Effect of ethanol on the growth of Clostridium botulinum

Model broth studies were carried out to investigate the effect of ethanol on the growth of proteolytic (group I) strains of Clostridium botulinum. Ethanol extended the pathogen's lag phase, decreased its exponential growth rate, and decreased its final level of growth in the stationary phase. In all cases, botulinum neurotoxin production was associated with growth. Micrographs of C. botulinum cultures grown at 37 degrees C in trypticase peptone glucose yeast extract (TPGY) broths containing 2 and 4% ethanol showed elongation of vegetative cells and interference with cell division. The inhibition of growth and toxin production at the ethanol level predicted (5.5%, wt/wt) was confirmed by microscopy and by the mouse bioassay. A subsequent study was carried out to determine the combined effect of ethanol (0 to 8% [wt/wt]), water activity (aw; 0.953 to 0.997), and pH (6.2 to 8.2) on the probability of the growth of and neurotoxin production by proteolytic strains of C. botulinum (10(3) spores per ml). Growth and neurotoxin production occurred in 1 to 3 days in TPGY broths without ethanol (0%) and in 2 to 4 days in broths containing 2% ethanol regardless of the aw or pH levels (P < 0.005). Growth and neurotoxin production were delayed by an ethanol concentration of 4% ethanol and completely inhibited by a concentration of 6%. At an ethanol concentration of 4%, the probability of growth and toxin production over 365 days (Pt) was influenced by aw and pH. After 365 days, the maximum probability of growth and toxin production (Pmax) was 1 for all but one combination. However, tau, the time it took for 50% of all eventually positive replicates for any given combination of barriers to show growth and/or turbidity, ranged from <3 to 229 days. All tubes of TPGY broths that showed no growth after 365 days were subcultured in fresh TPGY broths. In all cases, growth and toxin production occurred within 24 h at 37 degrees C, indicating the reversible (sporostatic and/or bacteriostatic) effect of ethanol on C. botulinum.     

制革生态学(续四)

3 .2　Dyeing3.2 .1　DyesandpigmentsBASFsuppliesarangeofpowderandliquiddyesundertheLuganil andLurazol trademarksfordrumdyeingofleather.ThemajorityoftheLuganil andLurazol dyesareanionicazodyesormetalcomplexdyes.Certainspecialproductsroundofftherange .Lura zol BlackPLiquidisametal freeblackpigmentinaqueousdispersion ,whichcanbeappliedincon junctionwithdyes.LeatherBlackVMLiquidisacationicdye.TheLuganil andLurazol rangescontainalargenumberofchromaticdyes,andmanydiffer entshadesofblackandbro…     

Domestic refrigeration practices with emphasis on hygiene: analysis of a survey and consumer recommendations

A Web-enabled survey was conducted to improve knowledge of home refrigeration practices of French consumers (n = 809), with an emphasis on hygiene, and this information was used to establish recommendations. The survey targeted a convenience sample of working people. Analysis of the survey responses revealed that efforts should be directed toward improvement of microbiological control measures. Only 37% of respondents made sure the temperature in their refrigerator was 4 degrees C or below. Only 37% of respondents reported that they systematically wrapped food. Sponges, known to be frequently highly contaminated, were used by 89% of the respondents to clean their refrigerator, which indicates the need to recommend disinfection of sponges before they are used for cleaning. Twenty-seven percent of respondents used sodium hypochlorite (bleach), but it was applied without previous cleaning (21% of the users) or in the commercial concentrated form (7% of the users). The permanent presence of water condensation on the shelves was noted by 2% of respondents, suggesting imperfect closure of the door, with a consequence of higher energy consumption and water available for microbial circulation and growth. Thus, an important recommendation is to check the door gaskets and to ensure the tight closure of the door. Seventy percent of the respondents declared that they never put warm or hot food in the refrigerator. However, many people, when orally questioned, acknowledged that they leave dishes at ambient temperature overnight before putting them in the refrigerator. It therefore is essential to recommend that perishable food not be left for more than 2 h at ambient temperature.     

Composite gel-filled giant vesicles: Membrane homogeneity and mechanical properties

We further investigate the properties of composite Poly(NIPAM) (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)) gel-filled giant vesicles, focusing here on i) the homogeneity of the membrane, ii) its coupling to the inner gel under strong suction pressures, and iii) the relation between the final elastic modulus of the vesicles and the amount of crosslinker in the pre-gel medium. We show that whereas the photo-polymerization process induces a decrease of the membrane homogeneity at the micrometer size range, the membrane still remains strongly coupled to the internal gel network. The vesicles studied here display average moduli in the range [0.5–25] kPa, confirming their potential as biomimetic mechanical systems.     

Wasserstoffinduzierte Spannungsrißkorrosion an unverzinkten und verzinkten Baustählen

Hydrogen induced stress corrosion cracking of non galvanized and galvanized construction steels The processes of atmospheric corrosion and corrosion in collected water which may lead to hydrogen induced stress corrosion cracking of high-strength reinforcing steels in casing tubes before injection with concrete are discussed. Hydrogen uptake during corrosion occurs in weakly acid solutions as well as in neutral or alkaline aqueous solutions. The hydrogen uptake by proton discharge in acid solutions decreases with increasing pH of the electrolyte. Hydrogen can also be absorbed in neutral to weakly alkaline solutions if steels are plastically deformed and water reacts with the fresh iron surface. In alkaline solutions, hydrogen uptake is possible if, at the generally passivated steel surface, localized corrosion (pitting or crevice corrosion), local galvanic cells and a sufficient decrease in the pH of the pit electrolyte occurs. In the case of galvanized steels with damaged zinc layers, hydrogen uptake may result from the cathodic polarization of the free steel surface by zinc dissolution. The absorbed hydrogen interacts with the microstructure of the steels and weakens the bonds between the iron atoms. The influence of the microstructure of high-strength steels on the fracture behaviour is discussed on the basic of the so-called decohesion theory.     

Path-breaking books in regional science

This article presents a collection of regional science books that longstanding members of the Regional Science Association International (RSAI) identified as path-breaking books. The most frequently nominated books include the classics by Isard, the seminal books in urban economics by Alonso, Muth and Mills, methods books by Miernyk, Wilson, Anselin, and Cliff and Ord, textbooks by Beckmann and Richardson, as well as the recent contribution by Fujita, Krugman and Venables. Reviews of these books, written by leading scholars from different continents, make up the major contribution of this article and are a testimony to the far-reaching influence of regional science in the academic literature.JEL Classification: A2, B2, B3, C00, R00With contributions by Michael Batty, Manas Chatterji, Kieran Donaghy, Bernard Fingleton, Arthur Getis, Michael J. Greenwood, Daniel P. McMillen, Gordon F. Mulligan, Jan Oosterhaven,Peter V. Schaeffer, Daniel Shefer. See the Appendix for contributors affiliations and contact information.     

Fiber formation and properties of polyester/lignin blends

Thermotropic liquid crystalline polyesters with varied chemical structure are synthesized by melt transesterification polycondensation. They are employed as matrix for blends with lignin materials to obtain melt-spinnable precursors for carbon fibers. The lignin samples are carefully purified by fractionation, enzymatic removal of reducing sugars, and subsequent modification of the terminal OH groups. Effective melt blending is achieved with liquid-crystalline aromatic–aliphatic polyesters having melting ranges that match the softening temperature of the lignin fractions, which is necessary to prevent thermal decomposition of the lignin. Polyester/lignin blends are partially compatibilized, phase-separated materials. The polyester/lignin materials are melt-spun successfully. The fiber properties depend on the lignin purification process. X-ray scattering reveals that orientation in lignin-containing fibers is maintained. First experiments show that the fibers can be converted successfully to carbon fibers by thermal annealing procedures. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48257.     

Charge compensation mechanisms in Li-substituted high-entropy oxides and influence on Li superionic conductivity

The charge compensation mechanisms that occur when Li⁺ substitutes a 2+ element in superionic conductor (MgCoNiCuZn)O high-entropy oxide have been studied using a combination of thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Depending on the concentration of Li⁺ in the compound, the charge compensation involves first partial oxidation of Co²⁺ into Co³⁺ for low fraction of Li⁺, and then a combination of both the oxidation of cobalt and the formation of oxygen vacancies for large fraction of Li⁺.     

Influence of Host-Plant Surface Chemicals on the Oviposition of the Cereal Stemborer Busseola Fusca

The chemical composition of plant surfaces plays a role in selection of host plants by herbivorous insects. Once the insect reaches the plant, these cues determine host acceptance. Laboratory studies have shown that the stem borer Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), an important pest of sorghum and maize in sub-Saharan Africa, is able to differentiate between host and non-host plant species. However, no information is available on the cues used by this insect to seek and accept the host plant. Thus, the role of surface phytochemical stimuli on host selection and oviposition by B. fusca was studied in the laboratory using two host plants, sorghum, Sorghum bicolor, and maize, Zea mays, and one non-host plant, Napier grass, Pennisetum purpureum. The numbers of eggs and egg masses deposited on the three plant species were compared first under no-choice and choice conditions. In both cases, more eggs and egg masses were laid on maize and sorghum than on the non-host. Artificial surrogate stems treated with a water or chloroform surface extract of each plant were then compared with surrogate stems treated with, respectively, water or chloroform as controls, under similar conditions. Surrogate stems treated with plant water extracts did not show an increase in oviposition when compared to controls, indicating that the major compounds in these extracts, i.e., simple sugars and free amino acids, are not significantly responsible for the oviposition preference. By contrast, a chloroform extract of sorghum enhanced oviposition on the surrogate stems compared to the control, while those of maize and Napier grass showed no significant effects. Analysis of the chloroform extract of sorghum showed higher amounts of α-amyrin, ß-amyrin, and n-nonacosane compared to those of maize and Napier grass. A blend of the three chemicals significantly increased oviposition compared to the chloroform-treated control, indicating that these compounds are part of the surface chemical signature of the plant responsible for host recognition and oviposition by B. fusca.