Heterotrophic plate count methodology in the United States

In the United States (US), the history of bacterial plate counting (BPC) methods used for water can be traced largely through Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (Standard Methods). The bacterial count method has evolved from the original Standard Methods (1st edition, 1905) plate count which used nutrient gelatin and incubation at 20 degrees C for 48 h, to the HPC method options in the latest edition of Standard Methods that provide greater flexibility of application, depending on the data needs of the water analyst. The use of agar-agar as a gelling agent, replacing gelatin, allowed the use of higher incubation temperatures and resulted in the "body temperature count" (37 degrees C) found in the 3rd through the 8th edition of Standard Methods. The change from 37 degrees C incubation to 35+/-0.5 degrees C accommodated laboratories that did both milk and water analyses. By using a single temperature, fewer incubators were needed. The term "standard plate count" (SPC) first appeared in 1960 (11th edition) along with plate count agar. Incubation at 20 degrees C for the plate count was dropped from the 13th to 15th editions and few changes were made in the SPC method from the 11th edition through the 13th editions. Plate count analysis of bottled waters was included in the 14th edition (1975), calling for incubation at 35+/-0.5 degrees C for 72+/-4 h. Perhaps the most significant changes in plate count methods occurred with the 16th edition (1985). The term heterotrophic plate count replaced the standard plate count, and the spread plate (SP) and membrane filter (MF) methods were added along with new media for pour and spread plates (R2A agar and NWRI agar, both low nutrient) and for the membrane filter method (mHPC medium). The use of low nutrient media, lower incubation temperature, and longer incubation times, results in higher plate count results for most water samples. The options currently available, including low and high nutrient media, incubation temperatures (20 degrees C, 28 degrees C or 35 degrees C), plating methods (pour plate (PP), spread plate and membrane filter) and range of incubation times (24, 48, 72 h and 5-7 days) provide great flexibility in the application of the HPC analysis to drinking water.     

Thermal reactive hazards of HMX with contaminants

In the past, many unexpected runaway accidents occurred in manufacturing processes, involving volatile chemical and explosive storage and transportation. Incompatible product reactions of high explosives must be carefully considered using loss prevention strategies for thermal hazards risk analysis. High explosive reactions vary via environmental changes, contact materials, or process situations, such as onset temperature and shifts in reaction type when high explosives are in contact with contaminants. Therefore, the manufacture and handling of high explosives require the utmost in safety and loss prevention. HMX (cyclotetramethyene tetranitramine) is one kind of high explosive widely used around the world which is stable with high detonation strength properties. In this study, the influences of contaminants on HMX are investigated. The studied contaminants include ferrous chloride tetrahydrate, ferric chloride hexahydrate, acetone solution, acetic acid, and nitric acid. DSC thermal curves and incompatible reaction kinetic evaluations were preformed using iron, chlorine and acid. Organic acetone solution has lesser effects on HMX. Hopefully, this study will lead to improved thermal hazards risk analysis and reduce accidents.     

Reference structure tomography

Reference structure tomography (RST) uses multidimensional modulations to encode mappings between radiating objects and measurements. RST may be used to image source-density distributions, estimate source parameters, or classify sources. The RST paradigm permits scan-free multidimensional imaging, data-efficient and computation-efficient source analysis, and direct abstraction of physical features. We introduce the basic concepts of RST and illustrate the use of RST for multidimensional imaging based on a geometric radiation model.     

Direct from polyacrylamide gel infrared laser desorption/ionization

The direct combination of gel electrophoresis and infrared laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry has been demonstrated. We present results for infrared laser desorption and ionization mass spectrometry of peptides and proteins directly from a polyacrylamide gel without the addition of a matrix. Analyte molecules up to 6 kDa were ionized directly from a vacuum-dried sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel after electrophoretic separation. Mass spectra were obtained at the wavelength of 2.94 microm, which is consistent with IR absorption by N-H and O-H stretch vibrations of water and other constituents of the gel. A 5-nmol quantity of peptide or protein was loaded per gel slot, although it was possible to obtain mass spectra from a small fraction of the gel spot. This technique shows promise for the direct identification of both parent and fragment masses of proteins contained in polyacrylamide gels.     

Optical characterization and applications of a dual-cure photopolymerizable system

The optical response of a photopolymerizable formulation consisting of a bisphenol A epoxy acrylate oligomer, a divinyl ether, and a photoinitiator system containing Rose Bengal was studied by recording holographic gratings. This blend is sensitive to blue-green light. Single- and double-exposure volume phase holograms were recorded. In addition to these examples, surface depth measurements were made by means of a holographic contour technique.     

Development of a polymer stent with shape memory effect as a drug delivery system

The article presents a new concept for vascular endoprothesis (stent). Almost all commercially available stents are made of metallic materials. A common after effect of stent implantation is restenosis. Several studies on metal stents coated with drug show, that the use of a drug delivery system may reduce restenosis. The purpose of this work is to develop a new stent for the drug delivery application. The shape memory properties of thermoplastic polyurethane allow to design a new fully polymeric self-expandable stent. The possibility to use the stent as a drug delivery system is described.     

Curvature matching and strain relief in bucky-tori: usage of sp3-hybridization and nonhexagonal rings

The relief of different types of curvature strain in bucky-tori of elemental carbon is considered in a general formal framework. This theory then is used to aid in the design of several structures, which are treated via molecular mechanics. Novel illustrations of the remnant strain are made, and some modest conclusions as to the nature of the structure of the experimentally observed bucky-tori are suggested.     

Field portable XRF analysis of environmental samples

One of the critical factors for successfully conducting contamination characterization, removal, and remedial operations at hazardous waste sites is rapid and appropriate response to analyze samples in a timely fashion. Turnaround time associated with off-site analysis is often too slow to support efficient utilization of the data. Field portable X-ray fluorescence (FPXRF) techniques provide viable and effective analytical approaches to meet on-site analysis needs for many types of environmental samples. Applications include the in situ analysis of metals in soils and sediments, thin films/particulates, and lead in paint.