Modern computer-coupled infrared spectral photometers are an important aid in chemical analysis. A compact infrared data station has been developed enabling the in-situ evaluation of spectra. One important application of this computer is found in the automatic spectra interpretation and library search.

Modern industrialisation has led to the production of millions of toxic chemicals having hazardous effects on the ecosystem. It is impracticable to determine the toxic potential of a large number of chemicals in animal models, making the use of quantitative structure-toxicity relationship (QSTR) models an alternative strategy for toxicity prediction. Recently we introduced a set of second-generation extended topochemical atom (ETA) indices for predictive modelling. Here we have developed predictive toxicity models on a large dataset of 459 diverse chemicals against fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) using the second-generation ETA indices. These descriptors can be easily calculated from two-dimensional molecular representation without the need of time-consuming conformational analysis an...

The EPRI Mobile Geothermal Chemical Analysis Trailer, fabricated by the Energy Systems Group of Rockwell International, is a modern well-equipped chemical analysis laboratory. This mobile laboratory, sketched in Figure 1, has complete capability for sampling of geothermal fluids and analysis of brine, steam, and noncondensible gases. The objective of the laboratory is to provide accurate onsite chemical analyses in a timely manner that results in preservation of the sample integrity and the efficient implementation of a test program. The laboratory is built on a standard 40-ft truck trailer bed. The trailer chassis has been modified to carry requisite gas cylinders, compressor, and vacuum pump equipment in undercarriage bins, and has been equipped with air-ride shock absorbers to minimize road vibrations.

According to our current understanding, a subclass of the upper main sequence chemically peculiar stars, called mercury-manganese (HgMn), is non-magnetic. Nevertheless, chemical inhomogeneities were recently discovered on their surfaces. At the same time, no global magnetic fields stronger than 1-100 G are detected by modern studies. The goals of our study are to search for magnetic field in the HgMn binary system 66 Eri and to investigate chemical spots on the stellar surfaces of both components. Our analysis is based on high quality spectropolarimetric time-series observations obtained during 10 consecutive nights with the HARPSpol instrument at the ESO 3.6-m telescope. To increase the sensitivity of the magnetic field search we employed a least-squares deconvolution (LSD). We used spectral disentangling to measure radial velocities and study line profile variability. Chemical spot geometry was reconstructed using multi-line Doppler imaging. We report a non-detection of magnetic field in 66 Eri, with error ...

This thesis consists of studies of chemical thermodynamics of aqueous electrolytes for industrial and environmental applications. Calculations have been used to represent vapor-liquid-solid equilibria and chemical equilibria for aqueous systems including solubility of gases. Modern simulation method...

The present article gives an overview of recent publications and modern techniques of sample preparation for food analysis employing atomic and inorganic mass spectrometric techniques, such as flame atomic absorption spectrometry, chemical vapor generation atomic absorption and atomic fluorescence spectrometry, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Among the most frequently applied sample preparation techniques for food analysis are dry ashing, usually with the addition of an ashing aid, and acid digestion, preferably with the assistance of microwave energy. Slurry preparation, particularly with the assistance of ultrasound, is increasingly used to reduce acid consumption ...

Beds and lenses of coal and veins of anthraxolite are common occurrences in relatively unmetamorphosed Precambrian sediments of the Lake Superior region. Anthraxolite is the name for a black, combustible coallike solid found in Precambrian rocks. Anthraxolite resembles anthracite coal in many ways but occurs in veins and fissures which cut across bedding. Anthraxolite was regarded as having been formed by very low grade metamorphism of liquid bitumens that were probably derived from living organisms. Anthraxolite was studied using modern methods of chemical analysis and compound identification which have been so successful in elucidating the structures and compositions of various coals. Since the major steps in the catagenesis of organic material in coal, as it passes from low to high rank, are reasonably well understood and fairly well defined chemically, it appears possible to correlate the chemical age of the organic matter in anthraxolites with ages determined by radiometric dating. 28 references.

Abstract Steam generation is an integral part of most chemical process plants; however, the steam plant often is or can be overlooked in the area of hazard analysis. The reasons for this oversight are obvious: steam generation is considered to be an old and well-understood process, and steam boiler systems are often not considered to pose the same hazards as other plant units. However, modern steam boiler systems are fueled with natural gas, pulverized coal, and/or fuel oil; each of which poses significant fire and explosion hazards. For example, a moderately sized chemical plant's boiler house may have two or three boilers operating at 240 MMBTU/hr, with each using approximately 11 ton/hr of subbituminous pulverized coal feed. Chemical plants rely on equipment design and installation, mai...

Context: Ingredients have been used in modern cigarette manufacturing to facilitate tobacco processing, provide flavor, and preserve tobacco. Concern has been raised regarding the use of ingredients in cigarette manufacturing due to the possible generation of toxic chemicals resulting from their combustion when added to tobacco. Objective: Investigate the impact of individual ingredients on cigarette smoke toxicity. Materials and methods: A total of 95 ingredients were tested individually through addition at different concentrations to the tobacco of experimental cigarettes. Mainstream cigarette smoke chemistry analysis, bacterial mutagenicity testing, and cytotoxicity testing were conducted. Additionally, 31 of the ingredients were tested in 90-day nose-only rat inhalation studies using m...

Abstract in english The development of modern analytical tools plays an important role in quality control. The main purpose of this study was to explore the use of subcritical water as a versatile analytical tool, employed simultaneously as a reagent and solvent, as well as the application of high temperature-high resolution gas chromatography (HT-HRGC) to develop a procedure for the analysis of triacylglycerides and fatty acids in Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Neem) oil without the need for (more) solvents, chemical reagents, or catalytic agents. The developed method presented satisfactory results and is in agreement with the concepts of Green Analytical Chemistry (GAC).

Three organic fractions from 9 modern bones were prepared: collagen, the HC1 insoluble fraction, and the HC1 soluble fraction. The fraction that has the same solubility characteristics as collagen (referred to herein as "collagen") and the HC1 soluble and insoluble fractions from 44 prehistoric bones were also prepared. Of these 44,17 had "collagen" with 13 C and 15 N values and C / N ratios within the ranges displayed by collagen from modern animals that ate the same types of food, whereas "collagen" in the remaining samples displayed clear evidence of diagenetic isotopic and/ or elemental alteration based on comparisons with modern collagen. The bones were characterized in terms of the amino acid compositions and infrared spectra of the three organic fractions, and the amino acid compositions of the low molecular weight products of the reaction between collagenase and "collagen." For all three analytical procedures, prehistoric samples whose "collagen" had not suffered diagenetic isotopic and/or elemental alteration produced results similar to those obtained from modern samples, whereas altered prehistoric samples did not. Application of the chemical, enzymatic and spectroscopic methods presented here should permit unequivocable identification of prehistoric samples that have suffered postmortem alteration of their "collagen" isotopic compositions, including those that have undergone more subtle isotopic shifts than can be identified by changes in the "collagen" C / N ratio, the only criterion applied to date for identifying altered samples. Some of the techniques we used to identify altered samples can be applied to fractions more readily prepared than "collagen", thereby facilitating screening of large numbers of samples in order to eliminate those unsuitable for isotopic paleodietary analysis. The same criteria we have established to identify "collagen" samples that have not suffered postmortem stable isotopic alteration could be applied to characterize samples prepared for radiocarbon analysis, leading to more accurate dating of bone.

Oct 9, 2012 ... The evolutionary step has since been used to evolve organisms of such ... in modern environments that have important similarities with early earth .... how living things use chemical elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, etc) ...

50 items... rate of star formation and chemical evolution compared to our own Milky Way. .... The sequence shows the fairing separation, the second stage rotating past ..... this animation illustrates one of the most exciting mysteries of modern ...

In this paper, a planning approach is discussed for initiating and expediting modernization efforts in manufacturing environments. The approach consists of six major steps. First, staff employees from a variety of functional organizations are involved in modernization planning activities through the formation of site modernization teams used to organize and facilitate modernization planning activities. Second, initial planning exercises are expedited by identifying high-priority areas for improvement through a functional assessment. Third, data acquired from the initial assessment described above are used as input to a strategic planning workshop aimed at building managerial support for modernization plans and integrating the plant's strategic objectives with its operational modernization plan. Fourth, the site modernization team receives training in the specific modernization technologies to aid them in the selection, design, implementation and maintenance of the appropriate modernization technology. Fifth, as a means for initiating modernization efforts, the planning approach produces preliminary versions of action-oriented implementation plans thus enabling improvement actions to begin more quickly. Sixth, an overall cost-benefit analysis is done to assess the feasibility of modernization projects. Finally, by meeting the above objectives, the approach provides a foundation for future modernization efforts. Results from implementing this methodology in six manufacturing environments are discussed along with a review of benefits of the approach. 11 refs., 1 fig.

Modern and fossil teeth record seasonal information on climate, diet, and migration through stable isotope compositions in enamel and dentine. Climatic signals such as seasonal variation in meteoric water isotopic composition can be recovered through a microscale histology-based sampling and isotopic analysis of enamel phosphate oxygen. The phosphate moiety in bioapatite is particularly resistant to post mortem diagenesis. In order to determine the phosphate oxygen isotope composition of enamel, phosphate must be chemically purified from other oxygen sources in the enamel lattice and matrix, mainly hydroxyl and carbonate ions, and trace quantities of organics.We present a wet chemical technique for purifying phosphate from microsampled enamel and dentine. This technique uses a sodium hypoc...

This monography first deals with the present level of development reached in structural analysis of coals, coal-derived asphaltenes and pitches by means of methods of statistical constitution analysis as well as chemical and spectroscopic methods. In the following sections, the fundamentals of high-resolution solid-state /sup 1/H and /sup 13/C NMR spectroscopy are outlined and the world-wide progress and the results of studies carried out by the authors are reported to demonstrate the advanced knowledge which has been gained during the past six years in the field of structural analysis of coals and their precursors, coal upgrading products and technical-grade carbons by using the modern techniques of NMR spectroscopy. With 33 figs., 17 tabs., 306 refs.

Ritzer presents his 'The McDonalization of Society' as a social critique on the nationalization of modern society. In this article I will analyze the underlying assumptions of his critique. By means of a meta-theoretical analysis, I examine Ritzer's views on modernity and rationality. This analysis ...

Chloride ingress is a common cause of deterioration of reinforced concrete structures. Concrete may be exposed to chloride by sea water or deicing salts. The chloride initiates corrosion of the reinforcement which through expansion disrupts the concrete. Modelling the chloride ingress is an important basis for designing the durability of concrete structures. As an example the Danish Great Belt link is designed to have 100 years durability based on calculation of chloride ingress.During the last 15 years the types of concrete used in practice have changed substantially. Due to plasticizers and mineral additives concretes with higher strengths and reduced permeability are produced. Recently it has become clear that traditional chloride ingress models do not apply to modern concretes. Actually, the life time model used for the Danish Great Belt link has shownup to be based on wrong assumptions.Chloride ingress in modern concretes cannot be followed with conventional measuring techniques. This makes it difficult to develop and test new models. However, prefatory experiments have shown that electron probe micro analysis, EPMA, is applicable for this purpose. The geometric resolution for the EPMA method is 100-1000 times better than for conventional techniques.The present project is aimed to give a better understanding of the physical-chemical nature of chloride ingress. A number of different cement pastes and mortars are examined ranging from traditional to modern high-performance types. The pastes and mortars are exposed to synthetic seawater from 1 day to half a year. Thereafter, the samples are examined by EPMA. Modelling of the measured profiles focuses on a physico-chemical understanding of themechanisms.

The discovery of plant polyphenols in food is perhaps one of the biggest breakthroughs in modern food science. Plant polyphenols are known for their role in food quality and safety, since they contribute significantly to taste, flavour, colour, stability etc., while they are increasingly recognised as important factors in long-term health, contributing towards reducing the risk of chronic disease. Almost 200years ago, hydrolyzable tannins (HTs) were the first group of plant polyphenols subjected to analytical chemical research. Despite the lack of commercially available standards, food analysis research offers a wealth of papers dealing with extraction optimisation, identification and quantification of HTs. The object of this review is to summarise analytical chemistry applications and the tools currently used for the analysis of HTs in food. PMID:22953913

The coupling of glow discharges (GDs) as ion sources for time of flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) chemical analysis has been extensively investigated during the last two decades. However, important instrumental advances in GD-TOFMS as well as demonstration of unique analytical applications (particularly quasi-simultaneous production of elemental, structural and molecular information from organics in gas phase, multielemental depth profile analysis with high depth resolution of layered materials, direct speciation in solid samples and identification of polymers) are rocketing in the last years. In the present review, instrumental developments and recent applications of GD-TOFMS are presented, both for the elemental and molecular direct solid analyses of materials and for analytes in gaseous phase (including permanent gases, vaporized compounds and GD-TOFMS uses as detector for gas chromatography). Also, GD-TOFMS analytical potential in important fields of modern research is critically discussed.

use of the AFRL Turbine Design and Analysis System (TDAAS) at NASA. .... A computed loss bucket for a 2-D section of representative modern, highly ...... Transfer Analysis of a Film-Cooled Turbine Vane,” ASME GT2011-45920, Jun, 2011.

Based on the analysis of the specific industry environment in which football clubs compete, this paper presents a comparative institutional analysis of three paradigmatic structures of football club governance: classical (privately owned) football firms, modern football corporations (stock corporati...

Modern industrialisation has led to the production of millions of toxic chemicals having hazardous effects on the ecosystem. It is impracticable to determine the toxic potential of a large number of chemicals in animal models, making the use of quantitative structure-toxicity relationship (QSTR) models an alternative strategy for toxicity prediction. Recently we introduced a set of second-generation extended topochemical atom (ETA) indices for predictive modelling. Here we have developed predictive toxicity models on a large dataset of 459 diverse chemicals against fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) using the second-generation ETA indices. These descriptors can be easily calculated from two-dimensional molecular representation without the need of time-consuming conformational analysis and alignment, making the developed models easily reproducible. Considering the importance of hydrophobicity for toxicity prediction, AlogP98 was used as an additional predictor in all the models, which were validated rigorously using multiple strategies. The ETA models were comparable in predictability to those involving various non-ETA topological parameters and those previously reported using various descriptors including computationally demanding quantum-chemical ones. PMID:22292780

Quantum chemical methods are potent tools to provide information on the chemical structure and electronic properties of organic molecules. Modern computational chemistry methods have provided a great deal of insight into the binding of estrogenic compounds to estrogenic receptors (ER), an important ...

An analysis is made of the velocity field of modern vertical movements of the earth's crust in Eastern Europe for isotropicity. A technique is proposed for predicting the velocities of modern vertical movements of the earth's crust with regard for the factor of anisotropy.

Modern man is exposed to an increasing amount of chemicals in the environment. The skin is a complex tissue with regards to both structure and function. Contact with external stimuli can lead to various responses in the skin depending on the type of stimuli, the dose and time of exposure and the status of the exposed individual. The electron probe microanalytic technique can be used to obtain information on physiological alterations within the skin and especially the epidermis when the normal homeostasis is disturbed by contact with external stimuli. The present paper presents a review of some aspects of contact dermatitis and the possibility of using the electron probe microanalytic technique for analysis of epidermal events of this condition. 44 refs.

Wood fibres have been utilized by our society as an important component of paper products and are presently gaining more interest as reinforcement in composite materials. During the last decades biochemical treatments have also found applications in the processing of wood fibres. The chemical, mechanical and biochemical treatments affect the morphology of the fibre wall structure at the micro- and nano-level. In this study, we present a modern approach where field-emission SEM (FE-SEM) and relevant computerized image analysis are applied to quantify the fibre wall characteristics. Details such as surface roughness and texture of the fibre walls are quantified objectively. Global polar plots are generated, which are considered to represent the fingerprint of a given pulp. The approach offers a novel perspective in the characterisation of surface structures, moving forward from performing subjective evaluations to performing objective quantifications of wood pulp fibre surfaces. PMID:20363639

The review is concerned with analysis of the results of modern ab initio studies on the electronic structure, the nature of chemical bonding and some physicochemical properties of tungsten carbides and nitrides (W2C, WC, W2N, WN, WN2, WN3) as well as ternary compounds and solid solutions based on them, viz., carbonitrides (WC1-xNx), aluminocarbides (WxAlyCz), double carbides and nitrides with perovskite structures (M3WC, W3MC and W3MN, where M are d-metals), ?-carbides (M3W3C and M6W6C), etc. The results of studies on the structures, phase stabilities, elastic and magnetic properties of tungsten-containing systems and the corresponding predictions are discussed.

Early B-type stars are invaluable indicators for elemental abundances of their birth environments. In contrast to the surrounding neutral interstellar matter (ISM) and HII regions their chemical composition is unaffected by depletion onto dust grains and by the derivation of different abundances from recombination and collisional lines. In combination with ISM or nebular gas-phase abundances they facilitate the dust-phase composition to be constrained. Precise abundances of C, N, Mg, Ne, Fe in early B-type stars in the Orion star-forming region are determined in order to: a) review previous determinations using a self-consistent quantitative spectral analysis based on modern stellar atmospheres and recently updated model atoms, b) complement results found in Paper I for oxygen and silicon, c) establish an accurate and reliable set of stellar metal abundances to constrain the dust-phase composition of the Orion HII region in Paper II of the series. A detailed, self-consistent spectroscopic study of a sample of...

This article describes experiments for an undergraduate instrumental analysis laboratory that aim to observe individual double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecules using fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). dsDNA molecules are observed under several different conditions to discuss their chemical and physical properties. In particular, immobilization of dsDNA molecules on a planar substrate in their stretched form permits students to measure the size of the dsDNA molecules using these microscopic techniques. Comparison between the measured size and literature values provides a means for teaching the characteristics of the microscopic techniques. The experiments can be completed within four hours and are suitable to introduce these modern microscopic methods as well as the basics of nanotechnology to undergraduate students during limited lab hours. (Contains 2 figures.)

Nuclear power owes its origin to physicists. Fission was demonstrated by physicists and chemists and the first nuclear reactor project was led by physicists. However as nuclear power was harnessed to produce electricity the role of the engineer became stronger. Modern nuclear power reactors bring together the skills of physicists, chemists, chemical engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers and civil engineers. The paper illustrates this by considering the Sizewell B project and the role played by physicists in this. This covers not only the roles in design and analysis but in problem solving during the commissioning of first of a kind plant. Looking forward to the challenges to provide sustainable and environmentally acceptable energy sources for the future illustrates the need for a continuing synergy between physics and engineering. This will be discussed in the context of the challenges posed by Generation IV reactors.

Wood fibres have been utilized by our society as an important component of paper products and are presently gaining more interest as reinforcement in composite materials. During the last decades biochemical treatments have also found applications in the processing of wood fibres. The chemical, mechanical and biochemical treatments affect the morphology of the fibre wall structure at the micro- and nano-level. In this study, we present a modern approach where field-emission SEM (FE-SEM) and relevant computerized image analysis are applied to quantify the fibre wall characteristics. Details such as surface roughness and texture of the fibre walls are quantified objectively. Global polar plots are generated, which are considered to represent the fingerprint of a given pulp. The approach offer...

In this work, we develop a theoretical approach to evaluate maturation process of kerogen-like material, involving molecular dynamic reactive modeling with a reactive force field to simulate the thermal stress. The Morwell coal has been selected to study the thermal evolution of terrestrial organic matter. To achieve this, a structural model is first constructed based on models from the literature and analytical characterization of our samples by modern 1-and 2-D NMR, FTIR, and elemental analysis. Then, artificial maturation of the Morwell coal is performed at low conversions in order to obtain, quantitative and qualitative, detailed evidences of structural evolution of the kerogen upon maturation. The observed chemical changes are a defunctionalization of the carboxyl, carbonyl and methoxy functional groups coupling with an increase of cross linking in the residual mature kerogen. Gaseous and liquids hydrocarbons, essentially CH4, C4H8 and C14+ liquid hydrocarbons, are generated in low amount, merely by clea...

This work is focused on the petro-archeometric characterization of the fine pottery production of the archaeological site of Gela (Sicily). Thirty-five samples coming from three Archaic and Hellenistic kilns and five coming from an Hellenistic house, were investigated by means of optical microscopy, XRD and XRF analysis. With the exception of some ceramics which are undoubtedly imported, all the samples have similar petrographic features, but on the basis of chemical composition, we can distinguish two different groups. The presence of two local productions is confirmed by the comparison with locally outcropping sediments and with archaic and modern bricks of sure Geloan production. This result is particularly significant for the definition of reference groups of this wealthy polis that pl...

...sediment chemical analyses, sediment toxicity testing, and analysis of benthic macroinvertebrate...the excavation of a metals-contaminated strip...sediment (chemical analysis) and ecological...Natural resources, Oil pollution,...

The investigation wells for a control of the underground water contamination were bored after the cratering explosions at the Semipalatinsk Test Site, now they are restored partially. The analysis of the retrospective information of the Institute of Global Climate and Ecology (Moscow, Russia) give a possibility to choose wells and terrains for the successful study of radionuclide migration with the underground water. The epicentral zone, the crater and the territory with radius 1,5 km around the underground cratering explosion '1003' were investigated under the ISTC project K-810. Underground water and soil samples were taken at the two expeditions of 2003. The chemical extraction methods taking into account the water mineral composition, gamma-spectrum methods, methods of the liquid scintillation spectrometry and methods of alpha-spectrometry were used. The modern radionuclide content ({sup 3}H, {sup 90}Sr, {sup 137}Cs, {sup 239+240}Pu, {sup 241}Am) of the underground water will be presented and compare with a radionuclide content of soils around crater. The retrospective information will be added by these modern data. The vertical radionuclide distribution in soils will be presented. (author)

Maize (Zea mays L.) was the staple domestic food crop for Ancestral Pueblo people throughout the northern American Southwest. It is thought to have been the basic food of the inhabitants of Chaco Canyon. New Mexico, a location that was a major centre of Ancestral Pueblo building and population during the 11th and early 12th centuries AD. Modern heirloom varieties of Native American corn have been difficult to grow in experimental fields in Chaco Canyon. Given an abundance of apparent storage structures in Chacoan buildings, it is possible that some corn recovered from archaeological contexts, was imported from surrounding areas. The ultimate goal of this research is to determine whether the corn in Chaco Canyon was grown locally or imported. This paper establishes the feasibility of a method to accomplish this goal. This study reports the results of using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometric (ICP-MS) instrumentation to determine chemical constituents of experimental fields and modern heirloom varieties of Native American corn. Analysis of 19 elements is adequate to differentiate soil and corn from three field areas. These results are promising: however, a number of problems, including post-depositional alterations in maize, remain to be solved. ?? 2001 Academic Press.

Abstract in spanish Durante el crecimiento y la keratinización, ciertos químicos, incluyendo drogas, son "atrapados" en el pelo. Subsecuentemente, estos químicos pueden ser liberados y recuperados para su análisis. El análisis del pelo puede proveer información de largo plazo, de meses a años, respecto a la exposición de un individuo a drogas. Tanto muestras modernas y antiguas han sido útiles en el análisis. Este trabajo examinará temas científicos como la incorporación de drog (more) as en las hebras del pelo, contaminación externa, etc., y reportará información sobre un análisis de 18 muestras de pelo del Oasis de Dakhleh en Egipto Abstract in english During growth and keratinization certain chemicals, including drugs, are "trapped" in hair. These chemicals can subsequently be released and recovered for analysis. Hair analysis can provide long term information, from months to years, concerning drug exposure in an individual. Both modern and ancient hair samples have proven useful in analyses. This paper will examine scientific issues such as the incorporation of drugs into the hair shaft, external contamination, etc. in addition to a report on analysis of 18 hair samples from Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt

The authors explain at length the principles of chemical kinetics and approaches to computerized calculations in modern software suites -- mathcad and maple. Mathematics is crucial in determining correlations in chemical processes and requires various numerical approaches. Often significant issues with mathematical formalizations of chemical problems arise and many kinetic problems can't be solved without computers. Numerous problems encountered in solving kinetics' calculations with detailed descriptions of the numerical tools are given. Special attention is given to electrochemical reactions

Chemical transformations are viewed here as quantum processes modulated by external fields, that is, as shifts in reactant to product amplitudes within a quantum state represented by a linear (coherent) superposition of electronuclear basis functions; their electronic quantum numbers identify the “chemical species.” This basis set can be mapped from attractors built from a unique electronic configurational space that is invariant with respect to the nuclear geometry. In turn, the quantum numbers that label these basis functions and the semiclassical potentials for the electronic attractors may be used to derive reaction coordinates to monitor progress as a function of the applied field. A generalization of Feynman's three-state model for the ammonia inversion process illustrates the scheme; to enforce symmetry for the entire inversion process model and ensure invariance with respect to nuclear configurations, the three attractors and their basis functions are computed with a grid of fixed floating Gaussian functions. The external-field modulation of the effective inversion barrier is discussed within this conceptual approach. This analysis brings the descriptions of chemical processes near modern technologies that employ molecules to encode information by means of confinement and external fields.

Modern agriculture depends on pesticides to curb infestations, increase crop yield and to produce the quantity and quality of food demanded by today's society. However, potential pesticide residue contamination of food is of critical concern to the food industry and the regulators responsible for health and safety. For example, many pesticides kill insects by attacking the central nervous system, and the use of these pesticides above the EPA set tolerance levels (from 0.1 to 50 ppm) could pose a threat to humans, in particular infants. Unfortunately, rapid, chemical analysis of pesticide residues is unavailable, and only a very small fraction of foods are inspected. The greatest concern is food imported from nations that simply ignore US regulations. In an effort to address this need, we have been developing a simple device to collect residues from food surfaces, perform a rapid chemical separation, and detect and identify pesticides by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Capillaries are coated with a metal-doped sol-gel that both separates chemicals and generates SER spectra when irradiated. SERS of pesticides at ppm concentrations, and a preliminary product to aid inspectors is presented.

Analysis, planning and management of urban development is a complicated, complex, multi-aspect objective, which could be solved using modern scientific knowledge, technology and experience only. Meeting today challenges, adequate decisions must be taken, appropriate politics undertaken, various prog...

The exploration of consciousness—the most elusive characteristic of human nature—has long been left to philosophers and artists. Using modern research tools, scientists have finally begun to subject the human mind to empirical analysis.

...which was created by Title VI of the Food and Drug Amendments of 2007, is...modernize medical, veterinary, food, food ingredient, and cosmetic product...large scale data analysis, and toxicology. The Foundation seeks comments...

... driving force behind late Pleistocene musk ox (Ovibos moschatus) population dynamics. ... Metagenomic, phylogenetic, and culture-based analysis of subsurface .... Effects of aridity and vegetation on plant-wax ?D in modern lake sediments.

Bacterial diversity in endodontic infections has not been sufficiently studied. The use of modern pyrosequencing technology should allow for more comprehensive analysis than traditional Sanger sequencing. This study investigated bacterial diversity in endodontic infections through taxonomic classifi...

...pesticide chemical residue...number of analyses to determine...Relationship (SAR) analysis, no structural alerts for...physical/chemical properties...and risk analysis can be...determine which chemicals have a common...damage the structural...

Homochirality of the biomolecules (D-sugars of DNA and RNA and L-amino acids of proteins) is a fundamental property of all life on Earth. Abiotic mechanisms yield racemic mixtures (D/L=1) of chiral molecules and after the death of an organism, the enantiopure chiral biomolecules slowly racemize. Several independent investigators have now established that the amino acids present in CI1 and CM2 carbonaceous meteorites have a moderate to strong excess of the L-enantiomer. Stable isotope data have established that these amino acids are both indigenous and extraterrestrial. Carbonaceous meteorites also contain many other strong chemical biomarkers including purines and pyrimidines (nitrogen heterocycles of nucleic acids); pristine and phytane (components of the chlorophyll pigment) and morphological biomarkers (microfossils of filamentous cyanobacteria). Energy dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis reveals that nitrogen is below the detectability level in most of the meteorite filaments as well as in Cambrian Trilobites and filaments of 2.7 Gya Archaean cyanobacteria from Karelia. The deficiency of nitrogen in the filaments and the total absence of sugars, of twelve of the life-critical protein amino acids, and two of the nucleobases of DNA and RNA provide clear and convincing evidence that these filaments are not modern biological contaminants. This paper reviews the chiral, chemical biomarkers morphological biomarkers and microfossils in carbonaceous meteorites. This paper reviews chiral and morphological biomarkers and discusses the missing nitrogen, sugars, protein amino acids, and nucleobases as "bio-discriminators" that exclude modern biological contaminants as a possible explanation for the permineralized cyanobacterial filaments found in the meteorites.

Existing washability data on trace elements in Illinois coals were generated using float-sink methods, which are not applicable to modern froth flotation or column flotation processes. Particularly, there is a lack of washability data on product (as-shipped) coals from modern preparation plants. The goal of this project is to provide the needed trace element washability (release analysis) data on as-shipped Illinois coals using a froth flotation/release analysis (FF/RA) procedure. The results generated by this project will promote industrial utilization of Illinois coals and help assess the effect of new environmental requirements on the use of these coals in utility steam generation. During the third quarter, preparation and submission of all samples for chemical analysis were completed. Analyses of the samples produced by cleaning 34 as-shipped coals using FF/RA were completed for ash, moisture, S, heating value (BTU), and F, and some for Mn and oxide composition. The rest of the analytical work is in progress. The analytical data are being used to evaluate removal of ash, S, and trace elements from the as-shipped coals at the chosen flotation conditions and particles sizes. Available data on the FF/RA of five as-shipped coals at {minus}100, {minus}200, {minus}400 mesh sizes indicate that ash and F rejections increase with decreasing particle size. For the {minus}400 mesh tests, 70--90% of the ash and 35--74% of F were rejected at a BTU or combustibles recovery of 80%. One of the as-shipped coals was previously subjected to FF/RA tests at {minus}100 and {minus}400 mesh sizes to investigate mass balances achievable for the procedure. Preliminary results on ash and F contents of complete set of flotation products from the two tests indicate a mass balance of 95 to 100%.

Modelling of the deterioration of reinforced concrete has in recent years changed from being a deterministic modelling based on experience to be stochastic modelling based on sound and consistent physical, chemical and mechanical principles. In this paper is presented a brief review of modern modell...

Computer simulations have become an important tool in physics. Especially systems in the solid state have been investigated extensively with the help of modern computational methods. This thesis focuses on the simulation of hydrogen-bonded systems, using quantum chemical methods combined with molecu...

Modern sedimentology in Japan has been developed into a systematic organization mainly by the efforts of Prof. Kazuo Taguchi of Tohoku University. Prof. Taguchi was the sedimentologist who established chemical sedimentology in Japan. Here the sedimentological efforts of Prof. Kazuo Taguchi are presented based on his scientific contributions.   

Rationale: Sulfur mustard (SM) is a frequently used chemical warfare agent, even in modern history. SM inhalation causes significant respiratory tract injury, with early complications due to airway obstructive bronchial casts, akin to those seen after smoke inhalation and in single-ventricle physiol...

Modern computer microprocessors are composed of hundreds of millions of transistors that interact through intricate protocols. Their performance during program execution may be highly variable and present aperiodic oscillations. In this paper, we apply current nonlinear time series analysis techniques to the performances of modern microprocessors during the execution of prototypical programs. While variability clearly stems from stochastic variations for several of them, we present pieces of evidence strongly supporting that performance dynamics during the execution of several other programs display low-dimensional deterministic chaos, with sensibility to initial conditions comparable to textbook models. Taken together, these results confirm that program executions on modern microprocessor architectures can be considered as complex systems and would benefit from analysis with modern tools of nonlinear and complexity science.

This review examines how the Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) receptor model has been used to quantify source contributions from fossil fuel combustion and other sources to ambient concentrations of PM{sub 2.5} and PM{sub 10} for urban and regional scales. Nonfossil fuel sources, such as fugitive dust, cooking a vegetative burning and natural or human-caused biogenics must be considered together with fossil-fuel sources in a CMB analysis to obtain closure for PM{sub 2.5} and PM{sub 10} mass. CMB analyses in 22 different studies have found fossil fuel combustion to be a large contributor to PM{sub 2.5} and PM{sub 10} concentrations, with most of the primary contributions originating such as coal- and oil-fired power stations, are negligible when these facilities have been modernized with effective pollution controls, but they have been shown to be large contributors without these controls. Secondary sulfates and nitrates from fossil fuel combustion are recognized, but their attribution to specific precursor gas emitters is uncertain using either the CMB or source-oriented chemical transport models. Using source and receptor models together improves source contribution estimates and the confidence in those estimates. 143 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.

Target selection is a critical step in the majority of modern drug discovery programs. The viability of a drug target depends on two components: biological relevance and chemical tractability. The concept of druggability was introduced to describe the second component, and it is defined as the ability of a target to bind a drug-like molecule with a therapeutically useful level of affinity. To investigate the rules that govern druggability, we developed an algorithm to isolate and characterize the binding pockets of protein targets. Using this algorithm, we performed a comparative analysis between the relevant pockets of 60 targets of approved drugs and a diverse set of 440 ligand-binding pockets. As a result, we defined a preferred property space for druggable pockets based on five key properties (volume, depth, enclosure, percentage of charged residues and hydrophobicity), and we represented it with a set of simple rules. These rules may be applicable in the future to evaluate the chemical tractability of prospective targets. PMID:22448735

The spectral imaging and detection of mid-infrared wavelengths is emerging as an enabling technology of great technical and scientific interest, primarily because important chemical compounds display unique and strong mid-infrared spectral fingerprints that reveal valuable chemical information. Modern quantum cascade lasers have evolved as ideal coherent mid-infrared excitation sources, but simple, low-noise, room-temperature detectors and imaging systems lag behind. We address this need by presenting a novel, field-deployable, upconversion system for sensitive, two-dimensional, mid-infrared spectral imaging. A room-temperature dark noise of 0.2 photons/spatial element/second is measured, which is a billion times below the dark noise level of cryogenically cooled InSb cameras. Single-photon imaging and a resolution of up to 200 × 100 spatial elements are obtained with a record-high continuous-wave quantum efficiency of ~20% for polarized incoherent light at 3 µm. The proposed method is relevant for existing and new mid-infrared applications such as gas analysis and medical diagnostics.

Series of tests are discussed carried out at the Karaganda Metallurgical Concern into the dynamics of coke breakage during delivery to blast furnaces. A study was made of the physical-chemical properties (mechanical strength, specific electrical resistivity and ignition points) of metallurgic coke and coke from skips. A comparative analysis was carried out between sizes of wet quenched coke and a combination of wet and dry quenched coke. The sizes studies were: greater than 80 mm, 80-60 mm, 60-40 mm, 40-25 mm and less than 25 mm. The data obtained (given in tables) indicate that there is a relationship between the properties of coke and its size. Coke greater than 80 mm and 80-60 mm grades suffer most breakage. The smaller fractions have similar physical-chemical properties. In spite of a large number of reports concerning the properties of coke, there is no common view with regard to the optimum size for large capacity modern metallurgical furnaces. The paper recommends that greater than 80 mm coke fractions be removed from the feed and used in some other capacity. 5 references.

Space breeding in medicinal plants is special characteristics in China. Compared with other plants, in spite of a relatively small number, Medicinal plants have more obvious characteristics and advantages. Research on medicinal plants has also been carried into all aspects, such as biological traits, physiology and biochemistry, genomics, as well as differences in chemical composition, and chemical composition analysis is also involved. However, compared with other plants, especially crops and vegetables, biological research is an obvious deficiency, that is mainly reflected in the insufficient genetics and breeding researches, the stability of genetic traits from generation to generation were not followed up and in-depth study in breeding areas was not carried out. If medicinal plants resources from space with the genetic stability good quality were selected, it would address the problem of lack of resources and ease the pressure on wild resources of medicinal plants. It would at the same time play an important role in promoting the development of medicinal botany space breeding and the implementation of modernization of traditional Chinese medicine. PMID:20423012

...characterize these chemical substances...health risk analysis based on structural analogs does...EPA's structural activity relationship (SAR) analysis was based...processors of the chemical substances...complete economic analysis is...

In order to be able to reproduce historic organ reed pipes, a bulk non-destructive chemical composition analysis was performed on the tongues and shallots, focusing mainly on the ratio between copper and zinc and on the presence of lead. Prompt gamma activation analysis results allowed us to observe for the first time that the ratio between the two main components of the brass alloy changed from Cu:Zn = 3:1 for the old tongues and shallots to Cu:Zn = 2:1 around the middle of the 18th century, which is typical also for the modern alloys offered to the organ builders nowadays. We also discovered that the Pb content in the old historic brass alloy diminished until the middle of 18th century when the brass alloy became mainly Pb free. The non-uniform lead distribution inside one of the shallots obtained from a prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) experiment was studied by neutron tomography. It gave us a three-dimensonal (3D) distribution of the lead inclusions inside the shallots. The lead particles are concentrated towards the base of the shallot.

New improvements on our archaeometry line at the cyclotron of the Institute of Nuclear and Atomic Physics and of Spectrometry of the University of Liège have allowed the use of PIXE/PIGE and IBIL in-air for the analysis of cultural heritage objects. The extraction is performed through a 100 nm thick Si3N4 window. The detection set-up consists now of two X-ray and one ?-ray detectors, together with a fiber optic UV-visible spectrometer. This set-up has already been tested for the analysis of modern corundum [1] and is now adapted to the analysis of archaeological artefacts. In this work, we have used it to analyse 216 out of the 5000 Merovingian glass beads that come from the necropolis of Bossut-Gottechain (Belgium), one of the most important ever found in Belgium. The IBA analyses confirmed the typological division of different beads groups through chemical composition that gives us new insights on fabrication techniques of glass matrices and colorants.

Classical palynofacies method, which consists of an organic concentrate microscopic qualitative observation after mineral phase dissolution, is commonly used in order to study sedimentary organic matter. In the present study we develop a new quantitative palynofacies method that allows organic particles mass concentrations to be determined in studied samples. This method was developed to help quantify the input of fossil organic matter (FOM) into modern environments as a result of sedimentary rocks weathering. Studied samples were collected from different pools, like bedrocks, weathering profiles, soils and riverine particles in an experimental watershed ''Le Laval''. This watershed overlying Callovo-Oxfordian marls (1 km{sup 2} in area) is located near Digne, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, in France. In addition to palynofacies techniques, Rock-Eval 6 pyrolysis and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} content measurements (inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry) were carried out on the samples. Obtained results show that this quantitative palynofacies method is suitable for FOM studies in modern environments, and FOM particles are quantified in the different pools. Results also give evidence that FOM alteration depends on the type of weathering, but also on the kind of organic particles. Soil formation under vegetation, resulting from the (bio)chemical weathering, lead to fossil organic particles concentration losses that do not exceed 30%. Elsewhere, mechanical weathering appears extremely fast and has no qualitative or quantitative influence on the observed FOM particles, which feeds directly into riverine stocks. FOM appears to be very resistant to weathering processes, this highlights its occurrence into supergene pools and then into carbon cycle. Quantitative palynofacies analysis is a new method adapted to such study, but can also be applied to other palynological, paleoenvironmental or archeological studies. (author)

The use of entropy in hydrology and water resources has been applied to various applications. As water resource systems are inherently spatial and complex, a stochastic description of these systems is needed, and entropy theory enables development of such a description by providing determination of the least-biased probability distributions with limited knowledge and data. Entropy can also serve as a basis for risk and reliability analysis. The relative entropy has been variously interpreted as a measure freedom of choice, uncertainty and disorder, information content, missing information or information gain or loss. In the analysis of empirical data, entropy is another measure of dispersion, an alternative to the variance. Also, as an evaluation tool, the statistical entropy analysis (SEA) has been developed by previous workers to quantify the power of a process to concentrate chemical elements. Within this research programme the SEA is aimed to be extended for application to chemical compounds and tested for its deficits and potentials in systems where water resources play an important role. The extended SEA (eSEA) will be developed first for the nitrogen balance in waste water treatment plants (WWTP). Later applications on the emission of substances to water bodies such as groundwater (e.g. leachate from landfills) will also be possible. By applying eSEA to the nitrogen balance in a WWTP, all possible nitrogen compounds, which may occur during the water treatment process, are taken into account and are quantified in their impact towards the environment and human health. It has been shown that entropy reducing processes are part of modern waste management. Generally, materials management should be performed in a way that significant entropy rise is avoided. The entropy metric might also be used to perform benchmarking on WWTPs. The result out of this management tool would be the determination of the efficiency of WWTPs. By improving and optimizing the efficiency of WWTPs with respect to the state-of-the-art of technology, waste water treatment could become more resources preserving.

...whether they undergo chemical change or are removed...if any, or complete chemical name, using structural...description of each chemical reaction with graphic...analysis of adequate sensitivity to determine the amount...including any proposed multiple dose...

A sample of combustible shale from the Dmitrievskoe deposit (Kuzbass) was studied with the use of various chemical and physicochemical methods of analysis (proximate and ultimate analysis, low-temperature extraction, pyrolysis, chemical analysis of ash, thermogravimetric analysis, and IR spectroscopy) in order to evaluate its chemical and technological properties.

Abstract in english The main objective of this article is to analyze the modern Japanese political system within a comparative framework, especially that of multiple modernities and their civilizational roots. The point of departure for this analysis is the fact that while in organizational terms the modern Japanese political system is a modern Constitutional system, similar to those of Europe, its political dynamic is manifested in the structure and orientations of protest movements, the es (more) tablishment of the problem of community and civil society, and the dynamic of regime changes that differs greatly from the European. Such differences are rooted in non-Axial premises of Japanese civilization that have crystallized over the course of the long Japanese historical experience and have shaped some of the main differences between the Meiji Revolution and the Great Revolutions.

ObjectiveThe study focuses on physicians' ideas of their patients' attributes and examines how the German medical community employs the currently popular idea of the modern patient (mundiger Patient).MethodsThe official publication of the German medical community, the weekly journal "Deutsches Arzteblatt", was searched for articles addressing the topic of the modern patient during the 10-year period 1996-2005. A total of 73 articles were analyzed using qualitative research methods and from the perspective of discourse analysis.ResultsAssessments of the modern patient are heterogeneous. There are four definable discursive clusters (`law and ethics', `knowledge and information', `structural health care problems' and `funding issues'). Each position views the modern patient in characteristic ...

Termed Special Nuclear Material (SNM) by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, fissile materials, such as 235U and 239Pu, are the primary components used to construct modern nuclear weapons. Detecting the clandestine presence of SNM represents an important capability for Homeland Security. An ideal SNM sensor must be able to detect fissile materials present at ppb levels, be able to distinguish between the source of the detected fissile material, i.e., 235U, 239Pu, 233U or other fission source, and be able to perform the discrimination in near real time. A sensor with such capabilities would provide not only rapid identification of a threat but, ultimately, information on the potential source of the threat. For example, current detection schemes for monitoring clandestine nuclear testing and nuclear fuel reprocessing to provide weapons grade fissile material rely largely on passive air sampling combined with a subsequent instrumental analysis or some type of wet chemical analysis of the collected material. It would be highly useful to have a noncontact method of measuring isotopes capable of providing forensic information rapidly at ppb levels of detection. Here we compare the use of Kr, Xe and I as "canary" species for distinguishing between 235U and 239Pu fission sources by spectroscopic methods.

ABSTRACT. Innovative diagnostic methods are the need of the hour that could complement conventional histopathology for cancer diagnosis. In this perspective, we propose a new concept based on spectral histopathology, using IR spectral micro-imaging, directly applied to paraffinized colon tissue array stabilized in an agarose matrix without any chemical pre-treatment. In order to correct spectral interferences from paraffin and agarose, a mathematical procedure is implemented. The corrected spectral images are then processed by a multivariate clustering method to automatically recover, on the basis of their intrinsic molecular composition, the main histological classes of the normal and the tumoral colon tissue. The spectral signatures from different histological classes of the colonic tissues are analyzed using statistical methods (Kruskal-Wallis test and principal component analysis) to identify the most discriminant IR features. These features allow characterizing some of the biomolecular alterations associated with malignancy. Thus, via a single analysis, in a label-free and nondestructive manner, main changes associated with nucleotide, carbohydrates, and collagen features can be identified simultaneously between the compared normal and the cancerous tissues. The present study demonstrates the potential of IR spectral imaging as a complementary modern tool, to conventional histopathology, for an objective cancer diagnosis directly from paraffin-embedded tissue arrays. PMID:23117808

There is a long history of use and modern commercial importance of large and small cranberries in North America. The central objective of the current research was to characterize and compare the chemical composition of 2 west coast small cranberry species traditionally used (Vaccinium oxycoccos L. and Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) with the commercially cultivated large cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) indigenous to the east coast of North America. V. oxycoccos and V. macrocarpon contained the 5 major anthocyanins known in cranberry; however, the ratio of glycosylated peonidins to cyanidins varied, and V. vitis-idaea did not contain measurable amounts of glycosylated peonidins. Extracts of all three berries were found to contain serotonin, melatonin, and ascorbic acid. Antioxidant activity was not found to correlate with indolamine levels while anthocyanin content showed a negative correlation, and vitamin C content positively correlated. From the metabolomics profiles, 4624 compounds were found conserved across V. macrocarpon, V. oxycoccoS, and V. vitis-idaea with a total of approximately 8000-10 000 phytochemicals detected in each species. From significance analysis, it was found that 2 compounds in V. macrocarpoN, 3 in V. oxycoccos, and 5 in V. vitis-idaea were key to the characterization and differentiation of these cranberry metabolomes. Through multivariate modeling, differentiation of the species was observed, and univariate statistical analysis was employed to provide a quality assessment of the models developed for the metabolomics data. PMID:22337317

Modern analytical chemistry of industrial products is in need of rapid, robust, and cheap analytical methods to continuously monitor product quality parameters. For this reason, spectroscopic methods are often used to control the quality of industrial products in an on-line/in-line regime. Vibrational spectroscopy, including mid-infrared (MIR), Raman, and near-infrared (NIR), is one of the best ways to obtain information about the chemical structures and the quality coefficients of multicomponent mixtures. Together with chemometric algorithms and multivariate data analysis (MDA) methods, which were especially created for the analysis of complicated, noisy, and overlapping signals, NIR spectroscopy shows great results in terms of its accuracy, including classical prediction error, RMSEP. However, it is unclear whether the combined NIR + MDA methods are capable of dealing with much more complex interpolation or extrapolation problems that are inevitably present in real-world applications. In the current study, we try to make a rather general comparison of linear, such as partial least squares or projection to latent structures (PLS); "quasi-nonlinear", such as the polynomial version of PLS (Poly-PLS); and intrinsically non-linear, such as artificial neural networks (ANNs), support vector regression (SVR), and least-squares support vector machines (LS-SVM/LSSVM), regression methods in terms of their robustness. As a measure of robustness, we will try to estimate their accuracy when solving interpolation and extrapolation problems. Petroleum and biofuel (biodiesel) systems were chosen as representative examples of real-world samples. Six very different chemical systems that differed in complexity, composition, structure, and properties were studied; these systems were gasoline, ethanol-gasoline biofuel, diesel fuel, aromatic solutions of petroleum macromolecules, petroleum resins in benzene, and biodiesel. Eighteen different sample sets were used in total. General conclusions are made about the applicability of ANN- and SVM-based regression tools in the modern analytical chemistry. The effectiveness of different multivariate algorithms is different when going from classical accuracy to robustness. Neural networks, which are capable of producing very accurate results with respect to classical RMSEP, are not able to solve interpolation problems or, especially, extrapolation problems. The chemometric methods that are based on the support vector machine (SVM) ideology are capable of solving both classical regression and interpolation/extrapolation tasks. PMID:22337290

Fully modern human form more gracile than the antecedent archaic modern form was evident by 30,000 years ago. One hypothesis to explain this decrease in skeletal robustness is that change occurred in human diet and that this change was associated with a decrease in activity levels required in both individual and group behavior. It is possible to study dietary change directly using trace element analysis of strontium levels in bone. The amount of strontium in bone reflects the amount of strontium in diet. Since plants contain higher levels of strontium than do animal soft tissues, the level of bone strontium will differ between individuals according to the proportion of plant and animal products in their diets. In this study the ratio of strontium:calcium in human bone to strontium:calcium in faunal bone is compared for samples of archaic modern humans (from Mugharet et Tabun, Mugharet es-Skhul, and Jebel Qafzeh) and fully modern humans from Mugharet el-Kebara and Mugharet el-Wad) from Israel. The use of a ratio controls for potentially unequal strontium levels in soils at different sites and for different diagenetic histories between sites. The results of the analysis are internally reliable, reflecting bone strontium levels rather than technique error; therefore, they reflect diet. It appears that a change occurred in the amount of animal protein in the diet of humans but that this change occurred almost 20,000 years after the first appearance of skeletally modern humans. These results refute the hypothesis that the morphological transformation to modern human form occurred as a result of behavioral changes involved in obtaining previously unused foods. If any decrease in human activity level occurred between archaic modern and fully modern humans, this decrease probably was due to alterations in the means of procuring or processing the same kinds of foods that had been utilized earlier in time.

A team of researchers at Rowans University (RU) have conducted calorimetry studies of various solid fuels developed by New-Jersey-based BlackLight Power (BLP) in order to test and validate their claims of lower energy hydrogen. In this study, potassium hydride, sodium hydride, magnesium metal powder, titanium carbide support material and several halide salts were loaded in a cell and heated to initiate a chemical reaction. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to analyze the products of the reaction. An XRD analysis of the solid samples revealed the presence of magnesium hydride, the metal of the metal halide reactant and an alkali halide. A small amount of magnesium halide was also observed, but the starting halide salt was absent in the products. Liquid proton NMR revealed the hydrino hydride ion H-(1/4) upfield at -3.85 ppm and the corresponding molecular hydrino H2(1/4) at 1.23 ppm as predicted. Detailed calorimetric studies were used to determine the heat that was generated in more than 20 thermal energy releasing experiments. While the average energy was 1.95, the energy for the most energetic conventional exothermic chemical reaction was 6.5. The RU researchers assessed the possible reactions occurring along with their enthalpies, and compared the enthalpies of the anticipated reaction with the actual heat observed in small 5X reactors and a large 50X reactor. The presence of water in the starting materials was ruled out by temperature programmed desorption studies. The RU researchers successfully reproduced BLP tests which identified a novel form of hydrogen as a potential explanation of the additional heat evolved. It was concluded that the novel source of thermal heat generated in the chemical reactions cannot be explained in the confines of conventional modern chemistry. 7 refs., 3 tabs., 1 fig.

Abstract Vibrational spectroscopy is a powerful analytical tool which provides chemical information about a sample without a priori knowledge. By combining vibrational spectroscopy with different microscopic techniques, scientists can visualize and characterize the chemical composition of a sample on length scales which cover many orders of magnitude; from far-field radiation used in microwave astronomy and Fourier transform infrared microscopy, to near-field scattering used in tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and scanning near-field optical or infrared microscopy. Here, various modern chemical mapping techniques are reviewed and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Also, a basic theoretical background is provided for each technique along with several illustrative examples.

The paper presents an overview of crystal-chemical peculiarities of the previously studied globular dioctahedral 2 : 1 layer silicates of the glauconite-illite compositions from the Upper Proterozoic sections in northern Siberia (Anabar and Olenek uplifts). Lithomineralogical peculiarities of the glauconite-bearing rocks are discussed. Geochronological data on some samples are given. Monomineral fractions of grains were studied with the modern chemical and physical methods (X-ray diffraction, oblique-texture electron diffraction (OTED), scanning electron microscopy, IR and Mossbauer spectroscopy, classical chemical and microprobe analyses, and others). Low-charge dioctahedral 2 : 1 layer silicates were classified with consideration of the IMA NC and AIPEA NC recommendations (Rieder et al.,...

Biorefineries process bioresources such as agriculture or forest biomass to produce energy and a wide variety of precursor chemicals and bio-based materials, similar to the modern petroleum refineries. Industrial platform chemicals such as acetic acid, liquid fuels such as bioethanol and biodegradable plastics such as polyhydroxyalkanoates can be produced from wood and other lignocellulosic biomass. Biorefineries use a variety of separation methods often to produce high value co-products from the various feed streams. In this paper, a critical review of separation methods and technologies related to biorefining including pre-extraction of hemicellulose and other value-added chemicals, detoxification of fermentation hydrolyzates, and ethanol product separation and dehydration is presented. ...

The purpose of this work is to translate some of Robert Boyle's chemical experiments into the terms of modern chemistry. Most of the reactions involve sensible qualities, since there are on it considerable helpful tracking descriptions like heating, hissing, colour changing, etc. For a long time in the history of science, this procedure was seen as an exercise in anachronism which should be avoided at all costs. Recently many scholars have demonstrated that chemical translation can assist with historical work instead of causing confusion, and it may be very useful as a tool for the history of chemistry and for reproducing past chemical experiments.

Abstract. If whiggism involves judging past scientific theories according to our modern standards, not many people have been properly whiggish about the Chemical Revolution. From a modern perspective, Lavoisier's theory is just as wrong as advanced versions of the phlogiston theory. Three of the central pillars of Lavoisier's system are clearly at odds with modern chemistry: the oxygen theory of acidity, the caloric theory of heat (which also explained the three states of matter), and the theory of combustion (especially with regard to the production of heat and light). On the other hand, if we examine Lavoisier's lasting contributions, we find that various phlogistonists anticipated or outdid Lavoisier (e.g. Cavendish on precise weight measurements, and Priestley on the role of oxygen in ...

This thesis discusses the analysis and simulation of surface-acoustic wave (SAW) resonators. SAW resonators constitute building blocks for radio-frequency SAW bandpass filters, which are widely employed in modern cordless and cellular telecommunication systems. Theoretical tools for the analysis and...

A methodology for the development of PM using the modern approaches of FMEA, root-cause analysis, and fault-tree analysis is presented. Applying PM leads to a cost reduction in maintenance and less overall energy expenditure. Implementation of PM is preferable to the present reactive maintenance procedures (still prevalent in Nigeria). (author)

Systems Analysis & Design Fundamentals: A Business Process Redesign Approach uniquely integrates traditional and modern systems analysis with design methods and techniques. By using a business process redesign approach, author Ned Kock enables readers to understand, in a very applied and practical way, how information technologies can be used to significantly improve organizational quality and productivity.

Residential wood combustion causes major effects on the air quality on a global scale. The ambient particulate levels are known to be responsible for severe adverse health effects that include e.g. cardio-respiratory illnesses and cancer related effects, even mortality. It is known that biomass combustion derived emissions are affected by combustion technology, fuel being used and user-related practices. There are also indications that the health related toxicological effects are influenced by these parameters. This study we evaluated toxicological effects of particulate emissions (PM1) from seven different residential wood combusting furnaces. Two appliances i.e. log wood boiler and stove represented old batch combustion technology, whereas stove and tiled stove were designated as new batch combustion as three modern automated boilers were a log wood boiler, a woodchip boiler and a pellet boiler. The PM1 samples from the furnaces were collected in an experimental setup with a Dekati® gravimetric impactor on PTFE filters with the samples being weighed and extracted from the substrates and prior to toxicological analyses. The toxicological analyses were conducted after a 24-hour exposure of the mouse RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line to four doses of emission particle samples and analysis of levels of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF?, chemokine MIP-2, cytotoxicity with three different methods (MTT, PI, cell cycle analysis) and genotoxicity with the comet assay. In the correlation analysis all the toxicological results were compared with the chemical composition of the samples. All the samples induced dose-dependent increases in the studied parameters. Combustion technology greatly affected the emissions and the concomitant toxicological responses. The modern automated boilers were usually the least potent inducers of most of the parameters while emissions from the old technology log wood boiler were the most potent. In correlation analysis, the PAH and other organic composition and inorganic ash composition affected the toxicological responses differently. In conclusion, combustion technology largely affects the particulate emissions and their toxic potential this being reflected in substantially larger responses in devices with incomplete combustion. These differences become emphasized when the large emission factors from old technology appliances are taken into account.

Typical contamination and the frequency of misuse of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bottles are crucial parameters in the risk assessment of post-consumer recycled (PCR) PET intended for bottle-to-bottle recycling for direct food contact applications. Owing to the fact that misuse of PET bottles is a rare event, sustainable knowledge about the average concentration of hazardous compounds in PCR PET is accessible only by the screening of large numbers of samples. In order to establish average levels of contaminants in PET source materials for recycling, PET flakes from commercial washing plants (689 samples), reprocessed pellets (38) and super-clean pellets (217) were collected from 12 European countries between 1997 and 2001. Analysis of these materials by headspace gas chromatography revealed average and maximum levels in PCR PET of 18.6 and 86.0 mg kg-1 for acetaldehyde and 2.9 and 20 mg kg-1 for limonene, respectively. Acetaldehyde and limonene are typical compounds derived from PET itself and from prior PET bottle contents (flavouring components), respectively. Maximum levels in PCR PET of real contaminants such as misuse chemicals like solvents ranged from 1.4 to 2.7 mg kg-1, and statistically were shown to result from 0.03 to 0.04% of recollected PET bottles that had been misused. Based on a principal component analysis of the experimental data, the impact of the recollecting system and the European Union Member State where the post-consumer PET bottles had been collected on the nature and extent of adventitious contaminants was not significant. Under consideration of the cleaning efficiency of super-clean processes as well as migration from the bottle wall into food, it can be concluded that the consumer will be exposed at maximum to levels < 50 ng total misuse chemicals day-1. Therefore, PCR PET materials and articles produced by modern superclean technologies can be considered to be safe in direct food applications in the same way as virgin food-grade PET. PMID:15195474

...records of the data and analysis that were...a compound to the chemical's structure...based on statistical analysis correlating the chemical or biological activity...estimates depends on the structural...

fractionating colnplex chemical mixtures prior to chemical analysis by a mass ... arated and the complexity of the fractionating process, a system analysis ..... Void fraction. Surface area ..... but is a functfon of both mRo and Pea occurance time ...

This report was prepared by the Pacific Northwest Laboratory to summarize existing and emerging information system technology and standards applicable to Depot System Command (DESCOM) modernization efforts. The intent of this summarization is to provide the Revitalization of Army Depots for the Year 2000 (READY 2000) team a clear understanding of the enabling information system technologies required to support effective modernization activities. Much of the information contained in this report was acquired during the last year in support of the US Army Armament, Munitions, and Chemical Command (AMCCOM) Facility Integrated Manufacturing Management System (FIMMS) project at PNL, which is targeting the modernization of plant-wide information systems at Army Ammunition Plants. The objective of information system modernization is to improve the effectiveness of an organization in performing its mission. Information system modernization strives to meet this objective by creating an environment where data is electronically captured near the source and readily available to all areas of the organization. Advanced networks, together with related information system technology, are the enabling mechanisms that make modern information system infrastructures possible. The intent of this paper is to present an overview of advanced information system network technology to support depot modernization planners in making technology management decisions. Existing and emerging Open System Interconnection (OSI) and Government Open System Interconnection Profile (GOSIP) standards are explained, as well as a brief assessment of existing products compliant with these standards. Finally, recommendations for achieving plant-wide integration using existing products are presented, and migration strategies for full OSI compliance are introduced. 5 refs., 16 figs. (JF)

Since their discovery, Neanderthals have been described as having a marked degree of anteroposterior curvature of the femoral shaft. Although initially believed to be pathological, subsequent discoveries of Neanderthal remains lead femoral curvature to be considered as a derived Neanderthal feature. A recent study on Neanderthals and middle and early Upper Palaeolithic modern humans found no differences in femoral curvature, but did not consider size-corrected curvature. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to use 3D morphometric landmark and semi-landmark analysis to quantify relative femoral curvature in Neanderthals, Upper Palaeolithic and recent modern humans, and to compare adult bone curvature as part of the overall femoral morphology among these populations. Comparisons among populations were made using geometric morphometrics (3D landmarks) and standard multivariate methods. Comparative material involved all available complete femora from Neanderthal and Upper Palaeolithic modern human, archaeological (Mesolithic, Neolithic, Medieval) and recent human populations representing a wide geographical and lifestyle range. There are significant differences in the anatomy of the femur between Neanderthals and modern humans. Neanderthals have more curved femora than modern humans. Early modern humans are most similar to recent modern humans in their anatomy. Femoral curvature is a good indicator of activity level and habitual loading of the lower limb, indicating higher activity levels in Neanderthals than modern humans. These differences contradict robusticity studies and the archaeological record, and would suggest that femoral morphology, and curvature in particular, in Neanderthals may not be explained by adult behavior alone and could be the result of genetic drift, natural selection or differences in behavior during ontogeny. PMID:21411122

Laue diffraction is currently undergoing a lively renaissance due to new instrumental developments at both synchrotron X-ray and neutron sources. The aim of the workshop Laue-2007 is to offer state-of-the-art experimental methods and hands-on experience of data analysis for exploration, using single-crystal Laue diffraction, of the crystalline structure of complex materials in extreme cases. The oral sessions cover the following topics: -) history and renaissance of Laue diffraction, -) modern X-ray techniques, -) modern neutron techniques, -) applications, -) analysis and software demonstrations including hands-on experience, and -) future directions. This document gathers the abstracts of the presentations and of the posters.

Rare earth oxides are used in several technological fields whose applications can be observed in several areas of modern technology, among which are included: lasers, semiconductors semi, high purity materials and metallic alloys. The field of applications of the rare earth elements is quite wide. Several important industrial applications are ceramics, catalysts and metallurgical as well as research areas and high technology sectors. Such applications have been presenting an accentuated growth in the last years. Chemical characterization of rare earth oxides of high purity has been constituting one of the major challenges of analytical chemistry. Several analytical techniques were used for chemical characterization of high purity rare earth the oxides. Even so, those techniques present limitations when one needs to characterize materials of a high level of purity, as in the case of rare earth oxides. Some of those limitations are associated, for example, to spectral interference. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a powerful analytical tool for quantitative analysis of metal impurities in high purity materials. The Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN) has an unit of production and purification of rare earth oxides, with above 99,9% level of purity. In this work, the rare earth impurities were characterized in samples (La{sub 2}O{sub 3}; CeO{sub 2}; Pr{sub 6}O{sub 11}; Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}; Sm{sub 2}O{sub 3}; Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}; Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}) produced at the IPEN and certified standard materials produced by Johnson Matthey Chemical (JMC). The technique of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used in the separation of the impurities. Quantification of metallic impurities was carried out as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (HR-ICP MS). In this work it is presented a new analytical methodology in the chemical characterization of metallic impurities in rare earth oxides of high purity (> 99,9%) with and without separation of the matrix. Analyses of standard certified materials and the samples, for metallic impurities were performed. The value of the relative standard deviation (RSD%) found for five replicates, of approximately 5%. Through the analysis of certified standards, was verified the analytic methodology used in the separation of impurities, using HPLC. (author)

These proceedings present theoretical and experimental papers on the following subjects: material characterization, structural analysis, structural chemical analysis, phase studies crystallography, sintering, and material processing

Chemical reactions and the combustion of dirty fuels, such as coal and petroleum coke (petcoke), that are used in cement production processes generate a significant amount of CO{sub 2} emissions. In this paper, we provide an eco-efficiency measure for 21 prototypes of cement industries operating in many countries by applying both a data envelopment analysis (DEA) and a directional distance function approach, which are particularly suitable for models where several production inputs and desirable and undesirable outputs are taken into account. To understand whether this eco-efficiency is due to a rational utilization of inputs or to a real carbon dioxide reduction as a consequence of environmental regulation, we analyze the cases where CO{sub 2} emissions can either be considered as an input or as an undesirable output. Empirical results show that countries where cement industries invest in technologically advanced kilns and adopt alternative fuels and raw materials in their production processes are eco-efficient. This gives a comparative advantage to emerging countries, such as India and China, which are incentivized to modernize their production processes.

The mucilaginous gel from the parenchymatous cells in the leaf pulp of Aloe vera has been used since early times for a host of curative purposes. This gel should be distinguished clearly from the bitter yellow exudate originating from the bundle sheath cells, which is used for its purgative effects. Aloe vera gel has come to play a prominent role as a contemporary folk remedy, and numerous optimistic, and in some cases extravagant, claims have been made for its medicinal properties. Modern clinical use of the gel began in the 1930s, with reports of successful treatment of X-ray and radium burns, which led to further experimental studies using laboratory animals in the following decades. The reports of these experiments and the numerous favourable case histories did not give conclusive evidence, since although positive results were usually described, much of the work suffered from poor experimental design and insufficiently large test samples. In addition some conflicting or inconsistent results were obtained. With the recent resurgence of interest in Aloe vera gel, however, new experimental work has indicated the possibility of distinct physiological effects. Chemical analysis has shown the gel to contain various carbohydrate polymers, notably either glucomannans or pectic acid, along with a range of other organic and inorganic components. Although many physiological properties of the gel have been described, there is no certain correlation between these and the identified gel components. 154 references.

The possibility of obtaining high yields of hydrogen through the exposure of calcium hydroxide to natural uranium fission fragments is confirmed experimentally. The amounts of hydrogen obtained in some experiments were determined not only from the mass-spectrometry data, but also with the use of standard chemical analysis methods. The radiolytic hydrogen yield averaged over six independent experiments comprises 20.41 hydrogen molecules per 100 eV of absorbed fission fragment energy. The corresponding energy efficiency makes up to 60.62. Since on interaction with water or water vapor calcium hydroxide enters into the exothermal reaction to liberate 15.6 kcal/mole, it can easily be regenerated; this was attested to by one of irradiation experiments. Therefore, in the long run, we are dealing with a radiolytic decomposition of water at low temperatures or at temperatures readily available with modern reactor engineering techniques. Comparison of the present data with the characteristics of the facilities now in service or being under design, devised to produce hydrogen with the use of nuclear fuel, shows good prospects for the proposed method. This motivates the performance of more extensive studies in order to develop technical projects on the use of the radiolysis of crystal hydrates or hydroxides in nuclear energetics. 5 refs.

The present report begins with a brief survey of recent hypervalent iron chemistry and mentions two previously reported ferrate papers funded by the DOE/BES grant. The focus is then shifted to the seven publications acknowledging support of the grant that have not been reported since the last Progress Report, DOE/ER/14340-9, was prepared. These papers deal with: (a) the successful use of an ATR element in a stopped-flow infrared spectrometer, (b) the rationalization of a depolarization of a LiClO4 solution in polyethylene oxide high polymer, (c) an analysis of several coupled ultrasonic relaxations observed in solutions of pentoses undergoing isomerization, (d) the combination of ultrasonic absorption and Raman scattering measurements to elucidate zinc thiocyanate solutions in water, (e) the use of NMR to determine stability constants when LiClO4:12-crown-4 is dissolved in acetonitrile and in methanol, (f) the possible existence of triple ions in low permittivity solutions, and (g) the properties of a high surface area ceria aerogel. Collectively, these papers illustrate advantages of bringing several modern experimental techniques to bear on complex chemical systems.

Nanoscale science and technology demand novel approaches and new knowledge to further advance. Nanoscale fabrication has been widely employed in both modern science and engineering. Micro/nano lithography is the most common technique to deposit nanostructures. Fundamental research is also being conducted to investigate structural, physical and chemical properties of the nanostructures. This research contributes fundamental understanding in surface science through development of a new methodology. Doing so, experimental approaches combined with energy analysis were carried out. A delicate hardware system was designed and constructed to realize the nanometer scale lithography. We developed a complete process, namely laser-assisted scanning probe alloying nanolithography (LASPAN), to fabricate well-defined nanostructures in gold-silicon (Au-Si) system. As a result, four aspects of nanostructures were made through different experimental trials. A non-equilibrium phase (AuSi3) was discovered, along with a non-equilibrium phase diagram. Energy dissipation and mechanism of nanocrystalization in the process have been extensively discussed. The mechanical energy input and laser radiation induced thermal energy input were estimated. An energy model was derived to represent the whole process of LASPAN.

This report contains the results of hydraulic and monitoring, geophysical logging, and water analysis of test well USW H-5, one of a group of test wells drilled in the vicinity of Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada, on behalf of the US Department of Energy to investigate the suitability of the area to store and isolate high- level radioactive waste. The test well was drilled to a depth of 1219 meters; all rocks penetrated are of volcanic origin and of Tertiary age. Depth to water in the test well was 704 meters; the hydraulic head had no measurable variation with depth below land surface, altitude of the water surface was about 774 meters above sea level. Production during hydraulic testing of the test well was about 10 liters per second. Drawdown response to pumping was consistent with two alternative conceptual models. Chemical character of water from the test well was typical of that from tuffaceous rocks in southern Nevada; dissolved solids were about 200 milligrams per liter. Carbon-14 activity of the water was 21.4 percent of modern, yielding an apparent age of 12,400 years before present. 29 refs., 26 figs., 4 tabs.

Thermodynamics has always been a remarkable science in that it studies macroscopic properties that are only partially determined by the properties of individual molecules. Entropy and free energy only exits in constellations of more that a single molecule (degree of freedom). They are the socalled emergent properties. Tendency towards increased entropy is an essential determinant for the behaviour of ideal gas mixtures, showing that even in the simplest physical/chemical systems, (dys)organisation of components is crusial for the behaviour of systems.This presentation aims at illustrating the thesis that the aforesaid holds a fortiori for the living cell: Much of the essence of the live state depends more on the manner in which the molecules are organised than on the properties of single molecules. This is due to the phenomenon of 'Complexity'. Biocomplexity is defined here as the phenomenon that the behaviour of two functionally interacting biological components (molecules, protein domains, pathways, organelles) differs from the behaviour these components would exhibit in isolation from one another, where the difference should be essential for the maintenance and growth of the living state. For a true understanding of this Biocomplexity, modern thermodynamic concepts and methods (nonequilibrium thermodynamics, metabolic and hierarchical control analysis) will be needed.We shall propose (abstract truncated)

Radiobiological models are essential components of modern radiotherapy. They are increasingly applied to optimize and evaluate the quality of different treatment planning modalities. They are frequently used in designing new radiotherapy clinical trials by estimating the expected therapeutic ratio of new protocols. In radiobiology, the therapeutic ratio is estimated from the expected gain in tumour control probability (TCP) to the risk of normal tissue complication probability (NTCP). However, estimates of TCP/NTCP are currently based on the deterministic and simplistic linear-quadratic formalism with limited prediction power when applied prospectively. Given the complex and stochastic nature of the physical, chemical and biological interactions associated with spatial and temporal radiation induced effects in living tissues, it is conjectured that methods based on Monte Carlo (MC) analysis may provide better estimates of TCP/NTCP for radiotherapy treatment planning and trial design. Indeed, over the past few decades, methods based on MC have demonstrated superior performance for accurate simulation of radiation transport, tumour growth and particle track structures; however, successful application of modelling radiobiological response and outcomes in radiotherapy is still hampered with several challenges. In this review, we provide an overview of some of the main techniques used in radiobiological modelling for radiotherapy, with focus on the MC role as a promising computational vehicle. We highlight the current challenges, issues and future potentials of the MC approach towards a comprehensive systems-based framework in radiobiological modelling for radiotherapy.

Using Hallin's (1994) analysis of soundbites in network television news coverage as a model, we track the quoting practices of five American newspapers during the transition to modern news (1876-1916). We find that despite variation in the size, geographic location, and partisan orientation of these newspapers, trends in their quoting practices moved in relative lockstep. Drawing on the institutionalist concept of path dependency, we argue that these patterns are not consistent with an economic explanation of the transition to modern news. Rather, we suggest that political change—specifically, the breakdown of the third party system in 1896, served as a “critical juncture” in the transition to modern news. Overall, we argue that detailed analysis of newsgathering pract...

A survey on the various applications of biotechnology is given. It includes the industrial production of new fodder and foodstuff's components, biosynthesis of pharmaceutical and diagnostical substances by utilizing knowledge and methods of modern genetics, conversion of chemical synthetic prestages into biological active compounds for the purpose of plant protection and plant breeding, the generation of energy sources from renewable raw material, detoxification of waste matters and purification of water and air.

In order to expand the temperature limits of Supported Ionic Liquid Phase (SILP) or Solid Catalyst with Ionic Liquid Layer (SCILL) systems to higher operation temperatures, the mixture of lithium acetate, potassium acetate, and caesium acetate (molar ratio of 0.2/0.275/0.525) has been studied in detail. Physico-chemical properties of the bulk melt are reported together with stability data of the modern salt on various solid support materials showing attractive properties for many potential high temperature applications. PMID:23047825

The occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment is of increasing research interest, as modern sensitive techniques are used worldwide for their determination. Pharmaceuticals and their metabolites are among the most important classes of chemicals currently being investigated in environmental matrices at trace levels with techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). We discuss analytical developments in the past 10 years, with particular emphasis on sample-preparation procedures and related analytical problems and needs.

Dark, manganese-rich rock varnish of probable Miocene age is exhumed in a road cut in the drainage of Davidson Canyon, southern Arizona. Its structure and inorganic chemistry is similar to modern arid and semiarid rock varnishes. The {delta}{sup 13}C content of organic matter in the varnish is consistent with a C{sub 4} photosynthetic pathway for adjacent plants. Organic and inorganic chemical analyses of paleovarnishes can be used to interpret past subaerial environments.

Abstract With constant pressure on herb growers to perform to a continuous high standard, finding new ways to improve herb quality and or quantity are gaining importance, with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) presenting one possible solution. Viviane Schroeder, Alan Gange and Anthony Stead discuss the introduction of AMF to the herb growth cycle and discuss the benefits and costs that their symbiosis with plants bring to modern agriculture. Copyright 2011 Society of Chemical Industry

We describe evidence of biogenicity in the morphology and carbon content of well-preserved, Neoarchean samples of banded iron formation (BIF) from Carajás, Brazil. Silica-rich BIF layers contain translucent ellipsoidal or trapezoidal structures (˜5–10 ?m diameter) composed of silica, hematite, and kerogen, which are arranged in larger ring-like forms (rosettes). Stable carbon isotope analysis yields a ?13C value of ?24.5‰ indicating that the contained carbon is likely biogenic. Raman and SEM analyses, as well as wavelength-dispersive X-ray elemental maps, show kerogen inside the rosette forms. Within the iron-rich BIF layers, tubular structures (0.5–5 ?m) were observed between hematite granules and blades. Kerogen and kaolinite are present in these structures. Both the rosettes and the tubular structures resemble morphologies that are characteristic of some bacterial species.We hypothesize that the Carajás BIFs originated as biomats formed by one or more species that over time produced large stromatolitic structures. The rosettes and the tubular structures, associated with chert-rich and iron-rich BIF layers, respectively, may represent two different species, or perhaps, two phases of a bacterium life cycle. For example, some modern myxobacteria exhibit similar morphologies in their resting and vegetative stages.Fe(III) precipitation may have occurred by contact of Fe(II) with bacterial slime, leading to oxidation by chemical reactions with exposed polysaccharide hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. The Fe(III) would then have been available for use as a source of energy in a dissimilatory iron reduction type of metabolism. Organic carbon input presumably came from primary producers (not necessarily aerobic) within the local water column, perhaps in shallow-water communities. Alternatively, the carbon may have originated by Fischer–Tropsch synthesis at ocean hydrothermal vents. The observed lateral continuity of BIF layers may perhaps be explained by chemical signaling by the bacteria of favorable or unfavorable environmental conditions, leading to nearly synchronous cell morphogenesis from a vegetative to resting phase and vice versa.

The aim of this paper is to cast light on the formation and evolution of elliptical galaxies by means of N-body hydrodynamical simulations that include star formation, feedback and chemical evolution. Particular attention is paid to the case of dwarf spheroidals of the Local Group which, thanks to their proximity and modern ground-based and space instrumentation, can be resolved into single stars so that independent determinations of their age and star formation history can be derived. Indeed, the analysis of the colour-magnitude diagram of their stellar content allows us to infer the past history of star formation and chemical enrichment, thus setting important constraints on galactic models. Dwarf galaxies are known to exhibit complicated histories of star formation ranging from a single very old episode to a series of bursts over most of the Hubble time. By understanding the physical process driving star formation in these objects, we might be able to infer the mechanism governing star formation in more massive elliptical galaxies. Given these premises, we start from virialized haloes of dark matter, and follow the infall of gas into the potential wells and the formation of stars. We find that in objects of the same total mass, different star formation histories are possible, if the collapse phase started at different initial densities. We predict the final structure of dwarf spheroidal galaxies, their kinematics, their large-scale distribution of gas and stars, and their detailed histories of the star formation and metal enrichment. Using a population synthesis technique, star formation and metal enrichment rates are then adopted to generate the present colour-magnitude diagrams of the stellar populations hosted by dwarf spheroidal galaxies. The simulations are made assuming the redshift of galaxy formation zfor=5 and varying the cosmological parameters H0 and q0. The resulting colour-magnitude diagrams are then compared with the observational ones for some dwarf spheroidals of the Local Group.

Automation of routine and serial assays is a common practice of modern analytical laboratory, while it is virtually nonexistent in the field of radiochemistry. Flow injection analysis (FIA) is a general solution handling methodology that has been extensively used for automation of routine assays in many areas of analytical chemistry. Reproducible automated solution handling and on-line separation capabilities are among several distinctive features that make FI a very promising, yet under utilized tool for automation in analytical radiochemistry. The potential of the technique is demonstrated through the development of an automated {sup 90}Sr analyzer and its application in the analysis of tank waste samples from the Hanford site. Sequential injection (SI), the latest generation of FIA, is used to rapidly separate {sup 90}Sr from interfering radionuclides and deliver separated Sr zone to a flow-through liquid scintillation detector. The separation is performed on a mini column containing Sr-specific sorbent extraction material, which selectively retains Sr under acidic conditions. The {sup 90}Sr is eluted with water, mixed with scintillation cocktail, and sent through the flow cell of a flow through counter, where {sup 90}Sr radioactivity is detected as a transient signal. Both peak area and peak height can be used for quantification of sample radioactivity. Alternatively, stopped flow detection can be performed to improve detection precision for low activity samples. The authors current research activities are focused on expansion of radiochemical applications of FIA methodology, with an ultimate goal of creating a set of automated methods that will cover the basic needs of radiochemical analysis at the Hanford site. The results of preliminary experiments indicate that FIA is a highly suitable technique for the automation of chemically more challenging separations, such as separation of actinide elements.

The central segment of Alpine mobile folded system and the Greater Caucasus is considered with respect to fluid-magmatic activity within modern and Holocene volcanic centers. A volcanic center is a combination of volcanoes, intrusions, and hydrothermal features supported by endogenous flow of matter and energy localised in space and steady in time; responsible for magma generation and characterized by structural representation in the form of circular dome and caldera associations. Results of complimentary geological and geophysical studies carried out in the Elbrus volcanic area and the Pyatogorsk volcanic center are presented. The deep magmatic source and the peripheral magmatic chamber of the Elbrus volcano are outlined via comparative analysis of geological and experimental geophysical data (microgravity studies, magneto-telluric profiling, temperature of carbonaceous mineral waters). It has been determined that the peripheral magmatic chamber and the deep magmatic source of the volcano are located at depths of 0-7 and 20-30 km below sea level, respectively, and the geothermal gradient beneath the volcano is 100°C/km. In this study, analysis of processes of modern heat outflux produced by carbonaceous springs in the Elbrus volcanic center is carried out with respect to updated information about spatial configuration of deep fluid-magmatic structures of the Elbrus volcano. It has been shown, that degradation of the Elbrus glaciers throughout the historical time is related both to climatic variations and endogenic heat. The stable fast rate of melting for the glaciers on the volcano's eastern slope is of theoretical and practical interest as factors of eruption prognosis. The system approach to studying volcanism implies that events that seem to be outside the studied process should not be ignored. This concerns glaciers located in the vicinity of volcanoes. The crustal rocks contacting with the volcanism products exchange matter and energy between each other. Hence, the ice that has overlain a volcano must be considered as a part of the environment for volcanism. In the area of Caucasus Mineral Waters (Pyatogorsk volcanic center) an interrelated annular zonality of structural, petro-geochemical, geothermal, and hydrochemical features is found. The probability of peripheral magmatic source existence at 9-15 km depth is shown. The relation between hydro-chemical properties of Caucasus Mineral Waters and structural as well as petrologic and geochemical features of the fluid-magmatic system of the Pyatogorsk volcanic center is determined and thus the Caucasus Mineral Waters region may be identified as a hydrothermal element of the system.

In the paper, the safety analysis of the state-of-the-art computer based railway interlocking systems is discussed. The fault-tree analysis is selected as a primary method to evaluate the failure behavior of the system. Since the hardware system and the functional tasks of the modern interlocking systems can be very complicated, automatic fault-tree generation is introduced, which provides faster analysis and models without human errors. (orig.)

Throughout history, as new chemical threats arose, strategies for the defense against chemical attacks have also evolved. As a part of an Early Career Laboratory Directed Research and Development project, a systems analysis of past, present, and future chemical terrorism scenarios was performed to understand how the chemical threats and attack strategies change over time. For the analysis, the difficulty in executing chemical attack was evaluated within a framework of three major scenario elements. First, historical examples of chemical terrorism were examined to determine how the use of chemical threats, versus other weapons, contributed to the successful execution of the attack. Using the same framework, the future of chemical terrorism was assessed with respect to the impact of globalization and new technologies. Finally, the efficacy of the current defenses against contemporary chemical terrorism was considered briefly. The results of this analysis justify the need for continued diligence in chemical defense.

An important function of microscopy is the chemical analysis of the sample. Chemical analysis with an atomic resolution microscope can mean two different things. First, for a sample of known composition or adsorbed species, it means distinguishing the chemical species from the atomic image. Second, for a sample of unknown composition, it means the identification of the chemical components from the atomic resolution image. Here I compare available methods of chemical identification in field ion microscopy (FIM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and report our progress in achieving true atomic resolution for a non-destructive chemical analysis of a sample surface using STM.[DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2003.102]   

This report encompasses work in the development of mass spectrometry methodology for characterization of specific compounds formed during the surface oxidation of coal, a process that alters physical and chemical properties important in direct utilization and conversion of the coal. Modern microprobe mass spectrometry methods of Laser Mass Spectrometry (LMS) and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) have been used in this investigation in combination with selected derivatization reaction to achieve specific chemical characterization from the complex coal matrix. 32 refs., 27 figs., 4 tabs.

Written for materials scientists, mechanical engineers, and chemical engineers, this book provides basic definitions of classical and modern surface treatments, addressing mechanisms of formation, microstructure, and properties of surface layers. Part 1 outlines the fundamentals of surface engineering, presents the history of its development, and proposes a two-category classification of surface layers. Part 2 provides an original classification of the technologies of surface layers. Applications discussed include wear resistance, anticorrosion, and decorative coatings. Describes new surface treatments, including plasma-activated chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, and ion implantation. Also identifies problems and solutions related to surface layers and coatings as well as phase composition.

The chemistry of molten fluorides is traced from their development as fuels in the Molten Salt Reactor Experiment with important factors in their selection being discussed. Key chemical characteristics such as solubility, redox behavior, and chemical activity are explained as they relate to the behavior of molten fluoride fuel systems. Fission product behavior is described along with processing experience. Development requirements for fitting the current state of the chemistry to modern nuclear fuel system are described. It is concluded that while much is known about molten fluoride behavior, processing and recycle of the fuel components is a necessary factor if future systems are to be established.

This didactic approach to the principles and modeling of mass transfer as it is needed in modern industrial processes is unique in combining a step-by-step introduction to all important fundamentals with the most recent applications. Based upon the renowned author's successful new modeling method as used for the O-18 process, the exemplary exercises included in the text are fact-proven, taken directly from existing chemical plants. Fascinating reading for chemists, graduate students, chemical and process engineers, as well as thermodynamics physicists.

This book explores the recent history of the Saudi oil state, in an analysis of the struggle for social and political power in modern Saudi Arabia, including a discussion of the impact on the Saudi Economy of the present crisis in the oil market.

This chapter presents a detailed introduction regarding Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and their contribution to modern Urologic Oncology. It includes a description of ANNs methodology and points out the differences between Artifical Intelligence and traditional statistic models in terms of usefulness for patients and clinicians, and its advantages over current statistical analysis. PMID:18260271

Abstract According to the introduction of a dynamic operating mode in ground-coupled heat pump systems, a short time analysis within and around borehole heat exchangers is required in the modern geothermal system simulation. A numerical modelling could be a proper answer for this challenge. ...

This paper discusses the use of e-Science Grid in providing computational resources for modern international High Energy Physics (HEP) experiments. We investigate the suitability of the current generation of Grid software to provide the necessary resources to perform large-scale simulation of the experiment and analysis of data in the context of multinational collaboration.

Digital storytelling in election campaigns is a relatively recent phenomenon, which needs to be investigated in order to enhance our understanding of changes and developments in modern political communication. This article isan analysis of how the Norwegian-Pakistani Labour politician, Hadia Tajik, ...

Modern approaches to semantic analysis if reformulated as Hilbert-space problems reveal formal structures known from quantum mechanics. A similar situation is found in distributed representations of cognitive structures developed for the purpose of neural networks. We take a closer look at similarities and differences between the above two fields and quantum information theory. (letter to the editor)

Contains state-of-the-art contributions on boundary integral equation and boundary element methods. This book also describes and analyzes, from a mathematical point of view, some historical and analytical aspects in the formulation and analysis of boundary integral equations as well as modern fast boundary element methods.

The following is an historically-based analysis of a new phenomenon affecting rural schools and communities: animal confinement operations. A contrast is made between "enclosure" as it unfolded in England a few centuries ago and the way animal concentration units constitute a second, "modern" form of enclosure today. In both instances, as this essay demonstrates, rural populations have suffered markedly. (Contains 5 footnotes.)

The application of whole-genome shotgun sequencing to microbial communities represents a major development in metagenomics, the study of uncultured microbes via the tools of modern genomic analysis. In the past year, whole-genome shotgun sequencing projects of prokaryotic communities from an acid mi...

The temperature-dependence of the magnetization near the surface of a band-ferromagnet is measured with monolayer resolution. The simultaneous application of novel highly surface-sensitive techniques enables one to deduce the layer-dependent magnetization curves at a Fe(100) surface. Analysis of data is based on a simple mean-field approach. Implications for modern theories of itinerant-electron ferromagnetism are discussed.

The effect of the nuclear medium on generalized parton distributions (GPDs) is studied for the 3He nucleus, through a realistic microscopic analysis. In Impulse Approximation, Fermi motion and binding effects, evaluated by modern potentials, are found to be larger than in the forward case and very sensitive to the details of nuclear structure at short distances.

An analysis is given of a water treatment and supply system. The efficiency of centralizing the water treatment and supply installations in order to increase oil production in all the enterprises under the administrative control of the union is pointed out. The efficiency of introducing and using new technology and state-of-the-art engineering and of modernizing existing equipment and structures is demonstrated.

The relationship between the vegetation and modern pollen assemblages in eastern Canada is summarized and analyzed using isopoll maps, ordination, and cluster analysis. he major vegetation zones recognized in the region are the shrub tundra, forest tundra (divided into shrub and ...

6 pages, 3 figures. | [EN] We present an automatic system for describing and identifying fish otolith shapes combining information technologies with modern advances in signal analysis. As a major novelty with respect to past studies the system includes wavelets (WT) and curvature space scale (CSS) a...

A new technique for measuring bubble size in laboratory scale flotation cells was developed. A method of sampling and photographing bubbles from a flotation cell was combined with modern methods of image processing and analysis. The technique is capable of sizing accurately a large number of bubbles...

A machine tool utilisation rate can be improved by an advanced condition monitoring system using modern sensor and signal processing techniques. A drilling test and analysis program for indirect tool wear measurement forms the basis of this thesis. For monitoring the drill wear a number of monitorin...

The aim of this research was to discover the best indicators of induction motor faults, as well as suitable techniques for monitoring the condition of induction motors. Numerical magnetic field analysis was used with the objective of generating reliable virtual data to be analysed with modern signal...

Complex maxillofacial malformations continue to present challenges in analysis and correction beyond modern technology. The purpose of this paper is to present a virtual-reality workbench for surgeons to perform virtual orthognathic surgical planning and soft-tissue prediction in three dimensions. A...

A new paradigm in the design of optical coatings connected with an outstanding computational efficiency of modern design techniques is discussed. Several other topics including pre-production error analysis, monitoring of coating production, and computational manufacturing of optical coatings are considered.   

This thesis, starting from the debate on museum’s roles and functions in modern society, raises some questions on the main issues museums have to face with the changes in contemporary society. The title of the research suggests the adoption of an alternative approach to the study and analysis of tra...

Large volume injection (LVI) is a prerequisite of modern gas chromatographic (GC) analysis, especially when trace sample components have to be determined at very low concentration levels. Injection of larger than usual sample volumes increases sensitivity and/or reduces (or even eliminates) the need...

This paper reports an analysis of the evolution of equity in access to health care in Spain over the period 1987-2001, a time span covering the development of the modern Spanish National Health System. Our measures of access are the probabilities of visiting a doctor, using emergency services and be...

Rapid advances in modern computing and information technology have enabled millions of people to interact online via various social network and gaming services. The widespread adoption of such online services have made possible analysis of large-scale archival data containing detailed human interact...

This thesis relates modern speciation theory to the effects of sudden changes in the range and size of populations. Special reference is made to the climatic oscillations during the Quaternary ice ages. A meta-analysis of laboratory experiments showed that support for allopatric speciation is wea...

UNLABELLED: ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Elucidating the genetic basis of human diseases is a central goal of genetics and molecular biology. While traditional linkage analysis and modern high-throughput techniques often provide long lists of tens or hundreds of disease gene candidates, the identification ...

When procedures of the known method are used, an analysis was made of the current surface of the Momino plateau arranged in the extreme southeast of the Dunay morphostructure. Based on maps of goniobasite II and III orders, anomalous slopes and isopotentials or maps of sine angles of slopes for the modern relief, five structural zones are isolated of latitudinal course. Restrictions on these zones are systems of different-age faults determining the development and configuration of the modern hydronetwork. With regard for the morphometric characteristics, 3 sections are noted which are promising for prospecting for local structures. One of them corresponds to the Priselskiy oil and gas structure.

The primary goals of modern pipeline design and construction projects, are safety and low cost. High strength steels such as API-5L Gr. X70 reduce installed weights but translate into high D/t ratios. Modern manufacturing methods, used produce API grade pipes, increase yield strength with minimal changes to the ultimate tensile strength (UTS). The trend toward the use of high strength pipe reduces costs, but correspondingly increases D/t ratios. There are significant challenges in stress and rupture analysis to ensure stability under loading conditions that include static and transient pressures, high temperatures, dead weights, and seismic forces. (author)

The Medical Research Council grading system has served through decades for the evaluation of muscle strength and has been recognized as a cardinal feature of daily neurological, rehabilitation and general medicine examination of patients, despite being respectfully criticized due to the unequal width of its response options. No study has systematically examined, through modern psychometric approach, whether physicians are able to properly use the Medical Research Council grades. The objectives of this study were: (i) to investigate physicians' ability to discriminate among the Medical Research Council categories in patients with different neuromuscular disorders and with various degrees of weakness through thresholds examination using Rasch analysis as a modern psychometric method; (ii) to...

Abstract in english In order to improve the interpretive potential of archaeoparasitology, it is important to demonstrate that the epidemiology of ancient parasites is comparable to that of modern parasites. Once this is demonstrated, then we can be secure that the evidence of ancient parasitism truly reflects the pathoecology of parasitic disease. Presented here is an analysis of the paleoepidemiology of Pediculus humanus infestation from 146 mummies from the Chiribaya culture 1000-1250 AD (more) of Southern Peru. The study demonstrates the modern parasitological axiom that 10% of the population harbors 70% of the parasites holds true for ancient louse infestation. This is the first demonstration of the paleoepidemiology of prehistoric lice infestation.

The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) constitutes one of the most efficiency analysis modern methods for the structure and the stereochemistry determination of complexes organic molecules. From classical mono-dimensional methods and NMR bi-dimensional programme utilization, the scientist can find the structure and the stereochemistry of new compounds with a great accuracy. In the first part the author describes the main aspects of the modern NMR: one dimensional NMR for the proton (Overhauser effect) and for the carbon 13, two dimensional NMR. In the second part a large number of organic compounds are analysed. (A.L.B.)

This article discusses the studies carried out by CESP, an electric power utility of Sao Paulo State - Southeast Brazil, concerning the modernization of its generator park. The costs of such modernization are compared in terms of the installed power and the age of the power plant. The cost-benefit analysis, the calculation of payback time and the criteria adopted to define the automation level of the power plant, are shown. Thereafter, it is presented the solution adopted by CESP for design a high-available system with low investment 3 refs., 6 figs.

A computational viewpoint on the problems of design and numerical simulation for the nozzles of modern aircraft turbofan engines is presented. Modern concepts of noise-suppressing nozzles for civil aircraft are reviewed. Examples of application of CFD (computational fluid dynamics) methods to the analysis of nozzle flow structure and assessment of nozzle thrust characteristics are given. Errors of turbulence models in simulation of jets are analyzed. The authors’ experience in simulation of noise-suppressing nozzles for supersonic civil aircrafts is demonstrated. Insufficient accuracy of acoustic analogies for this class of tasks is shown, but a possible area of acoustic analogies application is noted. The essential elements of computational aeroacoustics (CAA) approach and numeric...

We analyzed the morphological and molecular phylogenetic characteristics of Sus bone and tooth specimens excavated from the Noguni shell midden and the Noguni B shell midden (c. 7200–4400 uncal. BP), in Okinawa main island. They were compared with those of Sus remains from later sites on the Okinawa Islands (c. 4800–1400 uncal. BP) as well as modern Ryukyu wild boar (Sus scrofa riukiuanus). Based on the length and breadth of lower third molars, Sus specimens from the Noguni shell middens were distinctly smaller than those from modern Ryukyu wild boar. Lower third molars from the Noguni shell middens also show a different size range from those of other ancient sites in the Okinawa Islands. Some haplotypes from the Noguni B shell midden belong to a different cluster from modern Ryukyu wild boar based on the analysis of mitochondrial DNA D-loop region, although nucleotide sequences are fragmentary. The morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that Sus from the Noguni shell middens included different populations from modern Ryukyu wild boar. We suggest two possible hypotheses: first, the Sus from the Noguni shell middens were introduced to Okinawa main island from elsewhere; second, prehistoric wild boar that inhabited the Ryukyu Islands had a larger morphological and genetic variability than modern Ryukyu wild boar.   

The transition from the medieval universities to the secular, second generation universities in Turkey occurred in the period from 1773 to 1945. The Ottoman Empire's efforts to establish a higher education system in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries only aimed at modernization of the armed forces, and their civil effects on the general society were only secondary. After the Turkish Republic was founded in 1923, complete modernization of all institutions of society, including political, social, educational, economic, and law reforms, were initiated by the President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. His establishment of the modern Istanbul University in Turkey was an experiment unforeseen in the history of education. Step by step, he created a new language, a new alphabet, achieved unified and secular education under government supervision, formed primary and secondary education to support higher education, took expert opinion on forming the new university, and finally established the modern university. German-speaking academicians have played a very important role during the creation of the modern secular university in Turkey. This is a short analysis of this period. PMID:23177760

The large-scale surveys such as PTF, CRTS and Pan-STARRS-1 that have emerged within the past 5 years or so employ digital databases and modern analysis tools to accentuate research into Time Domain Astronomy (TDA). Preparations are underway for LSST which, in another 6 years, will usher in the second decade of modern TDA. By that time the Digital Access to a Sky Century @ Harvard (DASCH) project will have made available to the community the full sky Historical TDA database and digitized images for a century (1890--1990) of coverage. We describe the current DASCH development and some initial results, and outline plans for the "production scanning" phase and data distribution which is to begin in 2012. That will open a 100-year window into temporal astrophysics, revealing rare transients and (especially) astrophysical phenomena that vary on time-scales of a decade. It will also provide context and archival comparisons for the deeper modern surveys

Abstract One argument of The Secret History of Domesticity is that there were two early modern publics, one traditional and one innovative; that the new concept of the public began to emerge when the authority of the old public, until then a matter of tacit belief, was subjected to explicit and rational analysis; and that the rationality of the new public depended on the simultaneous rise of an entirely new concept, the private. This argument responds at length to the central question raised by the Making Publics Project --What was an early modern public, and how was it made?-- in ways that are pertinent to the work of MaPs, as can be seen in the stimulating essays gathered for this collection. The contributors have focused on a broad range of issues entailed in the hypothesis of a modern ...

Energy is a factor of great importance in modern societies. Generate, transport and distribute energy to the development of modern societies have become quite complex tasks if performed within the concepts of sustainability and environmental preservation. This paper presents some Brazilian data, showing that not always the decision-makers in governments are aware of the importance of these concepts. Brazil is one of the countries with the cleanest energy matrix in the world, however does not give us the right to neglect our future plans. The social and environmental externality concepts are not yet in everyday life of Brazilian people, the modern problems are increasingly intertwined and it is not possible to evaluate them without a broad analysis of all the issues such as education. (author)

The fiction of modernity has constructed a rigid social class landscape. However, it has been claimed that late modern forms of social life have led to the erosion, or even the death of social class. Against this backdrop, the aim of the present study is to explore how social division is depicted in today's late modern Greek television, and what the role of speech style to this process is. The stylistic analysis of the two central characters of the TV series suggests that the traditional discourse of class society is reproduced. Nevertheless, this discourse seems to be challenged when some peripheral characters of the series are examined. It appears that Greek television eventually promotes the contemporary discourse of classlessness.

Botanical analyses of fossil and modern arctic ground squirrel (Urocitellus parryii) caches and nests have been used to reconstruct the past vegetation from some parts of Beringia, but such archives are understudied in Alaska. Five modern and four fossil samples from arctic ground squirrel caches and nests provide information on late Pleistocene vegetation in Eastern Beringia. Modern arctic ground squirrel caches from Alaska's arctic tundra were dominated by willow and grass leaves and grass seeds and bearberries, which were widespread in the local vegetation as confirmed by vegetation surveys. Late Pleistocene caches from Interior Alaska were primarily composed of steppe and dry tundra graminoid and herb seeds. Graminoid cuticle analysis of fossil leaves identified Calamagrostis canadensi...

In modern days, chemicals are extremely important raw material that generate products with high additional value in various industries. Their kind and production volume increased explosively in the latter half of the 20th century. On the other hand, many unacceptable accidents have been caused based on terrible hazard of chemicals to human health and environment all over the world. In this study, at first, systems and trends concerning environmental safety management of chemicals in Japan were researched. Next, an international current concerning strategic collection and maintenance of environmental information was considered. And then, an opinion concerning collection and maintenance of environmental information for environmental risk management of chemicals in a future was presented.   

Chemicals regulation is under pressure for change, and lessons from former experience are important to inform the process. This paper is based on a case study of the Danish measures towards regulating a specific substance, Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonate (LAS), and the case is used to deepen the understanding of how chemicals regulation is being shaped through social and political processes, and which lessons can be drawn regarding the effectiveness of different regulatory measures. We outline briefly the history of the chemicals regulation as a background for the detailed discussion of the case study. Finally, we present a few tentative proposals for future changes of the chemicals regulation and conclude with relating the case to the ecological modernization discourse.

Ursula Klein has argued that Geoffroy?s table of chemical affinities, published in 1718, marked the emergence of the concepts of chemical compound and chemical combination central to chemistry. In this paper her position is summarised and then modified to render it immune to criticism that has been levelled against it. The essentials of Geoffroy?s chemistry are clarified and adapted to Klein?s picture by way of a detailed comparison of it with Boyle?s corpuscular chemistry that proceeded Geoffroy?s by over half a century. The idea that Geoffroy?s notion of chemical combination marked a significant turning point in the emergence of modern chemistry is defended against the charge that it is Whiggish.

Population health is greatly determined by social factors, mode of life, ecological situation, amount and quality of medical assistance. The analysis of reasons of health troubles increase in population should be done taking into account the above aspects. Main consideration should be given to the development of measures aimed at the highest possible decrease of technogenic and anthropogenic factors influence on a human. Thereupon a complex programme of main diseases screening and monitoring in the personnel of the Siberian Group of Chemical enterprises (SGCE) to be the biggest one among Russian atomic plants has been developed. The purpose of the present paper is to determine main diseases at the earliest stage, the decrease of death rate, as well as the complex estimation of technogenic factor influence on the personnel of radiation dangerous plants nand their offsprings. In this case a long-term effect of low doses seems to be the main risk factor. Taking into account the structure of death rate causes of the population of industrialized countries as well as the spectrum of stochastic effects of ionizing radiation, the screening of cardiac ischemia and arterial hypertension, localization of cancer and congenital malformations have been chosen as the program priorities. Algorithm of instrumental laboratory screening of a particular disease includes modern diagnostic tests. Groups ar risk are formed taking into account a complex of exogenous and endogenous risk factors (age, chronic diseases, bad habits, length of service at a radiation dangerous plant, dose loads, hereditary factors) and on the basis of the screening examination results. The information obtained is entered in the list of database of the Regional Medico dosimetric Register of the SGCE personnel and Seversk residents followed by analysis and monitoring of groups ar risk. (Author) 4 refs.

The analysis of a wide range of pesticides in wastewaters (WWs) undergoing different treatments (both modern and conventional) has been studied. The need for optimizing specific extraction methods for each WW effluent based on their physico-chemical characteristics has been considered. A distribution study was performed to establish if the filtration step before extraction is a correct procedure since pesticides can be more prone to be in the aqueous or the solid phase, depending on their hydrophobicity. This evaluation demonstrated that pesticides are distributed between the aqueous phase and the suspended particulate matter (SPM; e.g. pyrethroids are only found in the SPM). The proposed methodologies involved the determination of 39 polar and 139 non-polar pesticides using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and pressurized-liquid extraction (PLE) for the extraction of the aqueous phase and the SPM, respectively. Ultra high pressure liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS) were used in the determination stage. WW samples from four different technologies were evaluated: membrane bioreactor, extended aeration, maturation pond and anaerobic pond. Validation data for the four effluents studied were generated, obtaining adequate precision values (estimated as % relative standard deviation, RSD) in almost all cases (<25%). The methods showed limits of detection at 0.01-0.20?gL(-1) and limits of quantification from 0.02 to 0.50?gL(-1). The proposed methods were applied to the analysis of real samples collected from an experimental WW treatment plant, detecting non-polar and polar pesticides at concentrations in the range 0.02-1.94?gL(-1) and 0.02-0.33?gL(-1), respectively. PMID:21035807

Mass spectra obtained by fused silica capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/data system (GC/MS/DS) analysis of mixtures of organic chemicals adsorbed on Tenax GC cartridges was subjected to manual and automated interpretative techniques. Synthetic mixtures (85 chemicals ...

The need of heavy metals quantitative chemical analysis is the opportunity to study plasma diagnostic techniques, X-rays fluorescence analysis and photometry. Sensitivity and detection threshold are given as well as trends for on line analysis. (D.L.)

The determination of the change in chemical composition of the diluted drill fluid and its separation from the chemical background contributed by the drill fluid, drill mud, and other aquifer leakage is the essence of the chemical log. Samples of the drill fluid were collected for chemical analysis at certain times during the drilling operations. The chemical logging study of the geothermal wells is described. (MHR)

The recent dramatic increase in computational power available for mathematical modeling and simulation promotes the significant role of modern numerical methods in the analysis of heterogeneous microstructures. This monograph presents a comprehensive introduction to computational micromechanics, including basic homogenization theory, microstructural optimization and multifield analysis of heterogeneous materials. "An Introduction to Computational Micromechanics" is valuable for researchers, engineers and for use in a first year graduate course for students in the applied sciences, me

This paper discusses how modern graphical user interfaces (GUIs) can be applied to the analysis and design of offshore structures. The paper shows how these interfaces can: be used to understand analysis results; be used to QA a structural model to ensure that analysis results are meaningful; reduce the time and cost required to build a model, run an analysis, and review the results. The application of GUIs on several real projects is discussed, showing how the added value to these projects, and how feedback from users guided the development of the interfaces and the underlying analysis software.

Bioapatite in mammalian teeth is readily preserved in continental sediments and represents a very important archive for reconstructions of environment and climate evolution. This project intends to provide a detailed data base of major, minor and trace element and isotope tracers for tooth apatite using a variety of microanalytical techniques. The aim is to identify specific sedimentary environments and to improve our understanding on the interaction between internal metabolic processes during tooth formation and external nutritional control and secondary alteration effects. Here, we use the electron microprobe, to determine the major and minor element contents of fossil and modern molar enamel, cement and dentin from hippopotamids. Most of the studied specimens are from different ecosystems in Eastern Africa, representing modern and fossil lakustrine (Lake Kikorongo, Lake Albert, and Lake Malawi) and modern fluvial environments of the Nile River system. Secondary alteration effects in particular FeO, MnO, SO3 and F concentrations, which are 2 to 10 times higher in fossil than in modern enamel; secondary enrichments in fossil dentin and cement are even higher. In modern and fossil enamel, along sections perpendicular to the enamel-dentin junction (EDJ) or along cervix-apex profiles, P2O5 and CaO contents and the CaO/P2O5 ratios are very constant (StdDev ~1 %). Linear regression analysis reveals very tight control of the MgO (R2?0.6), Na2O and Cl variation (for both R2>0.84) along EDJ-outer enamel rim profiles, despite large concentration variations (40 % to 300 %) across the enamel. These minor elements show well defined distribution patterns in enamel, similar in all specimens regardless of their age and origin, as the concentration of MgO and Na2O decrease from the enamel-dentin junction (EDJ) towards the outer rim, whereas Cl displays the opposite variation. Fossil enamel from hippopotamids which lived in the saline Lake Kikorongo have a much higher MgO/Na2O ratio (?1.11) than those from the Neogene fossils of Lake Albert (MgO/Na2O?0.4), which was a large fresh water lake like those in the western Branch of the East African Rift System today. Similarly, the MgO/Na2O ratio in modern enamel from the White Nile River (?0.36), which has a Precambrian catchment of dominantly granite and gneisses and passes through several saline zones, is higher than that from the Blue Nile River, whose catchment is the Neogene volcanic Ethiopian Highland (MgO/Na2O?0.22). Thus, particularly MgO/Na2O might be a sensitive fingerprint for environments where river and lake water have suffered strong evaporation. Enamel formation in mammals takes place at successive mineralization fronts within a confined chamber where ion and molecule transport is controlled by the surrounding enamel organ. During the secretion and maturation phases the epithelium generates different fluid composition, which in principle, should determine the final composition of enamel apatite. This is supported by co-linear relationships between MgO, Cl and Na2O which can be interpreted as binary mixing lines. However, if maturation starts after secretion is completed the observed element distribution can only be explained by recrystallization of existing and addition of new apatite during maturation. Perhaps the initial enamel crystallites precipitating during secretion and the newly formed bioapatite crystals during maturation equilibrate with a continuously evolving fluid. During crystallization of bioapatite the enamel fluid becomes continuously depleted in MgO and Na2O, but enriched in Cl which results in the formation of MgO, and Na2O-rich, but Cl-poor bioapatite near the EDJ and MgO- and Na2O-poor, but Cl-rich bioapatite at the outer enamel rim. The linkage between lake and river water composition, bioavailability of elements for plants, animal nutrition and tooth formation is complex and multifaceted. The quality and limits of the MgO/Na2O and other proxies have to be established with systematic investigations relating chemical distribution patterns to sedimentary environment and to growth structures developing as secretion and maturation proceed during tooth formation.

The University of Minnesota collaborated with the Paul Scherrer Institute, the University of Wisconsin (UWI) and Ricardo, Inc to physically and chemically characterize the exhaust plume from recruited gasoline spark ignition (SI) vehicles. The project objectives were: (1) Measure representative particle size distributions from a set of on-road SI vehicles and compare these data to similar data collected on a small subset of light-duty gasoline vehicles tested on a chassis dynamometer with a dilution tunnel using the Unified Drive Cycle, at both room temperature (cold start) and 0 C (cold-cold start). (2) Compare data collected from SI vehicles to similar data collected from Diesel engines during the Coordinating Research Council E-43 project. (3) Characterize on-road aerosol during mixed midweek traffic and Sunday midday periods and determine fleet-specific emission rates. (4) Characterize bulk- and size-segregated chemical composition of the particulate matter (PM) emitted in the exhaust from the gasoline vehicles. Particle number concentrations and size distributions are strongly influenced by dilution and sampling conditions. Laboratory methods were evaluated to dilute SI exhaust in a way that would produce size distributions that were similar to those measured during laboratory experiments. Size fractionated samples were collected for chemical analysis using a nano-microorifice uniform deposit impactor (nano-MOUDI). In addition, bulk samples were collected and analyzed. A mixture of low, mid and high mileage vehicles were recruited for testing during the study. Under steady highway cruise conditions a significant particle signature above background was not measured, but during hard accelerations number size distributions for the test fleet were similar to modern heavy-duty Diesel vehicles. Number emissions were much higher at high speed and during cold-cold starts. Fuel specific number emissions range from 1012 to 3 x 1016 particles/kg fuel. A simple relationship between number and mass emissions was not observed. Data were collected on-road to compare weekday with weekend air quality around the Twin Cities area. This portion of the study resulted in the development of a method to apportion the Diesel and SI contribution to on-road aerosol.

Primordial star formation appears to result in stars at least an order of magnitude more massive than modern star formation. Bromm et al. proposed that the transition from primordial to modern initial mass functions occurs due to the onset of effective metal line cooling at a metallicity Z/Z_sun = 10^{-3.5}. However, their simulations neglected molecular cooling. We here perform simulations using the same initial conditions, but including molecular cooling, using both a simplified chemical network that primarily follows molecular hydrogen formation, and a more complex network that also directly follows carbon monoxide and water. We find in both cases that molecular cooling allows roughly equivalent fragmentation to proceed even at zero metallicity for the Bromm et al. initial conditions. The apparent transition just represents the point where metal line cooling becomes more important than molecular cooling. In all cases, the fragments are massive enough to be consistent with models of primordial stellar masse...

Studies on modern oceanic lithosphere and ophiolites have revealed high degrees of chemical and isotopic heterogeneity in the mantle, as well as isotopic contrasts between mantle and crust. These features cannot be explained just by simple extraction of partial melt, but require considerably more complex petrogenetic processes. Here we present an overview of the present knowledge on isotopic heterogeneities of Sr, Nd, Hf and Os in oceanic peridotites (by reviewing data on modern abyssal peridotites and the Alpine-Apennine ophiolites), and discuss their significance in terms of i) length scale and extent of isotopic heterogeneities in the upper mantle and ii) isotopic mantle-crust relations at oceanic settings. Overall results show that mantle peridotites record significant isotopic heterog...

The Yemen Highlands are well known for their ingenious terrace systems which were constructed at the beginning of Bronze Age in the 3rd millennium BC. Although ancient, these systems are still in use, but modern erosion, deforestation, changes in climate and unsustainable qat cultivation lead to drastically increasing land degradation. A small field terrace system located in Wadi Al-Jidar/Eryan was investigated to ascertain its agricultural suitability and vulnerability to degradation of such systems while focussing on the most important base of agriculture: colluvial deposits and its associated soils. Physical and chemical analyses demonstrate that not only ancient and modern terraces both are still suitable for agricultural purposes, but that these systems are very fragile and highly ero...

The performance, efficiency and lifetime of modern combustion engines significantly depend on the quality of the engine lubricants. However, contaminants, such as gasoline, moisture, coolant and wear particles, reduce the life of engine mechanical components and lubricant quality. Therefore, direct and indirect measurements of engine lubricant properties, such as physical-mechanical, electro-magnetic, chemical and optical properties, are intensively utilized in engine condition monitoring systems and sensors developed within the last decade. Such sensors for the measurement of engine lubricant properties can be used to detect a functional limit of the in-use lubricant, increase drain interval and reduce the environmental impact. This paper proposes two new methodologies for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the presence of contaminants in the engine lubricants. The methodologies are based on optical analysis of the distortion effect when an object image is obtained through a thin random optical medium (e.g. engine lubricant). The novelty of the proposed methodologies is in the introduction of an object with a known periodic shape behind a thin film of the contaminated lubricant. In this case, an acquired image represents a combined lubricant-object optical appearance, where an a priori known periodic structure of the object is distorted by a contaminated lubricant. In the object shape-based optical analysis, several parameters of an acquired optical image, such as the gray scale intensity of lubricant and object, shape width at object and lubricant levels, object relative intensity and width non-uniformity coefficient are newly proposed. Variations in the contaminant concentration and use of different contaminants lead to the changes of these parameters measured on-line. In the statistical optical analysis methodology, statistical auto- and cross-characteristics (e.g. auto- and cross-correlation functions, auto- and cross-spectrums, transfer function, coherence function, etc) are used for the analysis of combined object-lubricant images. Both proposed methodologies utilize the comparison of measured parameters and calculated object shape-based and statistical characteristics for fresh and contaminated lubricants. Developed methodologies are verified experimentally showing an ability to distinguish lubricant with 0%, 3%, 7% and 10% water and coolant contamination. This proves the potential applicability of the developed methodologies for on-line measurement, monitoring and control of the engine lubricant condition.

The samples of combustible shale and boghead coal from the Olenek region in the Lena Basin (Yakutia) were studied with the use of various chemical and physicochemical methods of analysis (proximate and ultimate analysis, low-temperature extraction, pyrolysis, electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis, and thermogravimetric analysis) in order to evaluate their chemical and technological properties.

Modern soils are characterized by an array of physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological laboratory analyses of samples taken from horizons of pedogenic profiles. In contrast, fossil soils (paleosols) are typically characterized from assays of whole-rock molecular oxides because of sample lithification where element sources are unconstrained. Here we for the first time subject a lithified paleosol to an array of modern soil analytical techniques and new pedotransfer functions, providing a glimpse into the colloidal world of an ancient Critical Zone as an analog to research conducted on a network of modern Critical Zones. This methodology provides a framework for decoding a previously unknown archive of terrestrial biogeochemical information at multiple temporal and spatial scales. Application to a paleosol within an early Paleocene Critical Zone reveals that many biogeochemical properties have been preserved since burial that are similar to modern clay-rich, Vertisols. The measured and calculated physical properties of this paleosol include clay content and mineralogy, bulk density and water retention, available water capacity, and coefficient of linear extensibility (shrink-swell potential). The chemical properties include cation exchange capacity, exchangeable cations, base saturation, and exchangeable sodium percentage. The solution properties electrical conductivity and pH seem reasonable, but are interpreted with less confidence because of their greater vulnerability to alteration from fluid flow. New pedotransfer functions to reconstruct pre-burial organic carbon and nitrogen contents provide invaluable information of organically-derived nutrient content. The sum of the measured properties of the early Paleocene paleosol in context of reconstructed regional environmental conditions indicate the presence of a mid-successional hardwood forest in a humid climate with high water holding capacity, high nutrient retention, and rapid flux of elements through biogeochemical cycling.

Introduction Existing product Life Cycle Assessments (LCA’s) on offset printed matter all point at paper as the overall dominating contributor to the impacts from the life-cycle of this category of products. This dominating role of paper is primarily founded in the energy-related impact categories global warming, acidification and nutrification. The studies focus on energy consumption including the emissions and impact categories related to energy. The chemical-related impact categories comprising ecotoxicity and human toxicity are not included at all or only to a limited degree. In this paper we include these chemical-related impact categories by making use of some of the newest knowledge about emissions from the production at the printing industry combined with knowledge about the composition of the printing materials used during the production of offset printed matter. This paper is based on the dissertation “Assessment of chemical emissions in life cycle impact assessment” (Larsen 2004) and the paper “Life-cycle assessment of offset printed matter with EDIP97 – how important are emissions of chemicals? “ (Larsen et al. 2009). Goal and scope The goal of the study is to identify the distribution of potential environmental impacts and consumption of resources along the life cycle of a generic printed matter produced on a model sheet feed offset printing industry in Europe. Main activities at all stages in the life cycle are covered. However special focus is on the production stage but upstream emissions assessed to be of possible significant importance are included (e.g. estimated emissions from pigment production) or handled in the sensitivity analysis. The functional unit is 1 ton of sheet feed offset produced printed matter, i.e. printed communication covering books, pamphlets etc. As time scope for the production stage 1990 – 2002 is chosen and as technological scope mainly modern technology (not state-of-the-art) used at least in Northern Europe is used. Marginal approaches are used for production of electricity (natural gas) and paper production (virgin fibres) as the main approach i.e. in the reference scenario. In all other cases an average approach is used. The consumption of raw materials at the model printing industry is mainly based on average values for 10 – 70 Swedish and Danish offset printing industries. The range in the consumption of the most important raw materials is typically well below or just above a factor of about 10. Method The EDIP97 LCA method is used. The impact assessment comprises classification, characterisation, normalisation and weighting. Danish/global normalisation references and weighting factors are used in the reference scenario and European/global ones are used for sensitivity analysis. The weighting factors for the impact categories are based on political reduction targets. Conlusion ? The distribution of potential environmental impacts along the life cycle of a generic printed matter produced on a model sheet feed offset printing industry in Europe has been identified and shown in Figure 1 (grey bars). ? The effect of including the chemical related impact categories is substantial as shown in Figure 1 (black bars), e.g. the importance of paper is reduced from 67% to 31% and the importance of printing increased from 10% to 41%. ? Sensitivity analysis including e.g. alternative normalisation references and alternative paper disposals (land fill), does not change the overall conclusion significantly. Furthermore, the case study shows that, even though this is a special case where the potential fate and toxicity of relatively many of the chemical emissions are known, making it possible to characterize or exclude them as potential significant contributing, only 25% - 37% of the total number of emissions is characterized. For many of the non-characterized emissions sufficient data to estimate characterisation factors do not exist. Depending on the scope, this fact seems to be of general validity in LCA studies – at least for those including many chemical emissions like studies on all types of printed matter and textiles – and this weakens the credibility of the results. Possible impacts due to (accumulated) additives and/or impurities in recycled materials like paper is not included in this study. Taking these issues into account will most probably increase the importance of the chemical related impact categories in the life cycle of printed matter. References Larsen HF, Hansen MS, Hauschild M (2009). Life-cycle assessment of offset printed matter with EDIP97 – how important are emissions of chemicals? J Clean Prod 17, 115 – 128. Larsen HF (2004). Assessment of chemical emissions in life cycle impact assessment - focus on low substance data availability and ecotoxicity effect indicators. Ph.D. Thesis, October 2004. Department of Manufacturing, Engineering and Management. Technical University of Denmark. http://www.tempo.ipl.dtu.dk/ipl/upload/publ/PhD-thesis-rev.pdf Figure 1 Comparison of weighted LCA profiles with or without chemical related impact categories included (percentage of total, milli-person-equivalents-targeted, mPET). The avoided energy consumptions and emissions due to incineration and recycling of paper are allocated to “Paper (net)”.

A GIS analysis of modern and Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous) drainage systems has been made in order to investigate the potential differences between the surface hydrology of "ice-house" and "hot-house" worlds and how this might be reflected in the geological record. Because of the importance of CO2 concentrations for generating "hot-house" climates this study also has implications for potential future changes in the climate system. For the modern system we have utilized global maps of observed river systems, the Hydro1K digital dataset, observations of freshwater and sediment fluxes from recording stations, and modern day climate models and observations. For the Maastrichtian we have compiled a detailed global paleogeographic map and geological database (based on earlier work by the Paleogeographic Atlas Project, University of Chicago) that has been used to generate a paleo-DEM using the suite of hydrological tools in ArcGIS, complete with reconstructed river systems and drainage basins. This forms the primary boundary condition for a coupled ocean-atmosphere experiment using the HadCM3 model, with atmospheric CO2 set at 4 x pre-industrial levels. The results indicate a Maastrichtian world dominated by high sea surface temperatures (as high as 30-35 C in the tropics), and a consequently greatly enhanced hydrological cycle when compared with the Present. Globally, modeled Maastrichtian precipitation and evaporation are 1.5x that for the Present, with a 2.5x increase in total runoff. These changes are not evenly distributed, either spatially or seasonally, and therefore a detailed consideration of the paleogeography and paleo-drainage is essential, as these changes have a major influence on the distribution of vegetation and freshwater and sediment fluxes. For example, the Maastrichtian Tethyan monsoon, though less intense than noted for other modeled Mesozoic intervals, nonetheless dominates the seasonal distribution of precipitation and runoff over Saharan and northeastern Africa. Seasonally high, modeled freshwater fluxes from the Hoggar Massif (northern hemisphere Summer and Fall) drain south into the Iullemmeden Basin, where they augment persistent runoff from the southern Saharan areas including the proto-Niger drainage. The modeled vegetation and weathering regime of the surrounding hinterland is dominated by everwet tropical forests and intensive chemical weathering, consistent with interpretations from sedimentological and palaeontological observations: the dominance of carbonaceous-rich silts and clays, lack of evaporite minerals and lack of coarse immature clastics. We speculate that changes in the distribution of the seasonal wet-everwet climate regimes due to Milankovitch forcing may account for the cyclicity observed in the Maastrichtian stratigraphy of this region. Along the North African margin the picture is very different with low rates of runoff, high evaporation rates and aridity. This aridity is enhanced locally by the atmospheric consequences of offshore oceanic upwelling. The large differences in the surface hydrology of the Earth between the Maastrichtian "hot-house" and Present-day "ice-house" worlds clearly indicates that we must be prepared to model regimes that may in some areas be very different from the present day. Variations in the distribution and intensity of rainfall may trigger rapid changes in vegetation cover, groundwater levels and activity of soil infauna such as termites, which in turn would greatly affect terrestrial sediment flux and carbon flux responses.

Homocereulide (1) and cereulide (2), isolated from the marine bacterium Bacillus cereus SCRC, showed extremely potent cytotoxicity. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical degradation.   

Four new cycloartane glycosides, named aquilegiosides G—J, were isolated from the dried aerial parts of Aquilegia vulgaris. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence.   

The primary geochemical process at methane seeps is anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM), performed by methanotrophic archaea and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). The molecular fingerprints (biomarkers) of these chemosynthetic microorganisms can be preserved in carbonates formed through AOM. However, thermal maturity and aerobic degradation can change the original preserved compounds, making it difficult to establish the relation between AOM and carbonate precipitation. Here we report a study of amino acid and lipid abundances in carbonate matrices of aerobically altered pipes recovered from the seafloor of the Gulf of Cadiz (SW Iberian Peninsula). This area is characterized by a complex tectonic regime that supports numerous cold seeps. Studies so far have not determined whether the precipitation of carbonate pipes in the Gulf of Cadiz is a purely chemical process or whether microbial communities are involved. Samples from this site show signs of exposure to oxygenated waters and of aerobic alteration, such as oxidation of authigenic iron sulfides. In addition, the degradation index, calculated from the relative abundance of preserved amino acids, indicates aerobic degradation of organic matter. Although crocetane was the only lipid identified from methanotrophic archaea, the organic compounds detected (n-alkanes, regular isoprenoids and alcohols) are compatible with an origin from AOM coupled with bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR) and subsequent aerobic degradation. We establish a relation among AOM, BSR and pipe formation in the Gulf of Cadiz through three types of analysis: (1) stable carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of carbonate minerals; (2) carbonate microfabrics; and (3) mineralogical composition. Our results suggest that carbonate pipes may form through a process similar to the precipitation of vast amounts of carbonate pavements often found at cold seeps. Our approach suggests that some organic compound patterns, in combination with additional evidence of AOM and BSR, may help indicate the source of altered methane-derived carbonates commonly occurring in ancient and modern deposits.