Release and characterization of single side chains of white cabbage pectin and their complement‐fixing activity

A mixture of single side chains from white cabbage pectin were obtained by anion exchange chromatography after applying mild chemical conditions promoting β‐elimination. These pectin fragments were characterized by their molecular weight distribution, sugar composition, ¹³C‐NMR, and MALDI‐TOF‐MS analysis. These analyses revealed that the large oligosaccharides released by β‐eliminative treatment were composed of α‐1,5 linked arabinosyl residues with 2‐ and 3‐linked α‐arabinosyl side chains, and, or β‐1,4 linked galactosyl side chains. Fractions were tested for complement‐fixing activity in order to determine their interaction with the complement system. These results strongly indicated that there was a minimal unit size responsible for the complement‐fixing activity. Neutral pectin fragments (?8 kDa) obtained from β‐elimination were inactive in the complement system, although they contained a sugar composition previously shown to be highly active. Larger pectin fragments (?17 kDa) retained some activity, but much lower than polymers containing rhamnogalacturonan type 1 (RGI) structures isolated from the same source. This implied that structural elements containing multiple side chains is necessary for efficient complement‐fixing activity.     

Backwards type analysis of asynchronous method calls

Asynchronous method calls have been proposed to better integrate object orientation with distribution. In the language, asynchronous method calls are combined with so-called processor release points in order to allow concurrent objects to adapt local scheduling to network delays in a very flexible way. However, asynchronous method calls complicate the type analysis by decoupling input and output information for method calls, which can be tracked by a type and effect system. Interestingly, backwards type analysis simplifies the effect system considerably and allows analysis in a single pass. This paper presents a kernel language with asynchronous method calls and processor release points, a novel mechanism for local memory deallocation related to asynchronous method calls, an operational semantics in rewriting logic for the language, and a type and effect system for backwards analysis. Source code is translated into runtime code as an effect of the type analysis, automatically inserting inferred type information in method invocations and operations for local memory deallocation in the process. We establish a subject reduction property, showing in particular that method lookup errors do not occur at runtime and that the inserted deallocation operations are safe.     

Practical Design Considerations or Inverter Drives

Several design features incorporated into a line of pulse-width modulated inverter drives are described. They include voltage and current protective circuits that provide SCR protection without fuses. A modified McMurray communication circuit is covered. Design considerations for high-voltage (460 V) inverters and paralleling of inverters are discussed. Finally, a modular packaging system providing good maintainability is described.     

Combined probabilistic testability calculation and compact test generation for PLAs

PLAs (programmable logic arrays) may be tested internally by self-test, or externally by applying test patterns. Fault coverage by nonexhaustive self-test is assured by computing a lower bound for estimated fault coverage vs. test pattern number. First, a lower bound for probabilistic detectability per fault is computed by a method based on Shannon's expansion theorem. In the process of finding a lower bound detectability for a particular fault, a test pattern for the fault is generated automatically, at no extra cost. These patterns often contain several don't cares. Traditional test pattern compaction is then applied to the test pattern set. In addition, a novel test pattern compaction method is introduced, suitable for embedded circuitry. The method may be used in conjunction with a serial scan architecture, whereby each test pattern is shifted one position before being applied to the circuit under test. The compaction scheme was applied to a benchmark set of 53 PLAs. An average reduction of 70% in the number of test bits and clock cycles was achieved.¹ This work was done while B. Reppen was with the Norwegian Institute of Technology.     

Multiple integrated applications for low-to medium-temperature geothermal resources in Iceland

There is an increasing global demand for a faster, more expansive development in the energy sector, in order to improve the standard of living of the world's population by the creation of more jobs and better living conditions. The public is, however, well aware of the damage that has been done to the environment, in the form of deforestation, despoiling of lakes and rivers and, in particular, greenhouse effects, and it is unwilling to further sacrifice its natural environment. This decision puts pressure on scientists, engineers and developers to find ways and means of attaining “sustainable energy development”. In other words, the challenge now is to achieve the sustainable development of alternative renewable energy resources. Sustainability may be achieved in a number of ways, but the one most likely to result in a rapid increase in energy output without a deleterious impact on the environment is the revamping and integration of what we already have. This paper attempts to address sustainability as it applies to geothermal energy. We describe the concept of a multiple integrated use of geothermal energy, including the tenable benefits that can be obtained from applying this concept, such as a longer reservoir lifespan, a lower specific environmental impact, and greater marketing flexibility and profitability. The paper also emphasises the importance of achieving a maximum effective temperature drop across the application, commensurate with a minimum flow rate, optimal pumping characteristics and minimal fluid extraction from the geothermal reservoir. In geothermal house heating systems this means using large and effective radiators, dual-pipe heating systems, and thermostatic controls on each radiator. Where modifications to existing house heating systems are not feasible, e.g. by conversion from a single-pipe to a dual-pipe system or installation of larger radiators, an alternative solution is to adopt a cascaded flow of the geothermal fluid through a combination of heating systems operating at different temperature levels. For economic reasons it is always better to use the geothermal water directly if its chemical quality permits us to do so, otherwise heat exchangers made of resistant materials will be needed to isolate the geothermal fluid from the heating fluid in order to avoid corrosion or scaling in the pipes and radiators. The heat exchangers should be designed in such a way as to obtain a maximum temperature drop of the geothermal fluid. The paper also describes some heating system configurations, the characteristics of geothermal heating systems and their automatic control systems, as well as recommended geothermal field management and monitoring systems. The paper also includes a few examples of existing projects to demonstrate what has already been achieved and what could be done in the future; some suggestions are also made for new developments and innovations to make geothermal energy more generally attractive and useful worldwide.     

The inner lining system in Norwegian traffic tunnels

A number of different Water and Frost Protection Systems, or so-called inner linings, have during the years been introduced and tested in Norwegian road tunnels. At present a limited number of such systems have been approved by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA). These systems will all be described in brief. A system based on pre-cast concrete segments will be described in details, including the installation procedure. Experience and limitations associated with this system will also be discussed. A basic design concept for using an inner lining as water and frost protection is that there is no interaction between the inner lining and the rock support. The rock support practise in Norwegian traffic tunnels will also be briefly described in this paper. Sprayed concrete and rock bolts are the main support measures. In-situ cast-in-place concrete lining is only used locally to solve severe stability problems.     

Thermal conductivity of anisotropic,inhomogeneous high‐density foam calculated from three‐dimensional reconstruction of microtome images

An effective method is developed to predict the thermal conductivity of thick foam insulation on offshore oil and gas pipelines. High‐resolution three‐dimensional (3D) images (212 megavoxels) spanning macroscopic sample volumes (38 × 19 × 4 mm³) are obtained and used to create a 3D geometry of the foam. A gravimetric technique is developed to measure the mass density through the foam thickness and used to verify the 3D geometry. The local anisotropic thermal conductivity through the thickness of the foam is calculated using the finite element method on the 3D geometry and the results are verified against measurements and found to be in good agreement. Results show that thermal conductivity is dependent on morphology. For the highly anisotropic part of the foam where the long axes of the bubbles are oriented parallel to the axial direction of the pipe, the radial thermal conductivity is lowered significantly compared to more isotropic foam. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1020‐1028, 2013     

Chemical and fatty acid composition of Manchego type and Panela cheeses manufactured from either hair sheep milk or cow milk

This study compared the chemical composition and fatty acid (FA) profile of Manchego type cheese and Panela cheese made from hair sheep milk and compared these with both types of cheese manufactured with cow milk as a reference. In addition, this study aimed to determine differences in sensory characteristics between Manchego type cheeses manufactured with either hair sheep milk or cow milk. A total of 25 and 14 Manchego type cheeses from hair sheep milk and cow milk were manufactured, respectively. In addition, 30 and 15 Panela cheeses from hair sheep milk and cow milk were manufactured, respectively. The chemical composition and FA profile were determined in all cheeses. In addition, a sensory analysis was performed in Manchego type cheeses manufactured from either hair sheep milk or cow milk. Moisture content was lower in Manchego type cheeses (37.5 ± 1.26 and 37.5 ± 1.26 g/100 g in cheeses manufactured from hair sheep milk and cow milk, respectively) than in Panela cheeses (54.0 ± 1.26 and 56.1 ± 1.26 g/100 g in cheeses manufactured from hair sheep milk and cow milk, respectively). Ash, protein, and sodium contents were higher in Manchego type cheeses than in Panela cheeses. Manchego type cheese manufactured from hair sheep milk contained more C4:0, C6:0, C8:0, C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, C18:2 cis-9,cis-12, total saturated FA, total short-chain FA, total medium-chain FA, total polyunsaturated FA, and de novo FA than Manchego type cheeses from cow milk. Total content of short-chain FA was higher in hair sheep cheeses (24.4 ± 1.30 and 19.6 ± 1.30 g/100 g in Manchego type and Panela cheeses, respectively) than in cow cheeses (8.89 ± 1.30 and 8.26 ± 1.30 g/100 g in Manchego type and Panela cheeses, respectively). Manchego type cheeses from hair sheep milk obtained higher scores for odor (7.05), texture (6.82), flavor (7.16), and overall acceptance (7.16) compared with those made from cow milk (6.37, 6.12, 6.17, and 6.83, respectively). In conclusion, both Manchego type cheese and Panela cheese manufactured with hair sheep milk had a similar chemical composition and contained higher levels of short-chain FA, total polyunsaturated FA, and de novo FA than those manufactured with cow milk.     

美军头盔新宠

在3月结束的美国2011年枪展上，Ops—Cored司（国内有译法称为“作战核心公司”）展出了以FAST系列头盔为主打的全系列产品，成为这次展览中的最大看点之一。