Sensory,physical and chemical characteristics of cooked ham manufactured from rapidly chilled and earlier deboned M. semimembranosus

Effects of rapid chilling of carcasses (at − 31 °C in the first 3 h of chilling, and then at 2–4 °C) and earlier deboning (8 h post-mortem), compared to rapid (till 24 h post-mortem) and conventional chilling (at 2–4 °C, till 24 h post-mortem), on quality characteristics of pork M. semimebranosus and cooked ham were investigated. Quality measurements included pH value, colour (CIEL*a*b* values) and total aerobic count of M. semimebranosus, as well as sensory (colour, juiciness, texture, and flavour), physical (pH value, colour – CIEL*a*b* values and texture – Warner–Bratzler shear and penetration forces) and chemical (protein, total fat, and moisture content) characteristics of cooked ham. The cooked ham was manufactured from pieces of M. semimebranosus with ultimate lightness (CIEL* value) lower than 50. Rapid chilling and earlier deboning significantly increased quantity of M. semimebranosus desirable for cooked ham manufacturing. Earlier start of pork fabrication did not affect important quality characteristics of cooked ham.     

DNA base-specific modulation of microampere transverse edge currents through a metallic graphene nanoribbon with a nanopore

We study two-terminal devices for DNA sequencing that consist of a metallic graphene nanoribbon with zigzag edges (ZGNR) and a nanopore in its interior through which the DNA molecule is translocated. Using the nonequilibrium Green functions combined with density functional theory, we demonstrate that each of the four DNA nucleobases inserted into the nanopore, whose edge carbon atoms are passivated by either hydrogen or nitrogen, will lead to a unique change in the device conductance. Unlike other recent biosensors based on transverse electronic transport through translocated DNA, which utilize small (of the order of pA) tunneling current across a nanogap or a nanopore yielding a poor signal-to-noise ratio, our device concept relies on the fact that in ZGNRs local current density is peaked around the edges so that drilling a nanopore away from the edges will not diminish the conductance. Inserting a nucleobase into the nanopore affects the charge density in the surrounding area, thereby modulating edge conduction currents whose magnitude is of the order of microampere at bias voltage 0.1 V. The proposed biosensors are not limited to ZGNRs and they could be realized with other nanowires supporting transverse edge currents, such as chiral GNRs or wires made of two-dimensional topological insulators.     

A method for the identification of hydraulic damper characteristics from steady velocity inputs

The research presented in this paper investigates the possibility of precise experimental identification of steady damper characteristics. The paper considers velocity sensitive and nominally symmetric hydraulic dampers. The proposed identification methodology is based on a piecewise constant velocity excitation. One goal of the paper is to analyze the transient nature of the damper response in the context of finite permissible piston displacements and first order transient effects due to elastic elements in the damper structure. The proposed methodology is formalized in a framework suitable for experimental design, allowing the detailed study of steady state damper performance. The second goal of the paper is to demonstrate the practical application of the proposed methodology. It is applied to the case of a safety critical hydraulic damper used for stability augmentation in production helicopters. The research work presented shows that this methodology can be used for identification in a finite but relatively wide range of piston velocities. The case study demonstrates a successful example of damper property identification where the resulting characteristics prove useful as a tool for model validation. Finally, the identification results are related to the results of a more traditional test with harmonic piston excitation.     

Evaluating Bank Filtration as an Alternative to the Current Water Supply from Deeper Aquifer: A Case Study from the Pannonian Basin,Serbia

Groundwater from a depth of 100–200 m is the main source of public water supply in most municipalities in the Pannonian basin in central and southeastern Europe. Even though its quality does not always meet EU standards for drinking water—including those regarding arsenic—in many villages and even in some major cities no treatment except chlorination takes place. Of the several alternatives to improve the water supply situation in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina in the northern part of the Republic of Serbia, re-orientation towards more centralized systems combined with river bank filtration as an additional and sustainable raw water resource was evaluated as the best. A hydrogeological and hydrochemical survey of the Tisa (or Tisza) River alluvium in the Padej test field confirmed the aptness of this approach. A good connection between the Tisa River bed and the alluvial aquifer consisting of fine-grained sand was found (average hydraulic conductivity of 5 × 10⁻⁵ m/s). With appropriately designed and managed wells, 80–100 l/s bank filtrate per km of river bank can be produced for water supply. Comprehensive analysis of the river water and river bank filtrate as well as a pilot treatment of the bank filtrate suggest that aeration-oxidation-flocculation-filtration-disinfection is a suitable technology for the Tisa River bank filtrate.     

The boiler concept for combustion of large soya straw bales

In one of the largest agricultural companies in Serbia, with over 2000 ha of soya plantations, there are 4000 t/year of baled soya straw produced. Soya straw biomass is planned to be used as a renewable energy source for heating the greenhouses, with 5 ha in area. Therefore, efforts have been made to develop a technology for utilizing large bales of soya straw for energy production. In the first phase, a demo energy production facility-furnace was developed and built. The facility had been tested in order to examine the quality of combustion of large soya straw bales. Since experimental results of testing of this facility have proved to be very satisfactory, in the second phase of the development, a hot water boiler of similar characteristics (burning soya straw bales, with dimensions 0.7×1.2×2.7 m³) has been designed.     

Modeling dye degradation kinetic using dark- and photo-Fenton type processes

Dark- and photo-Fenton type processes, Fe²⁺/H₂O₂, Fe³⁺/H₂O₂, Fe⁰/H₂O₂, UV/Fe²⁺/H₂O₂, UV/Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ and UV/Fe⁰/H₂O₂, were applied for the treatment of model colored wastewater containing two reactive dyes, C.I. Reactive Blue 49 and C.I. Reactive Blue 137, and degradation kinetics were compared. Dye degradation was monitored by the means of UV/VIS, adsorbable organic halides (AOX) and total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, thus determining decolorization and dechlorination of triazine structure, as well as mineralization of model colored wastewater. Both dark- and photo-Fenton type processes were proven to be very efficient for color removal; ≥98% was achieved in all cases. Significant improvements in the mineralization of studied dyes were achieved by the assistance of UV light, as it was expected. It was demonstrated that the degradation kinetic of applied dyes depended on the presence of UV light, as well as type of iron catalyst and dye structure. On bases of the obtained experimental results, the mathematical models were developed describing dye degradation kinetics in all studied systems. Since UV light was used in order to enhance the efficiency of dark-Fenton type processes, mathematical model describing dye degradation by UV photolysis providing the values of quantum yields for each of the dye was developed and incorporated in model for photo-Fenton type processes. A sensitivity analysis for the evaluation of importance of each reaction used in mathematical models was also performed.     

Effect of Starter Culture Addition and Processing Method on Proteolysis and Texture Profile of Traditional Dry-Fermented Sausage Petrovská klobása

Proteolysis and texture profile of Petrovská klobása, made with addition of starter culture, were investigated during the ripening in different conditions (traditional versus industrial). Due to intensive degradation of myofibrillar proteins, significant increases of non-protein nitrogen and free amino acids nitrogen contents were registered in all samples. Similar proteolytic changes were found in both starter and non-starter sausages, but were more pronounced in samples ripened in industrial room. In relation to ripening conditions hardness and chewiness differed significantly, while starter culture had significant effect only on hardness of sausages processed in industrial room.     

Biocompatibility of mesoporous SBA-16/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite and dentin demineralized particles on human dental pulp stem cells

In the present work, a biomaterial (SBA-16/HA) based on the growth of hydroxyapatite (HA) particles within an organized silica structure SBA-16 (Santa Barbara Amorphous-16) was developed to evaluate its application to act as a porous microenvironment promoting attachment and viability of human dental pulp stem cells of healthy deciduous teeth (SHED). First, SHED were isolated and their phenotypes were evaluated by flow cytometry. The samples of SBA-16/HA were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), small and wide angle X-ray scattering (SWAXS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectra detector (EDS). Afterward, cells were cultured in the eluates of the above-mentioned biomaterial aged for 24 hr, 7. and 14 days. Bio-Oss® and dentin particles are involved for comparison and cells are cultured in the eluates of these two materials also. Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium bromide assay-MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide assay) was used for the determination of cell viability. The results obtained by all aforementioned characterization methods of SBA-16/HA, revealed a uniform spherical mesoporous structure, an intrinsic characteristic of this material. This material displayed excellent biocompatibility on SHEDs, and even proliferative potential, indicating that SBA-16/HA could potentially serve as a suitable substrate for bone regeneration. Contrary to SBA-16/HA, dentin particles showed low cytotoxicity at all time points, compared to control and Bio-Oss®groups. Our results substantiate the idea that SBA-16/HA has a beneficial effect on SHEDs, thus paving the way toward developing new material for bone replacement.     

Effect of the filler morphology on the crystallization behavior and dielectric properties of the polyvinylidene fluoride-based composite

Ceramic/polymer composites can be chemically stable, mechanically strong, and flexible, which make them candidates for electric devices, such as pressure or temperature sensors, energy storage or harvesting devices, actuators, and so forth. Depending on the application, various electrical properties are of importance. Polymers usually have low dielectric permittivity, but increased dielectric permittivity can be achieved by the addition of the ceramic fillers with high dielectric constant. With the aim to enhance dielectric properties of the composite without loss of flexibility, 5 wt% of BaTiO₃-Fe₂O₃ powder was added into a polyvinylidene fluoride matrix. The powder was prepared by different synthesis conditions to produce core/shell structures. The effect of the phase composition and morphology of the BaTiO₃-Fe₂O₃ core/shell filler on the structure and lattice dynamics of the polymer composites was investigated. Based on the results of the thermal analysis, various parameters of ceramic/polymer composites were determined. Differences in the phase composition and morphology of the filler have an influence on the formation of various polyvinylidene fluoride allomorphs and the degree of crystallinity. Furthermore, the dielectric performances of pure polyvinylidene fluoride and the polymer/ceramic composites were measured.     

Negative differential resistance in graphene-nanoribbon–carbon-nanotube crossbars: a first-principles multiterminal quantum transport study

We simulate quantum transport between a graphene nanoribbon (GNR) and a single-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) where electrons traverse vacuum gap between them. The GNR covers CNT over a nanoscale region while their relative rotation is 90^°, thereby forming a four-terminal crossbar where the bias voltage is applied between CNT and GNR terminals. The CNT and GNR are chosen as either semiconducting (s) or metallic (m) based on whether their two-terminal conductance exhibits a gap as a function of the Fermi energy or not, respectively. We find nonlinear current-voltage (I–V) characteristics in all three investigated devices—mGNR-sCNT, sGNR-sCNT and mGNR-mCNT crossbars—which are asymmetric with respect to changing the bias voltage from positive to negative. Furthermore, the I–V characteristics of mGNR-sCNT crossbar exhibits negative differential resistance (NDR) with low onset voltage V _NDR?0.25 V and peak-to-valley current ratio ?2.0. The overlap region of the crossbars contains only ?460 carbon and hydrogen atoms which paves the way for nanoelectronic devices ultrascaled well below the smallest horizontal length scale envisioned by the international technology roadmap for semiconductors. Our analysis is based on the nonequilibrium Green function formalism combined with density functional theory (NEGF-DFT), where we also provide an overview of recent extensions of NEGF-DFT framework (originally developed for two-terminal devices) to multiterminal devices.