Testing for sensory threshold in drinking water with added calcium: a first step towards developing a calcium fortified water

Background: Food fortification is an effective strategy that has been recommended for improving population calcium inadequate intakes. Increasing calcium concentration of water has been proposed as a possible strategy to improve calcium intake. The objective of this study was to determine the sensory threshold of different calcium salts added to drinking water using survival analysis. Methods: We performed the triangle test methodology for samples of water with added calcium using three different calcium salts: calcium chloride, calcium gluconate and calcium lactate. For each salt, a panel of 54 consumers tested seven batches of three water samples. Data were adjusted for chance and sensory threshold was estimated using the survival methodology and a discrimination of 50%. Results: The threshold value estimation for calcium gluconate was 587 ± 131 mg/L of water, corresponding to 25% discrimination, for calcium lactate was 676 ± 186 mg/L, corresponding to 50% discrimination, and for calcium chloride was 291 ± 73 mg/L, corresponding to 50% discrimination. Conclusions: These results show that water with calcium added in different salts and up to a concentration of 500 mg of calcium/L of water is feasible. The calcium salt allowing the highest calcium concentration with the lowest perceived changes in taste was calcium gluconate. Future studies need to explore stability and acceptability over longer periods of time.

The Influence of Density on the Value of Young’s Modulus for Dry Ice

The efficiency of material consumption is an important consideration for production processes; this is particularly true for processes that use waste materials. Dry ice extrusion serves as a good example. An examination of the literature on this subject leads to an observation that the commercially available machines for dry ice compression are characterized by a high value of working force. Consequently, the effectiveness of the source consumption, electric energy and carbon dioxide, is very low. The subject of the experimental research presented in the article is the influence of the density of dry ice on the value of Young’s modulus. The first part of the article presents the test methodology and the special test stand that was developed to accommodate the unique characteristics of solid-state carbon dioxide. The test results present the characteristics of compaction and relaxation used as the basis for determining the value of Young’s modulus. Based on the test results obtained for various material density values, the characteristics of Young’s modulus are developed and graphed as a function of the density. The presented results are important for furthering the research on the development of extrusion and compaction processes; for example, using the Drucker–Prager/Cap model for the purpose of optimizing the geometrical characteristics of the work assembly components.

An Alternative Test Method for the Dual Port SRAM Memory through the Designware SATA AHCI Implementation in 3-D IC Structures

Background: It is being considered that conventional methods for testing the dual port memories might not be suitable for the Three-Dimensional Integrated Circuit (3-D IC) structures due to the presence of the limited test vectors with heterogeneous integration. Objective: Find out a novel test methodology DPRAMs in 3-D IC structures. Methods: This paper has taken the approach called as Application Specific Integrated Chips(ASIC) to gain insights on Front-End behavioral testing and Back-End routability of the dual port memories integrated with complex Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (Serial-ATA) design, in a 3-D IC structure. The presented implementation is using commercially available dual port memories from two different vendors. The commercially available DesignWare Advanced Host Controller Interface (SATA/AHCI) is based on the Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA 2.6), AHCI host and external SATA (eSATA) standard bus architecture and being used with My_foundry’s 14nm Low Power (14LP) process technology for logical and physical implementations. Results: This paper shows memory testing in both implementation/verification in a readily built-up SATA test environment. Conclusion: It is being considered that the approach described here might be used as a tool/environment for evaluating any vendor's DPRAMs/2Ports RAMs/2Ports Register Files. As a result, it offers an alternative to the traditional test methodology.

Identifying the Co-Curing Effect of an Accelerated-Sulfur/Bismaleimide Combination on Natural Rubber/Halogenated Rubber Blends Using a Rubber Process Analyzer

The rheometer curing curves of 50/50 blends of natural rubber (NR) and two different halogenated rubbers with a combination of conventional accelerated sulfur (CV) and 3 phr of a bismaleimide (MF3) at 170 °C indicates that a co-curing reaction has been taken place between NR and the halogenated rubbers via Diels–Alder reaction. To further confirm whether the co-curing reaction has taken place in the early stage of curing, a complex test methodology was applied with the help of a rubber process analyzer. In this test, the blends with CV and with CVMF3 were subjected to cure at 170 °C for a predetermined time so that both the CV and CVMF3 cured blends will have the same magnitude of curing torque. It is then cooled down to 40 °C and the storage modulus (G′) was evaluated as a function of strain from 0.5% to 100% at a constant frequency of 1 Hz. The results reveal that the blends cured with CVMF3 exhibit a higher G′ due to the enhanced network strength because of the formation of bismaleimide crosslinks than the same cured with only the CV system. The swelling resistance and the mechanical properties of the blends cured with CVMF3 were significantly higher than those cured with only the CV system.

Convergence in Green Growth as the Key to Fighting Climate Change, 1990–2019

The consequences of climate change are an important point of contention in the current policy debate on the sustainability of economic development and growth. Climate change contributes to many socio-economic disadvantages and risks. The primary objective of global policy 2050 is to fully understand the negative externalities of environmental change. Goal and methodology: the main goal of the study is to examine convergence to the steady green growth state for a sample of 130 countries from 1990 to 2019. Setting up an efficient and consistent policy to fight climate change demands empirical knowledge on green growth. Using log (t) test methodology, we investigate convergence in green growth indicators for selected samples based on available country data. Findings: our assumptions are: (1) economies are not motivated and eager to foster energy transition; instead, they accept it as a random policy goal and (2) economies want to foster energy transition, but they are limited by a significant trade-off factor pulling their efforts down. Convergence testing shows the existence of two significant convergence clubs, one with countries moving to energy transition and the second still promoting national output based on fossil fuels. The findings indicate future divergence between the two clubs and significant convergence within identified convergence clubs. Conclusions: the energy transition is moving forward at two-tier speed with green leaders and green follower clubs. Policymakers and practitioners must closely monitor the dynamics of green growth to assess the risk and uncertainties of climate change.

Impact of Merger and Acquisition on Financial Performance: Evidence from Construction and Real Estate Industry of India

This article aims to examine the impact of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) on the financial performance of the construction and real estate industry, using the broad spectrum of financial ratios. The period of study is from 2011 to 2020, and paired t-test methodology has been used. It is hypothesized that there is a significant difference in the pre-M&A period and post-M&A period. The study findings conclude that profitability ratio and liquidity ratio have improved significantly, whereas leverage ratio exhibits no change in performance. In the efficiency ratio, the fixed-assets turnover ratio substantially improves, but the total asset turnover ratio and current asset turnover ratio show a slight improvement. The study concludes that the Indian construction and real estate company’s financial performance has improved overall for the acquiring firms during the post-M&A period. The study implies that the construction sector supports the synergy hypothesis, stating that M&A will improve synergy during the post-M&A period because of the consolidation of two firms’ resources.

Experimental quantification of measurement uncertainty and other verification criteria for analytical test methods

If the measurement produces a numerical result (or the stated result is based on a numerical result), then it is necessary to evaluate the uncertainty of these numerical results. If the test methodology does not provide for a rigorous, metrologically and statistically reliable estimate of measurement uncertainty, the test laboratory should attempt to reasonably assess the uncertainty of the measurement results. This is applicable in the case of test methods both rational and empirical. As well as in the laboratory activities, verification of test methods plays an important role in order to guarantee the competence of the laboratory by checking for the criteria of Kohren, Grabbs and others. In cases where test results are not numerically expressed or based on numerical data (e.g., fit/unsuitable or positive/negative, or based on visual or sensory perceptions or other forms of quality analysis), estimates of uncertainty or other variability of results are not required. Nevertheless, laboratories are advised to have an idea of the variability of the results, if possible. The importance of the uncertainty of qualitative test results is undeniable, as is the fact that the necessary statistical methodology (procedure) exists for the calculations. However, due to the complexity of the issue and the inconsistency in the approaches, it is not currently necessary for laboratories to assess the uncertainty of qualitative test results. However, this issue needs to be considered. The article discusses estimates of uncertainty of analytical measurements taking into account the requirements of regulatory documents. The criteria for verification of measurement methodology based on experimental works are also considered and analyzed.