Effect of refrigerating delayed shipments of raw ground beef on the detection of Salmonella Typhimurium

In eight separate trials, four groups of raw ground beef samples were inoculated with 0.04 to 0.3 CFU/g of Salmonella Typhimurium (DT 104). Each group consisted of four 25-g samples (three inoculated and one uninoculated). After inoculation, these samples were shipped by overnight courier in Shipping containers with ice packs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Eastern Regional Research Center, in Wyndmoor, Pa., to the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Eastern Laboratory, in Athens, Ga. A total of 128 samples (32 in each of four groups) were shipped. A temperature data logger was placed inside each shipping container to record the temperature during shipping and storage. The first group of ground beef samples was analyzed within approximately 1 h of arrival. The second group of samples was left in the original containers, with a gel ice pack, for 24 h before processing. The third and fourth groups of samples were removed from the original shipping containers and stored at room temperature (21 +/- 2 degrees C) for 6 h and then in a refrigerator at 4 +/- 2 degrees C for 24 and 48 h, respectively, before analysis. The samples were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella according to the USDA/FSIS Microbiological Laboratory Guidebook, chapter 4.02. There was no significant difference in the presence and levels of Salmonella in ground beef among the four test groups. These data show that it is acceptable to process the late-arriving ground beef samples for the detection of Salmonella if they are kept in a refrigerator (4 +/- 2 degrees C) for 24 to 48 h or when the shipments arrive late (24 h in the container with ice pack).     

Taxonomic importance of spore morphology in Thelypteridaceae from Northern Pakistan

Spore morphology of Thelypteridaceae species growing in Malakand Division, Northern Pakistan, was studied using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The taxa are Christella dentata and Glaphyropteridopsis erubescens in the subfamily Thelypteridoideae, and Phegopteris connectilis, Pseudophegopteris pyrrhorhachis, and Pseudophegopteris levingei in the subfamily Phegopteridoideae. The studied species exhibit differences in spore size, exospore thickness, color, and ornamentation. Spores of the studied species are monolete and medium‐sized, and shape is ellipsoidal in both polar and equatorial views. The average measurement of the polar diameter ranges from 27 μm to 31 μm, whereas in the equatorial direction it varied from 20 μm to 40 μm. The exospore thickness ranges from 1.2 μm to 2.4 μm. Reticulate, laevigate with microgranules, cristate, and coarsely echinate surface ornamentation are observed among the species. Multivariate analysis including unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean and principal component analysis was used for the grouping and discrimination of species and genera.     

Solar map of India under clear sky conditions

This paper focusses on generation of solar irradiation map under clear sky conditions using r.sun model. Direct Irradiation, diffuse irradiation and global irradiation maps are plotted using programme which was developed in C language. This programme calculates different components of solar irradiation using clear sky model (r.sun). Further Surfer software was used to plot different irradiation maps. All three values (Direct Irradiation, Global Irradiation and Diffuse Irradiation) were compared by IMD values for performing statistical analysis i.e. Mean Bias Error (MBE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and standard deviation. MBE was found within ±10%, RMSE lies within <20% and standard deviation was found to have very low value which indicated good fitting between model results and calculated values. Therefore the r.sun model is good model and can be used for computing solar irradiation for India.     

Combinatorial design of calcium meta phosphate poly(vinyl alcohol) bone-like biocomposites

The incidence of degenerative diseases and the ageing population have added to the growing demand for bone grafts. Although autologous bone continues to be the gold standard, limited yield and potential morbidity of the donor site pose considerable challenges. Currently, clinically used synthetic grafts based on calcium phosphates are mechanically brittle and not compliant hence composite scaffolds are expected to be provide viable solutions. In this study we report composites of calcium meta phosphate-poly (vinyl alcohol) with tunable mechanical properties, low swelling and excellent biocompatibility. The elastomeric nature of the composites resist brittle fracture and the scaffolds can be easily shaped to the bone defect by the surgeon. Testing on bone plug shaped specimens of the scaffolds, exhibited superior mechanical properties compared to currently commercially available bone plugs with additional advantages being the ability to increase porosity without compromising properties in compression and degree of swelling, which make these composites promising synthetic alternatives for bone grafts and bone tissue engineering.     

A Secure Stop and Wait Communication Protocol for Disturbed Networks

Wireless Personal Communications - Secure data communication is the need of hour today specifically when the wireless communication channel is insecure. We are proposing a protocol which can be...     

µBIGMSA-Microservice-Based Model for Big Data Knowledge Discovery: Thinking Beyond the Monoliths

Wireless Personal Communications - Enterprise thrives on software applications that are built to fulfil the core business requirements. A single business application can offer a cluster of...     

Capability of DICE Circuit to Withstand Ionizing Radiations

Memory devices continue to be an irreplaceable part of most semiconductor circuits. This is expected to continue to rise in the coming years. Thus, there is a need to incorporate radiation hardness in all memory elements. There are numerous techniques to make a circuit immune to radiations at processing level, circuit level or design level. One of the most accepted methods of achieving resilience to radiations at design level is DICE (Dual Interlocked Storage Cell). The efficiency and range of operation of DICE structure can be improved through various factors. Sizing of transistors as well as pulse width and amplitude of striking pulse of radiation are key parameters in determining successful circuit operation. Effect of varying these parameters on the circuit operation is studied with the help of simulation results. The self restoring logic in the design has a certain threshold after which the circuit is unable to regain its original value.

     

Recent Developments in Integrated Solar Combined Cycle Power Plants

Global concern for depleting fossil fuel reserves have been compelling for evolving power generation options using renewable energy sources. The solar energy happens to be a potential source for running the power plants among renewable energy sources. Integrated Solar Combined Cycle(ISCC) power plants have gained popularity among the thermal power plants. Traditional ISCC power plants use Direct Steam Generation(DSG) approach. However, with the DSG method, the ISCC plant’s overall thermal efficiency does not increase significantly due to variations in the availability of solar energy. Thermal Energy Storage(TES) systems when integrated into the solar cycle can address such issues related to energy efficiency, process flexibility, reducing intermittency during non-solar hours. This review work focuses and discusses the developments in various components of the ISCC system including its major cycles and related parameters. The main focus is on CSP technologies, Heat Transfer Fluid(HTF), and Phase Change Material(PCM) used for thermal energy storage. Further, study includes heat enhancement methods with HTF and latent heat storage system. This study will be beneficial to the power plant professionals intending to modify the solar-based Combined Cycle Power Plant(CCPP) and to retrofit the existing Natural Gas Combined Cycle(NGCC) plant with the advanced solar cycle.     

Nutrient composition of tomato products prepared using tomato grown under sodic condition with gypsum and farmyard manure treatment

BACKGROUND: The use of sodic water for crop irrigation decreases the availability of nutrients such as nitrogen, calcium, magnesium and zinc to plants and harms crop yield and quality. Crops irrigated with sodic water have been utilised in various product formulations. Gypsum and farmyard manure (FYM) are known to provide good soil amendment under sodic water irrigation. This research was therefore conducted to study the variation in nutrient composition of tomato products prepared from tomatoes irrigated with canal water (control) and those irrigated with sodic water treated with gypsum and FYM at two levels, i.e. 50% neutralisation of sodicity (G₁F₂) and complete neutralisation of sodicity (G₂F₂). RESULTS: The contents of protein, fat, crude fibre, ash, carbohydrate and total soluble sugars in three types of tomato product were in the ranges 1.08–1.68, 0.20–0.31, 0.43–1.07, 0.83–1.06, 6.17–7.22 and 2.32–4.81 g kg^?1 respectively. Tomato products prepared from tomatoes irrigated with G₁F₂‐treated water contained significantly (P < 0.05) less protein, fat, crude fibre, dietary fibre, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc and sulfate but more ash, carbohydrate, total soluble sugars, oxalic acid, polyphenols, sodium, chloride and bicarbonate than those prepared from tomatoes irrigated with canal water and G₂F₂‐treated water. CONCLUSION: The results showed that tomato crops irrigated with sodic water treated with gypsum and FYM to varying extent were effective in maintaining and improving the nutrient composition of various tomato products. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Single step low temperature synthesis of gadolinium gallium garnet nanopowders

Solution combustion synthesis of single-phase gadolinium gallium oxide(Gd3Ga5O12,GGG)nanopowders,by a fuel mixture approach using urea and glycine at a low temperature of 500oC,was being reported for the first time.Based on the fact that urea and glycine are good fuels for gallium oxide and gadolinium oxide synthesis,the fuel mixture composition was obtained,which could lead to direct phase pure cubic Gd3Ga5O12 formation without any subsequent calcination step.Combustion was carried out in furnace pre-heated at 500oC.Thermogravimetric analysis(TGA)of combustion product showed negligible mass loss indicating direct formation of GGG powder.Fourier transform infrared(FTIR)spectrum of combusted product showed peak characteristic of GGG in case of mixed fuel.X-ray diffraction(XRD)confirmed formation of phase pure GGG at 500°C in preheated furnace.Very fine,well dispersed nanometric particles of size range of 50-100 nm were obtained,being uniform and close to spherical morphology as observed by transmission electron microscope(TEM).