KHT cold stabilization: A scanning electron microscopy study of the formation of surface deposits on stainless steel in model wines

The incidence of yeast cells and wine polysaccharides and polyphenols in the formation of adherent KHT crystals on stainless steel surfaces during cold stabilization was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Additives were responsible for differences in the deposit configuration, the crystal shape and size as well as in the KHT crystallization kinetics. Yeast cells act as heterogeneous primary nucleation germs for KHT crystal formation. Colloids from wines interacted with KHT crystal faces and affected growth. It was confirmed that polyphenols strongly inhibit the crystallization and result in small crystals with a unidimensional growth. In contrast, with polyphenols, cubic crystals were obtained when wine polysaccharides were associated with yeast cells

Extension of charge-state-distribution calculations for ion-solid collisions towards low velocities and many-electron ions

Knowledge of the detailed evolution of the whole charge-state distribution of projectile ions colliding with targets is required in several fields of research such as material science and atomic and nuclear physics but also in accelerator physics, and in particular in regard to the several foreseen large-scale facilities. However, there is a lack of data for collisions in the nonperturbative energy domain and that involve many-electron projectiles. Starting from the etacha model we developed [Rozet, Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res., Sect. B 107, 67 (1996)10.1016/0168-583X(95)00800-4], we present an extension of its validity domain towards lower velocities and larger distortions. Moreover, the system of rate equations is able to take into account ions with up to 60 orbital states of electrons. The computed data from the different new versions of the etacha code are compared to some test collision systems. The improvements made are clearly illustrated by 28.9MeVu-1Pb56+ ions, and laser-generated carbon ion beams of 0.045 to 0.5MeVu-1, passing through carbon or aluminum targets, respectively. Hence, those new developments can efficiently sustain the experimental programs that are currently in progress on the "next-generation" accelerators or laser facilities.Fil: Lamour, E.. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; Francia. Universite de Paris; FranciaFil: Fainstein, Pablo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Galassi, Mariel Elisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Prigent, C.. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; Francia. Universite de Paris; FranciaFil: Ramirez, C. A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Rivarola, Roberto Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Instituto de Física de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Rozet, J. P.. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; Francia. Universite de Paris; FranciaFil: Trassinelli, M.. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; Francia. Universite de Paris; FranciaFil: Vernhet, D.. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; Francia. Universite de Paris; Franci

Modulating the phase transition temperature of giant magnetocaloric thin films by ion irradiation

Magnetic refrigeration based on the magnetocaloric effect at room temperature is one of the most attractive alternative to the current gas compression/expansion method routinely employed. Nevertheless, in giant magnetocaloric materials, optimal refrigeration is restricted to the narrow temperature window of the phase transition (Tc). In this work, we present the possibility of varying this transition temperature into a same giant magnetocaloric material by ion irradiation. We demonstrate that the transition temperature of iron rhodium thin films can be tuned by the bombardment of ions of Ne 5+ with varying fluences up to 10 14 ions cm --2 , leading to optimal refrigeration over a large 270--380 K temperature window. The Tc modification is found to be due to the ion-induced disorder and to the density of new point-like defects. The variation of the phase transition temperature with the number of incident ions opens new perspectives in the conception of devices using giant magnetocaloric materials

Mechanical tests and definition of new indexes of grape berry firmness. Evolution of berry skin hardness during alcoholic fermentation

The mechanical strength or firmness of a fruit is considered an important parameter to characterise its state of ripeness or conservation, as well as other parameters such as sugar level or color. The mechanical hardness of grapes influences the integrity and sanitary quality of the harvest. In this study, the mechanical characteristics of grapevine berries were studied at harvest time in order to determine their rheological properties (firmness and hardness of the berry skin) during alcoholic fermentation. Special indexes were defined measuring the energy needed to crush the berries to 50 % of their initial diameter, and applied successively to two different varieties. The entire berry firmness and the skin hardness were both different. Mechanical indexes linked to grape firmness were defined. Using these indexes, a significant effect on the firmness behavior due to variety was recorded: the skin of 'Grenache Noir' was found firmer and harder than 'Carignan Noir'. Furthermore, during the alcoholic fermentation, no change in skin hardness was observed for both varieties, despite changes in the composition of the must. These results give new information on mechanical properties of berries and could be used as an aid in the winemaking process. Indeed, they would probably help the winemaker to better choose the type of fermentation and maceration adapted to his grapes according to the type of wine he wishes to produce

Colloidal stability of tannins: astringency, wine tasting and beyond

Tannin-tannin and tannin-protein interactions in water-ethanol solvent mixtures are studied in the context of red wine tasting. While tannin self-aggregation is relevant for visual aspect of wine tasting (limpidity and related colloidal phenomena), tannin affinities for salivary proline-rich proteins is fundamental for a wide spectrum of organoleptic properties related to astringency. Tannin-tannin interactions are analyzed in water-ethanol wine-like solvents and the precipitation map is constructed for a typical grape tannin. The interaction between tannins and human salivary proline-rich proteins (PRP) are investigated in the framework of the shell model for micellization, known for describing tannin-induced aggregation of beta-casein. Tannin-assisted micellization and compaction of proteins observed by SAXS are described quantitatively and discussed in the case of astringency

Electronic temperatures, densities and plasma X-ray emission of a 14.5 GHz Electron-Cyclotron Resonance Ion Source

We have performed a systematic study of the Bremsstrahlung emission from the electrons in the plasma of a commercial 14.5 GHz Electron-Cyclotron Resonance Ion Source. The electronic spectral temperature and the product of ionic and electronic densities of the plasma are measured by analyzing the Bremsstrahlung spectra recorded for several rare gases (Ar, Kr, Xe) as a function of the injected power. Within our uncertainty, we find an average temperature of ? 48 keV above 100W, with a weak dependency on the injected power and gas composition. Charge state distributions of extracted ion beams have been determined as well, providing a way to disentangle the ionic density from the electronic density. Moreover X-ray emission from highly charged argon ions in the plasma has been observed with a high-resolution mosaic crystal spectrometer, demonstrating the feasibility for high-precision measurements of transition energies of highly charged ions, in particular of the magnetic dipole (M1) transition of He-like of argon ions

Ion slowing down and charge exchange at small impact parameters selected by channeling: superdensity effects

CASInternational audienceIn two experiments performed with 20-30 MeV/u highly charged heavy ions (Pb56+, U91+) channeled through thin silicon crystals, we observed the original features of superdensity, associated to the glancing collisions with atomic rows undergone by part of the incident projectiles. In particular the very high collision rate yields a quite specific charge exchange regime, that leads to a higher ionization probability than in random conditions. X-ray measurements show that electrons captured in outershells are prevented from being stabilized, which enhances the lifetime of the projectile innershell vacancies. The charge state distributions and the energy loss spectra are compared to Monte-Carlo simulations. These simulations confirm, extend and illustrate the qualitative analysis of the experimental results

Co-opetition models for governing professional football

In recent years, models for co-creating value in a business-to-business context have often been examined with the aim of studying the strategies implemented by and among organisations for competitive and co-operative purposes. The traditional concepts of competition and co-operation between businesses have now evolved, both in terms of the sector in which the businesses operate and in terms of the type of goods they produce. Many researchers have, in recent times, investigated the determinants that can influence the way in which the model of co-opetition can be applied to the football world. Research interest lies in the particular features of what makes a good football. In this paper, the aim is to conduct an analysis of the rules governing the “football system”, while also looking at the determinants of the demand function within football entertainment. This entails applying to football match management the co-opetition model, a recognised model that combines competition and co-operation with the view of creating and distributing value. It can, therefore, be said that, for a spectator, watching sport is an experience of high suspense, and this suspense, in turn, depends upon the degree of uncertainty in the outcome. It follows that the rules ensuring that both these elements can be satisfied are a fertile ground for co-operation between clubs, as it is in the interest of all stakeholders to offer increasingly more attractive football, in comparison with other competing products. Our end purpose is to understand how co-opetition can be achieved within professional football