Preservation of the quality of Actinidia kolomikta berries using a modified atmosphere

Actinidia berries are a unique natural source of ascorbic acid and many other important physiologically valuable nutrients, but they have a short shelf life. A modified atmosphere is of particular importance for preserving the quality of Actinidia berries during storage. The research was implemented in the laboratory of progressive technologies for storing fruits and vegetables of the research center of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education of the Michurinsky State Agrarian University on Actinidia berries of the Soroka variety. 600-700 g of freshly picked berries were placed in perforated plastic containers. The storage technology provided for the cooling of Actinidia to a temperature of + 0.5 ° C, the installation of perforated plastic containers with berries in the Xtend package, and packaging. The packages had two mini-cranes each, designed to connect the gas-analyzer inlet pneumatic line and return the medium. Storage was carried out in a refrigerator at a constant temperature of + 0.5 ° C and relative humidity of 90%. During the storage period, the concentration of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethylene in the bag was regularly measured, and the berries were examined, and their appearance was assessed. It was found that after three days of storage, the level of gas concentrations inside the package stabilized and over the next 28 days was in the range of 3.1-3.5% for carbon dioxide and 17.8-18.8% for oxygen. The intensity of ethylene release increased sharply on the 28th day of storage, which led to a significant decrease in the commercial quality of the berries. The studies have shown that to preserve the quality and extend the storage period of Actinidia berries, it is possible to recommend using a modified atmosphere, which ensures the preservation of the original quality of fresh berries. The optimal storage period is 24 days, with the yield of standard berries 94.4%, which is 2.3 times higher than the control. The duration of storage in a modified atmosphere is increased from 3 days to 24 days.

Investigating natural cooling of piled sugar beet

The paper examines the processes of natural cooling of a medium-storage pile containing 3,650 tons of sugar beets. Adiabatic cooling and related processes are established to have a predominant effect on reducing the temperature in the pile while in storage. Piled sugar beet is cooled due to some natural water evaporation from the surface of sugar beets, followed by moisture saturation of the outside air. Such cooling leads to an uncontrolled decrease in the quality of beets, which has negative implications during further processing. A formula is presented for calculating post-harvest yield loss in sugar beets piled with one slope being across the prevailing wind.

Technical Note: Effects of Makeshift Storage in Different Liquors on Larvae of the Blowflies Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Unexpected findings of forensically important insects might prompt makeshift storage in alternative liquids if the proper equipment is lacking. The assessment of whether such evidence can still be used and correctly interpreted can be difficult. In this study, the effects of using alcoholic beverages as storing agents for post-feeding larvae of Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata were analyzed. Larvae were killed with boiling water (HWK) or placed alive into four alcoholic liquids: two spirits, vodka and brandy, and two liquors, Jägermeister and peppermint schnapps. Storage effects were documented after one day, nine days, and one month and compared to larvae treated according to guidelines for forensic entomology. Results show that the method of killing larvae is more important than the storing medium. Storage of HWK larvae in high-alcohol/low-sugar spirits had almost negligible effects on both species, while all fresh larvae shrank significantly. High sugar contents of the beverages might additionally lead to shrinkage of larvae.

Medios de almacenamiento y transporte para dientes avulsionados

Se realizó una revisión de la literatura con respecto a los medios de almacenamiento para dientes avulsionados. Se utilizó el buscador Medline, incluyendo aquellas publicaciones entre 1980 - 2007 en las que apareciesen como palabra clave: “viability”, “storage medium”, “storage media”, “tooth avulsion” y “avulsion”. Los mejores medios son aquellos que tienen las siguientes características: pH y osmolalidad fisiológica, contengan nutrientes, sean líquidos estériles y estén disponibles en el lugar del accidente. Los resultados de estos estudios muestran que la leche fresca descremada pasteurizada fue mejor que la saliva, el agua, las soluciones para lentes de contacto y el Gatorade®. El HBSS y el Viaspan fueron mejores que la leche, el propóleo y el agua de coco. El Viaspan fue igual a, o mejor que, el HBSS para preservar las células del ligamento periodontal. A pesar de su efectividad en mantener la viabilidad celular, el Viaspan y el HBSS son costosos y no están disponibles rápidamente en el lugar del accidente a diferencia de la leche.

Study on Risk Analysis and Control of Oil Tank Based on Environmental Safety

Risk analysis and calculation about different position from oil tank, is to supply the scientific basis on risk control and design of precaution device. The risk factors of the oil tank as the start is analyzed, and risk concept model under several uncertain influences of storage medium, storage amount, newness extent,distance among oil tanks and environment is established;the different position of oil tank risk calculation models and their risk levels precaution method under single tank coupled with several tanks are put forward. According to the case simulated, the method can be used in risk control.

The Dual Medium Storage Tank at the IEA/SSPS Project in Almeria (Spain); Part I: Experimental Validation of the Thermodynamic Design Model

Efficient and reliable thermal storage is an important requirement for substituting conventional power systems with solar thermal facilities. Storage will synchronize the intermittent supply of solar radiation with the usually constant demand of technical thermal processes. The distributed collector system of the IEA/SSPS Project in Almeri´a (Spain) uses two different storage systems for the 100 to 295°C temperature range: a single thermocline vessel and a dual medium storage tank (DMST). In the first tank, thermal oil is used as the energy carrier as well as for energy storage; in the dual medium tank, the storage medium is cast iron, and the oil acts primarily as a heat transfer fluid. At the SSPS, this concept’s potential for future process heat applications has been assessed. Performance and operational restrictions of the DMST were systematically studied over a wide range of temperatures, and an existing simulation model was verified and adapted at the same time. The thermodynamic model of the DMST is presented and compared with the first results of the 1985 test program.