Puffing Effects on Functional Properties of Amaranthus paniculatas (Rajgeera) Seed Flour

Among functional properties studied, water- anf fat-holding capacities were higher for puffed grain flour. Gelation was not affected, while foaming was adversely affected by puffing. A decrease in viscosity of flour pastes also resulted due to puffing.     

Investigating the role of ICT intervention in grassroots innovation using structural equation modelling approach

Research on information communication technologies (ICT) for entrepreneurship development is burgeoning, yet our understanding of the use of ICT in support of grassroots innovation remains unclear. This paper examines the moderating role of the use of ICT on the relationship between grassroots innovation (GRI) and entrepreneurial success (ES). The study involved 400 grassroots entrepreneurs selected from three states in India, and the moderating effect of the use of ICT was analysed using moderated structural equation modelling. The results revealed that the use of ICT partially moderates the relationship between the new learning practices and economic benefits. It also partially moderates the relationship between local solution and economic benefits, but it fully moderates the relationship between networking capabilities and economic benefits, where the relationship is stronger when the use of ICT is high. Furthermore, the study found that the use of ICT does not moderate the relationship between new learning practice and non-economic benefits, relationship between local solution and non-economic benefits and relationship between networking capabilities and non-economic benefits.     

Integrating production decisions

Most of the decisions in production management require simultaneous study of interdependent subsystems. In this paper we propose a compatibility matrix which can be used as a possible aid for integrating production decisions. The compatibility matrix generates decision alternatives for a production system, given the decision alternatives for its subsystems and compatibility relationships between each alternative of a subsystem and all the alternatives of the remaining subsystems. The mutually-exclusive decision alternatives provide the manager with a wide range to choose from. These alternatives can be used as inputs to mathematical simulation models. For ill-structured problems the compatibility matrix offers a viable tool in achieving synergy     

An approach to the detection of synthetic milk in dairy milk: 1. Detection of urea

A qualitative test for the detection of externally added urea (as synthetic milk) was developed using soybean urease. The quantitative detection of synthetic milk in dairy milk could be achieved by this method based on the 'a' value of 'L, a, b' scale of the HunterLab colorimeter and also by the diacetyl complexation method. Both methods are sensitive enough to detect amounts as low as 2% synthetic milk added to dairy milk, corresponding to 20 mg of added urea per 100 ml.
This work reports on methods to detect and estimate unionic detergents, which are important ingredients of synthetic milk formulations, based on the extraction of a detergent—Methylcne Blue complex in chloroform which can be subsequently quantified by measuring the optical density at 653 nm. A base value of 0.52 for optical density was found to represent pure cow's milk Any result above this value suggested the presence of an anionic detergeni in milk.     

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as an additive for oil reduction in deep-fat fried paneer

The effect of different levels of CMC on the uptake of vegetable oil during the deep-fat frying of paneer was studied by: (i) direct addition of CMC to the milk and (ii) dipping the paneer cubes into solutions of CMC for different time intervals. The fried paneers were evaluated for chemical composition, hardness and sensory characteristics. Method (i) proved to be beneficial in all respects as compared to (ii), as the absorption of water from the suspensions of CMC destroyed the texture of the paneer.     

Seismic response of precast reinforced concrete wall subjected to cyclic in-plane and constant out-of-plane loading

This paper provides insight into the seismic behavior of a full-scale precast reinforced concrete wall under in-plane cyclic loading combined with out-of-plane loading replicated by sand backfill to simulate the actual condition of basement walls. The tested wall exhibited flexural cracks, owing to the high aspect ratio and considerable out-of-plane movement due to lateral pressure from the backfill. The wall performed satisfactorily by exhibiting competent seismic parameters and deformation characteristics governed by its ductile response in the nonlinear phase during the test with smaller residual drift. Numerical analysis was conducted to validate experimental findings, which complied with each other. The numerical model was used to conduct parametric studies to study the effect of backfill density and aspect ratio on seismic response of the proposed precast wall system. The in-plane capacity of walls reduced, while deformation characteristics were unaffected by the increase in backfill density. An increase in aspect ratio leads to a reduction in in-plane capacity and an increase in drift. Curves between the ratio of in-plane yield capacity and design shear load of walls are proposed for the backfill density, which may be adopted to determine the in-plane yield capacity of the basement walls based on their design shear.     

Core safety of Indian nuclear power plants (NPPs) under extreme conditions

Nuclear power is currently the fourth largest source of electricity production in India after thermal, hydro and renewable sources of electricity. Currently, India has 20 nuclear reactors in operation and seven other reactors are under construction. Most of these reactors are indigenously designed and built Heavy Water Reactors. In addition, a 300 MWe Advanced Heavy Water Reactor has already been designed and in the process of deployment in near future for demonstration of power production from Thorium apart from enhanced safety features by passive means. India has ambitious plans to enhance the share of electricity production from nuclear. The recent Fukushima accident has raised concerns of safety of Nuclear Power Plants worldwide. The Fukushima accident was caused by extreme events, i.e., large earthquake followed by gigantic Tsunami which are not expected to hit India’s coast considering the geography of India and historical records. Nevertheless, systematic investigations have been conducted by nuclear scientists in India to evaluate the safety of the current Nuclear Power Plants in case of occurrence of such extreme events in any nuclear site. This paper gives a brief outline of the safety features of Indian Heavy Water Reactors for prevention and mitigation of such extreme events. The probabilistic safety analysis revealed that the risk from Indian Heavy Water Reactors are negligibly small.     

Effect of Alumina Content on the Oxidation of Hot-Pressed Silicon Carbide

The oxidation behavior at 1370°C of dense SiC, hot-pressed with the aid of Al₂O₃, has been investigated as a function of Al₂O₃ content. Increasing amounts of the Al₂O₃ hot-pressing aid increased the oxidation rate. Observations of the oxide surface show that a glassy phase (indicating formation of a liquid at the oxidation temperature) containing Si, Al, Fe, and K forms over the residual Al₂O₃ in the hot-pressed material. It is suggested that the oxygen transport through an impure aluminosilicate liquid is faster than that through a pure SiO₂ scale, thus causing an increased oxidation rate.