Technological Feasibility of Couscous-Algae-Supplemented Formulae: Process Description, Nutritional Properties and In Vitro Digestibility

The aim of this work was to develop functional couscous in a traditional Tunisian manner (hand rolling), enriched in algae biomass (6% w/w). Four Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) biomasses and one mixture of C. vulgaris and two macroalgae biomasses (Ulva rigida and Fucus vesiculosus) were used. The C. vulgaris strain was subjected to random mutagenesis and different culture conditions (Allmicroalgae), resulting in different pigmentations and biochemical compositions. Couscous samples were characterized in terms of nutritional properties, oscillatory rheology properties and digestibility. All biomasses provided a significant supplementation of nutrients and excellent acceptance. The enrichment resulted in lower firmness, higher viscoelastic functions (G0 and G”) and a significant improvement in the cooking quality. Major differences between couscous samples with different microalgae were observed in protein and mineral contents, fully meeting Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 requirements for health claims made on foodstuffs. The amount of digested proteins was also higher in algae-containing samples. The fatty acid profile of the enriched couscous varied in a biomass-specific way, with a marked increase in linolenic acid (18:3 !3) and a decrease in the !6/!3 ratio. Sensory analysis revealed that microalgae-containing products could compete with conventional goods with an added advantage, that is, having an ameliorated nutritional value using algae as a “trendy” and sustainable ingredientinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Production of Cu/Diamond composites for first-wall heat sinks

Due to their suitable thermal conductivity and strength copper-based materials have been considered appropriate heat sinks for first wall panels in nuclear fusion devices. However, increased thermal conductivity and mechanical strength are demanded and the concept of property tailoring involved in the design of metal matrix composites advocates for the potential of nanodiamond dispersions in copper. Copper-nanodiamond composite materials can be produced by mechanical alloying followed by a consolidation operation. Yet, this powder metallurgy route poses several challenges: nanodiamond presents intrinsically difficult bonding with copper; contamination by milling media must be closely monitored; and full densification and microstructural homogeneity should be obtained with consolidation. The present line of work is aimed at an optimization of the processing conditions of Cu-nanodiamond composites. The challenges mentioned above have been addressed, respectively, by incorporating chromium in the matrix to form a stable carbide interlayer binding the two components; by assessing the contamination originating from the milling operation through particle-induced X-ray emission spectroscopy; and by comparing the densification obtained by spark plasma sintering with hot-extrusion data from previous studies

Microstructure characterization of ODS-RAFM steels

Results of the microstructural characterization of four different RAFM ODS Eurofer 97 batches are presented and discussed. Analyses and observations were performed by nuclear microprobe and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. X-ray elemental distribution maps obtained with proton beam scans showed homogeneous composition within the proton beam spatial resolution and, in particular, pointed to a uniform distribution of ODS (yttria) nanoparticles in the Eurofer 97 matrix. This was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy made evident the presence of chromium carbide precipitation. Precipitates occurred preferentially along grain boundaries (GB) in three of the batches and presented a discrete distribution in the other, as a result of different thermo-mechanical routes. Additional electron backscattered diffraction experiments revealed the crystalline textures in the ferritic polycrystalline structure of the ODS steel samples

Microstructure characterization of ODS-RAFM steels

Results of the microstructural characterization of four different RAFM ODS Eurofer 97 batches are presented and discussed. Analyses and observations were performed by nuclear microprobe and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. X-ray elemental distribution maps obtained with proton beam scans showed homogeneous composition within the proton beam spatial resolution and, in particular, pointed to a uniform distribution of ODS (yttria) nanoparticles in the Eurofer 97 matrix. This was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy made evident the presence of chromium carbide precipitation. Precipitates occurred preferentially along grain boundaries (GB) in three of the batches and presented a discrete distribution in the other, as a result of different thermo-mechanical routes. Additional electron backscattered diffraction experiments revealed the crystalline textures in the ferritic polycrystalline structure of the ODS steel samples

ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ACTIVITY OF THE VASTUS MEDIALIS OBLIQUE AND VASTUS LATERALIS LONGUS MM. DURING OPEN AND CLOSED KINETIC CHAIN EXERCISES

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the electromyographic activity of the Vastus Medialis Oblique (VMO) and Vastus Lateralis Longus (VLL) muscles during knee extension in Open Kinetic Chain Exercise, using a ‘knee extension table’, and in Closed Kinetic Chain Exercise, using a Horizontal Leg-Press (VITALLY). METHODS: The electromyographic activity of the VMO and VLL muscles was measured in 12 subjects between 18 and 23 years old (x=21.9 e SD=1.16), without prior hip, knee, and ankle pathologies, during Maximal Isometric Contraction (MCI) at 90º flexion of hip and knee. A 16-Channel EMG System (CAD 12/36 - 60 K - LINX) and differential surface electrodes (DELSYS) were used to obtain the data. The signal was recorded in Root Mean Square (RMS) and expressed in microvolts. The data analysis was performed through Student’s t-test at a 5% level of significance. RESULTS: The results showed that the electromyographic activity of the VMO muscle was significantly greater than that of the VLL muscle during Open and Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises. CONCLUSIONS: The data of this study, within the experimental conditions used, suggest that the VMO muscle can recover functionally by MCI at 90º flexion of hip and knee during Open Kinetic Chain Exercise, using an ‘extension table’, and also in Closed Kinetic Chain Exercise, using a Horizontal Leg-Press. This research was conducted in accordance with the National Council of Health (Resolution 196/96)

Elastic scattering and breakup of 17^F at 10 MeV/nucleon

Angular distributions of fluorine and oxygen produced from 170 MeV 17^F incident on 208^Pb were measured. The elastic scattering data are in good agreement with optical model calculations using a double-folding potential and parameters similar to those obtained from 16^O+208^Pb. A large yield of oxygen was observed near \theta_lab=36 deg. It is reproduced fairly well by a calculation of the (17^F,16^O) breakup, which is dominated by one-proton stripping reactions. The discrepancy between our previous coincidence measurement and theoretical predictions was resolved by including core absorption in the present calculation.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure