The impact of roasting on the ochratoxin A content of coffee

Roasting coffee led to a drop in the ochratoxin A (OTA) concentration, as measured by the reference method, especially for dark type roasts. The way the beverage was prepared also affected the OTA content, which could paradoxically be higher than that of the initial roasted coffee. Assays on the thermal stability of pure OTA showed that it ought to be found in larger quantities in roasted coffee. This suggested that OTA was masked by reactions with the substrate during roasting. The absence of OTA in green coffee is therefore the best guarantee of safety.     

Electrochemical Aspects of Electroosmotic Dewatering of Clay Suspensions

An attempt is made to elucidate the electrochemical aspects of the electroosmotic dewatering (EOD) of clays as reported in some recent work, especially that on interrupted DC power electroosmotic dewatering published by Rabie, Mujumdar and Weber (2). These authors showed that the dewatering by EOD stops after the DC power has been on for several minutes or hours; on interruption of their power and on short-circuiting of the electrodes, conditions can be created again for some further dewatering by DC power EOD. This discovery, of Rabie et al. is interpreted as a fuel cell effect and it is shown that it affords clues to several other electrochemical strategies for the possible enhancement of the efficiency of the EOD by DC power.

Further, the open circuit potentials observed by Rabie et al. (2) on the interruption of DC power are given an electrochemical interpretation which leads to quantitative estimates in agreement with the experimental values.     

Equipment for Testing Sheet Structural Materials under Biaxial Tension. Part 2. Testing by Biaxial Loading in the Plane of the Sheet

We analyze specific features of the design of equipment used for mechanical testing of sheet structural materials under the conditions of biaxial static, cyclic, or dynamic loading. We propose original solutions of the problems related to the fatigue testing of crosslike specimens performed without using complex hydraulic systems and their dynamic testing carried out by using very simple testing machines for uniaxial tension–compression.     

A comparison of leaf-spring with aircushion trailer suspensions in the transport environment

Packaging engineers need to be able to accurately determine the forces present in the shipping environment in order to protect packaged goods. The purpose of this study was to determine the vertical vibration levels measured in three separate truck-trailer suspension systems; conventional leaf-spring, conventional air-ride and damaged air-ride. The main conclusion reached in this study is that the air-ride suspension when maintained gives lower power density (PD) levels on all road surfaces studied. A damaged air-ride suspension and leaf-spring suspension are very similar in response frequencies, although the damaged air-ride produces higher vibration levels at lower frequencies.     

A bidding decision index for construction contractors

Results from applying the model on a sample of contractors, the majority of whom were international and operating in Egypt, reinforces the credibility of the developed methodology, claim the authors.     

Modelling thermal degradation of composite materials

A one–dimensional, transient thermal degradation heat transfer model for the response of composite materials when exposed to fire is presented. The model can handle layers of different materials. Material properties are functions of temperature. The reaction can be specified using Arrhenius‐type parameters or by inputting a density–temperature relationship determined by any experimental technique such as thermogravimetric analysis. The model is validated against the experimental data presented in Boyer's 1984 dissertation. Overall, the model provides excellent agreement with the experimental data. It is shown that very little difference is found between results arrived at by Arrhenius kinetics and results obtained by specifying the easier to measure density–temperature relationship. From this it is concluded that this technique is a viable alternative to Arrhenius‐type models. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

线缆护套材料在我国西部环境中的试验研究

本文通过对线缆外护套材料在我国西部地区严酷环境试验站中土壤和大气1～5年的试验结果分析，总结了塑料护套材料的耐蚀性能。为线缆护套的防护设计、合理选材及制定标准提供科学依据。     

奥里油在电力工业的应用及环保处理

委内瑞拉富藏奥里油约469亿t，中国政府与委内瑞拉政府签订了合作生产和供应每年650万t奥里油的合作协议。介绍了奥里油的特性和在全球以及中国的应用情况，分析了奥里油燃烧发电带来的特殊的环保问题和处理方法。