Experimental and calculated liquid-liquid interfacial tension in demixing metal alloys

Liquid-liquid interracial tension in binary and temary Al-based monotectic systems has been determined experimentally with a tensiometric method in a wide temperature interval. The temperature dependence of the interfacial tension is well described by a power law function of the type σαβ - （1 - T/Tc）δ with the critical exponent δ= 1.3 and a critical temperature Tc. Theoretical models describing the liquid-liquid interface in monotectic alloys and their applicability for calculation of the interfacial tension and its temperature dependence in binary systems are considered.     

Dynamic viscosities of pure tin and Sn-Ag,Sn-Cu,and Sn-Ag-Cu eutectic melts

The dynamic viscosities of the melts of pure tin and eutectic Sn-Ag, Sn-Cu, and Sn-Ag-Cu alloys are studied in heating followed by cooling, and the maximum heating temperature was 1200°C. An irreversible decrease in the viscosity is found in the temperature range 800–1000°C in the polytherms of all melts. This finding is related to the loss of a local order in a melt and can be used to develop temperature regimes for the production of lead-free solders.     

Determination of biogenic amines in sucuk

The biogenic amines content of sucuk (Turkish dry fermented sausage) were determined on 30 samples obtained from retail markets and butchers in Turkey. Also, pH and a_w values, microbiological properties, and NPN levels of these samples were analyzed. The most important biogenic amines were tyramine (range 2.4–676 mg/kg), followed by putrescine varied from not detected to 364 mg/kg. Histamine content was under 50 mg/kg in 80% of the samples while it was over 100 mg/kg in only one sample. Tryptamine was detected in 16 of 30 samples in the range of 1.2–82.3 mg/kg.

Lactic acid bacteria, Micrococcus/Staphylococcus and Enterobacteriaceae counts of samples varied from 2.84 to 8.85 log cfu/g, <2.00 to 6.74 log cfu/g, and <2.00 to 5.04 log cfu/g, respectively. pH values were varied between 4.53 and 6.29 while water activity (a_w) were measured to be between 0.761 and 0.960. NPN values were determined to be between 1.47% and 4.10%. Generally, total amine content was high in samples that had high NPN levels.     

Volatile compounds of olive oils from different geographic regions in Turkey

In this research, changes in volatile compounds of olive oil were investigated in terms of cultivar, harvest year, and geographic regions (Mediterranean, Aegean, Southeastern Anatolia, Marmara, and Black Sea) were investigated. Volatile compounds of olive oils were extracted by using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method and were identified with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. A total of 59 volatile compounds from seven different chemical groups including aldehydes, ketones, hydrocarbons, alcohols, esters, terpenes, and furans were identified. Aldehydes were detected as the major group in all geographic regions. Among aldehydes, trans-2-hexenal was found to be relatively higher. Alcohols and esters were determined as other important compounds. While many volatile compounds were affected by olive cultivar factor, this factor had no significant effect on esters. Principal component analysis showed that volatile compounds could play an important role in the separation of regions.     

Assessment of technological attributes of autochthonous starter cultures in Turkish dry fermented sausage (sucuk)

The study aims to evaluate the technological properties of autochthonous strains (Lactobacillus sakei S15, Lactobacillus plantarum S24, L. plantarum S91, Pediococcus pentosaceus S128b and Staphylococcus carnosus G109) in Turkish dry fermented sausage (sucuk). After 24 h of fermentaPtion, all lactic acid bacteria strains reduced the pH to below 5.0, while the pH in the control group was above 5.3. The number of lactic acid bacteria strains reached 10⁸–10⁹ cfu g⁻¹ during fermentation. Staphylococcus carnosus G109 remained at the inoculation level of 10⁶ cfu g⁻¹ during ripening. Lactobacillus sakei S15 as mono-culture showed higher TBARS values compared to other strains. The control group had the lowest L* value and autochthonous strains caused no significant difference for a* value. According to principal component analysis results, most volatile compounds were positively correlated with the group containing only L. sakei S15.     

Gore-Tex tubing as a conduit for repair of lingual and inferior alveolar nerve continuity defects: a preliminary report

PURPOSE: This report describes the results of using a Gore-Tex (Gore Company, Flagstaff, AZ) tube as a conduit for repair of continuity defects in the inferior alveolar or lingual nerves. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven nerve repairs were performed in five patients (M:F = 1:4) with an age range of 16 to 56 years. The duration from injury to repair ranged from 4 to 30 months. Two inferior alveolar and five lingual nerves were repaired. RESULTS: All seven patients had anesthesia by objective testing preoperatively and had a continuity defect at the time of operation. The size of the defects ranged from 2 to 15 mm. Two of the seven patients had some return of sensation, occurring in defects of 3 mm or smaller. CONCLUSION: The results of this pilot study indicate that Gore-Tex tubing may not be effective in the repair of continuity defects except in those defects 3 mm or smaller, in which it may act as a protective barrier membrane rather than as a conduit.     

The impact of mucositis on alpha-hemolytic streptococcal infection in patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation for hematologic malignancies

BACKGROUND: Antibacterial prophylaxis with quinolone antibiotics has resulted in an increase in streptococcal infections among bone marrow transplantation (BMT) recipients with myelosuppression. Oral ulceration (mucositis), which frequently occurs as a consequence of chemotherapy, has been implicated as a significant portal of entry for streptococci. The objectives of this study were to confirm the correlation between mucositis and streptococcal bacteremia, determine the risk associated with this correlation, and evaluate the impact of mucositis and streptococcal bacteremia on hospital course and costs associated with autologous BMT. METHODS: This was a retrospective, case-control study in which the charts of autologous BMT recipients treated for hematologic malignancies between 1990 and 1996 were reviewed. Twenty-four patients were identified who met the criteria of autologous BMT; their blood cultures confirmed (x2) alpha-hemolytic streptococcal sepsis. A control group of 45 without positive cultures was matched by gender, age, diagnosis, and treatment to the study group. RESULTS: The results confirm that ulcerative mucositis is a significant risk factor for alpha-hemolytic streptococcal bacteremia among autologous BMT patients. Of the 24 patients with bacteremia, 15 of 24 (62%) had ulcerative mucositis, compared with 16 of 45 (36%) of patients in the control population (P < 0.05). Patients with ulcerative mucositis were found to be three times as likely to develop alpha-hemolytic streptococcal bacteremia as those without ulcerative mucositis (odds ratio=3.02). Both independently and as a cofactor associated with bacteremia, mucositis adversely affected the length of hospital stay (LOS). Of all the patients studied, those with oral ulcerations had a LOS of 34 days, compared with 29 days for patients without oral ulcerations (P < 0.05). Of patients in the study group, those with oral ulcerations stayed in the hospital 6 days longer than patients without oral ulcerations (40 days vs. 34 days, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oral ulcerative mucositis is a significant, common, and important risk factor for alpha-hemolytic streptococcal bacteremia in BMT recipients with myelosuppression; it results in longer hospital stay and increased costs.     

Wetting,reactivity, and phase formation at interfaces between Ni–Al melts and TiB2 ultrahigh‐temperature ceramic

The wetting, reactivity, and phase formation at the liquid Ni–Al/TiB₂ ceramic interfaces have been investigated at the temperatures close to the Ni–Al liquidus line. The wetting kinetics has been studied by the sessile drop technique utilizing liquid drop dispension and high‐speed high‐resolution video imaging. It is established that the wetting behavior changes from a nonreactive for the Al‐rich melts to a dissolution‐reactive for the Ni‐rich melts. For the Ni concentration ≥40 at.%, TiB₂ precipitates are found in the solidified Ni–Al droplets after the high‐temperature interaction of the melts with TiB₂ substrates. Besides, new (Al,Ti)Ni₃ and (Al,Ti)₂Ni₂₁B₆ phases are formed due to dissolution of TiB₂ ceramic in Ni‐rich melts and subsequent solidification.     

Mass in the infratemporal fossa

The effects of glutamate (Glu) and ATP on interleukin-6 (IL-6) production from cultured neonatal rat astrocyte were studied. Glu (100-200 mumol.L-1) strongly increased, IL-6 production at 16 h in a dose-dependent manner and ATP (50-100 mumol.L-1) induced a inhibition effect. The results suggest that Glu stimulted IL-6 release may be one of mechanisms of astrocyte "neuroprotective" function in ischmia/reperfusion.