Dry Fractionation of Cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum) Fat: Physical–Chemical Properties and Polymorphic Behavior

Physical chemical properties of cupuassu fat were modified by dry fractionation. Stearin and olein fractions were obtained at 29, 26, and 24 °C. Polymorphic behavior of unfractionated cupuassu fat (UCF) and its fractions were studied in situ by small-angle (SAXS) and wide-angle (WAXS) X-ray scattering using synchrotron light. Polymorphic transitions were followed in real time tempering samples with a thermal cycle. For UCF, the main polymorphic form crystallized under selected conditions was the β’₂. α and β’₁-forms appeared in trace amounts. β₂-form was obtained after storage at 25 °C for 3 months. Stearins obtained at 26 (S-26) and 24 °C (S-24) showed a similar polymorphic behavior. However, S-26 with improved physical properties might be more suitable for chocolate production or as a trans-fat alternative than UCF. Stearin fraction obtained at 29 °C (S-29) had a complex polymorphic behavior. The α-form was the first polymorphic form detected followed by β’₂-form. There was a polymorphic transition from α to β’₁-form but no transition between β’-forms. They were independent to each other showing fractionation in two different solid solutions. Increased contents of the triacylglycerols (TAG) SOA and SOB together with lower contents of SOO compared to UCF led to co-crystallization because there was no complete compatibility among all TAG present in S-29. β₁-form crystallized after storage forming crystals with a double-layer arrangement and a characteristic morphology. This form could be useful for accelerating crystallization process in melted liquid systems.     

Quality is in the eye of the stakeholders: what do professional subtitlers and viewers think about subtitling?

Quality is a rather slippery concept, and its assessment in subtitling can be a challenging task, as its appreciation can easily vary depending on the different stakeholders involved in the production and reception of subtitles. In this paper, we evaluate quality indicators in subtitling as perceived by professional subtitlers and viewers. After exploring the various subtitle parameters that can have an impact on the quality of the end product (such as line breaks, synchronisation, display rates), we present the results of two qualitative studies conducted with professional subtitlers and subtitle viewers with different audiovisual backgrounds. The results yield some similarities and discrepancies, particularly in the way in which the strategy of condensation is perceived by the two groups, and they also help delineate the subtitle parameters that should be taken into consideration in order to improve the creative process as well as the reception of subtitles.

     

Runtime verification of autopilot systems using a fragment of MTL- $${\int }$$

International Journal on Software Tools for Technology Transfer - Current real-time embedded systems development frameworks lack support for the verification of properties using explicit time where...     

Stability of microencapsulated lactic acid bacteria under acidic and bile juice conditions

The probiotic strains Lactobacillus brevis CCMA1284 and Lactobacillus plantarum CCMA0359 were microencapsulated by spray drying using different matrices – whey powder (W), whey powder with inulin (WI) and whey powder with maltodextrin (WM). Viability of the microencapsulated strains in acid and bile juices and during 90 days of storage (seven and 25 °C) was evaluated. The two strains exhibited high encapsulation efficiency (> 86%) by spray drying. The different matrices maintained L. plantarum viability above six log CFU g⁻¹ at 7 °C for 90 days, whereas similar results for L. brevis were observed only for W. The use of inulin as matrix of encapsulation did not enhance bacterial viability in the evaluated conditions. In general, the use of W and WM as matrices was effective for L. plantarum viability. However, only W was effective for L. brevis in the evaluated conditions. The spray drying technique was successfully adopted for the encapsulation of L. plantarum CCMA0359 and L. brevis CCMA1284 strains.     

Do Intelligent Leaders Make a Difference? The Effect of a Leader's Emotional Intelligence on Followers' Creativity

This research investigates the connection between emotional intelligence (EI) and creativity. This was studied by exploring: (i) an association between leaders' EI and their followers' creative output; (ii) an association between six sub‐dimensions of EI and creativity; and (iii) a mediating role of climate in the link between EI and creativity. Two questionnaires (one for leaders and one for employees) were used to collect data in a hospital. Sixty‐six usable leader‐employee dyads were collected. The findings confirmed a positive relationship between leaders' EI and employees' creativity. At an EI's sub‐dimensions level, the current research showed an association between creativity, on one hand, and self‐encouragement and understanding of own emotions, on the other. Finally, no mediating effect of climate was observed. The absence of a mediating effect is interesting, since it suggests a direct link between leaders' EI and employees' creativity, regardless of the climate. This is important, since it calls attention to the paramount role of leaders in shaping individual and organizational behaviours as far as creativity is concerned. The paper also discusses implications for management and practice.     

Constraint-wrench analysis of robotic manipulators

The constraint-wrench analysis of mechanisms, with focus on parallel robots, is the subject of this paper. Although the method proposed here can be generalized for parallel robots with multiple-loop kinematic chains, here, single-loop chains are targeted. To this end, a novel representation of the constraints imposed by the kinematic pairs is introduced. With this representation, the constraint matrix of a mechanism is readily derived. For the calculation of the constraint wrenches, by means of the constraint matrix and based on the Newton–Euler formulation, a new procedure is introduced. As a case study, the constraint wrench analysis of the McGill Schönflies Motion Generator (SMG), while undergoing a test cycle adopted by the industry, is conducted.