Thermal stability of P(HB‐co‐HV) and its blends with polyalcohols

The thermal stability of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) [P(HB‐co‐HV)] and its blends with poly(propylene glycol)s (PPGs) and castor oil (CO) is reported. The study includes the determination of the degradation kinetics of these materials and the analysis of the effects of the degradation on the mechanical properties and crystallization behavior. Spectroscopy (¹H‐NMR, FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry, and tensile testing techniques are used for the experimental analysis. A chain‐scission degradation mechanism is confirmed by the formation of vinyl groups. Two temperature ranges are investigated. In the range closest to the melting point, 100–200°C, where the blend does not exhibit weight reduction, a fast and sensible loss of molecular weight and tensile strength was detected. The second temperature range, 200–400°C, is characterized by mass loss by pyrolysis. In this range, different kinetic models of the degradation process are proposed. Polyalcohol addition produces opposite effects, while the addition of PPG enhances the degradation of P(HB‐co‐HV). When CO is added, the thermal stability of the blend increases. Mechanical properties of the blends before and after degradation were determined. The tensile modulus increases at the first step of degradation and decreases with the degradation time. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2889–2900, 2000     

Kinetic analysis of the thermal degradation of PVC plastisols

The thermal degradation of plasticized polyvinyl chloride (plastisol) is reported here. Plastisols used in the present work were prepared with the plasticizer diethylhexyl phthalate in different proportions. Thermogravimetric analysis has been applied to study the behavior of plastisols at high temperatures and to evaluate their degradation kinetics. Several tests were carried out at different heating rates and the variation of the degree of reaction with time and temperature was calculated. The influence of the heating rate in dynamic measurements (5–40°C/min) on kinetic parameters, such as activation energies and reaction orders, has also been studied. These parameters were calculated from dynamic thermogravimetric analysis tests using Friedman analysis and a kinetic model for the degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) and plastisols has been then developed. The obtained model was able to simulate the thermal degradation process of plastisols in dynamic conditions and was used to evaluate the effects of additives in the degradation. The results of this study can be used to optimize the concentration of plasticizers and stabilizers in poly(vinyl chloride) formulations. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 1069–1079, 1999     

Monitoring network for online diagnosis of power generators

A monitoring network developed to diagnose early faults in power generators is described. Nowadays, the appropriate operation of generators resides in the information provided by the online monitoring system, which is used to implement predictive maintenance for these machines and to provide early warning of potential failures.In this paper, the configuration of the monitoring system and a detailed study of the measured variables related to their physical behaviour within the generators’ operation are presented. The sensors used and the waveform analysis procedures are explained. Additionally, the architecture that constitutes the application programs and their characteristics as a data network is also described. Finally, some results recorded by the system are shown and discussed.     

Factors influencing proportion and composition of CLA in beef

Bovine meat is criticised for the bad nutritional image of its lipids and fatty acids. However, with dairy products, beef is the major source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which could have several human health benefits. The present study compared, from data of five nutritional experiments on bovine animals performed by the laboratory, the impact of factors linked to the animals (breed, age, sex, type of muscle) and to feeding conditions (basal diet, lipid supplements) on the CLA proportion and composition in muscles. Among these factors, linseed supplementation was an efficient way to increase CLA proportion in beef (+22% to +36%) but was highly modulated by the nature of the basal diet, and by intrinsic factors (breed, age/sex, type of muscle) since these ones could modulate CLA proportion in beef from 24% to 47%. Moreover, these factors modified also the proportion of cis,trans-CLA, related to cis,cis- and trans,trans-isomers. Specific biological properties of these latter isomers should be determine to understand the consequences of intramuscular CLA isomer variations for the health of consumers.     

Modulation of bovine mononuclear cell proliferation during physiological transitions of the mammary gland

Mammary secretions and blood were collected from five primiparous Holstein cows 14 d following cessation of milking and 14 d prior to parturition for preparation of serum and mammary secretion skim fractions. Mammary secretions and blood were collected from the same animals 15 to 18 d following cessation of milking and 2 to 13 d prior to parturition for isolation of mononuclear cells. Effects of serum on mammary gland mononuclear cell proliferation and skim fractions from mammary secretions on blood mononuclear cell proliferation were evaluated. Mononuclear cell proliferation was evaluated in a mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation assay and in a mixed leukocyte assay. Proliferative responses of blood and mammary gland mononuclear cells did not vary significantly between the two time periods evaluated. Mammary secretion skim fractions obtained at both time periods significantly suppressed blood mononuclear cell proliferation. In contrast, exogenous serum enhanced mammary gland mononuclear cell proliferation in response to mitogens and allogeneic cells. Ability to enhance in vitro proliferation of mammary mononuclear cells isolated during physiological transitions of the mammary gland may suggest the potential for enhancing mammary mononuclear cell proliferation in vivo to reduce incidence of new intramammary infections at times when the mammary gland is highly susceptible.     

Effect of smoke-free policies on the behaviour of social smokers

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that proposed amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act making all enclosed workplaces in Western Australia smoke free would result in a decrease in cigarette consumption by patrons at nightclubs, pubs, and restaurants without adversely affecting attendance. DESIGN: Cross sectional structured interview survey. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Patrons of several inner city pubs and nightclubs in Perth were interviewed while queuing for admission to these venues. OUTCOME MEASURES: Current social habits, smoking habits; and how these might be affected by the proposed regulations. Persons who did not smoke daily were classified as "social smokers." RESULTS: Half (50%) of the 374 patrons interviewed were male, 51% currently did not smoke at all, 34.3% smoked every day, and the remaining 15.7% smoked, but not every day. A clear majority (62.5%) of all 374 respondents anticipated no change to the frequency of their patronage of hospitality venues if smoke-free policies became mandatory. One in five (19.3%) indicated that they would go out more often, and 18.2% said they would go out less often. Half (52%) of daily smokers anticipated no change to their cigarette consumption, while 44.5% of daily smokers anticipated a reduction in consumption. A majority of social smokers (54%) predicted a reduction in their cigarette consumption, with 42% of these anticipating quitting. CONCLUSIONS: One in nine (11.5%) of smokers say that adoption of smoke-free policies would prompt them to quit smoking entirely without a significant decrease in attendance at pubs and nightclubs. There can be few other initiatives as simple, cheap, and popular that would achieve so much for public health.