Salmonella Enteritidis in shell eggs: Current issues and prospects for control

Foodborne illness caused by Salmonella spp. is a worldwide problem. In the United States Salmonella Enteritidis is the second most commonly isolated serotype from human illness, and is known to be strongly associated with shell eggs and egg containing products. Eggs can become contaminated internally either by penetration through the shell or directly during formation in the reproductive tract. This review begins with a brief account of the physiology of egg production and the various physical and chemical barriers the egg possesses to prevent bacterial contamination. Factors involved in vertical and horizontal transmission of S. Enteritidis are examined, as well as the role of forced molt in colonization of the hen. Pre- and post-harvest mitigation strategies are also discussed.     

Avalanches on a conical bead pile: scaling with tuning parameters

Uniform spherical beads were used to explore the scaling behavior of a granular system near its critical angle of repose on a conical 3D bead pile. We found two tuning parameters that could take the system to a critical point. The existence of those tuning parameters violates the fundamental assumption of self-organized criticality, which proposed that complex dynamical systems self-organize to a critical point without need for tuning. Our avalanche size distributions were well described by a simple power-law, as is characteristic of a critical point, with the power τ = 1.5 when dropping beads slowly onto the apex of a bead pile from a small height. However, we could also move the system from the critical point using either of two tuning parameters: the height from which the beads fell onto the top of the pile or the region over which the beads struck the pile. As the drop height increased, the system did not reach the critical point yet the resulting distributions were independent of the bead mass, coefficient of friction, or coefficient of restitution. All our apex-dropping distributions for any type of bead (glass, stainless steel, zirconium) showed universality by scaling onto a common curve with τ = 1.5 and σ =?1.0, where 1/σ is the power of the tuning parameter. From independent calculations using the moments of the distribution, we find values for τ = 1.6 ± 0.1 and σ =?0.91 ± 0.15. When beads were dropped across the surface of the pile instead of solely on the apex, then the system also moved from the critical point and again the avalanche size distributions fell on a common curve when scaled similarly using the same values of τ and σ. We also observed that an hcp structure on the base of the pile caused an emergent structure in the pile that had six faces with some fcc or hcp structure; this structure did not affect the distribution of avalanche sizes.     

用于汽车自动变速器的温压涡轮毂

温压是一种可将增高密度与选择高使用性能材料相结合的技术。增高密度有助于提高零件的力学性能,以及整体使用性能。将密度增高与高使用性能相结合,可使制造的零件的使用性能超过相应的铸锻材料产品,同时可制成具有最终形的零件,从而显著减低生产成本。因此,自动变速器的涡轮毂就成为了温压的一个理想对象。这篇论文将评述,将用于高扭矩自动变速器的常规锻件切削加工的涡轮毂转换为用一次压制/一次烧结制造的粉末冶金涡轮毂。粉末冶金涡轮毂使用的材料是FD-0405。在试验室对这种扩散合金化材料进行了评价,和报告了几个密度水平的力学性能。温压可使高应力的内花键区全面达到高密度。为了证明粉末冶金零件的适用性,进行了广泛的力学与零件的特定试验。     

Membrane treatment of side-stream cooling tower water for reduction of water usage

A pilot study was conducted to determine whether membrane treatment on a side stream of recirculating cooling-tower water could reduce overall water usage and discharge. The treated permeate was returned to the cooling tower while the concentrate was discharged to the sanitary sewer. Flow rates, pressures and water chemistry were monitored. The pilot demonstrated potential substantial water savings. Maximum make-up water and discharge reduction were 16% and 49%, respectively. As high as possible permeate recovery is needed to maximize water conservation. Silica scaling on the membranes limited water savings in this pilot. Development of membranes with a solute-rejection capacity less than the 92% average of the membranes used in the pilot would assist in optimizing water savings. Decreased water outlays compensated for the additional energy used by membrane treatment. Scaling control is critical for economic operation.     

Impact of Ethylene Oxide Butylene Oxide Copolymers on the Composition and Friction of Silicone Hydrogel Surfaces

The surface chemical compositions of three types of silicone hydrogel contact lenses, PureVision^® (balafilcon A), ACUVUE^® OASYS^® (senofilcon A), and O₂OPTIX^® (lotrafilcon B), were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy prior to and following treatment in a test solution of diblock copolymer of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(butylene oxide) (EO–BO). Prior to treatment, differences in surface elemental compositions of the lenses were found to reflect known bulk compositions and/or respective surface treatments. Following solution treatment, surface chemical modifications were apparent in balafilcon A and lotrafilcon B, especially in the distribution of chemical functionalities present at the surface. Only modest changes in surface composition were observed for the senofilcon A material. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed to evaluate the surface topography and frictional properties of the lenses prior to and following similar solution treatments. AFM measurements in saline revealed large disparities between the coefficients of friction of the three lenses, with balafilcon A and lotrafilcon B exhibiting coefficients of friction approximately five times greater than that of senofilcon A. Lens surface treatment with the diblock copolymer test solution produced a significant reduction in the coefficients of friction of the two lenses exhibiting higher friction, yet only a small reduction in friction was observed for senofilcon A lens. Together, these results depict a strong correlation between the surface chemistry and frictional response of the lens systems as they relate to solution treatment with this specific diblock copolymer.     

Thermal-fluid and electromagnetic coupling analysis and test of a traction motor for electric vehicles

This paper proposes a multi-phasic coupling analysis and test of a 50 kW traction motor for electric vehicles. The temperature-dependent properties of the electrical and magnetic materials of the interior permanent magnet traction motor are not negligible over a wide operation range of the vehicle. The heat produced by the electromagnetic power loss changes the motor’s properties, and in turn the motor performance changes to produce a different power loss. This two-way coupled electromagnetic and thermal-fluid analysis of the torque and speed curve and the transient thermal response at a rated operation point are simulated and compared with the traditional one-way coupling analysis. The simulation results are also compared with and proved by experiments on a prototype motor. The experimental results show that it is critical and necessary to predict the motor performance by means of the proposed two-way coupling analysis that provides more accurate information than the traditional one-way coupling analysis.     

Pre‐natal and post‐natal exposure to pet ownership and lung function in children: The Seven Northeastern Cities Study

To evaluate the association between pre‐natal and post‐natal exposure to pet ownership and lung function in children, a cross‐sectional study named Seven Northeastern Cities (SNEC) study was conducted. In this study, children's lung function including the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁), forced vital capacity (FVC), maximal mid‐expiratory flow (MMEF), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured by spirometers, and pet ownership situations were collected by questionnaire. Analyzed by multiple logistic regression and generalized linear modeling, we found that for all subjects, pet exposure in the first 2 years of life was significantly associated with lung function impairment of FVC<85% predicted (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 1.63). For current pet exposure, the increased odds of lung function impairment ranged from 35% (aOR=1.35; 95%CI: 1.12, 1.62) for FVC<85% predicted to 57% (aOR=1.57; 95%CI: 1.29, 1.93) for FEV₁<85% predicted. The in utero exposure was not related to lung function impairment. Compared with other pets, higher odds were observed among children with dogs. When stratified by gender, girls with current pet exposure were more likely to have lung function impairment than boys. It implies self‐reported exposures to pets were negatively associated with lung function among the children under study.     

Long-term viable bioaerosol sampling using a temperature- and humidity-controlled filtration apparatus,a laboratory investigation using culturable E. coli.

Sampling for culturable (e.g., viable) aerosolized microbes (bioaerosols) is a useful means to provide information for public health monitoring and studies. However, it is challenging to maintain microbe culturability when sampling at high flow rates (>12 L/min) and extended periods of time (≥4 h). We developed a first-generation, viable bioaerosol collection system (VBCS) utilizing temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH)–conditioned filtration at a flow rate of 25 L/min. A two-stage system of tube-in-shell Nafion? exchange units provides cooling to ≤10°C and RH conditioning to 80–95%. Aerosol particles are collected on a polyurethane nanofiber filter providing a physical collection efficiency of >95% for sizes 0.06–10 µm. The T and RH conditions at the collection filter are maintained, despite changes to ambient conditions. The initial testing of the VBCS was done under indoor, laboratory conditions with aerosolized, vegetative E. coli. A scenario of a 30-min challenge of bioaerosol followed by continued sampling of clean air for various times was used to judge culturability maintenance under extended-term sampling. An initial loss of culturability upon collection onto the filter was observed; 23 ± 13% relative to 4-mm all-glass impinger. However once collected, 98% of culturability was maintained for an additional 4.5 h of sampling. An exponential decay in culturability was observed from 8 h to 15 h of sampling. Also, 24-h cold storage of the filters collected was studied. The VBCS is based on the use of dry filter cassettes, needs minimal maintenance, and preserves culturability of vegetative bacteria for >4 h.

© 2017 RTI International and Aerosol Dynamics Inc.     

Shear dispersion in dense granular flows

We formulate and solve a model problem of dispersion of dense granular materials in rapid shear flow down an incline. The effective dispersivity of the depth-averaged concentration of the dispersing powder is shown to vary as the Péclet number squared, as in classical Taylor–Aris dispersion of molecular solutes. An extension to generic shear profiles is presented, and possible applications to industrial and geological granular flows are noted.     

Benchmarking energy utilization in cement manufacturing processes in Nigeria and estimation of savings opportunities

Nigeria is a leading producer of cement in Africa. Because cement production is energy intensive, with significant adverse impacts on the environment, an apparent need exists to assess the Nigerian cement industry to identify energy use mitigation options. The potentials for reducing energy use in typical Nigerian cement manufacturing plants, through the implementation of available energy efficiency measures, were assessed in this study, alongside the attendant costs of implementing those measures. To achieve these, using numerous globally available energy efficiency technologies and measures, energy conservation supply curves were constructed for three Nigerian cement manufacturing plants which operate on wet, semi-wet, and dry cement manufacturing processes, respectively. Comparisons with global best and Chinese benchmark plants with respect to thermal and electrical energy consumption were also made. The comparisons showed that, with respect to the global benchmark plants, thermal energy savings of between 19.83 and 52%, and electrical energy savings of between 35.23 and 43.10%, were possible. With respect to the Chinese benchmarks, thermal energy savings of 10.74–47.32%, and electrical energy savings of 20.95–30.17%, could be achieved. The plants considered performed significantly less than either of the benchmarks in terms of both thermal and electrical energy usage. The energy conservation supply curves for the plants showed that implementing the cost-effective energy efficiency measures could lead to energy savings of about 235,038, 237,913 and 374,055 GJ/year, for the wet, semi-wet, and dry cement manufacturing plants, respectively. Furthermore, technically feasible efficiency measures could yield energy savings of about 250,272, 259,795 and 395,447 GJ/year, respectively. Achieving these savings will improve profitability in the Nigerian cement industry and make the unused energies available for utilization in other sectors of the Nigerian economy.