Electromagnetic non-invasive glucometry: achievements and prospects

This work is devoted to the study of technologies for creating a method for non-invasive measurement of glucose in human blood. A brief overview is given on some of the existing technologies and developments in the field of the radio range for electromagnetic radiation and for recording small changes in the dielectric properties of biological environment. It also presents a new technology for non-contact measurement of blood glucose concentration in phantom blood using magnetic field sensors

Relief restoration of complicated form objects by monochromatic microwave radiation

Article demonstrates possibility of monochromatic radiation usage for relief restoration. There is a problem with restoration when scanned object is not flat and it is not parallel to the scanning plane. It was discovered that two-dimensional phase distribution could be applied for distance determination. It is reliable way to solve problems listed above. In conclusion offered methods allow monochromatic microwave radiation usage for screening system development

The role of saliva in oral processing: Reconsidering the breakdown path paradigm

We discuss food oral processing research over the last two decades and consider strategies for quantifying the food breakdown model, originally conceptualised by Hutchings and Lillford . The key innovation in their seminal 1988 paper was shifting the focus from intact food properties, measured in the lab, towards strategies to capture the dynamic nature of eating. This has stimulated great progress in the field, but a key aspect missing in oral processing research is the conversion of the Hutchings and Lillford breakdown path conceptual model into quantifiable parameters considered in the context of physiological factors such as saliva and oral movements. To address these short comings, we propose the following analysis: Hutchings’s and Lillford’s definitions of “Structure” and “Lubrication” are incomplete and they comprise many and varied physicochemical properties. We offer, here, a deeper analysis of each parameter, and propose strategies for researchers to consider in their quantification as an update of the Hutchings and Lillford Breakdown path

Experimental Study of the Effect of Composite Solvent and Asphaltenes Contents on Efficiency of Heavy Oil Recovery Processes at Injection of Light Hydrocarbons

The current state of research in the field of solvent injection techniques for increase of heavy oil production efficiency is discussed in the chapter. As a result of a series of experiments on the physical modeling of oil displacement processes in a porous medium in large-sized model, features of asphaltene precipitation and the formation of fixed residual oil upon injection of solvent based on light alkanes are revealed. The oil displacement by n-hexane was studied and the difference in the composition of residual oil in the zones of dispersion and diffusion has been shown. The influence of the composition of asphaltenes peculiarities on the dynamics of oil recovery and on the accumulated oil recovery during the injection of n-hexane, as well as the composition and quantity of asphaltenes precipitated in the porous medium, has been estimated. The effect of toluene and nonylphenol additives on the proportion of asphaltenes in the residual oil and cumulative oil recovery has been evaluated using the Ashalchinskoye field oil as an example of heavy oil in the physical modeling of injection of n-hexane as the base solvent

Tribology of particle suspensions in rolling-sliding soft contacts

We investigate the lubrication of microsphere suspensions between compliant substrates, and probe the influence of matrix viscosity, particle phase volume, surface roughness and wetting, and slide-to-roll ratio (SRR). In general, the suspensions behave as a continuum in the elastohydrodynamic regime provided the film thickness, which is predicted from the product of speed and viscosity, is greater than the particle diameter. Below this, the frictional response is characteristic of the mixed and boundary regimes. In the boundary regime, friction is independent of phase volume above 5% and it is governed by the rolling friction associated with particles being entrained into the contact that is independent of SRR, which is made possible by substrate deformation. This study provides a benchmark for soft-tribology and biotribology studies involving more complex particle suspensions and particle-containing soft materials

Enabling the Rational Design of Low-Fat Snack Foods: Insights from In Vitro Oral Processing

Texture perception can be conceptualized as an emergent cognitive response to several of the physical and chemical properties of a food. Contemporary oral processing research is focused on revealing the relationships between the sensory perceptions and the food properties, with the goal of enabling rational product design. One major challenge is the complexity of molecular and biocolloid interactions, underpinning even simple texture properties. Here, we will introduce the in vitro oral processing approach, which divides oral processing into discrete units of operation (first bite, comminution, granulation, bolus formation, and tribology) and then systematically investigates the material properties that govern each specific oral processing unit operation without the added complexity inherent to biological systems. We will describe how we used the approach to rationally design a low-fat potato chip by investigating the impact from adding back, to a low fat potato chip, a small amount of oil mixed with the surface active agent polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR). The relevance of instrumental measures was validated by sensory assessment wherein panelists ranked the perceived oiliness of three different types of potato chips. The sensory results indicated that perceived oiliness was higher when the low- fat potato chip was supplemented with a 0.5% by weight topical coating (0.5% by weight 15% by weight PGPR in oil mixture) compared to the unaltered low-fat potato chip. The perceived difference in oiliness was found to correspond to in vitro transient friction of saliva in the presence and absence of PGPR. These results illustrate how dividing oral processing into distinct phases allows one to more readily align sensory and in vitro measures, allowing for integration of the two disciplines and more rational design when modifying macronutrients

Responsive polysaccharide-grafted surfaces for biotribological applications

The elucidation of biolubrication mechanisms and the design of artificial biotribological contacts requires the development of model surfaces that can help to tease out the cues that govern friction in biological systems. Polysaccharides provide an interesting option as a biotribological mimic due to their similarity with the glycosylated molecules present at biointerfaces. Here, pectin was successfully covalently grafted at its reducing end to a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface via a reductive amination reaction. This method enabled the formation of a wear resistant pectin layer that provided enhanced boundary lubrication compared to adsorbed pectin. Pectins with different degrees of methylesterification and blockiness were exposed to salt solutions of varying ionic strength and displayed responsiveness to solvent conditions. Exposure of the grafted pectin layers to solutions of between 1 and 200 mM NaCl resulted in a decrease in boundary friction and an increase in the hydration and swelling of the pectin layer to varying degrees depending on the charge density of the pectin, showing the potential to tune the conformation and friction of the layer using the pectin architecture and environmental cues. The robust and responsive nature of these new pectin grafted surfaces makes them an effective mimic of biotribological interfaces and provides a powerful tool to study the intricate mechanisms involved in the biolubrication phenomenon

Complex sequrity system for premises under conditions of large volume of passenger traffic

Subsystems of the design of a complex security system for premises under conditions of large volume of passenger traffic are considered. These subsystems provide video- and thermal imaging control, radio wave tomography, and gas analysis. Simultaneous application of all examined variants will essentially increase the probability of timely prevention of dangerous situations with the probability of false alarm as low as possible. It is important that finally, this will provide protection of population and will facilitate the work of intelligence services