Spontaneous Generation of Magnetic Flux in Superconductors: Testing the Model

The Kibble-Zurek scenario of the generation of topological defects, applied to superconductors, predicts the spontaneous formation of magnetic flux during a rapid quench through T^c. The predicted amount of net flux scales as the 1/8 power of the cooling rate, and as the square root of the circumference of the sample. Our experimental data is broadly consistent with the first prediction, while the second one is yet to be tested. We describe a proposed experiment to test this prediction. In addition, we describe additional observations of spontaneous flux generated through a different mechanism. PACS numbers: 05.70.Ln, 74.40.+k, 11.27.+d.     

Combined use of UV‐C irradiation and heat treatment to improve postharvest life of strawberry fruit

The effects of UV‐C (4.1 kJ m^?2) and heat treatment (45 °C, 3 h in air) either separately or combined on the quality of strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa cv Seascape) at the 75 or 50% surface red ripening stage were assessed, the latter stage being used only in the firmness test. In addition, the development of surface fungal infections was followed and in vitro germination assays on conidia of Botrytis cinerea and Rhizopus stolonifer performed. Both heat and combined treatments, decreased hue and delayed changes of the L* parameter. All treatments reduced the accumulation of anthocyanins. Control fruit softened most while fruit treated by the combined method were the firmest. The combined treatment reduced fungal infections and delayed in vitro germination of Botrytis cinerea conidia. After 2 days at 20 °C, treated fruit had lower amount of phenolics than the control. Neither the heat nor UV‐C irradiation modified the total sugar content, although the combined treatment decreased it slightly relative to the control. Titratable acidity increased through storage at 20 °C in all fruit, but no differences between control and treated fruit were detected. The combination of UV‐C and heat treatments enhanced the benefits of applying each treatment separately, and could be useful to improve and extend strawberry fruit postharvest life. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of the addition of microencapsulated Swiss cheese bioaroma on the technical and sensory qualities of cheese bread

This study evaluated the influence of the powdered bioaroma of Swiss cheese on the technical and sensory qualities of cheese bread. The methodology of the internal preference mapping was applied. The results revealed that cheese breads containing powdered bioaroma of Swiss cheese showed high sensorial quality in terms of aroma, flavour, global acceptance and intent to purchase. The addition of the powdered bioaroma positively influenced the texture, the main parameter of acceptance. The technical quality parameters of density and water activity were constant with increasing flavouring concentration, except for samples with 6.6% Swiss cheese bioaroma powder that showed higher values of density. The multidimensional preference analysis confirmed the anova results, allowing for the clear observation of the segmentation of consumers according to the sensory characteristics of the samples (0.0, 2.2, 4.4 and 6.6% bioaroma). Sensory analysis showed that consumers preferred samples having 6.6% bioaroma.     

Anti-listerial activity and biodiversity of cheese surface cultures: influence of the ripening temperature regime

Undefined microbial surface ripening consortia with anti-listerial activity were derived twice from mature retail red smear cheeses produced in factories R and K. Each of the four consortia (R , R , K , K ) was used for inoculation of soft cheeses, which were ripened according to two temperature regimes (13 °C, 13 d and 16 °C, 13 d/12 °C, 7 d, respectively) and subsequently stored at 8 °C. The protective potential of the cultures was determined by monitoring the growth of Listeria monocytogenes on the cheeses. While the protective potential of R and R was stable under both temperature regimes, the anti-listerial activity of cultures from factory K was affected by the ripening temperature. Identification of 1200 isolates revealed significant changes in the bacterial composition of all four consortia until the expiry date, while the flora successions clearly varied with different temperatures. It is shown that the temperature effect on the anti-listerial activity and composition of protective cultures in food production are individual characteristics of the respective consortia that can be monitored and used to optimize its contribution to food safety.     

On the challenges of establishing disjoint QoS IP/MPLS paths across multiple domains

MPLS is being actively adopted as the core switching infrastructure at the intradomain level. This trend is mainly attributable to the undeniable potential of MPLS in terms of virtual private networks (VPNs) management, traffic engineering (TE), QoS delivery, path protection, and fast recovery from network failures. However, little progress has been made to attain the expected extension of MPLS label-switched paths (LSPs) across domain boundaries. Among the problems that remain unsolved is how to efficiently find and establish primary and protection interdomain LSPs for mission-critical services subject to QoS constraints. This article explores the major limitations hindering the deployment of these kinds of LSPs across multiple domains, in the context of the current interdomain network model. We describe the critical problems faced by the research community, and present our vision on how to rationally overcome some of the problems exposed. Our perspective is that we should be prepared for rather coarse-grained solutions as long as we need to coexist with the current interdomain network model     

Renal pathology in WAGR syndrome

The Wilms' tumor-aniridia-genital anomalies-mental retardation (WAGR) syndrome is associated with an increased risk for developing Wilms' tumor. A right nephrectomy was performed following the diagnosis of Wilms' tumor in a 2-year-old girl with WAGR syndrome and chromosome 11, del 11p13. Pathologic examination revealed intralobar nephrogenic rests and a peripelvic multicystic mass, sharply delineated from the adjacent typical intralobar nephrogenic rests and renal parenchyma, which may represent a cystic Wilms' tumor (cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma). We studied the expression of the H19 gene by in-situ hybridization performed on paraffin sections of the kidney. H19 is an imprinted maternally-expressed gene that is not translated to protein and functions as a regulatory RNA molecule. It is tightly linked with the paternally-imprinted gene of insulin-like growth factor 2. While IGF2 presumably plays a role in tumorigenesis of Wilms' tumor, H19 is not expressed in the majority of Wilms' tumors. The expression of H19 in the intralobar nephrogenic rests was found to be prominent in the component of the blastema and markedly reduced with differentiation to tubular structures similar to the fetal kidney. The differential diagnosis of hyperplastic intralobar nephrogenic rests from a small Wilms' tumor arising in intralobar nephrogenic rests is difficult. Complete understanding of the chain of molecular events occurring in the evolution of Wilms' tumors may lead to the development of tumor markers to be used on paraffin sections and so help in the differential diagnosis of hyperplasia versus malignant transformation.     

Cross-validation of the ability of the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery to differentiate chronic schizophrenics with and without ventricular enlargement.

33 of 43 chronic schizophrenic patients (aged 20–39 yrs) were correctly classified by the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery for the presence or absence of ventricular enlargement, as assessed by computer tomography (CT) scan. Results are comparable to those of an earlier study by C. G. Golden et al (see record 1981-29339-001). Differences between the studies and the implications of objective CT scan measurement for detecting cerebral atrophy are discussed. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Configuration of inter-office switch for extreme traffic with zone configuration evaluator diagram

The problem addressed by this paper is to enable a manufacturer's representative to configure an inter-office switch with a balance of desirable functionality and measured performance under several potential extremes of traffic. The zone-configuration evaluator diagram (ZCED), a decision aid that generates the tradeoffs among different configurations, is developed to enable the switch manufacturer to forego the past practice of guaranteeing absolute performance to all of its diverse customers. This guarantee was achieved in the past by the manufacturer supporting a single conservative configuration only. The ZCED simultaneously characterizes (i) customer needs in three regimes: safety-critical, business-critical, or non-critical; (ii) extremes of traffic in terms of non-peak, average, peak, and peak–peak scenarios; and (iii) measurable performance in terms of frequency of lost transactions. Thus, a manufacturer's representative selects a configuration appropriate to the customer's individual needs and the manufacturer achieves higher revenue on the sale of desirable functions and features. A demonstration of the ZCED is developed based on a performance simulation of an actual small-office switch. The ZCED concept is readily adaptable to the configuration of other communication devices with diverse customer needs, traffic loads, and optional functionalities.     

LIQUID - LIQUID DISTRBUTION EQUILIBRIUM IN THE TERNARY SYSTEM : CITRIC ACID - 2-BUTANOL - WATER 298.15 K

Partition of citric acid, 2-butanol and water between the aqueous and alcoholic phases is reported. Distribution of citric acid is expressed in terms of, H₃Cit (2-BuOH)₅, complex formation in the organic phase. Detailed thermodynamic analysis of the investigated system is presented.