Development and Performance of Crystallization with Additives Applied on Different Milk Samples

Crystallization with additives is developed on milk samples from different processing treatments. Performance tests are carried out based on structure analysis of the crystallization patterns. Crystallization with milk as additive is applied following changes in milk after different processing treatments. When an aqueous cupric chloride dihydrate solution crystallizes in the presence of milk as additive, specific patterns emerge, which can be evaluated by image analysis. Milk samples were heated and homogenized in a pilot plant and characterized by various parameters. Furthermore, milk samples from the market were tested. Patterns from milk after heat treatment and homogenization are significantly different from those derived from untreated milk. The experiments could be reproduced for other milk samples, on different days and in another laboratory.     

Influence of dynamic stimulation,visual perception and individual susceptibility to car sickness during controlled stop-and-go driving

Forschung im Ingenieurwesen - The enjoyment and usage of highly automated vehicles might be reduced by motion sickness. This study addresses the influencing factors of dynamic stimulation, visual...     

Distribution and identification of culturable airborne microorganisms in a Swiss milk processing facility

Airborne communities (mainly bacteria) were sampled and characterized (concentration levels and diversity) at 1 outdoor and 6 indoor sites within a Swiss dairy production facility. Air samples were collected on 2 sampling dates in different seasons, one in February and one in July 2012 using impaction bioaerosol samplers. After cultivation, isolates were identified by mass spectrometry (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight) and molecular (sequencing of 16S rRNA and rpoB genes) methods. In general, total airborne particle loads and total bacterial counts were higher in winter than in summer, but remained constant within each indoor sampling site at both sampling times (February and July). Bacterial numbers were generally very low (<100 cfu/m³ of air) during the different steps of milk powder production. Elevated bacterial concentrations (with mean values of 391 ± 142 and 179 ± 33 cfu/m³ of air during winter and summer sampling, respectively; n = 15) occurred mainly in the “logistics area,” where products in closed tins are packed in secondary packaging material and prepared for shipping. However, total bacterial counts at the outdoor site varied, with a 5- to 6-fold higher concentration observed in winter compared with summer. Twenty-five gram-positive and gram-negative genera were identified as part of the airborne microflora, with Bacillus and Staphylococcus being the most frequent genera identified. Overall, the culturable microflora community showed a composition typical and representative for the specific location. Bacterial counts were highly correlated with total airborne particles in the size range 1 to 5 µm, indicating that a simple surveillance system based upon counting of airborne particles could be implemented. The data generated in this study could be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the dairy plant’s sanitation program and to identify potential sources of airborne contamination, resulting in increased food safety.     

The effect of temperature and radiation on flavonol aglycones and flavonol glycosides of kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica)

The winter crop kale has a complex profile of different glycosylated and acylated flavonol glycosides which may be affected by global warming. To the best of our knowledge, compound–climate relationships for flavonol aglycones and flavonol glycosides were established for the first time. The investigated 10 major flavonol glycosides responded structure-dependent in the investigated temperature range between 0 and 12 °C and the photosynthetic active radiation range between 4 and 20 mol m⁻² d⁻¹, e.g. the decrease in temperature led to an increase in sinapic acid monoacylated and diacylated quercetin glycosides, while the sinapic acid monoacylated kaempferol glycosides showed a maximum at 4.5 °C. Furthermore, the hydroxycinnamic acid residues and the different number of glucose moieties in the 7-O position affected the response of kaempferol triglucosides. Consequently, global warming would result in lower concentrations of antioxidant-relevant quercetin glycosides in winter crops, suggesting a production at e.g. higher altitudes due to lower temperature.     

Rumination activity of dairy cows in the 24 hours before and after calving

Monitoring rumination behavior serves multiple purposes in feeding and herd management of dairy cows. The process of calving is a major event for cows, and a detailed understanding of alterations in behavioral patterns of animals in the time around calving is important in calving detection. The objective of this study was to describe the short-term changes in rumination patterns in dairy cows immediately before and after parturition. In total, 17 cows were fitted with rumination sensors that were able to monitor rumination time, number of rumination boli, and number of rumination jaw movements. Rumination time was decreased in the last 4 h antepartum and in the first 8 h postpartum. Cows stopped ruminating 123 ± 58 min (mean ± standard deviation) before calving and resumed ruminating 355 ± 194 min after calving. The number of rumination jaw movements and boli per day were decreased in the 24-h period postpartum. Rumination rate, the number of rumination jaw movements per rumination minute, and the number of boli per rumination minute changed little around calving. The calving event primarily influenced the duration and frequency of various rumination characteristics but not rumination intensity. Among detected characteristics, rumination time showed the greatest potential for monitoring of calving events.     

Durability of fire retardant treated wood products at humid and exterior conditions review of literature

Fire retardants may considerably improve the fire properties of wood products, but the durability, e.g. in exterior applications, has not been addressed fully. This paper reviews the existing knowledge and experience mainly from the USA with the aim of supporting further development in Europe. The review is concentrated on pressure impregnated fire retardant treated wood products which have the best opportunities for increased durability. Copyright © 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Properties of Light MMCs Modified with Cordierite Synthesized from Fly Ash

This paper presents novel opportunities for management of fly ash by synthesizing the material into cordierite ceramics and using it as a reinforcing phase for light metal alloys. Metal matrix composites (based on magnesium alloy and aluminum alloy) were produced by squeeze casting. The magnesium matrix composites with a suitably selected reinforcing phase content (2 wt.%) exhibited much better strength properties than the unmodified alloy (AM60). It was also demonstrated that the wettability (or the lack thereof) in the metal-ceramic system is critical to successful production of the composites based on the AK7 alloy with cordierite. Light alloy matrix composites reinforced with cordierite ceramics particles are innovative materials that combine high strength with low weight, which may be a key factor of merit for numerous applications of the composite in various branches of industries.     

Dishwashing behaviour of European consumers with regard to the acceptance of long programme cycles

Since the introduction of the energy label for household dishwashers in the EU, manufacturers have been incentivised to reduce resource consumption and increase the energy efficiency of their appliances. Technological progress has led to very efficient programmes with cleaning cycles of 3 to 4 h or longer. The European Commission recently initiated a revision of the energy label and Ecodesign requirements, leading to their adjustment to the state of the art and to actual usage patterns. The University of Bonn was tasked with investigating dishwashing habits in Europe. An online survey was conducted in 11 countries of the EU with more than 5000 participants. The survey focused on the choice of programme, attitudes towards energy-saving programmes and practices and the willingness to apply them. It appears that consumers are willing to apply energy-saving practices and to use energy-saving programmes, but the acceptance of long cycles that take more than 2 h is low, which stands in contradiction to the fact that 19% of all dishwashing cycles are run in the Eco programme, which takes more than 2 h in most cases. The percentage of people who understand that long cycles can be energy-efficient is smaller than the percentage of those who do not believe this. The statements of the participants are contradictory regarding the importance of saving energy and of programme duration. The results of the survey point out the importance of better consumer education and better communication by manufacturers, consumer organisations and legislation.     

Gemeinsame österreichisch-ungarische Sedimentforschung im Rahmen des EFRE-Projektes SEDDON

The multiple uses of the Danube River for navigation, hydropower production and as a drinking water supply influence its ecological quality. Flow restrictions due to regulation as well as impacts on the sediment regime such as retention in the catchment area and interruption of the sediment continuum result in changes of the hydromorphological structures and can produce major problems in the context of sediment management. In light of these facts, cross-border investigations of sediment transport at the Danube River are called for. As there are no uniform research approaches shared by Austria and Hungary, the EU-funded project SEDDON (Sediment Research and Management at the Danube River) aims to compare different monitoring and modeling techniques used to determine sediment transport, and to develop mutual solutions. Further, the laboratory equipment currently used for hydraulic model experiments is evaluated and a research channel with a free flowing discharge of up to 10 m³/s without pumping will be constructed, allowing large-scale joint laboratory tests concerning sediment to be performed.