In this work, an automated statistical approach for the condition monitoring of a fluid power system based on a process sensor network is presented. In a multistep process, raw sensor data are processed by feature extraction, selection and dimensional reduction and finally mapped to discriminant functions which allow the detection and quantification of fault conditions. Experimentally obtained training data are used to evaluate the impact of temperature and different aeration levels of the hydraulic fluid on the detection of pump leakage and a degraded directional valve switching behavior. Furthermore, a robust detection of the loading state of the installed filter element and an estimation of the particle contamination level is proposed based on the same analysis concept.

Several lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of the Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc and Pediococcus genera were screened for inhibition of food-borne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms in raw milk and dairy products. Listeria monocytogenes was killed by Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and Pediococcus pentosaceus due to their production of bacteriocin-type inhibitors. Staphylococcus aureus was not able to grow in raw milk at temperatures below 5°C even without LAB being present. Gram negative Salmonella enteritidis. Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli, along with spoilage bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas were dramatically inhibited by a Lactobacillus species, designated AS-1, in raw and pasteurized milk as well as in cottage cheese. However, other LAB were not able to inhibit these organisms. Lactobacillus AS-1, did not produce hydrogen peroxide but carbon dioxide was produced. The AS-1 strain was a gram positive coccobacillus, catalase and oxidase negative and produced DL-lactic acid. It deaminated arginine and grew over a temperature range of 5°C to 45°C. It was also able to ferment glucose, galactose, fructose and lactose in addition to 17 other carbohydrates. High numbers (107 CFU/ml) of AS-1 were required to obtain complete inhibition of gram negative bacteria. A selective medium (ASLM) for Listeria monocytogenes was developed to follow the fate of this particular pathogen in association with LAB in raw milk; other selective media were not able to inhibit the growth of background flora of raw milk. ASLM was superior to four other media in allowing only the growth of the target pathogen. For the Lactococcus genus, a selective and differential agar medium (Alsan) was formulated to selectively allow growth of Lactococcus spp. and to differentiate between Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and the biovariety diacetylactis, based on citrate utilization. / Graduation date: 1993

1p. / Most of the "bad food" reported illnesses are due to bacterial contamination. Nearly all of these cases can be linked to improper food handling, both in our homes and in restaurants. This article briefly discusses the causes of food contamination and how to handle food safely.

Six lactating Holstein cows received ammonia-treated or untreated aflatoxin-contaminated whole cottonseed (AFWC) or pure AFB₁ with their regular ration. Treatments were: AFWC (5,010 ppb AFB₁), 4 kg/day; the same AFWC treated with 1.5% anhydrous ammonia and 10% water; pure AFB₁ (2.2 mg twice daily) given in capsules; same amount AFB₁ treated with 50% NH₄OH for 26 days at 29°C; same amount ammoniated AFB₁ acidified to final pH of 5.0; same treatment as first except concentration of AFB₁ was 5,511 ppb. Levels of aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) in milk were monitored before, during, and after each treatment, and conversion and feed-through ratios were calculated. Feed consumption and milk production were also measured. Mutagenicity of acetone extracts of spray-dried milk was determined using Salmonella/microsomal assay. Ammoniation of AFWC did not reduce concentration of AFB₁ to below FDA action level; however, when the seed was fed, the concentration of AFM₁ in milk was less than FDA action level (0.5 μg/L). Ammoniation of AFB₁ was very effective in reducing levels of AFM₁ in milk of treated cows to less than the FDA action level. The average AFB₁/AFM₁ conversion ratios for the steady-state period of AFM₁ excretion in milk while giving AFWC and AFB₁ was 1.06% and 1.18%, respectively. Ammoniation of AFWC reduced the average AFB₁/AFM₁ ratio to 0.20% during the constant-state period of AFM(,1) excretion in milk. The ration containing AFWC (5,010 or 5,511 ppb AFB₁) caused a highly significant decrease in total milk production and feed consumption; ammoniated AFB₁ decreased total milk production significantly. Complete disappearance of AFM₁ from milk after discontinuing Treatments 1-6 was 120, 48, 95, 72, 96, and 120 h, respectively. Under these laboratory conditions, significance of the results of the Ames test was questionable.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

In order to gain a better understanding of the mechanism of As(V) tolerance in rice, a number of hydroponic tolerance tests have been done on the interaction of As(V) with phosphate (PO₄^3-), reduced glutathione (GSH) and O₂ supply.  The PO₄^3—As(V) interaction test revealed that increasing PO₄^3- concentration reduces the toxicity of As(V).  Low PO₄^3- (0.05 mM) showed no protection against As(V) induced root inhibition, but higher PO₄^3- (0.5 and 5 mM) showed marked protection, suggesting PO₄^3- derived tolerance is not due to reduced PO₄^3- transport that has been postulated in other grass species.  The glutathione (GSH)-As(V) interaction test revealed a strong effect of GSH, increasing tolerance in rice.  The O₂ supply test also revealed a significant effect with enhanced tolerance in rice.  Therefore it can be suggested that PO₄^3-, GSH and air bubbling supply all reduces As(V) toxicity in rice by increasing tolerance.  The protection against As(V) provided by GSH and PO₄^3- were not the same for two rice varieties, Azucena (As sensitive) and Bala (As tolerant).  However these tolerance tests cannot explain why Azucena and Bala differ in susceptibility to As(V).  Three green house pot experiments revealed that As(V) treatment reduces growth in dose dependent way.  Total As concentration in the shoots and grain increases with the increasing concentration of the As(V) treatments.  Surprisingly, application of PO₄^3- does not alter As(V) toxicity.  Anaerobic (lowland) soil shows higher shoot As concentration but uptake is lower.  Rice genotypes show significant variation in their plant growth, total shoot As concentration and total As uptake which reveal that tolerant genotypes contain higher shoot As. Results of the hydroponics and pot experiments suggested that tolerance of rice is not derived from competition with As(V) at the PO₄^3- transporters, but rather reflects another, as yet unknown, mechanism.

This is the first study to compare total arsenic (As) and other trace elements in the agricultural soils and grain of Eastern, Western and Southern Libya, North Africa and the Middle East (NA &amp; MIDEA). Soil pot experiments and field experiments were conducted to determine the levels of As within wheat grains in Libya. In the soil pot experiments, wheat genotypes were planted in similar soils and yet differences in grain As concentration were found among the cultivars. The highest As accumulation was found in <i>T. durum; </i>however, in the field data the highest levels were found in <i>T. aestrivum.</i> The levels of As and other trace elements found in agricultural soils from the Eastern Western and Southern regions of Libya are examined. Mean As concentrations in the clay mineral agricultural soils of the Eastern Region were nearly 4.8 and 4.1 times higher than in the southern and western regions, respectively. It is possible that the parent material of that region contains elevated levels of As, which are then exhibited in the overlying soil. Differences in the levels of As and other trace elements found in the irrigated agricultural soil of Southern Libya were compared with non-irrigated soil from the same region.  Concentrations of P, Zn and As in soil were higher in irrigated compared to non-irrigated soils, while the concentration of Cd is nearly the same in all soil samples. A market basket investigation was conducted to determine the total levels of As and Se in rice purchased from supermarkets. The average level of As in rice from NA &amp; MIDEA is 0.22 mg/kg, comparable with average levels in Australia.

Objective: To compare the knowledge of mothers on food contamination in the home between the towns of Peru and Costa Rica. Methods: It was conducted in a rural area of Peru (San Pablo and Huascar) in San Juan de Lurigancho in Lima, and Costa Rica (San Vicente of Three Rivers). The questions were part of a scale that was validated on an expert opinion. It was developed to measure three components or domains.After validation,the instrument was applied in Costa Rica with a group of mothers or caregivers with children under five. The application was developed in Peru in a population with similar characteristics. Results:The sample consisted of 50 caregivers in Costa Rica and 194 in Peru. There is no significant difference in the domains of contamination utensils at home (p=O.750>0.05) and knowledge of child illness (p=0.060>0.05). Knowledge of agents of contamination was highly significant (p=0.000<0.01). In general there is enough evidence to say that knowledge of food contamination in the home are different in mothers of Peru and Costa Rica, (p=0.013 <0.05). Conclusions: No significant differences on pollution and disease. There is highly significant difference in knowledge about pollutants. Overall knowledge of food contamination in the home were higher in mothers or caretakers of Peru.The scale can contribute to the planning of interventions in the aspect of pollution in the home. / michellelozadau@gmail.com / Objetivo:Compararelconocimiento de las madres sabre Ia contaminaci6n de los alimentos en elhagar entre las poblaciones de Peru y Costa Rica. Metodos:Se llev6 a cabo en una zona rural de Peru (San Pablo y Huascar) en San Juan de Lurigancho en Lima,yen Costa Rica (San Vicente de Tres rfos).Las preguntas formaron parte de una escala que fue validada bajo un juicio de expertos. Se elabor6 para medir tres componentes o dominies. Despues de Ia validaci6n, el instrumento fue aplicado en Costa Rica a un grupo de madres o cuidadoras con nifios menores a cinco anos. La aplicaci6n en Peru fue desarrollada en una poblaci6n con caracteristicas similares. Resultados: La muestra fue de 50 cuidadoras en Costa Rica y 194 en Peru. No existe diferencia significativa en los dominies sabre contaminaci6n por utensilios en el hagar (p=O,750>0,05) y por conocimiento sabre enfermedades del n1no (p=0,060 >0,05). El conocimiento sQbre agentes de contaminaci6n result6 ser altamente significative (p=0,000<0,01). En generalexiste evidencias suficientes para afirmar que el conocimiento de contaminaci6n de los alimentos en el hagar son diferentes en las madres del Peru y Costa Rica, (p=0,013<0,05). Conclusiones: No existen diferencias significativas sabre contaminaci6n y enfermedades. Existe diferencia altamente significativa en el conocimiento sabre agentes contaminantes.En general el conocimiento de contaminaci6n de los alimentos en elhogarfueron mas altas en las madres o cuidadoras del Peru. La escala puede contribuir a Ia planificaci6n de las intervenciones en elaspecto de contaminaci6n en elhagar.