Susceptibility of Blood Orange Cultivars to Chilling Injury Based on Antioxidant System, Physiological and Biochemical Responses at Different Storage Temperatures

Susceptibility of four blood orange cultivars (‘Moro’, ‘Tarocco’, ‘Sanguinello’ and ‘Sanguine’) to chilling injury (CI) was studied. Antioxidant enzymes, physiological and biochemical changes were measured monthly at 2 and 5 °C plus 2 days at 20 °C for shelf life. At 2 °C, CI symptoms were higher than at 5 °C, and ‘Moro’ and ‘Tarocco’ had significantly higher CI than ‘Sanguinello’ and ‘Sanguine’. ‘Moro’ and ‘Tarocco’ had the highest electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, H2O2 and polyphenol oxidase activity and lower phenylalanine ammonia-lyase compared with ‘Sanguinello’ and ‘Sanguine’. The scanning electron microscopy micrographs revealed that ‘Moro’ and ‘Taroco’ showed severe fractures in the flavedo due to CI. ‘Sanguinello’ and ‘Sanguine’ were more tolerant to CI due to an increase of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, which could prevent the loss of membrane integrity and alleviate CI symptoms. The order of susceptibility of cultivars to CI was ‘Moro’> ‘Tarocco’> ‘Sanguine’> ‘Sanguinello’.

Production and characterization of Al6061/zirconium carbide surface composites

In the present study, Al6061/zirconium carbide surface composites have been developed using the friction stir processing method. The volume fraction of the zirconium carbide particles was varied as 3%, 6% and 9%. The developed composites were characterized using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Micrographs revealed uniform distribution of zirconium carbide particles, and addition of zirconium carbide particles was found to improve hardness and tensile properties of Al6061 alloy. Corresponding strengthening mechanisms have been discussed and associated with the microstructural studies. Fractographic analysis was found to show a reduction in ductility with increase in addition of zirconium carbide particles.

Study of composite-based natural fibers and renewable polymers, using bacteria to ameliorate the fiber/matrix interface

In this paper, bacteria belonging to the species Acetobacter xylinum were used to modify the surface of natural fibers by depositing nanosized bacterial cellulose around natural fibers which enhances their adhesion to renewable polymers. Single fiber tensile test was used in order to determine their mechanical properties and surface. The practical adhesion between the modified fibers and the renewable polymers cellulose acetate butyrate is quantified using the single fiber pullout test. Simple weight gain measurements before and after the modification show that about 4 and 6% bacterial cellulose adheres to the fibers as a result of the bacterial modification procedure. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs confirm the presence of attached bacterial cellulose on the surfaces of natural fibers.

Structure and magnetic properties of Co-Zn substituted hexagonal ferrites

In In this study to understand the substitutional effect of Co-Zn on structural and magnetic properties of the BaFe12-2xCoxZnxO19 M-type hexagonal ferrites with concentration (x= 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) were synthesized by the ceramic method. The results of x-ray diffraction show polycrystalline with single phase. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs shows the hexagonal ferrites that are composed of small particles with large porosity, roughly of spherical shapes. The substitution of Fe3+ ion by Co2+ and Zn2+ has changed magnetic properties of hexagonal ferrites.

The Impact of Different Lactic Acid Bacteria Sourdoughs on the Quality Characteristics of Toast Bread

The effect of sourdough inoculated with three novel single strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (Lactobacillus casei jQ412732, Lactobacillus plantarum jQ301799, and Lactobacillus brevis IBRC-M10790) as well as mixed strains was evaluated on the quality characteristics of Toast bread. Antifungal properties of sourdoughs due to organic acid production were measured by HPLC, and storability was evaluated by thermal and textural analysis in days 1, 3, and 6. Despite the impact of sourdough concentration on microbial preservation, no significant effect was observed in the case of enthalpy reduction. Mixed LAB strains showed the best results in reducing the enthalpy and hardness of bread as well as better microbial preservation by producing the highest amount of organic acids, justified by sensory panelists. Among single strains, L. casei gave better results in reducing hardness and staling rate of bread. Scanning Electron Microscopy micrographs of bread also showed the differences.

Superhydrophobic inkjet printed flexible graphene circuits via direct-pulsed laser writing

(Left) Scanning electron microscopy micrographs and corresponding contact angle (CA) images for (top) thermally annealed inkjet printed graphene (IPG) and (bottom) laser annealed (IPG). (Right) Molecular dynamic simulation results correlating CA and changes in graphene petal orientation due to laser treated IPG.

Shield Effect Of Functional Interlining Fabric

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) have become very serious in a variety of different electronic equipments, such as personal computers (frequency at several GHz), mobile devices (0.9 – 2.4 GHz) and similar. This imposes the need for setting boundaries for EM emission of electric and electronic devices in order to minimize the possibility of interference with radio and wireless communications. Functional textiles can offer protective properties against EM radiation. The aim of this study is to investigate the degree of protection against EM radiation provided by polyamide copper-coated interlining fabric before and after dry cleaning treatment. EM protection efficiency of the interlining functional fabric is explored on both sides at the frequencies of 0.9; 1.8; 2.1 and 2.4 GHz. The results obtained have shown that the interlining fabric has good protective properties against EM radiation, but after dry cleaning, treatment reduction is observed. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs of the interlining surface confirms shield effect decline due to degradation and firing of the copper layers during the process of dry cleaning.

Effect of Thickness and Length of Ion Polymer Metal Composites (IPMC) on its Actuation Properties

IPMC (ionic polymer metal composite), a kind of ionic electroactive polymer (EAP) has wide applications in the filed of bionics and artificial apparatus for its fast and large bending deformation under the low driving voltages. In this paper, thick IPMCs with various numbers of films were first fabricated by the hot-pressing method. Then the effect of the thickness on its properties, such as the tip forces and water uptake capability, were investigated. The effect of length of the IPMC on its tip forces was further studied. SEM (scanning electron microscopy) micrographs of IPMC specimen were also examined.

Hydrophilic ePTFE-Based Composite Membranes for PEMFCs

A hydrophilic expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE) based composite membrane was prepared and tested for proton exchange fuel cell applications. The composite membrane was prepared by impregnating hydrophilic ePTFE membrane with 5% Nafion solution (equivalent weight=1000). This new composite membrane showed higher water uptake (12.7%) than that of normal hydrophobic ePTFE based composite membrane (6.3%) and better proton conductivity. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed that the hydrophilic ePTFE based membrane can easily form a dense composite membrane while hydrophobic ePTFE based composite membranes tend to have micropores inside. The hydrophilic ePTFE based composite membrane showed better thermal and dimensional stability than recast Nafion membrane.

Strength and Toughness of 1.1wt% Li-Containing Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloys

The effect of ageing processes on the toughness and the yield strength of the Li-containing Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys (Al-5.6%Zn-1.9%Mg-1.6%Cu-1.1%Li-0.24Cr) was investigated. The microstructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy, tensile test was performed at a rate of 1mm·s-1, fracture toughness was experimentally determined by the impact test, and the fracture modes had been assessed by image analysis of scanning electron microscopy micrographs. The strength of the Li-containing Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys treated at 120 °C is not more than 430MPa, which is very lower than that of 7075 alloys. The strength is comparable to that of 7075–T6 alloys after double-ageing or multi-ageing, however its ductility is lower than that of 7075-T6 alloys. The single-aged Li-containing alloys have high toughness. The multi-aged alloys become brittle. The fracture surface for the Li-containing Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys is intergranular, since the intergranular precipitation weakness the grain boundaries.