The validity of the Gammarus:Asellus ratio as an index of organic pollution: abiotic and biotic influences.

In freshwaters. Gammarus spp. are more sensitive to organic pollution than Asellus spp. and the relative abundance of the two taxa has been proposed as a pollution index. We tested the validity of this by examining the relationship between the Gammarus: Asellus (G : A) ratio and (1) a suite of physico-chemical variables. (2) established biotic (average score per taxon, ASPT) and richness (species richness (S) and Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera families richness (EPT family richness)) indices generated from the macroinvertebrate community. In addition, we investigated a suspected biotic interaction, predation, between Gammarus and Asellus. Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the G: A ratio was sometimes responsive to changes in parameters linked to organic pollution, such as BOD5 and nitrate levels. However, the G : A ratio also appeared responsive to variables not directly linked to organic pollution, such as conductivity and distance from source. There were significant positive correlations among the G : A ratio and the ASPT, S and EPT, indicating that changes in the relative abundances of Gammarus and Asellus were reflected in changes in the pollution sensitivity and richness of the wider macroinvertebrate community. A laboratory experiment revealed significant predation of Asellus aquaticus juveniles by Gammarus duebeni celticus adults, but no reciprocal predation. We propose that the G: A ratio may be useful as a crude measure of organic pollution that could supplement more complex indices in a multimetric approach to pollution monitoring or be used for monitoring individual sites, where a simple technique is required for monitoring purposes over a period of time. Also, we urge recognition of the possible role of biotic interactions among taxa used in the generation of pollution indices.     

Magnetic Acoustic Emission in Ferromagnetic Materials. 3: Effect of Structural Changes on Magnetic Acoustic Emission (Review Article)

This part of the review is devoted to effects of structural changes in multiply alloyed ferromagnetic materials on parameters of magnetoelastic acoustic emission.     

Revised Model of Strain in Ceria–Zirconia-Encapsulated Precious-Metal Particles

A previously proposed model of strain in ceria–zirconia-encapsulated precious-metal particles is revised to reflect several new observations: encapsulation of unstrained Pt particles, quantitative relation between partial reduction and the change in ceria–zirconia cell parameters, temperature/time dependence of strain relaxation/imposition in encapsulated Pd and Rh particles, and strained PdO. According to the revised model, the main cause of strain is partial oxidation of the precious metal (rather than the change in oxygen content of ceria–zirconia, as originally suggested).     

Survival of Salmonella typhimurium on Sterile Ground Chicken Breast Patties After Washing with Salt and Phosphates and During Refrigerated and Frozen Storage

ABSTRACT: This study investigated the effects of 10% (w/v) salt, trisodium phosphate (TSP), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), and tetrapotassium pyrophosphate (TKPP) washes on removal of attached Salmonella typhimurium from sterile chicken breast patties, as well as on their injury and survival in a refrigerator for 16 d, in a –20 °C freezer for 10 mo, and after 3 freeze-thaw cycles. S. typhimurium were grown on chicken patties at 20 °C for 20 h, washed, and enumerated by plating on selective and nonselective media. Salt and phosphates washing significantly lowered the survival populations of attached S. typhimurium on patties, but did not cause any significant sublethal injury of attached S. typhimurium , irrespective of storage treatments. The TSP washes showed superior effects of removing and inactivating S. typhimurium compared to other washing treatments.     

Advanced Method for Single Crystal Casting of Turbine Blades for Gas Turbine Engines and Plants

A method for fabricating single crystal blades that combines the techniques of seed crystals and selection is suggested. The method realizes the advantages of both techniques, i.e., the high structural perfection and the possibility of fabricating single crystals with specified spatial orientation. Metallographic and x-ray diffraction analyses are used to study the processes of nucleation of the single crystal structure of blade castings fabricated from high-temperature nickel alloys by the method of selection and seed crystals. A commercial process for fabricating cast single crystal turbine blades by the new method is suggested.     

Changes in Lake Ontario Total Phosphorus Concentrations 1976–1978

An apparent decrease in total phosphorus concentrations of approximately 4.l μgP/L has been reported recently for the spring values of 1977 and 1978 in Lake Ontario. Investigation of the loading reduction for this period independent of sedimentation factors can account for only 10% of the change. The results indicate that changes in the sedimentation rate of total phosphorus during this period offer an explanation for the majority of the change in concentration.     

Single-frequency, single-knob tuning of a CW color center laser

We describe a simple way to achieve CW single-frequency laser operation with a grating as the sole tuning element. It is Shown, both experimentally and theoretically, that by proper choice of cavity parameters, the competing hole burning modes can be completely suppressed. Experiments to demonstrate the theoretical calculations were carried out in a CW color center laser using Tl⁰(1) centers. Linewidths of 0.01 cm^-1were obtained and this figure can probably be much improved by proper cavity stabilization. The method can be readily extended to any compact gain medium.     

Dynamical considerations of network properties

Elasticity is discussed as an aspect of viscoelasticity, which is described by the tube model. The effects of both crosslinks and entanglements contribute to this model and a discussion of how these effects can be quantified is given. At high enough concentration, entanglements ensure the existence of elastic effects even without crosslinks, and a theory is presented on how this dynamical phase change comes about.     

Effects of unequal reactivity of functional groups on gelation phenomena in polyurethane systems

A model to describe the effect of unequal reactivity on curing of a diisocyanate with water, polyol and a diol was developed. The model predicts whether a given initial composition would gel or not and the fractional conversions of functional groups at the gel point. It has been shown that the relative speeds of reaction of water and hydroxyl groups can be used to classify water's behaviour as that of a (i) nonreactive diluent (ii) monofunctional blocking agent and (iii) chain extender capable of connecting branch points.