In this study, carbon nano-fibers (CNFs) were used to increase the compressive properties of poly(arylene ether sulfone) (PAES) foams. The polymer composite pellets were produced by melt blending the PAES resin with CNFs in a single screw extruder. The pellets were saturated and foamed with water and CO2 in a one-step batch process method. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) was used to ...

Regulator of G protein signaling 2 (RGS2) is a GTPase-activating protein for Galpha(q), which is involved in regulating various vascular functions. To understand how RGS2 regulates foam cell formation, the present study identified signaling pathways controlled by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and discovered new mechanisms whereby protein kinase C (PKC)-eta and phospholipase D (PLD) 2 regulate RGS2 e...

BACKGROUND Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has remarkable effects on the healing of poststernotomy mediastinitis. Foam is presently the material of choice for NPWT in this indication. There is now increasing interest in using gauze, as this has proven successful in the treatment of peripheral wounds. It is important to determine the effects of NPWT using gauze on heart pumping function b...

Resistant starch (RS) escapes digestion in the small intestine and may ferment in the large intestine. The purpose of this study was to determine the resistant starch content in typical starchy foods and to estimate the daily resistant starch intake and identify key sources of dietary resistant starch in the Chinese diets. The resistant starch contents of 121 foods were determined using a metho...

Rice starch was cross-linked with epichlorohydrin (0.3%, w/w, on a dry starch basis) and oxidized with sodium hypochlorite (2.5% w/w), respectively. Two dual-modified rice starch samples (oxidized cross-linked rice starch and cross-linked oxidized rice starch) were obtained by the oxidation of cross-linked rice starch and the cross-linking of oxidized rice starch at the same level of reagents. ...

Coffee beverage known as espresso, must be topped by a velvety thick, reddish-brown foam called crema, to be considered properly prepared and to be appreciated by connoisseurs. In spite of the relevant role played by crema as a quality marker, espresso coffee foam has not yet been the subject of detailed investigations. Only recently, some aspects of the Physics and Chemistry behind the espress...

Calcium-enhanced protein recovered from black bullhead catfish was used to develop gels containing increasing amounts of potato starch (0-20 g/kg protein paste) and the effects of starch on functional, textural, and color properties were tested. Energy required to unfold protein groups was greater with the addition of 5 g starch/kg protein paste. Gels containing starch were harder, chewier, and...

Biodiesel is an attractive alternative fuel because of its nontoxicity and biodegradability properties. Biodiesel is produced through transesterification of vegetable oils’ triglyceride. It is obtained from vegetable oils or fats either by chemical or enzyme-catalyzed transesterification with methanol or ethanol. By using whole-cell biocatalyst immobilized within biomass support particles (BSPs...

Operators of agricultural machinery are exposed to an extensive range of indirect vibrations through the seats, which gradually causes chronic damages. One of the ways to reduce the vibrations imposed on the operators is to use appropriate materials in tractor seat cushion. The present study was carried out in order to select appropriate foam or sponge and investigate different factors in reduc...

The mining chute is an important equipment in the process of coal transportation and coal screening preparation. During the working process, the mining chute will generate a lot of vibration and noise because of constantly friction and impact of gangue and coal blocks. In order to reduce the vibration and noise during the operation of the chute, a new type of foam aluminum laminated structure i...