Physico-chemical and Sensory Evaluation of Biscuits Developed from Blends of Jowar (Sorghum), Organic Jaggery and Whole Wheat Flours

Background: Jowar (Sorghum) is one of the most popular millet grown in tropical and semi-arid regions. The present study was aimed to design and develop the process technology for the preparation of biscuits from blends of jowar and jaggery by replacing wheat flour. Methods: The biscuits were analysed for physico-chemical and sensory properties. The proportions taken were 30:70:60, 40:60:60, 50:50:60, 60:40:60, 70:30:60 and 100:0:60 of jowar flour, whole wheat flour and jaggery respectively. Sensory evaluation was performed by using composite scoring test and means were evaluated by Krushkal Walli H-Test. Result: Sensory evaluation revealed that the ratio of 100:0:60 (SWJ 6) jowar, whole wheat flour and jaggery has highest acceptability and was considered for further studies. The physical parameters of biscuits such as mass (20 g), thickness (7 mm), spread factor (64.28), diameter (45 mm) and color values were determined. The texture analysis revealed that the biscuits held hardness (32.5 g), fracturability (8.60 mm) and cutting strength (3.390 kg). Proximate analysis was estimated as energy (583 kcal), carbohydrate (92.6 g), protein (10.8 g), fat (4.8 g), crude fibre (8.6 g), calcium (46 mg), zinc (58.3 mg), iron (16.1 mg) and potassium (420 mg) per 100 g for SWJ 6 proportion.

Optimization of Prickly Pear Juice Clarification for Better Retention of Betalain and Color Properties

Background: Prickly pear juices are considered as valuable ingredient for sports and energy drinks due to its higher amino acids contents, minerals and attractive red color. Hence, prickly pear fruit has received renewed interest for the production of juice. Up to date, relatively little work has been reported regarding the manufacturing of prickly pear products. Enzyme has proved to be the key element for producing clear and stable fruit juice. The present study aimed to optimize the processing parameters for enzymatic clarification of prickly pear juice. The results of this investigation are expected to provide the suitable process technology for the production of prickly pear juice with better retention of betalain content and color value. Methods: Prickly pear pulp was treated with pectinase enzyme at different concentrations (0.01-0.09%), incubation temperatures (40-60°C) and incubation time (60-180 min). The effect of enzymatic treatments on clarity, color index, betalain content and ascorbic acid content of juice were studied through response surface methodology by employing second order central composite rotatable design. Result: Response surface analysis determined the optimum condition for clarifying prickly pear juice as 0.036% enzyme concentration, 46°C incubation temperature and 112 min incubation time. At this condition, it was predicted to produce the prickly pear juice with clarity of 48.59% T, color index of 0.603 abs, betalain content of 542.93 mg/L of juice and ascorbic acid content of 9.35 mg/100 g with the desirability of 0.780.

Total ionizing dose effect on 2-D array data transfer ICs designed and fabricated by 0.18-µm CMOS technology

Circuits for CMOS two-dimensional (2-D) array data transfer are indispensable for applications such as space and nuclear fields. Issues include to be operated with higher speed, lower power, fewer size penalty and radiation hardness. To meet these requirements, two kinds of CMOS 2-D array data transfer circuits, such as a shift register type and a memory access type, are proposed and fabricated by the standard 0.18-µm CMOS process technology. In the both types, 16 µm pitch, 8×124 array data transfer operations were realized with data rate of more than 1 Gb/s. Furthermore, we conducted 60Co γ-ray irradiation experiments on those circuits. The current consumption ratio of the shift register type to the memory access type ranges from 150 to 200% as the dosage increases. The result indicate that the memory access type has better radiation hardness at 1 Gb/s than that of the shift register type.

Managing routines and keeping on track: technology, human cognition and performativity in SMEs

PurposeRoutine dynamics provide a robust theoretical framework to explore a wide range of organizational phenomena. However, the study of routines and the effect of technology on its performativity in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) still lack attention by researchers. This paper aims to analyze how the balance between process technology and human cognition affects routines' performativity in SMEs.Design/methodology/approachIt was conducted a multicase study composed of Brazilian SMEs in the bakery industry. Data collection took place through interviews with managers and employees, observation of operational processes and document analysis. Thematic content analysis was adopted for categorization and data analysis.FindingsThe authors’ findings allow inferring there is no primacy of a more automated or artisanal production process to achieve competitiveness, which breaks the paradigm of the superior performance of automated production over the artisanal process that haunts SMEs. Though technology increases production efficiency, the artisanal approach can be valuable at promoting a company by commercially using this know-how to explore other business models appreciated by the public.Practical implicationsThe authors’ proposals became relevant in a practical perspective once it works as a parameter for SME managers' decision-making about new investments in production resources and to foster public policies and other actions developed by support services for small businesses.Originality/valueThis study expands the frontiers in routines literature on SMEs, which lacks deepening. From this, SME managers can intensify actions to optimize process routines performativity through technologies or human cognition to keep the routines on track.

Mathematica: Teaching Learning Process at Secondary School Level in Punjab

Technology becomes an integral part of academia. Computer or technology is rooted out from Mathematics. When it is said that 21st century is the century of technology, then how the field of education is remained away from technology. Modern science labs are technology oriented and in such a way the subject of Mathematics is also shifted on technology. Mathematics is not an integral part of daily routine life as well as playing a key role in the progress of science and technology. In the teaching learning process, technology-based teaching is the modern mode of teaching. Keeping in mind the same scenario, current study was conducted to highlight the concept of Mathematica (Mathematics and Information Technology) in the teaching learning process at secondary school level in Punjab province. Study aimed at to observe the technology role on the mathematics’ teaching at secondary school level. The study was quantitative by nature and descriptive approach was adopted. Self-developed questionnaire was applied as a research tool to get the data from the target sample through survey technique. Total targeted sample was 60 teachers who are teaching Mathematics at secondary school level and their 200 students. Findings of the study revealed that technology usage in the teaching learning process of mathematics enhance the understanding of the mathematical concepts many times.

Efficient Synthesis of Biodiesel Catalyzed by Chitosan-Based Catalysts

Catalysts play an important role in the preparation of biodiesel. It is of great significance to study catalysts with high efficiency, low cost, and easy preparation. Compared with the homogeneous catalyst system, the heterogeneous catalyst is easy to separate and has a better catalytic effect. In heterogeneous catalysts, supports and preparation methods have important effects on the dispersion of active centers and the overall performance of catalysts. However, the supports of existing solid catalysts have defects in porosity, structural uniformity, stability, and specific surface area, and the preparation methods cannot stabilize covalent bonds or ionic bonds to bind catalytic sites. Considering the activity, preparation method, and cost of the catalyst, biomass-based catalyst is the best choice, but the specific surface area of the biomass-based catalyst is relatively low, the distribution of active centers is uneven, and it is easy to lose. Therefore, the hybrid carrier of biomass-based catalyst and other materials can not only improve the specific surface area but also make the distribution of active centers uniform and the catalytic activity better. Based on this, we summarized the application of chitosan hybrid material catalysts in biodiesel. The preparation, advantages and disadvantages, reaction conditions, and so on of chitosan-based catalysts were mainly concerned. At the same time, exploring the effects of different types of chitosan-based catalysts on the preparation of biodiesel and exploring the process technology with high efficiency and low consumption is the focus of this paper.

Advances in Twin-Screw Granulation

Twin-screw granulation (TSG) is an emerging process technology that allows both wet and dry granulation of powders with a wide range of properties [...]

Efficiency and productivity of the Brazilian banks: A new approach based on two-stage network DEA

This article creates a conceptual model, called a network system, to represent the Brazilian banking production system, based on its internal operational processes. The first, called the intermediation process, measures a bank's efficiency in extending loans from its available resources. The second, called the revenue process, measures a bank's efficiency in earning profit, mainly from loans granted. We adopt a two-stage DEA model. In the first stage, a relational network DEA model measures both the network system efficiency scores and internal processes. This technique, associated with the Malmquist Index, assesses performance changes over time. In the second stage, these efficiency scores are considered dependent variables, such that Tobit models can determine how the Brazilian credit market's characteristics can explain the network system and internal processes' efficiency. Results show not only a growing trend toward greater efficiency in the revenue process, but also an increase in productivity accompanied by a decline in the intermediation process technology. Given the high banking spreads in Brazil, these results indicate deterioration in the quality of the credit portfolio and the prospect of future insolvency. We discuss implications of this scenario for domestic banks and collateral policy.

A Comprehensive Review on Biology, Genetic Improvement, Agro and Process Technology of German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.)

German chamomile (M. chamomilla) is recognized as a star herb due to its medicinal and aromatic properties. This plant is found across a wide range of climatic and soil conditions. Both the flower heads and blue essential oils of German chamomile possess several pharmacological properties of an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic and sedative, etc., nature, which makes it a highly sought after herb for use in many pharma and aroma industries. Chamomile tea, prepared from its flower heads, is also a well-known herbal tea for mind and body relaxation. Though it is a high-demand herb, farmers have not adopted this plant for large scale cultivation as a crop, which could improve their livelihood, due to the high cost in flower heads harvesting, loss in over mature and immature flower heads picking during harvesting, unavailability of varieties and agrotechnologies for machine harvesting, a lack of efficient process development of oil extraction and in the lack of improved stable varieties. There are many studies that have reported on the phytochemistry and pharmacological uses of chamomile, which further explore its importance in the medicine industry. Several studies are also present in the literature on its cultivation practices and plant ecology. However, studies on breeding behavior, genetic improvement, varietal development and mechanical harvesting are scarce in German chamomile. Hence, keeping in mind various aspects of farmers’ and researchers’ interest, earlier reports on taxonomy, floral biology, processing of oil extraction, active constituents, uses, agronomy, breeding challenges and opportunities in German chamomile are summarized in this review.