Reduced combustion efficiency of chlorinated compounds,resulting in higher yields of carbon monoxide

A series of experiments involving the combustion of inherently fire-retarded compounds has been performed using the DIN 53 436 furnace. Six chlorinated compounds comprising four pesticides, an organic solvent, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) have been investigated with the focus on the combustion efficiency expressed as the CO₂/CO ratio in the fire effluent. It was found that increased chloride content in a compound resulted in decreased CO₂/CO ratio. The correlation was found to be $ \sqrt {{\rm CO}_{\rm 2} /{\rm CO}} = 0.61 \times ({\rm Cl/C)}^{- {\rm 1}} + 0.13 $. The results indicate higher concentrations of CO in the fire effluent from chlorinated compounds than from wood. Together with a release of HCI this could result in an increased toxic potency. The overall toxic hazard may or may not be increased, since (inherently) fire-retarded materials tend to have an improved fire performance.     

Structure of pectin in relation to abnormal hardness after cooking in pre-peeled, cool-stored potatoes

Unacceptable hard tissue can be detected in pre-peeled potatoes after cooking. Pectin methyl esterase (PME) has been suspected to facilitate formation of Ca-bridges between pectin molecules by deesterification of the uronic acids. But this has also been questioned, due to the low storage temperature of the peeled tubers, optimum of PME being 50-70 °C. Hardness in tubers was induced by several packaging methods. Annual and seasonal variations were observed. In the work, analysis of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) are considered representative of the pectin content. Analyses revealed an increase in insoluble NSP during storage after peeling and cooking, and a decrease in branching (arabinose, galactose) and degree of methyl esterification of total NSP, in both fresh and cooked tissue, dependant on storage period. Reduction of steric hindrance by debranching of the pectin molecules as well as a PME-induced increase of possible Ca-cross-linking sites may favor hardening of the tissue. The microscopy does not show any pectin changes until after cooking, but the chemical data do. This suggests that hardening, at least partly, is due to the removal of methyl ester groups, as well as galactose and arabinose in the side chains. The Ca-bridges can probably not be formed until sufficient calcium is released from the starch during gelatination.     

Presence of indigestible peptide aggregates of soybean meal in pig ileal digesta residue

With the purpose of analysing the molecular size and composition, proteinaceous material was extracted from the insoluble components of a digesta sample obtained from pigs fed a feed consisting of only soybean meal. Gel permeation chromatography indicated that the alkali‐extractable fraction of the proteinaceous material from the residue was of relatively high apparent molecular weight. However, the combined results from gel electrophoresis, RPLC‐MS, and MALDI‐ToF MS showed that the extracted protein material was in fact, to a high extent, composed of aggregated peptides. To our knowledge this has not previously been described. Aggregates extracted by dilute alkali were fully degraded upon subsequent proteolytic treatment. N‐terminal sequencing of selected protein bands from SDS‐PAGE gels indicated the presence of partly degraded β‐conglycinin alpha subunits in the residue. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Requirements on Next Generation Social Networking—A User’s Perspective

When it comes to discussing the future of the Internet, social networking is one of the central buzzwords. The Internet has become a platform where new social networks emerge and the Internet in itself support the more traditional computer supported communication. The way users build and verifies different online networks for communities of people who share interests or individuals who present themselves through user produced content is what makes up the social networking of today. This article discusses general perceived user requirements to the next generation social networks. Particularly, the article presents results of an empirical survey of perceived user requirements to social networks from a group of ICT experts. The survey shows that this group of users has specific requirements to the next generation social networks, and that these can be categorized into high level user requirement dimensions.     

Effects of A-elements (ASi, Ge or Sn) on the structure and electrical contact properties of Ti-A-C-Ag nanocomposites

Ti-A-C-Ag (A is Si, Ge or Sn) nanocomposite coatings have been deposited by dc magnetron sputtering in an ultra high vacuum chamber. Electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction show that all coatings contain nanocrystalline TiC and Ag grains in a matrix of mainly amorphous C. A C/Ti ratio above unity yields a homogenous distribution of Ag with a reduced grain size. From a chemical point of view, the addition of Ge and Sn to the Ti-C-Ag system should increase the conductivity of the coatings since the formation of more metallic phases than Si. We demonstrate that Si can be replaced with Ge and Sn and still yield a homogeneous distribution of Ag. The incorporation of Ge and Sn to the Ti-C-Ag system results in elemental precipitation and intermetallic phases, respectively. This gives improved electrical properties compared to Ti-Si-C-Ag coatings, and a contact resistance at loads of ~ 1 N against an Au probe (radius of 0.7 mm) that is comparable to that of Ag.     

In situ observations of microscale damage evolution in unidirectional natural fibre composites

Synchrotron X-ray tomographic microscopy (XTM) has been used to observe in situ damage evolution in unidirectional flax fibre yarn/polypropylene composites loaded in uniaxial tension at stress levels between 20% and 95% of the ultimate failure stress. XTM allows for 3D visualization of the internal damage state at each stress level. The overall aim of the study is to gain a better understanding of the damage mechanisms in natural fibre composites. This is necessary if they are to be optimized to fulfil their promising potential. Three dominating damage mechanisms have been identified: (i) interface splitting cracks typically seen at the interfaces of bundles of unseparated fibres, (ii) matrix shear cracks, and (iii) fibre failures typically seen at fibre defects. Based on the findings in the present study, well separated fibres with a low number of defects are recommended for composite reinforcements.     

Microstructural and Chemical Analysis of AgI Coatings Used as a Solid Lubricant in Electrical Sliding Contacts

AgI coatings have been deposited by electroplating on Ag-plated Cu coupons. Electron microscopy shows that the coatings consist of weakly agglomerated AgI grains. X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and mass spectrometry show that the AgI exhibits a reversible transformation from hexagonal to cubic phase at 150 °C. AgI starts to decompose at 150 °C with an accelerating rate up to the AgI melting temperature (555 °C), where a complex-bonded hydroxide evaporates. Ag pin-on-disk testing shows that the iodine addition to Ag decreases the friction coefficient from 1.2 to ~0.4. The contact resistance between AgI and Ag becomes less than 100 μΩ after ~500 operations as the AgI deagglomerates, and Ag is exposed on the surface and remains low during at least 10,000 reciprocating operations. This makes AgI suitable as a solid lubricant in electrical contacts.     

Norwegian‐grown Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.): morphology and content of sugars and fructo‐oligosaccharides in stems and tubers

BACKGROUND: Two field trials growing Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) are discussed. Twenty genetic variants were compared in order to find genotypes suitable for Norwegian production. A second trial investigated the above‐ground part of early and late variants. RESULTS: The highest yield (28.7 t ha^?1) and highest amount of tubers per plant was obtained in early variants, e.g. the white Tysnes gave 1.72 kg tubers plant^?1. Early variants had a markedly lower portion of smooth tubers. Late variants gave the most preferable tuber shape, but low yield. Only a weak correlation was found between dry matter content and total content of fructo‐oligosaccharides (FOS) (r = 0.255) in the tubers. The mean content of FOS including sucrose through all variants was found to be 116 g kg^?1 fresh weight (FW) or 550 g kg^?1 dry weight (DW). The average chain length of FOS in the tubers was found to be DP3.9. There was no difference in tuber FOS content between early and late variants. The highest above‐ground amount biomass was found for the late variants when harvested in September. The content of soluble carbohydrates was found to be highest in stalks in August (sucrose and FOS major compounds). CONCLUSION: Early variants give the highest tuber yield under Norwegian growing conditions. Late variants give highest above‐ground biomass. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry