A performance measuring matrix for capturing the impact of AMT

New approaches are required to successfully justify and implement advanced manufacturing technology (AMT). This paper offers such a new approach by proposing an operational framework for measuring the impact of AMT on productivity gains at the firm level. The approach is a complement to the conventional input/output analysis and is based on the realization that any attempt to capture the benefits of AMT should emphasize the ‘outcome’ or effectiveness of the operation rather than only to accentuate its ‘output’ or efficiency. The framework presented is sufficiently general that it can be used in assessing any form of new technology and its introduction into the firm.     

The Role of Oil Phase in the Stability and Physicochemical Properties of Oil-in-Water Emulsions in the Presence of Gum Tragacanth

Different emulsions based on six types of vegetable oils (sunflower, canola, sesame, olive, coconut, and palm olein) were studied to investigate the role of the oil phase in the stability and physicochemical characteristics of oil-in-water emulsions prepared with gum tragacanth. The results indicated that the stability, rheological parameters, and size distribution of emulsions were dependent on the oil type. Based on the interfacial tension value, the type of oil did not have a significant effect on the gum tragacanth-emulsifying properties. The formulation based on sunflower and coconut oil led to producing more stable emulsion and a sample containing palm olein resulted in an unstable emulsion. Rheological analysis revealed that the sample based on palm olein showed the lowest consistency coefficient (2.10 ± 0.05 Pas ⁿ), elastic modulus (3.90 ± 0.21 Pa), and energy of cohesion (80.87 ± 1.1 J m⁻³). This study revealed that using oils with lower viscosity and higher density led to the higher stability of the emulsion samples.     

Recent Advancements in Polythiophene-Based Materials and their Biomedical,Geno Sensor and DNA Detection

In this review, the unique properties of intrinsically conducting polymer (ICP) in biomedical engineering fields are summarized. Polythiophene and its valuable derivatives are known as potent materials that can broadly be applied in biosensors, DNA, and gene delivery applications. Moreover, this material plays a basic role in curing and promoting anti-HIV drugs. Some of the thiophene’s derivatives were chosen for different experiments and investigations to study their behavior and effects while binding with different materials and establishing new compounds. Many methods were considered for electrode coating and the conversion of thiophene to different monomers to improve their functions and to use them for a new generation of novel medical usages. It is believed that polythiophenes and their derivatives can be used in the future as a substitute for many old-fashioned ways of creating chemical biosensors polymeric materials and also drugs with lower side effects yet having a more effective response. It can be noted that syncing biochemistry with biomedical engineering will lead to a new generation of science, especially one that involves high-efficiency polymers. Therefore, since polythiophene can be customized with many derivatives, some of the novel combinations are covered in this review.     

Recent advances in plant-based compounds for mitigation of mycotoxin contamination in food products: current status,challenges and perspectives

There are numerous strategies to control the growth of mycotoxigenic fungi and reduce mycotoxins in food, including physical, chemical and biological treatments. However, consumers prefer organic food and natural inhibitors because they are biodegradable and safe for human and animal health. This review summarises the current advances in plant-based compounds to mitigate contamination of food products by mycotoxigenic fungi and their toxins. In addition, a clear understanding of the roles of plant-based extracts in food products, their mechanisms of action and challenges and perspectives in mycotoxin degradation are presented. Essential oils and plant-based extracts are complex mixtures of major and minor chemical compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. In general, the mechanisms of antifungal activity of plant-based compounds are attributed to the reduction of the ergosterol content, disruption of cell membrane integrity, enhancing of membrane ion leakage and permeability, disruption to the organisation of mitochondrial structure, interference in enzymatic reactions of cell wall synthesis, disturbance of oxidative balance, inhibition of carbohydrate metabolism, suppression of mycotoxin biosynthetic genes and alterations in the molecular structure of mycotoxins.     

Oleogel Fabrication Based on Sodium Caseinate,Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose,and Beeswax: Effect of Concentration,Oleogelation Method,and Their Optimization

In the present study, the oleogel preparation with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) (0–2 g/100 g), sodium caseinate (CN) (0–4 g/100 g), beeswax (0–5 g/100 g), and oleogelation method (foam and emulsion template) was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) to attain the desirable oil retaining ability, rheological, and textural characteristics. For all the chosen responses, the quadratic model was the best-fitting model with a determination coefficient of R² > 0.91. Results exhibited that the HPMC and CN concentrations were the most influential tested factors on the oil binding capacity, textural, and rheological characteristics of the oleogels due to the formation of more complex and strong network. There was a significant improvement in oil binding capacity and structure recovery of samples by beeswax addition. To produce oleogel similar to industrial shortening, the optimization method was done based on maximum oil binding capacity and thixotropic recovery and other responses were chosen equal to those of shortening values (ɳ_a = 330 Pa.s, G′ = 276,543 Pa, A value = 164,308 Pa s rad⁻¹, and firmness = 44.99 g). As regards the optimized level of structuring agents and responses (ɳ_a = 317 and 329 Pa.s, G′ = 249,782 and 260,997 Pa, A value = 180,022 and 180,373 Pa s rad⁻¹, and firmness = 44.37 and 36.98 g corresponding to Optimization 1 and Optimization 2, respectively), fabrication of oleogels with at least 90 g/100 g trans-free and low saturated oil and attributes close to industrial shortening is possible.     

Coupled Simulation-Optimization Model for the Management of Groundwater Resources by Considering Uncertainty and Conflict Resolution

Water Resources Management - Determining the optimized policies in the exploitation of groundwater water resources is a complicated issue, especially when there are several different managers with...     

Life prediction of a Ni-base superalloy

Rene 80 samples were creep–rupture tested in air between 1144 and 1255 K at various stress levels. The mean stress exponent, n, and the mean activation energy for creep were calculated from the experimental results. The accelerated creep life of the alloy was evaluated by using iso-stress parametric equations and Monkman–Grant method.     

Concentrated O/W emulsions formulated by binary and ternary mixtures of sodium caseinate,xanthan and guar gums: rheological properties,microstructure, and stability

Food Science and Biotechnology - The effects of xanthan gum (XG) (0, 0.3, 0.6 wt%), guar gum (GG) (0, 0.3, 0.6 wt%) and XG:GG mixtures (0.3–0.3, 0.3–0.6, 0.6–0.3 and 0.6–0.6...