Determination of Biogenic Amines in Cheese Using Simultaneous Derivatization and Microextraction Method Followed by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Microwave-assisted extraction and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry as a sensitive and efficient method was applied to extract and determine four biogenic amines (BAs) in Iranian Lighvan cheese samples. Carrez solutions were used for the sedimentation of proteins. Effective factors on the performance of microextraction were studied and optimized. The proposed method showed good linear ranges from 5 to 500 ng mL^?1, with the coefficients of determination higher than 0.9929. Average recoveries were between 97 and 103%. Limits of detection for all analyzed BAs ranged from 5.9 to 14.0 ng g^?1, and limits of quantitation ranged between 19.7 and 46.2 ng g^?1. Compared with previous methods, the proposed method is simple, fast, accurate, and precise and gives low detection limits for investigating trace amounts of BAs in Iranian Lighvan cheese samples. The levels of four BAs were determined in five Lighvan cheese samples. Cadaverine was found as prevailing amine in the cheese samples. Putrescine, tyramine, and histamine were present at the second, third, and fourth highest levels, respectively.     

Deuteron electromagnetic form factors and tensor polarization observables in the framework of the hard-wall AdS/QCD model

We study the electromagnetic form factors and tensor polarization observables of the deuteron in the framework of the hard-wall AdS/QCD model. We find a profile function for the bulk twist \begin{document}$\tau=6$\end{document} vector field, which describes the deuteron on the boundary and fix the infrared boundary cut-off of AdS space in accordance with the ground state mass of the deuteron. We obtain the deuteron charge monopole, quadrupole, and magnetic dipole form factors and tensor polarization observables from the bulk Lagrangians for the deuteron and photon field interactions. We plot the momentum transfer dependence of the form factors and tensor polarization observables and compare our numerical results with those in the soft-wall model and experimental data.     

Dissociation Behavior of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>(+)-Lactic Acid in Aqueous Solutions of (1-Alkyl-4-methylpyridinium bromide + Poly (ethyleneglycol)) at <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> = (288.15–318.15) K

The effect of 1-alkyl-4-methylpyridinium based ionic liquids on the conductivity behavior of l(+)-lactic acid (LaH) was studied in Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) aqueous solutions. The molar conductivities of LaH in the aqueous solutions of PEG, (PEG + 1-hexyl-4-methylpyridinium bromide) and (PEG + 1-octyl-4-methylpyridinium bromide) were measured over the temperature ranges of 288.15–318.15 K. The molar conductivity data were analyzed by applying the Quint–Viallard (QV) conductivity equation to determine the limiting molar conductivities (Λ ⁰) and dissociation constants (\( K_{\text{D}} \)). The results show that the values of limiting molar conductivity increased as the temperature increased, which indicates that the dissociation process is endothermic. The \( K_{\text{D}} \) values were also used to calculate the dissociation standard thermodynamic functions (\( \Delta G_{\text{D}}^{0} \), \( \Delta S_{\text{D}}^{0} \) and \( \Delta H_{\text{D}}^{0} \)). The results revealed that the dissociation process of LaH is controlled by entropy at all temperatures.     

Nucleon’s Axial-Vector Form Factor in the Hard-Wall AdS/QCD Model

The axial-vector form factor of the nucleons is considered in the framework of hard-wall model of holographic QCD. A new interaction term between the bulk gauge and matter fields was included into the interaction Lagrangian. We obtain the axial-vector form factor of nucleons in the boundary QCD from the bulk action using AdS/CFT correspondence. The momentum square dependence of the axial-vector form factor is analysed numerically.     

Flow structure, heat transfer and pressure drop in varying aspect ratio two-pass rectangular smooth channels

Two-pass channels are used for internal cooling in a number of engineering systems e.g., gas turbines. Fluid travelling through the curved path, experiences pressure and centrifugal forces, that result in pressure driven secondary motion. This motion helps in moving the cold high momentum fluid from the channel core to the side walls and plays a significant role in the heat transfer in the channel bend and outlet pass. The present study investigates using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the flow structure, heat transfer enhancement and pressure drop in a smooth channel with varying aspect ratio channel at different divider-to-tip wall distances. Numerical simulations are performed in two-pass smooth channel with aspect ratio W_in/H = 1:3 at inlet pass and W_out/H = 1:1 at outlet pass for a variety of divider-to-tip wall distances. The results show that with a decrease in aspect ratio of inlet pass of the channel, pressure loss decreases. The divider-to-tip wall distance (W_el) not only influences the pressure drop, but also the heat transfer enhancement at the bend and outlet pass. With an increase in the divider-to-tip wall distance, the areas of enhanced heat transfer shifts from side walls of outlet pass towards the inlet pass. To compromise between heat transfer and pressure drop in the channel, W_el/H = 0.88 is found to be optimum for the channel under study.     

Development of high performance nano-porous polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes with hydrophilic surface and superior antifouling properties

Hydrophilic nano-porous polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes were developed for milk concentration. The membranes were prepared from new dope solution containing polyethersulfone (PES)/polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP)/polyethyleneglycole (PEG)/cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP)/acrylic acid/Triton X-100 using phase inversion induced by immersion precipitation technique. This casting solution leads to formation of new hydrophilic membranes. The morphological studies were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In addition, the hydrophilicity and performance of membranes were examined by contact angel measurements and cross-flow filtration (pure water flux, milk water permeation, protein rejection and antifouling measurements). The contact angle measurements indicate that a surface with superior hydrophilicity was obtained for PES membranes. Two concentrations of PES (16 and 14.4 wt.%) and two different non-solvents (pure water and mixtures of water and IPA) were used for preparation of membranes. The morphological studies showed that the higher concentration of PES and the presence of IPA in the gelation media results in formation of a membrane with a dense top and sub-layer with small pores on the surface. The pure water flux of membranes was decreased when higher polymer concentration and mixtures of water and IPA were employed for membrane formation. On the other hand, the milk water permeation and protein rejection were increased using mixtures of water and IPA as non-solvent. Furthermore, the fouling analysis of the membranes demonstrated that the membrane surface with fewer tendencies for fouling was obtained.     

On flow structure, heat transfer and pressure drop in varying aspect ratio two-pass rectangular channel with ribs at 45°

To increase the thermal efficiency of gas turbines, inlet temperature of gas is increased. This results in the requirement of cooling of gas turbine blades and vanes. Internal cooling of gas turbine blades and vanes is one of several options. Two-pass channels are provided with ribs to enhance heat transfer at the expense of an increased pressure drop. The space in the blade is limited and requires channels with small aspect ratios. Numerical simulations have been performed to investigate heat transfer, flow field and pressure loss in a two-pass channel equipped with 45° ribs with aspect ratio (W_in/H) equal to 1:3 in the inlet pass and 1:1 in the outlet pass with both connected together with a 180° bend. The results are compared with a higher aspect ratio channel (W_in/H = 1:2, inlet pass). In the ribbed channel, a decrease in pressure drop was observed with a decrease in the aspect ratio of the channel. The smaller aspect ratio channel not only allows using more cooling channels in the blade, but also results in more heat transfer enhancement. The divider-to-tip wall distance (W_el) has influence on the pressure drop, as well as on the heat transfer enhancement at the bend and outlet pass. Heat transfer decreases with decrease in aspect ratio of the inlet pass of the two-pass channel. With increase in divider-to-tip wall distance, heat transfer tries to attain a constant value.     

Synthesis of magnetically modified mesoporous nanoparticles and their application in simultaneous determination of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II)

In this study, a novel adsorbent from a mesoporous family (MCM-41) coating with CoFe₂O₄ and piperazine was synthesized by a simple and easy route. Its application for simultaneous preconcentration of three heavy metals including lead, cadmium and copper in real samples followed by a flame atomic absorption spectroscopy was investigated. The central composite design was employed for investigating the most effective factors of pH, amount of adsorbent, the equilibrium time and their interactions. Under the optimum conditions, the detection limits for lead, cadmium and copper were 0.50, 0.30 and 0.25 μg L^?1, respectively, and the preconcentration factor (PF) was 33. The presented method was successfully employed for the simultaneous determination of the three mentioned heavy metals in real samples with recoveries of 90%–105%. The accuracy of the suggested methods was also investigated through spiking samples and a reasonable range for recoveries from 90.3% to 107% was acquired. The isotherm models and thermodynamic parameters have also been studied. The new adsorbent showed fast adsorption kinetics within 10 min and maximum Langmuir monolayer capacities of 238.09, 178.57 and 208.33 mg g^?1 for lead, cadmium and copper, respectively.