2,2′-oxo-1,1′-azobenzene: microbial transformation of rye (Secale cereale L.) allelochemical in field soils byAcinetobacter calcoaceticus: III

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, a gram-negative bacterium isolated from field soil, was found to be responsible for the biotransformation of 2(3H)-benzoxazolinone (BOA) to 2,2-oxo-1,1-azobenzene (AZOB). Experiments were conducted to evaluate the transformation of BOA to AZOB by this microbe in sterile and nonsterile soil. Transformation studies with soils inoculated withA. calcoaceticus indicated that the production of AZOB increased linearly with the concentration of BOA in sterile soil and showed a quadratic trend in nonsterile soils. This also indicated that all soil types studied for the transformation experiments might containA. calcoaceticus capable of the conversion of benzoxazolinones.     

Planar and axially symmetric slow shearing granular flows: a comparative evaluation of assembly evolution incorporating wavelet transforms

We demonstrate the enhanced capacities of our analysis toolset for three-dimensional data. In particular, we provide supporting evidence for some of the conclusions reached in our previous studies of two-dimensional avalanching heaps. Segregation by self-diffusion is shown to take place in three-dimensional assemblies and self-diffusion velocities are shown to be of a comparable order of magnitude to those found in plane-strain situations. The effect on assembly evolution by discrete avalanching of the availability of a third dimension for translation is investigated. The discrete wavelet transform is again shown to be a useful component of the toolset in coupling process variables in the context of the discrete defining events associated with assembly evolution. In particular, we move towards the determination of time constants by correlating wavelet coefficients with a time shift.     

Effect of precipitated silica on plate-out of poly(vinyl chloride) compounds

Plate-out is the undesired deposition of materials from a compound onto the surface of processing equipment. Plate-out causes problems with quality control and down-time. Changes in processing conditions can help alleviate plate-out, but adjustments in the formulation are usually needed for significant improvements in plate-out, the deposition. The addition of precipitated silica to a PVC formulation is a simple and effective method to reduce plate-out. This study explores the relationship between plate-out reduction and the physical properties of precipitated silica. Silica properties such as surface area, average particle size, and oil absorption can all be controlled by a patented process developed by the Chemicals Division of J. M. Huber Corporation. Plate-out reduction is related to the properties of precipitated silica, the loading of the silica, the order of addition, and type of PVC formulation. The effect of precipitated silica on the physical properties of the PVC compound, such as, tensile strength, tear strength, elongation and stiffness, are explored. Finally, the effectiveness of plate-out reduction by precipitated silica as compared to fumed silica will be discussed.     

Preparation and properties of high molecular weight poly(1-germa-) or poly(1-sila-cis-pent-3-enes)

High molecular weight poly(1,1-dimethyl-1-germa-cis-pent-3-ene), poly(1,1-diphenyl-1-germa-cis-pent-3-ene), poly(1,1-dimethyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene), and poly(1-methyl-1-phenyl-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene) have been prepared. The thermal stability of these polymers is found to increase with their molecular weight.     

N.m.r. studies on the effect of water on the glass transition of polystyrene

These investigations are concerned with water-polymer interactions in polymer latices. It is known that water can act as a plasticizer for many solid polymers and cause a reduction in the glass transition temperature, T_g, of the amorphous regions. Experiments were carried out to determine whether pulsed n.m.r. techniques could be used to study the T_g of a polymer suspension and hence the influence of water and electrolyte on it. From T₁ and T₂ proton relaxation measurements as a function of temperature on polystyrene latex systems it was shown that the presence of water lowers the T_g of the polymer particles (by about 10°C), the effect being slightly greater in the presence of concentrated electrolyte. The extent of electrolyte penetration into the particles was deduced by studying relaxation as a function of particle diameter in latices containing paramagnetic Mn²⁺ ions. Using simple theories of relaxation and spin diffusion it was concluded that for all but the smallest particles electrolyte penetration is restricted to a very thin shell of the order of 1 nm. These conclusions were supported by the results of similar measurements on PTFE particles.     

Effects of estrogen-induced hyperlipidemia on the erythrocyte membrane in chicks

The effects of estrogen-induced hyperlipidemia on plasma lipid peroxidation, fatty acid composition and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in chickens were studied. Young male chickens implanted with estrogen for three wk developed a marked hyperlipidemia. Plasma levels of triglyceride, cholesterol and phospholipid were elevated 68-, four- and 24-fold, respectively, over controls. There was also a two-fold increase in plasma lipid peroxidation measured by the thiobarbituric acid test. Vitamin E supplement (1,000 IU/kg diet) reduced the plasma lipid peroxidation to the control level, but had no effect on the plasma lipid content. Estrogen-induced hyperlipidemia resulted in changes in the fatty acid composition of membrane lipids of erythrocytes. The major changes were an increase in oleic acid from 10.0% to 14.2% and a decrease in linoleic acid from 31.3% to 26.0%. The erytrocytes with an altered membrane fatty acid composition were found to have an increased osmotic fragility. It was apparent that there was a direct correlation between the oleic acid content and the osmotic fragility of erythrocytes.     

ESTIMATION FOR NONNEGATIVE AUTOREGRESSIVE PROCESSES WITH AN UNKNOWN LOCATION PARAMETER

Abstract. Consider an AR(1) process given by X ^t=γ+ø X _t+ Z _t≥ 1. where 0 ≤γ, 0 ≤ø 1 are unknown parameters and the innovations Z _t, ≥ 1, are independently and identically distributed positive random variables. We propose estimates of (γø) which are obtained as the solution to a linear programming problem and establish their strong consistency. When the Z _ts have the exponential distribution. our estimate becomes the conditional maximum likelihood estimate given X ₀. Under the assumption of regular variation of the innovation distribution at its left and right endpoints (assumed to be 0 and ∝ respectively), we establish asymptotic limit laws for the estimates. Consistent estimators for a class of moving-average processes with heavy-tailed innovation distribution are also presented.     

Studies of microhardness and mar resistance using a scanning probe microscope

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) is in a period of rapid development. It shows great promise for characterizing coating surfaces. This paper describes modification of an SPM so that it can be used to mar the surfaces of coatings under controlled conditions and to characterize the mars. Mar resistance of coatings is analyzed in terms of a ‘three response, two mechanism model.' The three responses (fracture, elastic, and plastic) can be measured quantitatively using the SPM. Of the three responses, only two (fracture and plastic deformation) are marring mechanisms – elastic deformations recover instantaneously. In some cases mars resulting from plastic deformation may recover slowly with time or with immersion in water; this phenomenon is attributed to viscoelastic creep. Microhardness is also measured with the modified SPM. Some thermoset coatings appear to be substantially harder near their surfaces than in the mass of material, and such materials may respond quite differently to stress applied at different levels near the surface. This finding has important implications for all coating properties that are strongly influenced by the surface. A quantity called ‘micro mar resistance' is defined. It may be useful for comparing different coatings under specified conditions of marring. However, there can be no single quantity that expresses ‘mar resistance' of a coating under all conditions.     

BLOOD VISCOELASTICITY FOR CONDITIONS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL FLOW IN SMALL ARTERIES

The viscoelasticity of blood is quantified by studying the oscillatory flow of suspensions of RBC in plasma in 218 μm and 400 μm glass capillary tubes. The flow conditions are chosen to reflect normal physiological flow in small arterial vessels. Data are obtained for suspension hematocrits between 35 and 80 percent, and at physiological temperature (37°C) The results indicate that the elastic component of the viscoelasticity of blood is effectively negligible for the conditions of this study; the measured pressure gradient-flowrate relationship is dominated by the viscous component of blood viscoelasticity.