Dietary effect of a symmetrical triacylglycerol, 1,3-biseicosapentaenoyl-2-γ-linolenoyl glycerol, on fatty acid composition of guinea pigs

The dietary effect of 1,3-biseicosapentaenoyl-2-γ-linolenoyl glycerol (STG) on the fatty acid composition of guinea pigs was examined and compared with that of an eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester (EPA-F) and of a soybean oil (SBO) diet. In terms of content of plasma lipid, EPA-E had a greater hypolipidemic effect than STG. On the other hand, in terms of EPA incorporation, contents of EPA in liver lipid were almost the same in the STG and EPA-E groups. Considering that the amount of EPA administered in the EPA-E group was almost 1.5 times that of the STG group, FPA may be absorbed more effectively as the glycerol ester than as the ethyl ester in guinea pigs. In all the tissue lipids, the STG group had a higher unsaturation index (UI) than the EPA-E group even though there is a lower UI in the STG diet than the EPA-E diet. These results suggest that greater amounts of desaturase products as a whole were synthesized in the STG group than in the other two groups. The dihomo-γ-linolenic acid/arachidonic acid (DGLA/AA) ratio in plasma total lipids in the STG group was 3.5 times that of SBO group, and the DGLA/AA ratio in the EPA-E group was half that of the SBO group. In liver lipid, the ratios of DGLA/AA and EPA/AA in the STG group were 0.687 and 0.488 (phosphatidylcholine fraction) and 0.237 and 0.752 (phosphatidylethanolamine fraction), respectively. The ratio of DGLA/AA as well as the high EPA/AA ratio obtained in the present study with the STG diet may lead to physiological alterations, including enhanced synthesis of 1-and 3-series eicosanoids.     

Improving the production technology for chrome-magnesite products

Conclusions With the incorporation of finely milled magnesite into the batch of chrome-magnesite there are significant improvements in the sinterability of the brick, and increases in strength after firing. Changing the setting scheme for the products on the kiln cars yields more uniform distribution of the temperature over the height of the kiln, improves the firing conditions, and reduces the loss. The roofs of the furnaces also have a longer life.Translated from Ogneupory, No. 2, pp. 5–6, February, 1969.     

Optimization by distributed control of reactors with decaying catalyst Part I: Non-linear catalyst deactivation

The quasi-steady state optimization of a single tubular fixed bed reactor with a slowly decaying catalyst is considered. The optimal choice of temperature T(z, t) distributed in both the space of the reactor and in chronological time is sought so as to maximize the total amount of reaction in a fixed given period of time. A single irreversible reaction is considered with a rate expressible as a product of separate functions of temperature, activity and conversion. The rate of catalyst decay is also a product of separate functions of temperature and activity but independent of conversion. Upper and lower bounds are placed on the permitted temperature. Theoretical characterization of the optimal policy is obtained using Sirazetdinov and Degtyarev's maximum principle derived for first-order partial differential equations and the influence of the ratio of reaction activation energy to catalyst deactivation energy on the derived optimal policy is indicated. Numerical calculations are presented to illustrate the optimal policies.     

Eco‐friendly durable press finishing of cellulose‐containing fabrics

To impart easy‐care properties to cellulose‐containing fabrics along with avoiding any harmful effects of formaldehyde on both the health and the environment, attempts have been made to use citric acid (CA) as an ester crosslinking agent along with different catalytic systems in the absence and presence of certain additives. Further, fixation conditions, type of crosslinking agent, as well as type of substrate have been studied. Results revealed that the enhancement in carboxyl content, performance properties, and the decrease in tear strength (TS) as well as in whiteness indices (WI) of the finished fabric samples were increased by increasing CA concentration up to 80 g/L and by raising thermofixation temperature from 140 up to 180°C for 90 s. Inclusion of triethanolamine hydrochloride (TEA. HCl), decreased the carboxyl content, TS, color strength K/S, as well as oily stain release rating (SRR) of the finished fabric samples along with an increase in bound nitrogen (%N), wrinkle recovery angle WRA, and an improvement in WI without affecting the durable press rating (DP). Within the range examined (0–30 g/L), increasing PEG‐600 concentration improved the wet resiliency, TS, as well as WI properties of the finished samples. Increasing DMDHEU ratio in the CA/DMDHEU crosslinking system gave rise to an increase in %N, WRA (dry and wet), DP, as well as in free CH₂O of finished fabrics, along with a slight improvement in WI values. On the other hand, the TS, carboxyl content, K/S, SRR values of the finished fabric samples were lower at a higher DMDHEU ratio. Increase in carboxyl content, %N, WRA (dry and wet), DP and SRR, as well as extent of post dyeing (K/S) of the treated fabric samples upon using different ester crosslinking agents followed the descending order: citric acid > pyromellitic dianhydride. The opposite holds true for the TS, and WI values. Among the esterifying catalysts used, and for a given set of finishing conditions, NaH₂PO₂ · H₂O proved to be the most effective one, and the following order of effectiveness may be drawn: NaH₂PO₂ · H₂O > K₂HPO₄ > Na₃–citrate > Na₂–tartrate. Inclusion of silicone softener in the finishing formulation brought about an improvement in softeness degree, WRA, %N, DP, TS as well as K/S values along with a decrease in carboxyl content, SRR, and WI values of the treated fabric samples, regardless of the used silicone softener.The performance properties of the finished fabric samples were determined by the type and nature of the substrate. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2243–2253, 2002     

A theory for the flexural strength of steel fiber reinforced concrete

A theory is presented to predict the flexural tensile strength of concrete reinforced with short, discontinuous steel fibers randomly oriented and uniformly dispersed in a cement-based matrix. The theory is based on a dual criterion of crack control and composite mechanics. The first crack in the fibrous composite occurs due to bond slip. The fracture process consists of progressive debonding of fibers during which slow crack propagation occurs. Final failure occurs due to unstable crack propagation when fibers pull out and the interfacial shear stress reaches the ultimate bond strength. The theory is supported by test data on fiber reinforced concrete, mortar and paste.     

Effect of the charge composition of waste oxide catalysts on the wettability of enamel

It is shown that in replacement of conventional raw materials by waste oxide catalysts, the wettability of enamels from charges with an elevated content of copper-zinc catalyst is improved. Replacement by aluminosilicate and especially iron-chromium catalysts worsens the wettability of the enamels. Replacement of an aluminosilicate catalyst by an iron-chromium catalyst also has a negative effect.Translated from Steklo i Keramika, No. 7, pp. 29 – 30, July, 1996.     

Effect of the technological treatment on the properties of plastic oxide masses

Conclusions Grainy oxide masses plasticized by aqueous solutions of polymers can be mixed in the mixers used for preparing press powders. This method is not effective in the preparation of finely dispersed masses. The aging of the oxide masses after homogenization serves not only to build up a stock of production material but as a result of aging, the molding properties of the masses are improved and their density increased. Vacuum treatment in plastic molding technology is obligatory. The reduction in the moisture content of the masses after vacuum treatment makes it necessary to adjust the composition of the mass in relation to moisture content. By changing the length of the molding time it is possible to control the relationship between reversible and plastic types of deformation in plastic ceramic masses.Translated from Ogneupory, No. 7, pp. 49–51, July, 1981.