Regular Storage Research Articles

Effects of improved storage containers on the bacteriological quality of household drinking water in low-income urban communities in Ibadan, Nigeria

This study assessed the effectiveness of improved storage containers on household drinking water quality in four low-income urban communities in Ibadan, Nigeria. Three hundred randomly selected respondents were interviewed, while 44 households were selected and randomly assigned to four improved container treatment groups: Covered Buckets with Taps (CBT), Covered Buckets without Taps (CB), Covered Kegs with Taps (CKT) and Covered Kegs without Taps (CK). Water samples from springs, regular storage containers (RSC), and improved containers were analysed for total coliform (TC), total viable bacteria (TVB) and Escherichia coli for 2 weeks. About 96% reported using the same containers for cooking and drinking water, while only 23.3% used a form of water treatment. TC count for RSC and CB exceeded the recommended limit. Only 3 (6.8%) of the samples from RSC contained E. coli. A statistically significant difference was observed between the mean TC counts of samples from the improved containers. Percentage reduction in TC count from RSC, and the improved containers (CB, CBT, CK and CKT) were 25.4%, 37.3%, 45.0%, 56.8% and 53.8% respectively. Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, Proteus and Pseudomonas were isolated from the water samples. CK produced the best result. Hygiene education on use of appropriate storage containers for drinking water is recommended at the household level.

Impfkühlschrank- und Impfstoffmanagement in Hausarztpraxen: Eine repräsentative, Web-basierte Umfrage unter Hausärzten (Keep Cool I)

Aim: The purpose of this study was to analyse vaccine refrigerator and vaccine management in primary care and to identify physician- and practice-related influencing factors. Background: Adequate cooling of vaccines in a temperature range of 2-8°C is essential to assure vaccine effectiveness. Studies from various countries have demonstrated cooling chain problems. We surveyed general practitioners about the quality of their vaccine refrigerator and vaccine management and aimed at identifying physician- and practice-related influencing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based questionnaire survey was performed among 3 physician populations in primary care: a 10% random sample of general practitioners (n=954), all teaching physicians of the Universities Duisburg-Essen (n=221) and Halle-Wittenberg (n=92). Surveyed were items on the following 6 aspects: (1) responsibilities within practice teams, (2) vaccine ordering and storing, (3) criteria for the vaccine pre-selection, (4) stocking system inside the refrigerator, (5) wrapping, and use of stocking boxes, (6) refrigerator and temperature control. The quality indicator "comprehensive refrigerator management" was defined to include 4 aspects: (1) separate refrigerator, (2) written temperature documentation (temperature-logbook), (3) regular storage control (wrapping, temperature and expiration date), and (4) storage in original wrappings. Results: A total of 278 physicians participated in the survey (22%). Of these, 80% had a separate refrigerator, 52% reported written temperature documentation, 93% documented regular storage control addressing vaccine wrappings, temperature and expiration dates, and 95% reported vaccine storage in original card box wrappings. A "comprehensive refrigerator management" was realised by 42% of the practices. This indicator was reached more frequently by practices with 3 or more physicians (p=0.01) and those with an additional qualification in travel medicine (p=0.036). Conclusion: Our survey showed good results for most aspects of the refrigerator and vaccine management but room for improvement with regard to temperature documentation.

Natural phenolics greatly increase flax (Linum usitatissimum) oil stability.

BackgroundFlaxseed oil is characterized by high content of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) promoted as a human dietary supplement protecting against atherosclerosis. The disadvantage of the high PUFA content in flax oil is high susceptibility to oxidation, which can result in carcinogenic compound formation. Linola flax cultivar is characterized by high linoleic acid content in comparison to traditional flax cultivars rich in linolenic acid. The changes in fatty acid proportions increase oxidative stability of Linola oil and broaden its use as an edible oil for cooking. However one of investigated transgenic lines has high ALA content making it suitable as omega-3 source. Protection of PUFA oxidation is a critical factor in oil quality. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of phenylpropanoid contents on the oil properties important during the whole technological process from seed storage to grinding and oil pressing, which may influence health benefits as well as shelf-life, and to establish guidelines for the selection of new cultivars.MethodsThe composition of oils was determined by chromatographic (GS-FID and LC-PDA-MS) methods. Antioxidant properties of secondary metabolites were analyzed by DPPH method. The stability of oils was investigated: a) during regular storage by measuring acid value peroxide value p-anisidine value malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes and trienes; b) by using accelerated rancidity tests by TBARS reaction; c) by thermoanalytical - differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).ResultsIn one approach, in order to increase oil stability, exogenous substances added are mainly lipid soluble antioxidants from the isoprenoid pathway, such as tocopherol and carotene. The other approach is based on transgenic plant generation that accumulates water soluble compounds. Increased accumulation of phenolic compounds in flax seeds was achieved by three different strategies that modify genes coding for enzymes from the phenylpropanoid pathway. The three types of transgenic flax had different phenylpropanoid profiles detected in oil, highly increasing its stability.ConclusionsWe found that hydrophilic phenylpropanoids more than lipophilic isoprenoid compounds determine oil stability however they can work synergistically. Among phenolics the caffeic acid was most effective in increasing oil stability.

Waste Management in Ancient Times and Today from the Perspective of Teachers: Reflections to Diaries

Wastes, which are results of human activities, have reached to amounts that threaten the lives of current and future human generations. The only way to create a waste-aware and recycling-aware society is through the education of our children. At this point, science teachers have a key role in formation of recycling generation. With this fact in mind, Project "Look forward, recycle: Recycler teacher" was conducted to make teachers witness the effects of two lifestyles, with and without wastes, to increase their knowledge on the issue, and to develop positive behavior about recycling. This project was conducted with the support of Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey and Mehmet Akif Ersoy University in Burdur during August, 2014. Twenty teachers from different provinces of Turkey participated in the project activities. Nature trainings included 23 activities and they were conducted by academic consultancy. In this process, participant teachers wrote diaries about the assigned subjects after completing their daily activities. Diary topics were determined in such a way that the participants could convey their feelings and opinions about the daily activity content. This study covers the results of five activity events and written diaries about them since the activity topics and contents were comprehensive. The names of these five events are as follows: (1) Let us trace the wastes, (2) Where to our wastes travel?, (3) Irregular and regular storage, (4) A journey in history: Introduction to the ancient city of Kibyra, and (5) Waste and waste management in ancient times. Teachers wrote diaries about the subject "Can you compare waste and waste management between ancient times and today?” after completing five events. The analysis of the diaries indicated that almost all teachers displayed an increased awareness and knowledge about waste and recycling increased by means of activities performed in modern technological facilities (purifying, waste collection facilities, wild-landfill storage areas) and historical remains. However, many teachers stated that still standing sewerage system made up of soil and stone of Kibyra ancient city and solid waste landfill site called as Bothros interested them much more rather than the modern technological system. Obviously teachers found waste management of ancient times much nature-friendly in comparison to the modern era.`

고감성 의류용 축열 니트소재의 물성

This paper investigated wear comfort property of heat storage knitted fabrics for high emotional garment. For this purpose, ZrC imbedded PET knitted fabric was prepared and various physical properties such as thermal, wicking and drying characteristics were measured. In addition, far-infrared emission characteristics of ZrC imbedded PET was analysed and tactile hand property and dye affinity of ZrC imbedded knitted fabric were also studied in comparison with regular and other commercial heat storage PET knitted fabrics. It was observed that Zr imbedded amount in the yarn was 19.29% by ingredient analysis and far-infrared emission energy was <TEX>$3.65{\times}10^2W/m^2$</TEX>, emissivity was 0.906 at the range of wavelength <TEX>$6{\sim}20{\mu}m$</TEX>. It was found that maximum heat flow (Qmax) of ZrC imbedded PET knitted fabric was lower than that of regular PET one and warmth keepability rate was higher than that of regular PET one, which means ZrC imbedded PET have heat storage property. Drying property of ZrC imbedded knitted fabric was better than that of regular PET one due to heat by far-infrared emitted from ZrC in the core of filament. It revealed that wicking property of the ZrC imbedded fabric was not influenced by far-infrared emission, but affected by fibre physical properties. Tactile hand property of ZrC imbedded knitted fabric was not influenced by imbedding ZrC in the filament but affected preferably by structure of knitted fabric. Dye affinity of ZrC imbedded PET knitted fabric was less influenced by dyeing temperature and time than regular PET knitted one.

Plain silver surface plasmon resonance for microarray application.

The application scope of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and SPR imaging (SPRi) is rapidly growing, and tools such as high-performance and low-cost slides could enable more rapid growth of the field. We describe herein a novel silver slide, addressing the inherent instability of plain silver structure by improving adhesion between the glass substrate and the silver layer with a thin buffer layer of gold. Covered by a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) only, SPR characteristics of the slide remain steady for more than 3 months under regular storage. In a bioassay, the slide substantiates the predicted nearly 100% sensitivity improvement over gold slides and exhibits exceptional performance stability as determined by sensitivity and resolution measurements during the extended 40,000 s multicycle experiment. We demonstrate the suitability of this new slide for large-area SPRi, describing analysis results from a 1 296-ligand protein microarray. We predict this slide structure will provide a stable, high-sensitivity solution for high-throughput SPRi applications and other surface analysis platforms.

Simulation on Phase Change Thermal Storage Panel Based on Capillary Network

Storage technology has the advantage to solve the problem of the not matching in time and space of energy's supply and demand, making it an effective way to the rational use of resources and reducing environmental pollution. What is used in this paper is a regular flat phase change heat storage module packaging with capillary network and phase change material. In this paper, the software Fluent was used to simulate the impact factors and the ways to enhance heat transfer in the process of phase change. The simulation result indicates that: ▪ During the melting process, because of the influence of natural convection, the top of phase change regional melts faster, the temperature contour ramp to top. ▪ The higher the horizon is, the temperature contour is more stable. ▪ Natural convection play different role in the melting and solidification process, which accelerated melting rate in the melting process, and slowed down in solidification. The surface temperature of phase change thermal storage panel will be maintained at 26.5°C, within the limits of human body comfort and is able to improve the air temperature within a certain space.

Electrochromo-supercapacitor based on direct growth of NiO nanoparticles

In this paper, uniform NiO nanoparticles on different substrates were successfully synthesized by a simple and low-cost solvothermal method. The high capacitance (1386Fg−1 at 1Ag−1) and excellent rate capability were achieved for NiO nanoparticle film as supercapacitor electrode. A large optical modulation (63.6% at 550nm), high coloration efficiency (42.8cm2C−1 at 550nm) and good cycling stability can be achieved when the same NiO nanoparticles are used for electrochromic application. The excellent electrochemical performance is attributed to the uniform nanoparticles morphology and stable chemical bonding of the NiO nanoparticle on the substrates, which shorten the ion diffusion length and greatly facilitated the charge transfer both at the contact interfaces and within the electrode materials during the electrochemical process. In addition, we present a smart supercapacitor which function as a regular energy storage device and simultaneously monitor the level stored energy by visual changes. The findings present great promise for NiO nanoparticle film as practical electrode materials as chromo-supercapacitor.

Preparation and characterization of hollow magnetic composite nanoparticles for cisplatin delivery

Magnetic polymer microsphere is a kind of hybrid microsphere composed of polymer and inorganic magnetic particles. The materials have potential applications in biomedicine, catalysis, sewage treatment, etc. The objective of this paper was to develop a targeted anticancer drug delivery system based on carboxymethyl chitosan-coated Fe3O4/SiO2 hollow microspheres (HMS-CMCS) combining receptor-mediated targeting and magnetic targeting. The binding of chitosan to the surface of modified Fe3O4/SiO2 hollow microspheres could effectively prevent them from fusing with one another and undesirable payload release in regular storage or physiological environments. The synthesized HMS-CMCS microspheres could completely release the CDDP which was used as a model drug. The obtained HMS-CMCS had the hollow structure, and the walls of the HMS-CMCS had numerous micropores with a broad distribution of approximately 1 nm. The composite particles were characterized by TEM, FT-IR, and VSM. The results showed that the microspheres had an average size of 400 nm. The fabricated material is thus proposed as a biological material for drug delivery.

Cytokine concentration in stored canine erythrocyte concentrates

To evaluate the effect of leukoreduction (LR) as compared to standard nonleukoreduced (NLR) units on cytokine concentrations in canine erythrocyte concentrates during regular storage time. Randomized, experimental study. University teaching hospital. Ten random-source research dogs. One unit of whole blood was collected from each dog and randomized to standard processing (NLR, n = 5) or prestorage LR (n = 5). All units were stored at 4°C. Samples were aseptically collected from each unit weekly for 5 weeks. On day 35, 1 mL of blood was collected from each unit and submitted for aerobic culture. An ELISA assay was used to analyze the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-10. There were no significant effects of either group or storage time for IL-1β, IL-10, or TNF-α. IL-8 concentration was significantly increased over the storage period in NLR units, and was significantly higher compared to LR units on days 28 and 35. Aerobic culture was negative on all units. This study demonstrated a marked, storage time-dependent accumulation of IL-8 in canine erythrocyte concentrates. Prestorage LR attenuated the accumulation of IL-8. This chemokine may contribute to the proinflammatory effects of transfusion of stored erythrocyte concentrates.

Fire behavior of regular and latent heat storage gypsum boards

SummaryThis paper investigates the fire behavior of a regular and an energy storage gypsum board with latent heat storage characteristics when exposed to fire temperatures. Gypsum board samples, with and without a microencapsulated paraffin mixture phase change material, are studied at material and board level. At the material level, measurements of the physical properties, that is, mass and effective thermal conductivity, as a function of temperature, as well as differential scanning calorimetry experiments, in inert and oxidized environments, are performed. At the board level, specimens are inserted into a preheated oven, and the temperature evolution at preselected board locations is recorded. Both experimental procedures reveal significant information concerning the evolution of the various thermochemical processes taking place inside the gypsum boards during their heating. Results indicated the different fire behavior of the samples at different temperature ranges. At temperatures up to 300°C, the materials act as a fire retardant because of the dehydration of the free and chemically bound water contained in the gypsum boards. On the other hand, at temperatures higher than 300°C, the temperature rise within the samples is enhanced and accelerated because of the oxidation of the phase change material and their external finishing. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

PREVENTION OF SWEET CHERRY FRUIT CRACKING USING SURESEAL, AN ORGANIC BIOFILM

Rain-induced fruit cracking in sweet cherries can be a major problem. In the Pacific Northwest United States, due to high labor costs, when fruit cracking exceeds 25% at harvest, fruit are not picked. Oregon State University Horticulture and Pharmacy Faculty have collaborated in producing and patenting a novel, elastic, organic biofilm, SureSeal, which significantly reduced sweet cherry fruit cracking by up to 250% in Milton Freewater, Oregon and Loftus, Norway. Formulations of SureSeal are hydrophobic and consist of a copolymer of complex carbohydrates, phospholipids and calcium. Collaborative research undertaken over three years throughout the Pacific Northwest and overseas found that two applications of 1% SureSeal applied at straw color, and again ten days later, reduced fruit cracking con-sistently when compared to untreated control fruit. In Norway, fruit cracking was reduced from 24.6 to 9.8% when trees were treated with SureSeal in combination with plastic ground covers and a preharvest fungicide (fenhexamid). Furthermore, studies throughout Oregon and Idaho found that SureSeal resulted in significantly (P<0.001) higher total soluble solids (TSS) and increased Stem Pull Force (g) (retention force between the pedicel and the fruit) than untreated control fruit. In 2008, ‘Bing’ fruit had higher TSS both before (18.5°Brix) and after (18.9°Brix) two weeks of regular atmosphere storage at 2°C than untreated control fruit (17.4 and 17.2°Brix, respectively). In Norway, 1% Biofilm increased TSS to 21.4°Brix compared to untreated control fruit (18.6°Brix). Two applications of 1% Biofilm applied at straw color and again ten days later has the potential to significantly reduce fruit cracking, accelerate maturity by significantly increasing TSS levels, and increase stem pull force. The concurrent reduction in fruit firmness observed may be a function of maturity but, in all instances, fruit firmness still exceeded the minimum standard of 250 g mm-1.

Clean Tanks Deliver Quality Water

Finished water in distribution system storage facilities can undergo changes in water quality. However, with regular storage inspection and cleaning, utilities can preserve water quality and extend tank operating life and their capital budgets.

Prepared for sudden cardiac arrest? A cross-sectional study of automated external defibrillators in amateur sport

IntroductionSudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a rare but tragic part of professional and amateur sport. Following multiple high profile deaths in professional sport over the past two decades, there has...

Feasibility of using microbeads with holographic barcodes to track DNA specimens in the clinical molecular laboratory

We demonstrate the feasibility of using glass microbeads with a holographic barcode identifier to track DNA specimens in the molecular pathology laboratory. These beads can be added to peripheral blood specimens and are carried through automated DNA extraction protocols that use magnetic glass particles. We found that an adequate number of microbeads are consistently carried over during genomic DNA extraction to allow specimen identification, that the beads do not interfere with the performance of several different molecular assays, and that the beads and genomic DNA remain stable when stored together under regular storage conditions in the molecular pathology laboratory. The beads function as an internal, easily readable specimen barcode. This approach may be useful for identifying DNA specimens and reducing errors associated with molecular laboratory testing.

PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES IN DIPHENYLAMINE-TREATED ‘GRANNY SMITH’ APPLES

ABSTRACT ‘Granny Smith’ apples were subjected to a postharvest dip of 3000 ppm diphenylamine (DPA) for 30 s and placed in 0°C regular air storage for 3 or 6 months. Firmness and acidity of DPA-treated apples were greater than those of the control fruit after 6 months of storage plus 1 week at 20°C. After 3 months of storage, ethylene production in DPA-treated apples was lower than in control apples, while after 6 months the opposite was true. Respiration of DPA-treated apples was lower than that of control fruit after both storage periods. DPA prevented the development of superficial scald during storage and subsequent shelf life, while untreated apples developed severe scald. The concentration of α-farnesene in apple cuticles was two to three times higher and the levels of conjugated trienes were four to seven times lower in DPA-treated apples than in control fruit. The activities of polyphenoloxidase (PPO), peroxidase, and lipoxygenase were lower in the peel of DPA-treated apples than in untreated fruit...

Effect of Reflective Fabric on Yield of Mature ‘d’Anjou’ Pear Trees

Reflective fabric was installed before bloom in 2009 and 2010 in alleyways of a mature, low-density ‘Anjou’ pear orchard (269 trees/ha). Four treatments were applied to study intracanopy light environments on fruit growth rate and size, cropload, yield, and fruit quality: 1) no fabric (NF); 2) partial-season fabric applied before full bloom (FB) and removed 75 days after full bloom (dafb) (PSF); 3) full-season fabric applied before FB and removed at harvest (FSF); and 4) shadecloth (60%) applied 60 dafb through harvest (SC). PSF and FSF improved yield by 12% and 18%, respectively, over the two-year period relative to NF. The high yields of fabric treatments were attributed to fruit number in the lower (less than 2.4 m) interior, mid-, and exterior zones of the canopy. Photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) was increased by fabric 28%, 95%, and 30% in the lower exterior, mid-, and interior canopy, respectively. Photosynthesis:light response curves indicated improved carbon assimilation of pear leaves developing in the elevated PAR environment of the lower canopy. Fruit growth rate and final size were unaffected by fabric treatments. FSF fruit size was similar to NF despite higher fruit density. Compared with NF, FSF had a small, non-significant effect on fruit maturity (increased softening) at harvest. Yield and fruit size of SC fruit were significantly reduced. The number of fruit in SC trees did not differ from NF in 2009, but the effect of shade reduced fruit number in 2010. Fabric did not affect fruit quality attributes after three and six months of regular atmosphere cold storage. Pears from SC trees did not attain ripening capacity after three months of cold storage and a 7-day ripening period and had lower sugar content compared with other treatments. The cumulative yield advantages associated with FSF support its use in mature pear orchards.

‘WA 38’ Apple

‘WA 38’ (‘Enterprise’ · ‘Honeycrisp’) is a new apple selection from the Washington State University apple breeding program with commercial potential based on its exceptional eating quality, its large fruit size, attractive appearance, and its productivity. It is very attractive with 90% of the skin surface covered by dark red–purple blush over a green–yellow background. It is significantly more crisp and juicy eaten both fresh and out of storage when compared with commercial cultivars. Unlike many existing cultivars, it has little reduction in quality, particularly firmness, after several months in regular cold storage. It ripens in late September in Wenatchee, WA, and its vigor and productivity fall within the range of existing commercial cultivars. Its cut flesh shows very low enzymatic browning, making it suitable for fresh-cutslice packaging and for use in salads. It is suited to the fresh market both directly off the tree and out of mediumand long-term storage.

Morphological and Urodynamic Evaluation of Urinary Bladder Wall Regeneration: Muscles Guarantee Contraction But Not Proper Function—A Rat Model Research Study

BackgroundNumerous studies are ungoing to develop a substitute for the native urinary bladder wall. The principals of tissue engineering approaches to urinary bladder wall augmentation require a favorable environment for smooth muscle regeneration, which is crucial for bladder function. This study was performed to evaluate bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) seeded on to amniotic membranes fixed to Tachosil sponges as grafts for urinary bladder muscle layer augmentation in a syngenic rat model. Materials and methodsAmniotic membranes seeded with BMSC and covered by Tachosil sponges were implanted as multilayer grafts into nine rats to regenerate the urinary bladder wall. The control group consisted of 12 healthy rats. Urodynamic examinations included contraction, elasticity, compliance, and urinary bladder motor activity. Hematocylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome stains were used to evaluate muscle regeneration; histological data were digitally analyzed with the ImageJ tool. ResultsThe area of muscle bundles ranged from 5% to 25% or 32% to 41% in control versus reconstructed bladders, respectively. Among nine animals with reconstructed urinary bladders, urodynamic evaluation revealed bladder motor hyperactivity with regular (n = 4) or irregular (n = 1) storage and voiding phases, as well as proper bladder motor activity with a large bladder capacity (n = 1). No bladder contractility was recorded in one case and large stones developed in two animals, which made functional studies impossible. ConclusionsRegenerated smooth muscle cells created an autonomic cell population that was poorly assimilated to the rest of the urinary bladder wall. The histological presence of a regenerated muscle layer did not guarantee proper urinary bladder function.

ASSESSMENT OF BITTER PIT RISK IN 'GALA' APPLES BY FRUIT INFILTRATION WITH MAGNESIUM

Bitter pit is a postharvest physiological disorder of apples, related to Ca deficiency, and aggravated by high levels of Mg, N, and K in the fruit. This work was carried out to assess the viability of fruit infiltration with Mg for preharvest segregation of ‘Gala’ apples for risk of bitter pit development during cold storage. Fruits were sampled in 50 orchards located in southern Brazil in 2003. Samples of 25 fruits per orchard were taken about 20 days before commercial harvest maturity, vacuum infiltrated (100 mm Hg/2 min) in 0.1 M MgCl2 (with 0.3 M sorbitol and 0.05% Silwet L-77) and then assessed for incidence (%) of bitter pit like symptoms. Samples of 120 fruits were harvested in the same orchards, at the commercial maturity. In each of these samples, 100 fruits were stored in regular air cold storage for four months (0±0.5°C/90-95% RH) and 20 fruits were analyzed for mineral content (Ca, Mg, K, and N). Cold stored fruits were assessed for incidence of bitter pit 5 days after removal from storage. There was a close correspondence of critical levels of Ca and N in the fruit associated with the risk of bitter pit in both Mg-infiltrated and cold stored fruits sampled from different orchards. Orchards with Ca content 500 mg kg-1 in the fruit (corresponding to a N:Ca ratio >14) had higher incidence of bitter pit for both Mg-infiltrated and cold stored fruits. Also, there was a strong relationship between incidence of bitter pit in Mg-infiltrated and cold stored fruits. Thus, apple fruit infiltration with Mg is a feasible method to assess the orchard risk for bitter pit on 'Gala'.