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Alternative Techniques (alternative + techniques)
Selected AbstractsAlternative Techniques for Producing a Quality Surimi and Kamaboko from Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 9 2008A. Jafarpour ABSTRACT:, The demand for surimi and kamaboko is increasing in the world at the same time as the supply of the fish traditionally used has declined. In an effort to increase the range and hence supply of fish used, factors increasing the quality of surimi and kamaboko from common carp were investigated. The best surimi and kamaboko characteristics were produced by a modified conventional method (MCM) rather than traditional method (TM), alkaline-aided method (AAM), and pH modified method (PMM). MCM processing used centrifugation instead of decanting and filtering to optimize dewatering and remove the sarcoplasmic proteins (Sp-P). The temperature sweep test, at the end of sol,gel transition stage (at 75 °C), showed significantly (P < 0.05) greater G, for the kamaboko from MCM than that from other methods tested. Furthermore, the greatest and the least gel strengths were obtained with MCM and TM kamaboko, respectively. The protein recovery was about 67%, 74%, 87%, and 92% for TM, AAM, MCM, and PMM, respectively. TM and MCM resulted in the removal of Sp-P as determined by SDS-PAGE. The superiority of MCM kamaboko gel characteristics was supported by scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of the gel, which showed a significantly (P < 0.05) greater number of polygonal structures than for the TM kamaboko, which had the fewest and largest polygonal structures. The pH-shifting methods improved the textural quality of the resultant kamaboko compared with TM. However, a simple modification (centrifugation compared with decanting) by MCM in the surimi process can further improve the quality of the surimi and kamaboko gels. Furthermore, because it removed Sp-P and still preserved gel strength, it suggests that Sp-P are not required for gel strength. [source] Novel modelling of residual operating time of transformer oilEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL POWER, Issue 4 2003M. A. A. Wahab This paper presents techniques developed to accurately model the characteristics of transformer oil for the purpose of predicting the effect of aging on these characteristics. Aging causes some of the transformer oil characteristics to violate the internationally specified limits. The purpose of this simulation is to develop alternative techniques to predict the operating time after which these characteristics would violate the limits. The results obtained from monitoring of twenty in-service power transformers for long period of operating time up to ten years have been implemented in developing the proposed models. The physical, chemical and electrical characteristics have been determined periodically by internationally specified testing methods. The patterns of violation sequence of the standard limits, against operating time, by different transformer oil characteristics have been revealed and the most common pattern has been determined. The definition of residual operating time (trot) of the different transformer oil characteristics has been introduced. The choice of transformer oil breakdown voltage trot to represent that of the transformer oil characteristics has been justified. Modelling of trot as a function of transformer oil breakdown voltage, total acidity and water content by multiple-linear regression has been proposed and verified. Also, polynomial regression model of trot as a function only of transformer oil breakdown voltage has been given. The accuracy and applicability of these models and the different modelling techniques have been discussed and proved. [source] Basic ingredients of free energy calculations: A reviewJOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2010Clara D. Christ Abstract Methods to compute free energy differences between different states of a molecular system are reviewed with the aim of identifying their basic ingredients and their utility when applied in practice to biomolecular systems. A free energy calculation is comprised of three basic components: (i) a suitable model or Hamiltonian, (ii) a sampling protocol with which one can generate a representative ensemble of molecular configurations, and (iii) an estimator of the free energy difference itself. Alternative sampling protocols can be distinguished according to whether one or more states are to be sampled. In cases where only a single state is considered, six alternative techniques could be distinguished: (i) changing the dynamics, (ii) deforming the energy surface, (iii) extending the dimensionality, (iv) perturbing the forces, (v) reducing the number of degrees of freedom, and (vi) multi-copy approaches. In cases where multiple states are to be sampled, the three primary techniques are staging, importance sampling, and adiabatic decoupling. Estimators of the free energy can be classified as global methods that either count the number of times a given state is sampled or use energy differences. Or, they can be classified as local methods that either make use of the force or are based on transition probabilities. Finally, this overview of the available techniques and how they can be best used in a practical context is aimed at helping the reader choose the most appropriate combination of approaches for the biomolecular system, Hamiltonian and free energy difference of interest. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010 [source] Reconfigurable photonic crystal circuitsLASER & PHOTONICS REVIEWS, Issue 2 2010C. Grillet Abstract We describe progress in the field of tuning, (re)configuration of Photonic crystal (PhC) based devices with a particular emphasis on our recent concepts and techniques that we have developed to tune and/or reconfigure the properties of photonic crystal nanocavities. We show how our hybrid approach based on photosensitive material and tapered silica fiber can tune the (Q, ,) properties of preexisting Photonic crystal cavities. We describe our alternative techniques to create ,a posteriori' spatially (re)configurable high-Q cavities in a PhC platform. We show that optofluidics , the fusion of microfluidics with photonic devices , offers an unquestionable added value to the quest of a truly versatile, (re)configurable photonic crystal based photonic chip. [source] Transient Behavior and Gelation of Free Radical Polymerizations in Continuous Stirred Tank ReactorsMACROMOLECULAR THEORY AND SIMULATIONS, Issue 4 2005Rolando C. S. Dias Abstract Summary: Using the authors' previously developed method for the general kinetic analysis of non-linear irreversible polymerizations, the simulation of free radical homogeneous polymerization systems with terminal branching and chain transfer to polymer has been carried out for continuous stirred tank reactors. Its improved accuracy on the numerical evaluation of generating functions has been exploited in order to perform their numerical inversion and chain length distributions could also be estimated with or without the presence of gel. A comparison with alternative techniques emphasizing the effect of their simplifying assumptions on the accuracy of calculations is also presented. Predicted CLD before gelation (t,=,1 h), after gelation (t,=,15 h, steady state), and close to gel point for a free radical polymerization with transfer to polymer in a CSTR with ,,=,60 min. [source] A comparison of capillary-scale LC,NMR with alternative techniques: spectroscopic and practical considerations,MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN CHEMISTRY, Issue 9 2005Richard J. Lewis Abstract Experimental and practical details for the use of capillary LC (CapLC),NMR are reported. The capillary NMR probe has high sensitivity and excellent flow characteristics and we found CapLC,NMR to be best suited to samples that are truly mass limited. CapLC,NMR relies on good capillary-scale chromatography where highly concentrated peaks with a volume closely matched to the NMR flow cell are achievable. Provided that the loading capacity of the capillary column is not limiting, the combination of high sensitivity and high solvent suppression quality makes CapLC,NMR an excellent choice. For many real samples, however, the loading is limiting and we found the combination of LC,SPE,MS,NMR with a cryoprobe enables more material to be purified for NMR analysis, while retaining sensitivity. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Noninvasive Ventilation During Gastrostomy Tube Placement in Patients with Severe Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Case Reports and Review of the LiteraturePEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 2 2006D.J. Birnkrant MD Abstract Individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy may benefit from gastrostomy tube feeding due to progressive dysphagia and malnutrition. However, due to their severely impaired pulmonary function, these individuals are at risk of severe complications when they are sedated or undergo anesthesia for the procedure. We previously described a technique of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation to provide respiratory support during gastrostomy tube placement in such patients, but this technique had risks and limitations. In this case report, we examine two alternative techniques we used to provide respiratory support successfully to patients with severe muscular dystrophy and malnutrition who underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement. We then review the literature and discuss the potential benefits, risks, and limitations of the above techniques and of other options for gastrostomy placement in people with severe muscular dystrophy. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Molecular and agronomic evaluation of wheat doubled haploid lines obtained through maize pollination and anther culture methodsPLANT BREEDING, Issue 4 2003J. Guzy-Wrobelska Abstract Although maize pollination (MP) and anther culture (AC) are alternative techniques widely used for wheat doubled haploid (DH) production, there is only limited information on the attributes of the plant materials produced through both methods. This study was conducted to evaluate genetic fidelity, transmission of parental gametes, and to compare field performance of DH populations produced by the MP and AC methods from the F1s of two crosses between spring bread wheat cultivars. The DH populations were compared to single seed descent (SSD) lines created from the same crosses. In total, 76 MP and 122 AC lines of the cross between cultivars of divergent origin were subjected to RAPD and AFLP analysis. Only changes in AFLP banding patterns, at similarly low frequencies, 0.18% (MP) and 0.21% (AC), were detected. The frequency of the DH lines affected by the variation, 14.5% (MP) and 14.8% (AC), was similar in both populations. For most of the DH lines, variation in 1-2 loci only, out of several hundreds scored, was observed. A total of 14.3% (MP) and 22.2% (AC) marker loci showed the significant segregation distortion from the expected 1 : 1 ratio, but in at least one polymorphic locus the within-cultivar variation was responsible for the skewed segregation. The field performance of the corresponding MP and AC lines derived from two crosses confirmed the equivalency of both DH populations. In most of the traits analyzed, the MP and AC lines performed the same as the SSD populations created from the same crosses. No, or very small differences in means and ranges, were observed when the best 10% of the lines from all three methods were compared. Moreover, the best 10 % of the lines of the cross between Polish wheat cultivars adapted to the local environment performed significantly better for some traits than different groups of checks used in the study. [source] Some Ethnic Dimensions of Income Distribution from Pre- to Post-reform New Zealand, 1984,1998*THE ECONOMIC RECORD, Issue 262 2007SRIKANTA CHATTERJEE Based on unit record data from four household surveys conducted by Statistics New Zealand for the years 1983/1984, 1991/1992, 1995/1996 and 1997/1998, this paper addresses some ethnic dimensions of income inequality among New Zealanders over the period of the surveys. It applies alternative techniques of decomposition of the Gini coefficient of inequality by subgroups of population. It then analyses how changes in the incomes of specific population subgroups affect the overall inequality. The results help quantify the economic distances among the different ethnic populations of New Zealand, and indicate how and why these distances have been changing over time. [source] Optimisation and the selection of conservation contracts*AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL & RESOURCE ECONOMICS, Issue 1 2007Stefan Hajkowicz This paper explores alternative techniques for the selection of conservation contracts under competitive tendering programs. Under these programs, purchasing decisions are often based on the benefits score and cost for proposed projects. The optimisation problem is to maximise the aggregate benefits without exceeding the budget. Because the budget rarely permits all projects to be funded, there is a binary choice problem, known in the operations research published work as a knapsack problem. The decision-maker must choose which projects are funded and which are not. Under some circumstances, the knapsack problem can be unsolvable because computational complexity increases exponentially with the number of projects. This paper explores the use of several decision rules for solving the optimisation problem including the use of advanced meta-heuristics. It is shown that commonly applied techniques for project selection may not be providing the optimal solution. Improved algorithms can increase the environmental programs benefits and staying within budget. The comparison of algorithms is based on real data from the Western Australian Conservation Auction. [source] In Vitro synthesis and activity of reporter proteins in an Escherichia coli S30 extract system: An undergraduate experiment,BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION, Issue 6 2005Pamela J. Higgins Abstract This undergraduate laboratory experiment integrates multiple techniques (in vitro synthesis, enzyme assays, Western blotting) to determine the production and detection sensitivity of two common reporter proteins (,-galactosidase and luciferase) within an Escherichia coli S30 transcription/translation extract. Comparison of the data suggests that luciferase is the more suitable reporter for this specific in vitro extract system. Simple modifications in the experimental design allow for flexibility in the use of materials and the time required to perform the study. Furthermore, extension into additional experiments and alternative techniques are also discussed. [source] Process Technology for Production and Recovery of Heterologous Proteins with Pichia pastorisBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 6 2006Mehmedalija Jahic Developments in process techniques for production and recovery of heterologous proteins with Pichia pastoris are presented. Limitations for the standard techniques are described, and alternative techniques that solve the limitations problems are reviewed together with the methods that resulted in higher productivity of the P. pastoris processes. The main limitations are proteolysis of the secreted products and cell death in the high cell density bioreactor cultures. As a consequence, both low productivity and lower quality of the feedstock for downstream processing are achieved in processes hampered with these problems. Methods for exploring proteolysis and cell death are also presented. Solving the problems makes the conditions for downstream processing superior for the P. pastoris expression systems compared to other systems, which either need complex media or rely on intracellular production. These improved conditions allow for interfacing of cultivation with downstream processing in an integrated fashion. [source] Diversion colitis in children with colovaginoplastyBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 9 2001H.A. Syed Objective To highlight the occurrence of diversion colitis and its effects in colovaginoplasty. Patients and methods The records of 18 children who had undergone colovaginoplasty were reviewed retrospectively. Nine patients had androgen-insensitivity syndrome and three each had congenital adrenal hyperplasia, vaginal agenesis and Mayer,Rokitansky syndrome. Through an abdominoperineal approach a segment of sigmoid colon was isolated on its vascular pedicle and brought to the perineum in the plane between the urethra and rectum, as a blind pouch or as an interposition between the proximal vagina and the perineum. The mean (range) follow-up was 5 (1.5,8) years. Results There were no major complications during the early follow-up. Three patients developed severe vaginal discharge with bleeding 2,7 years after colovaginoplasty; examination showed erythema, oedema, ulceration and bleeding. Histology confirmed the classic features of diversion colitis in all three patients. One child responded to vaginal irrigation with a solution of short-chain fatty acids, and the other two were treated with steroid enemas and mesalazine after a poor response to short-chain fatty acids. One of these patients has required surgical reduction of an excessively long neovagina. Conclusion Symptomatic diversion colitis can occur after colovaginoplasty. The severity of the symptoms raises concerns about the use of colovaginoplasty in children and alternative techniques of vaginal replacement should be considered in the first instance. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||