Inhibition of microbial growth in ready‐to‐eat food stored at ambient temperature by modified atmosphere packaging

This study was undertaken to develop a modified atmosphere package to control microbial growth in ready‐to‐eat (RTE) products stored at ambient temperature. Ethanol and/or limonene associated with modified atmosphere (CO₂ : O₂ : N₂ = 30% : 5% : 65%) was used to inhibit the growth of total air‐borne microorganisms and Escherichia coli in RTE products stored at 25°C. The results indicated that 0.05% ethanol vapour in the headspace was effective to inhibit the growth of air‐borne microorganisms and E. coli at 25°C for 72 h in a model study, and the effectiveness was related to ethanol content. Both 73 ppm limonene and 0.05% ethanol vapour enhanced the bacteriostatic effect of modified atmosphere in RTE sushi roll products, and no off‐flavour was detected using this formulated gas; however, no significant inhibitory effect was observed for RTE cold noodle products. This study concludes that combinations of carbon dioxide, ethanol or limonene vapours are effective to inhibit microbial growth in RTE food at ambient temperature, and the outcome may be due to the hurdle effect. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A 3-D motion tracing system in High School Physics teaching

Abstract This article presents a study of a large scale incorporation of one data acquisitionsystem into physics teaching in Israel. By 1994 about 30% of the schools throughout the country used the V-scope, a 3-D multibody motion tracing system, in their lab programme. The views and reactions of post-training teachers, experienced teachers and students on various aspects of using the system are described, analysed and compared.     

Reactivity of steam in exhaust gas catalysis III. Steam and oxygen/steam conversions of propane on a Pd/Al2O3 catalyst

A 1% Pd catalyst (38% dispersion) was prepared by impregnating a γ-alumina with palladium acetylacetonate dissolved in acetone. The behaviour of this catalyst in oxidation and steam reforming (SR) of propane was investigated. Temperature-programmed reactions of C₃H₈ with O₂ or with O₂ + H₂O were carried out with different stoichiometric ratios S(S =[O₂]/5[C₃H₈]). The conversion profiles of C₃H₈ for the reaction carried out in substoichiometry of O₂ (S < 1) showed two discrete domains of conversion: oxidation at temperatures below 350°C and SR at temperatures above 350°C. The presence of steam in the inlet gases is not necessary for SR to occur: there is sufficient water produced in the oxidation to form H₂ and carbon oxides by this reaction. Contrary to what was observed with Pt, an apparent deactivation between 310 and 385°C could be observed with Pd in oxidation. This is due to a reduction of PdO_x into Pd⁰, which is much less active than the oxide in propane oxidation. Steam added to the reactants inhibits oxidation while it prevents the reduction of PdO_x into Pd⁰. Compared to Pt and to Rh, Pd has a higher thermal resistance: no deactivation occurred after treatment up to 700°C and limited deactivation after treatment up to 900°C, provided that the catalyst is maintained in an oxygen-rich atmosphere during the cooling.     

体制制度科技——我局发展历程的几个回顾和今后改革的断想

回顾了体制、制度的改革和科学技术的发展给十局带来的巨大变化，就十局当前改革任务从理顺产权关系、进一步完善内部治理结构、继续深化三项制度改革、实施科教兴局战略等四个方面提出了看法和意见。     

A computational framework for representing authors'' courseware models*

Abstract This paper looks at some of the problems of existing courseware authoring systems, and advocates the use of knowledge-based techniques to resolve these problems and to form the basis of future authoring environments. The prototype knowledge-based representation language, GTE, is presented as an example of a knowledge-based language which might form the basis of such environments. The final part of the paper discusses some of the developments in GTE which must take place if it is to be used within a full and flexible authoring environment. The paper will focus particularly on the question of instructional strategies, but many of the observations can be taken as relevant to all the knowledge involved in a teaching interaction.     

The radiation crosslinking and scission of ethylene-propylene copolymers studied by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance

Methyl groups from chain scission and H-crosslinks have been identified by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance in amorphous ethylene-propylene copolymers containing 23 and 36 mole % propylene after γ-irradiation to 10 MGy at 30°C. G (scission) and G (crosslink) values determined from the n.m.r. spectra and by extraction are in agreement, which suggests that the crosslinks are not clustered. This may differ from the situation in polyethylene where there is a substantial crystalline content. G(S). G(X) and the ratio G(S)/G(X) increase with increasing propylene content of the copolymers.     

Stable Oxygen and Carbon Isotopic Compositions of Lates stappersii Otoliths from Lake Tanganyika,East Africa

In this study, we measured growth trends in oxygen and carbon isotopic ratios in whole sagittal otoliths from three adult centropomid fish (Lates stappersii) from each of three sub-basins of Lake Tanganyika, East Africa. Sampling density was 20 to 50 samples per otolith. Both δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values increase with age. The δ¹⁸O data suggest that otoliths were precipitated near the expected equilibrium with the ambient environment (ca. +3.5‰) and support a migration pattern from surface waters during larval stages to deeper waters (40 to 80 m) for mature fish. Relatively high δ¹⁸O values in the southern sub-basin are consistent with cooler temperatures in the region during seasonal upwelling. The δ13C increase from otolith core to edge is large (up to 4‰) and is interpreted as due to ontogenetic changes in diet and contributions from a decrease in the proportion of respired CO₂ incorporated into otolith carbonate as metabolic rates of the fish dropped with maturity. The data seem to successfully reveal life strategy and migration patterns of L. stappersii, document regional differences in lake conditions, and provide a record of temperature within the water column during which the fish lived. Higher resolution studies and analyses of historical samples could be used to constrain modern and past growth patterns, and to reconstruct past temperature gradients and productivity patterns in the lake.     

Prediction of fire classification for wood based products. A multivariate statistical approach based on the cone calorimeter

Wood has long traditions as a building material, and is often used in construction elements, and as interior and exterior surfaces in the Nordic countries. In most applications, there are reaction to fire requirements to products used as surfaces, e.g. in escape routes and larger public spaces. Most wood products will therefore have to be treated with fire retardant (FR) agents to fulfil the strict requirements to properties connected to heat release and flame spread. Unfortunately, FR agents usually also increase the smoke production, as they cause a more incomplete combustion of the wood. The wood product manufacturers seek to find the optimal amount of FR additives where both heat release and smoke production in the classifying test are within the requirements given in the building regulations. This paper describes models for prediction of the European reaction to fire classes of wood products. The models are based on multivariate statistical analysis, and use test results from the cone calorimeter test as input. The presented models are, with very good precision, able to predict which Euroclass and additional smoke class a wood based product would obtain if it were to be tested in the single burning item test. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Uptake of 226radium and 228radium by the lichen genus Umbilicaria

The 226Ra and 228Ra content of the lichens Umbilicaria cylindrica, U. deusta, U. murina and U. hirsuta has been determined as a function of the growth altitude above sea level, based on data derived from material collected from localities in southwest Poland. These data are interpreted as graphs and formulae to show the influence of environmental factors, particularly altitude, on the concentration of 226Ra and 228Ra, and the coefficients of accumulation calculated.     

XV. Yeast sequencing reports. Isolation and DNA sequence of the STE13 gene encoding dipeptidyl aminopeptidase

We have isolated a mutant which exhibits partial constitutivity for a -specific gene expression in α cells. The wild-type gene was cloned and demonstrated to be allelic to the STE13 gene, which encodes the dipeptidyl aminopeptidase involved in processing of the α-factor prepropheromone. Thus, the mating defect of the ste13 mutations in α cells may result both from the production of incompletely processed α-factor and from the increased expression of a -specific genes. The STE13 open reading frame of 931 amino acids contains a putative membrane-spanning segment near its amino terminus and is 31% identical to a second yeast dipeptidyl aminopeptidase (DAP2). A null mutant of STE13 has been constructed: it is viable and sporulation-proficient. The sequence has been deposited in the GenBank data library under Accession Number L21944.