Study of oil uptake and some quality attributes of potato chips affected by hydrocolloids

The use of coating agents is one effective way to reduce oil absorption in fried products. Reducing the fat content of fried foods by application of coatings is an alternative solution to comply with both health concerns and consumer preferences. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of hydrocolloids as coating agent on the quantity of oil uptake and on sensory attributes of potato chips. The effect of the coating composition showed that the minimum fat content was related to 1% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), 0.5% xanthan, 0.3% guar and 1% xanthan with 21.2, 21.7, 22.4 and 24.8%, respectively, and the highest of fat content was related to blank sample (non-coated), 2% tragacanth, 0.5% guar gum with 49.4, 41.7 and 33.2% of oil content, respectively (p <0.05). The most effective coating agent reduced the oil uptake by 57.03, 55.94, 54.67 and 49.71%, respectively (p <0.05). Sensory evaluation showed that the best color was related to 1% CMC, 0.3% guar and 2% tragacanth, and with respect to flavor evaluation the best flavor was observed in tragacanth 2%, CMC 0.5% and CMC 0.1%, and the best texture referred to tragacanth 2%, CMC 0.5% and CMC 1%. In sensory evaluation, all coated chips got high scores compared with blank (non-coated chips) samples (p <0.05).     

Forecasting tunnel geology,construction time and costs using machine learning methods

Neural Computing and Applications - This research intends to use machine learning approaches to predict tunnel geology and its construction time and costs. For this purpose, the Gaussian Process...     

Modified criterion for prediction of tunnel deformation in non-squeezing ground conditions

The strength factor-based criterion for tunnel deformation prediction proposed by Hoek in 2000 is reckoned to be the most practical criterion among the tunnel deformation criteria since 1980s. In view of the fact that Hoek’s criterion was obtained based on case studies under squeezing ground conditions, it has a limited range of applications, applicable mainly in squeezing tunnels. In this work, this criterion was modified by taking into consideration the conditions of eight unstable stations in three non-squeezing tunnels in Iran to amplify its application range. Relative displacements and strength factor (defined as a strength-to-stress ratio) were obtained in unstable stations first. Then, the parametric values were plotted on a Cartesian coordinate’s plane. By using the optimal regression line passing through all points, a criterion for prediction of tunnel deformation was proposed finally. A comparison made between the measured values and the ones predicted by the new criterion shows that the variance accounted for was 77% and the root mean square error was 2%, an acceptable accuracy and a small error implying the effectiveness of the new criterion in tunnel deformation prediction. In addition, the results show that the strength factor of 0.38 can be used to determine the boundary between squeezing and non-squeezing conditions; the behavior and type of failure of the tunnel would be predictable by use of the strength factor.

     

Effect of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Powder on Compressibility and Microstructural Properties of Sintered α-Alumina

This study examines the effect of various contents of polyethylene glycol (PEG) powders on density, compressibility, and microstructural properties of sintered α-alumina samples. Moreover, the effect of compaction pressure on the green density of the compacts is studied by applying different pressures ranging from 400 to 550 MPa. Samples were prepared by mechanical blending of alumina and various amounts of PEG powders in a Turbula mixer. The binder contents vary from 1 wt.% to 4 wt.%. The as-prepared mixture was compacted in a universal machine at room temperature under the pressure of 6 MPa to produce disk-shaped samples in a pre-compaction step. Experimental results revealed that adding various amounts of PEG powders has a detrimental effect on the green density of alumina pellets and decreases the green density from 1.95 to 1.87 g/cm³. The results also show that sintered density of samples increased by increasing the compaction pressure to pressures higher than 400 MPa. It is observed that a sudden increase in green density has been observed between 450 and 550 MPa.     

A New Application of Thermal Spray in Preparation of Metallic Membrane for Concentration of Glucose Solution

Wire arc spraying has recently been used for preparation of porous metallic membranes. This work focuses on characterization of the metallic membranes produced by this technique based on porosity, oxide content, and the pore size distribution. The effect of atomizer air pressure and stand-off distance on membrane properties is examined. According to the obtained results, stronger atomizer air pressure leads to a decrease in both porosity and oxide content, while a longer stand-off distance promotes the oxide content and only increases the porosity at the distances not longer than 30 cm. A prepared metallic layer was set up in an experimental membrane cell as a permselective film for filtration of glucose solution. Generally, the water flux was appropriate, and the prepared membranes was able to remove glucose from water efficiently.     

Flow Stress Evaluation in Hot Rolling of Steel

In this paper, an inverse analysis technique is used to obtain the flow curve of materials in a hot rolling finishing mill. This technique is based on minimization of the differences between the experimental and computed values. The flow curves and the friction coefficients at roll/work-piece interface are derived from two different models. Model I is based on simple slab method of analysis. Model II is based on a modified slab method in which the effect of shear stress in calculating the rolling force and torque is taken into account. It is shown that the developed inverse analysis technique is reliable and can simultaneously determine a more accurate flow stress for the material as well as a better estimation for the interface friction factors.     

Prediction of overbreak depth in Ghalaje road tunnel using strength factor

It is well known that the overbreak caused by the blasting damage during tunnel excavation increases costs associated with filling the collapsed area with shotcrete and results in filing of a claim by the contractor. This paper outlines a new approach for prediction the overbreak depth during tunnel construction. Hence, firstly excavation damage zone(EDZ) are determined by average specific charge in each zone. Numerical modelling is used to simulate the EDZ around tunnel boundary and the overbreak depth are calculated by the rock strength factor. The predicted overbreak depth compared with observed field data from a case study. The results show that there exists an approximately up to 40% difference between the prediction and the observed volume of overbreak depth. Therefore, the method can be well used to predict the overbreak depth to estimate more precision of shotcrete and concrete volumes in tunnelling cost during design phase.     

Synthesis of 2,4,6,8,10,12‐Hexanitro‐2,4,6,8,10,12‐hexaazaisowurtzitane Using Melaminium‐tris(hydrogensulfate) by a Simple One‐Pot Nitration Procedure

A highly efficient protocol for the synthesis of 2,4,6,8,10,12‐hexanitro‐2,4,6,8,10,12‐hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL‐20) in the presence of melaminium‐tris(hydrogen sulfate) as a solid acid is described.