Double-dip caustic peeling of potatoes I: Laboratory-scale development

A modified caustic peeling process for potatoes was developed and evaluated. The process, called the double-dip process, comprises two separate caustic applications with an intervening holding period. Results on Russet Burbank potatoes showed that tissue removal was enhanced for the double-dip process when compared to the standard single dip process and that the double-dip process can effect reduction in caustic usage without requiring additional heat input.     

Toxicity of bunamidine

Abstract

Extract

The periodic examination of various occupational groups for serological indicators of infection, toxic agents or genetic factors associated with disease is being increasingly recommended and used by health authorities throughout the world (WHO, 1970 WHO. 1970. Multipurpose serological surveys and WHO serum reference banks. Tech. Rep. Ser. Wld Hlth Org. No. 454,  [Google Scholar]). While an immunological survey can provide information on the prevalence of infection or immune status of populations, it does not necessarily give direct evidence of the prevalence of disease. For this both epidemiological and clinical data are required.     

Optimization of electroless nickel plating on polyester fabric

Electrical conductivity is an important property of electroless nickel plated fabric. The optimized electroless nickel plating method can provide useful information for textile industries to obtain optimum surface resistance and stable plating. In this study, a screening experiment with factorial design and response surface method (RSM) with central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the electroless nickel plating on polyester fabric. A two-level full factorial design (FFD) was used to determine the effects of five factors, i.e. the concentrations of nickel sulfate, sodium hypophosphite and sodium citrate, pH and temperature of the plating solution on surface resistance of the electroless nickel plated fabric. It is found that the nickel sulfate concentration and temperature of the plating solution are the most significant variables affecting the surface resistance of electroless nickel plated fabric. The optimum operating condition is finally obtained by using a desirability function. The test for reliability for predicting response surface equations shows that these equations give an excellent fitting to the observed values. In addition, the deposit composition, surface morphology, crystal structure and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) were studied. The EMI SE of the nickel plated polyester fabric obtained under the optimal condition is about 60 dB at the frequency ranging from 2 to 18 GHz.     

Parametric study of CF4-plasma on the hydrophobicity of polyester synthetic leather

Atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) technology has been proven to be an effective method for improving the hydrophobicity of fabric surface. While many researchers have worked on apparel fabrics, polyester and synthetic leather fabrics, popular in the luxury textile market, have been examined rarely. In this regard, this paper reports the effects of APP treatment using tetrafluoromethane (CF₄) as the polymerizing monomer on hydrophobicity of polyester synthetic leather. The polyester synthetic leather samples were treated under various parameters and hydrophobicity was found to be greatly enhanced under a certain range of treatment conditions. An optimization of the treatment parameters was conducted and the results showed that a hydrophobic surface with a contact angle of 106 ° was achieved, compared to the untreated sample’s 0 °.     

Naturally occurring and experimental Stachys arvensis (staggerweed) toxicity in lambs in New Zealand

Stachys arvensis (staggerweed) is a common, widely distributed weed of cultivated and waste land with the potential to intoxicate sheep. Two naturally occurring outbreaks of suspected staggerweed toxicity in the lower North Island were investigated. Affected lambs had been recently moved onto staggerweed-contaminated Brassica spp. crops. In total, 150/1,200 (13%) lambs developed hindlimb paresis, a fine generalised muscular tremor, and hunched posture. When forced to move, many became recumbent. Most lambs recovered within 48 h of removal from staggerweed, although a few developed clinical signs again when transported 2–3 weeks later. Grossly, affected lambs had large amounts of staggerweed plant material and seeds within the rumen. Histopathology showed mild, multifocal degeneration of the white matter tracts of the central nervous system (CNS), most commonly in the ventral funiculi of the spinal cord, and acute, mild to moderate, multifocal degeneration of skeletal muscles. Creatine kinase (CK) activity in serum was mildly to markedly elevated in affected lambs. In a feeding trial, ten 10-month-old Romney lambs were randomly assigned to equal treatment and control groups. Treated lambs were drenched with a liquid extract of staggerweed once daily for 7 days. Three of five treated lambs developed mild exercise intolerance, and 1/5 displayed mild paresis of the hindlimbs, slightly crouched hindlimb stance, and shortened gait, on days 6 and 7. Histologically, 4/5 treated lambs had degeneration in white matter tracts of the CNS, indistinguishable from those seen in the lambs in the outbreak, and in 1/5 lambs there was scattered regeneration of skeletal muscle. CK activity in serum in treated lambs was not significantly higher than that in control lambs. None of the control lambs developed significant clinical signs, histological changes or increases in CK activity in serum. The clinical signs and lesions observed in both the outbreaks and feeding trial were similar to those previously described in studies in Australia, with the exception that myodegeneration was more prominent in the outbreaks in New Zealand. Further characterisation of the pathogenesis of staggerweed toxicity and its potential role as a food safety hazard will be facilitated through identification of the toxic principle(s).     

Effects of fungal α-amylase on chemically leavened wheat flour doughs

Chemical leaveners are used in doughs to generate carbon dioxide, as an alternative to yeast, in making a range of bakery products. In this study, the effects of fungal α-amylase and ascorbic acid on chemically leavened doughs were followed by measuring dough extensibility, true rheological properties, the amount of free liquid in doughs following ultracentrifugation and the quality of baked products. As with yeasted doughs, the bake qualities of chemically leavened doughs also improved in the presence of fungal α-amylases. The bake qualities were not affected when the equivalent amount of ascorbic acid was added. The differences in dough formulations were detected from measurements of true rheological properties, not from extensibilities of doughs. The amount of free liquid was larger and of lower viscosity in doughs containing α-amylases. The properties of the continuous liquid phase were found to be important in defining the rheological and baking qualities of doughs.     

基于信息环境变化的高校信息检索课创新策略

信息环境的变化对大学生产生了极大影响,对信息的获取更加便捷,学习的方式发生改变,信息素养能力变得更加重要。这些对高校信息检索课的教学内容、教学方式等方面提出了更高的要求。信息检索课教师只有不断进行教学创新,才能更好适应信息环境的变化。     

The effect of seaweed extracts,as a supplement or alternative culture medium,on the growth rate and biochemical composition of the microalga,Isochrysis galbana (Park 1949)

Aqueous extracts of green [Ulva lactuca Linnaeus and Enteromorpha intestinalis (Linnaeus) Nees] and red [Gracilaria corticata (J. Agardh) J. Agardh] seaweeds from the Persian Gulf of Iran were examined for their potential usefulness as components of microalga Isochrysis galbana culture medium against conventional f/2 medium. Isochrysis galbana was successfully cultured using the tested seaweed extracts (SWE) and exhibited higher or similar cell density and biomass when SWE were used as a supplement or an alternative medium respectively. When the SWE were used as an alternative medium, microalgal protein, lipid and ash content were similar but carbohydrate increased compared with control. Total saturated fatty acids decreased with a corresponding increase in total mono‐ and polyunsaturated fatty acids following supplementation of f/2 medium with SWE. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was not affected by SWE treatments but docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) tended to decrease, except for I. galbana cultured with U. lactuca extract. With the exception of potassium, SWE did not significantly impact the mineral content of cultured I. galbana. The study points to the potential usefulness of specific SWE in the production of microalgae as a food source in aquaculture.     

Freshwater crabs and the biodiversity crisis: Importance, threats, status, and conservation challenges

Freshwater ecosystems in the tropics host a diverse endemic fauna including freshwater crabs, but the rapid loss and deterioration of habitat means that many species are now under imminent threat. Studies on freshwater fish and amphibians suggest a third to half of the species in some tropical freshwaters is either extinct or endangered, but the status of the freshwater crabs is not known. Freshwater crabs, with 1280 species, represent one-fifth of all the World’s brachyurans. We therefore undertook a comprehensive IUCN Red List assessment of the freshwater crabs, which was the first time that such a study had been attempted on a global scale for any group of freshwater invertebrates. The conservation status of all known species from the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australasia revealed unexpectedly high threat levels. Here we show that about one-sixth of all freshwater crab species have an elevated risk of extinction, only one-third are not at-risk, and although none are actually extinct, almost half are too poorly known to assess. Out of 122 countries that have populations of freshwater crabs, 43 have species in need of protection. The majority of threatened species are restricted-range semi-terrestrial endemics living in habitats subjected to deforestation, alteration of drainage patterns, and pollution. This is illustrated with a case study of one such species found in Singapore. This underlines the need to prioritize and develop conservation measures before species decline to levels from which they cannot recover. The proportion of freshwater crabs threatened with extinction is equal to that of reef-building corals, and exceeds that of all other groups that have been assessed except for amphibians. These results represent a baseline that can be used to design strategies to save the World’s threatened freshwater crab species.