The evaluation of formaldehyde,bronopol, tylosin and pimaricin as additives in simulated silage

Formaldehyde, Bronopol, tylosin and pimaricin were tested as silage additives in simulated silage based on laboratory media and microbial inocula. Fermentation was restricted by 33 mM formaldehyde, 1.2 mM Bronopol and 0.2 mM tylosin. Pimaricin had little effect on fermentation but a level of 0.3 mM prevented mould growth when the silages were exposed to air. The antimicrobial effects of formaldehyde and Bronopol, the antibacterial effect of tylosin and the antimycotic effect of pimaricin support the results obtained in earlier work with cultures of silage microorganisms. The concentrations required to prevent growth of lactic acid bacteria were, however, about four times higher than in pure culture tests. The levels of formaldehyde and Bronopol required to prevent fermentation in the simulated silages are, however, less than in needed in the test-tube silos containing forage.     

Syngas fermentation in a 100-L pilot scale fermentor: Design and process considerations

Fermentation of syngas offers several advantages compared to chemical catalysts such as higher specificity of biocatalysts, lower energy costs, and higher carbon efficiency. Scale-up of syngas fermentation from a bench scale to a pilot scale fermentor is a critical step leading to commercialization. The primary objective of this research was to install and commission a pilot scale fermentor, and subsequently scale-up the Clostridium strain P11 fermentation from a 7.5-L fermentor to a pilot scale 100-L fermentor. Initial preparation and fermentations were conducted in strictly anaerobic conditions. The fermentation system was maintained in a batch mode with continuous syngas supply. The effect of anaerobic fermentation in a pilot scale fermentor was evaluated. In addition, the impact of improving the syngas mass transfer coefficient on the utilization and product formation was studied. Results indicate a six fold improvement in ethanol concentration compared to serum bottle fermentation, and formation of other compounds such as isopropyl alcohol, acetic acid and butanol, which are of commercial importance.     

Operation of a commercial solar gel pond

The solar gel pond is an innovative concept which overcomes many of the shortcomings of the conventional salt-gradient solar pond. In this paper, the design, construction and start-up details of a commercial scale pond (400 m²), built for a publishing company in Albuquerque, New Mexico will be presented. A pond with trapezoidal cross section was designed so that shadowing could be minimized and also the ratio of surface area to the volume of the storage zone could be maximized. The publishing company required a minimum of 1 GJ/day (1MBTU/day). Generally it has been noted that in ponds with large volume a lesser percentage of retained energy is lost as edge losses. Based on the above consideration a pond size of 400 m² and 5 m deep with a gel thickness of 60 cm and a mass flow rate (for the heat extraction loop) of 1 × 10⁻⁴ to 1 × 10⁻³ kg/m²·sec was determined to be the optimum size for the publishing company's needs. Two to seven percent salt water was used mainly to keep the gel bags floating on the surface. Tedlar bags were used to contain the gel. During the first year of operation, while the pond was still heating up, the pond obtained a temperature of 60°C and the gel showed no signs of degradation.     

Geomorphic comparison of two Atlantic coastal rivers: Toward an understanding of physical controls on Atlantic salmon habitat

River channel substrate size and mobility are important to Atlantic salmon spawning and rearing success. We compare morphology and bed sediment between two North American Atlantic coastal streams (Narraguagus River, Maine, USA and Jacquet River, New Brunswick, Canada). The watersheds have similar drainage areas and mean annual precipitation, but differing relief structure, channel longitudinal profiles and numbers of returning salmon. The lower‐relief Narraguagus River is segmented into steeper (gradient >0.002) and flatter reaches (gradient <0.0005). Flat reaches, including mainstem lakes, act as sediment sinks, preventing the continuity of downstream sediment transport. Based on field measurements, the Narraguagus River has a larger high‐flow width to depth ratio than the Jacquet River, but this difference is principally the result of outliers from low‐gradient channel reaches. Measurements of substrate grain size reveal finer river‐bed sediments on the Narraguagus River, however, Shields parameter calculations indicate that bed sediment should be mobile during high flows in both streams. We use the Shields equation to predict grain size based on channel slope, width and drainage area measured from digital elevation models (DEM) and aerial photographs. Predictions of median grain size agree with field measurements within a factor of 2 for 62–70% of the survey stations. We suggest ways that model misfits may provide opportunities to prioritize reach‐based restoration efforts. Based on expected grain size, we estimate 62% spawning and 68% rearing habitat along the length of the Narraguagus River, and 28 and 95% respectively on the Jacquet. Overall, glacial history and relief structure appear to be the first‐order controls on substrate grain size and habitat quality in these two rivers. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stay on Your Feet Safety Walks Group

The Safety Walks Group is an initiative that evolved from the Stay on Your Feet Program. The strategies used in this program target both behavioural and environmental change and are based on the five areas for action under the Ottawa Charter (WHO, 1986) and Jakarta Declaration (WHO, 1997). The Safety Walks Group addresses the issue of public hazards via the use of a standard checklist covering pedestrian areas, business houses and accommodation. The project provided a forum for seniors to be proactive, working with the authorities to address the issue of public hazards and make the environment safer.     

Double free-flap reconstruction of massive defects involving the lip, chin, and mandible

Men develop perioperative ulnar neuropathies more frequently than women. To determine the role of anatomical gender differences in the development of these neuropathies, we performed several studies of the anatomy of the ulnar nerve, cubital tunnel, and elbow region. These studies included detailed dissection of male and female embalmed and unembalmed cadavers, ultrasound measurements of the tissue layers at the elbow, and measurement of various dimensions of the coronoid process of the ulna in multiple skeletal sets. No gross anatomical differences were found between genders regarding the course of the ulnar nerve through the upper limb. However, there was a strikingly larger (2-19 times greater) fat content on the medial aspect of the elbow in women compared to men, and the tubercle of the coronoid process was approximately 1.5 times larger in men (P < or = .002, rank sum test). Our finding suggest that the tubercle of the coronoid process is a likely area for external compression-induced ischemia of the ulnar nerve because the nerve and its arterial supply (the posterior ulnar recurrent artery) are covered at the tubercle only by skin, subcutaneous fat, and a very thin aponeurosis of the flexor carpi ulnaris. Importantly, this tubercle is larger and the nerve and blood vessels passing by it are less protected by subcutaneous fat in men than in women. These two anatomical differences between men and women may contribute to the increased frequency of perioperative ulnar neuropathy induced by external pressure at the medial aspect of the elbow in men.     

Seniors' needs for health-related personal assistance

OBJECTIVES: This article examines social and economic differences in the prevalence of needs and unmet needs for health-related personal assistance among the household population aged 65 and older and the sources from which they received support. DATA SOURCE: The data are from the 1991 Health and Activity Limitation Survey (HALS). ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES: All calculations were based on weighted data. Age-standardized percentages of people with needs and unmet needs for personal assistance were calculated by sex, marital status, living arrangements, education, and household income. MAIN RESULTS: In 1991, 30% of seniors living in private households had some need for health-related personal assistance. Three-quarters of them required help only with instrumental activities of daily living (IADL); the remainder needed help with basic activities of daily living (ADL). The prevalence of need and unmet need was higher among women than men, was inversely related to household income and education, and was relatively high among formerly married seniors and those living alone. Household seniors were more likely to receive personal assistance from informal than formal sources, although this varied depending on their socioeconomic characteristics and the type of assistance they received.     

Performance of glucose biosensor based on oxygen electrode in physiological fluids and at body temperature

A potentially implantable glucose biosensor for continuous monitoring of glucose levels in diabetic patients has been developed. The glucose biosensor is based on an amperometric oxygen electrode and glucose oxidase immobilized on carbon powder held in the form of a liquid suspension. The enzyme material can be replaced (the sensor recharged) without sensor disassembly. Diffusion membranes made of silastic coatings over a microporous polycarbonate membrane are used. Calibration curves of the sensors in phosphate buffer solution and in undiluted blood plasma at body temperature have been obtained. The reproducibility of the sensor response in serum at body temperature is demonstrated. The sensors have a stable signal during storage and continuous operation at body temperature for a period of at least one month.