Microbiological denitrification of red beet juice

The purpose of study was the determination of optimal conditions for red beet juice denitrification by Paracoccus denitrificans bacteria as well as the evaluation of the usefulness of microbiologically treated juice for the production of a natural colouring preparation for foods. Total reduction of nitrates was found during bacterial culturing at 25 and 30 °C, at an initial pH of 7.0-8.0 and juice osmotic pressure of 900-1100 mOsm/kg. Microbiological denitrification procedure affected colour, taste and aroma of the juice. However, the use of juice as food colouring and component was made feasible by acidification and partial evaporation of water together with volatile substances.     

Suspension force and mechanism of debris flows

The paper discusses the postulated suspension force, by which it is possible to explain some enigmatic phenomena observed in different types of mass movements. This force is generated in thick suspensions as a result of friction between sinking solid particles and static water. The suspension force is related to the seepage force but they have opposite directions. Both forces form flow networks. Having explained the suspension force, the paper describes how this influences the movement of material, particularly in debris flows. Enigmatic features and the mechanism of debris flows and lahars are explained by virtue of the suspension force. Electronic Publication     

Scheduling railway traffic at a construction site

We consider the problem of rescheduling trains in the case where one track of a railway section consisting of two tracks in opposing directions is closed due to construction activities. After presenting an appropriate model for this situation we derive a polynomial algorithm for the subproblem of finding an optimal schedule with minimal latenesss if the subsequences of trains for both directions outside the construction site are fixed. Based on this algorithm we propose a local search procedure for the general problem of finding good schedules and report test results for some real world instances. Received: December 8, 1999 / Accepted: May 2, 2001     

Replacement of beef fat in Frankfurters by interesterified palm,cottonseed and olive oils

Three interesterified vegetable oils (IVOs) prepared from palm, cottonseed, and olive oil, respectively, have been studied for application to Frankfurters. Beef fat (10%) was replaced by one of the IVOs at 20, 60 or 100%. Fatty acid composition of the lipid fraction in the Frankfurters and saturated/unsaturated ratios were established for all batches. We found that total or partial replacement of beef fat by IVOs did not lead to significant changes in appearance, colour, texture, flavour or sensory score. We conclude that IVOs may be successfully applied as beef fat substitutes in Frankfurters.     

Synthesis and properties of peroxy derivatives of epoxy resins based on Bisphenol A: Effects of the presence of boron trifluoride ethereate

Oligomers containing peroxy groups have been synthesized on the basis of epoxides reacting with tert–butylhydroperoxide in the presence of boron trifluoride etherate. Dependence of reaction rates upon the quantity of catalyst, temperature and also nature of hydroperoxide has been investigated: A kinetic equation for the process has been formulated and also a kinetic scheme for the reaction taking into account the presence of boron trifluoride etherate is proposed. Structures of the synthesized peroxy oligomers have been confirmed by IR- and NMR-spectroscopy. The reaction initiating properties of the oligomers so synthesized were studied using as the example the styrene polymerization reaction. Electronic Publication     

The organisational learning effects of management accounting information under advanced manufacturing technology

This study empirically examined the organisational learning effects of the nonfinancial performance information provided by management accounting information systems (MAISs) under advanced manufacturing technology (AMT). In this study, a target costing system and the frequent and quick reporting of information were considered the facilitators of learning. First, we examined the relationships between AMT level and the amount of nonfinancial performance information produced by MAISs. The empirical results showed that there are significant positive relationships between the level of AMT and nonfinancial performance information. With a systems approach, we also proved the impact of the relationships among AMT levels, nonfinancial performance information and learning facilitators on the organisational performance of a firm. The results of our research suggest that under a high level of AMT, for the provision of information to result in an increase of performance through organisational learning, a target costing system must be introduced and a large amount of information should be provided frequently and quickly. The results of this study also showed that although AMT level may be low, fairly well-arranged facilitators and a moderately large amount of information may be necessary for the improvement of performance. In conclusion, effective organisational learning depends on the provision of relevant information as well as efficient learning support mechanisms.     

Using bald eagles to indicate the health of the Great Lakes' environment

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is one of the most studied birds of North America, and a great amount of natural life‐history information, including the response of various stressors on the eagles' ability to reproduce, are well known. In Michigan, the eagle has been chosen to track the trends of bioaccumulative compounds of concern across watersheds in the state. The state has been divided into major watersheds, and 20% of these are surveyed each year. A control area in northern Minnesota, Voyageurs National Park, is also sampled annually. We report here on the methods used, the preliminary results of the 1999 field season, and how differences in mercury concentrations varied over a 10‐year period. Mercury in feathers of nestling eagles declined over time only in Lakes Michigan and Huron, but have not decreased among other subpopulations in Michigan. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 4,4′‐DDE in blood plasma from nestling eagles have declined over time for most subpopulations; however, they remain greater for breeding areas associated with the Great Lakes' food web. Sea eagles of the genus Haliaeetus are a good sentinel species to track trends in bioaccumulative compounds in aquatic systems.