increase in Seebeck coefficient. The power factor of all three compositions are approximately identical. However, the lowest thermal conductivity was achieved in MnSi_1.75 and resulted in the highest figure-of-merit among all the compositions.     

Investigation of chemical keys for relationship between plants and their unifloral honeys by hydrodistillation and SPME and biological activities of honeys

Volatile compounds of unifloral honeys and their plants essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation (EOH) and solid phase micro extraction (EOS) methods were investigated and compared with each other for the first time. The results exhibited presence of volatile compounds of plant such as o-cymene and carvacrol in Thymus, cis-linalool oxide in Citrus, aliphatic hydrocarbons in Citrus and Astragalus and hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid) in Astragalus and Medicago honeys. The amounts of terpenes were decreased by increasing molecular weight in EOS, while this pattern does not occur in EOH. Total phenols and antioxidant activities were increased from Citrus to Thymus honey (Citrus < Medicago < Astragalus < Thymus). In antibacterial assay, Thymus honey showed the most potential inhibition to all the experimented strains of bacteria. Increase in phenol content may be an effective factor for antibacterial activity of honey against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. It seems that active compounds with antioxidant properties were responsible for growth inhibition effect on E. coli and S. aureus.     

A Study of Practical Geometry in Sassanid Stucco Ornament in Ancient Persia

This paper attempts to survey the use of practical geometry in Sassanid stucco ornament in Ancient Persia to understand the construction of geometrical structures and the progressive process of practical geometry. By use of geometrical analysis, we trace changes of ornament and extract the underlying geometrical structure; we also use symmetry groups, the seven frieze groups and the seventeen wallpaper groups, in order to arrive at a deeper understanding of practical geometry in Sassanid stucco ornament. These analyses will evince features of Sassanid stucco ornament such as: motifs as part of the whole; rotational symmetry and repetition of motifs in linear networks; application of complicated geometrical structures with rotational or reflection symmetry; the planning of whole decorative panels. Also, analyzing the Sassanid stucco panels allows us to discover their repetitive units, which are then classified according to frieze and wallpaper groups.     

An investigation on the dose-dependent effect of iron shaving on bio-hydrogen production from food waste

Bio-hydrogen production is of significant interest as it is capable of consuming waste material and synthesizing hydrogen which is a green gas. In this study, we examined the dose-dependent effect of iron shaving on bio-hydrogen production from an integrated dark and photo fermentation system from an artificial food waste. Overall, introduction of iron shaving enhanced the bio-gas production. Statistical analysis was performed on the extracted parameters obtained from fitting the experimental data to Gompertz function, revealing that the bio-gas production can be significantly enhanced by addition of iron shaving at concentrations up to 500 mg/L, with a maximum enhancement at 200 mg/mL. GC analysis showed that introduction of iron shaving at 200 mg/L also maximized the hydrogen percentage in the produced bio-gas. Based on the HPLC results, it was postulated that the dark-fermentation step was probably the step that was more affected by the introduction of iron shaving. Investigation of the pH showed that the acidification of the solution approximately coincided with the termination of the process. Our finding suggests that a more efficient buffer-assisted setup can significantly enhance the bio-hydrogen efficiency.     

RAPID: a knowledge-based assistant for designing web APIs

Requirements Engineering - With the rise in initiatives such as software ecosystems and Internet of Things (IoT), developing web Application Programming Interfaces (web APIs) has become an...