Durability analysis of rotor mill working components during the micronisation of oat seed coats

W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań eksploatacyjnych dotyczących trwałości elementów roboczych młyna wirnikowego. Jego tarcza i bijaki zostały wykonane ze stali 40HM ulepszanej cieplnie. Materiałem poddanym mikronizacji była okrywa nasienna ziarna owsa o wilgotności nie przekraczającej 8%. Jako parametr określający zużycie przyjęto wydajność procesu mikronizacji. Jego spadek o 30% przyjęto za granicę opłacalności procesu i moment, w którym należy wymienić elementy robocze w postaci bijaków. Na podstawie badań wyznaczono czas pracy bijaków nie powodujący istotnego zmniejszenia wydajności, który wynosi dla badanych parametrów i materiałów 50 h.The paper presents the results of operational tests aimed at verifying the durability of a rotor mill’s working components. Its rotor and beaters were made of heat-treated 40HM steel. The material subjected to micronisation was oat grain seed coats with a moisture content not exceeding 8%. Micronisation process efficiency was assumed as the parameter determining equipment wear. Its decrease by 30% was set as the process profitability limit and the moment when the working components, beaters, should be replaced. Conducted research allowed the working time of beaters without a significant efficiency loss to be determined – 50 h for the tested parameters and materials

Analiza składu granulometrycznego zmikronizowanej warstwy owocowo-nasiennej ziarna owsa

The aim of this work was to study the particle size distribution of micronized oat bran. An impact classified mill was used to pulverizing. Before the pulverizing raw material was sterilized using overheated steam at 150°C during 3.5 min. The moisture of bran after sterilization decreased from 7.2 to about 3.9%. Five speeds of the rotor disc were used: 2600, 2970, 3340, and 3710 rpm. For each speed of the rotor disc the following speeds of classifier wheel were applied: 480, 965, 1450, 1930, 2410 and 2890 rpm. The particle size distribution of oat bran layer was measured by laser light scattering. Moreover, the sense of touch of coarse particles of micronized oat bran on a tongue was assessed according to five point scale. The largest fragmentation of the oat bran was obtained at a disc speed of 3710 rpm and at a classifier rotation speed of 1930 rpm, whereas the most coarse particles were obtained when these parameters were 3340 rpm and 480 rpm, respectively. On the other hand, the highest uniformity in size of particles in size was observed when the lowest speed of disc and classifier were used. Moreover, for the most samples the pulverized particles of oat bran were almost not discernible on tongue.Celem pracy była analiza składu granulometrycznego zmikronizowanej warstwy owocowo-nasiennej ziarna owsa. Przed rozdrabnianiem surowiec był poddany procesowi sterylizacji parą przegrzaną o temperaturze 150ºC przez 3,5 min. Wilgotność surowca po sterylizacji zmniejszyła się z 7,2 do około 3,9%. Rozdrabnianie przeprowadzono wykorzystując młyn wirnikowy z klasyfikatorem cząstek. Zastosowano cztery prędkości obrotowe wirnika (2600, 2970, 3340, i 3710 obr·min-1). Przy każdej prędkości wirnika stosowano pięć prędkości obrotowych klasyfikatora (480, 965, 1450, 1930, 2410 i 2890 obr·min-1). Skład granulometryczny sproszkowanej okrywy ziarna owsa określono metodą dyfrakcji laserowej. Ponadto przeanalizowano skład chemiczny okrywy i przeprowadzone ocenę sensoryczną wyczuwalności większych jej fragmentów na języku, stosując skalę pięciopunktową. Największy stopień rozdrobnienia okrywy uzyskano przy prędkości wirnika wynoszącej 3710 obr·min-1 oraz przy prędkości klasyfikatora równej 1930 obr·min-1. Natomiast w najgorszym stopniu okrywa ulegała mikronizacji przy prędkości wirnika i klasyfikatora równych odpowiednio 3340 obr·min-1 i 480 obr·min-1. Z kolei największą jednorodność wymiarów uzyskiwano przy najniższych prędkościach wirnika i klasyfikatora. Ponadto dla większości zastosowanych warunków mikronizacji nie stwierdzono podczas oceny sensorycznej obecności grubszych cząstek okrywy na języku

Influence of SiC reinforcement on microstructural and thermal properties of SAC0307 solder joints

The effect of SiC nano-phases (nano-particles and nano-fibers) addition into SAC0307 solder paste was investigated on the thermal and microstructural properties of the composite solder joints. The nano-phases were used between 0.125 and 1 wt%, and they were mixed into the solder paste by ball milling process. For the study power MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor) components were soldered onto metal core printed circuit boards (MCPCBs). The thermal impedance Zth(t) and thermal resistance Rth of MOSFETs were measured by an indirect electrical method. Furthermore, the void formation and the microstructure of solder joints were also studied. The solderability and voiding properties of the composite solder alloys were acceptable. It was found that in 0.5 wt% amount, SiC nano-particles have positive effects on the thermal parameters of the solder joints, which could be explained by the IMC (intermetallic compound) layer growth suppression effect of the nano-phases. The microstructural analysis revealed that the microstructural refinement of the composite solder joints differs in the case of nano-particles and nano-fibers

Transcriptome Sequencing of the Spleen Reveals Antiviral Response Genes in Chickens Infected with CAstV

Astrovirus infections pose a significant problem in the poultry industry, leading to multiple adverse effects such as a decreased egg production, breeding disorders, poor weight gain, and even increased mortality. The commonly observed chicken astrovirus (CAstV) was recently reported to be responsible for the “white chicks syndrome” associated with an increased embryo/chick mortality. CAstV-mediated pathogenesis in chickens occurs due to complex interactions between the infectious pathogen and the immune system. Many aspects of CAstV–chicken interactions remain unclear, and there is no information available regarding possible changes in gene expression in the chicken spleen in response to CAstV infection. We aim to investigate changes in gene expression triggered by CAstV infection. Ten 21-day-old SPF White Leghorn chickens were divided into two groups of five birds each. One group was inoculated with CAstV, and the other used as the negative control. At 4 days post infection, spleen samples were collected and immediately frozen at −70 °C for RNA isolation. We analyzed the isolated RNA, using RNA-seq to generate transcriptional profiles of the chickens’ spleens and identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The RNA-seq findings were verified by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). A total of 31,959 genes was identified in response to CAstV infection. Eventually, 45 DEGs (p-value 2 fold change > 1) were recognized in the spleen after CAstV infection (26 upregulated DEGs and 19 downregulated DEGs). qRT-PCR performed on four genes (IFIT5, OASL, RASD1, and DDX60) confirmed the RNA-seq results. The most differentially expressed genes encode putative IFN-induced CAstV restriction factors. Most DEGs were associated with the RIG-I-like signaling pathway or more generally with an innate antiviral response (upregulated: BLEC3, CMPK2, IFIT5, OASL, DDX60, and IFI6; downregulated: SPIK5, SELENOP, HSPA2, TMEM158, RASD1, and YWHAB). The study provides a global analysis of host transcriptional changes that occur during CAstV infection in vivo and proves that, in the spleen, CAstV infection in chickens predominantly affects the cell cycle and immune signaling

Synthesis of chiral pyrazolo[4,3-e][1,2,4]triazine sulfonamides with tyrosinase and urease inhibitory activity

A new series of sulfonamide derivatives of pyrazolo[4,3-e][1,2,4]triazine with chiral amino group has been synthesized and characterized. The compounds were tested for their tyrosinase and urease inhibitory activity. Evaluation of prepared derivatives demonstrated that compounds (8b) and (8j) are most potent mushroom tyrosinase inhibitors whereas all of the obtained compounds showed higher urease inhibitory activity than the standard thiourea. The compounds (8a), (8f) and (8i) exhibited excellent enzyme inhibitory activity with IC50 0.037, 0.044 and 0.042 μM, respectively, while IC50 of thiourea is 20.9 μM

The Influence of Time of Day of Vaccination with BNT162b2 on the Adverse Drug Reactions and Efficacy of Humoral Response against SARS-CoV-2 in an Observational Study of Young Adults

An increasing body of evidence from both academic and clinical studies shows that time-of-day exposure to antigens might significantly alter and modulate the development of adaptive immune responses. Considering the immense impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global health and the diminished efficacy of vaccination in selected populations, such as older and immunocompromised patients, it is critical to search for the most optimal conditions for mounting immune responses against SARS-CoV-2. Hence, we conducted an observational study on 435 healthy young adults vaccinated with two doses of BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine to determine whether time-of-day of vaccination influences either the magnitude of humoral response or number of adverse drug reactions (ADR) being reported. We found no significant differences between morning and afternoon vaccination in terms of both titers of anti-Spike antibodies and frequency of ADR in the studied population. In addition, our analysis of data on the occurrence of ADR in 1324 subjects demonstrated that the second administration of vaccine in those with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with lower incidence of ADR. In aggregate, vaccination against COVID-19 with two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine is presumed to generate an equally efficient anti-Spike humoral response

Symptoms after COVID-19 infection in individuals with multiple sclerosis in Poland

(1) Background: To report and analyze the presence of residual symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection among Polish patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with different disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). (2) Methods: The study included 426 individuals with MS treated with DMTs and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from 12 Polish MS centers. The data were collected through to 31 May 2021. The information included demographics, specific MS characteristics, course of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and residual (general and neurological) symptoms lasting more than four and 12 weeks after the initial infection. The results were obtained using maximum likelihood estimates for odds ratio and logistic regression. (3) Results: A total of 44.84% patients with MS reported symptoms lasting between four and 12 weeks after the initial infection; 24.41% people had symptoms that resolved up to 12 weeks, and 20.42% patients had symptoms that lasted over 12 weeks. The most common symptoms were: fatigue, disturbance of concentration, attention, and memory, cognitive complaints, and headache. None of the DMTs were predisposed to the development of residual symptoms after the initial infection. A total of 11.97% of patients had relapse three months prior or after SARS-CoV-2 infection. (4) Conclusion: Almost half of individuals with MS treated with different DMTs had residual symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection. None of the DMTs raised the probability of developing post-acute COVID symptoms