Bacterial spot and early blight biocontrol by epiphytic bacteria in tomato plants

The objective of this work was to evaluate in vitro and in vivo biocontrol of bacterial spot (Xanthomonas vesicatoria) and early blight (Alternaria solani) by the epiphytic bacteria Paenibacillus macerans and Bacillus pumilus. Tomato plants were previously sprayed with epiphytic bacteria, benzalkonium chloride and PBS buffer and, after four days, they were inoculated with A. solani and X. vesicatoria. To determine the phytopathogenic bacteria population, leaflet samples were collected from each treatment every 24 hours, for seven days, and plated on semi-selective medium. The effect of epiphytic bacteria over phytopathogens was performed by the antibiosis test and antagonistic activity measured by inhibition zone diameter. The epiphytic and benzalkonium chloride drastically reduced the severity of early blight and bacterial spot in comparison to the control (PBS). In detached leaflets, the epiphytic bacteria reduced in 70% the number of phytopathogenic bacteria cells in the phylloplane. The antibiosis test showed that the epiphytic bacteria efficiently inhibit the phytopathogens growth. In all the bioassays, the epiphytic bacteria protect tomato plants against the phytopathogens

Protection of Structural Concrete Substructures, Construction Report, HR-220, 1981

It is the objective of this project to determine, via field tests, the long term effectiveness of several available systems as their ability to protect concrete surfaces against the intrusion of chloride ions. Early concepts of this project included utilizing personnel from several offices within the Highway Division of the Iowa Department of Transportation. Cooperation and coordination with regularly scheduled activities were considered imperative. A meeting for this purpose was held on April 16, 1980. This meeting was attended by the investigators, Mr. Bernard C. Brown, Office of Materials, Mr. Richard Merritt, District 6 Materials Engineer, Mr. John Saunders, District 6 Maintenance Engineer, and Mr. James Phinney, Resident Maintenance Engineer.

Laboratory Investigation of Bridge Strip Seal Joint Termination Details, SPR RB08-014, 2016

Bridge expansion joints, if not properly designed, constructed, and maintained, often lead to the deterioration of critical substructure elements. Strip seal expansion joints consisting of a steel extrusion and neoprene gland are one type of expansion joint and are commonly used by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). Strip seal expansion joints are susceptible to tears and pull outs that allow water, chlorides, and debris to infiltrate the joint, and subsequently the bearings below. One area of the strip seal that is particularly problematic is where it terminates at the interface between the deck and the barrier rail. The Iowa DOT has noted that the initial construction quality of the current strip seal termination detail is not satisfactory, nor ideal, and a need exists for re-evaluation and possibly re-design of this detail. Desirable qualities of a strip seal termination detail provide a seal that is simple and fast to construct, facilitate quick gland removal and installation, and provide a reliable, durable barrier to prevent chloride-contaminated water from reaching the substructure. To meet the objectives of this research project, several strip seal termination details were evaluated in the laboratory. Alternate termination details may not only function better than the current Iowa DOT standard, but are also less complicated to construct, facilitating better quality control. However, uncertainties still exist regarding the long-term effects of using straight-through details, with or without the dogleg, that could not be answered in the laboratory in the short time frame of the research project.

A Different Perspective for Investigation of PCC Pavement Deterioration, HR-2074, Interim Report, 1996

Many early Iowa Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) pavements provided good performance without deterioration for more than 50 years. In the late 1950's, Iowa was faced with severe PCC pavement deterioration called D cracking due to crushed limestone containing a bad pore system. Selective quarrying solved the problem. In 1990, cracking deterioration was identified on a three year old US 20 pavement in central Iowa. The coarse aggregate was a crushed limestone with an excellent history of performance in PCC pavement. Examination of cores showed very few cracks through the coarse aggregate particles. The cracks were predominately confined to the matrix. A high resolution, low vacuum Hitachi Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with an energy dispersion detector was used to investigate the deterioration. Subsequent evaluation identified very little concentration of silica gel (silicon-Si), but did identify substantial amounts of sulfur-s and aluminum-Al (assumed to be ettringite) in the air voids. Some of these voids have cracks radiating from them leading us to conclude that the ettringite filled voids were a center of pressure causing the crack. The ettringite in the voids, after being subjected to sodium chloride (NaCl) brine, initially swells and then dissolves. The research has led to the conclusion that the premature deterioration may be due to ettringite and may have been mistakenly identified as Alkali-Silica reactivity (ASR).

Accuracy profile validation of a new analytical method for butane measurement using headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The aim of our study was to provide an innovative HS-GC/MS method applicable to the routine determination of butane concentration in forensic toxicology laboratories. The main drawback of the GC/MS methods discussed in literature concerning butane measurement was the absence of a specific butane internal standard necessary to perform quantification. Because no stable isotope of butane is commercially available, it is essential to develop a new approach by an in situ generation of standards. To avoid the manipulation of a stable isotope-labelled gas, we have chosen to generate in situ an internal labelled standard gas (C(4)H(9)D) following the basis of the stoichiometric formation of butane by the reaction of deuterated water (D(2)O) with Grignard reagent butylmagnesium chloride (C(4)H(9)MgCl). This method allows a precise measurement of butane concentration and therefore, a full validation by accuracy profile was presented.

Reproducing the organic matter model of anthropogenic dark earth of Amazonia and testing the ecotoxicity of functionalized charcoal compounds

The objective of this work was to obtain organic compounds similar to the ones found in the organic matter of anthropogenic dark earth of Amazonia (ADE) using a chemical functionalization procedure on activated charcoal, as well as to determine their ecotoxicity. Based on the study of the organic matter from ADE, an organic model was proposed and an attempt to reproduce it was described. Activated charcoal was oxidized with the use of sodium hypochlorite at different concentrations. Nuclear magnetic resonance was performed to verify if the spectra of the obtained products were similar to the ones of humic acids from ADE. The similarity between spectra indicated that the obtained products were polycondensed aromatic structures with carboxyl groups: a soil amendment that can contribute to soil fertility and to its sustainable use. An ecotoxicological test with Daphnia similis was performed on the more soluble fraction (fulvic acids) of the produced soil amendment. Aryl chloride was formed during the synthesis of the organic compounds from activated charcoal functionalization and partially removed through a purification process. However, it is probable that some aryl chloride remained in the final product, since the ecotoxicological test indicated that the chemical functionalized soil amendment is moderately toxic.

Urinary saturation and nephrocalcinosis in preterm infants: effect of parenteral nutrition.

Urinary lithogenic and inhibitory factors were studied in 27 preterm infants; 16 had total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and 11 had breastmilk with an additional glucose-sodium chloride infusion. Urines were collected for 24 hours on day 2 (period A), day 3 (B), and once between days 4 and 10 (C). Urinary calcium oxalate saturation was calculated by the computer program EQUIL 2. Renal ultrasonography was performed every second week until discharge. The calcium/creatinine ratio increased in infants on TPN (A 0.91; C 1.68 mol/mol) and was significantly higher at period C than that in infants on breastmilk/infusion (A 0.52; C 0.36). The oxalate/creatinine ratio was persistently higher with TPN (203 mmol/mol) than with breastmilk/infusion (98; 137). The citrate/creatinine remained constant with TPN (0.44 mol/mol), whereas it increased significantly with breastmilk/infusion (0.26; 0.49). Calcium/citrate rose considerably with TPN, but decreased with breastmilk/infusion to a significantly lower level than with TPN. The urinary calcium oxalate saturation increased with TPN (2.4; 4.5) and decreased with breastmilk/infusion (2.1; 1.5) to a significantly lower value than with TPN. Nephrocalcinosis developed in two infants on TPN. Mean daily calcium intake was similar in both groups, whereas protein, sodium, and phosphorus intake were significantly higher on TPN. It is concluded that the increase in urinary calcium oxalate saturation observed with TPN is due to the combined effect of an increased urinary calcium excretion and higher urinary oxalate/creatinine and calcium/citrate ratios. The changes observed are likely to be caused by TPN itself, which differs in several respects from breastmilk feeding.

Gas exchange rates, plant height, yield components, and productivity of upland rice as affected by plant regulators

The objective of this work was to evaluate gas exchange rates, plant height, yield components, and productivity of upland rice, as affected by type and application time of plant growth regulators. A randomized block design, in a 4x2 factorial arrangement, with four replicates was used. Treatments consisted of three growth regulators (mepiquat chloride, trinexapac-ethyl, and paclobutrazol), besides a control treatment applied at two different phenological stages: early tillering or panicle primordial differentiation. The experiment was performed under sprinkler-irrigated field conditions. Net CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, plant transpiration, and water-use efficiency were measured four times in Primavera upland rice cultivar, between booting and milky grain phenophases. Gas exchange rates were neither influenced by growth regulators nor by application time. There was, however, interaction between these factors on the other variables. Application of trinexapac-ethyl at both tillering and differentiation stages reduced plant height and negatively affected yield components and rice productivity. However, paclobutrazol and mepiquat chloride applied at tillering, reduced plant height without affecting rice yield. Mepiquat chloride acted as a growth stimulator when applied at the differentiation stage, and significantly increased plant height, panicle number, and grain yield of upland rice.

Marinade with alkaline solutions for the improvement of pork quality

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of alkaline solution marinades on the characteristics of pork subjected to post-mortem pH decrease in pig muscle. The pH of carcasses was measured in a commercial slaughterhouse (n = 526), 45 min after slaughtering (pH45) and, then, the carcasses were divided into the groups with pH45<5.7 or pH45>5.7. Ten samples of the longissimus dorsi muscles of each group were collected and distributed in an entirely randomized design, in a 2x4 factorial arrangement, with two conditions (pH45<5.7 or pH45>5.7), and four marinade solutions: TC, no marinade; TM1, sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride; TM2, sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium chloride; TM3, sodium bicarbonate, sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium chloride. There was no interaction between pH45 of the meat and the marinade treatments. Meat with pH45<5.7 showed higher values for lightness, and for purge loss (PL), exudate loss (EL), cooking loss (CL) and shear force (SF). Marinating increased the pH, reduced the lightness, EL, CL and SF, and improved tenderness, juiciness and flavor of meat. Marinades with solutions containing chloride, bicarbonate, and sodium tripolyphosphate are effective in the improvement of pork quality, making physical characteristics of marinated meat similar to those of fresh pork, as a consequence of accelerated postmortem glycolysis.

Flotaatio jätevedenpuhdistamon tertiäärivaiheena eräässä paperitehtaassa

Työn tavoitteena oli selvittää, kuinka tehokkaasti pystytään aktiivilieteprosessin läpikäynyttä, jälkiselkeytettyä vettä edelleen puhdistamaan flotaatiolla ennen sen johtamista vesistöön. Tarkoituksena oli löytää sellaiset kemikaalit ja näiden annokset, joilla tehtaalle asetetut jätevesien lupa-arvot voitaisiin huonossa tilanteessa, jätevesikuormitushuippujen aikana alittamaan. Työn kirjallisessaosassa tarkasteltiin lyhyesti, minkälaista jätevesikuormaa mekaanista massaa valmistavalta tehtaalta yleensä syntyy ja millaiset ovat tavanomaiset puhdistusmenetelmät. Myös flotaation teoriaa esiteltiin. Kokeellinen osa koostui kolmesta päävaiheesta: esi- eli niin sanotuista kuppikokeista, pilot-flotaatiokoeajoista jalaitosmittakaavan flotaatiokoeajoista. Esikokeet tehtiin niin kutsutulla Jar Test -laitteistolla ja pilot-flotaatiolaitteistona työssä käytettiin YIT:n valmistamaa pilot-flotaattoria. Laitosmittakaavan flotaatioaltaat olivat aikaisemmin biolietteen tiivistykseen käytettyjä, myöhemmin tertiääripuhdistukseen modifioituja flotaatioaltaita. Laitosmittakaavan flotaatiokoeajoissa testattiin neljän eri saostuskemikaalin ¿ polyalumiinikloridin (KEMPAC 18), rautapitoisen alumiinisulfaatin (AVR), ferrisulfaatin ja alumiinisulfaatin ¿ tehokkuutta tertiäärivaiheessa käsiteltävän veden puhdistajana. Esi- ja pilot-kokeiden perusteella laitosmittakaavan kokeisiin valittiin saostuskemikaalien rinnalle polymeeriksi Superfloc C 491. AVR- ja alumiinisulfaattiannokset laitosmittakaavan kokeissa olivat 200 ppm ja 400 ppm. KEMPAC 18- ja ferrisulfaattiannokset olivat 200ppm, 400 ppm ja 600 ppm. Polymeeriannos kokeissa oli pääasiassa 1,2 ppm. Tertiäärivaiheeseen tulevasta vedestä ja poistuvasta kirkasteesta määritettiin kiintoaine, pH, liukoinen ja kokonais-COD, liukoinen ja kokonaisfosfori sekä liukoinen ja kokonaistyppi. Laitosmittakaavan koeajojen tulosten mukaan eniten tertiäärivaiheessa saatiin käsiteltävästä vedestä erotettua fosforia ja toiseksi eniten COD:ta. Typpireduktiot olivat verrattain alhaiset ja myös kiintoainereduktiot jäivät usein pieniksi tai olivat jopa negatiiviset. Kaikki saostuskemikaalit saostivat COD- ja ravinnekuormaa. Eniten kuormaa saostuskemikaaleista saatiin erotettua AVR:llä ja toiseksi eniten KEMPAC 18:lla. Laitteistojen käyttökustannuksia huomioimatta AVR olisi edullisin vaihtoehto saostuskemikaaaliksietenkin pidempiaikaisessa käytössä. Lisäksi työssä tutkittiin polymeeriannoksen kasvattamisen 1,2 ppm:stä 2,5 ppm:ään vaikutusta puhdistustulokseen, kun saostuskemikaaliannos pidettiin vakiona. Tulosten mukaan polymeeriannoksen kasvattaminen kasvatti kokonais-COD- ja kokonaisfosforireduktiota. Myöslaitosmittakaavan flotaatioaltaiden pohjaputkistoja vertailtiin kiintoainereduktioiden perusteella. Kokeissa saatujen tulosten mukaan ei voitu sanoa, oliko toisen altaan pitkä kirkasteenpoistoputki vai toisen altaan lyhyt kirkasteenpoistoputki parempi vaihtoehto.

Nauhasuodatukseen vaikuttavien parametrien tutkiminen

Nauhasuodattimia käytetään teollisuuden aloilla, joissa suodatettavan suspension määrä vaihtelee laajalti ja suodinkakun peseytyminen on tärkeää. Oikean kangasrakenteen valinnalla voidaan kasvattaa suodatuskapasiteettia ja parantaa suodatustulosta. Tämän diplomityön tavoitteena oli tutkia metallisulfidisakan nauhasuodatukseen liittyviä parametreja suodatuksen parantamiseksi. Tavoitteena oli löytää sopiva kangas ja ajoparametrit kloridin pesemiseksi suodinkakusta mahdollisimman tarkasti ja samalla säilyttää hyvä suodospuhtaus. Suodatuskapasiteetin kasvattaminen oli myös toivottavaa. Kirjallisuusosassa keskityttiin kakkusuodatuksen teoriaan, nauhasuodatukseen ja tutustuttiin hieman nauhasuodatukseen liittyvään laskentaan. Uusia kehitteillä olevia suodatusta parantavia menetelmiä käsiteltiin myös kirjallisuusosassa. Kokeellisessa osassa tutkittiin koesuunnittelua hyväksi käyttäen metallisulfidisakan suodatukseen vaikuttavienparametrien vaikutusta. Testattavia parametreja olivat mm. alipaine, lietteen kiintoainepitoisuus, syötön ja pesuveden määrä. Kokeet osoittivat, että kankaan rakenteella ei ole suurta vaikutusta pesutulokseen. Pesuilla ei myöskään voida kokonaan poistaa suodinkakussa olevaa kloridia. Tulosten perusteella kokeissa käytetyillä kudotuilla kankailla päästiin yhtä hyviin kuin huopakankaalla. Suodattimen toiminnan kannalta paras tilanne on, jos suodattimelle tulevan lietteen kiintoainepitoisuus pysyy melko vakiona. Suodattimella käytettävän kankaan käyttöikää kasvattaa kankaan hyvä kulutuskestävyys, kakun irtoaminen helposti kankaan pinnalta ja kankaan pysyminen huokoisena kankaan pesujen ansiosta.

Role of peroxynitrite in the cardiovascular dysfunction of septic shock.

The intense systemic inflammatory response characterizing septic shock is associated with an increased generation of free radicals by multiple cell types in cardiovascular and non cardiovascular tissues. The oxygen-centered radical superoxide anion (O2 .-) rapidly reacts with the nitrogen-centered radical nitric oxide (NO.) to form the potent oxidant species peroxynitrite. Peroxynitrite oxidizes multiple targets molecules, either directly or via the secondary generation of highly reactive radicals, resulting in significant alterations in lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, with significant cytotoxic consequences. The formation of peroxynitrite is a key pathophysiological mechanism contributing to the cardiovascular collapse of septic shock, promoting vascular contractile failure, endothelial and myocardial dysfunction, and is also implicated in the occurrence of multiple organ dysfunction in this setting. The recent development of various porphyrin-based pharmacological compounds accelerating the degradation of peroxynitrite has allowed to specifically address these pathophysiological roles of peroxynitrite in experimental septic shock. Such agents, including 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4- sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinato iron III chloride (FeTTPs), manganese tetrakis(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin (MnTMPyP), Fe(III) tetrakis-2-(N-triethylene glycol monomethyl ether)pyridyl porphyrin) (FP-15) and WW-85, have been shown to improve the cardiovascular and multiple organ failure in small and large animal models of septic shock. Therefore, these findings support the development of peroxynitrite decomposition catalysts as potentially useful novel therapeutic agents to restore cardiovascular function in sepsis.

Preparative ion exchange for salt solutions

Työssä tutkittiin moniarvoisten metalliformiaattien valmistusta ioninvaihto-menetelmällä. Kirjallisuustutkimus käsitteleetunnettuja alumiiniformiaatin ja rautaformiaatin valmistusmenetelmiä, kationinvaihtohartsien ominaisuuksia, ioninvaihtohartsien selektiivisyyttä ja alumiinin, raudan, magnesiumin ja sinkin vesikemiaa. Laboratoriokokeiden avulla tutkittiin sinkki-, magnesium-, rauta(II)- ja alumiiniformiaattien valmistusta ioninvaihdolla. Kokeet suoritettiin kolonnissa, joka oli pakattu makrohuokoisella tai geelimäisellä vahvalla kationin-vaihtohartsilla. Hartsi vaihdettiin natriummuodosta metallimuotoon metallikloridi- tai metallisulfaattiliuoksella.Metalli eluoitiin hartsista natriumformiaatilla. Formiaattien valmistus onnistui makrohuokoista vahvaa kationinvaihtohartsia käyttämällä. Rauta(II)formiaatin valmistus oli vaikeampaa kuin muiden formiaattien, koska rauta(II) hapettui osittain rauta(III):ksi valmistuksen aikana. Alumiiniformiaattia valmistettiin käyttäen sekä makrohuokoista että geelimäistä hartsia. Makrohuokoisen hartsin havaittiin soveltuvan geelimäistä hartsia paremmin alumiiniformiaatin valmistukseen. Kungeelimäistä hartsia käytettiin, noin 30 % alumiinista jäi kiinni hartsiin eikä siten eluoitunut. Ioninvaihdon selektiivisyyskertoimien saamiseksi suoritettiin tasapainokokeita. Selektiivisyyskertoimia käytettiin ioninvaihtokolonnin dynaamisessa simuloinnissa. Ioninvaihdon simuloiminen dynaamisella kolonnimallilla onnistui hyvin.