Isotopic and Elemental Authenticity Markers: a Case Study on Cypriot Wines

This study monitors variations in isotopes and elements in relation to grape variety, environmental factors and provenance in order to address the wine authenticity issue. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) assessed the wines’ elemental content. Site-specific nuclear isotope fractionation-nuclear magnetic resonance and isotope ratio mass spectrometry methodologies determined in authentic and commercial wines the distribution of the naturally occurring stable isotopes of the deuterium/hydrogen (D/H) ratios and carbon (¹³C/¹²C) in ethanol of wine and oxygen ratio (¹⁸O/¹⁶O) in wine water. Chemometrics delineated the elements and isotopes responsible for wine classification. Specifically, unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) framed the importance of grape variety and provenance, while supervised analysis pinpointed the vineyard effect and highlighted the contribution of the vintage year. Validation steps ensured that the extracted models do not predict randomly and their results are reliable. In fact, the acquired results can be incorporated to the EU Wine Isotopic Databank database providing both a guide and a tool for eventual candidatures for denomination of origin and support both Cypriot wine and winemakers. In this context, this research contributes to authenticity assurance of wines and adds value to final products, while it helps controlling hazards arising from environmental changes.     

A study of diffusion in poly(ethyleneglycol)-gelatin based semi-interpenetrating networks for use in wound healing

Semi-interpenetrating networks (sIPNs) designed to mimic extracellular matrix via covalent crosslinking of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate in the presence of gelatin have been shown to aid in wound healing, particularly when loaded with soluble factors. Ideal systems for tissue repair permit an effective release of therapeutic agents and flow of nutrients to proliferating cells. Appropriate network characterization can, consequently, be used to convey an understanding of the mass transfer kinetics necessary for materials to aid in the wound healing process. Solute transport from and through sIPNs has not yet been thoroughly evaluated. In the current study, the diffusivity of growth factors and nutrients through the polymeric system was determined. Transport of keratinocyte growth factor was modeled by treating the sIPN as a plane sheet into which the protein was loaded. The diffusion coefficient was determined to be 4.86 × 10⁻⁹ ± 1.86 × 10⁻¹² cm²/s. Glucose transport was modeled as flow through a semi-permeable membrane. Using lag-time analysis, the diffusion coefficient was calculated to be 2.25 × 10⁻⁶ ± 1.98 × 10⁻⁷ cm²/s. The results were evaluated in conjunction with previous studies on controlled drug release from sIPNs. As expected from Einstein-Stokes equation, diffusivity decreased as molecular size increased. The results offer insight into the structure-function design paradigm and show that release from the polymeric system is diffusion controlled, rather than dissolution controlled.     

Experimental and computational infrared imaging of bluff body stabilized laminar diffusion flames

The concept of comparing measured and computed images is extended to the mid-infrared spectrum to provide a non-intrusive technique for studying flames. Narrowband radiation intensity measurements of steady and unsteady bluff body stabilized laminar ethylene diffusion flames are acquired using an infrared camera. Computational infrared images are rendered by solving the radiative transfer equation for parallel lines-of-sight through the flame and using a narrowband radiation model with computed scalar values. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons of the measured and computed infrared images provide insights into the flame stabilization region and beyond. The unique shapes and sizes of the flames observed in the measured and computed infrared images are similar with a few exceptions which are shown to be educational. The important differences occur in the flame stabilization region suggesting improvements in thermal control of the experiment and soot formation and heat loss models.     

Designing in the Future

Becoming a better designer means getting better at what we do now while not getting lulled into accepting the status quo. To stay effective as designers, we need to continue to learn, adapt, keep an open mind, and work to perfect our craft.     

Housing reform in a marketised socialist economy: The case of shanghai

Abstract

Marketisation and privatization reforms implemented in Shanghai since 1980 have facilitated housing construction and the improvement of housing conditions. The multiplication of construction capital would have been impossible without an effective implementation of the consumption reforms and general improvements in the economy.