Shoot tips with 3-4 leaf primordia were excised from in vitro-grown sweetpotato plants (Ipomoea batatas) infected with little leaf phytoplasma (Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia) and subjected to cryotherapy. All plants regenerated from the cryo-treated shoot tips were free of phytoplasma, whereas shoot tip culture or dehydration of shoot tips without subsequent cryotherapy resulted in phytoplasma-free plants at a frequency of only 7-10%. Histological and ultrastructural studies with light and transmission electron microscopy, respectively, indicated that cryotherapy was lethal to all cells except those in the apical dome of the meristem and the two youngest leaf primordia. These surviving parts of the shoot tip contained vascular tissue and sieve elements, but electron microscopy showed...
Two years old self-rooted Koroneiki olive trees (Olea europaea L.) were subjected to two irrigation regimes, i.e. the fully irrigated and the severely water stressed trees, while they were treated with three alleviating products of different mode of action. The products used were the osmolyte glycine betaine, the antioxidant Ambiol and the heat and irradiance reflecting kaolin clay particles. The effects of product application and water regime on leaf characteristics, shoot and root growth, photosynthesis, leaf compatible solids (carbohydrates) concentration and yield were evaluated. All products applied, exhibited significant alleviating action, based on the relative alleviation index. Irrigated trees exhibited greater growth than drought stressed ones, while the ameliorating products mai...
Spontaneous mutation has been discovered and utilized in domestication of narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.). As the result of the domestication, lupin has become a dominant grain legume crop in Western Australia. Facing the new challenge of developing herbicide tolerance cultivars, chemical mutagenesis has been used to create new tolerance to herbicide. This paper reports the characterization of two lupin mutants (Tanjil-AZ-33 and Tanjil-AZ-55) that are highly tolerant to metribuzin herbicide. A dose response study over 8 doses revealed that Tanjil-AZ-33 was 6 times more tolerant to metribuzin than the original parental cultivar Tanjil by measure of LD50. This mutant Tanjil-AZ-33 is the most tolerant germplasm in narrow-leafed lupin. Both mutants also maintain the high resistance to the disease anthracnose as cv Tanjil. Seed yield based on small field plots (3.6 m"2) under irrigation was 4.2 t/ha for ...
High surface ozone concentration is increasingly being recognized as a factor that negatively affects crop yields in Asia. However, little progress has been made in developing ozone-tolerant genotypes of rice-Asias major staple crop. This study aimed to identify possible tolerance mechanisms by characterizing two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that were previously shown to influence visible leaf symptoms under ozone exposure (120 nl l-1, 7 h d-1, 13 d). Two chromosome segment substitution lines (SL15 and SL41) that carried introgressions of the QTLs OzT3 and OzT9, respectively, were exposed to ozone at 120 nl l-1 along with their parent Nipponbare. In accordance with the expected QTL effect, SL15 showed stronger visible symptoms of ozone damage than Nipponbare, whereas SL41 had fewer sympt...
Sugarcane yellow leaf caused by Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (ScYLV) does not produce visual symptoms in most susceptible plants until late in the growing season. An experiment was conducted to determine if leaf reflectance and pigment analysis could be used to determine ScYLV infection prior to sym...
Sesame varieties/genotypes showed a good response to radiation with gamma rays and treatments with EMS. In M_1 both gamma rays and EMS influenced germination, seedling height, survival of plants and pollen fertility/sterility, producing deleterious effects on these characters. Compared to black seeded genotypes, white seeded ones are more susceptible to radiation. Both gamma rays and EMS produced various types of morphological variations in M_2 generation. These were dwarf plant mutants, mottled and fleshy leaved mutants (sterile), fasciated stem, flower colour, altered phyllotaxy, early, uniculm, capsule size variations, multiple capsule/leaf axil, seed coat colour variations, indehiscent and semi-indehiscent type mutants. Moreover, studies on quantitative characters including seed yield revealed the induction of mutants in both positive and negative directions for such traits which made a good scope of selection of desirable mutants in M_2 ...
Ozone is the most important regional-scale air pollutant causing risks for vegetation and human health in many parts of the world. Ozone impacts on yield and quality of crops and pastures depend on precursor emissions, atmospheric transport and leaf uptake and on the plant?s biochemical defence capacity, all of which are influenced by changing climatic conditions, increasing atmospheric CO2 and altered emission patterns. In this article, recent findings about ozone effects under current conditions and trends in regional ozone levels and in climatic factors affecting the plant?s sensitivity to ozone are reviewed in order to assess implications of these developments for future regional ozone risks. Based on pessimistic IPCC emission scenarios for many cropland regions elevated mean ozone lev...
In the Mediterranean arc, vines for wine production are mainly grown without the support of irrigation. Under such conditions, site variables affecting the extent and seasonal timing of water deficits are the dominant environmental constraints for grape production. Moreover, water availability and vine water status are the factors most comprehensively determining fruit composition and, thus, wine quality. Therefore, monitoring the extent of water stress in vines might be a valuable tool for the optimisation of grape yield and quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using the reflectance based Water Index (WI) to estimate vine water status at the leaf and canopy levels. The study was conducted on Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay potted plants submitted to contra...
We analyzed the effect of short-term water deficits at different periods of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) leaf development on the spatial and temporal patterns of tissue expansion...Full Text Available
The speed of ethylene-induced leaf abscission in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv LG-102) seedlings is dependent on leaf position (i.e. physiological age). Fumigation...Full Text Available
Leaf senescence is a developmentally programmed degeneration process, which is fine tuned by a complex regulatory network for plant fitness. However, molecular regulation of leaf senescence is poorly...Full Text Available
More efficient and safe production machines are required for sod peat production. The efficiency and durability of machines is especially important in contract work. Two sod peat harvester types, Pala-14 and Turve-Unsa, were tested by the forest department of the Work Efficiency Associationin summer 1986. Sod peat was collected with these machines at three sod peat production sites. The yield of the Pala-14 harvester was 121 m/sup 3//h for harvesting time, and 56 m/sup 3//h for worksite time, and that of Turve-Unsa was 108 m/sup 3//h and 55 m/sup 3//h, respectively.
Biological control agents can be more effective if their populations are genetically diverse, particularly when the target invasive plant comprises a range of genotypes with different susceptibilities and occurs across various microclimates. We report on the use of an efficient approach to find, in the native range, diverse isolates of a rust fungus for biological control. An outdoor trap garden containing various clones of invasive European blackberry (Rubus fruticosus agg.) collected in Australia, each with a different DNA phenotype, was established in France. Within 4?weeks of establishment, the leaf-rust fungus Phragmidium violaceum was recovered from all clones in the garden. Molecular analyses of eight recovered and purified isolates of the fungus from the garden revealed that they w...
Let us call a sequence of numbers heapable if they can be sequentially inserted to form a binary tree with the heap property, where each insertion subsequent to the first occurs at a leaf of the tree, i.e. below a previously placed number. In this paper we consider a variety of problems related to heapable sequences and subsequences that do not appear to have been studied previously. Our motivation for introducing these concepts is two-fold. First, such problems correspond to natural extensions of the well-known secretary problem for hiring an organization with a hierarchical structure. Second, from a purely combinatorial perspective, our problems are interesting variations on similar longest increasing subsequence problems, a problem paradigm that has led to many deep mathematical connections. We provide several basic results. We obtain an efficient algorithm for determining the heapability of a sequence, and also prove that the question of ...
ABSTRACT Drought is an important seedling mortality agent in dry and moist tropical forests, and more severe and frequent droughts are predicted in the future. The effect of drought on leaf gas exchange and seedling survival was tested in a dry-down experiment with four tree species from dry and moist forests in Bolivia. Seedlings were droughted and wilting stage and gas exchange were monitored. Drought led to a gradual reduction of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance over time, whereas respiration and photosynthetic water-use efficiency initially increased with drought and then declined. Seedlings gradually went through the different wilting stages, until they eventually died, but the trajectory differed for the four species. The strong relationship between wilting stage and photosynt...
Logic Programming languages and combinational circuit synthesis tools share a common "combinatorial search over logic formulae" background. This paper attempts to reconnect the two fields with a fresh look at Prolog encodings for the combinatorial objects involved in circuit synthesis. While benefiting from Prolog's fast unification algorithm and built-in backtracking mechanism, efficiency of our search algorithm is ensured by using parallel bitstring operations together with logic variable equality propagation, as a mapping mechanism from primary inputs to the leaves of candidate Leaf-DAGs implementing a combinational circuit specification. After an exhaustive expressiveness comparison of various minimal libraries, a surprising first-runner, Strict Boolean Inequality "<" together with constant function "1" also turns out to have small transistor-count implementations, competitive to NAND-only or NOR-only libraries. As a practical outcome, a ...
The energy recovery by anaerobic purification of wastewaters from olive oil manufactured is reported. The process efficiency is 82%, and the gas (CH4-CO2) yield is 850 L/kg eliminated BOD.
Details of the functioning of some of industry's most successful energy programs are examined. A Conference Board survey was mailed to 921 corporations, yielding 292 usable responses. More detailed information was gathered from discussions and interviews. (MHR)
We provide an efficient computational approach to solve the mixed integer programming (MIP) model developed by Tarim and Kingsman [8] for solving a stochastic lot-sizing problem with service level constraints under the static-dynamic uncertainty strategy. The effectiveness of the proposed method hinges on three novelties: (i) the proposed relaxation is computationally efficient and provides an optimal solution most of the time, (ii) if the relaxation produces an infeasible solution, then this solution yields a tight lower bound for the optimal cost, and (iii) it can be modified easily to obtain a feasible solution, which yields an upper bound. In case of infeasibility, the relaxation approach is implemented at each node of the search tree in a branch-and-bound procedure to efficiently sear...
Carbon isotope discrimination (?(13) C) is considered a useful indicator for indirect selection of grain yield (GY) in cereals. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the genetic variation in ?(13) C and its relationship with GY. A doubled haploid (DH) population derived from a cross of two common wheat varieties, Hanxuan 10 (H10) and Lumai 14 (L14), was phenotyped for ?(13) C in the flag leaf, GY and yield associated traits in two trials contrasted by water availability, specifically, rain-fed and irrigated. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified by single locus and two locus QTL analyses. QTLs for ?(13) C were located on chromosomes 1A, 2B, 3B, 5A, 7A and 7B, and QTLs for other traits on all chromosomes except 1A, 4D, 5A, 5B and 6D. The population selected for high ?(13) C had an increased frequency of QTL for high ?(13) C, GY and number of spikes per plant (NSP) when grown under rain-fed conditions and only for ...
Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of tef, a major staple crop in Ethiopia, is very low, either caused by untimely use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers or lack of other essential nutrients like sulphur (S). The average grain yield of this crop is low, averaging ?1 in farmer?s fields of the semi-arid conditions. Therefore, the present study was conducted to see the effect of the timing of combined N and S fertilization on the yield, yield components, and N and S concentration in the plant parts of the crop. A factorial combination of three rates of N (0, 70, and 105?kg?ha?1) with four rates of S (0, 16, 32, and 48?kg?ha?1) was applied in randomized complete blocks in three replications. The experiment was carried out in the 2004 and 2005 cropping seasons in the Cambisols of the semi-arid area of Ethi...
The relationship between coal properties and liquefaction or gasification characteristics was analyzed by using the analysis and test results and liquefaction characteristics in the coal data base. On liquefaction reaction, the close relation between an oil yield and coal constituent composition or a coal rank is well-known. Various multivariable regression analyses were conducted by using 6 factors as variables such as calorific value, volatile component, O/C and H/C atomic ratios, exinite+vitrinite content and vitrinite reflectance, and liquefaction characteristics as variate. On liquefaction characteristics, the oil yield of dehydrated and deashed coals, asphaltene yield, hydrogen consumption, produced water and gas quantities, and oil+asphaltene yield were predicted. The theoretical gasification efficiency of each specimen was calculated to evaluate the liquefaction reaction ...
Only 15mol% of l-proline in ethanol proved to be a very efficient catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of a wide variety of highly substituted pyridines at room temperature. The methodology is mild, efficient, high yielding, and the products can be directly recrystallized from hot ethanol.
An add-on multileaf collimator for electrons (eMLC) has been developed that provides computer-controlled beam collimation and isocentric dose delivery. The design parameters result from the design study by Gauer et al (2006 Phys. Med. Biol. 51 5987-6003) and were configured such that a compact and light-weight eMLC with motorized leaves can be industrially manufactured and stably mounted on a conventional linear accelerator. In the present study, the efficiency of an initial computer-controlled prototype was examined according to the design goals and the performance of energy- and intensity-modulated treatment techniques. This study concentrates on the attachment and gantry stability as well as the dosimetric characteristics of central-axis and off-axis dose, field size dependence, collimator scatter, field abutment, radiation leakage and the setting of the accelerator jaws. To provide isocentric irradiation, the eMLC can be placed either 16 or 28 cm above the ...
Homozygous transgenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants that accumulated glycinebetaine (GB) in larger quantities were more tolerant to salt than wild-type (WT) plants. Four transgenic lines, namely 1, 3, 4, and 5, accumulated significantly higher levels of GB than WT plants did both before and after salt stress. At 175 and 275?mM NaCl, seeds of all the transgenic lines germinated earlier and recorded a higher final germination percentage, and the seedlings grew better, than those of the WT. Under salt stress, all the lines showed some characteristic features of salt tolerance, such as higher leaf relative water content (RWC), higher photosynthesis, better osmotic adjustment (OA), lower percentage of ion leakage, and lower peroxidation of the lipid membrane. Levels of endogenous GB in ...
The research work carried out on mutation breeding in Egypt during the 1980s is summarized. Several mutations have been developed in bread wheat, maize, rice and barley. A higher yield, tolerance to salinity, shorter types and earliness were obtained after use of different mutagens and growth regulators. Great attention has been paid to the fababean and chickpea, particularly in improving their quality and quantity of protein, and their resistance to insect weevils such as Callosobruchus sp. Tolerance or resistance to broom rape has also been reported. Various grain legumes such as lentil, pea, cowpea, bean, fenugreek and lupin received some attention. Mutation work on fibre crops such as cotton, kenaf and flax has led to some promising results. Zero type, glandless and early maturing mutants were obtained in cotton, and early flowering, high yielding (fibre or oil) mutants in flax. Some attention has been given to oil crops such as sesame, ...
Background and AimsTrade-offs are fundamental to life-history theory, and the leaf size vs. number trade-off has recently been suggested to be of importance to our understanding...Full Text Available
Assimilatory nitrate reductase activity (NRA) in crude spinach leaf (Spinacia oleracea) extracts undergoes rapid changes following fluctuations in photosynthesis brought about by changes...Full Text Available
... be rare or absent as leaves in the forest litter. The differences between the amount of leaf and ... the relative proportions of leaf species in a forest litter when compared with standing biomass has sig...
Scaling relations among plant traits are both cause and consequence of processes at organ-to-ecosystem scales. The relationship between leaf nitrogen and phosphorus is of particular interest, as both...Full Text Available
Epicuticular wax production was evaluated along the length of expanding leek (Allium porrum L.) leaves to gain insight into the regulation of wax production. Leaf segments from the...Full Text Available
Exogenously supplied indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) stimulated ethylene production in tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) leaf discs but not in those of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris...Full Text Available
Objective:The main objective of this work was to study the antipyretic and antibacterial activity of C. erectus (Buch.-Ham.) Verdcourt leaf extract in an...Full Text Available
For identification of genes responsible for varietal differences in flowering time and leaf morphological traits, we constructed a linkage map of Brassica rapa DNA markers including...Full Text Available
The pure xenon dc positive column discharge has been characterized for various xenon pressures, currents, and discharge tube radii. The absolute output at the 147 nm resonance transition has been measured using two independent techniques to yield the radiant emittance at 147 nm (power per unit surface area). The efficiency of 147 nm production is obtained by combining the measured radiant emittance with the measured electrical power per unit length deposited in the gas. The radiant emittance and the efficiency are the two principle figures of merit for characterizing the discharge as a source of VUV radiation. It is observed that the trends in efficiency and radiant emittance change substantially when the discharge transitions from two-step electron impact excitation/ionization at higher pressures to single-step electron impact ionization at lower pressures. Modeling of the xenon positive column ...
Ion Beam Induced Luminescence (IBIL) and Ion Beam Induced Charge Collection (IBICC) have been applied in the study of the luminescence emission efficiency and investigation of the homogeneity of the luminescence emission in phosphors. The IBIL imaging was performed by using sharply focused ion beams or broad/partially-focused ion beams. The luminescence emission homogeneity in samples was examined to reveal possible distributed crystal-defects that may lead to the inhomogeneity of the luminescence emission in samples.The purpose of the study is to search for suitable luminescent thin films that have high homogeneity of luminescence emission, large IBIL efficiency under heavy ion excitation, and can be placed as a thin layer on the top of microelectronic devices to be analyzed with Ion Photon Emission Microscopy (IPEM). The emission yield was found to be low for organic materials, due to saturation of the light output ...
In this study attempts have been made to utilize biomass residues in a proper and efficient way. As a part of these attempts activated charcoal has been produced from coconut shell. The effects of temperature, time and impregnation ratio on activation and yield have also been studied. Experimental results show that higher temperature produces better activation but lower yield. The optimum values for activation time and impregnation ratio in producing activated charcoal were 50 min and 40%, respectively, at 600{sup o}C. (Author)
For the coal liquefaction, improvement of liquefaction conditions and increase of liquefied oil yield are expected by suppressing the recombination through rapid stabilization of pyrolytic radicals which are formed at the initial stage of liquefaction. Two-stage liquefaction combining prethermal treatment and liquefaction was performed under various conditions, to investigate the effects of reaction conditions on the yields and properties of products as well as to increase liquefied oil yield. Consequently, it was found that the catalyst contributes greatly to the hydrogen transfer to coal at the prethermal treatment. High yield of n-hexane soluble fraction with products having low condensation degree could be obtained by combining the prethermal treatment in the presence of hydrogen and catalyst with the concentration of slurry after the treatment. This was considered to be caused by the synergetic ...
The stoichiometry of photorespiration, S, is defined as the fraction of glycolate carbon photorespired. It is postulated that under steady-state conditions there are two determinants of the ratio of photorespiration to net photosynthesis: the partitioning of ribulose bisphosphate between oxidation and carboxylation, and the partitioning of glycolate between reactions leading to complete oxidation to CO/sub 2/ (S . 100%) and those yielding CO/sub 2/ plus serine (S . 25%). S may be calculated using two independent probes of the system. The physical probe, using an infrared gas analyzer, measured photorespiration and net photosynthesis, and hence their ratio PR/NPS . pn(phys). The metabolic probe employed tracer (3R)-D-(3-/sup 3/H1,3-/sup 14/C)glyceric acid to determine r, the fraction of /sup 3/H retained in the triose phosphates leaving the chloroplasts. It is deduced from the postulated model that S . pn(phys) . r/(1 - r). Experiments have been performed with ...
Radiation damage and its recovery in the light emittance efficiency and the attenuation length of barium fluoride (BaF_2) scintillator have been investigated. The light yield and transmittance of small samples of BaF_2 scintillator were measured after #gamma#-irradiation from 0.5x10"4 to 1.1x10"5 Gy for deterioration, and after sunlight exposure for recovery. Suspension of deterioration was observed both in light yield and in attenuation length at an integrated dose of #gamma#-rays of about 10"4 Gy. Fairly good and quick recovery of the deteriorated BaF_2 scintillator was obtained by sunlight exposure. Using a Monte Carlo simulation method, the dependence of the light emittance efficiency on #gamma#-irradiation and sunlight exposure was studied. It has been found that the light emittance efficiency, as well as the attenuation length, is influenced by #gamma#-irradiation and sunlight ...
The usefulness of radioiodination via demetallation of aryltrimethylsilanes was demonstrated. The radioiodination reaction was found to be very rapid and the regiospecific incorporation of radioiodine could be carried out with high radiochemical yields and high radiospecific activity. {sup 125}I-Labeled dimethylaminoethyl iodophenoxyacetate derivatives (5a-e), dimethylaminoethyl iodophenoxyacetamide derivatives (7a-c), iodophenoxyethyl ethylenediamine derivatives (9,14) and an iodophenoxyethylpiperazine derivative (18) were efficiently synthesized from the corresponding aryltrimethylsilyl intermediates (4a-e, 6a-c, 8, 13, 17) by this method. (author).
The aim of the classical multiple test strip is to perform routine chemical analysis in one single operation, yielding maximum diagnostic and prognostic information. A maximum of 10 test areas should not be exceeded. The efficiency of the currently marketed test strips is discussed and improvements within acceptable price limits are suggested. PMID:10841930
The sunlight-induced photocatalytic oxidation of aqueous benzene on TiO(2)-supported gold nanoparticles was considerably improved when the reaction was conducted under a CO(2) atmosphere. 13% yield and 89% selectivity of phenol was obtained on P25-supported gold nanoparticles under 230 kPa of CO(2). PMID:21952312
The main physical processes allowing negative ion production by surface sputtering for further acceleration in tandem acceleration are briefly reviewed. The sputtering yield and the probability of negative ion ejection are discussed. The properties of negative ion beams for an efficient acceleration in tandem accelerators are also discussed, with an emphasis on space charge problems. The main features and performances of the heavy negative ion injector of the Bucharest tandem accelerator are given.
Unsymmetric diaryl alkynes were synthesized from the palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling of aryl halides and propiolic acid using a continuous flow reaction system. This flow chemistry system continuously gave the desired products in moderate to good yields, and produced less byproduct than was formed in the batch reaction.
Isotopically selective IR multiphoton dissociation of molecules (SF_6, CF_3I) in a pulsed gas-dynamic flow interacting with a solid surface was studied for the first time. A noticeable (severalfold) increase in the yield of products (compared to excitation of molecules in an unperturbed flow) without a substantial decrease in the selectivity of the process was observed. Possible reasons for the effect are discussed. (laser applications and other topics in quantum electronics)
A) diffuse bilayer, B) spontaneously formed multilayer, and C) vertically homogenous thin films, are fabricated. The photocurrent/voltage performance is compared and it is found that the self-stratified structure (B) yields the highest energy conversion efficiency. (Abstract Copyright [2009], Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)
A novel, one-pot, multicomponent synthesis of 4-arylidene-3-methyl-1-(4-arylthiazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-ones is described using phenacyl bromides, thiosemicarbazide, ethylacetoacetate, and aryl aldehydes. This synthesis involves simultaneous formation of two heterocycles like thiazole and pyrazolone along with condensation of active methylene group by aldehydes via Knoevenagel reaction. The methodology is mild, efficient, and high yielding. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT[image omitted
Backgrounds and Aims The stem growth habit, determinate or indeterminate, of soybean, Glycine max, varieties affects various plant morphological and developmental traits. The objective of this study is to identify the effect of stem growth habit in soybean on the stomatal conductance of single leaves in relation to their leaf morphology in order to better understand the ecological and agronomic significance of this plant trait. Methods The stomatal conductance of leaves on the main stem was measured periodically under favourable field conditions to evaluate gmax, defined as the maximum stomatal conductance at full leaf expansion, for four varieties of soybean and their respective determinate or indeterminate near isogenic lines (NILs). Leaf morphological traits including stomatal density, ...
The effect of water shortage on growth and gas exchange of maize grown on sandy soil (SS) and clay soil was studied. The lower soil water content in the SS during vegetative growth stages did not affect plant height, above-ground biomass, and leaf area index (LAI). LAI reduction was observed on the SS during the reproductive stage due to early leaf senescence. Canopy and leaf gas exchanges, measured by eddy correlation technique and by a portable photosynthetic system, respectively, were affected by water stress and a greater reduction in net photosynthetic rate (A N) and stomatal conductance (g s) was observed on SS. Chlorophyll and carotenoids content was not affected by water shortage in either condition. Results support two main conclusions: (1) leaf photosynthetic capacity was unaffec...
Field studies among diverse biomes demonstrate that nitrogen concentration (% N) at leaf- and canopy-scales is strongly related to carbon uptake and cycling ...
When thorium was biosorbed by biomass of Rhizopus arrhizus or Aspergillus niger it could be removed by treatment using carbonate solutions, but not by phosphates or distilled water. Desorption was rapid, reaching completion in 15 and 30 min respectively. Desorption efficiency was independent of the desorbent concentration above 0.05 mol dm[sup -3] but was strongly dependent on the biomass concentration, decreasing as the biomass concentration increased for both species. Biomass from both species could be regenerated by desorption using sodium carbonate solutions and reused for biosorption. In both species, the efficiency of biosorption and desorption fell as the number of exposures increased although there was an initial rise in desorption efficiency for R. arrhizus. Biosorption and desorption efficiencies of A. niger biomass showed the steeper decline but both were severely reduced in R. arrhizus after ...
The convolution/superposition calculations for radiotherapy dose distributions are traditionally performed by convolving polyenergetic energy deposition kernels with TERMA (total energy released per unit mass) precomputed in each voxel of the irradiated phantom. We propose an alternative method in which the TERMA calculation is replaced by random sampling of photon energy, direction and interaction point. Then, a direction is randomly sampled from the angular distribution of the monoenergetic kernel corresponding to the photon energy. The kernel ray is propagated across the phantom, and energy is deposited in each voxel traversed. An important advantage of the explicit sampling of energy is that spectral changes with depth are automatically accounted for. No spectral or kernel hardening corrections are needed. Furthermore, the continuous sampling of photon direction allows us to model sharp changes in fluence, such as those due to collimator tongue-and-groove. The use of explicit ...
Singlet-singlet and triplet-triplet absorption spectra of a series of methyl-alloxazines were calculated using the time-dependent density-functional theory approach and compared to experimental results. The B3LYP functional provides good correlation between experimental and theoretical results, given that solvent effects are disregarded in the present calculations. Substituent and solvent dependences of the lowest, closely spaced, n,{pi}* and {pi},{pi}* excited state energies are discussed, their order being of consequence in determining the non-radiative decay rates and thus emission quantum yields and lifetimes. The high quantum yields of singlet oxygen formation indicate that the triplet state is formed by efficient intersystem crossing from the first singlet excited state.
The effects of five extraction solvents and their mixtures on the yield of metabolites in crude and fractionated extracts of Annona muricata L. leaves were investigated by direct comparison. Extraction media were prepared using simplex centroid mixtures of ethanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, acetone, and chloroform. The effects of the mobile phase solvent strength and the analysis wavelength on the chromatographic separation were also investigated. Solvent mixtures rather than pure solvents were found to be the most efficient extractors for the different fractions. The results indicated that the mobile phase composed of methanol/acetonitrile/water (26:27:47 v/v/v) was most suitable for the basic fraction analysis at 254 nm, whereas the mobile phase composed of methanol/acetonitrile/wa...
We have shown Xanthium strumarium exhibit two distinct leaf movement rhythms with one occurring in continuous light and presumably related to an endogenous rhythm initiated by the “light-on”...Full Text Available
Exogenous [14C]indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is conjugated in citrus (Citrus sinensis) leaf tissues to one major substance which has been identified as indole-3-acetylaspartic...Full Text Available
Conditions for radiation induced grafting with butyl acrylate dispersed in water emulsion onto chrome-tanned pig skins have been worked out for #gamma#-rays and electron beam irradiations. The highest yield of grafting was observed at monomer concentration approximately 25% (w/w), dose equal to 25 kGy and dose rate not exceeding 10 MGy/h. At these conditions the yield of grafting attained a value approximately 25% and content of homopolymer in the leather amounted to 6%. The efficiency of monomer to polymer conversion decreases when the concentration of monomer in emulsion and dose rate increases. Yield of homopolymer is independent of the dose rate. An explanation of the observed relations has been proposed. The physical and used properties of grafted leathers were tested. Radiation processed leathers were found superior to samples finished by traditional methods. One has to point to better tolerance ...
Two physical pre-treatment methods, particle size reduction by grinding and thermo-mechanical extrusion, were evaluated as alternatives to traditional biomass pretreatments for lignocellulosic ethanol. Commonly available agricultural co-products wheat bran and soybean hull were the model substrates. Extrusion led to higher reducing sugar yields as compared to grinding for wheat bran, but not in the case of soybean hulls. The best combination of extrusion screw speed and maximum barrel temperature were 7 Hz/150 C and 3.7 Hz/110 C. The use of a solvent mixture (sodium hydroxide, urea, and thiourea) and calcium chloride solution in combination with extrusion treatment did not lead to improvement in reducing sugar yield. However, extensive washing to get rid of solvents and enzymatic inhibitors improved the conversion efficiency substantially, resulting in total reducing sugar yields of 60-73% and 25-36%, ...
The effect of steam explosion treatment on the enzymatic hydrolysis yield of two different lignocellulosic substrates is studied. Raw materials have been pretreated in a pilot plant designed to work in batch and equipped with a reactor vessel of 2 1 working volume where biomass was heated at the desired temperature and then exploded and recovered in a cyclone. Temperatures from 190 to 230 degree celsius and reaction times from 2 to 8 min. have been assayed. The efficiency of the steam explosion treatment has been evaluated on the composition of the lignocellulosic materials as well as on their enzymatic hydrolysis yield using a cellulolytic complex from T. reesel. Results show a high solubilization rate of hemicelluloses and variable losses of cellulose and lignin depending on the conditions tested. Enzymatic hydrolysis yields of both substrates experimented remarkable increments, corresponding the ...
A method to control charge transfer reaction in DNA using hybrid nanometer-sized TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles was developed. In this system extended charge separation reflects the sequence of DNA and was measured using metallic silver deposition or by photocurrent response. Light-induced extended charge separation in these systems was found to be dependent on the DNA-bridge length and sequence. The yield of photocatalytic deposition of silver was studied in systems having GG accepting sites imbedded in AT runs at varying distances from the TiO{sub 2} nanoparticle surface. Weak distance dependence of charge separation indicative of a hole hopping through mediating adenine (A) sites was found. The quantum yield of silver deposition in the system having a GG accepting site placed 8.5 {angstrom} from the nanoparticle surface was found to be {Phi} = 0.70 (70%) and {Phi} = 0.56 (56%) for (A){sub n} and (AT){sub n/2} bridge, respectively. Hole injection ...
We have studied the efficiency of ozone production by pulsed positive corona discharge in coaxial wire-cylinder geometry at atmospheric pressure. A corona discharge was generated by short (#approx#150 ns) high voltage pulses applied between a silver coated copper wire anode and stainless steel cylinder cathode in synthetic air. A pyrex probe and Teflon tube was used for collecting discharge products and an ozone concentration was monitored outside of the discharge chamber by a non-dispersive UV absorption technique. The production of ozone was investigated as a function of energy density (10"-"4-3x10"-"1 Wh l"-"1) delivered to the discharge volume by combining the discharge frequency (0.1-10 Hz) and airflow rate (1-32 l min"-"1). From ozone concentration measurements we have evaluated the ozone production, yield and production energy cost. The ozone production yield and cost vary in the range of 15-55 g kWh"-"1 and 35-110 ...
A general method for stable-isotope labeling of large proteins is introduced and applied for studies of the E. coli GroE chaperone proteins by solution NMR. In addition to enabling the residue-specific {sup 15}N-labeling of proteins on a highly deuterated background, it is also an efficient approach for uniform labeling. The method meets the requirements of high-level deuteration, minimal cross-labeling and high protein yield, which are crucial for NMR studies of structures with sizes above 150 kDa. The results obtained with the new protocol are compared to other strategies for protein labeling, and evaluated with regard to the influence of external factors on the resulting isotope labeling patterns. Applications with the GroE system show that these strategies are efficient tools for studies of structure, dynamics and intermolecular interactions in large supramolecular complexes, when combined with TROSY- and CRINEPT-based ...
The aim of this paper is to illustrate the validity and efficiency of iterative methods for solving large linear systems arising from the finite element discretization of the equation governing conduction-controlled solidification processes. Starting from the basic enthalpy equation, two alternative formulations are obtained and fixed-grid finite element discretizations are developed. These discretizations yield a set of nonlinear equations that are linearized using the Newton-Raphson scheme. The linearized equations are used as a basis for evaluating different iterative methods of the conjugated gradient type. Symmetric scaling and incomplete factorization preconditioning of the linear equations are used to improve the convergence properties of the iterative methods. Vectorization and parallelization are also employed to make full use of the CRAY-2 supercomputer. The results indicate that the implementation of currently available iterative ...
A new process engineering flowsheet reflecting an improved design of the LASL Bismuth Sulfate thermochemical cycle is presented. The design is based on laboratory data that indicate a lowered endothermic heat load for a partial decomposition of the solid bismuth sulfate. A small electrical energy demand should result from operation of the sulfur dioxide electrolytic step at lower acid concentration, in principle. The results of the flowsheeting analysis yield a thermal efficiency of 50% for the cycle when coupled to a conceptual fusion energy heat source at 1500/sup 0/K. A parametric analysis shows a slight drop in efficiency as the temperature of the heat source is decreased. The LASL Bismuth Sulfate thermochemical cycle appears to have potential as a means of producing hydrogen from high-temperature heat sources such as fusion, fission, and solar energy; it also appears to be competitive with alternative thermochemical ...
A poly(ether urethane) (PEUR)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/SiO2 based nanocomposite polymer is prepared and employed in the construction of high efficiency all-solid-state dye-sensitized nanocrystalline solar cells. The introduction of low-molecular weight PEUR prepolymer into PEO electrolyte has greatly enhance the electrolyte performance by both improving the interfacial contact properties of electrode/electrolyte and decreasing the PEO crystallization, which were confirmed by XRD and SEM characteristics. The effects of polymer composition, nano SiO2 content on the ionic conductivity and I3- ions diffusion of polymer-blend electrolyte are investigated. The optimized composition yields an energy conversion efficiency of 3.71% under irradiation by white light (100 mW cm-2).
Energy use patterns and utilisation efficiencies in 40 factories producing palm kernel oil (PKO) in southwestern part of Nigeria were studied. The factories were stratified into small, medium and large scale categories based on the mode of operations and production capacities. Questionnaires were administered on the factories to obtain historical data on petrol, diesel and electricity consumption and PKO production outputs for seven years (1998-2004). Energy use efficiency indicators employed include: energy intensity (EI), energy cost per unit product (EC/P), energy ratio (ER), food energy ratio (FER) and percentage oil yield by weight. Results of the study indicated that averagely, 0.58, 0.53 and 0.74GJ/103l of PKO were needed in the small, medium and large PKO factories, respectively. T...
A 150 Watt thermophotovoltaic (TPV) power generator is being developed. The technical approach taken in the design focused on optimizing the integrated performance of the primary subsystems in order to yield high energy conversion efficiency and cost effectiveness. An important aspect of the approach is the use of a selective emitter radiating to a bandgap matched photovoltaic array to minimize thermal and optical recuperation requirements, as well as the non-recoverable heat losses. For the initial prototype system, fibrous ytterbia emitters radiating in a band centered at 980 nm are matched with high efficiency silicon photoconverters. The integrated system includes a dielectric stack filter for optical energy recovery and a ceramic recuperator for thermal energy recovery. The system has been operated with air preheat temperatures up to 1350K. The design of the system and development status are presented. {copyright} ...
This paper presents an investigation into the feasibility and potential advantages of a small scale Miller cycle natural gas engine for applications such as domestic combined heat and power systems. The Miller cycle engine is compared to a standard Otto cycle engine using cycle analyses and multidimensional simulation, and basic engine design implications are discussed. It is found that the Miller cycle engine has a potential for improved fuel efficiency, but at the cost of a reduced power to weight ratio. A fuel efficiency advantage of 5{yields}10% compared to a standard Otto cycle engine appears possible, however it is stated that further investigations, in particular into the topic of engine friction, are required in order to validate the findings. (author)
The objective of the present investigation was to develop a Bayesian framework for updating and integrating covariate information into key parameters of metabolizable energy (ME) systems for dairy cows. The study addressed specifically the effects of genetic improvements and feed quality on key parameters in current ME systems. These are net and metabolizable energy for maintenance (NEM and MEM, respectively), efficiency of utilization of ME for milk production (kL) and growth (kG), and efficiency of utilization of body stores for milk production (kT). Data were collated from 38 studies, yielding 701 individual cow observations on milk energy, ME intake, and tissue gain and loss. A function based on a linear relationship between milk energy and ME intake and correcting for tissue energy lo...
The performance of a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) converter for solar energy is compared with that of direct solar energy conversion by silicon and germanium solar cells. The optical selectivity of an intermediate emitter is computed. Experimental results on selective emission, based on selectively emitting materials and on antireflection coatings on metals, are reported. For a TPV converter equipped with silicon solar cells, no selective emitter is found to yield better results than would be obtained by direct conversion. A TPV converter with germanium cells operating with a ThO/sub 2/-coated tungsten emitter, however, may achieve a conversion efficiency superior to that of direct solar energy conversion by either silicon or germanium solar cells.
The usefulness of radioiodination via demetallation of aryltrimethylsilanes was demonstrated. The radioiodination reaction was found to be very rapid and the regiospecific incorporation of radioiodine could be carried out with high radiochemical yields and high radiospecific activity. "1"2"5I-Labeled dimethylaminoethyl iodophenoxyacetate derivatives (5a-e), dimethylaminoethyl iodophenoxyacetamide derivatives (7a-c), iodophenoxyethyl ethylenediamine derivatives (9,14) and an iodophenoxyethylpiperazine derivative (18) were efficiently synthesized from the corresponding aryltrimethylsilyl intermediates (4a-e, 6a-c, 8, 13, 17) by this method. (author).
During this reporting period the work supported by the US Department of Energy Grant No. DE-FG02-87ER40326.A005 has resulted in two publications and two papers presented at professional meetings. The neutron scattering measurement for this budget period has been completed along with scattering measurements for carbon {sup 88}Sr, {sup 40}Ar, {sup 90}Zr, {sup 208}Pb, {sup 40}Ca and {sup 28}Si. The carbon scattering yield serves to define the detector efficiencies. The silicon sample was available and is of importance in both nuclear physics and reactor physics.
Scientists of the Institute of Wood Chemistry of the Latvian Academy of Sciences have developed two highly efficient processes for producing furfural, a feedstock for varnishes, synthetic resins and plastics. It is made of production wastes, including branches and small-dimension timber. By one process, the raw material is chipped, treated first with diluted sulphuric acid and then with steam heated to 250 degrees C. The other uses concentrated sulphuric acid as a catalyst. Besides furfural, this process also yields sugar solutions used in alcohol and nutrient yeast production.
Investigations and studies are conducted seeking for a CO2 fixation method improved by utilizing the photosynthesizing function of higher vegetation. Details of higher vegetation genes are being disclosed thanks to the rapid progress of studies making use of molecular biological techniques, and the application of the genetic mechanism to scientific and technological fields is becoming increasingly feasible. In particular, the role of the CO2 fixation enzyme RuBisCO has been elucidated almost completely. It has been learned that, in terms of photosynthesizing capability, the C{sub 4} plants (corn etc.) are 2-3 times higher than the C{sub 3} plants (rice, wheat, etc.), and 5-10 times higher than the CAM plants (cactuses etc.). Studies are also under way about the rice genome so that a photosynthesizing capability so high as that of the C{sub 4} plants may be endowed the rice plant. The metabolism and control of useful substances produced in the CO2 fixation process etc. in the higher ...
Polysomaty analysis of the succulent portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora Hook.) plant was carried out using flow cytometry. For both diploid and tetraploid plants, mature leaf tissue was found to have a higher level of polysomaty than young leaf tissue. Mesophyll (MP), bundle sheath (BSP) and water storage protoplasts (WSP) were isolated from leaf tissues of diploid portulaca plants. WSP had a higher degree of endopolyploidization than MP and BSP. The ploidy distribution was also variable in different floral organs. Tetraploid plants artificially induced by colchicine treatment showed a decline in the degree of polysomaty compared to diploid plants. Tetraploid plants had more spherical leaves, a larger number of petals and lower pollen fertility than diploid plants. PMID:10936528
Extracts were prepared from leaf, bark, and seed of Azadirachta indica, leaf and seed of Prunus persica, bark of Mangifera indica, and leaf of Psidium guajava and were evaluated against Boophilus microplus. Of the eight extracts screened, the extracts prepared from the A. indica seed showed very high level of efficacy (80%) after 5?h of treatment. Besides the immediate effect on adult ticks, the egg-laying properties of the survived ticks was also assessed, and a significant reduction (P?A. indica seed extracts was noted in comparison to control. The efficacy of the neem seed extracts was compared with the commonly used synthetic pyrethroids, and comparable efficacy against B. microplus fed on animals treated with neem seed extracts and acaricide treated was noted. The possibility of using...
The aims of this study are determining the energy use, qualitative analyzing of energy flow and also investigating energy efficiency by Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in corn production of Iran during a seven years period. Results indicated that the average of total energy input increased from 40.98 GJ ha-1 in 2001 to 63.64 GJ ha-1 in the year of 2007. Similarly, the average of total output energy rose from 89.03 to 107.54 GJ ha-1 in the same years, respectively. Also the results showed that average energy use efficiency, energy productivity, specific energy and net energy gain in the studied period was 2.59, 0.17 kg MJ-1, 7.24 MJ kg-1 and 51.34 GJ ha-1, respectively. DEA considered the yield (kg ha-1) as output and three major energy inputs; fertilizers, diesel fuel and machinery as inpu...
Objectives1. To develop new photoactive materials and fabricate demonstration QD (quantum dot) solar cells. This will be achieved by:~%~1.1. Materials preparation and characterisation of QD/polymer systems~%~1.2. Optimising structures of QDs, nanorods and polymer for quantum yield and charge transfer~%~1.3 Fabricating demonstration QD/polymer solar cells and measuring power conversion efficiencies~%~2. To demonstrate multiexciton generation (MEG) and harvesting within nanostructured QDs. This will involv [continued...]DescriptionWidespread implementation of photovoltaic electricity to meet changing energy demands requires a step-change in the cost of photovoltaic power. This proposal assembles a consortium of chemists, physicists, materials scientists and electrical engineers from The University of Manchester and Imperial College London to address this need through the development of new low-cost, high-efficiency, ...
Precise measurements of alpha particle counting efficiencies have been made using isotropic, infinitely thin alpha emitting sources placed in direct contact with a thin, end-window, gas flow proportional detector. Except for alpha particle absorption in the window material, this geometry approaches 2#pi#, such that the only other variation in the response of the counter is from the random decay of the source. The data are fitted to the expected linear function of count rate versus window thickness and the resulting fitting parameters are used to calculate the counting efficiencies for a given thickness of window material. Counting efficiencies for 5.31, 6.06, and 8,78 MeV alpha particles have been determined from sources of "2"1"0Po and the progeny of "2"1"2Pb. For the particular counter used, the counting efficiencies in counts per alpha and their respective relative standard deviations were 0.401 #+-# ...
Uptake of the lipophilic cation triphenylmethylphosphonium into mesophyll protoplasts of oat (Avena sativa L. cv. “Garry”) approaches equilibrium at 3 to 4 hours. The...Full Text Available
The effect of TP (triosephosphates:glyceraldehyde-3 phosphate, GAP, +dihydroxyacetone phosphate, DHAP) on respiration, phosphorylation and matrix ATP/ADP ratios of isolated oat mesophyll mitochondria...Full Text Available
Thermal conductivity is an important property that governs the behaviour of leaf compost biofilters used in treating gaseous pollutants. Measurements were carried out for the thermal conductivity (K) of 44 samples of leaf compost, covering wide ranges of the volume fractions of water (#xi#_w), solids (#xi#_s) and air (#xi#_a), at 20 deg. C using an unsteady state thermal probe. The results indicated that the compost thermal conductivity increased with an increase in #xi#_w, with a decrease in #xi#_a, and with an increase in the degree of saturation (defined as the volumetric fraction of water in the total void space). The predictions from the Woodside-Messmer quadratic parallel (QP) model for the thermal conductivity of leaf compost were higher than the experimental values. A simple linear relationship was developed between the thermal conductivity and the degree of saturation, which provided a satisfactory correlation for ...
For intensity modulated radiation treatment (IMRT) dose reconstruction, multileaf collimator (MLC) log files have been shown applicable for deriving delivered fluence maps. However, MLC log files are...Full Text Available
Experiments were carried out to clarify problems encountered in measuring metabolic and storage pool sizes of nitrate in wheat leaf sections with an in vivo nitrate reductase assay....Full Text Available
Experiments on Xanthium leaf discs were carried out to determine whether concomitant photoreactivation could be detected and if so, to compare its effects with photoreactivation due...Full Text Available
Senescence of Grand Rapids leaf lettuce was greatly reduced at 3 storage temperatures by post-harvest treatment with N,N-dimethylaminosuccinamic acid (Alar) and 2-chloroethyltrimethylammonium chloride...Full Text Available
Green leaf C6-volatiles are among the most important herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs). They play important roles in mediating the behavior of herbivores and their natural enemies, and in triggering...Full Text Available
Nitrate reductase from wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Bindawarra) leaves is inactivated by pretreatment with NADH, in the absence of nitrate, a 50% loss of activity occurring in 30...Full Text Available
The levels of glucose, sugar phosphates, and adenosine phosphates were determined in primary leaves of intact bean plants during normal senescence and compared to leaves in which senescence was delayed...Full Text Available
1. Radioactive products in detached leaf segments were examined after periods of steady-state photosynthesis in 14CO2. 2. After exposure to 14CO2 for approx....Full Text Available
The effect of water stress on patterns of nitrate reductase activity in the leaves and nodules and on nitrogen fixation were investigated in Medicago sativa L. plants watered 1 week...Full Text Available
Background and AimsPlant species from various taxa ‘escape’ from low oxygen conditions associated with submergence by a suite of traits collectively called the low...Full Text Available
Cell suspension cultures were initiated separately from leaf and nodal/internodal calluses for the study of influence of hormones and medium components on biomass growth and expression of dipyranocoumarins. Highest 6.2 times biomass was enhanced in suspension cultures of nodal/internodal callus supplemented with threefold total sulphate. Picloram 8.28mM along with BAP 8.88mM enhanced 295.05 times inophyllum A in suspension cultures of leaf callus whereas IBA 14.70mM along with BAP 4.44mM in suspension cultures of leaf callus enhanced 1065 times inophyllum B. IBA 4.90mM alone in suspension cultures of nodal/internodal callus enhanced maximum 616 times inophyllum C. Only IBA 9.80mM in suspension cultures of leaf callus enhanced 23.22 times inophyllum P. Variation in nitrate and sulphate had ...
Background and AimsThere has been little previous work on the toughness of the laminae of monocots in tropical lowland rain forest (TLRF) despite the potential importance of greater...Full Text Available
The definition of “minor” veins in leaves is arbitrary and of uncertain biological significance. Generally, the term refers to the smallest vein classes in the leaf, believed to function...Full Text Available
Chrysomelid leaf beetles use chemical defenses to overcome predatory attack and microbial infestation. Larvae of Chrysomela lapponica that feed on willow sequester plant-derived salicin...Full Text Available
The uptake of "9"9Tc by trees intercepting contaminated groundwater from a radioactive waste storage site was measured to identify the major "9"9Tc pools within the woodland ecosystem and to assess the relative mobility of "9"9Tc in the existing element cycle. The highest average "9"9Tc concentrations in vegetation were found in herbaceous plants. Tree wood was the major above-ground pool for "9"9Tc because of the high concentrations in wood as well as the large amount of wood relative to other biomass at the site. Technetium was not easily leached from the trees by rainfall and was not readily extractable from forest floor leaf litter by water. The relative importance of return pathways for "9"9Tc to the forest floor was leaf fall > stemflow > throughfall, indicating that "9"9Tc was conserved by the trees. Snails and millipedes from the leaf litter layer concentrated technetium 20- and 16-fold, respectively, above ...
The accumulation of osmolytes in leaf tissues and the abscisic acid-induced stomatal closure are well-recognized mechanisms associated with drought tolerance in crop plants. We determine the response in terms of osmotic potential and the contents of leaf proline, glycine betaine and soluble sugar at booting and grain filling stages of four wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars to drought and exogenously applied abscisic acid (ABA) in a pot study. Leaf sample were collected 3, 6 and 9 days after drought induction and at 48 and 72 h of re-watering (recovery). Marked decreases in osmotic potential associated with the accumulation of proline, glycine betaine and soluble sugars occurred under conditions of drought stress Accession 011320 was most sensitive to drought and showed the largest decrease in osmotic potential and least accumulation of proline, sugar and glycine betaine The inhibitory effects of drought stress were ...
Modifications of the design and calibration procedure of a diffusion porometer permit determinations of stomatal resistance which agree well with results obtained by leaf energy balance. The energy...Full Text Available
Detecting plant health conditions plays a key role in farm pest management and crop protection. In this study, measurement of hyperspectral leaf reflectance in rice crop (Oryzasativa...Full Text Available
A program was conducted to develop a pop-up artificial-foliage system compatible with the rural Maryland (summertime) background environment. The result of this Phase I effort was a self-expanding leaf module, a number of which are stored flat in a simple...
Saccharococcus sacchari is the primary colonizer of the developing “sterile” tissue between the leaf sheath and stem of sugar cane. The honeydew secreted by the mealybugs...Full Text Available
The biosynthetic costs of phenylpropanoid-derived condensed tannins (CTs) and phenolic glycosides (PGs) are substantial. However, despite reports of negative correlations between leaf phenolic content...Full Text Available
Research highlights: {yields} The use of resonant photoemission in its 'core-hole clock' expression for the study of the dynamical charge transfer across hybrid organic-inorganic interfaces and for the intermolecular charge transfer in the bulk of organic thin films is reviewed. {yields} The electronic coupling to the substrate and the efficiency of charge transport across hybrid interfaces is different for individual electronic subsystems of the molecular adsorbate. {yields} The intermolecular charge transfer in the bulk of discotic liquid crystals occurs on the order of a few femtoseconds and is faster than expected from the macroscopic charge transport characteristics of the material. -- Abstract: The focus of this brief review is the use of resonant photoemission in its 'core-hole clock' expression for the study of two important problems relevant for the field of ...
In order to follow some of the changes induced by ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 280-320 nm) radiation in Phaseolus vulgaris and Brassica napus, experiments were designed to localize sites of changes in leaves and to correlate some of the physiological and biochemical changes with penetration of UV-B radiation. B.napus was exposed to 8.9 kJ m"-"2 day"-"1 biologically effective UV-B radiation (UV-B_B_E). The penetration of UV-B radiation into the leaf was followed using a quartz fibre optic microprobe. Monochromatic radiation at 310 nm was decreased by ca 50 and 34% in the adaxial and abaxial epidermis, respectively, in plants not exposed to UV-B, whereas the radiation was decreased by ca 70 and 42%, respectively, in the same region in UV-treated plants. Polychromatic radiation showed a wavelength dependent change mainly for the collimated radiation. The results correlated with the distribution of phenolic compounds analysed from 40 #mu#m paradermal leaf ...
Visual excitation is initiated by the absorption of a photon by the 11-cis retinal chromophore bound within the pigment called rhodopsin. We have used a variety of vibrational spectroscopies to obtain information about the vibrational nuclear dynamics that lead to this efficient photochemical isomerization. The cis-trans isomerization in rhodopsin is complete in only 200 fs. The extreme speed of this process, which is consistent with the {approximately}50 fs lifetime indicated by the spontaneous emission yield, suggests that the photochemistry involves non-stationary states or vibrational coherence. Recent studies have in fact observed vibrationally coherent oscillations of the ground state photoproduct called bathorhodopsin following impulsive excitation of the rhodopsin reactant. This conclusively demonstrates that the isomerization process in rhodopsin is vibrationally coherent. These observations further suggest that the isomerization ...
Low-temperature #gamma# radiolysis and photolysis of crystalline 2,4,6-triazido-3,5-dichloropyridine (TAP) were studied by means of the ESR technique. It was found that the long-term irradiation of TAP at 77 K leads to the appearance of characteristic signals of quintet 2,6-dinitreno-4-azido-3,5-dichloropyridine and 2,4-dinitreno-6-azido-3,5-dichloropyridine; the radiation-chemical yield was 0.035 and 0.012 molecule/100 eV, respectively. The photolysis of crystalline 2,4,6-triazido-3,5-dichloropyridine proceeded less effectively, producing only quintet 2,6 dinitrene with a quantum yield of #approx#4.5 x 10"-"4. The study showed that the generation of high-spin nitrenes via radiolysis of crystalline azides is much superior to the photochemical technique in efficiency and may be of practical importance for the preparation of magnetically active organic materials
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 ...
In this paper, results on ozone production by atmospheric pulsed discharge, are reported. In the research, two types of ozonizer (Type I and Type II) have been used to investigate improvements of ozone concentration and production efficiency. The ozonizer has plane-to-plane metal electrodes structure, and pre-ionization electrodes are placed on the high voltage electrodes (Type I). In Type II, the surface of grounded electrode with 20 mm of width is covered partly by dielectric (thin rubber) with 11 mm of width, while the geometry of both metal electrodes is same to Type I. In the case of Type I, maximum concentration of about 100 ppm and maximum yield of 70 g/kWh were obtained at input power of 0.3 W. On the other hands, in the case of Type II, 800 ppm and 100 g/kWh were obtained at input power of 1.5 W. It was found that the ozone concentration and production yield were improved by using electrode covered by dielectric. ...
A field experiment was conducted during 2004 and 2005 at the research farm of Central Institute of Medicinal And Aromatic Plants, Lucknow located at 26.5^o N 80.5^o E and 120m above the mean sea level to study the effect of harvesting stage and cutting height on growth, yield and quality of Indian basil. The objective of this study was to increase the essential oil yield of Indian basil without adverse effect on quality by taking two harvests through manipulating harvesting stage and cutting height and to increase the land and rain water utilization efficiency under rain fed condition. The treatments consisted of four stages of first harvest (40, 60, 80 and 100 days after transplanting (DAT)) and three cutting height (0, 7.5 and 15.0cm above ground level). The Indian basil (Ocimum basilicu...
Abstract BACKGROUND: Nitrate leaching and the resulting groundwater contamination from intensive cereal production has become a major concern for long-term farmland efficiency and environmental sustainability in northern China. The aim of this study was to evaluate a water-saving super-absorbent polymer (SAP) for minimising NO3- leaching from soil and optimising corn growth and yield. Thirty-six undisturbed soil lysimeters were installed in a field lysimeter facility in drought-affected northern China to study the growth and yield characteristics of summer corn (Zea mays L.) as well as the amount of NO3-leaching losses under different fertiliser (standard, medium or 75% and low, or 50% of conventional fertilisation rate) and SAP (control, 0; level-1, 15 kg ha-1 and level-2, 30 kg ha-1) tre...
This article introduces a predictive capability for Hg retention in any Ca-based wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) scrubber, given mercury (Hg) speciation at the FGD inlet, the flue gas composition, and the sulphur dioxide (SO2) capture efficiency. A preliminary statistical analysis of data from 17 full-scale wet FGDs connects flue gas compositions, the extents of Hg oxidation at FGD inlets, and Hg retention efficiencies. These connections clearly signal that solution chemistry within the FGD determines Hg retention. A more thorough analysis based on thermochemical equilibrium yields highly accurate predictions for total Hg retention with no parameter adjustments. For the most reliable data, the predictions were within measurement uncertainties for both limestone and Mg/lime systems operating in both forced and natural oxidation mode. With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Information Collection Request ...
A stochastic wind simulation for VAWTs (VSTOC) has been developed which yields turbulent wind-velocity fluctuations for rotationally sampled points. This allows three-component wind-velocity fluctuations to be simulated at specified nodal points on the wind-turbine rotor. A first-order convection scheme is used which accounts for the decrease in streamwise velocity as the flow passes through the wind-turbine rotor. The VSTOC simulation is independent of the particular analytical technique used to predict the aerodynamic and performance characteristics of the turbine. The VSTOC subroutine may be used simply as a subroutine in a particular VAWT prediction code or it may be used as a subroutine in an independent processor. The independent processor is used to interact with a version of the VAWT prediction code which is segmented into deterministic and stochastic modules. Using VSTOC in this fashion is very efficient with regard to decreasing ...
A process combining dark fermentation and photofermentation for production of hydrogen is interesting due to its potential of producing hydrogen at a high yields. In this study, the hydrogen process is compared to a 2nd generation ethanol process with respect to cost and with the aim of increasing our understanding of the pros and cons and giving a clear picture of the present status of the two processes. The hydrogen production cost was found to be about 20 times higher than the ethanol production cost, 421.7&z.euro;/GJ compared to 19.5&z.euro;/GJ. The main drawbacks of the hydrogen process are its low productivity, low energy efficiency, and the high cost of buffer and base required to control the pH.
Plants use multiple defence mechanisms comprising both constitutive and inducible barriers to prevent entering of phytopathogenic micro-organisms. In many plant species one of the most efficient responses to combat attacking microbes is the rapid synthesis of antimicrobial low molecular weight phytoalexins, for example, resveratrol, 3,5,4prime-trihydroxystilbene (1). Resveratrol and its natural derivatives, however, display only moderate antimicrobial effects. Nevertheless, resveratrol may be a useful lead structure for the chemical synthesis of antimicrobials. In this study, several series of stilbenes have been synthesized, starting from the aldehydes using Wittig reactions to access the corresponding styrenes that were subjected to Mizoroki-Heck reactions to yield the stilbenes in good ...
Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida are parasitic root cyst nematodes of potato (PCN), which significantly reduce yield and quality. The genetics and available molecular markers should make resistance to nematodes an excellent candidate for marker assisted selection. The study presents results of testing the suitability of known molecular markers for detection of resistance in a set of cultivars. We revealed some inconsistencies in genealogical data of the cultivars and showed inconsistent usefulness in detecting resistant cultivars. The marker TG689 was identified in almost all cultivars resistant to G. rostochiensis and together with other markers was used for verifying the resistance in a group of breeding lines. The marker TG689 was the most effective. However, the efficiency...
Thermohydrogen treatment effect on microstructure and mechanical properties is studied for a cast heat resistant pseudo-#alpha#-titanium alloy Ti-6242 (Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zn-2Mo) widely used as a heat resistant material with operating temperature up to 500 deg C. It is shown that reversible hydrogen alloying is a promising alternative to thermomechanical treatment for transformation of (#alpha#+#beta#)-titanium alloy structure. The application of thermohydrogen treatment is noted to be of particular efficiency for shaped casting technology as it allows a noticeable increase of mechanical properties at a lower cost. The alloy after thermohydrogen treatment and subsequent heat treatment in the (#alpha#+#beta#) - range possesses high values of yield strength fatigue properties, creep resistance and has a satisfactory ductility. A consideration is also given to thermohydrogen treatment effect on fatigue crack propagation and impact strength
A non-similar boundary layer analysis is presented to study the flow, heat and mass transfer characteristics of non-Darcian mixed convection of a non-Newtonian fluid from a vertical isothermal plate embedded in a homogeneous porous medium with the effect of Soret and Dufour and in the presence of either surface injection or suction. The value of the mixed-convection parameter lies between 0 and 1. In addition, the power-law model is used for non-Newtonian fluids with exponent n1 for dilatant fluids. Furthermore, the coordinates and dependent variables are transformed to yield computationally efficient numerical solutions that are valid over the entire range of mixed convection, from the pure forced-convection limit to the pure free-conve...
An experimental investigation on the thermal decomposition of CH4 into C and H2 was carried out using a 5kW particle-flow solar chemical reactor tested in a solar furnace in the 1300-1600K range. The reactor features a continuous flow of CH4 laden with mm-sized carbon black particles, confined to a cavity receiver and directly exposed to concentrated solar irradiation of up to 1720 suns. The reactor performance was examined for varying operational parameters, namely the solar power input, seed particle volume fraction, gas volume flow rate, and CH4 molar concentration. Methane conversion and hydrogen yield exceeding 95% were obtained at residence times of less than 2.0s. A solar-to-chemical energy conversion efficiency of 16% was experimentally reached, and a maximum value of 31% was numer...
The photoluminescence intensity of an optical emitter changes when placed in close proximity to a noble-metal nanoparticle, due to two contributions. First, the optical near-field of the nanoparticle leads to a change in excitation rate of the emitter. Secondly, the emission efficiency is changed due to an optical energy transfer from the emitter to the metal nanoparticle, which provides additional radiative and non-radiative decay channels. In this work we investigate the photoluminescence of Sm{sup 3+} ions, which are embedded in SiO{sub 2}. The photoluminescence spectrum of ions in proximity to single silver and gold nanoparticles is measured. The influence of the spectral position of the nanoparticle plasmon peak on the photoluminescence yield will be discussed and compared with model calculations.
We apply a notion of static renormalization to the preparation of cluster states for quantum computing, exploiting ideas from percolation theory. Such a strategy yields a novel way to cope with the randomness of non-deterministic quantum gates. This is most relevant in the context of linear optical architectures, where probabilistic gates are inevitable. We demonstrate how to efficiently construct cluster states without the need for rerouting, thereby avoiding a massive amount of feed-forward and conditional dynamics, and furthermore show that except for a single layer of fusion measurements during the preparation, all further measurements can be shifted to the final adapted single qubit measurements. Remarkably, the cluster state preparation is achieved using essentially the same scaling in resources as if deterministic gates were available. Further, techniques to reduce the size of the required resource states will be presented.
During this reporting period the work supported by the US Department of Energy Grant No. DE-FG02-87ER40326.A005 has resulted in two publications and two papers presented at professional meetings. The neutron scattering measurement for this budget period has been completed along with scattering measurements for carbon {sup 88}Sr, {sup 40}Ar, {sup 90}Zr, {sup 208}Pb, {sup 40}Ca and {sup 28}Si. The carbon scattering yield serves to define the detector efficiencies. The silicon sample was available and is of importance in both nuclear physics and reactor physics.
The perceptual center (P-center) is fundamental to the timing of heterogeneous event sequences, including music and speech. Unfortunately, there is currently no comprehensive and reliable model of P-centers in acoustic events, so P-centers must instead be measured empirically. This study reviews existing measurement methods and evaluates two methods in detail?the rhythm adjustment method and a new method based on the phase correction response (PCR) in a synchronous tapping task. The two methods yielded consistent P-center estimates and showed no evidence of P-center context dependence. The PCR method appears promising because it is accurate and efficient and does not require explicit perceptual judgments. As a secondary result, the magnitude of the PCR is shown to vary systematically with ...
The status of commercial technology for indirect liquefaction, as exemplified by SASOL facilities in South Africa, is reviewed. The impact of substituting more advanced gasifiers and synthesis systems is then investigated. Slagging BGC/Lurgi, Texaco and Shell-Koppers gasifiers were substituted for the Dry Ash Lurgi units used at SASOL. SASOL SYNTHOL synthesis units were replaced by slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch units employing technology pioneered by Kolbel. The advanced systems were found to have a highly favorable impact on plant efficiency, product distribution and gasoline cost. If all the projected technical improvements can be realized for indirect liquefaction, the yields of refined transportation fuels per ton of coal will approach those anticipated for direct liquefaction processes.
While it is quite obvious that photons have an essential role in photochemical and photocatalytic processes, it is not simple to analyse the radiation process. A simple approach is presented on the assumption that photons can be treated as immaterial reactants. It is then possible to evaluate the radiation process in terms of parameters such as conversion, selectivity and yield, which are common in the conventional reaction engineering, and of an additional parameter, a volume efficiency factor, which accounts for the exploitation of the reaction volume as the result of the inevitable attenuation of the radiation in the transport through the participating medium. Attention has also been focused on the validation of kinetic data when, as it is usually done, they are interpreted in terms of volume averages. Finally, guidelines have been prepared to support preliminary phases of analysis and/or design of a photocatalytic reactor. (author)
Car weight corresponds directly to fuel consumption and driving performance. So in order to improve the fuel efficiency and performance of a car the weight has to be reduced. Magnesium as a light metal offers a wide range of weight saving opportunities, especially Magnesium wrought alloys with their improved mechanical properties have a high potential for structural applications. Mechanical properties in terms of their quality and anisotropy are dependent on the microstructure of the material and can be characterized by their degree of inhomogeneity, their grain size distribution and their crystallographic texture. Therefore the orientation distribution of grains, the grain size, its size distribution, the chemical composition (precipitates) itself influence the mechanical parameters and their anisotropy. In this presentation first results of mechanical anisotropy are given: differences in yield stress, r-values and their relation to the ...
I describe a search for anomalous production of Z pairs through a new massive resonance X in 2.5-2.9 fb{sup -1} of p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV using the CDFII Detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. I reconstruct Z pairs through their decays to electrons, muons, and quarks. To achieve perhaps the most efficient lepton reconstruction ever used at CDF, I apply a thorough understanding of the detector and new reconstruction software heavily revised for this purpose. In particular, I have designed and employ new general-purpose algorithms for tracking at large {eta} in order to increase muon acceptance. Upon analyzing the unblinded signal samples, I observe no X {yields} ZZ candidates and set upper limits on the production cross section using a Kaluza-Klein graviton-like acceptance.
One of the stiffest challenges in structural studies of proteins using NMR is the assignment of sidechain resonances. Typically, a panel of lengthy 3D experiments are acquired in order to establish connectivities and resolve ambiguities due to overlap. We demonstrate that these experiments can be replaced by a single 4D experiment that is time-efficient, yields excellent resolution, and captures unique carbon-proton connectivity information. The approach is made practical by the use of non-uniform sampling in the three indirect time dimensions and maximum entropy reconstruction of the corresponding 3D frequency spectrum. This 4D method will facilitate automated resonance assignment procedures and it should be particularly beneficial for increasing throughput in NMR-based structural genomics initiatives.
A general model for the analysis of metal-semiconductor solar cells is presented. The model takes into account the cell optical properties, carrier recombination effects, semiconductor minority-carrier properties, series resistance, cell thickness, and active surface area. Numerical methods are used to solve the appropriate continuity equations and hence compute the photocurrent density under AMO conditions. The operation of the model is demonstrated using p- and n-type Si and GaAs with Au being taken as the barrier metal. Calculations are presented showing the effect on solar energy conversion efficiency of surface recombination velocity, barrier height, minority-carrier lifetime, barrier metal thickness, collecting grid configuration, and cell thickness. A comparison of practical and computed data for the Au/n-GaAs system yields good agreement. (AIP)
A set of mode-coupled excitation equations for the slowly-growing amplitudes of dielectric waveguide eigenmodes is derived as a description of the electromagnetic signal field of a high-gain free-electron laser, or FEL, including the effects of longitudinal space-charge. This approach to describing the field basis set has notable advantages for FEL analysis in providing an efficient characterization of such eigenmodes, and in allowing a clear connection to free-space propagation of the input (seeding) and output radiation. A simple transformation converts the coupled differential excitation equations into a set of coupled algebraic equations and yields a matrix determinant equation for the FEL eigenmodes. A quadratic index medium is used as a model dielectric waveguide to obtain an expression for the predicted spot size of the dominant eigenmode, in the approximation that it consists of a single gaussian mode.
We improve the steady-state ab initio laser theory (SALT) of Tureci et al. by expressing its fundamental self-consistent equation in a basis set of threshold constant flux states that contains the exact threshold lasing mode. For cavities with non-uniform index and/or non-uniform gain, the new basis set allows the steady-state lasing properties to be computed with much greater efficiency. This formulation of the SALT can be solved in the single-pole approximation, which gives the intensities and thresholds, including the effects of nonlinear hole-burning interactions to all orders, with negligible computational effort. The approximation yields a number of analytic predictions, including a "gain-clamping" transition at which strong modal interactions suppress all higher modes. We show that the single-pole approximation agrees well with exact SALT calculations, particularly for high-Q cavities. Within this range of validity, it provides an ...
We discuss the possibility of extending solid state laser technology to high average power and of improving the efficiency of such lasers sufficiently to make them reasonable candidates for a number of demanding applications. A variety of new design concepts, materials, and techniques have emerged over the past decade that, collectively, suggest that the traditional technical limitations on power (a few hundred watts or less) and efficiency (less than 1%) can be removed. The core idea is configuring the laser medium in relatively thin, large-area plates, rather than using the traditional low-aspect-ratio rods or blocks. This presents a large surface area for cooling, and assures that deposited heat is relatively close to a cooled surface. It also minimizes the laser volume distorted by edge effects. The feasibility of such configurations is supported by recent developments in materials, fabrication processes, and optical pumps. Two types of ...
High-quality solar cells have been fabricated by utilizing localized argon-ion laser decomposition of silver neodecanoate spun onto diffused silicon substrates and subsequent electroplating. Early adhesion problems during electroplating have been carefully studied and finally solved using a novel coating procedure. The laser-metallized solar cells have been characterized using lighted and dark current-voltage measurements and compared with baseline cells metallized using standard photolithographic procedures. Non-AR-coated cell efficiencies ranging from 10 to over 11% have been obtained for the laser-metallized cells, comparable with the best baseline cells. The laser-metallized cells have 30 to 40% lower series resistance than the unsintered baseline cells, indicating that in-situ sintering takes place during laser writing. A dramatic new and simpler laser metallization process on which patent protection is currently being sought has yielded ...
Ozone formation by a pulse positive corona discharge generated in the gas phase between a planar high voltage electrode made from reticulated vitreous carbon and a water surface with an immersed ground stainless steel plate electrode was investigated under various operating conditions. The effects of gas flow rate (0.5-3 litre min"-"1), discharge gap spacing (2.5-10 mm), applied input power (2-45 W) and gas composition (oxygen containing argon or nitrogen) on ozone production were determined. Ozone concentration increased with increasing power input and with increasing discharge gap. The production of ozone was significantly affected by the presence of water vapour formed through vaporization of water at the gas-liquid interface by the action of the gas phase discharge. The highest energy efficiency for ozone production was obtained using high voltage pulses of approximately 150 ns duration in Ar/O_2 mixtures with the maximum efficiency (energy ...
Several polynomial finite elements of nodal type are introduced that should lead to convergence of O(h{sup 3}) in the L{sup 2} norm. Two of these methods are new and are expected to achieve the same orders of convergence with fewer parameters than the third method. They are applied to the one-group diffusion equation under different formulations, namely, several versions (with or without reduced and transverse integrations) of the primal and the mixed-hybrid formulations. Convergence rates are checked for a model problem with an analytical solution. Two of these methods exhibit superconvergence phenomena [O(h{sup 4}) instead of O(h{sup 3})], a fact that can be explained heuristically. The most promising method, with only five parameters per cell, turns out to yield only O(h{sup 2}) in its most algebraically efficient versions, while it has the potential of O(h{sup 3}) convergence rates. Again, an explanation is given for this behavior and a ...
Much of the current technology on 3D-prestack depth migration is based on the Kirchhoff method and the traveltime information needed for this purpose is obtained by the ray-theory approximation. The main motivation driving these options is to reduce computations but it can also have an adverse effect on the quality of results. Experience with real data indicates that the corresponding poststack data migrated by the reverse-time method often yields superior results. Considerable computational efficiency can be obtained by employing nonuniform coarse grid spacing during the reverse-time migration. We followed this strategy for developing a parallel scheme for doing 3D- prestack depth migration. However, we worked only on a small subset of shot gathers whose determined by the Quasi-Monte Carlo method. The results were indistinguishable from those obtained by using a much larger population of uniformly spaced shot gathers. We present examples of ...
Methane (CH{sub 4}) produced microbially in sediments of marshes is emitted to the atmosphere primarily by flowing through and out of emergent aquatic plants. The magnitude of such emission rates and factors controlling those rates are not well understood. We evaluated CH{sub 4} emission from the widely distributed aquatic emergent plant cattail (Typha latifolia L.) in several wetlands in the United States using a field gas-exchange system that concurrently estimated stomatal aperture (i.e., conductance) on the surface of leaves and net photosynthesis. We compared gas exchange among plants of different age and from sites with different soil and atmospheric conditions. The mean rate of CH{sub 4} emission was 0.22{mu}mol m{sup -2} [leaf] s{sup -1}, which is 940 mg CH{sub 4} m{sup -2} d{sup -1} on a ground-area basis, with individual rates ranging from 0.01 to 1.49 {mu}mol m{sup -2} [leaf] s{sup -1}. For individual plants, we found emission rates ...
A new leaf-sequencing approach has been developed that is designed to reduce the number of required beam segments for step-and-shoot intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). This approach to leaf sequencing is called continuous-intensity-map-optimization (CIMO). Using a simulated annealing algorithm, CIMO seeks to minimize differences between the optimized and sequenced intensity maps. Two distinguishing features of the CIMO algorithm are (1) CIMO does not require that each optimized intensity map be clustered into discrete levels and (2) CIMO is not rule-based but rather simultaneously optimizes both the aperture shapes and weights. To test the CIMO algorithm, ten IMRT patient cases were selected (four head-and-neck, two pancreas, two prostate, one brain, and one pelvis). For each case, the optimized intensity maps were extracted from the Pinnacle"3 treatment planning system. The CIMO algorithm was applied, and the optimized aperture ...
Full text: Pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), an introduced pest from Mexico, first occurred in United States cotton production in Texas in 1917. Unacceptable economic losses have occurred. The development of PBW sterile moth release technology, gossyplure sex pheromone behavioral control, cotton plant cultural control to reduce overwintered PBW populations, and the transfer of the insect toxin protein gene into cotton from Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Berliner) have provided an effective integrated pest management (IPM) system with PBW eradication potential. Sterile insect release was considered a potential option for PBW population suppression in the early 1960s. Research on the isolated island of St. Croix, (US Virgin Islands) demonstrated its validity. Reductions of larval infestations in bolls following sterile moth releases began when ratios of released PBW sterile male to native male moths averaged 70:1 in gossyplurebaited traps. Numbers of larvae per ...
Thin-film solar cells on flexible, lightweight, space-qualified substrates provide an attractive approach to fabricating solar arrays with high mass-specific power. A polycrystalline chalcopyrite absorber layer is among the new generation of photovoltaic device technologies for thin film solar cells. At NASA Glenn Research Center we have focused on the development of new single-source precursors (SSPs) for deposition of semiconducting chalcopyrite materials onto lightweight, flexible substrates. We describe the syntheses and thermal modulation of SSPs via molecular engineering. Copper indium disulfide and related thin-film materials were deposited via aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition using SSPs. Processing and post-processing parameters were varied in order to modify morphology, stoichiometry, crystallography, electrical properties, and optical properties to optimize device quality. Growth at atmospheric pressure in a horizontal hotwall reactor at 395 C ...
Improvement in efficiency and profitability of hydrogenation reaction of heavy hydrocarbon resources is the most important matter to be done. In this study, coprocessing of coal and heavy oil vacuum residue was conducted using syngas-water as a hydrogen source. For the investigation of effect of the reaction temperature during the coprocessing of Wandoan coal and Arabian heavy vacuum residue using Fe(CO)5 as a catalyst, the conversion, 66.0% was obtained at 425{degree}C. For the investigation of effect of reaction time, the yield of light fractions further increased during the two stage reaction at 400{degree}C for 60 minutes and at 425{degree}C for 60 minutes. Finally, almost 100% of THF-soluble matter was obtained through the reaction using 2 mmol of Fe(CO)5 catalyst at 400{degree}C for 60 minutes, and hydrogenation of heavy oil was proceeded simultaneously. When comparing coprocessing reactions using three kinds of hydrogen sources, i.e., ...
An embodiment of a mercury-free fluorescent lamp combines a low pressure rare gas discharges with a phosphor having a quantum efficiency grater than one. The choice of the rare gas depends on a number of factors, one of which is the resonance transition energy. Less demand is placed the quantum efficiency of the phosphor for a lower energy resonance photon. Xenon has the lowest energy resonance transition of the stable rare gases at 8.5 eV (147 nm) and thus is a good candidate to study. The usefulness of a xenon-based discharge depends on the radiant emittance of the discharge at the resonance wavelength of 147 nm. The radiant emittance from a low pressure xenon positive column discharge is measured using two independent techniques. The first relies on the measurement of the resonance level density using absorption techniques. The effective decay rate of the resonance level is calculated using radiation trapping theory. The product of this ...
This study focuses on the regulation of sucrose transport across the plasmalemma. Initially, we re-examined the use of leaf discs to study the kinetics of phloem loading using Allium cepa leaves. All tissues exhibited the same linear plus saturable profile as Beta vulgaris, except fructose uptake into the inner parenchyma and bundle-sheath cells; in this case the response was linear. These results indicate that all tissues of the leaf retrieve exogenous sucrose such that kinetics from leaf discs cannot be taken to represent phloem loading per se. We continued our study by investigating the influence of internal sugars on sugar transport across the plasmalemma. We found that if internal sugars were manipulated by heat-girdling techniques or DCMU treatment there was no appreciable change in sucrose influx. However, longer term heat-girdling decreased sucrose uptake. These data indicate that carbohydrate partitioning among the ...
Summary The antioxidant properties and toxicity profile of roasted noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) leaf infusion were evaluated. The 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was greater than green tea infusion (81.6 +- 0.9% vs. 57.5 +- 1.8%, P < 0.001). The mean quercetin and kaempferol contents of roasted noni leaf infusion, as prepared by the consumer, were 0.24 +- 0.01 and 0.14 +- 0.01 mg mL-1, respectively. Tannic acid content was 10 +- 1 mg mL-1. The infusion was non-mutagenic in the reverse mutation test in Salmonella typhimurium and did not induce primary DNA damage in E. coli PQ37. Further, no significant primary DNA damage was induced by 5,15-dimethylmorindol, which was the only detectable anthraquinone in noni leaves. The infusion was not cytotoxic in the 24 h b...
Various pyranocoumarins, calophyllolide, inophyllums B, C, G1, G2 and P, from Calophyllum inophyllum (Clusiaceae) leaves of French Polynesia (Austral, Marquesas, Society and Tuamotu archipelagos) have been determined in 136 leaf extracts using a high pressure liquid chromatography-UV-diode array detection (HPLC-UV-DAD) technique. Results show a wide range in chemical composition within trees growing on eighteen islands. The use of multivariate statistical analyses (PCA) shows geographical distribution of inophyllums and indicate those rich in HIV-1 active (+)-inophyllums. Inophyllum B and P contents (0.0-39.0 and 0.0-21.8mgkg-1, respectively) confirm the chemodiversity of this species within the large area of French Polynesia. The study suggests the presence of interesting chemotypes which...
To test the hypothesis that leaf level photosynthetic related traits might confer late successionals a competitive advantage over early successionals in low light growth conditions, steady photosynthetic assimilation and dynamic photosynthetic induction related traits were examined in low light grown seedlings with contrasting successional status. Compared with the early successionals, late successionals as a group significantly exhibited lower leaf gas exchange rates. While late successionals required a longer time to respond to simulated sunflecks, they had lower rates of induction losses after sunflecks. Such photosynthetic induction traits allowed late successionals to more effectively utilize subsequent sunflecks. It was observed that plants with lower gas exchange rates responded mor...
Remote sensing is the most practical method available to managers of fire-prone forests for quantifying and mapping fire impacts. Differenced Normalised Burn Ratio (?NBR) is among the most widely used spectral indices for the mapping of burn severity but is difficult to interpret in terms of fire-related changes in key biophysical attributes and processes. We propose to quantify burn severity as a change in the leaf area index (?LAI) of a stand. LAI is a key biophysical attribute of forests, and is central to understanding their water and carbon cycles. Previous studies have suggested that changes in canopy LAI may be a major contributor to ?NBR and to the composite burn index (CBI) that is frequently used in combination with the NBR to assess burn severity on the ground. We applied remote...
The leaf extract from the plant Piliostigma reticulatum was found to exhibit antimicrobial activity against some bacteria and fungi such as Staphylococcus aureus (NCTC 6571), Escherichia coli (NCTC 10418), Bacillus subtilis (NCTC 8236), Proteus vulgaris (NCTC 4175), Aspergillus niger (ATCC 10578) and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231). Upon investigation of the chemical constituents present in the leaf extract, a total of seven compounds were isolated and their structures were unambiguously established by spectroscopic methods including HR-MS and NMR spectrometry. Four of the isolated compounds were novel, namely 6-C-methyl-2-p-hydroxyphenyloxychromonol (piliostigmol), 1, 6,8-di-C-methylquercetin-3,3prime,7-trimethyl ether, 2, 6,8-di-C-methylquercetin-3,3prime-dimethyl ether, 3 and 3prime,6,8,-...
Some newly created wetland areas in the Scheldt estuary are heavily contaminated by metals. They are expected to be colonised by reed (Phragmites australis) and, on a longer term, willow (Salix ssp.). Supplying litter or stimulating plant biomass production on the short term could be possible management options to restrict metal mobility or availability in the upper soil layer. The influence of litter application on the mobility and availability of metals in the top layer of a soil of a recently created floodplain along the river Scheldt (Schelde) was studied in a greenhouse experiment. Reed stem, reed leaf and willow leaf litter were dried, ground and added to the soil. The treated soil was subsequently subjected to permanently flooded and alternately flooded/drained conditions. Metal con...
Purpose: In this paper, we present an alternative to the originally proposed technique for the delivery of spatially fractionated radiation therapy (GRID) using multi-leaf collimator (MLC) shaped fields. We employ the MLC to deliver various pattern GRID treatments to large solid tumors and dosimetrically characterize the GRID fields. Methods and materials: The GRID fields were created with different open to blocked area ratios and with variable separation between the openings using a MLC. GRID designs were introduced into the Pinnacle3 treatment planning system, and the dose was calculated in a water phantom. Ionization chamber and film measurements using both Kodak EDR2 and Gafchromic EBT film were performed in a SolidWater phantom to determine the relative output of each GRID design as w...
The ability to cope with plant defense chemicals differs between specialist and generalist species. In this study, we examined the effects of the concentration of the two main iridoid glycosides (IGs) in Plantago lanceolata, aucubin and catalpol, on the performance of a specialist and two generalist herbivores and their respective endoparasitoids. Development of the specialist herbivore Melitaea cinxia was unaffected by the total leaf IG concentration in its host plant. By contrast, the generalist herbivores Spodoptera exigua and Chrysodeixis chalcites showed delayed larval and pupal development on plant genotypes with high leaf IG concentrations, respectively. This result is in line with the idea that specialist herbivores are better adapted to allelochemicals in host plants on which they...
Continuing high rates of acidic deposition in the eastern United States may lead to long-term effects on stream communities, because sensitive catchments are continuing to lose anions and cations. A two-year study of the effects of pH and associated water chemistry variables on detrital processing in three streams with different bedrock geology in the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia were investigated. Leaf pack processing rates and macroinvertebrate colonization and microbial biomass (ATP concentration) on the packs in the three stream were compared. It was found that macroinvertebrate and microbial communities differed both among streams that differed in their capacity to buffer the effects of acidic precipitation and among years in the same stream; these differences in biotic communities were not large enough to affect rates of leaf processing between the two years of the study, but they did significantly affect processing rates ...
This study concerns the thermotolerance of spores of mesophilic fungi isolated from a tropical semi-arid habitat subject to dry season fire in the Western Ghats, southern India. Among 25 species of Ascomycota isolated from leaf litter, nine were able to grow after incubation in a drying oven for 2h at 100degreeC; the spores of two of these species survived 2h incubation at 110degreeC, and one survived exposure to 115degreeC for 2h. The range of thermotolerance among mesophilic fungi isolated from the leaf litter was surprising: filamentous fungi from other habitats, including species that colonize scorched vegetation after fires and thermophilic forms occurring in self-heating plant composts, cannot survive even brief exposure to such high temperatures. It is possible that the exceptional ...
The object and the purpose of the present work was to develop, to assemble and to start running a new TOF (time of flight) mass spectrometer for imaging SNMS analytic which is optimized for the analysis of highly molecular secondary ions. The most important purpose was the characterization of the TOF mass spectrometer. The obtained mass spectra of indium, tantalum and silver clusters reflect the excellent properties of the TOF mass spectrometer for the detection of large clusters with good detection efficiency up to masses of 16000 amu. The possibility of the deflection of selected saturated atom and cluster peaks serves for further improvement of the detection efficiency for large molecules. The accessible mass resolution was determined to be of the order of m/{delta}m=1000 in the high mass region. Numerous measurements were carried out to characterize the useful yield of this spectrometer. For a best possible adaptation ...
... Propulsive efficiency is equivalent to the product of thrust efficiency and the hull/waterjet interaction efficiency. ... t'waterjet pump Ktorque repeated ...
Buildings Energy-Efficient Research Laboratories Energy Efficiency in Federal Facilities Energy Efficiency Standards Group Energy Efficient Windows Collaborative Energy &...
The uptake of "2"3"8U and "2"3"2Th in different parts of some selected plants used in traditional treatment of hypertension and diabetes in south-eastern Morocco (Errachidia area) has been studied using two different types of solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) LR-115 type II and CR-39. Plant uptake of radionuclides is one of many vectors for introduction of contaminants into the human food chain. Thus, it is critical to understand soil-plant relationships that control nuclide bioavailability. Soil concentrations of uranium ranged from 6.10 to 11.62 ppm, with a mean of 7.90 ppm. Soil concentrations of thorium ranged from 2.70 to 4.80 ppm, with a mean of 3.41 ppm. Mean uranium specific activities were 8.38 Bq kg"-"1 in root tissue, 5 Bq kg"-"1 in stem tissue and 6.02 Bq kg"-"1 in leaf tissue. Mean thorium specific activities were 2.53 Bq kg"-"1 in root tissue, 1.64 Bq kg"-"1 in stem tissue and 1.96 Bq kg"-"1 in leaf tissue. The transfer ...
Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var. Better Boy) plants were transformed with a tomato leaf wound-inducible polygalacturonase (PG) β-subunit gene in the antisense orientation...Full Text Available
Plant biomass, stem juice and stem sugar were determined for four sugarcane cultivars grown for three months at daytime [CO2] of 360 (ambient) and 720 (doubled) ppm and temperatures (T) of 1.5 (near-ambient) and 6.0C higher than outside ambient T. Leaf area and biomass, stem biomass, stem juice and ...
Large (about 200 grams dry weight) and small (about 5 grams dry weight) specimens of the leaf succulent Agave vilmoriniana Berger were grown outdoors at Phoenix, Arizona. Potted plants...Full Text Available
Phlorizin is a competitive inhibitor of Na/sup +//glucose symport in animal cells and of H/sup +//3-O-methylglucose (3-O-MeG) symport in liverworts. The effects of this compound on the uptake of (U-/sup 14/C) sucrose and of (/sup 14/C) 3-O-MeG by broadbean (Vicia faba L.) leaf discs were studied. Leaf discs without lower epidermis were preincubated in the dark for 30 min (fresh discs) or for 12 h (aged discs) on a medium buffered at pH 5.0 containing mannitol as an osmoticum. They were then incubated for 30 min in the light on a similar solution added with 1 mM (/sup 14/C) sucrose or (/sup 14/C) 3-O-MeG and 5 mM phlorizin. Phlorizin inhibited uptake of 3-O-MeG by 37 and 50% respectively in fresh and aged discs. Sucrose uptake was more sensitive to the inhibitor than 3-O-MeG uptake and was also more inhibited in aged than in fresh discs (76% inhibition vs 54%). Kinetic studies showed that the inhibition exerted by phlorizin in fresh material is ...
In celery (Apium graveolens L.), the two major translocated carbohydrates are sucrose and the acyclic polyol mannitol. Their metabolism, however, is different and their specific functions are uncertain. To compare their roles in carbon partitioning and sink-source transitions, developmental changes in /sup 14/CO/sub 2/ labeling, pool sizes, and key enzyme activities in leaf tissues were examined. The proportion of label in mannitol increased dramatically with leaf maturation whereas that in sucrose remained fairly constant. Mannitol content, however, was high in all leaves and sucrose content increased as leaves developed. Activities of mannose-6-P reductase, cytoplasmic and chloroplastic fructose-1,6-bis-phosphatases, sucrose phosphate synthase, and sucrose synthase increased with leaf maturation and decreased as leaves senesced. Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase and nonreversible glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase ...
The stable hydrogen (δ2H) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope ratios of organic and inorganic materials record biological and physical processes through the effects of substrate...Full Text Available
Experiments were conducted in controlled growth chambers to evaluate how increase in CO{sub 2} concentration affected sucrose metabolizing enzymes, especially sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS; EC 2.4.1.14) and sucrose synthase (SS; EC 2.4.1.13), as well as carbon metabolism and partitioning in a tropical epiphytic orchid species (Oncidium goldiana). Response of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco; EC 4.1.1.39) to elevated CO{sub 2} was determined along with dry mass production, photosynthesis rate, chlorophyll content, total nitrogen and total soluble protein content. After 60 days of growth, there was a 80% and 150% increase in dry mass production in plants grown at 750 and 1100 {mu} l{sup -}1 CO{sub 2}, respectively, compared with those grown at ambient CO{sub 2} (about 370 {mu} l{sup -}1). A similar increase in photosynthesis rate was detected throughout the growth period when measured under growth CO{sub 2} conditions. Concomitantly, there was a decline in ...
Estonia is rich in such renewable energy sources like wood, peat and wind. Wind energy potential is very high (up to 7 TWh) due to its geographical location. Wind potential could be efficiently used particularly on the western coast and on islands. Wider use of renewable energy sources would allow significant cutting of GHG emissions. Wind energy yield reaches up to 9000 MWh in West-Estonian Archipelago, 4000-8000 MWh in other coastal regions and up to 4000 MWh in inland areas per 2 MW wind turbine. In Estonian coastal regions (20 km wide zone along the 3800 km long coastline) there is 114 000 ha (7.9% of total area) open fields that are fully suitable for harnessing wind energy. Use of wind energy has been hindered so far mainly by a systematic under-capacity operation of two large oil shale power plants in Narva and weak power network system in coastal regions (orig.)
A conjugate of 6-hydrazinopyridine-3-carboxylic acid (HYNIC) with the amino analogue of metronidazole (MN) was synthesized through a multiple-step reaction. HYNIC-MN could be labeled easily and efficiently with 99mTc using N-(2-hydroxy-1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl)glycine (tricine) and ethylenediamine -N,N?-diacetic acid (EDDA) as coligands to form the 99mTc?HYNIC?MN complex in high yield (>95%). Its partition coefficient indicated that it was a good hydrophilic complex. The tumor cell experiment showed that the 99mTc?HYNIC?MN complex had a certain hypoxic selectivity. The biodistribution studies of 99mTc?HYNIC?MN in Kunming mice bearing S180 tumor showed a favorable tissue distribution profile with high tumor uptake, and low or negligible accumulation in non-target organs, suggesting 99mTc...
This paper deals with the characterization of passive films formed on stainless steel (26% Cr and 0 to 3%Mo). The influence of the applied passivation potential and the effect of molybdenum additions to steel upon the composition profiles of passive films formed in an aqueous NaCl solution (3.5% at pH 2.5) are studied. The technique involved is Auger electron spectroscopy combined with ion sputtering. Some electrochemical techniques have been used in conjunction. A quantitative approach of the Auger spectra during the progressive removal of the passive film is described. The peak-to-peak height of the Auger lines are treated in order to yield the atomic fraction of the various elements present in a given subsurface layer. The analytical study of the film by electron spectroscopy indicates that molybdenum plays a part at the metal-oxide interface where this element acts on the chromium diffusion process. This phenomenon, which depends on the imposed potential, may ...
Statistically based experimental designs were applied to optimize the fermentation process parameters for hydrogen (H{sub 2}) production by co-culture of Clostridium acidisoli and Rhodobacter sphaeroides with sucrose as substrate. An initial screening using the Plackett-Burman design identified three factors that significantly influenced H{sub 2} yield: sucrose concentration, initial pH, and inoculum ratio. These factors were considered to have simultaneous and interdependent effects. A central composite design and response surface analysis were adopted to further investigate the mutual interactions among the factors and to identify the values that maximized H{sub 2} production. The optimal substrate concentration, initial pH, and inoculum ratio of C. acidisoli to R. sphaeroides were 11.43 g/L sucrose, 7.13, and 0.83, respectively. Using these optimal culture conditions, substrate conversion efficiency was determined as 10.16 mol H{sub 2}/mol ...
Solar syngas production from CO"2 and H"2O is considered in a two-step thermochemical cycle via Zn/ZnO redox reactions, encompassing: 1) the ZnO thermolysis to Zn and O"2 using concentrated solar radiation as the source of process heat, and 2) Zn reacting with mixtures of H"2O and CO"2 yielding high-quality syngas (mainly H"2 and CO) and ZnO; the ZnO is recycled to the first, solar step, resulting in net reaction @bCO"2 + (1 - @b)H"2O -> @bCO + (1 - @b)H"2. Syngas is further processed to liquid hydrocarbon fuels via Fischer-Tropsch or other catalytic processes. Second-law thermodynamic analysis is applied to determine the cycle efficiencies attainable with and without heat recuperation for varying molar fractions of CO"2:H"2O and solar reactor temperatures in the range 1900-2300 K. Conside...
A hydrogen peroxide injection system was designed and installed in the stack of a 5,274 million J/hr industrial pilot plant scale combustion chamber using natural gas as fuel. The concentration of peroxide in the gas stream was precisely controlled by continuous injection using an electromagnetic dosage pump, the liquid 50% peroxide solution was finely dispersed into the gases by a water cooled custom designed delivery system with a spray nozzle at the tip. Residence times between 0.1 and 1.8 seconds and concentrations of H{sub 2}O{sub 2} between 280 ppm and 4,000 ppm were used during the test runs. CEMS for total hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, as well as an ultrasonic gas flow monitor were used to measure the effect of hydrogen peroxide in reducing the emissions of these pollutants. Destruction removal efficiencies between 25% and 100% were observed for hydrocarbons, and concentrations of CO, as well as NO{sub x}. were reduced about 50%. The ...
The economic attractiveness and negative environmental impact of nitrogen (N) fertilization in pastures depend on the N use efficiency in the soil-plant system. However, the recovery of urea-{sup 15}N by Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania pastures, one of the most widely used forage species in intensified pastoral systems, is still unknown. This experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four treatments (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1 of N-urea) and three replications, to determine the recovery of {sup 15}N urea by Tanzania grass. Forage production, total N content and N yield were not affected by fertilization (p > 0.05), reflecting the high losses of applied N under the experimental conditions. The recovery of {sup 15}N urea (% of applied N) in forage and roots was not affected by fertilization levels (p > 0.05), but decreased exponentially in the soil and soil-plant system (p < 0.05) with increasing urea ...
The economic attractiveness and negative environmental impact of nitrogen (N) fertilization in pastures depend on the N use efficiency in the soil-plant system. However, the recovery of urea-"1"5N by Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania pastures, one of the most widely used forage species in intensified pastoral systems, is still unknown. This experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four treatments (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1 of N-urea) and three replications, to determine the recovery of "1"5N urea by Tanzania grass. Forage production, total N content and N yield were not affected by fertilization (p > 0.05), reflecting the high losses of applied N under the experimental conditions. The recovery of "1"5N urea (% of applied N) in forage and roots was not affected by fertilization levels (p > 0.05), but decreased exponentially in the soil and soil-plant system (p < 0.05) with increasing urea doses. The amount of "1"5N ...
We report on recent progress and improvements in the metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) growth of mid-infrared lasers and using a high speed rotating disk reactor (RDR). The devices contain AlAsSb active regions. These lasers have multi-stage, type I InAsSb/InAsP quantum well active regions. A semi-metal GaAsSb/InAs layer acts as an internal electron source for the multi-stage injection lasers and AlAsSb is an electron confinement layer. These structures are the first MOCVD multi-stage devices. Growth in an RDR was necessary to avoid the previously observed Al memory effects found in conventional horizontal reactors. A single stage, optically pumped laser yielded improved power (greater than 650 mW/facet) at 80K and 3.8um. A multi-stage 3.8-3.9um laser structure operated up to T=170K. At 80K, peak power greater than 100mW and a high slope- efficiency were observed in gain guided lasers.
The radioiodine-labeled amines currently available as brain-imaging agents, based on our previous work and that of others, are prepared either by exchange labeling or by direct iodination of a protected intermediate. The intrinsic slowness of these processes limits their potential for use with the positron-emitting 122I, as it has a half-life of only 3.6 min. This isotope has advantages of a low dose to the patient and availability from a generator containing the parent 20-h 122Xe. To develop a radiopharmaceutical in which 122I could be utilized, we prepared a number of secondary and tertiary amines (maintaining the 2,5-dimethoxy substitution pattern which allows direct iodination at the 4-position) with 131I. The organ distributions of these compounds were studied, and the best properties were found in the N,N-dimethyl homologue (2,5-dimethoxy-N,N-dimethyl-4-iodoamphetamine). This compound was successfully synthesized in a matter of seconds, with a chemical yield ...
The radioiodine-labeled amines currently available as brain-imaging agents, based on our previous work and that of others, are prepared either by exchange labeling or by direct iodination of a protected intermediate. The intrinsic slowness of these processes limits their potential for use with the positron-emitting 122I, as it has a half-life of only 3.6 min. This isotope has advantages of a low dose to the patient and availability from a generator containing the parent 20-h 122Xe. To develop a radiopharmaceutical in which 122I could be utilized, we prepared a number of secondary and tertiary amines (maintaining the 2,5-dimethoxy substitution pattern which allows direct iodination at the 4-position) with 131I. The organ distributions of these compounds were studied, and the best properties were found in the N,N-dimethyl homologue (2,5-dimethoxy-N,N-dimethyl-4-iodoamphetamine). This compound was successfully synthesized in a matter of seconds, with a chemical yield ...
The radiation reduction of bis(1-ethylimidazole)tartratoplatinum(II) (EITPt(II)) complexes in methanol-water solution have been examined. The yields of Pt(I) depend on the presence of O{sub 2} in solutions as well as the dose applied. The rate constants of e{sub s}{sup -} scavenging by EITPt(II) and cis(diammine-1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato) platinum(II) (CBDCAPt(II)) have been determined by pulse radiolysis to be equal to 5.4 x 10{sup 9} and 6.4 x 10{sup 9} M{sup -1} s{sup -1}, respectively. The efficiencies of e{sub t}{sup -} scavenging by EITPt(II) and the rate of e{sub t}{sup -} photobleaching have also been determined in LiCl : H{sub 2}O : CH{sub 3}OH and MgCl{sub 2} : H{sub 2}O : CH{sub 3}OH glasses, respectively. (author).
The development and evaluation of a post-column reaction detector sensitive to platinum(II) complexes is presented in which sodium bisulfite is used as the derivatizing agent with potassium dichromate as an activating agent. The influences of mobile phase changes (i.e., pH, organic modifiers, electrolytes), oxygen, metal ions, and order of reagent addition on reaction kinetics and product yield are defined and used in optimization of detector response. Detection at lambda/sub max/ 290 nm results in an on-line post-column sensitivity of 40-60 ng/mL for selected cis-dichloroplatinum complexes and a sensitivity of 300-1200 ng/mL for four (substituted)-malonato-platinum complexes. The reaction detector is used to monitor the kinetics of aquation of cisplatin (CDDP) and to quantitate CDDP degradation in plasma. As the sensitivity for CDDP in plasma is comparable to that achieved from high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) effluent fractionation/off-line flameless ...
Reductive quenching of two photoexcited ruthenium(II) complexes by an anionic electron donor, 2,2{prime}-azinobis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS{sup 2{minus}}), in aqueous solution was examined by laser flash photolysis before and after adding positively charged colloidal (250-{angstrom} diameter) alumina-coated silica particles. The kinetics and quantum yields of electron transfer with an anionic sensitizer, RuL{sub 3}{sup 4{minus}} (L = bathophenanthroline disulfonate), and a cationic one, Ru(bpy){sub 3}{sup 2+} (bpy = 2,2{prime}-bipyridine), were compared. Coadsorption of ABTS{sup 2{minus}} and RuL{sub 3}{sup 4{minus}} by the particles greatly enhanced the rate of quenching such that only the reaction occurring on the surfaces of the particles was observed. Electron transfer from ABTS{sup 2{minus}} to RuL{sub 3}{sup 4-*} occurred by a static (nondiffusional) process, and the quenching efficiency was maximal when there was close ...
A measurement of the t{bar t} production cross section at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV in the dilepton final states using a lepton+track selection and secondary vertex b-tagging is presented. One of the two leptons from the decay of the t{bar t} pair is allowed to be identified only as an isolated track to improve the selection efficiency. The result is combined with a measurement in the t{bar t} {yields} e{mu} final state. The measurements are based on 370 pb{sup -1} of data collected with the D0 experiment at the Tevatron collider. The preliminary cross section obtained in the combined lepton+track and e{mu} channel is: {sigma}{sub t{bar t}} = 8.6{sub -1.7}{sup +1.9}(stat) {+-} 1.1(syst) {+-} 0.6(lumi) pb.
An almost primordial trend in the conversion and use of energy is an increased complexity and cost of conversion systems designed to utilize cheaper and more-abundant fuels; this trend is exemplified by the progression fossil fission {yields} fusion. The present projections of the latter indicate that capital costs of the fusion ``burner`` far exceed any commensurate savings associated with the cheapest and most-abundant of fuels. These projections suggest competitive fusion power only if internal costs associate with the use of fossil or fission fuels emerge to make them either uneconomic, unacceptable, or both with respect to expensive fusion systems. This ``implementation-by-default`` plan for fusion is re-examined by identifying in general terms fusion power-plant embodiments that might compete favorably under conditions where internal costs (both economic and environmental) of fossil and/or fission are not as great as is needed to justify the contemporary ...
Laser-assisted processing techniques, utilized to produce fine, metal grid patterns for high-efficiency solar cells, are being investigated, developed, and characterized. The work performed in the third quarter of this contract is detailed here. A preliminary economic evaluation has yielded the conclusion that laser-assisted pyrolysis of spun-on silver neodecanoate is the most promising of all the metallization techniques being investigated in this contract. Early adhesion problems have been solved by optimizing deposition parameters. Linewidth studies have been carried out as a function of laser power, scan speed, and film thickness. Preliminary solar cells have been fabricated and characterized using this metallization scheme. Silver neodecanoate films have also been decomposed using a pulsed uv laser and metal mask. A detailed study of the various models of localized surface temperature rise in silicon due to laser heating has been carried ...
The aim of this contract is to investigate, develop, and characterize laser-assisted processing techniques utilized to produce the fine-line, thin-metal grid structures that are required to fabricate high-efficiency solar cells. During the first quarter of this contract, a comprehensive literature search was carried out in the various state-of-the-art laser-assisted techniques for metal deposition, including laser chemical vapor deposition and laser photolysis of organometallics, as well as laser-enhanced electroplating. A compact system for the experiments involving laser-assisted photolysis of gas-phase compounds was designed and constructed. The work performed in the second quarter is detailed in this report. Metal deposition experiments have been carried out utilizing laser-assisted pyrolysis of a variety of metal-bearing polymer films and metallo-organic inks spun onto silicon substrates. Laser decomposition of spun-on silver neodecanoate ink obtained from ...
Full text: Red blood cells (RBCs) labeled with "9"9"mTc are commonly used in the evaluation of cardiac function, gastrointestinal tract bleeding, red blood cell volume or splenic sequestration. Generally stannous ion is used as reducing agent. A proposed mechanism is that once the stannous ion (Sn) and the pertechnetate ("9"9"mTc) reach the interior of the RBC, the radionuclide is mainly house in the #beta#-chain of hemoglobin. The aim of this study was to determine if hemoglobin content reduction, an indicator of iron deficiency anemia, could affect the efficiency of RBC labeling and the biological distribution of this radiopharmaceutical. We studied 30 rats fed for 3 weeks after weaning with diets with iron contents of 6.5 ppm (group A), 18 ppm (group B) and 100 ppm (control). For all groups, the labeling yields were always higher than 97%; the percentage of radioactivity was mostly founded in blood with almost negligible radioactivity the ...
The authors apply the nonlinear WENO (Weighted Essentially Nonoscillatory) scheme to the spatial discretization of the Boltzmann Transport Equation modeling linear particle transport. The method is a finite volume scheme which ensures not only conservation, but also provides for a more natural handling of boundary conditions, material properties and source terms, as well as an easier parallel implementation and post processing. It is nonlinear in the sense that the stencil depends on the solution at each time step or iteration level. By biasing the gradient calculation towards the stencil with smaller derivatives, the scheme eliminates the Gibb's phenomenon with oscillations of size O(1) and reduces them to O(h{sup r}), where h is the mesh size and r is the order of accuracy. The current implementation is three-dimensional, generalized for unequally spaced meshes, fully parallelized, and up to fifth order accurate (WENO5) in space. For unsteady problems, the resulting ...
A literature review on gasification of lignocellulosic biomass in various types of fluidized bed gasifiers is presented. The effect of several process parameters such as catalytic bed material, bed temperature and gasifying agent on the performance of the gasifier and quality of the producer gas is discussed. Based on the priorities of researchers, the optimum values of various desired outputs in the gasification process including improved producer gas composition, enhanced LHV, less tar and char content, high gas yield and enhanced carbon conversion and cold gas efficiency have been reported. The characteristics and performance of different fluidized bed gasifiers were assessed and the obtained results from the literature have been extensively reviewed. Survey of literature revealed that several industrial biomass gasification plants using fluidized beds are currently conducting in various countries. However, more research and development of ...
The high insulating strength of certain gases, such as sulfur hexafluoride, when used at high pressure, suggests that there may be advantages to compressed gases as the insulating fluid in power transformers. However, simply exchanging the oil for compressed gas in an otherwise conventional transformer design will not yield a significant overall advantage. Compressed gases present the engineer with properties which are quite different from mineral oil. If gases are to be used as the major insulating fluid in power transformers, then virtually all aspects of the insulation and cooling of the apparatus must be reconsidered, affording an opportunity to introduce new design concepts, new materials, and new construction techniques. In this program, the feasibility of using the following principal design concepts has been explored: sheet conductors for the windings; a system of sealed, self-contained, annular cooling ducts containing circulating cooling fluid to cool the ...
Selecting an appropriate matrix solution is one of the most effective means of increasing the ionization efficiency of phosphopeptides in matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). In this study, we systematically assessed matrix combinations of 2, 6-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) and diammonium hydrogen citrate (DAHC), and demonstrated that the low ratio DHAP/DAHC matrix was more effective in enhancing the ionization of phosphopeptides. Low femtomole level of phosphopeptides from the tryptic digests of ?-casein and ?-casein was readily detected by MALDI-TOF-MS in both positive and negative ion mode without desalination or phosphopeptide enrichment. Compared with the DHB/PA matrix, the optimized DHAP/DAHC matrix yielded superior sample homogeneity and higher phosphopeptide measurement sensitivity, particularly when multiple phosphorylated peptides were assessed. Finally, the DHAP/DAHC matrix was ...
The paper describes a concept of extracting fusion power from D-{sup 3}He fueled IEC (Inertia Electrostatic Configuration) devices. The fusion system consists of a series of fusion modules and direct energy converters at an end or at both ends. This system of multiple units is linear and is connected by a magnetic field. A pair of coils anti-parallel to the magnetic field yields a field-null domain at the center of each unit as required for IEC operation. A stabilizing coil installed between the coil pairs eliminates the strong attractive force between the anti-parallel coils. Accessible regions for charged particle trajectories are essentially isolated from the coil structure. Thus, charged particles are directed along magnetic field lines to the direct energy converter without appreciable losses. A direct energy converter unit designed to be compatible to this unique system is also described. It basically consists of a separator and a traveling wave converter. A ...
In many experiments involving fast neutrons generated in nuclear reactions initiated by accelerator produced charged particle beams, it is important to be able to determine accurately the neutron yield from the target. A detector suitable for such applications should have: a constant efficiency over a large energy range; a fast time response; and the ability to discriminate between gamma rays and neutrons. The authors have constructed a open-quotes black neutron detectorclose quotes based on the design of Poenitz that has these characteristics. At the Lowell Van de Graaff accelerator laboratory neutrons are produced via the "7Li(p,n)"7Be reaction using a pulsed proton beam which impinges on metallic lithium targets. The pulsed beam enables the detector to be used in a time-of-flight spectrometer. Use of BC501 liquid scintillator permits neutron-gamma discrimination. The scintillator is viewed by five RCA 48796 photo tubes. The detector is ...
The difference of NH_4"+-N/NO_3"--N nutrition between hybrid and conventional rice varieties at the late growth stage was studied by using "1"5N-tracer technique. The results showed that the nitrate fertilizer utilization efficiency by the hybrid rice after anthesis was 7.8% higher than that by the ordinary rice variety, and the nitrate fertilizer recovery fraction by the former was 13.2% greater than that by the latter. The varietal difference in NO_3"--N uptake and utilization was almost twice as that in NH_4"+-N. It was also showed that "1"5N distribution in ear of the hybrid rice was about 20% greater than that of the conventional variety, but there were no obvious differences between NO_3"--N and NH_4"+-N. However, "1"5N distribution in the lower node leaves and root was found to be significant higher with NO_3"--N than that with NH_4"+-N in both rice varieties, particularly in the hybrid rice. Compared with NH_4"+-N, NO_3"--N top-dressing before anthesis was ...
Classical control theory has played a major role in the development of present-day technologies. Likewise, recently developed quantum optimal control methods can be applied to emerging quantum technologies, e.g. quantum information processing -- until now, at the level of a few qubits. However, such methods encounter severe limits when applied to many-body quantum systems: due to the complexity of simulating the latter, existing quantum control algorithms (requiring many iterations to converge) usually fail to yield a desired final state within an acceptable computational time. In contrast, we present here a strategy for controlling a vast range of non-integrable one-dimensional systems that is efficiently applicable to quantum many-body systems, as it can be merged with state-of-the-art tensor network simulation methods like the Density Matrix Renormalization Group. To demonstrate its potential, we employ it to solve a major issue in current ...
The aim of this research was to examine the energy equivalents of inputs and output in greenhouse vegetable production in the Antalya province of Turkey. For this purpose, the data for the production of four greenhouse crops (tomato, cucumber, eggplant and pepper) were collected in eighty-eight greenhouse farms by questionnaire. The results revealed that cucumber production was the most energy intensive of among the four crops investigated. Cucumber production consumed a total of 134.77 GJha{sup -1} followed by tomato with 127.32 GJha{sup -1}. The consumption of energy by eggplants and pepper were 98.68 and 80.25 GJha{sup -1}, respectively. The output-input energy ratio for greenhouse tomato, pepper, cucumber and eggplant were estimated to be 1.26, 0.99, 0.76 and 0.61, respectively. This indicated an intensive use of inputs in greenhouse vegetable production not accompanied by increase in the final product. This can lead to problems associated with these inputs such as global warming, ...
Full text of publication follows: Understanding the dynamic irradiation effects on silica glasses is important for developing the diagnostic systems used in fusion and fission environments. While fundamental defects having an un-pared electron such as the E' center have been extensively studied, the neutral oxygen deficiency defects have been insufficiently clarified for lack of the detection methods. The ion induced luminescence is one of the probes that can be used to detect non-paramagnetic defects, and to observe creation and annihilation behavior dynamically. In the present study, we examined the characteristics of the ion induced luminescence such as energy, fluence flux and temperature dependence of the luminescence efficiency to analyze damage process quantitatively. Samples of SiO2 glasses were commercially available fused and synthesized silica glasses, produced by Toshiba Ceramics, Co. Ltd.. A thin films of SiO2 deposited on a Si wafer was used to ...
After an international ideas competition by TNC Switzerland and Germany in 1996, six companies where given the opportunity to construct a prototype of their newly developed integrated PV-sound barrier concepts. The main goal was to develop highly integrated concepts, allowing the reduction of PV sound barrier systems costs, as well as the demonstration of specific concepts for different noise situations. This project is strongly correlated with a German project. Three of the concepts of the competition are demonstrated along a highway near Munich, constructed in 1997. The three Swiss installations had to be constructed at different locations, reflecting three typical situations for sound barriers. The first Swiss installation was the world first Bi-facial PV-sound barrier. It was built on a highway bridge at Wallisellen-Aubrugg in 1997. The operational experience of the installation is positive. But due to the different efficiencies of the two cell sides, its ...
Ethanol has excellent fuel properties, such as high octane, high heat of vaporization and low photochemical reactivity in the atmosphere. It is less volatile than gasoline and there is lower smog formation from evaporative emissions of pure ethanol compared to gasoline. As such, ethanol has emerged as an important alternative energy source that is sustainable, efficient, cost effective, convenient and safe. In 2006, global production of ethanol reached 13.5 billion gallons, up from 12.1 billion gallons in 2005. However, in light of the current debate of food versus fuel, the industry must shift to non-food feedstocks. This paper described an emerging technology to cost-effectively produce ethanol from sweet sorghum stalks, the most promising alternative feedstock to corn, via solid state fermentation (SSF). Experiments of advanced solid state fermentation (ASSF) for ethanol production from sweet sorghum by Saccharomyces cerevisiae were conducted in laboratory and ...
The objective of this study is to evaluate the lifetime of Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube at Wolsung Unit-1. The testing materials (Effective full power year: 9.3 year, Accumulated nuetron fluence: 7.66{approx}8.91 x 1025 n/m{sup 2}) were sampled from M-11 tube at various position(inlet, middle and outlet). The cutting was carried out at hot cell to fabricate CT(Compact tension) specimen with 48 ppm hydrogen content. In the result of DHC test, irradiation-damaged specimen showed 4{approx}6 times faster DHC velocity(5.298E-0.8{approx}7.039E-8 m/s: 182 .deg. C) than non-irradiated specimen. These DHCV results also show slight faster than one of specimen from Pickering plant (average DHCV: 4.5E-8 m/s: 182 .Deg C). This faster DHCV can be explained with the fact that Wolsung Unit-1 have been operated in a severe conditions(higher cooling water temperature, high power and efficiency) than Pickering one. The striation spacing which was seen DHC fracture surface at irradiated ...
The objective of this study is to evaluate the lifetime of Zr-2.5Nb pressure tube at Wolsung Unit-1. The testing materials (Effective full power year: 9.3 year, Accumulated nuetron fluence: 7.66#approx#8.91 x 1025 n/m"2) were sampled from M-11 tube at various position(inlet, middle and outlet). The cutting was carried out at hot cell to fabricate CT(Compact tension) specimen with 48 ppm hydrogen content. In the result of DHC test, irradiation-damaged specimen showed 4#approx#6 times faster DHC velocity(5.298E-0.8#approx#7.039E-8 m/s: 182 .deg. C) than non-irradiated specimen. These DHCV results also show slight faster than one of specimen from Pickering plant (average DHCV: 4.5E-8 m/s: 182 .Deg C). This faster DHCV can be explained with the fact that Wolsung Unit-1 have been operated in a severe conditions(higher cooling water temperature, high power and efficiency) than Pickering one. The striation spacing which was seen DHC fracture surface at irradiated specimen ...
Energy balances are analysed from a life-cycle perspective for biogas systems based on 8 different raw materials. The analysis is based on published data and relates to Swedish conditions. The results show that the energy input into biogas systems (i.e. large-scale biogas plants) overall corresponds to 20-40% (on average approximately 30%) of the energy content in the biogas produced. The net energy output turns negative when transport distances exceed approximately 200 km (manure), or up to 700 km (slaughterhouse waste). Large variations exist in energy efficiency among the biogas systems studied. These variations depend both on the properties of the raw materials studied and on the system design and allocation methods chosen. The net energy output from biogas systems based on raw materials that have high water content and low biogas yield (e.g. manure) is relatively low. When energy-demanding handling of the raw materials is required, the ...
In order to lower the costs for second generation bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass anaerobic digestion of the effluent from ethanol fermentation was implemented using an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor system in a pilot-scale biorefinery plant. Both thermophilic (53 degrees C) and mesophilic (38 degrees C) operation of the UASB reactor was investigated. At an OLR of 3.5 kg-VS/(m(3) day) a methane yield of 340 L/kg-VS was achieved for thermophilic operation (53 degrees C) while 270 L/kg-VS was obtained under mesophilic conditions (38 degrees C). For loading rates higher than 5 kg-VS/(m(3) day) the methane yields were, however, higher under mesophilic conditions compared to thermophilic conditions. The conversion of dissolved organic matter (VS(diss)) was between 68% and 91%. The effluent from the ethanol fermentation showed no signs of toxicity to the anaerobic microorganisms. However, a high content of suspended matter ...
A prediction of delayed neutron yields for actinides which are important in the nuclear energy field is given. The prediction is based on a correlation related to a suggested cluster structure of the nucleus. (author).
Energy from biomass is a CO{sub 2} neutral, sustainable form of energy. Anaerobic digestion is an established technology for converting biomass to biogas, which contains around 60% methane, besides CO{sub 2} and various contaminants. Most types of biomass contain material that cannot be digested; in woody biomass, this portion is particularly high. Therefore, conventional anaerobic digestion is not suited for the production of biogas from woody biomass. While wood is already being converted to energy by conventional thermal methods (gasification with subsequent methanation), dung, manure, and sewage sludge represent types of biomass whose energy potential remains largely untapped (present energetic use of manure in Switzerland: 0.4%). Conventional gas phase processes suffer from a low efficiency due to the high water content of the feed (enthalpy of vaporization). An alternative technology is the hydrothermal gasification: the water contained within the biomass ...
The electrochemical treatment of solutions containing C.I. Basic Yellow 2 (BY2) in aqueous solutions with carbon-PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and carbon nanotube (CNT)-PTFE electrodes as cathode has been studied. The fabricated electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The amount of electrogenerated H2O2 on the surface of these electrodes was investigated, too. The results showed that the amount of H2O2 obtained with the CNT-PTFE electrode was nearly three times higher than that of carbon-PTFE electrode. The decolorization efficiency of BY2 in peroxi-coagulation process reached 62% and 96% in the first 10 min by carbon-PTFE and CNT-PTFE electrodes at 100 mA, respectively. The effect of operational parameters such as applied current, initial pH and initial dye concentration was studied in an attempt to reach higher decolorization efficiency. The degradation and mineralization of BY2 ...
We studied the interaction of Pu(VI) with Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 17588 and Bacillus sphaericus ATCC 14577, representatives of the main aerobic groups of soil bacteria present in the upper soil layers. The accumulation studies have shown that these soil bacteria accumulate high amounts of Pu(VI). The sorption efficiency toward Pu(VI) decreased with increasing biomass concentration due to increased agglomeration of the bacteria resulting in a decreased total surface area and number of available complexing groups. Spores of Bacillus sphaericus showed a higher biosorption than the vegetative cells at low biomass concentration which decreased significantly with increasing biomass concentration. At higher biomass concentrations (> 0.7 g/L), the vegetative cells of both strains and the spores of B. sphaericus showed comparable sorption efficiencies. Investigations on the pH dependency of the biosorption and extraction studies with 0.01 M ...
The purpose of the project is to further develop a Danish natural gas reformer system including optimisation of subsystems and the overall system consisting of a natural gas reformer and fuel cell CHP generator. This will contribute to the evaluation of to what extend Denmark shall develop small reformer units for PEM fuel Cells. In the project a reformer system with a high degree of automatic control has been build that fulfils the CHP requirements to operation time, dynamics etc. This work, with a FP05 reformer unit, has given valuable results concerning the possibilities and limitations of the reformer technology for CHP usage. It is important that the reformer and fuel cell units are designed with matching yields to optimise efficiency, turn-down start-up time etc. The burner that delivers heat for the steam reaction shall be able to use natural gas as fuel. This gives the possibility of using existing burner technology. In addition this ...
Energy use patterns and utilisation efficiencies in 40 factories producing palm kernel oil (PKO) in southwestern part of Nigeria were studied. The factories were stratified into small, medium and large scale categories based on the mode of operations and production capacities. Questionnaires were administered on the factories to obtain historical data on petrol, diesel and electricity consumption and PKO production outputs for seven years (1998-2004). Energy use efficiency indicators employed include: energy intensity (EI), energy cost per unit product (EC/P), energy ratio (ER), food energy ratio (FER) and percentage oil yield by weight. Results of the study indicated that averagely, 0.58, 0.53 and 0.74 GJ/10{sup 3} l of PKO were needed in the small, medium and large PKO factories, respectively. The average food energy ratios in the small, medium and large mills are 2.48, 2.53 and 2.14, respectively. The corresponding ...
Anaerobic processes have been widely used for the treatment of various high-strength industrial wastewaters. However, application has been limited for the treatment of sulfate-rich industrial wastewaters, such as those from the petrochemical, and mining industries. Wastewaters containing benzoate and sulfate were treated in two upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors at 34--37 C for 320 d. The sulfate concentration was increased stepwise in Reactor-A up to 7,500 mg/L, and was kept mostly constant at 3,000 mg/L in Reactor-B. Both reactors removed over 98% of organic chemical-oxygen demand (COD) for sulfate up to 6,000 mg/L, despite the fact that the mixed liquor contained up to 769 mg S/L of total sulfides and up to 234 mg S/L of dissolved H{sub 2}S. Sulfate0reducing efficiency decreased with the increase in sulfate concentration, but increased with time at each sulfate concentration. Reactor-B consistently reduced 89% of sulfate. However, both organic COD ...
We tested the hypothesis that overstorey of eucalypt forest dominated by tall, large diameter trees uses less water than regrowth stands in the high rainfall zone (>1100mmyear^-^1) of the northern jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest in southwestern Australia. We measured leaf area, cover, sapwood area and sapwood density at three paired old and regrowth stands. We also measured sapflow velocity at one paired stand (Dwellingup) from June 2007 to October 2008. Old stands had more basal area but less foliage cover, less leaf area and slightly thinner sapwood. The ratio of sapwood area to basal area decreased markedly as tree size increased. Sapwood area of the regrowth forest stands (6.6+/-0.30m^2ha^-^1) was nearly double that of the old stands (3.4+/-0.17m^2ha^-^1), despite larger basal are...
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) was grown at 330 and 660 {mu}L CO{sub 2} L{sup {minus}1} and at 40/33/37, 34/27/31, and 28/21/25{degree}C day/night/paddy water temperatures respectively. Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity was measured at saturating substrate concentrations at 59 days after planting. SPS activity increased 2 and 3 fold with increasing CO{sub 2} at 28 and 34{degree}C air temperatures respectively. At 40{degree}C SPS activity decreased by 37% at elevated CO{sub 2} and most plants failed to reach maturity. Similar responses were found in leaf samples taken in the dark. These results indicate that SPS, an enzyme involved in the regulation of C partitioning in leaves, increases in activity at elevated CO{sub 2}. This is in contrast to previous results with soybean. The changes in SPS activity will also be discussed in relation to leaf starch/sucrose ratios.
Structural and functional responses of a benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage to pulses of the insecticide imidacloprid were assessed in outdoor stream mesocosms. Imidacloprid pulses reduced invertebrate abundance and community diversity in imidacloprid-dosed streams compared to control streams. These results correlated well with effects of imidacloprid on leaf litter decomposition and feeding rates of Pteronarcys comstocki, a stonefly, in artificial streams. Reductions in oxygen consumption of stoneflies exposed to imidacloprid were also observed in laboratory experiments. Our findings suggest that leaf litter degradation and single species responses can be sensitive ecotoxicological endpoints that can be used as early warning indicators and biomonitoring tools for pesticide contamination. The data generated illustrates the value of mesocosm experiments in environmental assessment and how the consideration of functional and structural ...
Callus cultures of Calophyllum inophyllum were established using seed, nodal/ internodal and leaf explants on WPM basal medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), a-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid), and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) in different combinations and concentrations with the view to study the influence of hormones on callus induction and the pattern of expression of dipyranocoumarins including anti-HIV, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors inophyllum B and P in callus cultures. 96.01% seed explants, 87.50% nodal/internodal explants and 86.66% leaf explants were converted into calluses when inoculated on WPM supplemented with IBA 4.0mgl-1 along with BAP 1.0mgl-1, IBA 4.0mgl-1, and picloram 6.0mgl-1 along with BAP 2....
Sucrose and mannitol are major photosynthetic products and translocates in celery. Assimilate partitioning and transport were studied by pulse-labeling leaves with /sup 14/CO/sub 2/ followed by different length chases in ambient air. After a 2 h chase in the light there was more /sup 14/C in sucrose than mannitol in source leaves and their petioles. In contrast after a 2 h dark chase leaves contained more /sup 14/C in mannitol than sucrose but petioles had more /sup 14/C in sucrose than mannitol. After a 15 h chase (6 h light; 9 h dark) labeled sucrose was higher in source petiole vascular bundles than in adjacent parenchyma tissue but label in glucose and fructose was higher in the parenchyma tissue. After the 15 h chase most of the /sup 14/C remaining in developing sink leaves and their petioles was in mannitol. Although in the light mannitol:sucrose ratios are the same in leaf and petiole tissues, in the dark sucrose is initially the major translocate with ...
The hydrozoa life cycle is characterized, in normal conditions, by the alternation of a post-larval benthic polyp and an adult pelagic medusa; however, some species of Hydrozoa react to environmental stress by reverting their life cycle: i.e. an adult medusa goes back to the juvenile stage of polyp. This very uncommon life cycle could be considered as some sort of inverted metamorphosis. A morphological study of different stages during the reverted life cycle of Turritopsis nutricula led to the characterization of four different stages: healthy medusa, unhealthy medusa, four-leaf clover and cyst. The ultrastructural study of the cellular modifications (during the life cycle reversion of T. nutricula) showed the presence of both degenerative and apoptotic processes. Degeneration was prevalent during the unhealthy medusa and four-leaf clover stages, while the apoptotic rate was higher during the healthy medusa and cyst stages. The significant ...
Methyl halide fluxes were measured from fine (nonwoody) litter samples at a temperate deciduous forest site in Scotland on 16 occasions over more than a year and at a coniferous forest site. The resulting mean (+-1 sd) CH3Br and CH3Cl fluxes were 4.1 +- 3.7 ng kg-1 h-1 and 0.98 +- 0.62 mg kg-1 h-1, respectively, for dry mass leaf litter and 5.7 +- 6.3 ng kg-1 h-1 and 0.47 +- 0.14 mg kg-1 h-1 for dry mass needle litter. Temporal variations of net fluxes from leaf litter were significantly greater than spatial variations suggesting seasonality in the fluxes. The mean CH3Cl/CH3Br mass ratio of fluxes was 200 (to 1 sig. fig.), an order of magnitude larger than the ratio of their estimated global turnovers. Temperate forest litter may be a moderate net source of CH3Cl globally but a negligible ...
The water culture experiment of Houttuynia cordata of the medicinal plant was carried out, and basic study on {sup 137}Cs accumulation characteristic and internal circulation in H. cordata in the fruiting stage was investigated since the flowering season. H. cordata accumulated 80% of {sup 137}Cs absorbed unlike K to the root, rhizome, terminal bud of the underground part for the rhizome reproduction. {sup 137}Cs content to the young leaf, spike, involucre increased in the flowering season. Thereafter, {sup 137}Cs was recirculated to the developing organs in second generations such as the rhizome and bud. (author)
Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) followed by gamma-ray spectrometry was used to determine the concentrations of As, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Eu, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Pr, Sb, Se, Th, U, V and Z, in 82 leaf samples belonging to two cultivars of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp). Pigeonpea, an easy cultivation legume species, probably originated from Africa and adapted to brazilian conditions, is a very promising and unconventional source of food, mainly to the grain production intended for human feeding, and that even can be used in flour products. It is an excellent proteic supplement for ruminants, due to its large potential of forage production and its high nutritive value, or in addition it can be used in the recuperation of exhausting soils either by means of its utilization as green manure or by taking free Nitrogen from the atmosphere to produce nitrates which can be utilized by the plants. However, in spite of the several possibilities and ...
Stream invertebrates that feed on leaf litter are intimately tied to the nature and timing of the litter input. These invertebrates are called shredders; they consume streamside, riparian litter that has become trapped in the stream channel. This plant litter accumulates at the leading edge of obstructions in the current and settles out in pools, alcoves, and other depositional zones. Given the extensive literature that has accumulated over the last 20 years, researchers can now develop a general, testable model that relates riparian plant communities to the stream shredders, which depend upon litter derived from those communities.
Abstract in english Odontopus brevirostris (Hustache, 1936) feeding on Annona squamosa L., A. cherimola Mill., A. glabra L., and A. muricata L. was observed. The last three host plants are recorded for the first time. The endophitic oviposition occurs in the veins of the ventral surface of the young leaves. The larvae, leaf miners, eat the parenchyma and the adults make small holes in the leaves. The pupation occurs in spherical cocoons protected by a sort of nest (pupation chamber) between the two epidermal layers.
The overall purpose of this research was to evaluate the independent and interactive effects of elevated levels of CO{sub 2} and O{sub 3} on tree leaf litter quality and decomposition. This research was conducted at the Aspen FACE (Free Air CO{sub 2} Enrichment) facility near Rhinelander, Wisconsin. This research comprised one facet of a larger project assessing how CO{sub 2} and O{sub 3} pollutants will alter carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling in north temperate forest ecosystems.
This program is a monitoring study of foliar sodium and chloride in four different native tree species growing in the vicinity of the Chalk Point Power Plant. The sampling areas are composed of a total of 12 tree sites with ten marked trees per site. The data reported cover leaf chloride values determined for foliage which was sampled monthly from May 1977 to September 1977. These Cl/sup -/ data are presented in a reduced graphic form showing monthly trends and in a more detailed tabular listing Cl/sup -/ values for the individual trees.
Belarus has some experience of wood biomass use for power engineering aims. All the necessary equipment, assigned for power production, is manufactured at own enterprises. Belarus possesses great forest resources, total forests area makes up 8 676,1 thou ha. In the average as for the republic the percentage of forests volume makes up 37,7%. The greatest percent of forest scope have Gomel and Vitebsk regions (44,6% and 38,1% correspondingly). Of 118 administrative regions the forest scope above 20% have 15 regions (Rossonskij - 66,8%, Lel'chitsy - 66,5%). The forest scope less 20% is marked on the territory of 8 regions (Nesvizh - 9,6%, Berestovitsy - 14,6%, Zel'venskij - 14,8%). Wood reserves make up 1 437,9 mln. m"3 on the republic's territory. The greatest wood reserves are noted on the territory of Gomel, (323,6 mln. m"3 ), Minsk (286,4 mln. m"3 ) and Vitebsk (272,0 mln. m"3 ) regions. The least ones - Brest and Grodno regions (191, and 158,7 mln. m"3 correspondingly). Reserves of ...
The role played by planetary boundary layer (PBL) in the development and evolution of a severe convective storm is studied by means of meso-scale modeling and surface and upper air observations. The severe convective precipitation event that occurred on 14 September 1999 in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula was simulated by means of the mesoscale model MM5 (version 3) using three different PBL schemes. The numerical results show a large impact of the PBL schemes on the precipitation fields associated to the convective storm. The schemes are based on different physical assumptions: the nonlocal first order medium-range forecast (MRF) and blackadar (BLA) scheme and the local, one-and-a-half order ETA scheme. Surface and radar observations are used to validate the model results. The comparison focuses on three aspects: the evolution, the spatial distribution and the 24-h accumulated precipitation. The comparison with rain gauge observations shows that the MRF, BLA and ETA schemes ...
Contents: Introduction; Design Criteria for a Green Building; Comparison of Energy Efficiency Measures; Whole House Energy Efficiency; Built Examples of Energy Efficient Houses; and Product Energy of Building Elements.
An efficient method of hydrogen storage in nano-porous carbons is its reversible sorption by electrochemical decomposition of a KOH water solution according to the following equation: C + xH{sub 2}O + xe{sup -} {yields} (CH{sub x}) + xOH{sup -} where (CH{sub x}) stands for the hydrogen inserted into the nano-porous carbon during charging and oxidized during discharging. Although various carbon materials have been investigated as hydrogen adsorbents, the information about the storage mechanism as well as the nature of the hydrogen/carbon interaction is still not sufficient. In order to extend the understanding of the process, carbon samples charged electrochemically were investigated by temperature programmed desorption (TPD). The nature of the hydrogen/carbon interaction was studied by electrochemical analysis at different temperatures. The TPD experiments consist of heating the samples from room temperature to 950 C and of quantitative ...
Using bremsstrahlung, the resonance fluorescence yield has been measured for the 1.836-MeV 2"+_1 level in "8"8Sr. The observed yield corresponds to a level width GAMMA = 2.94 +- 0.15 meV.
The present investigation was conducted at Ismaillia Research Station-Agricultural Research Center, Ismaillia Governorate, during the two successive seasons of 2000 and 2001. Two varieties of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L) namely Giza 4 and Giza 5 were treated with gamma ray doses; 10,15, 20, 25 Kr in order to induce genetic variability and to study the importance of the relative contribution of peanut yield components by employing some statistical procedures, i.e. simple correlation, multiple linear regression and stepwise regression analysis. The results showed that, there was significant positive correlation between seed yield/plant and no. of pods/plant, 100 seed weight, shelling percentage and pod yield/plant, and there was significant positive correlation between pod yield/plant and no of seed/plant,100 pod weight and 100 seed weight. The multiple linear regression analysis clearly showed that the ...
The beneficial effect of improving yeast redox response by increasing thioredoxin levels has been shown. Decreased lipid and protein oxidation is reflected in an increased biomass yield. In addition,...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe production of high yields of recombinant proteins is an enduring bottleneck in the post-genomic sciences that has yet to be addressed in a truly rational manner. Typically...Full Text Available
Three possibilities to observe the Higgs-top interaction at future {gamma}{gamma}-colliders are discussed: (a) associated Higss production via the {gamma}{gamma}{yields}tanti tH reaction, (b) Higgs obliged radiative correction to the {gamma}{gamma}{yields}tanti t channel, (c) Higgs resonance production via {gamma}{gamma}{yields}H{yields}ZZ. The results obtained show windows of the Higss mass where the Yukawa interaction of the Higss with the top quark can be studied at {gamma}{gamma}-colliders. (orig.).
The first measurement of the pn{yields}d{omega} total cross-section has been achieved at mean excess energies Q{approx}28 and 57 MeV by using a deuterium cluster-jet target. The momentum of the fast deuteron was measured in the ANKE spectrometer at COSY-Juelich and that of the slow ''spectator'' proton (p{sub sp}) from the pd{yields}p{sub sp}d{omega} reaction in a silicon telescope placed close to the target. The cross-sections lie above those measured for pp{yields}pp{omega} but seem to be below theoretical predictions. (orig.)
Correct prediction of the fission products inventory in irradiated nuclear fuels is essential for accurate estimation of fuel burnup, establishing proper requirements for spent fuel transportation and storage, materials accountability and nuclear forensics. Such prediction is impossible without accurate knowledge of neutron induced fission yields. The uncertainty of the fission yields reported in the ENDF/B-VII.0 library is not uniform across all of the data and much of the improvement is desired for certain fissioning isotopes and fission products. We discuss our measurements of cumulative fission yields in nuclear fuels irradiated in thermal and fast reactor spectra using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. (author)
Correct prediction of the fission products inventory in irradiated nuclear fuels is essential for accurate estimation of fuel burnup, establishing proper requirements for spent fuel transportation and storage, materials accountability and nuclear forensics. Such prediction is impossible without accurate knowledge of neutron induced fission yields. The uncertainty of the fission yields reported in the ENDF/B-VII.0 library is not uniform across all of the data and much of the improvement is desired for certain fissioning isotopes and fission products. We discuss our measurements of cumulative fission yields in nuclear fuels irradiated in thermal and fast reactor spectra using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.
We present accurate tight-binding parametrizations of the first-principles augmented-plane-wave or linear-augmented-plane-wave band structures of LaCuO_3, La_2CuO_4, Ba_2CuO_4, and the high-temperature superconductor YBa_2Cu_3O_7. We discuss the methodology and efficient application of these fits, including as an example our tight-binding coherent-potential-approximation (CPA) calculations of the effects of disorder on the electronic structure of La/sub 2-//sub x/Ba/sub x/CuO/sub 4-//sub y/. Our CPA calculations support the hypothesis of a rigid-band lowering of the Fermi level for La/sub 2-//sub x/Ba/sub x/CuO_4, enhancing the density of states there. However, for La_2BaCuO/sub 4-//sub y/ they yield the interesting result that oxygen vacancies also lower E/sub F/ and raise N(E/sub F/). This is a significant result for the theory of superconductivity in these materials. In addition to CPA calculations, our parametrizations of the band ...
An important opportunity for solving future traffic problems lies in a change of the connection existing between traffic growth and economic development. It could help bring about a cut in traffic intensity. This can be achieved by rationalizing transport processes, i.e. by enhancing the efficiency of traffic via improved organization and infrastructure. Rationalization means that a given traffic effort (distance in kilometres, time, route, energy) can yield a higher transport effect, or a certain transport effect can be attained with less traffic effort. Enhanced productivity permits more transport without more traffic-related and environmental nuisances. (orig.) [Deutsch] Ein wichtiger Weg zur Loesung der kuenftigen Verkehrsprobleme liegt in der Veraenderung des Zusammenhangs der zwischen Verkehrswachstum und Wirtschaftsentwicklung besteht. Damit koennte eine Senkung der Transportintensitaet erreicht werden. Ein Ansatz hierzu bietet die ...
This short survey focuses on the main radiation-induced base lesions that have been identified within cellular DNA. For this purpose, sensitive assays that are aimed at measuring a few modifications per 10{sup 7} normal bases were set-up. In that respect high performance liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (CLHP-MS/MS) was found to be able to single out the formation of 9 oxidized nucleosides and two modified nucleo-bases out of the 70 oxidative base lesions that have been identified in model systems. As a striking result, it was found that in the DNA of {gamma}-irradiated human monocytes, the formamide-pyrimidine derivative of guanine is produced in a higher yield than the ubiquitous 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-guanine damage, both arising from the same radical precursor. However, relatively high doses of ionizing radiation (> 20 Gy) have to be applied in order to detect an increase in the level of the damage. This is due to the low ...
Oil/electric heating systems and energy measuring instrumentation were installed in 50 houses in Deep River, Ontario. These were operated and monitored for two heating seasons to demonstrate their performance and determine the percentage oil placement as a function of heater capacity and control system. All experimental data was stored and processed by computer. It was found that oil furnace utilization efficiency varied from 48 to 59% for an average of 53.5%. Oil displacement ranged from 49 to 83% for 2.5 and 5.0 kW electric heaters controlled by two-stage indoor thermostats. Fuel costs for oil/electric hybrid heating, with 5.0 kW plenum heaters and indoor two-stage thermostats, were 20% less than for oil heating, based on average furnace efficency and 1983 January retail fuel prices. Annual load factors above 37% were achieved for plenum heaters compared to 11.9% for all-electric systems. Space heating requirements were proportional to heating degree days ...
A thermophotovoltaic (TPV) generator for electric vehicles has been designed and developed. In this paper we focus on the combustion system and the heat regenerator. The system has been designed to work as a range extender for electric vehicles. This solution would provide energy always available on the vehicle, which would run even if the battery level were low. Several configurations for the burner and for the heat exchanger have been investigated and a comparison of these is presented. The different solutions have been studied both theoretically and experimentally. In this paper, we report on the work carried out to build a TPV device capable of yielding 6 kW of electric power to recharge the battery pack of an electric city-car. The project has been divided into four steps: (1) pre-design of different configurations of the burner and heat exchanger using non-commercial software 'TPV Design Tool 1.0'; (2) testing of the pre-designed generators ...
Accurate modeling of system response and scatter distribution is crucial for image reconstruction in emission tomography. Monte Carlo simulations are very well suited to calculate these quantities. However, Monte Carlo simulations are also slow and many simulated counts are needed to provide a sufficiently exact estimate of the detection probabilities. In order to overcome these problems, we propose to split the simulation into two parts, the detection system and the object to be imaged (the patient). A so-called 'virtual boundary' that separates these two parts is introduced. Within the patient, particles are simulated conventionally. Whenever a photon reaches the virtual boundary, its detection probability is calculated analytically by evaluating a multi-dimensional B-spline that depends on the photon position, direction and energy. The unknown B-spline knot values that define this B-spline are fixed by a prior 'pre-' simulation that needs to be run once for each scanner type. After ...
The compound semiconductor system InGaAsN exhibits many intriguing properties which are particularly useful for the development of innovative high efficiency thin film solar cells and long wavelength lasers. The bandgap in these semiconductors can be varied by controlling the content of N and In and the thin films can yet be lattice-matched to GaAs. In the present work, x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and grazing incidence x-ray scattering (GIXS) techniques have been employed to probe the local environment surrounding both N and In atoms as well as the interface morphology of InGaAsN thin films epitaxially grown on GaAs. The soft x-ray XAFS results around nitrogen K-edge reveal that N is in the sp{sup 3} hybridized bonding configuration in InGaAsN and GaAsN, suggesting that N impurities most likely substitute for As sites in these two compounds. The results of In K-edge XAFS suggest a possible trend of a slightly larger coordination number of As nearest ...
The Westinghouse Electric Corporation has undertaken to investigate, develop, and characterize laser-assisted processing techniques utilized to produce the fine line, thin metal grid structures that are required to fabricate high-efficiency solar cells. Two basic techniques for metal deposition will be investigated, as follows: (1) photochemical decomposition of liquid or gas phase organometallic compounds utilizing either a focused, CW ultraviolet laser (System 1) or a mask and ultraviolet flood illumination, such as that provided by a repetitively pulsed, defocused excimer laser (System 2), for pattern definition, and (2) thermal deposition of metals from organometallic solutions or vapors utilizing a focused, CW laser beam as a local heat source to draw the metallization pattern. The purpose of this contract is to investigate the various existing laser-assisted film deposition techniques in order to develop a new, cost-effective technology for solar cell ...
A new three-dimensional (3D) acoustic modelling method was developed using a first-order hyperbolic wave system which was solved with explicit finite dfferences. The numerical solution of the 3D wave system provides a useful method for simulating evolution of a pressure field corresponding to compressional type waves. Existing two-dimensional (2D) elastic modelling algorithms were modified and fine-tuned for computationally efficient and realistic wave propagation simulations in complex structures. An original formulation of the 3D reverse time migration method was developed which is very accurate, does not suffer from unwanted evenescent energy, can image dips beyond 90{degree}, and does not generate multiple energy. Two case studies were performed that involved steam stimulation projects in the Cold Lake deposit. Simulations were performed during different phases of the steam stimulation process to examine the relation between reservoir properties and conditions ...
Interest in energy systems based on hydrogen is growing rapidly. Countries including the USA, Japan and Germany have been active in this area for a number of years, but recently a large number of new countries have appeared on the hydrogen scene. These include Australia, Romanla, Greece, China and India. The main reason for this renewed interest is that a future hydrogen society may be one of the solutions to the two major challenges facing the future global economy: climate change and security of energy supply. Both these challenges require the development of new, highly-efficient energy technologies that are either carbon-neutral or emit only small amounts of carbon dioxide. While demand for oil is expected to keep on growing, the supply of oil is forecasted to peak within the next 10-20 years. In a longer time-perspective, there is thus a strong need for new fuels, especially in the transport sector. Several existing and emerging low-carbon energy technologies, ...
An improved labeling procedure for peptides attached to organometallic 99mTc(III) '4+1' mixed-ligand complexes in which the radiometal is coordinated by a tripodal tetradentate chelator 2,2',2''-nitrilotriethanethiol (NS3) and a monodentate isocyanide ligand is presented. The labeling procedure was evaluated by the synthesis of [99mTc(NS3)(L2-RGD)]. The containing radiopharmaceutically interesting RGD-peptide cyclo[Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Tyr-Lys] was modified with 4-isocyanobutanoic acid (L2) as linker conjugated to N6-Lys to get the monodentate ligand L2-RGD. The structural identity of the 99mTc-conjugate was confirmed by comparison to a Re reference compound. The Tc- and Re-conjugates had matching retention times under identical HPLC conditions. The 99mTc-labeling was performed in a novel one-step procedure using the eluate of a 99Mo/99mTc generator, NS3, the isocyanide modified peptide, SnCl2, Na2EDTA, mannitol and ascorbic acid in the reaction mixture. Using optimized reagents it is ...
In relation to coal gasification and combustion under high pressure as highly efficient coal utilization, the effect of total pressure and sintering on the SO2 capture ability of Ca-ion exchanged coal and other desulfurizing agents were studied. In experiment, specimens were filled into a small pressurized reactor to heat them under high-pressure N2 atmosphere. After the completion of combustion reaction of char at 850{degree}C, SO2, CO2 and CO gases were measured at an outlet while flowing SO2/N2. As the experimental result, all of the S content in Ca-ion exchanged coal was not absorbed by Ca content in coal during pyrolysis and combustion, resulting in discharge of 36% of the S content. Since Ca-ion exchanged coal is fast in combustion reaction, most of the S content was desulfurized by coal ash. The ash content yielded from Ca-ion exchanged coal was more excellent in SO2 capture ability than limestone even under higher pressure. In the case ...
A molybdenum (Mo) adsorbent called PZC (Poly Zirconium Compound) with high efficiency of Mo adsorption has been developed in order to generate {sup 99m}Tc from {sup 99}Mo produced from natural Mo by (n, gamma) method. The {sup 99m}Tc generator using PZC has cleared mostly the technical subjects. By the results of many experiments, cold and hot test with {sup 99}Mo activity from low level (10{sup 5} Bq) to high level (10{sup 10} Bq), it has been confirmed that the PZC method can be practically applied for the (n, gamma) {sup 99}Mo-{sup 99m}Tc generator. From the reasons that PZC has the ability and many merits such as high adsorption capacity (>250 mg-Mo/g-PZC) of Mo, high elution yield (av. 80%) of {sup 99m}Tc, the low breakthrough (<0.05 kBq-{sup 99m}Mo/MBq-{sup 99m}Tc) of {sup 99}Mo and others, the current (n, fission) {sup 99m}Tc generator utilizing {sup 99}Mo produced from enriched uranium will be taken the place by PZC ...
The present position paper addresses contemporary waste management options, weaknesses and opportunities faced by Hellenic local authorities. It focuses on state-of-the-art, tested as well as innovative, environmental management tools on a municipal scale and identifies a range of different collaboration schemes between local authorities and related service providers. Currently, a policy implementation gap is still experienced among Hellenic local authorities; it appears that administration at the local level is inadequate to manage and implement many of the general policies proposed; identify, collect, monitor and assess relevant data; and safeguard efficient and effective implementation of MSWM practices in the framework of integrated environmental management as well. This shortfall is partly due to the decentralisation of waste management issues to local authorities without a parallel substantial budgetary and capacity support, thus resulting in local activity ...
It was the aim of this study to specifically detect the DNA sequences for the bphC gene, the meta-cleavage enzyme of the aerobic catabolic pathway for biphenyl and polychlorinated biphenyl degradation, in aquatic sediments without prior cultivation of microorganisms by using extraction of total DNA, PCR amplification of bphC sequences, and detection with specific gene probes. The direct DNA extraction protocol used was modified to enhance lysis efficiency. Crude extracts of DNA were further purified by gel filtration, which yielded DNA that could be used for the PCR. PCR primers were designed for conserved regions of the bphC gene from a sequence alignment of five known sequences. The specificity of PCR amplification was verified by using digoxigenin-labeled DNA probes which were located internal to the amplified gene sequence. The detection limit for the bphC gene of Pseudomonas paucimobilis Q1 and Pseudomaonas sp. strain LB 400-like sequences ...
This paper extends the analytical procedure described in another paper in these proceedings to analyze a variety of compact and light-weight OSC-designed radioisotope-heated generators. Those generators employed General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) modules and a converter containing sixteen AMTEC cells of OSC`s revised five-tube design with enhanced cell wall reflectivity described in a companion paper in these proceedings. OSC found that the performance of the generator is primarily a function of the thermal insulation between the outside of the generator`s 16 cells and the inside of its wall. After examining a variety of insulation options, it was found that the generator`s performance is optimized by employing a hybrid insulation system, in which the space between the cells is filled with fibrous Min-K insulation, and the generator walls are lined with tapered (i.e., graded-length) multifoil insulation. The OSC design results in a very compact generator, with eight AMTEC cells on each ...
In Canada, the federal government, through CANMET, is actively supporting coal liquefaction research and development in a number of areas. A review of the basic principles and some of the processes in the production of liquid fuels from coal is presented with reference to the characteristics of the Canadian coal resource base. An overview of the CANMET coal liquefaction contract program is presented and specific results from the batch autoclave studies carried out with Saskatchewan lignite and Nova Scotia high-volatile bituminous coals are discussed. The development of a laboratory-scale continuous-flow coal liquefaction unit at the Energy Research Laboratories of CANMET to investigate the co-processing of coal and bitumen/heavy oil is also described. In principle, there are only two routes to the production of liquid fuels from coal - a degradation route and a synthesis route. The degradation route partially breaks the complex coal structure into simpler molecules. This route can be ...
GaAs-based dc high voltage photoguns used at accelerators with extensive user programs must exhibit long photocathode operating lifetime. Achieving this goal represents a significant challenge for proposed high average current facilities that must operate at tens of milliamperes or more. This paper describes techniques to maintain good vacuum while delivering beam, and techniques that minimize the ill effects of ion bombardment, the dominant mechanism that reduces photocathode yield of a GaAs-based dc high voltage photogun. Experimental results presented here demonstrate enhanced lifetime at high beam currents by: (a) operating with the drive laser beam positioned away from the electrostatic center of the photocathode, (b) limiting the photocathode active area to eliminate photoemission from regions of the photocathode that do not support efficient beam delivery, (c) using a large drive laser beam to distribute ion damage over a larger area, ...
Benzene molecules , present in the proto-planetary nebula CRL 618, are ionized and dissociated by ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray photons originated from the hot central star and by its fast wind. Ionic species and free radicals produced by these processes can lead to the formation of new organic molecules. The aim of this work is to study the photoionization and photodissociation processes of the benzene molecule, using synchrotron radiation and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Mass spectra were recorded at different energies corresponding to the vacuum UV (21.21 eV) and soft X-ray (282-310 eV) spectral regions. The production of ions from the benzene dissociative photoionization is here quantified, indicating that C_6H_6 is more efficiently fragmented by soft X-ray than UV radiation, where 50% of the ionized benzene molecules survive to UV dissociation while only about 4% resist to C-rays. Partial ion yields of H and small hydrocarbons, such as ...
A new opportunity to improve the safety and efficiency of environmental restoration operations, using robotics has emerged from advances in industry, academia, and government labs. Self-Guided Vehicles (SGV`s) have recently been developed in industry and early systems have already demonstrated much, though not all, of the functionality necessary to support driverless transportation of waste within and between processing facilities. Improved materials databases are being developed by at least two DOE remediation sites, the Fernald Environmental Management Project (FEME) in the State of Ohio and the Hanford Complex in the State of Washington. SGV`s can be developed that take advantage of the information in these databases and yield improved dispatch, waste tracking, report and shipment documentation. In addition, they will reduce the radiation hazard to workers and the risk of damaging containers through accidental collision. In this document, ...
3-D depth migration is one of the most active areas of research and development and it has been approached from different angles. An accurate algorithm which works in the space-frequency domain was introduced by Blacquiere et al. (1989). Unfortunately, it is computationally very expensive and not suitable for solving real-life 3-D migration problems. This led to the development of an alternative scheme (hale, 1990) which sacrifices some accuracy but is much more efficient. It is commonly referred to as the Hale-McClellan method. An alternative procedure known as reverse-time migration works in the space-time domain. It is based on the full wave equation and yields by far the most accurate results, but it requires extremely large computer resources. However, a series of new developments (Mufti et al, 1996) have made this algorithm a very practical tool even for migrating large exploration-scale 3-D real data. We shall provide a comparative ...
The wet and dry venom yields for most Australian native dangerous snakes and a number of non-Australian species are presented. Snakes from the Pseudonaja genus yielded higher than previously published amounts and suggest reconsideration be given to increasing the volume of antivenom in each vial. Higher percentage solids were obtained from venoms from the 4 cobra species (Naja) and Pseudechis genus included in this series. PMID:16937075
Grain yield is a major goal for the improvement of durum wheat, particularly in drought-prone areas. In this study, the genetic basis of grain yield (GY), heading date (HD), and plant height (PH) was...Full Text Available
Effects of gamma irradiation on hygienic quality and extraction yields in twenty-one kinds of Korean medicinal herbs were investigated. Gamma irradiation at 5-10 kGy inactivated contaminating microorganisms. The total extraction yield in fifteen kinds of the investigated medicinal herbs increased by 5-25% by a dose of 10 kGy. (author)
The current methods used by the tissue analysis program at LASL for the determination of americium and plutonium in autopsy tissue are described. Problems affecting radiochemical yield are discussed. Included are problems associated with sample preparation, separation of plutonium from large amounts of bone ash, and reagent contamination. The average "2"4"2Pu tracer yield for 1800 Pu determinations is 78 +- 12%. The average "2"4"2Am tracer yield is 85 +- 7% for 40 determinations.
The current methods used by the tissue analysis program at LASL for the determination of americium and plutonium in autopsy tissue are described. Problems affecting radiochemical yield are discussed. Included are problems associated with sample preparation, separation of plutonium from large amounts of bone ash, and reagent contamination. The average /sup 242/Pu tracer yield for 1800 Pu determinations is 78 +- 12%. The average /sup 242/Am tracer yield is 85 +- 7% for 40 determinations.
Sputter-removal rates of overlayer and interfacial species on silicon are analyzed to determine sputtering yields for the species involved. Sputtering yields up to two orders of magnitude lower than those measured for silicon are found, and the results are interpreted in terms of a cascade mixing process which continually reburies much of the overlayer material beyond the escape depth of the sputtered atoms.
Sputter-removal rates of overlayer and interfacial species on silicon are analyzed to determine sputtering yields for the species involved. Sputtering yields up to two orders of magnitude lower than those measured for silicon are found, and the results are interpreted in terms of a cascade mixing process which continually reburies much of the overlayer material beyond the escape depth of the sputtered atoms.
Summary - Hydraulic traits were studied in temperate, woody evergreens in a high-elevation heath community to test for trade-offs between the delivery of water to canopies at rates sufficient to sustain photosynthesis and protection against disruption to vascular transport caused by freeze-thaw-induced embolism. - Freeze-thaw-induced loss in hydraulic conductivity was studied in relation to xylem anatomy, leaf- and sapwood-specific hydraulic conductivity and gas exchange characteristics of leaves. - We found evidence that a trade-off between xylem transport capacity and safety from freeze-thaw-induced embolism affects photosynthetic activity in overwintering evergreens. The mean hydraulically weighted xylem vessel diameter and sapwood-specific conductivity correlated with susceptibility to...
Summary The objective of this study was to examine the role of root carbohydrate levels and metabolism in the waterlogging tolerance of contrasting mung bean genotypes. An experiment was conducted with two cultivated mung bean (Vigna radiata) genotypes viz., T44 (tolerant) and Pusa Baisakhi (PB) (susceptible), and a wild Vigna species Vigna luteola under pot-culture to study the physiological and molecular mechanism of waterlogging tolerance. Waterlogging resulted in decrease in relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI) in root and leaf tissues, and chlorophyll (Chl) content in leaves, while the Chl a/b ratio increased. Waterlogging-induced decline in RWC, MSI, Chl and increase in Chl a/b ratio was greater in PB than V. luteola and T44. Waterlogging caused decline in tot...
Vermicompost preparations are increasingly used in agricultural practice. There is a possibility, that crop plants are sensitive to negative effect of vermicompost at early stages of development. The aim of the present study was to test the effects of vermicompost on seed germination and seedling growth of different vegetable crop species. Vermicompost substitution inhibited seed germination and seedling growth with almost linear decrease of growth with increasing concentration of vermicopost in the substrate. However, both leaf chlorophyll content and photochemical activity of photosynthesis increased in all crop species with the exception of pea seedlings. Vermicompost extract as a watering solution showed positive effect on growth of bean and pea seedlings. Germination response of vermi...
The 6n-dimensional phase space of the planetary (1+n)-body problem (after the classical reduction of the total linear momentum) is shown to be foliated by symplectic leaves of dimension (6n?2) invariant for the planetary Hamiltonian Formula Not Shown . Such foliation is described by means of a new global set of Darboux coordinates related to a symplectic (partial) reduction of rotations. On each symplectic leaf Formula Not Shown has the same form and it is shown to preserve classical symmetries. Further sets of Darboux coordinates may be introduced on the symplectic leaves so as to achieve a complete (total) reduction of rotations. Next, by explicit computations, it is shown that, in the reduced settings, certain degeneracies are removed. In particular, full torsion is checked both in the ...
The viability of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto and Anopheles arabiensis (Diptera: Culicidae) eggs over time and the ovicidal activity of Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Cordycipitaceae) and Metarhizium anisopliae (Ascomycota: Clavicipitaceae) were investigated. Eggs were incubated in soil or leaf litter for up to 12?weeks at 26?C and 75%, 86% or >98% relative humidity (RH). Eggs were treated topically with M. anisopliae ICIPE-30 or B. bassiana I93-825 conidia in either water or oil-in-water formulations. Survival of eggs whether treated or not with fungus was similar, and untreated eggs generally did not survive longer than 2?weeks regardless of the substrate or humidity tested. After a minimal 5-day exposure, M. anisopliae at 5???106?conidia/cm2 clearly reduced the number of larvae. The...
Dinarmus basalis Rondani (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), an ectoparasitoid of bruchid pests of stored cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata), is a potential biological control agent. We investigated whether grain protectants from Hyptis spicigera and H. suaveolens (Lamiaceae) disturb parasitism and post-embryonic growth of the parasitoid. When cowpeas containing bruchid larvae were treated before being placed in the presence of D. basalis females, the rate of parasitism decreased on average up to 24% and 47% in the presence of, respectively, leaf dry powder and essential oils from both plant species. The estimated larval mortality was higher on treated (9.55 to 28.6%) than on non-treated parasitized hosts (2.8%), depending on the plant species and the plant extract tested. Additional larval mortality wa...
The present paper describes the phytochemical investigation and biological activities of the chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of leaf decocts of M. truncata Reiss (Celastraceae). Our studies afforded two flavonoid glycosides, quercetin-3-O-rhamnopyranosyl-O-glucopyranosyl- O-rhamnopyranosyl-O-galactopyranoside (1) and kampferol-3-O-rhamnopyranosyl-O-glucopyranosyl- O-rhamnopyranosyl-O-galactopyranoside (2) from the methanolic extract and dulcitol (3) from the ethyl acetate extract. Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts exhibited considerable antiulcerogenic and analgesic activities. The results of the phytochemical studies suggest that the healing activity of methanol extracts can be related to the presence of glycosyl flavonoids. (author)
Recycling of carbon by the photorespiratory pathway involves enzymatic steps in the chloroplast, mitochondria, and peroxisomes. Most of these reactions are essential for plants growing under ambient CO2 concentrations. However, some disruptions of photorespiratory metabolism cause subtle phenotypes in plants grown in air. For example, Arabidopsis thaliana lacking both of the peroxisomal malate dehydrogenase genes (pmdh1pmdh2) or hydroxypyruvate reductase (hpr1) are viable in air and have rates of photosynthesis only slightly lower than wild-type plants. To investigate how disruption of the peroxisomal reduction of hydroxypyruvate to glycerate influences photorespiratory carbon metabolism we analyzed leaf gas exchange in A. thaliana plants lacking peroxisomal HPR1 expression. In addition, b...
Summary. Ratiometric fluorescent dyes are often used to monitor free ion concentrations in vivo, especially in cells that are recalcitrant to transformation with genetically encoded fluorescent markers. Although intracellular dye distributions are often found to be cytosolic, dye localisation has often not been examined in detail. We began exploring the use of BCECF (2?,7?-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein) to monitor pH in the giant alga Chara australis and discovered that younger leaf cells could be loaded using the acetoxymethyl ester of BCECF. However, we were puzzled to find in microphotometric measurements that the fluorescence ratio appeared insensitive to manipulations affecting cytosolic pH. Confocal imaging of C. australis cells loaded with BCECF showed an accumulation ...
Labelling of "1"4C-M-ISP and its absorption, translocation and distribution in peanut and soybean seedling were studied. The results of experiments showed that the radioactive substance could be translocated in xylem and phloem of two kinds of plants. The root of peanut seedling absorbed "1"4C-M-ISP from the nutrient solution more strong than the root of soybean seedling did. After leaf treatment with "1"4C-M-ISP, the soybean seedling absorbed more radioactive substance than peanut seedling did. But the translocation's speed of radioactive substance in pnloem of two kinds of plants were similar.
Jatropha is a nonedible oil seed plant belonging to Euphorbiaceae family. Global awareness of sustainable and alternative energy resources has propelled research on Jatropha oil as a feedstock for biodiesel production. During the past two decades, several cultivation projects were undertaken to produce Jatropha oil. In future, the increased cultivation of toxic Jatropha plants and utilization of its agro-industrial by-products may raise the frequency of contact with humans, animals, and other organisms. An attempt was thus made to present known information on toxicity of Jatropha plants. The toxicity of Jatropha plant extracts from fruit, seed, oil, roots, latex, bark, and leaf to a number of species, from microorganisms to higher animals, is well established. Broadly, these extracts posse...
Abstract Restoration needs to consider more than just soils and plants. The role of terrestrial invertebrates in the restoration of Alcoa's bauxite mines in the Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest of Western Australia has been the subject of over 20 individual studies. Projects range from arthropods in soil and leaf litter, to the understorey vegetation, and the tree canopy. Moreover, projects span a range of trophic groups, including decomposers (e.g., springtails and termites), predators (e.g., ants and spiders), and herbivores (e.g., true bugs and ants preying on seeds). Elucidation of recolonization trajectories uses both space-for-time substitutions and long-term regular sampling. Importantly, many studies are at species level rather than coarser taxonomic ranks. This paper provides ...
Leaf litterfall, litter decomposition and nutrient return through litterfall of three dominant species, i.e. Quercus serrata, Schima wallichi and Lithocarpus dealbata were studied in different months throughout the year to assess the input and release of nutrient in the forest soil of a sub-tropical mixed oak forest of Manipur, northeastern India. Oaks in northeastern region of India are economically important species for the production of Tasar silk. The monthly litterfall ranged from 25.6 g?m?2 (July) to 198.0 g?m?2 (February) and annual litterfall was 1093.8g?m?2 in the forest site. At initial month (on November 3), the concentrations of N and C were the highest in L. dealbata, followed by Q. serrata and lowest in S. wallichi, whereas lignin and cellulose concentrations at initial month...
Water stress and fire disturbance can directly impact stand structure, biomass and composition by causing mortality and influencing competitive interactions among trees. However, open eucalypt forests of southwest Australia are highly resilient to fire and drought and may respond differently to increased fire frequency and aridity than forests dominated by non-eucalypt species. We measured the variation in stem density, basal area, stand biomass, sapwood area, leaf area and litterfall across 16 mixed jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and marri (Corymbia calophylla) forest stands along an aridity gradient in southwest Australia that had variable fire histories. Fire frequency was defined as the total number of fires over a ~30-year period and aridity as the ratio of potential evapotranspiration...
Summaries are included of research contracts which expired prior to Dec. 31, 1960. The contracts were concerned with investigations of: electrophysiological responses of biological systems in nerve cells to irradiation with small doses of ionizing radiations; the mode of the protective action of certain sulfhydryl compounds against radiation effects on the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid, using tritium-labeled thymidine; development of a bubble chamber method of monitoring and dosimetry for Low fast neutron fluxes; effects of incorporated radioisotopes on the stability of genetic materials; interrelation of root and leaf absorption of radioisotopes in herbaceous plants; uptake of radioactive wastes by lowland rice from soils contaminated by irrigation water, and decontamination of the rice; and comparison between mutation rates induced by acute and chronic gamma irradiations. (B.O.G.)
In Haiti, and other semiarid regions of the world, the need for fuelwood and forage is critical. The report summarizes research conducted over a ten year period on developing replicable plantations of leguminous trees in semiarid lands, especially in areas near seawater salinity levels. Research included greenhouse and laboratory work followed by field trials in Haiti and focused on two species: Prosopis and Leucaena. (Acacia is mentioned in the report's title but not in the report itself.) Results were as follows. (1) Greenhouse experiments identified leaf diagnostic criteria indicating mineral nutrient deficiencies in field trees. It also established the importance of micronutrients, especially zinc, in permitting growth in high pH (9.0) soils.
As the main forestry species in the Canary Islands (Spain), Pinus canariensis is frequently used in afforestation programs. Several nursery techniques are commonly employed to modify its morphology and physiology with the aim of improving post-planting survival and growth. In this work, we studied how fertilization and light regime treatments applied during the nursery period modify biomass allocation patterns and produce effects in gas exchange and root hydraulic conductance. Seedlings were grown for a 6-month period in the nursery under two light regimes (full sunlight and 40% PAR reduction), and three fertilization levels were applied in each light regime. Morphology, biomass allocation patterns, leaf gas exchange and hydraulic conductance of the whole root system were evaluated. Fertil...
The full length cDNA of the Brn1 was first cloned, and then expression of the Brn1 was analyzed and the function was identified by silencing technology. Results show that the full length cDNA of the C. lunata Brn1 gene contains 1001 base pairs and an 801?bp open reading frame encoding 267 amino acids. Semi-quantitative PCR analysis shows that the expression of Brn1 at 96?h is significantly higher than at 24 and 72?h (p?Brn1-silenced transformants were light brown in culture filtrate, and have significantly reduced toxin production relative to the wild-type. These results imply that Brn1 gene in C. lunata is not only involved in 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene melanin synthesis, but is also relatively associated with toxin biosynthesis of the pathogen.
The availability of hourly air relative humidity (HARH) data is a key requirement for the estimation of epidemic dynamics of plant fungal pathogens, in particular for the simulation of both the germination of the spores and the infection process. Most of the existing epidemic forecasting models require these data as input directly or indirectly, in the latter case for the estimation of leaf wetness duration. In many cases, HARH must be generated because it is not available in historical series and when there is the need to simulate epidemics either on a wide scale or with different climate scenarios. Thirteen modelling solutions (MS) for the generation of this variable were evaluated, with different input requirements and alternative approaches, on a large dataset including several sites a...
Field-grown snap bean plants were treated with simulated acidic rain applied either alone or in combination with ambient rain and the effects on growth and yield were determined. In plots where ambient rain was excluded, a retractable canopy was activated to shield the crop. Four levels of acidity at pH values of 5.0, 4.2, 3.4 and 2.6 were applied in four replicate treatments and the experiment was conducted in two successive years (1981 and 1982). In plots that received only simulated rain, yield was not adversely affected by acidic rain; in 1981, a positive linear relationship was present between acidity of simulated rain and yield, but in 1981, no effect was found. In contrast, in plots that received both simulated and ambient rain, a negative linear relationship between acidity in simulated rain and yield was observed in both years.
The renewed CDF II experiment recently re-started data taking. The data collected lately already provides insight in the heavy flavor capabilities of this p{bar p} experiment. As a benchmark of these possibilities we present two preliminary results: the measurement of the branching fractions BR(D{sup o} {yields} {pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}) and BR(D{sup o} {yields} K{sup +}K{sup -}) relative to BR(D{sup o} {yields} K{sup {+-}} {pi}{sup {-+}}) and the measurement of the invariant mass difference between D{sub s}{sup {+-}} {yields} {phi}{pi}{sup {+-}}, {phi} {yields} K{sup +}K{sup -} and D{sup {+-}} {yields} {phi}{pi}{sup {+-}}, {phi} {yields} K{sup +}K{sup -}. The preliminary results are BR(D{sup o} {yields} {pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -})/BR(D{sup o} {yields} K{sup {+-}} {pi}{sup {-+}}) = 3.37 {+-} 0.20(stat) ...
This investigation was carried out during the two seasons of 1998/1999 and 1999/2000 at the experimental farm belonging to the plant research department, nuclear research center, atomic energy authority in Inshas to evaluate four lupin mutant lines (L_1, L_2, L_3 and L_4) along with their original mother varieties giza 1 and giza 2 under different levels and nitrogen fertilizer levels. The results indicated that seed yield/ plant and its effective components number and weight of pods/plant were significantly higher in all the mutant lines as compared to their parents either in the first or second seasons. Concerning the effect of irrigation intervals on yield and its components for developed mutants and their mother varieties as well as the results gave an evidence that the wider interval showed the lesser values for yield and most of yield components. Obtained data also revealed that ...
The interpretation of soil amelioration experiments with peanuts is made difficult by the unpredictibility of the crop and by the many factors altered when ameliorating acid soils. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of lime and gypsum applications on peanut kernel yield via the three first order yield components, pods per ha, kernels per pod, and kernel mass. On an acid medium sandy loam soil (typic Plinthustult), liming resulted in a highly significant kernel yield increase of 117% whereas gypsum applications were of no significant benefit. As indicated by path coefficient analysis, an increase in the number of pods per ha was markedly more important in increasing yield than an increase in either the number of kernels per pod or kernel mass. Furthermore, exch. Al was found to be particularly detrimental to pod number. It was postulated that poor peanut ...
Transfer factors of "2"1"0Po from soil to parsley and mint have been determined. Artificial polonium isotope ("2"0"8Po) was used as a tracer to determine transfer factor of Po from soil to plant in pot experiments. Two plant growing systems were used for this study namely, an outdoor system and a sheltered system by a polyethylene tent. "2"0"8Po and "2"1"0Po were determined in soil and different parts of the studied plants (stem and leaf), using alpha spectroscopy. The results have shown that there was a clear uptake of "2"0"8Po by roots to leaves and stems of both plants. Higher values of transfer factors using the "2"1"0Po activity concentrations than the "2"0"8Po activity concentration were observed. Transfer factors of "2"1"0Po from soil to parsley varied between 20 x 10"-"2 and 50 x 10"-"2 and 22 x 10"-"3 and 67 x 10"-"3 in mint, while "2"0"8Po transfer factors varied between 4 x 10"-"2 and 12 x 10"-"2 for parsley and 10 x 10"-"2 and 22 x 10"-"2 in mint. ...
Full - grown pupae of the cotton leaf worm Spodoptera littorals (Boisd.) were gamma - irradiated with low doses of 25,50,75, or 100 Gy for male line and with 50 or 100 Gy for female line . The effects on reproduction, development and sex ratio were the biological aspects studied among P1,F1,F2 and F 3 generations . Also, the effects of dose accumulation applied grown male pupae through two or three filial generations and the retarded influence on their F1,F2,and F 3 progeny were examined. In another trial the histological examinations for ovaries and testes of irradiated parents and for their generation were made . The F1 males were more sterile than irradiated parental males while F1 females were more fertile than their irradiated parental females. Irradiation of P1 males did not clearly affect neither the percentage of mated females nor the average number of spermatophores per mated female among the individuals of P1,F1,F2 and F 3 generations. Irradiation of P1 ...
Sida rhomboidea. Roxb leaf extract (SRLE) is being used by the populace of North-East India to alleviate symptoms of diabetes and obesity. We have previously reported its hypolipidemic and anti-diabetic properties. In this study, we report the effect of SRLE on (i) in vivo modulation of genes controlling high fat diet (HFD) induced obesity and (ii) in vitro 3T3L1 pre-adipocyte differentiation and leptin release. Supplementation with SRLE significantly prevented HFD induced increment in bodyweight, plasma lipids and leptin, visceral adiposity and adipocyte hypertrophy. Also, SRLE supplementation reduced food intake, down regulated PPAR?2, SREBP1c, FAS and LEP expressions and up-regulated CPT-1 in epididymal adipose tissue compared to obese mice. In vitro adipogenesis of 3T3L1 pre-adipocytes was significantly retarded in the presence of SRLE extract. Also decreased triglyceride accumulation, leptin release and glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate dehydrogenase activity along ...
The feasibility of using a multileaf collimator (MLC) for grid therapy is demonstrated in this study. Grids with the projected field openings of 10 mmx10 mm and 5 mmx5 mm were created using multiple MLC-shaped fields. The deposited doses were measured with films at different depths in a solid water phantom and compared to those of Cerrobend grid collimators of similar hole sizes and hole separations. At the depth of maximum dose (d_m_a_x), the valley-to-peak dose ratios of the MLC grids were found to be about 11% and 19% for the respective 10 mmx10 mm and 5 mmx5 mm grid openings, and those of the corresponding grid blocks were about 15% and 20%. To quantify the dose contributed by transmission in the blocked areas due to the limited leaf thickness, Monte Carlo simulations (based on convolution/superposition method) were performed to calculate the doses in the solid water phantom using an ideal MLC with no leakage and perfect divergence in both the ...
Purpose: In this paper, we present an alternative to the originally proposed technique for the delivery of spatially fractionated radiation therapy (GRID) using multi-leaf collimator (MLC) shaped fields. We employ the MLC to deliver various pattern GRID treatments to large solid tumors and dosimetrically characterize the GRID fields. Methods and materials: The GRID fields were created with different open to blocked area ratios and with variable separation between the openings using a MLC. GRID designs were introduced into the Pinnacle"3 treatment planning system, and the dose was calculated in a water phantom. Ionization chamber and film measurements using both Kodak EDR2 and Gafchromic EBT film were performed in a SolidWater phantom to determine the relative output of each GRID design as well as its spatial dosimetric characteristics. Results: Agreement within 5.0% was observed between the Pinnacle"3 predicted dose distributions and the measurements for the ...
This study reports the observation of the decays B{sup 0}{yields}D{sup (*)+}{sub S}{pi}{sup -} and B{sup 0}{yields}D{sup (*)-}K{sup +} in a sample of 230 x 10{sup 6} {Upsilon}(4S) {yields} B{bar B} events collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy e{sup +}e{sup -} storage ring, located at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. The branching fractions {beta}(B{sup 0} {yields} D{sup +}{sub S}{pi}{sup -}) = (1.3 {+-} 0.3 (stat) {+-} 0.2 (syst)) x 10{sup -5}, {beta}(B{sup 0} {yields} D{sup +}{sub S}K{sup +}) = (2.5 {+-} 0.4 (stat) {+-} 0.4 (syst)) x 10{sup -5}, {beta}(B{sup 0}{yields}D{sup (*)+}{sub S}{pi}{sup -}) = (2.8 {+-} 0.6 (stat) {+-} 0.5 (syst)) x 10{sup -5}, and {beta}(B{sup 0}{yields}D{sup (*)-}K{sup +}) = (2.0 {+-} 0.5 (stat) {+-} 0.4 (syst)) x 10{sup -5} are measured. The significance of the measurements to ...
A robust fusion of the agricultural, industrial biotechnology, and energy industries can create a new strategic national capability for energy independence and climate protection. In his State of the Union Address (Bush 2006), President George W. Bush outlined the Advanced Energy Initiative, which seeks to reduce our national dependence on imported oil by accelerating the development of domestic, renewable alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuels. The president has set a national goal of developing cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable alternative energy sources to substantially replace oil imports in the coming years. Fuels derived from cellulosic biomass - the fibrous, woody, and generally inedible portions of plant matter - offer one such alternative to conventional energy sources that can dramatically impact national economic growth, national energy security, and environmental goals. Cellulosic biomass is an attractive energy feedstock because it is an abundant, domestic, renewable ...
An efficient method of hydrogen storage in nano-porous carbons is its reversible sorption by electrochemical decomposition of a KOH water solution [1-3] according to the following equation: C + xH{sub 2}O + xe{sup -} {yields} (CH{sub x}) + xOH{sup -} where (CH{sub x}) stands for the hydrogen inserted into the nano-porous carbon during charging and oxidized during discharging. Although various carbon materials have been investigated as hydrogen adsorbents, the information about the storage mechanism as well as the nature of the hydrogen/carbon interaction is still not sufficient. In order to extend the understanding of the process, carbon samples charged electrochemically were investigated by temperature programmed desorpt(TPD). The nature of the hydrogen/carbon interaction was studied by electrochemical analysis at different temperatures. The TPD experiments consist of heating the samples from room temperature to 950 C and of quantitative ...
ALSTOM Power Inc.'s Power Plant Laboratories (ALSTOM) has teamed with the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE NETL), American Electric Company (AEP) and Parsons Energy and Chemical Group to conduct a comprehensive study evaluating coal fired steam power plants, known as Rankine Cycles, equipped with three different combustion systems: Pulverized Coal (PC), Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB), and Circulating Moving Bed (CMB{trademark}). Five steam cycles utilizing a wide range of steam conditions were used with these combustion systems. The motivation for this study was to establish through engineering analysis, the most cost-effective performance potential available through improvement in the Rankine Cycle steam conditions and combustion systems while at the same time ensuring that the most stringent emission performance based on CURC (Coal Utilization Research Council) 2010 targets are met: > 98% sulfur removal; < 0.05 lbm/MM-Btu ...
The e{sup +}e{sup -}{yields}pp cross section is determined over a range of pp masses, from threshold to 4.5 GeV/c{sup 2}, by studying the e{sup +}e{sup -}{yields}pp{gamma} process. The data set corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 232 fb{sup -1}, collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II storage ring, at an e{sup +}e{sup -} center-of-mass energy of 10.6 GeV. The mass dependence of the ratio of electric and magnetic form factors, G{sub E}/G{sub M}, is measured for pp masses below 3 GeV/c{sup 2}; its value is found to be significantly larger than 1 for masses up to 2.2 GeV/c{sup 2}. We also measure J/{psi}{yields}pp and {psi}(2S){yields}pp branching fractions and set an upper limit on Y(4260){yields}pp production and decay.
Process solvent was hydrogenated in the brown coal liquefaction, to investigate the influence of it on the prethermal treatment and liquefaction. Consequently, it was found that the n-hexane soluble (HS) yield was improved. In this study, capacity of hydrogen transfer from solvent during prethermal treatment and effects of catalyst were investigated. Since prethermal treatment in oil was effective for improving the oil yield in the presence of hydrogen/catalyst or high hydrogen-donor solvent, influence of hydrogen-donor performance of solvent or addition of catalyst on the hydrogenation behavior of coal and the characteristics of products during prethermal treatment were investigated in relation to successive liquefaction results. As a result, it was found that the increase of HS yield was due to the acceleration of conversion of THF-insoluble using high hydrogen-donor solvent and/or by adding catalyst. It was also found ...
We investigate the sparticle production processes e{gamma} {yields} e tilde(Z tilde){sub 1} and {gamma}{gamma} {yields} (f tilde)(f tilde and bar) at high energy e{gamma} and {gamma}{gamma} colliders in the framework of the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM). It will be shown that the e{gamma} colliders would be more suitable in searching for the heavy selectrons than ee colliders because of the low mass threshold of the process e{gamma} {yields} (e tilde)(Z tilde){sub 1}. We show that the standard background processes e{gamma} {yields} {nu}W and eZ can be suppressed in terms of initial beam polarization as well as the kinematical cuts on the energy and angle of the final electron. Moreover, it will be argued that the experimental measurements of the cross sections for the processes e{gamma} {yields} (e tilde)(Z tilde){sub 1} and {gamma}{gamma} ...
For developing coal liquefaction processes, it is an important problem to improve the light oil yield with increased oil yield. It was previously reported that distillate mainly containing lighter fraction can be produced with high oil yield by reducing the iron/sulfur catalyst addition in slurry, by recycling gas in the process operation, by utilizing these effects, and by using heavy oil as recycling solvent. In this study, the maximum distillate yield of Victorian brown coal was investigated through continuous liquefaction using a bench scale unit. In addition, operation conditions for obtaining sufficient oil yield were investigated under the reduced catalyst addition into one-third. Consequently, it was confirmed that the maximum content of lighter fraction in distillate product was obtained with reduced catalyst addition by using heavy oil as recycling solvent, by adopting new ...
Maintenance energy expenditures were mesured for five rumen bacteria, Selenomonas ruminantium, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Bacteroides ruminicola, Megasphaera elsdenii, and Streptococcus bovis, by using a complex medium with glucose as the carbon source. Large differences (as high as 8.5-fold) in maintenance energy expenditures were seen among these bacteria. The suggestion is made that maintenance requirements could be a significant determinant of bacterial competition in the rumen. Theoretical maximum growth yields, calculated from double reciprocal plots of yield versus dilution rate, were compared to theoretical Y(ATP) values in order to estimate minimum molar adenosine 5'-triphosphate yields from glucose for each bacterium. Results showed that relative yield among the bacteria was growth rate dependent. At high dilution rates, both S. ruminantium and S. bovis produced lactate as their principal ...
Pyrolysis of Greek fir wood samples in a fluidized bed reactor was studied. The experimental conditions selected control the yield of gaseous, liquid and solid products. The factors examined were: pyrolysis temperature, mean particle size, pressure, residence time of volatiles, lignin content of biomass and moisture content. The experiments were performed on the basis of a 12-run Plackett-Burman fractional factorial design. Statistical analysis of the data showed that the pyrolysis temperature is the main factor affecting the distribution of the yields of liquids, their phenolic fraction and gases in the range of experimental conditions tested. Empirical expressions were obtained from linear regression giving the yields of liquids, phenols and gases in terms of temperature. The maximum predicted yields were 56 and 12 wt.% on a moisture-free basis at 520 C and 545 C for liquids and phenols, respectively. ...
The main objectives of this project are to quantify the changes in fracture porosity and multi-phase transport properties as a function of confining stress. These changes will be integrated into conceptual and numerical models that will improve our ability to predict and optimize fluid transport in fractured system. This report details our progress on: (a) developing the direct experimental measurements of fracture aperture and topology and fluid occupancy using high-resolution x-ray micro-tomography, (b) counter-current fluid transport between the matrix and the fracture, (c) studying the effect of confining stress on the distribution of fracture aperture and two-phase flow, and (d) characterization of shear fractures and their impact on multi-phase flow. The three-dimensional surface that describes the large-scale structure of the fracture in the porous medium can be determined using x-ray micro-tomography with significant accuracy. Several fractures have been scanned and the ...
This was a university-based research project in support of distributed reforming production technologies for hydrogen. Our objective was to examine the steam reforming of bio-ethanol and other related bio-derived liquids over non-precious metal catalyst systems to enable small-scale distributed hydrogen production technologies from renewable sources. The study targeted development of a catalytic system that does not rely on precious metals and that can be active in the 350-550 C temperature range, with high selectivity and high stability. To this end, we adopted a multi-prong research strategy, that included catalyst formulation and synthesis, detailed catalyst characterization, reaction kinetics and reaction engineering, molecular modeling and economic analysis studies. Our approach was an iterative one, where the knowledge gained in one aspect of the study was utilized to modify and fine-tune catalyst development. The research addressed many fundamental and inter-related phenomena ...
Doubly-excited 2s{sup -1}2p{sup -1}3pnp autoionizing resonance series of Ne atom as well as autoionizing resonances in the 2s region of Na and Mg atoms have been studied with monochromatized synchrotron radiation. Use of charge-separated photoion-yield method allowed us to detect these weak resonances in a clarified way in the yield curves of doubly-charged ions. The observed resonance states have been interpreted with the help of MCDF calculations, and the decay processes of these resonance states are discussed briefly.
Doubly-excited 2s-12p-13pnp autoionizing resonance series of Ne atom as well as autoionizing resonances in the 2s region of Na and Mg atoms have been studied with monochromatized synchrotron radiation. Use of charge-separated photoion-yield method allowed us to detect these weak resonances in a clarified way in the yield curves of doubly-charged ions. The observed resonance states have been interpreted with the help of MCDF calculations, and the decay processes of these resonance states are discussed briefly.
There is proposed the nonlinear model of dose dependence saturation of the yield strength on the base of the vacancy and interstitial barrier interaction in this work. Processes of mutual recombination of vacancy and interstitial barriers and formation of vacancy and interstitial clusters are taken into consideration. In the framework of the model, the analytical equations corresponding to the evolution of the barrier densities and yield strength are obtained. It is shown that the yield strength of irradiated materials decreases with the increasing intensity of barrier recombination processes, the dependence being nonlinear. Also it is shown that the model is valid both for low doses and large doses on the stage of radiation hardening.
An improved method for the synthesis of (/sup 15/N) 16-Doxyl stearate, a fatty-acid spin label, is reported. The method requires only one mole of (/sup 15/N) 2-amino-2-methyl propanol per mole of methyl keto stearate with an overall yield of about 50%. In contrast, the previous method produced only 1-3% yield. The great improvement in yield was achieved mainly through the reduction of reaction volume which increases the reaction rate by the law of mass action.
This paper reviews and elaborates on the issue of the dilaton transformation under the usual {tau} {yields} {alpha}{prime}/{tau} target space duality and its non-static generalization (or {sigma}-model duality). It is found that the transformation law {tau} {yields} {alpha}{prime}/{tau}, {phi} {yields} {phi} In ({tau}/{alpha}{prime}) which guarantees duality at the one-loop {sigma}-model level should be modified at two (and higher) loop order. The non-static duality is illustrated on the example of cosmological solutions in D {ge} 2 with time-dependent radii of space torus.
Triacontanol (TRIA) has been realized as a potent plant growth promoting substance for a number of agricultural and horticultural crops. Out of a large number of essential oil bearing plants, mint (Mentha arvensis L.) constitutes the most important source of therapeutic agents used in the alternative systems of medicine. The mint plant has marvelous medicinal properties. In view of enhancing growth, yield and quality of this medicinally important plant, a pot experiment was conducted according to simple randomized block design. The experiment was aimed at studying the effect of four concentrations of TRIA (10?0, 10?7, 10?6 and 10?5?M) on the performance of mint with regard to growth and other physiological attributes, crop yield and quality attributes and the yield and contents of active c...
Nat'l Training Center Contact Us Directory Email Us BLM > Socioeconomic Impacts > Timber Print Page Socioeconomic Impacts from Timber BLM-administered lands yielded $337...
The nature of some baryonic resonances is still an unresolved issue. The case of the N{sup *}(1535) is particularly interesting in this respect due to the nearby {eta} N threshold and interference with the N{sup *}(1650). The N{sup *}(1535) has been described as a threshold effect, as a genuine 3-quark resonance, or as dynamically generated from the interaction of the octet of baryons with the octet of mesons. In the scheme of dynamical generation, predictions for the interaction of the N{sup *}(1535) with the photon can be made. In this study, we simultaneously analyze the role of the N{sup *}(1535) in the {pi}N{yields}{pi}N and {gamma}N{yields}{pi}N reactions and compare to the respective amplitudes from partial-wave analyses. This test is very sensitive to the meson-baryon components of the N{sup *}(1535). (orig.)
A new evaluation (UKFY2) has been prepared of the independent and cumulative yields of the products of fission induced by thermal, fast, and 14 MeV neutrons in nuclides important for reactor design and operation and for fuel and waste management. Three spontaneously fissioning nuclides were also considered. The evaluation used a database that is considered to be complete up to early 1989. Careful study was made of experimental uncertainties and discrepancies, emphasizing the need for further measurements. Gaps in the data were filled by interpolation and extrapolation, using fits to empirical models. The yields were subsequently adjusted to fit physical constraints of the fissioning process. This paper describes the evaluation, which was submitted and accepted for inclusion in the JEF2 file. The file was produced in January 1990 and a revision of cumulative yield uncertainties distributed in January 1991.
Iodine-125 labelled vinyl and aryl iodides are formed via the reaction of sodium iodide-125 with vinyl- and arylboronic acids. Good yields of isomerically pure products are obtained.
Elaboration of a Modern Technology for Operational Agrometeorological Soil Moisture Monitoring Spring Wheat, Yield and Disease Damage Forecasting and Recommendations for Plant Protection on the Kazakhstan Territory
The reaction {gamma}d{yields}{pi}{sup +}nn is calculated up to order {chi}{sup 5/2} in chiral perturbation theory, where {chi} denotes the ratio of the pion to the nucleon mass. Special emphasis is put on the role of nucleon recoil corrections that are the source of contributions with fractional power in {chi}. Using the known near-threshold production amplitude for {gamma}p{yields}{pi}{sup +}n as the only input, the total cross-section for {gamma}d{yields}{pi}{sup +}nn is described very well. A conservative estimate suggests that the theoretical uncertainty for the transition operator amounts to 3% for the computed amplitude near threshold. (orig.)
We perform an optimal-observable analysis of the final charged-lepton/b-quark momentum distributions in {gamma}{gamma}{yields}t t-bar {yields}lX/bX for various beam polarizations in order to study possible anomalous t t-bar {gamma}, tbW and {gamma}{gamma}H couplings, which could be generated by SU(2) x U(1) gauge-invariant dimension-6 effective operators. We find optimal beam polarizations that will minimize the uncertainty in determination of those non-standard couplings. We also compare e e-bar and {gamma}{gamma} colliders from the viewpoint of the anomalous-top-quark-coupling determination.
Neutron yield from the "6","7Li + d reaction has been investigated. The results obtained are compared with the published data with some theoretical models.
Evolution in Space Radio Telescopes Reveal Youngest Stellar Corpse Gas Clouds in Whirlpool Galaxy Yield Important Clues Supporting Theory on Spiral Arms Starbust-driven Winds...
Mangroves are disappearing rapidly worldwide despite their well documented biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide. Failure to link ecological processes and their societal benefits has...Full Text Available
... these features and yields results which are two orders of magnitude faster than those available using conventional numerical ray tracing techniques ...
Pulse radiolysis studies of the formation kinetics and the yields of various phenylcarbenium ions from several different solutes in 1,2-dichloroethane solution have been carried out. The results indicate that there are two kinetically distinguishable cationic species of the solvent which react selectively with the different solutes to form the phenylcarbenium ions. It is suggested that one is a cation radical (yield 0.68 molecule/100 eV) and the other a carbocation (yield 0.20 molecule/100 eV). Rate constants for their separate reactions with selected aromatic compounds and with ammonia have been determined. Molar extinction coefficients have been estimated for benzyl cation, diphenyl cation radical, and anthracene cation radical. 6 figures, 1 table.
Pulse radiolysis studies of the formation kinetics and the yields of various phenylcarbenium ions from several different solutes in 1,2-dichloroethane solution have been carried out. The results indicate that there are two kinetically distinguishable cationic species of the solvent which react selectively with the different solutes to form the phenylcarbenium ions. It is suggested that one is a cation radical (yield 0.68 molecule/100 eV) and the other a carbocation (yield 0.20 molecule/100 eV). Rate constants for their separate reactions with selected aromatic compounds and with ammonia have been determined. Molar extinction coefficients have been estimated for benzyl cation, diphenyl cation radical, and anthracene cation radical. 6 figures, 1 table.
Good performance in extended lactations of dairy cattle may have a beneficial effect on food costs, health, and fertility. Because data for extended lactation performance is scarce, lactation persistency has been suggested as a suitable selection criterion. Persistency phenotypes were calculated in several ways: P1 was yield relative to an approximate peak, P2 was the slope after peak production, and P3 was a measure derived to be phenotypically uncorrelated to yield and calculated as a function of linear regressions on test-day deviations of days in milk. Phenotypes P1, P2, and P3 were calculated for sires as solutions estimated from a random regression model fitted to milk yield. Because total milk yield, calculated as the sum of daily sire solutions, was correlated to P1 and P2 (r=0.30 ...
The authors would like to determine |V{sub cb}| from the exclusive semi-leptonic decay B{yields}D*lv. The differential decay rate is d{Lambda}/dw = G{sub F}{sup 2}/4{pi}{sup 3}(w{sup 2}-1){sup 1/2}m{sub D*}{sup 3} (m{sub B}-m{sub D*}){sup 2}G(w)|V{sub cb}|{sup 2}|F{sub B{yields}D*}(w)|{sup 2}, where w = v {center_dot} v{prime} and G(1) = 1. At zero recoil (w = 1) heavy-quark symmetry requires F{sub B{yields}D*}(1) to be close to 1. So, |V{sub cb}| is determined by dividing measurements of d{Lambda}/dw by the phase space and well-known factors, and extrapolating to w {yields} 1. This yields |V{sub cb}|F{sub B{yields}D*}(1), and F{sub B{yields}D*}(1) is taken from ''theory''. To date models [1] or a combination of a rigorous inequality plus judgement [2] have been used to estimate F{sub ...
The delayed neutrons from neutron-induced fission in /sup 232/U, /sup 237/Np, /sup 238/Pu, /sup 241/Am, /sup 242/Am/sup m/, /sup 245/Cm, and /sup 249/Cf were studied for the first time; those from /sup 232/Th, /sup 233/U, /sup 235/U, /sup 238/U, /sup 239/Pu, /sup 241/Pu, and /sup 242/Pu were measured again. The data were used to develop an expression for the prediction of the absolute delayed neutron yield, and the prediction of delayed neutron emission with time. This approach accurately predicts observed delayed neutron yields and decay characteristics. A fission product yield model was used in conjunction with delayed neutron emission probability to analytically predict delayed neutron characteristics. The results of this analysis are in excellent agreement with experimental values.
The measurements of the total delayed neutron yield from fast neutron induced fission of sup 2 sup 3 sup 8 U were made. The experimental method based on the periodic irradiation of the fissionable sample by neutrons from a suitable nuclear reaction had been employed. The preliminary results on the energy dependence of the total delayed neutron yield from fission of sup 2 sup 3 sup 8 U are obtained. According to the comparison of experimental data with our prediction based on correlation properties of delayed neutron characteristics, it is concluded that the value of the total delayed neutron yield near the threshold of (n,f) reaction is not a constant.
Precipitation-hardened single crystals of a beta (bcc) Ti--40 at. percent V--1.0 at. percent Si alloy were deformed in compression at 77 and 298"0K. The dependence of the yield stress upon aging time at 843"0K for solution-treated crystals shows two maxima which are caused by silicide precipitates. The orientation dependence of the yield stress and of the active macroscopic slip plane were determined as a function of aging time. The solution-treated as well as aged crystals exhibit an asymmetry of both the yield stress and the plane of slip, the degree of asymmetry being larger at 77 than at 298"0K. The asymmetry of slip and yielding is not affected by the presence of precipitation hardening. Results indicate that the effect of the dislocation core structure on dislocation motion is independent of the presence of precipitates. (auth).
A validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computer code, ICRKFLO, was used to investigate the scale-up effects on the coke yields of thermal cracking riser factors. Comparisons were made for calculated coke yields of pilot- and commercial-scales riser units. Computational results show that the riser aspect ratio, reaction temperature, particle residence time, and particle/oil ratio have major impacts on the coke yield. A computational experiment was conducted to determine optimal operating conditions for a conceptual design of a commercial-scale riser unit. This experiment showed that the performance loss in scale-up from pilot to commercial scale may be almost completely recovered through optimizing the operating conditions after scale-up using the CFD simulations as a guide.
The detection efficiency of a lithium glass detector was calculated using MCNP code, and the calculation was compared with the published results in Pulsed Sphere Plan. A lithium glass detector of our own was made, and its neutron efficiency was calculated. The calculated neutron efficiency was verified with both pulsed and steady DD neutrons. Characteristics of Neutron response of "6Li detector was discussed. (authors)
Continually rising energy prices in global markets highlights a serious concern about the need to improve energy efficiency and the efficiency in energy sector in many countries. China, as one of the fastest growing countries in the world and the largest coal producer, has high coal consumption but a low recovery rate of coal utilization. Coal efficiency and the efficiency in coal industry have therefore attracted a great deal of attention from Chinese policy makers, coal firms and academics. This study attempts to compare the relative technical efficiency performance of listed coal mining companies in China and the US using CCR and BCC models in the advanced DEA linear programming. The results show that the level of relative efficiency in Chinese coal mining enterprises, regardless of tot...
The influence of the main factors on device efficiency of pulsed liquid jet pump with gas-liquid piston is analysed, the theoretical equation and its time-averaged solution of pulsed liquid jet pump device efficiency are derived. The theoretical and experimental results show that the efficiency of transmission of energy and mass to use pulsed jet is greatly raised, compared with steady jet, in the same device of liquid jet pump. The calculating results of time-averaged efficiency of pulsed liquid jet pump are approximately in agreement with the experimental results in our and foreign countries
A steady-state mathematical model was developed for a bare collector. Results obtained by previous authors for heat transfer and friction in rectangular ducts with periodic disturbances were employed to evaluate the effect of such disturbances on bare collector efficiency and on its pressure drop. An effective efficiency, which takes into account extra heat obtained and additional mechanical (electric) energy consumption for moving air when heat-transfer augmentation devices are employed, was defined. Simulation results are given for a bare collector, with and without perturbations, showing efficiency and effective efficiency dependence on collector dimensions, solar radiation intensity, disturbance diameter and pitch for collector performance optimization. (author).
Purpose of this assessment for this town in the Slovak Republic is to develop information on the building sector energy efficiency and improvement potential for use by town management to support decisions on providing energy services to Handlova citizens. Objectives were to characterize baseline space and water heat energy use and efficiency improvement potential in the residential and nonresidential building sectors. Intention was to identify major areas of efficiency improvement potential and cost-effectiveness. Four levels of energy and fuel prices were used. A significant efficiency resource exists in the space and water heating end uses in these building sectors; it amounts to 42% of the total building sector space and water heat energy consumption.
Using bremsstrahlung, the resonance fluorescence yield has been measured for the 1.836-MeV 2/sup +//sub 1/ level in /sup 88/Sr. The observed yield corresponds to a level width GAMMA = 2.94 +- 0.15 meV.
Surface-sensitive UV photoelectron yield spectroscopy was employed to study electron acceptor levels at surfaces of chalcopyrite structure Cu-In-Se thin films. Surface Fermi level pinning was observed for Cu-rich films. Shallow acceptor levels ascribable to defects Cu_I_n and V_C_u were observed for near-stoichiometric and In-rich films respectively. (orig.).
Theoretical x-ray transition energies, lifetimes and partial multiplet fluorescence yields are presented for all spectroscopic terms of electron configurations with a single K-shell vacancy and varying number of electrons in the L-shell and M/sub 1/-subshell for multiply-ionized silicon. 9 tables.
In the framework of the equivalence theorem the one-loop helicity amplitudes and cross section for the double Higgs production process {gamma}{gamma}{yields}HH are calculated. It is shown that the cross section is measurable at TeV {gamma}{gamma} colliders and is marginally sensitive to the triple-Higgs variation. (orig.).
A review of fission product yields and delayed neutron data for Np-237, Pu-242, Am-242m, Am-243, Cm-243 and Cm-245 has been undertaken. Gaps in understanding and inconsistencies in existing data were identified and priority areas for further experimental, theoretical and evaluation investigation detailed. (author)
A review of fission product yields and delayed neutron data for Np-237, Pu-242, Am-242m, Am-243, Cm-243 and Cm-245 has been undertaken. Gaps in understanding and inconsistencies in existing data were identified and priority areas for further experimental, theoretical and evaluation investigation detailed. (author)
Decomposition yields of tetracycline sulphate and oxytetracycline sulphate were determined in argon saturated 0.1N H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ solutions. The decomposition yields of teracyclines decrease in the presence of the Cl/sup -/ ions. The reaction rate constants of the OH radicals with tetracyclines were also determined.
Phospholipid vesicles were found to be lysed by exposure to free radicals derived from irradiated glycine and galactose. The decomposition yield increased with vesicle concentration, and attained values of 0.0006 vesicles destroyed per radical added. Ionic charge at the phospholipid end groups was found to be more important than degree of unsaturation in determining this yield. Radicals derived from irradiated serine and alanine had no detectable lytic action at the vesicle concentrations tested.
Results of tests on the 1 kg/h continuous reactor for the hydroliquefaction of coal are described. The reactor was operated at 415-435 C and 21 MPa using a continuous stirred reactor with a retention time of about 2 hours. All product oils were recovered by distillation. Sub-bituminous coal was found to give the best product yield. Tests using 5% red mud and 3% improved red mud showed significant increases in oil yield. (4 refs.)
Ratio of the fissile isomers and prompt fissions yields has been measured in processes of neutron capture by /sup 241/Am and /sup 243/Am nuclei in the neutron energy interval from 0.2 up to 1.3 MeV. The present data and the previous results suggest that the fission Am isomers are spin structure isomers rather than shape isomers.
A large IMF- and event characterizing multidetector system (CHICSI) is under development for storage ring experiments. In ''test'' experiments with telescopes of CHICSI type the IMF production has been measured for "1"4N induced reactions at 14A and 32A MeV. Detailed information about the emission sources, particularly from the IMF yield in reactions with isotope separated targets and from isobaric yield ratios in the sub-Coulomb region is discussed. (orig.).
Sugarcane orange rust is an economically important disease in Florida and has caused yield losses in the major cultivar, CP 80-1743 since it was introduced in 2007. Orange rust has caused susceptible cultivars to be discarded from the CP-cultivar development program and is also causing yield losses....
Planar channeling effects are studied in such well-oriented polycrystalline layers as NiSi_2 and Pb_2Si layers formed on single crystalline Si. Crystalline perfection of such layers is discussed by using the energy- and angular dependences of the axial and planar channeling yields. It has been shown that, in suitable conditions, the energy dependence of the planar yield is more sensitive to the spread of crystallite orientations in polycrystals than that of the axial one. (Auth.).
Continually rising energy prices in global markets highlights a serious concern about the need to improve energy efficiency and the efficiency in energy sector in many countries. China, as one of the fastest growing countries in the world and the largest coal producer, has high coal consumption but a low recovery rate of coal utilization. Coal efficiency and the efficiency in coal industry have therefore attracted a great deal of attention from Chinese policy makers, coal firms and academics. This study attempts to compare the relative technical efficiency performance of listed coal mining companies in China and the US using CCR and BCC models in the advanced DEA linear programming. The results show that the level of relative efficiency in Chinese coal mining enterprises, regardless of total technical efficiency or decomposed pure technical ...
Continually rising energy prices in global markets highlights a serious concern about the need to improve energy efficiency and the efficiency in the energy sector in many countries. China, as one of the fastest growing countries in the world and the largest coal producer, has high coal consumption but a low recovery rate of coal utilization. Coal efficiency and the efficiency in coal industry have therefore attracted a great deal of attention from Chinese policy makers, coal companies and academics. This study attempts to compare the relative technical efficiency performance of listed coal mining companies in China and the US using CCR and BCC models in advanced data envelopment analysis (DEA) linear programming. The results show that the level of relative efficiency in Chinese coal mining enterprises, regardless of total technical ...
Continually rising energy prices in global markets highlights a serious concern about the need to improve energy efficiency and the efficiency in energy sector in many countries. China, as one of the fastest growing countries in the world and the largest coal producer, has high coal consumption but a low recovery rate of coal utilization. Coal efficiency and the efficiency in coal industry have therefore attracted a great deal of attention from Chinese policy makers, coal firms and academics. This study attempts to compare the relative technical efficiency performance of listed coal mining companies in China and the US using CCR and BCC models in the advanced DEA linear programming. The results show that the level of relative efficiency in Chinese coal mining enterprises, regardless of total technical efficiency or decomposed pure technical ...
Under drought conditions, sucrose distribution (osmotic adjustment vs. export) may be regulated at the mesophyll plasmalemma/tonoplast. Leaves were given {sup 14}CO{sub 2} for a 30/30 min pulse/chase. Peeled leaf discs were put in low or high osmotic solutions to monitor release of labeled solutes. High turgor increased efflux rates double those at low turgor. About 30% and 55% of the released label was in the sugar (sucrose + hexose) fractions at low and high turgor, respectively. Response to changes in cell turgor was rapid and reversible. PCMBS had no effect on efflux. NEM and CCCP enhanced efflux at high turgor. Presence of unlabeled sucrose in the wash solutions greatly enhanced sucrose efflux in a turgor-dependent manner; suggesting the presence of a sucrose exchange system, which appeared to be at the tonoplast. Turgor-regulated efflux involved both the tonoplast and plasmalemma. However, efflux across the plasmalemma was not carrier-mediated.
The simultaneous effects of irradiating full grown pupae of Spodoptera Littoralis with doses 30 and 40 krad followed by topical treatment of adults with methomyl were studied. Gamma rays decreased the toxicity of methomyl against adult moths. The obtained LD_5_0 values for male moths emerging from unirradiated or irradiated pupae with 30 or 40 krad were 7, 9.93 and 10.33 u g/g. b.wt., respectively. F1 larvae (produced from unirradiated females mated to irradiated males) became more tolerant to methomyl by increasing radiation doses from 5 to 30 krad. The toxicity of methomyl to F1, F2 and F3 larvae (whose male parents had been irradiated in the pupal stage with 10 krad) was less than its toxicity to the larvae produced from unirradiated parents. F2 and F3 larvae were more tolerant to methomyl effect than the F1 larvae.
Plant meiotic prophase I is a complicated process involving the late zygotene and pachytene stages, both crucial for completing synapsis and recombination. Using David Lily (Lilium davidii var. Willmottiae) as our research material, we performed suppression subtractive hybridization to construct EST library of anthers at various stages of development by the pollen mother cells. From this library, we identified small heat shock protein LimHSP16.45 was highly expressed during the late zygotene to pachytene stages. Our results also showed that LimHSP16.45 was almost specifically expressed in the anther compared with the root, stem, or leaf, and in situ expression of LimHSP16.45 mRNAs showed strong signals in the pollen mother cells and tapetal cells. LimHSP16.45 could be induced by heat and c...
Attacks by herbivorous insects reduce biomass production in willow plantations. The long-term goal of our research is to develop sustainable plant protection against these insect pests. Two lines of research are pursued. The first concentrates on identifying factors involved in the regulation of leaf-eating beetles. These insects vary in density among plantations, sometimes reaching outbreak levels resulting in complete defoliation. Mortality factors of eggs and larvae in plantations with low and high beetle densities have been investigated. The importance of plant resistance has also been investigated. The second line of research considers the mechanisms behind an earlier demonstrated resistance in certain willow clones against a gall midge. By using molecular techniques we have searched for markers of resistance. Promising results have been found concerning so called PR proteins; in particular chitinase seems to be present in high activities in plants expressing ...
The project was designed to quantify the impacts of longwall mine subsidence (LWMS) on the production and quality of agricultural vegetated environments. This project utilised a variety of traditional ground based sampling techniques including biomass harvests and estimates, leaf area index (LAI), pasture height, species composition and soil sampling along with proximal sensor data capture using a Crop Circle{trademark} and an EM38. Satellite imagery was collected using the Quickbird satellite and the high resolution imagery was used to monitor large areas of LWMS affected areas and adjacent un-mined land. Two landscapes were investigated using a whole of mine site technique including remote sensing, ground survey and traditional agricultural monitoring methods. The landscapes were at the Kestrel site in Emerald, QLD including a forage sorghum and an improved pasture and at Beltana in the Hunter Valley, NSW including an irrigated lucerne pasture and an unimproved ...
The experiment was carried out on a short rotation coppice culture of poplars (POP-EUROFACE, Central Italy), growing in a free air carbon dioxide enriched atmosphere (FACE). The specific objective of this work was to study whether elevated CO{sub 2} and fertilization (two CO{sub 2} treatments, elevated CO{sub 2} and control, two N fertilization treatments, fertilized and unfertilized), as well as the interaction between treatments caused an unbalanced nutritional status of leaves in three poplar species (P. x euramericana, P. nigra and P. alba). Finally, we discuss the ecological implications of a possible change in foliar nutrients concentration. CO{sub 2} enrichment reduced foliar nitrogen and increased the concentration of magnesium; whereas nitrogen fertilization had opposite effects on leaf nitrogen and magnesium concentrations. Moreover, the interaction between elevated CO{sub 2} and N fertilization amplified some element unbalances such as the K/N-ratio. - ...
the cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis (boisd.) were irradiated with 100,150 and 200 Gy to induce inherited sterility. the effects of the tested doses applied to these pupae through three consequent fillial generations and the retarded influence on their F_1,F_2 and F_3 generations progeny were examined . irradiation of parental male induced damage to their daughter females ovaries. the overioles of females among P_1 ,F_1 and F_2 generations showed that the follicular epithelial cells appeared abnormal beside their limited separation from developing oocytes which became shrinked, semi absorbed or completely absorbed leaving vacuoles. the nurse cells were reduced or absent in some parts. damage was obvious through the first and second generations especially at 150 and 200 Gy. in the third generation, ovaries were not greatly affected
Nineteen-day-old dwarf sunflower plants (Helianthus annuus, variety NK894) received a variable dose (0-40 Gy) from a cobalt-60 gamma source. A very sensitive stem monitoring device, developed at Battelle's Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, Washington was used to measure real-time changes in stem diameter. Exposure of plants caused a significant reduction in stem growth and root biomass. Doses as low as 5 Gy resulted in a significant increase in leaf density, suggesting that nonreversible morphological growth changes could be induced by very low doses of radiation. Carbohydrate analysis of 40-Gy irradiated plants demonstrated significantly more starch content in leaves and significantly less starch content in stems 18 days after exposure than did control plants. In contrast, the carbohydrate content in roots of 40-Gy irradiated plants were not significantly different from unirradiated plants 18 days after exposure. These results indicate that ...
The effect of raising the rate of photosynthesis on the allocation of carbon between sucrose and starch was studied by means of steady-state radiolabeling. Sugar beet source leaves on intact plants were exposed to ambient levels of CO{sub 2} and O{sub 2} for 3 hrs. Next CO{sub 2} was raised to 600 {mu}LL{sup {minus}3} for 3 hrs then O{sub 2} was decreased to 2% for 3 hrs. Rates of net carbon exchange (NCE), export, and starch and sucrose synthesis were measured. NCER increased by 30% under the combined treatments and the proportion of photosynthate allocated to starch and to sucrose did not change. When O{sub 2} concentration was lowered, NCER increased but export did not and sucrose accumulated. This observation, and our earlier conclusion that export rate usually equals sucrose synthesis rate, lead us to conclude that low O{sub 2} directly inhibited export. Low O{sub 2} treatment causes sucrose to accumulate in a sugar beet leaf which usually accumulates little ...
The Potomac Electric Power Company generating station at Chalk Point, MD, utilizes brackish water in its natural draft cooling tower and, consequently, releases saline aerosol into the atmosphere. A research and monitoring project was established in 1974 to evaluate the effects of this drift on native perennial vegetation. Leaf samples have been collected form dogwood, Cornys florida, Virginia pine, Pinus virginiana, black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia, and sassafras, Sassafras albidum, located at 12 different sites in the vicinity of the power plant. Sampling was begun prior to the operation of the cooling tower, 1974, and continued through 1978. Complete results from monthly monitoring of foliar chloride in the four native tree species is documented for May through September 1978. Results from salt spray experiments indicate chloride and sodium concentrations in the wood of dogwood trees increases with increased spraying levels.
This paper presents a new technique--Integrated Bayesian Uncertainty Estimator (IBUNE) to account for the major uncertainties of hydrologic rainfall-runoff predictions explicitly. The uncertainties from the input (forcing) data--mainly the precipitation observations and from the model parameters are reduced through a Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC) scheme named Shuffled Complex Evolution Metropolis (SCEM) algorithm which has been extended to include a precipitation error model. Afterwards, the Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) scheme is employed to further improve the prediction skill and uncertainty estimation using multiple model output. A series of case studies using three rainfall-runoff models to predict the streamflow in the Leaf River basin, Mississippi are used to examine the necessity and usefulness of this technique. The results suggests that ignoring either input forcings error or model structural uncertainty will lead to unrealistic model simulations and ...
The purpose of this work was to evaluate the quality of a rural area near Faenza (Italy) by using an active biomonitoring approach, i.e., by placing homogeneous individuals of the perennial shrub Rosa rugosa in different sites throughout the area. Further sites, within the city or its environs, were used for comparison. Soil and leaves of R. rugosa were analyzed for their heavy metal content. The total heavy metal pattern of leaves closely paralleled the pattern registered in soil, with the highest content (both in total and assimilable forms) at the site in the urban area, which is exposed to heavy traffic. Pollen quality (abortiveness and viability) was also tested as a potential indicator of pollution. Pollen abortiveness was strictly related to Pb levels in leaves, while viability was inversely related to leaf Cr content. Our results suggest that R. rugosa has the potential to be a good biomonitoring system. - Rosa rugosa leaves and pollen are - to different ...
The purpose of this work was to evaluate the quality of a rural area near Faenza (Italy) by using an active biomonitoring approach, i.e., by placing homogeneous individuals of the perennial shrub Rosa rugosa in different sites throughout the area. Further sites, within the city or its environs, were used for comparison. Soil and leaves of R. rugosa were analyzed for their heavy metal content. The total heavy metal pattern of leaves closely paralleled the pattern registered in soil, with the highest content (both in total and assimilable forms) at the site in the urban area, which is exposed to heavy traffic. Pollen quality (abortiveness and viability) was also tested as a potential indicator of pollution. Pollen abortiveness was strictly related to Pb levels in leaves, while viability was inversely related to leaf Cr content. Our results suggest that R. rugosa has the potential to be a good biomonitoring system. - Rosa rugosa leaves and pollen are - to different ...
The kinetics of {sup 14}C-photosynthate import by developing wheat grains was followed after pulse-labeling the flag leaf with {sup 14}CO{sub 2}. Samples were collected from four successive points along the transport pathway to and within the grain: exuding aphid stylets on the peduncle, exuding grain pedicels, the grain crease tissues, and the liquid contents of the endosperm cavity. In addition, microautoradiographs were prepared of the grain crease tissues during movement of the {sup 14}C pulse into the grain. At all times, sucrose accounted for 93 to 97% of the total {sup 14}C present at all four sampling sites. The main features of the {sup 14}C kinetics could be accounted for by a simple compartmental model consisting of sucrose pools in series. Microautoradiographs of the crease tissues showed fairly uniform labeling of vascular parenchyma at all times, with a sharp gradient in labeling across the chalaza to the nucellus. Thus the principal resistance to ...
We examined, using thermo analytical methods, the effects of 2000 deg. C heat-treated graphite powders and heating rate of cure after impregnation on the thermal stability and carbon yield of furfuryl alcohol, which is frequently used not only as an impregnation but also as a matrix precursor for carbon fiber-reinforced carbon composites. It was founded that the addition of 30 wt%. graphite powders of furfuryl alcohol and the heating rate 35 deg. C/min showed the highest thermal stability of furfuryl alcohol/graphite powder mixture. The carbon yield above 1000 deg. C was enhanced more than 10% in comparison with the absence of graphite powders. It would be expected that this result can contribute to some extent to reduce the repeating number of processing cycle (carbonization {yields} impregnation {yields} cure {yields} re-carbonization) required to density a carbonaceous composite. ...
New five complexes of the type of [RuL sub(3-x)(dmby) sub(x)]X sub(2)(x = 1,2,3, L = 2,2'-bipyridyl or 1,10-phenanthroline, dmby = 3,3'-dimethy1-2,2'-bipyridyl, X = halide ion) have been synthesized in order to investigate the effects of two methyl groups of dmby on the absorption and emission spectra, luminescence quantum yields, and lifetimes. Values of the radiative and nonradiative rate constants have been calculated from these data at 77K. Although the absorption and emission maxima and the lifetimes are not much affected by the dmby ligand substitution, the molar extinction coefficients and emission quantum yields are decreased compared with trischelated complexes of the parent bipyridyl or phenanthroline ligands. At 25"0C the emission yields of the complexes containing dmby decrease by 3 - 4 orders of magnitude than at 77K. Possible causes of the decrease in the quantum yields are discussed. ...
A new separation process of saturated fatty acids (lauric acid-myristic acid) using crystallization from an aqueous ethanol solution has been examined. There were two vessels in this separation process: an extraction vessel and a crystallization vessel. The fatty acids in the aqueous phase were first extracted from their organic phase (melt) in the extraction vessel. The fatty acids in the aqueous phase were continuously introduced to the crystallization vessel, and then the fatty acids were crystallized there. The crystals of the fatty acids were collected continuously above the aqueous phase in the crystallization vessel. In this process, the yield and the purity of the crystals over time were measured, and it was found that the purity of lauric acid increased unsteadily up to 0.98 mole fraction of lauric acid with an increase in the yield of the low yield range. The mole fraction of ethanol in the aqueous phase could be ...
We examine the virtual effects of Kaluza-Klein (KK) states on Higgs physics in universal extra dimension models. We study the partial widths {Lambda}{sub h{yields}gg}, {Lambda}{sub h{yields}{gamma}{gamma}}, and {Lambda}{sub h{yields}{gamma}Z}, which are relevant for Higgs production and detection in future collider experiments. These interactions occur at one loop in the Standard Model, as do the KK contributions. We find that the deviations induced by the KK exchanges can be significant; for one extra dimension, the gg {yields} h production rate is increased by 10% - 85% for the mass of the first KK state in the range 500 {approx}> m{sub 1} {approx}> 1500 GeV, a region untested by current direct search and precision measurement constraints. The h {yields} {gamma}{gamma} decay width is decreased by {approx}< 20% in the same mass range. For two or more universal ...
Ground level ozone concentrations, in combination with the prevailing climate, at the estate Oestads Saeteri in southwestern Sweden were estimated to reduce the yield of wheat and potato ranging between 5% and 10%. Occasionally, in years with the highest ozone concentrations and/or climatic conditions favoring high rates of ozone uptake to the leaves, yield loss levels above 10% may occur. Based on simple extrapolation, these ozone-induced reductions of crop yields at Oestads Saeteri represent a potential total annual yield loss in Sweden in the range of 24.5 million Euro for wheat and 7.3 million Euro for potato, respectively. A simulation of forest growth at Oestads Saeteri predicted that prevailing mean ozone exposure during 1993-2003 had the potential to reduce forest growth by 2.2% and the economic return of forest production by 2.6%. Using this value for extrapolation to the national level, the ...
For the step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technique, the combination of high dose rate, multiple beam segments and low dose per segment can lead to significant differences between the planned dose and the dose delivered to the patient. In this technique, a dose delivery inaccuracy known as the 'overshoot' effect is caused by the dose servo control system. This typically occurs in the first and last beam segments and causes an over- and underdose, respectively. Some dose positional error in the segment sequence is also possible there. Commercial ionization chambers (RK-type) and radiographic Kodak films were used for the measurements. The reported results were obtained using the Pinnacle{sup 3}-V6.2 treatment planning system and a Varian Clinac 21 EX linear accelerator equipped with a 120-leaf Millennium MLC. The dose inaccuracy measurements were based on the comparison of the dose and profiles for reference fields and ...
This article describes how a natural gas-fired combined cycle with increased firing temperature, reduced cooling air usage, improved component efficiencies, and cycle enhancements could achieve a lower heating value plant efficiency of greater than 60%. Today's gas turbine systems feature high fuel-to-electricity efficiencies. Efficiencies, on a lower-heating-value (LHV) basis, for large natural gas-fired combined-cycle systems for the utility market have been demonstrated at 54%. Even though manufacturers will make improvements in the 1990s, efficiency levels will reach a plateau. Cycle innovations and gas turbine design changes will achieve LHV efficiencies in the 60% range for natural gas-fired utility machines.
The dependence of the efficiency of a coaxial IGC-30 Ge detector on the direction of gamma quanta entry, their energy and the distance from the source is examined. A set of point sources QCR-2 (Amersham, UK) has been used which is arranged consecutively in two perpendicular planes passing through the detector axis, at a distance of 0.1 - 1.3 m (pace 0.1) from its geometric centre for 16 different angles in every plane. Dependence curves of the efficiency on the angle of gamma-quanta hits are obtained for energies 60, 81, 122, 356, 662, 834, 1173 and 1332 keV. Changes in efficiency connected with spatial dividing ability are found out. Using the least squares' method the expected spatial distribution of efficiency is examined with a level of authenticity P > 0.9. The possible causes for the efficiency change and its possible effect on the measurements' precision are discussed. ...
OBJECTIVE. This study examines variations in the efficient use of hospital resources across individual physicians. DATA SOURCES AND SETTING. The study is conducted over a two-year period (1989-1990)...Full Text Available
Before the influence of divergent factors on gross efficiency (GE) [the ratio of mechanical power output (PO) to metabolic power input (PI)] can be assessed, the variation in GE between days, i.e. the...Full Text Available
The energy strategy of the UK Overseas Development Administration is outlined with specific emphasis on energy efficiency and renewable energies. Based on 29 case studies concerning projects and programmes in both developed and developing countries, critical success factors for renewable energy projects are identified. UK)
Generations 5 and 6 (G5 and G6) poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers have been shown to be highly efficient nonviral carriers in in vitro gene delivery. However, their high toxicity...Full Text Available
Amorphous silicon solar cells have been shown to have efficiencies which degrade as a result of long exposure to light. Annealing such cells in air at a temperature of about 200.degree. C. for at least 30 minutes restores their efficiency.
BackgroundLentiviral vectors (LVs) can efficiently transduce a broad spectrum of cells and tissues, including dividing and non-dividing cells. So far the most widely used method...Full Text Available
Economic and performance criteria that should be used in the selection of a scrubber system are presented. Selection should be based on the type of emissions put out by a plant and the removal efficiency required by pollution control standards. Costs and efficiencies for 10 different scrubber systems are reported. (10 diagrams)
A method for recycling laser flashlamp radiation in selected wavelength ranges to decrease thermal loading of the solid state laser matrix while substantially maintaining the pumping efficiency of the flashlamp.
;Contents: Energy Use; Building Fabric Performance; Ventilation and Infiltration; Passive Solar Design; Heating Systems and Controls; Hot and Cold Water Provision; and Lighting and Electrical Appliances.
Contents: Energy Use; Building Fabric Performance; Ventilation and Infiltration; Passive Solar Design; Heating Systems and Controls; Hot and Cold Water Provision; and Lighting and Electrical Appliances.
We report on a recent search for {bar {nu}}{sub e} appearance from stopped {pi}{sup +} {yields} {mu}{sup +}{nu}{sub {mu}} and {mu}{sup +} {yields} e{sup +}{nu}{sub e}{bar {nu}}{sub {mu}} decay made by the LAMPF experiment E645. The appearance of {bar {nu}}{sub e} may occur from {bar {nu}}{sub {mu}} {yields} {bar {nu}}{sub e}, {nu}{sub e} {yields} {bar {nu}}{sub eL}, or {nu}{sub {mu}} {yields} {bar {nu}}{sub eL} oscillations. Appearance may also occur from rare {mu}{sup +} {yields} e{sup +}{bar {nu}}{sub e}{nu}{sub {mu}} decay, which is allowed by a multiplicative lepton charge conservation law. The neutrino energies range from E{sub {nu}} = 0 to 52.8MeV. The neutrino detector, which is located 26.1 meters from the neutrino source, consists of a segmented liquid scintillator and proportional drift tube central detector surrounded by both active and passive ...
... counseling, some training, and assure the general health and welfare of the command. ... publications, promotions, OERs/NCOER's (Officer Efficiency ...
In the last two years, rapid progress has been made in the energy conversion efficiencies of GaAs solar cells fabricated from molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) material. The efficiencies of cells fabricated from MBE material are now comparable with those fabricated from metal-organic chemical vapor deposition material, even for cells of dimension 2 cmx4 cm. This paper reviews the progress in MBE cell efficiencies. Also discussed is the role oval defects play in GaAs diode and solar cell performance. (orig.).
An accelerator experiment was performed using a low-energy antiproton beam to measure antiproton detection efficiency of BESS, a balloon-borne spectrometer with a superconducting solenoid. Measured efficiencies showed good agreement with calculated ones derived from the BESS Monte Carlo simulation based on GEANT/GHEISHA. With detailed verification of the BESS simulation, the relative systematic error of detection efficiency derived from the BESS simulation has been determined to be {+-}5%, compared with the previous estimation of {+-}15% which was the dominant uncertainty for measurements of cosmic-ray antiproton flux.
Increasing demand for energy production with low impact on the environment and minimised fuel consumption can be met with high efficient coal fired power plants with advanced steam parameters. An important key to this improvement is the development of high temperature materials with optimised mechanical strength. Based on the results of more than ten years of development a coal fired power plant with an efficiency above 50 % can now be realised. Future developments focus on materials which enable an efficiency of 52-55 %. (orig.) 25 refs.
In this paper, we present FASE (Faster Asynchronous Systems Evaluation), a tool for evaluating the worst-case efficiency of asynchronous systems. The tool is based on some well-established results in the setting of a timed process algebra (PAFAS: a Process Algebra for Faster Asynchronous Systems). To show the applicability of FASE to concrete meaningful examples, we consider three implementations of a bounded buffer and use FASE to automatically evaluate their worst-case efficiency. We finally contrast our results with previous ones where the efficiency of the same implementations has already been considered.
... many intriguing new possibilities in the materials sciences. Or consider solitons, a mathematical ... point out that advanced instrumentation, new materials, novel production methods, and efficient ...
... be easily replaceable, and its compartment or container ... in a simple, efficient manner for storage or disposal. ... and enters the reactor at approximatel ...
... or the Noncommissioned Officer Efficiency Report (NCOER) for promotion ... Providing effective coaching, delegating, counseling, and role modeling ...
An accelerator beam experiment was performed using a low-energy antiproton beam to measure antiproton detection efficiency of the BESS detector. Measured and calculated efficiencies derived from the BESS Monte Carlo simulation based on GRANT/GHEISHA showed good agreement. With detailed verification of the BESS simulation, the relative systematic error of detection efficiency derived from the BESS simulation has been determined to be {+-}5%, compared with the previous estimation of {+-}15% which was the dominant uncertainty for measurements of cosmic-ray antiproton flux. (author)
... Milstar Military Strategic and Tactical Relay Satellite ... (EHF) system, composed of the Military Strategic and Tactical Relay Satellite (Milstar) ...
... nent to the design and construction of metal-semiconductor solar cells, in that both the photovoltage and the efficiency of metal-semiconductor cells ...
Defect cluster formation in 14-MeV neutron irradiated polycrystalline copper has been observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and correlated with the increase in yield stress. The measurements indicate that the radiation hardening component of the yield strength in polycrystals is not directly additive to the unirradiated yield strength. A transitional behavior was observed for radiation hardening at low fluences, which produces an anomalous variation of the defect cluster barrier strength with fluence. The behavior is attributed to the effect of grain boundaries on slip band transmission. An upper limit for the room temperature barrier strength of defect clusters in neutron-irradiated copper was determined to be #alpha#=0.23. (orig.).
The effect of chemical pretreatments using NaOH, H2O2, and Ca(OH)2 on Empty Palm Fruit Bunches (EPFB) to degrade EPFB lignin before pyrolyis was investigated. Spectrophotometer analysis proved consecutive addition of NaOH and H2O2 decomposed almost 100% of EPFB lignin compared to 44% for the Ca(OH)2, H2O2 system while NaOH and Ca(OH)2 used exclusively could not alter lignin much. Next, the pretreated EPFB was catalytically pyrolyzed. Experimental results indicated the phenolic yields over Al-MCM-41 and HZSM-5 catalysts were 90wt% and 80wt%, respectively compared to 67wt% yield for the untreated sample under the same set of conditions. Meanwhile, the experiments with HY zeolite yielded 70wt% phenols.
Summary Pectin was extracted from passion fruit peel using three different acids (citric, hydrochloric or nitric) at different temperatures (40-90 degreeC), pH (1.2-2.6) and extraction times (10-90 min), with and without skins using a 24 factorial design. Temperature, pH and extraction time had highly significant effects on the pectin yield. A central composite design with face centring was used to optimise the extraction process conditions for citric acid without skins. Pectin yields varied from 10% to 70%. The optimal conditions for maximisation of pectin yield were the use of citric acid at 80 degreeC and pH 1 with an extraction time of 10 min considering model extrapolation.
The effect of asymmetric laser pulses on electron yield from a laser wakefield accelerator has been experimentally studied using > 10{sup 19} cm{sup -3} plasmas and a 10 TW, > 45 fs, Ti:Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} laser. Laser pulse shape was controlled through non-linear chirp with a grating pair compressor. Pulses (76 fs FWHM) with a steep rise and positive chirp were found to significantly enhance the electron yield compared to pulses with a gentle rise and negative chirp. Theory and simulation show that fast rising pulses can generate larger amplitude wakes that seed the growth of the self-modulation instability and that frequency chirp is of minimal importance for the experimental parameters.
The LAHET code system calculations and experimental results for proton interactions with an energy <50 MeV are compared. For these energies, the theories behind the LAHET models are not applicable. Three quantities compared are (a) the magnitude of the neutron yield generated through proton interactions, (b) the energy and angular distributions of the resultant neutrons, and (c) the residual nuclei produced by proton interactions (spallation products). The comparisons are for protons incident on iron and copper, except in the case of the energy and angular distributions, which are calculated only for iron. The neutron yields predicted by LAHET agree with published measurements to within 50% for both materials. For iron, the predicted energy and angular distributions agree to within a factor of 3. Finally, the predicted spallation product yields of both materials agree with measurements to within a factor of 4.
Analysis of the pattern of the chromosomal localization of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) is necessary for comprehensively understanding their functions. The chromosomal localization of QTLs controlling milk production traits has been studied in cattle chromosomes. The distribution of QTLs between chromosomes has proved to be binomial. Their distribution along each chromosome was, in general, uniform, except for the QTLs controlling the somatic cell score (SCS), which tended towards telomeric location. However, there are chromosomes either enriched with or particularly poor in QTLs. The QTL distribution patters are the most similar for the milk yield (M) and milk protein yield (P) and for milk fat yield (F) and milk fat content (%F). The pattern of the SCS QTLs stands out among those of ot...
Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is considered an emerging veterinary pathogen causing pneumonia in sheep and goats worldwide. Currently it has not been possible to define a growth medium that yields the maximum growth of M. ovipneumoniae within a short incubation period. Growth yields of M. ovipneumoniae in Eatons medium are variable and not as consistently high as those seen with other Mycoplasma spp. This study investigated the ability of different M. ovipneumoniae field strains to grow in various media formulations, where PPLO broth was replaced by a vegetable protein source, and comparisons were made in terms of strain viability in Eatons medium. Studies were also conducted to determine the optimal carbohydrate source for use in the M. ovipneumoniae medium. Generally, it was found that differ...
We study the temporal evolution of the market efficiency in the stock markets using the complexity, entropy density, standard deviation, autocorrelation function, and probability distribution of the log return for Standard and Poor's 500 (S&P 500), Nikkei stock average index, and Korean composition stock price index (KOSPI). Based on the microscopic spin model, we also find that these statistical quantities in stock markets depend on the market efficiency.
...Simplification of the scheme - Department of Energy and Climate Change simplification, crc energy efficiency scheme Simplification of the scheme Simplification of the CRC Energy ...Efficiency Scheme The Government is considering the simplification of the CRC in the light of experience since the scheme began in April 2010. ...will take into account feedback from stakeholders including: the effectiveness of the CRC framework for driving energy efficiency in large private and public sector ... The perceived complexity of the CRC scheme and hence the administrative burden on: - those organisations that are subject to ...
The author is exploring the efficiency of pulsed plasma processing in the removal of nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and other pollutants. This process uses an electrical discharge to create chemical radicals from air molecules. These radicals can react with pollutants and form harmless compounds. Additives such as hydrocarbons are also used to improve the efficiency of the removal. The efficient removal of nitrogen dioxide has required the presence of dilute aqueous solution of ammonia.
This is the third of a series of research reports which builds on the previous contents which dealt with energy efficiency techniques and minimizing the environmental effects of building materials. It presents some specifications for house types and gives built examples of energy efficient homes in Europe. (UK)
A research report describes the energy efficiency techniques to be employed in designing a building which is ``green``. Topics covered include building fabric performance, ventilation and infiltration, passive solar design, heating systems and controls, hot and cold water provision, lighting and electrical appliances. (UK)
Results are presented from analyzing indicators for efficient operation of the fleet of production equipment under conditions of the ''Tsentral'naya'' mine of the production association ''Krasnoarmeyskugol'.'' Measures are presented which make it possible to increase the operating efficiency with minimum adjusted outlays.
Efficiency calibration curves for different densities and geometries are necessary for activity determination of various environmental samples. Commercially available standards or natural radioactive materials are used for calibration. Potassium compounds are especially suitable, since they can be mixed with unknown samples. It is possible to determine efficiency curve and unknown activity of sample knowing "4"0 K activity. (author).
An extended series of measurements at a conventional coal-fired boiler equipped with a wet-limestone flue gas desulfurization unit has shown that sulfate and sulfur dioxide removal efficiencies are dissimilar. The average SO2 scrubbing efficiency was 76% and was observed to decrease over a five-day operating cycle. Total sulfate scrubbing efficiency, averaging about 29%, was invariant throughout the operating cycle. (1 diagram, 3 tables)
Full text: The US commercial nuclear industry has just completed an outstanding decade of plant performance. Safety levels and electric production are at unprecedented high levels and continue to exceed even high industry goals. Nuclear energy continues to keep the highest priority on performance improvement programs and highly trained/qualified people that maintain its record setting safety and reliability of operations. While the industry has maintained a consistently high level of performance, the advent of deregulation and the consolidation of NPP ownership, as well as the current climate of concern about both rising energy costs and availability of power, has raised the standard for nuclear energy's level of competitiveness in today's market place. The resulting challenge is how to more effectively manage risk and improve performance even further in a generally high performing organization. Newer technology and more training by themselves are not the answer. Rather, the answer ...
Statistical design of experiments is widely used among scientists and engineers to understand influential factors in a laboratory or manufacturing process. One of the underlying principles of...Full Text Available
The PVSCAN is an instrument designed to characterize silicon solar cell materials and devices. It performs a host of measurements that yield spatial maps of dislocation density, grain distribution, reflectance, and photoresponses from near-junction and the bulk of a solar cell.
A stochastic wind simulation for VAWTs (VSTOC) has been developed which yields turbulent wind-velocity fluctuations for rotationally sampled points. This allows three-component wind-velocity fluctuations to be simulated at specified nodal points on the wi...
BackgroundInferring regulatory interactions between genes from transcriptomics time-resolved data, yielding reverse engineered gene regulatory networks, is of paramount importance...Full Text Available
BackgroundPerichondrium is recognized as a tissue with chondrogenic potential yielding cells which can be used for osteochondral repair. Factors which influence the proliferative...Full Text Available
We utilize existing inclusive data on K{sup +}-meson momentum spectra of the reaction pp{yields}K{sup +}X at T{sub p}=2.3-2.85 GeV to deduce total cross-sections for pp{yields}K{sup +}{sigma}{sup +}n. The method used to extract those cross-sections is explained and discussed in detail. Our result for T{sub p}=2.85 GeV is consistent with the data point from a direct measurement at the same beam energy. The cross-section obtained for T{sub p}=2.3 GeV is with 13.7{+-}2.3 {mu}b considerably smaller than the value found in a recent experiment by the COSY-11 Collaboration at a somewhat lower beam energy, indicating that the pp{yields}K{sup +}{sigma}{sup +}n reaction cross-section could exhibit a rather unusual energy dependence. (orig.)
Essential to today's modern refineries and the gasoline production process are fluidized catalytic cracking units. By using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code developed at Argonne National Laboratory to simulate the riser, parametric and sensitivity studies were performed to determine the effect of catalyst inlet conditions on the riser hydrodynamics and on the product yields. Simulations were created on the basis of a general riser configuration and operating conditions. The results of this work are indications of riser operating conditions that will maximize specific product yields. The CFD code is a three-dimensional, multiphase, turbulent, reacting flow code with phenomenological models for particle-solid interactions, droplet evaporation, and chemical kinetics. The code has been validated against pressure, particle loading, and product yield measurements. After validation of the code, parametric studies ...
This annual review focuses on invertebrate model organisms, which continue to yield fundamental new insights into mechanisms of aging. This year, the budding yeast has been used to understand how asymmetrical...Full Text Available
Extensive laboratory and industrial tests are being conducted at the Western Siberian Iron and Steel Works (I and SW) on the adoption of preheating of coking. The present article describes the results of laboratory investigations of the effect of the free oxygen content in the gaseous heat carrier and the final charge preheating temperature on the technological properties of the charge and the quality of the blast furnace coke, as well as the yield and quality of the coking products: 1. An increase in the free oxygen concentration in the heat carrier to 8% degrades the strength properties of the coke - the crushability and abradability are increased. 2. Charge preheating to 200 to 250/sup 0/C, even with a low oxygen concentration in the heat carrier, is accompanied by degradation of the physical and mechanical properties of the coke. 3. The optimal temperature of charge preheating before coking at the Western Siberia I and SW was found to be in the 150 to 200/sup ...
Experimental observations related to the initiation of plastic deformation in metals and alloys irradiated with fission neutrons have been analyzed. The experimental results, showing irradiation-induced increase in the upper yield stress followed by a yield drop and plastic instability, cannot be explained in terms of conventional dispersed-barrier hardening because (a) the grown-in dislocations are not free, and (b) irradiation-induced defect clusters are not rigid indestructible Orowan obstacles. A new model called 'cascade-induced source hardening' is presented where glissile loops produced directly in cascades are envisaged to decorate the grown-in dislocations so that they cannot act as dislocation sources. The upper yield stress is related to the breakaway stress which is necessary to pull the dislocation away from the clusters/loops decorating it. The magnitude of the breakaway stress has been estimated and is found ...
A Monte Carlo simulation of the vacuum Bianchi type-IX (mixmaster) cosmology yields a significant correlation between large universe volume and high anisotropy. An analog of the model's chaotic classical behavior is seen in the break up of the universe wave function at large volume into fingers in the corners of the minisuperspace anisotropy potential.
The impacts of climate change on crop productivity are often assessed using simulations from a numerical climate model as an input to a crop simulation model. The precision of these predictions reflects...Full Text Available
The characterization of the single-chain protein in Chinese-cobra (Naja naja atra) blood serum, which yields strong specific protection against the venom of the same snake, is reported. The protein,...Full Text Available
The high-yield, stereoselective conversion of geraniol (3,7-dimethyl-trans-2,6-octadien-1-ol) to the insect juvenile hormone, methyl 12,14-dihomojuvenate (methyl cis-10-epoxy-3,11-dimethyl-7-ethyl-trans,...Full Text Available
Mechanical properties of cold-worked molybdenum, grade 4 titanium, and an #alpha#-#beta# titanium alloy are measured with tensile tests and by indentations using conical indenters with 105, 120, and 137 deg included angles. The extent of plastic deformation and pileup around an indentation is measured using profilometry. Various models predicting the extent of plastic deformation and pileup are compared to the actual measured values. As inferred from indentation, the calculated yield strength of the material from the mean pressure does not correlate well to the yield strength measured by tensile testing. The plastic zone size surrounding an indentation can also be used to determine the yield strength of the material, and this does correlate to the yield strength measured by tensile tests. Furthermore, the extent of plastic deformation is relatively independent of the included angle of the indenter for ...
Research highlights: {yields} The polarization curve of 316L SS possesses five turning potentials in passive region. {yields} Films formed at turning potentials perform different electrochemical and semiconductor properties. {yields} Dissolutions and regenerations of passive film at turning potentials are obtained by AAS and XPS. {yields} Turning potentials appearing in passive region are ascribed to the changes of the compositions of the passive films. - Abstract: The passivity of 316L stainless steel in borate buffer solution has been investigated by Mott-Schottky, atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate that the polarization curve in the passive region possesses several turning potentials (0 V{sub SCE}, 0.2 V{sub SCE}, 0.4 V{sub SCE}, 0.6 V{sub SCE} and 0.85 V{sub SCE}). The passive films formed at turning potentials perform different ...
The contribution of the parietal cortex to episodic memory is a fascinating scientific puzzle. On one hand, parietal lesions do not normally yield severe episodic memory deficits, but on the...Full Text Available
DescriptionThe UK horticulture and agriculture industries rely on large inputs of mineral nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilisers to maintain product yield and quality. Recovery of applied fertilisers by field crops is inefficient (routinely
This paper reports on Monte Carlo path integral simulations of a Bianchi Type IX cosmology which yield a wave function which reflects the known chaotic dynamics of the classical system and predicts a significant probability for a correlation between large universe volume and large anisotropy.
The interior of 237 nm spherical vinylsilsesquioxane nanoparticles has been covalently modified and their surface functionalized under mild conditions to yield a novel type of hybrid silsesquioxane...Full Text Available
Scytalidium thermophilum isolates in culture, as well as the endogenous strain(s) in mushroom compost, were inactivated at 70°C. This temperature was used to pasteurize composts...Full Text Available
Retention and/or reincorporation of plant residues increases soil organic nitrogen (N) levels over the long-term is associated with increased crop yields. There is still uncertainty, however, about the interaction between crop residue (straw) retention and N fertilizer rates and sources. The objective of the study was to assess the influence of straw management (straw removed [SRem] and straw retained [SRet]), N fertilizer rate (0, 25, 50 and 75kgNha^-^1) and N source (urea and polymer-coated urea [called ESN]) under conventional tillage on seed yield, straw yield, total N uptake in seed+straw and N balance sheet. Field experiments with barley monoculture (1983-1996), and wheat/barley-canola-triticale-pea rotation (1997-2009) were conducted on two contrasting soil types (Gray Luvisol [Typi...
European research in green energy production from crops has resulted in the development of full scale bioreactors that use energy crops as feedstock. Switchgrass has been touted as one of the most promising crops for energy production among several perennial grass species grown under moderate to hot climates. However, few studies have been conducted in colder climate conditions. This study examined the mesophilic methane yield of switchgrass grown under the cooler growing conditions that exist in northeastern North America. In 2007, switchgrass was harvested in late July, August and September and conserved as silage. The regrowth of plots harvested in late July was also harvested in late September as a two-cut strategy. A 30 L small-scale laboratory digester was used to anaerobically digest the switchgrass silage samples. Specific methane yield decreased considerably with advancing plant development, but was similar between the first harvest in ...
Several examples of the 14-membered, para-bridged ring system of the cyclopeptide alkaloids have been synthesized via an active ester cyclization. The yield of monomeric cyclopeptide varied from 1 to 33% and was affected by the amino acid substitution pat...
We demonstrate a two-step process used to increase the hydrogen yield from sucrose and to relieve the pollution threat caused by resultant fatty acids in dark-fermentation. In batch tests of dark-fermentation using microflora, the maximum hydrogen production rate was >360 mL H{sub 2}/Lh and the maximum hydrogen yield was 3.67 mol H{sub 2}/mol sucrose. The fatty acids produced in dark-fermentation were mainly butyrate and acetate with a small amount of propionate, valerate, n-butyl alcohol, and caproate. Photo-fermentation with Rhodobacter sphaeroides SH2C was then employed to convert these small molecular fatty acids into hydrogen. The total hydrogen yield from sucrose increased from the maximum of 3.67 mol H{sub 2}/mol sucrose in dark-fermentation to 6.63 mol H{sub 2}/mol sucrose by using the two-step process. No butyrate, acetate, propionate, or valerate was detected in the final fermentation effluent after ...
A disk formation model during collapse of the protosolar nebula, yielding a low-mass protoplanetary disk is presented. The following subject areas are covered: (1) circumstellar disks; (2) conditions for the formation of stars with disks; (3) early evolution of the protoplanetary disk; and (4) temperature conditions and the convection in the protoplanetary disk.
The details and principles of an apparatus built for measurements of fluorescence quantum yields and cascade-free lifetimes of open-shell cations are reported. These rely on the detection of coincidences between energy selected photo-electrons and undispersed photons. The results of such measurements for CO"+_2,COS"+,CS"+_2 and N_2O"+ in selected vibrational levels of their excited states are presented. Non-unity fluorescence quantum yields are found for some vibronic levels of CO"+_2(B), COS"+(A), N_2O"+(A) and a non-exponential decay is observed for CS"+_2(B). The data yield the following values for the radiative lifetimes: CO"+_2(A) 124 +- 6 ns,CO"+_2(B) 140 +- 7 ns, COS"+(A) 550 +- 50 ns and N_2O"+(A) 240 +- 12 ns. (orig.).
The Feynmann and other fluctuation techniques have been shown to be useful for determining the multiplication of subcritical systems. The moments of the counting distribution from neutron detectors is analyzed to yield the multiplication value. We present the methodology and some selected applications and results and comparisons with Monte Carlo calculations.
The objective of this study was to examine the ethanol yield potential of three barley varieties (Xena, Bold, and Fibar) in comparison to two benchmarks, corn and wheat. Very high gravity (VHG; 30%...Full Text Available
The combined effects of environment, yield strength and stress state on the cracking susceptibility of beta-extruded Ti-6Al-6V-2Sn have been examined. At a constant yield strength and under plane strain conditions, the stress intensity required for slow crack propagation decreased as the severity of the environment increased, i.e., from laboratory air to 3.5% NaCl. Furthermore, the crack propagation rates were a function of both stress intensity, and environmental severity. Although the fracture toughness and threshold stress intensities for slow crack growth generally decreased with increasing yield strength, aging, which resulted in the precipitation of ordered Ti3Al particles in the primary alpha phase, tended to accentuate the susceptibility of this alloy to sustained load/stress corrosion cracking. Finally, at constant yield strength, the sustained load cracking threshold stress intensity was a ...
The advantages of district heating as an environmental-friendly and energy-saving technique are reviewed. The role of district heating as part of the Dutch national plan to reduce the emission of acidification and greenhouse gases by respectively 50 and 25 percent is clarified. 12 Tabs. (A.S.).
Growth of the malolactic bacterium Leuconostoc oenos was improved with respect to both the specific growth rate and the biomass yield during the fermentation of glucose-malate mixtures as compared with...Full Text Available
A new process for the hydrogenation of coal in the presence of wide-cut coal tar was proposed; it involves cavitation treatment, mixing with catalytic additives, and heating the resulting mixture at an elevated pressure in an atmosphere of hydrogen. The yields of hydrocarbon fractions to 300?C and gas condensate were evaluated.
A balanced application of chemiosmosis to plant mitochondria is presented. Electron transport carriers are sequenced to achieve proton translocation across the inner membrane. The processes of proton translocation, use, and release are integrated to yield a description of the effective proton gradient available for metabolite transport and ATP synthesis. 27 references, 6 figures.
The digestion of water-extracted bark of Terminalia alata nepalensis, T. arjuna, and T. bellerica with 20% H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ at 100 degrees resulted in the isolation of oxalic acid in 12-21% yield. The technique is not complicated and requires simple equipment.
Aerobacter cloacae UW-C83 and Escherichia coli K-12 were grown under various anaerobic environments. Yatp values were calculated by determination...Full Text Available