180,753 research outputs found
The development of a castor meal detoxification and deallergenation technology
No full textTypescript (photocopy).This research has led to development of techniques for a detoxification and deallergenation of castor meal suitable for commercial applications. An in vitro immunodiffusion method, in conjunction with a dilution technique, was found to be very sensitive, specific, and reproducible for quantitative determination of CB-1A contents. In order of preference, sodium hydroxide-sodium hypochlorite mixture, calcium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, and sodium hydroxide, at 2% level each, were very effective in destroying more than 98% of CB-1A when used in combination with proper heat treatment. Proper mixing of chemicals with the meal was of paramount importance for effective destruction of CB-1A. Extruders were found to be very effective high temperature-short time reactors for destruction of CB-1A if used with proper chemicals. Extrusion alone, however, was not as effective for CB-1A destruction. To be effective, the extrusion temperature should reach at least 130��C, and preferably 150��C. Extrusion processing of chemically-treated castor meal is readily adaptable for scaled-up commercial production of detoxified and deallergenated castor meal as demonstrated by Wenger X-20, X-25, and X-200 runs. The castor seed allergen could be reduced by about 90% of the original level when conventional castor seed processing steps were used. However, the small amount of CB-1A remaining in the meal was still able to give a positive allergenicity test for the meal. Ricin was completely destroyed during prepressing of castor seeds or desolventization of solvent extracted meals. The hemagglutinin reaction technique was relatively simple, sensitive, and reproducible and could be used as a routine analytical tool for ricin toxicity testing. Biochemical changes occurring during the deallergenation process were investigated. However, due to the limited time and scope of the current research, additional studies are still needed to elucidate the mechanism of deallergenation. As demonstrated by chick and swine feeding studies, the detoxified and deallergenated castor meal was determined to be safe for use as animal feeds. However, the low PER values indicated that the treated castor meal could not be used as the sole source of dietary proteins for animals or might have to be supplemented with amino acids
A case of accidental Ricin poisoning
No full textA case report of accidental, mild ricin poisoning by ingestion of ten Castor beans by a 70 year old man. The clinical presentation is followed by a discussion about the toxicity of ricin, its use and misuse and the contrast between the toxicity of pure ricin and the ingestion of castor beans. Management of castor bean poisoning is also discussed.peer-reviewe
The Effects of Possible Contamination on the Radiocarbon Dating of the Dead Sea Scrolls II: Empirical Methods to Remove Castor Oil and Suggestions for Redating
No full textWhile kept at the Rockefeller Museum in East Jerusalem, many Dead Sea Scroll fragments were exposed to castor oil by the original team of editors in the course of cleaning the parchments. Castor oil must be regarded as a serious contaminant in relation to radiocarbon dating. If modern castor oil is present and is not removed prior to dating, the 14C dates will be skewed artificially towards modern values. Earlier, it was shown that the standard AAA pretreatment procedure used in the 2 previous studies dating Dead Sea Scroll samples is not capable of removing castor oil from parchment samples. In the present work, we show that it is unlikely that castor oil reacts with the amino acids of the parchment proteins, a finding which leaves open the possibility of devising a cleaning method that can effectively remove castor oil. We then present 3 different pretreatment protocols designed to effectively remove castor oil from parchment samples. These involve 3 different cleaning techniques: extraction with supercritical CO2, ultrasound cleaning, and Soxhlet extraction—each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Our data show that the protocol involving Soxhlet extraction is the best suited for the purpose of decontaminating the Dead Sea Scrolls, and we recommend that this protocol be used in further attempts to 14C date the Dead Sea Scrolls. If such an attempt is decided on by the proper authorities, we propose a list of Scroll texts, which we suggest be redated in order to validate the 14C dates done earlier.
Method and apparatus for controlled omnidirectional movement of payloads
No full textA payload platform includes a platform and a castor assembly coupled to the platform. The castor assembly includes a body, a first wheel coupled to the body, and a second wheel coupled to the body. The first wheel and the second wheel are individually actuatable. A sensor is coupled to the body. A control unit is operably coupled to the sensor and operably coupled to the first wheel and to the second wheel. The sensor detects an area surrounding the platform, determines presence of obstacles, and transmits a signal to the control unit corresponding to the area surrounding the platform. The control unit directs the first wheel and the second wheel to rotate in a prescribed manner so as to achieve a prescribed movement of the platform.U
Simulation of thermal plant optimization and hydraulic aspects of thermal distribution loops for large campuses
No full textFollowing an introduction, the author describes Texas A&M University and its utilities system. After that, the author presents how to construct simulation models for chilled water and heating hot water distribution systems. The simulation model was used in a $2.3 million Ross Street chilled water pipe replacement project at Texas A&M University. A second project conducted at the University of Texas at San Antonio was used as an example to demonstrate how to identify and design an optimal distribution system by using a simulation model. The author found that the minor losses of these closed loop thermal distribution systems are significantly higher than potable water distribution systems. In the second part of the report, the author presents the latest development of software called the Plant Optimization Program, which can simulate cogeneration plant operation, estimate its operation cost and provide optimized operation suggestions. The author also developed detailed simulation models for a gas turbine and heat recovery steam generator and identified significant potential savings. Finally, the author also used a steam turbine as an example to present a multi-regression method on constructing simulation models by using basic statistics and optimization algorithms. This report presents a survey of the author??s working experience at the Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL) at Texas A&M University during the period of January 2002 through March 2004. The purpose of the above work was to allow the author to become familiar with the practice of engineering. The result is that the author knows how to complete a project from start to finish and understands how both technical and nontechnical aspects of a project need to be considered in order to ensure a quality deliverable and bring a project to successful completion. This report concludes that the objectives of the internship were successfully accomplished and that the requirements for the degree of Degree of Engineering have been satisfied
The very forward CASTOR calorimeter of the CMS experiment
No full textThe physics motivation, detector design, triggers, calibration, alignment, simulation, and overall performance of the very forward CASTOR calorimeter of the CMS experiment are reviewed. The CASTOR Cherenkov sampling calorimeter is located very close to the LHC beam line, at a radial distance of about 1 cm from the beam pipe, and at 14.4 m from the CMS interaction point, covering the pseudorapidity range of -6.6 < eta < - 5.2. It was designed to withstand high ambient radiation and strong magnetic fields. The performance of the detector in measurements of forward energy density, jets, and processes characterized by rapidity gaps, is reviewed using data collected in proton and nuclear collisions at the LHC
Grain mold histopathology, damage assessment, and resistance screening within Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench lines
No full textTypescript (photocopy).Sorghum grain molds are defined as prematurity diseases resulting from infection of spikelets or developing kernels as early as anthesis by parasitic field fungi. Curvularia spp and Fusarium spp are the predominant grain molding fungi in Texas and India. The principal species of these two genera are Curvularia lunata and Fusarium moniliforme. Grain molding fungi reduce germination, weight, and size of kernels and increase discoloration compared with controls, when they are inoculated onto panicles at anthesis F. moniliforme increases preharvest sprouting. Spikelet tissues are infected initially and the developing kernel (ovary) is colonized a few days later. Damage to the developing kernels is related to the earliness and severity of infection. Curvularia lunata infects sterile lemma, lemma, palea, lodicules, anthers, and filaments within the first few days after inoculation at anthesis. Symptoms of infection, reddening of glume and pericarp surfaces, are evident 5 days after anthesis. Colonization of tissues at the floret-rachis branch junction and pedicel cause abortion of kernels or reduce kernel filling. Concurrently, a false black layer forms at the placenta 10 to 16 days earlier than normal. Little or no colonization of the kernel occurs when the false black layer forms. Colonization of the ovary wall (mesocarp) occurs between 5 and 10 days. Penetration into the endosperm from the ovary wall is restricted by the peripheral endosperm. C. lunata gains access to the germ and endosperm tissues via the placental sac and endosperm transfer cells. Colonization of the tissues is intercellular initially, but soon develops intracellularly. Fusarium moniliforme infects sterile lemma, lemma, palea, lodicules, and filaments within the first few days after inoculation at anthesis. Symptoms, reddening of spikelet tissues, are evident at 5 days. Colonization of the pedicel and basal ovary tissues occurs, primarily from the lodicules and filaments, between 5 and 10 days. Mycelial mats, progressing acropetally, are produced between the ovary wall and the aleurone layer between 5 and 10 days after anthesis. F. moniliforme mycelium enters the endosperm, germ, and ovary wall tissues directly from the mycelial mats..
Genetic improvement of Castor in the Western Hemisphere.
No full textA mamona (Ricinus communis L.) tem o potencial de se tornar a principal cultura energética em grande parte do Hemisfério Ocidental. Essa colaboração internacional entre esses programas aumentará tanto a eficiência quanto a velocidade da pesquisa no desenvolvimento do mamona como matéria-prima para biocombustível. Castor (Ricinus communis L.) has the potential to become the primier energy crop across much of the Western Hemesphere. This international collaboration between these program will increase both the efficiency and speed of reaseach in developing Castor as a biofuel feedstock
Intern experience at CH���M Hill, Inc.: an internship report
No full textIncludes author's vita"Submitted to the College of Engineering of Texas A&M University in partial
fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Engineering."Includes bibliographical referencesA review of the author's internship experience with CH���M HILL, Inc.
during the period September 1975 through May 1976 is presented. During this nine month
internship the author worked as an Engineer II in the Industrial Processes discipline of this
large consulting engineering firm... The author's prime responsibility was as one of three
lead design engineers on the design of a large wastewater treatment facility for a pulp mill
in Hoquiam, Washington owned by ITT Rayonier Inc. The work generally consisted of the design
of individual treatment units and associated piping and pumping. The purpose of the project
was to provide wastewater treatment capabilities that would satisfy the effluent limitations
(standards) imposed upon the mill by the State of Washington Department of Ecology and the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The author's assignment also entailed necessary
interaction with the project manager and other CH���M HILL design engineers and support staff
members, the client's representatives, and representatives of two other consulting engineering
firms working on the project. Thus, the internship position at CH���M HILL provided considerable
experience coordinating the author's work with the work of other engineers, guiding the design
and administrative efforts of a support staff, and interacting regularly with the client and
other consulting firms. This broad exposure to a variety of engineering and organizational
problems provided a valuable educational experience
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