Quantitative assessment of preferential fatigue initiation sites in a multi‐phase aluminium alloy

Complex multi‐phase Al–Sn–Si alloys are commonly employed in the manufacture of small automotive plain bearings. The fundamental fatigue initiation behaviour of this class of alloys is currently not well understood. A range of analytical techniques were applied to investigate preferential initiation site location and to attempt to identify critical microstructural features. It was apparent from experimental studies that points of fatigue crack initiation are associated with the Si secondary phase. Using tessellation approaches and subsequently both adaptive numerical modelling and micro‐scale finite element modelling allowed the identification of features affecting the probability that a given Si phase would initiate a fatigue crack.     

A Structural Study of Talc and Talc-Tremolite Relations

About forty specimens of talc have been examined by X-ray powder methods. Variations in the degree of crystallinity of the mineral have been observed, but no evidence has been obtained for polymorphic structural varieties. Single-crystal data have confirmed the two-layer mono-clinic cell. Little evidence has been obtained of talcs containing mixed-layer sequences. Electron micrographs have revealed a variety of platy and fibrous forms, and in the latter a close structural relation between talc and tremolite has been established. Talcs prepared synthetically in the presence of aluminum showed small lattice parameter differences from talcs prepared in the absence of aluminum, and the results are consistent with the substitution of small percentages of A1 ions in the talc structure. New X-ray powder data and unit-cell parameters for talc and tremolite are listed.     

Effect of irradiation and modified atmosphere packaging on the microbiological and sensory quality of pork stored at refrigeration temperatures

The effect of combining low-dose irradiation (1.75 kGy) with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the microbiological and sensory quality of pork chops stored at refrigeration temperatures was studied. The microflora of irradiated MAP pork was almost exclusively composed of lactic acid bacteria, predominantly Lactobacillus spp. Modified atmospheres containing either 25 or 50% CO₂, balance N₂, resulted in the best microbial control in irradiated pork held at 4°C, compared to an unirradiated MAP control, and these atmospheres were subsequently used in sensory studies. The atmosphere containing 25% CO₂ 75% N₂ maintained the uncooked colour and odour of irradiated pork chops more effectively than 50% CO₂ 50% N₂. Therefore packaging in a modified atmosphere containing 25% CO₂, balance N₂, followed by irradiation to a dose of 1.75 kGy is recommended to improve the microbiological and sensory quality of pork chops.     

OBSERVATIONS ON SOME TECHNIQUES FOR THE MICROBIOLOGICAL TESTING OF BUTTER

Details of the techniques used in a survey of butter quality are described and the storage of butter samples in deep freeze is examined. Comparisons of results from several laboratories are discussed and the different methods used in the isolation and identification of various organisms assessed. Techniques used for microbiological testing of butter are listed. ( Editor's summary )     

Viral integration detection strategies and a technical update on Virus-Clip

Oncovirus infection is crucial in human malignancies. Certain oncoviruses can lead to structural variations in the human genome known as viral genomic integration, which can contribute to tumorigenesis. Existing viral integration detection tools differ in their underlying algorithms pinpointing different aspects or features of viral integration phenomenon. We discuss about major procedures in performing viral integration detection. More importantly, we provide a technical update on Virus-Clip to facilitate its usage on the latest human genome builds (hg19 and hg38) and the adoption of multi-thread mode for faster initial read alignment. By comparing the execution of Virus-Clip using single-thread and multi-thread modes of read alignment on targeted-panel sequencing data of HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma patients, we demonstrate the marked improvement of multi-thread mode in terms of significantly reduced execution time, while there is negligible difference in memory usage. Taken together, with the current update of Virus-Clip, it will continue supporting the in silico detection of oncoviral integration for better understanding of various human malignancies.     

Sodium Transport in the Na2O-H2O-SiO2 Glass System

The variation with water content of dc conductivity and Na diffusion coefficient for the Na₂O · 4siO₂ and Na₂O · 2SiO₂ glass systems was found to be similar to that of the Na₂O.3SiO₂ series reported earlier. The conductivity was estimated for the ternary system Na₂O-H₂O-SiO₂ by combining the present results with the previous data on the Na₂O · 3SiO₂ system. When the conductivity of those glasses with a constant [Na₂O] + [H₂O] content was plotted against water content, a pronounced mixed "alkali" effect was demonstrated. The Haven ratio, calculated by comparison of the dc conductivity to the Na diffusion coefficient at 100°C for each of the three glass systems, was found to increase toward unity with increasing water content. This suggests that the addition of water reduces the number of sodium charge carriers. The subsequent increase in conductivity beyond the minimum with the introduction of larger amounts of water is, probably, due to an increase in the mobility of the Na⁺ ions.