Caponising cockerels

Because of its tenderness, succulence and delicate flavour, the flesh of the capon has long been held in high regard by epicures in many lands. Over three centuries have passed since Shakespeare wrote of the portly justice whose fair round belly was with fat capon lined, but throughout the years capons have usually commanded high prices from discriminating consumers of table poultry

Airflow design in refrigerated retail display cabinets and its impact on food quality

© 2019 International Institute of Refrigeration. All rights reserved. This paper investigates how refrigerated display cabinet airflow design can enhance temperature distribution and potentially reduce food waste. Conventional refrigerated retail cabinets have a single column of cold air from the top to the bottom of the merchandising envelope. By contrast separating the retail space into individual cells, each with its own shorter air-curtain reduces infiltration and improves temperature control. The quality and safety of bagged salad over an extended display period was evaluated in a conventional and multiple short air-curtain cabinet. At the end of the test period there was a visible difference in cabinet temperature and relative humidity, which had a direct impact on the salad organoleptic quality and microbiological safety. The temperature band was 11.2ºC and 5.4ºC in the conventional and multiple air curtain cabinets respectively, resulting in a higher degree of salad wilting and shrivelling and an increase on total yeast counts on the conventional cabinet

Heat transfer in turbocharger turbines under steady, pulsating and transient conditions

National audienc

Exploring the reactivity of distinct electron transfer sites at CVD grown monolayer graphene through the selective electrodeposition of MoO2 nanowires

The origin of electron transfer at Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) grown monolayer graphene using a polymer-free transfer methodology is explored through the selective electrodeposition of Molybdenum (di)oxide (MoO2). The electrochemical decoration of CVD monolayer graphene with MoO2 is shown to originate from the edge plane like- sites/defects. Edge plane decoration of MoO2 nanowires upon monolayer graphene is observed via electrochemical deposition over short time periods only (ca. −0.6 V for 1 second (vs. Ag/AgCl)). At more electrochemically negative potentials (ca. −1.0 V) or longer deposition times, a large MoO2 film is created/deposited on the graphene sheet, originating and expanding from the original nucleation points at edge plane like- sites/defects/wrinkles. Nanowire fabrication along the edge plane like- sites/defects of graphene is confirmed with Cyclic Voltammetry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Raman Spectroscopy. Monitoring the electrochemical response towards [Ru(NH3)6]3+/2+ and comparing the heterogeneous electron transfer (HET) kinetics at CVD grown monolayer graphene prior and post nanowire fabrication reveals key understandings into the fundamental electrochemical properties of carbon materials. The HET kinetics (k0obs) at MoO2 nanowire decorated monolayer graphene sheets, when edge plane like- sites/defects have been coated/blocked with MoO2, are significantly reduced in comparison to the unmodified graphene alternative. Interestingly, MoO2 nucleation originates on the edge plane like- sites/defects of the graphene sheets, where the basal plane sites remain unaltered until the available edge plane like- sites/defects have been fully utilised; after which MoO2 deposition propagates towards and onto the basal planes, eventually covering the entire surface of the monolayer graphene surface. In such instances, there is no longer an observable electrochemical response. This work demonstrates the distinct electron transfer properties of edge and basal plane sites on CVD grown monolayer graphene, inferring favourable electrochemical reactivity at edge plane like- sites/defects and clarifying the origin of graphene electro-activity

Plastic contamination of a Galapagos Island (Ecuador) and the relative risks to native marine species

This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordData availability: Data can be downloaded via the following DOI (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.dbrv15f1f).Ecuador's Galapagos Islands and their unique biodiversity are a global conservation priority. We explored the presence, composition and environmental drivers of plastic contamination across the marine ecosystem at an island scale, investigated uptake in marine invertebrates and designed a systematic priority scoring analysis to identify the most vulnerable vertebrate species. Beach contamination varied by site (macroplastic 0-0.66 items·m-2, microplastics 0-448.8 particles·m-2 or 0-74.6 particles·kg-1), with high plastic accumulation on east-facing beaches that are influenced by the Humboldt Current. Local littering and waste management leakages accounted for just 2% of macroplastic. Microplastics (including anthropogenic cellulosics) were ubiquitous but in low concentrations in benthic sediments (6.7-86.7 particles·kg-1) and surface seawater (0.04-0.89 particles·m-3), with elevated concentrations in the harbour suggesting some local input. Microplastics were present in all seven marine invertebrate species examined, found in 52% of individuals (n = 123) confirming uptake of microplastics in the Galapagos marine food web. Priority scoring analysis combining species distribution information, IUCN Red List conservation status and literature evidence of harm from entanglement and ingestion of plastics in similar species identified 27 marine vertebrates in need of urgent, targeted monitoring and mitigation including pinnipeds, seabirds, turtles and sharks.Galapagos Conservation TrustWoodspring TrustRoyal Geographical SocietyNatural Environment Research Council (NERC

Thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives are potent anti-platelet drugs, inhibiting platelet activation, aggregation and showing synergy with aspirin

Drugs which inhibit platelet function are commonly used to prevent blood clot formation in patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) or those at risk of stroke. The thieno[3,2-c]pyridine class of therapeutic agents, of which clopidogrel is the most commonly used, target the P2Y12 receptor, and are often used in combination with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Six thieno[2,3-b]pyridine were assessed for in vitro anti-platelet activity; all derivatives showed effects on both platelet activation and aggregation, and showed synergy with ASA. Some compounds demonstrated greater activity when compared to clopidogrel. These compounds, therefore, represent potential novel P2Y12 inhibitors for improved treatment for patients