Effect of microwave heating time on the gel properties of chicken myofibrillar proteins and their formation mechanism

The present work was conducted to illustrate the mechanism of gel formation of myofibrillar proteins (MPs) under different microwave heating times. The results showed that the denaturation enthalpy (ΔH) of the MPs significantly decreased when the heating time increased from 3 to 9 s and then completely disappeared as the heating time progressed, indicating that the MPs gradually denatured and subsequently aggregated with increasing heating time, which was further verified by the changes in the secondary structure, electrophoretic bands, and gel properties (e.g., water holding capacity and textural profiles) of the MPs. Microstructural images indicated that the MP gel formed under 12 s had the most compact network, indicating that extended microwave heating time could induce quality deterioration of MP gels. Moreover, the hydrophobic forces, electrostatic forces, and disulphide bonds of the MPs gradually intensified with increasing microwave heating time, suggesting that both non-covalent and covalent bonds could promote molecular denaturation and subsequent aggregation of MPs. In addition, correlation analysis revealed that the changes in the molecular conformation of MPs induced by different microwave heating times could effectively regulate the formation of MP gels and their related properties.     

基于单片机C8051F500的无刷直流电机控制研究

永磁无刷直流电机是近些年发展起来的一种新型电机,具有效率高、调速性能好、启动转矩大等诸多优点,在运动控制领域中的应用日趋广泛。基于电机专用控制芯片MC33035,采用单片机C8051F500为主控芯片,设计一款无刷直流电机智能控制器,实现对无刷直流电机启动停止、正反转、调速、转速显示等控制。通过简要介绍无刷直流电机工作原理,使用MATLAB/Simulink对控制系统进行建模仿真,对无刷直流电机控制系统进行软、硬件设计。实验结果表明,该控制系统运行稳定,抗干扰性强,具有良好的市场应用价值。     

Contract duration: Barrier or bridge to successful public-private partnerships?

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are predominantly executed through the use of formal contracts which define the relationship between a public agency and private supplier. As such, a PPP is not a generic contract between buyer and supplier but rather a specific contractual arrangement between a public buyer and private supplier. The contract captures the responsibilities of each party in achieving a specific set of performance objectives. Given budgetary pressures faced by public agencies, there is an increasing need for suppliers to make investments which could reduce future-year costs of meeting contract performance objectives. This research addresses two overarching questions specific to the issue of private, supplier-side investment. First, “how does public agency and private supplier perception of risk influence contract duration?” and second, “how does contract duration influence private investment?” To answer these questions, structured interviews were conducted with those in public agencies and private, supplier firms actively engaged in PPPs. Factors suspected to contribute to the risk position of public and private actors were evaluated. Additionally, linkages between public buyer-private supplier risk position, contract duration and private, supplier-side investment were addressed. Outcomes suggest properly structured long-term contracts may: 1) provide the risk mitigation mechanisms needed for both public and private actors, and 2) facilitate private, supplier-side investment.     

Common Mode Voltage Reduction Using 3D-SVPWM for 3-level CI-NPC Inverter with Hybrid Energy System

This paper elucidates Common Mode Voltage (CMV) reduction in transformerless 3-phase 3-level Coupled Inductor Neutral Point (CI-NPC) Clamped Inverter with Hybrid Energy System. The three dimensional Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (3D-SVPWM) with Nearest State Vector (NSV) is implemented to reduce the CMV by proper selection of medium, large and small vectors in 3D cubic space region. This NSV scheme in addition to CMV reduction, reduces the capacitor voltage balancing issues and minimizes switching losses. The proposed control provides full utilization of dc link voltage with reduced harmonics. This 3-level CI-NPC inverter is energized by hybrid energy source which includes photovoltaic system and wind energy system. The results obtained for the proposed scheme through simulation and experimental setup is compared with the conventional 2D-SVPWM and 3D-SVPWM scheme. From the compared results it is evident that the proposed scheme reduces CMV to a larger extent than 2D and 3D-SVPWM control. The simulation and experimental results are verified using matlab-simulink and FPGA-Spartan-6 controller respectively.     

A New Design Methodology for Time-Based Capacitance-to-Digital Converters (T-CDCs)

This paper introduces a 9-bit time-based capacitance-to-digital converter (T-CDC). This T-CDC adopts a new design methodology for parasitic cancellation with a simple calibration technique. In T-CDCs, the input sensor capacitance is first converted into a delay pulse using a capacitance-to-time converter (CTC) circuit; then this delay signal is converted into a digital code through a time-to-digital converter (TDC) circuit. A prototype of the proposed T-CDC is implemented in UMC 0.13 μm CMOS technology. This T-CDC consumes 8.42 μW and achieves a maximum SNR of 45.14 dB with a conversion time of 1 μs that corresponds to a figure of merit (FoM) of 16.4 fJ/Conv.     

Study on a high frequency pulse tube cryocooler capable of achieving temperatures below 4 K by helium-4

High-frequency pulse tube cryocooler (HPTC) has advantages of compact structure, low vibration, high reliability and long operation time. In this study, Theoretical analysis and experimental tests have been conducted in four aspects based on a developed 4 K HPTC. Firstly, a compressor with larger power output capability was employed and the impedance match between the cold head and the compressor was discussed. Secondly, simply using inertance tube configuration to replace the traditional inertance tube-gas reservoir structure. Then, the type and the size of the regenerator materials working at 4–20 K have been experimentally optimized. Finally, the performance of double-inlet working at as low as 20 K has also been tested for the first time for the HPTC. The present prototype achieved a no-load temperature of 3.6 K, which is the lowest temperature record ever reported for HPTC using helium-4 as working gas. A cooling power of 6 mW/4.2 K was also obtained with 250 W input power and a precooling power of 12.1 W/77 K.     

The relationship between enhanced dielectric property and structural distortion in Ca doped Ba2NaNb5O15 tungsten bronze ceramics

The relationship between enhanced dielectric property and structural distortion in tungsten bronze structure ceramics was discussed in this work. The ceramics with the composition of (Ba_1-xCa_x)₂NaNb₅O₁₅ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) were fabricated via conventional solid-state method. All ceramics were pure without secondary phase and the distinct lattice distortion in structure was testified by Rietveld XRD refinement. Compared with the un-doped composition, the maximum polarization and energy storage density were strongly enhanced according to the ferroelectric property measurements, which were contributed to the distortion of NbO₆ octahedron induced by the variation of ionic radius. The actually pulsed charge-discharge property of x = 0.3 ceramic was tested, whist excellent power density (P_D = 35.106 MV/cm³) and discharge energy density (W_d = 0.29 J/cm³) were obtained at 100 °C under 120 kV/cm, revealing the potential for application of Ba₂NaNb₅O₁₅ system-based ceramics in harsh environment.     

A comparative study on the catalytic activities and stabilities of atomic-layered platinum on dispersed Ti0.9Cu0.1N nanoparticles supported by N-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) and reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO)

In our previous research, titanium-based nitride with high conductivity and superior corrosion resistance were developed as an ideal core material for replacing noble metal to form Pt-based core-shell catalysts by pulse electrodeposition. Meanwhile, the smaller sizes of nitride cores would also be available for pulse electrodeposition by dispersing them on carbon nanotubes (CNT). To achieve a better practice on the preparation of the Pt-based core-shell catalysts, in this work, both nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNT) and reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) were used to support the copper-doped titanium nitride (Ti_0.9Cu_0.1N) cores. In the course of pulse electrodeposition, their influences as supports on the electronic states of electrodeposited Pt as well as their catalytic activities were compared. The results showed that the Pt preferred to electrodeposit on Ti_0.9Cu_0.1N cores supported by N-CNT and formed a core-shell structure. While with the same electrodeposition process, the Pt was found to be electrodeposited not only on the Ti_0.9Cu_0.1N cores supported by N-rGO with heavy aggregations but also on the N-rGO support. Raman spectroscopy analysis indicated that the higher degree of structural defects on N-rGO, as support, might have contributed to such divergence observation.     

The Effect of Addition of High-Melting Monoacylglycerol and Candelilla Wax on Pea and Faba Bean Protein Foam-Templated Oleogelation

Use of oleogels prepared from hydrocolloids has recently gained considerable attention as an alternative for trans and saturated fats. Lately, pulse proteins such as faba bean protein and pea protein have been successfully used to prepare oleogels using a foam-templated approach. Although the pulse proteins are healthy oleogelators, high oil loss and low quality of cake baked using pulse protein-stabilized oleogels due to its poor rheological properties challenged its use. The present study explored whether the addition of small amount of high-melting monoglyceride (MAG) or candelilla wax (CW) can be used to improve the oil binding capacity, rheological properties, and baking qualities of pulse protein-stabilized oleogels composed of 5% faba bean or pea protein concentrate with 0.25% xanthan gum foams. Different concentrations (0.5–3%) of MAG or CW were dissolved in canola oil at 80 °C, followed by addition into the freeze-dried protein-polysaccharide foams (pH 7) and quickly transferred to a refrigerator to facilitate the formation of oleogels. The crystallized additives were found to be reinforcing the protein foam network in the oleogels. With increase in concentration of CW and MAG, the oil binding capacity, firmness, cohesiveness, and storage moduli of the oleogels were increased. Oleogels with and without MAG or CW were then characterized and tested for their performance as a shortening replacer in model baked cakes. Findings showed improved textural properties of cake upon addition of MAG in the foam-templated oleogels, however, compared to the shortening, negative effect on cake hardness and chewiness was still observed with the oleogels.     

Full-scale experimental investigation on the shock-wave characteristics of high-pressure natural gas pipeline physical explosions

In this study, a series of full-scale high-pressure natural gas pipeline physical explosion experiments were performed, in which the overpressure of the shock waves was measured and analyzed. The concept of “physical explosion linear energy (PEXLE)” was proposed and a “PEXLE model” was established to evaluate shock waves in a cylindrical pipeline with high length–diameter ratio. Equations were fitted to describe the characteristics of peak overpressure, positive pressure duration and specific impulse. Results showed that peak overpressure of shock waves is not influenced by the length of pipeline. With the increase of the propagation distance, specific impulse first increases and then decreases. This indicates that the position of the maximum value of overpressure does not correspond with that of the specific impulse.