On quantization of the field in dielectrics

The precepts behind the macroscopic and microscopic quantizations of the electromagnetic field in a dielectric are discussed. Using the correspondence principle, it is demonstrated that the macroscopic quantization procedure leads to incorrect equations of motion of embedded two-level atoms. The fundamental nature of the Lorentz viewpoint of electrodynamics is discussed.     

CYBERNETICS OF ALCOHOLISM

Abstract

The interest of the pioneers of cybernetics and systems theory in psycho-pathology is noted. Alcoholism is cited as an example of the application of cybernetic and systems concepts to psychopathology. The paper argues that conventional medical and learning theory models of alcoholism are erroneous in that they do not take account of cybernetic and systems views, Empirical evidence is reviewed which supports the subsuming of the interactionist perspective by General Behavior Systems Theory. The importance of homeostatic mechanisms is discussed. It is concluded that progress in the management of alcoholism is dependent on the adoption of an epis-temology consistent with that of cybernetics.     

GEOGRAPHICAL SCALE OF TOLERANCE IN THE URBAN AREA

The paper examines attitudes of mutual tolerance as expressed by the Jewish majority and the Arab minority in Jaffa, a mixed residential area in the city of Tel Aviv. More specifically, it focuses on the willingness of members of each group to share residential locations at different geographical scales (such as: the same housing unit, street, neighborhood, or the city as a whole). The survey's findings indicate, as expected, that Arabs and Jews alike tend to be more tolerant in this respect as the geographical scale increases and when actually residing in mixed neighborhoods, in comparison to those living in ethnically homogeneous residential areas. At the same time, it became evident that residents expressing intolerance are more sensitive to geographical scale when compared to residents expressing greater tolerance. Furthermore, sensitivity to scale was found to be more intense among the Jewish majority population, particularly among residents of homogeneous neighborhoods. We interpret those patterns of tolerance across geographical scale as expressing people's desire to control their daily encounters with the Other through practices of avoidance while simultaneously tending to preserve intergroup contacts for their functional benefits and social rewards.     

Probability density fittings of corrosion test-data: Implications on C6H15NO3 effectiveness on concrete steel-rebar corrosion

In this study, corrosion test-data of steel-rebar in concrete were subjected to the fittings of the Normal, Gumbel and the Weibull probability distribution functions. This was done to investigate the suitability of the results of the fitted test-data, by these distributions, for modelling the effectiveness of C₆H₁₅NO₃, triethanolamine (TEA), admixtures on the corrosion of steel-rebar in concrete in NaCl and in H₂SO₄ test-media. For this, six different concentrations of TEA were admixed in replicates of steel-reinforced concrete samples which were immersed in the saline/marine and the microbial/industrial simulating test-environments for seventy-five days. From these, distribution fittings of the non-destructive electrochemical measurements were subjected to the Kolmogorov–Smirnov goodness-of-fit statistics and to the analyses of variance modelling for studying test-data compatibility to the fittings and testing significance. Although all fittings of test-data followed similar trends of significant testing, the fittings of the corrosion rate test data followed the Weibull more than the Normal and the Gumbel distribution fittings, thus supporting use of the Weibull fittings for modelling effectiveness. The effectiveness models on rebar corrosion, based on these, identified 0.083% TEA with optimal inhibition efficiency, η = 72.17± 10.68%, in NaCl medium while 0.667% TEA was the only admixture with positive effectiveness, η = 56.45±15.85%, in H₂SO₄ medium. These results bear implications on the concentrations of TEA for effective corrosion protection of concrete steel-rebar in saline/marine and in industrial/microbial environments.     

Alpha and beta radioactivity in groundwater of the hickory,mid‐cambrian and ellenburger‐san saba aquifers,central texas,USA

Gross alpha and beta activity in sandstone and limestone aquifers of central Texas locally exceed drinking water standards. The Hickory (sandstone), Mid‐Cambrian (sandstone) and Ellenburger‐San Saba (ESS) (limestone) Aquifers registered median alpha levels of 13, 17 and 4 pCi/l, and median beta levels of 18, 17 and 4.5 pCi/l, respectively. Several observations, 46% (Hickory), 67% (Mid‐Cambrian) and 16% (ESS), exceeded the 15 pCi/l maximum contaminant level (MCL) for alpha activity. Fewer observations, 18% (Hickory), 0% (Mid‐Cambrian) and 10% (ESS), exceeded the 50 pCi/l level of concern for beta activity. There were significant positive correlations between alpha and beta activity in each aquifer, alpha activity and well depth in the ESS Aquifer, and beta activity and well depth in the Hickory and ESS Aquifers. Constituents of sandstone aquifers derived from underlying granite and groundwater moving through weathered zones in granite and overlying shale likely contribute to the radioactivity trends outlined above.     

Practical limitations of superresolution imaging due to conventional sample preparation revealed by a direct comparison of CLSM,SIM and dSTORM

We evaluate the suitability of conventional sample preparation and labelling methods for two superresolution techniques, structured illumination microscopy and direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy, by a comparison to established confocal laser scanning microscopy. We show that SIM is compatible with standard fixation procedures and immunofluorescence labelling protocols and improves resolution by a factor of two compared to confocal laser scanning microscopy. With direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy, fluorophores can theoretically be localized with much higher precision. However, in practice, with indirect immunofluorescence labelling density can be insufficient due to the bulky probes to reveal biological structures with high resolution. Fine structures like single actin fibres are in fact resolved with direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy when using small affinity probes, but require proper adjustment of the fixation protocol. Finally, by a direct comparison of immunofluorescent and genetic labelling with fluorescent proteins, we show that target morphology in direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy data sets can differ significantly depending on the labelling method and the molecular environment of the target.     

SCALE‐UP and FIELD TEST of the VACUUM/STEAM/VACUUM SURFACE INTERVENTION PROCESS FOR POULTRY1

The Vacuum/Steam/Vacuum surface intervention pilot plant processor was scaled up to a mobile unit that can be transported to close proximity of chicken processing plants. After several modifications to the mandrel that supports the broiler carcass in the treatment chamber to minimize mechanical damage, the unit was capable of 1.1 log cfu/mL kill of inoculated Listeria innocua and 1.4 log cfu/mL kill of inoculated E. coli K‐12. Field tests achieved 1.4 log kill of E. coli and 1.2 log kill of Campylobacter on freshly processed chicken using 3 cycles and 138C saturated steam. But, there was extensive mechanical damage. the mandrel was modified in the Eastern Regional Research Center pilot plant to eliminate the mechanical damage. With mechanical damage eliminated, the bacteria kill was 1.1–1.5 log of inoculated E. coli K‐12 with a total process time of 1.1 s.     

Physicochemical Changes in Pacific Whiting Muscle Proteins during Iced Storage

No changes in actomyosin Ca²⁺-, Mg²⁺-, or Mg²⁺-Ca²⁺-ATPase activities were observed during iced storage of Pacific whiting fillets, but Mg²⁺-EGTA-ATPase increased with a loss of Ca²⁺-sensitivity. Surface hydrophobicity of actomyosin increased substantially within 2 days, but not total sulfhydryl (SH) content. During longer storage, the SH content decreased gradually, but surface hydrophobicity remained constant. Autolytic degradation products increased in fish muscle with storage time. Myosin heavy chain (MHC) was degraded by 45% within 8 days, but no noticeable difference was observed in actin. Results indicated that autolysis may be the main cause of physicochemical changes in Pacific whiting muscle proteins during iced storage.     

The role of homogenization in the manufacture of halloumi and mozzarella cheese from recombined milk*

When halloumi and mozzarella cheese are made from normal recombined milk, neither product exhibits the characteristic stretch and melt behaviour of the fresh milk cheeses. The present study demonstrates that this problem may be overcome either by using low homogenization pressures to prepare the recombined milk or by coating the fat in the recombined milk emulsion with phospholipid and homogenizing at the usual pressure. The influence of homogenization of milk on the properties of the cheese is discussed in terms of a polymer network model.     

固体氧化物燃料电池阴极气体传输的研究

建立了一个数值模型,来计算并论述在固体氧化物燃料电池(SOFC)阴极中的扩散和渗透共同作用下的传质现象.经过对比分析,研究了阴极内压力梯度对气体传输、气体分布,以及浓度过电压的影响.研究表明,文献中所采用的扩散模型可近似模拟SOFC阴极的浓度过电压.但是,对于气体成份沿阴极的分布,则必须考虑压力梯度的影响.在此提出的模型可进一步深化,以优化SOFC电极的多孔结构.