Restoration challenges for urban rivers.

Urban sources account for significant quantities of important diffuse pollutants, and urban watercourses are typically badly polluted. As well as toxic metals, hydrocarbons including PAHs, and suspended matter, priority urban pollutants include faecal pathogens and nutrients. Can urban watercourses be restored by sufficient reductions in pollution loads? Case studies in the UK and Sweden provide insights and some grounds for optimism. A major trans-Atlantic review of the performance of best management practices (BMPs) is informing BMP planning. New approaches such as the maximisation of self-purification capacity in the receiving waters may also need to be developed, alongside BMPs at source. Other initiatives in Europe, USA and China, including collaborative projects, are trying to address the intractable issues such as persistent pollutants from transport and urban infrastructure. The challenge is daunting, but there are clear ways forward and future research needs are evident.     

Optical channel waveguides in silicon diffused from GeSi alloy

A technique for fabricating low-loss and polarisation-independent channel waveguides in silicon is reported. The waveguides are obtained by Ge-indiffusion using either a GeSi alloy or a system of alternating Ge and Si layers. Typical fabrication parameters for single-mode waveguides are given.<>     

Nutritional aspects of colon cancer

During the last decade, a substantial amount of progress has been made in the understanding of the relationship between the dietary constituents and the development of colon cancer in man. The information base is sufficiently convincing with respect to an enhancing effect as a function of total fat intake and a protective effect of certain dietary fibers in colon cancer. The populations with high incidence of colon cancer are characterized by consumption of high-dietary fat which may be a risk factor in the absence of factors that are protective, such as use of whole-grain cereals, high fibrous foods and vegetables mainly of cruciferous type. Application of the findings made thus far in colon cancer research for the general public is, therefore, to have a far-reaching impact on the major premature, killing diseases in the western world.     

Diffusivities of volatiles in concentrated solutions

Concentration profiles obtained by slicing a cylindrical gel were used to measure diffusion of volatiles in viscous aqueous dextrose solutions. The column length, slice thickness and diffusion time were optimized to maximize the repeatability of measurements, the results being very sensitive to small changes in variables. Coefficients of variation between 5 and 10% were obtained. In the presence of different concentrations of dextrose, the diffusivity of acetone decreased markedly as dextrose concentration increased. However, when the acetone concentration was varied within the range 0·6 to 13·7%, at a constant 50% (w/w) dextrose concentration, its diffusivity did not change significantly. The sliced gel system gave values of diffusivity in close agreement with those obtained by other techniques.     

Proximate Composition, Mineral Content, and Fatty Acids of Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus, Rafinesque) for Different Seasons and Cooking Methods

The effect of conventional cooking methods and the influence of season upon proximate composition, mineral, and fatty acid profile was studied in catfish (Ictalurus punctatus, Rafinesque) fillets. Seasonal (August, December, and April purchased fillets) influences were minimal. As expected, fried catfish fillets had significantly altered (P ≤ 0.05) fatty acid profiles compared to the raw and baked fillets. All three cooking treatments resulted in significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in proximate composition and in the levels of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. The information presented would be useful for nutrient data banks when dietary intake of such items is of interest.     

Utilization of Defatted Sesame Flour in Fermented Salami

Fermented salami was prepared containing 0, 9, 18 and 27% defatted sesame flour (DSF). Chemical and sensory analyses were performed on the products. Results indicated that DSF could be used at either the 9 or 18% level without detrimental effect upon sensory attributes but salami containing 27% DSF will have less desirable flavor.     

The influence of preparation conditions on the electrochemical behaviour of CuO in a Li/CuO cell

A dozen CuO samples prepared under various conditions and from different starting materials were evaluated as cathode materials for a primary Li/CuO cell. The “thin electrode” method was used for rapid evaluation of the samples. Both coulombic efficiency and discharge voltage depend considerably on the method of synthesis. No correlation was found between the specific surface area and the resistivity of the samples on the one hand and the cathode performance on the other. Best results were obtained from CuO prepared by the oxidation of Cu₂O under controlled temperature and time of oxidation.     

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