Acetaldehyde in Mineral Water Stored in Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottles: Odour Threshold and Quantification

The use of PET bottles for packaging soft drinks and mineral waters is still growing world wide. The production process for these bottles is improving constantly. These improvements are focussed on bottles with better barrier properties, higher inertness and higher heat stability. One of the factors determining the quality of PET bottles is the release of acetaldehyde into the product during storage. A literature survey was conducted on the odour and taste detection threshold of acetaldehyde in water. A method is described to rapidly determine the concentration of acetaldehyde in water up to a level of 1 μg/l. This method was used to determine the concentration of acetaldehyde in mineral water during storage in PET bottles. In still water no acetaldehyde could be found, whereas the concentration of acetaldehyde in carbonated mineral water increased steadily upon storage. Model experiments were performed to find an explanation.     

Simultaneous prediction of the modulus and yield strength of binary polymer blends

A new scheme is proposed for the simultaneous prediction of the modulus and yield (or tensile) strength of binary blends, which employs a two-parameter equivalent box model and the data on the continuity of constituents acquired from the percolation theory. Prediction of the elastic modulus in the linear stress-strain region assumes “perfect” interfacial adhesion; at yielding (or breaking), the upper and lower bounds have to be distinguished, those bounds being related, respectively, to the interfacial adhesion sufficient and insufficient for the transmission of the acting stress. The modulus and the upper bound of yield (or tensile) strength are monotonic functions of the blend composition within the interval delimited by the values characterizing the components. The lower bound of strengths passes through a minimum (close to the 50/50 composition) linked to the minimum sum of the continuity parameters of the constituents. Predicted dependences of the modulus and of the yield (or tensile) strength on the blend composition are in a good accord with experimental data selected from literature.     

Fractionation of oligomers of linear alphaolefins in a molecular evaporator

Oligomers of higher alphaolefins, mainly of 1-decene and 1-octene have important applications as synthetic lubricating oils or their components. The results of fractionation of polydecene, polyoctene, and polybutene oils in a wiped-film molecular evaporator, for the purpose of preparing narrow distillate cuts, are presented in the paper. Characteristics and properties of the fractions obtained are shown, and the possibilities for this distillation method in the fractionation of polyolefin oils discussed.     

Modification of E-glass fiber surfaces with polyacrylic acid polymers from an aqueous solution

The research reported in the article focuses on modifying glass fiber surfaces with polyacrylic acid (PAA) compounds. E-glass fibers were treated with aqueous polyacrylic acid solution. Polyacrylic acid exchanges its protons with the ions present in the glass surface. Hydrolyzed metal cations may form salt complexes with the dissociated polyacrylic acid. Angular dependent electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) demonstrated that the atomic concentrations of aluminum and calcium in the glass fiber surface were constant throughout the analyzed interval. The cation exchange property of glass fiber was studied using direct current plasma (DCP), which showed that both calcium and aluminum ions were extracted by low concentration polycrylic acid solutions. ESCA studies of were extracted by low concentrationb polyacrylic acid solutions. ESCA studies of the PAA-treated glass fiber showed that the amount of PAA of the glass surface increases with increased acid concentration. A broadened and shifted ESCA peak of the carbon (0 CO) indicates the formation of salt complexes between the polyacrylic acid and metal ions on the glass surface. Polyacrylie acid was modified by an esterification reaction with glycidyl acrylate (GA) in aqueous solution in order to insert organofuctional groups into the PAA chain.     

Ternary composites of polypropylene,elastomer, and filler: Analysis of phase structure formation

Investigation of the morphology and properties of ternary composites of polypropylene, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer, and filler has shown that in such systems two kinds of structures can be formed: separate dispersion of the components or encapsulation of the filler by the elastomer. A thermodynamic analysis of the two structures revealed that encapsulation is the thermodynamically favored process. The final structure is determined by the stability of the encapsulated units, which depends on the relative magnitude of adhesion and shear forces. The former depends on the reversible work of adhesion and on the particle size of the filler, while the latter depends on the viscosity and shear rate. Surface treatment of the filler decreases the work of adhesion, resulting in extensive de-encapsulation. The developed tentative explanation is in agreement with the observed phenomena and experimental results.     

Role of Obesity,Physical Exercise,Adipose Tissue-Skeletal Muscle Crosstalk and Molecular Advances in Barrett’s Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Both obesity and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) rates have increased sharply in the United States and Western Europe in recent years. EAC is a classic example of obesity-related cancer where the risk of EAC increases with increasing body mass index. Pathologically altered visceral fat in obesity appears to play a key role in this process. Visceral obesity may promote EAC by directly affecting gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett’s esophagus (BE), as well as a less reflux-dependent effect, including the release of pro-inflammatory adipokines and insulin resistance. Deregulation of adipokine production, such as the shift to an increased amount of leptin relative to “protective” adiponectin, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of BE and EAC. This review discusses not only the epidemiology and pathophysiology of obesity in BE and EAC, but also molecular alterations at the level of mRNA and proteins associated with these esophageal pathologies and the potential role of adipokines and myokines in these disorders. Particular attention is given to discussing the possible crosstalk of adipokines and myokines during exercise. It is concluded that lifestyle interventions to increase regular physical activity could be helpful as a promising strategy for preventing the development of BE and EAC.