FISCHERPLOTS: An Excel spreadsheet for computing Fischer plots of accommodation change in cyclic carbonate successions in both the time and depth domains

Fischer plots are plots of accommodation (derived by calculating cumulative departure from mean cycle thickness) versus cycle number or stratigraphic distance (proxies for time), for cyclic carbonate platforms. Although many workers have derived programs to do this, there are currently no published, easily accessible programs that utilize Excel. In this paper, we present an Excel-based spreadsheet program for Fischer plots, illustrate how the data are input, and how the resulting plots may be interpreted. The plots can be used to derive periods of increased accommodation, shown on the plots as a rising limb (which commonly matches times of more open marine, subtidal parasequence development). Times of decreased accommodation, shown on the plots as a falling limb, generally are coincident with thin, shallow, peritidal parasequences.     

Mechanism of ZrTiO4 Synthesis by Mechanochemical Processing of TiO2 and ZrO2

High-energy ball milling initiates a solid-state reaction in an equimolar mixture of TiO₂ and ZrO₂. The first stage of ball milling induced the transformation of anatase TiO₂ to high-pressure phase TiO₂ (II), isostructural with ZrTiO₄. The formation of solid solutions monoclinic ZrO₂/TiO₂ and TiO₂ (II)/ZrO₂ was observed in the intermediate stage. Afterward, a nanosized ZrTiO₄ phase was formed in the milled product from the TiO₂ (II)/ZrO₂ solid solution. The sintering of the milled product at a temperature <1100°C was examined in situ by Raman spectroscopy. The full solid-state reaction toward ZrTiO₄ ceramic is completed at a temperature considerably lower than reported in the literature.     

CUTTING DISTURBANCES INFLUENCED BY VARIATIONS IN CONTACT SURFACE GEOMETRY

The significant cutting disturbances appearing in hard turning processes cause shifting of the process dynamics. Therefore, in this paper the turning process is evaluated by radial force variation analysis, as a function of depth of cut, tool nose radius and effective lead edge angle, through static and dynamic indicators. The tool/workpiece contact zone is, in the case of hard turning, mostly limited within the tool nose radius region. Therefore in this paper, geometry of the tool/workpiece contact line is analyzed. The depth of cut is calculated as a geometric difference of prior and instantaneous tool pass profiles. The calculated values of the depth of cut are time dependant, and can vary by 60%. Various process monitoring techniques have been used to identify and confirm these variations, as well as quantify the level of process stability. The results obtained confirm the assumption that effective lead edge angle and radial force are influenced by depth of cut, feed rate and tool nose radius. Additionally, it is shown that low values of depth of cut and geometry of prior pass-machined surface valleys shift the hard turning process to a dynamically more sensitive level as compared the case of soft machining.     

Kultur vonAspergillus parasiticus im Apfelsaft

Zusammenfassung Kulturen vonAspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 in Apfelsaft (aus Sirup) wurden Natriumbenzoat bzw. Kaliumsorbat (100, 200, 300 und 400 mg/l zugesetzt, danach wurden diese bei 25 °C, 3, 6, 9, 12, oder 15 Tage bebrütet und Myceltrokkengewicht, pH und Konzentration der Aflatoxine B₁ und G₁ bestimmt. Der pH-Anfangswert von 2,5 blieb in allen Fällen während der ganzen Inkubationsdauer unverändert. Natriumbenzoat unterdrückte bei allen getesteten Konzentrationen das Wachstum und förderte die Biosynthese von Aflatoxin G₁, während es die Anhäufung von B₁ wenig beeinflußte. Kaliumsorbat förderte das Wachstum bei 100 mg/kg, doch alle getesteten Konzentrationen inhibierten die Produktion der Toxine erheblich (keine nachweisbaren Mengen von B₁ und 3- bis 5 mal weniger G₁ als in der Kontrollreihe). Ausnahmslos wurde Aflatoxin G₁ stärker als B₁ angehäuft.

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The cultivation ofAspergillus parasiticus on apple juiceI. Influence of sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate on fungal growth and aflatoxin biosynthesis

Summary Sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate (100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/l) were added to cultures ofAspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 on apple juice (from syrup) and incubated quiescently at 25 °C for 3, 6, 9, 12 or 15 days. The cultures were analyzed for pH, mycelial dry weight and accumulation of aflatoxin B₁ and G₁. The initial pH of 2.5 remained constant in all instances throughout the incubation period. Sodium benzoate, at all concentrations, supressed fungal growth and stimulated the biosynthesis of G₁, whereas little influence was exerted upon the accumulation of B₁. Potassium sorbate stimulated fungal growth at 100 mg/l, while at all concentrations it considerably inhibited toxin production (no detectable amounts of B₁ and 3 to 5 times less G₁ than in controls). The concentration of G₁ surpassed that of B₁ without exception.

     

Drying of solids; estimation of the mathematical model parameters

In order to determine physical meaning of a thin‐layer mathematical model parameter, the Page model was modified and tested on numerous experimental data. Applicability of the model was tested on the drying kinetics data, X(t), of 11 different types of the porous materials and dried in a convective, vacuum and/or microwave dryers under the predetermined external process conditions. During the entire drying time the drying kinetics of all the investigated materials and heating methods were successfully correlated with the modified Page model. The evaluated values of a new parameter, t_k, corresponded to the time at which diffusion, as a governing mechanism of moisture movement through the material, started. The results were confirmed by the pore size distribution of some materials.     

eWALL: An Open-Source Cloud-Based eHealth Platform for Creating Home Caring Environments for Older Adults Living with Chronic Diseases or Frailty

Independent living of older adults is one of the main challenges linked to the ageing population. Especially those living with diseases like COPD, MCI or frailty, need more support in everyday life and this is by itself a big societal challenge with impact in multiple sectors. In this paper we present eWALL, an innovative open-source eHealth platform that aims to address these challenges by means of an advanced cloud-based infrastructure. eWALL is designed in an innovative manner and achieved technical breakthroughs in eHealth platforms, while prioritizing user and market needs that are often abandoned and are the major reason for technically sound solutions that fail. We consider this as an opportunity and we aim to change the eHealth systems’ experience for older adults and break the barriers for the penetration of ICT solutions.