Biology and integrated pest management of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) infesting dry cured hams

The biology and physiology of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae), also known as the ham, cheese or mold mite, is reviewed along with methods that have been evaluated for managing and controlling this pest. This review was conducted because the ham mite is an important target pest of the dry cured ham industry. Methyl bromide has been historically used to control mite infestations, but is now banned or being phased out of use in most countries because it is an ozone-depleting substance. Only commercially available stockpiles and quarantine and pre-shipment methyl bromide are available for use in countries that require such action. This review compares the effectiveness and feasibility of recently investigated methods to control mite infestations on dry cured ham and to discuss integrated pest management plans for ham mites. The review also proposes methods for conducting a prevention and monitoring-based integrated pest management program that relies on definitive mitigation such as fumigation only when mite numbers exceed a critical action threshold.     

Thermal analysis of cylinder head carbon deposits from single cylinder diesel engine fueled by palm oil–diesel fuel emulsions

This paper aims to evaluate the cylinder head carbon deposit from diesel engine fuelled by four samples of diesel fuel emulsions containing 0%; 5%; 10% and 15% vol. water and 20% Palm Oil Methyl Ester (POME) were subjected to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DSC) in air medium. The deposit build up processes were performed on a single-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine for period of 25 h for each set of test fuel under constant speed 2500 rpm. The TGA system was used and then correlated with elemental analysis as well as infrared spectra for microscopic observations. It has been found that, as the water increases in fuel, less aromatic and less reactive of deposits would be formed. Therefore, such method of analyses can be used as an indicator to verify the stability of carbon deposit inside the combustion chamber that could substantiate the applicability of a particular fuel to be accepted.     

特戊酰乙酸甲酯的合成研究

以频那酮和过量的碳酸二甲酯为原料在二甲苯溶液中，经一步反应，制得了纯度99％以上的特戊酰乙酸甲酯，对合成条件进行了探讨，确定原料配比（频那酮／碳酸二甲酯）为1：5.0，反应温度为120℃，催化剂用量（甲醇钠／频那酮）为1：5：1。在优化条件下，产品的收率（以频那酮计）达77.4%。     

Biosorption of Methyl violet onto palm kernel fiber: Diffusion studies and multistage process design to minimize biosorbent mass and contact time

Determination of the overall rate controlling step in the biosorption of Methyl violet dye onto a new biosorbent, palm kernel fiber has been determined. Pseudo-second-order model described the kinetics over the whole contact time period for the effect of initial concentration and temperature. Using the Wu’s approaching equilibrium factor, R_w, it was observed that the time for the switch from initial biosorption to intraparticle diffusion is affected by initial concentration and temperature. A comparison between the activation parameters of film diffusion, pseudo-second order ion exchange and intraparticle diffusion revealed that film diffusion is the overall slowest step in the biosorption process. Temperature increased the biosorption capacity but reduced slightly the rate of intraparticle diffusion, indicating that the biosorbent surface was activated by temperature which limited the diffusion of Methyl violet molecules into the interior of the biosorbent. A multistage process design to minimize mass and contact time was done.     

Stability analysis and characterization of the nano emulsified Jatropha-curcas-based bio-fuel

This work investigates the suspension duration of the nanosized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) in B20, B50 and B70 blends of Jatropha Methyl ester. The MWCNT and aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) are added to the fuel blends in the proportions of 50 and 100 pmm separately by ultra sonication. The prepared fuel samples are characterized, and turbidity analysis was done to find the stability rate of nano-additives. The outcomes reveal the maximum stability rate for MWCNT and Al₂O₃ as 83.3% and 87.03%, respectively, with 50ppm in B20 over a period of eighteen days. A considerable drop in suspension was observed with the 100 ppm MWCNT and Al₂O₃ biodiesel blends.     

FT-RAMAN CHARACTERIZATION OF METHYL ACRYLATE-ETHYL ACRYLATE COPOLYMERS

Vibrational spectra of a series of Methyl Acrylate/Ethyl Acrylate (MA/EA) copolymers, synthesized at 60°C and 70°C for 5 different MA/EA compositions for each temperature, were obtained by FT-Raman spectroscopy. An inversion of the symmetric and antisymmetric stretching vibrations of the CH₃ group, due to the mobility of this group, was found. By analyzing the acoustical and optical branches of the spectra, the mobility of the backbone structure was also determined. The EA homopolymer was found to posses the highest conformational order.     

Influence of processing on the levels of amines and proline and on the physico-chemical characteristics of concentrated orange juice

The influence of processing on the levels of bioactive amines and proline as well as on some physico-chemical characteristics of concentrated orange juice was investigated. Samples were collected at seven points of a production line on three non-consecutive days, and analysed for the levels of 12 bioactive amines, proline, and reducing and non-reducing sugars, and for some physico-chemical characteristics. Among the amines analysed, only putrescine, spermidine and synephrine were found in the samples at all processing stages. Significant differences were observed for spermidine and total amine levels throughout processing. Synephrine and putrescine were resistant to processing. Proline levels changed significantly throughout processing, as did levels of reducing and non-reducing sugars. The pH varied from 3.59 to 3.72, acidity from 0.873 to 0.918 g citric acid/100 mL, and density from 1.0378 to 1.0970 g/mL. Among these parameters, pH, acidity and density were significantly affected by processing.     

桔皮酱的研制

桔皮含有丰富的果胶和适量的有机酸,是生产果酱的理想原料。本文介绍了以桔皮为原料,经脱苦、脱涩、漂洗、磨酱、混配和浓缩等处理制成一种具柑桔特有的芳香风味,美味可口的桔皮果酱。     

A microfluidic gel valve device using reversible sol–gel transition of methyl cellulose for biomedical application

We have fabricated a microfluidic gel valve device that used reversible sol–gel transition of methyl cellulose (MC). A microheater and a microtemperature sensor were implemented in each microchannel in the gel valve device. Before evaluating the performance of the gel valve device, various properties of the MC solution were investigated using viscometer, spectrophotometer, and NMR. Gelation temperature was increased as the MC concentration was increased. Clear gel, an intermediate state between clear sol and turbid gel, was found at the temperature range from 30–40°C to 50–60°C. Temperature at each microchannel of the device was measured and the effect of the temperature difference on the valve operation was elucidated. In order to have normal operation of the gel valve, it was important to keep the temperature of the heated microchannel around 60°C while keeping the temperature of the flowing microchannel below 35°C. The temperature difference between two microchannels was about 23 K when fan forced cooling (FFC) method was used. For normal performance of the gel valve device, a temporary pause of fluid flow for at least 5 s was required to complete the local gelation in the microchannel. Stable gel valve performance was obtained at the flow rates larger than 5 μl/min. The gel valve device showed no leakage up to 2.07×10⁴ Pa.