20,026 research outputs found

    Ecology of A.carbonarius and ochratoxin A production in vine fruits and control in the production chain

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    This study examined black aspergilli, especially A. carbonarius and A. niger and ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination of grapes, during drying and industrial processing of dried vine fruits. This was complemented by studies on potential control using preservatives and physical factors such as modified atmospheres. Fungal population kinetics were determined in relation to grapes at harvest, and during drying at three different altitudes (sea level: 0-200 m; medium level: 250-500 m; high level: >500 m) in two seasons. At pre-harvest, A. niger aggregate species were the predominant fungal species while A. carbonarius was occasionally isolated, in both years studied. Both altitude and bunch position affected black aspergilli population dynamics. Overall, they were increased during drying. However, both black aspergilli groups were mostly isolated, at low and medium altitudes (<500 m). OTA contamination was influenced by bunch position, although altitude did not significantly influenced amounts. The fungal biodiversity was decreased during sun-drying of sultanas. The widest diversity of species occurred at the sea level. However, A. niger aggregate, were dominant during drying. Time of drying and altitude significantly influenced fungal loads of black aspergilli. In contrast, OTA production (ca 0.001 - 0.0025 μg g - 1 ) was not significantly influenced by altitude and drying time. Shannon Index of Biodiversity (H), for pre-harvest and pos-harvest studies, was determined for the first time. A. niger aggregate (ca 5.0 Log10 CFUs g -1 ) was predominant during industrial processing, while A. carbonarius was only isolated at low levels (1.5-2.0 Log10 CFUs g -1 ). Heat treatment (up to 90 o C) appeared to be the key-procedure for the elimination of fungal populations. In the contrary, SO2 treatment did not statistically alter fungal population dynamics. OTA contamination was not significantly affected by industrial processing. In vitro studies conducted on both White Grape Juice Medium (WGJM) and in sultanas with strains of A. carbonarius originated from Cretan sultanas and compared with a strain isolated from Italian wine grapes. They examined the impact of sodium metabisulphite (NaMBS), elevated CO2 (up to 50%) concentrations and aw levels, on black aspergilli spore germination, growth and OTA production. Moreover, fungal interactions in vitro and in situ were also investigated. In general, spore germination occurred over a wide range of sodium metabisulphite concentrations, although germ tube extension was significantly controlled. At ≥ 750 mg L -1 NaMBS, no spore germination was observed while both mycelial growth and OTA production were completely inhibited. Medium concentrations of NaMBS (≤ 250 mg L -1 ) enabled optimum spore germination, growth and OTA production (x 0.965 aw). The efficacy of controlled atmospheres x aw showed that there was very little inhibitory effect on spore germination. However, both germ tube extension and fungal growth were inhibited by 50% CO2. After 10 days, growth was not as effectively controlled. Aw had a bigger effect on OTA production than modified atmospheres. In situ experiments on sultanas confirmed these results. Competition and dominance of A. carbonarius over other fungal species showed that aw and temperature influenced Indices of Dominance and OTA production. In vitro and in situ, OTA production by A. carbonarius was significantly influenced by the fungal competitor used

    General Helices of AW(k)-Type in the Lie Group

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    We study curves of AW(k)-type in the Lie group G with a bi-invariant metric. Also, we characterize general helices in terms of AW(k)-type curve in the Lie group G

    The Aw–Rascle Traffic Model: Enskog-Type Kinetic Derivation and Generalisations

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    We study the derivation of second order macroscopic traffic models from kinetic descriptions. In particular, we recover the celebrated Aw–Rascle model as the hydrodynamic limit of an Enskog-type kinetic equation out of a precise characterisation of the microscopic binary interactions among the vehicles. Unlike other derivations available in the literature, our approach unveils the multiscale physics behind the Aw–Rascle model. This further allows us to generalise it to a new class of second order macroscopic models complying with the Aw–Rascle consistency condition, namely the fact that no wave should travel faster than the mean traffic flow

    Synthesis and Characterization of Biobased Polyesters with Tunable T-g by ROCOP of Beta-Elemene Oxides and Phthalic Anhydride

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    The use of terpene-based oxides derived from beta-elemene is reported in the context of new functional semiaromatic polyester development. In particular, poly(beta-elemene monoxide-alt-phthalic anhydride) featuring two double bonds per repeating unit having distinct reactivity is conveniently prepared by iron- and aluminum-mediated ring-opening polymerization (ROCOP). Sequential and selective transformation of each of these double bonds is addressed by epoxidation allowing one to precisely manipulate the degree and nature of the functionality in the polymer backbone while modulating the T-g from 68 to 121 degrees C. Direct access to cross-linked polyesters is demonstrated by ROCOP of bifunctional beta-elemene dioxide and phthalic anhydride furnishing a material with a Tg of 125 degrees C

    [aw-faw] (offal)

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    offalThe fore-castle of the ANDERSON- It was full to see; And the 'aw-faw' from the boilers- It was nearly to your knees; The 'G-D gubby-bucket, It was always full, you know, And the kettle always empty, Burning hot upon the stove.PRINTED ITEM W.J. KIRWIN MAR 1970JH 3/70Used I and SupUsed Sup1Used Su

    Gamma attenuation, dose rate and exposure/absorption buildup factors of apatite–wollastonite (AW) ceramic system

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    Apatite-wollastonite (AW) is an important biomaterial useful in clinical practice for tissue engineering and other applications. In this research paper, AW and B2O3-doped AW glass ceramics (GCs) were reported and investigated deeply by means of their ability to attenuate gamma-photons. The studied samples denoted by AW, AW-10B, and AW-20B as the B2O3 content from 0 to 20 mol% with the step of 10. Using FLUKA and other theoretical approaches, photon interaction parameters for narrow and broad beam transmission through the AW GCs were estimated for the 15 keV–15 MeV energy range. Also, the density of the GCs increased as the B2O3 content increased. The mass attenuation coefficients were found to be within the ranges 0.0231–13.5659 cm2/g, 0.0225–12.3561 cm2/g, and 0.0220–11.1079 cm2/g for AW, AW-10B, and AW-20B, respectively. The effective atomic number of the GCs fell within the range 11.04–17.26, 10.88–17.01, and 10.21–16.72, respectively. As the doping concentration of B2O3 increased, the gamma energy that the AW GCs were able to absorb decreased. The addition of B2O3 compromised the photon shielding competence of AW in both narrow beam and broad beam scenarios. The GCs had better photon-absorbing competence than some existing gamma-photon shields. The GCs may thus be used as photon absorbers in clinical practice or in other nuclear applications. © 202

    Gamma attenuation, dose rate and exposure/absorption buildup factors of apatite-wollastonite (AW) ceramic system

    No full text
    Apatite-wollastonite (AW) is an important biomaterial useful in clinical practice for tissue engineering and other applications. In this research paper, AW and B2O3-doped AW glass ceramics (GCs) were reported and investigated deeply by means of their ability to attenuate gamma-photons. The studied samples denoted by AW, AW10B, and AW-20B as the B2O3 content from 0 to 20 mol% with the step of 10. Using FLUKA and other theoretical approaches, photon interaction parameters for narrow and broad beam transmission through the AW GCs were estimated for the 15 keV-15 MeV energy range. Also, the density of the GCs increased as the B2O3 content increased. The mass attenuation coefficients were found to be within the ranges 0.0231-13.5659 cm2/g, 0.0225-12.3561 cm2/g, and 0.0220-11.1079 cm2/g for AW, AW-10B, and AW-20B, respectively. The effective atomic number of the GCs fell within the range 11.04-17.26, 10.88-17.01, and 10.21-16.72, respectively. As the doping concentration of B2O3 increased, the gamma energy that the AW GCs were able to absorb decreased. The addition of B2O3 compromised the photon shielding competence of AW in both narrow beam and broad beam scenarios. The GCs had better photon-absorbing competence than some existing gamma-photon shields. The GCs may thus be used as photon absorbers in clinical practice or in other nuclear applications
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