Stringiness of Hyaluronic Acid Emulsions

In this work, we underline the importance of the molecular weight of hyaluronic acid on the elongational properties of concentrated emulsions. The filament formation properties, e.g. the stringiness, of an emulsion is a key determinant of a product liking and repeat purchase. Here, we find that high molecular weight hyaluronic acid and a high stretching speed are the control parameters affecting the filament formation of an emulsion.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures. Published in International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 202

Формирование приоритетов интенсификации факторов производства угольного предприятия на основе структурно-иерархического анализа

Проведено оцінку взаємного впливу чинників виробництва і пріоритетів їх формування на базі підприємств вугільної галузі на основі структурно-ієрархічного підходу. Обґрунтовано можливості йі умови аналізу багатоваріантності впливів чинників праці і капіталу на зниження трудомісткості і капіталомісткості очисних робіт. Доведено доцільність застосування методу аналізу ієрархій, за допомогою якого побудовано матриці парних порівнянь. Ключові слова: інтенсифікація чинників виробництва, матриця попарних порівнянь, метод аналізу ієрархій, структурно-ієрархічний метод, чинники виробництва.Проведена оценка взаимного влияния факторов производства и приоритетов их формирования на базе предприятий угольной отрасли на основе структурно-иерархического подхода. Обоснованы возможности и условия анализа многовариантности воздействия факторов труда и капитала на снижение трудоемкости и капиталоемкости очистных работ. Доказана целесообразность применения метода анализа иерархий, с помощью которого построены матрицы парных сравнений. Ключевые слова: интенсификация факторов производства, матрица попарных сравнений, метод анализа иерархий, структурно-иерархический метод, факторы производства.In new economics which is based on the knowledge system the level and complicity of innovation development of industrial complexenterprise is determined by such deep transformational phenomena as change of structure of technological modes in world economy, change of qualitative and quantitative proportions of production factors and, in particular, intensification of production factors, which is able to solve such actual problem as migration to primary intensive way of development. That is why the purpose of this research is development and improvement of methodological approach to formation of priority variants of production factors intensification on the basis of method of hierarchies analysis. For solution ofthis task the method of hierarchies analysis is usedwhich is systematic procedure for hierarchical expressing the elements determining the essence of any problem. The assessment of mutual influence of production factors and priorities of their formation by the example of coal industry enterprise on the basis of structural-hierarchic approach is given in the article. On the basis of structural-hierarchic approach the criteriawere formed, which, each in different ways and with different level of intensity, make influence on meaning of coal enterprise factors. There were proved the possibilities and conditions of multipart influence of labor factors and capital on decrease of labor and capital intensity of coal-face works, which will allow giving rise in increasing effectiveness while securing necessary labor safety. Practicability of method of hierarchies analysis, with the help of which the comparison-of-pairs matrix were built, was proved. Investigation conducted allowed choosing the directions of capital investments for the purpose of getting maximum effect. Keywords: production factors intensification, comparison-of-pairs matrix, method of hierarchies analysis, structural-hierarchic method, production factors

Photonic crystals of coated metallic spheres

It is shown that simple face-centered-cubic (fcc) structures of both metallic and coated metallic spheres are ideal candidates to achieve a tunable complete photonic bandgap (CPBG) for optical wavelengths using currently available experimental techniques. For coated microspheres with the coating width to plasma wavelength ratio $l_c/\lambda_p \leq 10$ and the coating and host refractive indices $n_c$ and $n_h$, respectively, between 1 and 1.47, one can always find a sphere radius $r_s$ such that the relative gap width $g_w$ (gap width to the midgap frequency ratio) is larger than 5% and, in some cases, $g_w$ can exceed 9%. Using different coatings and supporting liquids, the width and midgap frequency of a CPBG can be tuned considerably.Comment: 14 pages, plain latex, 3 ps figures, to appear in Europhys. Lett. For more info on this subject see http://www.amolf.nl/research/photonic_materials_theory/moroz/moroz.htm

Design and characterization of Ca-Fe(III) pyrophosphate salts with tunable pH-dependent solubility for dual-fortification of foods

Food-fortification using poorly water-soluble mineral-containing compounds is a common approach to deliver iron. However, it comes with the challenge of ensuring iron bio-accessibility and limiting iron-phenolic interactions that can change organoleptic properties. Mixed Ca-Fe(III) pyrophosphate salts with the general formula Ca2(1-x)Fe4x(P2O7)(1+2x) were designed as a system for simultaneous delivery of iron and calcium. The salts were synthesized via a co-precipitation method and characterized by TEM-EDX, XRD, and FT-IR. All mixed salts with 0.14 ≤ x ≤ 0.35 yielded homogenous amorphous particles. The iron dissolution from these mixed salts showed a fourfold increase at gastric pH compared to Fe(III) pyrophosphate. In the food-relevant pH range, the salts with x ≤ 0.15 showed up to an eight-fold decrease in iron solubility. Despite this, reactivity of the mixed salts in tea was similar to that of FePP. Our results indicate that these mixed salts are potential dual-fortificants with tunable iron content and solubility

Sex- and age-related differences in the management and outcomes of chronic heart failure: an analysis of patients from the ESC HFA EORP Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

Aims: This study aimed to assess age- and sex-related differences in management and 1-year risk for all-cause mortality and hospitalization in chronic heart failure (HF) patients. Methods and results: Of 16 354 patients included in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry, 9428 chronic HF patients were analysed [median age: 66 years; 28.5% women; mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 37%]. Rates of use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) were high (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: 85.7%, 88.7% and 58.8%, respectively). Crude GDMT utilization rates were lower in women than in men (all differences: P\ua0 64 0.001), and GDMT use became lower with ageing in both sexes, at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT prescription; however, age >75 years was a significant predictor of GDMT underutilization. Rates of all-cause mortality were lower in women than in men (7.1% vs. 8.7%; P\ua0=\ua00.015), as were rates of all-cause hospitalization (21.9% vs. 27.3%; P\ua075 years. Conclusions: There was a decline in GDMT use with advanced age in both sexes. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT or adverse outcomes. However, age >75 years independently predicted lower GDMT use and higher all-cause mortality in patients with LVEF 6445%

Mechanical cell disruption of mustard bran suspensions for improved dispersion properties and protein release

Mustard bran, a by-product of mustard production, is still rich in valuable compounds. The high-pressure homogenization treatment was tested as a mechanical cell disruption (MCD) technique to unlock valuable intracellular compounds. An aqueous suspension of mustard bran was treated by shear mixing, followed by high-pressure homogenization at different pressure levels (50-150 MPa) and number of passes (1-10), and using different homogenizing systems. The moderate-intensity treatment (up to 100 MPa and 3 passes) can deliver significant changes in the mustard bran suspension, inducing (a) a more homogeneous and smooth appearance due to the disruption of individual cells, (b) a better structuring ability in the suspension, through the increase in viscosity and storage and loss moduli G' and G'', as well as (c) a remarkable enhancement of protein release, up to 72% of total proteins. The controlling factor in the extent of MCD was found to be the specific energy transferred to the mustard bran suspensions, whereas no significant differences were recorded when varying the homogenization system. The MCD process of mustard bran, based on its physical treatments using only water as a suspension medium, can be regarded as a safe, clean and environmentally friendly technology platform, which contributes to reaching the zero-waste concept by transforming agro-food by-products into value-added ingredients, with enhanced functionality and bioactive content