Development of low-alcohol isotonic beer by interrupted fermentation

Alcohol-free beer with isotonic properties is getting more popular and its production can be carried out by different production strategies; however, interrupted fermentation is still a challenge. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a low-alcohol isotonic beer (<0.5% v/v) by interrupted fermentation. Moreover, the major objective is to compare the developed product to commercial beverages (sports drinks, ‘Pilsen' regular beer, alcohol-free beers and low-alcohol isotonic beer). The beverages were evaluated based on pH, alcohol content (% v/v), total titratable acidity (mEq L⁻¹), osmolality (mOsmol kg⁻¹), bitterness International Bitterness Units, colour European Brewery Convention, total phenolic compounds (mg L⁻¹ gallic acid), reducing and total sugars (%) and Na and K contents (mg L⁻¹). The developed low-alcohol isotonic beer presented characteristics similar to sports drinks, with the advantage of being richer in phenolic compounds and suitable osmolality. Despite salts were added in its formulation, the grades attributed to all beers employed in the sensory evaluation, as well as the purchase intention did not present significant differences.     

Wavelet packet modulation for orthogonally multiplexedcommunication

Utilizing multidimensional signaling techniques, a generalized multirate wavelet-based modulation format for orthogonally multiplexed communication systems is presented. Wavelet packet modulation (WPM) employs the basis functions from an arbitrary pruning of a dyadic tree structured filter bank as orthogonal pulse shapes for conventional quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) symbols. This generalized framework affords an entire library of basis sets with increased flexibility in time-frequency (T-F) partitioning. The bandwidth efficiency and power spectral density figures of merit for the general signal are derived and shown to be that of standard QAM     

Climatic solar roof: an ecological alternative to heat dissipation in buildings

A new system based on the harnessing of solar and wind power is presented for heat dissipation in air conditioning facilities. The innovation offered by the new system is the integration of two well-known subsystems: a cooling tower and a solar chimney which increases the air flow without the use of electric power. The system is described and presented together with a model for its study. The field data acquired from the prototype built in southern Spain establishes the actual potential of the system, which provides a new approach to a sustainable technological development.     

Determination du coefficient d'extinction molaire de OH− dans les verres fluores a base de metaux lourds

The extinction coefficient ? at 2.9 μm for OH in fluoride glasses is measured by determining the amount of HF evolved during heating of the glass under steam and the corresponding intensity of the OH absorption band. This coefficient is respectively equal to 31 litre mole^?1 cm^?1 for BTYbZ glass (15 BaF₂ - 29 ThF₄ - 28 YbF₃ - 28 ZnF₂) and 19.5 litre mole^?1 cm^?1 for BALLA glass (34 BaF₂ - 57 ZrF₄ - 4 AlF₃ - 5 LaF₃).     

Evaluation of Digitally Encoded Layer‐by‐layer Coated Microparticles as Cell Carriers

To obtain more biologically relevant data there is a growing interest in the use of living cells for assaying the biological activity of unknown chemical compounds. Density ‘multiplex’ cell‐based assays, where different cell types are mixed in one well and simultaneously investigated upon exposure to a certain compound are beginning to emerge. To be able to identify the cells they should be attached to microscopic carriers that are encoded. This paper investigates how digitally encoded microparticles can be loaded with cells while keeping the digital code in the microcarriers readable. It turns out that coating the surface of the encoded microcarriers with polyelectrolytes using the layer‐by‐layer (LbL) approach provides the microcarriers with a ‘highly functional’ surface. The polyelectrolyte layer allows the growth of the cells, allows the orientation of the cell loaded microcarriers in a magnetic field, and does not hamper the reading of the code. It has further been shown that the cells growing on the polyelectrolyte layer can become transduced by adenoviral particles hosted by the polyelectrolyte layer. It is concluded that the digitally encoded microparticles are promising materials for use in biomedical and pharmaceutical in‐vitro research where cells are used as tools.     

Screening of South African Food Plants for Antioxidant Activity

ABSTRACT: In a screening of South African indigenous food plants for antioxidant activity by testing for inhibition of lipid peroxidation, the "potherbs" Amaranthus sp., Sisymbrium thellungii , and Urtica dioica had very high activity. This activity was greatest in the boiled extract of Amaranthus sp. and the boilet and aqueous extracts of Sisymbrium thellungii and Urtica dioica. The activity in the aqueous extract of Nasturtium aquatica was lost by boiling. High activity was also obtained with the teas Galium aparine and Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos) and with the tuber Colocasia esculenta.     

A Family of Far‐Infrared‐Transmitting Glasses in the Ga–Ge–Te System for Space Applications

Conditions of formation of bulk tellurium chalcogenide glasses, containing 70–80 at % Te associated to Ga and Ge are described. The characteristic temperatures are measured: the glass‐transition temperature, T_g, is situated in the range 140–185 °C and the difference T_x – T_g, where T_x is the onset crystallization temperature, is in the range 76–113 °C. Moreover, the optical transmission window is exceptional, ranging from 1.99 μm in the bandgap up to 28 μm in the phonon region. Developed within the framework of requirements for the Darwin mission (a search for and study of extrasolar planets), feasibility of infrared optical fibers formed from these glasses is studied. Drawing experiments are conducted with the glass Ga₂‐Ge₃Te₁₅, which possesses the maximum T_x – T_g, and a first optical fiber is presented.