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Summary: In frozen part‐baked bread technology, starch is influenced by various processing factors. This study aimed to investigate the effect of part‐baking time, freezing rate and frozen storage time on pasting, thermal and structural properties of part‐baked bread. Wheat dough was part‐baked for 0, 3 or 6 min and frozen at −20 °C using two freezing rates: slow (0.15 °C min−1) or fast (1.45 °C min−1). Next, samples were stored in frozen conditions for 56 days and analysed every 14 days for starch damage, pasting properties, thermal and X‐ray analysis. The level of damaged starch increased with 3 min (69.3%), and 6 min (88.8%) of part‐baking time for both freezing rates compared to no part‐baked. In pasting analyses, peak viscosity decreased 27.3% and 38.4% for 3 and 6 min of part‐baking time, respectively, at 0 days of frozen storage; however, this tendency was observed for all frozen storage time. The gelatinisation enthalpy (ΔHg) decreased as part‐baking time increased, showing the maximum reduction at 6 min of part‐baked (94.9%). In X‐ray diffraction analyses at 3 and 6 min of part‐baking, the intensity of the signal increased 4.4% and 10.9%, respectively, probably due to the starch gelatinisation. These results can serve as a valuable guide for developing strategies to enhance the quality of part‐baked bread and improve production performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of natural fibers rather than engineered filaments has turned into a subject of conversation in the composite industries. In this research, one of the natural fibers was synthesized from Pennisetum orientale grass and the surfaces were modified using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) chemically. Then they were used as reinforcement in vinyl ester polymer by different weight percentage (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 wt%) for fabrication of composites. At different filler loading various mechanical properties were evaluated and discussed. The mechanical properties of the composites were observed to increase at beginning phase with increase in filler content till optimum (25 wt%) fiber loading and from there on declines. The composite at optimum fiber loading were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and compared with untreated composites. The findings give manufactures and engineer a general idea to use this composite for weight reduction especially in automotive applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation, and subsequent structural, thermal and adsorptive properties of single‐component metal–organic framework crystal‐glass composites (MOF‐CGCs) are investigated. A series of novel materials exhibiting chemically identical glassy and crystalline phases within the same material were produced, where crystalline ZIF‐62(Zn) was incorporated within an agZIF‐62(Zn) matrix. X‐ray diffraction showed that the crystalline phase was still present after heating to above the glass transition temperature of agZIF‐62(Zn), and interfacial compatibility between the crystalline and glassy phases was investigated using a mixed‐metal (ZIF‐62(Co))0.5(agZIF‐62(Zn))0.5 analogue. CO2 gas adsorption measurements showed that the CO2 uptakes of the MOF‐CGCs were between those of the crystalline and glassy phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) are isolated from chimney soot and characterised by various tools such as X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The X‐ray diffraction studies confirm the presence of C60 nanoparticles in the isolated sample. The thermal properties of the prepared CNPs are recorded using thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. The analysis of the antibacterial activity of the synthesised CNPs against selected Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacterial strains is also investigated. The systematic study confirms that CNPs collected from chimney soot exhibit good antibacterial potency against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocomposites based on an organically modified bentonite, from Maghnia Algeria (OBT) and a copolymer of methyl methacrylate with 4-vinylpyridine (PMM4VP) synthesized in dioxan at room temperature using a neutral Ni(II)α-benzoinoxime complex as a single component initiator, were elaborated via solution intercalation method and characterized by several techniques. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy investigations indicate that mainly exfoliated and intercalated PMM4VP/OBT nanocomposites were elaborated and that the degree of exfoliation decreases with an increase of the OBT loading. Thermal analyses of these nanocomposites compared with their virgin copolymer confirmed a significant improvement of their thermal stability as evidenced by an increase of 28°C in their onset degradation temperatures. In addition, differential scanning calorimetry displayed an increase in the range of 12-18°C in their glass transition temperatures relative to their virgin copolymer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]