Stability and properties of cellulose-sodium hydroxide solution systems

Since cellulose is a linear macromolecule it can be used as a material for regenerated cellulose fiber products e.g. in textile fibers or film manufacturing. Cellulose is not thermoformable, thus the manufacturing of these regenerated fibers is mainly possible through dissolution processes preceding the regeneration process. However, the dissolution of cellulose in common solvents is hindered due to inter- and intra-molecular hydrogen bonds in the cellulose chains, and relatively high crystallinity. Interestingly at subzero temperatures relatively dilute sodium hydroxide solutions can be used to dissolve cellulose to a certain extent. The objective of this work was to investigate the possible factors that govern the solubility of cellulose in aqueous NaOH and the solution stability. Cellulose-NaOH solutions have the tendency to form a gel over time and at elevated temperature, which creates challenges for further processing. The main target of this work was to achieve high solubility of cellulose in aqueous NaOH without excessively compromising the solution stability. In the literature survey an overview of the cellulose dissolution is given and possible factors contributing to the solubility and solution properties of cellulose in aqueous NaOH are reviewed. Furthermore, the concept of solution rheology is discussed. In the experimental part the focus was on the characterization of the used materials and properties of the prepared solutions mainly concentrating on cellulose solubility and solution stability.

Physical and chemical properties of granulated cane sugar "panelas"

"Panela" is a natural sweetener obtained by concentrating sugar cane juice and handmade in small factories. In the study carried out, the physical and chemical properties of two commercial brands of artisanal granulated panelas and of one made on an experimental level were determined. Three lots of each sample were analyzed. The parameters measured were moisture, a w, protein, ash, minerals, reducing sugars, sucrose, pH, color (L, a and b), insoluble solids (IS), transmittance a 720 nm and filterability. In addition, a qualitative test to detect sulphur dioxide was performed. The parameters with higher variability were moisture (1.66-4.36 g.100 g-1), a w (0.51-0.69), reducing sugars (4.58-11.48 g.100 g-1), pH (5.58-6.90), and color. Potassium was the most abundant mineral (229.52-1027.18 mg.100 g-1). An inverse relationship between IS and transmittance at 720 nm (R² = 0.96) and a direct relationship between IS and ash (R² = 0.94) were found. The sulphur dioxide test was negative for all the samples.

Culture alternative medium for the growth of extreme halophilic bacteria in fish products

Halotolerant or halophilic (Archaeabacteria) microorganisms can be found in salted and ripening fish products that are not affected by salt. They can be moderate or extremely halophilic bacteria. The extremely halophilic bacteria require between 15-30% of NaCl for growth. The extremely halophilic archaeobacteria may be selectively isolated in different media. The aim of this work was to determine the effectiveness of the Salt-Agar-Milk medium, a medium modified in our laboratory through the addition of MgSO4 and KCl - named SAMm, and its effect on the bacterial growth by means of comparison with other media, with and without milk, determining time of incubation and counting. Two samples of salted fish from local fish salting factories and two laboratory strains were used. The factory samples were matured anchovy and anchovy fillets in oil, and the laboratory strains were: Haloarcula spp. (proteolytic) and Halococcus spp. (non-proteolytic). The following media were alternatively used for the isolation of extremely halophilic bacteria: IRAM; Formulation of Gibbons and collaborators, Cod Milk agar, and SAMm. IRAM and Gibbons were also used enriched with milk. In the SAMm medium, there were obtained count values similar or higher than the ones of the traditional media; besides the simplicity of its elaboration, the possibility to obtain positive results two or three days earlier also added to its benefit. Consequently, it can be considered an alternative to the media traditionally used for the studied halophilic bacteria.

The effect of chemical treatments on the pH & microbial flora of cassava residues during storage

Cassava starch factories produce residues that can be commercialized as food ingredients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbiological safety of cassava peel and bagasse during storage, with and without chemical treatment. The bagasse was acidified with lactic acid, and the peel was immersed in a sodium hypochlorite solution. The microbiological analyses were carried out for 72 h after harvest. All of the samples showed the absence of pathogenic microorganisms, and the acidification and sanitization were effective in controlling total coliforms. Cassava bagasse and peel samples can be considered safe for consumption by humans as ingredients for other food products.

Automated sugar analysis

Abstract Sugarcane monosaccharides are reducing sugars, and classical analytical methodologies (Lane-Eynon, Benedict, complexometric-EDTA, Luff-Schoorl, Musson-Walker, Somogyi-Nelson) are based on reducing copper ions in alkaline solutions. In Brazil, certain factories use Lane-Eynon, others use the equipment referred to as “REDUTEC”, and additional factories analyze reducing sugars based on a mathematic model. The objective of this paper is to understand the relationship between variations in millivolts, mass and tenors of reducing sugars during the analysis process. Another objective is to generate an automatic model for this process. The work herein uses the equipment referred to as “REDUTEC”, a digital balance, a peristaltic pump, a digital camcorder, math programs and graphics programs. We conclude that the millivolts, mass and tenors of reducing sugars exhibit a good mathematical correlation, and the mathematical model generated was benchmarked to low-concentration reducing sugars (<0.3%). Using the model created herein, reducing sugars analyses can be automated using the new equipment.

Toimittajien suorituskykymittariston suunnittelu ja toteutus

Tämän diplomityön tarkoituksena oli kehittää teollisuusyrityksen toimittajahallintaa suorituskykymittauksen avulla. Työssä suunnitellaan ja toteutetaan toimittajien suorituskykymittaristo teoriatiedon avulla. Projektin lopputuloksena case-yrityksellä on käytössään kokonaisvaltainen toimittajien suorituskykymittaristo ja kehittyneet toimittajahallinnan prosessit. Työn teoriaosuudessa syvennytään erilaisiin suorituskykymittariston kehittämisen viitekehyksiin. Lisäksi teoriaosuudessa käsitellään hyvän suorituskykymittariston vaatimuksia ja suositeltuja mittauksen seuranta-alueita. Työn empiriaosuudessa rakennetaan suorituskykymittaristo vaihe vaiheelta perustuen tapaustutkimukseen. Kehitettyä suorituskykymittaristoa testattiin simulaatiovaiheen aikana case-yrityksen kolmella tehtaalla. Käyttäjäpalautteen perusteella mittaristo täytti teoriaosuudessa löydetyt tärkeimmät vaatimukset suorituskykymittaristolle. Mittaristo on helppokäyttöinen, visuaalinen ja sen raportoinnista saa arvokasta informaatiota toimittajien arviointiin. Diplomityön konkreettisia hyötyjä case-yritykselle ovat olleet laatupoikkeamien kehittynyt havaitseminen ja toimittajan hintakilpailukyvyn parantunut arviointi. Kaikkein merkittävin hyöty case-yritykselle on kuitenkin ollut systemaattinen toimittaja-arviointiprosessi, minkä suorituskykymittaristo mahdollistaa.

Total cost model to compare own and partner manufacturing

Target of this study was to develop a total cost calculation model to compare all costs from manufacturing and logistics from own factories or from partner factories to global distribution centers in a case company. Especially the total cost calculation model was needed to simulate an own factory utilization effect in the total cost calculation context. This study consist of the theoretical literature review and the empirical case study. This study was completed using the constructive research approach. The result of this study was a new total cost calculation model. The new total cost calculation model includes not only all the costs caused by manufacturing and logistics, but also the relevant capital costs. Using the new total cost calculation model, case company is able to complete the total cost calculations taking into account the own factory utilization effect in different volume situations and volume shares between an own factory and a partner factory.

SME internationalisation from an emerging market to a developed market : a case study from Ghana

This study focuses on understanding the internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from an emerging market to a developed market. In particular, it examines the internationalisation process of a firm in the clothing and textile manufacturing industry in Ghana. Theoretically, the study is limited to the network internationalisation approach (e.g. Johanson & Mattsson, 1988; Johanson & Vahlne, 2009) and the industrial network approach (Håkansson & Snehota, 1995). Methodologically, a qualitative abductive case study approach is employed. The research process relies on a longitudinal method involving primary and secondary data and critical event analysis. Primary data has been collected from relevant informants at two different times in the internationalisation process. The research findings highlight the significance of both domestic and foreign business relationships in the internationalisation of an SME from an emerging African market to a developed country market. They show the greater importance of exogenous critical events than has been found in the research regarding firms in developed countries. Institutional actors were essential in the network and as sources of exogenous critical events. In addition, the successful SME should possess unique resources in the form of an entrepreneurial spirit, sufficient knowledge of internationalisation, and specific product knowledge. Theoretically, the present study contributes to business network research through providing an understanding of the process of developing network relationships and their impact in an African context. By focusing on SMEs, a contribution has been made in relation to the advancement of SME research. This research reveals empirical insight into SME internationalisation in a setting where an SME is internationalising to a developed country market from a newly emerging African market. Methodologically, the study provides an example of longitudinal research based on abductive methodology. The results provide implications for firms, managers, and policy-makers within the industry, especially on how to manage and use network relationships to promote SME internationalisation from newly emerging markets.

Jätevesien puhdistus jätevesialtaissa jäädyttämällä - Kartoitus potentiaalisista sovellutuksista Suomessa

Uusia jäteveden puhdistusprosesseja kartoitetaan Suomessakin esimerkiksi kiristyvien päästömääräyksien vuoksi sekä parempia kustannus- ja energiatehokkuuksia tavoiteltaessa. Jätevesien puhdistus on Suomessa jo nykyään hyvällä tasolla, mutta muun muassa raskasmetallien, torjunta-aineiden, hormonien ja lääkeaineiden pitoisuuksien kasvut jätevesissä asettavat haasteita nykyisin käytössä oleville jäteveden puhdistusmenetelmille, sillä niitä ei ole suunniteltu näiden aineiden talteenottoon ja suurin osa aineista jää veteen. Lisäksi jätevedet halutaan nähdä enemmänkin resurssina kuin jätteenä, josta voidaan ottaa talteen hyödyllisiä komponentteja, kuten suoloja. Alueilla, joissa vuorokauden keskilämpötila pysyttelee edes osan vuodesta pakkasella, veden luonnollista jäätymisprosessia voidaan käyttää hyväksi jäteveden puhdistuksessa. Tässä työssä selvitettiin kiteytymisen teorian ja aikaisempien tutkimusten avulla, millaisten jätevesien puhdistukseen jäädytyskiteytys sopii sekä pohdittiin menetelmän potentiaalisia sovelluskohteita Suomessa. Jäädytyskiteytyksen todettiin olevan turvallinen ja energiatehokas ratkaisu monien koostumukseltaan erilaisien jätevesien puhdistukseen. Menetelmällä voitaneen puhdistaa öljyisiä, orgaanisia ja/tai epäorgaanisia epäpuhtauksia tai raskasmetalleja sisältäviä sekä myrkyllisiä jätevesiä. Olosuhteet prosessille ovat parhaat Pohjois-Suomessa, jossa vuorokauden keskilämpötila pysyttelee nollan alapuolella noin seitsemän kuukautta vuodesta. Etelä-Suomessa vastaava luku on kolme. Menetelmän potentiaalisia sovelluskohteita ovat esimerkiksi kaivosteollisuuden ja kaatopaikkojen jätevedet, joiden puhdistukseen jäädytyskiteytys saattaisi soveltua erinomaisesti. Jäädyttämällä voitaisiin myös puhdistaa tekstiili- ja nahkateollisuuden jätevesiä, sillä niiden sisältämien väriaineiden erottaminen vedestä on perinteisillä jäteveden puhdistusmenetelmillä usein vaikeaa tai jopa mahdotonta. Suolojen kiteyttämiseen vaadittavia korkeampia suolapitoisuuksia todettiin löytyvän lähinnä membraaniprosessien, kuten käänteisosmoosin, rejektivesistä. Sopivimmat eutektiset olosuhteet kiteyttämiseen ovat natriumsulfaatilla, kaliumsulfaatilla ja natriumkarbonaatilla. Veden luonnollisen jäätymisprosessin hyödyntäminen jätevedenpuhdistuksessa on huomionarvoinen idea. Prosessin käyttöönottoa haittaavat esimerkiksi korkeat investointikustannukset, mutta ne tulevat todennäköisesti ajan myötä teknologian kehittyessä laskemaan. Lisäksi monet prosessiin liittyvät käytännön asiat ovat vielä tutkimuksen alla. On myös huomattava, että Suomessakaan lämpötila ei pysyttele koko vuotta pakkasella, joten jäädytyksen rinnalla on oltava jokin toinen prosessi, jolla jätevedet puhdistetaan lämpötilan ollessa nollan yläpuolella.

Maple Leaf Mills Records 1955, 1960-1964, 1975-1987, 1989, n.d.

Ontario Editorial Bureau (O.E.B.)

Second Welland Canal - Book 1, Survey Map 11 - St. Catharines and Locks 3 and 4

Survey map of the Second Welland Canal created by the Welland Canal Company showing the Town of St. Catharines. Identified structures associated with the Canal include Lock 3 and its Lock House, Lock 4 and its Lock House, Hydraulic Race, and a floating tow path. The surveyors' measurements and notes can be seen in red and black ink and pencil. Local area landmarks are also identified and include streets and roads (ex. Geneva Street, Ontario Street, St. Paul Street, and Merritville Road), Lincoln Mills and its Store House, T. M. Merritt's Store House, Cooper Shop, L. Shickluna's Dry Dock, Peter McGill's Grist Mill, J. Flint's Saw Factory, T. Hosteter's Gristing Mill, J. Dougan Builder's shop or office, Norris and Nelson Mill, G. N. Oil Foundry and its Machine Shop and Boiler, a barrel shed, woolen factory, Estate of P. Nihen (or T. Nihan), Norris and Nelson's Wharf, the W. C. Office, and structures (possibly houses) or small properties belonging to T. Adams, and A. K. Boomer. Properties and property owners of note are: Concession 6 Lots 16, 17, and 18, Concession 7 Lots 16, 17, and 18, Alva Dittrick, James R. Benson, W. B. Robinson, and C. Phelps.

Elucidation of a mechanism of cell lysis by chorhexidine : a biophysical approach

Chlorhexidine is an effective antiseptic used widely in disinfecting products (hand soap), oral products (mouthwash), and is known to have potential applications in the textile industry. Chlorhexidine has been studied extensively through a biological and biochemical lens, showing evidence that it attacks the semipermeable membrane in bacterial cells. Although extremely lethal to bacterial cells, the present understanding of the exact mode of action of chlorhexidine is incomplete. A biophysical approach has been taken to investigate the potential location of chlorhexidine in the lipid bilayer. Deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance was used to characterize the molecular arrangement of mixed phospholipid/drug formulations. Powder spectra were analyzed using the de-Pake-ing technique, a method capable of extracting both the orientation distribution and the anisotropy distribution functions simultaneously. The results from samples of protonated phospholipids mixed with deuterium-labelled chlorhexidine are compared to those from samples of deuterated phospholipids and protonated chlorhexidine to determine its location in the lipid bilayer. A series of neutron scattering experiments were also conducted to study the biophysical interaction of chlorhexidine with a model phospholipid membrane of DMPC, a common saturated lipid found in bacterial cell membranes. The results found the hexamethylene linker to be located at the depth of the glycerol/phosphate region of the lipid bilayer. As drug concentration was increased in samples, a dramatic decrease in bilayer thickness was observed. Differential scanning calorimetry experiments have revealed a depression of the DMPC bilayer gel-to-lamellar phase transition temperature with an increasing drug concentration. The enthalpy of the transition remained the same for all drug concentrations, indicating a strictly drug/headgroup interaction, thus supporting the proposed location of chlorhexidine. In combination, these results lead to the hypothesis that the drug is folded approximately in half on its hexamethylene linker, with the hydrophobic linker at the depth of the glycerol/phosphate region of the lipid bilayer and the hydrophilic chlorophenyl groups located at the lipid headgroup. This arrangement seems to suggest that the drug molecule acts as a wedge to disrupt the bilayer. In vivo, this should make the cell membrane leaky, which is in agreement with a wide range of bacteriological observations.

Canadian Shredded Wheat Company Fonds

In 1893 Attorney Henry Drushel Perky and William H. Ford invented a machine for the preparation of cereals for food. Perky soon realized that the actual cereal biscuits were more popular than the machines and he opened Shredded Wheat plants in Massachusetts and Niagara Falls, New York. In 1904, the Niagara Falls, Canada plant was opened. These factories also served as tourist attractions. In 1907, one hundred thousand people visited the plants on both sides of the border. In 1928, the company was sold to The National Biscuit Company and the product name changed to Nabisco Shredded Wheat. The name of the plant was changed to Nabisco Foods in 1956 to reflect the variety of foods that were being produced at that time. In 1985, Nabisco was purchased by J.R. Reynolds thus forming RJR Nabisco. In 1994, RJR sold its breakfast cereal business to Kraft Foods and the international licenses to General Mills. Shredded Wheat is now integrated into the Post Foods portfolio. with information from: Niagara Falls Canada a History by The Kiwanis Club of Stamford, Ontario Inc. and Business Source Complete

James Corbin letter, October 2, 1813

James Corbin (1791-1860) lived in Williamstown, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. He is buried there is Southlawn cemetery. Pliny Moore (1759-1822) was the founder of the town of Champlain, New York. He served in the revolutionary war and after received the Smith and Graves patent, a parcel of land more than 11,000 acres in size. He served in several town offices in Champlain, including postmaster and judge, as well as operating sawmills and textile mills. Letter transcription: Dear Sir, The reason I did not come to tend your mill last spring was because the letter you wrote me dated 1 of March I didn’t receive it until the 12 of April and inform me that if I could be there in 2 or 3 weeks you would employ me as we agreed and therefore I concluded it would not do any good for me to come. It was a great disappointment to me because I was all ready to come whenever I got word. It is impossible for me to come now for I am in partnership with my brother in the farm and Mills and must take care our crops and settle our [bushels] this winter. I know nothing to the contrary but what I can come next spring I will let you know by uncle Corbin this winter. James Corbin

Agenda for the fifty-third annual meeting of the National Council of Women of Canada, 1946

The National Council of Women of Canada was founded in 1893 in Toronto to address the need for societal reform, such as better education for women and women’s suffrage. The first president was Lady Ishbel Aberdeen, the wife of the Governor General. The group’s early efforts focused on improving conditions for women prisoners, women working in factories, and women immigrants. The efforts of the Council also helped to achieve the passing of the Act to Confer the Electoral Franchise Upon Women in 1918. Members of the Council have advocated for the welfare of children, the family, the community, the environment and equal pay for work of equal value. The Council continues to be concerned with these issues, and presents an annual brief to the Prime Minister and Members of the Cabinet, as well as occasionally serving on special advisory committees.