Corrosion and Crack Growth in 33% Na2O-67% SiO2 and 33% Li2O-67% SiO2 Glasses

Environmentally enhanced crack growth data for 33% Na₂O-67% SiO₂ and 33% Li₂O-67% SiO₂ (mol%) were obtained. Corrosion data for the same glasses as determined by infrared reflection spectroscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy were also measured. It was determined that, of the tested environments, those and only those environments which caused surface corrosion also enhanced crack growth. Crack growth curves were more complicated for these materials than for fused silica. Water-dominated regions occurred even in environments which are known to enhance crack growth.     

Growth of the Acid-Tolerant Fungus Scytalidium acidophilum as a Potential Source of Single-Cell Protein

An acid-tolerant fungus, Scytalidium acidophilum, was cultivated in peat extract for potential use as a single-cell protein (SCP) source. In shake flask fermentations with a 0.3% yeast extract diluted peat extract medium, it was found that the best conditions for growth occurred at pH 2.0 and 25°C. The maximum biomass concentration was produced after 10 days, with no significant differences for agitation rates between 100 and 200 rpm. Microbial contamination was not observed in nonaseptic operations. The protein content and amino acid composition of the mycelium produced compares with those reported for S. acidophilum grown in other fermentation media. The advantages of growing S. acidophilum in acid peat extract are presented.     

An investigation of the electrochemical reduction of pentachlorophenol with analysis by HPLC

A study has been made of the electrochemical reduction of pentachlorophenol (PCP) on a lead electrode in both water and propylene carbonate. A combination of voltammetric measurements and analysis of reaction products by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) have established that the reduction of PCP in propylene carbonate occurs by two different pathways, depending upon the electrode potential. At -1.9V vs SCE, reduction is mediated by adsorbed hydrogen, whereas at -2.3V vs SCE direct reduction of PCP also occurs. A similar approach has established that the reduction of PCP in water follows only one reaction pathway, namely, direct electron transfer from lead to PCP.     

A guide to analysis and reconstruction of serial block face scanning electron microscopy data

Serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF‐SEM) is a relatively new technique that allows the acquisition of serially sectioned, imaged and digitally aligned ultrastructural data. There is a wealth of information that can be obtained from the resulting image stacks but this presents a new challenge for researchers – how to computationally analyse and make best use of the large datasets produced. One approach is to reconstruct structures and features of interest in 3D. However, the software programmes can appear overwhelming, time‐consuming and not intuitive for those new to image analysis. There are a limited number of published articles that provide sufficient detail on how to do this type of reconstruction. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to provide a detailed step‐by‐step protocol, accompanied by tutorial videos, for several types of analysis programmes that can be used on raw SBF‐SEM data, although there are more options available than can be covered here. To showcase the programmes, datasets of skeletal muscle from foetal and adult guinea pigs are initially used with procedures subsequently applied to guinea pig cardiac tissue and locust brain. The tissue is processed using the heavy metal protocol developed specifically for SBF‐SEM. Trimmed resin blocks are placed into a Zeiss Sigma SEM incorporating the Gatan 3View and the resulting image stacks are analysed in three different programmes, Fiji, Amira and MIB, using a range of tools available for segmentation. The results from the image analysis comparison show that the analysis tools are often more suited to a particular type of structure. For example, larger structures, such as nuclei and cells, can be segmented using interpolation, which speeds up analysis; single contrast structures, such as the nucleolus, can be segmented using the contrast‐based thresholding tools. Knowing the nature of the tissue and its specific structures (complexity, contrast, if there are distinct membranes, size) will help to determine the best method for reconstruction and thus maximize informative output from valuable tissue.     

Sequence dependent set-up times and job sequencing

On many machine tools the set-up times are sequence dependent; that is, the time to set-up for the new part is dependent upon the part for -which the machine is currently set-up. In scheduling lots on the machine, the set-up time is often a significant component of the total time required to complete each lot. Set-up times are frequently not available to the production scheduler, and when they are, they frequently are only averages which conceal the sequence dependency of the set-up times. In this paper, we first develop a procedure that classifies set-up operations and predicts the set-up times and we then develop a method for sequencing the jobs so as to minimize the total set-up time. An example using real world data is used to illustrate these procedures     

The Milling of Wool Garments in Perchloroethylene: A Review of Processing Procedures and Practice

The milling of wool garments in perchlorethylene to produce lamb'swool, cashmere, Shetland and other finishes is now widely used. The paper reviews existing procedures for milling wool garments in solvent and discusses variables important in achieving the required uniform finish.     

STATE ANTIPREDATORY LENDING LAWS AND NEIGHBORHOOD FORECLOSURE RATES

ABSTRACT: In this study, we examine the impact of state antipredatory lending laws (APLs) on neighborhood foreclosure and delinquency rates using a set of panel data regression models. We find strong evidence that neighborhoods have lower default rates in states with laws that extended federal coverage and/or restricted more mortgage contract terms, in states with broader coverage of subprime loans with high points and fees, and in states with more restrictive regulations on prepayment penalties. A typical APL lowers neighborhood default rates by between 3.8% and 18%, depending on the default risk measure considered. The findings remain consistent when we restrict the analysis to cross‐border neighborhoods, suggesting that they are not due solely to unobservable market variation.     

Effect of Processing Temperature and Storage Time on Nonfat Dry Milk Proteins

Changes in physicochemical properties of pooled nonfat milk preheated to 63°C (I), 74°C (II), and 85°C (III), before spray-drying were examined. Insoluble material from III contained more protein (particularly at reduced pH) and more coagulated protein-lactose aggregates than either I or II. Soluble material from III was practically depleted of whey proteins which were utilized to form complexes stabilized through disulfide bonds. Milk protein micelles from III were heavier (ca 1 × 10¹¹ g/mole) than either I or II. An unsweetened milk-orange juice blend, which was pasteurized at 63°C for 30 min and stored at 4°C, developed a precipitate which contained more protein and pectin, but less sucrose than the supernatant.