Contamination of brake fluid by power steering fluid.
Analysis of a contaminated brake fluid revealed the contaminant to be power steering fluid. The sample received at the laboratory presented two immiscible phases, which were both organic. Both fluids were analyzed by GC-MS and compared with a library of known automotive fluids. The bottom layer (brake fluid) consisted of glycols while the top layer (power steering fluid) consisted of aliphatics ranging from C16 to C25+. An interesting phenomenon of diffusion of some of the glycols from the brake fluid phase into the power steering fluid phase was observed and needs to be taken into consideration in the interpretation of the results.
Microbial growth in brake fluids
Abstract Bacterial and fungal growths in brake fluids were studied. Bacteria isolated from used Ate and Allied brake fluids were: Bacillus sp., Actinomyces sp., Micrococcus sp., Serratia sp., Citrobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp., Nocardia sp., Acinetobacter sp., Aeromonas sp. and Alcaligenes sp. Bacteria isolated from unused brake fluids were Bacillus sp., Micrococcus sp., Serratia sp., Citrobacter sp. and Actinomyces sp. There were no fungi isolated from unused brake fluids. Fungi found in used brake fluid were Mucor sp., Geotrichum sp., Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp. and Penicillium sp. Average counts for total viable microorganisms in used brake fluid ranged from 1.02 × 105 to 2.16 × 108 cfu ml−1, its average optical density ranged from 0.12 to 0.76, its average pH ranged from 4.3 to 7.8 and its average viscosity ranged from 5.39 to 10.29 cSt while for the unused brake fluid, average counts for viable microbial cells ranged from 1.1 × 105 to 6.0 × 105 cfu ml−1, average values for optical density ranged from 0.07 to 0.36, its average values for pH ranged from 6.5 to 8.4 and its average viscosity values ranged from 12.92 to 14.02 cSt. The use of brake fluid according to the manufacturer’s guide should not be ignored and regulatory agencies should also ensure that the braking system of every vehicle is in order.
The mark of sexual preference in the interpretation of texts: preface to a homosexual reading.
Since reading is an interaction or confrontation between the reader and the text-an interaction that depends upon the background and perspectives of the reader as well as on the text being read-we can assume that the dynamics of sexuality and sexual object choice will influence how readers ascribe meaning to literary texts. In fact, although other aspects of our identities come into play when we read, sexual identity is unique and central because of the role that it plays in the creation of subjectivity. Specifically, male homosexuality informs and structures the reading of texts. But what does it be a homosexual reader or to effectuate a homosexual reading of a particular text?