Laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry of erbium-doped Ga-Ge-Sb-S glasses.

International audienceRATIONALE: Rare earth-doped sulphide glasses in the Ga-Ge-Sb-S system present radiative emissions from the visible to the middle infrared range (mid-IR) range, which are of interest for a variety of applications including (bio)-chemical optical sensing, light detection, and military counter-measures. The aim of this work was to reveal structural motifs present during the fabrication of thin films by plasma deposition techniques as such knowledge is important for the optimization of thin film growth. METHODS: The formation of clusters in plasma plume from different concentrations of erbium-doped Ga5 Ge20 Sb10 S65 glasses (0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 wt. % of erbium) using laser (337 nm) desorption ionization (LDI) was studied by time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS) in both positive and negative ion mode. The stoichiometry of the Gam Gen Sbo Sp (+/-) clusters was determined via isotopic envelope analysis and computer modelling. RESULTS: Several Gam Gen Sbo Sp (+/-) singly charged clusters were found but, surprisingly, only four species (Sb3 S4 (+/-) , GaSb2 Sp (+/-) (p = 4, 5), Ga3 Sb2 S7 (+/-) ) were common to both ion modes. For the first time, species containing rare earths (GaSb2 SEr(+) and GaS6 Er2 (+) ) were identified in the plasma formed from rare earth-doped chalcogenide glasses, directly confirming the importance of gallium presence for rare earth bonding within the glassy matrix. CONCLUSIONS: The local structure of Ga-Ge-Sb-S glasses is at least partly different from the structure of species identified in plasma by mass spectrometry, as deduced from Raman scattering spectroscopy analysis; these glasses are mainly formed by [GeS4/2 ]/[GaS4/2 ] tetrahedra and [SbS3/2 ] pyramids. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure measurements show that Er(3+) ions in Ga-Ge-Sb-S glasses are surrounded by 7 sulphur atoms. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Effects of drying and pretreatment on the nutritional and functional quality of raisins

The close relationship between the consumption of fruits and health status stems from the nutritional and non-nutritional compounds found in fruits which play a key role in the prevention of different diseases. However, fruit processing and storage greatly affect fruit compounds. The aim of the present work was to study the influence of processing on the stability of macro and micronutrients present in grapes, with a view to recommending products that provide the highest nutritional quality and the best health conditions. The study focused on fruit dehydration treatments. Conventional and microwave-assisted air-drying processes were used to obtain raisins. Dehydration caused a decrease of all grape compounds studied excluding total phenols. Moreover, compared to conventional processing, microwave-assisted drying produced greater losses of ascorbic acid in the grape and increased pectin solubilization with a consequent change in texture. However the microwave-dehydrated samples showed higher antioxidant activity. © 2011 The Institution of Chemical Engineers.The translation of this paper was funded by the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia.Carranza Concha, J.; Benlloch Tinoco, M.; Camacho Vidal, MM.; Martínez Navarrete, N. (2012). Effects of drying and pretreatment on the nutritional and functional quality of raisins. Food and Bioproducts Processing. 90(2):243-248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2011.04.002S24324890

Characteristics of Different Systems for the Solar Drying of Crops

Solar dryers are used to enable the preservation of agricultural crops, food processing industries for dehydration of fruits and vegetables, fish and meat drying, dairy industries for production of milk powder, seasoning of wood and timber, textile industries for drying of textile materials. The fundamental concepts and contexts of their use to dry crops is discussed in the chapter. It is shown that solar drying is the outcome of complex interactions particular between the intensity and duration of solar energy, the prevailing ambient relative humidity and temperature, the characteristics of the particular crop and its pre-preparation and the design and operation of the solar dryer

Determination of stability constants of [Gly6]-antamanide complexes with small cations by affinity capillary electrophoresis

Affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) was employed for the determination of apparent stability constants Kst of complexes of cyclic peptide [Gly6]-antamanide ([Gly6]-AA) with alkali and alkali-earth metal ions: Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+, NH4+, and Ca2+. Kst was determined from the dependence of effective mobility of [Gly6]-AA on the concentration of these ions in the background electrolyte using the non-linear regression analysis. Kst were found to be in the range 13.3 – 26.3

Determination of stability constants of antamanide complexes with sodium and potassium ions by affinity capillary electrophoresis

Affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) was applied for quantitative investigation of the interactions between important biomolecule, cyclic decapeptide antamanide (AA), cycl[-Val(1)-Pro(2)-Pro(3)-Ala(4)-Phe(5)-Phe(6)-Pro(7)-Pro(8)-Phe(9)-Phe(10)-], and sodium and potassium cations in methanol. Apparent stability constants of AA complexes with these alkali metal ions were determined from the dependence of effective mobility of AA on the concentration of these ions in the background electrolyte by the non-linear regression analysis. The AA complexes with Na+ and K+ ions were found to be relatively weak, with the apparent stability constants 343 L/mol and 35 L/mol, respectively

Drying of Vitis vinifera

Raisin production and export is an important business in Turkey. In this research V. vinifera L. cv. “Sultanina” was dried in polythene tunnel type rack systems solar drier and in direct sunlight (traditional drying method). The inside temperature of the tunnel has been increased by adding solar panels to the drying tunnel. The cluster of grapes was dipped in four different alkali solution (dipping solution); such as 1%, 2%, 3%, and 5% of sodium hydroxide + 1% olive oil. Each application was two replicates and at each repetition to be 2 kg/m2 grapes. After dipping grapes were placed on the rack. Drying process were continued until 14% humidity. In the study drying period of the grapes, drying ratio, % moisture, % total soluble solids content, 100 berry weight, berry surface color (CIE, L, a, b), alcohol-soluble color values were measured. Drying period of grapes in the solar drying tunnel is faster than direct sunlight. Solar tunnel drying was found to be satisfactory and competitive to traditional drying method. The color of grapes dried in the sun drying tunnel not seen a negative change. Provision of solar dryers in drying, air distribution and heat conservation is to make a positive impact on the drying process and capacity. The most important advantage of the dried product in the tunnel type solar drier is protected raisins from external environment. The main factor in the drying process is to obtain minimum energy consumption of the product with the desired quality and reach a maximum speed of drying. The results obtained from this research are used in practice compliance

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF FORCED CONVECTION EVACUATED TUBE SOLAR COLLECTOR USED FOR GRAPE DRYER

In the present experimental study an evacuated tube solar collector is designed, fabricated and its performance is tested in the force convection mode of heat transfer. The solar collector is designed for the grape dryer of capacity 10kg per batch. Experiments are carried out in the month of April to produce raisins for Thomson Seedless grapes, with initial moisture content of 77 (kg per kg on wet basis)% to final moisture content of 19 (kg per kg on wet basis)% in 36 hours. Raisins produced from this system are tested for varies parameters to check its quality and found satisfactory results. The average collector efficiency is found to be 23.4%

APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE ENGINEERING AND COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE FOR STRUCTURAL TOPOLOGY OPTIMIZATION OF FORGING CONNECTING ROD DIE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (IJMET) IJMET © I A E M E

ABSTRACT In this paper the phenomenon of metal flow through forging die cavity and thermo structural plasticity has been studied from the view points of mechanics, physics and metallurgy. An analytical algorithm has been established and placed in the optimistic way of sequences in need to design an intelligent knowledge based expert system. And a developed research process methodology has been used to refine the mechanics of plasticity, forging product development cycle time with improved error free quality. The research results are applied to mechanics of metal flow and strength of materials, and of course, are used as indispensable tools for analyzing the metal forging processes. This process methodology will leads to develop an automated, robust, quick, quality, accurate & decision making tool for society in order to achieve the power/cost/time/skill effectiveness even if operated by an unskilled user. This paper also summarizes a case study to validate and review the developed process automation tool in need to get a virtual prototype die model with the prediction of forging process variables and parameters for connecting rod. This work will be worth full for forging industrial applications in estimating forging load