Linear correlation between pH value of stimulated beef and electrical current intensity

The aim of the present study was to determine mathematical relationships between pH changes in beef 24 h post-slaughter and changes in the intensity of electrical current flowing through bull and heifer carcasses during high-voltage electrical stimulation. The electrical stimulation was applied 40 min postmortem for 120 s. The pH values of m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum were analyzed in the function of electrical current intensity changes and its change during electrical stimulation. Mathematical linear correlations of the y = ax ± b type were demonstrated between pH values at 2, 6, and 24 h postmortem and the initial (I_i) and ultimate (I_u) electrical current intensity values, the difference between them and the initial pH values determined before electrical stimulation. High multiple correlation coefficients (R² = 0.416, α ≤ 0.001) between I_u and pH values 24 h post-slaughter enabled concluding that there is a possibility to predict a pH value of stimulated carcass with high accuracy, and thus also beef quality, based merely on the ultimate electrical current intensity values.     

Stress-deformable state of isotropic double curved shell with internal cracks and a circular hole

This work is devoted to the stress–strain state of isotropic double curved shell with defect system. The construction is weakened by two non-through thickness (internal) cracks of different length and by a circular hole located between cracks. In this study we use the line-spring model. Within the framework of this model cracks are modeled as mathematical cuts of shell’s middle surface. This leads to a two-dimensional problem. The problem is reduced to a system of eight boundary integral equations. To ensure the uniqueness of solution an additional equation is added. In the numerical solution of the problem special quadrature formulas for singular integrals of Cauchy type and the finite difference method are applied. The influence of defects on each other for double curved shell has been investigated. The given theoretical results can be used for the calculation of structural elements with holes, cracks on the strength and fracture toughness in various branches of engineering.     

High‐intensity sweeteners in espresso coffee: ideal and equivalent sweetness and time–intensity analysis

The efficient substitution of sucrose by a sweetener in beverages requires the application of some sensory techniques. First, one must determine the concentrations of the sweeteners under study, equivalent in sweetness to the ideal sucrose concentration. In addition, it is fundamental to determine which is most similar to sucrose. The objectives of this study were to determine the ideal sweetness for espresso coffee and the equivalent concentrations in sweetness of different sweeteners, as well as characterise the time–intensity profile of each sweetener in relation to sweetness. The sweeteners evaluated were sucralose, aspartame, neotame, a cyclamate/saccharin mixture (2:1) and stevia. The sucrose concentration considered ideal by consumers was 12.5% (w/v), and the equivalent concentrations of the sweeteners were 0.0159% for sucralose, 0.0549% for aspartame, 0.0016% for neotame, 0.0359% for the cyclamate/saccharin mixture and 0.0998% for stevia. The time–intensity analysis indicated that possibly the sweeteners neotame, aspartame and sucralose would be the best substitutes for sucrose.     

Development of LTCC micro-hotplate with PTC temperature sensor for gas-sensing applications

Low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) micro-hotplates show wide applications in gas sensors and micro-fluidic devices. It is easily structured in three-dimensional structures. This paper presents the low power consumption micro-hotplates which were developed with PTC (positive temperature coefficient) temperature sensor and inter-digitated electrodes. The paper presents two different structures for micro-hotplate with platinum as a heating element. The PTC temperature sensor using two different materials viz. PdAg and platinum paste are developed with micro-hotplates. The simulation has been achieved through COMSOL for LTCC and alumina micro-hotplates. The temperature variation with power consumption has been measured for the developed LTCC micro-hotplates. The change in resistance of PTC temperature sensors was measured with micro-hotplate temperature. The aim of this study was to place a temperature sensor with the gas sensor module to measure and control the temperature of micro-hotplate. A SnO₂ sensing layer is coated on LTCC micro-hotplate using screen printing and characterized for the sensing of carbon monoxide gas (CO). This study will be beneficial for designing hotplates based on LTCC technology with low power consumption and better stability of temperature for gas-sensing applications.     

Encapsulated sodium supplementation of 4 weeks does not alter salt taste preferences in a controlled low sodium and low potassium diet

Preference for saltiness is learned by oral exposure to salt taste; however, some data suggest a role for bodily sodium and potassium levels on salt taste preferences as well. The objective was to investigate whether encapsulated sodium and potassium supplementation lead to altered salt taste responses among adults with high blood pressure on a low sodium and low potassium diet. Twenty-six participants with untreated upper-range prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension were on a fully controlled low sodium and low potassium diet (both targeted at 2 g/day) for 13 weeks. Participants received capsules with sodium (3 g/d), potassium (3 g/d), or placebo, for 4 weeks each, in randomized order in a double blind crossover design. Sensory evaluation was done before and after each supplementation period and involved ratings of pleasantness and intensity in different salt (NaCl) concentrations in food and water, desire-to-eat salty food, and detection threshold for NaCl. Neither sodium supplementation nor potassium supplementation led to alterations in salt taste responses in food and water, and did not affect detection threshold (P = 0.59). There was no clear role for sodium or potassium supplementation on desire-to-eat salty food. In addition, we did not find effects of reduced oral exposure to salt over weeks, through the sodium-reduced diet, on salt taste preferences, in contrast to earlier studies. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest preference for saltiness is independent of changes in bodily sodium or potassium levels.     

有植被的河道水流紊动特性模型试验研究

通过物理模型试验,研究了有植被的河道水流紊动特性.试验结果表明,在复式断面河道滩地种植柔性植被后,滩地糙率增大,水流紊动更为剧烈,河道水流紊动强度峰值由原先的滩槽交界区转移到滩地区.滩地的水流紊动强度沿程递减;滩槽交界区的水流紊动强度沿程不断增大;主槽的水流紊动强度主要与床面糙率有关,滩地植被影响了滩地水流的归槽时间,使主槽水流流速沿程增大.     

Studies on high density polyethylene (HDPE) functionalized by ultraviolet irradiation and its application

The structure and properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) functionalized by ultraviolet irradiation at different light intensities in air were studied by electron analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, contact angle with water, differential scanning calorimetry and mechanical properties measurement. The results show that oxygen‐containing groups such as C?O, C—O and C(?O)O were introduced onto the molecular chain of HDPE following irradiation, and the rate and efficiency of HDPE functionalization increased with enhancement of irradiation intensity. After irradiation, the melting temperature, contact angle with water and notched impact strength of HDPE decreased, the degree of crystallinity increased, and their variation amplitude increased with irradiation intensity. Compared with HDPE, the yield strength of HDPE irradiated at lower light intensity (32 W m^?2 and 45 W m^?2) increases monotonically with irradiation time, and the yield strength of HDPE irradiated at higher light intensity (78 W m^?2) increases up to 48 h and then decreased with further increase in irradiation time. The irradiated HDPE behaved as a compatibilizer in HDPE/polycarbonate (PC) blends, and the interface bonding between HDPE and PC was ameliorated. After adding 20 wt% HDPE irradiated at 78 W m^?2 irradiation intensity for 24 h to HDPE/PC blends, the tensile yield strength and notched Izod impact strength of the blend were increased from 26.3 MPa and 51 J m^?1 to 30.2 MPa and 158 J m^?1, respectively. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

利用静电学和测量数据对碳纳米管膜场致发射规律的定量分析

碳纳米管膜的场致发射电流密度仅由它表面的宏观电场决定，无论其表面形状是平的还是半球状的。对于理想的平行板电极系统，其表面电场强度均匀（UId），发射电流密度、总电流与发射面积成正比：对于半球一平面电极系统半球形的阴极存在一个宏观场增强因子ks，一个与两极距离和球半径之比（d/r）相关的函数，其表面的平均场强为ks U/d。对于d/r=0，ks=1，d≥r的情况，ks接近于常数。对于10〈d／r〈100的情况，存在一个经验的表达式：ks=1＋0．15d/s=0．005（d／r）^2。在引入ks后，不同作者给出的平面电极系统和半球一平面电极系统碳纳米管膜的场致发射电流I与宏观表面电场强度E的关系都可以近似用-经验公式描述：I=a（E-Eo）^b，a，b为常数。该经验公式可为稳定生产的CNT膜片应用产品设计提供方便。     

An Acoustic Converter Used to Measure Ionizing Radiation Energy Loss

A monitor is proposed based on ultrasonic production when ionizing radiation passes through a medium. The recording element is a 0.2 mm aluminum plate mounted in a ceramic acoustic converter AC in the form of a wedge of thickness 2 mm. The low plate thickness minimizes the beam parameter distortion, while special technology used in the AC provides high sensitivity. The device has been calibrated in the proton beam from the ITEP accelerator at 200 MeV with 2·10⁹–6·10¹⁰ particles in a pulse and a pulse length of 70 nsec.