Population changes of citratefermenting bacteria in cheddar cheese

Population changes of citrate-fermenting bacteria in commercial Cheddar cheese and flavor developments of the cheese were studied. Ten freshly made Cheddar cheese were purchased from five different manufacturers and the cheese were examined for citrate-fermenting bacteria at regular monthly intervals during a twelve month curing period. The Citrate-fermentation bacterial populations were enumerated on tomato juice agar containing 0.5 per cent calcium lactate and 0.6 per cent colloidal calcium citrate. After three months of curing, the examination included organoleptic test for the flavor and texture of the cheese. Eight of ten cheese contained citrate-fermentingbacteria throughout curing in variable numbers and two cheese contained the bacteria until eleven months of curing.The populations of citrate-fermenting bacteria of all cheese decreased during curing. Six of ten cheese developed a bitter flavor during curing. Two of the remaining cheese developed a fermented flavor and the other two a flat flavor.All cheese showed slight to distinct openness in texture when examined after three months of curing and there was no change in the degree of openness throughout the curing

Weight Gain and its Correlates among Breast Cancer Survivors

SummaryPurposeWeight gain after diagnosis of breast cancer is a profound issue that may negatively impact cancer prognosis. However, most existing research on weight change has been conducted in Western countries. In addition, several factors related to weight gain have been reported; however, the evidence is inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to examine weight gain and its correlates among Korean breast cancer survivors.MethodsA total of 132 female breast cancer survivors were recruited from one university hospital in South Korea. Participants completed anthropometric measurements (i.e., body weight, height) and a self-reported questionnaire, including the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and Mini Dietary Assessment.ResultsThe mean weight change was −0.09 kg (SD = 4.28). Only 27 women (19.7%) gained more than 5% of their weight at diagnosis, 59.1% maintained weight, and 21.2% lost weight. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, significant correlates of weight gain were younger age, obesity at diagnosis, duration of more than 36 months since diagnosis, and low diet quality.ConclusionYounger women, women who were obese at diagnosis, women with more than 36 months since diagnosis, or women who showed lower diet quality should be considered at high-risk for weight gain. Findings from our study suggest that optimal weight management strategies should be developed using ethnically- or culturally-appropriate approaches

A multiaxial stretchable interconnect using liquid-alloy-filled elastomeric microchannels

We report on the fabrication and characterizations of a multiaxial stretchable interconnect using room-temperature liquid-alloy-filled elastomeric microchannels. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels coated at the bottom with a gold wetting layer were used as the reservoirs which were subsequently filled by room-temperature liquid alloy using microfluidic injection technique. Using a diamond-shaped geometry to provide biaxial performance, a maximum stretchability of 100% was achieved (R=0.24 ). Less than 0.02 resistance variation was measured for 180 bending. Active electronics, light emitting diode, was also integrated onto the PDMS substrate with stretchable interconnects to demonstrate stable electrical connection during stretching, bending, and twisting

Nanoscale Configuration of Clay-Interlayer Chemistry: A Precursor to Enhancing Flame Retardant Properties

Nanomaterials are proving to be pivotal to the evolution of controllable, cost-effective and environmentally safe technologies. An important concern is the impact of low-dimensional compositional materials and their ability to significantly reduce the hazardous nature of flame retardants that are reputably harmful through unchecked inhalation. While eco-friendly and recyclable alternatives are necessary requirements to function as replacements for the ‘Next Generation’ of flame retardants, the underlying ‘Chemistry’ at the nanoscale is unfolding unlocking vital clues enabling the development of more effective retardants. In this direction, the dimensional order of particles in naturally occurring nanoclay materials and their associated properties as composites are gaining increasing attention as important constituents of flame retardants. In this review, we examine closer the compositional importance of intercalated/exfoliated nanoclay networks essential to retardant functionality exploring the chemical significance and discussing underlying mechanisms where possible

Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives for Flexible Display Applications

Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) have been used in electronics for not only attachment of two materials but also shock absorption, thermal and electrical conductivity, electromagnetic shielding, and optical property. Optically clear adhesives (OCA) have been used as a core material for optical performance of display. In addition to basic properties of OCA such as adhesion strength, transmittance, haze, and reliability, it has required dielectric constant, gap filling, and anticorrosion according to a substrate. However, the structural and functional changes of flexible display bring challenges to OCA that protects vulnerable components such as thin-film transistor, OLED, and thin-film encapsulation by stress dispersion and adjustment of a neutral plane. At the same time, flexibility and existing properties are essential. In this chapter, the development of components and performance of OCA, and evaluation methods will be discussed

Renewable Biocomposite Properties and their Applications

Recently, with increasing environmental awareness and expanding global waste problems, eco-friendly biofillers have been recognized as a promising alternative to inorganic fillers in the reinforcement of thermoplastic and biodegradable plastics. Therefore, many industries are seeking more eco-friendly materials that will decrease the level of environmental contamination and economic cost. Bacteria cellulose, rice straw, rice husk, natural fiber, lignocellulose, cellulose, and paper sludge are renewable resources owing many beneficial properties; these materials were used to manufacture composite products such as sound absorbing wooden construction materials, interior of bathrooms, wood decks, window frames, decorative trim, automotive panels, and industrial and consumer applications. This chapter elucidates the different renewable biocomposite properties and their applications

How biomimetic approach enlarges morphological solution space in a streamlined high-speed train design

ABSTRACT Ordinarily, high-speed train design methodology has been modeled to guide designer's problem solving and design thinking. However, the current methodology cannot guide designers in very detail due to the reason of the difficulties in bridging gap between pure engineering-knowledge and design-knowledge. In other words, these two knowledge are disconnected each other in a whole frame of design process. But, the paradigm shift that was induced by biomimetic approach has demanded an interdisciplinary approach for a generation of new geometrical characteristics that were impossible to be handled in the current design methodology. In this research, as a case study, we quantify the front-head design of high-speed trains to check the impacts of biomimetic approach. Quantitative methodology of the landmark based morphometric design analysis is introduced and adapted on the study