Distinguishing organic wines from normal wines on the basis of concentrations of phenolic compounds and spectral data

This study was undertaken to determine whether it is possible to distinguish organic wines from normal wines on the basis of chemical composition and spectral data. A total of 58 wine samples including organic and normal red and white wines from France and Germany were analysed. The concentrations of several phenolic compounds, including trans-resveratrol, were determined using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with both diode array and coulometric electrode array detection. In addition, total phenols, total acids, pH and SO₂ were determined. The ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectra of wines were measured, and the absorbances at four different wavelengths were determined. The data were processed statistically using principal component analysis (PCA). Despite several different combinations of variables, separation of white wines was only achieved according to geographical origin. PCA differentiated well between organic Burgundy red wines and normal Burgundy wines. The separation was based on the concentrations of caffeic and gallic acids, total phenol content and the absorbance ratios A₂₅₄/A₂₇₆, A₂₇₆/A₃₂₀ and A₃₂₀/A₅₂₀. PCA was unable to differentiate organic white wines from corresponding normal wines. The mean trans-resveratrol concentrations of 16 organic red wines and 16 normal red wines were 5.6 mg/l and 2.9 mg/l, respectively. The highest concentration, 14,5 mg/l, was found in an organic red wine from the Loire district in France.     

Poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐grafted acetylated anhydroglucose oligomer by ring‐opening polymerization—Synthesis and characterization

A novel acetylated anhydroglucose oligomer (AGU‐oligomer), prepared by acid catalyzed transglycosidation of potato starch triacetate and ethylene glycol, was used as a multifunctional coinitiator for the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL). The polymers were synthesized using different weight ratios of the starting materials and were characterized by NMR, SEC, and MALLS. The results confirmed the expected P(AGU/CL) polymer structure, namely a ‘comb‐like’ graft‐copolymer having the AGU oligomer as backbone with PCL grafts of variable chain lengths (L_CL = 4–21). Thermal and mechanical properties of graft‐copolymers with different ε‐CL block lengths were examined. By changing the graft length, crystallinity was controlled and amorphous polymers were obtained with AGU‐oligomer contents higher than 50 wt %. The tensile properties varied with the composition and a copolymer having 40 wt % of AGU‐oligomer behaved like soft elastomer, showing high elongation at break. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1633–1641, 2006     

Mining tailings as raw materials for reaction-sintered aluminosilicate ceramics: Effect of mineralogical composition on microstructure and properties

This paper presents studies on the utilization of aluminosilicate-based mining tailings as raw materials for mullite-based ceramics. Based on the 3:2 stoichiometric composition, mullite was synthesised by reactive sintering with a series of powder mixtures with alumina additions. X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed that, at the specific mineralogical composition, mullite structure formed surrounded by an amorphous glass phase in reaction-sintered powder mixtures. Results demonstrated that the chemical and mineralogical composition of mining tailings do have an effect on mullite formation possibilities and, only with the particular mineralogical composition, the mullite formation is possible regardless of the correct Al:Si ratio in tailings. Physical and mechanical properties of the formed ceramics were defined, showing comparable values to 3:2 mullite reference. Mullite structure formation enables a better thermal resistance up to above 1450?°C of the formed tailings-based ceramics compared to other aluminosilicates, reflecting their utilization potential for refractory ceramic applications.     

How do employees perceive their organization and job when companies adopt principles of lean production?

The concept of lean production originally emerged in the beginning of the 1990s in the automobile industry, but its principles were adopted in other industries as well. According to the literature, the principles of lean production are controversial from the point of view of human well being. This study examined: 1) the extent to which lean production and related technologies were adopted in four Finnish manufacturing companies; 2) the way different occupational groups experienced their organization and work when principles of lean production had been implemented; and 3) which factors in the organization and change processes were associated with the employees' positive or negative perceptions of production, job satisfaction, and stress. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 14: 157–180, 2004.     

Acetylation enhances the tabletting properties of starch

The aim of this study was the evaluation of starch acetate (SA) powders used as tablet excipients. Deformation during powder volume reduction, strain-rate sensitivity, intrinsic elasticity of the materials, and tensile strength of the tablets were examined. Results showed that SA with the lowest degree of substitution (ds) still possessed characteristics of native starch granules. Due to dissolution in synthesis, the properties of higher ds SAs depended on precipitation and drying processes. The acetate moiety, perhaps in combination with existing hydroxyl groups, was a very effective bond-forming substituent. The formation of strong molecular bonds increased, leading to a very firm and intact tablet structure. Small changes existed in compression-induced deformation due to acetylation. Some fragmentation was induced due to the slightly harder and more irregular shape of high-substituted SA particles. The plastic flow under compression was enhanced. Acetylated material was slightly less sensitive to fast elastic recovery in-die, but somewhat more elastic out-of-die. In spite of their superior bonding, SAs under compression behaved similarly to native starches. It was concluded that deformation properties were more the consequence of the molecular chain structure properties of the starch polymer than the effect of the acetate moiety itself. In contrast, the opposite seemed to be the case with the extensive improvement in bond-forming properties.