A New Prototype Two‐Phase (TiNi)–(β‐W) SMA System with Tailorable Thermal Hysteresis

The Ti–Ni–W two‐phase shape memory alloy (SMA) thin film system is presented as a prototype for new SMAs with tailorable thermal transformation hysteresis (ΔT). The concept is to combine the SMA TiNi with almost insoluble W to create the two‐phase system (TiNi)–(β‐W). This system behaves like a pseudobinary TiNi system. Phase transformation behavior for compositions above the solubility limit of W in TiNi exhibit a B2–R phase transformation with characteristically small ΔT. Moreover, ΔT is dependent on the amount of W and it can be tailored to zero and even negative. This phenomenon is rationalized as being due to the mechanical interaction between the phases B2‐TiNi and β‐W. The presented results are very promising for the development of high‐speed Ti–Ni‐based SMA actuators.     

An effective hybrid approach to remote-sensing image classification

This article presents a hybrid fuzzy classifier for effective land-use/land-cover (LULC) mapping. It discusses a Bayesian method of incorporating spatial contextual information into the fuzzy noise classifier (FNC). The FNC was chosen as it detects noise using spectral information more efficiently than its fuzzy counterparts. The spatial information at the level of the second-order pixel neighbourhood was modelled using Markov random fields (MRFs). Spatial contextual information was added to the MRF using different adaptive interaction functions. These help to avoid over-smoothing at the class boundaries. The hybrid classifier was applied to advanced wide-field sensor (AWiFS) and linear imaging self-scanning sensor-III (LISS-III) images from a rural area in India. Validation was done with a LISS-IV image from the same area. The highest increase in accuracy among the adaptive functions was 4.1% and 2.1% for AWiFS and LISS-III images, respectively. The paper concludes that incorporation of spatial contextual information into the fuzzy noise classifier helps in achieving a more realistic and accurate classification of satellite images.     

Clinically significant hearing loss in renal allograft recipients treated with intravenous erythromycin

BACKGROUND: Hearing loss is generally regarded as a rare side effect of erythromycin therapy. However, our own clinical experiences in erythromycin-treated patients led us to suspect that this complication may be more common among renal allograft recipients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, predisposing factors, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of erythromycin-induced hearing loss among renal allograft recipients. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of renal transplant patients treated for pneumonia with intravenous erythromycin lactobionate. Patients were evaluated for the occurrence of clinically significant hearing loss (including onset, duration, and reversibility), other signs and symptoms of ototoxicity (vertigo and tinnitus), daily erythromycin dose and duration of treatment, concurrent ototoxic drug therapy, renal and hepatic function, and history of previous otic disease. RESULTS: Eleven (32%) of 34 courses of intravenous erythromycin therapy resulted in hearing loss. The incidence of hearing loss was 53% (eight of 15 courses) in patients treated with 4 g of erythromycin daily compared with 16% (three of 19 courses) among those receiving 2 g/d (P = .05). In addition, courses of erythromycin were longer in those suffering auditory toxicity (9.6 +/- 4.7 days) than in nontoxic patients (5.7 +/- 3.6 days) (P < .05). Hepatic and renal function did not differ between toxic and nontoxic patients. All episodes of erythromycin-induced hearing loss were reversible. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that clinically significant hearing loss occurs in more than 30% of renal allograft recipients treated for pneumonia with intravenous erythromycin lactobionate. Patients who require prolonged courses of erythromycin and those treated with 4 g/d are at particular risk for the development of auditory toxicity. With prompt recognition and modification of therapy, erythromycin-induced hearing loss appears to be completely reversible.     

Alterations in Protein Expression of Arabidopsis thaliana Cell Cultures During Hyper- and Simulated Micro-Gravity

Callus cell cultures of Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to hypergravity (8×g), 2D clinorotation and random positioning exhibit changes in gene expression (Martzivanou et al., Protoplasma 229:155–162, 2006). In a recent investigation we could show that after 2 h of exposure also the protein complement shows treatment-related changes which are indicative for reactive oxygen species being involved in the perception of/response to changes in the gravitational field. In the present study we have extended these investigations for a period of up to 16 h of exposure. We report on changes in abundance of 28 proteins which have been identified by nano HPLC-ESI-MS/MS, and which were altered in amount after 2 h of treatment. According to changes between 2 and 16 h we could distinguish four groups of proteins which either declined, increased from down-regulated to control levels, showed a transient decline or a transient increase. With regard to function, our data indicate stress relief or adaptation to a new gravitational steady state under prolonged exposure. The latter assumption is supported by the appearance of a new set of 19 proteins which is changed in abundance after 8 h of hypergravity. A comparative analysis of the different treatments showed some similarities in response between 8×g centrifugation and 2D clinorotation, while random positioning showed the least responses.     

A free dendritic growth model accommodating curved phase boundaries and high peclet number conditions

A steady-state free dendrite growth model accommodating nonlocal equilibrium tip conditions and curved liquidus and solidus has been developed. The developed model assumes a dendrite tip of a paraboloid of revolution and is applicable to dendrite growth in dilute binary alloys for all values of P _c , and reduces to the BCT model for linear liquidus and solidus. The marginal stability criterion of Trivedi and Kurz is shown to apply even in the presence of kinetic undercooling and curved phase boundaries when used with an appropriate concentration-dependent liquidus slope. The model is applied to Sn-Pb alloys to predict the tip velocity, tip radius, solute trapping, and four components of undercooling in the quasi-solutal, solutal-to-thermal transition and quasi-thermal regions.     

Pyrolysis of model compounds on spent oil shales, minerals and charcoal: Implications for shale oil composition

Aliphatic compounds (alkanes, alkenes, alkanoic acids, ketones, alcohols and amines) were passed through beds of spent oil shales (Condor brown, Condor carbonaceous, Julia Creek), minerals (quartz, calcite, K-feldspar, pyrite, kaolinite) and charcoal at temperatures of 300–600 °C and the products were analysed by g.c.m.s. All the materials catalysed isomerization, aromatization and cracking to varying degrees: non-clay minerals < kaolinite ≈ spent oil shales < charcoal. Products included branched alkanes, isomeric alkenes, nitriles, ketones and alkyl-substituted benzenes, naphthalenes, pyridines, phenols, thiophenes and pyrroles. These compounds occur in shale oils and may be derived from secondary reactions of aliphatic products arising from kerogen cracking.     

Composition and synthesis of three higher ganglioside homologs in bovine mammary tissue

Three higher gangliosides were identified as constituents of bovine mammary gland. The structures of these three gangliosides were shown to be ceramide-glucose-galactose-(sialic acid)-N-acetylgalactosamine-galactose, ceramide-glucose-galactose-(sialic acid)₂-N-acetylgalactosamine, and ceramide-glucose-galactose-(sialic acid)₂-N-acetylgalactosamine-galactose These gangliosides accounted for only a small fraction (<20%) of the lipid-bound sialic acid in mammary gland. While fatty acids with even carbon numbers from C₁₄ to C₂₆ were predominant in these gangliosides, they also contained C₂₃ and C₂₅ fatty acids. Mammary gland Golgi apparatus-rich fractions had all glycosyltransferases required for synthesis of these gangliosides starting with ceramide.     

The Effectiveness of Antibrowning Dip Treatments to Reduce After‐Cooking Darkening in Potatoes

Abstract: After‐cooking darkening (ACD) is an inherent and undesirable trait that develops in cooked potatoes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sodium acid sulfate (SAS) dip treatments compared to other antigraying treatments and a control to reduce ACD in boiled, Katahdin potatoes. Dip treatments were applied for 3 min prior to boiling and included: 3% SAS, 3% citric acid (CA), 3% sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP), along with a distilled water control. SAS‐ and CA‐treated potatoes had slightly, but significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher b* and chroma values, which indicates a more intense yellow potato color, with less graying, compared to the control. SAS‐ and CA‐treated potatoes also had significantly (P≤ 0.001) lower pH values for inner and outer potato surfaces than the control. No significant (P > 0.05) differences were detected for total phenolic or mineral contents among treatments. CA and SAPP samples had slightly, but significantly (P≤ 0.05) higher moisture contents than the control. Sensory test results showed no significant differences for color, aftertaste, or overall acceptability. However, CA‐treated samples were rated significantly (P≤ 0.05) lower for flavor than all other treatments and panelists commented on sour notes. CA‐ and SAS‐treated potatoes were scored slightly, but significantly lower for texture than other treatments due to a waxy outer layer. However, SAS was the most acidic dip treatment, but did not significantly affect flavor. Overall, results suggest that SAS was similarly accepted by consumers in comparison to CA and SAPP, which is the industry standard to reduce ACD. Practical Application: After‐cooking darkening (ACD) is an undesirable potato trait that occurs after potatoes have been processed. Sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) has been used as the industry standard to reduce ACD. Sodium acid sulfate (SAS) treatments prior to boiling appeared to be comparable to SAPP and citric acid in effectiveness to reduce ACD. SAS did not negatively affect the flavor of boiled potato samples according to sensory results. The SAS treatment may be more beneficial for potatoes intended for potato salad products.     

Ascorbate enhances iron uptake into intestinal cells through formation of a FeCl3–ascorbate complex

It has been well documented that ascorbate enhances iron uptake, with a proposed mechanism based on reduction to the more absorbable ferrous form. We have performed a study on the effects of ascorbate on ferric iron uptake in the human epithelial Caco-2 cell-line. Ascorbate increased uptake in a concentration-dependent manner with a significant difference between iron uptake and reduction. Uptake kinetics are characteristic of a non-essential activator and the formation of an Fe³⁺–ascorbate complex. This investigation provides evidence that ascorbate enhances the apical uptake of ferric iron into Caco-2 cells through the formation of a Fe³⁺–ascorbate complex.