Abstract: Egg yolk oil is a natural source of bioactive
compounds such as unsaturated fatty acids, oil soluble vitamins,
pigments and others. Bioactive compound content in egg yolk oil
depends from its content in eggs, from which oil was extracted. Many
studies show that bioactive compound content in egg is correlated to
the content of these compounds in hen feed, but there is also an
opinion that hen housing systems also have influence on egg
chemical content. The aim of this study was to determine which
factor, laying hen housing system or hen diet, has a primary influence
on bioactive compound content in egg yolk oil. The egg yolk oil was
extracted from eggs obtained from 4 different hen housing systems:
cage, barn and two groups of free range. All hens were fed with
commercially produced compound feed except one group of free
range hens which get free diet – pastured hens. Extracted egg yolk
oils were analyzed for fatty acids, oil soluble vitamins and β-carotene
content. α-tocopherol, ergocalcipherol and polyunsaturated fatty acid
content in egg yolk oil was higher from eggs obtained from all
housing systems where hens were fed with commercial compound
feed. β-carotene and retinol content in egg yolk oils from free range
free diet eggs was significantly (p>0.05) higher that from other eggs
because hens have access to green forage. Hen physical activity in
free range housing systems decreases content of some bioactive
compound in egg yolk oil.
Abstract: A total of 115 yeast strains isolated from local cassava
processing wastes were measured for crude protein content. Among
these strains, the strain MSY-2 possessed the highest protein
concentration (>3.5 mg protein/mL). By using molecular
identification tools, it was identified to be a strain of Pichia
kudriavzevii based on similarity of D1/D2 domain of 26S rDNA
region. In this study, to optimize the protein production by MSY-2
strain, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied. The
tested parameters were the carbon content, nitrogen content, and
incubation time. Here, the value of regression coefficient (R2) =
0.7194 could be explained by the model which is high to support the
significance of the model. Under the optimal condition, the protein
content was produced up to 3.77 g per L of the culture and MSY-2
strain contains 66.8 g protein per 100 g of cell dry weight. These
results revealed the plausibility of applying the novel strain of yeast
in single-cell protein production.
Abstract: Fly ash (FA) thanks to the significant presence of SiO2
and Al2O3 as the main components is a potential raw material for
geopolymers production. Mechanical activation is a method for
improving FA reactivity and also the porosity of final mixture; those
parameters can be analysed through sorption properties. They have
direct impact on the durability of fly ash based geopolymer mortars.
In the paper, effect of FA fineness on sorption properties of
geopolymers based on sodium silicate, as well as relationship
between fly ash fineness and apparent density, compressive and
flexural strength of geopolymers are presented. The best results in the
evaluated area reached the sample H1, which contents the highest
portion of particle under 20μm (100% of GFA). The interdependence
of individual tested properties was confirmed for geopolymer
mixtures corresponding to those in the cement based mixtures: higher
is portion of fine particles < 20μm, higher is strength, density and
lower are sorption properties. The compressive strength as well as
sorption parameters of the geopolymer can be reasonably controlled
by grinding process and also ensured by the higher share of fine
particle (to 20μm) in total mass of the material.
Abstract: Coal fly ash is formed as a solid waste product from
the combustion of coal in coal fired power stations. Huge amounts of
fly ash are produced globally every year and are predicted to
increase. Nowadays, less than half of the fly ash is used as a raw
material for cement manufacturing, construction and the rest of it is
disposed as a waste causing yet another environmental concern. For
this reason, the recycling of this kind of slurries into useful materials
is quite important in terms of economical and environmental aspects.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Orhaneli and
Tuncbilek coal fly ashes for utilization in some industrial
applications. Therefore the mineralogical and chemical compositions
of these fly ashes were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy,
ourier-transform infrared spectrometer, and X-ray diffraction. The
silicon (Si) and aluminum (Al) in the fly ashes were activated by
alkali fusion technique with sodium hydroxide. The obtained extracts
were analyzed for Si and Al content by inductively coupled plasma
optical emission spectrometry.
Abstract: The present work attempts to investigate the
combustion, performance and emission characteristics of an existing
single-cylinder four-stroke compression-ignition engine operated in
dual-fuel mode with hydrogen as an alternative fuel. Environmental
concerns and limited amount of petroleum fuels have caused interests
in the development of alternative fuels like hydrogen for internal
combustion (IC) engines. In this experimental investigation, a diesel
engine is made to run using hydrogen in dual fuel mode with diesel,
where hydrogen is introduced into the intake manifold using an LPGCNG
injector and pilot diesel is injected using diesel injectors. A
Timed Manifold Injection (TMI) system has been developed to vary
the injection strategies. The optimized timing for the injection of
hydrogen was 10^0 CA after top dead center (ATDC). From the study
it was observed that with increasing hydrogen rate, enhancement in
brake thermal efficiency (BTHE) of the engine has been observed
with reduction in brake specific energy consumption (BSEC).
Furthermore, Soot contents decrease with an increase in indicated
specific NOx emissions with the enhancement of hydrogen flow rate.
Abstract: This paper presents a part of the project solving which
is dedicated to the identification of the hazardous waste with the most
critical production within the Czech Republic with the aim to study
and find the optimal composition of the cement matrix that will
ensure maximum content disposal of chosen hazardous waste. In the
first stage of project solving – which represents this paper – a specific
hazardous waste was chosen, its properties were identified and
suitable solidification agents were chosen. Consequently
solidification formulas and testing methodology was proposed.
Abstract: Feed oil samples which are used as mixed feed raw
material were taken from six different feed factories in March, May
and July. All factories make production in Konya, Turkey and all of
the samples were crude soybean oils. Physical and chemical analyses,
free radical scavenger effect, and total phenol content were
determined on these oil samples. Moisture (M) content was found
between 0.10-22.23%, saponification number (SF) was determined
143.13 to 167.93 KOH/kg, free fatty acidity (FFA) was varied 0.73 to
35.00%, peroxide value (PV) was found between 1.53 and 28.43
meq/kg, unsaponifiable matter (USM) was determined from 0.40 to
17.10%, viscosity (V) was found between 34.30 and 625.67 mPas,
sediment (S) amount was determined between 0.60-18.16%, free
radical scavenger effect (FRSE) was varied 20.7 to 43.04% inhibition
of the extract and total phenol (TPC) content was found between 1.20
and 2.69mg/L extract. Different results were found between months
and factories.
Abstract: Depositional environment and source potential of the
different organic-rich levels of Devonian age (up to 990m thick) from
the onshore EC-1 well (Southern Tunisia) were investigated based on
the analysis of more than 130 cutting samples by different
geochemical techniques (Rock-Eval pyrolysis, GC-MS). The
obtained results including Rock Eval Pyrolysis data and biomarker
distribution (terpanes, steranes and aromatics) have been used to
describe the depositional environment and to assess the thermal
maturity of the Devonian organic matter. These results show that the
Emsian deposits exhibit poor to fair TOC contents. The associated
organic matter is composed of mixed kerogen (type II/III), as
indicated by the predominance of C29 steranes over C27 and C28
homologous, that was deposited in a slightly reduced environment
favoring organic matter preservation. Thermal maturity assessed from
Tmax, TNR and MPI-1 values shows a mature stage of organic
matter. The Middle Devonian (Eifelian) shales are rich in type II
organic matter that was deposited in an open marine depositional
environment. The TOC values are high and vary between 2 and 7%
indicating good to excellent source rock. The relatively high HI
values (reaching 547 mg HC/g TOC) and the low values of t19/t23
tricyclic terpane ratio (< 0.2) confirm the marine origin of the organic
matter (type II). During the Upper Devonian, the organic matter was
deposited under variable redox conditions, oxic to suboxic which is
clearly indicated by the low C35/C34 hopanes ratio, immature to
marginally mature with the vitrinite reflectance ranging from 0.5 to
0.7 Ro and Tmax value of 426°C-436 °C and the TOC values range
between 0.8% to 4%.
Abstract: There are several possibilities of reducing the required
amount of cement in concrete production. Natural zeolite is one of
the raw materials which can partly substitute Portland cement. The
effort to reduce the amount of Portland cement used in concrete
production is brings both economical as well as ecological benefits.
The paper presents the properties of concrete containing natural
zeolite as an active admixture in the concrete which partly substitutes
Portland cement. The properties discussed here bring information
about the basic mechanical properties and frost resistance of concrete
containing zeolite. The properties of concretes with the admixture of
zeolite are compared with a reference concrete with no content of
zeolite. The properties of the individual concretes are observed for
360 days.
Abstract: Freshly laid eggs from green turtles, Chelonia mydas,
were randomly collected from Ras Al-Hadd Reserve, Oman.
Eggshells taken from eggs and sand collected from the body chamber
were analyzed for eight heavy metals (Al, Br, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, S, and
Zn) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP).
Heavy metal concentrations varied significantly (P
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine whether
increasing molybdenum (Mo) concentration affects the growth and
Mo concentration of maize (Zea mays L. cv Norma SC) and
sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv Arena PR) seedlings within
laboratory conditions.
In this experiment, calcareous chernozem soil was used and Mo
was supplemented into the soil as ammonium molybdate
[(NH4)6Mo7O24.4H2O] in four different concentrations as follow: 0
(control), 30, 90 and 270 mg·kg-1.
In this study, we found that molybdenum in small amount (30
mg·kg-1) affects positively on growth of maize and sunflower
seedlings, however, higher concentration of Mo reduces the dry
weights of shoots and roots. In the case of maize the highest Mo
treatment (270 mg·kg-1) and in sunflower 90 mg·kg-1 treatment
caused significant reduction in plant growth.
In addition, we observed that molybdenum contents in the roots
and shoots were very low in case of control soil but were
significantly elevated with increasing concentration of Mo treatment.
Only in case of sunflower the highest 270 mg·kg-1 Mo treatment
caused decrease in Mo concentration.
Abstract: Long Distance Truck Drivers (LDTDs) have been
found to be a high risk group in the spread of HIV/AIDS globally;
perhaps, due to their high Sexual Risk Behaviours (SRBs).
Interventions for reducing SRBs in trucking population have not been
fully exploited. A quasi-experimental control group pretest-posttest
design was used to assess the efficacy of psycho-education and
behavioural skills training in reducing SRBs among LDTDs. Sixteen
drivers rivers were randomly assigned into either experimental or
control groups using balloting technique. Questionnaire was used as
an instrument for data collection. Repeated measures t-test and
independent t-test were used to test hypotheses. Intervention had
significant effect on the SRBs among LDTDs at post-test (t{7}=
6.01, p
Abstract: This paper shortly describes various types of biomass
and a growing number of facilities utilizing the biomass in the Czech
Republic. The considerable part of this paper deals with energy
parameters of the most frequently used types of biomass and results
of their gasification testing. Sixteen most used "Czech" woody plants
and grasses were selected; raw, element and biochemical analyses
were performed and basic calorimetric values, ash composition, and
ash characteristic temperatures were identified. Later, each biofuel
was tested in a fluidized bed gasifier. The essential part of this paper
provides results of the gasification of selected biomass types.
Operating conditions are described in detail with a focus on
individual fuels properties. Gas composition and impurities content
are also identified. In terms of operating conditions and gas quality,
the essential difference occurred mainly between woody plants and
grasses. The woody plants were evaluated as more suitable fuels for
fluidized bed gasifiers. Testing results significantly help with a
decision-making process regarding suitability of energy plants for
growing and with a selection of optimal biomass-treatment
technology.
Abstract: The effect of transition metal doping on Pt/Al2O3
catalyst used in propane dehydrogenation reaction at 500°C was
studied. The preparation methods investigated were sequential
impregnation (Pt followed by the 2nd metal or the 2nd metal followed
by Pt) and co-impregnation. The metal contents of these catalysts
were fixed as the weight ratio of Pt per the 2nd metal of around 0.075.
These catalysts were characterized by N2-physisorption, TPR, COchemisorption
and NH3-TPD. It was found that the impregnated 2nd
metal had an effect upon reducibility of Pt due to its interaction with
transition metal-containing structure. This was in agreement with the
CO-chemisorption result that the presence of Pt metal, which is a
result from Pt species reduction, was decreased. The total acidity of
bimetallic catalysts is decreased but the strong acidity is slightly
increased. It was found that the stability of bimetallic catalysts
prepared by co-impregnation and sequential impregnation where the
2nd metal was impregnated before Pt were better than that of
monometallic catalyst (undoped Pt one) due to the forming of Pt sites
located on the transition metal-oxide modified surface. Among all
preparation methods, the sequential impregnation method- having Pt
impregnated before the 2nd metal gave the worst stability because this
catalyst lacked the modified Pt sites and some fraction of Pt sites was
covered by the 2nd metal.
Abstract: Degradation of agricultural soils has increased rapidly
during the last 20 years due to the indiscriminate use of pesticides
and other anthropogenic activities. Currently, there is an urgent need
of soil restoration to increase agricultural production. Utilization of
sewage sludge or municipal solid waste is an important way to
recycle nutrient elements and improve soil quality. With these
amendments, nutrient availability in the aqueous phase might be
increased and production of healthier crops can be accomplished.
This research project aimed to achieve sustainable management of
tropical agricultural soils, specifically in Puerto Rico, through the
amendment of water treatment plant sludge’s. This practice avoids
landfill disposal of sewage sludge and at the same time results costeffective
practice for recycling solid waste residues. Coriander
sativum was cultivated in a compost-soil-sludge mixture at different
proportions. Results showed that Coriander grown in a mixture of
25% compost+50% Voladora soi+25% sludge had the best growth
and development. High chlorophyll content (33.01 ± 0.8) was
observed in Coriander plants cultivated in 25% compost+62.5%
Coloso soil+ 12.5% sludge compared to plants grown with no sludge
(32.59 ± 0.7). ICP-OES analysis showed variations in mineral
element contents (macro and micronutrients) in coriander plant
grown I soil amended with sludge and compost.
Abstract: The value co-creation has gained much attention in
sales research, but less is known about how salespeople and
customers interact in the authentic business to business (B2B) sales
meetings. The study presented in this paper empirically contributes to
existing research by presenting authentic B2B sales meetings that
were video recorded and analyzed using observation and qualitative
content analysis methods. This paper aims to study key elements of
successful sales interactions between salespeople and customers/
buyers. This study points out that salespeople are selling value rather
than the products or services themselves, which are only enablers in
realizing business benefits. Therefore, our findings suggest that
promoting and easing open discourse is an essential part of a
successful sales encounter. A better understanding of how
salespeople and customers successfully interact would help
salespeople to develop their interpersonal sales skills.
Abstract: We assessed the ecology of the organic and mineral soil
layers of laurel-leaved (BB-1) and Cryptomeria japonica (BB-2 and Pw)
forests in the Kasugayama Hill Primeval Forest (Nara, Japan). The soil
respiration rate was higher in the deeper horizons (F and H) of organic
layers than in those of mineral soil layers, suggesting organic layers
may be where active microbial metabolism occurs. Respiration rates in
the soil of BB-1, BB-2 and Pw forests were closely similar at 5 and 10°C.
However, the soil respiration rate increased in proportion to
temperatures of 15°C or above. We therefore consider the activity of
soil microorganisms to markedly decrease at temperatures below 10°C.
At a temperature of 15°C or above, the soil respiration rate in the BB-1
organic layers was higher than in those of the BB-2 and Pw organic
layers, due to differences in forest vegetation that appeared to
influence several salient soil properties, particularly pH and the carbon
(C) and nitrogen (N) content of the F and H horizons.
Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond coated
cutting tool has excellent cutting performance, it is the most ideal tool
for the processing of nonferrous metals and alloys, composites,
nonmetallic materials and other difficult-to-machine materials
efficiently and accurately. Depositing CVD diamond coating on the
cemented carbide with high cobalt content can improve its toughness
and strength, therefore, it is very important to research on the
preparation technology and cutting properties of CVD diamond coated
cemented carbide cutting tool with high cobalt content. The
preparation technology of boron-doped diamond (BDD) coating has
been studied and the coated drills were prepared. BDD coating were
deposited on the drills by using the optimized parameters and the SEM
results show that there are no cracks or collapses in the coating.
Cutting tests with the prepared drills against the silumin and aluminum
base printed circuit board (PCB) have been studied. The results show
that the wear amount of the coated drill is small and the machined
surface has a better precision. The coating does not come off during
the test, which shows good adhesion and cutting performance of the
drill.
Abstract: The purpose of the present work was to develop an
innovative food product with nutritional properties as well as
appealing organoleptic qualities. The product, a jam, was prepared
with the beans’ cooking water combined with fresh apple or carrot,
without the addition of any conservatives. Three different jams were
produced: bean and carrot, bean and apple and bean, apple and
cinnamon. The developed products underwent a sensorial analysis
that revealed that the bean, apple and cinnamon jam was globally
better accepted. However, with this study, the consumers determined
that the bean and carrot jam had the most attractive color and the
bean and apple jam the better consistency. Additionally, it was
possible to analyze the jams for their chemical components, namely
fat, fiber, protein, sugars and antioxidant activity. The obtained
results showed that the bean and carrot jam had the highest lipid
content, while the bean, apple and cinnamon jam had the highest
fiber content, when compared to the other two jams. Regarding the
sugar content, both jams with apple revealed similar sugar values,
which were higher than the sugar content of the bean and carrot jam.
The antioxidant activity was on average 10 mg TE/g.
Abstract: In the present work, fly ash geopolymer based
composites including polyester (PES) waste were studied. Specimens
of three compositions were prepared: (a) fly ash geopolymer with 5%
PES waste; (b) fly ash geopolymer mortar with 5% PES waste; (c) fly
ash geopolymer mortar with 6.25% PES waste. Compressive and
bending strength measurements, water absorption test and
determination of thermal conductivity coefficient were performed.
The results showed that the addition of sand in a mixture of
geopolymer with 5% PES content led to higher compressive strength,
while it increased water absorption and reduced thermal conductivity
coefficient. The increase of PES addition in geopolymer mortars
resulted in a more dense structure, indicated by the increase of
strength and thermal conductivity and the decrease of water
absorption.