Distribution of microbes in supercritical CO2 extraction of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) oils

The distribution of vegetative microbial cells and their spores in a supercritical CO₂ extraction process was studied. The seed and flesh/skin fractions of the press residue of sea buckthorn berries (Hippophaë rhamnoides) from a juice factory were used as raw materials. A pilot-scale extraction plant was operated at 30?MPa at temperatures of 40 and 60°C. The number of yeasts, moulds and bacteria in the pulp/skin fraction, in the extraction residues, in the extracted oils as well as in the water phases separated from the extracted oils was estimated by the spread plate technique. The microbial content of the flesh/skin material was increased in some extractions by the addition of bacterial spores. In general, the extraction process led to a decrease in the bacterial count of the extracted material, whereas no microbial growth was detected in the oils extracted or in the water phases separated from them. Neither yeasts nor moulds were found in any samples after the extraction process. The microbial status of seed oil and flesh/skin oil obtained by industrial-scale CO₂ extraction at 40°C and at 30?MPa before and after gelatine encapsulation remained unchanged. This proves that supercritical CO₂ can be used to manufacture edible oil products free of living micro-organisms and their spores.     

Enzymatic transfer of a beta1,6-linked N-acetylglucosamine to the alpha-galactose of globo-N-tetraose: in vitro synthesis of a novel hybrid pentasaccharide of lacto-globo type

A novel saccharide was synthesized by incubating globo-N-tetraose, GalNAc beta1-3Gal alpha1-4Gal beta1-4Glc, and UDP[3H]GlcNAc with hog gastric mucosal microsomes, known to contain beta1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase activity of a broad acceptor specificity. Chromatography and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry of the product, as well as the amount of incorporated radioactivity indicated that one [3H]GlcNAc residue was transferred to the acceptor saccharide. One- and two-dimensional 1H NMR-spectroscopic analysis of the product and ESI-CID mass spectrometry of the pentasaccharide in permethylated form established its structure as GalNAc beta1-3([3H]GlcNAc beta1-6)Gal alpha1-4Gal beta1-4Glc. The new enzyme activity possesses substrate specificity features common to a purified beta1,6-GlcNAc-transferase from bovine tracheal epithelium, which forms branches at the subterminal beta1,3-substituted galactose and accepts both GlcNAc- and Gal-configuration at the terminal residue of the acceptor (Ropp et al. (1991) J. Biol. Chem., 266, 23863-23871). The new beta1,6-GlcNAc-branch was readily galactosylated by bovine milk beta1,4-galactosyltransferase, revealing a pathway to novel hybrid type glycans with N-acetyllactosamine chains on globotype saccharides. This pathway may lead to the rare IP blood-group antigen and to globoside-like molecules mediating cell adhesion.     

A Multidimensional Product‐Concept Model Enhancing Cross‐Functional Knowledge Creation in the Product Innovation Process: The Case of the Suunto t6 Training Wrist Computer

This article presents a four‐dimensional product‐concept model enhancing cross‐functional knowledge creation in product innovation: the dimensions presented in the new model are: technology, end‐user, brand and business logic. The application of the model is described in the case study of the Suunto t6 training wrist computer. For the Suunto t6 development it was revealed that cross‐functional knowledge creation had happened on an even larger scale than expected. Analysis of the results suggests that certain dimensions of the product concept can be especially indicative of cross‐functional knowledge creation, such as concern with the end‐user’s experience. Furthermore, the new product concept may provide an early warning of innovation‐based diversification. Nicknames for the product concept under development, which requires the verbalisation of tacit subjective associations, can be used as indicators of cross‐functional integration within the organization and as suitable indicators of tacit knowledge. Measurement of all relevant organizational capabilities is discussed.     

Annealing treatment of pulsed laser ablated Pb-(Mg, Nb)-Ti-O thin films

Laser ablated thin films of thickness 1 to 2 pm with a nominal composition 0.9 Pb₃(MgNb2)O₉-0.1 PbTiO₃ were prepared on the r-plane of single crystal sapphire substrates, which were not heated during ablation. As-deposited films were amorphous. The perovskite phase started to crystallize at 350 °C so that the films composed of perovskite with a small amount of pyrochlore after 6 hours annealing at 400 °C. The fraction of pyrochlore increased with rising temperature and attained 100% at 900 °C. This effect was favoured by the evaporation of lead on surface.     

Calculations of millimeter wave depolarization due to melting layer and rain

A model for calculating the total depolarization due to the melting layer and rain is proposed under the assumption that oblate spheroidal melting particles and raindrops have the same orientation. The melting layer is composed of the melting particles which are made up from the mixture of ice, air and water. The specific attenuation and the specific phase shift both for the melting layer and for rain are given in the power lawaR ^b form for the rain rates 0≤R≤12.5 mm/h and the parameters are tabled over the frequency range of 1–100 GHz. Using the model, the numerical calculation of the depolarization is possible for three drop size distributions.     

Transformation process of laser ablated PZT thin films

Transformation behavior of piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films prepared by laser ablation on unheated Al₂O₃ substrates was investigated within a broad temperature region. As-deposited films were mainly amorphous containing some microcrystalline perovskite and pyrochlore phases. The rhombohedral perovskite was the main phase in the films annealed between 500 and 800°C. These films also contained some pyrochIore, PbTiO₃, PbO, and ZrO₂. The PbO and ZrO₂ disappeared in the optimal annealing temperature interval of 700 to 800°C. Decomposition reactions took place above 800°C due to evaporation of lead and diffusion reactions occurred between substrate and film so that the films annealed at 1100°C consisted of ZrO₂, TiO₂, and PbO.     

Link and System Level Performance of Multiuser Detection CDMA Uplink

The link level performance and the cellular systemcapacity in the uplink direction of a CDMA cellularsystem utilising multiuser detection base stationreceivers is analysed by simulation. In the receiver,parallel multistage multiuser detection is employedtogether with two-antenna diversity reception and fastclosed-loop power control. A system level simulator isbuilt to utilise the link level simulation results andto show the increase in cellular capacity obtained byusing multiuser detection. The capacity is studied inurban micro and macro-cell environments utilising thechannel models developed in the European CODITproject. The modelling of the environment specific andCDMA specific features is considered in the systemsimulator. The system level simulator is calibratedwith analytical capacity calculations.     

Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in loose artificial hip joints

The role of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase enzymes and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase in the periprostetic connective tissue matrix of loose artificial hip joints is reviewed. In the periprosthetic granulomatous interface connective tissues between bone and implants and inner cellular regenerating pseudocapsular tissues, matrix metalloproteinase 1, matrix metalloproteinase 2, matrix metalloproteinase 3, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase enzymes can be shown in the light of immunohistochemistry, enzyme activity analysis, and messenger ribonucleic acid levels. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 2 also are found in the corresponding tissues. Analysis of matrix metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase interaction shows imbalance between the enzymes and the endogenous inhibitors in favor of matrix metalloproteinase. This induces pathologic connective tissue remodeling in the interface and pseudocapsule. The data suggest that matrix metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase system participate in the extracellular matrix degradation and tissue remodeling in artificial hip joints, and may contribute to the periprosthetic weakening, implant loosening, and osteolysis around implants. More evidence for their active involvement is sought by intervention studies with type specific matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors.     

Operation of series‐connected silicon‐based photovoltaic modules under partial shading conditions

Partial shading has been recognized as a major cause of energy losses in photovoltaic (PV) power generators. Partial shading has severe effects on the electrical characteristics of the PV power generator, because it causes multiple maximum power points (MPPs) to the power‐voltage curve. Multiple maxima complicate MPP tracking, and the tracking algorithms are often unable to detect the global maximum. Considerable amount of available electrical energy may be lost, when a local MPP with low power is tracked instead of the global MPP. In this paper, the electrical characteristics of series‐connected silicon‐based PV modules under various partial shading conditions are studied by using a Matlab/Simulink simulation model. The simulation model consists of 18 series‐connected PV modules, corresponding to a single‐phase grid‐connected PV power generator. The validity of the simulation model has been verified by experimental measurements. The voltage and power characteristics of the PV power generator have been investigated under various system shading and shading strength conditions. The results can be utilized to develop new MPP tracking algorithms and in designing, for example, building integrated PV power generators. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.