Structural and Functional Changes in Soybean Protein via Remote Plasma Treatments.

To the best of our knowledge, few studies have utilized cold plasma to improve soybean protein extraction yield and the functional properties of soybean protein. In this study, we aimed to assess the benefits of remote plasma treatments on soybean with respect to the utilization of soybean protein. This study involved two different sample forms (whole and crushed beans), two different plasma chemistry modes (ozone and nitrogen oxides [NOx = NO + NO2]), and a novel pressure-swing reactor. Crushed soybeans were significantly affected by NOx-mode plasma treatment. Crushed soybeans treated with NOx-mode plasma had the best outcomes, wherein the protein extraction yield increased from 31.64% in the control to 37.90% after plasma treatment. The water binding capacity (205.50%) and oil absorption capacity (267.67%) of plasma-treated soybeans increased to 190.88% and 246.23 % of the control, respectively. The emulsifying activity and emulsion stability slightly increased compared to those of the control. The secondary structure and surface hydrophobicity were altered. The remote plasma treatment of crushed soybeans increased soybean protein extraction yield compared to plasma-treated whole beans as well as untreated beans and altered the structural and physicochemical properties of soybean proteins.

Fabrication of electrically conductive nickel-silver bimetallic particles via polydopamine coating.

Inspired by adhesive proteins excreted by marine mussels, dopamine can act as a versatile surface modification agent for various organic and inorganic materials. By using adhesive polydopamine (PDA) as an intermediate layer, a simple and novel method for fabricating nickel-PDA-silver (Ni-PDA-Ag) bimetallic composite particles was developed. Ni-PDA-Ag bimetallic particles were fabricated by dispersing Ni particles in an aqueous dopamine solution followed by electroless Ag plating on the prepared Ni-PDA particles. A PDA layer with nano-meter thickness was deposited spontaneously on the surface of the Ni particles by oxidative self-polymerization of dopamine under alkaline conditions. Electroless Ag plating on the prepared Ni-PDA particles was carried out in the presence of a glucose solution as a reducing agent. Ni-PDA particles and Ni-PDA-Ag composite particles with a PDA intermediate layer were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), field-emission transmission electron microscopy (FE-TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In addition, the electrical conductivity of as-prepared composite particles was evaluated by a 4-point probe. The PDA layer deposited on the surface of Ni was confirmed by XPS spectra, FT-IR spectroscopy, and FE-TEM. FE-SEM images demonstrated that Ag nanoparticles were successfully plated on the PDA layer-coated Ni particles after the electroless Ag plating process. XRD patterns also confirmed the presence of Ag in a metallic state. In addition, the sheet resistance of as-prepared composite particles showed a tendency to decrease with increasing AgNO3 concentration.

[Risk factors of delayed bleeding after colonoscopic polypectomy: case-control study].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colonoscopic polypectomy is a valuable procedure for preventing colorectal cancer, but is not without complications. Delayed bleeding after colonoscopic polypectomy is a rare, but serious complication. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors of delayed bleeding after colonoscopic polypectomy. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted in a single university hospital. Forty cases and 120 controls were included. Data collected included comorbidity, use of antiplatelet agents, size and number of resected polyps, histology and gross morphology of resected polyps, endoscopist's experience, resection method, use of sedation, and use of prophylactic hemostasis. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, size, histology and number of resected polyps, endoscopist's experience, resection method and use of prophylactic hemostasis were significant risk factors for delayed bleeding after colonoscopic polypectomy. In multivariate analysis, risk of delayed bleeding increased by 11.6% for every 1 mm increase in resected polyp diameter (OR, 1.116; 95% CI 1.041-1.198; p=0.002). Number of resected polyps (OR, 1.364; 95% CI, 1.113-1.671; p=0.003) and endoscopist's experience (OR, 6.301; 95% CI, 2.022-19.637; p=0.002) were significant risk factors for delayed bleeding after colonoscopic polypectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Size and numbers of resected polyps, and endoscopist's experience were independent risk factors for delayed bleeding after colonoscopic polypectomy. More caution would be necessary when removing polyps with these factors.

One-to-one embedding between honeycomb mesh and Petersen-Torus networks.

As wireless mobile telecommunication bases organize their structure using a honeycomb-mesh algorithm, there are many studies about parallel processing algorithms like the honeycomb mesh in Wireless Sensor Networks. This paper aims to study the Peterson-Torus graph algorithm in regard to the continuity with honeycomb-mesh algorithm in order to apply the algorithm to sensor networks. Once a new interconnection network is designed, parallel algorithms are developed with huge research costs to use such networks. If the old network is embedded in a newly designed network, a developed algorithm in the old network is reusable in a newly designed network. Petersen-Torus has been designed recently, and the honeycomb mesh has already been designed as a well-known interconnection network. In this paper, we propose a one-to-one embedding algorithm for the honeycomb mesh (HMn) in the Petersen-Torus PT(n,n), and prove that dilation of the algorithm is 5, congestion is 2, and expansion is 5/3. The proposed one-to-one embedding is applied so that processor throughput can be minimized when the honeycomb mesh algorithm runs in the Petersen-Torus.