Phase relations in the ternary system Cu-In-Se

The phase relations of the ternary system Cu-In-Se were studied at 750° C by quenching experiments. Special attention was given to the region CuInSe₂In₂Se₃-In₄Se₃. Only four ternary phases with extended homogeneity ranges were found to exist. They were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, electron microprobe analysis (EK8PA)' end optical microscopy. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) investigations allowed us to construct theT-x diagram of the Cu₂Se-In₂Se₃. out between 47 and 100 mol% In₂Se₃. Besides, it was also possible to give a tentative diagram of the solid-liquid equilibria at 750° C and to get some information on the sub-solid existence fields beside the Cu₂Se-In₂Se₃ cut.     

Local acceptance of wind energy: Factors of success identified in French and German case studies

The objective of this paper is to identify and analyse factors that are important for winning acceptance of wind-energy parks on the local level. The developers of wind-energy parks need to know how to manage “social acceptance” at the different stages of planning, realisation and operation. Five case studies in France and Germany focused on factors of success in developing a wind-energy project on a given site and illuminated how policy frameworks influence local acceptance. Our hypothesis is that these factors fall into two categories: institutional conditions, such as economic incentives and regulations; and site-specific conditions (territorial factors), such as the local economy, the local geography, local actors, and the actual on-site planning process (project management).     

Dystopie und Methode: zur fiktionalen Verhandlung moralischer Überzeugungen in der Bioethik

Definition of the problem

The role of stories is well established in the traditions of narrative ethics and casuistry. However, from a methodological point of view, the inclusion of fictional works in moral deliberation remains yet unanswered. The paper explains the potential of dystopias for bioethics by means of selected examples and a critical reconstruction and expansion of existing approaches.

Arguments

By means of literary theories, it is proposed to include moral beliefs that motivate dystopias in coherent reflection and reasoning procedures. Furthermore, dystopia’s potential through socioculturally dense scenarios, a contemporary-historical context, and a sensitization to the moral relevance of language for bioethical research are systematically presented.

Conclusion

The methodological considerations provide, on the one hand, practical points of reference for didactic approaches and, on the other hand, for public deliberation. However, the analysis also shows that dystopias introduce their own moral positions beyond a mere illustration or warning.

     

Salmonella in eggs: From shopping to consumption—A review providing an evidence-based analysis of risk factors

Nontyphoidal salmonellae are among the most prevalent foodborne pathogens causing gastrointestinal infections worldwide. A high number of cases and outbreaks of salmonellosis are associated with the consumption of eggs and egg products, and several of these occur at the household level. The aim of the current study is to critically evaluate the current status of knowledge on Salmonella in eggs from a consumer's perspective, analyzing the hazard occurrence and the good practices that should be applied to reduce salmonellosis risk. Following a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) based approach, some steps along the food journey were identified as Critical Consumer Handling (CCH)—steps in which consumers, through their behavior or choice, can significantly reduce the level of Salmonella in eggs and egg products. From shopping/collecting to consumption, each of these steps is discussed in this review to provide an evidence-based overview of risk factors of human salmonellosis related to egg consumption. The main message to consumers is to choose Salmonella-free eggs (those that some official entity or producer guarantees that does not contain Salmonella), when available, especially for dishes that are not fully heat treated. Second, as guaranteed Salmonella-free eggs are only available in a few countries, refrigerated storage from the point of collection and proper cooking will significantly reduce the risk of salmonellosis. This will require a revision of the actual recommendations/regulations, as not all ensure that eggs are maintained at temperatures that prevent growth of Salmonella from collection until the time of purchasing.     

The performance of SAS-super-180 air sampler and settle plates for assessing viable fungal particles in the air of dry-cured meat production facility

Performances of SAS-super-180 air sampler and settle plates were investigated for the assessment of airborne fungal food contamination. Air samples were taken from processing rooms of a dry-cured production facility and outdoors. Fungal colonies and numbers of species were counted and compared. Quantitatively, the air sampler showed higher numbers of species and mean CFU/plate compared to settle plates. Qualitatively, the two methods showed similar dominating fungal genera and species associated with dry-cured meat products. The study showed settle plates could provide important qualitative information for food processing plants where airborne fungi associated with food products are the targets.     

Machining induced residual stress in structural aluminum parts

Machining operations of aluminum structural parts are typically carried out under high feeds and high cutting speeds. Under these conditions, high thermomechanical loads are exerted on the workpiece, which may result in changes in the subsurface material. Residual stresses can be one of the machining induced changes and can lead to considerable rejection rates caused by part distortion. Due to their significant economic importance, it is essential to understand the influence of the machining process on the residual stresses in aluminum. This paper presents the influence of the machining parameters as well as the cutting edge geometry on residual stress of workpieces made out of a forged aluminum alloy.     

On singular integral equations for kinked cracks

Chebyshev polynomial techniques for solution of singular integral equations leading to square root singularities at the ends of the interval of integration are studied. It is shown that the results are less accurate when a singularity, albeit a weak one, appears between the interval ends. Typical examples are problems involving kinked cracks. Some attempts to improve the accuracy are discussed.

---

Résumé On considère l'application de la technique polynominale de Chebyshev pour solutionner les intégrales singulières conduisant à des singularités d'ordre % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGak0dh9WrFfpC0xh9vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9frFj0-OqFf% ea0dXdd9vqaq-JfrVkFHe9pgea0dXdar-Jb9hs0dXdbPYxe9vr0-vr% 0-vqpWqaaeaabaGaciaacaqabeaadaqaaqaaaOqaamaalyaabaGaaG% ymaaqaaiaaikdaaaaaaa!38EB!\[{1 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 2}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} 2}\] aux extrémités de l'intervale d'intégration. On montre que les résultats sont moins précis lorsqu'une singularité, même faible, apparait entre les extrémités de l'intervale. Les problèmes comportant des fissures tortueuses constituent des exemples types d'application. On discute de diverses tentatives pour améliorer la précision des résultats.

     

Different patterns of biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus under food-related stress conditions

Staphylococcus aureus and its biofilm formation are recognized as a serious clinical problem. S. aureus is also a food borne pathogen, and little is known regarding biofilm formation of food-related strains. We have studied biofilm formation of both food-related and clinical S. aureus strains grown under different stress conditions (temperature, sodium chloride, glucose and ethanol) relevant for food processing. Strong biofilm formers were identified among food-related S. aureus strains, and biofilm formation was affected by environmental conditions relevant for the food industry. The results showed that temperatures suboptimal for growth increased the production of biofilm. The combined presence of sodium chloride and glucose enhanced the biofilm formation. Both temperature and osmolarity affected the expression of several biofilm associated genes (e.g. icaA and rbf). Variations in gene expression (e.g. icaA, agrA and sigB) between strains were also observed. Our results support the existence of both ica-dependent and ica-independent mechanisms of biofilm production in S. aureus. The phenotypic and genotypic results showed highly diverse and complex patterns of biofilm formation in S. aureus. This clearly demonstrates that caution must be exercised before drawing general conclusions about gene expression in S. aureus in relation to regulation of biofilm formation. The results are relevant for food safety as they indicate that food processing conditions could promote biofilm formation by S. aureus.