Highly reflective nc-Si:H/a-CNx:H multilayer films prepared by r.f. PECVD technique

Multilayer thin films consisting of a-CN_x:H/nc-Si:H layers prepared by radio-frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapour (r.f. PECVD) deposition technique were studied. High optical reflectivity at a specific wavelength is one of major concern for its application. By using this technique, a-CN_x:H/nc-Si:H multilayered thin films (3-11 periods) were deposited on substrates of p-type (111) crystal silicon and quartz. These films were characterized using ultra-violet-visible-near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field effect scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and AUGER electron spectroscopy (AES). The multilayered films show high reflectivity and wide stop band width at a wavelength of approximately 650 ± 60 nm. The FTIR spectrum of this multilayered structure showed the formation of Si-H and Si-H₂ bonds in the nc-Si:H layer and CC and N-H bonds in a-CN_x:H layer. SEM image and AES reveal distinct formation of a-CN_x:H and nc-Si:H layers in the cross section image with a decrease in interlayer cross contamination with increasing number of periods.     

Survival of Listeria monocytogenes in experimental chorizos

Chorizos-Mexican-style raw-meat sausages-are a concern in California because their production in small ethnic food markets is unregulated. Their formulation may cause them to appear cooked to the consumer, who may eat the raw sausage without prior proper cooking. Bacterial pathogens in such products may cause illness or even death. Survivability of Listeria monocytogenes in chorizos was evaluated under different storage conditions selected on the basis of an initial survey of uninspected chorizos in California. Sausages were formulated to five different initial water activity (aw) levels (0.85, 0.90, 0.93, 0.95, 0.97), stored under four conditions (refrigeration, "Ref," 6 to 8 degrees C under convective air circulation; room temperature, "RT," 24 to 26 degrees C under convective air circulation; hood, "Hd," 24 to 26 degrees C under forced air circulation; and incubation, "Inc," 30 to 31 degrees C under convective air circulation), and sampled after 1, 2, 4, and 7 days. The initial pH was 4.8 and remained near 5.0 from day 1 of the sampling period. An inoculated-pack study using a five-strain cocktail of L. monocytogenes was performed twice for each initial aw. Results indicated that the three lowest initial aw levels (0.85, 0.90, 0.93) and the Hd and Inc storage conditions were more effective (P < or = 0.05) at reducing L. monocytogenes levels in chorizos than the two highest initial aw levels (0.95 and 0.97) and the Ref storage condition, irrespective of storage time. These results can provide a scientific basis for guidelines given to uninspected chorizo producers in California and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.     

Spinal cord tissue detection in comminuted beef: comparison of two immunological methods

Two commercial immunological kits for detection of central nervous system (CNS) tissue in beef were compared: ScheBo? Brainostic?, based on CNS-specific antigen (neuron specific enolase) detection, and Ridascreen? Risk Material 10/5 test, an enzyme immunoassay for glial fibrillary acidic protein. Spinal cord (SC) was added to batches of choice, select, and utility grades of ground fresh beef shoulder clod to yield 0.0, 0.0125, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6% SC in meat. Sensitivity and specificity in detecting SC in fresh and frozen samples were determined. Both Brainostic? and Ridascreen? kits detected SC at claimed levels: 0.25% and 0.11%, respectively. The Ridascreen? test consistently detected SC at 0.025%, below its claimed sensitivity level, expressed for brain and SC combined. The Ridascreen? test was ～10× more sensitive, easier, faster to run and less expensive than the Brainostic?. Overall, quality grade had no influence on SC detection in fresh or frozen meat.     

Neurosyphilis and penicillin levels in cerebrospinal fluid

Because neurosyphilis may progress despite therapy with the recommended penicillin regimens, 15 subjects with positive tests for syphilis in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were studied. All of these patients had CSF pleocytosis. Two received penicillin G (5 and 10 million units per day intravenously, respectively) and 13 received benzathine penicillin G, 3.6 million units per week intramuscularly; treatment lasted four weeks. During intravenous and after intramuscular penicillin therapy, a spinal tap was performed on all subjects; later, assays were done. Of two patients who received intravenous penicillin G, one had 0.3 mug/ml and the other had 2.4 mug/ml penicillin in the CSF. Twelve of 13 patients who received benzathine penicillin G had no detectable penicillin in the CSF; one patient had 0.1 mug/ml penicillin in the CSF.     

Catalyst-free formation of vertically-aligned carbon nanorods as induced by nitrogen incorporation

We found that nitrogen incorporation can induce the formation of vertically-aligned hydrogenated carbon nanorods without the use of catalysts. These nitrogen incorporated hydrogenated carbon nanorods (CN_x:H) were synthesized by radio-frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PE-CVD). We have evaluated the structural and chemical evolution of these CN_x:H films as a function of the deposition duration by using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Auger electron spectroscopy. Results indicate that the incorporation of nitrogen is responsible to the formation of these nanorods. The alignment of the nanorods is enhanced at longer deposition period and is correlated to the increase in nitrogen contents and isonitrile bonds [–NC] in the nanorods. The growth mechanism of this catalyst-free formation of nitrogen incorporated carbon nanorods is proposed.     

Preparation and characterization of novel polymer hydrogel from industrial waste and copolymerization of poly(vinyl alcohol) and polyacrylamide

A novel hydrogel was prepared from industrial waste to form a green polymer with a higher swelling capacity. This hydrogel was synthesized by two methods for chemical crosslinking, namely crosslinking by radical polymerization and crosslinking by addition reaction. In crosslinking by radical polymerization, graft copolymerization of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and polyacrylamide (PAAm) was carried out using ceric ammonium sulfate in presence of N,N',‐methylenebisacrylamide, and then mixed with the black liquor resulting from alkaline pulping of rice straw. While, in crosslinking by addition reaction, the same above reagents were mixed with the black liquor in absence of the initiator. The black liquor is an industrial waste resulting from the pulping method and consists of dissolved lignin and carbohydrates. The black liquor causes environmental water pollution due to its dumping into the sea. The formed hydrogels were characterized using FT‐IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was noted that the hydrogel prepared by radical polymerization showed high swelling capacity, 60.00%, compared to that prepared by the addition reaction, 27.27%. The hydrogels formed were used also to study the influence of sodium chloride on the absorption capacity at room temperature and swelling ratios at different temperatures and pHs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Development of New Polymorphic Microsatellite Loci for the Barley Stem Gall Midge,Mayetiola hordei (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) from an Enriched Library

Using an enriched library method, seven polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from the barley stem gall midge, Mayetiola hordei. Polymorphism at loci was surveyed on 57 individual midges collected on barley in Tunisia. Across loci, polymorphism ranged from two to six alleles per locus. The observed heterozygosity varied between 0.070 and 0.877. Based on the number of alleles detected and the associated levels of heterozygosity, we believe that these loci will prove useful for population genetic studies on M. hordei.     

Microbial electrodialysis cell for simultaneous water desalination and hydrogen gas production

A new approach to water desalination is to use exoelectrogenic bacteria to generate electrical power from the biodegradation of organic matter, moving charged ions from a middle chamber between two membranes in a type of microbial fuel cell called a microbial desalination cell. Desalination efficiency using this approach is limited by the voltage produced by the bacteria. Here we examine an alternative strategy based on boosting the voltage produced by the bacteria to achieve hydrogen gas evolution from the cathode using a three-chambered system we refer to as a microbial electrodialysis cell (MEDC). We examined the use of the MEDC process using two different initial NaCl concentrations of 5 g/L and 20 g/L. Conductivity in the desalination chamber was reduced by up to 68 ± 3% in a single fed-batch cycle, with electrical energy efficiencies reaching 231 ± 59%, and maximum hydrogen production rates of 0.16 ± 0.05 m(3) H(2)/m(3) d obtained at an applied voltage of 0.55 V. The advantage of this system compared to a microbial fuel cell approach is that the potentials between the electrodes can be better controlled, and the hydrogen gas that is produced can be used to recover energy to make the desalination process self-sustaining with respect to electrical power requirements.