Inhibition of Clostridium perfringens by Naphthoquinones

The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of several naphthoquinones (NQ) were determined in the presence or absence of nitrite (NO₂^?) against various strains of Clostridium perfringens. In fluid thioglycollate medium, MICs ranged from 70–100 ppm for 2-methyl-1,4-NQ (menadione), 200–280 ppm for 1,4-NQ, 180–250 ppm for 1,2-NQ, >500 ppm for several water-soluble derivatives and 100–300 ppm for NO₂^?. Using a type B strain in homogenized meat medium, MICs were 670 ppm for menadione, 620 ppm for 1,4-NQ and 770 ppm for NO₂^?. Nitrite, menadione and 1,4-NQ exhibited comparable and additive rather than synergistic inhibition. Some NQ compounds may have potential as partial nitrite substitutes subject to safety evaluation.     

Receptor mechanisms of the neonatal intestine and their relationship to immunoglobulin absorption and disease

Immunoglobulin absorption by the calf has been the subject of considerable research. Despite these efforts little is known about the cytological events that occur at the level of the intestinal epithelial cell. These events have been studied extensively and characterized in the laboratory rodent; however, there have been few attempts to make corollaries between the two species. All neonatal animals display certain similarities in their intestinal morphology that may be correlated, with immunoglobulin absorption. Selectivity in absorption appears to be variable among neonatal animal species; however, all demonstrate some selectivity. Selectivity in absorption implies that receptors are a necessary component in the transport of immunoglobulins. Selectivity further requires binding of immunoglobulins to an endocytic vesicle membrane to ensure transport through the cell, circumvention of intracellular digestion, and release at the basolateral cell membrane. A decrease of immunoglobulin absorption may be accomplished in a variety of ways such as competition between intestinal microbes and immunoglobulins for a common receptor on the intestinal epithelial cell. An additional consideration is aberrant synthesis or recycling of the cell membrane receptor, as induced by metabolic decelerators such as cortisol. Failure to recycle immunoglobulin receptors also would decrease efficiency of absorption.     

Volatile N-nitrosamines in sausage products

The authors studied the content of volatile N-nitrosamines (NA) in the most common sausage products. It was established that the total content of NA in sausage products is not high and ranges from trace amounts up to 10 micrograms/kg product. The allowable doses of nitrite in the sausage manufacture being low, no relationship was discovered between the content of NA and residual nitrite in meat products.     

The forward muon detector of the DELPHI experiment at LEP

The layout and construction of the muon drift chambers equipping the end caps of the DELPHI detector are described. The performance of this forward muon detection system, determined from cosmic ray tests and data collected during the first year of LEP operation, is presented.     

Dynamics of nanosecond laser annealing of silicon

On the basis of a numerical solution of the Stefan problem, the dynamics of nanosecond laser annealing of silicon is investigated.Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 306–312, February, 1985.     

Effect of yttrium and chromium on the recrystallization of Al-Sc alloys

The effect of small chromium and yttrium additions (0.14–1.0 wt%) on the recrystallization of Al-Sc alloys having 0.1–0.4% Sc is studied with polarized light. The microstructure of cold-rolled samples annealed at 100–630°C for 1 h is examined. The chromium and yttrium additions are found to slightly affect the recrystallization temperature of the Al-Sc alloys: they increase or decrease it slightly depending on the scandium content.     

Technique to correct yellowing and foxing in antique books

New algorithms for the automatic restoration of antique documents affected by foxing and by yellowing deterioration processes are proposed in the paper. The physical restoration of such objects is both expensive and hard to carry out by nonspecialised library personnel. The proposed algorithms ensure fast and less expensive results, and can be used also by nonqualified operators. Moreover, these techniques improve the performance of optical character recognition operators.     

Thyroxine,Triiodothyronine, Reverse-Triiodothyronine,and Other Physiological Characteristics of Periparturient Cows Fed Restricted Energy

Eighty-six cows were assigned to two equal groups with group A fed according to National Research Council recommendations for total digestible nutrients for the 8 wk before parturition and group B was fed 21% higher energy in the first 6 wk and 15% higher in the last 2 preparturient wk. Thyroxine in blood serum decreased in both groups 14 days before and on the day of delivery. It was significantly lower in group A. Findings were similar with triiodothyronine. Blood serum concentrations of reverse-triiodothyronine of group A was significantly higher in group A on day 28 and 14 than group B before delivery. Energy intake had little influence on the serum concentrations of other constituents (albumin, total protein, immunoglobulin G, total and free cholesterol, nonesterified fatty acids). Restricted energy intake that does not alter thyrotropin-thyrotropin-releasing hormone secretion results in higher rate of production of reverse-triiodothyronine and in decreased serum concentration of triiodothyronine. Slight changes of energy balance might be indicated readily by reverse-triiodothyronine concentration in blood serum.