Recognition of ring pairs in the data analysis of Cherenkov detectors

We present a new algorithm for the identification of ring pairs in Cherenkov detectors. The approach combines linear regression methods for the construction of an appropriate reference quantity, methods from statistics for the evaluation of hypotheses and Monte Carlo simulation runs for the tuning of threshold levels.     

Preservation mechanisms of trehalose in food and biosystems

The stability or shelf-life of food and biomaterials has always been a critical issue in the food and pharmaceutical industry. Trehalose (alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside), a non-reducing diglucose sugar found in nature, confers to certain plant and animal cells the ability to survive dehydration for decades and to restore activity soon after rehydration. The interaction between trehalose and cell membranes or proteins, however, remains a debated subject, and a significant amount of work has been done to elucidate the mechanisms resulting in this unique behavior of preservation. This study shows how an interfacial phenomena approach has led to the use of trehalose as an excipient during freeze drying of a variety of products in the pharmaceutical industry. It also suggests opportunities as an ingredient for dried and processed food, as well as a non-toxic cryoprotectant of vaccines and organs for surgical transplants.     

Low-lying levels in103Rh from Coulomb excitation

Five low-lying negative parity states of¹⁰³Rh up to 1277 keV excitation energy were observed to be Coulomb excited with 2·5–4·5 MeV protons. The de-excitation gamma rays from these levels were identified in the singles spectra recorded with a 57 cc Ge(Li) detector. The level energies, branching ratios, reduced transition probabilitiesB(E2) and the multipole mixing ratios () were obtained. The 880, 1106 and 1277 keV levels have been Coulomb excited with protons for the first time. The ambiguity in theJ values for 803 and 1106 keV levels have been resolved using ²-fits, the assigned spin values are 1/2^– and 5/2^–, respectively. The-values for 474·1 and 811·2 keV transitions were obtained for the first time. The results have been discussed in the light of previously reported results.The authors wish to thank Professor I. M. Govil for his active interest at various stages of this work. One of us (DCT) acknowledges the financial support from U.G.C., New Delhi, under Faculty Improvement Programme.     

Luteochrome; spektroskopische,chiroptische und chromatographische Eigenschaften

Two Optically Active Luteochromes: Preparation, Spectra and Chiroptical and Chromatographic Properties Selective rearrangement of (5R,6S,5′ R,6′S)-5,6:5′, 6′ -diepoxy-5,6,5′, 6′ -tetrahydro- β,β -carotene with the aid ofan ethereal solution of malonic acid leads to the mixture of the C(8′)-epimeric luteochromes. HPLC separation gave the pure isomers. This is the first report on th preparation of optically active luteochromes.     

Determination of zearalenone and ochratoxin A in soil

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites, formed by the action of fungi on agricultural crops in the field or during storage. These metabolites are highly toxic to animals and humans and high levels have been measured in agricultural crops. In order to evaluate human risks due to ingestion of mycotoxin-contaminated food different methods have been developed for analysis of mycotoxins in cereals and maize. In this project the focus was on mycotoxins in agricultural soil and the fate of these toxins in the soil-water-plant system. Two different mycotoxins were selected in the study: zearalenone (ZON) produced by species of Fusariumor Aspergillusand ochratoxin A (OTA) produced by species of Penicillium. We developed a method for analysis of these toxins in soil. Soil samples were extracted with methanol-water (9:1) and purified by solid-phase extraction (SPE, C8-columns). The final extract was analysed using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. A Phenyl Hexyl column was used to separate the toxins. The detection limits obtained were 0.1 and 1.0 microg kg(-1) dry weight (dw) for OTA and ZON, respectively. The developed method has been used for analysis of different soils in connection with growth chamber experiments. The soil types used in the growth chamber experiments were a sandy soil, a sandy clay soil, and a soil with high content of organic matter. The recovery was determined as 85.8 and 93.4% and the repeatability to 5.1 and 12.8% for OTA and ZON, respectively. The reproducibility obtained was 8.5 and 15.0% for soil samples, representing concentration levels from 0.2-30 microg kg(-1) dw (OTA) and from 1.0-100 microg kg(-1) dw (ZON).