The presence of Enterococcus, coliforms and E. coli in a commercial yeast manufacturing process

This study evaluated a typical commercial yeast manufacturing process for bacterial contamination. Product line samples of a commercial yeast manufacturing process and the corresponding seed yeast manufacturing process were obtained upstream from the final compressed and dry yeast products. All samples were analysed before (non-PI) and after preliminary incubation (PI) at 37 degrees C for 24 h. The PI procedure was incorporated for amplification of bacterial counts below the lower detection limit. Enterococcus, coliform and Escherichia coli counts were quantified by standard pour-plate techniques using selective media. Presence at all stages and progressive increases in counts of Enterococcus, coliforms and E. coli during processing in the commercial manufacturing operation suggested that the primary source of contamination of both compressed and dry yeast with these bacteria was the seed yeast manufacturing process and that contamination was amplified throughout the commercial yeast manufacturing process. This was confirmed by surveys of the seed yeast manufacturing process which indicated that contamination of the seed yeast with Enterococcus, coliforms and E. coli occurred during scale up of seed yeast biomass destined as inoculum for the commercial fermentation.     

A method for extraction and quantification of Ginkgo terpene trilactones

A method was developed for the extraction and quantification of pharmacologically active terpene trilactones (ginkgolides, bilobalide) from the tissues of Ginkgo biloba L. and pharmaceutical ginkgo products by RP-HPLC, based on the theory of terpene trilactones ionization. Four ginkgolides (GA, GB, GC, GJ) and bilobalide (BB) from both the ginkgo leaves and commercially available ginkgo extracts were quantitatively extracted by using this method. The recovery rate of the method was 97.5-100% with RSD of 1.2-2.8%. The detection limit was 0.05-0.1 microg, and the linear range was 0.1-12 microg. This detection limit represents a marked improvement over previously reported methods, suggesting the new method is a viable technique for routine analysis of ginkgo terpene trilactones in natural and commercial samples. The method reported by van Beek et al. in 1991 (van Beek, T. A.; Scheeren, H. A.; Rantio T.; Melger, W. C.; Lelyveld, G. P. J. Chromatogr. 1991, 543, 375-387.) was used as a reference method to monitor the accuracy of extraction and analysis in this study. SSI-MS technique was used to identify isolated target components. Carbohydrase treatment and solubility of terpene trilactones in various solvents were also discussed.     

An application of design space for assembly process reasoning to utilize current assembly plant resources for new product family members

A successful and profitable product platform strategy requires both product family architecture and assembly process reasoning. New product family member production cost and time can be significantly reduced by utilizing available assembly resources, which can be achieved through systematic assembly process reasoning. A method to utilize existing assembly plant resources, during the development of new product family members, requires comparing feasible assembly processes with exiting assembly plants. The set of feasible assembly sequences for a product family member is modelled by developing an assembly sequence design space, which is combinatorial in nature, and applying constraints on the space. Models that capture effects of constraints on these spaces, explicitly represent feasible regions, and efficiently enumerate designs within this space are investigated. The feasible space is then searched to determine new product assembly sequence that will require minimum change in the current assembly plant. An automotive front structure family is utilized to demonstrate application of the assembly sequence space to perform assembly reasoning to increase exiting assembly plant resource utilization.     

Development and preliminary evaluation of a pediatric measure of community integration: The Pediatric Community Participation Questionnaire (PCPQ).

Objective: To develop and evaluate a new pediatric measure of community integration: the Pediatric Community Participation Questionnaire (PCPQ). Participants: 105 youths with physical disabilities. Measures: In addition to the PCPQ, demographic and disability-related questions and the Functional Disability Inventory (FDI) were administered. Results: The PCPQ demonstrated convergent validity through its high association with functional ability, discriminant validity through its ability to discriminate between ambulatory and nonambulatory participants, and excellent internal consistency. Conclusions: Community participation, an important component of positive overall development, may be particularly important for youths with physical disabilities. The findings from this study provide preliminary support for the validity and reliability of the PCPQ, supporting its use as a measure of community participation with this population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Shallow Trench Isolation for the 45-nm CMOS Node and Geometry Dependence of STI Stress on CMOS Device Performance

In the present work, a high aspect ratio process (HARP) using a new O₃/TEOS based sub atmospheric chemical vapor deposition process was implemented as STI gapfill in sub-65-nm CMOS. Good gapfill performance up to aspect ratios greater than 10:1 was demonstrated. Since the HARP process does not attack the STI liner as compared to HDP, a variety of different STI liners can be implemented. By comparing HARP with HDP, the geometry dependence of nand p-FET performance due to STI stress is discussed     

Contingency management and levodopa-carbidopa for cocaine treatment: A comparison of three behavioral targets.

New data support use of levodopa pharmacotherapy with behavioral contingency management (CM) as one efficacious combination in cocaine dependence disorder treatment. A potential mechanism of the combined treatment effects may be related to dopamine-induced enhancement of the saliency of contingently delivered reinforcers. Evidence to support this mechanism was sought by evaluating levodopa-enhancing effects across distinct CM conditions that varied in behavioral targets. A total of 136 treatment-seeking, cocaine dependent subjects participated in this 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of levodopa (vs. placebo) administered in combination with one of three behavioral CM conditions. In the CM-URINE condition, subjects received cash-valued vouchers contingent on cocaine-negative urine toxicology results. In the CM-ATTEND condition, the same voucher schedule was contingent on attending thrice weekly clinic visits. In the CM-MEDICATION condition, the same voucher schedule was contingent on Medication Event Monitoring Systems- and riboflavin-based evidence of pill-taking behavior. Primary outcomes associated with each CM target behavior were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models for repeated outcomes. CM responding in the CM-ATTEND and CM-MEDICATION conditions showed orderly effects, with each condition producing corresponding changes in targeted behaviors, regardless of medication condition. In contrast, CM responding in the CM-URINE condition was moderated by medication, with levodopa-treated subjects more likely to submit cocaine-negative urines. These findings specify the optimal target behavior for CM when used in combination with levodopa pharmacotherapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

JEP : General in the 21st century.

This article discusses some of the ambitious goals that the new editor has for the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General in the 21st century. Some goals discussed are: increased breadth of representation across experimental psychology; enhanced communication and accountability; increased internationalism and diversity; decreased editorial and publication lag; and publication criteria. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Apparatus for investigating boiling phenomena in a fibrous porous medium

Recent advances in paper drying research have identified a phase-change process that offers significant improvements in drying rates and sheet solids contents. A fundamental study focusing on the hypothesized boiling process within the sheet required the development of an apparatus to perform boiling experiments in a bed of ceramic fibers. The apparatus is composed of a boiling cell, a heat supply system, a digital data acquisition system, and associated process control systems for control of heater surface temperature and cell pressure. Boiling curves measured with this system indicate that heat transfer is governed largely by the physical characteristics of the fiber bed. This paper presents a detailed explanation of the boiling apparatus.     

Benzofuran-terminated infrared dyes and their electro-optic properties in guest-host polymers

Molecular first hyperpolarizabilities and dipole moments of new benzo-fused dyes were calculated using quantum-mechanical density functional theory (DFT). Two new infrared dyes were synthesized: each one was terminated with 6-diethylaminobenzo[b]furan on one end, and with CF₃-tricyanodihydrofuran on the other end. The midsection of the π-electron framework for one dye contained a morpholino-substituted cyclohexenylene unit, and the other dye contained an ethoxysiloxane-substituted cyclohexenylene unit. Guest-host films were deposited on ITO-glass and contact poled. Electro-optic coefficients (r₃₃) were measured at a wavelength of 1550 nm by the attenuated total reflection method and by a modified simple Teng-Man reflection method. The measured values of r₃₃ were compared with values estimated from a well-known model that employs the molecular properties of the dyes and the film poling parameters. Thermal stability and electronic absorption spectra of the dyes were measured.     

Anodic titania films as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

Titania thin films were prepared through the anodisation of titanium metal in a 1.0 M sulphuric acid solution at 80 °C utilising a series of pulsed dc constant currents of increasing magnitude. Films were then tested as a potential anode material for lithium batteries using a variety of techniques. Electrochemical testing revealed that the films (3.8 cm²) offered good rate capabilities affording a constant capacity of 48 μAh for a constant current of 10 μA which decreased to 25 μAh on increasing the current to 1250 μA. Cyclic voltammetry was conducted over a range of scan rates from which capacitive currents were examined and rate constants, transfer coefficients and diffusion coefficients calculated. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was conducted over six potentials in the range 0.1-2.7 V with the experimental data successfully modelled using an equivalent circuit with the notation R(Q(RW))C. TEM observation of focussed ion beam milled cross-sections showed significant structural differences between the as-anodised film and those cycled in a lithium battery. Raman spectroscopy showed that the films had an anatase character that transformed into an unidentified lithium-containing, titanate phase on cycling. Based on a film thickness of 100 nm, and assuming density of 4 g cm⁻³ such films offered a stable capacity of 316 mAh g⁻¹.