Synthesis and photocatalytic performance of titanium dioxide nanofibers and the fabrication of flexible composite films from nanofibers

Titanium dioxide nanofibers were synthesized and applied in flexible composite films that are easy to handle and recycle after use. The nanofibers were obtained in a multi-step procedure. First, sodium titanate nanofibers were prepared from TiO2 nanoparticles through the alkali hydrothermal method. In the next step, sodium hydrogen titanate nanofibers were made by washing the sodium titanate nanofibers in HCl solution. Finally, the sodium hydrogen titanate nanofibers were transformed to TiO2 anatase nanofibers by calcination in air. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 anatase nanofibers were evaluated and compared to a TiO2 nanoparticle catalyst by decomposing methyl orange dye in aqueous solutions. The achieved reaction rate constant of TiO2 anatase nanofibers was comparable to that of Degussa P25. Paper-like flexible composite films were prepared by co-filtrating aqueous dispersions of TiO2 catalyst materials and cellulose. The composite films made from the nanofibers exhibit better mechanical integrity than those of the nanoparticle-cellulose composites.     

Intake of saccharin and cyclamate from Finnish foods between 1979 and 1985

Summary The dietary intake of saccharin and cyclamate was investigated during the period 1979–1985 in order to find out about the use as sweeteners in the food industry and hospitals and to obtain intake data for the toxicological evaluation of sweeteners in the Finnisch diet. Eighty-nine samples of desserts served in 85 hospitals were analysed in 1983. Other samples investigated were artificially sweetened commercial foods available in Finland, such as soft drinks, sweets and jellies. The intake evaluation was carried out with reference to the acceptable daily intake (ADI), with commercial portions for a child being 20 kg and for an adult 60 kg. The most important foods with regard to the intake of saccharin and cyclamate were soft drinks. In 1979, 1982 and 1985, soft drinks contributed 128%, 93%, and 51%, respectively, of the ADI of artificial sweeteners for children and 42%, 31%, and 17% for adults. Artificially sweetened desserts served in hospitals contributed to 35% of the ADI for children and 11% for adults.

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Die finnischen Lebensmittel als Saccharin-und Cyclamatspender von 1979–1985

Zusammenfassung In den Jahren 1979–1985 wurden finnische Lebensmittel als Saccharin- und Cyclamatspender mit dem Ziel untersucht, den Einsatz von Süßungsmitteln in der Lebensmittelindustrie und in Krankenhäusern zu verfolgen und damit Erkenntnisse über deren toxikologische Wertung in der finnischen Nahrung zu erhalten. Es wurden 89 Proben künstlich gesüßter Nachspeisen aus 85 Krankenhäusern analysiert. Bei den übrigen Proben handelte es sich um in Finnland im Handel befindliche künstlich gesüßte Lebensmittel wie Erfrischungsgetränke, Süßwaren und Konfitüren. Die Schätzung der Zufuhr erfolgte durch Vergleich der täglich zulässigen Menge (ADI), die man aus handelsüblichen Dosen für Kinder von 20 kg Gewicht und Erwachsene von 60 kg Gewicht erhielt. Die wichtigsten Lebensmittel in der Saccharin- und Cyclamat-Zufuhr waren die Erfrischungsgetränke. In den Jahren 1979, 1982 und 1985 entfielen auf Erfrischungsgetränke 128%, 93% bzw. 51% des für Kinder berechneten ADI-Wertes an künstlichen Süßstoffen und entsprechend 42%, 31 % bzw. 17% des für Erwachsene berechneten ADI-Wertes. Die in Krankenhäusern gebotenen künstlich gesüßten Nachspeisen deckten bei Kindern 35% und bei Erwachsenen 11% des ADI-Wertes.

     

Dimer formation during the thermo-oxidation of stigmasterol

The monomeric oxidation products formed during the thermo-oxidation of phytosterols do not explain the loss of unoxidized phytosterols, leaving a gap in the knowledge on the products that are being formed during thermo-oxidation. Previous research showed that the gap can be explained by the formation of dimers and polymers. The aim of this research was to investigate the dimers that are formed during the thermo-oxidation of phytosterols, using stigmasterol as a model compound. Following the oxidation of stigmasterol at 180 °C, several dimeric fractions were obtained by solid phase extraction and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography. Individual dimers were separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and their molecular masses were determined by combining atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry and coordination-ion spray-mass spectrometry. This study resulted, for the first time, in the assignment of several individual stigmasterol dimers. The most dominant dimer was found to have a molecular mass of 822.7 Da and is suggested to represent a C–C linked dimer of stigmasterol, in accordance with literature. Several other stigmasterol dimers were found to be formed during thermo-oxidation, which are suggested to differ in monomeric subunit composition, linkage type, and stereochemistry.     

Computing Permutation Encodings

A permutation can be encoded in several different ways. This paper discusses some relations among some encodings and how one can be computed from others. The paper shows a short proof of an existing efficient algorithm for encoding a permutation and presents two new efficient algorithms. One of the new algorithms is constructed as the inverse of an existing algorithm for decoding, making it the first efficient permutation encoding algorithm obtained in that way. Received June 1994 / Accepted in revised form December 1998     

Obtaining Butter Oil Triacylglycerols Free from β-Carotene and α-Tocopherol via Activated Carbon Adsorption and Alumina-Column Chromatography Treatments

It is difficult to remove β-carotene from oils with alumina-column chromatography, because β-carotene is even less-polar than triacylglycerols (TAGs) are. The objective of this study was to obtain butter oil TAGs free from β-carotene and antioxidants via sequential treatments with activated carbon (AC) adsorption and alumina column chromatography. The AC used was prepared from waste apricots. The effects of AC dosages, temperatures and time courses on β-carotene adsorption were studied. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to describe the adsorption of β-carotene onto AC, and it was found to be more consistent with the Freundlich isotherm with a higher R ² value (0.9784). Adsorption kinetics of β-carotene was analyzed by pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order models. The pseudo-second order model was found to explain the kinetics of β-carotene adsorption more effectively (R ² = 0.9882). The highest β-carotene reduction was achieved (from 31.9 to 1.84 mg/kg) at an AC dosage of 10 wt%, temperature of 50 °C, and adsorption time of 240 min. A considerable amount of α-tocopherol was also adsorbed during the AC treatment. Remaining portions of α-tocopherol were completely removed with alumina adsorption chromatography. The method described may be used for purification of vegetable oil TAGs, which will be used as model compounds in model oxidation studies.     

Workload balancing in the manufacturing environment: A multicriteria trade-off analysis

We describe an application of a custom-designed model-based decision tool system to analyse the workload balancing problem at an assembly plant of Nokia Telecommunications, a Finnish manufacturer of highly customized electronic products. Our system was designed to control effectively and manage the production process of electronic devices for telecommunications link systems and satellite communications systems, among others. It assisted management in determining accurate workload forecasts, in anticipating bottlenecks in the production process, and in providing recommendations regarding how to distribute the production load optimally over the planning horizon. In particular, the system facilitated a trade-off analysis between important competitive factors, such as system throughput time and labour costs. Interesting side benefits emerged from the study.     

Effects of α- and γ-tocopherols on the autooxidation of purified sunflower triacylglycerols

The antioxidant effects of α- and γ-tocopherols were evaluated in a model system based on the autooxidation of purified sunflower oil (p-SFO) triacylglycerols at 55°C for 7 d. Both tocopherols were found to cause more than 90% reduction in peroxide value when present at concentrations >20 ppm. α-Tocopherol was a better antioxidant than γ-tocopherol at concentrations ≤40 ppm but a worse antioxidant at concentrations >200 ppm. Neither α- nor γ-tocopherol showed a prooxidant effect at concentrations as high as 2000 ppm. The amount of tocopherols consumed during the course of oxidation was positively correlated to the initial concentration of tocopherols, and the correlation was stronger for α- than for γ-tocopherol. This correlation suggested that, besides reactions with peroxyl radicals, destruction of tocopherols may be attributed to unknown side reactions. Addition of FeSO₄, as a prooxidant, caused a 12% increase in the peroxide value of p-SFO in the absence of tocopherols. When tocopherols were added together with FeSO₄, some increase in peroxide value was observed for samples containing 200, 600 or 1000 ppm of α- but not γ-tocopherol. The addition of FeSO₄, however, caused an increase in the amount of α- and γ-tocopherols destroyed and led to stronger positive correlations between the amount of tocopherols destroyed during oxidation and initial concentration of tocopherols. No synergistic or antagonistic interaction was observed when α- and γ-tocopherols were added together to autooxidizing p-SFO.     

Emissions of DEHP‐free PVC flooring

Degrading 2‐ethylhexyl‐containing PVC floorings (eg DEHP‐PVC floorings) and adhesives emit 2‐ethylhexanol (2‐EH) in the indoor air. The danger of flooring degradation comes from exposing occupants to harmful phthalates plasticisers (eg DEHP), but not from 2‐EH as such. Since the EU banned the use of phthalates in sensitive applications, the market is shifting to use DEHP‐free and alternative types of plasticisers in PVC products. However, data on emissions from DEHP‐free PVC floorings are scarce. This study aimed at assessing the surface and bulk emissions of two DEHP‐free PVC floorings over three years. The floorings were glued on the screed layer of concrete casts at 75%, 85%, and 95% RH. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were actively sampled using FLEC (surface emissions) and micro‐chamber/thermal extractor (µ‐CTE, bulk emissions) onto Tenax TA adsorbents and analyzed with TD‐GC‐MS. 2‐EH, C9‐alcohols, and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) emissions are reported. Emissions at 75% and 85% RH were similar. As expected, the highest emissions occurred at 95% RH. 2‐EH emissions originated from the adhesive. Because the two DEHP‐free floorings tested emitted C9‐alcohols at all tested RH, it makes the detection of flooring degradation harder, particularly if the adhesive used does not emit 2‐EH.     

Flax and hemp fibres as raw materials for thermal insulations

Bast fibres of, for example, flax and hemp are used as raw materials of thermal insulations. However, they have only a minor share in the market. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the suitability of bast fibres of flax and hemp for thermal insulations. The functions and requirements of the bast fibrous insulations and their combustion resistance are discussed. Thermal conductivity and the effects of several parameters on thermal performance are reviewed. The potential and costs of the raw material and quality and ecological aspects are also discussed. Finally, needs for future research is proposed.