Use of Response Surface Methodology to Investigate the Effectiveness of Commercial Enzymes on Buckwheat Malt for Brewing Purposes

The influence of two factors, total concentration and fraction of three pairs of commercial enzymes, which showed statistical significance (Biocellulase W with Hitempase 2XL, Biocellulase W with Amylo 300 and Amylo 300 with Hitempase 2XL), were studied for their overall effect on buckwheat wort quality using response surface methodology (RSM). This study revealed that the addition of increasing levels of Hitempase 2XL to the buckwheat mash increased colour, extract levels, wort filtration, fermentability and total fermentable extract (TFE), along with decreasing viscosity values. Results also determined a high level of fermentability when an enzyme combination of 30% Biocellulase and 70% Hitempase was added to the mash. The addition of increasing levels of Amylo 300 to buckwheat mashes resulted in increases in fermentability and total fermentable extract (TFE), along with increases in total soluble nitrogen (TSN), free amino nitrogen (FAN) and Kolbach index (KI). With regard to the proposed optimal regime, although no synergistic effect was found when the three enzymes were used together, the optimum conditions for the production of buckwheat wort with lowest viscosity, highest extract and optimal fermentability were achieved using a joint model. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrate the feasibility of producing wort suitable for the brewing of gluten‐free beer from 100% malted buckwheat with careful optimisation of enzyme types and dosage levels.     

Trimethylpentanediol dibenzoate: New plasticizer for plastisol screen ink

Trimethylpentane diol (TMPD) dibenzoate use in vinyl as a plasticizer is not well recognized, and little has been published on vinyl performance characteristics. To assess new applications for vinyl, a basic evaluation was conducted. Based on the results of the screen and other considerations an evaluation for utility in plastisol silk screen ink was conducted. The results indicated that the TMPD dibenzoate performed very well in white ink, requiring good fabric dye bleed resistance compared to polymeric and phthalates currently being used for non-bleed ink. Non-bleed characteristics are important for colored tee shirt printing. The benzoate is a good solvator and has excellent extraction resistance.     

Understanding High Critical Currents in YBa2Cu3O7 Thin Films and Coated Conductors

The main challenges for the success of high temperature superconducting wires, the YBa₂Cu₃O₇ (YBCO) coated conductors (CC), are to avoid the the weak-link problem through the production of biaxially textured films, and to increase the critical current density (J _c) through the introduction of large densities of appropriate defects. To that end, it is essential to understand the pinning mechanisms and their correlation with the microstructure of the CC. We first present a brief overview of the main methods currently used to produce YBCO CC, and we describe the architecture of the YBCO on IBAD fabricated at Los Alamos, summarizing the recent improvements of their structural and superconducting properties. Then, we analyze some aspects of the J _c dependence on temperature and magnetic field (orientation and intensity) for the best CC available, and we compare and contrast the results with those of YBCO thin films on single crystal substrates, in order to determine if the defects controlling the pinning mechanisms are the same in both cases. Our results indicate that over large field and angular ranges J _c on CC is higher than J _c in thin films on SCS.     

High Iron and Iron Household Protein Contents in Perineuronal Net-Ensheathed Neurons Ensure Energy Metabolism with Safe Iron Handling

A subpopulation of neurons is less vulnerable against iron-induced oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. A key feature of these neurons is a special extracellular matrix composition that forms a perineuronal net (PN). The PN has a high affinity to iron, which suggests an adapted iron sequestration and metabolism of the ensheathed neurons. Highly active, fast-firing neurons—which are often ensheathed by a PN—have a particular high metabolic demand, and therefore may have a higher need in iron. We hypothesize that PN-ensheathed neurons have a higher intracellular iron concentration and increased levels of iron proteins. Thus, analyses of cellular and regional iron and the iron proteins transferrin (Tf), Tf receptor 1 (TfR), ferritin H/L (FtH/FtL), metal transport protein 1 (MTP1 aka ferroportin), and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) were performed on Wistar rats in the parietal cortex (PC), subiculum (SUB), red nucleus (RN), and substantia nigra (SNpr/SNpc). Neurons with a PN (PN⁺) have higher iron concentrations than neurons without a PN: PC 0.69 mM vs. 0.51 mM, SUB 0.84 mM vs. 0.69 mM, SN 0.71 mM vs. 0.63 mM (SNpr)/0.45 mM (SNpc). Intracellular Tf, TfR and MTP1 contents of PN⁺ neurons were consistently increased. The iron concentration of the PN itself is not increased. We also determined the percentage of PN⁺ neurons: PC 4%, SUB 5%, SNpr 45%, RN 86%. We conclude that PN⁺ neurons constitute a subpopulation of resilient pacemaker neurons characterized by a bustling iron metabolism and outstanding iron handling capabilities. These properties could contribute to the low vulnerability of PN⁺ neurons against iron-induced oxidative stress and degeneration.     

Multielement synthetic transmit aperture imaging using temporal encoding

A new method to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of synthetic transmit aperture imaging is investigated. The approach utilizes multiple elements to emulate a spherical wave, and the conventional short excitation pulse is replaced by a linear frequency-modulated (FM) signal. The approach is evaluated in terms of image quality parameters in comparison to linear array imaging. Field II simulations using an 8.5-MHz linear array transducer with 128 elements show an improvement in lateral resolution of up to 30% and up to 10.75% improvement in contrast resolution for the new approach. Measurements are performed using our experimental multichannel ultrasound scanning system, RASMUS. The designed linear FM signal obtains temporal sidelobes below -55 dB, and SNR investigations show improvements of 4-12 dB. A 30 mm (approximately 45%) increase in penetration depth is obtained on a multitarget phantom with 0.5 dB/[cm MHz] attenuation. Furthermore, in vivo images of the abdomen are presented, which demonstrate the clinical application of the new approach.     

New benzoate plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride: Introduction and performance example

Two new unique benzoate ester plasticizers that will offer the vinyl formulator improved performance have been developed. One is an excellent solvator that will yield lower plastisol viscosities than existing plasticizers. The other will provide an excellent alternate with low volatility. The new products provide expanded performance utility over existing benzoates and phthalates on a global basis. Basic plastisol performance data and an example of use in a specific application, vinyl leathercloth, are presented. The data demonstrates that these blends are compatible, effective high solvating plasticizers and are performance alternates for plastisols and other polyvinyl chloride applications.     

Determining the elemental composition of fuels by bomb calorimetry and the inverse correlation of HHV with elemental composition

This article presents a method to obtain a simplified elemental analysis of an organic sample in which oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur are lumped. The method uses a bomb calorimeter, water, and ash measurements combined with a numerical procedure based on a generalised equation for predicting higher heating value. By analysing pure organic substances, literature data, and fuels it is demonstrated that the method can provide hydrogen estimates within ±0.7% daf. and carbon and sum of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur estimates within ±2% daf. for fuels containing less than 90% ash db., 2% nitrogen daf., and 1% daf. sulphur.     

Resistant starch—An accessible fiber ingredient acceptable to the Western palate

Dietary fiber intakes in Western societies are concerningly low and do not reflect global recommended dietary fiber intakes for chronic disease prevention. Resistant starch (RS) is a fermentable dietary fiber that has attracted research interest. As an isolated ingredient, its fine particle size, relatively bland flavor, and white appearance may offer an appealing fiber source to the Western palate, accustomed to highly refined, processed grains. This review aims to provide a comprehensive insight into the current knowledge (classification, production methods, and characterization methods), health benefits, applications, and acceptability of RS. It further discusses the present market for commercially available RS ingredients and products containing ingredients high in RS. The literature currently highlights beneficial effects for dietary RS supplementation with respect to glucose metabolism, satiety, blood lipid profiles, and colonic health. An exploration of the market for commercial RS ingredients indicates a diverse range of products (from isolated RS2, RS3, and RS4) with numerous potential applications as partial or whole substitutes for traditional flour sources. They may increase the nutritional profile of a food product (e.g., by increasing the fiber content and lowering energy values) without significantly compromising its sensory and functional properties. Incorporating RS ingredients into staple food products (such as bread, pasta, and sweet baked goods) may thus offer an array of nutritional benefits to the consumer and a highly accessible functional ingredient to be greater exploited by the food industry.