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At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Monte Carlo simulation of single and two-dosimeter approaches in a steam generator channel head.

In a steam generator channel head, it was not unusual to see radiation workers wearing as many as twelve dosimeters over the surface of the body to avoid a possible underestimation of effective dose equivalent (H(E)) or effective dose (E). This study shows that only one or two dosimeters can be used to estimate H(E) and E without a significant underestimation. MCNP and a point-kernel approach were used to model various exposure situations in a steam generator channel head. The single-dosimeter approach (on the chest) was found to underestimate H(E) and E significantly for a few exposure situations, i.e., when the major portion of radiation source is located in the backside of a radiation worker. In this case, the photons from the source pass through the body and are attenuated before reaching the dosimeter on the chest. To assure that a single dosimeter provides a good estimate of worker dose, these few exposure situations cannot dominate a worker's exposure. On the other hand, the two-dosimeter approach (on the chest and back) predicts H(E) and E very well, hardly ever underestimating these quantities by more than 4% considering all worker positions and contamination situations in a steam generator channel head. This study shows that two dosimeters are adequate for an accurate estimation of H(E) and E in a steam generator channel head.

Humans↗

Rice cooker steam hand burn in the pediatric patient.

Burn injuries often lead to significant cosmetic and functional deformity. In the Orient, household electric rice cookers have caused a significant number of steam burns to infant hands. The clinical course and treatment outcome of these burns have been studied retrospectively in a review of the medical records of 79 pediatric patients treated for acute hand steam burns and of 38 other patients who underwent correction for postburn contracture. Electric rice cookers caused all of the acute pediatric steam burns treated at our institute. Of the 81 hands treated between 1995 and 1998, 38.3 percent healed with conservative treatment and 61.7 percent required skin grafting. The volar aspects of the index and middle fingers were those most frequently involved. Eighteen of 36 hands (50 percent) grafted with split-thickness skin developed late contractures requiring additional procedures. Among the 38 patients who underwent correction for postburn deformity, initial treatment was split-thickness grafting for 60.5 percent, full-thickness skin grafting for 7.9 percent, and spontaneous healing for 31.6 percent. Awareness among medical personnel and continued public education should be promoted to help prevent this unique type of pediatric steam burn from occurring.

Burns↗

Monitoring the efficacy of steam and formaldehyde treatment of naturally Salmonella-infected layer houses.

AIMS: To monitor if a temperature-humidity-time treatment found to be effective in eliminating Salmonella in laboratory trials (Gradel et al. 2003) was efficient against Salmonella in naturally infected layer houses. METHODS AND RESULTS: Six layer houses with natural Salmonella infections were steam treated in a download period, aiming at >or=60 degrees C and 100% relative humidity (RH) during a 24-h period, with or without the addition of 30 ppm formaldehyde. In addition, two control layer houses were disinfected chemically. Salmonella samples taken from predetermined sites before and after treatment were tested qualitatively for Salmonella and coliforms. Samples with indicator bacteria (feed inoculated with Escherichia coli or Enterococcus faecalis and faeces with naturally occurring E. coli and enterococci) were placed during steam-treatment at 12 sites in each house (where the temperature was logged at 5-min intervals) and tested for surviving bacteria. Generally, the field test results confirmed the results of laboratory tests, especially when 30 ppm formaldehyde was added to the steam. In well-sealed houses, the recommended temperature-humidity-time scheme was accomplished at a minimum of 10 cm above floor level within 1 h. CONCLUSIONS: A steam treatment of >or=60 degrees C and 100% RH during a 24-h period with the addition of 30 ppm formaldehyde at the beginning of the process is recommended for eliminating Salmonella from naturally infected poultry layer houses. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: A specific recommendation for the elimination of Salmonella in poultry houses can be given.

Animals↗

Solvent extraction as an adjunct to rendering: the effect on BSE and scrapie agents of hot solvents followed by dry heat and steam.

The study was designed to determine the effect on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and scrapie agents of the solvent extraction processes used in the past by British renderers. The raw material was mouse spleen infected with either the 22A strain of scrapie agent or the 301V strain of BSE agent. Samples were exposed to hexane, heptane, petroleum spirit or perchlorethylene at the relevant temperatures for the appropriate times. Control samples were exposed to the same range of temperatures for the same range of times in saline. Other samples were exposed to the hot solvents, followed by treatment with dry heat at 100 degrees C for 30 minutes and steam at 100 degrees C for 30 minutes. Further samples were exposed only to the dry heat and steam cycles. No single complete process was significantly more effective than any of the others, and they all produced only slight inactivation, less than one log on average for both strains of agent. The average degree of inactivation produced by exposure to hot saline was generally comparable to that produced by exposure to the hot solvents. This was also true for the samples exposed only to dry heat and steam compared with those exposed to hot solvent before treatment with dry heat and steam, and suggests that the slight inactivation was caused by the heat rather than by the solvents. It is concluded that the solvent extraction processes used by renderers in Britain had little capacity to inactivate BSE and scrapie agents.

Abattoirs↗

Optimization of steam pretreatment of corn stover to enhance enzymatic digestibility.

Among the available agricultural byproducts, corn stover, with its yearly production of 10 million t (dry basis), is the most abundant promising raw material for fuel ethanol production in Hungary. In the United States, more than 216 million t of corn stover is produced annually, of which a portion also could possibly be collected for conversion to ethanol. However, a network of lignin and hemicellulose protects cellulose, which is the major source of fermentable sugars in corn stover (approx 40% of the dry matter [DM]). Steam pretreatment removes the major part of the hemicellulose from the solid material and makes the cellulose more susceptible to enzymatic digestion. We studied 12 different combinations of reaction temperature, time, and pH during steam pretreatment. The best conditions (200 degrees C, 5 min, 2% H2SO4) increased the enzymatic conversion (from cellulose to glucose) of corn stover more then four times, compared to untreated material. However, steam pretreatment at 190 degrees C for 5 min with 2% sulfuric acid resulted in the highest overall yield of sugars, 56.1 g from 100 g of untreated material (DM), corresponding to 73% of the theoretical. The liquor following steam explosion was fermented using Saccharomyces cerevisiae to investigate the inhibitory effect of the pretreatment. The achieved ethanol yield was slightly higher than that obtained with a reference sugar solution. This demonstrates that baker's yeast could adapt to the pretreated liquor and ferment the glucose to ethanol efficiently.

Biotechnology↗

Interaction of feed intake level on comparative ruminal and total tract digestion of dry-rolled and steam-flaked corn.

Four Holstein steers (208 kg) with "T" cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design experiment to evaluate the interaction of feed intake level on comparative ruminal and total tract digestion of dry-rolled and steam-flaked corn. The basal diet contained (DM basis) 6% alfalfa hay, 6% sudangrass hay, 75% corn, 2% yellow grease, 5% cottonseed meal, 3% cane molasses, and 3% supplement. The corn portion of the diet was provided as either dry-rolled (density = .54 kg/L) or steam-flaked (density = .36 kg/L). Dry matter intake was restricted to allow for .64 vs 1.28 kg/d of weight gain (1.6 vs 2.4% of BW). Ruminal digestibility of OM, starch, and feed N were not affected (P > .10) by DMI. Postruminal digestion of OM and N and total tract digestibility of OM and DE decreased (P < .05) as DMI was increased. Total tract starch digestibility was not influenced (P > .10) by DMI. Steam flaking corn increased (P < .05) ruminal digestibility of OM and starch and postruminal and total tract digestibility of OM, starch, N, DE, and ME. Increasing DMI and steam flaking decreased (P < .05) ruminal pH and molar proportion of acetate. It is concluded that corn processing is the primary factor influencing site and extent of starch digestion. Decreasing DMI increases DE value of the diet; however, ME value is not affected because of increased energy loss as methane.

Animal Feed↗

Influence of flake density on the feeding value of steam-processed corn in diets for lactating cows.

Four primiparous Holstein cows (112 d in lactation) with cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Dry-rolled (DR) corn (density .52 kg/L) was compared with stream-flaked (SF) corn processed to three flake densities: .39, .32, and .26 kg/L. The basal diet contained (DM basis) 43.4% alfalfa hay, 39.5% corn (DR or SF), 2.2% yellow grease, 9.6% cane molasses, .7% sodium bicarbonate, and 4.6% protein-mineral supplement. Steam flaking increased DM intake (P < .01). There were no treatment effects on ruminal pH (P > .10). Ruminal molar ratios of acetate and propionate were lower (P < .01) for SF than for DR corn and declined (linear component, P < .01) as flake density decreased. Ruminal digestibility of OM was not affected (P > .10) by corn processing. Ruminal starch digestibility increased (linear component, P < .05) as flake density decreased. Ruminal ADF digestibility was decreased by SF (P < .01); this effect was exacerbated by degree of processing (linear component, P < .05). Ruminal N efficiency (duodenal nonammonia N/N intake) was greater (P < .10) for SF than for DR corn because of an improved (P < .10) microbial efficiency. Steam flaking at all densities increased postruminal digestibility of OM (42.4%, P < .01), starch (84.9%, P < .01) N (13.6%, P < .01), and lipid (11.8%, P < .05). Total-tract digestibilities of OM, N, starch, DE and ME were greater (15.2, 11.5, 25.2, 14.9, and 20.0%, respectively, P < .01) for SF (mean of the three densities) than for DR corn. Total-tract digestibility of starch increased (linear component, P < .10) with degree of processing. However, this effect was offset by decreased (linear and quadratic components, P < .05) ADF digestibility. Steam flaking improved the feeding value of corn for lactating cows by improving diet acceptability and digestibility of lipid, starch, and N. Steam flaking increased the estimated NEl of corn by 33%. Optimal flake density probably is between .32 and .39 kg/L.

Animal Feed↗

Site of nutrient digestion by dairy cows fed corn of different particle sizes or steam-rolled.

Five primiparous Holstein cows were cannulated in the rumen, duodenum, and ileum and were fed diets containing 50% alfalfa silage and 36.6% coarse-, medium-, or fine-ground corn (CGC, MGC, and FGC, respectively, with mean particle sizes of 4.8, 2.6, or 1.2 mm), steam-rolled corn (SRC; density of 0.53 kg/L), or a 50:50 mix of CGC and SRC (SC) to evaluate how corn processing affects site of digestibility of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Decreasing the particle size of corn quadratically affected true ruminal digestibility of NSC (49.8, 46.5, and 87.0%, respectively). Because of compensatory digestion postruminally, a smaller increase (from 91.3 to 98.0%) in total tract digestibility of NSC was noted as particle size decreased. A small but significant linear shift in NDF digestion from the rumen to the large intestine was detected as corn particle size decreased. The addition of SRC to CGC linearly increased true NSC digestibility in the rumen about 20 percentage units but had much smaller effects on total tract digestibility. Despite the large impact of corn processing on NSC digestibility in the rumen, flow of bacterial N to the rumen was not affected by treatment. Reducing the particle size of corn decreased the apparent escape of corn protein, but steam-rolling had no effect. Corn should be finely ground to maximize total tract OM digestibility or steam-processed to densities less than 0.53 kg/L for maximal starch digestibility. However, fine-grinding or steam-processing of corn may have only a modest impact on total tract OM digestibility.

Animals↗

Effect of substituting steam-flaked sorghum for concentrate on lactation and digestion in dairy cows.

Thirty-five lactating cows (110 DIM), allotted to five dietary treatments for 70 d, were fed 0, 15, 30, or 45% of dietary DM as steam-flaked sorghum grain (360 g/L) in place of equal amounts of a mixture (DM basis) of 40% steam-rolled corn, 13% rolled barley, 20% wheat mill run, and 27% ground beet pulp in four diets. Thinly flaked sorghum grain (283 g/L) was also fed at 15% of dietary DM. The DMI tended to increase as flaked sorghum increased. Yields of milk and milk protein and percentages of milk protein and SNF increased linearly as sorghum increased. Milk yield of cows fed 15% of DM as the thinly flaked sorghum was higher than for cows fed the 360 g/L flake at 15% and similar to that of cows fed the 360 g/L flake at 30 or 45%. Feed efficiencies and changes in BW and body condition score were unaffected by treatment. As steam-flaked sorghum increased, digestibilities of DM, OM, ADF, NDF, and CP tended to decrease, except for the thinly flaked sorghum fed at 15% of DM. Apparent starch digestibility in the total tract was unaltered by diet. The 30 to 45% of DM fed as steam-flaked sorghum grain (360 g/L) increased yields of milk and milk protein, and thinly flaked sorghum (283 g/L) fed at 15% of DM increased milk yields over that of the control diet or that with the 360 g/L flake at 15% of DM.

Animal Feed↗

Effectiveness of a laboratory-scale vertical tower static chamber steam pasteurization unit against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium, and Listeria innocua on prerigor beef tissue.

A laboratory-scale vertical tower steam pasteurization unit was evaluated to determine the antimicrobial effectiveness of different exposure times (0, 3, 6, 12, and 15 s) and steam chamber temperatures (82.2, 87.8, 93.3, and 98.9 degrees C) against pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria innocua) inoculated onto prerigor beef tissue. Samples were collected and microbiologically analyzed immediately before and after steam treatment to quantify the effectiveness of each time-temperature combination. The 0-s exposure at all chamber temperatures (cold water spray only, no steam treatment) was the experimental control and provided < or = 0.3 log CFU/cm2 reductions. Chamber temperatures of 82.2 and 87.8 degrees C were ineffective (P > 0.05) at all exposure times. At 93.3 degrees C, significant reductions (> 1.0 log CFU/cm2) were observed at exposure times of > or = 6 s, with 15 s providing approximately 1 log cycle greater reductions than 12 s of exposure. The 98.9 degrees C treatment was consistently the most effective, with exposure times of > or = 9 s resulting in >3.5 log CFU/cm2 reductions for all pathogens.

Animals↗

Determination of several halogenated fumigants in cereal products by steam distillation and capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection.

A steam distillation procedure is described for the determination of ethylene dibromide (EDB), ethylene dichloride (EDC), and carbon tetrachloride (CT) in flour, flour-based mixes, baked cakes, breakfast cereals, and citrus fruits. A representative sample is steam distilled using a modified Garman steam distillation apparatus, the steam and volatile components are condensed, and the condensate is partitioned with hexane (EDB) or pentane (EDC and CT). The solvent extract is then injected on-column and analyzed by using a 15 m X 0.32 mm 1.0 micron DB-1701 fused-silica capillary column at 50 degrees C for EDB or a 30 m X 0.25 mm 1.0 micron DB-5 column at 35 degrees C for EDC and CT. For routine EDB determinations as low as 10 ppb, 2 g flour, flour-based mix, or breakfast cereal is distilled and partitioned into 10 mL hexane. For enhanced sensitivity, up to 10 g dry sample can be concentrated into 1 mL hexane, for detection as low as 0.1 ppb (10% FSD, 2.0 pg). Recoveries from flour spiked with 100, 5, and 0.5 ppb EDB were 98.9, 95.1, and 117%, respectively. Coefficients of variation for marketplace flour samples found to contain EDB at 122, 6.0, and 1.2 ppb were 4.6, 6.9, and 3.6%, respectively, and for baby cereal at 0.22 ppb, 4.5%. Recoveries for EDC and CT from flour spiked at 46, 94, and 140 ppb were 61, 73, and 72%, and 96, 95, and 87%, respectively. Coefficients of variation were 10.0, 7.8, and 4.8, and 8.0, 3.2, and 8.4%, respectively.

Chromatography, Gas↗

Steaming oysters does not prevent Norwalk-like gastroenteritis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether steaming oysters prevents gastroenteritis caused by small round structured (Norwalk-like) viruses and to identify risk factors for illness. METHODS: The authors interviewed all 48 people who ate oysters at two church suppers that were followed by outbreaks of gastroenteritis from a Norwalk-like virus. Data were collected on demographics, clinical illness, number of oysters eaten, and the extent to which they were cooked. RESULTS: Among the 48 persons, the attack rate was 56%. The risk of illness increased with the number of oysters eaten (chi-square for trend = 5.7, P = 0.02). There was no decrease in attack rates among persons who ate oysters that were better done (chi-square for trend = 1.1, P = 0.29). CONCLUSIONS: In these outbreaks, the risk of illness increased with the number of oysters eaten. Steaming oysters did not appear to prevent illness, suggesting that steaming may not be adequate to inactivate small round structured viruses. Public health messages that have emphasized the role of raw shellfish in the transmission of enteric viruses should be altered to increase the public's awareness that eating steamed oysters may also pose health risks.

Animals↗

Enhancing effect of non-ionic surfactant on the inactivation of lipopolysaccharide by steam-heat treatment I.

Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan mono-fatty acid esters strongly enhanced the inactivation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by steam-heat treatment at 121 degrees C, as assayed by using the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) and the pyrogen test. In an aqueous solution containing 0.1% surfactant, the decrease of LPS (1 microgram/ml) from E. coli 055:B5 at 121 degrees C followed first-order kinetics. Based on the LAL assay, 0.1% surfactant was essential to achieve 3-log cycle reduction of LPS with concomitant loss of pyrogenicity by steam-heat treatment for 20 min at 121 degrees C. Steam-heat treatment for 20 min at 121 degrees C in the absence of surfactant was insufficient to achieve depyrogenation. Polyoxyethylene (9) lauryl ether and decaglycerin mono-laurate similarly enhanced depyrogenation by steam-heat treatment. The effects of all the surfactants were concentration-dependent for all of the six kinds of LPS examined.

Feasibility Studies↗

Influence of sous vide processing, steaming and boiling on vitamin retention and sensory quality in broccoli florets.

In this study the effect of sous vide processing, steaming and traditional boiling of broccoli florets on retention of ascorbic acid, vitamin B6 and folacin was investigated. Freshly prepared samples were also sensorily evaluated. In all heat treatments ascorbic acid was found to have the highest retention, and was therefore judged not to be suitable as an indicator for vitamin retention in general. When the three types of heat treatment were compared, boiling showed lowest retention of all the vitamins examined (45-64% in 5 min), whereas sous-vide processing gave the highest retentions (97-100% in 5 min). Retentions during steaming were a little lower (83-100% in 5 min). Sensory evaluation showed that sous-vide cooked and steamed broccoli florets generally had higher acceptability than boiled.

Analysis of Variance↗

Analysis of volatile components from Ziziphora taurica subsp. taurica by steam distillation, superheated-water extraction, and direct thermal desorption with GCxGC-TOFMS.

Volatile components from the leaves of Ziziphora taurica subsp. taurica have been isolated by steam distillation, superheated-water extraction, and direct thermal desorption techniques. The volatile components were characterized by comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry. The extraction yields from Z. taurica leaves were found to be 1.56% and 1.32% for steam distillation and superheated-water extraction respectively. The major compounds found in the volatile fractions of the leaves of Z. taurica were pulegone, terpinen-4-ol, cis-carveol, trans-carveol, and verbenone. The number of volatile components identified were 28, 30, and 41 for steam distillation, superheated-water extraction, and direct thermal desorption, respectively.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗

Degradative effects of conventional steam sterilization on biomaterial surfaces.

Prior to implantation trials in animals, the effect of steam sterilization on the surface properties of metallic and coated biomaterials was studied. Pure germanium plates and cast surgical Vitallium discs and subperiosteal implants were treated to present three standard types of biomaterials surfaces prior to steam sterilization, ranging from scrupulously clean, high-energy metals to uniformly low-energy organic layers. Both before and after sterilization, the sample surfaces were characterized by a variety of nondestructive physiochemical techniques. The results indicate that steam sterilization is likely to compromise the properties of otherwise carefully prepared biomedical implants by depositing hydrophobic organic and hygroscopic salt contaminants over the implant surfaces.

Biocompatible Materials↗

The effect of air with steam on the temperature of autoclave contents.

The effect of residual air on the local temperature within an autoclave has often been calculated solely from the known relationship between the pressure and temperature of steam in equilibrium with water. A system of directly measuring air is described which, together with temperature measurements, indicates that large volumes of air trapped in an autoclave load are not necessarily associated with reduced temperatures, although their presence will considerably prolong the heat-up period. It is confirmed that a restricted flow of steam into an autoclave chamber, with reliance on a 'balanced pressure' thermostatic trap as a condensate and air outlet, will not remove air efficiently, even from an empty chamber. Long heating times observed when polypropylene containers are used for laboratory discard material are probably due to retention in the container of large volumes of air. When an efficient air displacement system is employed heat-up times are considerably reduced; the conductivity of the container material being less important than the penetration of steam to its contents.

Air↗

Unpolluted fractionation of wheat straw by steam explosion and ethanol extraction.

An unpolluted process of wheat straw fractionation by steam explosion coupled with ethanol extraction was studied. The wheat straw was steam exploded for 4.5 min with moisture of 34.01%, a pressure of 1.5 MPa without acid or alkali. Hemicellulose sugars were recovered by water countercurrent extraction and decolored with chelating ion exchange resin D412. The gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis results indicated that there were organic acids in the hemicellulose sugars and the ratio of monosaccharides to oligosaccharides was 1:9 and the main component, xylose, was 85.9% in content. The total recovery rate of hemicellulose was 80%. Water washed materials were subsequently extracted with ethanol. The optimum extraction conditions in this work were 40% ethanol, fiber/liquor ratio 1:50 (w/v), severity log(R)=3.657 (180 degrees C for 20 min), 0.1% NaOH. The lignin yield was 75% by acid precipitation and 85% ethanol solvent was recovered. The lignin was purified using Björkman method. Infrared spectrometry (IR) results indicated that the lignin belonged to GSH (guaiacyl (G) syringyl (S) and p-hydroxyphenyl (H)) lignin and its purity rate reached 85.3%. The cellulose recovery rate was 94% and the results of electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and infrared spectrometry (IR) showed that hemicellulose and lignin content decreased after steam explosion and ethanol extraction.

Chemical Fractionation↗