Arrest and propagation of a brittle crack in structural steels. Report 2

The authors describe a laboratory method of determining the fracture toughness of structural steel in the crack propagation stage K_ID. The K_ID — a dependences were obtained for three structural ferritic-pearlitic and bainitic steels at different temperatures. The K_ID — a dependences are analyzed from the viewpoint of microstructural features of failure of these materials.     

The effects of whole-body restriction on task performance

Many occupations, particularly involving maintenance operations, require individuals to perform both physical tasks and mental tasks in restricted spaces. Researchers have examined physical task performance under various restrictions; however, little research has investigated the effects of restricted space on cognitive tasks. Cognitive task performance in restricted spaces presents cognitive demands (i.e. the task itself) as well as additional physical demands (e.g. awkward postures), which may adversely affect task performance or operator workload. This research focused on the effects of whole-body restrictions on cognitive task performance. An experiment was conducted that examined 9 levels of restriction created in a laboratory: an unrestricted control, 6 single whole-body restrictions at two severity levels (2 lateral, 2 sagittal and 2 vertical) and 2 multiple restrictions (sagittal/vertical, lateral/sagittal/vertical). An inspection task served as the cognitive task. Behavioural, physiological and psychophysical measures were collected and analysed to measure the operator and performance effects. Operator response differences were found among the various forms of restriction as well as the severity level of similar forms of restriction. Increasing restriction significantly affected the behavioural and physiological operator response as opposed to the cognitive response.     

Fruchtsaftverderb durch Bacillen: Isolierung und Charakterisierung des Verderbserregers

Zusammenfassung Aus einem verdorbenen Apfel-Fruchtnektar konnte einBacillus-Stamm als Verderbserreger isoliert werden. Dieser Stamm erwies sich als ausgeprägt acidophil und wuchs im pH-Bereich zwischen 2,5 und 5,5. Die Lipid-Analyse zeigte das Vorkommen von-Cyclohexan-Fettsäuren und Hopanoiden. Da diese Zellbestandteile bislang unter Bacillen nur inBacillus acidocaldarius-Stämmen aufgefunden wurden, scheint unser Isolat dieserBacillus-Art nahezustehen. Unser Isolat stellt eine Gefahr für Fruchtsäfte dar, sofern diese höheren Lagertemperaturen ( 26 °C) ausgesetzt werden, da dessen Sporen nachweislich eine Pasteurisation überleben können.

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Spoilage of fruit juice by Bacilli: Isolation and characterization of the spoiling microorganism

Summary ABacillus-strain was isolated from spoiled apple juice. This strain was acidophilic with a growth range between pH 2.5 and 5.5. Lipid analysis demonstrated the occurence of-cyclohexane fatty acids and hopanoids. As these cell constituents have among bacilli been found only inBacillus acidocaldarius strains, our isolated microorganism seems to be related to this species. Our organism could be a threat to fruit juices during storage at elevated temperatures ( 26 °C) because its spores were able to survive pasteurization conditions.

     

Composition and oxidation stability of SAE 15W-40 engine oils

The modified IP 48 procedure was used for testing the oxidation stability of engine oils for ignition engines of the SAE 15W-40 and minimum API SG/CD specifications. Eight engine oils, such as Agip, BP, Esso, Mogul, ÖMV, Petro-Canada, Shell, and Total, were collected and oxidised. Oils were also fractionated by using chromatographic methods, and group composition of base oils, amount of VI improvers and other additives were determined. Several differences in the oxidation stability were found between the collected oils. Viscosity characteristics, carbon residue, acid number, amount of pentane insolubles and mass losses during the test were chosen as parameters for evaluation of the oxidation stability of the oils. The most stable engine oil was blended from a hydrocracked base oil whereas most of the other oils were based on the solvent refined oils.     

Lipid Profiles of Tunisian Coriander (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coriandrum sativum</Emphasis>) Seed

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) seeds were harvested from the region of Korba (North-East Tunisia) in order to characterize their fatty acids, phytosterols, tocopherols and tocotrienols (tocols) profiles. Nine fatty acids, with petroselinic acid accounting for 76.6% of the total fatty acids, followed by linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids, accounting for 13.0, 5.4 and 3.4%, respectively, of the total fatty acids were identified. Neutral lipids (NLs) were mainly composed of triacylglycerols (98.4%). Polar lipids were mainly composed of phosphatidylcholine as the major phospholipid (PL) subclass, whereas digalactosyldiacylglycerol was the major galactolipid (GL). Total sterols content was estimated to be 36.93 mg/g oil. Stigmasterol accounted for 29.5% of the total sterols. Other representative sterols were β-sitosterol, Δ⁷-stigmasterol and Δ⁵, 24-stigmastadienol, which accounted for 24.8, 16.3 and 9.2%, respectively. Gamma-tocotrienol was the predominant tocol at 238.40 μg/g seed oil. This was equivalent to 72.8% of the total tocols followed by γ-tocopherol (8.06%) and α-tocopherol (7.6%).     

Essential oil,fatty acid and sterol composition of Tunisian coriander fruit different parts

BACKGROUND: Seed and pericarp of coriander fruit were compared in terms of essential oil, fatty acids and sterols. RESULTS: Essential oil yield of coriander samples ranged from 0.30 to 0.68% (w/w) in fruit and seed, respectively. However, in pericarp, the essential oil yield was only of 0.04% (w/w). Linalool was the major compound in the whole fruit, seed and pericarp, with 86.1%, 91.1% and 24.6% of the oils, respectively. Fatty acid composition of pericarp and seed lipids were investigated by gas chromatography. Petroselinic acid was the main compound of fruit and seed, followed by linoleic and oleic acids. Palmitic and linoleic acids were estimated in higher amounts in pericarp lipids. Total sterol contents were 36.93 g kg^?1 oil in seed, 6.29 g kg^?1 oil in fruit and 4.30 g kg^?1 oil in pericarp. Fruit and pericarp oils were characterized by a high proportion of β‐sitosterol, with 36.7% and 49.4% of total sterols, respectively. However, stigmasterol (29.5%) was found to be the sterol marker in seed oils. CONCLUSION: Coriander oil is a rich source of many compounds such as essential oils, fatty acids and sterols. This compound distribution presented significant differences between whole fruit, seed and pericarp. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of potent odorants in heated egg yolk by aroma extract dilution analysis

Egg yolk was extracted using the method of Likens-Nickerson (simultaneous distillation/extraction). The resulting aroma extract, which smelled characteristic of heated egg yolk was analysed by aroma extract dilution analysis and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Of 41 odorants that were detected, 19 could be identified. Compounds with high flavour dilution factors were methional, phenyl acetaldehyde, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, heptanal, 1-octen-3-one and (E,E)-2,4-decadienal. Strecker degradation of methionine, phenylalanine and proline, as well as autoxidation of phospholipid-bound linoleic and arachidonic acids are proposed as the major factors for egg yolk flavour formation.     

2-CDA in treatment of hairy cell leukemia: a comparison between intravenous and subcutaneous administration. Swiss Study Group of Applied Cancer Research

2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CDA) is very effective in the treatment of patients with hairy-cell leukaemia, with an overall response rate of 80-95%. The standard treatment is a continuous intravenous infusion for 7 days. The bioavailability of 2-CDA after subcutaneous injection is 100%, but the concentration-time profile is completely different compared to continuous intravenous administration. In the present study we compared the intravenous standard treatment (group 1, n = 22; 0.1 mg/kg/d for 7 days, civ.) with subcutaneous administration of 2-CDA (group 2, n = 62; 0.14 mg/kg/d for 5 days, s.c.) in patients with hairy-cell leukaemia. In group 1, 96% (21/22) of patients responded to 2-CDA (complete remission 73%, partial remission 23%) and in the second group 97% were responsive (complete response 76%, 47/62; partial remission 21%, 13/62). The percentage for moderate and severe infections in the trial with intravenous and subcutaneous treatment was 14% and 26% respectively (p = 0.37). We conclude that subcutaneous administration of 2-CDA in patients with hairy-cell leukaemia is feasible and economical and results in comparable responses and toxicity compared to the intravenous standard treatment.