Bovidae-based gelatin: Extractions method,physicochemical and functional properties,applications, and future trends

Gelatin is one of the most important multifunctional biopolymers and is widely used as an essential ingredient in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics. Porcine gelatin is regarded as the leading source of gelatin globally then followed by bovine gelatin. Porcine sources are favored over other sources since they are less expensive. However, porcine gelatin is religiously prohibited to be consumed by Muslims and the Jewish community. It is predicted that the global demand for gelatin will increase significantly in the future. Therefore, a sustainable source of gelatin with efficient production and free of disease transmission must be developed. The highest quality of Bovidae-based gelatin (BG) was acquired through alkaline pretreatment, which displayed excellent physicochemical and rheological properties. The utilization of mammalian- and plant-based enzyme significantly increased the gelatin yield. The emulsifying and foaming properties of BG also showed good stability when incorporated into food and pharmaceutical products. Manipulation of extraction conditions has enabled the development of custom-made gelatin with desired properties. This review highlighted the various modifications of extraction and processing methods to improve the physicochemical and functional properties of Bovidae-based gelatin. An in-depth analysis of the crucial stage of collagen breakdown is also discussed, which involved acid, alkaline, and enzyme pretreatment, respectively. In addition, the unique characteristics and primary qualities of BG including protein content, amphoteric property, gel strength, emulsifying and viscosity properties, and foaming ability were presented. Finally, the applications and prospects of BG as the preferred gelatin source globally were outlined.     

Multicomponent Diamond-Like Semiconductors Based on the InBV–CdS System: Bulk and Surface Properties

Semiconductors - According to developed methods, in the fields of the mutual solubility of initial binary compounds (InP, InSb, and CdS), solid solutions of the InP–CdS and InSb–CdS...     

Optimization of waste quail eggshells as biocomposites for polyaniline in ammonia gas detection

A simple, cost-effective, and novel chemical sensor for ammonia (NH₃) gas detection was developed from polyaniline (PANI)/quail eggshell (QES) composites. QES is a natural waste enriched in calcium carbonate. In this work, pure PANI was synthesized from chemical oxidation method and PANI/QES composites were prepared from physical mixing of QES with the synthesized PANI at different mass ratio. A series of complementary techniques including Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectrometers, scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive detection coupled with mapping, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffractometer were used to characterize the physicochemical and textural properties of the biocomposites. From the results, PANI/QES composite with a mass ratio of 1 exhibited the lowest NH₃ detection limit of 5.24 ppm with a linear correlation coefficient (R²) of close to unity (0.9932) between the signal and NH₃ gas concentration. As a whole, the PANI/QES biocomposites synthesized from this work exhibited excellent selectivity toward NH₃ gas even in the presence of other gas impurities, such as acetone, ethanol, and hexane. For the sensor reusability, the PANI/QES biocomposites can be reused in the application of NH₃ gas detection for at least 4 cycles.     

Review on zirconate-cerate-based electrolytes for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cell

The performance of low-to-intermediate temperature (400–800?°C) solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) depends on the properties of electrolyte used. SOFC performance can be enhanced by replacing electrolyte materials from conventional oxide ion (O^2-) conductors with proton (H⁺) conductors because H⁺ conductors have higher ionic conductivity and theoretical electrical efficiency than O^2- conductors within the target temperature range. Electrolytes based on cerate and/or zirconate have been proposed as potential H⁺ conductors. Cerate-based electrolytes have the highest H⁺ conductivity, but they are chemically and thermally unstable during redox cycles, whereas zirconate-based electrolytes exhibit the opposite properties. Thus, tailoring the properties of cerate and/or zirconate electrolytes by doping with rare-earth metals has become a main concern for many researchers to further improve the ionic conductivity and stability of electrolytes. This article provides an overview on the properties of four types of cerate and/or zirconate electrolytes including cerate-based, zirconate-based, single-doped cerate–zirconate and hybrid-doped cerate–zirconate. The properties of the proton electrolytes such as ionic conductivity, chemical stability and sinterability are also systematically discussed. This review further provides a summary of the performance of SOFCs operated with cerate and/or zirconate proton conductors and the actual potential of these materials as alternative electrolytes for proton-conducting SOFC application.     

A knowledge construction methodology to automate case-based learning using clinical documents

The case-based learning (CBL) approach has gained attention in medical education as an alternative to traditional learning methodology. However, current CBL systems do not facilitate and provide computer-based domain knowledge to medical students for solving real-world clinical cases during CBL practice. To automate CBL, clinical documents are beneficial for constructing domain knowledge. In the literature, most systems and methodologies require a knowledge engineer to construct machine-readable knowledge. Keeping in view these facts, we present a knowledge construction methodology (KCM-CD) to construct domain knowledge ontology (i.e., structured declarative knowledge) from unstructured text in a systematic way using artificial intelligence techniques, with minimum intervention from a knowledge engineer. To utilize the strength of humans and computers, and to realize the KCM-CD methodology, an interactive case-based learning system(iCBLS) was developed. Finally, the developed ontological model was evaluated to evaluate the quality of domain knowledge in terms of coherence measure. The results showed that the overall domain model has positive coherence values, indicating that all words in each branch of the domain ontology are correlated with each other and the quality of the developed model is acceptable.     

Studies on influence of hydrogen and carbon monoxide concentration on reduction progression behavior of molybdenum oxide catalyst

Temperature programmed reduction (TPR) analysis was applied to investigate the chemical reduction progression behavior of molybdenum oxide (MoO₃) catalyst. The composition and morphology of the reduced phases were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The reduction progression of MoO₃ catalyst was attained with different reductant types and concentration (10% H₂/N₂, 10% and 20% CO/N₂ (%, v/v)). Two different modes of reduction process were applied. The first approach of reduction involved non-isothermal mode reduction up to 700 °C, while the second approach of reduction involved the isothermal mode reduction for 60 min at 700 °C. Hydrogen temperature programmed reduction (H₂-TPR) results showed the reduction progression of three-stage reduction of MoO₃ (Mo⁶⁺ → Mo⁵⁺ → Mo⁴⁺ → Mo⁰) with Mo⁵⁺ and Mo⁴⁺. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of Mo₄O₁₁ phase as an intermediate phase followed by MoO₂ phase. After 60 min of isothermal reduction, peaks of metallic molybdenum (Mo) appeared. Whereas, FESEM analysis showed porous crater-like structure on the surface cracks of MoO₂ layer which led to the growth of Mo phase. Meanwhile, the reduction of MoO₃ catalyst in 10% carbon monoxide (CO) showed the formation of unstable intermediate phase of Mo₉O₂₆ at the early stage of reduction. Furthermore, by increasing 20% CO led to the carburization of MoO₂ phase, resulted in the formation of Mo₂C rather than the formation of metallic Mo, as confirmed by XPS analysis. Therefore, the presented study shows that hydrogen gave better reducibility due to smaller molecular size, which contributed to high diffusion rate and achieved deeper penetration into the MoO₃ catalyst compared to carbon monoxide reductant. Hence, the reduction of MoO₃ in carbon monoxide atmosphere promoted the formation of Mo₂C which was in agreement with the thermodynamic assessment.     

Performance of a new pipe material UHMWPE against disinfectant decay in water distribution networks

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - The concentration of any disinfectant is a major parameter which is used to evaluate the quality of water. Chlorine is the most common disinfecting...     

Study of hot air generator with quasi-uniform temperature using concentrated solar radiation: Influence of the shape parameters

The non-uniformity of the air temperatures and the slow flow rate at the plane collector exit constitute the main cause of the limitations of the solar drying systems. In order to obtain an uniform and a variable flow rate for different uses, a hot air generator using concentrated solar radiation is proposed. To improve the thermal efficiency of the generator, a study of the influence of different shape parameters is realized. The generator is simulated in the laboratory while investigating the flow induced by a circular disc heated uniformly by Joule effect at constant temperature. This disc is placed at the entrance of an open ended vertical cylinder of a larger diameter. Thermal radiation emitted by the hot disc heats the cylinder wall. The heating of the fluid at the cylinder-inlet generates a thermosiphon flow around the one created by the hot disc. The comparison of the velocity and the temperature profiles of the resulting flow permits to determine the influence of the cylinder height, the vertical source-cylinder spacing and the radius ratio, on the resulting flow at the system exit. Thus, a judicious choice of the shape parameters entails an improvement of the flow rate as well as the thermal flux absorbed by the air and a good homogenization of the air temperature at the generator exit.     

Capacity planning in job-shop environment

Presented here is a computerized capacity planning system for the IBM Microcomputer family. The system maintains the profile of the job shop in a data base along with data pertinent to various products that can be manufactured in the shop. Projected orders for the planning period are input to the system with their associated quantities and delivery dates. The system uses the forward and backward loading rules in generating capacity loading scenarios. User selects the best course of action which may satisfy delivery dates subject to the limitations of the work centers. Efficiency figures are provided to aid the user in his/her decision.