Ochratoxin A in pork kidneys--description of a method

A rapid procedure for the isolation and clean-up on a silica gel column is described for the determination of Ochratoxin A from pork kidneys. The detection limit is 0.3 microgram/kg.     

Preliminary Assessment of Contaminants in Soft Sediments of the Detroit River

Soft sediments from the Detroit River were analyzed for the USEPA priority pollutants to generally characterize contaminant distribution. Forty-three were detected. Highest heavy metal concentrations were found in the Trenton Channel and immediately downstream of Grosse Ile. They ranged from an area mean (N = 2) of 0.19 mg/kg mercury to 338.7 mg/kg zinc (dry weight). Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons ranged from 0.1 mg/kg to 38.8 mg/kg (mean, N = 2) with the highest levels near Grosse Ile. PCBs ranged from 0.015 mg/kg to 1.7 mg/kg (mean, N = 2). Organochlorine pesticides were not detected except for a trace of heptachlor in one sample. Sediment contamination in the Detroit River is widespread with higher concentrations on the U.S. side downstream of the Rouge River and in the Trenton Channel. The significance of these in-place pollutants to biota and as a source to Lake Erie is still unknown.     

The effects of stress and crack morphology on time-of-flight diffraction signals

A model based on the theory of infinite contacting surfaces is used to analyse the transmission and reflection of ultrasound at tight fatigue cracks under compressive stress. The model developed is valid for both compression and shear (SV) waves incident at arbitrary angles on a fatigue crack and includes mode conversion effects. In discussing diffraction of ultrasound by the tips of finite length fatigue cracks, we associate the amplitude of the diffracted signal with the strength of the signal reflected from cracks of infinite extent. Thus we allow all the energy transmitted by the tight crack to play no part in the diffraction process. Comparison is made with experiments carried out at Harwell and we conclude that, for these particular experiments, the cracks are fully open when subjected to about 88 MPa of tension, and that the experimental results are consistent with a root mean square deviation from flatness of the crack faces of about 1·5 μm. This is in broad agreement with the actual crack profile when a sampling length of about 30 μm is used. Using these values the theory and experiment show excellent agreement to within 2 dB over the whole applied stress range. The results show, for example, a diffraction signal decreased by a maximum of about 13 dB when the applied compressive load corresponds to 70% of the maximum load used during crack growth. Similar conclusions are also drawn for conventional pulse-echo inspection, whereas Tandem suffers a greater reduction in signal strength due to the usually lower frequency.     

Component vs. system burn-in techniques for electronic equipment

Simulation can be used to determine the effects of different combinations of in-process and system burn-in times. It is shown that optimal burn-in at each stage of component assembly is not always optimal for the final system. Simulation is used to evaluate a nonrepairable system and provides individual component burn-in times that optimize the mean residual life of the assembled system     

PHYSIOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF MINIMALLY PROCESSED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

The physiological consequences of minimal processing are dire. Mechanical injury sets off a complex series of events which result in loss of quality (i.e. color, texture and flavor). Control of this wounding response is a major obstacle that must be overcome. To prolong postharvest life, respiration must be reduced while producing enough energy to maintain the “energized state”. The central roles of membranes and calcium in maintaining quality are discussed.     

Trade-offs for conflicting social objectives in the extraction of finite energy resources

Three social objectives figure prominently in the extraction of finite energy resources, namely income maximization, environmental quality, and inter-generational concern. Owing to lack of complementarity, the pursuit of these objectives often results in conflicts. As a result, extraction strategies should be based on the determination of trade-offs between the objectives. The paper deals with the formulation and illustration of a systems model to determine these trade-offs. The recognition of such trade-offs results in a greater conservation of the finite energy resource, and hence could act as an incentive for the development of alternative energy sources.     

Effect of hot water spray washing on the appearance of lamb carcasses of different weights

Lamb carcasses of > 22 kg weight were not adversely affected by spray washing, but carcasses of < 22 kg weight were affected to some extent. Characteristics of carcasses significantly affected included the appearance of the fat in the crutch region and on the back, and the degree of flaccidity and dampness of the abdominal region. These faults were alleviated somewhat during refrigerated storage and consequently the faults detected in the experiments were probably not of commercial significance since, under pilot market tests in Europe, buyers did not find any faults in spray washed carcasses.