Osmotic dehydration of apples in sugar/salt solutions: Concentration profiles and effective diffusion coefficients

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Concentration profiles and effective diffusion coefficients of sucrose and water in osmo-dehydrated apples

The spatial distribution of water and sugars in half-fresh apples dehydrated in sucrose solutions (30% and 50% w/w, 27 degrees C) for 2, 4 and 8 h, was determined. Each half was sliced as from the exposed surface. The density, water and sugar contents were determined for each piece. A mathematical model was fitted to the experimental data of the water and sucrose contents considering the overall flux and tissue shrinkage. A numerical method of finite differences permitted the calculation of the effective diffusion coefficients as a function of concentration, using material coordinates and integrating the two differential equations (for water and sucrose) simultaneously. The coefficients obtained were one or even two orders of magnitude lower than those for pure solutions and presented unusual concentration dependence. The behaviour of the apple tissue was also studied using light microscopy techniques to obtain images of the osmotically treated pieces (20%, 30% and 50% w/w sucrose solutions for 2, 4 and 8 h). (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of water and sucrose diffusion coefficients in potato tissue during osmotic concentration

The water and sucrose effective diffusion coefficients behavior were studied in potato tubers immersed in aqueous sucrose solution, 50% (w/,A), at 27 degreesC. Water and sucrose concentration profiles were measured as function of the position for 3, 6 and 12 h of immersion. These were adjusted to a mathematical model for three components that take into account the bulk flow in a shrinking tissue and the concentration dependence of the diffusion coefficients.The binary effective coefficients were an order of magnitude lower than those for pure solutions of sucrose. These coefficients show an unusual concentration dependence. Analysis of these coefficients as functions of the concentration and position demonstrates that, cellular tissue promotes high resistance to diffusion in the tuber and also the elastic contraction of material influences the species diffusion. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Squeezed states, generalized Hermite polynomials and pseudo-diffusion equation

We show that the wavefunctions 〈pq; λ|n〈, of the harmonic oscillator in the squeezed state representation, have the generalized Hermite polynomials as their natural orthogonal polynomials. These wavefunctions lead to generalized Poisson Distribution Pn(pq;λ), which satisfy an interesting pseudo-diffusion equation: ∂Pnp,q;λ) ∂λ= 1 4 [ ∂2 ∂p2-( 1 λ2) ∂2 ∂q2]P2(p,q;λ), in which the squeeze parameter λ plays the role of time. Th entropies Sn(λ) have minima at the unsqueezed states (λ=1), which means that squeezing or stretching decreases the correlation between momentum p and position q. © 1992.

Open innovation and user s involvement in new product development: a case study in the automotive sector

Innovation is an essential factor for obtaining competitive advantages. The search for external knowledge sources for product creation, which can contribute to the innovation process, has become a constant among companies, and users play an important role in this search. In this study, we aimed to analyze user’s involvement in the product development process based on open innovation concepts. We used the unique case study research method. This study was carried out in an automotive company that has developed a project of a concept car involving user’s through the Web 2.0. With such scope, the research demonstrates that users can contribute not only with generation of ideas but also with the innovation process itself.

Improving business innovation and research through the application of neuromarketing with ethics: a framework

The objective of this paper is to analyse and to discuss the ethical issues in the field of research known as neuromarketing, a tool used to improve innovation in companies. It uses techniques available to neuroscientists, both newer and more sophisticated ones along with traditional ones, but now for new purposes. From the beginning, this new area has evoked discussions about ethical aspects related to the results presented. Despite the unrestricted controversy surrounding the theme, few studies have discussed ethical issues involved in this line of research in a pragmatic manner. In this sense, this paper seeks to analyse and discuss ethical issues in neuromarketing research through a literature review and the proposal for a framework of ethical mapping. This framework revealed the ethical implications that would be most prominent in certain research situations: the purpose of utilising neuromarketing techniques, organisational type, and industrial sector, among others.

Diffusion coefficient of K+ in ion exchanged glasses calculated from the refractive index and the Vickers hardness profiles

The top faces of float glass samples were exposed to vapors resulting from the decomposition of KNO3 at 565 degrees C for up to 32 h. X-ray dispersive spectra (EDS) show that K+ ions migrate into the glass. The K+ concentration profile was obtained and its diffusion coefficient was calculated by the Boltzmann-Matano technique. The mean diffusion coefficient was approximately 10 X 10(-11) cm(2) s(-1). It was observed that the refractive index and the Vickers hardness decrease with the depth (after the removal of successive layers), and their profiles were thus obtained. These profiles enabled the calculation of the diffusion coefficient of K+ through the Boltzmann-Matano technique, with mean results ranging between 6 x 10(-11) and 30 x 10(-11) cm(2) s(-1). (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Intercalation processes and diffusion paths of lithium ions in spinel-type structured Li(1+x)Ti(2)O(4): Density functional theory study

Intercalation processes and corresponding diffusion paths of Li ions into spinel-type structured Li(1+x)Ti(2)O(4) (0 <= x <= 0.375) are systematically studied by means of periodic density functional theory calculations for different compositions and arrangements. An analysis of the site preference for intercalation processes is carried out, while energy barriers for the diffusion paths have been computed in detail. Our results indicate that the Li insertion is thermodynamically favorable at octahedral sites 16c in the studied composition range, and Li migration from tetrahedral sites 8a to octahedral sites 16c stabilizes the structure and becomes favorable for compositions x >= 0.25. Diffusion paths from less stable arrangements involving Li migrations between tetrahedral and octahedral sites exhibit the lowest energy barrier since the corresponding trajectories and energy profiles take place across a triangle made by three neighboring oxygen anions without structural modification. Theoretical and experimental diffusion coefficients are in reasonable agreement.

Innovation efforts and performances of Brazilian firms

We analyze the relationship between innovation and firms' performance in Brazil using a comprehensive database that cross-references innovation information by PINTEC (Technological Innovation Research) of the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) and financial information from Serasa and Gazeta Mercantil. Results from the structural equation modeling suggest that variables associating with investments in innovation, which are connected to the innovative effort of a company, do not explain financial performance significantly. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Organizational communication and innovation in micro and small companies: a study on the application of the Innovation Radar

This paper is a study on corporate communication and the ability to innovate in small businesses. The guiding question seeks to respond whether organizational communication is able to make progress and / or support innovation in micro and small companies, and the main objective is to analyze the relationship between innovation and organizational communication. It was applied the case study method and document research for interpreting a diagnosis instru- ment called “Innovation Radar” in a small business company located in the countryside of São Paulo state. The diagnosis is made based on assessment dimensions aimed at checking the maturity and the degree of innovation in micro and small companies. By evaluating these di- mensions it was possible to build analytical frameworks and highlight the influence of corporate communication in promoting innovation. The results indicate that every dimension of the “In- novation Radar” can improve their performance by means of corporate communication.

Diffusion of Nitrogen in Ti-13V-11Cr-3Al Alloys

Metals with a bcc crystalline structure such as Ti-13V-11Cr-3Al alloys have their physical properties significantly changed through the addition of interstitial elements such as oxygen and nitrogen. These metals can dissolve substantial amounts of interstitial elements forming solid solutions. Mechanical spectroscopy measurements constitute a powerful tool for studying interactions of these interstitial elements with other elements that make up the alloy. From these measurements, it is possible to obtain information regarding diffusion, interstitial concentration, interaction between interstitials, and other imperfections of the crystalline lattice, In this paper, Ti-13V-11Cr-3Al alloys with several amount of nitrogen, in a solid solution, were studied using mechanical spectroscopy (internal friction) measurements. The results presented complex internal friction spectra which were resolved in a series of constituent Debye peaks corresponding to different interactions and interstitial diffusion coefficients. Pre-exponential factors and activation energies were calculated for nitrogen in theses alloys.

New technologies, old habits: automation without innovation

This research investigated the underuse of technological tools by innovative organizations which are acknowledged for their use of and familiarity with new technologies. The research conducted an analysis of 58 institutional repositories (IRs) out of 43 educational and research institutions which are internationally renowned for excellence. The core aspect of the analysis was the use of IRs for publishing and dealing with evidence in order to legitimize and add value to scientific research. The following items were analyzed: (a) the logical structuring of scientific communication published in the IRs; (b) the metadata which describe scientific communication based on the terms of the DCMI protocol used; (c) the availability of software functions which facilitate the queries and publication of evidences. Results show that the introduction of IRs did not add value to the quality of research in\ terms of associating and publishing evidence that could back them up. A strong tendency to replicate the traditional library model of physical collections was observed. It was concluded that merely possessing good technological tools is not sufficient for fostering innovation and strategic gains in organizations, even if their implementation takes place in highly promising and favorable environments.

Short-term evaluation of the pulpo-dentin complex response to a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement and a bonding agent applied in deep cavities

Objectives. To evaluate the response of the pulpo-dentin complex following application of a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement or an adhesive system in deep cavities performed in human teeth.Methods. Deep class V cavities were prepared on the buccal surface of 26 premolars. In Group I the cavity walls (dentin) and enamel were conditioned with 32% phosphoric acid and the dentin adhesive system One Step (Bisco, Inc., Itasca, IL, USA) was applied. In Groups 2 and 3, before total etching and application of bonding agent, the cavity floor was lined with the resin-modified glass-ionomer cement-Vitrebond (3M ESPE Dental Products Division, St. Paul, MN, USA) or the calcium hydroxide cement-Dycal (control group, Dentsply, Mildford, DE, USA), respectively. The cavities were restored using light-cured Z-100 composite resin (3M ESPE). The teeth were extracted between 5 and 30 days and prepared for microscopic assessment. Serial sections were stained with H/E, Masson's trichrome, and Brown and Brenn techniques.Results. In Group 1, the inflammatory response was more evident than in Groups 2 and 3. Diffusion of dental material components across dentinal tubules was observed only in Group 1, in which the intensity of the pulp response increased as the remaining dentin thickness decreased. Bacteria were evidenced in the lateral walls of two samples (Group 2) which exhibited no inflammatory response or tissue disorganization.Conclusions. Based on the experimental conditions, it was concluded total acid etching followed by application of One Step bonding agent cannot be recommended as adequate procedures. In this clinical condition the cavity walls should be lined with a biocompatible dental material, such as Vitrebond or Dycal. 2003 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structural and functional characterization of BnSP-7, a Lys49 myotoxic phospholipase A(2) homologue from Bothrops neuwiedi pauloensis Venom

BnSP-7, a Lys49 myotoxic phospholipase A, homologue from Bothrops neuwiedi pauloensis venom, was structurally and functionally characterized. Several biological activities were assayed and compared with those of the chemically modified toxin involving specific amino acid residues, the cDNA produced from the total RNA by RT-PCR contained approximately 400 bp which codified its 121 amino acid residues with a calculated pi and molecular weight of 8.9 and 13,727, respectively. Its amino acid sequence showed strong similarities with several Lys49 phospholipase A, homologues from other Bothrops sp, venoms. By affinity chromatography and gel diffusion, it was demonstrated that heparin formed a complex with BnSP-7, held at least in part by electrostatic interactions. BnSP-7 displayed bactericidal activity and promoted the blockage of the neuromuscular contraction of the chick, biventer cervicis muscle. In addition to its in vivo myotoxic and edema-inducing activity, it disrupted artificial membranes, Both BnSP-7 and the crude venom released creatine kinase from the mouse gastrocnemius muscle and induced the development of a dose-dependent edema. His, Tyr, and Lys residues of the toxin were chemically modified by 4-bromophhenacyl bromide (BPB), 2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl fluoride (NBSF), and acetic anhydride (AA), respectively. Cleavage of its N-terminal octapeptide was achieved with cyanogen bromide (CNBr), the bactericidal action of BnSP-7 on Escherichia coli was almost completely abolished by acetylation or cleavage of the N-terminal octapeptide, the neuromuscular effect induced by BnSP-7 was completely inhibited by heparin, BPB, acetylation, and CNBr treatment. The creatine kinase releasing and edema-inducing effects were partially inhibited by heparin or modification by BPB and almost completely abolished by acetylation or cleavage of the N-terminal octapeptide, the rupture of liposomes by BnSP-7 and crude venom was dose and temperature dependent. Incubation of BnSP-7 with EDTA did not change this effect, suggesting a Ca2+-independent membrane lytic activity. BnSP-7 cross-reacted with antibodies raised against B. moojeni (MjTX-II), B. jararacussu (BthTX-I), and B. asper (Basp-II) myotoxins as well as against the C-terminal peptide (residues 115-129) from Basp-II. (C) 2000 Academic Press.

Electroluminescence and electric current response spectroscopy applied to the characterization of polymer light-emitting electrochemical cells

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