44—ASPECTS OF SEAM-STRENGTH PREDICTION: PART II

Physical and mathematical models of strength behaviour to explain the angle-of-bias effects postulated in Part I are further examined and various modifications suggested. Comparison between experimental results on a wide range of woven fabrics and theoretical predictions with the basic model and its modifications is made, and a good fit between experimental results and theoretical predictions is found and described.     

High Salinity Relaying to Reduce Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in Chesapeake Bay Oysters (Crassostrea virginica)

Cases of Vibrio infections in the United States have tripled from 1996 to 2009 and these infections are most often associated with the consumption of seafood, particularly oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Information is needed on how to reduce numbers of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in bi‐valve molluscan shellfish (for example, oysters). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of high salinity relaying or treatment in recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) as methods to reduce the abundance of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in oysters. For relaying field trials, oysters were collected from approved harvest waters, temperature abused outside under a tarp for 4 h, and then transferred to high (29 to 33 ppt.) and moderate (12 to 19 ppt.) salinities. For RAS treatment trial, oysters were transferred to 32 to 34 ppt. salinity at 15 °C. After 7, 14, 21, and in some instances 28 d, oysters were collected and analyzed for V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus levels using multiplex real‐time PCR. Initial levels of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus ranged from 3.70 to 5.64 log₁₀ MPN/g, and were reduced by 2 to 5 logs after 21 to 28 d in high salinity water (29 to 34 ppt.). Oyster mortalities averaged 4% or less, and did not exceed 7%. Relaying of oysters to high salinity field sites or transfer to high salinity RAS tanks was more effective in reducing V. vulnificus compared with V. parahaemolyticus. These results suggest that high salinity relaying of oysters is more effective in reducing V. vulnificus than V. parahaemolyticus in the oyster species used in this study.     

Pressurised hot water extraction with on-line particle formation by supercritical fluid technology

In this work, an on-line process for pressurised hot water extraction (PHWE) of antioxidants from plants as well as drying of the extract in one step by particle formation based on the use of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) has been developed. This process has been called WEPO®, water extraction and particle formation on-line. With this process, dried extracts from onion with the same composition of quercetin derivatives as non-dried extracts have been obtained as a fine powder with spherical particles from 250 nm to 4 μm in diameter. The major compounds present in the extract were quercetin-3,4′-diglucoside, quercetin-4′-glucoside and quercetin. An auxiliary inert gas (hot N₂) was used to enhance the drying process. Parameters such as temperature (120 °C), SC-CO₂ and N₂ pressures (80 and 12.5 bar, respectively) and flow rate of SC-CO₂ (10 ml/min), have been settled by trial-and-error in order to achieve a fine and constant spray formation. Water content, size and morphology, antioxidant capacity and quercetin content of the particles were studied to evaluate the efficiency of the WEPO process. Results were compared with the ones from extracts obtained by continuous flow PHWE followed by freeze-drying. Results showed that both processes gave similar results in terms of antioxidant capacity, concentration of quercetin derivatives and water content, while only WEPO was able to produce defined spherical particles smaller than 4 μm.     

Effect of short-term storage on phenolic content,o-diphenolase and peroxidase activities of cut yam tubers (Dioscorea sp)

The effect of short-term storage on the protein, phosphorus and phenolic content as well as peroxidase and o-diphenolase activities of cut, harvested Jamaican yam (Dioscorea sp) tubers (D rotundata. D alata and D cayenensis) was studied. There was an initial increase in the total phenolic content up to the third week of storage followed by a gradual decrease to the sixth week. Phenolic content was found to be highest in D cayenensis followed by D rotundata and D alata. The activities of peroxidase (EC 1. 11. 1. 7) and o-diphenolase (EC 1. 10.3.1) increased steadily up to the third week of storage and thereafter decreased to the fifth week. The intensity and rapidity of browning in tubers when cut, correlated very closely with the tuber o-diphenolase and phenolic content levels while the onset of rotting correlated with the peroxidase activity levels in the species studied.     

The effect of intermittent carbon monoxide exposure on experimental atherosclerosis in the rabbit

(1) Twenty-four female New Zealand White rabbits were fed commercial diet plus 2% cholesterol. Twelve of these animals were exposed to carbon monoxide for 4 hours per day, seven days per week for 10 weeks. The carbon monoxide exposure was such that the mean blood carboxy-haemoglobin was raised to approximately 20% during each exposure period. Twelve control animals breathed atmospheric air under the same conditions of confinement as the carbon monoxide-exposed group. (2) No significant differences in the plasma levels of cholesterol, triglycerides or glutamate oxalacetate transaminase were observed between the two groups during the experiment. (3) When the animals were sacrificed at the end of the experiment no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the aortic content of triglycerides, cholesterol or phospholipids. (4) The extent of coronary artery atherosclerosis was statistically significantly higher in the carbon monoxide group than in the control group. (5) Ultracentrifugal analysis of plasma lipoproteins revealed that there was significantly more cholesterol in the d less than l.006 fraction from the CO-exposed rabbits. (6) These findings, are discussed with particular reference to the claim that the causal agent in tobacco smoke associated arterial disease is carbon monoxide.     

Chylothorax: report of a case complicating ductus ligation through a median sternotomy, and review

An unusual case of chylothorax is described in a 4-year-old child after repair of a ventricular septal defect and ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus through a median sternotomy. Left chylothorax developed after a latent period of six days and was treated initially with continuous drainage and parenteral supplementation of proteins and lipids. Operative intervention with oversewing of the site of the leak in the anterior mediastinum proved necessary after three weeks. The anatomical variations of the thoracic duct are outlined to explain the occurrence of chylothorax after diverse intrathoracic operations. The physiological effects of a thoracic duct fistula and various aspects of management are reviewed.     

Amylase: creatinine clearance ratio and urinary excretion of lysozyme in acute pancreatitis and acute duodenal perforation

The amylase:creatinine clearance ratio in patients suffering from acute pancreatitis or acute duodenal perforation was higher than normal in both groups of patients. These findings cast doubt on the value of this parameter as a specific index of acute pancreatitis. The mechanism or mechanisms underlying the increased amylase excretion have not been determined. However, the markedly elevated urinary excretion of lysozyme observed in some patients suggests, by analogy, that diminished tubular reabsorption of amylase may contribute towards the elevated amylase:creatinine ratio.