Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University, 1925. / Cover title. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

In 1981, illegal processing of rapeseed oil by a Spanish oil refinery resulted in the mass foodborne illness epidemic known as Toxic Oil Syndrome (TOS). The toxic oil associated with this epidemic was sold in neighborhood markets and by itinerant salesmen as inexpensive olive oil. Ingestion of the toxic oil resulted in more than 20,000 illnesses and over 1,500 deaths in Spain. The etiologic agent of TOS remains unknown. In addition, animal studies have provided little insight into the mechanisms of toxicity because no animal model exhibits the symptoms of TOS. Researchers of Eosinophilia- Myalgia Syndrome (EMS) are in a similar quandary. EMS occurred in the United States in 1989, and the symptoms of this illness parallel TOS quite closely. The MRL/lpr mouse model has been suggested as a possible model for immunotoxicity caused by environmental exposure. Since the symptoms of most chronic phase patients appeared to be immunologically mediated, the MRL/lpr mouse was chosen as the animal model for the present experiment. Sixty two mice were used. Groups often mice were gavaged with three different dose levels of 2% aniline denatured low-erucic acid rapeseed oil (Canola oil) and mercuric chloride as a positive control. Ten mice were untreated as a naive control. Two mice were sacrificed upon arrival as a negative control. All mice treated with toxic oil displayed a decreased rate of weight gain relative to the naive control. Serum antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were detected using indirect immunofluorescence, and anti-type IV collagen antibodies (ACA) were detected using an ELISA technique. The mice receiving toxic oil displayed increased serum ANA titers relative to the naive control. However, there did not appear to be a relationship between toxic oil dose and ANA titer. All animals receiving oil displayed decreased serum ACA titers relative to the naive control. In this case, a direct relationship existed between ACA [p.2 of abstract missing]. / Graduation date: 1999

No description available.

Phosphatidate phosphatase (PAP. EC 3.1.3.4) was charaterized from developing seeds and microspore-derived (MD) cultures of oilseed rape. In studies with homogenate from developing seeds (Brassica napus L. cv Westar) the time course for release of inorganic phosphate from phosphatidate was linear for at least 60 min and the enzyme was stable to at least three cycles of freezing and thawing. Differential centrifugation studies were conducted with homogenate prepared from developing seeds (B. napus L. cv Westar), MD embryos (B. napus L. cv Reston), and an embryogenic MD cell suspension culture (B. napus L. cv Jet Neuf). Among the three tissue types, the level of microsomal PAP ranged from 11% to 17% of the total recovered PAP activity whereas soluble PAP ranged from 25% to 61% of the total activity recovered. Microsomal PAP displayed optimal activity in the pH range of 6 to 7 whereas soluble PAP had a pH optimum of 5. Microsomal and soluble PAP exhibited temperature reaction optima of 40 degrees celsius and 50 degrees celsius, respectively, with activation energies of 15.6 kcal/mol and 9.4 kcal/mol. Assays with p-nitrophenyl phosphate as a substrate at pH 6.75 and pH 5 indicated that the overal character of phosphatase activity in the microsomal fraction was different from the enzyme in the soluble microsomal PAP from MD embryos of B. napus L. cv Topas. Tween 20 solubilized PAP effectively with concomitant maintenance of enzyme in the soluble fraction. A number of detergents were screened for their ability to solubilize microsomal PAP from MD embryos of B. napus L. cv Topas. Tween 20 solubilized PAP effectively with concomitant maintenance of enzyme activity. The most effective solubilization of enzyme occurred at a concentration of 0.4% (w/v) Tween 20 at a detergent to protein ratio of 1:1 (w/w). The pH optimum (pH 6-7) of solubilized PAP was similar to that of the particulate enzyme and the assay of the solubilized enzyme was free from interference by phospholipase action. Solubilized microsomal PAP had an apparent Mr of about 300,000 based on gel filtration chromatography on a column of Superose 6. Polyclonal antibodies raised in mice against a crude extract from microsomes of MD embryos inhibited microsomal PAP activity. / xii, 128 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm.

In zwei sächsischen Betrieben, die selbst erzeugte Rapssaat in einer Pflanzenölmühle zu Rapspresskuchen und Rapsöl verarbeiten, wurde ein Qualitätssicherungssystem (QSS) für Ölsaaten verarbeitende Betriebe in Sachsen erarbeitet. Der in den beiden Betrieben erzeugte Rapsölkraftstoff zeigt eine für dezentrale Anlagen gleichbleibend hohe Qualität. Die Betriebe zeichnen sich durch ein spezielles Reinigungsverfahren und eine umfassende Qualitätssicherung aus. Das bereits vorhandene QSS des Technologie- und Förderzentrums Straubing (TFZ) bildete die Grundlage für die Entwicklung des universell anwendbaren QSS. Es wurde um Fragen zum Anbau, Einsatz des Rapsölkraftstoffs, Umrüstung der Fahrzeuge, Wartung der Fahrzeuge inkl. BHKW und Einsatz des Presskuchens in der Tierfütterung erweitert und in den beiden Betrieben erprobt. Das entwickelte QSS besteht aus Modulen und ist leicht an die betrieblichen Gegebenheiten vor Ort anzupassen. Das QSS inklusive Handbuch und Kalkulationsmodul zur Berechnung der Wirtschaftlichkeit aller Stufen der Verwertungskette steht im Internet unter http://www.landwirtschaft.sachsen.de/landwirtschaft/7211.htm zur Verfügung.

In zwei sächsischen Betrieben, die selbst erzeugte Rapssaat in einer Pflanzenölmühle zu Rapspresskuchen und Rapsöl verarbeiten, wurde ein Qualitätssicherungssystem (QSS) für Ölsaaten verarbeitende Betriebe in Sachsen erarbeitet. Der in den beiden Betrieben erzeugte Rapsölkraftstoff zeigt eine für dezentrale Anlagen gleichbleibend hohe Qualität. Die Betriebe zeichnen sich durch ein spezielles Reinigungsverfahren und eine umfassende Qualitätssicherung aus. Das bereits vorhandene QSS des Technologie- und Förderzentrums Straubing (TFZ) bildete die Grundlage für die Entwicklung des universell anwendbaren QSS. Es wurde um Fragen zum Anbau, Einsatz des Rapsölkraftstoffs, Umrüstung der Fahrzeuge, Wartung der Fahrzeuge inkl. BHKW und Einsatz des Presskuchens in der Tierfütterung erweitert und in den beiden Betrieben erprobt. Das entwickelte QSS besteht aus Modulen und ist leicht an die betrieblichen Gegebenheiten vor Ort anzupassen. Das QSS inklusive Handbuch und Kalkulationsmodul zur Berechnung der Wirtschaftlichkeit aller Stufen der Verwertungskette steht im Internet unter http://www.landwirtschaft.sachsen.de/landwirtschaft/7211.htm zur Verfügung.

Approximately 75 percent (300 000 km) of the total Swedish road network and 20 percent(20 000 km) of the national road network consists of gravel roads. One of the most significantproblems associated with gravel roads is traffic-generated dust emission, which contributes tothe deterioration of the road surface and acts as a major source of particulate matter releasedinto the atmosphere, thereby involving public economics, road safety, human health, andenvironmental quality. In order to bind the fine granular material, which is prone to rise into theair, dust suppressants are applied on roads on a yearly basis. Methods for evaluating the efficiency of dust suppressants will facilitate in the selection of themost appropriate product and its optimal application rate. For example, methods forsupervision of residual dust suppressant concentration are valuable tools for estimatinglongevity and optimal application rates, and, consequently, effectiveness of different products. Application of the proper dust suppressant to a gravel road ensures road safety and ridingcomfort as well as creating a cleaner and healthier environment for residents in buildingsadjacent to the road. It also reduces the need and cost for vehicle repair, road maintenanceactivities, and aggregate supplementation. Both field-based and laboratory research were performed to evaluate the efficiency of varioussuppressants and the influence such factors as product concentration, leaching, and fine materialcontent have on the efficiency of different products. Within the field-based research, a newlydeveloped mobile methodology was used to measure dust emission on numerous test sectionstreated with various dust suppressants. In general, all dust suppressants tested, except apolysaccharide (sugar) and products, which form a brittle surface crust, i.e. lignosulphonate andbitumen emulsion, showed acceptable dust reduction. Test sections treated with a magnesium- or calcium chloride solution were the most effectivelydust suppressed. The application of solutions instead of a solid salts achieves a more uniformproduct distribution and, therefore, probably a more efficient performance. By applying acalcium- or magnesium chloride solution instead of traditionally used solids, the cost for annualdust control, as well as the environmental impact from the release of these chemicals in theenvironment, can be reduced by 50 percent. A significant problem when using dust suppressants is their tendency to leach during rainfalldue to their soluble properties. Residual chloride could be detected in the gravel wearing courseover a longer period of time than lignosulphonate and, therefore, showed more effective longtermperformance. Optimal percentages of fine material for minimal lignosulphonate andchloride leaching were found to be 15 percent by weight and 10-16 percent by weight,respectively. Ions of calcium chloride seemed to initiate flocculation of clay particles, therebypreventing them from leaching. Still, the fine material in gravel wearing courses has to be replenished regularly as indicated by studies of the longevity of fine material. Loss up to80 percent was found after two years. Toxicity tests show that dust suppressant application for dust control purposes, at traditionallyused application rates, does not constitute a threat to sensitive aquatic life. Tests on subsoilwater samples indicated elevated chloride levels, which possibly could cause corrosion to pipes,but not high enough to flavour drinking water. / QC20100616