Functional Properties of Pork Liver Protein Fractions

The functional (emulsifying, gelling and foaming) properties of liver protein fractions as well as their molecular weight distribution and surface hydrophobicity were investigated and compared to commercial proteins. Two protein fractions were characterized: water soluble (WSLP) and WSLP combined with salt soluble liver proteins (W?+?SSLP). The effect of salt concentrations was also investigated (0, 1.8 and 3.4 % NaCl). Both WSLP and W?+?SSLP displayed good emulsifying properties and foam stability. However, their gelling properties were rather poor. An increase in salt concentration decreased the emulsifying properties of WSLP while the effect on W?+?SSLP was less pronounced. Addition of 1.8 % NaCl increased foaming ability of WSLP and W?+?SSLP while foam stability was not affected. Further increase of NaCl (3.4 %) decreased both foaming ability and foam stability and is probably attributed to refolding of the protein molecules because of the higher level of hydrophobic groups with 3.4 % NaCl. Gel forming ability of WSLP and W?+?SSLP containing 0 % was higher compared to high salt concentrations. However, higher salt concentrations shifted onset gelation temperature of WSLP and W?+?SSLP to lower temperatures probably due to partial unfolding of the proteins as indicated by an increase of the surface hydrophobicity.     

Measurements of Heat Capacity and Enthalpy of Phase Change Materials by Adiabatic Scanning Calorimetry

Phase change materials (PCMs) are substances exhibiting phase transitions with large latent heats that can be used as thermal storage materials with a large energy storage capacity in a relatively narrow temperature range. In many practical applications the solid–liquid phase change is used. For applications accurate knowledge of different thermal parameters has to be available. In particular, the temperature dependence of the enthalpy around the phase transition has to be known with good accuracy. Usually, the phase transitions of PCMs are investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at fast dynamic scanning rates resulting in the effective heat capacity from which the (total) heat of transition can be determined. Here we present adiabatic scanning calorimetry (ASC) as an alternative approach to arrive simultaneously at the equilibrium enthalpy curve and at the heat capacity. The applicability of ASC is illustrated with measurements on paraffin-based PCMs and on a salt hydrate PCM.     

Laser ultrasonic study of Lamb waves: determination of the thickness and velocities of a thin plate

Transient Lamb waves in a thin copper plate were generated and measured using a laser ultrasonic setup. A two-dimensional Fourier transform method has been employed to analyse the dispersion curves. This allowed a clear identification of multi-mode Lamb waves. Fitting of the dispersion curve allowed a direct determination of the thickness and bulk velocities, as well as the elastic constants. The obtained experimental results of Lamb waves on a copper plate show excellent agreement with the theoretical model.     

How can ‘tasks made ready’ during lookahead planning impact reliable workflow and project duration?

The goal of lookahead planning is to make a plan more realistic as construction tasks move closer to execution. To improve the reliability of lookahead planning, the construction industry has benefited from implementing the Last Planner^® System (LPS) which emphasizes improved workflow during construction. Lookahead planning involves transforming work that ‘should be done’ into work that ‘can be done’. This is accomplished by breaking down activities into the level of operations, designing operations, and making tasks ready by removing task constraints. The purpose of this research is to study, through computer simulation, the relationship between improving tasks made ready (TMR) in lookahead planning and the reliability of weekly work planning expressed as percent plan complete (PPC) and their impact on project duration. Results show that a high TMR can result in a reduced project duration but the same cannot be said about PPC, making a case for TMR serving as a better indicator for project duration than PPC.     

Time-resolved monitoring of cavitation activity in megasonic cleaning systems

The occurrence of acoustic cavitation in the cleaning liquid is a crucial precondition for the performance of megasonic cleaning systems. Hence, a fundamental understanding of the impact of different parameters of the megasonic process on cavitation activity is necessary. A setup capable of synchronously measuring sonoluminescence and acoustic emission originating from acoustically active bubbles is presented. The system also includes a high-speed-stroboscopic Schlieren imaging system to directly visualize the influence of cavitation activity on the Schlieren contrast and resolvable bubbles. This allows a thorough characterization of the mutual interaction of cavitation bubbles with the sound field and with each other. Results obtained during continuous sonication of argon-saturated water at various nominal power densities indicate that acoustic cavitation occurs in a cyclic manner, during which periods of stable and inertial cavitation activity alternate. The occurrence of higher and ultraharmonics in the acoustic emission spectra is characteristic for the stable cavitation state. The inertial cavitation state is characterized by a strong attenuation of the sound field, the explosive growth of bubbles and the occurrence of broadband components in the acoustic spectra. Both states can only be sustained at sufficiently high intensities of the sound field. At lower intensities, their occurrences are limited to short, random bursts. Cleaning activity can be linked to the cavitation activity through the measurement of particle removal on standard 200 mm silicon wafers. It is found that the particle removal efficiency is reduced, when a continuous state of cavitation activity ceases to exist.     

4-Demethylsterols and triterpene alcohols from two Vanilla bean species: Vanilla fragrans and V. tahitensis

4-Demethylsterol and triterpene alcohol compositions of two Vanilla bean species (V. fragrans and V. tahitensis) were investigated. From retention times and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, nine 4-demethylsterols were identified in V. fragrans and seven in V. tahitensis. The 4-demethylsterol fraction of V. fragrans was characterized by a high content of 24-methylene cholesterol (27–40%) and of β-sitosterol (35–46%). The 4-demethylsterol fraction of V. tahitensis was characterized by a high content of stigmasterol (27%) and of β-sitosterol (57.5%), and a lower amount of 24-methylene cholesterol (5%). Vanilla tahitensis was also characterized by the presence of ergosta-5,25-dien-3β-ol (2%) and the absence of campesterol, stigmasta-5,22,25-trien-3β-ol, and ergosta-7,24(28)-dien-3β-ol. The beans’ age modified the ratio 24-methylene cholesterol/β-sitosterol in V. fragrans. Combining liquid chromatography and gas chromatography allowed the identification of four other demethylsterols in V. fragrans (brassicasterol, 0.02%; stigmasta-5,23-dien-3β-ol, 1.43%; stigmasten-22-ol, 0.1%; and fucosterol, 0.5%) from the 4-demethylsterol fraction. 24-Methylene cholesterol and β-sitosterol were isolated, and their structures were confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance. Four triterpene alcohols were identified in V. fragrans, including cycloartenol (0.9–1.6%) from the triterpene alcohol fraction, 24-dihydrotirucallol (17–23%) from the triterpene alcohol fraction, tirucall-7-en-3β-ol (6–7.5%) from the triterpene alcohol fraction, and in a higher content cyclosadol (66–69%) from the triterpene alcohol fraction. The content ranges were studied as a function of the beans’ age. Demethylsterol and triterpene alcohols profile could be used for origin differentiation.     

Biological treatment of fatty acid and nitrogen derivative waste water

Armak Company’s McCook, Ill., plant has installed an aerobic biological treatment system to handle a portion of its waste water flow prior to discharge to a municipal treatment plant operated by the Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago. The waste includes a mixture of animal and vegetable fats and oils, fatty acids, nitrogen derivatives of fatty acids, and miscellaneous organic chemicals. The purpose of the treatment system is to reduce fats, oils, or greases as measured by a hexane soluble test to below 100 mg/liter, as required by Metropolitan Sanitary District ordinance. The biological treatment system achieved an average reduction of 92% in hexane solubles and an 82% reduction in chemical oxygen demand during the reporting period, when incombing hexane solubles average 760 mg/liter, and chemical oxygen demand average 4800 mg/liter. The hydraulic flow during this same period average 320,000 gpd. Odors associated with the operation required covering the aeration basins and treating the effluent air. One of seven papers presented in the symposium, “Ecology-Practical Solutions to Environmental Problems as Practiced in the Fats and Oils Industry” at the AOCS Spring Meeting, Mexico City, Mexico, April 1974.