Abstract: A method of making an meat product includes providing a meat batter that contains a modified starch in an amount of about 1% to about 15% by weight, forming the meat batter into a shaped composition, and cooking the shaped composition to form the meat product. The method facilitates production of a meat product that retains at least 65% of the fat content of a meat batter. In some embodiments, a meat product made according to a method provided herein substantially retains the shape of the shaped composition.

Abstract: An evaluation system and method are herein disclosed. The system comprises a housing; a first connector having a first positive contact, a first negative contact, and a first signal contact; a second connector having a second positive contact, a second negative contact, and a second signal contact; and an evaluation circuit. The evaluation circuit comprises a signal wire coupling the first signal contact and the second signal contact; a negative wire coupling the first negative contact and the second negative contact; a positive wire coupling the first positive contact and the second positive contact; and a multimeter having a sampling component associated with the positive wire, the multimeter being coupled to the positive wire and the negative wire and operable to determine a simultaneous current and a voltage based on a signal from the sampling component.

Abstract: A hard taco shell, having a plasticizing agent applied to a targeted region of a base or spine portion of the hard taco shell and lower sections of taco shell sidewalls to softening the targeted region such that, when the taco shell is bitten, the softened targeted region has some hinging flexibility or pliability which reduces the potential for any crack propagation, is hermetically sealed in a package body formed from a material establishing a barrier to the transmission of oxygen into an interior of the package body. With this arrangement, premature drying and cracking of the agent treated hard taco shell is prevented.

Abstract: Coal dust comprising coal particles of 40 mesh or less may be utilized as a fuel for stable combustion by aspirating the dust in fluidized suspension for delivery to a turbulent reservoir and aspirating the suspension from the reservoir for delivery to a combustion zone.