New Ways of Continuous Process Improvement in a Blooming Mill

As the first manufacturer, the blooming mill of Böhler Edelstahl GmbH & CoKG could achieve the highest process maturity level 5 according to the ISO 15504 standard. The consistent implementation of methods and optimisation tools for an integrated process and quality management resulted in that success.     

Preparation and characterization of PVA films with magnetic nanoparticles: The effect of particle loading on drug release behavior

This article deals with the drug release behavior of theophylline (Th) from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels, prepared with magnetic nanoparticles at different particle loadings. These biocompatible matrices were obtained by incorporating different amounts of an aqueous ferrofluid into PVA hydrogels, loaded with Th as a marker for drug‐delivery studies. PVA films with magnetic particles proved to be magnetic field‐responsive materials as the drug release decreased through the application of a relative low and uniform magnetic field for particle concentrations of 0.9% w/w or higher. Moreover, the percentage of restriction of drug release is found to be correlated with particle loading. The in vitro release profiles were analyzed by applying a semiempirical power law to obtain the kinetic parameters. The value of the release exponent was found to be in the range 0.54–0.56 in all experiments, which thus indicates a predominant diffusional mechanism for drug release from these smart magnetic hydrogels. This effect suggests the possibility of modulating the release behavior by controlling the particle content in the preparation of the composites. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Carotenoid composition and antioxidant activity of the raw and boiled fruit mesocarp of six varieties of Bactris gasipaes

Total carotenoid content and composition of carotenoids of six varieties of Bactris gasipaes were determined by spectrophotometry and HPLC, with photodiode array detector. Significant differences in total carotenoid content (1.1 to 22.3 mg/100g) were detected among these varieties. Boiling the fruits for 30 minutes did not affect total carotenoid content, but did change the amount of some specific carotenoids, mainly by the production of Z-isomers. Peach palm varieties had the same carotenoids, but in different proportions, presenting mainly, all E-beta-carotene (26.2% to 47.9%), Z-gamma-carotene (18.2% to 34.3%) and Z-lycopene (10.2% to 26.8%). When antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH, it was observed that the variety with higher percentages of beta-carotene (54.1%) presented the higher activity. This is one of the first reports in carotenoid content and antioxidant activity in well typified varieties of Bactris gasipaes, whose results could have a positive impact in the consumption of certain peach palm varieties.     

EXAFS as Powerful Analytical Tool for the Investigation of Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Materials

The potential and application of X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) for structural investigations of organic–inorganic hybrid materials, with a special emphasis on systems consisting of inorganic building blocks (clusters) embedded into polymer backbones, is extensively reviewed. In the first part of the paper, the main features of organic–inorganic hybrid materials, their classification, the synthetic approaches for their preparation, and their applications are concisely presented, whereas the particular issues related to their characterization are discussed in more detail. In the second section of the paper, the principles and the theoretical background of the XAS method, including experimental design, data reduction, evaluation, analysis, and interpretation are described and discussed. Examples of potentialities of the method for the short‐range structural investigation of inorganic nanostructures in hybrids are provided, and the state‐of‐the‐art in the field of hybrid materials is reviewed. In the third part, six different case studies belonging to our past and present experience in this field are presented and discussed, with a particular focus on their XAS investigation.     

Sunflower oil coating on the nanoparticles of iron(III) oxides

High-temperature solution phase reaction of iron(III)-furoate in sunflower oil, in the presence of trichloroacetic acid and 1,2-hexadecylamine leads to iron(III) oxide (amorphous and γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles with sizes about 1.3 nm in diameter (method “A”), and about 5.5 nm (amorphous Fe2O3) from the “sunflower oil/oxadiazol” system (method “B”).     

Levels of essential and toxic elements in Porphyra columbina and Ulva sp. from San Jorge Gulf, Patagonia Argentina

Baseline concentration levels of As, B, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Se, V, and Zn were determined for Porphyra columbina and Ulva sp. collected from three locations along San Jorge Gulf, in Patagonia Argentina. Elements were quantified by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, with the exception of lead and cadmium in some samples which were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Three stations with different exposure degree to human activities, Bahía Solano, the mouth of Arroyo La Mata stream and Punta Maqueda, were selected as sampling points. The results showed a wide range of metal retention capacity between the two studied species. Regarding the levels of pollutants found in the researched sites, Punta Maqueda seemed to be less influenced by anthropogenic activities than the other two sites except for Cd. Taking into account their toxicities seasonal variations in Pb and Cd levels were studied in both algae in Punta Maqueda. Maximum concentrations of Cd (9.8 microg g(-1) dry wt.) were observed in P. columbina during winter, and maximum levels of Pb (0.82 microg g(-1) dry wt.) were detected in Ulva sp. during summer. Legislative and health safety aspects were evaluated for Cd and Pb.     

Physiological responses to intramammary or intravenous treatment with endotoxin in lactating dairy cows

Twenty-one, middle to late lactation Holstein cows were assigned to one of three treatments in a completely randomized design to examine physiological changes associated with intramammary or intravenous administration of Escherichia coli endotoxin. Treatments were 1) Hank's balanced salt solution infusion in two contralateral quarters (control), 2) E. coli endotoxin infusion in two contralateral quarters, and 3) intravenous infusion of E. coli endotoxin. Blood was sampled and rectal temperature was measured at 30-min intervals. Endotoxin treatment was at 0900 h and sampling continued until 1700 h. Serum prolactin, cortisol, and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha were measured. A pyretic response was observed in intravenous and intramammary treatment groups after endotoxin treatment. Response peak was higher (41.1 vs. 40.3 degrees C) and occurred later (6 vs. 4.5 h posttreatment) in the intramammary than the intravenous treatment group. Significant prolactin peaks were observed also in intravenous and intramammary endotoxin treatment groups. Prolactin peaked higher (288 vs. 112 ng/ml) and occurred sooner (1 vs. 4 h posttreatment) in the intravenous than in the intramammary treatment group. Cortisol followed a trend similar to prolactin. Cortisol peaked higher (100 vs. 82 ng/ml) and sooner (2.5 vs. 4.5 h posttreatment) in the intravenous than in the intramammary treatment group. Concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha increased rapidly posttreatment in the intravenous group only.     

Development of composites based on recycled polyethylene/sugarcane bagasse fibers

In this work, sugarcane bagasse fibers were used as filler in composites having recycled high‐density polyethylene (PEr) as matrix. Because of the poor interaction between fibers surface and the PEr, the surface of bagasse was chemically modified. This modification consists of washing with water at 80°C, a mercerization process using sodium hydroxide and acetylation reaction with acetic anhydride. The chemical modification was characterized by Fourier transform infrared–horizontal attenuated total reflectance (FTIR‐HATR) and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies (NMR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The composites were prepared from modified and unmodified fibers into PEr matrix, containing 5, 10, and 20% (w/w) of fiber. The samples were processed by extrusion and molds were prepared by injection process in order to perform mechanical tests. These materials were analyzed by SEM, TGA, and the water uptake was evaluated. Also, their mechanical properties were analyzed. Morphological analysis indicated that the chemical modification of sugarcane bagasse increased the compatibility between matrix and reinforcement. Tensile, flexural, and impact tests showed that the mechanical properties of the composite were improved compared to PEr due to the presence of the fibers. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:768–774, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Characterization of Edible Active Coating Based on Alginate–Thyme Oil–Propionic Acid for the Preservation of Fresh Chicken Breast Fillets

Chicken meat presents serious problems of processing and storage. Edible coatings are used commercially to improve the shelf life of fresh foods. The aim of this study is to develop an effective antimicrobial edible coating to improve the shelf life and safety of fresh chicken meat. The effect of propionic acid and thyme essential oils as antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds incorporated into alginate‐based edible coating was evaluated. Physical, antimicrobial and sensorial analyses were performed in coated and uncoated samples. Sensorial analysis showed no significant differences between coated and uncoated samples, which do not influence the buying decisions of consumers. The pH of the meat surface, color and sensorial analysis changed during storage time, showing similar behavior between coatings, the principal parameters to determine the shelf life of this product were weight loss and microbiological deterioration, where coatings had different behaviors. The selected coating increased the shelf life by about 33% with the lowest dehydration.     

Ownership, Investment Policies and Funding Choices of Italian Water Utilities: An Empirical Analysis

Nowadays, the efficient management of water has become the focus of vast debate, both in the academic literature and in the practical and regulatory field. Due to the growing importance and scarcity of water resources, it has become crucial to better understand how to improve the organizational efficiency of water utilities. By adopting an accounting perspective and using statistical methods, this paper analyzes whether and to what extent investment and financial strategies differ among clusters of water utilities with different ownership structures. The paper focuses on the Italian water industry, a context considered particularly appropriate due to the coexistence of utilities with different ownership structures. The main results of the paper show that ownership affects the level of investment as well as the financial structure and costs of water utilities. The evidence provided by this study should encourage national governments and regulatory authorities to select water utilities with the greatest investment potential measured in terms of financial efficiency and effectiveness.