Production of Mycelium-Bound Lipase from Rhizomucor Miehei and its Application in the Modification of Palm Kernel Olein: Anhydrous Milk Fat for Ice Cream Emulsion

The production conditions and characteristics of mycelium-bound lipase (MBL) from Rhizomucor miehei, its catalytic performance in fat transesterification (TE) and the feasibility of using the enzyme to produce a transesterified fat suitable for use in ice cream formulation were investigated. The production of MBL was studied over a 5-day incubation period. Maximum dry mycelium weight and highest lipolytic activity were obtained after 3 days incubation in a medium containing 0.1% (w/v) glucose and 1.0% (w/v) palm olein. Production of MBL was demonstrated to be inducible where the addition of 0.5-5.0% (w/v) of palm oil resulted in a significantly (p..0.05) higher lipolytic activity than culture without any added oil. High levels (>0.5%) of glucose concentrations were found to inhibit the synthesis of MBL and insufficient lipase was produced to catalyse the TE reaction of palm stearin (POs) and palm kernel olein (PKOo) (1:1, w/w) mixture at 60°C. MBL was found to achieve optimum TE activity after 24 h reaction time and its catalytic stability was demonstrated following five repeated usage in TE reaction. Results obtained also illustrated the capability of MBL in transesterifying different oil substrates in a manner similar to that of Lipozyme 1M 60 (Novo Nordisk Industries, Copenhagen, Denmark), which is a commercial preparation of immobilised R. miehei lipase. Mixtures of PKOo:anhydrous milk fat (AMF) at different ratios (100:0, 70:30, 60:40,50:50 and 0:100, w/w) were transesterified using MBL in a solvent-free system. The triglyceride (TG) profile, slip melting point (SMP), solid fat content (SFC), melting thermogram and the polymorphic forms of the unreacted and trans esterified mixtures were evaluated. Results indicated that TE by MBL produced oil mixtures with new TG profiles, relatively lower slip melting points and solid fat contents. The melting thermo grams from differential scanning calorimetric analysis indicated an overall shift to lower melting TG. This study also demonstrated that the transesterified PKO₀:AMF mixture at 70:30 (w/w) ratio completely melted at 25°C which meets the melting criteria for fat used in ice cream formulation. AMF, unmodified PKO₀:AMF mixture (70:30, w/w) (control mixture) and transesterified PKO₀:AMF (70:30, w/w) were used in the preparation of ice cream emulsions. Results obtained show that emulsion prepared using TE-PKO₀:AMF (70:30,w/w) blend exhibited higher viscosity and greater strength than that of either AMF or unmodified PKO₀:AMF (70:30, w/w), which are amongst the desired properties of ice cream emulsion. This further support that TE of PKO₀:AMF (70:30, w/w) is capable of producing fat that is suitable for use in the preparation of ice cream emulsion

Fibre-Plastic Composites: Oil Palm Frond and Rubberwood Fibres Blended with Polypropylene

Natural lignocellulosic fibres have become more important nowadays because "new" types of composite material can be produced from them. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the suitability of producing fibrepolypropylene composite using oil palm frond fibre and rubberwood fibre. The effects of different fibre size and fibre content on the physical and mechanical properties of the composite produced are assessed to give an insight into fibrematrix adhesion and fibre damages. In this study, crude fibres of oil palm fronds were atmospherically refined into fine fibres whilst rubberwood fibres were obtained from a local fibreboard plant. These fibres were later screened into different sizes: < 0.5 mm, 0.5 - 1 mm, 1 - 2 mm and > 2 mm. The screened fibres were melt-blended with polypropylene at different ratios in a Brabender Plasti-Corder equipped with a mixer of type W 350 E - 2 Heating Zones. The mixing condition was set at a rotor speed of 30 rpm at 180°C for 30 minutes. Moulded composites were prepared for evaluation of tensile, flexural, IZOD impact resistance - notched and ROCKWELL hardness according to ASTM standards

George W. Bassett

An obituary for Revolutionary War soldier George W. Bassett

The influence of joints and composite floor slabs on effective tying of steel structures in preventing progressive collapse

The event of the terrorist attack at 11th September 2001 in the USA has attracted increasing attention of researchers and engineers on progressive collapse of structures. It has gradually become a general practice for engineers to consider progressive collapse resistance in their design. In this paper, progressive collapse of steel frames with composite floor slabs is simulated by the finite element method. The numerical results are compared with test results. The influence of the joints and the concrete slabs on the effective tying of steel beams is investigated through parametric studies. From the analysis, methods of preventing progressive collapse that can be considered in design and when retrofitting existing structures are proposed. The results show that retrofitting a structure with pre-stressed steel cables and an increase of crack resistance in the concrete near joints can effectively improve effective tying of a structure, which results in an enhanced structural capacity in preventing progressive collapse

Using isotonic magnesium sulfate nebulization as an adjuvant treatment for moderate acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma (aeba) in adult comparing with salbutamol alone: a double blinded, randomised control trial

Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of single dose nebulized magnesium sulfate in augmenting bronchodilatory effect of salbutamol in acute asthma as compare to salbutamol alone. In addition, we also observe for any significant reduction in total treatment duration in this two study groups. Methodology This was a double blinded, randomized controlled trial, conducted in Emergency Department of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan between 1st October 2013 and 1st October 2014. We enrolled a total of 120 patients with moderate acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma, all the patients were then randomized into two groups via block randomization technique. Group A (n=60) nebulized with salbutamol only (5mg), Group B (n=60) nebulized with isotonic magnesium sulfate (7.5% w/v) plus salbutamol (5mg). Blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of each patient were measured at baseline and at 20 minutes post-treatment. Total duration of treatment started from time of enrollment until achievement of predicted PEFR > 80% was recorded. Results The 60 patients enrolled in each treatment arm had comparable baseline demographic and clinical characteristics. At 20 minutes post-treatment, Group A and Group B showed statistically significant improvement in PEFR (100±61 L/min and 87±42 L/min respectively, p value <0.001). Group B showed significant reduction of mean respiratory rate and improvement in mean oxygen saturation (p value <0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences in means improvement of PEFR and reduction of total duration of treatment between two groups. We did not observe any adverse effect from treatment at all time. Conclusion In conclusion, the use of MgSO4 as an adjuvant to salbutamol nebulization in moderate AEBA patient does not show any superiority in their therapeutic effect in comparing to salbutamol alone. However, paired t-test done on group B population has shown the feasible bronchodilatory property of MgSO4, it is able to bring about a statistically significant decrease in respiratory rate and improvement in oxygen saturation. In future study, we suggest a pilot study to be conducted to establish the dose-response relationship of magnesium sulphate in the treatment of acute asthma before a larger, multicentre trial is proposed

Analisis Faktor-faktor yang Mempengaruhi Pembentukan Risk Management Committee Studi Empiris Perusahaan Non Finansial yang Terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia Tahun 2008-2011

The aim of this research is to analyze the factors which influential the establishment of Risk Management Committee (RMC). There are two types of RMC, the one that combined with the audit committee and seperated from the audit committee. The factors that used in this research are board of director characteristic and firm characteristic that consist of proportion of independent commissioner, board size, board meeting, commissioner with accounting/finance expertise, and leverage, also firm size as control variabel.Sample of this research were 204 samples from non financial companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange for the observation period of 2008 until 2011. Collecting data in this research used a purposive sampling method. This research used logistic regression to analyze data.The results of this research indicated that firm size affected positively and significant with the establishment of RMC that combined with audit committee and separated RMC. The other variables (proportion independent commisioner, board size, board meeting, commisioner with accounting/financial expertise, leverage) have no significant association with the establishment of RMC that combined with audit committee and separated RMC

Simulation of impulsive loading on column using inflatable airbag technique

The purpose of this study was to simulate impulsive loading on columns by an innovative lab-based experimental technique that utilises inflatable airbags. Mild and stainless steel hollow sectioin columns with effective lengths of 955mm and under simply supported condition were used in this study

Structural Integrity of Functionally Graded Composite Structure using Mindlin-Type Finite Elements.

In this paper, two new Mindlin-type plate bending elements have been derived for the modelling of functionally graded plate subjected to various loading conditions such as tensile loading, in-plane bending and out-of-plane bending. The properties of the first Mindlin-type element (i.e. Average Mindlin element) are computed by using an average fibre distribution technique which averages the macro-mechanical properties over each element. The properties of the second Mindlin-type element (i.e. Smooth Mindlin element) are computed by using a smooth fibre distribution technique, which directly uses the macro-mechanical properties at Gaussian quadrature points of each element. There were two types of non-linearity considered in the modelling of the plate, which include finite strain and material degradation. The composite plate considered in this paper is functionally graded in the longitudinal direction only, but the FE code developed is capable of analysing composite plates with functional gradation in transverse and radial direction as well. This study was able to show that the structural integrity enhancement and strength maximisation of composite structures are achievable through functional gradation of material properties over the structure