Study of pyro-carbon coated alumina kernel using mixed contrast transfer based X-ray phase retrieval technique

We have used the contrast transfer function based X-ray phase retrieval technique for phase retrieval studies on a two-component system. Pyro-carbon coated alumina matrix was chosen as a two-component system for these studies. Simulations as well as experimental results are presented. This paper shows that X-ray phase contrast along with phase retrieval can become an alternative tool for non-destructive characterization of these materials. We have also attempted to retrieve the spatial distribution of the projected thickness map of the two different elements.     

Structural characteristics of titanium coating on copper substrates

The growth characteristics of titanium films deposited on glass, silicon (100) and oxygen free high purity copper substrate using magnetron sputtering have been investigated using X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and scratch indentation techniques. The study of interface between the titanium film and the substrate was carried out to determine coating thickness, as well as intermixing of the elements at the interface. Studies revealed that the interface is free from voids and intermixing of the film and the substrate. Microstructural and diffraction analysis showed that the Ti coating was polycrystalline and exhibited columnar growth. The Ti crystallite size varied between 24 and 58 nm depending on the substrate. The thickness of the films were typically about 4 μm. Scratch test indicated that the films are adherent and the first critical load to failure was observed to be 4·5 N ± 2 N.     

Comparison of methods for the analysis of smoke related phenols and their conjugates in grapes and wine

Background and Aims: Australian grape growers and winemakers have typically relied on guaiacol and 4‐methylguaiacol measurements to determine smoke exposure of grapes following bushfires or prescribed burns. However, the guaiacol and 4‐methylguaiacol content of grapes does not always correlate with the extent of taint in resultant wines. This study compared several methods for the analysis of smoke related phenols and their conjugates in grapes and wine, to determine their capacity as diagnostic assays for smoke exposure. Methods and Results: Smoke‐affected grapes were sourced from commercial vineyards exposed to bushfire smoke and from experimental field trials involving the application of smoke to grapevines, and small‐scale wines were made from a number of these samples. Several analytical methods were applied to grapes and wine to determine the concentration of smoke related phenols and their conjugates. Strong correlations were observed between the glycoconjugate content of smoke‐affected grapes and the concentration of guaiacol and 4‐methylguaiacol released following acid hydrolysis of juice. Conclusions: Where smoke‐affected grapes contain low or non‐detectable levels of guaiacol and 4‐methylguaiacol, analytical methods that quantify their glycoconjugate forms (either directly or indirectly) provide a better indication of the extent of smoke exposure. Significance of the Study: This is the first study to compare different methods for assessing smoke exposure in grapes and wine, through analysis of free and bound guaiacol and 4‐methylguaiacol. These methods will allow grape growers and winemakers to more reliably assess smoke exposure of grapes, enabling better informed decisions to be made with regards to harvesting and processing smoke‐affected grapes.     

Phenotypic and genotypic characterisation of Lactobacilli isolated from camel cheese produced in India

Thirty‐two Lactobacilli strains were isolated from four samples of camel cheese collected from Bikaner, India. These isolates were identified based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Sequencing of 16S rDNA was performed for species identification and diversity analysis. Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Lb. fermentum were found to be dominant species followed by Lb. plantarum and Lb. casei. On evaluation of technological properties of these isolates, 20 isolates were observed to be good acid producers, eight were found positive for citrate utilisation and 11 showed presence of Prtp gene. Isolates obtained can be potential for development of defined strain starter for camel cheese.     

Enhanced thermal conductivity of nano-SiC dispersed water based nanofluid

Silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticle dispersed water based nanofluids were prepared using up to 0·1?vol% of nanoparticles. Use of suitable stirring routine ensured uniformity and stability of dispersion. Thermal conductivity ratio of nanofluid measured using transient hot wire device shows a significant increase of up to 12% with only 0·1?vol% nanoparticles and inverse dependence of conductivity on particle size. Use of ceramic nanoparticles appears more appropriate to ensure stability of dispersion in nanofluid in closed loop single-phase heat transfer applications.     

PARAMETER ESTIMATION FOR 2-PARAMETER LOG-LOGISTIC DISTRIBUTION (LLD2) BY MAXIMUM ENTROPY

The principle of maximum entropy (POME) was employed to derive a new method of parameter estimation for the 2-parameter log-logistic distribution (LLD2). Monte Carlo simulated data were used to evaluate this method and compare it with the methods of moments (MOM), probability weighted moments (PWM), and maximum likelihood estimation (MLE). Simulation results showed that POME's performance was superior in predicting quantiles of large recurrence intervals when population coefficient of variation was greater than or equal to 1.0. In all other cases, POME's performance was comparable to other methods. In terms of parameter bias and root mean square error, POME was comparable to MLE and superior to both MOM and PWM.     

Resolving Deep Sub-Wavelength Scattering of Nanoscale Sidewalls Using Parametric Microscopy

The quantitative optical measurement of deep sub-wavelength features with sub-nanometer sensitivity addresses the measurement challenge in the semiconductor fabrication process. Optical scatterings from the sidewalls of patterned devices reveal abundant structural and material information. We demonstrated a parametric indirect microscopic imaging (PIMI) technique that enables recovery of the profile of wavelength-scale objects with deep sub-wavelength resolution, based on measuring and filtering the variations of far-field scattering intensities when the illumination was modulated. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) numerical simulation was performed, and the experimental results were compared with atomic force microscopic (AFM) images to verify the resolution improvement achieved with PIMI. This work may provide a new approach to exploring the detailed structure and material properties of sidewalls and edges in semiconductor-patterned devices with enhanced contrast and resolution, compared with using the conventional optical microscopy, while retaining its advantage of a wide field of view and relatively low cost.     

IDENTIFICATION OF GOAT MEAT USING HIGHLY SPECIES‐SPECIFIC POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION

ABSTRACT

A highly species‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for the authentic identification of goat. A product of 436 bp was amplified using newly designed primers against mitochondrial D‐loop region. The possibility of cross‐amplification was ruled out by considering as many as 25 other animal species. Suitability of the developed goat species‐specific PCR assay was confirmed for in raw, cooked (60, 80 and 100C for 30 min) and micro‐oven‐processed meat samples (n = 20 each). A sensitivity of 0.1% was established for detection of adulteration and limit of detection of goat DNA was 0.1 pg. This investigation presents a novel PCR assay with its newly designed primers that could be used for the authentic identification of goat species.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This work details about a novel diagnostic polymerase chain reaction, which could be used for authentic identification of goat species. This approach could be used for the confirmation of goat tissues in raw, cooked, as well as adulterated samples. The developed technique has also applications in the forensic analysis of wild animal‐related disputes, where this work could solve the problem of goat‐related issues.     

Fatty acid modified polyurethane dispersion for surface coatings: Effect of fatty acid content and ionic content

The higher molecular weight fatty acid modified polyurethane–urea dispersions (PUDs) were prepared with effective utilization of fatty acid and ionic emulsifier. The PUDs were prepared using oligomer of linoleic fatty acid, dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA), linear polyester diol, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), triethylamine (TEA) and ethylenediamine (EDA) by prepolymer mixing method. Resultant PUDs had so-called controlled branched polymer structures. To incorporate fatty acid residues in the backbone of the polyurethane two types of oligomers were used which were synthesized by esterifying linoleic acid and phthalic anhydride (PA) with different monomers having different hydroxyl functionality i.e. trimethylol propane (TMP), pentaerythritol and neopentyl glycol (NPG). The oligomers were mixed with linear polyester diol in different proportions and used as polyol part in prepolymer for PUDs. Various compositional variations such as type of oligomer, content of oligomer and ionic emulsifier were studied for stability and compatibility with water. The PUDs were also examined by FTIR, AFM, GPC, particle size analyzer, viscometer, TGA, DMA and tensile tester to analyze structures and properties. Chemical, water and corrosion resistances of the dried films were also evaluated to study the effect of oligomer content in modified PUDs. These properties are found to be significantly affected by the content and type of oligomer as well as ionic content in the polymer.     

Hydrogen uptake of reduced graphene oxide and graphene sheets decorated with Fe nanoclusters

Graphene oxide (GO) has been prepared by employing modified Staudenmaier's method through thermal exfoliation of graphite oxide. High pressure hydrogen sorption isotherms up to 50 bar of GO, reduced by thermal reduction (TR-GO), chemical reduction (CR-GO) and graphene sheets decorated with Fe nanoclusters (Fe-GS) have been investigated. Thermal reduction of GO at 623 K under high vacuum yields TR-GO. Chemical reduction of GO using hydrazine forms CR-GO. Fe-GS was synthesized through arc-discharge between the ends of two graphite rods with one rod carrying Fe nanoparticles. The surface areas of these graphene samples were determined from the nitrogen adsorption isotherm employing Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) method. Kelvin's equation was used to determine the pore size distribution of all graphene based samples. Hydrogen pressure-composition isotherms (PCI) were determined at 300 K and at 77 K, between 0.1 and 50 bar. Further, in this paper, we present a comparative adsorption isotherm analysis of hydrogen and helium on TR-GO. This reveals that the volume of hydrogen and helium adsorbed by TR-GO is nearly equal. The similar uptake volume determined for both hydrogen and helium indicates the possibility of monolayer adsorption of hydrogen and also nearly similar binding energy between TR-GO and H₂/He.