The effect of various inorganic and organic additives as possible nucleating agents on the crystallisation behaviour of P. E. T. and the suosequent influence on the morphological and mechanical properties has been examined. Various methods of mixing(: the polymer and additive were investigated and a method involving the screw-Extrusion of the polymer and the additive was ultimately adopted. Crystallisation studies were carried out using differential scanning calorimetry under dynamic and isothermal modes. The results produced under conditions of isothermal crystallisation were analysed by means of a computer. Despite differences between batches of polymer all the additives with the exception of indigo produced a nucleating effect in the polymer as indicated by an increase in the rate of crystallisation compared with that of the base polymer. Two organo-metallic substances (sodium benzoate and sodium stearate) proved to be the most effective in this respect by decreasing the degree of supercooling of the polymer by 20 [degrees]. Morphological studies were carried out on isothermally crystallised samples, after etching and replication using a transmission electron microscope. A nodular structure whose dimensions were sensitive to both the nucleating agent and the temperature of crystallisation was observed. Mechanical testing of samples direct from the D. S. C. was carried out using a compression method. The breaking loads were found to vary with both the type of nucleating agent used and the crystallisation temperature chosen. A separate study involving the exanination of the resulting fracture surfaces by scanning electron microscopy revealed that a, high breaking load was associated with a fine discontinuous structure whereas lower breaking loads were characterised by a more continuous linear appearance. This implies a higher energy of fracture due to the increased surface area of the fracture surface of the former.

Monensin was fed at levels of 0 and 33 ppm in a series of experiments to determine its effect on nitrogen (N) utilization by steers fed diets high in sorghum grain (76%, steam-processed, flaked) and corn (90%, whole shelled). Total ruminal volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations measured 3 hr postprandially were not affected by monensin addition to either diet. Molar proportion of acetic acid decreased (P < .05) was observed with monensin addition to the sorghum grain-based diet. Monensin had no effect on apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter or energy in either diet, but consistently improved apparent total tract digestibility of crude protein (CP) in both diets. Improvement was greater (P < .05). Retention of N tended (P > .05) to improve in response to monensin with the sorghum grain-based diet (24 vs 20% of N intake; 41 vs 36% of N absorbed). Ruminal ammonia concentrations measured 3 hr post-prandially were decreased (P < .10) ruminal digestion of feed N (44 vs 51%) for steers fed monensin. Monensin decreased (P < .05) the contibution of bacterial N (42 vs 50%) and increased (P < .05) that of ruminally undegraded feed (bypass) N (58 vs 50%) to total N digested postruminally, resulting in less (P < .10) bacterial N (23 vs 28 g/day) and a tendency (P > .10) for more feed bypass N (32 vs 27 g/day) to be digested in the intestines of steers fed monensin with the corn-based diet. That monensin caused a greater proportion of feed OM and N to be digested and absorbed in the intestines than in the rumen (with possibly greater resultant metabolic efficiency) may account for some of the benefit of feeding this compound with high grain diets, as losses incurred in the ruminal transformation of feed nitrogen to bacterial nitrogen appear to be partially eliminated.

Organic phosphorus (P$ sb{ rm o}$) in farm animal wastes must be mineralized to inorganic P for subsequent plant use. This study was conducted to determine if feed additives affect P$ sb{ rm o}$ mineralization, manure decomposition, and plant growth. Feed additives in aqueous systems affected the P mineralization of inositol hexaphosphate by phytase and of adenosine monophosphate by alkaline phosphatase. Pronounced effects were produced by bacitracin and both enzymes and by neomycin on phytase. Feed additives in dairy cattle (Bos taurus L.) manure produced effects on microbial activity as measured by gas production that differed from those produced on fecal phosphatase activity. Additives applied directly or with manure to Ste. Rosalie clay, Greensboro loam, or silica sand had no effect on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) yield but did produce additive, rate, growth medium, and manure dependent effects on plant P concentration and soil phosphatase activity. Therefore, each feed additive must be independently evaluated to determine its effect on biological systems.

Electrolyte additives are generally used in commercial Li-ion cells to improve capacity retention and calendar life. Although it is apparent that electrolyte additives play an important role, the details of how they work are poorly understood. In order to be able to distinguish the effect of an additive on the positive or negative electrodes, an experimental method has been developed based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of symmetric cells constructed from electrodes of disassembled full cells similar to the method described by previous workers. This technique proved to be useful and showed that the effects of additives on both electrodes depend strongly on their concentration. It also showed that in some cases, when two additives are introduced in the same cell, both additives contribute to the formation of the surface layer of both electrodes. In other cases, each additive controls the formation of the surface layer of only one electrode.

No description available.

A study was conducted to examine the response to feeding flaxseed (FS) and probiotics on plasma and egg yolk cholesterol and plasma fatty acid profile in laying hens. A total of 576 Single Comb White Leghorn hens (SCWL) at 26 weeks of age were fed diets containing 15% FS and a corn-soybean meal diet (C) supplemented with and without ferlac 25 (F25) or Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA). Feed consumption was significantly (p < 0.05) increased by FS supplemented with both F25 and LA. Dietary treatments had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on feed conversion. Egg production was significantly (p < 0.05) higher among the FS probiotic supplemented diets and significantly (p < 0.05) lower for dietary FS supplemented with LA. However, egg yolk weight did not respond to dietary treatments (p > 0.05). Body weight was significantly low for all FS fed groups. Shell thickness was not statistically significant (p > 0.05) among experimental treatments, while haugh units were significantly (p < 0.05) higher for FS group supplemented with LA. Probiotic supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) reduced plasma cholesterol (CHL) from 161mg/dL in C diet to 117mg/dL in probiotic supplemented groups. Plasma triglycerides (TG) were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced from 2.8g/dL in FS to 1.9g/dL in probiotic supplemented groups while egg yolk CHL was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by probiotic supplementation on FS treatments from 14.04mg/g in FS fed group to 10.16mg/g in LA supplemented FS group. Fatty acids profile in the egg yolk responded significantly (p < 0.05) to dietary treatments. FS treatments with and without probiotic supplementation significantly reduced C18:1 o-9 by 12%; while the PUFA families (o-3 and o-6) were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in FS fed group by 93% and 18%, respectively. C20:4, o-6 was significantly reduced from 6.6mg/g in the C group to 3.96mg/g in Fs groups. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Forage shortage may force producers to feed unfermented or partially fermented forages, which are more susceptible to aerobic deterioration. Propionic acid-based additives can be added to ensiled forages to inhibit yeast and mold growth, and improve the aerobic stability of silages. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of a propionic acid-based silage additive (Solution Foin) on ensiling characteristics, aerobic stability and feeding value of short-term ensiled corn forage. Chopped whole corn was left untreated or treated with Solution Foin (contains 700 g kg-1 propionic acid and 300 g kg-1 NH4OH). The additive was added to forage prior ensiling at a rate of 5 L ton-1 (wet basis). Treated and untreated forages were placed in six plastic silo bags (three each). Silo bags were opened one day after ensiling and daily samples were collected for 30 consecutive days. Effects on animal performance of feeding treated or untreated forage were determined in a completely randomized design, using 30 lactating cows (178+/-55 days in milk) fed total mixed ration (50:50 forage: concentrate) with the major forage portion consisting of untreated or treated forage. The feeding study started one day post-ensiling. Results showed that Solution Foin reduced (P &lt; 0.05) yeast and mold populations between d 5 and 14 post-ensiling. The highest differences (P &lt; 0.002) were observed on d 10, at which point yeast and mold populations for untreated silage were 7.86 and 2.51 log cfu g-1, respectively. The corresponding values for treated silage were 4.35 and 0.00 log cfu g-1, respectively. Aerobic stability of treated ensiled forage was also improved (P &lt; 0.01) from day 0 (by 159 h) to day 10 (by 33 h) post-ensiling. Solution Foin also increased (P &lt; 0.05) the overall lactic acid and WSC content, and lowered the temperature of the treated ensiled forage in the field. No treatment differences were detected in the forage pH and acetic acid concentration. Dairy cows fed treated forage had similar feed intake (average 23 kg d-1) and milk yield (average 29 kg d-1) to cows fed the untreated forage. It was concluded that Solution Foin can be used to improve the aerobic stability and ensiled forage characteristics of short-term corn forage, likely by reducing yeast and mold populations.

Proteolysis of myofibrillar proteins in Pacific whiting surimi occurs when the 50- 70°C temperature range is reached during standard cooking procedures (e.g. 90°C for 15 min). This proteolytic activity results in the softening of surimi gels. Bovine plasma protein (BPP) is the most effective of the food-grade inhibitors used to prevent this reaction, and enhance gel strength in PW surimi. The objective of this study was to determine the effective components of bovine plasma that enhance gel strength in PW surimi. Five bovine plasma fractions were evaluated for components that contribute to gel strength enhancement in PW surimi. Fraction I, which consists mostly of fibrinogen and albumin, was found to also contain plasma transglutaminase (PTGase) activity. Part of fraction I gel-enhancing ability may be attributed to an unknown component which inhibited papain independently of Ca²⁺ and inhibited 40% of surimi proteolytic activity. Fibrinogen or albumin did not inhibit papain activity or enhance gel strength of surimi. For fraction I-S, which is a more concentrated PTGase fraction, gel-enhancement of PW surimi was completely dependent on the presence of Ca²⁺. Autolytic inhibitory activity of fraction I-S in surimi was completely eliminated by the presence of Zn²⁺. Fraction II+III (1%) inhibited over 50% of surimi autolytic activity and displayed a small amount of PTGase activity. Fraction II+III (1%) gel enhancing abilities were low when compared to the other fractions and BPP, and only slightly effected by EGTA. Fraction IV (1%), which contains approximately 50% albumin and 15% α₂-macroglobulin, inhibited over 70% of surimi autolytic activity. It enhanced gel strength at a 1% (w/w) concentration when set for 20 hr at 4°C before cooking, and was not affected by EGTA. This fraction displayed no apparent PTGase activity. Fraction IV-1 (1%), which contains approximately 20-30% α₂-macroglobulin, gel strength enhancement surpassed the other fractions and BPP when set for 20 hr at 4°C and 2 hr at 25°C before being cooked at 90°C for 15 min. The gel strength enhancing abilities of fraction IV-1 were significantly affected by EGTA. Fraction IV-1 (1%) inhibited over 80% of surimi proteolytic activity. The gel strength of 1 mM (0.03%) E-64, which is a cysteine protease inhibitor, was equivalent to that of BPP (1%) after setting at 4°C for 20 hrs before cooking. E-64 (1 mM) inhibited 83% of the autolytic activity of PW surimi and BPP (1%) inhibited 78%. These data indicate that a cysteine protease inhibitor can increase gel strength, and suggests that BPP is acting as a cysteine protease inhibitor. Ca²⁺ dependent gel strength enhancement was attributed to transglutaminase (TGase) activity, both added PTGase and endogenous TGase. Gel strength enhancement that was Ca²⁺ independent was attributed to cysteine protease inhibitors, specifically α₂-macroglobulin. Overall, it was determined that gel strength in PW surimi was greatly enhanced by both concentrated PTGase (I and I-S) and concentrated α₂-macroglobulin (IV-1) fractions, with a combination of these fractions being most effective in gel strength enhancement, when the surimi is first set at 4°C or 25°C before cooking at 90°C for 15 min. These data suggest that the mechanisms of gel strength enhancement of BPP are from cysteine protease inhibition, possibly from α₂-macroglobulin, and from crosslinking of myosin in surimi from both added (PTGase) and endogenous TGase activity. / Graduation date: 1996

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-121). / xii, 282 leaves, bound ill. (some col.) 29 cm

This is partly because the requirements for such an ultimate material change with people’s perception about its properties as well as its environmental impact. Thus, the once-believed ultimate Portland cement binder is now becoming unacceptable for a number of reasons including poor durability as well as severe environmental impact during production. Thus, an improved mineral binder is required by modern society to serve the same purposes as the existing Portland cement binder, as well as to reduce the current environmental impact caused by Portland cement production. / Geopolymerisation is such a ‘green’ technology capable of turning both natural ‘virginal’ aluminosilicates and industrial aluminosilicate wastes, such as fly ash and blast furnace slag, into mechanically strong and chemically durable construction materials. However, the source materials for geopolymer synthesis are less reactive than Portland cement clinkers and the chemical compositions of these source materials can vary significantly. Consequently, product quality control is a major engineering challenge for the commercialisation of geopolymers. / This thesis is therefore devoted to the mechanistic understanding of the interfacial chemical interactions between a number of natural and industrial aluminosilicates and the various activating solutions, which govern the reactivity of the aluminosilicate source materials. The effects of activating solution alkalinity, soluble silicate dosage and anionic contamination on the reactivity of the aluminosilicate source materials to produce geopolymeric binders, as well as their bonding properties to natural siliceous aggregates for concrete making, are examined. In particular, a new set of novel ‘realistic’ reaction models has been developed for such purposes. These reaction models have been further utilised to develop a novel analytical procedure, which is capable of studying geopolymerisation on ‘real’ geopolymers in situ and in real time. This novel procedure is invaluable for the total understanding of geopolymerisation, which is in turn vital for effective geopolymer mix designs.