Physicochemical properties of cross-linked-annealed wheat starch

Starch in its native form, may not be able to provide functional properties such as high or low temperatures and shear forces bearings expected in modern industries. Therefore, it is usually modified to make it compatible for different applications. The main aim of this research was to study the effects of dual modification using cross-linking and annealing on physicochemical properties of wheat starch. Therefore, starch was first cross-linked using different levels of POCl₃ (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4?%, w/w, starch basis) and then annealed at 40?°C for 72?h. Scanning electron micrographs showed the presence of some spots on the granules of the dual-modified samples. The results of differential scanning calorimetry showed that the onset, peak and conclusion temperatures and enthalpy increased upon dual modification. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the modified samples remained unchanged while water solubility and swelling decreased. The results of rapid visco analyzing showed lower peak, setback, breakdown and final viscosities for the dual-modified samples. These samples produced stronger gels as determined using a texture analyzer. In total, annealing of the cross-linked starch could enhance some of its functional properties for further applications.     

Physicochemical assessment of fresh chilled dairy dessert supplemented with wheat germ

Wheat germ is an available and economical source of protein, vitamins and antioxidants with an increasing application in food products. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0%) and particle sizes (120, 210 and 354 μm) of wheat germ on physicochemical properties of fresh chilled dairy dessert. With increasing wheat germ level, dry matter of the dessert increased while the pH decreased. Particle size had no significant effect on these parameters. Increasing the wheat germ content and particle size enhanced darkness, hardness, cohesiveness and gumminess of the desserts while decreasing springiness and water release of the samples. Wheat germ level had greater effects on different quality aspects of the desserts than its particle size. The most acceptable dessert was produced with no more than 5.0% wheat germ with either of the particle sizes used in this study.     

FeO0.7F1.3/C Nanocomposite as a High‐Capacity Cathode Material for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Searching high capacity cathode materials is one of the most important fields of the research and development of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). Here, we report a FeO_0.7F_1.3/C nanocomposite synthesized via a solution process as a new cathode material for SIBs. This material exhibits a high initial discharge capacity of 496 mAh g^?1 in a sodium cell at 50 °C. From the 3^rd to 50^th cycle, the capacity fading is only 0.14% per cycle (from 388 mAh g^?1 at 3^rd the cycle to 360 mAh g^?1 at the 50^th cycle), demonstrating superior cyclability. A high energy density of 650 Wh kg^?1 is obtained at the material level. The reaction mechanism studies of FeO_0.7F_1.3/C with sodium show a hybridized mechanism of both intercalation and conversion reaction.     

Magneto-electro-elastic analysis of piezoelectric–flexoelectric nanobeams rested on silica aerogel foundation

This article explores that the study on bending of magneto-electric-elastic nanobeams relies on nonlocal elasticity theory. The Vlasov’s model foundation utilizes the silica aerogel foundation. The guiding expressions of nonlocal nanobeams in the considered framework are used extensively and where parabolic third-order beam theory is achieved after using Hamilton’s principle. Parametric work is introduced to scrutinize the influence of the magneto-electro-mechanical loadings, nonlocal parameter, and aspect ratio on the deflection characteristics of nanobeams. It is noticed that the boundary conditions, nonlocal parameter, and beam geometrical parameters have significant effects on dimensionless deflection of nanoscale beams.

     

Photobiomodulation Therapy and the Glymphatic System: Promising Applications for Augmenting the Brain Lymphatic Drainage System

The glymphatic system is a glial-dependent waste clearance pathway in the central nervous system, devoted to drain away waste metabolic products and soluble proteins such as amyloid-beta. An impaired brain glymphatic system can increase the incidence of neurovascular, neuroinflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy can serve as a non-invasive neuroprotective strategy for maintaining and optimizing effective brain waste clearance. In this review, we discuss the crucial role of the glymphatic drainage system in removing toxins and waste metabolites from the brain. We review recent animal research on the neurotherapeutic benefits of PBM therapy on glymphatic drainage and clearance. We also highlight cellular mechanisms of PBM on the cerebral glymphatic system. Animal research has shed light on the beneficial effects of PBM on the cerebral drainage system through the clearance of amyloid-beta via meningeal lymphatic vessels. Finally, PBM-mediated increase in the blood–brain barrier permeability with a subsequent rise in Aβ clearance from PBM-induced relaxation of lymphatic vessels via a vasodilation process will be discussed. We conclude that PBM promotion of cranial and extracranial lymphatic system function might be a promising strategy for the treatment of brain diseases associated with cerebrospinal fluid outflow abnormality.     

Fabrication of oriented electrospun cellulose nanocrystals–polystyrene composite fibers on a rotating drum

Nitrobenzene (CNC-1), trifluoromethyl benzene (CNC-2) modified and polystyrene-grafted (CNC-g) cellulose nanocrystals in polystyrene (PS)-N,N dimethylformamide (DMF) solutions were electrospun and collected as stretched and aligned fibers on a rotating drum. Scanning electron microscope pictures showed significant alignment in the case of unmodified and nitrobenzene-modified CNC-1/PS nanocomposite fibers once the linear speed of rotor reached to 15 m s⁻¹. Fiber diameter decrease was more strong with rotor speed increase in the case of trifluoromethyl benzene modified (CNC-2) and polystyrene-grafted (CNC-g) cellulose nanocrystals/PS systems. Dynamic mechanical analysis including storage and elastic modulus of electrospun-oriented fibers were performed on surface-modified and polymer-grafted CNC/PS samples. According to α transition peak, the increase in the glass-transition temperature with filler concentration was the highest in polymer-grafted CNC-g/PS composite fibers. It was due to the interpenetration of grafted polymer brushes and free polymer chains in continuous phase and resulted in restrictions of motions of polymer chains in the PS matrix. The elastic moduli of nitrobenzene (CNC-1) and trifluoromethyl benzene (CNC-2)-modified CNC-filled PS composite fibers agreed well with percolation model, which indicates the CNC–CNC interactions and network formation with an increase in concentration. Magnitude of the elastic modulus of polymer grafted CNC-g at 0.33 vol % in PS was significantly higher than the prediction from percolation theory. It was due the immobilized polymer chains around CNC-g particles. However, grafted polymer chains, at higher CNC concentrations acted like stickers among CNC particles and caused CNC agglomerates with entrapped free polystyrene from the matrix, thus caused a decrease in the elastic modulus. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48942.     

Comparison of Canola and Soy Flour with Added Isocyanate as Wood Adhesives

Canola is widely grown in the northern latitudes for its vegetable oil, generating large quantities of residual, low value canola flour used as animal feed. The common wood adhesive poly(diphenylmethylene diisocyanate) (pMDI) should react with the wide variety of functional groups in proteins. Therefore, it would seem that canola flour with added pMDI could be an effective adhesive. Two main questions are addressed in this study: How do the wood adhesive properties of canola flour compare to the better-studied soy flour? How well do proteins, which contain an abundance of functional groups, cure with the very reactive pMDI? These questions were addressed using the small-scale adhesive strength test ASTM D-7998, with various adhesive formulations and bonding conditions for canola flour plus pMDI compared to soy adhesives. The more challenging wet cohesive bond strength was emphasized because the dry strengths were usually very good. Generally, soy adhesives were better than canola ones, as was the polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin cross-linker compared to pMDI, but these generalizations can be altered by the conditions selected. Three-ply plywood tests supported the small-scale test results.     

Nafion/histidine functionalized carbon nanotube: High-performance fuel cell membranes

Here we show preparation and characterization of a new type of composite membrane based on Nafion^®/histidine modified carbon nanotube by imidazole groups (Im-CNT), for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. Due to the presence of this imidazole-based amino acid on the surface of CNT, new electrostatic interactions can be formed in the interface of Nafion^® and Im-CNT. Physical characteristics of these nanocomposite membranes are investigated by water uptake, methanol permeability, ion exchange capacity, proton conductivity, as well as fuel cell performance results.     

Decision support in pre-hospital stroke care operations: A case of using simulation to improve eligibility of acute stroke patients for thrombolysis treatment

Stroke is the third most common cause of death and the sixth most common cause of disability worldwide. Treating acute ischemic stroke with thrombolytic therapy within 4.5 hours from symptom onset is effective in improving patient outcomes. The time from stroke onset to arrival to hospital has been identified as the single most important issue in determining patients' eligibility for stroke thrombolysis. There is a need for simultaneous systemic evaluation of multi-factorial interventions in pre-hospital acute care systems, aimed at increasing patients' eligibility for stroke thrombolysis. In this paper an OR solution is proposed in the form of a simulation model that provides clear measure of the relative benefit of alternative potential interventions, demonstrating how OR modeling can be used for providing decision support in pre-hospital stroke care operations and contributing to health OR literature.