On liquid motion in a circular cylinder with horizontal axis

Summary The flow pattern of the slosh motion of a homogeneous, nonviscous (inviscid) and incompressible fluid with a free surface, contained in a rigid circular canal, has been dealt with analytically and experimentally. The axis of the canal is perpendicular to the direction of gravity. Considered are transverse (lateral to axis) oscillations of the liquid. The shape of the free liquid surface is determined numerically by means of a simple procedure. Theoretically calculated streamlines (path lines) are found to be in good qualitative agreement with experimentally observed trajectories of small spheres, made of plastic material and immersed in the liquid. The plastic particles and the liquid (water with a solution of salt added) have the same density.     

Multi-laboratory evaluations of the performance of Catellicoccus marimammalium PCR assays developed to target gull fecal sources

Here we report results from a multi-laboratory (n = 11) evaluation of four different PCR methods targeting the 16S rRNA gene of Catellicoccus marimammalium originally developed to detect gull fecal contamination in coastal environments. The methods included a conventional end-point PCR method, a SYBR^® Green qPCR method, and two TaqMan^® qPCR methods. Different techniques for data normalization and analysis were tested. Data analysis methods had a pronounced impact on assay sensitivity and specificity calculations. Across-laboratory standardization of metrics including the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), target detected but not quantifiable (DNQ), and target not detected (ND) significantly improved results compared to results submitted by individual laboratories prior to definition standardization. The unit of measure used for data normalization also had a pronounced effect on measured assay performance. Data normalization to DNA mass improved quantitative method performance as compared to enterococcus normalization. The MST methods tested here were originally designed for gulls but were found in this study to also detect feces from other birds, particularly feces composited from pigeons. Sequencing efforts showed that some pigeon feces from California contained sequences similar to C. marimammalium found in gull feces. These data suggest that the prevalence, geographic scope, and ecology of C. marimammalium in host birds other than gulls require further investigation. This study represents an important first step in the multi-laboratory assessment of these methods and highlights the need to broaden and standardize additional evaluations, including environmentally relevant target concentrations in ambient waters from diverse geographic regions.     

The effect of organofunctional nanosilica on the cross-linking process and thermal resistance of UF resin

The paper investigates the effect of surface modification of fumed nanosilica with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) on the kinetics and thermal stability of urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin. In the course of the investigation, nanoparticles were modified with APTES in the ratio 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 part by weight (PBW) per 100 PBW of SiO₂. The parameters of curing kinetics of the resin, the conversion degree and its thermal stability were determined with use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The effect of nanosilica silanization on the curing process of resin was evaluated by determining the gel time at 100 °C and the activation energy (E_a) of the cross-linking process, the initial and final temperature of the reaction (T_onset, T_endset), the maximum value of the exothermic peak (T_p), the amount of emitted heat (ΔH_Tp) and the conversion degree (α_Tp) that responds to T_p. With the maximum level of silica modification, we have noted a decrease in the reactivity of the resin, which is manifested by a slightly longer gel time of the resin as well as an increase in the value of activation energy of the cross-linking process. It is accompanied by a slight decrease of resin conversion degree α_Tp. The modification of silica, regardless of the amount of silane inoculated on its surface, results in the increase in the thermal stability of UF resin.     

Performance evaluation of canine-associated Bacteroidales assays in a multi-laboratory comparison study

The contribution of fecal pollution from dogs in urbanized areas can be significant and is an often underestimated problem. Microbial source tracking methods (MST) utilizing quantitative PCR of dog-associated gene sequences encoding 16S rRNA of Bacteroidales are a useful tool to estimate these contributions. However, data about the performance of available assays are scarce. The results of a multi-laboratory study testing two assays for the determination of dog-associated Bacteroidales (DogBact and BacCan-UCD) on 64 single and mixed fecal source samples created from pooled fecal samples collected in California are presented here. Standardization of qPCR data treatment lowered inter-laboratory variability of sensitivity and specificity results. Both assays exhibited 100% sensitivity. Normalization methods are presented that eliminated random and confirmed non-target responses. The combination of standardized qPCR data treatment, use of normalization via a non-target specific Bacteroidales assay (GenBac3), and application of threshold criteria improved the calculated specificity significantly for both assays. Such measures would reasonably improve MST data interpretation not only for canine-associated assays, but for all qPCR assays used in identifying and monitoring fecal pollution in the environment.     

Failure modes and energy absorption capability of ZnO varistors

Thermal and mechanical behavior of ZnO varistors used in surge arresters is simulated for current pulses of various magnitude and duration. Time dependence of the temperature profile and of the distribution of thermal stresses is computed by solving heat transfer equations for varistor disks with nonuniform electrical properties. The simulations identify failure processes and determine energy absorption capability of varistor elements. The results are in excellent agreement with experiment and provide fundamental explanation of the energy handling dependence upon current surge intensity and duration     

Influence of nonuniformity of ZnO varistors on their energyabsorption capability

A simple thermo-mechanical model is applied to evaluate the influence of the nonuniformity of ZnO varistor disks used in surge arresters on their energy handling capability. Puncture is the dominating failure mode for slightly nonuniform disks, but cracking becomes more likely as the degree of nonuniformities increases. It is shown that minimization of the chance of a failure of varistor disks at high-current pulses can be achieved by adjusting their resistivity in the upturn region of the I-V characteristic. Simulation of the behavior of varistor disks under high-current 4/10 μs pulses required by the ANSI standard tests shows that these tests provide very little information about the actual energy handling capability of the disks. This conclusion suggests that alternate test methods should be developed and included in the relevant standards     

The effect of selected parameters of formation on properties of alginate/Ca2+/oligochitosan capsules

Optimization of the technological parameters affecting the mechanical properties and permeability of capsules is essential to produce capsules with improved properties for cell immobilization. In the present paper, the effect of different parameters on the technological properties of alginate/Ca²⁺/oligochitosan capsules has been investigated. The correct adjustment of the alginate concentration in the polymer matrix and the oligochitosan molar mass, concentration and coating time, have been found to be key parameters in obtaining porous and mechanically stable alginate/Ca²⁺/oligochitosan capsules. Results showed that an increase in the coating time and concentration of the alginate generated more stable capsules with a reduced membrane cut‐off. Furthermore, we have established some correlations between capsule properties and the effectiveness of chitosan binding within the capsule's membrane. Data addressed herein could be a valid tool to fabricate optimized alginate/Ca²⁺/oligochitosan capsules with a potential for use in cell immobilization technology. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Damage from passive tobacco smoking

The author presents data on the biological casualties and consequences of tobacco-smoking. Smoking is the most dangerous addiction in the scale of the world and in Poland. It causes numerous premature decrease and tobacco-dependent sickness. The author characterises the spread of this addiction in Poland concentrating on the problem of the passive smoking harmfulness. Non-smokers, children and youth, embryo and foetus during the pregnancy are exposed to the passive smoking. The experimental examinations of animals and the analysis of the lateral stream of the tobacco smoke confirm not the least, but rather the greater damage of the passive smoking than the active one. The mechanisms of acting of the tobacco smoke on the passive smokers' body and the health consequences are discussed. The manners, means and activities that are useful for the health protection of non-smokers against the tobacco smoke and the ways of the smoking prevention are described.     

Application of microwave vacuum drying for snack production: Characteristics of pure cheese puffs

The aim of the study was to obtain and describe crispy snacks purely made of cheese (also referred to as ‘pure’ cheese snacks) using microwave vacuum drying technology. An acid‐set ripened cheese (Harzer cheese) was tested as the raw material. Cutting, hot air drying and microwave vacuum drying were applied in the technology process. This paper investigates the impact of these processes on the physical properties of the puffs; it also includes sensory evaluation of the resulting product. The cheese pieces expanded by ca. 1000% of their original size with a sharp decrease in the bulk density of the puffed samples. Water activity, hardness and brittleness of the cheese puffs were 0.35, 1511.17 g and 3.20 mm, respectively. The CIE LAB coordinates (in spin position), L*, a* and b*, were 82.81, 1.51 and 20.54, respectively. This paper shows that a new form of dairy product can be produced using microwave technology.