Aluminum Bags Research Articles

Ambient Ultra-Fine Particles and Children's Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Beijing

ISEE-749 Objective: This study focuses on examining the relationship between UFP and eNO in 17 nonasthmatic children (9–11 years old) from an elementary school located < 1 km from an ambient air monitoring site in Beijing. Materials and Methods: At this site, a Twin Differential Mobility Particle Sizer System and an Aerosol Particle Sizer were used to measure number concentrations of particles in several size ranges starting from 3 nm and up to 10 μm. Particles were measured at 10-min intervals continuously during the study period (October 2005–April 2006). Each child was measured once per day for 30 days. Exhaled breath samples were collected into an aluminum bag and subsequently analyzed for NO using a chemiluminescent NOx-NO2-NO analyzer. In our analysis, we calculated concentrations of UFP (diameter < 100 nm), both averaged over the 24-hour period before each eNO measurement day and the maximum 1-hour moving average within the same 24-hour period. Linear mixed-effects models were used to regress eNO against UFP, along with or without a copollutant (NO2 or SO2), respectively. A repeated statement was used to estimate the covariance effects of residual; and the covariance structure was chosen as compound symmetry. Results: Results showed that UFP concentrations were 25,484.1 ± 7403 cm−3 and eNO concentrations were 9.7 ± 9.0 ppb. Using 24-hour average concentrations, we found an increase in UFP by 10,000 cm−3 was associated with an increase in eNO by 0.56 ppb (P = 0.14), 0.25 ppb (P = 0.47) after adjusting for NO2, and 0.28 ppb (P = 0.38) after adjusting for SO2. Using maximum 1-hour concentrations, we found an increase in UFP by 10,000 cm−3 was associated with an increase in eNO by 0.22 ppb (P = 0.13), 0.19 ppb (P = 0.15) after adjusting for NO2, and 0.21 ppb (P = 0.09) after adjusting for SO2. Conclusions: These findings suggest a positive association between eNO and UFP. More detailed analyses, considering different particle size ranges, seasonal effects, etc, are being undertaken.

Qualidade fisiológica de sementes de urucum armazenadas em diferentes ambientes e embalagens

Urucum (Bixa orellana L.) é uma cultura de grande interesse comercial, sendo o principal produto a semente, da qual se extrai os corantes bixina e norbixina, de valor nos mercados nacional e internacional. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de urucum, cultivar Bico de Pato, armazenadas por um período de 12 meses em quatro ambientes (condição ambiental, câmara fria, refrigerador e freezer) e acondicionadas nas embalagens (envelopes trifoliados de papel-alumínio-polietileno, embalagem plástica em condições de vácuo e polietileno preto). Após as determinações do grau de umidade, as sementes foram escarificadas mecanicamente. Foram realizadas avaliações da qualidade das sementes aos 90, 180, 270, 360 dias do armazenamento pelos testes de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação e índice de velocidade de germinação. Concluiu-se que sementes de urucum com umidade de 7,0%, embaladas em condições de vácuo mantém sua qualidade fisiológica por até 270 dias e que as condições de armazenamento em freezer e refrigerador, em embalagens de alumínio e plástico em condições de vácuo proporcionam sementes de maior qualidade fisiológica.

Improved Stability of OPALMON Tablets under Humid Conditions. III: Application of the Rotary Vacuum Drying Method to Dry Opalmon Tablets

In stability studies on moisture-resistant Opalmon tablets in press-through-packages (PTP), which were placed in aluminum bags, we found that the degradation rate of the dextran formulation is faster than that of the lactose formulation. The fast degradation of the dextran formulation is attributed to residual moisture in the package because drying the tablets before packaging suppressed the degradation and there is a good correlation between the stability of the drug and the water-activity of the tablets. Therefore, we developed a new drying method for the tablets, i.e. the rotary vacuum drying method, and investigated the effects of the operating conditions such as heating temperature, rotation speed, and vacuum degree on the drying time, and the appearance of the tablets. Using the rotary vacuum drying method, the tablets were dried over a short time (30 min) on a mass production scale so that the water activity was less than 0.03. Furthermore, the tablets suffered negligible damage such as breaking and chipping during the drying process. These results indicate that the rotary vacuum drying method is useful for drying tablets on mass production scales.

P24 Comparison of sampling bags used for measuring breath odor

The use of sampling bags to collect breath odor has not been well established. The aim of this study was to compare and judge the quality and performance of three commercially available sampling bags. An aluminized polyethylene bag (Aluminum Bag, Tokyo Deodorant Inc., Japan), the Tedlar® bag (Tedlar® Bag, Tokyo Deodorant Inc.), and a polyester bag (Flek‐Sampler® Nioibukuro; Omi Odorair Service Co. Ltd., Japan) were assessed. A GC instrument (GC14‐B, Shimadzu, Japan) equipped with a flame photometric detection system were used to measure the concentrations of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC: hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide) released from the sampling bags over time. An electronic nose (e‐nose) (Odor Discrimination Analyzer FF‐1, Shimadzu, Japan) was used to assess the characteristics of the gas eluted from the inner surfaces of the bags. The GC results showed that the Tedlar® bag had the highest performance, with 73% of the VSC concentration lasting for up to 4 days. The disadvantage of this bag, however, is that the Tedlar® bag itself has an odor that disturbs the e‐nose's response and organoleptic evaluation. The polyester bags were only able to hold hydrogen sulfide for 2 h. The e‐nose's responses were strongly associated with changes in humidity within the polyester bag. The humidity was more stable within the aluminized polyethylene bag, which was able to sustain 94% of the VSC concentration for up to 24 h. In conclusion, Tedlar® bags are beneficial for GC usage. Aluminum coated polyester bags are beneficial for GC measurements, e‐nose measurements, and organoleptic judgements. Polyester bags have poor hold of VSC, but the low cost suits required disposability for the measurements of individual patients. Thus, breath odor sampling bags should be selected based on the specificity of the measuring instrument.

Fortification of fried potato chips with antioxidant vitamins to enhance their nutritional value and storage ability

The frying shelf life of commercial frying oil was increased by the addition of synthetic and natural antioxidants, e.g. TBHQ, retinyl palmitate and ascorbyl palmitate (antioxidant vitamins).The results revealed that TBHQ had the best effect in retarding the deteriorative effect of frying conditions throughout 24h of frying potato chips at 180±10 oC followed by the effect of retinyl palmitate and the effect of ascorbyl palmitate compared to the control without any additives. Fried potato chips in oils either with or without antioxidant were collected during the first 8h of frying, divided into 3 main portions each portion had different treatment; 1) without any additives (control samples for fried potatoes resulting from the control oil or from oil containing TBHQ or containing retinyl or ascorbyl palmitate. 2) fortification of the above 4 samples with vitamin E (tocopherol) by dipping each of the resulting samples from the four frying trials separately in oil containing 0.1 % tocopherol. 3) fortification of each of the above mentioned samples with vitamin C by dispersing the mixture of fine salt and ascorbyl palmitate on the fried chips' surface and vigorous shaking in bags. The control samples and fortified samples were packed in aluminum bags and stored in an electric oven at 63±1 oC . The storage ability of fried potatoes at 63±1 oC was increased by the fortification with antioxidant vitamins either with vitamin E (tocopherol) or with vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate) before packaging and storing at 63±1 oC. The results indicated that potatoes fried in oil without any additives (control) had the lowest storage stability and that it was increased by the fortification with antioxidant vitamins, C or E. Potato chips fortified with vitamins A or C by frying in oil containing retinyl palmitate or ascorbyl palmitate and also in oil containing TBHQ had better storage ability at 63 oC and this was also prolonged by the addition of vitamin E or C after the frying processes and before storing at 63 oC in aluminium bags. This demonstrated the synergistic effect of the antioxidant vitamins which work either alone or complementary to each other along with the protective effect of the phenolic antioxidant (TBHQ) which protected these vitamins by supporting their antioxidant function.

NEW MEASUREMENT OF HYDROGEN GAS AND ACETONE VAPOR IN GASES EMANATING FROM HUMAN SKIN

ABSTRACT We have found that hydrogen gas and acetone vapor emanate from human skin. Emanation gases from human skin were collected for 5–10 min from arm, palm, or forefinger with a homemade probe and bags. The trapped gases were analyzed by gas chromatography, and hydrogen gas and acetone vapor were found to exist in all subjects. The probe (44 mm outer diameter, 6 mm height and inner volume of 3.8 mL) directly covered a 9.4 cm2—flat skin surface of the arm, and a modified Tedlar bag or aluminum bag could cover a finger or the whole palm. The average rates of acetone vapor and hydrogen gas released from human skin (15 subjects) is 80–800 and 5–50 pg cm−2 min−1, respectively. There is a good linear relationship between the emanation rate and the concentration of those gases in human breath. Correlation factors for acetone vapor and hydrogen gas are 0.81 and 0.66, respectively. The proposed non-invasive clinical technique imposes only very minor physical stress on a subject during sampling.

Germinação de sementes de melão osmoticamente condicionadas durante o armazenamento

O condicionamento osmótico das sementes de melão pode amenizar o efeito inibitório das baixas temperaturas, melhorando, assim, a germinação e a emergência das plântulas no campo. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a viabilidade das sementes de melão condicionadas e não condicionadas durante o armazenamento. Sementes de melão foram condicionadas por nove dias, a 25°C, em solução aerada de KNO3 (0,35M). As sementes condicionadas ou não foram acondicionadas em envelopes aluminizados e armazenadas por 0, 6, 12, 18 e 24 meses em condições ambientais de laboratório. Sementes condicionadas apresentaram uma maior deterioração durante o armazenamento, sendo que, após 24 meses, apenas 30% germinaram, comparado com 78% nas sementes não condicionadas. Estudos devem ser enfatizados visando, simultaneamente, alcançar um efeito positivo do condicionamento e minimizar os efeitos deletérios durante o armazenamento.

Testes de envelhecimento acelerado e de deterioração controlada para avaliação do vigor de sementes de soja

A avaliação do de vigor é um importante componente no controle de qualidade da indústria de sementes. A pesquisa, conduzida com sementes de soja [Glycine max (L.) Merrill], não classificadas pelo tamanho, dos cultivares BR-37 e Embrapa 48, teve como objetivos estudar diferentes procedimentos para a distribuição das amostras na superfície da tela metálica das caixas plásticas, que constituem compartimentos individuais (câmaras internas), durante os períodos de exposição ao envelhecimento acelerado e de comparar os resultados com os do teste de deterioração controlada. No teste de envelhecimento acelerado foram utilizadas quatro subamostras para cada lote, previamente pesadas (42,5 g) ou distribuídas de modo a formar uma camada única de sementes na superfície da tela metálica. A manutenção da umidade relativa no interior de cada caixa plástica foi efetuada de duas maneiras: através da adição de 40 mL de água (100% U.R.) ou de 40 mL de solução saturada de cloreto de sódio (76% U.R.). As caixas plásticas permaneceram em B.O.D., a 41°C, durante 48 ou 72 horas. Em seguida, conduziu-se teste de germinação, a 25°C, com avaliação única aos quatro dias. O teste de deterioração controlada foi conduzido a 40°C durante 48 horas, após o ajuste do grau de umidade das sementes para 15,5%, seguido por germinação durante quatro dias. Os dois sistemas usados para a distribuição das amostras mantiveram a sensibilidade do teste de envelhecimento acelerado para identificar diferenças no vigor dos lotes avaliados, independentemente do uso de água ou de solução salina e do período de envelhecimento. O teste de deterioração controlada constitui alternativa tão consistente quanto o teste de envelhecimento acelerado para a avaliação do vigor de sementes de soja.

Measurement for breath concentration of hydrogen and methane in horses.

This study concerns the establishment of a simple testing method for breath concentration of hydrogen and methane in horses. Twenty-eight healthy thoroughbreds and 24 Arabians were used. Breath samples were collected using one-minute closed circulatory respiration through an aluminum bag filled with 10 liters of pure oxygen, which was mounted on the subjects by means of a face mask. Breath samples obtained, were analyzed by gas chromatography. A significant correlation in both hydrogen and methane levels was observed for samples collected at separate times. These findings confirmed the usefulness of our approach for testing breath concentrations of hydrogen and methane in horses.

Response by Ips typographus to pheromone dispensers stored for 8 years

Pheromone dispensers containing methylbutenol, (‐)cis‐verbenol and ipsdienol, which are the three components of the Ips typographus pheromone, retained their effectiveness for 8 years when stored in sealed aluminium bags in an unheated room in the cellar of a storehouse

Influence of Defoliation, Leaf Darkening, and Cluster Shading on the Growth and Composition of Sultana Grapes

One half of the total leaf area of 9Sultana9 vines was eliminated by either physical leaf removal (defoliation) or by covering the leaves with aluminum bags (darkening). Treatments were applied about a month after anthesis either to all leaves on every other shoot per vine or to leaves on the basal or apical half on all shoots per vine. Half of the fruit clusters on each vine were covered to protect the fruit from direct solar radiation. A further series of vines receiving the defoliation treatments above, including no defoliation, were completely defoliated at véraison. All leaf elimination treatments reduced berry weight and soluble solids concentration significantly, the reductions being already pronounced in the early stages of ripening and not increasing as the fruit matured. Elimination of apical leaves reduced both variables more than did elimination of basal leaves. Defoliation reduced berry weight more, and soluble solids concentration less, than did darkening. Covered clusters had a slightly higher soluble solids concentration in all treatments and a slightly higher berry weight in the control and defoliation treatments. They had a considerably higher berry weight in the darkening treatments, and this accounted for the difference in this respect between darkening and defoliation, the berry weight for uncovered clusters being the same for both. All leaf elimination treatments led to a higher total acidity in the fruit in the early stages of ripening, but only when apical leaves were eliminated did it remain higher until maturity. At maturity, fruit from leaf darkened vines was slightly more acidic than fruit from defoliated vines, and fruit from covered clusters was slightly more acidic than fruit from uncovered clusters. Fruit from vines completely defoliated at véraison had a drastically lower soluble solids concentration but less severely reduced berry weight by the end of the ripening period, than did corresponding vines not further defoliated at véraison. Acidity was scarcely affected. Berry weight and °Brix of fruit were significantly greater for covered clusters on vines entirely defoliated at véraison than for uncovered clusters. Removal of apical leaves increased the total number of nodes per vine and per shoot over all other treatments. The percentage of mature nodes was greater on defoliated vines than on leaf-darkened vines. Shoots with no leaves always had fewer mature nodes than shoots with leaves, and vines with basal leaves removed had considerably higher percentages of mature nodes than vines with apical leaves removed. Approximately 10 square centimeters of leaf tissue per gram of fruit was required to mature the crop fully without decreasing the total soluble solids in the berries.