Spontaneous formation of liquid crystalline phases and phase transitions in highly concentrated plasmid DNA

The liquid crystalline (LC) properties of two supercoiled plasmid DNA samples, pBSK (2958 bp) and pGEM (3000 bp), have been studied using polarised light microscopy (PLM), circular dichroism (CD) and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The influence of methods of isolation on plasmid LC behaviour is described, and using PLM we have demonstrated the spontaneous formation of cholesteric fingerprint-like textures. Preliminary studies of LC phase transitions in pGEM show the irreversibility of LC phase formation, as a consequence of changes in the tertiary structure of supercoiled plasmids. Using UV–Vis spectroscopy a hyperchromic effect was observed with increasing temperature. The CD spectra clearly showed structural changes, and probably mismatching of DNA bases, during cooling. Finally, we have observed an irreversible phase transition in plasmid DNA which is very different from that previously reported in linear DNA.     

基于Gabor小波变换的ICA火灾图像纹理识别算法

针对火灾图像纹理识别问题,提出了基于Gabor小波变换的ICA火灾图像纹理识别算法,并根据火灾图像纹理识别特点进行了优化。首先用不同尺度和方向的Gabor滤波器对待识别图像滤波,得到其特征图像,然后将特征图像转化成特征向量作为ICA的输入,得到基矢量子空间,再将测试图像经过Gabor滤波器的特征向量投影到ICA子空间中得到系数向量作为目标识别特征,最后用支持向量机进行识别。通过与Gabor滤波器法和ICA方法的对比实验,表明该算法可以在火灾纹理图像的识别率上比传统方法提高5%以上,为火灾图像识别提供了一种新思路。     

Investigation of the vibrational modes of ZnO grown by MOCVD on different orientation planes

Wurtzite ZnO thin films were prepared on sapphire substrate by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Raman scattering studies on different crystallographic textures were performed in the backscattering geometry, and polarization effect is investigated in different configurations and . ZnO Raman modes are investigated in each texture. In the case of ZnO thin film deposed on r‐() sapphire plane and using backscattering geometry, new Raman line was observed at 390 cm⁻¹ because this mode has not been noticed in this geometry. It is shown that the frequencies of the quasi‐phonon modes of the examined thin film are in good agreement with the theoretical values calculated within the framework of Loudon model. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of Octenyl Succinic Anhydride (OSA) Modified Starches on the Rheological Properties of Dough and Characteristic of the Gluten-Free Bread

The study focused on the influence of starch modified by octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) on the rheological and thermal properties of gluten-free dough containing corn and potato starch with the addition of pectin and guar gum as structure-forming substances. The starch blend used in the original dough recipe was partially (5% to 15%) replaced with OSA starch. The rheological properties of dough samples were determined, and the properties of the resulting bread were analyzed. It was found that the dough samples behaved as weak gels, and the values of storage and loss moduli (G′ and G″, respectively) significantly depended on angular frequency. Various shares of OSA starch in recipes modified dough in different ways, causing changes in its rheological characteristics. The introduction of OSA starch preparations resulted in changes in the bread volume and physical characteristics of the crumb. All the applied preparations caused an increase in bread porosity and the number of pores larger than 5 mm, and there was a parallel decrease in pore density. The presence of OSA starch preparations modified bread texture depending on the amount and type of the applied preparation. The introduction of OSA starches in gluten-free bread formulation caused a significant drop in the enthalpy of retrograded amylopectin decomposition, indicating a beneficial influence of such type of additive on staling retardation in gluten-free bread.     

Probiotic Yoghurts with Sea Buckthorn,Elderberry, and Sloe Fruit Purees

Elderberries, sea buckthorn, and sloe berries are fruits of wild-grown bushes, valued in folk medicine for their health-promoting properties but still rarely applied in food. The aim of the present study was to produce probiotic yoghurts with a 10% addition of sweetened purees prepared from elderberries (EPY), sea buckthorn (SBPY), and sloe berries (SPY) and to assess their chemical composition, acidity, content of polyphenols and anthocyanins, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and antiradical power (ARP), level of starter microbiota, concentration of acetaldehyde and diacetyl, syneresis, instrumentally measured color and texture parameters, and sensory acceptance. The results were compared to those obtained for plain probiotic yoghurt (PPY) and the changes tracked during 1 month of cold storage at 2 week intervals. The addition of elderberry and sloe berries significantly increased the antioxidant capacity of probiotic yoghurts, probably due to a high content of polyphenols, especially anthocyanins. However, anthocyanins were more stable in the EPY when compared to the SPY. All yoghurt treatments were characterized by good sensory quality and viability of starter microorganisms, including probiotic strains during cold storage. Elderberries promoted the evolution of diacetyl in yoghurts during storage and, together with sloe berries, produced increased syneresis and the greatest changes in color profile compared to PPY.     

Nanotextured multicrystalline Al‐BSF solar cells reaching 18% conversion efficiency using industrially viable solar cell processes

We report recent achievements in adapting industrially used solar cell processes on nanotextured surfaces. Nanostructures were etched into c‐Si surfaces by dry exothermic plasma‐less reaction of F species with Si in atmospheric pressure conditions and then modified using a short post‐etching process. Nanotextured multicrystalline wafers are used to prepare Al‐BSF solar cells using industrially feasible solar cell proc‐ essing steps. In comparison to the reference acidic textured solar cells, the nanostructured cells showed gain in short circuit current (J_sc) of up to 0.8 mA/cm² and absolute gain in conversion efficiency of up to 0.3%. The best nanotextured solar cell was independently certified to reach the conversion efficiency of 18.0%. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

用偏光织构及透射光谱分析液晶器件的老化

对一组台式计算器液晶显示器进行了光辐照,研究了光辐照对液晶显示器件显示品质的影响。采用偏光显微镜观察到了辐照后液晶的偏光织构的变化,液晶中出现了平行的条纹状织构和失去消光作用的黑洞,随着接受光辐照时间的增加,黑洞数量越来越多,面积越来越大。通过由计算机控制的双光束紫外-可见分光光度计测试了透射光谱的变化,发现其透射率随着接受光辐照时间的增加而降低。分析结果表明,条纹状织构和黑洞的出现是由于液晶分子结构在紫外线的照射下发生了变化所致,失去消光作用的黑洞是导致液晶器件透射率持续下降的主要原因。     

Properties of Rice-Based Beverages Fermented with Lactic Acid Bacteria and Propionibacterium

In recent times, consumers have shown increasing interest in plant substitutes for fermented dairy products. This study aimed to investigate the properties of yogurt-type rice-based beverages fermented with lactic acid bacteria and Propionibacterium. The changes in pH, viable population of bacteria, physical properties, and carbohydrate content of these beverages were tested. Fermentation using only Propionibacterium was insufficient to obtain a product with an acidity level similar to that of milk-based yogurt (pH < 4.5). After fermentation, the tested beverages had a high number of Lactobacillus sp. (7.42–8.23 log10 CFU/mL), Streptococcus thermophilus (8.01–8.65 log10 CFU/mL), and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (8.28–8.50 log10 CFU/mL). The hardness (2.90–10.40 N) and adhesiveness (13.79–42.16 mJ) of the samples after 14 days of storage at 6 °C varied depending on the starter culture used. The syneresis of all samples ranged between 29% and 31%, which was lower or close to that of milk-based yogurts. The content of individual sugars in the samples also varied depending on the starter culture used for fermentation. The results suggest that the combination of lactic and propionic fermentation helps in the production of rice-based yogurt-type milk substitutes.     

SEDIMENTO-DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HUANGHE (YELLOW) RIVER SUBAQUEOUS DELTA

The runoff of the Huanghe contains a great amount of suspended load and forms the high-density underflows (hyperpycnal currents) at the river mouth. The sediments over the subaqneous delta are mainly transported by the underflow. The sediment texture gradually get fining seawards, which relates to the attenuation of the hyperpycnal currents and hypopycnal plumes. Being hydraulically equivalent to the medlum-silt-sized quartz, which is the dominant component in the sediments, the clastic mica concentrates on the delta. The maximum thickness of the subaqueous delta is about 16m and the period of accumulation lasted from 12 to 16 years, therefore its sedimentary rate ranges from 110 to 130 cm/a.     

氧化物表面单层改性对SnO2超微粒子热稳定性的影响

研究了氧化物在气敏材料二氧化锡超细粉表面的分散行为及分散量的二氧化锡热稳定性的影响,结果表明,氧化铜,氧化镍,氧化铋和氧化锌在二氧化锡表面均能单层分散,分散阈值均与按密置单层模型计算的最大分散容量相符,负载二氧锡的表面覆盖度与其稳定性之间有很好的对应关系,单层覆盖率达到一定程度二氧化锡高温烧结便可基本得到抑制。