Ecology of the Pinewood Nematode in Southern Pine Chip Piles

Treesearch

L. David Dwinell

1986-01-01

The optimum temperature range for pinewood nematodes in southern pine chips was 35 to 40° C. Nematode populations declined at temperatures of -20°C. at temperatures above 45°C. and in anaerobic environments. Wood moisture content and presence of bluestain fungus also influenced nematode populations.

Diurnal foraging of a wild coral-reef fish Parapercis australis in relation to late-summer temperatures.

PubMed

Chase, T J; Nowicki, J P; Coker, D J

2018-06-06

In situ observations of diurnal foraging behaviour of a common site-attached shallow reef mesopredator Parapercis australis during late summer, revealed that although diet composition was unaffected by seawater temperature (range 28.3-32.4° C), feeding strikes and distance moved increased with temperature up to 30.5° C, beyond which they sharply declined, indicative of currently living beyond their thermal optimum. Diel feeding strikes and distance moved were however, tightly linked to ambient temperature as it related to the population's apparent thermal optimum, peaking at times when it was approached (1230 and 1700 hours) and declining up to four fold at times deviating from this. These findings suggest that although this population may be currently living beyond its thermal optimum, it copes by down regulating energetically costly foraging movement and consumption and under future oceanic temperatures, these behavioural modifications are probably insufficient to avoid deleterious effects on population viability without the aid of long-term acclimation or adaptation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Interaction of temperature and an environmental stressor: Moina macrocopa responds with increased body size, increased lifespan, and increased offspring numbers slightly above its temperature optimum.

PubMed

Engert, Antonia; Chakrabarti, Shumon; Saul, Nadine; Bittner, Michal; Menzel, Ralph; Steinberg, Christian E W

2013-02-01

For organisms, temperature is one of the most important environmental factors and gains increasing importance due to global warming, since increasing temperatures may pose organisms close to their environmental tolerance limits and, thus, they may become more vulnerable to environmental stressors. We analyzed the temperature-dependence of the water-soluble antioxidant capacity of the cladoceran Moina macrocopa and evaluated its life trait variables with temperature (15, 20, 25, 30°C) and humic substance (HS) concentrations (0, 0.18, 0.36, 0.90, 1.79 mM DOC) as stressors. Temperatures below and above the apparent optimum (20°C) reduced the antioxidative capacity. Additions of HSs increased body length, but decreased mean lifespan at 15 and 20°C. There was no clear HS-effect on offspring numbers at 15, 20, and 30°C. At 25°C with increasing HS-concentration, lifespan was extended and offspring numbers increased tremendously, reaching 250% of the control. Although the applied HS preparation possesses estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities, a xenohormone mechanism does not seem plausible for the reproductive increase, because comparable effects did not occur at other temperatures. A more convincing explanation appears to be the mitohormesis hypothesis which states that a certain increase of reactive oxygen production leads to improved health and longevity and, with Moina, also to increased offspring numbers. Our results suggest that at least with the eurythermic M. macrocopa, a temperature above the optimum can be beneficial for several life trait variables, even when combined with a chemical stressor. Temperatures approximately 10°C above its optimum appear to adversely affect the lifespan and reproduction of M. macrocopa. This indicates that this cladoceran species seems to be able to utilize temperature as an ecological resource in a range slightly above its thermal optimum. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Finding stable cellulase and xylanase: evaluation of the synergistic effect of pH and temperature.

PubMed

Farinas, Cristiane S; Loyo, Marcel Moitas; Baraldo, Anderson; Tardioli, Paulo W; Neto, Victor Bertucci; Couri, Sonia

2010-12-31

Ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass has been recognized as one of the most promising alternatives for the production of renewable and sustainable energy. However, one of the major bottlenecks holding back its commercialization is the high costs of the enzymes needed for biomass conversion. In this work, we studied the enzymes produced from a selected strain of Aspergillus niger under solid state fermentation. The cellulase and xylanase enzymatic cocktail was characterized in terms of pH and temperature by using response surface methodology. Thermostability and kinetic parameters were also determined. The statistical analysis of pH and temperature effects on enzymatic activity showed a synergistic interaction of these two variables, thus enabling to find a pH and temperature range in which the enzymes have a higher activity. The results obtained allowed the construction of mathematical models used to predict endoglucanase, β-glucosidase and xylanase activities under different pH and temperature conditions. Optimum temperature values for all three enzymes were found to be in the range between 35°C and 60°C, and the optimum pH range was found between 4 and 5.5. The methodology employed here was very effective in estimating enzyme behavior under different process conditions. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Discovery and characterization of ionic liquid-tolerant thermophilic cellulases from a switchgrass-adapted microbial community.

PubMed

Gladden, John M; Park, Joshua I; Bergmann, Jessica; Reyes-Ortiz, Vimalier; D'haeseleer, Patrik; Quirino, Betania F; Sale, Kenneth L; Simmons, Blake A; Singer, Steven W

2014-01-29

The development of advanced biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass will require the use of both efficient pretreatment methods and new biomass-deconstructing enzyme cocktails to generate sugars from lignocellulosic substrates. Certain ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as a promising class of compounds for biomass pretreatment and have been demonstrated to reduce the recalcitrance of biomass for enzymatic hydrolysis. However, current commercial cellulase cocktails are strongly inhibited by most of the ILs that are effective biomass pretreatment solvents. Fortunately, recent research has shown that IL-tolerant cocktails can be formulated and are functional on lignocellulosic biomass. This study sought to expand the list of known IL-tolerant cellulases to further enable IL-tolerant cocktail development by developing a combined in vitro/in vivo screening pipeline for metagenome-derived genes. Thirty-seven predicted cellulases derived from a thermophilic switchgrass-adapted microbial community were screened in this study. Eighteen of the twenty-one enzymes that expressed well in E. coli were active in the presence of the IL 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2mim][OAc]) concentrations of at least 10% (v/v), with several retaining activity in the presence of 40% (v/v), which is currently the highest reported tolerance to [C2mim][OAc] for any cellulase. In addition, the optimum temperatures of the enzymes ranged from 45 to 95°C and the pH optimum ranged from 5.5 to 7.5, indicating these enzymes can be used to construct cellulase cocktails that function under a broad range of temperature, pH and IL concentrations. This study characterized in detail twenty-one cellulose-degrading enzymes derived from a thermophilic microbial community and found that 70% of them were [C2mim][OAc]-tolerant. A comparison of optimum temperature and [C2mim][OAc]-tolerance demonstrates that a positive correlation exists between these properties for those enzymes with a optimum temperature >70°C, further strengthening the link between thermotolerance and IL-tolerance for lignocelluolytic glycoside hydrolases.

Effect of reaction temperature on biodiesel production from waste cooking oil using lipase as biocatalyst

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Istiningrum, Reni Banowati; Aprianto, Toni; Pamungkas, Febria Lutfi Udin

2017-12-01

This study aims to determine the effect of temperature on conversion of biodiesel from waste cooking oil enzymatically using lipase extracted from rice bran. The feedstock was simulated waste cooking oil and lipase enzyme was extracted with buffer pH variation. The enzyme activity was titrimetrically determined and the optimum pH buffer was used to study the effect of temperature on the transesterification reaction. Temperature effects were assessed in the range of 45-60 °C and the content of methyl esters in biodiesel was determined by GC-MS. The reaction temperature significantly influences the transesterification reaction with optimum biodiesel conversion occurred at 55 °C with methyl ester content of 81.19%. The methyl ester composition in the resulting biodiesel is methyl palmitate, methyl oleate and methyl stearate.

Isolation from soil and properties of the extreme thermophile Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum.

PubMed Central

Wiegel, J; Ljungdahl, L G; Rawson, J R

1979-01-01

Thirteen strains of a strict anaerobic, extreme thermophilic bacterium were isolated from soil samples of moderate temperature, from a sewage plant in Georgia, and from hot springs in Utah and Wyoming. They were identified as strains of Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum. The guanosine + cytosine content (moles percent) was 37.6 (determined by buoyant density) and 34.1 (determined by melting temperature). All strains required a factor present in yeast extract or tryptone growth. Growth characteristics were as follows: a pH range of 5 to 9, with the optimum between 6.9 to 7.5, in a temperature range of 40 to 78 degrees C, with the optimum at 68 degrees C. The doubling time, when grown on glucose at temperature and pH optima, was 1.2 h. The main products of glucose fermentation were ethanol, lactate, acetate, CO2, and H2. The fermentation was inhibited by H2. Formation of spores occurred easily on glucose-agar medium or when cultures growing at temperatures above 65 degrees C were allowed to cool to temperature below 55 degrees C. C. thermohydrosulfuricum occurs widely distributed in the natural environment. PMID:39062

Optimum Temperatures for Net Primary Productivity of Three Tropical Seagrass Species

PubMed Central

Collier, Catherine J.; Ow, Yan X.; Langlois, Lucas; Uthicke, Sven; Johansson, Charlotte L.; O'Brien, Katherine R.; Hrebien, Victoria; Adams, Matthew P.

2017-01-01

Rising sea water temperature will play a significant role in responses of the world's seagrass meadows to climate change. In this study, we investigated seasonal and latitudinal variation (spanning more than 1,500 km) in seagrass productivity, and the optimum temperatures at which maximum photosynthesis and net productivity (for the leaf and the whole plant) occurs, for three seagrass species (Cymodocea serrulata, Halodule uninervis, and Zostera muelleri). To obtain whole plant net production, photosynthesis, and respiration rates of leaves and the root/rhizome complex were measured using oxygen-sensitive optodes in closed incubation chambers at temperatures ranging from 15 to 43°C. The temperature-dependence of photosynthesis and respiration was fitted to empirical models to obtain maximum metabolic rates and thermal optima. The thermal optimum (Topt) for gross photosynthesis of Z. muelleri, which is more commonly distributed in sub-tropical to temperate regions, was 31°C. The Topt for photosynthesis of the tropical species, H. uninervis and C. serrulata, was considerably higher (35°C on average). This suggests that seagrass species are adapted to water temperature within their distributional range; however, when comparing among latitudes and seasons, thermal optima within a species showed limited acclimation to ambient water temperature (Topt varied by 1°C in C. serrulata and 2°C in H. uninervis, and the variation did not follow changes in ambient water temperature). The Topt for gross photosynthesis were higher than Topt calculated from plant net productivity, which includes above- and below-ground respiration for Z. muelleri (24°C) and H. uninervis (33°C), but remained unchanged at 35°C in C. serrulata. Both estimated plant net productivity and Topt are sensitive to the proportion of below-ground biomass, highlighting the need for consideration of below- to above-ground biomass ratios when applying thermal optima to other meadows. The thermal optimum for plant net productivity was lower than ambient summer water temperature in Z. muelleri, indicating likely contemporary heat stress. In contrast, thermal optima of H. uninervis and C. serrulata exceeded ambient water temperature. This study found limited capacity to acclimate: thus the thermal optima can forewarn of both the present and future vulnerability to ocean warming during periods of elevated water temperature. PMID:28878790

Optimum Temperatures for Net Primary Productivity of Three Tropical Seagrass Species.

PubMed

Collier, Catherine J; Ow, Yan X; Langlois, Lucas; Uthicke, Sven; Johansson, Charlotte L; O'Brien, Katherine R; Hrebien, Victoria; Adams, Matthew P

2017-01-01

Rising sea water temperature will play a significant role in responses of the world's seagrass meadows to climate change. In this study, we investigated seasonal and latitudinal variation (spanning more than 1,500 km) in seagrass productivity, and the optimum temperatures at which maximum photosynthesis and net productivity (for the leaf and the whole plant) occurs, for three seagrass species ( Cymodocea serrulata, Halodule uninervis , and Zostera muelleri ). To obtain whole plant net production, photosynthesis, and respiration rates of leaves and the root/rhizome complex were measured using oxygen-sensitive optodes in closed incubation chambers at temperatures ranging from 15 to 43°C. The temperature-dependence of photosynthesis and respiration was fitted to empirical models to obtain maximum metabolic rates and thermal optima. The thermal optimum ( T opt ) for gross photosynthesis of Z. muelleri , which is more commonly distributed in sub-tropical to temperate regions, was 31°C. The T opt for photosynthesis of the tropical species, H. uninervis and C. serrulata , was considerably higher (35°C on average). This suggests that seagrass species are adapted to water temperature within their distributional range; however, when comparing among latitudes and seasons, thermal optima within a species showed limited acclimation to ambient water temperature ( T opt varied by 1°C in C. serrulata and 2°C in H. uninervis , and the variation did not follow changes in ambient water temperature). The T opt for gross photosynthesis were higher than T opt calculated from plant net productivity, which includes above- and below-ground respiration for Z. muelleri (24°C) and H. uninervis ( 33°C), but remained unchanged at 35°C in C. serrulata . Both estimated plant net productivity and T opt are sensitive to the proportion of below-ground biomass, highlighting the need for consideration of below- to above-ground biomass ratios when applying thermal optima to other meadows. The thermal optimum for plant net productivity was lower than ambient summer water temperature in Z. muelleri , indicating likely contemporary heat stress. In contrast, thermal optima of H. uninervis and C. serrulata exceeded ambient water temperature. This study found limited capacity to acclimate: thus the thermal optima can forewarn of both the present and future vulnerability to ocean warming during periods of elevated water temperature.

[Spatial-temporal distribution of bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus in the tropical Atlantic Ocean based on Argo data].

PubMed

Yang, Sheng-long; Jin, Shao-fei; Hua, Cheng-jun; Dai, Yang

2015-02-01

In order to analyze the correlation between spatial-temporal distribution of the bigeye tuna ( Thunnus obesus) and subsurface factors, the study explored the isothermal distribution of subsurface temperatures in the bigeye tuna fishing grounds in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, and built up the spatial overlay chart of the isothermal lines of 9, 12, 13 and 15 °C and monthly CPUE (catch per unit effort) from bigeye tuna long-lines. The results showed that the bigeye tuna mainly distributed in the water layer (150-450 m) below the lower boundary depth of thermocline. At the isothermal line of 12 °C, the bigeye tuna mainly lived in the water layer of 190-260 m, while few individuals were found at water depth more than 400 m. As to the 13 °C isothermal line, high CPUE often appeared at water depth less than 250 m, mainly between 150-230 m, while no CPUE appeared at water depth more than 300 m. The optimum range of subsurface factors calculated by frequency analysis and empirical cumulative distribution function (ECDF) exhibited that the optimum depth range of 12 °C isothermal depth was 190-260 m and the 13 °C isothermal depth was 160-240 m, while the optimum depth difference range of 12 °C isothermal depth was -10 to 100 m and the 13 °C isothermal depth was -40 to 60 m. The study explored the optimum range of subsurface factors (water temperature and depth) that drive horizontal and vertical distribution of bigeye tuna. The preliminary result would help to discover the central fishing ground, instruct fishing depth, and provide theoretical and practical references for the longline production and resource management of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean.

Study on the optimum PCM melting temperature for energy savings in residential buildings worldwide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saffari, M.; de Gracia, A.; Fernández, C.; Zsembinszki, G.; Cabeza, L. F.

2017-10-01

To maintain comfort conditions in residential buildings along a full year period, the use of active systems is generally required to either supply heating or cooling. The heating and cooling demands strongly depend on the climatic conditions, type of building and occupants’ behaviour. The overall annual energy consumption of the building can be reduced by the use of renewable energy sources and/or passive systems. The use of phase change materials (PCM) as passive systems in buildings enhances the thermal mass of the envelope, and reduces the indoor temperature fluctuations. As a consequence, the overall energy consumption of the building is generally lower as compared to the case when no PCM systems are used. The selection of the PCM melting temperature is a key issue to reduce the energy consumption of the buildings. The main focus of this study is to determine the optimum PCM melting temperature for passive heating and cooling according to different weather conditions. To achieve that, numerical simulations were carried out using EnergyPlus v8.4 coupled with GenOpt® v3.1.1 (a generic optimization software). A multi-family residential apartment was selected from ASHRAE Standard 90.1- 2013 prototype building model, and different climate conditions were considered to determine the optimum melting temperature (in the range from 20ºC to 26ºC) of the PCM contained in gypsum panels. The results confirm that the optimum melting temperature of the PCM strongly depends on the climatic conditions. In general, in cooling dominant climates the optimum PCM temperature is around 26ºC, while in heating dominant climates it is around 20ºC. Furthermore, the results show that an adequate selection of the PCM as passive system in building envelope can provide important energy savings for both heating dominant and cooling dominant regions.

Palaeotemperature estimation in the Holsteinian Interglacial (MIS 11) based on oxygen isotopes of aquatic gastropods from eastern Poland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szymanek, Marcin

2017-12-01

For quantitative estimation of past water temperature of four Holsteinian (MIS 11) palaeolakes from eastern Poland, the oxygen isotope palaeothermometer was applied to shells of the aquatic gastropods Viviparus diluvianus and Valvata piscinalis. The δ18O composition of their shells demonstrated the average growth-season water temperatures during the mesocratic stage of the interglacial (Ortel Królewski Lake), during its climatic optimum - the Carpinus-Abies Zone (Ossówka-Hrud, Roskosz and Szymanowo Lakes), and in the post-optimum (Szymanowo Lake). The calculation was based on δ18OShell values and the δ18OWater assumed for the Holsteinian from the modern oxygen isotope composition of precipitation and the expected amount of evaporative enrichment. The mean oxygen isotope palaeotemperatures of Ortel Królewski lake waters were in the range of 18.1-21.9°C and were uniform for the Taxus and Pinus-Larix zones. Ossówka-Hrud and Roskosz Lakes had mean temperatures of 17.4-21.0°C during the climatic optimum, whereas the temperature of Szymanowo lake waters was estimated at 20.6-21.7°C at that time. These values are concordant with the pollen-inferred July air temperatures noted during the Holsteinian in eastern Poland. Relatively high values of 25°C in the post-optimum noted at Szymanowo were connected with the presence of a shallow and warm isolated bay indicated by pollen and mollusc records.

The Influence of pH on Prokaryotic Cell Size and Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sundararajan, D.; Gutierrez, F.; Heim, N. A.; Payne, J.

2015-12-01

The pH of a habitat is essential to an organism's growth and success in its environment. Although most organisms maintain a neutral internal pH, their environmental pH can vary greatly. However, little research has been done concerning an organism's environmental pH across a wide range of taxa. We studied pH tolerance in prokaryotes and its relationship with biovolume, taxonomic classification, and ideal temperature. We had three hypotheses: pH and temperature are not correlated; pH tolerance is similar within taxonomic groups; and extremophiles have small cell sizes. To test these hypotheses, we used pH, size, and taxonomic data from The Prokaryotes. We found that the mean optimum external pH was neutral for prokaryotes as a whole and when divided by domain, phylum, and class. Using ANOVA to test for pH within and among group variances, we found that variation of pH in domains, phyla, classes, and families was greater than between them. pH and size did not show much of a correlation, except that the largest and smallest sized prokaryotes had nearly neutral pH. This seems significant because extremophiles need to divert more of their energy from growth to maintain a neutral internal pH. Acidophiles showed a larger range of optimum pH values than alkaliphiles. A similar result was seen with the minimum and maximum pH values of acidophiles and alkaliphiles. While acidophiles were spread out and had some alkaline maximum values, alkaliphiles had smaller ranges, and unlike some acidophiles that had pH minimums close to zero, alkaliphile pH maximums did not go beyond a pH of 12. No statistically significant differences were found between sizes of acidophiles and alkaliphiles. However, optimum temperatures of acidophiles and alkaliphiles did have a statistically significant difference. pH and temperature had a negative correlation. Therefore, pH seems to have a correlation with cell size, temperature, and taxonomy to some extent.

Thermoresponsive Microcarriers for Smart Release of Hydrate Inhibitors under Shear Flow.

PubMed

Lee, Sang Seok; Park, Juwoon; Seo, Yutaek; Kim, Shin-Hyun

2017-05-24

The hydrate formation in subsea pipelines can cause oil and gas well blowout. To avoid disasters, various chemical inhibitors have been developed to prevent or delay the hydrate formation and growth. Nevertheless, direct injection of the inhibitors results in environmental contamination and cross-suppression of inhibition performance in the presence of other inhibitors against corrosion and/or formation of scale, paraffin, and asphaltene. Here, we suggest a new class of microcarriers that encapsulate hydrate inhibitors at high concentration and release them on demand without active external triggering. The key to the success in microcarrier design lies in the temperature dependence of polymer brittleness. The microcarriers are microfluidically created to have an inhibitor-laden water core and polymer shell by employing water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double-emulsion drops as a template. As the polymeric shell becomes more brittle at a lower temperature, there is an optimum range of shell thickness that renders the shell unstable at temperature responsible for hydrate formation under a constant shear flow. We precisely control the shell thickness relative to the radius by microfluidics and figure out the optimum range. The microcarriers with the optimum shell thickness are selectively ruptured by shear flow only at hydrate formation temperature and release the hydrate inhibitors. We prove that the released inhibitors effectively retard the hydrate formation without reduction of their performance. The microcarriers that do not experience the hydration formation temperature retain the inhibitors, which can be easily separated from ruptured ones for recycling by exploiting the density difference. Therefore, the use of microcarriers potentially minimizes the environmental damages.

The Development of a Portable Modular Component Building System for the Armed Forces

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-11-08

environment and provide optimum thermal comfort and energy performance throughout a wide climatic range. Finally, such a system would provide optimum user...I I I I I l i 56. ind thermal comfort . The low humidity of the atmosphere allows temperatures to fal. deeply at night so buildings constructed of hig...site topographies. Extensive support equipment is also required for their transport, erection and sustained thermal comfort for the occupants. Off the

Decreased photosynthetic rate under high temperature in wheat is due to lipid desaturation, oxidation, acylation, and damage of organelles.

PubMed

Djanaguiraman, M; Boyle, D L; Welti, R; Jagadish, S V K; Prasad, P V V

2018-04-05

High temperature is a major abiotic stress that limits wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity. Variation in levels of a wide range of lipids, including stress-related molecular species, oxidative damage, cellular organization and ultrastructural changes were analyzed to provide an integrated view of the factors that underlie decreased photosynthetic rate under high temperature stress. Wheat plants of cultivar Chinese Spring were grown at optimum temperatures (25/15 °C, maximum/minimum) until the onset of the booting stage. Thereafter, plants were exposed to high temperature (35/25 °C) for 16 d. Compared with optimum temperature, a lower photosynthetic rate was observed at high temperature which is an interplay between thylakoid membrane damage, thylakoid membrane lipid composition, oxidative damage of cell organelle, and stomatal and non-stomatal limitations. Triacylglycerol levels were higher under high temperature stress. Polar lipid fatty acyl unsaturation was lower at high temperature, while triacylglycerol unsaturation was the same at high temperature and optimum temperature. The changes in lipid species indicates increases in activities of desaturating, oxidizing, glycosylating and acylating enzymes under high temperature stress. Cumulative effect of high temperature stress led to generation of reactive oxygen species, cell organelle and membrane damage, and reduced antioxidant enzyme activity, and imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defense system. Taken together with recent findings demonstrating that reactive oxygen species are formed from and are removed by thylakoid lipids, the data suggest that reactive oxygen species production, reactive oxygen species removal, and changes in lipid metabolism contribute to decreased photosynthetic rate under high temperature stress.

Optimum moisture levels for biodegradation of mortality composting envelope materials.

PubMed

Ahn, H K; Richard, T L; Glanville, T D

2008-01-01

Moisture affects the physical and biological properties of compost and other solid-state fermentation matrices. Aerobic microbial systems experience different respiration rates (oxygen uptake and CO2 evolution) as a function of moisture content and material type. In this study the microbial respiration rates of 12 mortality composting envelope materials were measured by a pressure sensor method at six different moisture levels. A wide range of respiration (1.6-94.2mg O2/g VS-day) rates were observed for different materials, with alfalfa hay, silage, oat straw, and turkey litter having the highest values. These four envelope materials may be particularly suitable for improving internal temperature and pathogen destruction rates for disease-related mortality composting. Optimum moisture content was determined based on measurements across a range that spans the maximum respiration rate. The optimum moisture content of each material was observed near water holding capacity, which ranged from near 60% to over 80% on a wet basis for all materials except a highly stabilized soil compost blend (optimum around 25% w.b.). The implications of the results for moisture management and process control strategies during mortality composting are discussed.

Fresh broad (Vicia faba) tissue homogenate-based biosensor for determination of phenolic compounds.

PubMed

Ozcan, Hakki Mevlut; Sagiroglu, Ayten

2014-08-01

In this study, a novel fresh broad (Vicia faba) tissue homogenate-based biosensor for determination of phenolic compounds was developed. The biosensor was constructed by immobilizing tissue homogenate of fresh broad (Vicia faba) on to glassy carbon electrode. For the stability of the biosensor, general immobilization techniques were used to secure the fresh broad tissue homogenate in gelatin-glutaraldehyde cross-linking matrix. In the optimization and characterization studies, the amount of fresh broad tissue homogenate and gelatin, glutaraldehyde percentage, optimum pH, optimum temperature and optimum buffer concentration, thermal stability, interference effects, linear range, storage stability, repeatability and sample applications (Wine, beer, fruit juices) were also investigated. Besides, the detection ranges of thirteen phenolic compounds were obtained with the help of the calibration graphs. A typical calibration curve for the sensor revealed a linear range of 5-60 μM catechol. In reproducibility studies, variation coefficient (CV) and standard deviation (SD) were calculated as 1.59%, 0.64×10(-3) μM, respectively.

Optimum deposition conditions of ultrasmooth silver nanolayers

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Reduction of surface plasmon-polariton losses due to their scattering on metal surface roughness still remains a challenge in the fabrication of plasmonic devices for nanooptics. To achieve smooth silver films, we study the dependence of surface roughness on the evaporation temperature in a physical vapor deposition process. At the deposition temperature range 90 to 500 K, the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficients of Ag, Ge wetting layer, and sapphire substrate does not deteriorate the metal surface. To avoid ice crystal formation on substrates, the working temperature of the whole physical vapor deposition process should exceed that of the sublimation at the evaporation pressure range. At optimum room temperature, the root-mean-square (RMS) surface roughness was successfully reduced to 0.2 nm for a 10-nm Ag layer on sapphire substrate with a 1-nm germanium wetting interlayer. Silver layers of 10- and 30-nm thickness were examined using an atomic force microscope (AFM), X-ray reflectometry (XRR), and two-dimensional X-ray diffraction (XRD2). PACS 63.22.Np Layered systems; 68. Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and nanosystems (structure and nonelectronic properties); 81.07.-b Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization PMID:24685115

Short-term departures from an optimum ambient temperature are associated with increased risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

PubMed

Dahlquist, Marcus; Raza, Auriba; Bero-Bedada, Getahun; Hollenberg, Jacob; Lind, Tomas; Orsini, Nicola; Sjögren, Bengt; Svensson, Leif; Ljungman, Petter L

2016-07-01

Associations have been reported between daily ambient temperature and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. However, the potential harmful effect of temperature on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is insufficiently studied. The objective of this study was to investigate the short-term association between ambient temperature and the occurrence of OHCA. In 5961 cases of OHCAs treated by Emergency Medical Service occurring in Stockholm County we investigated the association between the preceding 24-h and 1h mean ambient temperature, obtained from a fixed monitoring station, and OHCA using a time-stratified case-crossover design. We observed a V-shaped relationship between preceding mean 24-h and 1-h ambient temperature and the occurrence of OHCAs. For mean 24-h temperature we observed an odds ratio (OR) of 1.05 (1.00-1.11) for each 5°C below the optimum temperature and 1.05 (0.96-1.18) for each 5°C above the optimum. We observed similar results for 1-h mean temperature exposure. Results for temperatures above the optimum temperature showed evidence of confounding by ozone. Ambient temperature below an optimum temperature was associated with increased risk of OHCA in Stockholm. Temperature above an optimum temperature was not significantly associated with OHCA. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Production of Biodiesel from Acid Oil via a Two-Step Enzymatic Transesterification.

PubMed

Choi, Nakyung; Lee, Jeom-Sig; Kwak, Jieun; Lee, Junsoo; Kim, In-Hwan

2016-11-01

A two-step enzymatic transesterification process in a solvent-free system has been developed as a novel approach to the production of biodiesel using acid oil from rice bran oil soapstock. The acid oil consisted of 53.7 wt% fatty acids, 2.4 wt% monoacylglycerols, 9.1 wt% diacylglycerols, 28.8 wt% triacylglycerols, and 6.0 wt% others. Three immobilized lipases were evaluated as potential biocatalysts, including Novozym 435 from Candida antarctica, Lipozyme RM IM from Rhizomucor miehei, and Lipozyme TL IM from Thermomyces lanuginosus. The effects of molar ratio of acid oil to ethanol, temperature, and enzyme loading were investigated to determine the optimum conditions for the transesterification with the three immobilized lipases. The optimum conditions of the three immobilized lipases were a molar ratio of 1:5 (acid oil to ethanol), the temperature range of 30-40°C, and the enzyme loading range of 5-10%. The two-step transesterification was then conducted under the optimum conditions of each lipase. The stepwise use of Novozym 435 and Lipozyme TL IM or Lipozyme RM IM and Lipozyme TL IM resulted in similar or higher levels of yield to the individual lipases. The maximum yields obtained in both stepwise uses were ca. 92%.

Prediction of operating parameters range for ammonia removal unit in coke making by-products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiwari, Hari Prakash; Kumar, Rajesh; Bhattacharjee, Arunabh; Lingam, Ravi Kumar; Roy, Abhijit; Tiwary, Shambhu

2018-02-01

Coke oven gas treatment plants are well equipped with distributed control systems (DCS) and therefore recording the vast amount of operational data efficiently. Analyzing the stored information manually from historians is practically impossible. In this study, data mining technique was examined for lowering the ammonia concentration in clean coke oven gas. Results confirm that concentration of ammonia in clean coke oven gas depends on the average PCDC temperature; gas scrubber temperatures stripped liquor flow, stripped liquor concentration and stripped liquor temperature. The optimum operating ranges of the above dependent parameters using data mining technique for lowering the concentration of ammonia is described in this paper.

Influence of operating conditions on the optimum design of electric vehicle battery cooling plates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jarrett, Anthony; Kim, Il Yong

2014-01-01

The efficiency of cooling plates for electric vehicle batteries can be improved by optimizing the geometry of internal fluid channels. In practical operation, a cooling plate is exposed to a range of operating conditions dictated by the battery, environment, and driving behaviour. To formulate an efficient cooling plate design process, the optimum design sensitivity with respect to each boundary condition is desired. This determines which operating conditions must be represented in the design process, and therefore the complexity of designing for multiple operating conditions. The objective of this study is to determine the influence of different operating conditions on the optimum cooling plate design. Three important performance measures were considered: temperature uniformity, mean temperature, and pressure drop. It was found that of these three, temperature uniformity was most sensitive to the operating conditions, especially with respect to the distribution of the input heat flux, and also to the coolant flow rate. An additional focus of the study was the distribution of heat generated by the battery cell: while it is easier to assume that heat is generated uniformly, by using an accurate distribution for design optimization, this study found that cooling plate performance could be significantly improved.

Thermoelectric properties of non-stoichiometric lanthanum sulfides

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shapiro, E.; Danielson, L. R.

1983-01-01

The lanthanum sulfides are promising candidate materials for high-efficiency thermoelectric applications at temperatures up to 1300 C. The non-stoichiometric lanthanum sulfides (LaS(x), where x is in the range 1.33-1.50) appear to possess the most favorable thermoelectric properties. The Seebeck coefficient and resistivity vary significantly with composition, so that an optimum value of alpha sq/rho (where alpha is the Seebeck coefficient and rho is the resistivity) can be chosen. The thermal conductivity remains approximately constant with stoichiometry, so a material with an optimum value of alpha sq/rho should possess the optimum figure-of-merit. Data for the Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity of non-stoichiometric lanthanum sulfides will be pressed, together with structural properties of these materials.

Temperature affects the morphology and calcification of Emiliania huxleyi strains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosas-Navarro, Anaid; Langer, Gerald; Ziveri, Patrizia

2016-05-01

The global warming debate has sparked an unprecedented interest in temperature effects on coccolithophores. The calcification response to temperature changes reported in the literature, however, is ambiguous. The two main sources of this ambiguity are putatively differences in experimental setup and strain specificity. In this study we therefore compare three strains isolated in the North Pacific under identical experimental conditions. Three strains of Emiliania huxleyi type A were grown under non-limiting nutrient and light conditions, at 10, 15, 20 and 25 °C. All three strains displayed similar growth rate versus temperature relationships, with an optimum at 20-25 °C. Elemental production (particulate inorganic carbon (PIC), particulate organic carbon (POC), total particulate nitrogen (TPN)), coccolith mass, coccolith size, and width of the tube element cycle were positively correlated with temperature over the sub-optimum to optimum temperature range. The correlation between PIC production and coccolith mass/size supports the notion that coccolith mass can be used as a proxy for PIC production in sediment samples. Increasing PIC production was significantly positively correlated with the percentage of incomplete coccoliths in one strain only. Generally, coccoliths were heavier when PIC production was higher. This shows that incompleteness of coccoliths is not due to time shortage at high PIC production. Sub-optimal growth temperatures lead to an increase in the percentage of malformed coccoliths in a strain-specific fashion. Since in total only six strains have been tested thus far, it is presently difficult to say whether sub-optimal temperature is an important factor causing malformations in the field. The most important parameter in biogeochemical terms, the PIC : POC ratio, shows a minimum at optimum growth temperature in all investigated strains. This clarifies the ambiguous picture featuring in the literature, i.e. discrepancies between PIC : POC-temperature relationships reported in different studies using different strains and different experimental setups. In summary, global warming might cause a decline in coccolithophore's PIC contribution to the rain ratio, as well as improved fitness in some genotypes due to fewer coccolith malformations.

Investigation of Chlorella vulgaris UTEX 265 Cultivation under Light and Low Temperature Stressed Conditions for Lutein Production in Flasks and the Coiled Tree Photo-Bioreactor (CTPBR).

PubMed

Gong, Mengyue; Bassi, Amarjeet

2017-10-01

Lutein has an increasing share in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical market due to its benefits to eye health. Microalgae may be a potential source for lutein production while the expense limits the commercialization. In this study, a coiled tubular tree photobioreactor (CTPBR) design was investigated for cultivating the cold tolerant microalgae Chlorella vulgaris UTEX 265 under various conditions for lutein production. The influence and interaction of light irradiance strength, lighting cycle, and temperature on microalgae and lutein production efficiency at low temperature range were also studied in flasks via response surface method (RSM). The results demonstrated that 14 h day-light, 120 μmol photons m -2  s -1 , and 10 °C was the optimal condition for algae growth and lutein production at low temperature experimental ranges. C. vulgaris UTEX 265 showed good potential to produce lutein in cold weather, and the optimum lutein production was contrary to the specific lutein content but corresponds to the trend of optimum growth. Additionally, fast growth (μ = 1.50 day -1 ) and good lutein recovery (11.98 mg g -1  day -1 ) in CTPBR were also achieved at the low irradiance stress condition and the low temperature photo-inhibition conditions.

Microevolution of the photosynthetic temperature optimum in relation to the elevational complex gradient

Treesearch

John H. Fryer; F. Thomas Ledig

1972-01-01

Balsam fir seedlings were grown under uniform conditions from seed collected along an elevational gradient in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Photosynthetic temperature optimum of the seedlings decreased with increasing elevation of the seed source. The change in temperature optimum with elevation was similar to the adiabatic lapse rate, suggesting a precise...

[Selectivity and tolerance of sea urchin (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus) to environmental change].

PubMed

You, Kai; Zeng, Xiaoqi; Liu, Hui; Zhang, Xiumei; Liu, Qun

2003-03-01

An experimental ecological study of sea urchin (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus) sampled from coastal waters of Qingdao was focused on the fundamental ecological factors such as temperature, salinity, light intensity and substratum. The results showed that the suitable ecological range of temperature was from 8 degrees C to 22 degrees C, and the selectivity to temperature was changed with the previous living temperatures. Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus was a kind of stenohaline creature. Its optimum ecological range of salinity was from 30 to 35. The results also showed that Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus liked to select weak light environment (< 50 lux), especially under non-food condition. Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus had the positive substratum-selectivity to coarse sand and the negative substratum-selectivity to silver sand.

Wide Temperature Core Loss Characteristics of Transverse Magnetically Annealed Amorphous Tapes for High Frequency Aerospace Magnetics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Niedra, Janis M.; Schwarze, Gene E.

1999-01-01

100 kHz core loss properties of sample transverse magnetically annealed, cobalt-based amorphous and iron-based nanocrystalline tape wound magnetic cores are presented over the temperature range of -150 C to 150 C, at selected values of B(sub peak). For B-fields not close to saturation, the core loss is not sensitive to temperature in this range and is as low as seen in the best MnZn power ferrites at their optimum temperatures. Frequency resolved characteristics are given over the range of 50 kHz to 1 MHz, but at B(sub peak) = 0.1 T and 50 C only. For example, the 100 kHz specific core loss ranged from 50 - 70 mW/cubic cm for the 3 materials, when measured at 0.1 T and 50 C. This very low high frequency core loss, together with near zero saturation magnetostriction and insensitivity to rough handling, makes these amorphous ribbons strong candidates for power magnetics applications in wide temperature aerospace environments.

EVALUATION OF SPECIFICATION RANGES FOR CREEP STRENGTH ENHANCED FERRITIC STEELS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shingledecker, John P; Santella, Michael L; Wilson, Keely A

2008-01-01

Creep Strength Enhanced Ferritic Steels (CSEF) such as Gr. 91, 911, 92, and 122 require a fully martensitic structure for optimum properties, mainly good creep strength. However, broad chemical compositional ranges are specified for these steel grades which can strongly influence the microstructures obtained. In this study, we have produced chemical compositions within the specification ranges for these alloys which intentionally cause the formation of ferrite or substantially alter the lower intercritical temperatures (A1) so as to affect the phase transformation behavior during tempering. Thermodynamic modeling, thermo-mechanical simulation, tensile testing, creep testing, and microstructural analysis were used to evaluate thesemore » materials. The results show the usefulness of thermodynamic calculations for setting rational chemical composition ranges for CSEF steels to control the critical temperatures, set heat-treatment temperature limits, and eliminate the formation of ferrite.« less

Life on the edge: Thermal optima for aerobic scope of equatorial reef fishes are close to current day temperatures

PubMed Central

Rummer, Jodie L.; Couturier, Christine S.; Stecyk, Jonathan A. W.; Gardiner, Naomi M.; Kinch, Jeff P.; Nilsson, Göran E.; Munday, Philip L.

2015-01-01

Equatorial populations of marine species are predicted to be most impacted by global warming because they could be adapted to a narrow range of temperatures in their local environment. We investigated the thermal range at which aerobic metabolic performance is optimum in equatorial populations of coral reef fish in northern Papua New Guinea. Four species of damsel fishes and two species of cardinal fishes were held for 14d at 29, 31, 33, and 34°C, which incorporated their existing thermal range (29–31°C) as well as projected increases in ocean surface temperatures of up to 3°C by the end of this century. Resting and maximum oxygen consumption rates were measured for each species at each temperature and used to calculate the thermal reaction norm of aerobic scope. Our results indicate that one of the six species, Chromisatripectoralis, is already living above its thermal optimum of 29°C. The other five species appeared to be living close to their thermal optima (approximately 31°C). Aerobic scope was significantly reduced in all species, and approached zero for two species at 3°C above current-day temperatures. One species was unable to survive even short-term exposure to 34°C. Our results indicate that low-latitude reef fish populations are living close to their thermal optima and may be more sensitive to ocean warming than higher-latitude populations. Even relatively small temperature increases (2–3°C) could result in population declines and potentially redistribution of equatorial species to higher latitudes if adaptation cannot keep pace. PMID:24281840

Life on the edge: thermal optima for aerobic scope of equatorial reef fishes are close to current day temperatures.

PubMed

Rummer, Jodie L; Couturier, Christine S; Stecyk, Jonathan A W; Gardiner, Naomi M; Kinch, Jeff P; Nilsson, Göran E; Munday, Philip L

2014-04-01

Equatorial populations of marine species are predicted to be most impacted by global warming because they could be adapted to a narrow range of temperatures in their local environment. We investigated the thermal range at which aerobic metabolic performance is optimum in equatorial populations of coral reef fish in northern Papua New Guinea. Four species of damselfishes and two species of cardinal fishes were held for 14 days at 29, 31, 33, and 34 °C, which incorporated their existing thermal range (29-31 °C) as well as projected increases in ocean surface temperatures of up to 3 °C by the end of this century. Resting and maximum oxygen consumption rates were measured for each species at each temperature and used to calculate the thermal reaction norm of aerobic scope. Our results indicate that one of the six species, Chromis atripectoralis, is already living above its thermal optimum of 29 °C. The other five species appeared to be living close to their thermal optima (ca. 31 °C). Aerobic scope was significantly reduced in all species, and approached zero for two species at 3 °C above current-day temperatures. One species was unable to survive even short-term exposure to 34 °C. Our results indicate that low-latitude reef fish populations are living close to their thermal optima and may be more sensitive to ocean warming than higher-latitude populations. Even relatively small temperature increases (2-3 °C) could result in population declines and potentially redistribution of equatorial species to higher latitudes if adaptation cannot keep pace. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Cryogenic Eyesafer Laser Optimization for Use Without Liquid Nitrogen

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-02-01

liquid cryogens. This calls for optimal performance around 125–150 K—high enough for reasonably efficient operation of a Stirling cooler. We...state laser system with an optimum operating temperature somewhat higher—ideally 125–150 K—can be identified, then a Stirling cooler can be used to...needed to optimize laser performance in the desired temperature range. This did not include actual use of Stirling coolers, but rather involved both

Molecular Dynamics Approach in Designing Thermostable Aspergillus niger Xylanase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malau, N. D.; Sianturi, M.

2017-03-01

Molecular dynamics methods we have applied as a tool in designing thermostable Aspergillus niger Xylanase, by examining Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD) and The Stability of the Secondary Structure of enzymes structure at its optimum temperature and compare with its high temperature behavior. As RMSD represents structural fluctuation at a particular temperature, a better understanding of this factor will suggest approaches to bioengineer these enzymes to enhance their thermostability. In this work molecular dynamic simulations of Aspergillus niger xylanase (ANX) have been carried at 400K (optimum catalytic temperature) for 2.5 ns and 500K (ANX reported inactive temperature) for 2.5 ns. Analysis have shown that the Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD) significant increase at higher temperatures compared at optimum temperature and some of the secondary structures of ANX that have been damaged at high temperature. Structural analysis revealed that the fluctuations of the α-helix and β-sheet regions are larger at higher temperatures compared to the fluctuations at optimum temperature.

Simulation of ethane steam cracking with severity evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosli, M. N.; Aziz, N.

2016-11-01

Understanding the influence of operating parameters towards cracking severity is paramount in ensuring optimum operation of an ethylene plant. However, changing the parameters in an actual plant for data collection can be dangerous. Thus, a simulation model for ethane steam cracking furnace is developed using ASPEN Plus for the assessment. The process performance is evaluated with cracking severity factors and main product yields. Three severity factors are used for evaluation due to their ease of measurement, which are methane yield (Ymet), Ethylene-Ethane Ratio (EER) and Propylene-Ethylene Ratio (PER). The result shows that cracking severity is primarily influenced by reactor temperature. Operating the furnace with coil outlet temperature ranging between 850°C to 950°C and steam-to-hydrocarbon ratio of 0.3 to 0.5 has led to optimum main product yield.

The 136 MHZ/400 MHz earth station antenna-noise temperature prediction program for RAE-B

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taylor, R. E.; Fee, J. J.; Chin, M.

1972-01-01

A simulation study was undertaken to determine the 136 MHz and 400 MHz noise temperature of the ground network antennas which will track the RAE-B satellite during data transmission periods. Since the noise temperature of the antenna effectively sets the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal, a knowledge of SNR will be helpful in locating the optimum time windows for data transmission during low noise periods. Antenna noise temperatures will be predicted for selected earth-based ground stations which will support RAE-B. Telemetry data acquisition will be at 400 MHz; tracking support at 136 MHz will be provided by the Goddard Range and Range Rate (RARR) stations. The antenna-noise temperature predictions will include the effects of galactic-brightness temperature, the sun, and the brightest radio stars. Predictions will cover the ten-month period from March 1, 1973 to December 31, 1973.

Development of a High-Stability Microstrip-based L-band Radiometer for Ocean Salinity Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pellerano, Fernando A.; Horgan, Kevin A.; Wilson, William J.; Tanner, Alan B.

2004-01-01

The development of a microstrip-based L-band Dicke radiometer with the long-term stability required for future ocean salinity measurements to an accuracy of 0.1 psu is presented. This measurement requires the L-band radiometers to have calibration stabilities of less than or equal to 0.05 K over 2 days. This research has focused on determining the optimum radiometer requirements and configuration to achieve this objective. System configuration and component performance have been evaluated with radiometer test beds at both JPL and GSFC. The GSFC testbed uses a cryogenic chamber that allows long-term characterization at radiometric temperatures in the range of 70 - 120 K. The research has addressed several areas including component characterization as a function of temperature and DC bias, system linearity, optimum noise diode injection calibration, and precision temperature control of components. A breadboard radiometer, utilizing microstrip-based technologies, has been built to demonstrate this long-term stability.

Numerical Study of Pyrolysis of Biomass in Fluidized Beds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bellan, Josette; Lathouwers, Danny

2003-01-01

A report presents a numerical-simulation study of pyrolysis of biomass in fluidized-bed reactors, performed by use of the mathematical model described in Model of Fluidized Bed Containing Reacting Solids and Gases (NPO-30163), which appears elsewhere in this issue of NASA Tech Briefs. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of various operating conditions on the efficiency of production of condensable tar from biomass. The numerical results indicate that for a fixed particle size, the fluidizing-gas temperature is the foremost parameter that affects the tar yield. For the range of fluidizing-gas temperatures investigated, and under the assumption that the pyrolysis rate exceeds the feed rate, the optimum steady-state tar collection was found to occur at 750 K. In cases in which the assumption was not valid, the optimum temperature for tar collection was found to be only slightly higher. Scaling up of the reactor was found to exert a small negative effect on tar collection at the optimal operating temperature. It is also found that slightly better scaling is obtained by use of shallower fluidized beds with greater fluidization velocities.

Experimental evaluation of refrigerant mass charge and ambient air temperature effects on performance of air-conditioning systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deymi-Dashtebayaz, Mahdi; Farahnak, Mehdi; Moraffa, Mojtaba; Ghalami, Arash; Mohammadi, Nima

2018-03-01

In this paper the effects of refrigerant charge amount and ambient air temperature on performance and thermodynamic condition of refrigerating cycle in the split type air-conditioner have been investigated. Optimum mass charge is the point at which the energy efficiency ratio (EER) of refrigeration cycle becomes the maximum. Experiments have been conducted over a range of refrigerant mass charge from 540 to 840 g and a range of ambient temperature from 27 to 45 °C, in a 12,000 Btu/h split air-conditioner as case study. The various parameters have been considered to evaluate the cooling rate, energy efficiency ratio (EER), mass charge effect and thermodynamic cycle of refrigeration system with R22 refrigerant gas. Results confirmed that the lack of appropriate refrigerant mass charge causes the refrigeration system not to reach its maximum cooling capacity. The highest cooling capacity achieved was 3.2 kW (11,000 Btu/h). The optimum mass charge and corresponding EER of studied system have been obtained about 640 g and 2.5, respectively. Also, it is observed that EER decreases by 30% as ambient temperature increases from 27 °C to 45 °C. By optimization of the refrigerant mass charge in refrigerating systems, about 785 GWh per year of electric energy can be saved in Iran's residential sector.

Visualizing Current Flow at the Mesoscale in Disordered Assemblies of Touching Semiconductor Nanocrystals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Qinyi; Guest, Jeffrey R.; Thimsen, Elijah

2017-07-12

The transport of electrons through assemblies of nanocrystals is important to performance in optoelectronic applications for these materials. Previous work has primarily focused on single nanocrystals or transitions between pairs of nanocrystals. There is a gap in knowledge of how large numbers of nanocrystals in an assembly behave collectively, and how this collective behavior manifests at the mesoscale. In this work, the variable range hopping (VRH) transport of electrons in disordered assemblies of touching, heavily doped ZnO nanocrystals was visualized at the mesoscale as a function of temperature both theoretically, using the model of Skinner, Chen and Shklovskii (SCS), andmore » experimentally, with conductive atomic force microscopy on ultrathin films only a few particle layers thick. Agreement was obtained between the model and experiments, with a few notable exceptions. The SCS model predicts that a single network within the nanocrystal assembly, comprised of sites connected by small resistances, dominates conduction - namely the optimum band from variable range hopping theory. However, our experiments revealed that in addition to the optimum band, there are subnetworks that appear as additional peaks in the resistance histogram of conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM) maps. Furthermore, the connections of these subnetworks to the optimum band change in time, such that some subnetworks become connected to the optimum band while others become disconnected and isolated from the optimum band; this observation appears to be an experimental manifestation of the ‘blinking’ phenomenon in our images of mesoscale transport.« less

Organic solvent tolerance of an α-amylase from haloalkaliphilic bacteria as a function of pH, temperature, and salt concentrations.

PubMed

Pandey, Sandeep; Singh, S P

2012-04-01

A haloalkaliphilic bacterium was isolated from salt-enriched soil of Mithapur, Gujarat (India) and identified as Bacillus agaradhaerens Mi-10-6₂ based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis (NCBI gene bank accession, GQ121032). The bacterium was studied for its α-amylase characteristic in the presence of organic solvents. The enzyme was quite active and it retained considerable activity in 30% (v/v) organic solvents, dodecane, decane, heptane, n-hexane, methanol, and propanol. At lower concentrations of solvents, the catalysis was quite comparable to control. Enzyme catalysis at wide range of alkanes and alcohol was an interesting finding of the study. Mi-10-6₂ amylase retained activity over a broader alkaline pH range, with the optimal pH at 10-11. Two molars of salt was optimum for catalysis in the presence of most of the tested solvents, though the enzyme retained significant activity even at 4 M salt. With dodecane, the optimum temperature shifted from 50 °C to 60 °C, while the enzyme was active up to 80 °C. Over all, the present study focused on the effect of organic solvents on an extracellular α-amylase from haloalkaliphilic bacteria under varying conditions of pH, temperature, and salt.

Treatment of slaughter wastewater by coagulation sedimentation-anaerobic biological filter and biological contact oxidation process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, M.; Yu, P. F.; Fu, J. X.; Ji, X. Q.; Jiang, T.

2017-08-01

The optimal process parameters and conditions for the treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater by coagulation sedimentation-AF - biological contact oxidation process were studied to solve the problem of high concentration organic wastewater treatment in the production of small and medium sized slaughter plants. The suitable water temperature and the optimum reaction time are determined by the experiment of precipitation to study the effect of filtration rate and reflux ratio on COD and SS in anaerobic biological filter and the effect of biofilm thickness and gas water ratio on NH3-N and COD in biological contact oxidation tank, and results show that the optimum temperature is 16-24°C, reaction time is 20 min in coagulating sedimentation, the optimum filtration rate is 0.6 m/h, and the optimum reflux ratio is 300% in anaerobic biological filter reactor. The most suitable biological film thickness range of 1.8-2.2 mm and the most suitable gas water ratio is 12:1-14:1 in biological contact oxidation pool. In the coupling process of continuous operation for 80 days, the average effluent’s mass concentrations of COD, TP and TN were 15.57 mg/L, 40 mg/L and 0.63 mg/L, the average removal rates were 98.93%, 86.10%, 88.95%, respectively. The coupling process has stable operation effect and good effluent quality, and is suitable for the industrial application.

Pyrolysis and hydrolysis of mixed polymer waste comprising polyethylene-terephthalate and polyethylene to sequentially recover [monomers

DOEpatents

Evans, R.J.; Chum, H.L.

1998-10-13

A process is described for using fast pyrolysis in a carrier gas to convert a plastic waste feed stream having a mixed polymeric composition in a manner such that pyrolysis of a given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent occurs prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein comprising: selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other plastic components; selecting a catalyst and support for treating said feed streams with said catalyst to effect acid or base catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of said high value monomeric constituent in said temperature program range; differentially heating said feed stream at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantities of the high value monomeric constituent prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components; separating the high value monomeric constituents; selecting a second higher temperature range to cause pyrolysis of a different high value monomeric constituent of said plastic waste and differentially heating the feed stream at the higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of the different high value monomeric constituent; and separating the different high value monomeric constituent. 83 figs.

Controlled catalytic and thermal sequential pyrolysis and hydrolysis of mixed polymer waste streams to sequentially recover monomers or other high value products

DOEpatents

Evans, Robert J.; Chum, Helena L.

1994-01-01

A process of using fast pyrolysis in a carrier gas to convert a plastic waste feedstream having a mixed polymeric composition in a manner such that pyrolysis of a given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent occurs prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein comprising: selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other plastic components; selecting a catalyst and support for treating said feed streams with said catalyst to effect acid or base catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of said high value monomeric constituent in said temperature program range; differentially heating said feed stream at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantities of the high value monomeric constituent prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components; separating the high value monomeric constituents, selecting a second higher temperature range to cause pyrolysis of a different high value monomeric constituent of said plastic waste and differentially heating the feedstream at the higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of the different high value monomeric constituent; and separating the different high value monomeric constituent.

Controlled catalytic and thermal sequential pyrolysis and hydrolysis of mixed polymer waste streams to sequentially recover monomers or other high value products

DOEpatents

Evans, Robert J.; Chum, Helena L.

1994-01-01

A process of using fast pyrolysis in a carrier gas to convert a plastic waste feedstream having a mixed polymeric composition in a manner such that pyrolysis of a given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent occurs prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein comprising: selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other plastic components; selecting a catalyst and support for treating said feed streams with said catalyst to effect acid or base catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of said high value monomeric constituent in said temperature program range; differentially heating said feed stream at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantities of the high value monomeric constituent prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components; separating the high value monomeric constituents; selecting a second higher temperature range to cause pyrolysis of a different high value monomeric constituent of said plastic waste and differentially heating the feedstream at the higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of the different high value monomeric constituent; and separating the different high value monomeric constituent.

Controlled catalytic and thermal sequential pyrolysis and hydrolysis of mixed polymer waste streams to sequentially recover monomers or other high value products

DOEpatents

Evans, Robert J.; Chum, Helena L.

1993-01-01

A process of using fast pyrolysis in a carrier gas to convert a plastic waste feedstream having a mixed polymeric composition in a manner such that pyrolysis of a given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent occurs prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein comprising: selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other plastic components; selecting a catalyst and support for treating said feed streams with said catalyst to effect acid or base catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of said high value monomeric constituent in said temperature program range; differentially heating said feed stream at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantities of the high value monomeric constituent prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components; separating the high value monomeric constituents; selecting a second higher temperature range to cause pyrolysis of a different high value monomeric constituent of said plastic waste and differentially heating the feedstream at the higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of the different high value monomeric constituent; and separating the different high value monomeric constituent.

Pyrolysis and hydrolysis of mixed polymer waste comprising polyethyleneterephthalate and polyethylene to sequentially recover

DOEpatents

Evans, Robert J.; Chum, Helena L.

1998-01-01

A process of using fast pyrolysis in a carrier gas to convert a plastic waste feedstream having a mixed polymeric composition in a manner such that pyrolysis of a given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent occurs prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein comprising: selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other plastic components; selecting a catalyst and support for treating said feed streams with said catalyst to effect acid or base catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of said high value monomeric constituent in said temperature program range; differentially heating said feed stream at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantities of the high value monomeric constituent prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components; separating the high value monomeric constituents; selecting a second higher temperature range to cause pyrolysis of a different high value monomeric constituent of said plastic waste and differentially heating the feedstream at the higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of the different high value monomeric constituent; and separating the different high value monomeric constituent.

The temperature response of CO2 assimilation, photochemical activities and rubisco activation in camelina sativa, a potential bioenergy crop with limited capacity for acclimation to heat stress.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The temperature optimum of photosynthesis coincides with the average daytime temperature in a species’ native environment. Moderate heat stress occurs when temperatures exceed the optimum, inhibiting photosynthesis and decreasing productivity. In the present study, the temperature response of photos...

The differential response of photosynthesis to high temperature for a boreal and temperate Populus species relates to differences in Rubisco activation and Rubisco activase properties.

PubMed

Hozain, Moh'd I; Salvucci, Michael E; Fokar, Mohamed; Holaday, A Scott

2010-01-01

Significant inhibition of photosynthesis occurs at temperatures only a few degrees (

OPTIMAL AIRCRAFT TRAJECTORIES FOR SPECIFIED RANGE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, H.

1994-01-01

For an aircraft operating over a fixed range, the operating costs are basically a sum of fuel cost and time cost. While minimum fuel and minimum time trajectories are relatively easy to calculate, the determination of a minimum cost trajectory can be a complex undertaking. This computer program was developed to optimize trajectories with respect to a cost function based on a weighted sum of fuel cost and time cost. As a research tool, the program could be used to study various characteristics of optimum trajectories and their comparison to standard trajectories. It might also be used to generate a model for the development of an airborne trajectory optimization system. The program could be incorporated into an airline flight planning system, with optimum flight plans determined at takeoff time for the prevailing flight conditions. The use of trajectory optimization could significantly reduce the cost for a given aircraft mission. The algorithm incorporated in the program assumes that a trajectory consists of climb, cruise, and descent segments. The optimization of each segment is not done independently, as in classical procedures, but is performed in a manner which accounts for interaction between the segments. This is accomplished by the application of optimal control theory. The climb and descent profiles are generated by integrating a set of kinematic and dynamic equations, where the total energy of the aircraft is the independent variable. At each energy level of the climb and descent profiles, the air speed and power setting necessary for an optimal trajectory are determined. The variational Hamiltonian of the problem consists of the rate of change of cost with respect to total energy and a term dependent on the adjoint variable, which is identical to the optimum cruise cost at a specified altitude. This variable uniquely specifies the optimal cruise energy, cruise altitude, cruise Mach number, and, indirectly, the climb and descent profiles. If the optimum cruise cost is specified, an optimum trajectory can easily be generated; however, the range obtained for a particular optimum cruise cost is not known a priori. For short range flights, the program iteratively varies the optimum cruise cost until the computed range converges to the specified range. For long-range flights, iteration is unnecessary since the specified range can be divided into a cruise segment distance and full climb and descent distances. The user must supply the program with engine fuel flow rate coefficients and an aircraft aerodynamic model. The program currently includes coefficients for the Pratt-Whitney JT8D-7 engine and an aerodynamic model for the Boeing 727. Input to the program consists of the flight range to be covered and the prevailing flight conditions including pressure, temperature, and wind profiles. Information output by the program includes: optimum cruise tables at selected weights, optimal cruise quantities as a function of cruise weight and cruise distance, climb and descent profiles, and a summary of the complete synthesized optimal trajectory. This program is written in FORTRAN IV for batch execution and has been implemented on a CDC 6000 series computer with a central memory requirement of approximately 100K (octal) of 60 bit words. This aircraft trajectory optimization program was developed in 1979.

Gallium-doped germanium, evaluation of photoconductors, part 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, W. J.

1979-01-01

Gallium-doped germanium far infrared detectors were evaluated at low temperatures and low background simulating the space environment. Signal and noise characteristics were determined for detector temperatures in the 2K to 4K range. Optimum performance occurs at about 2.5K for all devices tested. The minimum average NEP in the 40-130 micron region was found to be approximately 4 x 10 to the minus 17th power watt Hz(-1/2) at a frequency of 1 Hz.

Spirochaeta americana sp. nov.: A New Haloalkaliphilic, Obligately Anaerobic Spirochete Isolated from Soda Mono Lake, California

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoover, Richard B.; Pikuta, Elena V.; Marsic, Damien; Whitman, William B.; Tang, Jane; Krader, Paul; Six, N. Frank (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

A novel obligately anaerobic, mesophilic, haloalkaliphilic spirochete, strain ASpG1, was isolated from sediments of the alkaline, hypersaline Mono Lake in California, U.S.A. The gram-negative cells are motile and spirochete-shaped with sizes of 0.22 x 10-15 micron. Growth was observed over the temperature range of 10 C to 44 C (optimum 37 C), NaCl concentration range of greater than 1 - 12 % (wt/vol) (optimum 3%), and pH range 7.5 - 10.5 (optimum pH 9.5). The novel isolate is strictly alkaliphilic, requires high concentrations of carbonate in the medium, and is capable of utilizing D-glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose, starch, and D-mannitol. Main end products of glucose fermentation are: H2, acetate, ethanol, and formate. Strain AspG1 is resistant to kanamycin, but sensitive to chloramphenicol, gentamycin and tetracycline. The G+C content of its DNA is 58.5 mol%. On the basis of its physiological and molecular properties, the isolate appears to be a novel species among the genus Spirochaeta; and the name Spirochaeta americana sp. nov., is proposed for the taxon (type strain ASpG1(sup T) = ATCC BAA_392(sup T) = DSMZ 14872(sup T)).

Superconductivity in BiPbCaSrCuO thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, S. M.; Yang, H. C.; Chen, F. C.; Horng, H. E.; Jao, J. C.

1989-12-01

Thin films of BiPbCaSrCuO sample were prepared by RF sputtering from sintered ceramic targets. Single crystal of MgO(100) was selected as substrate. The sputtering was held at room temperature. Different annealing conditions were carried out to obtain optimum conditions. High temperature resistivity was measured in air to study the thermodynamic reaction of the sintered films. An resistivity anomaly was found in the first heating cycle which suggests a thermodynamic reaction. A temperature dependence of I c was measured to study the coupling of grains in the granular films in different temperature ranges and the results will be discussed.

Changing seasonality patterns in Central Europe from Miocene Climate Optimum to Miocene Climate Transition deduced from the Crassostrea isotope archive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harzhauser, Mathias; Piller, Werner E.; Müllegger, Stefan; Grunert, Patrick; Micheels, Arne

2011-03-01

The Western Tethyan estuarine oyster Crassostrea gryphoides is an excellent climate archive due to its large size and rapid growth. It is geologically long lived and allows a stable isotope-based insight into climatic trends during the Miocene. Herein we utilised the climate archive of 5 oyster shells from the Miocene Climate Optimum (MCO) and the subsequent Miocene Climate Transition (MCT) to evaluate changes of seasonality patterns. MCO shells exhibit highly regular seasonal rhythms of warm-wet and dry-cool seasons. Optimal conditions resulted in extraordinary growth rates of the oysters. δ 13C profiles are in phase with δ 18O although phytoplankton blooms may cause a slight offset. Estuarine waters during the MCO in Central Europe display a seasonal temperature range of c. 9-10 °C. Absolute water temperatures have ranged from 17 to 19 °C during cool seasons and up to 28 °C in warm seasons. Already during the early phase of the MCO, the growth rates are distinctly declining, although gigantic and extremely old shells have been formed at that time. Still, a very regular and well expressed seasonality is dominating the isotope profiles, but episodically occurring extreme climate events influence the environments. The seasonal temperature range is still c. 9 °C but the cool season temperature seems to be slightly lower (16 °C) and the warm season water temperature does not exceed c. 25 °C. In the later MCT at c. 12.5-12.0 Ma the seasonality pattern is breaking down and is replaced by successions of dry years with irregular precipitation events. No correlation between δ 18O and δ 13C is documented maybe due to a suboptimal nutrition level which would explain the low growth rates and small sizes. The amplitude of seasonal temperature range is decreasing to 5-8 °C. No clear cooling trend can be postulated for that time as the winter season water temperatures range from 15 to 20 °C. This may point to unstable precipitation rhythms on a multi-annual to decadal scale as main difference between MCO and MCT climates in Central Europe instead of a simple temperature decline scenario.

Removal of gallium (III) ions from acidic aqueous solution by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction in the green separation process.

PubMed

Chou, Wei-Lung; Wang, Chih-Ta; Yang, Kai-Chiang; Huang, Yen-Hsiang

2008-12-15

Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, which is a feasible "green" alternative, was applied in this study as a sample pretreatment step for the removal of gallium (III) ions from acidic aqueous solution. The effect of various process parameters, including various chelating agents, extraction pressure and temperature, dimensionless CO(2) volume, the concentration of the chelating agent, and the pH of the solution, governing the efficiency and throughput of the procedure were systematically investigated. The performance of the various chelating agents from different studies indicated that the extraction efficiency of supercritical CO(2) was in the order: thiopyridine (PySH)>thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTAH)>acetylacetone (AcAcH). The optimal extraction pressure and temperature for the supercritical CO(2) extraction of gallium (III) with chelating agent PySH were found to be 70 degrees C and 3000psi, respectively. The optimum concentration of the chelating agent was found to be 50ppm. A value of 7.5 was selected as the optimum dimensionless CO(2) volume. The optimum pH of the solution for supercritical CO(2) extraction should fall in the range of 2.0-3.0.

Effect of pH on simultaneous saccharification and isomerization by glucoamylase and glucose isomerase.

PubMed

Mishra, Abha; Debnath Das, Meera

2002-01-01

pH and temperature play critical roles in multistep enzymatic conversions. In such conversions, the optimal pH for individual steps differs greatly. In this article, we describe the production of glucoamylase (from Aspergillus oryzae MTCC152 in solid-state fermentation) and glucose isomerase (from Streptomyces griseus NCIM2020 in submerged fermentation), used in industries for producing high-fructose syrup. Optimum pH for glucoamylase was found to be 5.0. For glucose isomerase, the optimum pH ranged between 7.0 and 8.5, depending on the type of buffer used. Optimum temperature for glucoamylase and glucose isomerase was 50 and 60 degrees C, respectively. When both the enzymatic conversions were performed simultaneously at a compromised pH of 6.5, both the enzymes showed lowered activity. We also studied the kinetics at different pHs, which allows the two-step reaction to take place simultaneously. This was done by separating two steps by a thin layer of urease. Ammonia generated by the hydrolysis of urea consumed the hydrogen ions, thereby allowing optimal activity of glucose isomerase at an acidic pH of 5.0.

Report on Lithium Ion Battery Trade Studies to Support the Exploration Technology Development Program (ETDP) Energy Storage Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, Robert D.; Kissock, Barbara I.; Bennett, William R.

2010-01-01

This report documents the results of two system related analyses to support the Exploration Technology Development Program (ETDP) Energy Storage Project. The first study documents a trade study to determine the optimum Li-ion battery cell capacity for the ascent stage battery for the Altair lunar lander being developed under the Constellation Systems program. The battery cell capacity for the Ultra High Energy (UHE) Li-ion battery initially chosen as the target for development was 35 A-hr; this study concludes that a 19.4 A-hr cell capacity would be more optimum from a minimum battery mass perspective. The second study in this report is an assessment of available low temperature Li-ion battery cell performance data to determine whether lowering the operating temperature range of the Li-ion battery, in a rover application, could save overall system mass by eliminating thermal control system mass normally needed to maintain battery temperature within a tighter temperature limit than electronics or other less temperature sensitive components. The preliminary assessment for this second study indicates that the reduction in the thermal control system mass is negated by an increase in battery mass to compensate for the loss in battery capacity due to lower temperature operating conditions.

Ecosystem response to climatic variables - air temperature and precipitation: How can these variables alter plant productions in C4-grass dominant ecosystem?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, C. G.; Jiang, L.; Luo, Y.

2017-12-01

Understanding net primary production (NPP) response to the key climatic variables, temperature and precipitation, is essential since the response could be represented by one of future consequences from ecosystem responses. Under future climatic warming, fluctuating precipitation is expected. In addition, NPP solely could not explain whole ecosystem response; therefore, not only NPP, but also above- and below-ground NPP (ANPP and BNPP, respectively) need to be examined. This examination needs to include how the plant productions response along temperature and precipitation gradients. Several studies have examined the response of NPP against each of single climatic variable, but understanding the response of ANPP and BNPP to the multiple variables is notably poor. In this study, we used the plant productions data (NPP, ANPP, and BNPP) with climatic variables, i.e., air temperature and precipitation, from 1999 to 2015 under warming and clipping treatments (mimicking hay-harvesting) in C4-grass dominant ecosystem located in central Oklahoma, United States. Firstly, we examined the nonlinear relationships with the climatic variables for NPP, ANPP and BNPP; and then predicted possible responses in the temperature - precipitation space by using a linear mixed effect model. Nonlinearities of NPP, ANPP and BNPP to the climatic variables have been found to show unimodal curves, and nonlinear models have better goodness of fit as shown lower Akaike information criterion (AIC) than linear models. Optimum condition for NPP is represented at high temperature and precipitation level whereas BNPP is maximized at moderate precipitation levels while ANPP has same range of NPP's optimum condition. Clipping significantly reduced ANPP while there was no clipping effect on NPP and BNPP. Furthermore, inclining NPP and ANPP have shown in a range from moderate to high precipitation level with increasing temperature while inclining pattern for BNPP was observed in moderate precipitation level. Overall, the C4-grass dominant ecosystem has a potential for considerable increases in NPP in hotter and wetter conditions as shown a range from moderate to high temperature and precipitation levels; ANPP has peaked at the high temperature and precipitation level, but maximum BNPP needs moderate precipitation level and high temperature.

Platinum particle size and support effects in NO(x) mediated carbon oxidation over platinum catalysts.

PubMed

Villani, Kenneth; Vermandel, Walter; Smets, Koen; Liang, Duoduo; van Tendeloo, Gustaaf; Martens, Johan A

2006-04-15

Platinum metal was dispersed on microporous, mesoporous, and nonporous support materials including the zeolites Na-Y, Ba-Y, Ferrierite, ZSM-22, ETS-10, and AIPO-11, alumina, and titania. The oxidation of carbon black loosely mixed with catalyst powder was monitored gravimetrically in a gas stream containing nitric oxide, oxygen, and water. The carbon oxidation activity of the catalysts was found to be uniquely related to the Pt dispersion and little influenced by support type. The optimum dispersion is around 3-4% corresponding to relatively large Pt particle sizes of 20-40 nm. The carbon oxidation activity reflects the NO oxidation activity of the platinum catalyst, which reaches an optimum in the 20-40 nm Pt particle size range. The lowest carbon oxidation temperatures were achieved with platinum loaded ZSM-22 and AIPO-11 zeolite crystallites bearing platinum of optimum dispersion on their external surfaces.

Quantifying the effects of temperature on mosquito and parasite traits that determine the transmission potential of human malaria.

PubMed

Shapiro, Lillian L M; Whitehead, Shelley A; Thomas, Matthew B

2017-10-01

Malaria transmission is known to be strongly impacted by temperature. The current understanding of how temperature affects mosquito and parasite life history traits derives from a limited number of empirical studies. These studies, some dating back to the early part of last century, are often poorly controlled, have limited replication, explore a narrow range of temperatures, and use a mixture of parasite and mosquito species. Here, we use a single pairing of the Asian mosquito vector, An. stephensi and the human malaria parasite, P. falciparum to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the thermal performance curves of a range of mosquito and parasite traits relevant to transmission. We show that biting rate, adult mortality rate, parasite development rate, and vector competence are temperature sensitive. Importantly, we find qualitative and quantitative differences to the assumed temperature-dependent relationships. To explore the overall implications of temperature for transmission, we first use a standard model of relative vectorial capacity. This approach suggests a temperature optimum for transmission of 29°C, with minimum and maximum temperatures of 12°C and 38°C, respectively. However, the robustness of the vectorial capacity approach is challenged by the fact that the empirical data violate several of the model's simplifying assumptions. Accordingly, we present an alternative model of relative force of infection that better captures the observed biology of the vector-parasite interaction. This model suggests a temperature optimum for transmission of 26°C, with a minimum and maximum of 17°C and 35°C, respectively. The differences between the models lead to potentially divergent predictions for the potential impacts of current and future climate change on malaria transmission. The study provides a framework for more detailed, system-specific studies that are essential to develop an improved understanding on the effects of temperature on malaria transmission.

Wide Temperature Characteristics of Transverse Magnetically Annealed Amorphous Tapes for High Frequency Aerospace Magnetics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Niedra, Janis M.

1999-01-01

100 kHz core loss and magnetization properties of sample transverse magnetically annealed, cobalt-based amorphous and iron-based nanocrystalline tape wound magnetic cores are presented over the temperature range of -150 to 150 C, at selected values of B(sub peak). For B-fields not close to saturation, the core loss is not sensitive to temperature in this range and is as low as seen in the best MnZn power ferrites at their optimum temperatures. Frequency resolved characteristics are given over the range of 50 kHz to 1 MHz, at B(sub peak) = 0.1 T and 50 C only. A linear permeability model is used to interpret and present the magnetization characteristics and several figures of merit applicable to inductor materials arc reviewed. This linear modeling shows that, due to their high permeabilities, these cores must he gapped in order to make up high Q or high current inductors. However, they should serve well, as is, for high frequency, anti ratcheting transformer applications.

The Temperature Optima and Temperature Sensitivity of Soil Respiration Explained By Macromolecular Rate Theory (MMRT).

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schipper, L. A.; O'Neill, T.; Arcus, V. L.

2014-12-01

One of the most fundamental factors controlling all biological and chemical processes is changing temperature. Temperature dependence was originally described by the Arrhenius function in the 19th century. This function provides an excellent description of chemical reaction rates. However, the Arrhenius function does not predict the temperature optimum of biological rates that is clearly evident in laboratory and field measurements. Previously, the temperature optimum of biological processes has been ascribed to denaturation of enzymes but the observed temperature optima in soil are often rather modest, occurring at about 40-50°C and generally less than recognised temperatures for protein unfolding. We have modified the Arrhenius function incorporating a temperature-dependent activation energy derived directly from first principles from thermodynamics of macromolecules. MacroMolecular Rate Theory (MMRT) accounts for large changes in the flexibility of enzymes during catalysis that result in changes in heat capacity (ΔC‡p) of the enzyme during the reaction. MMRT predicts an initially Arrhenius-like response followed by a temperature optimum without the need for enzyme denaturation (Hobbs et al., 2013. ACS Chemical Biology. 8: 2388-2393). Denaturation, of course, occurs at much higher temperatures. We have shown that MMRT fits biogeochemical data collected from laboratory and field studies with important implications for changes in absolute temperature sensitivity as temperature rises (Schipper et al., 2014. Global Change Biology). As the temperature optimum is approached the absolute temperature sensitivity of biological processes decreases to zero. Consequently, the absolute temperature-sensitivity of soil biological processes depends on both the change in ecosystem temperature and the temperature optimum of the biological process. MMRT also very clearly explains why Q10 values decline with increasing temperature more quickly than would be predicted from the Arrhenius function. Temperature optima of many soil biological processes including respiration are very poorly documented but would lead to a better understanding of how soil systems will respond to increasing global temperatures.

Development of a sensor for temperature and water concentration in combustion gases using a single tunable diode laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Xin; Liu, Xiang; Jeffries, Jay B.; Hanson, R. K.

2003-08-01

The water vapour spectrum in the 1-2 µm near-infrared region is systematically analysed to find the best absorption transitions for sensitive measurement of H2O concentration and temperature in combustion environments using a single tunable diode laser with typical distributed feedback single-mode scanning range (1 cm-1). The use of a single laser, even with relatively narrow tuning range, can offer distinct advantages over wavelength-multiplexing techniques. The strategy and spectroscopic criteria for selecting optimum wavelength regions and absorption line combinations are discussed. It should be stressed that no single figure of merit can be derived to simplify the selection process, and the optimum line pair should be chosen case by case. Our investigation reveals that the 1.8 µm spectral region is especially promising, and we have identified 10 of the best water line pairs in this spectral region for temperature measurements in flames. Based on these findings, a pair of H2O transitions near 1.8 µm was targeted for the design and development of an initial single-laser sensor for simultaneously measuring H2O concentration and temperature in atmospheric-pressure flames. As part of the sensor development effort, fundamental spectroscopic parameters including the line strength, line-centre frequency and lower state energies of the probed transitions were measured experimentally to improve the current databases. We conclude with demonstration results in a steady and a forced atmospheric-pressure laboratory combustor.

Characterization of Hot Deformation Behavior of a Fe-Cr-Ni-Mo-N Superaustenitic Stainless Steel Using Dynamic Materials Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pu, Enxiang; Zheng, Wenjie; Song, Zhigang; Feng, Han; Zhu, Yuliang

2017-03-01

Hot deformation behavior of a Fe-24Cr-22Ni-7Mo-0.5N superaustenitic stainless steel was investigated by hot compression tests in a wide temperature range of 950-1250 °C and strain rate range of 0.001-10 s-1. The flow curves show that the flow stress decreases as the deformation temperature increases or the strain rate decreases. The processing maps developed on the basis of the dynamic materials model and flow stress data were adopted to optimize the parameters of hot working. It was found that the strain higher than 0.2 has no significant effect on the processing maps. The optimum processing conditions were in the temperature range of 1125-1220 °C and strain rate range of 0.1-3 s-1. Comparing to other stable domains, microstructural observations in this domain revealed the complete dynamic recrystallization (DRX) with finer and more uniform grain size. Flow instability occurred in the domain of temperature lower than 1100 °C and strain rate higher than 0.1 s-1.

Flow Stress and Processing Map of a PM 8009Al/SiC Particle Reinforced Composite During Hot Compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Haibo; Teng, Jie; Chen, Shuang; Wang, Yu; Zhang, Hui

2017-10-01

Hot compression tests of 8009Al alloy reinforced with 15% SiC particles (8009Al/15%SiCp composites) prepared by powder metallurgy (direct hot extrusion methods) were performed on Gleeble-3500 system in the temperature range of 400-550 °C and strain rate range of 0.001-1 s-1. The processing map based on the dynamic material model was established to evaluate the flow instability regime and optimize processing parameters; the associated microstructural changes were studied by the observations of optical metallographic and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the flow stress increased initially and reached a plateau after peak stress value with increasing strain. The peak stress increased as the strain rate increased and deformation temperature decreased. The optimum parameters were identified to be deformation temperature range of 500-550 °C and strain rate range of 0.001-0.02 s-1 by combining the processing map with microstructural observation.

Thermal dependence of sprint performance in the lizard Psammodromus algirus along a 2200-meter elevational gradient: Cold-habitat lizards do not perform better at low temperatures.

PubMed

Zamora-Camacho, Francisco Javier; Rubiño-Hispán, María Virtudes; Reguera, Senda; Moreno-Rueda, Gregorio

2015-08-01

Sprint speed has a capital relevance in most animals' fitness, mainly for fleeing from predators. Sprint performance is maximal within a certain range of body temperatures in ectotherms, whose thermal upkeep relies on exogenous thermal sources. Ectotherms can respond to diverse thermal environments either by shifting their thermal preferences or maintaining them through different adaptive mechanisms. Here, we tested whether maximum sprint speed of a lizard that shows conservative thermal ecology along a 2200-meter elevational gradient differs with body temperature in lizards from different elevations. Lizards ran faster at optimum than at suboptimum body temperature. Notably, high-elevation lizards were not faster than mid- and low-elevation lizards at suboptimum body temperature, despite their low-quality thermal environment. This result suggests that both preferred body temperature and thermal dependence of speed performance are co-adapted along the elevational gradient. High-elevation lizards display a number of thermoregulatory strategies that allow them to achieve high optimum body temperatures in a low thermal-quality habitat and thus maximize speed performance. As for reproductive condition, we did not find any effect of it on sprint speed, or any significant interaction with elevation or body temperature. However, strikingly, gravid females were significantly slower than males and non-gravid females at suboptimum temperature, but performed similarly well at optimal temperature. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Discriminating the precipitation phase based on different temperature thresholds in the Songhua River Basin, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, Keyuan; Zheng, Fenli; Xu, Ximeng; Qin, Chao

2018-06-01

Different precipitation phases (rain, snow or sleet) differ greatly in their hydrological and erosional processes. Therefore, accurate discrimination of the precipitation phase is highly important when researching hydrologic processes and climate change at high latitudes and mountainous regions. The objective of this study was to identify suitable temperature thresholds for discriminating the precipitation phase in the Songhua River Basin (SRB) based on 20-year daily precipitation collected from 60 meteorological stations located in and around the basin. Two methods, the air temperature method (AT method) and the wet bulb temperature method (WBT method), were used to discriminate the precipitation phase. Thirteen temperature thresholds were used to discriminate snowfall in the SRB. These thresholds included air temperatures from 0 to 5.5 °C at intervals of 0.5 °C and the wet bulb temperature (WBT). Three evaluation indices, the error percentage of discriminated snowfall days (Ep), the relative error of discriminated snowfall (Re) and the determination coefficient (R2), were applied to assess the discrimination accuracy. The results showed that 2.5 °C was the optimum threshold temperature for discriminating snowfall at the scale of the entire basin. Due to differences in the landscape conditions at the different stations, the optimum threshold varied by station. The optimal threshold ranged 1.5-4.0 °C, and 19 stations, 17 stations and 18 stations had optimal thresholds of 2.5 °C, 3.0 °C, and 3.5 °C respectively, occupying 90% of all stations. Compared with using a single suitable temperature threshold to discriminate snowfall throughout the basin, it was more accurate to use the optimum threshold at each station to estimate snowfall in the basin. In addition, snowfall was underestimated when the temperature threshold was the WBT and when the temperature threshold was below 2.5 °C, whereas snowfall was overestimated when the temperature threshold exceeded 4.0 °C at most stations. The results of this study provide information for climate change research and hydrological process simulations in the SRB, as well as provide reference information for discriminating precipitation phase in other regions.

Advanced high temperature thermoelectrics for space power

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lockwood, A.; Ewell, R.; Wood, C.

1981-01-01

Preliminary results from a spacecraft system study show that an optimum hot junction temperature is in the range of 1500 K for advanced nuclear reactor technology combined with thermoelectric conversion. Advanced silicon germanium thermoelectric conversion is feasible if hot junction temperatures can be raised roughly 100 C or if gallium phosphide can be used to improve the figure of merit, but the performance is marginal. Two new classes of refractory materials, rare earth sulfides and boron-carbon alloys, are being investigated to improve the specific weight of the generator system. Preliminary data on the sulfides have shown very high figures of merit over short temperature ranges. Both n- and p-type doping have been obtained. Pure boron-carbide may extrapolate to high figure of merit at temperatures well above 1500 K but not lower temperature; n-type conduction has been reported by others, but not yet observed in the JPL program. Inadvertant impurity doping may explain the divergence of results reported.

Automated microbial metabolism laboratory. [design of advanced labeled release experiment based on single addition of soil and multiple sequential additions of media into test chambers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

The design and rationale of an advanced labeled release experiment based on single addition of soil and multiple sequential additions of media into each of four test chambers are outlined. The feasibility for multiple addition tests was established and various details of the methodology were studied. The four chamber battery of tests include: (1) determination of the effect of various atmospheric gases and selection of that gas which produces an optimum response; (2) determination of the effect of incubation temperature and selection of the optimum temperature for performing Martian biochemical tests; (3) sterile soil is dosed with a battery of C-14 labeled substrates and subjected to experimental temperature range; and (4) determination of the possible inhibitory effects of water on Martian organisms is performed initially by dosing with 0.01 ml and 0.5 ml of medium, respectively. A series of specifically labeled substrates are then added to obtain patterns in metabolic 14CO2 (C-14)O2 evolution.

Comparison of COD removal from pharmaceutical wastewater by electrocoagulation, photoelectrocoagulation, peroxi-electrocoagulation and peroxi-photoelectrocoagulation processes.

PubMed

Farhadi, Sajjad; Aminzadeh, Behnoush; Torabian, Ali; Khatibikamal, Vahid; Alizadeh Fard, Mohammad

2012-06-15

This work makes a comparison between electrocoagulation (EC), photoelectrocoagulation, peroxi-electrocoagulation and peroxi-photoelectrocoagulation processes to investigate the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from pharmaceutical wastewater. The effects of operational parameters such as initial pH, current density, applied voltage, amount of hydrogen peroxide and electrolysis time on COD removal efficiency were investigated and the optimum operating range for each of these operating variables was experimentally determined. In electrocoagulation process, the optimum values of pH and voltage were determined to be 7 and 40 V, respectively. Desired pH and hydrogen peroxide concentration in the Fenton-based processes were found to be 3 and 300 mg/L, respectively. The amounts of COD, pH, electrical conductivity, temperature and total dissolved solids (TDS) were on-line monitored. Results indicated that under the optimum operating range for each process, the COD removal efficiency was in order of peroxi-electrocoagulation > peroxi-photoelectrocoagulation > photoelectrocoagulation>electrocoagulation. Finally, a kinetic study was carried out using the linear pseudo-second-order model and results showed that the pseudo-second-order equation provided the best correlation for the COD removal rate. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Controlled catalytic and thermal sequential pyrolysis and hydrolysis of mixed polymer waste streams to sequentially recover monomers or other high value products

DOEpatents

Evans, R.J.; Chum, H.L.

1994-10-25

A process of using fast pyrolysis in a carrier gas to convert a plastic waste feedstream having a mixed polymeric composition in a manner such that pyrolysis of a given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent occurs prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein comprising: selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other plastic components; selecting a catalyst and support for treating said feed streams with said catalyst to effect acid or base catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of said high value monomeric constituent in said temperature program range; differentially heating said feed stream at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantities of the high value monomeric constituent prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components; separating the high value monomeric constituents; selecting a second higher temperature range to cause pyrolysis of a different high value monomeric constituent of said plastic waste and differentially heating the feedstream at the higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of the different high value monomeric constituent; and separating the different high value monomeric constituent. 83 figs.

Controlled catalytic and thermal sequential pyrolysis and hydrolysis of polymer waste comprising nylon 6 and a polyolefin or mixtures of polyolefins to sequentially recover monomers or other high value products

DOEpatents

Evans, Robert J.; Chum, Helena L.

1994-01-01

A process of using fast pyrolysis in a carrier gas to convert a plastic waste feedstream having a mixed polymeric composition in a manner such that pyrolysis of a given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent occurs prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein comprising: selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other plastic components; selecting a catalyst and support for treating said feed streams with said catalyst to effect acid or base catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of said high value monomeric constituent in said temperature program range; differentially heating said feed stream at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantities of the high value monomeric constituent prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components; separating the high value monomeric constituents; selecting a second higher temperature range to cause pyrolysis of a different high value monomeric constituent of said plastic waste and differentially heating the feedstream at the higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of the different high value monomeric constituent; and separating the different high value monomeric constituent.

Controlled catalytic and thermal sequential pyrolysis and hydrolysis of mixed polymer waste streams to sequentially recover monomers or other high value products

DOEpatents

Evans, R.J.; Chum, H.L.

1994-04-05

A process is described for using fast pyrolysis in a carrier gas to convert a plastic waste feedstream having a mixed polymeric composition in a manner such that pyrolysis of a given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent occurs prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein comprising: selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other plastic components; selecting a catalyst and support for treating said feed streams with said catalyst to effect acid or base catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of said high value monomeric constituent in said temperature program range; differentially heating said feed stream at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantities of the high value monomeric constituent prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components; separating the high value monomeric constituents, selecting a second higher temperature range to cause pyrolysis of a different high value monomeric constituent of said plastic waste and differentially heating the feedstream at the higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of the different high value monomeric constituent; and separating the different high value monomeric constituent. 87 figures.

Controlled catalytic and thermal sequential pyrolysis and hydrolysis of polymer waste comprising nylon 6 and a polyolefin or mixtures of polyolefins to sequentially recover monomers or other high value products

DOEpatents

Evans, R.J.; Chum, H.L.

1994-10-25

A process of using fast pyrolysis in a carrier gas to convert a plastic waste feedstream having a mixed polymeric composition in a manner such that pyrolysis of a given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent occurs prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein comprising: selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said given polymer to its high value monomeric constituent prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other plastic components; selecting a catalyst and support for treating said feed streams with said catalyst to effect acid or base catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of said high value monomeric constituent in said temperature program range; differentially heating said feed stream at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantities of the high value monomeric constituent prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components; separating the high value monomeric constituents; selecting a second higher temperature range to cause pyrolysis of a different high value monomeric constituent of said plastic waste and differentially heating the feedstream at the higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of the different high value monomeric constituent; and separating the different high value monomeric constituent. 83 figs.

Climate change and temperature-dependent biogeography: oxygen limitation of thermal tolerance in animals.

PubMed

Pörtner, H O

2001-04-01

Recent years have shown a rise in mean global temperatures and a shift in the geographical distribution of ectothermic animals. For a cause and effect analysis the present paper discusses those physiological processes limiting thermal tolerance. The lower heat tolerance in metazoa compared with unicellular eukaryotes and bacteria suggests that a complex systemic rather than molecular process is limiting in metazoa. Whole-animal aerobic scope appears as the first process limited at low and high temperatures, linked to the progressively insufficient capacity of circulation and ventilation. Oxygen levels in body fluids may decrease, reflecting excessive oxygen demand at high temperatures or insufficient aerobic capacity of mitochondria at low temperatures. Aerobic scope falls at temperatures beyond the thermal optimum and vanishes at low or high critical temperatures when transition to an anaerobic mitochondrial metabolism occurs. The adjustment of mitochondrial densities on top of parallel molecular or membrane adjustments appears crucial for maintaining aerobic scope and for shifting thermal tolerance. In conclusion, the capacity of oxygen delivery matches full aerobic scope only within the thermal optimum. At temperatures outside this range, only time-limited survival is supported by residual aerobic scope, then anaerobic metabolism and finally molecular protection by heat shock proteins and antioxidative defence. In a cause and effect hierarchy, the progressive increase in oxygen limitation at extreme temperatures may even enhance oxidative and denaturation stress. As a corollary, capacity limitations at a complex level of organisation, the oxygen delivery system, define thermal tolerance limits before molecular functions become disturbed.

The preparation of calcium superoxide at subambient temperatures and pressures. [oxygen source for breathing apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ballou, E. V.; Wood, P. C.; Spitze, L. A.; Wydeven, T.; Stein, R.

1977-01-01

The effects of disproportionations at lower temperatures and also of a range of reaction chamber pressures on the preparation of calcium superoxide, Ca(O2)2, from calcium peroxide diperoxyhydrate were studied. About 60% purity of product was obtained by a disproportionation procedure. The significance of features of this procedure for a prospective scale-up of the mass prepared in a single experiment is considered. The optimum pressure for product purity was determined, and the use of a molecular sieve desiccant is described.

Optimum germination temperatures

Treesearch

Richard M. Godman; Gilbert A. Mattson

1992-01-01

Why is sugar maple abundant under nearly all stand conditions, and why do hemlock and yellow birch, although differing in tolerance, occur together as a type? At least part of the answer may have to do with the optimum germinating temperatures for their seeds.

Controlled catalytic and thermal sequential pyrolysis and hydrolysis of polycarbonate and plastic waste to recover monomers

DOEpatents

Evans, R.J.; Chum, H.L.

1994-06-14

A process is described using fast pyrolysis to convert a plastic waste feed stream containing polycarbonate and ABS to high value monomeric constituents prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein comprising: selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of a given polymer to its high value monomeric constituents prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other plastic components; selecting an acid or base catalysts and an oxide or carbonate support for treating the feed stream to affect acid or base catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of the high value monomeric constituents of polycarbonate and ABS in the first temperature program range; differentially heating the feed stream at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantities of the high value monomeric constituents prior to pyrolysis or other plastic components; separating the high value monomeric constituents from the polycarbonate to cause pyrolysis to a different high value monomeric constituent of the plastic waste and differentially heating the feed stream at the second higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of different high value monomeric constituents; and separating the different high value monomeric constituents. 68 figs.

Controlled catalystic and thermal sequential pyrolysis and hydrolysis of polycarbonate and plastic waste to recover monomers

DOEpatents

Evans, Robert J.; Chum, Helena L.

1994-01-01

A process of using fast pyrolysis to convert a plastic waste feed stream containing polycarbonate and ABS to high value monomeric constituents prior to pyrolysis of other plastic components therein comprising: selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of a given polymer to its high value monomeric constituents prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other plastic components; selecting an acid or base catalysts and an oxide or carbonate support for treating the feed stream to affect acid or base catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of the high value monomeric constituents of polycarbonate and ABS in the first temperature program range; differentially heating the feed stream at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantities of the high value monomeric constituents prior to pyrolysis or other plastic components; separating the high value monomeric constituents from the polycarbonate to cause pyrolysis to a different high value monomeric constituent of the plastic waste and differentially heating the feed stream at the second higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of different high value monomeric constituents; and separating the different high value monomeric constituents.

Application of headspace for research volatile organic compounds emitted from building materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kultys, Beata; Waląg, Karolina

2018-01-01

Headspace technique and gas chromatography method with mas detector has been used for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOC) emitted from various building and finishing materials, such as sealing foams, mounting strips, paints, varnishes, floor coverings. The tests were carried out for different temperatures (in the temperature range of 60 to 180 °C) and the time of heated vials with tested materials inside. These tests were conducted to verify the possibility of use this method of determination the VOC emission. Interpretation of chromatograms and mass spectra allowed to identify the type of compounds emitted from the tested materials and the optimum time and temperature for each type of material was determined. The increase in heating temperature of the samples resulted in increase the type and number of identified compounds: for four materials the increase was in the whole temperature range, for others it was from 90 °C. On the other hand, emission from mineral wool was low in whole temperature range. 30-minutes heating of the samples was sufficient to identify emitted compounds for most of tested materials. Applying a longer time, i.e. 24 hours, significantly increased the sensitivity of the method.

A Novel Method of Supplying Nutrients Permits Predictable Shoot Growth and Root : Shoot Ratios of Pre-transplant Bedding Plants

PubMed Central

Greenwood, Duncan J.; Mckee, John M. T.; Fuller, Deborah P.; Burns, Ian G.; Mulholland, Barry J.

2007-01-01

Background and Aims Growth of bedding plants, in small peat plugs, relies on nutrients in the irrigation solution. The object of the study was to find a way of modifying the nutrient supply so that good-quality seedlings can be grown rapidly and yet have the high root : shoot ratios essential for efficient transplanting. Methods A new procedure was devised in which the concentrations of nutrients in the irrigation solution were modified during growth according to changing plant demand, instead of maintaining the same concentrations throughout growth. The new procedure depends on published algorithms for the dependence of growth rate and optimal plant nutrient concentrations on shoot dry weight Ws (g m−2), and on measuring evapotranspiration rates and shoot dry weights at weekly intervals. Pansy, Viola tricola ‘Universal plus yellow’ and petunia, Petunia hybrida ‘Multiflora light salmon vein’ were grown in four independent experiments with the expected optimum nutrient concentration and fractions of the optimum. Root and shoot weights were measured during growth. Key Results For each level of nutrient supply Ws increased with time (t) in days, according to the equation ΔWs/Δt=K2Ws/(100+Ws) in which the growth rate coefficient (K2) remained approximately constant throughout growth. The value of K2 for the optimum treatment was defined by incoming radiation and temperature. The value of K2 for each sub-optimum treatment relative to that for the optimum treatment was logarithmically related to the sub-optimal nutrient supply. Provided the aerial environment was optimal, Rsb/Ro≈Wo/Wsb where R is the root : shoot ratio, W is the shoot dry weight, and sb and o indicate sub-optimum and optimum nutrient supplies, respectively. Sub-optimal nutrient concentrations also depressed shoot growth without appreciably affecting root growth when the aerial environment was non-limiting. Conclusion The new procedure can predict the effects of nutrient supply, incoming radiation and temperature on the time course of shoot growth and the root : shoot ratio for a range of growing conditions. PMID:17210608

Novel inexpensive fungi proteases: Production by solid state fermentation and characterization.

PubMed

Novelli, Paula Kern; Barros, Margarida Maria; Fleuri, Luciana Francisco

2016-05-01

A comparative study was carried out for proteases production using agroindustrial residues as substrate for solid state fermentation (SSF) of several fungal strains. High protease production was observed for most of the microorganisms studied, as well as very different biochemical characteristics, including activities at specific temperatures and a wide range of pH values. The enzymes produced were very different regarding optimum pH and they showed stability at 50 °C. Aspergillus oryzae showed stability at all pH values studied. Penicillium roquefortii and Aspergillus flavipes presented optimum activity at temperatures of 50 °C and 90 °C, respectively. Lyophilized protease from A. oryzae reached 1251.60 U/g and yield of 155010.66 U/kg of substrate. Therefore, the substrate as well as the microorganism strain can modify the biochemical character of the enzyme produced. The high protease activity and stability established plus the low cost of substrates, make these fungal proteases potential alternatives for the biotechnological industry. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enhanced production of leech hyaluronidase by optimizing secretion and cultivation in Pichia pastoris.

PubMed

Kang, Zhen; Zhang, Na; Zhang, Yunfeng

2016-01-01

Leech hyaluronidase (LHAase) was recently cloned and successfully expressed in Pichia pastoris. To increase its secretory expression level, four signal peptides (nsB, YTP1, SCS3, and HKR1) and six amphipathic peptides (APs) were comparatively investigated. After substitution with nsB and fusion with AP2, the production of LHAase was significantly increased, from 8.42 × 10(5) to 1.24 × 10(6) U/ml. Compared with the parental LHAase, the variant AP2-LHAase showed a lower optimum pH (5.0), higher optimum temperature (50 °C), and a broader range of thermal stability (20-60 °C). To further promote fermentative production of the variant AP2-LHAase, the cultivation temperature was systematically optimized according to cell viability and alcohol oxidase activity. Eventually, through a combination of N-terminal engineering and optimization of cultivation, the production of LHAase was improved to 1.68 × 10(6) U/ml, with a high productivity of 1.87 × 10(4) U/ml/h.

Determination of effect factor for effective parameter on saccharification of lignocellulosic material by concentrated acid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aghili, Sina; Nodeh, Ali Arasteh

2015-12-01

Tamarisk usage as a new group of lignocelluloses material to produce fermentable sugars in bio ethanol process was studied. The overall aim of this work was to establish the optimum condition for acid hydrolysis of this new material and a mathematical model predicting glucose release as a function of operation variable. Sulfuric acid concentration in the range of 20 to 60%(w/w), process temperature between 60 to 95oC, hydrolysis time from 120 to 240 min and solid content 5,10,15%(w/w) were used as hydrolysis conditions. HPLC was used to analysis of the product. This analysis indicated that glucose was the main fermentable sugar and was increase with time, temperature and solid content and acid concentration was a parabola influence in glucose production. The process was modeled by a quadratic equation. Curve study and model were found that 42% acid concentration, 15 % solid content and 90oC were optimum condition.

Temperature effects on sinking velocity of different Emiliania huxleyi strains.

PubMed

Rosas-Navarro, Anaid; Langer, Gerald; Ziveri, Patrizia

2018-01-01

The sinking properties of three strains of Emiliania huxleyi in response to temperature changes were examined. We used a recently proposed approach to calculate sinking velocities from coccosphere architecture, which has the advantage to be applicable not only to culture samples, but also to field samples including fossil material. Our data show that temperature in the sub-optimal range impacts sinking velocity of E. huxleyi. This response is widespread among strains isolated in different locations and moreover comparatively predictable, as indicated by the similar slopes of the linear regressions. Sinking velocity was positively correlated to temperature as well as individual cell PIC/POC over the sub-optimum to optimum temperature range in all strains. In the context of climate change our data point to an important influence of global warming on sinking velocities. It has recently been shown that seawater acidification has no effect on sinking velocity of a Mediterranean E. huxleyi strain, while nutrient limitation seems to have a small negative effect on sinking velocity. Given that warming, acidification, and lowered nutrient availability will occur simultaneously under climate change scenarios, the question is what the net effect of different influential factors will be. For example, will the effects of warming and nutrient limitation cancel? This question cannot be answered conclusively but analyses of field samples in addition to laboratory culture studies will improve predictions because in field samples multi-factor influences and even evolutionary changes are not excluded. As mentioned above, the approach of determining sinking rate followed here is applicable to field samples. Future studies could use it to analyse not only seasonal and geographic patterns but also changes in sinking velocity over geological time scales.

Land surface temperature measurements from EOS MODIS data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wan, Zhengming

1994-01-01

A generalized split-window method for retrieving land-surface temperature (LST) from AVHRR and MODIS data has been developed. Accurate radiative transfer simulations show that the coefficients in the split-window algorithm for LST must depend on the viewing angle, if we are to achieve a LST accuracy of about 1 K for the whole scan swath range (+/-55.4 deg and +/-55 deg from nadir for AVHRR and MODIS, respectively) and for the ranges of surface temperature and atmospheric conditions over land, which are much wider than those over oceans. We obtain these coefficients from regression analysis of radiative transfer simulations, and we analyze sensitivity and error by using results from systematic radiative transfer simulations over wide ranges of surface temperatures and emissivities, and atmospheric water vapor abundance and temperatures. Simulations indicated that as atmospheric column water vapor increases and viewing angle is larger than 45 deg it is necessary to optimize the split-window method by separating the ranges of the atmospheric column water vapor and lower boundary temperature, and the surface temperature into tractable sub-ranges. The atmospheric lower boundary temperature and (vertical) column water vapor values retrieved from HIRS/2 or MODIS atmospheric sounding channels can be used to determine the range where the optimum coefficients of the split-window method are given. This new LST algorithm not only retrieves LST more accurately but also is less sensitive than viewing-angle independent LST algorithms to the uncertainty in the band emissivities of the land-surface in the split-window and to the instrument noise.

Characterization of digestive enzymes from de-oiled mackerel (Scomber japonicus) muscle obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide and n-hexane extraction as a comparative study.

PubMed

Asaduzzaman, A K M; Chun, Byung-Soo

2015-06-01

The oil in mackerel muscle was extracted using an environmental friendly solvent, supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) at a semi-batch flow extraction process and an n-hexane. The SC-CO2 was carried out at temperature 45 °C and pressures ranging from 15 to 25 MPa. The flow rate of CO2 (27 g/min) was constant at the entire extraction period of 2 h. The highest oil extracted residues after SC-CO2 extraction was used for activity measurement of digestive enzymes. Four digestive enzymes were found in water soluble extracts after n-hexane and SC-CO2 treated samples. Amylase, lipase and trypsin activities were higher in water soluble extracts after SC-CO2 treated samples except protease. Among the four digestive enzymes, the activity of amylase was highest and the value was 44.57 uM/min/mg of protein. The water soluble extracts of SC-CO2 and n-hexane treated mackerel samples showed same alkaline optimum pH and pH stability for each of the digestive enzymes. Optimum temperature of amylase, lipase, protease and trypsin was 40, 50, 60 and 30 °C, respectively of both extracts. More than 80 % temperature stability of amylase, lipase, protease and trypsin were retained at mentioned optimum temperature in water soluble extracts of both treated samples. Based on protein patterns, prominent protein band showed in water soluble extracts after SC-CO2 treated samples indicates no denaturation of protein than untreated and n-hexane.

Developing an Optimum Protocol for Thermoluminescence Dosimetry with GR-200 Chips using Taguchi Method.

PubMed

Sadeghi, Maryam; Faghihi, Reza; Sina, Sedigheh

2017-06-15

Thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD) is a powerful technique with wide applications in personal, environmental and clinical dosimetry. The optimum annealing, storage and reading protocols are very effective in accuracy of TLD response. The purpose of this study is to obtain an optimum protocol for GR-200; LiF: Mg, Cu, P, by optimizing the effective parameters, to increase the reliability of the TLD response using Taguchi method. Taguchi method has been used in this study for optimization of annealing, storage and reading protocols of the TLDs. A number of 108 GR-200 chips were divided into 27 groups, each containing four chips. The TLDs were exposed to three different doses, and stored, annealed and read out by different procedures as suggested by Taguchi Method. By comparing the signal-to-noise ratios the optimum dosimetry procedure was obtained. According to the results, the optimum values for annealing temperature (°C), Annealing Time (s), Annealing to Exposure time (d), Exposure to Readout time (d), Pre-heat Temperature (°C), Pre-heat Time (s), Heating Rate (°C/s), Maximum Temperature of Readout (°C), readout time (s) and Storage Temperature (°C) are 240, 90, 1, 2, 50, 0, 15, 240, 13 and -20, respectively. Using the optimum protocol, an efficient glow curve with low residual signals can be achieved. Using optimum protocol obtained by Taguchi method, the dosimetry can be effectively performed with great accuracy. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Controlled catalytic and thermal sequential pyrolysis and hydrolysis of phenolic resin containing waste streams to sequentially recover monomers and chemicals

DOEpatents

Chum, H.L.; Evans, R.J.

1992-08-04

A process is described for using fast pyrolysis in a carrier gas to convert a waste phenolic resin containing feedstreams in a manner such that pyrolysis of said resins and a given high value monomeric constituent occurs prior to pyrolyses of the resins in other monomeric components therein comprising: selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said resin and a given high value monomeric constituent prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other monomeric components; selecting, if desired, a catalyst and a support and treating said feedstreams with said catalyst to effect acid or basic catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of said high value monomeric constituent in said first temperature program range to utilize reactive gases such as oxygen and steam in the pyrolysis process to drive the production of specific products; differentially heating said feedstreams at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantity of said high value monomeric constituent prior to pyrolysis of other monomeric components therein; separating said high value monomeric constituent; selecting a second higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of a different high value monomeric constituent of said phenolic resins waste and differentially heating said feedstreams at said higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said different high value monomeric constituent; and separating said different high value monomeric constituent. 11 figs.

Controlled catalytic and thermal sequential pyrolysis and hydrolysis of phenolic resin containing waste streams to sequentially recover monomers and chemicals

DOEpatents

Chum, Helena L.; Evans, Robert J.

1992-01-01

A process of using fast pyrolysis in a carrier gas to convert a waste phenolic resin containing feedstreams in a manner such that pyrolysis of said resins and a given high value monomeric constituent occurs prior to pyrolyses of the resins in other monomeric components therein comprising: selecting a first temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said resin and a given high value monomeric constituent prior to a temperature range that causes pyrolysis of other monomeric components; selecting, if desired, a catalyst and a support and treating said feedstreams with said catalyst to effect acid or basic catalyzed reaction pathways to maximize yield or enhance separation of said high value monomeric constituent in said first temperature program range to utilize reactive gases such as oxygen and steam in the pyrolysis process to drive the production of specific products; differentially heating said feedstreams at a heat rate within the first temperature program range to provide differential pyrolysis for selective recovery of optimum quantity of said high value monomeric constituent prior to pyrolysis of other monomeric components therein; separating said high value monomeric constituent; selecting a second higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of a different high value monomeric constituent of said phenolic resins waste and differentially heating said feedstreams at said higher temperature program range to cause pyrolysis of said different high value monomeric constituent; and separating said different high value monomeric constituent.

[Experimental studies of micromotor headpieces].

PubMed

Kanaev, V F; Repin, V A

1982-01-01

Experimental studies of handpieces for micromotors have been performed to make more precise their operating parameters. The special stand has been used for the measurements of the following data: head temperature, power losses in handpieces at no-load, and operating power required for machining by means of spherical burrs. The experimental results made it possible to specify more exactly the range of handpiece rotational speeds and to select optimum loads under reliability testing.

Purification of extracellular acid protease and analysis of fermentation metabolites by Synergistes sp. utilizing proteinaceous solid waste from tanneries.

PubMed

Kumar, A Ganesh; Nagesh, N; Prabhakar, T G; Sekaran, G

2008-05-01

The untanned proteinaceous tannery solid waste, animal fleshing (ANFL), was used as a substrate for acid protease production by Synergistes sp. The strain was isolated from an anaerobic digester used for the treatment of tannery solid waste and was selected for its enhanced protease production at activity 350-420 U/ml. The optimum pH was in the acidic range of 5.5-6.5 and optimum temperature was in mesophilic range of 25-35 degrees C. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and the zymogram analyses of the purified protein indicated an estimated molecular mass of 60 kDa. This protease could be classified as aspartic protease based on its inhibition by aspartate type protease inhibitor pepstatin and on non-inhibition by 1,10-phenanthroline, EDTA, EGTA and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. The degradation of ANFL was confirmed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS), Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (H1 NMR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses. In this study we found that the activity of acid protease depended on factors such as calcium concentration, pH and temperature. Based on these lines of evidence, we postulate that this protease is a highly catalytic novel protease of its type.

Prolonged Laccase Production by a Cold and pH Tolerant Strain of Penicillium pinophilum (MCC 1049) Isolated from a Low Temperature Environment

PubMed Central

Jain, Rahul; Tamta, Sushma

2014-01-01

Production of laccase by a cold and pH tolerant strain of Penicillium pinophilum has been investigated under different cultural conditions for up to 35 days of incubation. The fungus was originally isolated from a low temperature environment under mountain ecosystem of Indian Himalaya. The estimations were conducted at 3 temperatures (15, 25, and 35°C), a range of pH (3.5–11.5), and in presence of supplements including carbon and nitrogen sources, vitamins, and antibiotics. Optimum production of laccase was recorded at 25°C (optimum temperature for fungal growth) and 7.5 pH. The production of enzyme was recorded maximum on day 28 (11.6 ± 0.52 U/L) following a slow decline at day 35 of incubation (10.6 ± 0.80 U/L). Fructose and potassium nitrate (0.2%) among nutritional supplements, chloramphenicol (0.1%) among antibiotics, and folic acid (0.1%) among vitamins were found to be the best enhancers for production of laccase. Relatively lower but consistent production of laccase for a longer period is likely to be an ecologically important phenomenon under low temperature environment. Further, enhancement in production of enzyme using various supplements will be useful for its use in specific biotechnological applications. PMID:24734172

Effects of High-Temperature Preoxidation on the Titanomagnetite Ore Structure and Reduction Behaviors in Fluidized Bed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Haoyan; Adetoro, Ajala Adewole; Pan, Feng; Wang, Zhen; Zhu, Qingshan

2017-06-01

The oxidation behaviors of South Africa (SA) titanomagnetite (TTM) and its effects on the gas solid reduction in the fluidized bed were investigated on the basis of the two-stage short process of direct reduction-electric arc furnace (DR-EAF) melting separation. The results showed that the oxidation phase transformations in the high-temperature range from 1073 K to 1223 K (800 °C to 950 °C) can be divided into two typical processes: with the fast generation of pseudobrookite and with the maghemite generation at the initial stage. The reduction efficiency for SA TTM was improved by the preoxidation treatment, mainly because of the dissociation of titania-ferrous oxides to the easy reducible hematite. However, at a preoxidation temperature higher than 1173 K (900 °C), the improving effect became weak, due to high-temperature sintering and the larger crystallite size of oxidation products. There is an extreme value of the preoxidation influence, and the optimum preoxidation time is different for various temperatures. The reduction metallization degree of SA TTM can be relatively improved by 14.5 and 4.5 pct for the first and second reduction steps, respectively, by 1173 K (900 °C) preoxidation with an optimum time of 30 minutes. Finally, the equilibrium relationship between the metallization degree and the gas reduction potential for TTM ore with preoxidation treatment was built.

Effects of Post Annealing on I-V-T Characteristics of (Ni/Au)/Al0.09Ga0.91N Schottky Barrier Diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akkaya, Abdullah; Ayyıldız, Enise

2016-04-01

Post annealing is a simple, effective and suitable method for improving the diode parameters, especially when the used chemically stable substrates like Si, III-N and ternary alloys. In our work, we were applied this method to (Ni/Au)/Al0.09Ga0.91N Schottky Barrier Diodes (SBDs) and investigated by temperature-dependent current-voltage (I-V-T) characteristics at optimum conditions. Optimum annealing temperature was 600°C, which it’s determined with respect to have a highest barrier height value. The temperature-dependent electrical characteristics of the annealed at 600°C (Ni/Au)/Al0.09Ga0.91N SBDs were investigated in the wide temperature range of 95-315K. The diode parameters such as ideality factor (n) and Schottky barrier height (Vb0) were obtained to be strongly temperature dependent. The observed variation in Vb0 and n can be attributed to the spatial barrier inhomogeneities in Schottky barrier height by assuming a triple Gaussian distribution (TGD) of barrier heights (BHs) at 95-145K, 145-230K and 230-315K. The modified Richardson plots and T0 analysis was performed to provide an experimental Richardson constants and bias coefficients of the mean barrier height. Furthermore, the chemical composition of the contacts was examined by the XPS depth profile analysis.

Metabolic Factors Affecting Enhanced Phosphorus Uptake by Activated Sludge

PubMed Central

Boughton, William H.; Gottfried, Richard J.; Sinclair, Norval A.; Yall, Irving

1971-01-01

Activated sludges obtained from the Rilling Road plant located at San Antonio, Tex., and from the Hyperion treatment plant located at Los Angeles, Calif., have the ability to remove all of the orthophosphate normally present in Tucson sewage within 3 hr after being added to the waste water. Phosphorus removal was independent of externally supplied sources of energy and ions, since orthophosphate and 32P radioactivity were readily removed from tap water, glass-distilled water, and deionized water. Phosphorus uptake by Rilling sludge in the laboratory appears to be wholly biological, as it has an optimum pH range (7.7 to 9.7) and an optimum temperature range (24 to 37 C). It was inhibited by HgCl2, iodoacetic acid, p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, NaN3, and 2, 4-dinitrophenol (compounds that affect bacterial membrane permeability, sulfhydryl enzymes, and adenosine triphosphate synthesis). Uptake was inhibited by 1% NaCl but was not affected by 10−3m ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (a chelating agent for many metallic ions). PMID:5002140

A parametric study of the copper chloride laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nerheim, N. M.

1977-01-01

A parametric study of the double-pulsed copper chloride laser is reported. The effects of a wide range of variables on the laser energy density and on three characteristic time intervals (the minimum, maximum, and optimum delay time) between the two electrical-discharge pulses were studied. The geometric variables investigated included a tube diameter of 2.3 to 40 mm and a tube length of 3 to 60 cm. Three buffer gases, helium, neon, and argon, were studied over the pressure range 0.5-50 torr, and the tube temperature was varied from 270 to 500 C. The energy density and voltage of both the dissociation and pumping pulse were varied independently from less than 1 mJ/cu cm at 8.5 kV to over 500 mJ/cu cm at 20 kV. The optimum conditions for maximum laser energy density were found to be with 20 torr neon in a 10-mm by 30-cm tube at 400 C. The maximum energy density obtained was 22 microjoules/cu cm.

Single Crystal Fibers of Yttria-Stabilized Cubic Zirconia with Ternary Oxide Additions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ritzert, F. J.; Yun, H. M.; Miner, R. V.

1997-01-01

Single crystal fibers of yttria (Y2O3)-stabilized cubic zirconia, (ZrO2) with ternary oxide additions were grown using the laser float zone fiber processing technique. Ternary additions to the ZrO2-Y2O3 binary system were studied aimed at increasing strength while maintaining the high coefficient of thermal expansion of the binary system. Statistical methods aided in identifying the most promising ternary oxide candidate (Ta2O5, Sc2O3, and HfO2) and optimum composition. The yttria, range investigated was 14 to 24 mol % and the ternary oxide component ranged from 1 to 5 mol %. Hafnium oxide was the most promising ternary oxide component based on 816 C tensile strength results and ease of fabrication. The optimum composition for development was 81 ZrO2-14 Y203-5 HfO2 based upon the same elevated temperature strength tests. Preliminary results indicate process improvements could improve the fiber performance. We also investigated the effect of crystal orientation on strength.

Optimization of hydrostatic pressure at varied sonication conditions--power density, intensity, very low frequency--for isothermal ultrasonic sludge treatment.

PubMed

Delmas, Henri; Le, Ngoc Tuan; Barthe, Laurie; Julcour-Lebigue, Carine

2015-07-01

This work aims at investigating for the first time the key sonication (US) parameters: power density (DUS), intensity (IUS), and frequency (FS) - down to audible range, under varied hydrostatic pressure (Ph) and low temperature isothermal conditions (to avoid any thermal effect). The selected application was activated sludge disintegration, a major industrial US process. For a rational approach all comparisons were made at same specific energy input (ES, US energy per solid weight) which is also the relevant economic criterion. The decoupling of power density and intensity was obtained by either changing the sludge volume or most often by changing probe diameter, all other characteristics being unchanged. Comprehensive results were obtained by varying the hydrostatic pressure at given power density and intensity. In all cases marked maxima of sludge disintegration appeared at optimum pressures, which values increased at increasing power intensity and density. Such optimum was expected due to opposite effects of increasing hydrostatic pressure: higher cavitation threshold then smaller and fewer bubbles, but higher temperature and pressure at the end of collapse. In addition the first attempt to lower US frequency down to audible range was very successful: at any operation condition (DUS, IUS, Ph, sludge concentration and type) higher sludge disintegration was obtained at 12 kHz than at 20 kHz. The same values of optimum pressure were observed at 12 and 20 kHz. At same energy consumption the best conditions - obtained at 12 kHz, maximum power density 720 W/L and 3.25 bar - provided about 100% improvement with respect to usual conditions (1 bar, 20 kHz). Important energy savings and equipment size reduction may then be expected. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Highly thermostable, thermophilic, alkaline, SDS and chelator resistant amylase from a thermophilic Bacillus sp. isolate A3-15.

PubMed

Arikan, Burhan

2008-05-01

A thermostable alkaline alpha-amylase producing Bacillus sp. A3-15 was isolated from compost samples. There was a slight variation in amylase synthesis within the pH range 6.0 and 12.0 with an optimum pH of 8.5 (8mm zone diameter in agar medium) on starch agar medium. Analyses of the enzyme for molecular mass and amylolytic activity were carried out by starch SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, which revealed two independent bands (86,000 and 60,500 Da). Enzyme synthesis occurred at temperatures between 25 and 65 degrees C with an optimum of 60 degrees C on petri dishes. The partial purification enzyme showed optimum activity at pH 11.0 and 70 degrees C. The enzyme was highly active (95%) in alkaline range of pH (10.0-11.5), and it was almost completely active up to 100 degrees C with 96% of the original activity remaining after heat treatment at 100 degrees C for 30 min. Enzyme activity was enhanced in the presence of 5mM CaCl2 (130%) and inhibition with 5mM by ZnCl2, NaCl, Na-sulphide, EDTA, PMSF (3mM), Urea (8M) and SDS (1%) was obtained 18%, 20%, 36%, 5%, 10%, 80% and 18%, respectively. The enzyme was stable approximately 70% at pH 10.0-11.0 and 60 degrees C for 24h. So our result showed that the enzyme was both, highly thermostable-alkaline, thermophile and chelator resistant. The A3-15 amylase enzyme may be suitable in liquefaction of starch in high temperature, in detergent and textile industries and in other industrial applications.

Marisediminicola antarctica gen. nov., sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from the Antarctic.

PubMed

Li, Hui-Rong; Yu, Yong; Luo, Wei; Zeng, Yin-Xin

2010-11-01

Strain ZS314(T) was isolated from a sandy intertidal sediment sample collected from the coastal area off the Chinese Antarctic Zhongshan Station, east Antarctica (6 9° 22' 13″ S 76 ° 21' 41″ E). The cells were Gram-positive, motile, short rods. The temperature range for growth was 0-26 °C and the pH for growth ranged from 5 to 10, with optimum growth occurring within the temperature range 18-23 °C and pH range 6.0-8.0. Growth occurred in the presence of 0-6 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimum growth occurring in the presence of 2-4 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain ZS314(T) had MK-10 as the major menaquinone and anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0) and anteiso-C(17 : 0) as major fatty acids. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was B2β with ornithine as the diagnostic diamino acid. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G+C content was approximately 67 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity showed that strain ZS314(T) represents a new lineage in the family Microbacteriaceae. On the basis of the phylogenetic analyses and phenotypic characteristics, a new genus, namely Marisediminicola gen. nov., is proposed, harbouring the novel species Marisediminicola antarctica sp. nov. with the type strain ZS314(T) (=DSM 22350(T) =CCTCC AB 209077(T)).

Hot deformation constitutive equation and processing map of Alloy 690

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Han; Zhang, Songchuang; Ma, Mingjuan; Song, Zhigang

The hot deformation behavior of alloy 690 was studied in the temperature range of 800-1300 C and strain rate range of 0.1-10 s-1 by hot compression tests in a Gleeble 1500+ thermal mechanical simulator. The results indicated that flow stress of alloy 690 is sensitive to deformation temperature and strain rate and peak stress increases with decreasing of temperature and increasing of strain rate. In addition, the hot deformation parameters of deformation activation were calculated and the apparent activation energy of this alloy is about 300 kJ/mol. The constitutive equation which can be used to relate peak stress to the absolute temperature and strain rate was obtained. It's further found that the processing maps exhibited two domains which are considered as the optimum windows for hot working. The microstructure observations of the specimens deformed in this domain showed the full dynamic recrystallization (DRX) structure. There was a flow instability domain in the processing map where hot working should be avoided.

Temperature Dependence of Inorganic Nitrogen Uptake: Reduced Affinity for Nitrate at Suboptimal Temperatures in Both Algae and Bacteria

PubMed Central

Reay, David S.; Nedwell, David B.; Priddle, Julian; Ellis-Evans, J. Cynan

1999-01-01

Nitrate utilization and ammonium utilization were studied by using three algal isolates, six bacterial isolates, and a range of temperatures in chemostat and batch cultures. We quantified affinities for both substrates by determining specific affinities (specific affinity = maximum growth rate/half-saturation constant) based on estimates of kinetic parameters obtained from chemostat experiments. At suboptimal temperatures, the residual concentrations of nitrate in batch cultures and the steady-state concentrations of nitrate in chemostat cultures both increased. The specific affinity for nitrate was strongly dependent on temperature (Q10 ≈ 3, where Q10 is the proportional change with a 10°C temperature increase) and consistently decreased at temperatures below the optimum temperature. In contrast, the steady-state concentrations of ammonium remained relatively constant over the same temperature range, and the specific affinity for ammonium exhibited no clear temperature dependence. This is the first time that a consistent effect of low temperature on affinity for nitrate has been identified for psychrophilic, mesophilic, and thermophilic bacteria and algae. The different responses of nitrate uptake and ammonium uptake to temperature imply that there is increasing dependence on ammonium as an inorganic nitrogen source at low temperatures. PMID:10347046

Adaptive shoot and root responses collectively enhance growth at optimum temperature and limited phosphorus supply of three herbaceous legume species.

PubMed

Suriyagoda, Lalith D B; Ryan, Megan H; Renton, Michael; Lambers, Hans

2012-10-01

Studies on the effects of sub- and/or supraoptimal temperatures on growth and phosphorus (P) nutrition of perennial herbaceous species at growth-limiting P availability are few, and the impacts of temperature on rhizosphere carboxylate dynamics are not known for any species. The effect of three day/night temperature regimes (low, 20/13 °C; medium, 27/20 °C; and high, 32/25 °C) on growth and P nutrition of Cullen cinereum, Kennedia nigricans and Lotus australis was determined. The highest temperature was optimal for growth of C. cinereum, while the lowest temperature was optimal for K. nigricans and L. australis. At optimum temperatures, the relative growth rate (RGR), root length, root length per leaf area, total P content, P productivity and water-use efficiency were higher for all species, and rhizosphere carboxylate content was higher for K. nigricans and L. australis. Cullen cinereum, with a slower RGR, had long (higher root length per leaf area) and thin roots to enhance P uptake by exploring a greater volume of soil at its optimum temperature, while K. nigricans and L. australis, with faster RGRs, had only long roots (higher root length per leaf area) as a morphological adaptation, but had a higher content of carboxylates in their rhizospheres at the optimum temperature. Irrespective of the species, the amount of P taken up by a plant was mainly determined by root length, rather than by P uptake rate per unit root surface area. Phosphorus productivity was correlated with RGR and plant biomass. All three species exhibited adaptive shoot and root traits to enhance growth at their optimum temperatures at growth-limiting P supply. The species with a slower RGR (i.e. C. cinereum) showed only morphological root adaptations, while K. nigricans and L. australis, with faster RGRs, had both morphological and physiological (i.e. root carboxylate dynamics) root adaptations.

Desulfonatronum paiuteum sp. nov.: A New Alkaliphilic, Sulfate-Reducing Bacterium, Isolated from Soda Mono Lake, California

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pikuta, Elena; Hoover, Richard B.; Marsic, Damien; Whitman, William; Cleland, David; Krader, Paul; Six, N. Frank (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

A novel alkaliphilic, sulfate reducing bacterium strain MLF1(sup T) was isolated from sediments of soda Mono Lake, California. Gram-negative vibrion cells, motile by singular polar flagellum, with sizes 0.5 - 0.6x 1.2 - 2.0 micron occurred singly, in pairs or short spirilla. Growth was observed over the temperature range of +15 C to +48 C (optimum +37 C), NaCl concentration range is greater than 1 - 7 %, wt/vol (optimum 3 %, wt/vol) and pH range 7.8 - 10.5 (optimum pH 9.0 - 9.4). The novel isolate is strictly alkaliphilic, requires high carbonate concentration in medium, obligately anaerobic and catalase negative. As electron donors strain MLF1(sup T) uses hydrogen, formate, ethanol. Sulfate, sulfite, and thiosulfate (but not sulfur or nitrate) can be used as electron acceptors. The sole end product of growth on formate was H2S. Strain MLF1(sup T) is resistant to kanamycin and gentamycin, but sensitive to chloramphenicol and tetracycline. Na2MoO4 inhibits growth of strain MLF1(sup T). The sum of G+C in DNA is 63.1 mol% (by HPLC method). On the basis of physiological and molecular properties, the isolate was considered as novel species of genus Desulfonatronum; and the name Desulfonatronum paiuteum sp. nov., is proposed (type strain MLF1(sup T) = ATCC BAA-395(sup T) = DSMZ 14708(sup T).

Using interval maxima regression (IMR) to determine environmental optima controlling Microcystis spp. growth in Lake Taihu.

PubMed

Li, Ming; Peng, Qiang; Xiao, Man

2016-01-01

Fortnightly investigations at 12 sampling sites in Meiliang Bay and Gonghu Bay of Lake Taihu (China) were carried out from June to early November 2010. The relationship between abiotic factors and cell density of different Microcystis species was analyzed using the interval maxima regression (IMR) to determine the optimum temperature and nutrient concentrations for growth of different Microcystis species. Our results showed that cell density of all the Microcystis species increased along with the increase of water temperature, but Microcystis aeruginosa adapted to a wide range of temperatures. The optimum total dissolved nitrogen concentrations for M. aeruginosa, Microcystis wesenbergii, Microcystis ichthyoblabe, and unidentified Microcystis were 3.7, 2.0, 2.4, and 1.9 mg L(-1), respectively. The optimum total dissolved phosphorus concentrations for different species were M. wesenbergii (0.27 mg L(-1)) > M. aeruginosa (0.1 mg L(-1)) > M. ichthyoblabe (0.06 mg L(-1)) ≈ unidentified Microcystis, and the iron (Fe(3+)) concentrations were M. wesenbergii (0.73 mg L(-1)) > M. aeruginosa (0.42 mg L(-1)) > M. ichthyoblabe (0.35 mg L(-1)) > unidentified Microcystis (0.09 mg L(-1)). The above results suggest that if phosphorus concentration was reduced to 0.06 mg L(-1) or/and iron concentration was reduced to 0.35 mg L(-1) in Lake Taihu, the large colonial M. wesenbergii and M. aeruginosa would be replaced by small colonial M. ichthyoblabe and unidentified Microcystis. Thereafter, the intensity and frequency of the occurrence of Microcystis blooms would be reduced by changing Microcystis species composition.

Polypropylene Production Optimization in Fluidized Bed Catalytic Reactor (FBCR): Statistical Modeling and Pilot Scale Experimental Validation

PubMed Central

Khan, Mohammad Jakir Hossain; Hussain, Mohd Azlan; Mujtaba, Iqbal Mohammed

2014-01-01

Propylene is one type of plastic that is widely used in our everyday life. This study focuses on the identification and justification of the optimum process parameters for polypropylene production in a novel pilot plant based fluidized bed reactor. This first-of-its-kind statistical modeling with experimental validation for the process parameters of polypropylene production was conducted by applying ANNOVA (Analysis of variance) method to Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Three important process variables i.e., reaction temperature, system pressure and hydrogen percentage were considered as the important input factors for the polypropylene production in the analysis performed. In order to examine the effect of process parameters and their interactions, the ANOVA method was utilized among a range of other statistical diagnostic tools such as the correlation between actual and predicted values, the residuals and predicted response, outlier t plot, 3D response surface and contour analysis plots. The statistical analysis showed that the proposed quadratic model had a good fit with the experimental results. At optimum conditions with temperature of 75°C, system pressure of 25 bar and hydrogen percentage of 2%, the highest polypropylene production obtained is 5.82% per pass. Hence it is concluded that the developed experimental design and proposed model can be successfully employed with over a 95% confidence level for optimum polypropylene production in a fluidized bed catalytic reactor (FBCR). PMID:28788576

Characterization of Tolypocladium cylindrosporum (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) and Its Impact Against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus Eggs at Low Temperature.

PubMed

Flor-Weiler, Lina B; Rooney, Alejandro P; Behle, Robert W; Muturi, Ephantus J

2017-09-01

We examined the growth characteristics of Tolypocladium cylindrosporum IBT 41712 and its potential to infect eggs of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus at a low temperature (15°C). When grown on Sabouraud dextrose agar supplemented with yeast extract, the IBT 41712 formed white colonies turning to a slightly darker, off-white color when mature. The mycelia bore swollen conidiophores producing smooth-walled, oblong to cylindrical conidia with varying sizes, ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 μm long. To determine the optimum temperature for the fungus, we cultured the fungus at eight temperatures (4°C, 12°C, 15°C, 21°C, 28°C, 33°C, 37°C, and 40°C) and measured the diametric growth. The optimum temperature for growth was 28°C since it had the highest diametric growth rate (2.1 ± 0.05 mm/day) and the fastest sporulation period (within 8-10 days of incubation). There was no fungal growth at the 3 highest temperatures (33°C, 37°C, and 40°C) but plates incubated at 33°C, when shifted to optimal temperature (28°C), showed visible growth indicating that following incubation at 33°C, the fungus remained viable. The IBT 41712 successfully infected mosquito eggs at 15°C. Fungal treatment induced egg hatch on moist seed-germination paper and this effect was more pronounced in Ae. aegypti compared to Ae. albopictus. When treated eggs were immersed in dH 2 O 21 days posttreatment, larval hatch of both Ae. aegypti (control = 91%, 1 × 10 7 conidia/ml, fungal treatment = 0%) and Ae. albopictus (control = 85%, fungal treatment = 28%) was significantly lower in fungal treatment compared to the controls. The ability of the strain to grow in a wide temperature range, and effectively infect mosquito eggs and induce egg hatch at a low temperature warrants further investigation for its potential as a mosquito control agent targeting eggs that overwinter or undergo long diapause.

Impacts of climate extremes on gross primary production under global warming

DOE PAGES

Williams, I. N.; Torn, M. S.; Riley, W. J.; ...

2014-09-24

The impacts of historical droughts and heat-waves on ecosystems are often considered indicative of future global warming impacts, under the assumption that water stress sets in above a fixed high temperature threshold. Historical and future (RCP8.5) Earth system model (ESM) climate projections were analyzed in this study to illustrate changes in the temperatures for onset of water stress under global warming. The ESMs examined here predict sharp declines in gross primary production (GPP) at warm temperature extremes in historical climates, similar to the observed correlations between GPP and temperature during historical heat-waves and droughts. However, soil moisture increases at themore » warm end of the temperature range, and the temperature at which soil moisture declines with temperature shifts to a higher temperature. The temperature for onset of water stress thus increases under global warming and is associated with a shift in the temperature for maximum GPP to warmer temperatures. Despite the shift in this local temperature optimum, the impacts of warm extremes on GPP are approximately invariant when extremes are defined relative to the optimal temperature within each climate period. The GPP sensitivity to these relative temperature extremes therefore remains similar between future and present climates, suggesting that the heat- and drought-induced GPP reductions seen recently can be expected to be similar in the future, and may be underestimates of future impacts given model projections of increased frequency and persistence of heat-waves and droughts. The local temperature optimum can be understood as the temperature at which the combination of water stress and light limitations is minimized, and this concept gives insights into how GPP responds to climate extremes in both historical and future climate periods. Both cold (temperature and light-limited) and warm (water-limited) relative temperature extremes become more persistent in future climate projections, and the time taken to return to locally optimal climates for GPP following climate extremes increases by more than 25% over many land regions.« less

Impacts of climate extremes on gross primary production under global warming

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Williams, I. N.; Torn, M. S.; Riley, W. J.

The impacts of historical droughts and heat-waves on ecosystems are often considered indicative of future global warming impacts, under the assumption that water stress sets in above a fixed high temperature threshold. Historical and future (RCP8.5) Earth system model (ESM) climate projections were analyzed in this study to illustrate changes in the temperatures for onset of water stress under global warming. The ESMs examined here predict sharp declines in gross primary production (GPP) at warm temperature extremes in historical climates, similar to the observed correlations between GPP and temperature during historical heat-waves and droughts. However, soil moisture increases at themore » warm end of the temperature range, and the temperature at which soil moisture declines with temperature shifts to a higher temperature. The temperature for onset of water stress thus increases under global warming and is associated with a shift in the temperature for maximum GPP to warmer temperatures. Despite the shift in this local temperature optimum, the impacts of warm extremes on GPP are approximately invariant when extremes are defined relative to the optimal temperature within each climate period. The GPP sensitivity to these relative temperature extremes therefore remains similar between future and present climates, suggesting that the heat- and drought-induced GPP reductions seen recently can be expected to be similar in the future, and may be underestimates of future impacts given model projections of increased frequency and persistence of heat-waves and droughts. The local temperature optimum can be understood as the temperature at which the combination of water stress and light limitations is minimized, and this concept gives insights into how GPP responds to climate extremes in both historical and future climate periods. Both cold (temperature and light-limited) and warm (water-limited) relative temperature extremes become more persistent in future climate projections, and the time taken to return to locally optimal climates for GPP following climate extremes increases by more than 25% over many land regions.« less

Analysis of ingredient functionality and formulation optimization of pasta supplemented with peanut flour.

PubMed

Howard, Brandy M; Hung, Yen-Con; McWatters, Kay

2011-01-01

The working peanut pasta formulation range determined from a previous study was used to determine the effects of varying ingredient quantities and processing conditions on the pasta's quality and consumer acceptance. The variables studied were percent peanut flour substituted for durum wheat flour (30%, 40%, and 50%), amount of carrageenan (2.4%, 2.65%, and 2.9%), and drying temperature (60, 74, and 88 °C) on the final cooked pasta quality. Properties measured include color, texture, moisture content, and cooking loss. A home-use sensory test was conducted to determine consumer preferences and the optimum range for variables studied. Color lightness values ranged from 43.53 to 65.02, decreasing (becoming darker) with increased peanut flour level and increased drying temperature. Maximum cutting force for cooked pasta ranged from 1.59 N to 3.22 N, with higher values only for pasta dried at 88 °C. Moisture content ranged from 57.35% to 69.38%, and values decreased as drying temperature increased. Cooking loss ranged from 5.14% to 7.99%, increasing with higher levels of peanut flour and decreasing with higher levels of carrageenan. When prepared with 30% peanut flour and dried at 60 °C, the pasta was lighter in color, higher in moisture, and softer in texture than the varieties dried at higher temperatures and made with higher levels of peanut flour. Response surface analysis of consumer test data revealed that the optimum peanut pasta should contain between 35% and 45% peanut flour and should be dried between 60 and 71 °C; however, the pasta with 30% peanut flour was also a popular sample in the "favorite" categories. Practical Application: Most non-gluten protein fortification studies in durum wheat pasta found decreased firmness of dry and cooked pasta, increased cooking loss, increased stickiness, and darker product color when compared to traditional pasta. Partially defatted peanut flour is a versatile food ingredient and has high protein content. Since the lysine content of peanuts is higher than wheat, peanuts can be used to supplement wheat flour in food preparation. This study found by partially replacing wheat flour with peanut flour and with incorporation of hydrocolloid emulsifier, such as carrageenan or xanthan gum, dough viscosity, and pasta firmness significantly improved. Peanut pasta with high protein content and balanced amino acid profile can help support consumers with a healthy lifestyle.

Growth Kinetics of Extremely Halophilic Archaea (Family Halobacteriaceae) as Revealed by Arrhenius Plots

PubMed Central

Robinson, Jessie L.; Pyzyna, Brandy; Atrasz, Rachelle G.; Henderson, Christine A.; Morrill, Kira L.; Burd, Anna Mae; DeSoucy, Erik; Fogleman, Rex E.; Naylor, John B.; Steele, Sarah M.; Elliott, Dawn R.; Leyva, Kathryn J.; Shand, Richard F.

2005-01-01

Members of the family Halobacteriaceae in the domain Archaea are obligate extreme halophiles. They occupy a variety of hypersaline environments, and their cellular biochemistry functions in a nearly saturated salty milieu. Despite extensive study, a detailed analysis of their growth kinetics is missing. To remedy this, Arrhenius plots for 14 type species of the family were generated. These organisms had maximum growth temperatures ranging from 49 to 58°C. Nine of the organisms exhibited a single temperature optimum, while five grew optimally at more than one temperature. Generation times at these optimal temperatures ranged from 1.5 h (Haloterrigena turkmenica) to 3.0 h (Haloarcula vallismortis and Halorubrum saccharovorum). All shared an inflection point at 31 ± 4°C, and the temperature characteristics for 12 of the 14 type species were nearly parallel. The other two species (Natronomonas pharaonis and Natronorubrum bangense) had significantly different temperature characteristics, suggesting that the physiology of these strains is different. In addition, these data show that the type species for the family Halobacteriaceae share similar growth kinetics and are capable of much faster growth at higher temperatures than those previously reported. PMID:15659670

Multi-objective Optimization of Molecular Distillation Conditions for Oleic Acid from a Rich-in-Fatty Acid Model Mixture.

PubMed

Ketenoğlu, Onur; Erdoğdu, Ferruh; Tekin, Aziz

2018-01-01

Oleic acid is a commercially valuable compound and has many positive health effects. Determining optimum conditions in a physical separation process is an industrially significant point due to environmental and health related concerns. Molecular distillation avoids the use of chemicals and adverse effects of high temperature application. The objective of this study was to determine the molecular distillation conditions for oleic acid to increase its purity and distillation yield in a model fatty acid mixture. For this purpose, a short-path evaporator column was used. Evaporation temperature ranged from 110 to 190℃, while absolute pressure was from 0.05 to 5 mmHg. Results showed that elevating temperature generally increased distillation yield until a maximum evaporation temperature. Vacuum application also affected the yield at a given temperature, and amount of distillate increased at higher vacuums except the case applied at 190℃. A multi-objective optimization procedure was then used for maximizing both yield and oleic acid amounts in distillate simultaneously, and an optimum point of 177.36℃ and 0.051 mmHg was determined for this purpose. Results also demonstrated that evaporation of oleic acid was also suppressed by a secondary dominant fatty acid of olive oil - palmitic acid, which tended to evaporate easier than oleic acid at lower evaporation temperatures, and increasing temperature achieved to transfer more oleic acid to distillate. At 110℃ and 0.05 mmHg, oleic and palmitic acid concentrations in distillate were 63.67% and 24.32%, respectively. Outcomes of this study are expected to be useful for industrial process conditions.

The effect of casting conditions on the biaxial flexural strength of glass-ceramic materials.

PubMed

Johnson, A; Shareef, M Y; Walsh, J M; Hatton, P V; van Noort, R; Hill, R G

1998-11-01

To assess the effect of mould and glass casting temperatures on the biaxial flexural strength (BFS) of two different types of castable glass-ceramic, using existing laboratory equipment and techniques. Two castable glass-ceramic materials were evaluated. One glass (LG3) is based on SiO2-Al2O3-P2O5-CaO-CaF2, and is similar in composition to glasses used in the manufacture of glass-ionomer cements. The other glass (SG3) is based on SiO2-K2O-Na2O-CaO-CaF2, and is a canasite-based material. Both materials were used to produce discs of 12 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness using the same lost-wax casting process as used for metal castings. Mould temperatures of between 500 degrees C and 1000 degrees C and glass casting temperatures of between 1100 degrees C and 1450 degrees C were evaluated. The cast discs were cerammed and the biaxial flexural strength determined with a Lloyd 2000 R tester. A significant difference was found for the BFS in the range of mould temperatures evaluated, with the optimum investment mould temperature being 590 degrees C for LG3 and 610 degrees C for SG3 (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.019, respectively). No significant differences were seen between any of the glass casting temperatures evaluated. The mould temperature for castable glass-ceramic materials produced using the lost-wax casting process can have a significant effect on BFS. The optimum mould temperature may differ slightly depending on the type of material being used. The glass casting temperature of these materials does not appear to have a significant effect on BFS.

High Temperature Modification of SNCR Technology and its Impact on NOx Removal Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blejchař, Tomáš; Konvička, Jaroslav; von der Heide, Bernd; Malý, Rostislav; Maier, Miloš

2018-06-01

SNCR (Selective non-catalytic reduction) Technology is currently being used to reach the emission limit for nitrogen oxides at fossil fuel fired power plant and/or heating plant and optimum temperature for SNCR process is in range 850 - 1050°C. Modified SNCR technology is able to reach reduction 60% of nitrogen oxides at temperature up to 1250°C. So the technology can also be installed where the flue gas temperature is too high in combustion chamber. Modified SNCR was tested using generally known SNCR chemistry implemented in CFD (Computation fluid dynamics) code. CFD model was focused on detail simulation of reagent injection and influence of flue gas temperature. Than CFD simulation was compared with operating data of boiler where the modified SNCR technology is installed. By comparing the experiment results with the model, the effect on nitrous oxides removal process and temperature of flue gas at the injection region.

Electrode performance parameters for a radioisotope-powered AMTEC for space power applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Underwood, M. L.; O'Connor, D.; Williams, R. M.; Jeffries-Nakamura, B.; Ryan, M. A.; Bankston, C. P.

1992-01-01

The alkali metal thermoelastic converter (AMTEC) is a device for the direct conversion of heat to electricity. Recently a design of an AMTEC using a radioisotope heat source was described, but the optimum condenser temperature was hotter than the temperatures used in the laboratory to develop the electrode performance model. Now laboratory experiments have confirmed the dependence of two model parameters over a broader range of condenser and electrode temperatures for two candidate electrode compositions. One parameter, the electrochemical exchange current density at the reaction interface, is independent of the condenser temperature, and depends only upon the collision rate of sodium at the reaction zone. The second parameter, a morphological parameter, which measures the mass transport resistance through the electrode, is independent of condenser and electrode temperatures for molybdenum electrodes. For rhodium-tungsten electrodes, however, this parameter increases for decreasing electrode temperature, indicating an activated mass transport mechanism such as surface diffusion.

Influence of cultivating conditions on the alpha-galactosidase biosynthesis from a novel strain of Penicillium sp. in solid-state fermentation.

PubMed

Wang, C L; Li, D F; Lu, W Q; Wang, Y H; Lai, C H

2004-01-01

The work is intended to achieve optimum culture conditions of alpha-galactosidase production by a mutant strain Penicillium sp. in solid-state fermentation (SSF). Certain fermentation parameters involving incubation temperature, moisture content, initial pH value, inoculum and load size of medium, and incubation time were investigated separately. The optimal temperature and moisture level for alpha-galactosidase biosynthesis was found to be 30 degrees C and 50%, respectively. The range of pH 5.5-6.5 was favourable. About 40-50 g of medium in 250-ml flask and inoculum over 1.0 x 10(6) spores were suitable for enzyme production. Seventy-five hours of incubation was enough for maximum alpha-galactosidase production. Substrate as wheat bran supplemented with soyabean meal and beet pulp markedly improved the enzyme yield in trays. Under optimum culture conditions, the alpha-galactosidase activity from Penicillium sp. MAFIC-6 indicated 185.2 U g(-1) in tray of SSF. The process on alpha-galactosidase production in laboratory scale may have a potentiality of scaling-up.

A non-linear model for temperature-dependent sporulation and T-2 and HT-2 production of Fusarium langsethiae and Fusarium sporotrichioides.

PubMed

Nazari, Leyla; Manstretta, Valentina; Rossi, Vittorio

2016-04-01

This research has produced new quantitative data on the sporulation and T-2+HT-2 toxin production that could be further integrated to develop a comprehensive disease or toxin prediction model for Fusarium langsethiae and Fusarium sporotrichioides. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of temperature or incubation time on sporulation and the effect of temperature on T-2+HT-2 toxin production of strains of the two species. F. sporotrichioides demonstrated a preference for higher temperatures than F. langsethiae during sporulation; the optimum temperature was 24.5 ± 0.7 °C for F. langsethiae and 32.3 ± 2.1 °C for F. sporotrichioides, according to the Beta equation fitted to the data. The dynamics of sporulation over different incubation times were fitted by a Gompertz function. The maximum spore production was estimated to be after 18 and 8 d incubation at optimum temperatures for F. langsethiae and F. sporotrichioides, respectively. F. sporotrichioides produced more T-2+HT-2 than F. langsethiae. The best fit of the effect of temperature on T-2+HT-2 production in wheat grains was obtained with a Beta equation showing an optimum temperature of 14.7 ± 0.8 °C for F. langsethiae and 12.1 ± 0.2 °C for F. sporotrichioides. The optimum temperature for mycotoxin production was lower than for sporulation. Copyright © 2016 The British Mycological Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of rice straw cooking conditions in the soda-ethanol-water pulping on the mechanical properties of produced paper sheets.

PubMed

Navaee-Ardeh, S; Mohammadi-Rovshandeh, J; Pourjoozi, M

2004-03-01

A normalized design was used to examine the influence of independent variables (alcohol concentration, cooking time and temperature) in the catalytic soda-ethanol pulping of rice straw on various mechanical properties (breaking length, burst, tear index and folding endurance) of paper sheets obtained from each pulping process. An equation of each dependent variable as a function of cooking variables (independent variables) was obtained by multiple non-linear regression using the least square method by MATLAB software for developing of empirical models. The ranges of alcohol concentration, cooking time and temperature were 40-65% (w/w), 150-180 min and 195-210 degrees C, respectively. Three-dimensional graphs of dependent variables were also plotted versus independent variables. The optimum values of breaking length, burst and tear index and folding endurance were 4683.7 (m), 30.99 (kN/g), 376.93 (mN m2/g) and 27.31, respectively. However, short cooking time (150 min), high ethanol concentration (65%) and high temperature (210 degrees C) could be used to produce papers with suitable burst and tear index. However, for papers with best breaking length and folding endurance low temperature (195 degrees C) was desirable. Differences between optimum values of dependent variables obtained by normalized design and experimental data were less than 20%.

Kinetic study of microwave-assisted alkaline hydrolysis of Jatropha curcas oil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yusuf, Nur'aini Raman; Kamil, Ruzaimah Nik Mohamad; Yusup, Suzana

2016-11-01

The kinetics of hydrolysis of Jatropha curcas oil under microwave irradation in the presence of alkaline solution was studied. The temperature of 50°C, 65°C and 80°C were studied in the range of optimum condition of 1.75 M catalyst, solvent/oil ratio of (1: 68) and 15 minutes reaction time. The rate constants of oil hydrolysis are corresponding to triglyceride disappearance concentration. The rates of reaction for fatty acids production was determined by pseudo first order. The activation energy (Ea) achieved at 30.61 kJ/mol is lower using conventional method. This conclude that the rate of reaction via microwave heating is less temperature sensitive therefore reaction can be obtained at lower temperature.

Estimated Performance of Radial-Flow Exit Nozzles for Air in Chemical Equilibrium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Englert, Gerald W.; Kochendorfer, Fred D.

1959-01-01

The thrust, boundary-layer, and heat-transfer characteristics were computed for nozzles having radial flow in the divergent part. The working medium was air in chemical equilibrium, and the boundary layer was assumed to be all turbulent. Stagnation pressure was varied from 1 to 32 atmospheres, stagnation temperature from 1000 to 6000 R, and wall temperature from 1000 to 3000 R. Design pressure ratio was varied from 5 to 320, and operating pressure ratio was varied from 0.25 to 8 times the design pressure ratio. Results were generalized independent of divergence angle and were also generalized independent of stagnation pressure in the temperature range of 1000 to 3000 R. A means of determining the aerodynamically optimum wall angle is provided.

Ochratoxin A production in relation to ecophysiological factors by Aspergillus section Nigri strains isolated from different substrates in Argentina.

PubMed

Astoreca, A; Magnoli, C; Barberis, C; Chiacchiera, S M; Combina, M; Dalcero, A

2007-12-15

Contamination of foodstuff with mycotoxins such as ochratoxins is a major matter of concern for human and animal health. In Aspergillus species, ochratoxin synthesis depends on several environmental factors. The aims of this work were to evaluate the effect of water activity (0.995-0.85), temperature (15, 25 and 30 degrees C), incubation time (7, 14 and 21 days) and their interactions on OTA production on peanut, maize kernels, dried grapes and coffee beans meal extract agar medium by eight strains of Aspergillus section Nigri isolated from human food in Argentina. The optimum temperature for OTA production was 25 or 30 degrees C depending on the strains assayed, in most cases the highest OTA levels were achieved after 7 days of incubation, whereas this situation occurred at 15 degrees C after 14 days of incubation for only one strain. The maximum OTA level was obtained at earlier growth states when incubation temperature increased. In general, OTA concentration increased as water activity (a(W)) increased with no significant production at 0.85-0.91 a(W) under all temperature levels tested. Production occurred over a range of temperatures (15-30 degrees C) with optimum production at 30 degrees C depending on a(W) assayed. The knowledge of Aspergillus section Nigri ecophysiology is critical in the development and prediction of the risk models of raw material and final product contamination by these species under fluctuating and interacting environmental parameters.

Purification and biochemical characterization of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase from rat lung and inhibition effects of some antibiotics.

PubMed

Adem, Sevki; Ciftci, Mehmet

2016-12-01

G6PD, 6PGD and GR have been purified separately in the single step from rat lung using 2', 5'-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. The purified enzymes showed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The molecular weights of the enzymes were estimated to be 134 kDa for G6PD, 107 kDa for 6PGD and 121 kDa for GR by Sephadex G-150 gel filtration chromatography, and the subunit molecular weights was respectively found to be 66, 52 and 63 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Optimum pH, stable pH, optimum ionic strength, optimum temperature, KM and Vmax values for substrates were determined. Product inhibition studies were also performed. The enzymes were inhibited by levofloxacin, furosemide, ceftazidime, cefuroxime and gentamicin as in vitro with IC50 values in the range of 0.07-30.13 mM. In vivo studies demonstrated that lung GR was inhibited by furosemide and lung 6PGD was inhibited by levofloxacin.

[Enzymatic degradation of organophosphorus insecticide chlorpyrifos by fungus WZ-I].

PubMed

Xie, Hui; Zhu, Lu-sheng; Wang, Jun; Wang, Xiu-guo; Liu, Wei; Qian, Bo; Wang, Qian

2005-11-01

Degradation characteristics of chlorpyrifos insecticides was determined by the crude enzyme extracted from the isolated strain WZ-I ( Fusarium LK. ex Fx). The best separating condition and the degrading characteristic of chlorpyrifos were studied. Rate of degradation for chlorpyrifos by its intracellular enzyme, extracellular enzyme and cell fragment was 60.8%, 11.3% and 48%, respectively. The degrading enzyme was extracted after this fungus was incubated for 8 generations in the condition of noninducement, and its enzymic activity lost less, the results show that this enzyme is an intracellular and connatural enzyme. The solubility protein of the crude enzyme was determined with Albumin (bovine serum) as standard protein and the solubility protein of the crude enzyme was 3.36 mg x mL(-1). The pH optimum for crude enzyme was 6.8 for enzymatic degradation of chlorpyrifos, and it had comparatively high activity in the range of pH 6.0 - 9.0. The optimum temperature for enzymatic activity was at 40 degrees C, it still had comparatively high activity in the range of temperature 20-50 degrees C, the activity of enzyme rapidly reduced at 55 degrees C, its activity was 41% of the maximal activity. The crude enzyme showed Km value for chlorpyrifos of 1.049 26 mmol x L(-1), and the maximal enzymatic degradation rate was 0.253 5 micromol x (mg x min)(-1). Additional experimental evidence suggests that the enzyme had the stability of endure for temperature and pH, the crude enzyme of fungus WZ-I could effectively degrade chlorpyrifos.

Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Nanointermetallic Phase Dispersed Al65Cu20Ti15 Amorphous Matrix Composite Synthesized by Mechanical Alloying and Hot Isostatic Pressing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, D.; Mitra, R.; Ojo, O. A.; Lojkowski, W.; Manna, I.

2011-08-01

The structure and mechanical properties of nanocrystalline intermetallic phase dispersed amorphous matrix composite prepared by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) of mechanically alloyed Al65Cu20Ti15 amorphous powder in the temperature range 573 K to 873 K (300 °C to 600 °C) with 1.2 GPa pressure were studied. Phase identification by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microstructural investigation by transmission electron microscopy confirmed that sintering in this temperature range led to partial crystallization of the amorphous powder. The microstructures of the consolidated composites were found to have nanocrystalline intermetallic precipitates of Al5CuTi2, Al3Ti, AlCu, Al2Cu, and Al4Cu9 dispersed in amorphous matrix. An optimum combination of density (3.73 Mg/m3), hardness (8.96 GPa), compressive strength (1650 MPa), shear strength (850 MPa), and Young's modulus (182 GPa) were obtained in the composite hot isostatically pressed ("hipped") at 773 K (500 °C). Furthermore, these results were compared with those from earlier studies based on conventional sintering (CCS), high pressure sintering (HPS), and pulse plasma sintering (PPS). HIP appears to be the most preferred process for achieving an optimum combination of density and mechanical properties in amorphous-nanocrystalline intermetallic composites at temperatures ≤773 K (500 °C), while HPS is most suited for bulk amorphous alloys. Both density and volume fraction of intermetallic dispersoids were found to influence the mechanical properties of the composites.

(Per)chlorate Reduction by the Thermophilic Bacterium Moorella perchloratireducens sp. nov., Isolated from Underground Gas Storage▿

PubMed Central

Balk, Melike; van Gelder, Ton; Weelink, Sander A.; Stams, Alfons J. M.

2008-01-01

A thermophilic bacterium, strain An10, was isolated from underground gas storage with methanol as a substrate and perchlorate as an electron acceptor. Cells were gram-positive straight rods, 0.4 to 0.6 μm in diameter and 2 to 8 μm in length, growing as single cells or in pairs. Spores were terminal with a bulged sporangium. The temperature range for growth was 40 to 70°C, with an optimum at 55 to 60°C. The pH optimum was around 7. The salinity range for growth was between 0 and 40 g NaCl liter−1 with an optimum at 10 g liter−1. Strain An10 was able to grow on CO, methanol, pyruvate, glucose, fructose, cellobiose, mannose, xylose, and pectin. The isolate was able to respire with (per)chlorate, nitrate, thiosulfate, neutralized Fe(III) complexes, and anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate. The G+C content of the DNA was 57.6 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA analysis, strain An10 was most closely related to Moorella thermoacetica and Moorella thermoautotrophica. The bacterium reduced perchlorate and chlorate completely to chloride. Key enzymes, perchlorate reductase and chlorite dismutase, were detected in cell extracts. Strain An10 is the first thermophilic and gram-positive bacterium with the ability to use (per)chlorate as a terminal electron acceptor. PMID:17981952

Carnobacterium pleistocenium sp. nov., a novel psychrotolerant, facultative anaerobe isolated from permafrost of the Fox Tunnel in Alaska

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pikuta, Elena V.; Marsic, Damien; Bej, Asim; Tang, Jane; Krader, Paul; Hoover, Richard B.

2005-01-01

A novel, psychrotolerant, facultative anaerobe, strain FTR1T, was isolated from Pleistocene ice from the permafrost tunnel in Fox, Alaska. Gram-positive, motile, rod-shaped cells were observed with sizes 0.6-0.7 x 0.9-1.5 microm. Growth occurred within the pH range 6.5-9.5 with optimum growth at pH 7.3-7.5. The temperature range for growth of the novel isolate was 0-28 degrees C and optimum growth occurred at 24 degrees C. The novel isolate does not require NaCl; growth was observed between 0 and 5 % NaCl with optimum growth at 0.5 % (w/v). The novel isolate was a catalase-negative chemoorganoheterotroph that used as substrates sugars and some products of proteolysis. The metabolic end products were acetate, ethanol and CO2. Strain FTR1T was sensitive to ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, rifampicin, kanamycin and gentamicin. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed 99.8 % similarity between strain FTR1T and Carnobacterium alterfunditum, but DNA-DNA hybridization between them demonstrated 39+/-1.5 % relatedness. On the basis of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, it is proposed that strain FTR1T (=ATCC BAA-754T=JCM 12174T=CIP 108033T) be assigned to the novel species Carnobacterium pleistocenium sp. nov.

Carnobacterium Pleistocaenium sp. nov.: A Novel Psychrotolerant, Facultative Anaerobe Isolated from Permafrost of the Fox Tunnel in Alaska

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pikuta, Elena V.; Marsic, Damien; Bej, Asim; Tang, Jane; Krader, Paul; Hoover, Richard B.

2004-01-01

A novel, psychrotolerant, facultative anaerobe, strain FTRIT1(sup T), was isolated from Pleistocene ice from the permafrost tunnel in Fox, Alaska. Gram-positive, motile, rod-shaped cells with sizes 0.6-0.7 x 0.9-1.5 micrometers were observed. Growth occurred within the pH range 6.5-9.5 and optimum at pH 7.3-7.5. The temperature range of the new isolate was 0-28 C and optimum growth occurred at 24 C. The novel isolate requires NaCl (growth absent at 0 %) and growth was observed between 0 and 5% NaCl with optimum at 0.5% (w/v). The new isolate was a catalase-negative chemoorganoheterotroph that used as substrates sugars and some products of proteolysis. The metabolic end products were: acetate, ethanol and CO2. Strain FTRl was sensitive to ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, rifampin, kanamycin, and gentamycin. The 16S rDNA sequence analysis showed 99.8% similarity of strain FTR1 with Carnobacterium alterfunditum, but the DNA-DNA hybridization between them demonstrated 39 plus or minus 5% homology. On the basis of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, it is proposed that the strain FTR1(sup T) (= ATCC BAA-754(sup T) = JSM 12174(sup T) is assigned to the new species of the genus Carnobacterium with proposed name Carnobacterium pleistocaenium sp. nov.

Gelidivirgula Patagoniensis Gen. Nov., Sp. Nov., A Novel Psychrotolerant, Sporeforming Anaerobe Isolated from Magellanic Penguin Guano in Patagonia, Chile

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pikuta, Elena V.; Hoover, Richard B.; Marsic, Damien; Whitman, William B.; Tang, Jane; Krader, Paul

2003-01-01

A novel obligately anaerobic, psychrotrophic bacterium, strain PPP2(sup T), was isolated from guano of the Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) in Patagonia, Chile. The Gram-positive, sporeforming, straight rods with sizes 0.6-0.9 x 3.0-5.0 microns, are motile by peritrichous flagella. Growth was observed to occur within the pH range 6.0-9.5 (optimum pH x), and temperature range 2-28 C (optimum 20 C). The novel isolate does not require NaCl for growth, but is halotolerant and growth was observed between 0 and 7 % NaCl (w/v) with optimum at 0.5 % (w/v). The new isolate is a catalase negative chemoorganohetherotroph with fermentative metabolism and uses as substrates: peptone, Bacto-tryptone, Casamino acids, and yeast extract. The major metabolic products are: acetate, butyrate, ethanol, and hydrogen is a minor gas product.. Strain PPP2 was sensitive to ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, rifampin, kanamycin, and gentamycin. The G+C content of the DNA is 43.6 mol%. On the basis of 16S rDNA gene sequences and phenotypic characteristics, it is proposed that the strain PPP2(sup T) (= ATCC BAA-755(sup T) = JSM ...(sup T)) is assigned to the new genus Gelidivirgula gen. nov., as a representative of the new species, Gelidivirgula patagonensis sp. nov.

Optimization of fermentation conditions for alcohol production.

PubMed

Bowman, L; Geiger, E

1984-12-01

The quantitative effects of carbohydrate levels, degree of initial saccharification, glucoamylase dosage, temperature, and fermentation time were investigated using a Box-Wilson central composite design protocol. With Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 4126, it was found that the use of a partially saccharified starch substrate markedly increased yields and attainable alcohol levels. Balancing the degree of initial saccharification with the level of glucoamylase used to complete hydrolysis was found necessary to obtain optimum yields. The temperature optimum was found to be 36 degrees C. The regression equations obtained were used to model the fermentation in order to determine optimum fermentation conditions.

Exploring the Limits of Cell Adhesion under Shear Stress within Physiological Conditions and beyond on a Chip.

PubMed

Stamp, Melanie E M; Jötten, Anna M; Kudella, Patrick W; Breyer, Dominik; Strobl, Florian G; Geislinger, Thomas M; Wixforth, Achim; Westerhausen, Christoph

2016-10-21

Cell adhesion processes are of ubiquitous importance for biomedical applications such as optimization of implant materials. Here, not only physiological conditions such as temperature or pH, but also topographical structures play crucial roles, as inflammatory reactions after surgery can diminish osseointegration. In this study, we systematically investigate cell adhesion under static, dynamic and physiologically relevant conditions employing a lab-on-a-chip system. We screen adhesion of the bone osteosarcoma cell line SaOs-2 on a titanium implant material for pH and temperature values in the physiological range and beyond, to explore the limits of cell adhesion, e.g., for feverish and acidic conditions. A detailed study of different surface roughness R q gives insight into the correlation between the cells' abilities to adhere and withstand shear flow and the topography of the substrates, finding a local optimum at R q = 22 nm. We use shear stress induced by acoustic streaming to determine a measure for the ability of cell adhesion under an external force for various conditions. We find an optimum of cell adhesion for T = 37 °C and pH = 7.4 with decreasing cell adhesion outside the physiological range, especially for high T and low pH. We find constant detachment rates in the physiological regime, but this behavior tends to collapse at the limits of 41 °C and pH 4.

Effect of physicochemical parameters on the polygalacturonase of an Aspergillus sojae mutant using wheat bran, an agro-industrial waste, via solid-state fermentation.

PubMed

Demir, Hande; Tari, Canan

2016-08-01

Polygalacturonases (PGs) are valuable enzymes of the food industry; therefore it is of great importance to discover new and GRAS PG-producing microbial strains. In this study, PG enzyme produced from a high PG activity producer mutant Aspergillus sojae using wheat bran at the flask scale under pre-optimized conditions of solid-state fermentation (SSF) was biochemically characterized. The crude PG enzyme showed optimum activity in the pH range 4.0-5.0 and was stable in the pH range 3.0-7.0. The optimum temperature for the PG was 40 °C and it retained 99% of its activity at 50 °C. The mutant A. sojae PG could preserve more than 50% of its stability between 25 and 50 °C, both for 30 and 60 min, and was found to be stable in the presence of most of the tested compounds and metal ions. The inactivation energy (Ed ) was determined as 125.3 kJ mol(-1) . The enthalpy (ΔH*), free energy (ΔG*) and entropy (ΔS*) of inactivation were found to be stable with increasing temperature. The mutant A. sojae PG could be suitable for the clarification (depectinization) of orange and grape juices and wine. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Thermococcus Thioreducens sp. nov., A Novel Hyperthermophilic, Obligately Sulfur-Reducing Archaeon from a Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pikuta, Elena V.; Hoover, Richard B.; Marsic, Damien; Bej, Asim K.; Garriott, Owen

2003-01-01

A novel hyperthermophilic organo-heterotrophic archaeon, strain OGL-20P(sup T), was isolated from 'black smoker' chimney material from the Rainbow hydrothermal vent site on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (36.2 N; 33.9 W). The cells of strain OGL-20P(sup T) have an irregular coccoid shape and are motile with a single flagellum. Growth was observed to occur within the pH range 5.0-8.5 (optimum pH 7.0), NaCl concentration range 1-5 % (w/v) (optimum 3 %), and temperature range 55-94 C (optimum 83-85 C). Novel isolate is strictly anaerobic and obligately dependent from elemental sulfur as electron acceptor, but it cannot reduce sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate, iron (III) or nitrate. Proteolysis products that can be utilized as substrates during sulfur-reduction are: peptone, bactotryptone, casamino-acids, and yeast extract. Strain OGL-20P(sup T) is resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, and gentamycin, but sensitive to tetracycline and rifampicin. The G+C content of DNA is 57.1 mol% . Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain OGL-20P(sup T) is most closely related to Thermococcus celer and 'T. barossii', but no significant homology by DNA-DNA hybridization was observed between those species and the new isolate. On the basis of physiological and molecular properties of the new isolate, the name Thermococcus thioreducens sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is OGL-20P(sup T) (= ATCC BAA-394(sup T) = DSM 1498(sup T)).

Tindallia Californiensis sp. nov.: A New Halo-Alkaliphilic Primary Anaerobe, Isolated from Meromictic soda Mono Lake in California and the Correction of Diagnosis for Genus Tindallia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pikuta, Elena; Marsic, Damien; Hoover, Richard B.; Kevbrin, Vadim; Whitman, William B.; Krader, Paul; Cleland, Dave; Six, N. Frank (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

A novel extremely halo-alkaliphilic, bacterium strain APO (sup T) was isolated from sediments of the athalassic, meromictic, soda Mono Lake in California. Gram positive, spore-forming, slightly curved rods with sizes 0.6-0.7x 2.5-4.0 micrometers which occur singly, in pairs or short curved chains. Cells, are motile by singular subcentral flagellum. Strain APO (sup T) is mesophilic: growth was observed over the temperature range of +10 C to +48 C (optimum +37 C), NaCl concentration range 1-20 %, wt/vol (optimum 3-5%, wt/vol) and pH range 8.0-11.0 (optimum pH 9.5). The novel isolate is strictly halo-alkaliphilic, requires sodium chloride in medium, obligately anaerobic and catalase-negative. Strain APO (sup T) is organo-heterotroph with fermentative type of metabolism, and uses as substrates: peptone, badotryptone, casamino acids, yeast extract, L-serine, L-lysine, L-histidine, L-arginine, and pyruvate. The main end products of growth on peptone medium were: lactate, acetate, propionate, and ethanol. Strain APO (sup T) is resistant to kanamycin, but sensitive to chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and gentamycin. The sum of G+C in DNA is 44.4 mol% (by HPLC method). On the bait of physiological and molecular properties, the isolate was considered as novel species of genus Tindallia; and the name Tindallia californiensis sp. nov., is proposed for new isolate (type strain APO (sup T) - ATCC BAA_393(sup T) = DSMZ 14871 (sup T)).

Paleobotanical Evidence for Coupling of Temperature and pCO2 during the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, R. Y.; Greenwood, D. R.; Basinger, J. F.

2009-12-01

The Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO) was the warmest period of the Cenozoic, indicated by multiple proxy mean annual temperature estimates for sea and land surface. However, estimates of pCO2 from geochemical, modeling, and paleontological proxies show a wide range of values, from near modern day levels to an order of magnitude greater. Resolving the pCO2 record for this time period, and correlating it with trends in temperature, is a key task in understanding the interaction of climate and pCO2 in globally warm periods. Here we present a fine scale study of trends in temperature and pCO2 based on paleobotanical data from an early Eocene site from the Okanagan Highlands of British Columbia, Canada. Plant macrofossils were collected using an unbiased census approach from three informal units, allowing for quantitative comparison of trends within the site. Temperature estimates derived from multiple paleobotanical techniques (physiognomic and floristic approaches) suggest microthermal (MAT <13°C) but equable (CMMT >0°C) conditions for this upland site, and show a trend in declining MAT over time reflected in the three units. At the same time, stomatal frequency of Ginkgo suggests that pCO2 was high (>2x modern values), but also declining over time. These results suggest that temperature and pCO2 were coupled during this globally warm period, and that fine scale trends on the order of 103 - 104 years can be tracked within fossil sites to provide a window on climate/pCO2 interactions.

Advanced human-machine interface for collaborative building control

DOEpatents

Zheng, Xianjun S.; Song, Zhen; Chen, Yanzi; Zhang, Shaopeng; Lu, Yan

2015-08-11

A system for collaborative energy management and control in a building, including an energy management controller, one or more occupant HMIs that supports two-way communication between building occupants and a facility manager, and between building occupants and the energy management controller, and a facility manager HMI that supports two-way communication between the facility manager and the building occupants, and between the facility manager and the energy management controller, in which the occupant HMI allows building occupants to provide temperature preferences to the facility manager and the energy management controller, and the facility manager HMI allows the facility manager to configure an energy policy for the building as a set of rules and to view occupants' aggregated temperature preferences, and the energy management controller determines an optimum temperature range that resolves conflicting occupant temperature preferences and occupant temperature preferences that conflict with the facility manager's energy policy for the building.

TiO₂ beads and TiO₂-chitosan beads for urease immobilization.

PubMed

Ispirli Doğaç, Yasemin; Deveci, Ilyas; Teke, Mustafa; Mercimek, Bedrettin

2014-09-01

The aim of the present study is to synthesize TiO2 beads for urease immobilization. Two different strategies were used to immobilize the urease on TiO2 beads. In the first method (A), urease enzyme was immobilized onto TiO2 beads by adsorption and then crosslinking. In the second method (B), TiO2 beads were coated with chitosan-urease mixture. To determine optimum conditions of immobilization, different parameters were investigated. The parameters of optimization were initial enzyme concentration (0.5; 1; 1.5; 2mg/ml), alginate concentration (1; 2; 3%), glutaraldehyde concentration (1; 2; 3% v/v) and chitosan concentration (2; 3; 4 mg/ml). The optimum enzyme concentrations were determined as 1.5mg/ml for A and 1.0mg/ml for B. The other optimum conditions were found 2.0% (w/v) for alginate concentration (both A and B); 3.0mg/ml for chitosan concentration (B) and 2.0% (v/v) for glutaraldehyde concentration (A). The optimum temperature (20-60°C), optimum pH (3.0-10.0), kinetic parameters, thermal stability (4-70°C), pH stability (4.0-9.0), operational stability (0-230 min) and reusability (20 times) were investigated for characterization. The optimum temperatures were 30°C (A), 40°C (B) and 35°C (soluble). The temperature profiles of the immobilized ureases were spread over a large area. The optimum pH values for the soluble urease and immobilized urease prepared by using methods (A) and (B) were found to be 7.5, 7.0, 7.0, respectively. The thermal stabilities of immobilized enzyme sets were studied and they maintained 50% activity at 65°C. However, at this temperature free urease protected only 15% activity. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Microbial inactivation of paprika by a high-temperature short-X time treatment. Influence on color properties.

PubMed

Almela, Luis; Nieto-Sandoval, José M; Fernández López, José A

2002-03-13

High-temperature short-time (HTST) treatments have been used to destroy the bioburden of paprika. With this in mind, we have designed a device to treat samples of paprika with a gas whose temperature, pressure, and composition can be selected. Temperatures and treatment times ranged from 130 to 170 degrees C and 4 to 6 s, respectively. The survival of the most commonly found microorganisms in paprika and any alteration in extractable and superficial color were examined. Data showed that the optimum HTST conditions were 145 degrees C, 1.5 kg/cm2 of overpressure, 6 s operation time, and a thermal fluid of saturated steam. No microbial growth was detected during storage after thermal treatment. To minimize the color losses, treated (HTST) paprika samples should be kept under refrigeration.

Light sensitometry of mammography films at varying development temperatures and times

PubMed Central

Sharma, Reena; Sharma, Sunil Dutt; Mayya, Y. S.

2012-01-01

Kodak MinR-2000 mammography film is widely used for mammography imaging. The sensitometric indices like base plus fog level (B + F), maximum optical density (ODmax), average gradient (AG) and speed of this film at varying development temperatures and times were evaluated using a light sensitometer. Totally 33 film strips were cut from a single Kodak MinR-2000 mammography film box and exposed in a light sensitometer operated in the green light spectrum to produce a 21-step sensitometric strip. These exposed film strips were processed at temperatures in the range of 32°C–37°C in the step of 1°C and at processing times in the range of 1–6 minutes in the step of 1 minute. The results of the present study show that the measured base plus fog level of the mammography film was not affected much, whereas significant changes were seen in the ODmax, AG and speed with varying development temperatures and times. The ODmax values of the film were found in the range of 3.67–3.76, AG values were in the range of 2.48–3.4 and speed values were in the range of 0.015–0.0236 when the processing temperature was varied from 32°C to 37°C. With processing time variation from 1 to 6 minutes, the observed changes in ODmax values were in the range of 3.54-3.71, changes in AG were in the range of 2.66–3.27 and changes in speed were in the range of 0.011–0.025. Based on these observations, recommendations for optimum processing parameters to be used for this film are made. PMID:22363111

Marinilactibacillus piezotolerans sp. nov., a novel marine lactic acid bacterium isolated from deep sub-seafloor sediment of the Nankai Trough.

PubMed

Toffin, Laurent; Zink, Klaus; Kato, Chiaki; Pignet, Patricia; Bidault, Adeline; Bienvenu, Nadège; Birrien, Jean-Louis; Prieur, Daniel

2005-01-01

A piezotolerant, mesophilic, marine lactic acid bacterium (strain LT20T) was isolated from a deep sub-seafloor sediment core collected at Nankai Trough, off the coast of Japan. Cells were Gram-positive, rod-shaped, non-sporulating and non-motile. The NaCl concentration range for growth was 0-120 g l(-1), with the optimum at 10-20 g l(-1). The temperature range for growth at pH 7.0 was 4-50 degrees C, with the optimum at 37-40 degrees C. The optimum pH for growth was 7.0-8.0. The optimum pressure for growth was 0.1 MPa with tolerance up to 30 MPa. The main cellular phospholipids were phosphatidylglycerols (25 %), diphosphatidylglycerols (34 %) and a group of compounds tentatively identified as ammonium-containing phosphatidylserines (32 %); phosphatidylethanolamines (9 %) were minor components. The fatty acid composition was dominated by side chains of 16 : 0, 14 : 0 and 16 : 1. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 42 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and the secondary structure of the V6 region, this organism was found to belong to the genus Marinilactibacillus and was closely related to Marinilactibacillus psychrotolerans M13-2(T) (99 %), Marinilactibacillus sp. strain MJYP.25.24 (99 %) and Alkalibacterium olivapovliticus strain ww2-SN4C (97 %). Despite the high similarity between their 16S rRNA gene sequences (99 %), the DNA-DNA hybridization levels were less than 20 %. On the basis of physiological and genetic characteristics, it is proposed that this organism be classified as a novel species, Marinilactibacillus piezotolerans sp. nov. The type strain is LT20T (=DSM 16108T=JCM 12337T).

Study of the thermal properties of filaments for 3D printing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Trhlíková, Lucie, E-mail: xctrhlikova@fch.vutbr.cz; Zmeskal, Oldrich, E-mail: zmeskal@fch.vutbr.cz; Florian, Pavel, E-mail: xcflorianp@fch.vutbr.cz

Various materials are used for 3D printing, most commonly Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polylactic acid (PLA), Polyethylene (PET) and Polypropylene (PP). These materials differ mainly in their melting point, which significantly influences the properties of the final products. Filaments are melted in the print head during the printing process. The temperature range is from 150 °C to 250 °C depending on the technology used. The optimum temperature for the cooling substrate on which printing is carried out is chosen so as to ensure uniform cooling and deformation. It generally varies between (40 – 100) °C. From the above it ismore » clear that both temperatures can significantly affect the properties of the printed 3D object. It is therefore important to determine the thermal parameters (thermal conductivity, specific heat and thermal diffusivity) of the materials used across the entire range of temperatures. For evaluating the properties of different types of PLA materials, the step transient method was used, which allows determination of all required parameters using a fractal heat transfer model.« less

Flexible Cryogenic Heat Pipe Development Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

A heat pipe was designed for operation in the 100 - 200 K temperature range with maximum heat transport as a primary design goal; another designed for operation in the 15 - 100 K temperature range with maximum flexibility as a design goal. Optimum geometry and materials for the container and wicking systems were determined. The high power (100 - 200 K) heat pipe was tested with methane at 100 - 140 K, and test data indicated only partial priming with a performance limit of less than 50 percent of theoretical. A series of tests were conducted with ammonia at approximately 280 K to determine the performance under varying fluid charge and test conditions. The low temperature heat pipe was tested with oxygen at 85 - 95 K and with methanol at 295 - 315 K. Performance of the low temperature heat pipe was below theoretical predictions. Results of the completed testing are presented and possible performance limitation mechanisms are discussed. The lower-than-expected performance was felt to be due to small traces of non-condensible gases which prevented the composite wick from priming.

Haladaptatus pallidirubidus sp. nov., a halophilic archaeon isolated from saline soil samples in Yunnan and Xinjiang, China.

PubMed

Liu, Bing-Bing; Zhao, Wan-Yu; Chu, Xiao; Hozzein, Wael N; Prabhu, Deene Manik; Wadaan, Mohammed A M; Tang, Shu-Kun; Zhang, Li-Li; Li, Wen-Jun

2014-11-01

Two extremely halophilic archaea, designated YIM 90917 and YIM 93656(T), were isolated from saline soils in Yunnan province and Lup nur region in Xinjiang province, western China, respectively. Colonies of the two strains were observed to be pink-pigmented. The cells were found to be Gram-stain negative, coccoid and non-motile. The organisms were found to be aerobic and could grow in an NaCl range of 6-35 % (optimum 18 %), temperatures ranging from 25 to 50 °C (optimum 37-42 °C), pH range from 6.0-8.5 (optimum pH 7.0-7.5) and Mg(2+) range from 0 to 1.5 M (optimum 0.5-1.0 M); Mg(2+) was not necessary for growth. Cells were not observed to lyse in distilled water. Strains YIM 90917 and YIM 93656(T) showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Haladaptatus cibarius JCM 15962(T) (97.6 and 97.9 %, respectively). In addition, the DNA-DNA hybridizations of strains YIM 90917 and YIM 93656(T) with type strains H. cibarius JCM 15962(T), Haladaptatus litoreus JCM 15771(T) and Haladaptatus paucihalophilus JCM 13897(T) were 37.2 and 38.2 %, 36.6 and 39.0 % and 27.9 and 27.7 %, respectively. The DNA G+C contents of strains YIM 90917 and YIM 93656(T) were determined to be 56.0 and 57.4 mol%. The major polar lipids of the two strains were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, phosphatidylglycerol sulfate, sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether and other four unidentified glycolipids. On the basis of physiological, chemotaxonomic data and phylogenetic analysis, the strains YIM 90917 and YIM 93656(T) can be classified as a novel species of the genus Haladaptatus, for which the name Haladaptatus pallidirubidus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 93656(T) (=JCM 17504(T) = CCTCC AB2010454(T)).

Effect of Temperature on Biochemical Composition, Growth and Reproduction of the Ornamental Red Cherry Shrimp Neocaridina heteropoda heteropoda (Decapoda, Caridea)

PubMed Central

Tropea, Carolina; Stumpf, Liane; López Greco, Laura Susana

2015-01-01

The effect of water temperature on biochemical composition, growth and reproduction of the ornamental shrimp, Neocaridina heteropoda heteropoda, was investigated to determine the optimum temperature for its culture. The effect of embryo incubation temperature on the subsequent performance of juveniles was also evaluated. Ovigerous females and recently hatched juveniles (JI) were maintained during egg incubation and for a 90-day period, respectively, at three temperatures (24, 28 and 32°C). Incubation period increased with decreasing water temperature, but the number and size of JI were similar among treatments. At day 30 of the 90-day period, body weight and growth increment (GI) at 24°C were lower than those at 28 and 32°C. On subsequent days, GI at 24°C exceeded that at 28 and 32°C, leading to a similar body weight among treatments. These results suggest growth was delayed at 24°C, but only for 30 days after hatching. The lipid concentration tended to be lowest, intermediate and highest at 28, 32 and 24°C, respectively, possibly as a consequence of the metabolic processes involved in growth and ovarian maturation. Protein and glycogen concentrations were similar among treatments. Both the growth trajectory and biochemical composition of shrimps were affected by the temperature experienced during the 90-day growth period independently of the embryo incubation temperature. During the growth period, shrimps reached sexual maturity and mated, with the highest proportion of ovigerous females occurring at 28°C. All the females that matured and mated at 32°C lost their eggs, indicating a potentially stressful effect of high temperature on ovarian maturation. Based on high survival and good growth performance of shrimps at the three temperatures tested over the 90-day period it is concluded that N. heteropoda heteropoda is tolerant to a wide range of water temperatures, with 28°C being the optimum temperature for its culture. PMID:25768918

Multi-objective optimization and design for free piston Stirling engines based on the dimensionless power

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mou, Jian; Hong, Guotong

2017-02-01

In this paper, the dimensionless power is used to optimize the free piston Stirling engines (FPSE). The dimensionless power is defined as a ratio of the heat power loss and the output work. The heat power losses include the losses of expansion space, heater, regenerator, cooler and the compression space and every kind of the heat loss calculated by empirical formula. The output work is calculated by the adiabatic model. The results show that 82.66% of the losses come from the expansion space and 54.59% heat losses of expansion space come from the shuttle loss. At different pressure the optimum bore-stroke ratio, heat source temperature, phase angle and the frequency have different values, the optimum phase angles increase with the increase of pressure, but optimum frequencies drop with the increase of pressure. However, no matter what the heat source temperature, initial pressure and frequency are, the optimum ratios of piston stroke and displacer stroke all about 0.8. The three-dimensional diagram is used to analyse Stirling engine. From the three-dimensional diagram the optimum phase angle, frequency and heat source temperature can be acquired at the same time. This study offers some guides for the design and optimization of FPSEs.

Thermal optimality of net ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide and underlying mechanisms.

PubMed

Niu, Shuli; Luo, Yiqi; Fei, Shenfeng; Yuan, Wenping; Schimel, David; Law, Beverly E; Ammann, Christof; Arain, M Altaf; Arneth, Almut; Aubinet, Marc; Barr, Alan; Beringer, Jason; Bernhofer, Christian; Black, T Andrew; Buchmann, Nina; Cescatti, Alessandro; Chen, Jiquan; Davis, Kenneth J; Dellwik, Ebba; Desai, Ankur R; Etzold, Sophia; Francois, Louis; Gianelle, Damiano; Gielen, Bert; Goldstein, Allen; Groenendijk, Margriet; Gu, Lianhong; Hanan, Niall; Helfter, Carole; Hirano, Takashi; Hollinger, David Y; Jones, Mike B; Kiely, Gerard; Kolb, Thomas E; Kutsch, Werner L; Lafleur, Peter; Lawrence, David M; Li, Linghao; Lindroth, Anders; Litvak, Marcy; Loustau, Denis; Lund, Magnus; Marek, Michal; Martin, Timothy A; Matteucci, Giorgio; Migliavacca, Mirco; Montagnani, Leonardo; Moors, Eddy; Munger, J William; Noormets, Asko; Oechel, Walter; Olejnik, Janusz; Kyaw Tha Paw U; Pilegaard, Kim; Rambal, Serge; Raschi, Antonio; Scott, Russell L; Seufert, Günther; Spano, Donatella; Stoy, Paul; Sutton, Mark A; Varlagin, Andrej; Vesala, Timo; Weng, Ensheng; Wohlfahrt, Georg; Yang, Bai; Zhang, Zhongda; Zhou, Xuhui

2012-05-01

• It is well established that individual organisms can acclimate and adapt to temperature to optimize their functioning. However, thermal optimization of ecosystems, as an assemblage of organisms, has not been examined at broad spatial and temporal scales. • Here, we compiled data from 169 globally distributed sites of eddy covariance and quantified the temperature response functions of net ecosystem exchange (NEE), an ecosystem-level property, to determine whether NEE shows thermal optimality and to explore the underlying mechanisms. • We found that the temperature response of NEE followed a peak curve, with the optimum temperature (corresponding to the maximum magnitude of NEE) being positively correlated with annual mean temperature over years and across sites. Shifts of the optimum temperature of NEE were mostly a result of temperature acclimation of gross primary productivity (upward shift of optimum temperature) rather than changes in the temperature sensitivity of ecosystem respiration. • Ecosystem-level thermal optimality is a newly revealed ecosystem property, presumably reflecting associated evolutionary adaptation of organisms within ecosystems, and has the potential to significantly regulate ecosystem-climate change feedbacks. The thermal optimality of NEE has implications for understanding fundamental properties of ecosystems in changing environments and benchmarking global models. © 2012 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2012 New Phytologist Trust.

Mycotoxin production and predictive modelling kinetics on the growth of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus isolates in whole black peppercorns (Piper nigrum L).

PubMed

Yogendrarajah, Pratheeba; Vermeulen, An; Jacxsens, Liesbeth; Mavromichali, Evangelia; De Saeger, Sarah; De Meulenaer, Bruno; Devlieghere, Frank

2016-07-02

The growth and mycotoxin production of three Aspergillus flavus isolates and an Aspergillus parasiticus isolate were studied in whole black peppercorns (Piper nigrum L.) using a full factorial design with seven water activity (aw) (0.826-0.984) levels and three temperatures (22, 30 and 37°C). Growth rates and lag phases were estimated using linear regression. Diverse secondary models were assessed for their ability to describe the radial growth rate as a function of individual and combined effect of aw and temperature. Optimum radial growth rate ranged from 0.75±0.04 to 2.65±0.02mm/day for A. flavus and 1.77±0.10 to 2.50±0.10mm/day for A. parasiticus based on the Rosso cardinal estimations. Despite the growth failure of some isolates at marginal conditions, all the studied models showed good performance to predict the growth rates. Validation of the models was performed on independently derived data. The bias factors (0.73-1.03), accuracy factors (0.97-1.36) and root mean square error (0.050-0.278) show that the examined models are conservative predictors of the colony growth rate of both fungal species in black peppers. The Rosso cardinal model can be recommended to describe the individual aw effect while the extended Gibson model was the best model for describing the combined effect of aw and temperature on the growth rate of both fungal species in peppercorns. Temperature optimum ranged from 30 to 33°C, while aw optimum was 0.87-0.92 as estimated by multi-factorial cardinal model for both species. The estimated minimum temperature and aw for A. flavus and A. parasiticus for growth were 11-16°C and 0.73-0.76, respectively, hence, achieving these conditions should be considered during storage to prevent the growth of these mycotoxigenic fungal species in black peppercorns. Following the growth study, production of mycotoxins (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, sterigmatocystin and O-methyl sterigmatocystin (OMST)) was quantified using LC-MS/MS. Very small quantities of AFB1 (

A modified sulfate process to lunar oxygen

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sullivan, Thomas A.

1992-01-01

A modified sulfate process which produces oxygen from iron oxide-bearing minerals in lunar soil is under development. Reaction rates of ilmenite in varying strength sulfuric acid have been determined. Quantitative conversion of ilmenite to ferrous sulfate was observed over a range of temperatures and concentrations. Data has also been developed on the calcination of by-product sulfates. System engineering for overall operability and simplicity has begun, suggesting that a process separating the digestion and sulfate dissolution steps may offer an optimum process.

Effects of temperature on the embryonic and early larval development in tropical species of black sea urchin, Diadema setosum (Leske, 1778).

PubMed

Sarifudin, M; Rahman, M A; Yusoff, F M; Arshad, Aziz; Tan, Soon Guan

2016-07-01

Influence of temperature on the embryonic and early development and growth performance of larva in tropical sea urchin, Diadema setosum was investigated in water temperature ranging between 16 and 34?C under controlled laboratory conditions. The critical lower and higher temperature for embryonic development was found at 16 and 34?C, respectively. Embryos reared in both of these two temperatures exhibited 100% abnormality within 48 hrs post-insemination. The time required to reach these embryonic and larval stages increased with temperature from 28 followed by 31, 25, 22 and 19?C in that order. The developmental times of 2-cell stage until 4-arm pluteus larva showed significant differences (P < 0.05) among the tested temperatures. The larvae in the state of prism and 2-arm pluteus, survived at temperature ranging from 19 to 31?C, while the 4-arm pluteus larvae survived at temperature between 22? to 31?C. However, larval development within a temperature range of 22? to 31?C was acceptable since no abnormalities occurred. The morphometric characteristics from prism to 4-arm pluteus larvae in all the temperatures differed significantly (P > 0.05). Among them, 28?C was found to be the best temperature with respect of the highest larval growth and development at all stages. The findings of the study will not only be helpful to understand the critical limits of temperature, but also to identify the most appropriate temperature for optimum growth and development of embryos and larvae, as well as to facilitate the development of captive breeding and mass seed production of D. setosum and other important sea urchins for commercial aquaculture.

Optimal Design of Functionally Graded Metallic Foam Insulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haftka, Raphael T.; Sankar, Bhavani; Venkataraman, Satchi; Zhu, Huadong

2002-01-01

The focus of our work has been on developing an insight into the physics that govern the optimum design of thermal insulation for use in thermal protection systems of launch vehicle. Of particular interest was to obtain optimality criteria for designing foam insulations that have density (or porosity) distributions through the thickness for optimum thermal performance. We investigate the optimum design of functionally graded thermal insulation for steady state heat transfer through the foam. We showed that the heat transfer in the foam has competing modes, of radiation and conduction. The problem assumed a fixed inside temperature of 400 K and varied the aerodynamic surface heating on the outside surface from 0.2 to 1.0 MW/sq m. The thermal insulation develops a high temperature gradient through the thickness. Investigation of the model developed for heat conduction in foams showed that at high temperatures (as on outside wall) intracellular radiation dominates the heat transfer in the foam. Minimizing radiation requires reducing the pore size, which increases the density of the foam. At low temperatures (as on the inside wall), intracellular conduction (of the metal and air) dominates the heat transfer. Minimizing conduction requires increasing the pore size. This indicated that for every temperature there was an optimum value of density that minimized the heat transfer coefficient. Two optimization studies were performed. One was to minimize the heat transmitted though a fixed thickness insulation by varying density profiles. The second was to obtain the minimum mass insulation for specified thickness. Analytical optimality criteria were derived for the cases considered. The optimality condition for minimum heat transfer required that at each temperature we find the density that minimizes the heat transfer coefficient. Once a relationship between the optimum heat transfer coefficient and the temperature was found, the design problem reduced to the solution of a simple nonlinear differential equation. Preliminary results of this work were presented at the American Society of Composites meeting, and the final version was submitted for publication in the AIAA Journal. In addition to minimizing the transmitted heat, we investigated the optimum design for minimum weight given an acceptable level of heat transmission through the insulation. The optimality criterion developed was different from that obtained for minimizing beat transfer coefficient. For minimum mass design, we had to find for a given temperature the optimum density, which minimized the logarithmic derivative of the insulation thermal conductivity with respect to its density. The logarithmic derivative is defined as the ratio of relative change in the dependent response (thermal conductivity) to the relative change in the independent variable (density). The results have been documented as a conference paper that will be presented at the upcoming AIAA.

Effect of different constant incubation temperatures on egg survival and embryonic development in lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brooke, L.T.

1975-01-01

Eggs of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) were incubated in a constant-flow incubator at constant temperatures of 0.5, 2.0, 4.0, 5.9, 7.8, and 10.0 C. The time from fertilization to median hatch was inversely related to temperature, and ranged from 41.7 days at 10.0 C to 182 days at 0.5 C. The percentage hatch was highest (70.9-73.3%) at 4.0, 5.9, and 7.8 C, and was greatly reduced (6.0-28.4%) at 0.5, 2.0, and 10.0 C. The mortality of embryos was greatest during the early stages of development. Abnormally developed fry were most frequent (85.9% of the hatch) at 10.0 C, and least frequent (2.8%) at 4.0 C. Mean lengths of fry at hatching were shorter at 7.8 and 10.0 C (12.4 and 8.8 mm, respectively) than at lower temperatures (13.1 to 13.5 mm). The optimum temperature range for incubation of lake whitefish eggs was 3.2 to 8.1 C. Equations were derived for predicting development time to 20 successive stages, and to hatching, at constant incubation temperatures and at fluctuating daily mean water temperatures.

The role of annealing temperature variation on ZnO nanorods array deposited on TiO2 seed layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asib, N. A. M.; Aadila, A.; Afaah, A. N.; Rusop, M.; Khusaimi, Z.

2018-05-01

Seed layer of Titanium dioxide (TiO2) by sol-gel spin coating technique were coated on glass substrate to grow Zinc oxide nanorods (ZNR) by solution-immersion method. The fabricated ZNR were annealed at various temperatures ranged from 400 to 600° C. FESEM images revealed that smaller ZNR were densely grown at optimum temperature of 450 and 500°C. Meanwhile, for all samples a dominant (0 0 2) diffraction peak of ZNR recorded by XRD patterns was at 34.4° which corresponding to hexagonal ZNR with a wurtzite structure. UV-Vis absorbance spectra showed the maximum absorption properties at UV region were detected at 450 and 500°C. The samples also showed high absorbance values at visible region.

Optimization of Oxidation Temperature for Commercially Pure Titanium to Achieve Improved Corrosion Resistance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bansal, Rajesh; Singh, J. K.; Singh, Vakil; Singh, D. D. N.; Das, Parimal

2017-03-01

Thermal oxidation of commercially pure titanium (cp-Ti) was carried out at different temperatures, ranging from 200 to 900 °C to achieve optimum corrosion resistance of the thermally treated surface in simulated body fluid. Scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques were used to characterize the oxides and assess their protective properties exposed in the test electrolyte. Maximum resistance toward corrosion was observed for samples oxidized at 500 °C. This was attributed to the formation of a composite layer of oxides at this temperature comprising Ti2O3 (titanium sesquioxide), anatase and rutile phases of TiO2 on the surface of cp-Ti. Formation of an intact and pore-free oxide-substrate interface also improved its corrosion resistance.

Rapid developing of Ektaspeed dental film by increase of temperature.

PubMed

Fredholm, U; Julin, P

1987-01-01

Three rapid developing solutions and one standard solution were tested for contrast and fog with Ektaspeed film at temperatures ranging from 15 degrees to 30 degrees C. Temperatures below 18 degrees C were found to give extremely long developing times, more than 3 minutes with rapid developers, and were not recommended. In the interval between 21 degrees C and 24 degrees C the standard developer needed 3.5-2.5 minutes to get optimum contrast. Two rapid developers needed 1.5 minutes and the fastest 1 minute to get satisfactory contrast throughout this temperature range. A further increase of the temperature gave only a marginal time saving with the rapid solutions and was not considered worthwhile. The relation between developing time and temperature for the rapid developers had a very steep gradient below 21 degrees C, while it levelled out at room temperature. For the standard developer the time/temperature function had a more even gradient from 7.5 minutes at 15 degrees C to 1.5 minutes at 27 degrees C, i.e. an average reduction of 0.5 minute per degree. Between 27 degrees C and 30 degrees C the gradient levelled out. The fog did not increase significantly until at 30 degrees C or at more than double the optimal developing time at room temperature. Recommendations of optimal developing time of Ektaspeed film at different temperatures are given for the four tested developing solutions.

The effect of rearing temperature on development, body size, energetics and fecundity of the diamondback moth.

PubMed

Garrad, R; Booth, D T; Furlong, M J

2016-04-01

Temperature is arguably the most important abiotic factor influencing the life history of ectotherms. It limits survival and affects all physiological and metabolic processes, including energy and nutrient procurement and processing, development and growth rates, locomotion ability and ultimately reproductive success. However, the influence of temperature on the energetic cost of development has not been thoroughly investigated. We show that in the diamondback moth [Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)] rearing temperature (range 10-30°C) affected growth and development rates, the energetic cost of development and fecundity. Rearing at lower temperatures increased development times and slowed growth rate, but resulted in larger adult mass. Fecundity was lowest at 10°C, highest at 15°C and intermediate at temperatures of 20°C and above. At a given rearing temperature fecundity was correlated with pupal mass and most eggs were laid on the first day of oviposition, there was no correlation between total eggs laid and adult longevity. The highest production cost was incurred at 10°C; this decreased with increasing temperature, was minimized in the range 20-25°C, and then increased again at 30°C. These minimized production costs occurred at temperatures close to the intrinsic optimum temperature for this species and may reflect the rearing temperature for optimal fitness. Thus at sub-optimal temperatures greater food resources are required during the development period. Predicted increased temperatures at the margins of the current core distribution of P. xylostella could ameliorate current seasonal effects on fecundity, thereby increasing the probability of winter survival leading to more resilient range expansion and an increased probability of pest outbreaks.

Performance characteristics of aerodynamically optimum turbines for wind energy generators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rohrbach, C.; Worobel, R.

1975-01-01

This paper presents a brief discussion of the aerodynamic methodology for wind energy generator turbines, an approach to the design of aerodynamically optimum wind turbines covering a broad range of design parameters, some insight on the effect on performance of nonoptimum blade shapes which may represent lower fabrication costs, the annual wind turbine energy for a family of optimum wind turbines, and areas of needed research. On the basis of the investigation, it is concluded that optimum wind turbines show high performance over a wide range of design velocity ratios; that structural requirements impose constraints on blade geometry; that variable pitch wind turbines provide excellent power regulation and that annual energy output is insensitive to design rpm and solidity of optimum wind turbines.

Phenology and Seed Yield Performance of Determinate Soybean Cultivars Grown at Elevated Temperatures in a Temperate Region.

PubMed

Choi, Doug-Hwan; Ban, Ho-Young; Seo, Beom-Seok; Lee, Kyu-Jong; Lee, Byun-Woo

2016-01-01

Increased temperature means and fluctuations associated with climate change are predicted to exert profound effects on the seed yield of soybean. We conducted an experiment to evaluate the impacts of global warming on the phenology and yield of two determinate soybean cultivars in a temperate region (37.27°N, 126.99°E; Suwon, South Korea). These two soybean cultivars, Sinpaldalkong [maturity group (MG) IV] and Daewonkong (MG VI), were cultured on various sowing dates within a four-year period, under no water-stress conditions. Soybeans were kept in greenhouses controlled at the current ambient temperature (AT), AT+1.5°C, AT+3.0°C, and AT+5.0°C throughout the growth periods. Growth periods (VE-R7) were significantly prolonged by the elevated temperatures, especially the R1-R5 period. Cultivars exhibited no significant differences in seed yield at the AT+1.5°C and AT+3.0°C treatments, compared to AT, while a significant yield reduction was observed at the AT+5.0°C treatment. Yield reductions resulted from limited seed number, which was due to an overall low numbers of pods and seeds per pod. Heat stress conditions induced a decrease in pod number to a greater degree than in seed number per pod. Individual seed weight exhibited no significant variation among temperature elevation treatments; thus, seed weight likely had negligible impacts on overall seed yield. A boundary line analysis (using quantile regression) estimated optimum temperatures for seed number at 26.4 to 26.8°C (VE-R5) for both cultivars; the optimum temperatures (R5-R7) for single seed weight were estimated at 25.2°C for the Sinpaldalkong smaller-seeded cultivar, and at 22.3°C for the Daewonkong larger-seeded cultivar. The optimum growing season (VE-R7) temperatures for seed yield, which were estimated by combining the two boundary lines for seed number and seed weight, were 26.4 and 25.0°C for the Sinpaldalkong and Daewonkong cultivars, respectively. Considering the current soybean growing season temperature, which ranges from 21.7 (in the north) to 24.6°C (in the south) in South Korea, and the temperature response of potential soybean yields, further warming of less than approximately 1°C would not become a critical limiting factor for soybean production in South Korea.

Glass/ceramic coatings for implants

DOEpatents

Tomsia, Antoni P [Pinole, CA; Saiz, Eduardo [Berkeley, CA; Gomez-Vega, Jose M [Nagoya, JP; Marshall, Sally J [Larkspur, CA; Marshall, Grayson W [Larkspur, CA

2011-09-06

Glass coatings on metals including Ti, Ti6A14V and CrCo were prepared for use as implants. The composition of the glasses was tailored to match the thermal expansion of the substrate metal. By controlling the firing atmosphere, time, and temperature, it was possible to control the reactivity between the glass and the alloy and to fabricate coatings (25-150 .mu.m thick) with excellent adhesion to the substrate. The optimum firing temperatures ranged between 800 and 840.degree. C. at times up to 1 min in air or 15 min in N.sub.2. The same basic technique was used to create multilayered coatings with concentration gradients of hydroxyapatite (HA) particles and SiO.sub.2.

Theory of low transitions in CO discharge lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sidney, B. D.; Mcinuille, R. M.; Smith, N. S.; Hassan, H. A.

1976-01-01

A self consistent theoretical model which couples the electron and heavy particle finite rate kinetics with the optical and fluid dynamic processes has been employed to identify the various parameters and explain the mechanism responsible for producing low lying transitions in slow flowing CO lasers. It is found that lasing on low lying transitions can be achieved at low temperatures for low pressures (or low flow rates) together with high partial pressures of the He and N2. The role of N2 has been identified as an additive responsible for reducing the electron temperature to a range where the transfer of electrical power to the lower vibrational modes of CO is optimum.

Orthogonal design on range hood with air curtain and its effects on kitchen environment.

PubMed

Liu, Xiaomin; Wang, Xing; Xi, Guang

2014-01-01

Conventional range hoods cannot effectively prevent the oil fumes containing cooking-induced harmful material from escaping into the kitchen Air curtains and guide plates have been used in range hoods to reduce the escape of airborne emissions and heat, thereby improving the kitchen environment and the cook's degree of comfort. In this article, numerical simulations are used to study the effects of the jet velocity of an air curtain, the jet angle of the air curtain, the width of the jet slot, the area of the guide plate, and the exhaust rate of the range hood on the perceived temperature, the perceived concentration of oil fumes, the release temperature of oil fumes, and the concentration of escaped oil fumes in a kitchen. The orthogonal experiment results show that the exhaust rate of the range hood is the main factor influencing the fumes concentration and the temperature distribution in the kitchen. For the range hood examined in the present study, the optimum values of the exhaust rate, the jet velocity of the air curtain, the jet angle of the air curtain, the width of the jet slot, and the area of the guide plate are 10.5 m(3)/min, 1.5 m/s, -5°, 4 mm, and 0.22 m(2), respectively, based on the results of the parametric study. In addition, the velocity field, temperature field, and oil fumes concentration field in the kitchen using the proposed range hood with the air curtain and guide plate are analyzed for those parameters. The study's results provide significant information needed for improving the kitchen environment.

Functionalized Graphene Sheets As Immobilization Matrix for Fenugreek β-Amylase: Enzyme Kinetics and Stability Studies

PubMed Central

Srivastava, Garima; Singh, Kritika; Talat, Mahe; Srivastava, Onkar Nath; Kayastha, Arvind M.

2014-01-01

β-Amylase finds application in food and pharmaceutical industries. Functionalized graphene sheets were customised as a matrix for covalent immobilization of Fenugreek β-amylase using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linker. The factors affecting the process were optimized using Response Surface Methodology based Box-Behnken design of experiment which resulted in 84% immobilization efficiency. Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM, TEM) and Fourier Tansform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were employed for the purpose of characterization of attachment of enzyme on the graphene. The enzyme kinetic studies were carried out for obtaining best catalytic performance and enhanced reusability. Optimum temperature remained unchanged, whereas optimum pH showed shift towards acidic range for immobilized enzyme. Increase in thermal stability of immobilized enzyme and non-toxic nature of functionalized graphene can be exploited for production of maltose in food and pharmaceutical industries. PMID:25412079

Relationship between the Unicellular Red Alga Porphyridium sp. and Its Predator, the Dinoflagellate Gymnodinium sp

PubMed Central

Ucko, Michal; Cohen, Ephraim; Gordin, Hillel; Arad, Shoshana (Malis)

1989-01-01

Contamination of algae cultivated outdoors by various microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa, can affect growth and product quality, sometimes causing fast collapse of the cultures. The main contaminant of Porphyridium cultures grown outdoors in Israel is a Gymnodinium sp., a dinoflagellate that feeds on the alga. Comparison of the effects of various environmental conditions, i.e., pH, salinity, and temperature, on Gymnodinium and Porphyridium species revealed that the Gymnodinium sp. has sharp optimum curves, whereas the Porphyridium sp. has a wider range of optimum conditions and is also more resistant to extreme environmental variables. The mode of preying on the alga was observed, and the specificity of the Gymnodinium sp. for the Porphyridium sp. was shown. In addition, Gymnodinium extract was shown to contain enzymatic degrading activity specific to the Porphyridium sp. cell wall polysaccharide. PMID:16348059

Atmospheric controls on elephant communication.

PubMed

Garstang, M; Larom, D; Raspet, R; Lindeque, M

1995-04-01

Atmospheric conditions conducive to long-range transmission of low-frequency sound as used by elephants are found to exist in the Etosha National Park in Namibia during the late dry season. Meteorological measurements show that strong temperature inversions form at the surface before sunset and decay with sunrise, often accompanied by calm wind conditions during the early evening. These observations are used in an acoustic model to determine the sensitivity of infrasound to the effects of (a) the strength, thickness and elevation of temperature inversions, and (b) the growth and decay of an inversion typical of dry, elevated African savannas. The results suggest that the range over which elephants communicate more than doubles at night. Optimum conditions occur 1-2 h after sunset on clear, relatively cold, calm nights. At these times, ranges of over 10 km are likely, with the greatest amplification occurring at the lowest frequency tested. This strong diurnal cycle in communication range may be reflected in longer-lasting changes in weather and may exert a significant influence on elephant behaviour on time scales from days to many years.

Optimisation of low temperature extraction of banana juice using commercial pectinase.

PubMed

Sagu, Sorel Tchewonpi; Nso, Emmanuel Jong; Karmakar, Sankha; De, Sirshendu

2014-05-15

The objective of this work was to develop a process with optimum conditions for banana juice. The procedure involves hydrolyzing the banana pulp by commercial pectinase followed by cloth filtration. Response surface methodology with Doehlert design was utilised to optimize the process parameters. The temperature of incubation (30-60 °C), time of reaction (20-120 min) and concentration of pectinase (0.01-0.05% v/w) were the independent variables and viscosity, clarity, alcohol insoluble solids (AIS), total polyphenol and protein concentration were the responses. Total soluble sugar, pH, conductivity, calcium, sodium and potassium concentration in the juice were also evaluated. The results showed reduction of AIS and viscosity with reaction time and pectinase concentration and reduction of polyphenol and protein concentration with temperature. Using numerical optimization, the optimum conditions for the enzymatic extraction of banana juice were estimated. Depectinization kinetics was also studied at optimum temperature and variation of kinetic constants with enzyme dose was evaluated. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thermal stability and magnetic properties of MgFe2O4@ZnO nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mallesh, S.; Prabu, D.; Srinivas, V.

2017-05-01

Magnesium ferrite, MgFe2O4, (MgFO) nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized through sol-gel process. Subsequently, as prepared particles were coated with Zinc-oxide (ZnO) layer(s) through ultrasonication process. Thermal stability, structure and magnetic properties of as-prepared (AP) and annealed samples in the temperature range of 350 °C-1200 °C have been investigated. Structural data suggests that AP MgFO NPs and samples annealed below 500 °C in air exhibit stable ferrite phase. However, α-Fe2O3 and a small fraction of MgO secondary phases appear along with ferrite phase on annealing in the temperatures range 500 °C- 1000 °C. This results in significant changes in magnetic moment for AP NPs 0.77 μB increases to 0.92 μB for 1200 °C air annealed sample. The magnetic properties decreased at intermediate temperatures due to the presence of secondary phases. On the other hand, pure ferrite phase could be stabilized with an optimum amount of ZnO coated MgFO NPs for samples annealed in the temperature range 500 °C-1000 °C with improvement in magnetic behavior compared to that of MgFO samples.

Photosynthetic responses to temperature across leaf-canopy-ecosystem scales: a 15-year study in a Californian oak-grass savanna.

PubMed

Ma, Siyan; Osuna, Jessica L; Verfaillie, Joseph; Baldocchi, Dennis D

2017-06-01

Ecosystem CO 2 fluxes measured with eddy-covariance techniques provide a new opportunity to retest functional responses of photosynthesis to abiotic factors at the ecosystem level, but examining the effects of one factor (e.g., temperature) on photosynthesis remains a challenge as other factors may confound under circumstances of natural experiments. In this study, we developed a data mining framework to analyze a set of ecosystem CO 2 fluxes measured from three eddy-covariance towers, plus a suite of abiotic variables (e.g., temperature, solar radiation, air, and soil moisture) measured simultaneously, in a Californian oak-grass savanna from 2000 to 2015. Natural covariations of temperature and other factors caused remarkable confounding effects in two particular conditions: lower light intensity at lower temperatures and drier air and soil at higher temperatures. But such confounding effects may cancel out. At the ecosystem level, photosynthetic responses to temperature did follow a quadratic function on average. The optimum value of photosynthesis occurred within a narrow temperature range (i.e., optimum temperature, T opt ): 20.6 ± 0.6, 18.5 ± 0.7, 19.2 ± 0.5, and 19.0 ± 0.6 °C for the oak canopy, understory grassland, entire savanna, and open grassland, respectively. This paradigm confirms that photosynthesis response to ambient temperature changes is a functional relationship consistent across leaf-canopy-ecosystem scales. Nevertheless, T opt can shift with variations in light intensity, air dryness, or soil moisture. These findings will pave the way to a direct determination of thermal optima and limits of ecosystem photosynthesis, which can in turn provide a rich resource for baseline thresholds and dynamic response functions required for predicting global carbon balance and geographic shifts of vegetative communities in response to climate change.

Electrode performance parameters for a radioisotope-powered AMTEC for space power applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Underwood, M.L.; O'Connor, D.; Williams, R.M.

1992-08-01

The alkali metal thermoelastic converter (AMTEC) is a device for the direct conversion of heat to electricity. Recently a design of an AMTEC using a radioisotope heat source was described, but the optimum condenser temperature was hotter than the temperatures used in the laboratory to develop the electrode performance model. Now laboratory experiments have confirmed the dependence of two model parameters over a broader range of condenser and electrode temperatures for two candidate electrode compositions. One parameter, the electrochemical exchange current density at the reaction interface, is independent of the condenser temperature, and depends only upon the collision rate ofmore » sodium at the reaction zone. The second parameter, a morphological parameter, which measures the mass transport resistance through the electrode, is independent of condenser and electrode temperatures for molybdenum electrodes. For rhodium-tungsten electrodes, however, this parameter increases for decreasing electrode temperature, indicating an activated mass transport mechanism such as surface diffusion. 21 refs.« less

Effects of Seawater Salinity and Temperature on Growth and Pigment Contents in Hypnea cervicornis J. Agardh (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta)

PubMed Central

Ding, Lanping; Ma, Yuanyuan; Huang, Bingxin; Chen, Shanwen

2013-01-01

This study simulated outdoor environmental living conditions and observed the growth rates and changes of several photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, Car, PE, and PC) in Hypnea cervicornis J. Agardh (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) by setting up different ranges of salinity (25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50) and temperature (15, 20, 25, and 30°C). At conditions of culture, the results are as follows. (1) Changes in salinity and temperature have significant effects on the growth of H. cervicornis. The growth rates first increase then decrease as the temperature increases, while growth tends to decline as salinity increases. The optimum salinity and temperature conditions for growth are 25 and 25°C, respectively. (2) Salinity and temperature have significant or extremely significant effects on photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, Car, PE, and PC) in H. cervicornis. The results of this study are advantageous to ensure propagation and economic development of this species in the southern sea area of China. PMID:24350276

Numerical study of a cryogen-free vuilleumier type pulse tube cryocooler operating below 10 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Y. N.; Wang, X. T.; Dai, W.; Luo, E. C.

2017-12-01

This paper presents a numerical investigation on a Vuilleumier (VM) type pulse tube cooler. Different from previous systems that use liquid nitrogen, Stirling type pre-coolers are used to provide the cooling power for the thermal compressor, which leads to a convenient cryogen-free system and offers the flexibility of changing working temperature range of the thermal compressor to obtain an optimum efficiency. Firstly, main component dimensions were optimized with lowest no-load temperature as the target. Then the dependence of system performance on average pressure, frequency, displacer displacement amplitude and thermal compressor pre-cooling temperature were studied. Finally, the effect of pre-cooling temperature on overall cooling efficiency at 5 K was studied. A highest relative Carnot efficiency of 0.82 % was predicted with an average pressure of 2.5 MPa, a frequency of 3 Hz, a displacer displacement amplitude of 6.5 mm, ambient end temperature 300 K and pre-cooling temperature 65 K, respectively.

The use of optical pyrometers in axial flow turbines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sellers, R. R.; Przirembel, H. R.; Clevenger, D. H.; Lang, J. L.

1989-07-01

An optical pyrometer system that can be used to measure metal temperatures over an extended range of temperature has been developed. Real-time flame discrimination permits accurate operation in the gas turbine environment with high flame content. This versatile capability has been used in a number of ways. In experimental engines, a fixed angle pyrometer has been used for turbine health monitoring for the automatic test stand abort system. Turbine blade creep capability has been improved by tailoring the burner profile based on measured blade temperatures. Fixed and traversing pyrometers were used extensively during engine development to map blade surface temperatures in order to assess cooling effectiveness and identify optimum configurations. Portable units have been used in turbine field inspections. A new low temperature pyrometer is being used as a diagnostic tool in the alternate turbopump design for the Space Shuttle main engine. Advanced engine designs will incorporate pyrometers in the engine control system to limit operation to safe temperatures.

Antimony-Doped Tin Oxide Thin Films Grown by Home Made Spray Pyrolysis Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yusuf, Gbadebo; Babatola, Babatunde Keji; Ishola, Abdulahi Dimeji; Awodugba, Ayodeji O.; Solar cell Collaboration

2016-03-01

Transparent conducting antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) films have been deposited on glass substrates by home made spray pyrolysis technique. The structural, electrical and optical properties of the ATO films have been investigated as a function of Sb-doping level and annealing temperature. The optimum target composition for high conductivity and low resistivity was found to be 20 wt. % SnSb2 + 90 wt. ATO. Under optimized deposition conditions of 450oC annealing temperature, electrical resistivity of 5.2×10-4 Ω -cm, sheet resistance of 16.4 Ω/sq, average optical transmittance of 86% in the visible range, and average optical band-gap of 3.34eV were obtained. The film deposited at lower annealing temperature shows a relatively rough, loosely bound slightly porous surface morphology while the film deposited at higher annealing temperature shows uniformly distributed grains of greater size. Keywords: Annealing, Doping, Homemade spray pyrolysis, Tin oxide, Resistivity

Optimization of Thixoforging Parameters for C70S6 Steel Connecting Rods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Özkara, İsa Metin; Baydoğan, Murat

2016-11-01

A microalloyed steel, C70S6, with a solidification interval of 1390-1479 °C, was thixoforged in the semisolid state in a closed die at temperatures in the range 1400-1475 °C to form a 1/7 scaled-down model of a passenger vehicle connecting rod. Die design and an optimized thixoforging temperature eliminated the excessive flash and other problems during forging. Tension test samples from connecting rods thixoforged at the optimum temperature of 1440 °C exhibited nearly the same hardness, yield strength, and ultimate tensile strength as conventional hot forged samples but ductility decreased by about 45% due to grain boundary ferrite network formed during cooling from the thixoforging temperature. Thus, C70S6-grade steel can be thixoforged at 1440 °C to form flash-free connecting rods. This conclusion was also validated using FEA analysis.

Effect of dopants on annealing performance of silicon solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scott-Monck, J. A.; Anspaugh, B. E.

1979-01-01

The optimum annealing parameters of time and temperature for producing cell output recovery were established. Devices made from gallium doped and boron doped silicon were investigated. The cells ranged in resistivity from 0.1 to 20 ohm-cm and in thickness from 50 to 250 micrometers. The observations can be explained in a qualitative manner by postulating a pair of competing mechanisms to account for the low temperature reverse annealing seen in most boron and gallium doped silicon solar cells. Still another mechanism dominates at higher temperatures (350 C and greater) to complete this model. One of the mechanisms, defined as B, allows migrators to couple with radiation induced recombination sites thus increasing or enhancing their capture cross sections. This would tend to reduce minority carrier diffusion length. The new recombination complex is postulated to be thermally stable up to temperatures of approximately 350 C.

Refractory materials for high-temperature thermoelectric energy conversion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wood, C.; Emin, D.

1983-01-01

Theoretical work of two decades ago adequately explained the transport behavior and effectively guided the development of thermoelectric materials of high conversion efficiencies of conventional semiconductors (e.g., SiGe alloys). The more significant contributions involved the estimation of optimum doping concentrations, the reduction of thermal conductivity by solid solution doping and the development of a variety of materials with ZT approx. 1 in the temperature range 300 K to 1200 K. ZT approx. 1 is not a theoretical limitation although, experimentally, values in excess of one were not achieved. Work has continued with emphasis on higher temperature energy conversion. A number of promising materials have been discovered in which it appears that ZT 1 is realizable. These materials are divided into two classes: (1) the rare-earth chalcogenides which behave as itinerant highly-degenerate n-type semiconductors at room-temperature, and (2) the boron-rich borides, which exhibit p-type small-polaronic hopping conductivity.

Low-temperature thermoelectric power factor enhancement by controlling nanoparticle size distribution.

PubMed

Zebarjadi, Mona; Esfarjani, Keivan; Bian, Zhixi; Shakouri, Ali

2011-01-12

Coherent potential approximation is used to study the effect of adding doped spherical nanoparticles inside a host matrix on the thermoelectric properties. This takes into account electron multiple scatterings that are important in samples with relatively high volume fraction of nanoparticles (>1%). We show that with large fraction of uniform small size nanoparticles (∼1 nm), the power factor can be enhanced significantly. The improvement could be large (up to 450% for GaAs) especially at low temperatures when the mobility is limited by impurity or nanoparticle scattering. The advantage of doping via embedded nanoparticles compared to the conventional shallow impurities is quantified. At the optimum thermoelectric power factor, the electrical conductivity of the nanoparticle-doped material is larger than that of impurity-doped one at the studied temperature range (50-500 K) whereas the Seebeck coefficient of the nanoparticle doped material is enhanced only at low temperatures (∼50 K).

Experimental study of isopropanol dehydrogenation over amorphous alloy raney nickel catalysts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xin, Fang; Xu, Min; Li, Xun-Feng; Huai, Xiu-Lan

2013-12-01

The dehydrogenation reaction of isopropanol occurring at low temperature is of great industrial importance. It is a key procedure in isopropanol/acetone/hydrogen chemical heat pump system. An experimental investigation was performed to study the behavior of the liquid phase dehydrogenation of isopropanol over amorphous alloy Raney nickel catalysts. Un-promoted and promoted catalysts were used and their performances were compared under various catalyst amounts, acetone content in the reactant and reaction temperature ranging from 348 K to 355 K. It is found that there exists an optimum catalyst concentration which is about 0.34 g in 300 ml isopropanol. The temperature has evident effect on the reaction. The presence of activities of Fe-promoted catalyst decrease slightly compared to the un-promoted catalyst when the temperature are 348 K and 351 K. Besides, the reaction rate decreases almost linearly with the increase of acetone volume fraction in the reactant.

Effect of Growth Rate on Elevated Temperature Plastic Flow and Room Temperature Fracture Toughness of Directionally Solidified NiAl-31Cr-3Mo

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whittenberger, J. Daniel; Raj, S. V.; Locci, I. E.; Salem, J. A.

1999-01-01

The eutectic system Ni-33Al-31Cr-3Mo was directionally solidified at rates ranging from 7.6 to 508 mm/h. Samples were examined for microstructure and alloy chemistry, compression tested at 1200 and 1300 K, and subjected to room temperature fracture toughness measurements. Lamellar eutectic grains were formed at 12.7 mm/h; however cellular structures with a radial eutectic pattern developed at faster growth rates. Elevated temperature compression testing between 10(exp -4) to 10(exp -7)/s did not reveal an optimum growth condition, nor did any single growth condition result in a significant fracture toughness advantage. The mechanical behavior, taken together, suggests that Ni-33Al-31Cr-3Mo grown at rates from 25.4 to 254 mm/h will have nominally equivalent properties.

Synthesis of MgB2 at Low Temperature and Autogenous Pressure

PubMed Central

Mackinnon, Ian D. R.; Winnett, Abigail; Alarco, Jose A.; Talbot, Peter C.

2014-01-01

High quality, micron-sized interpenetrating grains of MgB2, with high density, are produced at low temperatures (~420 °C < T < ~500 °C) under autogenous pressure by pre-mixing Mg powder and NaBH4 and heating in an Inconel 601 alloy reactor for 5–15 h. Optimum production of MgB2, with yields greater than 75%, occurs for autogenous pressure in the range 1.0 MPa to 2.0 MPa, with the reactor at ~500 °C. Autogenous pressure is induced by the decomposition of NaBH4 in the presence of Mg and/or other Mg-based compounds. The morphology, transition temperature and magnetic properties of MgB2 are dependent on the heating regime. Significant improvement in physical properties accrues when the reactor temperature is held at 250 °C for >20 min prior to a hold at 500 °C. PMID:28788656

Effect of surface modification on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) catalyzed nitrobenzene reduction by sulfide.

PubMed

Liu, Qi; Zhao, Han-Qing; Li, Lei; He, Pan-Pan; Wang, Yi-Xuan; Yang, Hou-Yun; Hu, Zhen-Hu; Mu, Yang

2018-06-04

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) could be directly used as metal-free catalysts for the reduction of nitroaromatics by sulfide in water, but their catalytic ability need a further improvement. This study evaluated the feasibility of surface modification through thermal and radiation pretreatments to enhance catalytic activity of CNTs on nitrobenzene reduction by sulfide. The results show that thermal treatment could effectively improve the catalytic behaviors of CNTs for the reduction of nitrobenzene by sulfide, where the optimum annealing temperature was 400 °C. However, plasma radiation pretreatment didn't result in an obvious improvement of the CNTs catalytic activity. Moreover, the possible reasons have been explored and discussed in the study. Additionally, the impacts of various operational parameters on nitrobenzene reduction catalyzed by the CNTs after an optimized surface modification were also evaluated. It was found that the rate of nitrobenzene removal by sulfide was positively correlated with CNTs doses in a range of 0.3-300 mg L -1 ; the optimum pH was around 8.0; higher temperature and sulfide concentration facilitated the reaction; and the presence of humic acid exhibited a negative effect on nitrobenzene reduction. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Carnobacterium pleistocenium sp. nov., a novel psychrotolerant, facultative anaerobe isolated from permafrost of the Fox Tunnel in Alaska

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pilkuta, Elena V.; Marsic, Damien; Bej, Asim; Tang, Jane; Krader, Paul; Hoover, Richard B.

2005-01-01

A novel, psychrotolerant, facultative anaerobe, strain FTRl, was isolated from Pleistocene ice from the permafrost tunnel in Fox, Alaska. Gram-positive, motile, rod-shaped cells were observed with sizes 0(raised dot)6-0(raised dot)7 x 0(raised dot)9-1(raised dot)5 microns. Growth occurred within the pH range 6(raised dot)5-9(raised dot)5 with optimum growth at pH 7(raised dot)3-7(raised dot)5. The temperature range for growth of the novel isolate was 0-28 C and optimum growth occurred at 24 C. The novel isolate does not require NaCl; growth was observed between 0 and 5% NaCl with optimum growth at 0(raised dot)5% (w/v). The novel isolate was a catalase-negative chemoorganoheterotroph that used as substrates sugars and some products of proteolysis. The metabolic end products were acetate, ethanol and CO2. Strain FTRl was sensitive to ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, rifampicin, kanamycin and gentamicin. 16s rRNA gene sequence analysis showed 99(raised dot)8% similarity between strain FTR1 and Carnobacterium alterfunditum, but DNA-DNA hybridization between them demonstrated 39 plus or minus 1(raised dot)5% relatedness. On the basis of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, it is proposed that strain FTRl (= ATCC BAA-754T= JCM 12174T=CIP 108033) be assigned to the novel species Carnobacterium pleistocenium sp. nov.

Sporulation boundaries and spore formation kinetics of Bacillus spp. as a function of temperature, pH and a(w).

PubMed

Baril, Eugénie; Coroller, Louis; Couvert, Olivier; El Jabri, Mohammed; Leguerinel, Ivan; Postollec, Florence; Boulais, Christophe; Carlin, Frédéric; Mafart, Pierre

2012-10-01

Sporulation niches in the food chain are considered as a source of hazard and are not clearly identified. Determining the sporulation environmental boundaries could contribute to identify potential sporulation niches. Spore formation was determined in a Sporulation Mineral Buffer. The effect of incubation temperature, pH and water activity on time to one spore per mL, maximum sporulation rate and final spore concentration was investigated for a Bacillus weihenstephanensis and a Bacillus licheniformis strain. Sporulation boundaries of B. weihenstephanensis and of B. licheniformis were similar to, or included within, the range of temperatures, pH and water activities supporting growth. For instance, sporulation boundaries of B. weihenstephanensis were evaluated at 5°C, 35°C, pH 5.2 and a(w) 0.960 while growth boundaries were observed at 5°C, 37°C, pH 4.9 and a(w) 0.950. Optimum spore formation was determined at 30°C pH 7.2 for B. weihenstephanensis and at 45°C pH 7.2 for B. licheniformis. Lower temperatures and pH delayed the sporulation process. For instance, the time to one spore per mL was tenfold longer when sporulation occurred at 10°C and 20°C, for each strain respectively, than at optimum sporulation temperature. The relative effect of temperature and pH on sporulation rates and on growth rates is similar. This work suggests that the influence of environmental factors on the quantitative changes in sporulation boundaries and rates was similar to their influence on changes in growth rate. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sulfurirhabdus autotrophica gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater lake.

PubMed

Watanabe, Tomohiro; Kojima, Hisaya; Shinohara, Arisa; Fukui, Manabu

2016-01-01

A novel sulfur-oxidizing bacterium, designated strain BiS0T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from a freshwater lake in Japan. The cells were rod-shaped, 1.4-4.6 × 0.4-0.7 μm and Gram-stain-negative. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was around 44 mol%. The isolate possessed summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0 and C10 : 0 3-OH as major cellular fatty acids. Strain BiS0T grew by carbon dioxide fixation and oxidation of inorganic sulfur compounds with oxygen as the electron acceptor. Growth was observed over a temperature range of 0-32 °C (optimum, 15-22 °C), an NaCl concentration range of 0-546.4 mM (optimum 0-66.7 mM) and a pH range of 5.2-8.1 (optimum 6.1-6.3). Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, indicated that strain BiS0T belongs to the family Sulfuricellaceae in the class Betaproteobacteria. The closest cultured relatives were Sulfuricella denitrificans skB26T and Sulfuricella sp. T08, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 96.3 %. On the basis of the data obtained in this study, strain BiS0T represents a novel species of a novel genus, for which the name Sulfurirhabdus autotrophica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BiS0T ( = NBRC 110941T = DSM 100309T).

Thermococcus Thioreducens sp. Nov., a Novel Hyperthermophilic, Obligately Sulfur-reducing Archaeon from a Deep-sea Hydrothermal Vent

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pikuta, Elena V.; Marsic, Damien; Itoh, Takashi; Bej, Asim K.; Tang, Jane; Whitman, William B.; Ng, Joseph D.; Garriott, Owen K.; Hoover, Richard B.

2007-01-01

A hyperthermophilic, sulfur-reducing, organo-heterotrophic archaeon, strain OGL-20P was isolated from black smoker chimney material from the Rainbow hydrothermal vent site on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (36.2 N, 33.9 W). The cells of strain OGL-20P(sup T) have an irregular coccoid shape and are motile with a single flagellum. Growth was observed within the pH range 5.0-8.5 (optimum pH 7.0), NaCl concentration range 1-5 % (w/v) (optimum 3%), and temperature range 55-94 C (optimum 83-85 C). The novel isolate is strictly anaerobic and obligately dependent upon elemental sulfur as an electron acceptor, but it does not reduce sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate, iron (III) or nitrate. Proteolysis products (peptone, bacto-tryptone, casamino-acids, and yeast extract) are utilized as substrates during sulfur-reduction. Strain OGL-20P(sup T) is resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, and gentamycin, but sensitive to tetracycline and rifampicin. The G+C content of DNA is 52.9 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain OGL-20P(sup T) is closely related to Thermococcus coalescens and related species, but no significant homology by DNA-DNA hybridization was observed between those species and the new isolate. On the basis of physiological and molecular properties of the new isolate, we conclude that strain OGL-20P(sup T) represents a new separate species within the genus Thermococcus, and propose the name Thermococcus thioreducens sp. nov. The type strain is OGL-20P(sup T) (= ATCC BAA-394(sup T) = JCM 12859(sup T) = DSM 14981(sup T)).

Alkaline Anaerobic Respiration: Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Alkaliphilic and Metal-Reducing Bacterium

PubMed Central

Ye, Qi; Roh, Yul; Carroll, Susan L.; Blair, Benjamin; Zhou, Jizhong; Zhang, Chuanlun L.; Fields, Matthew W.

2004-01-01

Iron-reducing enrichments were obtained from leachate ponds at the U.S. Borax Company in Boron, Calif. Based on partial small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequences (approximately 500 nucleotides), six isolates shared 98.9% nucleotide identity. As a representative, the isolate QYMF was selected for further analysis. QYMF could be grown with Fe(III)-citrate, Fe(III)-EDTA, Co(III)-EDTA, or Cr(VI) as electron acceptors, and yeast extract and lactate could serve as electron donors. Growth during iron reduction occurred over the pH range of 7.5 to 11.0 (optimum, pH 9.5), a sodium chloride range of 0 to 80 g/liter (optimum, 20 g/liter), and a temperature range of 4 to 45°C (optimum, approximately 35°C), and iron precipitates were formed. QYMF was a strict anaerobe that could be grown in the presence of borax, and the cells were straight rods that produced endospores. Sodium chloride and yeast extract stimulated growth. Phylogenetic analysis of the SSU rRNA gene indicated that the bacterium was a low-G+C gram-positive microorganism and had 96 and 92% nucleotide identity with Alkaliphilus transvaalensis and Alkaliphilus crotonatoxidans, respectively. The major phospholipid fatty acids were 14:1, 16:1ω7c, and 16:0, which were different from those of other alkaliphiles but similar to those of reported iron-reducing bacteria. The results demonstrated that the isolate might represent a novel metal-reducing alkaliphilic species. The name Alkaliphilus metalliredigens sp. nov. is proposed. The isolation and activity of metal-reducing bacteria from borax-contaminated leachate ponds suggest that bioremediation of metal-contaminated alkaline environments may be feasible and have implications for alkaline anaerobic respiration. PMID:15345448

Thermococcus thioreducens sp. nov., a Novel Hyperthermophilic, Obligately Sulfur-Reducing Archaeon from a Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pikuta, Elena V.; Marsic, Damien; Itoh, Takashi; Bej, Asim K.; Tang, Jane; Whitman, William B.; Ng, Joseph D.; Garriott, Owen K.; Hoover, Richard B.

2007-01-01

A hyperthermophilic, sulfur-reducing, organo-heterotrophic archaeon, strain OGL-20P(sup T), was isolated from 'black smoker' chimney material from the Rainbow hydrothermal vent site on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (36.2degN, 33.9degW). The cells of strain OGL-20P(T) have an irregular coccoid shape and are motile with a single flagellum. Growth was observed within a pH range of 5.0-8.5 (optimum pH 7.0), an NaCl concentration range of 1-5%(w/v) (optimum 3%)and a temperature range of 55-94 C (optimum 83-85 C). The novel isolate is strictly anaerobic and obligately dependent upon elemental sulfur as an electron acceptor, but it does not reduce sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate, Fe(III) or nitrate. Proteolysis products (peptone, bacto-tryptone, Casamino acids and yeast extract) are utilized as substrates during sulfur reduction. Strain OGL-20P(sup T) is resistant to ampicillin, chloram phenicol, kanamycin and gentamicin, but sensitive to tetracycline and rifampicin. The G + C content of the DNA is 52.9 mol% The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain OGL-20P(sup T) is closely related to Thermococcus coalescens and related species, but no significant homology by DNA-DNA hybridization was observed between those species and the new isolate. On the basis of physiological and molecular properties of the new isolate, we conclude that strain OGL-20P(sup T) represents a new separate species within the genus Thermococcus, for which we propose the name Thermococcus thioreducens sp. nov. The type strain is OGL-20P(sup T) (=JCM 12859(exp T) = DSM 14981(exp T)=ATCC BAA-394(exp T)).

Decomposition of Alternative Chirality Amino Acids by Alkaliphilic Anaerobe from Owens Lake, California

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Townsend, Alisa; Pikuta, Elena V.; Guisler, Melissa; Hoover, Richard B.

2009-01-01

The study of alkaliphilic microbial communities from anaerobic sediments of Owens and Mono Lakes in California led to the isolation of a bacterial strain capable of metabolizing amino acids with alternative chirality. According to the phylogenetic analysis, the anaerobic strain BK1 belongs to the genus Tindallia; however, despite the characteristics of other described species of this genus, the strain BK1 was able to grow on D-arginine and Dlysine. Cell morphology of this strain showed straight, motile, non-spore-forming rods with sizes 0.45 x 1.2-3 microns. Physiological characteristics of the strain showed that it is catalase negative, obligately anaerobic, mesophilic, and obligately alkaliphilic. This isolate is unable to grow at pH 7 and requires CO3 (2-) ions for growth. The strain has chemo-heterotrophic metabolism and is able to ferment various proteolysis products and some sugars. It plays the role of a primary anaerobe within the trophic chain of an anaerobic microbial community by the degradation of complex protein molecules to smaller and less energetic molecules. The new isolate requires NaCl for growth, and can grow within the range of 0.5-13 %, with the optimum at 1 % NaCl (w/v). The temperature range for the growth of the new isolate is 12-40 C with optimum at 35 C. The pH range for the growth of strain BK1 occurs between 7.8 and 11.0 with optimum at 9.5. This paper presents detailed physiological characteristics of the novel isolate from Owens Lake, a unique relic ecosystem of Astrobiological significance, and makes an accent on the ability of this strain to utilize L-amino acids.

The Sulfur Oxygenase Reductase from the Mesophilic Bacterium Halothiobacillus neapolitanus Is a Highly Active Thermozyme

PubMed Central

Veith, Andreas; Botelho, Hugo M.; Kindinger, Florian; Gomes, Cláudio M.

2012-01-01

A biochemical, biophysical, and phylogenetic study of the sulfur oxygenase reductase (SOR) from the mesophilic gammaproteobacterium Halothiobacillus neapolitanus (HnSOR) was performed in order to determine the structural and biochemical properties of the enzyme. SOR proteins from 14 predominantly chemolithoautotrophic bacterial and archaeal species are currently available in public databases. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that they form a coherent protein family. The HnSOR purified from Escherichia coli after heterologous gene expression had a temperature range of activity of 10 to 99°C with an optimum at 80°C (42 U/mg protein). Sulfite, thiosulfate, and hydrogen sulfide were formed at various stoichiometries in a range between pH 5.4 and 11 (optimum pH 8.4). Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering showed that the HnSOR adopts secondary and quaternary structures similar to those of the 24-subunit enzyme from the hyperthermophile Acidianus ambivalens (AaSOR). The melting point of the HnSOR was ≈20°C lower than that of the AaSOR, when analyzed with CD-monitored thermal unfolding. Homology modeling showed that the secondary structure elements of single subunits are conserved. Subtle changes in the pores of the outer shell and increased flexibility might contribute to activity at low temperature. We concluded that the thermostability was the result of a rigid protein core together with the stabilizing effect of the 24-subunit hollow sphere. PMID:22139503

Development of a Molecular Tagging Velocimetry Technique for Non-Intrusive Velocity Measurements in Low-Speed Gas Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Andre, M. A.; Bardet, P. M.; Cadell, S. R.; Woods, B.; Burns, R. A.; Danehy, P. M.

2017-01-01

N2O molecular tagging velocimetry (N2O-MTV) is developed for use in very-high-temperature reactor environments. Tests were carried out to determine the optimum excitation wavelength, tracer concentration, and timing parameters for the laser system. Using NO tracers obtained from photo-dissociation of N2O, velocity profiles are successfully obtained in air, nitrogen, and helium for a large range of parameters: temperature from 295 to 781 K, pressure from 1 to 3 bars, with a velocity precision of 0.01 m/s. Furthermore, by using two read pulses at adjustable time delays, the velocity dynamic range can be increased. An unprecedented dynamic range of 5,000 has been obtained to successfully resolve the flow during a helium blowdown from 1000 m/s down to 0.2 m/s. This technique is also applied to the high-temperature test facility (HTTF) at Oregon State University (OSU) during a depressurized condition cooldown (DCC) event. Details of these measurements are presented in a companion paper. This technique shows a strong potential for fundamental understanding of gas flows in nuclear reactors and to provide benchmark experimental data to validate numerical simulations.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chakraborty, Gopa, E-mail: gopa_mjs@igcar.gov.in; Das, C.R.; Albert, S.K.

Martensitic stainless steels find extensive applications due to their optimum combination of strength, hardness and wear-resistance in tempered condition. However, this class of steels is susceptible to embrittlement during tempering if it is carried out in a specific temperature range resulting in significant reduction in toughness. Embrittlement of as-normalised AISI 410 martensitic stainless steel, subjected to tempering treatment in the temperature range of 673–923 K was studied using Charpy impact tests followed by metallurgical investigations using field emission scanning electron and transmission electron microscopes. Carbides precipitated during tempering were extracted by electrochemical dissolution of the matrix and identified by X-raymore » diffraction. Studies indicated that temper embrittlement is highest when the steel is tempered at 823 K. Mostly iron rich carbides are present in the steel subjected to tempering at low temperatures of around 723 K, whereas chromium rich carbides (M{sub 23}C{sub 6}) dominate precipitation at high temperature tempering. The range 773–823 K is the transition temperature range for the precipitates, with both Fe{sub 2}C and M{sub 23}C{sub 6} types of carbides coexisting in the material. The nucleation of Fe{sub 2}C within the martensite lath, during low temperature tempering, has a definite role in the embrittlement of this steel. Embrittlement is not observed at high temperature tempering because of precipitation of M{sub 23}C{sub 6} carbides, instead of Fe{sub 2}C, preferentially along the lath and prior austenite boundaries. Segregation of S and P, which is widely reported as one of the causes for temper embrittlement, could not be detected in the material even through Auger electron spectroscopy studies. - Highlights: • Tempering behaviour of AISI 410 steel is studied within 673–923 K temperature range. • Temperature regime of maximum embrittlement is identified as 773–848 K. • Results show that type of carbide precipitation varies with temperature of tempering. • Mostly iron rich Fe{sub 2}C carbides are present in the embrittlement temperature range. • With the precipitation of M{sub 23}C{sub 6} carbides, recovery from the embrittlement begins.« less

Enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass by Kitasatospora sp. to produce xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahmani, Nanik; Jannah, Alifah Mafatikhul; Lisdiyanti, Puspita; Prasetya, Bambang; Yopi

2017-11-01

The optimizations of enzymatic hydrolysis to produce of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOs) from three different lignocellulosic biomasses were investigated. Sugarcane bagasse, oil palm empty fruit bunch, and rice straw contain rich hemicelluloses especially hetero-xylan which can be hydrolyzes by endo-xylanase enzyme. Enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse by endo-xylanase from Kitasatospora sp. was optimum at temperature hydrolysis 30 °C using 16 U of enzyme concentrations and 4 % substrate concentrations, while oil palm empty fruit bunchwas optimum at temperature hydrolysis 30 °C using 16 U of enzyme concentrations and 5 % substrate concentrations, and rice straw was optimum at 40 °C temperature hydrolysis using 16 U of enzyme concentrations and 4 % substrate concentrations. The hydrolysis products were analyzed by TLC and HPLC. The main product hydrolysis for sugarcane bagasse, oil palm empty fruit bunch and rice straw are xylobiose.

Buried Object Detection Method Using Optimum Frequency Range in Extremely Shallow Underground

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugimoto, Tsuneyoshi; Abe, Touma

2011-07-01

We propose a new detection method for buried objects using the optimum frequency response range of the corresponding vibration velocity. Flat speakers and a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (SLDV) are used for noncontact acoustic imaging in the extremely shallow underground. The exploration depth depends on the sound pressure, but it is usually less than 10 cm. Styrofoam, wood (silver fir), and acrylic boards of the same size, different size styrofoam boards, a hollow toy duck, a hollow plastic container, a plastic container filled with sand, a hollow steel can and an unglazed pot are used as buried objects which are buried in sand to about 2 cm depth. The imaging procedure of buried objects using the optimum frequency range is given below. First, the standardized difference from the average vibration velocity is calculated for all scan points. Next, using this result, underground images are made using a constant frequency width to search for the frequency response range of the buried object. After choosing an approximate frequency response range, the difference between the average vibration velocity for all points and that for several points that showed a clear response is calculated for the final confirmation of the optimum frequency range. Using this optimum frequency range, we can obtain the clearest image of the buried object. From the experimental results, we confirmed the effectiveness of our proposed method. In particular, a clear image of the buried object was obtained when the SLDV image was unclear.

Simulation of temperature effect on microalgae culture in a tubular photo bioreactor for local solar irradiance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahriar, M.; Deb, Ujjwal Kumar; Rahman, Kazi Afzalur

2017-06-01

Microalgae based biofuel is now an emerging source of renewable energy alternative to the fossil fuel. This paper aims to present computational model of microalgae culture taking effect of solar irradiance and corresponding temperature in a photo bioreactor (PBR). As microalgae is a photosynthetic microorganism, so irradiance of sunlight is one of the important limiting factors for the proper growth of microalgae cells as temperature is associated with it. We consider the transient behaviour of temperature inside the photo bioreactor for a microalgae culture. The optimum range of temperature for outdoor cultivation of microalgae is about 16-35°c and out of this range the cell growth inhibits. Many correlations have already been established to investigate the heat transfer phenomena inside a tubular PBR. However, none of them are validated yet numerically by using a user defined function in a simulated model. A horizontal tubular PBR length 20.5m with radius 0.05m has taken account to investigate the temperature effect for the growth of microalgae cell. As the solar irradiance varies at any geographic latitude for a year so an empirical relation is established between local solar irradiance and temperature to simulate the effect. From our simulation, we observed that the growth of microalgae has a significant effect of temperature and the solar irradiance of our locality is suitable for the culture of microalgae.

Interaction between radiation effects, gravity and other environmental factors in Tribolium confusum.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yang, C. H.; Tobias, C. A.

1973-01-01

The development of the flour beetle, Tribolium confusum, was studied through all stages of its life cycle. The results show that for each environmental factor there is a limited range of values within which the organisms are able best to survive and that this optimum range of survival becomes smaller when additional stresses are imposed upon the organism. This has been shown for external temperature, oxygen content of the atmosphere, gravity compensation, and radiation. On Biosatellite II it was shown that Tribolium pupae irradiated in spaceflight exhibited more wing abnormalities than ground controls. Later it was shown that gravity compensation, when combined with irradiation, can induce a similar effect at ground level.

The Temperature Effect on the Compressive Behavior of Closed-Cell Aluminum-Alloy Foams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Movahedi, Nima; Linul, Emanoil; Marsavina, Liviu

2018-01-01

In this research, the mechanical behavior of closed-cell aluminum (Al)-alloy foams was investigated at different temperatures in the range of 25-450 °C. The main mechanical properties of porous Al-alloy foams are affected by the testing temperature, and they decrease with the increase in the temperature during uniaxial compression. From both the constant/serrated character of stress-strain curves and macro/microstructural morphology of deformed cellular structure, it was found that Al foams present a transition temperature from brittle to ductile behavior around 192 °C. Due to the softening of the cellular structure at higher temperatures, linear correlations of the stress amplitude and that of the absorbed energy with the temperature were proposed. Also, it was observed that the presence of inherent defects like micropores in the foam cell walls induced further local stress concentration which weakens the cellular structure's strength and crack propagation and cell-wall plastic deformation are the dominant collapse mechanisms. Finally, an energy absorption study was performed and an optimum temperature was proposed.

Thermal resistance model for CSP central receivers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Meyer, O. A. J.; Dinter, F.; Govender, S.

2016-05-01

The receiver design and heliostat field aiming strategy play a vital role in the heat transfer efficiency of the receiver. In molten salt external receivers, the common operating temperature of the heat transfer fluid or molten salt ranges between 285°C to 565°C. The optimum output temperature of 565°C is achieved by adjusting the mass flow rate of the molten salt through the receiver. The reflected solar radiation onto the receiver contributes to the temperature rise in the molten salt by means of heat transfer. By investigating published work on molten salt external receiver operating temperatures, corresponding receiver tube surface temperatures and heat losses, a model has been developed to obtain a detailed thermographic representation of the receiver. The steady state model uses a receiver flux map as input to determine: i) heat transfer fluid mass flow rate through the receiver to obtain the desired molten salt output temperature of 565°C, ii) receiver surface temperatures iii) receiver tube temperatures iv) receiver efficiency v) pressure drop across the receiver and vi) corresponding tube strain per panel.

Method for heat treating iron-nickel-chromium alloy

DOEpatents

Not Available

1980-04-03

A method is described for heat treating an age-hardenable iron-nickel-chromium alloy to obtain a morphology of the gamma-double prime phase enveloping the gamma-prime, the alloy consisting essentially of about 25 to 45% nickel, 10 to 16% chromium, 1.5 to 3% of an element selected from the group consisting of molybdenum and niobium, about 2% titanium, about 3% aluminum, and the remainder substantially all iron. To obtain optimum results, the alloy is heated to a temperature of 1025 to 1075/sup 0/C for 2 to 5 minutes, cold-worked about 20 to 60%, aged at a temperature of about 775/sup 0/C for 8 hours followed by an air-cool, and then heated to a temperature in the range of 650 to 700/sup 0/C for 2 hours followed by an air-cool.

Influence of Temperature on Population Development of Eight Species of Pratylenchus on Soybean

PubMed Central

Acosta, Nelia; Malek, R. B.

1979-01-01

In a soil temperature study, population increase on 'Clark 63' soybeatt was most rapid at 30 C in Pratylenchus alleni, P. brachyurus, P. cofleae, P. neglectus, P. scribneri, and P. zeae and at 25 C in P. penetrans and P. vulnus. The last two were the only species that reproduced at 15 C. Populations of all species increased over the range of 20-30 C, except those of P. neglectus at 20 C and P. coffeae, which was not tested below 25 C. Only P. brachyurus, P. neglectus, P. scribneri and P. zeae reproduced at 35 C. At their optimum temperatures, P. scribneri exhibited the greatest population increase, 1248-fold, and P. penetrans the least, 32-fold. This is the first report of soybean as a host for P. vulnus. PMID:19300639

Method for heat treating iron-nickel-chromium alloy

DOEpatents

Merrick, Howard F.; Korenko, Michael K.

1982-01-01

A method for heat treating an age-hardenable iron-nickel-chromium alloy to obtain a bimodal distribution of gamma prime phase within a network of dislocations, the alloy consisting essentially of about 25% to 45% nickel, 10% to 16% chromium, 1.5% to 3% of an element selected from the group consisting of molybdenum and niobium, about 2% titanium, about 3% aluminum, and the remainder substantially all iron. To obtain optimum results, the alloy is heated to a temperature of 1025.degree. C. to 1075.degree. C. for 2-5 minutes, cold-worked about 20% to 60%, aged at a temperature of about 775.degree. C. for 8 hours followed by an air-cool, and then heated to a temperature in the range of 650.degree. C. to 700.degree. C. for 2 hours followed by an air-cool.

Processing, Microstructures and Properties of a Dual Phase Precipitation-Hardening PM Stainless Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schade, Christopher

To improve the mechanical properties of PM stainless steels in comparison with their wrought counterparts, a PM stainless steel alloy was developed which combines a dual-phase microstructure with precipitation-hardening. The use of a mixed microstructure of martensite and ferrite results in an alloy with a combination of the optimum properties of each phase, namely strength and ductility. The use of precipitation hardening via the addition of copper results in additional strength and hardness. A range of compositions was studied in combination with various sintering conditions to determine the optimal thermal processing to achieve the desired microstructure. The microstructure could be varied from predominately ferrite to one containing a high percentage of martensite by additions of copper and a variation of the sintering temperature before rapid cooling. Mechanical properties (transverse rupture strength (TRS), yield strength, tensile strength, ductility and impact toughness) were measured as a function of the v/o ferrite in the microstructure. A dual phase alloy with the optimal combination of properties served as the base for introducing precipitation hardening. Copper was added to the base alloy at various levels and its effect on the microstructure and mechanical properties was quantified. Processing at various sintering temperatures led to a range of microstructures; dilatometry was used utilized to monitor and understand the transformations and the formation of the two phases. The aging process was studied as a function of temperature and time by measuring TRS, yield strength, tensile strength, ductility, impact toughness and apparent hardness. It was determined that optimum aging was achieved at 538°C for 1h. Aging at slightly lower temperatures led to the formation of carbides, which contributed to reduced hardness and tensile strength. As expected, at the peak aging temperature, an increase in yield strength and ultimate tensile strength as well as apparent hardness was found. Aging also lead to an unexpected and concurrent increase in ductility and impact toughness. The alloys also showed an increase in strain hardening on aging. The increase in ductility varied with the v/o martensite in the microstructure and was shown to occur after short time intervals at the optimum aging temperature. Compressive strength measurements revealed that the increase in ductility was due to the relaxation of residuals stresses that occur when the high temperature austenite transforms to martensite in the dual phase microstructure. The specific volume of martensite is much larger than that of austenite so that when the transformation takes place, a compressive stress is induced in the ferrite. In the sintered state, the residual stress leads to a higher work hardening rate in tension. When the alloy is aged, the work hardening rate is reduced and the ductility is increased compared with the sintered state, even though aging increases the strength and apparent hardness.

Estimation of Temperature Range for Cryo Cutting of Frozen Mackerel using DSC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okamoto, Kiyoshi; Hagura, Yoshio; Suzuki, Kanichi

Frozen mackerel flesh was subjected to measurement of its fracture stress (bending energy) in a low temperature range. The optimum conditions for low temperature cutting, "cryo cutting," were estimated from the results of enthalpy changes measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). There were two enthalpy changes for gross transition on the DSC chart for mackerel, one was at -63°C to -77°C and the other at -96°C to -112°C. Thus we estimated that mackerel was able to cut by bending below -63°C and that there would be a great decrease in bending energy occurring at around -77°C and -112°C. In testing, there were indeed two great decreases of bending energy for the test pieces of mackerel that had been frozen at -40°C, one was at -70°C to -90°C and the other was at -100°C to -120°C. Therefore, the test pieces of mackerel could be cut by bending at -70°C. The results showed that the DSC measurement of mackerel flesh gave a good estimation of the appropriate cutting temperature of mackerel.

[Isolation and characterization of Thermopirellula anaerolimosa gen. nov., sp. nov., an obligate anaerobic hydrogen-producing bacterium of the phylum Planctomycetes].

PubMed

Liu, Dongying; Liu, Yi; Men, Xuehui; Guo, Qunqun; Guo, Rongbo; Qiu, Yanling

2012-08-04

To cultivate various yet-to-be cultured heterotrophs from anaerobic granule sludge, we used a selective culture medium with low concentrations of substrates supplemented a variety of antibiotics. An obligate anaerobic, thermophilic, hydrogen-producing bacterium, strain VM20-7(T), was isolated from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating high-strength organic wastewater from isomerized sugar production processes. Cells of strain VM20-7(T) are non-motile, spherical, pear or teardrop shaped, occurring singly(o)r as aggregates (0.7 - 2.0 microm x 0.7 - 2.0 microm). Spore formation was not observed. Growth temperature ranges from 35 - 50 degrees C (optimum 45 degrees C), pH ranges from 6.0 - 8.3 (optimum 7.0 - 7.5) , NaCl tolerant concentration ranges from 0% - 0.5% (w/v, optimum 0% ). Nitrate, sulfate, thiosulfate, sulfite, elemental sulfur and Fe (III)-NTA were not used as terminal electron acceptors. Strain VM20-7(T) utilizes a wide range of carbohydrates, including glucose, maltose, ribose, xylose, sucrose, galactose, mannose, raffinose, pectin, yeast extract and xylan. Acetate and H2 are the main end products of glucose fermentation. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 60.9 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that it is related to the Pirellula-Rhodopirellula-Blastopirellula (PRB) clade within the order Planctomycetales (82.7 - 84.3% similarity with 16S rRNA genes of other known related species). The first obligate anaerobic bacterium within the phylum Planctomycetes was isolated with low concentration of carbohydrates and antibiotics. On the basis of the physiological and phylogenetic data, the name Thermopirellula anaerolimosa gen. nov. , sp. nov. is proposed for strain VM20-7(T) (= CGMCC 1.5169(T) = JCM 17478(T) = DSM 24165(T)).

Microstructural, mechanical and tribological investigation of 30CrMnSiNi2A ultra-high strength steel under various tempering temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arslan Hafeez, Muhammad; Farooq, Ameeq

2018-01-01

The aim of the research was to investigate the variation in microstructural, mechanical and tribological characteristics of 30CrMnSiNi2A ultra-high strength steel as a function of tempering temperatures. Steel was quenched at 880 °C and tempered at five different tempering temperatures ranging from 250 °C to 650 °C. Optical microscopy and pin on disc tribometer was used to evaluate the microstructural and wear properties. Results show that characteristics of 30CrMnSiNi2A are highly sensitive to tempering temperatures. Lathe and plate shaped martensite obtained by quenching transform first into ε-carbide, second cementite, third coarsened and spheroidized cementite and finally into recovered ferrite and austenite. Hardness, tensile and yield strengths decreased while elongation increased with tempering temperatures. On the other hand, wear rate first markedly decreased and then increased. Optimum amalgamation of characteristics was achieved at 350 °C.

Formation of titanium diboride coatings during the anodic polarization of titanium in a chloride melt with a low boron oxide content

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elshina, L. A.; Malkov, V. B.; Molchanova, N. G.

2015-02-01

The corrosion-electrochemical behavior of titanium in a molten eutectic mixture of cesium and sodium chlorides containing up to 1 wt % boron oxide is studied in the temperature range 810-870 K in an argon atmosphere. The potential, the current, and the rate of titanium corrosion are determined. The optimum conditions of forming a dense continuous titanium diboride coating on titanium with high adhesion to the metallic base are found for the anodic activation of titanium in the molten electrolyte under study.

Attachment of lead wires to thin film thermocouples mounted on high temperature materials using the parallel gap welding process

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holanda, Raymond; Kim, Walter S.; Pencil, Eric; Groth, Mary; Danzey, Gerald A.

1990-01-01

Parallel gap resistance welding was used to attach lead wires to sputtered thin film sensors. Ranges of optimum welding parameters to produce an acceptable weld were determined. The thin film sensors were Pt13Rh/Pt thermocouples; they were mounted on substrates of MCrAlY-coated superalloys, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and silicon nitride. The entire sensor system is designed to be used on aircraft engine parts. These sensor systems, including the thin-film-to-lead-wire connectors, were tested to 1000 C.

Optimisation of Ferrochrome Addition Using Multi-Objective Evolutionary and Genetic Algorithms for Stainless Steel Making via AOD Converter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Behera, Kishore Kumar; Pal, Snehanshu

2018-03-01

This paper describes a new approach towards optimum utilisation of ferrochrome added during stainless steel making in AOD converter. The objective of optimisation is to enhance end blow chromium content of steel and reduce the ferrochrome addition during refining. By developing a thermodynamic based mathematical model, a study has been conducted to compute the optimum trade-off between ferrochrome addition and end blow chromium content of stainless steel using a predator prey genetic algorithm through training of 100 dataset considering different input and output variables such as oxygen, argon, nitrogen blowing rate, duration of blowing, initial bath temperature, chromium and carbon content, weight of ferrochrome added during refining. Optimisation is performed within constrained imposed on the input parameters whose values fall within certain ranges. The analysis of pareto fronts is observed to generate a set of feasible optimal solution between the two conflicting objectives that provides an effective guideline for better ferrochrome utilisation. It is found out that after a certain critical range, further addition of ferrochrome does not affect the chromium percentage of steel. Single variable response analysis is performed to study the variation and interaction of all individual input parameters on output variables.

Structural evaluations and temperature dependent photoluminescence characterizations of Eu3+-activated SrZrO3 hollow spheres for luminescence thermometry applications

PubMed Central

Das, Subrata; Som, Sudipta; Yang, Che-Yuan; Chavhan, Sudam; Lu, Chung-Hsin

2016-01-01

This research is focused on the temperature sensing ability of perovskite SrZrO3:Eu3+ hollow spheres synthesized via the sol-gel method followed by heating. The Rietveld refinement indicated that the precursors annealed at 1100 °C were crystallized to form orthorhombic SrZrO3. SrZrO3 particles exhibited non-agglomerated hollow spherical morphology with an average particle size of 300 nm. The UV-excited photoluminescence spectrum of SrZrO3:Eu3+ consisted of two regions. One region was associated with SrZrO3 trap emission, and the other one was related to the emission of Eu3+ ions. The intensity ratio of the emission of Eu3+ ions to the host emission (FIR) and the emission lifetime of Eu3+ ions were measured in the temperature range of 300–550 K. The sensitivity obtained via the lifetime method was 7.3× lower than that measured via the FIR. Within the optimum temperature range of 300–460 K, the as-estimated sensor sensitivity was increased from 0.0013 to 0.028 K−1. With a further increase in temperatures, the sensitivity started to decline. A maximum relative sensitivity was estimated to be 2.22%K−1 at 460 K. The resolutions in both methods were below 1K in the above temperature range. The results indicated the suitability of SrZrO3:Eu3+ for the distinct high temperature sensing applications. PMID:27189117

Gasification of empty fruit bunch with carbon dioxide in an entrained flow gasifier for syngas production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahmat, N. F. H.; Rasid, R. A.

2017-06-01

The main objectives of this work are to study the gasification of EFB in an atmospheric entrained flow gasifier, using carbon dioxide (CO2) as its gasifying agent and to determine the optimum gasification operating conditions, which includes temperature and the oxidant to fuel (OTF) ratio. These were evaluated in terms of important gasification parameters such as the concentration of hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) produced the syngas ratio H2/CO and carbon conversion. The gasification reactions take place in the presence of CO2 at very high reaction rate because of the high operating temperature (700°C - 900°C). The use of CO2 as the oxidant for gasification process can improve the composition of syngas produced as in the Boudouard reaction. Rise of reaction temperature which is 900°C will increase the concentration of both H2 & CO by up to 81 and 30 respectively, though their production were decreased after the OTF ratio of 0.6 for temperature 700°C & 800°C and OTF ratio 0.8 for temperature 750°C. The operating temperature must be higher than 850°C to ensure the Boudouard reaction become the more prominent reaction for the biomass gasification. The syngas ratio obtained was in the range of ≈ 0.6 - 2.4 which is sufficient for liquid fuel synthesis. For the carbon conversion, the highest fuel conversion recorded at temperature 850°C for all OTF ratios. As the OTF ratio increases, it was found that there was an increase in the formation of CO and H2. This suggests that to achieve higher carbon conversion, high operating temperature and OTF ratio are preferable. This study provides information on the optimum operating conditions for the gasification of biomass, especially the EFB, hence may upsurge the utilization of biomass waste as an energy source.

Thermoelastic analysis of solar cell arrays and their material properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salama, M. A.; Rowe, W. M.; Yasui, R. K.

1973-01-01

A thermoelastic stress analysis procedure is reported for predicting the thermally induced stresses and failures in silicon solar cell arrays. A prerequisite for the analysis is the characterization of the temperature-dependent thermal and mechanical properties of the solar cell materials. Extensive material property testing was carried out in the temperature range -200 to +200 C for the filter glass, P- and N-type silicon, interconnector metals, solder, and several candidate silicone rubber adhesives. The analysis procedure is applied to several solar cell array design configurations. Results of the analysis indicate the optimum design configuration, with respect to compatible materials, effect of the solder coating, and effect of the interconnector geometry. Good agreement was found between results of the analysis and the test program.

Optimisation of the reaction conditions for the production of cross-linked starch with high resistant starch content.

PubMed

Kahraman, Kevser; Koksel, Hamit; Ng, Perry K W

2015-05-01

The optimum reaction conditions (temperature and pH) for the preparation of cross-linked (CL) corn and wheat starches with maximum resistant starch (RS) content were investigated by using response surface methodology (RSM). According to the preliminary results, five levels were selected for reaction temperature (38-70 °C) and pH (10-12) in the main study. RS contents of the CL corn and wheat starch samples increased with increasing temperature and pH, and pH had a greater influence on RS content than had temperature. The maximum RS content (with a maximum p value of 0.4%) was obtained in wheat starch cross-linked at 38 °C and pH 12. In the case of CL corn starch, the optimum condition was 70 °C and pH 12. CL corn and wheat starch samples were also produced separately under the optimum conditions and their RS contents were 80.4% and 83.9%, respectively. These results were also in agreement with the values predicted by RSM. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efficiency optimization of a closed indirectly fired gas turbine cycle working under two variable-temperature heat reservoirs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Zheshu; Wu, Jieer

2011-08-01

Indirectly or externally fired gas turbines (IFGT or EFGT) are interesting technologies under development for small and medium scale combined heat and power (CHP) supplies in combination with micro gas turbine technologies. The emphasis is primarily on the utilization of the waste heat from the turbine in a recuperative process and the possibility of burning biomass even "dirty" fuel by employing a high temperature heat exchanger (HTHE) to avoid the combustion gases passing through the turbine. In this paper, finite time thermodynamics is employed in the performance analysis of a class of irreversible closed IFGT cycles coupled to variable temperature heat reservoirs. Based on the derived analytical formulae for the dimensionless power output and efficiency, the efficiency optimization is performed in two aspects. The first is to search the optimum heat conductance distribution corresponding to the efficiency optimization among the hot- and cold-side of the heat reservoirs and the high temperature heat exchangers for a fixed total heat exchanger inventory. The second is to search the optimum thermal capacitance rate matching corresponding to the maximum efficiency between the working fluid and the high-temperature heat reservoir for a fixed ratio of the thermal capacitance rates of the two heat reservoirs. The influences of some design parameters on the optimum heat conductance distribution, the optimum thermal capacitance rate matching and the maximum power output, which include the inlet temperature ratio of the two heat reservoirs, the efficiencies of the compressor and the gas turbine, and the total pressure recovery coefficient, are provided by numerical examples. The power plant configuration under optimized operation condition leads to a smaller size, including the compressor, turbine, two heat reservoirs and the HTHE.

The effect of ultraviolet irradiation on the ultra-thin HfO{sub 2} based CO gas sensor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Karaduman, Irmak; Barin, Özlem; Acar, Selim

2015-11-07

In this work, an effort has been made to fabricate ultrathin HfO{sub 2}/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} sample by atomic layer deposition method for the fast detection of CO gas at room temperature. The effect of the operating temperature and the UV light on the gas sensing characteristics has been studied. We investigated the optimum operating temperature for the sample by sensing 25 ppm CO and CO{sub 2} gases from room temperature to 150 °C for 10 °C steps. The maximum response was obtained at 150 °C for both gases in the measurement temperature range. Also, the photoresponse measurements clearly show the effect of UV lightmore » on the sample. At room temperature, sensor showed superior response (14%) for 5 ppm CO gas. The response time of sensor is 6 s to 5 ppm CO gas concentration. The ultrathin HfO{sub 2} based sample shows acceptable gas sensitivity for 5 ppm CO gas at room temperature under UV light irradiation.« less

Influence of Sintering Temperature on Hardness and Wear Properties of TiN Nano Reinforced SAF 2205

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oke, S. R.; Ige, O. O.; E Falodun, O.; Obadele, B. A.; Mphalele, M. R.; Olubambi, P. A.

2017-12-01

Conventional duplex stainless steel degrade in wear and mechanical properties at high temperature. Attempts have been made by researchers to solve this problems leading to the dispersion of second phase particles into duplex matrix. Powder metallurgy methods have been used to fabricate dispersion strengthened steels with a challenge of obtaining fully dense composite and grain growth. This could be resolved by appropriate selection of sintering parameters especially temperature. In this research, spark plasma sintering was utilized to fabricate nanostructured duplex stainless steel grade SAF 2205 with 5 wt.% nano TiN addition at different temperatures ranging from 1000 °C to 1200 °C. The effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure, density, hardness and wear of the samples was investigated. The results showed that the densities and grain sizes of the sintered nanocomposites increased with increasing the sintering temperature. The microstructures reveal ferrite and austenite grains with fine precipitates within the ferrite grains. The study of the hardness and wear behaviors, of the samples indicated that the optimum properties were obtained for the sintering temperature of 1150 °C.

Enhanced stability and catalytic activity of immobilized α-amylase on modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles for potential application in food industries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hosseinipour, Seyyedeh Leila; Khiabani, Mahmoud Sowti; Hamishehkar, Hamed; Salehi, Roya

2015-09-01

Enzymes play an essential role in catalyzing various reactions. However, their instability upon repetitive/prolonged use, elevated temperature, acidic or alkaline pH remains an area of concern. α-Amylase, a widely used enzyme in food industries for starch hydrolysis, was covalently immobilized on the surface of two developed matrices, amino-functionalized silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles (AFSMNPs) alone and covered with chitosan. The synthesis steps and characterizations of NPs were examined by FT-IR, VSM, and SEM. Modified nanoparticles with average diameters of 20-80 nm were obtained. Enzyme immobilization efficiencies of 89 and 74 were obtained for AFSMNPs and chitosan-coated AFSMNPs, respectively. The optimum pH obtained was 6.5 and 8.0 for the enzyme immobilized on AFSMNPs and chitosan-coated AFSMNPs, respectively. Optimum temperature for the immobilized enzyme shifted toward higher temperatures. Considerable enhancements in thermal stabilities were observed for the immobilized enzyme at elevated temperatures up to 80 °C. A frequent use experiment demonstrated that the immobilized enzyme retained 74 and 85 % of its original activity even after 20 times of repeated use in AFSMNPs and chitosan-coated AFSMNPs, respectively. Storage stability demonstrated that free enzyme lost its activity completely within 30 days. But, immobilized enzyme on AFSMNPs and chitosan-coated AFSMNPs preserved 65.73 and 78.63 % of its initial activity, respectively, after 80 days of incubation. In conclusion, a substantial improvement in the performance of the immobilized enzyme with reference to the free enzyme was obtained. Furthermore, the relative activities of immobilized enzyme are superior than free enzyme over the broader pH and temperature ranges.

Development of Carbotrap B-packed needle trap device for determination of volatile organic compounds in air.

PubMed

Poormohammadi, Ali; Bahrami, Abdulrahman; Farhadian, Maryam; Ghorbani Shahna, Farshid; Ghiasvand, Alireza

2017-12-08

Carbotrap B as a highly pure surface sorbent with excellent adsorption/desorption properties was packed into a stainless steel needle to develop a new needle trap device (NTD). The performance of the prepared NTD was investigated for sampling, pre-concentration and injection of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, o-xylene, and p-xylene (BTEX) into the column of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) device. Response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD) was also employed in two separate consecutive steps to optimize the sampling and device parameters. First, the sampling parameters such as sampling temperature and relative humidity were optimized. Afterwards, the RSM was used for optimizing the desorption parameters including desorption temperature and time. The results indicated that the peak area responses of the analytes of interest decreased with increasing sampling temperature and relative humidity. The optimum values of desorption temperature were in the range 265-273°C, and desorption time were in the range 3.4-3.8min. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantitation (LOQs) of the studied analytes were found over the range of 0.03-0.04ng/mL, and 0.1-0.13ng/mL, respectively. These results demonstrated that the NTD packed with Carbotrap B offers a high sensitive procedure for sampling and analysis of BTEX in concentration range of 0.03-25ng/mL in air. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Application of time-division-multiplexed lasers for measurements of gas temperature and CH4 and H2O concentrations at 30 kHz in a high-pressure combustor.

PubMed

Caswell, Andrew W; Kraetschmer, Thilo; Rein, Keith; Sanders, Scott T; Roy, Sukesh; Shouse, Dale T; Gord, James R

2010-09-10

Two time-division-multiplexed (TDM) sources based on fiber Bragg gratings were applied to monitor gas temperature, H(2)O mole fraction, and CH(4) mole fraction using line-of-sight absorption spectroscopy in a practical high-pressure gas turbine combustor test article. Collectively, the two sources cycle through 14 wavelengths in the 1329-1667 nm range every 33 μs. Although it is based on absorption spectroscopy, this sensing technology is fundamentally different from typical diode-laser-based absorption sensors and has many advantages. Specifically, the TDM lasers allow efficient, flexible acquisition of discrete-wavelength information over a wide spectral range at very high speeds (typically 30 kHz) and thereby provide a multiplicity of precise data at high speeds. For the present gas turbine application, the TDM source wavelengths were chosen using simulated temperature-difference spectra. This approach is used to select TDM wavelengths that are near the optimum values for precise temperature and species-concentration measurements. The application of TDM lasers for other measurements in high-pressure, turbulent reacting flows and for two-dimensional tomographic reconstruction of the temperature and species-concentration fields is also forecast.

Isolation and characterization of Keratinibaculum paraultunense gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel thermophilic, anaerobic bacterium with keratinolytic activity.

PubMed

Huang, Yan; Sun, Yingjie; Ma, Shichun; Chen, Lu; Zhang, Hui; Deng, Yu

2013-08-01

A novel thermophilic, anaerobic, keratinolytic bacterium designated KD-1 was isolated from grassy marshland. Strain KD-1 was a spore-forming rod with a Gram-positive type cell wall, but stained Gram-negative. The temperature, pH, and NaCl concentration range necessary for growth was 30-65 °C (optimum 55 °C), 6.0-10.5 (optimum 8.0-8.5), and 0-6% (optimum 0.2%) (w/v), respectively. Strain KD-1 possessed extracellular keratinase, and the optimum activity of the crude enzyme was pH 8.5 and 70 °C. The enzyme was identified as a thermostable serine-type protease. The strain was sensitive to rifampin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, and tetracycline and was resistant to erythromycin, neomycin, penicillin, and streptomycin. The main cellular fatty acid was predominantly C15:0 iso (64%), and the G+C content was 28 mol%. Morphological and physiological characterization, together with phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified KD-1 as a new species of a novel genus of Clostridiaceae with 95.3%, 93.8% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Clostridium ultunense BS(T) (DSM 10521(T)) and Tepidimicrobium xylanilyticum PML14(T) (= JCM 15035(T)), respectively. We propose the name Keratinibaculum paraultunense gen. nov., sp. nov., with KD-1 (=JCM 18769(T) =DSM 26752(T)) as the type strain. © 2013 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Isolation and partial characterization of phenoloxidase from apples (Malus domestica, var. Anna)].

PubMed

Soto-Valdéz, H; Trejo-González, A

1989-06-01

This study pursued the isolation and partial characterization of the enzyme polyphenoloxidase from apple (Malus domestica Anna variety), grown in the Hermosillo Coast (State of Sonora, Mexico). The effects of pH and temperature as well as its specificity towards substrates, and its behavior under conditions of hydrophobic chromatography, were studied. The enzyme was isolated from a residual powder obtained from ripe apples homogenized with cold acetone. The extract thus prepared was used to characterize the enzyme, and it showed an optimum pH of 5.36 and an optimum temperature of 35 degrees C. The substrate specificity proved to decrease from 4-methyl catechol, chlorogenic acid, catechol, and caffeic acid, to 3,4-dihydroxiphenyl alanine (DOPA). The enzyme resulted to be more thermostable (temperature range: 35 degrees C to 60 degrees C) than the rest of oxidases of plant origin. When the extract was eluted under conditions of hydrophobic chromatography separation, it appeared as a single peak resulting in a 300 fold purification. The phenolase activity characteristics found in the present study were similar to those observed in other apples from temperate climates; however, this particular polyphenoloxidase is more thermostable under natural conditions. This explains why apples of the Anna variety, at the high harvesting temperature, show a very fast formation of brown spots even when there is a minor damage. The content of compounds with phenolic group was high (1.16 g/100 g fresh weight). Further increase of the velocity of fruit enzymatic browning was due to this reason.

A Study of the Efficiency of High-strength, Steel, Cellular-core Sandwich Plates in Compression

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Aldie E , Jr; Semonian, Joseph W

1956-01-01

Structural efficiency curves are presented for high-strength, stainless-steel, cellular-core sandwich plates of various proportions subjected to compressive end loads for temperatures of 80 F and 600 F. Optimum proportions of sandwich plates for any value of the compressive loading intensity can be determined from the curves. The efficiency of steel sandwich plates of optimum proportions is compared with the efficiency of solid plates of high-strength steel and aluminum and titanium alloys at the two temperatures.

Taguchi optimization of bismuth-telluride based thermoelectric cooler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anant Kishore, Ravi; Kumar, Prashant; Sanghadasa, Mohan; Priya, Shashank

2017-07-01

In the last few decades, considerable effort has been made to enhance the figure-of-merit (ZT) of thermoelectric (TE) materials. However, the performance of commercial TE devices still remains low due to the fact that the module figure-of-merit not only depends on the material ZT, but also on the operating conditions and configuration of TE modules. This study takes into account comprehensive set of parameters to conduct the numerical performance analysis of the thermoelectric cooler (TEC) using a Taguchi optimization method. The Taguchi method is a statistical tool that predicts the optimal performance with a far less number of experimental runs than the conventional experimental techniques. Taguchi results are also compared with the optimized parameters obtained by a full factorial optimization method, which reveals that the Taguchi method provides optimum or near-optimum TEC configuration using only 25 experiments against 3125 experiments needed by the conventional optimization method. This study also shows that the environmental factors such as ambient temperature and cooling coefficient do not significantly affect the optimum geometry and optimum operating temperature of TECs. The optimum TEC configuration for simultaneous optimization of cooling capacity and coefficient of performance is also provided.

Pyrolysis of low density polyethylene waste in subcritical water optimized by response surface methodology.

PubMed

Wong, S L; Ngadi, N; Amin, N A S; Abdullah, T A T; Inuwa, I M

2016-01-01

Pyrolysis of low density polyethylene (LDPE) waste from local waste separation company in subcritical water was conducted to investigate the effect of reaction time, temperature, as well as the mass ratio of water to polymer on the liquid yield. The data obtained from the study were used to optimize the liquid yield using response surface methodology. The range of reaction temperature used was 162-338°C, while the reaction time ranged from 37 min to 143 min, and the ratio of water to polymer ranged from 1.9 to 7.1. It was found that pyrolysis of LDPE waste in subcritical water produced hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, while the liquid product contained alkanes and alkenes with 10-50 carbons atoms, as well as heptadecanone, dichloroacetic acid and heptadecyl ester. The optimized conditions were 152.3°C, reaction time of 1.2 min and ratio of water solution to polymer of 32.7, with the optimum liquid yield of 13.6 wt% and gases yield of 2.6 wt%.

A new mechanistic framework to predict OCS fluxes in soils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sauze, Joana; Ogee, Jérôme; Launois, Thomas; Kesselmeier, Jürgen; Van Diest, Heidi; Wingate, Lisa

2015-04-01

A better description of the amplitude of photosynthetic and respiratory gross CO2 fluxes at large scales is needed to improve our predictions of the current and future global CO2 cycle. Carbonyl sulfide (COS) is the most abundant sulphur gas in the atmosphere and has been proposed as a new tracer of gross photosynthesis, as the uptake of COS from the atmosphere is dominated by the activity of carbonic anhydrase (CA), an enzyme abundant in leaves that also catalyses CO2 hydration during photosynthesis. However, soils also exchange COS with the atmosphere and there is growing evidence that this flux must also be accounted for in atmospheric budgets. In this context a new mechanistic description of soil-atmosphere COS exchange is clearly needed. Soils can take up COS from the atmosphere as the soil biota also contain CA, and COS emissions from soils have also been reported in agricultural fields or anoxic soils. Previous studies have also shown that soil COS fluxes present an optimum soil water content and soil temperature. Here we propose a new mechanistic framework to predict the fluxes of COS between the soils and the atmosphere. We describe the COS soil budget by a first-order reaction-diffusion-production equation, assuming that the hydrolysis of COS by CA is total and irreversible. To describe COS diffusion through the soil matrix, we use different formulations of soil air-filled pore space and temperature, depending on the turbulence level above the soil surface. Using this model we are able to explain the observed presence of an optimum temperature for soil COS uptake and show how this optimum can shift to cooler temperatures in the presence of soil COS emissions. Our model can also explain the observed optimum with soil moisture content previously described in the literature (e.g. Van Diest & Kesselmeier, 2008) as a result of diffusional constraints on COS hydrolysis. These diffusional constraints are also responsible for the response of COS uptake to soil weight and depth observed by Kesselmeier et al. (1999). In order to simulate the exact COS uptake rates and patterns observed on several soils collected from a range of biomes (Van Diest & Kesselmeier, 2008) different CA activities had to be evoked in each soil type, coherent with the expected soil microbial population size and diversity. A better description of the drivers governing soil CA activity and COS emissions from soils is needed before incorporating our new mechanistic model of soil-atmosphere COS uptake in large-scale ecosystem models and COS atmospheric budgets.

Lattice specific heat for the RMIn5 (R=Gd, La, Y; M=Co, Rh) compounds: Non-magnetic contribution subtraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Facio, Jorge I.; Betancourth, D.; Cejas Bolecek, N. R.; Jorge, G. A.; Pedrazzini, Pablo; Correa, V. F.; Cornaglia, Pablo S.; Vildosola, V.; García, D. J.

2016-06-01

We analyze theoretically a common experimental process used to obtain the magnetic contribution to the specific heat of a given magnetic material. In the procedure, the specific heat of a non-magnetic analog is measured and used to subtract the non-magnetic contributions, which are generally dominated by the lattice degrees of freedom in a wide range of temperatures. We calculate the lattice contribution to the specific heat for the magnetic compounds GdMIn5 (M=Co, Rh) and for the non-magnetic YMIn5 and LaMIn5 (M=Co, Rh), using density functional theory based methods. We find that the best non-magnetic analog for the subtraction depends on the magnetic material and on the range of temperatures. While the phonon specific heat contribution of YRhIn5 is an excellent approximation to the one of GdCoIn5 in the full temperature range, for GdRhIn5 we find a better agreement with LaCoIn5, in both cases, as a result of an optimum compensation effect between masses and volumes. We present measurements of the specific heat of the compounds GdMIn5 (M=Co, Rh) up to room temperature where it surpasses the value expected from the Dulong-Petit law. We obtain a good agreement between theory and experiment when we include anharmonic effects in the calculations.

Photosynthetic temperature adaptation of Pinus cembra within the timberline ecotone of the Central Austrian Alps

PubMed Central

Wieser, Gerhard; Oberhuber, Walter; Walder, Lisa; Spieler, Daniela; Gruber, Andreas

2011-01-01

Temperature is suggested to determine the upper limit of tree life. Therefore, future climate warming may be of importance for tree distribution within the European Alps, where low temperatures limit carbon metabolism. We focused on the effects of air and soil temperature on net photosynthesis (Pn) of Pinus cembra an evergreen climax species of the timberline ecotone of the Central Austrian Alps. Light response and temperature response curves were estimated along an altitudinal gradient ranging from the forest limit up to the krummholz limit in both summer and fall. In general, Pn was significantly lower in fall as compared to summer. Nevertheless, independent from season mean Pn values tended to increase with elevation and were positively correlated with root zone temperatures. The specific leaf area by contrast declined with increasing elevation. Furthermore, the temperature optimum of net photosynthesis declined with increasing elevation and was positively correlated with the mean maximum air temperature of the 10 days prior the date of measurement. Thus, our findings appear to reflect a long-term adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus of Pinus cembra to the general temperature conditions with respect to elevation combined with a short term acclimation to the prevailing temperature regime. PMID:21379394

The effects of host size and temperature on the emergence of Echinoparyphium recurvatum cercariae from Lymnaea peregra under natural light conditions.

PubMed

Morley, N J; Adam, M E; Lewis, J W

2010-09-01

The production of cercariae from their snail host is a fundamental component of transmission success in trematodes. The emergence of Echinoparyphium recurvatum (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) cercariae from Lymnaea peregra was studied under natural sunlight conditions, using naturally infected snails of different sizes (10-17 mm) within a temperature range of 10-29 degrees C. There was a single photoperiodic circadian cycle of emergence with one peak, which correlated with the maximum diffuse sunlight irradiation. At 21 degrees C the daily number of emerging cercariae increased with increasing host snail size, but variations in cercarial emergence did occur between both individual snails and different days. There was only limited evidence of cyclic emergence patterns over a 3-week period, probably due to extensive snail mortality, particularly those in the larger size classes. Very few cercariae emerged in all snail size classes at the lowest temperature studied (10 degrees C), but at increasingly higher temperatures elevated numbers of cercariae emerged, reaching an optimum between 17 and 25 degrees C. Above this range emergence was reduced. At all temperatures more cercariae emerged from larger snails. Analysis of emergence using the Q10 value, a measure of physiological processes over temperature ranges, showed that between 10 and 21 degrees C (approximately 15 degrees C) Q10 values exceeded 100 for all snail size classes, indicating a substantially greater emergence than would be expected for normal physiological rates. From 14 to 25 degrees C (approximately 20 degrees C) cercarial emergence in most snail size classes showed little change in Q10, although in the smallest size class emergence was still substantially greater than the typical Q10 increase expected over this temperature range. At the highest range of 21-29 degrees C (approximately 25 degrees C), Q10 was much reduced. The importance of these results for cercarial emergence under global climate change is discussed.

Retention of ductility in high-strength steels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, E. R.; Zackay, V. F.

1969-01-01

To produce high strength alloy steel with retention of ductility, include tempering, cooling and subsequent tempering. Five parameters for optimum results are pretempering temperature, amount of strain, strain rate, temperature during strain, and retempering temperature.

The temperature response of CO2 assimilation, photochemical activities and Rubisco activation in Camelina sativa, a potential bioenergy crop with limited capacity for acclimation to heat stress.

PubMed

Carmo-Silva, A Elizabete; Salvucci, Michael E

2012-11-01

The temperature optimum of photosynthesis coincides with the average daytime temperature in a species' native environment. Moderate heat stress occurs when temperatures exceed the optimum, inhibiting photosynthesis and decreasing productivity. In the present study, the temperature response of photosynthesis and the potential for heat acclimation was evaluated for Camelina sativa, a bioenergy crop. The temperature optimum of net CO(2) assimilation rate (A) under atmospheric conditions was 30-32 °C and was only slightly higher under non-photorespiratory conditions. The activation state of Rubisco was closely correlated with A at supra-optimal temperatures, exhibiting a parallel decrease with increasing leaf temperature. At both control and elevated temperatures, the modeled response of A to intercellular CO(2) concentration was consistent with Rubisco limiting A at ambient CO(2). Rubisco activation and photochemical activities were affected by moderate heat stress at lower temperatures in camelina than in the warm-adapted species cotton and tobacco. Growth under conditions that imposed a daily interval of moderate heat stress caused a 63 % reduction in camelina seed yield. Levels of cpn60 protein were elevated under the higher growth temperature, but acclimation of photosynthesis was minimal. Inactivation of Rubisco in camelina at temperatures above 35 °C was consistent with the temperature response of Rubisco activase activity and indicated that Rubisco activase was a prime target of inhibition by moderate heat stress in camelina. That photosynthesis exhibited no acclimation to moderate heat stress will likely impact the development of camelina and other cool season Brassicaceae as sources of bioenergy in a warmer world.

Analytical solution to compensate for thermal expansion change in photopolymer volume holograms using a tunable laser.

PubMed

Tanaka, Tomiji; Watanabe, Kenjiro

2008-02-20

For holographic data storage, it is necessary to adjust the wavelength and direction of the reading beam if the reading and recording temperature do not match. An analytical solution for this adjustment is derived using first-order approximations in a two-dimensional model. The optimum wavelength is a linear function of the temperature difference between recording and reading, and is independent of the direction of the reference beam. However, the optimum direction of incidence is not only a linear function of the temperature difference, but also depends on the direction of the reference beam. The retrieved image, which is produced by a diffracted beam, shrinks or expands slightly according to the temperature difference.

Hot deformation characteristics of as-cast high-Cr ultra-super-critical rotor steel with columnar grains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Zong-ye; Hu, Qiao-dan; Zeng, Long; Li, Jian-guo

2016-11-01

Isothermal hot compression tests of as-cast high-Cr ultra-super-critical (USC) rotor steel with columnar grains perpendicular to the compression direction were carried out in the temperature range from 950 to 1250°C at strain rates ranging from 0.001 to 1 s-1. The softening mechanism was dynamic recovery (DRV) at 950°C and the strain rate of 1 s-1, whereas it was dynamic recrystallization (DRX) under the other conditions. A modified constitutive equation based on the Arrhenius model with strain compensation reasonably predicted the flow stress under various deformation conditions, and the activation energy was calculated to be 643.92 kJ•mol-1. The critical stresses of dynamic recrystallization under different conditions were determined from the work-hardening rate ( θ)-flow stress ( σ) and -∂ θ/∂ σ-σ curves. The optimum processing parameters via analysis of the processing map and the softening mechanism were determined to be a deformation temperature range from 1100 to 1200°C and a strain-rate range from 0.001 to 0.08 s-1, with a power dissipation efficiency η greater than 31%.

THE NATURE AND CONTROL OF REACTIONS IN BIOLUMINESCENCE

PubMed Central

Johnson, F. H.; Eyring, H.; Steblay, R.; Chaplin, H.; Huber, C.; Gherardi, G.

1945-01-01

On the basis of available data with regard to the chemical and physical properties of the "substrate" luciferin (LH2) and enzyme, luciferase (A), and of kinetic data derived both from the reaction in extracts of Cypridina, and from the luminescence of intact bacteria, the fundamental reactions involved in the phenomenon of bioluminescence have been schematized. These reactions provide a satisfactory basis for interpreting the known characteristics of the system, as well as the theoretical chemistry with regard to the control of its over-all velocity in relation to various factors. These factors, here studied experimentally wholly with bacteria, Photobacterium phosphoreum in particular, include pH, temperature, pressure, and the drugs sulfanilamide, urethane, and alcohol, separately and in relation to each other. Under steady state conditions of bacterial luminescence, with excess of oxidizable substrate and with oxygen not limiting, the data indicate that the chief effects of these agents center around the pace setting reactions, which may be designated by the equation: A + LH2 → ALH2 following which light emission is assumed proportional to the amount of the excited molecule, AL*. The relation between pH and luminescence intensity varies with (a), the buffer mixture and concentration, (b), the temperature, and (c), the hydrostatic pressure. At an optimum temperature for luminescence of about 22° C. in P. phosphoreum, the effects of increasing or decreasing the hydrogen ion concentration are largely reversible over the range between pH 3.6 and pH 8.8. The relation between luminescence intensity and pH, under the experimental conditions employed, is given by the following equation, in which I 1 represents the maximum intensity, occurring about pH 6.5; I 2 the intensity at any other given pH; K 5 the equilibrium constant between hydrogen ions and the AL-; and K 6 the corresponding constant with respect to hydroxyl ions: See PDF for Equation The value of K 5, as indicated by the data, amounts to 4.84 x 104, while that of K 6 amounts to 4.8 x 105. Beyond the range between approximately pH 3.8 and 8.8, destructive effects of the hydrogen and hydroxyl ions, respectively, were increasingly apparent. By raising the temperature above the optimum, the destructive effects were apparent at all pH, and the intensity of the luminescence diminished logarithmically with time. With respect to pH, the rate of destruction of the light-emitting system at temperatures above the optimum was slowest between pH 6.5 and 7.0, and increased rapidly with more acid or more alkaline reactions of the medium. The reversible effects of slightly acid pH vary with the temperature in the manner of an inhibitor (Type I) that acts independently of the normal, reversible denaturation equilibrium (K 1) of the enzyme. The per cent inhibition caused by a given acid pH in relation to the luminescence intensity at optimum pH, is much greater at low temperatures, and decreases as the temperature is raised towards the optimum temperature. The observed maximum intensity of luminescence is thus shifted to slightly higher temperatures by increase in (H+). The apparent activation energy of luminescence is increased by a decrease in pH. The value of ΔH‡ at pH 5.05 was calculated to be 40,900 calories, in comparison with 20,700 at a pH of 6.92. The difference of 20,200 is taken to represent an estimate of the heat of ionization of ALH in the activation process, and compares roughtly with the 14,000 calories estimated for the same process, by analyzing the data from the point of view of hydrogen ions as an inhibitor. The decreasing temperature coefficient for luminescence in proceeding from low temperatures towards the optimum is accounted for in part by the greater degree of ionization of ALH. At the optimum temperature and acid reactions, pressures up to about 500 atmospheres retard the velocity of the luminescent oxidation. At the same temperature, with decrease in hydrogen ion concentration, the pressure effect is much less, indicating a considerable volume increase in the process of ionization and activation. In the extremely alkaline range, beyond pH 9, luminescence is greatly reduced, as compared with the intensity at neutrality, and under these conditions pressure causes a pronounced increase in intensity, presumably by acting upon the reversible denaturation equilibrium of the protein enzyme, A. Sulfanilamide, in neutral solutions, acts on luminescence in a manner very much resembling that of hydrogen ions at acidities between pH 4.0 and pH 6.5. Like the hydrogen ion equilibrium, the sulfanilamide equilibrium involves a ratio of approximately one inhibitor molecule to one enzyme molecule. The heat of reaction amounts to about 11,600 calories or more in a reversible combination that evidently evolves heat. Like the action of H ions, sulfanilamide causes a slight shifting of maximum luminescence intensity in the direction of higher temperatures, and an increase in the energy of activation. The effect of sulfanilamide on the growth of broth cultures of eight species of luminous bacteria indicates that there is no regular relationship among the different organisms between the concentration of the drug that prevents growth, and that which prevents luminescence in the cells which develop in the presence of sulfanilamide. p-Aminobenzoic acid (PAB) antagonizes the sulfanilamide inhibition of growth in luminous bacteria, and the cultures that develop are luminous. When (PAB) is added to cells from fully developed cultures, it has no effect on luminescence, or causes a slight inhibition, depending on the concentration. With luminescence partly inhibited by sulfanilamide, the addition of PAB has no effect, or has an inhibitory effect which adds to that caused by sulfanilamide. Two different, though possibly related, enzyme systems thus appear to limit growth and luminescence, respectively. The possible mechanism through which both the inhibitions and the antagonism take place is discussed. The irreversible destruction of the luminescent system at temperatures above that of the maximum luminescence, in a medium of favorable pH to which no inhibitors have been added, proceeds logarithmically with time at both normal and increased hydrostatic pressures. Pressure retards the rate of the destruction, and the analysis of the data indicates that a volume increase of roughly 71 cc. per gm. molecule at 32° C. takes place in going from the normal to the activated state in this reaction. At normal pressure, the rate of destruction has a temperature coefficient of approximately 90,000 calories, or about 20,000 calories more than the heat of reaction in the reversible denaturation equilibrium. The data indicate that the equilibrium and the rate process are two distinct reactions. The equation for luminescence intensity, taking into account both the reversible and irreversible phases of the reaction is given below. In the equation b is a proportionality constant; k' the rate constant of the luminescent reaction; A0 the total luciferase; A0i the total initial luciferase at time t equals 0; kn the rate constant for the destruction of the native, active form of the enzyme; kd the rate constant for the destruction of the reversibly denatured, inactive form; t the time; and the other symbols are as indicated above: See PDF for Equation For reasons cited in the text, kn evidently equals kd. Urethane and alcohol, respectively, act in a manner (Type II) that promotes the breaking of the type of bonds broken in both the reversible and irreversible reactions and so promotes the irreversible denaturation. This result is in contrast to the effects of sulfanilamide, which at appropriate concentrations may give rise to the same initial inhibition as that caused by urethane, but remains constant with time. The inhibition caused by urethane and alcohol, respectively, increases as the temperature is raised. As a result, the apparent optimum is shifted to lower temperatures, and the activation energy for the over-all process of luminescence diminishes. An analysis for the approximate heat of reaction in the equilibrium between these drugs and the enzyme, indicates 65,000 calories for urethane, and 37,000 for alcohol. A similar analysis with respect to the effect of hydroxyl ions as the inhibitor gives 60,300 calories. The effects of alcohol and urethane are sensitive to hydrostatic pressure. Moderate inhibitions at optimum temperature and pH, caused by relatively small concentrations of either drug, are completely abolished by pressures of 3,000 to 4,000 pounds per square inch. At optimum temperature and pH, increasing concentrations of alcohol caused the apparent optimum pressure for luminescence to shift markedly in the direction of higher pressures. Analysis of the data with respect to concentration of alcohol at different pressures indicated that the ratio of alcohol to enzyme molecules amounted to approximately 4, at 7,000 pounds, but only about 2.8 at normal pressures. This phenomenon was taken to indicate that more than one equilibrium is established between the alcohol and the protein. A similar interpretation was suggested in connection with the fact that analysis of the relation between concentration of urethane and amount of inhibition at different temperatures also indicated a ratio of urethane to enzyme molecules that increased with temperature in the equilibria involved. Analysis of the data with respect to pressure and the inhibition caused by a given concentration of alcohol at different temperatures indicated that the volume change involved in the combination of alcohol with the enzyme must be very small, while the actual effect of pressure is apparently mediated through the reversible denaturation of the protein enzyme, which is promoted by alcohol, urethane, and drugs of similar type. PMID:19873433

Evaluation of the effect of temperature, NaOH concentration and time on solubilization of palm oil mill effluent (POME) using response surface methodology (RSM).

PubMed

Chou, K W; Norli, I; Anees, A

2010-11-01

In this study, palm oil mill effluent (POME) was solubilized by batch thermo-alkaline pre-treatments. A three-factor central composite design (CCD) was applied to identify the optimum COD solubilization condition. The individual and interactive effects of three factors, temperature, NaOH concentration and reaction time, on solubilization of POME were evaluated by employing response surface methodology (RSM). The experimental results showed that temperature, NaOH concentration and reaction time all had an individual significant effect on the solubilization of POME. But these three factors were independent, or there was insignificant interaction on the response. The maximum COD solubilization of 82.63% was estimated under the optimum condition at 32.5 degrees C, 8.83g/L of NaOH and 41.23h reaction time. The confirmation experiment of the predicted optimum conditions verified that the RSM with the central composite design was useful for optimizing the solubilization of POME.

Optimum design point for a closed-cycle OTEC system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ikegami, Yasuyuki; Uehara, Haruo

1994-12-31

Performance analysis is performed for optimum design point of a closed-cycle Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system. Calculations are made for an OTEC model plant with a gross power of 100 MW, which was designed by the optimization method proposed by Uehara and Ikegami for the design conditions of 21 C--29 C warm sea water temperature and 4 C cold sea water temperature. Ammonia is used as working fluid. Plate type evaporator and condenser are used as heat exchangers. The length of the cold sea water pipe is 1,000 m. This model plant is a floating-type OTEC plant. The objectivemore » function of optimum design point is defined as the total heat transfer area of heat exchangers per the annual net power.« less

Production and Properties of a Thermostable, pH-Stable Exo-Polygalacturonase Using Aureobasidium pullulans Isolated from Saharan Soil of Algeria Grown on Tomato Pomace.

PubMed

Bennamoun, Leila; Hiligsmann, Serge; Dakhmouche, Scheherazad; Ait-Kaki, Amel; Labbani, Fatima-Zohra Kenza; Nouadri, Tahar; Meraihi, Zahia; Turchetti, Benedetta; Buzzini, Pietro; Thonart, Philippe

2016-10-29

Polygalacturonase is a valuable biocatalyst for several industrial applications. Production of polygalacturonase using the Aureobasidium pullulans stain isolated from Saharan soil of Algeria was investigated. Its capacity to produce polygalacturonase was assessed under submerged culture using tomato pomace as an abundant agro-industrial substrate. Optimization of the medium components, which enhance polygalacturonase activity of the strain Aureobasidium pullulans , was achieved with the aid of response surface methodology. The composition of the optimized medium was as follows: tomato pomace 40 g/L, lactose 1.84 g/L, CaCl₂0.09 g/L and pH 5.16. Practical validation of the optimum medium provided polygalacturonase activity of 22.05 U/mL, which was 5-fold higher than in unoptimized conditions. Batch cultivation in a 20 L bioreactor performed with the optimal nutrients and conditions resulted in a high polygalacturonase content (25.75 U/mL). The enzyme showed stability over a range of temperature (5-90 °C) with an optimum temperature of 60 °C with pH 5.0, exhibiting 100% residual activity after 1h at 60 °C. This enzyme was stable at a broad pH range (5.0-10). The enzyme proved to be an exo-polygalacturonase, releasing galacturonic acid by hydrolysis of polygalacturonic acid. Moreover, the exo-polygalacturonase was able to enhance the clarification of both apple and citrus juice. As a result, an economical polygalacturonase production process was defined and proposed using an industrial food by-product.

Production and Properties of a Thermostable, pH—Stable Exo-Polygalacturonase Using Aureobasidium pullulans Isolated from Saharan Soil of Algeria Grown on Tomato Pomace

PubMed Central

Bennamoun, Leila; Hiligsmann, Serge; Dakhmouche, Scheherazad; Ait-Kaki, Amel; Labbani, Fatima-Zohra Kenza; Nouadri, Tahar; Meraihi, Zahia; Turchetti, Benedetta; Buzzini, Pietro; Thonart, Philippe

2016-01-01

Polygalacturonase is a valuable biocatalyst for several industrial applications. Production of polygalacturonase using the Aureobasidium pullulans stain isolated from Saharan soil of Algeria was investigated. Its capacity to produce polygalacturonase was assessed under submerged culture using tomato pomace as an abundant agro-industrial substrate. Optimization of the medium components, which enhance polygalacturonase activity of the strain Aureobasidium pullulans, was achieved with the aid of response surface methodology. The composition of the optimized medium was as follows: tomato pomace 40 g/L, lactose 1.84 g/L, CaCl20.09 g/L and pH 5.16. Practical validation of the optimum medium provided polygalacturonase activity of 22.05 U/mL, which was 5-fold higher than in unoptimized conditions. Batch cultivation in a 20 L bioreactor performed with the optimal nutrients and conditions resulted in a high polygalacturonase content (25.75 U/mL). The enzyme showed stability over a range of temperature (5–90 °C) with an optimum temperature of 60 °C with pH 5.0, exhibiting 100% residual activity after 1h at 60 °C. This enzyme was stable at a broad pH range (5.0–10). The enzyme proved to be an exo-polygalacturonase, releasing galacturonic acid by hydrolysis of polygalacturonic acid. Moreover, the exo-polygalacturonase was able to enhance the clarification of both apple and citrus juice. As a result, an economical polygalacturonase production process was defined and proposed using an industrial food by-product. PMID:28231166

Psychrotolerant Anaerobes from Lake Podprudnoe, Antarctica and Penguin Spheniscus demersus Colony, South Africa

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guisler, Melissa; Pikuta, Elena V.; Townsend, Alisa; Hoover, Richard B.

2009-01-01

The study of a sample collected from a wind-made ice sculpture near Lake Podprudnoe, Antarctica led to the isolation of the psychrotolerant strain ISLP-3. Cells of the new isolate are vibrio-shaped that measure 0.5 x 1.0-3.0 micron in size. Growth occurs within the temperature range 5-35 C with the optimum at 22 C. Salinity range for growth is 0-2 % NaCl with the optimum at 0.25 %. The new isolate grows within a pH range from 6.0 to 9.5 with the optimum at 7.5. Strain ISLP-3 is saccharolytic, growing on the following substrates: D-glucose, D-ribose, D-fructose, D-arabinose, maltose, sucrose, D-trehalose, D-mannose, D-cellobiose, lactose, starch, chitin, triethylamine, N-acetylglucosamine, and urea. The best growth occurred on D-cellobiose. An environmental sample of pond water near a colony of the endemic species of African penguins, Spheniscus demersus, was collected in February 2008 and delivered directly to the Astrobiology laboratory at NSSTC. The microbiological study of this sample led to the isolation of two psychrotolerant strains ARHSd-7G and ARHSd-9G. Both strains are strictly anaerobic bacteria and are able to grow at high pH and low temperatures. The cells of strain ARHSd-7G are motile, vibrio-shaped, spore-forming cells. Optimal growth of this strain occurs at 30 C, 3 % NaCl, and pH 8.9. The isolate ARHSd-7G combines sugarlytic and proteolytic metabolisms, growing on some proteolysis products including peptone and yeast extract and a number of sugars. The second isolate, ARHSd-9G, exhibits thin, elongated rods that measure 0.4 x 3-5 micron. The cells are motile and spore-forming. Optimal growth of strain ARHSd-9G occurs at 30 C, 1.75 % NaCl, and pH 8.5. The strain ARHSd-9G is sugarlytic, growing well on substrates such as D-glucose, sucrose, D-cellobiose, maltose, fructose, D-mannose, and trehalose (the only exception is positive growth on yeast extract). In this report, the physiological and morphological characteristics of the novel psychrotolerant, alkaliphilic, and neutrophilic isolates from the Antarctica 2008 expedition will be discussed.

Psychrotolerant anaerobes from Lake Podprudnoye, Antarctica and penguin Spheniscus demersus colony, South Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guisler, Melissa; Pikuta, Elena V.; Townsend, Alisa; Hoover, Richard B.

2009-08-01

The study of a sample collected from a wind-made ice sculpture near Lake Podprudnoe, Antarctica led to the isolation of the psychrotolerant strain ISLP-3. Cells of the new isolate are vibrio-shaped that measure 0.5 x 1.0-3.0 μm in size. Growth occurs within the temperature range 5-35ºC with the optimum at 22 °C. Salinity range for growth is 0-2 % NaCl with the optimum at 0.25 %. The new isolate grows within a pH range from 6.0 to 9.5 with the optimum at 7.5. Strain ISLP-3 is saccharolytic, growing on the following substrates: D-glucose, D-ribose, D-fructose, D-arabinose, maltose, sucrose, D-trehalose, D-mannose, D-cellobiose, lactose, starch, chitin, triethylamine, N-acetylglucosamine, and urea. The best growth occurred on D-cellobiose. An environmental sample of pond water near a colony of the endemic species of African penguins, Spheniscus demersus, was collected in February 2008 and delivered directly to the Astrobiology laboratory at NSSTC. The microbiological study of this sample led to the isolation of two psychrotolerant strains ARHSd-7G and ARHSd-9G. Both strains are strictly anaerobic bacteria and are able to grow at high pH and low temperatures. The cells of strain ARHSd-7G are motile, vibrio-shaped, spore-forming cells. Optimal growth of this strain occurs at 30 ºC, 3 % NaCl, and pH 8.9. The isolate ARHSd-7G combines sugarlytic and proteolytic metabolisms, growing on some proteolysis products including peptone and yeast extract and a number of sugars. The second isolate, ARHSd-9G, exhibits thin, elongated rods that measure 0.4 x 3-5 μm. The cells are motile and spore-forming. Optimal growth of strain ARHSd-9G occurs at 30 ºC, 1.75 % NaCl, and pH 8.5. The strain ARHSd-9G is sugarlytic, growing well on substrates such as D-glucose, sucrose, D-cellobiose, maltose, fructose, D-mannose, and trehalose (the only exception is positive growth on yeast extract). In this report, the physiological and morphological characteristics of the novel psychrotolerant, alkaliphilic, and neutrophilic isolates from the Antarctica 2008 expedition will be discussed.

Warming trumps CO2: future climate conditions suppress carbon fluxes in two dominant boreal tree species

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Way, D.; Dusenge, M. E.; Madhavji, S.

2017-12-01

Increases in CO2 are expected to raise air temperatures in northern latitudes by up to 8 °C by the end of the century. Boreal forests in these regions play a large role in the global carbon cycle, and the responses of boreal tree species to climate drivers will thus have considerable impacts on the trajectory of future CO2 increases. We grew two dominant North American boreal tree species at a range of future climate conditions to assess how carbon fluxes were altered by high CO2 and warming. Black spruce (Picea mariana) and tamarack (Larix laricina) were grown from seed under either ambient (400 ppm) or elevated CO2 concentrations (750 ppm) and either ambient temperatures, moderate warming (ambient +4 °C), or extreme warming (ambient +8 °C) for six months. We measured temperature responses of net photosynthesis, maximum rates of Rubisco carboxylation (Vcmax) and electron transport (Jmax) and dark respiration to determine acclimation to the climate treatments. Overall, growth temperature had a strong effect on carbon fluxes, while there were no significant effects of growth CO2. In both species, the photosynthetic thermal optimum increased and maximum photosynthetic rates were reduced in warm-grown seedlings, but the strength of these changes varied between species. Vcmax and Jmax were also reduced in warm-grown seedlings, and this correlated with reductions in leaf N concentrations. Warming increased the activation energy for Vcmax and the thermal optimum for Jmax in both species. Respiration acclimated to elevated growth temperatures, but there were no treatment effects on the Q10 of respiration (the increase in respiration for a 10 °C increase in leaf temperature). Our results show that climate warming is likely to reduce carbon fluxes in these boreal conifers, and that photosynthetic parameters used to model photosynthesis in dynamic global vegetation models acclimate to increased temperatures, but show little response to elevated CO2.

Effects of Storage Temperature and Semen Extender on Stored Canine Semen

PubMed Central

HORI, Tatsuya; YOSHIKUNI, Ryuta; KOBAYASHI, Masanori; KAWAKAMI, Eiichi

2013-01-01

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to determine an optimum temperature and extender for short-term transport of canine ejaculated semen. There was no significant difference in the qualities of semen diluted with two kinds of extender, egg yolk Tris-citrate fructose (EYT-FC) or glucose (EYT-GC) extender, between the 2, 8 or 12 and the 4°C control groups during storage for up to 48 hr, while the 16–24°C groups showed decreased sperm motility during storage for 48 hr. However, the 2°C group showed slightly lower sperm motility and slightly higher sperm abnormality than the 4°C group. Therefore, we concluded that semen qualities can be maintained for up to 48 hr when canine semen samples are extended with EYT-FC or EYT-GC and stored at a temperature in the range of 4–12°C. PMID:24088408

Method and apparatus of cryogenic cooling for high temperature superconductor devices

DOEpatents

Yuan, Xing; Mine, Susumu

2005-02-15

A method and apparatus for providing cryogenic cooling to HTS devices, in particular those that are used in high-voltage electric power applications. The method involves pressurizing liquid cryogen to above one atmospheric pressure to improve its dielectric strength, while sub-cooling the liquid cryogen to below its saturation temperature in order to improve the performance of the HTS components of the device. An apparatus utilizing such a cooling method consists of a vessel that contains a pressurized gaseous cryogen region and a sub-cooled liquid cryogen bath, a liquid cryogen heating coupled with a gaseous cryogen venting scheme to maintain the pressure of the cryogen to a value in a range that corresponds to optimum dielectric strength of the liquid cryogen, and a cooling system that maintains the liquid cryogen at a temperature below its boiling point to improve the performance of HTS materials used in the device.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Attia, R.M.; Gamal, R.F.

The enzymatic properties of cellulase Cx (B-14-glucan 4-glucano hydrolase, 3.2.1.4) were studied. The enzyme was obtained from a local isolate of Aspergillus niger R-1237. The reaction followed first order kinetics. The apparent temperature optimum fell at about 60 degrees Centigrade. The enthalpy of activiation of the ES-complex was calculated as about 2600 cal/mole. The Arrhenius equation is valid, and the energy of activation of the forward reaction (E) was calculated to be 12600 cal/mole. The standard free energy change (delta G) and the standard entropy change (delta G) were found to be - 102.7 cal/mole and plus 39.3 cal/mole/degree atmore » 50 degrees Centigrade. The values of thermodynamic quantities at other temperatures ranging from 30 degrees to 60 degrees Centigrade were also studied. The effect of temperatures on the two parameters, i.e. Vmax and Km values were discussed.« less

Enhanced compositing of radiation disinfected sewage sludge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawakami, W.; Hashimoto, S.

Studies on isothermal composting of radiation disinfected sewage sludge and liquid chromatography of water extracts of the products were carried out. The optimum temperature and pH were around 50 °C and 7-8, respectively. The repeated use of products as seeds increased the rate of CO 2 evolution. The rate reached a maximum within 10 hours and decreased rapidly, and the CO 2 evolution ceased after about 3 days. The conversion of organic carbon to carbon dioxide attained to about 40% for the repeated use of products as seeds at the optimum conditions. As long as seeds in available were used, no remarkable difference was found in the composting of unirradiated and irradiated sludges. The composting process using radiation, however, can be carried out at the optimum conditions and is expected to shorten the composting period, because it is not necessary to keep fermentation temperature higher to reduce pathogen in sludge. Liquid chromatographic studies of the products showed that low molecular components decreased and higher molecular ones increased with fermentation. An index expressing the degree of reduction of easily decomposable organics was presented. The index also showed that the optimum temperature for fermentation was 50 °C, and that the easily decomposable organics disappeared above 30% of the conversion of organic carbon.

Optimization control of LNG regasification plant using Model Predictive Control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wahid, A.; Adicandra, F. F.

2018-03-01

Optimization of liquified natural gas (LNG) regasification plant is important to minimize costs, especially operational costs. Therefore, it is important to choose optimum LNG regasification plant design and maintaining the optimum operating conditions through the implementation of model predictive control (MPC). Optimal tuning parameter for MPC such as P (prediction horizon), M (control of the horizon) and T (sampling time) are achieved by using fine-tuning method. The optimal criterion for design is the minimum amount of energy used and for control is integral of square error (ISE). As a result, the optimum design is scheme 2 which is developed by Devold with an energy savings of 40%. To maintain the optimum conditions, required MPC with P, M and T as follows: tank storage pressure: 90, 2, 1; product pressure: 95, 2, 1; temperature vaporizer: 65, 2, 2; and temperature heater: 35, 6, 5, with ISE value at set point tracking respectively 0.99, 1792.78, 34.89 and 7.54, or improvement of control performance respectively 4.6%, 63.5%, 3.1% and 58.2% compared to PI controller performance. The energy savings that MPC controllers can make when there is a disturbance in temperature rise 1°C of sea water is 0.02 MW.

Performance analysis and optimization of power plants with gas turbines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Besharati-Givi, Maryam

The gas turbine is one of the most important applications for power generation. The purpose of this research is performance analysis and optimization of power plants by using different design systems at different operation conditions. In this research, accurate efficiency calculation and finding optimum values of efficiency for design of chiller inlet cooling and blade cooled gas turbine are investigated. This research shows how it is possible to find the optimum design for different operation conditions, like ambient temperature, relative humidity, turbine inlet temperature, and compressor pressure ratio. The simulated designs include the chiller, with varied COP and fogging cooling for a compressor. In addition, the overall thermal efficiency is improved by adding some design systems like reheat and regenerative heating. The other goal of this research focuses on the blade-cooled gas turbine for higher turbine inlet temperature, and consequently, higher efficiency. New film cooling equations, along with changing film cooling effectiveness for optimum cooling air requirement at the first-stage blades, and an internal and trailing edge cooling for the second stage, are innovated for optimal efficiency calculation. This research sets the groundwork for using the optimum value of efficiency calculation, while using inlet cooling and blade cooling designs. In the final step, the designed systems in the gas cycles are combined with a steam cycle for performance improvement.

Impact of warm winters on microbial growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Birgander, Johanna; Rousk, Johannes; Axel Olsson, Pål

2014-05-01

Growth of soil bacteria has an asymmetrical response to higher temperature with a gradual increase with increasing temperatures until an optimum after which a steep decline occurs. In laboratory studies it has been shown that by exposing a soil bacterial community to a temperature above the community's optimum temperature for two months, the bacterial community grows warm-adapted, and the optimum temperature of bacterial growth shifts towards higher temperatures. This result suggests a change in the intrinsic temperature dependence of bacterial growth, as temperature influenced the bacterial growth even though all other factors were kept constant. An intrinsic temperature dependence could be explained by either a change in the bacterial community composition, exchanging less tolerant bacteria towards more tolerant ones, or it could be due to adaptation within the bacteria present. No matter what the shift in temperature tolerance is due to, the shift could have ecosystem scale implications, as winters in northern Europe are getting warmer. To address the question of how microbes and plants are affected by warmer winters, a winter-warming experiment was established in a South Swedish grassland. Results suggest a positive response in microbial growth rate in plots where winter soil temperatures were around 6 °C above ambient. Both bacterial and fungal growth (leucine incorporation, and acetate into ergosterol incorporation, respectively) appeared stimulated, and there are two candidate explanations for these results. Either (i) warming directly influence microbial communities by modulating their temperature adaptation, or (ii) warming indirectly affected the microbial communities via temperature induced changes in bacterial growth conditions. The first explanation is in accordance with what has been shown in laboratory conditions (explained above), where the differences in the intrinsic temperature relationships were examined. To test this explanation the temperature relationships of the bacterial community from winter-warmed plots and plots with ambient soil temperatures were compared. No change in optimum temperature for growth could be detected, indicating that the microbial community has not been warm-adapted. This fits with what was seen also in the laboratory experiment where no changes in temperature response occurred when exposing bacteria to temperatures below 10 °C within two months. The increase in activity measured during winter should thereby be due to changes in environmental factors, which will be further investigated. One big difference between heated and control plots was that heated plots were snow free during the entire winter, while control plots were covered by a 10 cm snow cover. The plant community composition and flowering time also differed in the warmed and ambient plot.

Experiments and modeling of dilution jet flow fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holdeman, James D.

1986-01-01

Experimental and analytical results of the mixing of single, double, and opposed rows of jets with an isothermal or variable-temperature main stream in a straight duct are presented. This study was performed to investigate flow and geometric variations typical of the complex, three-dimensional flow field in the dilution zone of gas-turbine-engine combustion chambers. The principal results, shown experimentally and analytically, were the following: (1) variations in orifice size and spacing can have a significant effect on the temperature profiles; (2) similar distributions can be obtained, independent of orifice diameter, if momentum-flux ratio and orifice spacing are coupled; (3) a first-order approximation of the mixing of jets with a variable-temperature main stream can be obtained by superimposing the main-stream and jets-in-an-isothermal-crossflow profiles; (4) the penetration of jets issuing mixing is slower and is asymmetric with respect to the jet centerplanes, which shift laterally with increasing downstream distance; (5) double rows of jets give temperature distributions similar to those from a single row of equally spaced, equal-area circular holes; (6) for opposed rows of jets, with the orifice centerlines in line, the optimum ratio of orifice spacing to duct height is one-half the optimum value for single-side injection at the same momentum-flux ratiol and (7) for opposed rows of jets, with the orifice centerlines staggered, the optimum ratio of orifice spacing to duct height is twice the optimum value for single-side injection at the same momentum-flux ratio.

Parametric study of waste chicken fat catalytic chemical vapour deposition for controlled synthesis of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suriani, A. B.; Dalila, A. R.; Mohamed, A.; Rosmi, M. S.; Mamat, M. H.; Malek, M. F.; Ahmad, M. K.; Hashim, N.; Isa, I. M.; Soga, T.; Tanemura, M.

2016-12-01

High-quality vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) were synthesised using ferrocene-chicken oil mixture utilising a thermal chemical vapour deposition (TCVD) method. Reaction parameters including vaporisation temperature, catalyst concentration and synthesis time were examined for the first time to investigate their influence on the growth of VACNTs. Analysis via field emission scanning electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy revealed that the growth rate, diameter and crystallinity of VACNTs depend on the varied synthesis parameters. Vaporisation temperature of 570°C, catalyst concentration of 5.33 wt% and synthesis time of 60 min were considered as optimum parameters for the production of VACNTs from waste chicken fat. These parameters are able to produce VACNTs with small diameters in the range of 15-30 nm and good quality (ID/IG 0.39 and purity 76%) which were comparable to those synthesised using conventional carbon precursor. The low turn on and threshold fields of VACNTs synthesised using optimum parameters indicated that the VACNTs synthesised using waste chicken fat are good candidate for field electron emitter. The result of this study therefore can be used to optimise the growth and production of VACNTs from waste chicken fat in a large scale for field emission application.

Germination of Ocotea pulchella (Nees) Mez (Lauraceae) seeds in laboratory and natural restinga environment conditions.

PubMed

Pires, L A; Cardoso, V J M; Joly, C A; Rodrigues, R R

2009-08-01

The germination response of Ocotea pulchella (Nees) Mez seeds to light, temperature, water level and pulp presence is introduced. The laboratory assays were carried out in germination chambers and thermal-gradient apparatus, whereas the field assays were performed in environments with distinct light, temperature and soil moisture conditions within a permanent parcel of Restinga forest of the Parque Estadual da Ilha do Cardoso, Cananéia, São Paulo. The seeds do not exhibit dormancy, they are non photoblastic, and a loss of viability in dry stored seeds can be related to a decrease in water content of the seed. The presence of the pulp and the flooded substratum influenced negatively the germination of O. pulchella seeds tested in the laboratory. Otherwise, light and temperature probably are not limiting factors of the germination of O. pulchella seeds in the natural environment of Restinga. The optimum temperature range for germination of Ocotea pulchella seeds was 20 to 32 degrees C, the minimum or base temperature estimated was 11 degrees C and the maximum ranged between 33 and 42 degrees C. The isotherms exhibited a sigmoidal pattern well described by the Weibull model in the sub-optimal temperature range. The germinability of O. pulchella seeds in the understorey, both in wet and dry soil, was higher than in gaps. Germination was not affected by fluctuations in soil moisture content in the understorey environment, whereas in gaps, germination was higher in wet soils. Thus, the germination of this species involves the interaction of two or more factors and it cannot be explained by a single factor.

454-Pyrosequencing Analysis of Bacterial Communities from Autotrophic Nitrogen Removal Bioreactors Utilizing Universal Primers: Effect of Annealing Temperature

PubMed Central

Rodriguez-Sanchez, Alejandro; Rodelas, Belén; Abbas, Ben A.; Martinez-Toledo, Maria Victoria; van Loosdrecht, Mark C. M.; Osorio, F.; Gonzalez-Lopez, Jesus

2015-01-01

Identification of anaerobic ammonium oxidizing (anammox) bacteria by molecular tools aimed at the evaluation of bacterial diversity in autotrophic nitrogen removal systems is limited by the difficulty to design universal primers for the Bacteria domain able to amplify the anammox 16S rRNA genes. A metagenomic analysis (pyrosequencing) of total bacterial diversity including anammox population in five autotrophic nitrogen removal technologies, two bench-scale models (MBR and Low Temperature CANON) and three full-scale bioreactors (anammox, CANON, and DEMON), was successfully carried out by optimization of primer selection and PCR conditions (annealing temperature). The universal primer 530F was identified as the best candidate for total bacteria and anammox bacteria diversity coverage. Salt-adjusted optimum annealing temperature of primer 530F was calculated (47°C) and hence a range of annealing temperatures of 44–49°C was tested. Pyrosequencing data showed that annealing temperature of 45°C yielded the best results in terms of species richness and diversity for all bioreactors analyzed. PMID:26421306

454-Pyrosequencing Analysis of Bacterial Communities from Autotrophic Nitrogen Removal Bioreactors Utilizing Universal Primers: Effect of Annealing Temperature.

PubMed

Gonzalez-Martinez, Alejandro; Rodriguez-Sanchez, Alejandro; Rodelas, Belén; Abbas, Ben A; Martinez-Toledo, Maria Victoria; van Loosdrecht, Mark C M; Osorio, F; Gonzalez-Lopez, Jesus

2015-01-01

Identification of anaerobic ammonium oxidizing (anammox) bacteria by molecular tools aimed at the evaluation of bacterial diversity in autotrophic nitrogen removal systems is limited by the difficulty to design universal primers for the Bacteria domain able to amplify the anammox 16S rRNA genes. A metagenomic analysis (pyrosequencing) of total bacterial diversity including anammox population in five autotrophic nitrogen removal technologies, two bench-scale models (MBR and Low Temperature CANON) and three full-scale bioreactors (anammox, CANON, and DEMON), was successfully carried out by optimization of primer selection and PCR conditions (annealing temperature). The universal primer 530F was identified as the best candidate for total bacteria and anammox bacteria diversity coverage. Salt-adjusted optimum annealing temperature of primer 530F was calculated (47°C) and hence a range of annealing temperatures of 44-49°C was tested. Pyrosequencing data showed that annealing temperature of 45°C yielded the best results in terms of species richness and diversity for all bioreactors analyzed.

Determination of the ultrasound power effects on flavonoid compounds from Psidium guajava L. using ANFIS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ratu Ayu, Humairoh; Suryono, Suryono; Endro Suseno, Jatmiko; Kurniawati, Ratna

2018-05-01

The Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) model was used to predict and optimize the content of flavonoid compounds in guava leaves (Psidium Guajava L.). The extraction process was carried out by using ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) with the variable parameters: temperature ranging from 25°C to 35°C, ultrasonic frequency (30 - 40 kHz) and extraction time (20 - 40 minutes). ANFIS learning procedure began by providing the input variable data set (temperature, frequency and time) and the output of the flavonoid compounds from the experiments that had been done. Subtractive clustering methods was used in the manufacture of FIS (fuzzy inference system) structures by varying the range of influence parameters to generate the ANFIS system. The ANFIS trainingsconducted wereaimed at minimum error value. The results showed that the best ANFIS models used a subtractive clustering method, in which the ranges of influence 0.1 were 0.70 x 10-4 for training RMSE, 8.11 for testing RMSE, 2.7 % MAPE, and 7.72 MAE. The optimum condition was obtained at a temperature of 35°C and frequency of 40 kHz, for 30 minutes. This result proves that the ANFIS model can be used to predict the content of flavonoid compounds in guava leaves.

Electro-physical properties of superconducting ceramic thick film prepared by partial melting method.

PubMed

Lee, Sang Heon

2013-05-01

BiSrCaCuO superconductor thick films were prepared at several curing temperatures, and their electro-physical properties were determined to find an optimum fabrication conditions. Critical temperatures of the superconductors were decreased with increasing melting temperature, which was related to the amount of equilibrium phases of the superconducting materials with temperature. The critical temperature of BiSrCaCuO bulk and thick film superconductors were 107 K and 96 K, respectively. The variation of susceptibility of the superconductor thick film formed at 950 degrees C had multi-step-type curve for 70 G externally applied field, whereas, a superconductor thick film formed at 885 degrees C had a single step-type curve like a bulk BiSrCaCuO ceramic superconductor in the temperature-susceptibility curves. A partial melting at 865 degrees C is one of optimum conditions for making a superconductor thick film with a relatively homogeneous phase.

Early colonization of thermal niches in a silica-depositing hot spring in central Tibet.

PubMed

Lau, C Y; Aitchison, J C; Pointing, S B

2008-03-01

Thermophilic microbial mats dominated by the anoxygenic phototroph Roseiflexus castenholzii commonly develop around sinter-depositing geysers in the Daggyai Tso geothermal field of central Tibet. In this study we used morphological and molecular genetic techniques to reveal a diverse pioneer biofilm community including both archaea and bacteria involved in early colonization of such thermal niches at temperatures ranging from 46 to 77 degrees C. Sinter precipitation and biomineralization were evident at all locations, but the latter was selective between taxa and most evident on filamentous cells. Evidence for possible indirect biosignatures from biofilms overwhelmed by sinter deposition was found. Succession to a mature community appeared to relate to the growth rate for key taxa outpacing that of silicification within an optimum temperature range of 54-61 degrees C. The thin surface layer of silicification-resistant cyanobacteria that developed on the surface of mature mats may play a role in preventing biomineralization of the susceptible R. castenholzii beneath within these communities.

Double-pinned magnetic tunnel junction sensors with spin-valve-like sensing layers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yuan, Z. H.; Huang, L.; Feng, J. F., E-mail: jiafengfeng@iphy.ac.cn

2015-08-07

MgO magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) sensors with spin-valve-like sensing layers of Ir{sub 22}Mn{sub 78} (6)/Ni{sub 80}Fe{sub 20} (t{sub NiFe} = 20–70)/Ru (0.9)/Co{sub 40}Fe{sub 40}B{sub 20} (3) (unit: nm) have been fabricated. A linear field dependence of magnetoresistance for these MTJ sensors was obtained by carrying out a two-step field annealing process. The sensitivity and linear field range can be tuned by varying the thickness of NiFe layer and annealing temperature, and a high sensitivity of 37%/mT has been achieved in the MTJ sensors with 70 nm NiFe at the optimum annealing temperature of 230 °C. Combining the spin-valve-like sensing structure and a soft magneticmore » NiFe layer, MTJ sensors with relatively wide field sensing range have been achieved and could be promising for showing high sensitivity magnetic field sensing applications.« less

Study on the paper substrate room temperature phosphorescence of theobromine, caffeine and theophylline and analytical application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuan, Dong; Yan-Li, Wei; Shao-Min, Shuang

2003-05-01

Paper substrate room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) of theobromine (TB), caffeine (CF) and theophylline (TP) were investigated. The method is based on fast speed quantitative filter paper as substrate and KI-NaAc as heavy atom perturber. Various factors affecting their RTP were discussed in detail. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the linear dynamic range, limit of detection (LOD), and relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) were 14.41˜576.54 ng per spot, 1.14 ng per spot, 4.8% for TB, 5.44˜699.08 ng per spot, 0.78 ng per spot, 1.56% for CF, 7.21˜360.34 ng per spot, 1.80 ng per spot, 3.80% for TP, respectively. The first analytical application for the determination of these compounds was developed. The recovery of standard samples added to commercial products chocolate, tea, coffee and aminophylline is in the range 92.80-106.08%. The proposed method was successfully applied to real sample analysis without separation.

Characterization of an alkaline protease associated with a granulosis virus of Plodia interpunctella.

PubMed

Tweeten, K A; Bulla, L A; Consigli, R A

1978-06-01

An alkaline protease was found to be associated with the granulosis virus of the Indian meal moth. Plodia interpunctella. The protease was located within the protein matrix of the occluded virus and hydrolyzed the major constituent of this matrix, a 28,000-dalton protein (granulin), to a mixture of polypeptides ranging in molecular weight from 10,000 to 27,000. A rapid, sensitive assay for the protease was developed using radioactively labeled granulosis virus as substrate. With this assay, the proteolytic activity could be detected by measuring the release of acid-soluble peptides from the labeled virus. The protease had a pH optimum of 10.5 and a temperature optimum of 40 degrees C and was inhibited by diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, and L-(1-tosylamido-2-phenyl) ethyl chloromethyl ketone. Purification of the protease from matrix protein was achieved by anion-exchange and gel permeation chromatography. The molecular weight of the isolated protease, determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel filtration, was approximately 14,000.

Optical investigation of BaFe2(As0.77P0.23)2 : Spin-fluctuation-mediated superconductivity under pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uykur, E.; Kobayashi, T.; Hirata, W.; Miyasaka, S.; Tajima, S.; Kuntscher, C. A.

2017-06-01

Temperature-dependent reflectivity measurements in the frequency range 75-8000 cm-1 were performed on BaFe2(As0.77P0.23)2 single crystals under pressure up to ˜5 GPa . The obtained optical conductivity spectra have been analyzed to extract the electron-boson spectral density α2F (Ω ) . A sharp resonance peak was observed in α2F (Ω ) upon the superconducting transition, persisting throughout the applied pressure range. The energy and temperature dependences of this peak are consistent with the superconducting gap opening. Furthermore, several similarities with other experimental probes such as inelastic neutron scattering (INS) [D. S. Inosov et al., Nat. Lett. 6, 178 (2010), 10.1038/nphys1483] give evidence for the coupling to a bosonic mode, possibly due to spin fluctuations. Moreover, electronic correlations have been calculated via spectral weight analysis, which revealed that the system stays in the strongly correlated regime throughout the applied pressure range. However, a comparison to the parent compound showed that the electronic correlations are slightly decreased with P doping. The investigation of the phase diagram obtained by our optical study under pressure also revealed the coexistence of the spin-density wave and the superconducting regions, where the coexistence region shifts to the lower pressure range with increasing P content. Moreover, the optimum pressure range, where the highest superconducting transition temperature has been obtained, shows a nonlinear decrease with increasing P content.

Effect of annealing temperature on the microstructure and optical-electrical properties of Cu-Al-O thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Y. J.; Liu, Z. T.; Zang, D. Y.; Che, X. S.; Feng, L. P.; Bai, X. X.

2013-12-01

We have successfully prepared Cu-Al-O thin films on silicon (100) and quartz substrates by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering method. The as-deposited Cu-Al-O film is amorphous in nature and post-annealing treatment in argon ambience results in crystallization of the films and the formation of CuAlO2. The annealing temperature plays an important role in the surface morphology, phase constitution and preferred growth orientation of CuAlO2 phase, thus affecting the properties of the film. The film annealed at 900 °C is mainly composed of CuAlO2 phase and shows smooth surface morphology with well-defined grain boundaries, thus exhibiting the optimum optical-electrical properties with electrical resistivity being 79.7 Ω·cm at room temperature and optical transmittance being 80% in visible region. The direct optical band gaps of the films are found in the range of 3.3-3.8 eV depending on the annealing temperature.

Internal combustion engine controls for reduced exhausts contaminants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Matthews, D.R. Jr.

1974-06-04

An electrochemical control system for achieving optimum efficiency in the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions from internal combustion engines is described. The system automatically maintains catalyst temperature at a point for maximum pollutant conversion by adjusting ignition timing and fuel/air ratio during warm-up and subsequent operation. Ignition timing is retarded during engine warm-up to bring the catalytic converter to an efficient operating temperature within a minimum period of time. After the converter reaches a predetermined minimum temperature, the spark is advanced to within its normal operating range. A needle-valve adjustment during warm-up is employed to enrich themore » fuel/air mixture by approximately 10 percent. Following warm-up and attainment of a predetermined catalyst temperature, the needle valve is moved automatically to its normal position (e.g., a fuel/air ratio of 16:1). Although the normal lean mixture causes increased amounts of nitrogen oxide emissions, present NO/sub x/ converters appear capable of handling the increased emissions under normal operating conditions.« less

Optimal temperature for malaria transmission is dramaticallylower than previously predicted

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mordecai, Eerin A.; Paaijmans, Krijin P.; Johnson, Leah R.; Balzer, Christian; Ben-Horin, Tal; de Moor, Emily; McNally, Amy; Pawar, Samraat; Ryan, Sadie J.; Smith, Thomas C.; Lafferty, Kevin D.

2013-01-01

The ecology of mosquito vectors and malaria parasites affect the incidence, seasonal transmission and geographical range of malaria. Most malaria models to date assume constant or linear responses of mosquito and parasite life-history traits to temperature, predicting optimal transmission at 31 °C. These models are at odds with field observations of transmission dating back nearly a century. We build a model with more realistic ecological assumptions about the thermal physiology of insects. Our model, which includes empirically derived nonlinear thermal responses, predicts optimal malaria transmission at 25 °C (6 °C lower than previous models). Moreover, the model predicts that transmission decreases dramatically at temperatures > 28 °C, altering predictions about how climate change will affect malaria. A large data set on malaria transmission risk in Africa validates both the 25 °C optimum and the decline above 28 °C. Using these more accurate nonlinear thermal-response models will aid in understanding the effects of current and future temperature regimes on disease transmission.

Optimal temperature for malaria transmission is dramatically lower than previously predicted

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mordecai, Erin A.; Paaijmans, Krijn P.; Johnson, Leah R.; Balzer, Christian; Ben-Horin, Tal; de Moor, Emily; McNally, Amy; Pawar, Samraat; Ryan, Sadie J.; Smith, Thomas C.; Lafferty, Kevin D.

2013-01-01

The ecology of mosquito vectors and malaria parasites affect the incidence, seasonal transmission and geographical range of malaria. Most malaria models to date assume constant or linear responses of mosquito and parasite life-history traits to temperature, predicting optimal transmission at 31 °C. These models are at odds with field observations of transmission dating back nearly a century. We build a model with more realistic ecological assumptions about the thermal physiology of insects. Our model, which includes empirically derived nonlinear thermal responses, predicts optimal malaria transmission at 25 °C (6 °C lower than previous models). Moreover, the model predicts that transmission decreases dramatically at temperatures > 28 °C, altering predictions about how climate change will affect malaria. A large data set on malaria transmission risk in Africa validates both the 25 °C optimum and the decline above 28 °C. Using these more accurate nonlinear thermal-response models will aid in understanding the effects of current and future temperature regimes on disease transmission.

On the use of bismuth as a neutron filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adib, M.; Kilany, M.

2003-02-01

A formula is given which, for neutron energies in the range 10 -4< E<10 eV, permits calculation of the nuclear capture, thermal diffuse and Bragg scattering cross-sections as a function of bismuth temperature and crystalline form. Computer programs have been developed which allow calculations for the Bi rhombohedral structure in its poly-crystalline form and its equivalent hexagonal close-packed structure. The calculated total neutron cross-sections for poly-crystalline Bi at different temperatures were compared with the measured values. An overall agreement is indicated between the formula fits and experimental data. Agreement was also obtained for values of Bi-single crystals, at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures. A feasibility study for use of Bi in powdered form, as a cold neutron filter, is detailed in terms of the optimum Bi-single crystal thickness, mosaic spread, temperature and cutting plane for efficient transmission of thermal-reactor neutrons, and also for rejection of the accompanying fast neutrons and gamma rays.

Temperature dependent growth, feeding, nutritional condition and aerobic metabolism of juvenile spiny lobster, Sagmariasus verreauxi.

PubMed

Fitzgibbon, Quinn P; Simon, Cedric J; Smith, Gregory G; Carter, Chris G; Battaglene, Stephen C

2017-05-01

We examined the effects of temperature on the growth, feeding, nutritional condition and aerobic metabolism of juvenile spiny lobster, Sagmariasus verreauxi, in order to determine if temperature acclimated aerobic scope correlates with optimum for growth and to establish the thermal tolerance window for this emerging aquaculture species. Juvenile lobsters (initial weight=10.95±0.47g) were reared (n=7) at temperatures from 11.0 to 28.5°C for 145days. All lobsters survived from 14.5 to 25.0°C while survival was reduced at 11.0°C (86%) and all lobsters died at 28.5°C. Lobster specific growth rate and specific feed consumption displayed a unimodal response with temperature, peaking at 21.5°C. Lobster standard, routine and maximum metabolic rates, and aerobic scope all increased exponentially up to maximum non-lethal temperature. Optimum temperature for growth did not correspond to that for maximum aerobic scope suggesting that aerobic scope is not an effective predictor of the thermal optimum of spiny lobsters. Plateauing of specific feed consumption beyond 21.5°C suggests that temperature dependent growth of lobsters is limited by capacity to ingest or digest sufficient food to meet increasing maintenance metabolic demands at high temperatures. The nutritional condition of lobsters was not influenced by temperature and feed conversion ratio was improved at lower temperatures. These findings add to a growing body of evidence questioning the generality of aerobic scope to describe the physiological thermal boundaries of aquatic ectotherms and suggest that feed intake plays a crucial role in regulating performance at thermal extremes. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

MT's algorithm: A new algorithm to search for the optimum set of modulation indices for simultaneous range, command, and telemetry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, Tien Manh

1989-01-01

MT's algorithm was developed as an aid in the design of space telecommunications systems when utilized with simultaneous range/command/telemetry operations. This algorithm provides selection of modulation indices for: (1) suppression of undesired signals to achieve desired link performance margins and/or to allow for a specified performance degradation in the data channel (command/telemetry) due to the presence of undesired signals (interferers); and (2) optimum power division between the carrier, the range, and the data channel. A software program using this algorithm was developed for use with MathCAD software. This software program, called the MT program, provides the computation of optimum modulation indices for all possible cases that are recommended by the Consultative Committee on Space Data System (CCSDS) (with emphasis on the squarewave, NASA/JPL ranging system).

Optimum reentry trajectories of a lifting vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chern, J. S.; Vinh, N. X.

1980-01-01

Research results are presented of an investigation of the optimum maneuvers of advanced shuttle type spacecraft during reentry. The equations are formulated by means of modified Chapman variables resulting in a general set of equations for flight analysis which are exact for reentry and for flight in a vacuum. Four planar flight typical optimum manuevers are investigated. For three-dimensional flight the optimum trajectory for maximum cross range is discussed in detail. Techniques for calculating reentry footprints are presented.

Isolation and distribution of a novel iron-oxidizing crenarchaeon from acidic geothermal springs in Yellowstone National Park.

PubMed

Kozubal, M; Macur, R E; Korf, S; Taylor, W P; Ackerman, G G; Nagy, A; Inskeep, W P

2008-02-01

Novel thermophilic crenarchaea have been observed in Fe(III) oxide microbial mats of Yellowstone National Park (YNP); however, no definitive work has identified specific microorganisms responsible for the oxidation of Fe(II). The objectives of the current study were to isolate and characterize an Fe(II)-oxidizing member of the Sulfolobales observed in previous 16S rRNA gene surveys and to determine the abundance and distribution of close relatives of this organism in acidic geothermal springs containing high concentrations of dissolved Fe(II). Here we report the isolation and characterization of the novel, Fe(II)-oxidizing, thermophilic, acidophilic organism Metallosphaera sp. strain MK1 obtained from a well-characterized acid-sulfate-chloride geothermal spring in Norris Geyser Basin, YNP. Full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain MK1 exhibits only 94.9 to 96.1% sequence similarity to other known Metallosphaera spp. and less than 89.1% similarity to known Sulfolobus spp. Strain MK1 is a facultative chemolithoautotroph with an optimum pH range of 2.0 to 3.0 and an optimum temperature range of 65 to 75 degrees C. Strain MK1 grows optimally on pyrite or Fe(II) sorbed onto ferrihydrite, exhibiting doubling times between 10 and 11 h under aerobic conditions (65 degrees C). The distribution and relative abundance of MK1-like 16S rRNA gene sequences in 14 acidic geothermal springs containing Fe(III) oxide microbial mats were evaluated. Highly related MK1-like 16S rRNA gene sequences (>99% sequence similarity) were consistently observed in Fe(III) oxide mats at temperatures ranging from 55 to 80 degrees C. Quantitative PCR using Metallosphaera-specific primers confirmed that organisms highly similar to strain MK1 comprised up to 40% of the total archaeal community at selected sites. The broad distribution of highly related MK1-like 16S rRNA gene sequences in acidic Fe(III) oxide microbial mats is consistent with the observed characteristics and growth optima of Metallosphaera-like strain MK1 and emphasizes the importance of this newly described taxon in Fe(II) chemolithotrophy in acidic high-temperature environments of YNP.

Calculation of {alpha}/{gamma} equilibria in SA508 grade 3 steels for intercritical heat treatment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, B.J.; Kim, H.D.; Hong, J.H.

1998-05-01

An attempt has been made to suggest an optimum temperature for intercritical heat treatment of an SA508 grade 3 steel for nuclear pressure vessels, based on thermodynamic calculation of the {alpha}/{gamma} phase equilibria. A thermodynamic database constructed for the Fe-Mn-Ni-Mo-Cr-Si-V-Al-C-N ten-component system and an empirical criterion that the amount of reformed austenite should be around 40 pct were used for thermodynamic calculation and derivation of the optimum heat-treatment temperature, respectively. The calculated optimum temperature, 720 C, was in good agreement with an experimentally determined temperature of 725 C obtained through an independent experimental investigation of the same steel. The agreementmore » between the calculated and measured fraction of reformed austenite during the intercritical heat treatment was also confirmed. Based on the agreement between calculation and experiment, it could be concluded that thermodynamic calculations can be successfully applied to the materials and/or process design as an additive tool to the already established technology, and that the currently constructed thermodynamic database for steel systems shows an accuracy that makes such applications possible.« less

Effect of water addition in a microwave assisted thermal cracking of biomass tar gasification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warsita, A.; Surya, I.

2018-02-01

Producer gas from biomass gasification is plagued by the presence of tar which causes pipe blockages. Thermal and catalytic treatments in a microwave reactor have been shown to be effective methods for removing tar from producer gas. A question arises as to the possibility of enhancing the removal mechanism by adding water into the reactor. Thermal treatment with a various amount of water was added at temperatures in the range of 800-1200°C. The tar removal efficiency obtained 96.32% at the optimum temperature of 1200°C at the water to tar ratio (W/T) of 0.3. This study shows that the removal of tar by microwave irradiation with water addition is a significant and effective method in tar cracking.

Lightweight concentrator module with 30 percent AM0 efficient GaAs/GaSb tandem cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Avery, J. E.; Fraas, L. M.; Sundaram, V. S.; Mansoori, N.; Yerkes, J. W.; Brinker, D. J.; Curtis, H. B.; O'Neill, M. J.

1990-01-01

A concept is presented for an aerospace concentrator module with lightweight domed lenses and 30 percent AM0 efficient GaAs/GaSb tandem solar cell circuits. The performance of transparent GaAs cells is reviewed. NASA's high-altitude jet flight calibration data for recent GaSb cells assembled with bulk GaAs filters are reported, along with subsequent Boeing and NASA measurements of GaSb I-V performance at various light levels and temperatures. The expected performance of a basic two-terminal tandem concentrator circuit with three-to-one voltage matching is discussed. All of the necessary components being developed to assemble complete flight test coupons are shown. Straightforward interconnect and assembly techniques yield voltage matched circuits with near-optimum performance over a wide temperature range.

Optimum Onager: The Classical Mechanics of a Classical Siege Engine

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Denny, Mark

2009-01-01

The onager is a throwing weapon of classical antiquity, familiar to both the ancient Greeks and Romans. Here we analyze the dynamics of onager operation and derive the optimum angle for launching a projectile to its maximum range. There is plenty of scope for further considerations about increasing onager range, and so by thinking about how this…

Effect of the temperature and dew point of the decarburization process on the oxide subscale of a 3% silicon steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cesar, Maria das Graças M. M.; Mantel, Marc J.

2003-01-01

The oxide subscale formed on the decarburization annealing of 3% Si-Fe was investigated using microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. It was found that the morphology as well as the molecular structure of the subscale are affected by temperature and dew point. The results suggest that there is an optimum level of internal oxidation and an optimum fayalite/silica ratio in the subscale to achieve a oriented grain silicon steel having a continuous and smooth ceramic film and low core loss.

The effect of CO2 activation temperature on the physical and electrochemical properties of activated carbon monolith from banana stem waste

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taer, E.; Susanti, Y.; Awitdrus, Sugianto, Taslim, R.; Setiadi, R. N.; Bahri, S.; Agustino, Dewi, P.; Kurniasih, B.

2018-02-01

The effect of CO2 activation on the synthesis of activated carbon monolith from banana stem waste has been studied. Physical characteristics such as density, degree of crystallinity, surface morphology and elemental content has been analyzed, supporting the finding of an excellent electrochemical properties for the supercapacitor. The synthesis of activated carbon electrode began with pre-carbonization process at temperature of 250°C for 2.5 h. Then the process was continued by chemical activation using KOH as activating agent with a concentration of 0.4 M. The pellets were formed with 8 ton hydrolic pressure. All the samples were carbonized at a temperature of 600°C, followed by physical activation using CO2 gas at a various temperatures ranging from 800°C, 850°C, 900°C and 950°C for 2 h. The carbon content was increased with increasing temperature and the optimum temperature was 900°C. The specific capacitance depends on the activation temperature with the highest specific capacitance of 104.2 F/g at the activation temperature of 900°C.

Emittance Theory for Cylindrical Fiber Selective Emitter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chubb, Donald L.

1998-01-01

A fibrous rare earth selective emitter is approximated as an infinitely long cylinder. The spectral emittance, epsilon(lambda), is obtained by solving the radiative transfer equations with appropriate boundary conditions and uniform temperature. For optical depths, Kappa(R) = alpha(lambda)R, where alpha(lambda) is the extinction coefficient and R is the cylinder radius, greater than 1 the spectral emittance is nearly at its maximum value. There is an optimum cylinder radius, R(opt), for maximum emitter efficiency, eta(E). Values for R(opt) are strongly dependent on the number of emission bands of the material. The optimum radius decreases slowly with increasing emitter temperature, while the maximum efficiency and useful radiated power increase rapidly with increasing temperature.

A study on torrefaction of sewage sludge to enhance solid fuel qualities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Poudel, Jeeban; Ohm, Tae-In; Lee, Sang-Hoon

2015-06-15

Highlights: • The physio chemical variation of sewage sludge during torrefaction was studied. • Compounds with oxygen were emitted at a temperature lower than that for C{sub x}H{sub y}. • Sewage sludge torrefaction range was defined between 300 and 350 °C. - Abstract: Torrefaction is a treatment which serves to improve the properties of biomass in relation to thermochemical processing techniques for energy generation. In this study, the torrefaction of sewage sludge, which is a non-lignocellulosic waste was investigated in a horizontal tubular reactor under nitrogen flow at temperature ranging from 150 to 400 °C, for torrefaction residence time varyingmore » from 0 to 50 min. The torrefaction kinetics of sewage sludge was studied to obtain the kinetic parameters. The torrefied sewage sludge products were characterized in terms of their elemental composition, energy yield, ash content and volatile fraction. The energy and mass yields decreased with an increase in the torrefaction temperature. From an elemental analysis, the weight percentage of carbon in the sewage sludge increased with an increase in the torrefaction temperature. On the other hand, the weight percentages of hydrogen and oxygen tended to decrease. The gaseous products from torrefaction of sewage sludge were also analyzed. From this work, it was found that the compounds with oxygen were emitted at a temperature lower than that for hydrocarbon gases and the temperatures of 300–350 °C were the optimum torrefaction temperatures for sewage sludge.« less

Prediction of the optimum hybridization conditions of dot-blot-SNP analysis using estimated melting temperature of oligonucleotide probes.

PubMed

Shiokai, Sachiko; Kitashiba, Hiroyasu; Nishio, Takeshi

2010-08-01

Although the dot-blot-SNP technique is a simple cost-saving technique suitable for genotyping of many plant individuals, optimization of hybridization and washing conditions for each SNP marker requires much time and labor. For prediction of the optimum hybridization conditions for each probe, we compared T (m) values estimated from nucleotide sequences using the DINAMelt web server, measured T (m) values, and hybridization conditions yielding allele-specific signals. The estimated T (m) values were comparable to the measured T (m) values with small differences of less than 3 degrees C for most of the probes. There were differences of approximately 14 degrees C between the specific signal detection conditions and estimated T (m) values. Change of one level of SSC concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0x SSC corresponded to a difference of approximately 5 degrees C in optimum signal detection temperature. Increasing the sensitivity of signal detection by shortening the exposure time to X-ray film changed the optimum hybridization condition for specific signal detection. Addition of competitive oligonucleotides to the hybridization mixture increased the suitable hybridization conditions by 1.8. Based on these results, optimum hybridization conditions for newly produced dot-blot-SNP markers will become predictable.

Performance mapping of a 30 cm engineering model thruster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poeschel, R. L.; Vahrenkamp, R. P.

1975-01-01

A 30 cm thruster representative of the engineering model design has been tested over a wide range of operating parameters to document performance characteristics such as electrical and propellant efficiencies, double ion and beam divergence thrust loss, component equilibrium temperatures, operational stability, etc. Data obtained show that optimum power throttling, in terms of maximum thruster efficiency, is not highly sensitive to parameter selection. Consequently, considerations of stability, discharge chamber erosion, thrust losses, etc. can be made the determining factors for parameter selection in power throttling operations. Options in parameter selection based on these considerations are discussed.

Method of fabricating silicon carbide coatings on graphite surfaces

DOEpatents

Varacalle, D.J. Jr.; Herman, H.; Burchell, T.D.

1994-07-26

The vacuum plasma spray process produces well-bonded, dense, stress-free coatings for a variety of materials on a wide range of substrates. The process is used in many industries to provide for the excellent wear, corrosion resistance, and high temperature behavior of the fabricated coatings. In this application, silicon metal is deposited on graphite. This invention discloses the optimum processing parameters for as-sprayed coating qualities. The method also discloses the effect of thermal cycling on silicon samples in an inert helium atmosphere at about 1,600 C which transforms the coating to silicon carbide. 3 figs.

Method of fabricating silicon carbide coatings on graphite surfaces

DOEpatents

Varacalle, Jr., Dominic J.; Herman, Herbert; Burchell, Timothy D.

1994-01-01

The vacuum plasma spray process produces well-bonded, dense, stress-free coatings for a variety of materials on a wide range of substrates. The process is used in many industries to provide for the excellent wear, corrosion resistance, and high temperature behavior of the fabricated coatings. In this application, silicon metal is deposited on graphite. This invention discloses the optimum processing parameters for as-sprayed coating qualities. The method also discloses the effect of thermal cycling on silicon samples in an inert helium atmosphere at about 1600.degree.C. which transforms the coating to silicon carbide.

Optimization of MgF2-deposition temperature for far UV Al mirrors.

PubMed

De Marcos, Luis V Rodríguez; Larruquert, Juan I; Méndez, José A; Gutiérrez-Luna, Nuria; Espinosa-Yáñez, Lucía; Honrado-Benítez, Carlos; Chavero-Royán, José; Perea-Abarca, Belén

2018-04-02

Progress towards far UV (FUV) coatings with enhanced reflectance is invaluable for future space missions, such as LUVOIR. This research starts with the procedure developed to enhance MgF 2 -protected Al reflectance through depositing MgF 2 on a heated aluminized substrate [Quijada et al., Proc. SPIE 8450, 84502H (2012)] and it establishes the optimum deposition temperature of the MgF 2 protective film for Al mirrors with a reflectance as high as ~90% at 121.6 nm. Al films were deposited at room temperature and protected with a MgF 2 film deposited at various temperatures ranging from room temperature to 350°C. It has been found that mirror reflectance in the short FUV range continuously increases with MgF 2 deposition temperature up to 250°C, whereas reflectance decreases at temperatures of 300°C and up. The short-FUV reflectance of mirrors deposited at 250°C only slightly decreased over time by less than 1%, compared to a larger decay for standard coatings prepared at room temperature. Al mirrors protected with MgF 2 deposited at room temperature that were later annealed displayed a similar reflectance enhancement that mirrors protected at high temperatures. MgF 2 and Al roughness as well as MgF 2 density were analyzed by x-ray grazing incidence reflectometry. A noticeable reduction in both Al and MgF 2 roughness, as well as an increase of MgF 2 density, were measured for films deposited at high temperatures. On the other hand, it was found a strong correlation between the protective-layer deposition temperature (or post-deposition annealing temperature) and the pinhole open area in Al films, which could be prevented with a somewhat thicker Al film.

Comparison of Efficacy and Tolerance of Automatic Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Devices With the Optimum Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.

PubMed

Tommi, George; Aronow, Wilbert S; Sheehan, John C; McCleay, Matthew T; Meyers, Patrick G

Patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were randomly placed on automatic continuous positive airway pressure (ACPAP) for 2 hours followed by manual titration for the rest of the night. One hundred sixty-one patients entered the study, with at least 50 patients titrated with each of 3 ACPAP devices. The optimum continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was defined as the lowest pressure with an apnea-hypoxia index of ≤5/hr, which ranged from 4 cm to 18 cm. Success with ACPAP was approximately 60%-80% when the optimum CPAP was 4-6 cm but fell to below 30% if the optimum CPAP was ≥8 cm (P = 0.001). Average ACPAP ranged from 2 to 10 cm below the optimum level if the optimum CPAP was ≥8 cm. Patients who responded to a low CPAP but deteriorated on higher pressures failed to respond to any of the automatic devices. We recommend that CPAP titration be performed manually before initiation of ACPAP in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The basal pressure for ACPAP should be the optimum pressure obtained by manual titration. Limits on the upper level of ACPAP may be necessary for patients who deteriorate on higher positive pressures.

Cool temperatures reduce antifungal activity of symbiotic bacteria of threatened amphibians--implications for disease management and patterns of decline.

PubMed

Daskin, Joshua H; Bell, Sara C; Schwarzkopf, Lin; Alford, Ross A

2014-01-01

Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is a widespread disease of amphibians responsible for population declines and extinctions. Some bacteria from amphibians' skins produce antimicrobial substances active against Bd. Supplementing populations of these cutaneous antifungal bacteria might help manage chytridiomycosis in wild amphibians. However, the activity of protective bacteria may depend upon environmental conditions. Biocontrol of Bd in nature thus requires knowledge of how environmental conditions affect their anti-Bd activity. For example, Bd-driven amphibian declines have often occurred at temperatures below Bd's optimum range. It is possible these declines occurred due to reduced anti-Bd activity of bacterial symbionts at cool temperatures. Better understanding of the effects of temperature on chytridiomycosis development could also improve risk evaluation for amphibian populations yet to encounter Bd. We characterized, at a range of temperatures approximating natural seasonal variation, the anti-Bd activity of bacterial symbionts from the skins of three species of rainforest tree frogs (Litoria nannotis, Litoria rheocola, and Litoria serrata). All three species declined during chytridiomycosis outbreaks in the late 1980s and early 1990s and have subsequently recovered to differing extents. We collected anti-Bd bacterial symbionts from frogs and cultured the bacteria at constant temperatures from 8 °C to 33 °C. Using a spectrophotometric assay, we monitored Bd growth in cell-free supernatants (CFSs) from each temperature treatment. CFSs from 11 of 24 bacteria showed reduced anti-Bd activity in vitro when they were produced at cool temperatures similar to those encountered by the host species during population declines. Reduced anti-Bd activity of metabolites produced at low temperatures may, therefore, partially explain the association between Bd-driven declines and cool temperatures. We show that to avoid inconsistent antifungal activity, bacteria evaluated for use in chytridiomycosis biocontrol should be tested over a range of environmental temperatures spanning those likely to be encountered in the field.

A Key Marine Diazotroph in a Changing Ocean: The Interacting Effects of Temperature, CO2 and Light on the Growth of Trichodesmium erythraeum IMS101

PubMed Central

Lawson, Tracy; Geider, Richard J.

2017-01-01

Trichodesmium is a globally important marine diazotroph that accounts for approximately 60 − 80% of marine biological N2 fixation and as such plays a key role in marine N and C cycles. We undertook a comprehensive assessment of how the growth rate of Trichodesmium erythraeum IMS101 was directly affected by the combined interactions of temperature, pCO2 and light intensity. Our key findings were: low pCO2 affected the lower temperature tolerance limit (Tmin) but had no effect on the optimum temperature (Topt) at which growth was maximal or the maximum temperature tolerance limit (Tmax); low pCO2 had a greater effect on the thermal niche width than low-light; the effect of pCO2 on growth rate was more pronounced at suboptimal temperatures than at supraoptimal temperatures; temperature and light had a stronger effect on the photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) than did CO2; and at Topt, the maximum growth rate increased with increasing CO2, but the initial slope of the growth-irradiance curve was not affected by CO2. In the context of environmental change, our results suggest that the (i) nutrient replete growth rate of Trichodesmium IMS101 would have been severely limited by low pCO2 at the last glacial maximum (LGM), (ii) future increases in pCO2 will increase growth rates in areas where temperature ranges between Tmin to Topt, but will have negligible effect at temperatures between Topt and Tmax, (iii) areal increase of warm surface waters (> 18°C) has allowed the geographic range to increase significantly from the LGM to present and that the range will continue to expand to higher latitudes with continued warming, but (iv) continued global warming may exclude Trichodesmium spp. from some tropical regions by 2100 where temperature exceeds Topt. PMID:28081236

A Key Marine Diazotroph in a Changing Ocean: The Interacting Effects of Temperature, CO2 and Light on the Growth of Trichodesmium erythraeum IMS101.

PubMed

Boatman, Tobias G; Lawson, Tracy; Geider, Richard J

2017-01-01

Trichodesmium is a globally important marine diazotroph that accounts for approximately 60 - 80% of marine biological N2 fixation and as such plays a key role in marine N and C cycles. We undertook a comprehensive assessment of how the growth rate of Trichodesmium erythraeum IMS101 was directly affected by the combined interactions of temperature, pCO2 and light intensity. Our key findings were: low pCO2 affected the lower temperature tolerance limit (Tmin) but had no effect on the optimum temperature (Topt) at which growth was maximal or the maximum temperature tolerance limit (Tmax); low pCO2 had a greater effect on the thermal niche width than low-light; the effect of pCO2 on growth rate was more pronounced at suboptimal temperatures than at supraoptimal temperatures; temperature and light had a stronger effect on the photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) than did CO2; and at Topt, the maximum growth rate increased with increasing CO2, but the initial slope of the growth-irradiance curve was not affected by CO2. In the context of environmental change, our results suggest that the (i) nutrient replete growth rate of Trichodesmium IMS101 would have been severely limited by low pCO2 at the last glacial maximum (LGM), (ii) future increases in pCO2 will increase growth rates in areas where temperature ranges between Tmin to Topt, but will have negligible effect at temperatures between Topt and Tmax, (iii) areal increase of warm surface waters (> 18°C) has allowed the geographic range to increase significantly from the LGM to present and that the range will continue to expand to higher latitudes with continued warming, but (iv) continued global warming may exclude Trichodesmium spp. from some tropical regions by 2100 where temperature exceeds Topt.

Synthesis and Characterization of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Nanoparticles Doped with Ytterbium and Gadolinium: ZrO2 9.5Y2O3 5.6Yb2O3 5.2Gd2O3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bahamirian, M.; Hadavi, S. M. M.; Rahimipour, M. R.; Farvizi, M.; Keyvani, A.

2018-06-01

Defect cluster thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are attractive alternatives to Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) in advanced applications. In this study, YSZ nanoparticles doped with ytterbium and gadolinium (ZrO2 9.5Y2O3 5.6Yb2O3 5.2Gd2O3 (ZGYbY)) were synthesized through a chemical co-precipitation and calcination method, and characterized by in situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction analysis in the temperature range of 25 °C to 1000 °C (HTK-XRD), thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Precise cell parameters of t-prime phase and the best zirconia phase for TBC applications were calculated by Cohen's and Rietveld refinement methods. Optimum crystallization temperature of the precursor powder was found to be 1000 °C. Furthermore, FE-SEM results for the calcined ZGYbY powders indicated orderly particles of uniform shape and size with a small tendency toward agglomeration. Average lattice thermal expansion coefficient in the temperature range of 25 °C to 1000 °C was determined to be 31.71 × 10-6 K-1.

Synthesis and Characterization of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Nanoparticles Doped with Ytterbium and Gadolinium: ZrO2 9.5Y2O3 5.6Yb2O3 5.2Gd2O3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bahamirian, M.; Hadavi, S. M. M.; Rahimipour, M. R.; Farvizi, M.; Keyvani, A.

2018-03-01

Defect cluster thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are attractive alternatives to Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) in advanced applications. In this study, YSZ nanoparticles doped with ytterbium and gadolinium (ZrO2 9.5Y2O3 5.6Yb2O3 5.2Gd2O3 (ZGYbY)) were synthesized through a chemical co-precipitation and calcination method, and characterized by in situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction analysis in the temperature range of 25 °C to 1000 °C (HTK-XRD), thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Precise cell parameters of t-prime phase and the best zirconia phase for TBC applications were calculated by Cohen's and Rietveld refinement methods. Optimum crystallization temperature of the precursor powder was found to be 1000 °C. Furthermore, FE-SEM results for the calcined ZGYbY powders indicated orderly particles of uniform shape and size with a small tendency toward agglomeration. Average lattice thermal expansion coefficient in the temperature range of 25 °C to 1000 °C was determined to be 31.71 × 10-6 K-1.

Enhanced styrene recovery from waste polystyrene pyrolysis using response surface methodology coupled with Box-Behnken design.

PubMed

Mo, Yu; Zhao, Lei; Wang, Zhonghui; Chen, Chia-Lung; Tan, Giin-Yu Amy; Wang, Jing-Yuan

2014-04-01

A work applied response surface methodology coupled with Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD) has been developed to enhance styrene recovery from waste polystyrene (WPS) through pyrolysis. The relationship between styrene yield and three selected operating parameters (i.e., temperature, heating rate, and carrier gas flow rate) was investigated. A second order polynomial equation was successfully built to describe the process and predict styrene yield under the study conditions. The factors identified as statistically significant to styrene production were: temperature, with a quadratic effect; heating rate, with a linear effect; carrier gas flow rate, with a quadratic effect; interaction between temperature and carrier gas flow rate; and interaction between heating rate and carrier gas flow rate. The optimum conditions for the current system were determined to be at a temperature range of 470-505°C, a heating rate of 40°C/min, and a carrier gas flow rate range of 115-140mL/min. Under such conditions, 64.52% WPS was recovered as styrene, which was 12% more than the highest reported yield for reactors of similar size. It is concluded that RSM-BBD is an effective approach for yield optimization of styrene recovery from WPS pyrolysis. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Improved ionic conductivity of lithium-zinc-tellurite glass-ceramic electrolytes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Widanarto, W.; Ramdhan, A. M.; Ghoshal, S. K.; Effendi, M.; Cahyanto, W. T.; Warsito

An enhancement in the secondary battery safety demands the optimum synthesis of glass-ceramics electrolytes with modified ionic conductivity. To achieve improved ionic conductivity and safer operation of the battery, we synthesized Li2O included zinc-tellurite glass-ceramics based electrolytes of chemical composition (85-x)TeO2·xLi2O·15ZnO, where x = 0, 5, 10, 15 mol%. Samples were prepared using the melt quenching method at 800 °C followed by thermal annealing at 320 °C for 3 h and characterized. The effects of varying temperature, alternating current (AC) frequency and Li2O concentration on the structure and ionic conductivity of such glass-ceramics were determined. The SEM images of the annealed glass-ceramic electrolytes displayed rough surface with a uniform distribution of nucleated crystal flakes with sizes less than 1 μm. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the well crystalline nature of achieved electrolytes. Incorporation of Li2O in the electrolytes was found to generate some new crystalline phases including hexagonal Li6(TeO6), monoclinic Zn2Te3O8 and monoclinic Li2Te2O5. The estimated crystallite size of the electrolyte was ranged from ≈40 to 80 nm. AC impedance measurement revealed that the variation in the temperatures, Li2O contents, and high AC frequencies have a significant influence on the ionic conductivity of the electrolytes. Furthermore, electrolyte doped with 15 mol% of Li2O exhibited the optimum performance with an ionic conductivity ≈2.4 × 10-7 S cm-1 at the frequency of 54 Hz and in the temperature range of 323-473 K. This enhancement in the conductivity was attributed to the sizable alteration in the ions vibration and ruptures of covalent bonds in the electrolytes network structures.

Performance optimization of apodized FBG-based temperature sensors in single and quasi-distributed DWDM systems with new and different apodization profiles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mohammed, Nazmi A.; Ali, Taha A., E-mail: Taha25@gmail.com; Aly, Moustafa H.

2013-12-15

In this work, different FBG temperature sensors are designed and evaluated with various apodization profiles. Evaluation is done under a wide range of controlling design parameters like sensor length and refractive index modulation amplitude, targeting a remarkable temperature sensing performance. New judgment techniques are introduced such as apodization window roll-off rate, asymptotic sidelobe (SL) decay level, number of SLs, and average SL level (SLav). Evaluation techniques like reflectivity, Full width at Half Maximum (FWHM), and Sidelobe Suppression Ratio (SLSR) are also used. A “New” apodization function is proposed, which achieves better performance like asymptotic decay of 18.4 dB/nm, high SLSRmore » of 60 dB, high channel isolation of 57.9 dB, and narrow FWHM less than 0.15 nm. For a single accurate temperature sensor measurement in extensive noisy environment, optimum results are obtained by the Nuttall apodization profile and the new apodization function, which have remarkable SLSR. For a quasi-distributed FBG temperature sensor the Barthann and the new apodization profiles obtain optimum results. Barthann achieves a high asymptotic decay of 40 dB/nm, a narrow FWHM (less than 25 GHZ), a very low SLav of −45.3 dB, high isolation of 44.6 dB, and a high SLSR of 35 dB. The new apodization function achieves narrow FWHM of 0.177 nm, very low SL of −60.1, very low SLav of −63.6 dB, and very high SLSR of −57.7 dB. A study is performed on including an unapodized sensor among apodized sensors in a quasi-distributed sensing system. Finally, an isolation examination is performed on all the discussed apodizations and a linear relation between temperature and the Bragg wavelength shift is observed experimentally and matched with the simulated results.« less

Performance optimization of apodized FBG-based temperature sensors in single and quasi-distributed DWDM systems with new and different apodization profiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohammed, Nazmi A.; Ali, Taha A.; Aly, Moustafa H.

2013-12-01

In this work, different FBG temperature sensors are designed and evaluated with various apodization profiles. Evaluation is done under a wide range of controlling design parameters like sensor length and refractive index modulation amplitude, targeting a remarkable temperature sensing performance. New judgment techniques are introduced such as apodization window roll-off rate, asymptotic sidelobe (SL) decay level, number of SLs, and average SL level (SLav). Evaluation techniques like reflectivity, Full width at Half Maximum (FWHM), and Sidelobe Suppression Ratio (SLSR) are also used. A "New" apodization function is proposed, which achieves better performance like asymptotic decay of 18.4 dB/nm, high SLSR of 60 dB, high channel isolation of 57.9 dB, and narrow FWHM less than 0.15 nm. For a single accurate temperature sensor measurement in extensive noisy environment, optimum results are obtained by the Nuttall apodization profile and the new apodization function, which have remarkable SLSR. For a quasi-distributed FBG temperature sensor the Barthann and the new apodization profiles obtain optimum results. Barthann achieves a high asymptotic decay of 40 dB/nm, a narrow FWHM (less than 25 GHZ), a very low SLav of -45.3 dB, high isolation of 44.6 dB, and a high SLSR of 35 dB. The new apodization function achieves narrow FWHM of 0.177 nm, very low SL of -60.1, very low SLav of -63.6 dB, and very high SLSR of -57.7 dB. A study is performed on including an unapodized sensor among apodized sensors in a quasi-distributed sensing system. Finally, an isolation examination is performed on all the discussed apodizations and a linear relation between temperature and the Bragg wavelength shift is observed experimentally and matched with the simulated results.

Screening and Characterization of Polygalacturonase as Potential Enzyme for Keprok Garut Orange (Citrus nobilis var. chrysocarpa) Juice Clarification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Widowati, E.; Utami, R.; Kalistyatika, K.

2017-11-01

Use of thermostable enzyme from bacilli for industrial application is significant. This research aimed to isolate thermophilic pectinolytic bacteria from orange peel and vegetable waste which produced thermostable polygalacturonase, to investigate the polygalacturonase ability in clarifying keprok Garut orange juice, and to characterize polygalacturonase based on pH optimum, temperature optimum, enzyme stability, enzyme kinetics KM, and Vmax. Obtained, 14 isolates that further selected to 4 best isolates based on highest polygalacturonase activity and keprok Garut orange juice clarification ability. Four selected enzyme isolates were AR 2, AR 4, KK 4, and KK 5 had ability to increase juice transmittance, decrease juice viscosity and also reduce total soluble solid. Furthermore 4 selected isolates were partially purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation and dialysis method. Four partially purified enzymes were known that enzyme character of AR 2 optimum at pH 6; AR 4 optimum at pH 5.5; KK 4 optimum at pH 6; and KK 5 optimum at pH 4.5. Four enzymes were optimum at temperature 60°C thus stable at temperature 50-60°C, this characteristic indicate that enzymes were thermostable. AR 2 showed active activity stable at pH 4-7; AR 4 showed active activity stable at pH 6-7; KK 4 showed active activity stable at pH 4-6; however KK 5 stable at pH 4-5. Enzyme AR 2 and KK 4 was getting inactive at pH 11, thus AR 4 and KK 5 inactive at pH 12. KM value of AR 2, AR 4, KK 4, and KK 5 was 0.0959; 0.0974; 0.0966; and 0.178 mg/ml respectively. Vmax of AR 2, AR 4, KK 4, and KK 5 was 0.0203; 0.0202; 0.0185; and 0.0229 U/ml respectively. Enzyme AR 2 was the most compatible enzyme to be applied in keprok Garut orange juice clarification for it had the lowest KM value.

Investigation of the Effect of Oil Modification on Critical Characteristics of Asphalt Binders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golalipour, Amir

Thermally induced cracking of asphalt pavement continues to be a serious issue in cold climate regions as well as in areas which experience extreme daily temperature differentials. Low temperature cracking of asphalt pavements is attributed to thermal stresses and strains developed during cooling cycles. Improving asphalt binder low temperature fracture and stiffness properties continues to be a subject of particular concern. Therefore, significant amount of research has been focused on improving asphalt binder properties through modification. In recent years, wide ranges of oil based modifications have been introduced to improve asphalt binder performance, especially at the low service temperatures. Although, significant use of these oils is seen in practice, knowledge of the fundamental mechanisms of oil modification and their properties for achieving optimum characteristics is limited. Hence, this study focuses on better understanding of the effect of oil modifiers which would help better material selection and achieve optimum performance in terms of increasing the life span of pavements. In this study, the effect of oil modification on the rheological properties of the asphalt binder is investigated. To examine the effect of oil modification on binder characteristics, low temperature properties as well as high temperature performance of oil modified binders were evaluated. It is found that oils vary in their effects on asphalt binder performance. However, for all oils used in the study, adding an oil to binder can improve binder low temperature performance, and this result mainly attributed to the softening effect. In addition to that, a simple linear model is proposed to predict the performance grade of oil modified binder based on the properties of its constituents at high and low temperatures. Another part of this study focuses on the oil modification effect on asphalt binder thermal strain and stresses. A viscoelastic analytical procedure is combined with experimentally derived failure stress and strain envelopes to determine the controlling failure mechanism, strain tolerance or critical stress, in thermal cracking of oil modified binders. The low temperature failure results depict that oil modification has a good potential of improving the cracking resistance of asphalt binders during thermal cycles.

Potential phosphorus eutrophication mitigation strategy: Biochar carbon composition, thermal stability and pH influence phosphorus sorption.

PubMed

Ngatia, L W; Hsieh, Y P; Nemours, D; Fu, R; Taylor, R W

2017-08-01

Phosphorus (P) eutrophication is a major pollution problem globally, with unprecedented amount of P emanating from agricultural sources. But little is known about the optimization of soil-biochar P sorption capacity. The study objective was to determine how biochar feedstocks and pyrolysis conditions influences carbon (C) thermal stability, C composition and pH and in turn influence the phosphorus sorption optimization. Biochar was produced from switchgrass, kudzu and Chinese tallow at 200, 300, 400, 500, 550, 650,750 °C. Carbon thermal stability was determined by multi-element scanning thermal analysis (MESTA), C composition was determined using solid state 13 C NMR. Phosphorus sorption was determined using a mixture of 10% biochar and 90% sandy soil after incubation. Results indicate increased P sorption (P < 0.0001) and decreased P availability (P < 0.0001) with increasing biochar pyrolysis temperature. However, optimum P sorption was feedstock specific with switchgrass indicating P desorption between 200 and 550 °C. Phosphorus sorption was in the order of kudzu > switchgrass > Chinese tallow. Total C, C thermal stability, aromatic C and alkalinity increased with elevated pyrolysis temperature. Biochar alkalinity favored P sorption. There was a positive relationship between high thermal stable C and P sorption for Kudzu (r = 0.62; P = 0.0346) and Chinese tallow (r = 0.73; P = 0.0138). In conclusion, biochar has potential for P eutrophication mitigation, however, optimum biochar pyrolysis temperature for P sorption is feedstock specific and in some cases might be out of 300-500 °C temperature range commonly used for agronomic application. High thermal stable C dominated by aromatic C and alkaline pH seem to favor P sorption. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

High spectral selectivity for solar absorbers using a monolayer transparent conductive oxide coated on a metal substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimizu, Makoto; Suzuki, Mari; Iguchi, Fumitada; Yugami, Hiroo

2017-05-01

A spectrally selective absorber composed of a monolayer transparent conductive oxide (TCO) coated on a metal substrate is investigated for use in solar systems operating at temperatures higher (>973 K) than the operation temperature of conventional systems ( ˜ 673 K). This method is different from the currently used solar-selective coating technologies, such as those using multilayered and cermet materials. The spectral selective absorption property can be attributed to the inherent optical property of TCO owing to the plasma frequency and interferences between the substrates. Since spectral selectivity can be achieved using monolayered materials, the effect of atomic diffusion occurring at each layer boundary in a multilayer or cermet coatings under high-temperature conditions can be reduced. In addition, since this property is attributed to the inherent property of TCO, the precise control of the layer thickness can be omitted if the layer is sufficiently thick (>0.5 μm). The optimum TCO properties, namely, carrier density and mobility, required for solar-selective absorbers are analyzed to determine the cutoff wavelength and emittance in the infrared range. A solar absorptance of 0.95 and hemispherical emittance of 0.10 at 973 K are needed for achieving the optimum TCO properties, i.e., a carrier density of 5.5 × 1020 cm-3 and mobility of 90 cm2 V-1 s-1 are required. Optical simulations indicate that the spectrally selective absorption weakly depends on the incident angle and film thickness. The thermal stability of the fabricated absorber treated at temperatures up to 973 K for 10 h is verified in vacuum by introducing a SiO2 interlayer, which plays an important role as a diffusion barrier.

Highly reliable spin-coated titanium dioxide dielectric

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mondal, Sandip, E-mail: sandipmondal@physics.iisc.ernet.in; Kumar, Arvind; Rao, K. S. R. Koteswara

Dielectric degradation as low as 0.3 % has been observed for a highly reliable Titanium dioxide (TiO{sub 2}) film after constant voltage stressing (CVS) with – 4 V for 10{sup 5} second at room temperature (300 K). The film was fabricated by sol –gel spin – coating method on a lightly doped p-Si (~10{sup 15} cm{sup −3}) substrate. The equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) is 7 nm with a dielectric constant 33 (at 1 MHz). Metal – Oxide – Semiconductor (MOS) capacitors have been fabricated with an optimum annealing temperature of 800°C for one hour in a preheated furnace. The dielectricmore » degradation is annealing temperature dependent. A degradation of 1.4 %, 1.2 % and 1.1 % has been observed for 400°C, 600°C and 1000°C temperature annealed MOS respectively. The dielectric degradation increases below or above the optimum temperature of annealing.« less

Purification and biochemical properties of multiple xylanases from Aspergillus ochraceus tolerant to Hg2+ ion and a wide range of pH.

PubMed

Michelin, Michele; Silva, Tony M; Jorge, João A; Polizeli, Maria de Lourdes T M

2014-09-01

Production of multiple xylanases, in which each enzyme has a specific characteristic, can be one strategy to achieve the effective hydrolysis of xylan. Three xylanases (xyl 1, xyl 2, and xyl 3) from Aspergillus ochraceus were purified by chromatography using diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose, Biogel P-60, and Sephadex G-100 columns. These enzymes are glycoproteins of low molecular weight with an optimum temperature at 60 °C. The glycosylation presented is apparently not related to thermostability, since xyl 3 (20 % carbohydrate) was more thermostable than xyl 2 (67 % carbohydrate). Xyl 3 was able to retain most of its activity in a wide range of pH (3.5-8.0), while xyl 1 and xyl 2 presented optimum pH of 6.0. Xyl 1 and xyl 2 were activated by 5 and 10 mM MnCl2 and CoCl2, while xyl 3 was activated by 1 mM of the same compounds. Interestingly, xyl 2 presented high tolerance toward mercury ion. Xylanases from A. ochraceus hydrolyzed xylans of different origins, such as birchwood, oat spelt, larchwood, and eucalyptus (around 90 % or more), except xyl 2 and xyl 3 that hydrolyzed with lesser efficiency eucalyptus (66.7 %) and oat spelt (44.8 %) xylans.

Natranaerobaculum magadiense gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic, alkalithermophilic bacterium from soda lake sediment.

PubMed

Zavarzina, Daria G; Zhilina, Tatyana N; Kuznetsov, Boris B; Kolganova, Tatyana V; Osipov, Georgy A; Kotelev, Mikhail S; Zavarzin, Georgy A

2013-12-01

An obligately alkaliphilic, anaerobic, thermo- and halotolerant, spore-forming bacterium was isolated from sediments of soda lake Magadi (Kenya) and designated strain Z-1001(T). Cells of strain Z-1001(T) were straight, Gram-positive rods, slowly motile. Strain Z-1001(T) was found to be an obligate anaerobe. It grew within a pH range from 7.5 to 10.7 with an optimum at 9.25-9.5 (at 40 °C), a temperature range from 20 to 57 °C with an optimum at 45-50 °C, and a NaCl concentration range from 0 to 1.55 M with an optimum at 1.2-1.4 M. Peptides, such as meat and yeast extracts, peptone and tryptone, were fermented by Z-1001(T). Carbohydrates did not support growth. With yeast extract as an electron donor, strain Z-1001(T) reduced S(2)O(3)(2-), NO(-)(3), AsO(3-)(4), Fe(III) citrate and anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) as electron acceptors. The isolate was able to grow oligotrophically with a very small amount of yeast extract: 0.03 g l(-1). The main fatty acids were C16 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c, C18 : 0 and C18 : 1ω9. The DNA G+C content of the isolate was 35.6 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain Z-1001(T) is a member of family Natranaerobiaceae, clustering with the type strain of Natranaerobius thermophilus (95.8-96.0 % sequence similarity). On the basis of physiological and phylogenetic data it is proposed that strain Z-1001(T) ( = DSM 24923(T) = VKM B-2666(T)) represents a novel genus and species, Natranaerobaculum magadiense gen. nov., sp. nov.

Time-Temperature Indicator Based on Enzymatic Degradation of Dye-Loaded Polyhydroxybutyrate.

PubMed

Anbukarasu, Preetam; Sauvageau, Dominic; Elias, Anastasia L

2017-09-01

An enzyme activated time-temperature indicator (TTI) which produces a direct colour change concomitant to variations in integrated time and temperature conditions is described. This direct colour change is realised by degrading a dye-loaded polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) film by a depolymerase enzyme. The degradation of the PHB film by the enzyme causes the release of the dye in solution, which in turn undergoes an optical transition from clear to coloured with elapsing time. Macroscopic and microscopic optical observations confirms the uniform distribution of the dye in the PHB film. The dye release kinetics, mediated by the enzymatic reaction, are tested at different temperatures ranging from 4 to 37 °C, and are used to determine the suitability of a dye-loaded PHB as a time-temperature indicator for fresh food products based on kinetic parameters previously reported. The kinetic analysis shows that the activation energy of the dye release process is 74 kJ mol -1 , and that, at 37 °C, the dye would be totally released within 6 h. However, when incubated at 4 °C, the TTI requires in the range of 168 h (7 days) to release all the dye. These kinetics values highlight the potential of the TTI for monitoring fresh food products that have optimum shelf life around 4 °C. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Quasi-optical design for systems to diagnose the electron temperature and density fluctuations on EAST

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cao, Qifo; Liu, Yong; Zhao, Hailin, E-mail: zhaohailin@ipp.ac.cn

A system to simultaneously diagnose the electron temperature and density fluctuations is proposed for Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak device. This system includes a common quasi-optical antenna, a correlation electron cyclotron emission (CECE) system that is used to measure the electron temperature fluctuations and a Doppler backscattering (DBS) system that is used to measure the electron density fluctuations. The frequency range of the proposed CECE system is 108-120 GHz, and this corresponds to a radial coverage of normalized radius ((R − R{sub 0})/a, R{sub 0} = 1850 mm, a = 450 mm) from 0.2 to 0.67 for the plasma operation withmore » a toroidal magnetic field of 2.26 T. This paper focuses on the design of the quasi-optical antenna and aims at optimizing the poloidal resolution for different frequency bands. An optimum result gives the beam radius for the CECE system of 13-15 mm and this corresponds to a wave number range of k{sub θ} < 2.4 cm{sup −1}. The beam radius is 20-30 mm for V band (50-75 GHz) and 15-20 mm for W band (75-110 GHz).« less

Theoretical study of the characteristics of a continuous wave iron-doped ZnSe laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Qikun; Chen, Fei; Xie, Jijiang; Wang, Chunrui; He, Yang; Yu, Deyang; Zhang, Kuo

2018-03-01

A theoretical model describing the dynamic process of a continuous-wave Fe2+:ZnSe laser is presented. The influence of some of the operating parameters on the output characteristics of an Fe2+:ZnSe laser is studied in detail. The results indicate that the temperature rise of the Fe2+:ZnSe crystal is significant with the use of a high power pump laser, especially for a high doped concentration of crystal. The optimal crystal length increases with decreasing the doped concentration of crystal, so an Fe2+:ZnSe crystal with simultaneous doping during growth is an attractive choice, which usually has a low doped concentration and long length. The laser pumping threshold is almost stable at low temperatures, but increases exponentially with a working temperature in the range of 180 K to room temperature. The main reason for this phenomenon is the short upper level lifetime and serious thermal temperature rise when the working temperature is higher than 180 K. The calculated optimum output mirror transmittance is about 35% and the performance of a continuous-wave Fe2+:ZnSe laser is more efficient at a lower operating temperature.

Temperature-Dependent Conformations of Model Viscosity Index Improvers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ramasamy, Uma Shantini; Cosimbescu, Lelia; Martini, Ashlie

2015-05-01

Lubricants are comprised of base oils and additives where additives are chemicals that are deliberately added to the oil to enhance properties and inhibit degradation of the base oils. Viscosity index (VI) improvers are an important class of additives that reduce the decline of fluid viscosity with temperature [1], enabling optimum lubricant performance over a wider range of operating temperatures. These additives are typically high molecular weight polymers, such as, but not limited to, polyisobutylenes, olefin copolymer, and polyalkylmethacrylates, that are added in concentrations of 2-5% (w/w). Appropriate polymers, when dissolved in base oil, expand from a coiled to anmore » uncoiled state with increasing temperature [2]. The ability of VI additives to increase their molar volume and improve the temperature-viscosity dependence of lubricants suggests there is a strong relationship between molecular structure and additive functionality [3]. In this work, we aim to quantify the changes in polymer size with temperature for four polyisobutylene (PIB) based molecular structures at the nano-scale using molecular simulation tools. As expected, the results show that the polymers adopt more conformations at higher temperatures, and there is a clear indication that the expandability of a polymer is strongly influenced by molecular structure.« less

Millennial-scale vegetation dynamics in an estuary at the onset of the Miocene Climate Optimum

PubMed Central

Kern, Andrea; Harzhauser, Mathias; Mandic, Oleg; Roetzel, Reinhard; Ćorić, Stjepan; Bruch, Angela A.; Zuschin, Martin

2010-01-01

Pollen analyses have been proven to possess the possibility to decipher rapid vegetational and climate shifts in Neogene sedimentary records. Herein, a c. 21-kyr-long transgression–regression cycle from the Lower Austrian locality Stetten is analysed in detail to evaluate climatic benchmarks for the early phase of the Middle Miocene Climate Optimum and to estimate the pace of environmental change. Based on the Coexistence Approach, a very clear signal of seasonality can be reconstructed. A warm and wet summer season with c. 204–236 mm precipitation during the wettest month was opposed by a rather dry winter season with precipitation of c. 9–24 mm during the driest month. The mean annual temperature ranged between 15.7 and 20.8 °C, with about 9.6–13.3 °C during the cold season and 24.7–27.9 °C during the warmest month. In contrast, today’s climate of this area, with an annual temperature of 9.8 °C and 660 mm rainfall, is characterized by the winter season (mean temperature: −1.4 °C, mean precipitation: 39 mm) and a summer mean temperature of 19.9 °C (mean precipitation: 84 mm). Different modes of environmental shifts shaped the composition of the vegetation. Within few millennia, marshes and salt marshes with abundant Cyperaceae rapidly graded into Taxodiaceae swamps. This quick but gradual process was interrupted by swift marine ingressions which took place on a decadal to centennial scale. The transgression is accompanied by blooms of dinoflagellates and of the green alga Prasinophyta and an increase in Abies and Picea. Afterwards, the retreat of the sea and the progradation of estuarine and wetland settings were a gradual progress again. Despite a clear sedimentological cyclicity, which is related to the 21-kyr precessional forcing, the climate data show little variation. This missing pattern might be due to the buffering of the precessional-related climate signal by the subtropical vegetation. Another explanation could be the method-inherent broad range of climate-parameter estimates that could cover small scale climatic changes. PMID:22021937

Distribution and characteristics of endogenous digestive enzymes in the red-eared slider turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans.

PubMed

Sun, Jian-Yi; Du, Jie; Qian, Li-Chun; Jing, Ming-Yan; Weng, Xiao-Yan

2007-08-01

Distribution and properties of the main digestive enzymes including protease and amylase, from stomach, pancreas and the anterior, middle and posterior intestine of the adult red-eared slider turtle Trachemys scripta elegans were studied at various pHs and temperatures. The optimum temperature and pH for protease in stomach, pancreas and the anterior, middle and posterior intestine were 40 degrees C, 2.5; 50 degrees C, 8.0; 50 degrees C, 7.0; 50 degrees C, 8.0; and 50 degrees C, 8.5; respectively. The optimum temperature and pH for amylase in stomach, pancreas and anterior, middle and posterior intestine were 40 degrees C, 8.0; 30 degrees C, 7.5; 40 degrees C, 7.0; 50 degrees C, 8.0; and 50 degrees C, 8.0; respectively. Under the optimum conditions, the order of protease activity from high to low was of pancreas, stomach and the anterior, posterior and middle intestine; the activity of amylase in descending order was of anterior intestine, pancreas, posterior intestine, middle intestine and stomach.

Gamma ray irradiated AgFeO{sub 2} nanoparticles with enhanced gas sensor properties

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Xiuhua, E-mail: xhwang@mail.ahnu.edu.cn; Shi, Zhijie; Yao, Shangwu

2014-11-15

AgFeO{sub 2} nanoparticles were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method and irradiated by various doses of gamma ray. The products were characterized with X-ray powder diffraction, UV–vis absorption spectrum and transmission electron microscope. The results revealed that the crystal structure, morphology and size of the samples remained unchanged after irradiation, while the intensity of UV–Vis spectra increased with irradiation dose increasing. In addition, gamma ray irradiation improved the performance of gas sensor based on the AgFeO{sub 2} nanoparticles including the optimum operating temperature and sensitivity, which might be ascribed to the generation of defects. - Graphical abstract: Gamma ray irradiationmore » improved the performance of gas sensor based on the AgFeO{sub 2} nanoparticles including sensitivity and optimum operating temperature, which might be ascribed to the generation of defects. - Highlights: • AgFeO{sub 2} nanoparticles were synthesized and irradiated with gamma ray. • AgFeO{sub 2} nanoparticles were employed to fabricate gas sensors to detect ethanol. • Gamma ray irradiation improved the sensitivity and optimum operating temperature.« less

Halophilic Bacteria of Lunsu Produce an Array of Industrially Important Enzymes with Salt Tolerant Activity.

PubMed

Gupta, Sonika; Sharma, Parul; Dev, Kamal; Sourirajan, Anuradha

2016-01-01

The halophilic bacterial isolates SS1, SS2, SS3, SS5, and SS8 were characterized for production of industrially important enzymes like amylase, protease, lipase, and glutaminase. Halophilic bacterial isolates SS1 and SS3 exhibited salt dependent extracellular amylase and protease activities. Both the halophilic isolates SS1 and SS3 exhibited maximum amylase and protease activities in the presence of 1.5 and 1.0 M NaCl, respectively, with the optimum pH 8 and temperature 40°C. SS2 showed maximum extracellular protease and lipase activities in the presence of 0.75 M NaCl, at optimum pH of 7, and temperature 37°C. The glutaminase activity of SS3 increased with increase in concentration of NaCl up to 2.5 M. The optimum pH and temperature for L-glutaminase activity of SS3 was 8 and 40°C, respectively. The combined hydrolytic activities of these halophilic bacterial isolates can be used for bioconversion of organic materials to useful products.

Halophilic Bacteria of Lunsu Produce an Array of Industrially Important Enzymes with Salt Tolerant Activity

PubMed Central

Gupta, Sonika; Sharma, Parul; Dev, Kamal; Sourirajan, Anuradha

2016-01-01

The halophilic bacterial isolates SS1, SS2, SS3, SS5, and SS8 were characterized for production of industrially important enzymes like amylase, protease, lipase, and glutaminase. Halophilic bacterial isolates SS1 and SS3 exhibited salt dependent extracellular amylase and protease activities. Both the halophilic isolates SS1 and SS3 exhibited maximum amylase and protease activities in the presence of 1.5 and 1.0 M NaCl, respectively, with the optimum pH 8 and temperature 40°C. SS2 showed maximum extracellular protease and lipase activities in the presence of 0.75 M NaCl, at optimum pH of 7, and temperature 37°C. The glutaminase activity of SS3 increased with increase in concentration of NaCl up to 2.5 M. The optimum pH and temperature for L-glutaminase activity of SS3 was 8 and 40°C, respectively. The combined hydrolytic activities of these halophilic bacterial isolates can be used for bioconversion of organic materials to useful products. PMID:26885394

Trichococcus patagoniensis sp. nov., a facultative anaerobe that grows at -5 degrees C, isolated from penguin guano in Chilean Patagonia.

PubMed

Pikuta, Elena V; Hoover, Richard B; Bej, Asim K; Marsic, Damien; Whitman, William B; Krader, Paul E; Tang, Jane

2006-09-01

A novel, extremely psychrotolerant, facultative anaerobe, strain PmagG1(T), was isolated from guano of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) collected in Chilean Patagonia. Gram-variable, motile cocci with a diameter of 1.3-2.0 mum were observed singularly or in pairs, short chains and irregular conglomerates. Growth occurred within the pH range 6.0-10.0, with optimum growth at pH 8.5. The temperature range for growth of the novel isolate was from -5 to 35 degrees C, with optimum growth at 28-30 degrees C. Strain PmagG1(T) did not require NaCl, as growth was observed in the presence of 0-6.5 % NaCl with optimum growth at 0.5 % (w/v). Strain PmagG1(T) was a catalase-negative chemo-organoheterotroph that used sugars and some organic acids as substrates. The metabolic end products were lactate, formate, acetate, ethanol and CO(2). Strain PmagG1(T) was sensitive to ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, rifampicin, kanamycin and gentamicin. The G+C content of its genomic DNA was 45.8 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed 100 % similarity of strain PmagG1(T) with Trichococcus collinsii ATCC BAA-296(T), but DNA-DNA hybridization between them demonstrated relatedness values of <45+/-1 %. Another phylogenetically closely related species, Trichococcus pasteurii, showed 99.85 % similarity by 16S rRNA sequencing and DNA-DNA hybridization showed relatedness values of 47+/-1.5 %. Based on genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, the novel species Trichococcus patagoniensis sp. nov. is proposed, with strain PmagG1(T) (=ATCC BAA-756(T)=JCM 12176(T)=CIP 108035(T)) as the type strain.

Mobilisporobacter senegalensis gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic bacterium isolated from tropical shea cake.

PubMed

Mbengue, Malick; Thioye, Abdoulaye; Labat, Marc; Casalot, Laurence; Joseph, Manon; Samb, Abdoulaye; Ben Ali Gam, Zouhaier

2016-03-01

A Gram-stain positive, endospore-forming, strictly anaerobic bacterium, designated strain Gal1 T , was isolated from shea cake, a waste material from the production of shea butter, originating from Saraya, Senegal. The cells were rod-shaped, slightly curved, and motile with peritrichous flagella. The strain was oxidase-negative and catalase-negative. Growth was observed at temperatures ranging from 15 to 45 °C (optimum 30 °C) and at pH 6.5-9.3 (optimum pH 7.8). The salinity range for growth was 0-3.5 % NaCl (optimum 1 %). Yeast extract was required for growth. Strain Gal1 T fermented various carbohydrates such as mannose, mannitol, arabinose, cellobiose, fructose, glucose, maltose, sucrose, trehalose and lactose and the major end-products were ethanol and acetate. The only major cellular fatty acid was C16 : 0 (19.6 %). The DNA base G+C content of strain Gal1 T was 33.8 mol%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate indicated that this strain was related to Mobilitalea sibirica DSM 26468 T with 94.27 % similarity, Clostridium populeti ATTC 35295 T with 93.94 % similarity, and Clostridium aminovalericum DSM 1283 T and Anaerosporobacter mobilis DSM 15930 T with 93.63 % similarity. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and the results of biochemical and physiological tests, strain Gal1 T was clearly distinguished from closely related genera, and strain Gal1 T can be assigned to a novel species of a new genus for which the name Mobilisporobacter senegalensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Gal1 T ( = DSM 26537 T  = JCM 18753 T ).

Trichococcus Patagoniensis sp. nov., a Facultative Anaerobe that grows at -5 C, Isolated from Penguin Guano in Chilean Patagonia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pikuta, Elena V.; Hoover, Richard B.; Bej, Asim K.; Marsic, Damien; Whitman, William B.; Krader, Paul E.; Tang, Jane

2006-01-01

A novel, extremely psychrotolerant, facultative anaerobe, strain PmagGl(sup T), was isolated from guano of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) collected in Chilean Patagonia. Gram-variable, motile cocci with a diameter of 1.3-2.0 micrometers were observed singularly or in pairs, short chains and irregular conglomerates. Growth occurred within the pH range 6.0-10.0, with optimum growth at pH 8.5. The temperature range for growth of the novel isolate was from -5 to 35 C, with optimum growth at 28-30 C. Strain PmagG1(sup T) did not require NaCl, as growth was observed in the presence of 0-6.5% NaCl with optimum growth at 0.5% (w/v). Strain PmagGl(sup T) was a catalase-negative chemo-organoheterotroph that used sugars and some organic acids as substrates. The metabolic end products were lactate, formate, acetate, ethanol and Con. Strain PmagG1(sup T) was sensitive to ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, rifampicin, kanamycin and gentamicin. The G+C content of its genomic DNA was 45.8 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed 100 % similarity of strain PmagG1(sup T) with Trichococcus collinsii ATCC BAA-296(sup T), but DNA-DNA hybridization between them demonstrated relatedness values of less than 45 plus or minus 1%. Another phylogenetically closely related species, Trichococcus pasteurii, showed 99.85 % similarity by 16s rRNA sequencing and DNA-DNA hybridization showed relatedness values of 47 plus or minus 1.5%. Based on genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, the novel species Trichococcus patagoniensis sp. nov. is proposed, with strain PmagG1(sup T) (=ATCC BAA-756(sup T)=JCM 12176(sup T)=CIP 108035(sup T)) as the type strain.

Photosynthetic temperature adaptation of Pinus cembra within the timberline ecotone of the Central Austrian Alps.

PubMed

Wieser, Gerhard; Oberhuber, Walter; Walder, Lisa; Spieler, Daniela; Gruber, Andreas

2010-04-01

Temperature is suggested to determine the upper limit of tree life. Therefore, future climate warming may be of importance for tree distribution within the European Alps, where low temperatures limit carbon metabolism.We focused on the effects of air and soil temperature on net photosynthesis (P(n)) of Pinus cembra an evergreen climax species of the timberline ecotone of the Central Austrian Alps. Light response and temperature response curves were estimated along an altitudinal gradient ranging from the forest limit up to the krummholz limit in both summer and fall.In general, P(n) was significantly lower in fall as compared to summer. Nevertheless, independent from season mean P(n) values tended to increase with elevation and were positively correlated with root zone temperatures. The specific leaf area by contrast declined with increasing elevation. Furthermore, the temperature optimum of net photosynthesis declined with increasing elevation and was positively correlated with the mean maximum air temperature of the 10 days prior the date of measurement.Thus, our findings appear to reflect a long-term adaptation of the photosynthetic apparatus of Pinus cembra to the general temperature conditions with respect to elevation combined with a short term acclimation to the prevailing temperature regime.

The role of temperature in determining species' vulnerability to ocean acidification: a case study using Mytilus galloprovincialis.

PubMed

Kroeker, Kristy J; Gaylord, Brian; Hill, Tessa M; Hosfelt, Jessica D; Miller, Seth H; Sanford, Eric

2014-01-01

Ocean acidification (OA) is occurring across a backdrop of concurrent environmental changes that may in turn influence species' responses to OA. Temperature affects many fundamental biological processes and governs key reactions in the seawater carbonate system. It therefore has the potential to offset or exacerbate the effects of OA. While initial studies have examined the combined impacts of warming and OA for a narrow range of climate change scenarios, our mechanistic understanding of the interactive effects of temperature and OA remains limited. Here, we use the blue mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, as a model species to test how OA affects the growth of a calcifying invertebrate across a wide range of temperatures encompassing their thermal optimum. Mussels were exposed in the laboratory to a factorial combination of low and high pCO2 (400 and 1200 µatm CO2) and temperatures (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 24°C) for one month. Results indicate that the effects of OA on shell growth are highly dependent on temperature. Although high CO2 significantly reduced mussel growth at 14°C, this effect gradually lessened with successive warming to 20°C, illustrating how moderate warming can mediate the effects of OA through temperature's effects on both physiology and seawater geochemistry. Furthermore, the mussels grew thicker shells in warmer conditions independent of CO2 treatment. Together, these results highlight the importance of considering the physiological and geochemical interactions between temperature and carbonate chemistry when interpreting species' vulnerability to OA.

Wheat leaf lipids during heat stress: I. High day and night temperatures result in major lipid alterations.

PubMed

Narayanan, Sruthi; Tamura, Pamela J; Roth, Mary R; Prasad, P V Vara; Welti, Ruth

2016-04-01

Understanding how wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants under high temperature (HT) regulate lipid composition is critical to developing climate-resilient varieties. We measured 165 glycerolipids and sterol derivatives under optimum and high day and night temperatures in wheat leaves using electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Levels of polar lipid fatty acyl chain unsaturation were lower in both heat-tolerant genotype Ventnor and susceptible genotype Karl 92 under HT, compared with optimum temperature. The lower unsaturation was predominantly because of lower levels of 18:3 acyl chains and higher levels of 18:1 and 16:0 acyl chains. Levels of 18:3-containing triacylglycerols increased threefold/more under HT, consistent with their possible role in sequestering fatty acids during membrane lipid remodelling. Phospholipids containing odd-numbered or oxidized acyl chains accumulated in leaves under HT. Sterol glycosides (SG) and 16:0-acylated sterol glycosides (ASG) were higher under HT than optimum temperatures. Ventnor had lower amounts of phospholipids with oxidized acyl chains under HT and higher amounts of SG and 16:0-ASG than Karl 92. Taken together, the data demonstrate that wheat leaf lipid composition is altered by HT, in which some lipids are particularly responsive to HT, and that two wheat genotypes, chosen for their differing physiological responses to HT, differ in lipid profile under HT. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Wheat leaf lipids during heat stress: I. High day and night temperatures result in major lipid alterations

PubMed Central

Narayanan, Sruthi; Tamura, Pamela J.; Roth, Mary R.; Vara Prasad, P.V.; Welti, Ruth

2016-01-01

Understanding how wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants under high temperature (HT) regulate lipid composition is critical to developing climate-resilient varieties. We measured 165 glycerolipids and sterol derivatives under optimum and high day and night temperatures in wheat leaves using electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Levels of polar lipid fatty acyl chain unsaturation were lower in both heat-tolerant genotype Ventnor and susceptible genotype Karl 92 under HT, compared to optimum temperature. The lower unsaturation was predominantly due to lower levels of 18:3 and higher levels of 18:1 and 16:0 acyl chains. Levels of 18:3-containing triacylglycerols increased 3-fold/more under HT, consistent with their possible role in sequestering fatty acids during membrane lipid remodeling. Phospholipids containing odd-numbered or oxidized acyl chains accumulated in leaves under HT. Sterol glycosides (SG) and 16:0-acylated sterol glycosides (ASG) were higher under HT than optimum temperatures. Ventnor had lower amounts of phospholipids with oxidized acyl chains under HT and higher amounts of SG and 16:0-ASG than Karl 92. Taken together, the data demonstrate that wheat leaf lipid composition is altered by HT, that some lipids are particularly responsive to HT, and that two wheat genotypes, chosen for their differing physiological responses to HT, differ in lipid profile under HT. PMID:26436679

The Chilling Optimum of Idaho and Arizona Ponderosa Pine Buds

Treesearch

David L. Wenny; Daniel J. Swanson; R. Kasten Dumroese

2002-01-01

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) seedlings from Idaho (var. ponderosa) and Arizona (var. scopulorum) grown in a container nursery received optimum chilling [2,010 hr (84 days) of temperatures below 5°C]. While seedlings were in the greenhouse, days required for 50% of the population to break bud were similar for both seed sources...

Tungsten-Doped TiO2 Nanolayers with Improved CO2 Gas Sensing Properties for Environmental Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saberi, Maliheh; Ashkarran, Ali Akbar

Tungsten-doped TiO2 gas sensors were successfully synthesized using sol-gel process and spin coating technique. The fabricated sensor was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Gas sensing properties of pristine and tungsten-doped TiO2 nanolayers (NLs) were probed by detection of CO2 gas. A series of experiments were conducted in order to find the optimum operating temperature of the prepared sensors and also the optimum value of tungsten concentration in TiO2 matrix. It was found that introducing tungsten into the TiO2 matrix enhanced the gas sensing performance. The maximum response was found to be (1.37) for 0.001g tungsten-doped TiO2 NLs at 200∘C as an optimum operating temperature.

Developing a vacuum cooking equipment prototype to produce strawberry jam and optimization of vacuum cooking conditions.

PubMed

Okut, Dilara; Devseren, Esra; Koç, Mehmet; Ocak, Özgül Özdestan; Karataş, Haluk; Kaymak-Ertekin, Figen

2018-01-01

Purpose of this study was to develop prototype cooking equipment that can work at reduced pressure and to evaluate its performance for production of strawberry jam. The effect of vacuum cooking conditions on color soluble solid content, reducing sugars total sugars HMF and sensory properties were investigated. Also, the optimum vacuum cooking conditions for strawberry jam were optimized for Composite Rotatable Design. The optimum cooking temperature and time were determined targeting maximum soluble solid content and sensory attributes (consistency) and minimum Hue value and HMF content. The optimum vacuum cooking conditions determined were 74.4 °C temperature and 19.8 time. The soluble solid content strawberry jam made by vacuum process were similar to those prepared by traditional method. HMF contents of jams produced with vacuum cooking method were well within limit of standards.

Reduction of soybean oligosaccharides and properties of alpha-D-galactosidase from Lactobacillus curvatus R08 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides [corrected] JK55.

PubMed

Yoon, Mi Young; Hwang, Han-Joon

2008-09-01

This study was undertaken to investigate the potential for reducing non-digestive oligosaccharides (NDO) in soy foods, as well as the influence of exogenous conditions on intracellular alpha-galactosidase (alpha-Gal) producing lactic acid bacteria. Two strains, Lactobacillus curvatus R08 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides [corrected]JK55, showed the highest levels of raffinose degrading activity at over 40 U mL(-1), and presented maximum activities during the stationary phase in a medium where raffinose was the only carbon source. Raffinose was the most effective inducer, followed by melibiose, and galactose; the enzymes were partially inhibited by fructose and sucrose. On the other hand, limited activity was observed in glucose. The strains displayed optimum activity levels at neutral pH and a 35-37 degrees C temperature range. The alpha-Gal activities of L. curvatus R08 and Leu. mesenteroides [corrected] JK55 were maintained at pH 6.5-10.0. The activity of the alpha-Gal enzyme was stable in a relatively broad range of temperatures from 0 to 40 degrees C for 3h. In soymilk, Leu. mesenteroides [corrected] JK55 and L. curvatus R08 completely hydrolyzed the NDO after 18-24h of fermentation. The abilities of L. curvatus R08 and Leu. mesenteroides [corrected] JK55 to degrade raffinose sugars and, particularly, to produce organic acids from sugar, could contribute to reductions in the anti-nutritional properties of soy, and to the accumulation of compounds with beneficial properties during food processing. Furthermore, this study provides the optimum conditions to induce alpha-Gal from these strains.

An experimental investigation of the combustion performance of human faeces.

PubMed

Onabanjo, Tosin; Kolios, Athanasios J; Patchigolla, Kumar; Wagland, Stuart T; Fidalgo, Beatriz; Jurado, Nelia; Hanak, Dawid P; Manovic, Vasilije; Parker, Alison; McAdam, Ewan; Williams, Leon; Tyrrel, Sean; Cartmell, Elise

2016-11-15

Poor sanitation is one of the major hindrances to the global sustainable development goals. The Reinvent the Toilet Challenge of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is set to develop affordable, next-generation sanitary systems that can ensure safe treatment and wide accessibility without compromise on sustainable use of natural resources and the environment. Energy recovery from human excreta is likely to be a cornerstone of future sustainable sanitary systems. Faeces combustion was investigated using a bench-scale downdraft combustor test rig, alongside with wood biomass and simulant faeces. Parameters such as air flow rate, fuel pellet size, bed height, and fuel ignition mode were varied to establish the combustion operating range of the test rig and the optimum conditions for converting the faecal biomass to energy. The experimental results show that the dry human faeces had a higher energy content (∼25 MJ/kg) than wood biomass. At equivalence ratio between 0.86 and 1.12, the combustion temperature and fuel burn rate ranged from 431 to 558 °C and 1.53 to 2.30 g/min respectively. Preliminary results for the simulant faeces show that a minimum combustion bed temperature of 600 ± 10 °C can handle faeces up to 60 wt.% moisture at optimum air-to-fuel ratio. Further investigation is required to establish the appropriate trade-off limits for drying and energy recovery, considering different stool types, moisture content and drying characteristics. This is important for the design and further development of a self-sustained energy conversion and recovery systems for the NMT and similar sanitary solutions.

Surface hydrophobicity and acidity effect on alumina catalyst in catalytic methanol dehydration reaction

PubMed Central

Osman, Ahmed I; Thompson, Jillian; Halawy, Samih A; Mohamed, Mohamed A

2017-01-01

Abstract BACKGROUND Methanol to dimethyl ether (MTD) is considered one of the main routes for the production of clean bio‐fuel. The effect of copper loading on the catalytic performance of different phases of alumina that formed by calcination at two different temperatures was examined for the dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether (DME). RESULTS A range of Cu loadings of (1, 2, 4, 6, 10 and 15% Cu wt/wt) on Al2O3 calcined at 350 and 550 °C were prepared and characterized by TGA, XRD, BET, NH3‐TPD, TEM, H2‐TPR, SEM, EDX, XPS and DRIFT‐Pyridine techniques. The prepared catalysts were used in a fixed bed reactor under reaction conditions in which the temperature ranged from 180–300 °C with weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) = 12.1 h‐1. It was observed that all catalysts calcined at 550 °C (γ‐Al2O3 support phase) exhibited higher activity than those calcined at 350 °C (γ‐AlOOH), and this is due to the phase support change. Furthermore, the optimum Cu loading was found to be 6% Cu/γ‐Al2O3 with this catalyst also showing a high degree of stability under steady state conditions and this is attributed to the enhancement in surface acidity and hydrophobicity. CONCLUSION The addition of copper to the support improved the catalyst properties and activity. For all the copper modified catalysts, the optimum catalyst with high degree of activity and stability was 6% copper loaded on gamma alumina. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. PMID:29200585

Growth-temperature relation for young-of-the-year ruffe

USGS Publications Warehouse

Edsall, Thomas A.; Selgeby, James H.; DeSorcie, Timothy J.; French, John R. P.

1993-01-01

The ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus) was accidentally introduced into the Great Lakes basin from Eurasia and has established a breeding population in the St. Louis River, a major tributary to western Lake Superior. We captured young-of-the-year ruffe in the St. Louis River; acclimated groups of 90-91 fish to test temperatures of 7, 10, 15, 20, and 25°C; and fed them ad libitum for 42 days at those temperatures. Ruffe grew at all five temperatures, but the optimum temperature for growth was about 21°C. Because the optimum temperature for growth of walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), sauger (Stizoste-dion canadense), and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) is about 22°C, ruffe will probably attempt to share their thermal habitat. A recent survey of the St. Louis River revealed that yellow perch and small forage fish declined sharply as ruffe abundance increased. A similar decline in yellow perch abundance in Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Erie would seriously affect the fisheries in these lakes.

Method for reducing nitrogen oxides in combustion effluents

DOEpatents

Zauderer, Bert

2000-01-01

Method for reducing nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x) in the gas stream from the combustion of fossil fuels is disclosed. In a narrow gas temperature zone, NO.sub.x is converted to nitrogen by reaction with urea or ammonia with negligible remaining ammonia and other reaction pollutants. Specially designed injectors are used to introduce air atomized water droplets containing dissolved urea or ammonia into the gaseous combustion products in a manner that widely disperses the droplets exclusively in the optimum reaction temperature zone. The injector operates in a manner that forms droplet of a size that results in their vaporization exclusively in this optimum NO.sub.x -urea/ammonia reaction temperature zone. Also disclosed is a design of a system to effectively accomplish this injection.

Method and apparatus for maximizing throughput of indirectly heated rotary kilns

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Coates, Ralph L; Smoot, Douglas L.; Hatfield, Kent E

An apparatus and method for achieving improved throughput capacity of indirectly heated rotary kilns used to produce pyrolysis products such as shale oils or coal oils that are susceptible to decomposition by high kiln wall temperatures is disclosed. High throughput is achieved by firing the kiln such that optimum wall temperatures are maintained beginning at the point where the materials enter the heating section of the kiln and extending to the point where the materials leave the heated section. Multiple high velocity burners are arranged such that combustion products directly impact on the area of the kiln wall covered internallymore » by the solid material being heated. Firing rates for the burners are controlled to maintain optimum wall temperatures.« less

Method and apparatus for maximizing throughput of indirectly heated rotary kilns

DOEpatents

Coates, Ralph L; Smoot, L. Douglas; Hatfield, Kent E

2012-10-30

An apparatus and method for achieving improved throughput capacity of indirectly heated rotary kilns used to produce pyrolysis products such as shale oils or coal oils that are susceptible to decomposition by high kiln wall temperatures is disclosed. High throughput is achieved by firing the kiln such that optimum wall temperatures are maintained beginning at the point where the materials enter the heating section of the kiln and extending to the point where the materials leave the heated section. Multiple high velocity burners are arranged such that combustion products directly impact on the area of the kiln wall covered internally by the solid material being heated. Firing rates for the burners are controlled to maintain optimum wall temperatures.

Optimal design of wavy microchannel and comparison of heat transfer characteristics with zigzag and straight geometries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parlak, Zekeriya

2018-05-01

Design concept of microchannel heat exchangers is going to plan with new flow microchannel configuration to reduce the pressure drop and improve heat transfer performance. The study aims to find optimum microchannel design providing the best performance of flow and heat transfer characterization in a heat sink. Therefore, three different types of microchannels in which water is used, straight, wavy and zigzag have been studied. The optimization operation has been performed to find optimum geometry with ANSYS's Response Surface Optimization Tool. Primarily, CFD analysis has been performed by parameterizing a wavy microchannel geometry. Optimum wavy microchannel design has been obtained by the response surface created for the range of velocity from 0.5 to 5, the range of amplitude from 0.06 to 0.3, the range of microchannel height from 0.1 to 0.2, the range of microchannel width from 0.1 to 0.2 and range of sinusoidal wave length from 0.25 to 2.0. All simulations have been performed in the laminar regime for Reynolds number ranging from 100 to 900. Results showed that the Reynolds number range corresponding to the industrial pressure drop limits is between 100 and 400. Nu values obtained in this range for optimum wavy geometry were found at a rate of 10% higher than those of the zigzag channel and 40% higher than those of the straight channels. In addition, when the pressure values of the straight channel did not exceed 10 kPa, the inlet pressure data calculated for zigzag and wavy channel data almost coincided with each other.

Enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation of dilute acid pretreated cornstalk to biohydrogen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, C. M.; Fan, Y. T.; Hou, H. W.

2010-03-01

The coupling method of acid pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of cornstalk for hydrogen production was investigated in this study. Experimental results showed that temperature, pH and enzyme loading all had an individual significant influence on soluble sugar yield and Ps. The optimum condition for soluble sugar was close to that for Ps. The maximum hydrogen yield from cornstalk by anaerobic mixed microflora was 209.8 ml/g-TVS on the optimum enzymatic hydrolysis condition which was 52 °C of temperature, pH4.8 and 9.4 IU/g of enzyme loading.

Characterization of Halanaerobaculum tunisiense gen. nov., sp. nov., a new halophilic fermentative, strictly anaerobic bacterium isolated from a hypersaline lake in Tunisia.

PubMed

Hedi, Abdeljabbar; Fardeau, Marie-Laure; Sadfi, Najla; Boudabous, Abdellatif; Ollivier, Bernard; Cayol, Jean-Luc

2009-03-01

A new halophilic anaerobe was isolated from the hypersaline surface sediments of El-Djerid Chott, Tunisia. The isolate, designated as strain 6SANG, grew at NaCl concentrations ranging from 14 to 30%, with an optimum at 20-22%. Strain 6SANG was a non-spore-forming, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, appearing singly, in pairs, or occasionally as long chains (0.7-1 x 4-13 microm) and showed a Gram-negative-like cell wall pattern. It grew optimally at pH values between 7.2 and 7.4, but had a very broad pH range for growth (5.9-8.4). Optimum temperature for growth was 42 degrees C (range 30-50 degrees C). Strain 6SANG required yeast extract for growth on sugars. Glucose, sucrose, galactose, mannose, maltose, cellobiose, pyruvate, and starch were fermented. The end products from glucose fermentation were acetate, butyrate, lactate, H(2), and CO(2). The G + C ratio of the DNA was 34.3 mol%. Strain 6SANG exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 91-92% with members of the genus Halobacteroides, H. halobius being its closest phylogenetic relative. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, we propose that this bacterium be classified as a novel species of a novel genus, Halanaerobaculum tunisiense gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is 6SANG(T) (=DSM 19997(T)=JCM 15060(T)).

Photosynthetic temperature responses of tree species in Rwanda: evidence of pronounced negative effects of high temperature in montane rainforest climax species

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vårhammar, Angelica; Wallin, Göran; McLean, Christopher M.; Dusenge, Mirindi Eric; Medlyn, Belinda E.; Hasper, Thomas B.; Nsabimana, Donat; Uddling, Johan

2015-04-01

The sensitivity of photosynthetic metabolism to temperature has been identified as a key uncertainty for projecting the magnitude of the terrestrial feedback on future climate change. While temperature responses of photosynthetic capacities have been comparatively well investigated in temperate species, the responses of tropical tree species remain unexplored. We compared the responses of seedlings of native cold-adapted tropical montane rainforest tree species to exotic warm-adapted plantation species, all growing in an intermediate temperature common garden in Rwanda. Leaf gas exchange responses to CO2 at different temperatures (20 - 40 C) were used to assess the temperature responses of biochemical photosynthetic capacities. Analyses revealed a lower optimum temperature for photosynthetic electron transport rates than for Rubisco carboxylation rates, along with lower electron transport optima in the native cold-adapted than in the exotic warm-adapted species. The photosynthetic optimum temperatures were generally exceeded by daytime peak leaf temperatures, in particular in the native montane rainforest climax species. This study thus provides evidence of pronounced negative effects of high temperature in tropical trees and indicates high susceptibility of montane rainforest climax species to future global warming. (Reference: New Phytologist, in press)

Effect of annealing temperature and dopant concentration on the thermoluminescence sensitivity in LiF:Mg,Cu,Ag material.

PubMed

Yahyaabadi, Akram; Torkzadeh, Falamarz; Rezaei Ochbelagh, Dariush; Hosseini Pooya, Seyed Mahdi

2018-04-24

LiF:Mg,Cu,Ag is a new dosimetry material that is similar to LiF:Mg,Cu,P in terms of dosimetric properties. The effect of the annealing temperature in the range of 200 to 350°C on the thermoluminescence (TL) sensitivity and the glow curve structure of this material at different concentrations of silver (Ag) was investigated. It has been demonstrated that the optimum values of the annealing temperature and the Ag concentration are 240°C and 0.1 mol% for better sensitivity, respectively. The TL intensity decreases at annealing temperatures lower than 240°C or higher than 240°C, reaching a minimum at 300°C and then again increases for various Ag concentrations. It was observed that the glow curve structure altered and the area under the low temperature peak as well as the area under the main dosimetric peak decreased with increasing annealing temperature. The position of the main dosimetric peak moved in the direction of higher temperatures, but at 320 and 350°C annealing temperatures, it shifted to lower temperatures. It was also observed that the TL sensitivity could partially be recovered by a combined annealing procedure. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Characterisation of a detergent-stable alkaline protease from a novel thermophilic strain Paenibacillus tezpurensis sp. nov. AS-S24-II.

PubMed

Rai, Sudhir K; Roy, Jetendra K; Mukherjee, Ashis K

2010-02-01

An alkaline-protease-producing bacterial strain (AS-S24-II) isolated from a soil sample in Assam is a Gram-stain-positive, catalase-positive, endospore-forming rod and grows at temperatures ranging from 30 degrees C to 60 degrees C and salinity ranging from 0% to 7% (w/v) NaCl. Phenotypic characterisation, chemotaxonomic properties, presence of Paenibacillus-specific signature sequences, and ribotyping data suggested that the strain AS-S24-II represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus tezpurensis sp. nov. (MTCC 8959) is proposed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that P. lentimorbus strain DNG-14 and P. lentimorbus strain DNG-16 represent the closest phylogenetic neighbour of this novel strain. Alkaline protease production (598 x 10(3) U l(-1)) by P. tezpurensis sp. nov. in SmF was optimised by response surface method. A laundry-detergent-stable, Ca(2+)-independent, 43-kDa molecular weight alkaline serine protease from this strain was purified with a 1.7-fold increase in specific activity. The purified protease displayed optimum activity at pH 9.5 and 45-50 degrees C temperature range and exhibited a significant stability and compatibility with surfactants and most of the tested commercial laundry detergents at room temperature. Further, the protease improved the wash performance of detergents, thus demonstrating its feasibility for inclusion in laundry detergent formulations.

Selection of entomopathogenic fungi for aphid control.

PubMed

Vu, Van Hanh; Hong, Suk Il; Kim, Keun

2007-12-01

Twelve strains of entomopathogenic fungi such as Lecanicillium lecanii, Paecilomyces farinosus, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Cordyceps scarabaeicola, and Nomuraea rileyi were screened for aphid control. At 25 degrees C and 75% relative humidity (RH), among tested entomopathogenic fungi, L. lecanii 41185 showed the highest virulent pathogenicity for both Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii, and their control values were both nearly 100% 5 and 2 d after treatment, respectively. Moreover, at an RH of 45% and in a wide temperature range (20-30 degrees C), L. lecanii 41185 also exhibited the highest virulence to M. persicae. The control value of M. persicae and the 50% lethal time (LT50) decreased significantly as the applied conidial concentration increased. The 50% lethal concentration (LC50) of the conidial suspension of this fungus was determined to be 6.55x10(5) conidia/ml. The control values of M. persicae resulting from the application of 1x10(7) and 1x10(8) conidia/ml were nearly the same and were significantly higher than that of 1x10(6) conidia/ml. The tested entomopathogenic fungi grew in a broad temperature range (15-30 degrees C). Lecanicillium strains showed optimum growth at 25 degrees C. The aerial conidia of Lecanicillium strains also could germinate in a broad temperature range (15-30 degrees C) and L. lecanii 41185 was the only strain with conidial germination at 35 degrees C.

Isolation and characterization of urethanase from Penicillium variabile and its application to reduce ethyl carbamate contamination in Chinese rice wine.

PubMed

Zhou, Nan-di; Gu, Xiao-lei; Tian, Ya-ping

2013-06-01

A strain with urethanase activity was isolated from mouse gastrointestine. By combination of morphological characterization of the colony, hyphae, and spore and the sequence analysis of its rDNA ITS, the strain was determined as Penicillium variabile and named as P. variabile JN-A525. The enzymatic properties of urethanase from P. variabile JN-A525 were further studied. The optimum temperature and pH value of urethanase are of 50 °C and 6.0, respectively. The enzyme maintains stability when the temperature is below 50 °C and the pH is in the range of 7.0-10.0. The enzyme also exhibits ethanol tolerance. It can remove ethyl carbamate from Chinese rice wine without the change of flavor substances in the wine.

Optimization of engines for a commercial Mach 0.98 transport using advanced turbine cooling methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kraft, G. A.; Whitlow, J. B., Jr.

1972-01-01

A study was made of an advanced technology airplane using supercritical aerodynamics. Cruise Mach number was 0.98 at 40,000 feet altitude with a payload of 60,000 pounds and a range of 3000 nautical miles. Separate-flow turbofans were examined parametrically to determine the effect of sea-level-static design turbine-inlet-temperature and noise on takeoff gross weight (TOGW) assuming full-film turbine cooling. The optimum turbine inlet temperature was 2650 F. Two-stage-fan engines, with cruise fan pressure ratio of 2.25, achieved a noise goal of 103.5 EPNdB with todays noise technology while one-stage-fan engines, achieved a noise goal of 98 EPNdB. The take-off gross weight penalty to use the one-stage fan was 6.2 percent.

Experimental study on the performance of the vapor injection refrigeration system with an economizer for intermediate pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moon, Chang-Uk; Choi, Kwang-Hwan; Yoon, Jung-In; Kim, Young-Bok; Son, Chang-Hyo; Ha, Soo-Jung; Jeon, Min-Ju; An, Sang-Young; Lee, Joon-Hyuk

2018-04-01

In this study, to investigate the performance characteristics of vapor injection refrigeration system with an economizer at an intermediate pressure, the vapor injection refrigeration system was analyzed under various experiment conditions. As a result, the optimum design data of the vapor injection refrigeration system with an economizer were obtained. The findings from this study can be summarized as follows. The mass flow rate through the compressor increases with intermediate pressure. The compression power input showed an increasing trend under all the test conditions. The evaporation capacity increased and then decreased at the intermediate pressure, and as such, it became maximum at the given intermediate pressure. The increased mass flow rate of the by-passed refrigerant enhanced the evaporation capacity at the low medium pressure range, but the increased saturation temperature limited the subcooling degree of the liquid refrigerant after the application of the economizer when the intermediate pressure kept rising, and degenerated the evaporation capacity. The coefficient of performance (COP) increased and then decreased with respect to the intermediate pressures under all the experiment conditions. Nevertheless, there was an optimum intermediate pressure for the maximum COP under each experiment condition. Therefore, the optimum intermediate pressure in this study was found at -99.08 kPa, which is the theoretical standard medium pressure under all the test conditions.

Expression, purification and functional characterization of a novel 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

PubMed

Chen, Jianmin; Gao, Xiufeng; Hong, Lin; Ma, Liting; Li, Yongsheng

2015-11-01

3α-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD) catalyzes the oxidation of the 3-hydroxyl group of steroids. The enzymatic conversion is a critical step in the enzymatic assay of urinary sulfated bile acids (SBAs), which is a valuable diagnosis index of hepatobiliary diseases. However, the source of 3α-HSD for clinical applications is limited. In this study, an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a novel 3α-HSD was successfully cloned from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant protein was purified by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography. Enzyme characterization studies revealed that the protein has 3α-HSD activity and the Km value for sodium cholate is 1.06 mmol L(-1). More than 60% relative enzyme activity was observed in a wide range of pH and temperature, with an optimum pH at 8.0 and an optimum temperature at 30°C. The enzyme's good thermostability under 40°C would be favorable in clinical applications. Ion interference experiments indicated that Zn(2+) was an activating cofactor which increased the enzyme activity 1.75-fold. With the favorable characteristics mentioned above, the new 3α-HSD is a promising enzyme for clinical applications. More importantly, the present work is the first report on a 3α-HSD from P. aeruginosa. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Influence of culture media and environmental factors on mycelial growth and sporulation of Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) Griffon and Maubl.

PubMed

Saha, A; Mandal, P; Dasgupta, S; Saha, D

2008-05-01

Lasiodiplodia theobromae, a common tea (Camellia sinensis) pathogen, usually does not sporulate or sporulates poorly in common media, which makes spore production difficult. In this study the effects of culture media, carbon source, nitrogen source, temperature, pH and light on mycelial growth and sporulation were evaluated. Among several carbon sources tested, glucose and sucrose were found superior for growth. Potassium nitrate supplemented media showed maximum growth amongst the tested inorganic nitrogen sources while peptone produced maximum growth among the tested organic nitrogen sources. Tea root extract supplemented potato dextrose agar medium was found to be the most suitable for mycelial growth and sporulation of L. theobromae. The fungus grow at temperatures ranging from 40 to 36 degrees C, with optimum growth at 28 degrees C and no growth was noted at 40 degrees C. There was no significant effect of different light period on growth of L. theobromae, but light enhanced sporulation. The fungus grow at pH 3.0-8.0 and optimum growth was observed at pH 6.0. Tea root extract supplemented potato dextrose agar medium with pH 6.0 was the most suitable for production of conidia of L. theobromae at 28 degrees C. Hence this media may be recommended for inoculum production for further studies.

Immobilization of Aspergillus oryzae  β-Galactosidase on Cellulose Acetate-Polymethylmethacrylate Membrane and Its Application in Hydrolysis of Lactose from Milk and Whey.

PubMed

Ansari, Shakeel Ahmed; Satar, Rukhsana; Kashif Zaidi, Syed; Ahmad, Abrar

2014-01-01

The present study demonstrates the immobilization of Aspergillus oryzae β-galactosidase on cellulose acetate-polymethylmethacrylate (CA-PMMA) membrane and its application in hydrolyzing lactose in dairy industries. The effect of physical and chemical denaturants like pH, temperature, product inhibition by galactose, storage stability, and reuse number of the enzyme immobilized on CA-PMMA membrane has been investigated. Lactose was hydrolyzed from milk and whey in batch reactors at 50°C by free and immobilized β-galactosidase (IβG). Optimum pH for the free and immobilized enzyme was found to be the same, that is, 4.5. However, IβG retained greater fractions of catalytic activity at lower and higher pH ranges. The temperature optimum for the immobilized enzyme was increased by 10°C. Moreover, Michaelis-Menten constant was increased for IβG as compared to the native one while maximum reaction rate was reduced for the immobilized enzyme. The preserved activity of free and immobilized enzyme was found to be 45% and 83%, respectively, after five weeks of storage at 4°C. Reusability of IβG was observed to be 86% even after fifth repeated use, thereby signifying its application in lactose hydrolysis (as shown in lab-scale batch reactors) in various dairy products including milk and whey.

Immobilization of Aspergillus oryzae   β-Galactosidase on Cellulose Acetate-Polymethylmethacrylate Membrane and Its Application in Hydrolysis of Lactose from Milk and Whey

PubMed Central

Ansari, Shakeel Ahmed; Satar, Rukhsana; Kashif Zaidi, Syed; Ahmad, Abrar

2014-01-01

The present study demonstrates the immobilization of Aspergillus oryzae β-galactosidase on cellulose acetate-polymethylmethacrylate (CA-PMMA) membrane and its application in hydrolyzing lactose in dairy industries. The effect of physical and chemical denaturants like pH, temperature, product inhibition by galactose, storage stability, and reuse number of the enzyme immobilized on CA-PMMA membrane has been investigated. Lactose was hydrolyzed from milk and whey in batch reactors at 50°C by free and immobilized β-galactosidase (IβG). Optimum pH for the free and immobilized enzyme was found to be the same, that is, 4.5. However, IβG retained greater fractions of catalytic activity at lower and higher pH ranges. The temperature optimum for the immobilized enzyme was increased by 10°C. Moreover, Michaelis-Menten constant was increased for IβG as compared to the native one while maximum reaction rate was reduced for the immobilized enzyme. The preserved activity of free and immobilized enzyme was found to be 45% and 83%, respectively, after five weeks of storage at 4°C. Reusability of IβG was observed to be 86% even after fifth repeated use, thereby signifying its application in lactose hydrolysis (as shown in lab-scale batch reactors) in various dairy products including milk and whey. PMID:27350979

A quality by design approach to understand formulation and process variability in pharmaceutical melt extrusion processes.

PubMed

Patwardhan, Ketaki; Asgarzadeh, Firouz; Dassinger, Thomas; Albers, Jessica; Repka, Michael A

2015-05-01

In this study, the principles of quality by design (QbD) have been uniquely applied to a pharmaceutical melt extrusion process for an immediate release formulation with a low melting model drug, ibuprofen. Two qualitative risk assessment tools - Fishbone diagram and failure mode effect analysis - were utilized to strategically narrow down the most influential parameters. Selected variables were further assessed using a Plackett-Burman screening study, which was upgraded to a response surface design consisting of the critical factors to study the interactions between the study variables. In process torque, glass transition temperature (Tg ) of the extrudates, assay, dissolution and phase change were measured as responses to evaluate the critical quality attributes (CQAs) of the extrudates. The effect of each study variable on the measured responses was analysed using multiple regression for the screening design and partial least squares for the optimization design. Experimental limits for formulation and process parameters to attain optimum processing have been outlined. A design space plot describing the domain of experimental variables within which the CQAs remained unchanged was developed. A comprehensive approach for melt extrusion product development based on the QbD methodology has been demonstrated. Drug loading concentrations between 40- 48%w/w and extrusion temperature in the range of 90-130°C were found to be the most optimum. © 2015 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Production and application of a thermostable lipase from Serratia marcescens in detergent formulation and biodiesel production.

PubMed

García-Silvera, Edgar Edurman; Martínez-Morales, Fernando; Bertrand, Brandt; Morales-Guzmán, Daniel; Rosas-Galván, Nashbly Sarela; León-Rodríguez, Renato; Trejo-Hernández, María R

2018-03-01

In this study, extracellular lipase was produced by Serratia marcescens wild type and three mutant strains. The maximum lipase activity (80 U/mL) was obtained with the SMRG4 mutant strain using soybean oil. Using a 2 2 factorial design, the lipase production increased 1.55-fold (124 U/mL) with 4% and 0.05% of soybean oil and Triton X-100, respectively. The optimum conditions for maximum lipase activity were 50 °C and pH 8. However, the enzyme was active in a broad range of pH (6-10) and temperatures (5-55 °C). This lipase was stable in organic solvents and in the presence of oxidizing agents. The enzyme also proved to be efficient for the removal of triacylglycerol from olive oil in cotton cloth. A Box-Behnken experimental design was used to evaluate the effects of the interactions between total lipase activity, buffer pH, and wash temperatures on oil removal. The model obtained suggested that all selected factors had a significant impact on oil removal, with optimum conditions of 550 U lipase, 45 °C, pH 9.5, with 79.45% removal. Biotransformation of waste frying oil using the enzyme and in presence of methanol resulted in the synthesis of methyl esters such as methyl oleate, methyl palmitate, and methyl stearate. © 2017 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Simulating bimodal tall fescue growth with a degree-day-based process-oriented plant model

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Plant growth simulation models have a temperature response function driving development, with a base temperature and an optimum temperature defined. Such growth simulation models often function well when plant development rate shows a continuous change throughout the growing season. This approach ...

Evaluation and application of static headspace-multicapillary column-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry for complex sample analysis.

PubMed

Denawaka, Chamila J; Fowlis, Ian A; Dean, John R

2014-04-18

An evaluation of static headspace-multicapillary column-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (SHS-MCC-GC-IMS) has been undertaken to assess its applicability for the determination of 32 volatile compounds (VCs). The key experimental variables of sample incubation time and temperature have been evaluated alongside the MCC-GC variables of column polarity, syringe temperature, injection temperature, injection volume, column temperature and carrier gas flow rate coupled with the IMS variables of temperature and drift gas flow rate. This evaluation resulted in six sets of experimental variables being required to separate the 32 VCs. The optimum experimental variables for SHS-MCC-GC-IMS, the retention time and drift time operating parameters were determined; to normalise the operating parameters, the relative drift time and normalised reduced ion mobility for each VC were determined. In addition, a full theoretical explanation is provided on the formation of the monomer, dimer and trimer of a VC. The optimum operating condition for each VC calibration data was obtained alongside limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) values. Typical detection limits ranged from 0.1ng bis(methylthio)methane, ethylbutanoate and (E)-2-nonenal to 472ng isovaleric acid with correlation coefficient (R(2)) data ranging from 0.9793 (for the dimer of octanal) through to 0.9990 (for isobutyric acid). Finally, the developed protocols were applied to the analysis of malodour in sock samples. Initial work involved spiking an inert matrix and sock samples with appropriate concentrations of eight VCs. The average recovery from the inert matrix was 101±18% (n=8), while recoveries from the sock samples were lower, that is, 54±30% (n=8) for sock type 1 and 78±24% (n=6) for sock type 2. Finally, SHS-MCC-GC-IMS was applied to sock malodour in a field trial based on 11 volunteers (mixed gender) over a 3-week period. By applying the SHS-MCC-GC-IMS database, four VCs were identified and quantified: ammonia, dimethyl disulphide, dimethyl trisulphide and butyric acid. A link was identified between the presence of high ammonia and dimethyl disulphide concentrations and a high malodour odour grading, that is, ≥ 6. Statistical analysis did not find any correlation between the occurrence of dimethyl disulphide and participant gender. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Methylovulum psychrotolerans sp. nov., a cold-adapted methanotroph from low-temperature terrestrial environments, and emended description of the genus Methylovulum.

PubMed

Oshkin, Igor Y; Belova, Svetlana E; Danilova, Olga V; Miroshnikov, Kirill K; Rijpstra, W Irene C; Sinninghe Damsté, Jaap S; Liesack, Werner; Dedysh, Svetlana N

2016-06-01

Two isolates of aerobic methanotrophic bacteria, strains Sph1T and Sph2, were obtained from cold methane seeps in a floodplain of the river Mukhrinskaya, Irtysh basin, West Siberia. Another morphologically and phenotypically similar methanotroph, strain OZ2, was isolated from a sediment of a subarctic freshwater lake, Archangelsk region, northern Russia. Cells of these three strains were Gram-stain-negative, light-pink-pigmented, non-motile, encapsulated, large cocci that contained an intracytoplasmic membrane system typical of type I methanotrophs. They possessed a particulate methane monooxygenase enzyme and utilized only methane and methanol. Strains Sph1T, Sph2 and OZ2 were able to grow at a pH range of 4.0-8.9 (optimum at pH 6.0-7.0) and at temperatures between 2 and 36 °C. Although their temperature optimum was at 20-25 °C, these methanotrophs grew well at lower temperatures, down to 4 °C. The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 1ω5c, C16 : 1ω6c, C16 : 1ω7c, C16 : 1ω8c, C16 : 0 and C14 : 0; the DNA G+C content was 51.4-51.9 mol%. Strains Sph1T, Sph2 and OZ2 displayed nearly identical (99.1-99.7 % similarity) 16S rRNA gene sequences and belonged to the family Methylococcaceae of the class Gammaproteobacteria. The most closely related organism was Methylovulum miyakonense HT12T (96.0-96.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and 90 % pmoA sequence similarity). The novel isolates, however, differed from Methylovulum miyakonense HT12T by cell morphology, pigmentation, absence of soluble methane monooxygenase, more active growth at low temperatures, growth over a broader pH range and higher DNA G+C content. On the basis of these differences, we propose a novel species, Methylovulum psychrotolerans sp. nov., to accommodate these methanotrophs. Strain Sph1T (=LMG 29227T=VKM B-3018T) is the type strain.

A study on torrefaction of sewage sludge to enhance solid fuel qualities.

PubMed

Poudel, Jeeban; Ohm, Tae-In; Lee, Sang-Hoon; Oh, Sea Cheon

2015-06-01

Torrefaction is a treatment which serves to improve the properties of biomass in relation to thermochemical processing techniques for energy generation. In this study, the torrefaction of sewage sludge, which is a non-lignocellulosic waste was investigated in a horizontal tubular reactor under nitrogen flow at temperature ranging from 150 to 400°C, for torrefaction residence time varying from 0 to 50 min. The torrefaction kinetics of sewage sludge was studied to obtain the kinetic parameters. The torrefied sewage sludge products were characterized in terms of their elemental composition, energy yield, ash content and volatile fraction. The energy and mass yields decreased with an increase in the torrefaction temperature. From an elemental analysis, the weight percentage of carbon in the sewage sludge increased with an increase in the torrefaction temperature. On the other hand, the weight percentages of hydrogen and oxygen tended to decrease. The gaseous products from torrefaction of sewage sludge were also analyzed. From this work, it was found that the compounds with oxygen were emitted at a temperature lower than that for hydrocarbon gases and the temperatures of 300-350°C were the optimum torrefaction temperatures for sewage sludge. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Removal Efficiency of the Heavy Metals Zn(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) by Saprolegnia delica and Trichoderma viride at Different pH Values and Temperature Degrees

PubMed Central

Hashem, Mohamed

2007-01-01

The removal efficiency of the heavy metals Zn, Pb and Cd by the zoosporic fungal species Saprolegnia delica and the terrestrial fungus Trichoderma viride, isolated from polluted water drainages in the Delta of Nile in Egypt, as affected by various ranges of pH values and different temperature degrees,was extensively investigated. The maximum removal efficiency of S. delica for Zn(II) and Cd(II) was obtained at pH 8 and for Pb(II) was at pH 6 whilst the removal efficiency of T. viride was found to be optimum at pH 6 for the three applied heavy metals. Regardless the median lethal doses of the three heavy metals, Zn recorded the highest bioaccumulation potency by S. delica at all pH values except at pH 4, followed by Pb whereas Cd showed the lowest removal potency by the fungal species and vice versa in case of T. viride. The optimum biomass dry weight production by S. delica was found when the fungus was grown in the medium treated with the heavy metal Pb at pH 6, followed by Zn at pH 8 and Cd at pH 8. The optimum biomass dry weight yield by T. viride amended with Zn,Pb and Cd was obtained at pH 6 for the three heavy metals with the maximum value at Zn. The highest yield of biomass dry weight was found when T. viride treated with Cd at all different pH values followed by Pb whilst Zn output was the lowest and this result was reversed in case of S. delica. The maximum removal efficiency and the biomass dry weight production for the three tested heavy metals was obtained at the incubation temperature 20℃ in case of S. delica while it was 25℃ for T. viride. Incubation of T. viride at higher temperatures (30℃ and 35℃) enhanced the removal efficiency of Pb and Cd than low temperatures (15℃ and 20℃) and vice versa in case of Zn removal. At all tested incubation temperatures, the maximum yield of biomass dry weight was attained at Zn treatment by the two tested fungal species. The bioaccumulation potency of S. delica for Zn was higher than that for Pb at all temperature degrees of incubation and Cd bioaccumulation was the lowest whereas T. viride showed the highest removal efficiency for Pb followed by Cd and Zn was the minor of the heavy metals. PMID:24015084

Effect of nest characteristics on thermal properties, clutch size, and reproductive performance for an open-cup nesting songbird

Treesearch

Michael E. Akresh; Daniel R. Ardia; David I. King

2017-01-01

Maintaining avian eggs and young at optimum temperatures for development can increase hatching success and nestling condition, but this maintenance requires parental energetic demands. Bird nests, which often provide a structure to safely hold the eggs and nestlings and protect them from predators, can additionally be designed to help maintain eggs' optimum...

Climate-host mapping of Phytophthora ramorum, causal agent of sudden oak death

Treesearch

Glenn Fowler; Roger Magarey; Manuel Colunga

2006-01-01

Phytophthora ramorum infection was modeled using the NAPPFAST system for the conterminous United States. Parameters used to model P. ramorum infection were: leaf wetness, minimum temperature, optimum temperature and maximum temperature over a specified number of accumulated days. The model was used to create maps showing the...

Impact of Tolypocladium cylindrosporum (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) on eggs of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus at low temperature

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

We examined the potential of Tolypocladium cylindrosporum IBT 41712 to infect eggs of Aedes aegypti Linnaeus and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) mosquitoes at low temperature (15 deg C). To determine the optimum temperature for the fungus, we cultured the fungus at eight temperatures (4, 12, 15, 21, 28, 33...

Effects of deposition temperature on the electrical properties of Ti/SiC Schottky barrier diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oder, Tom N.; Kundeti, Krishna C.; Borucki, Nicholas; Isukapati, Sundar B.

2017-12-01

Ti Schottky contacts were deposited on n-type 4H-SiC at different temperatures ranging from 28 oC to 900 oC using a magnetron sputtering deposition system to fabricate Schottky barrier diodes. Post deposition annealing at 500 oC for up to 60 hours in vacuum was carried to further improve the contact properties. Optimum barrier height of 1.13 eV and ideality factor of 1.04 was obtained in contacts deposited at 200 oC and annealed for 60 hours. Under a reverse voltage bias of 400 V, the average leakage current on these set of diodes was 6.6 x 10-8 A. Based on the x-ray diffraction analysis, TiC, Ti5Si3 and Ti3SiC2 were formed at the Ti/SiC interface. These results could be beneficial to improving the performance of 4H-SiC Schottky diodes for high power and high temperature applications.

Conceptual design of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) power plants in the Philippines

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Haruo Uehara; Dilao, C.O.; Tsutomu Nakaoka

1988-01-01

Extensive temperature readings were obtained to determine suitable OTEC power plant sites in the Philippines. An analysis of temperature profiles reveals that surface seawater is in the range of 25 to 29{degree}C throughout the year while seawater at 500 to 700 m depth remains at a low temperature of 8 to 4{degree}C, respectively. In this article, 14 suitable sites within the Philippine seas are suggested. Conceptual designs for a 5-MW onland-type and a 25-MW floating-type OTEC power plant are proposed. Optimum conditions are determined and plant specifications are computed. Cost estimates show that a floating-type 25-MW OTEC power plant canmore » generate electricity at a busbar power cost of 5.33 to 7.57 cents/kW {times} h while an onshore type 5-MW plant can generate electricity at a busbar cost of 14.71 to 18.09 cents/kW {times} h.« less

Rhodoferax antarcticus sp. nov., a moderately psychrophilic purple nonsulfur bacterium isolated from an Antarctic microbial mat

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Madigan, M. T.; Jung, D. O.; Woese, C. R.; Achenbach, L. A.

2000-01-01

A new species of purple nonsulfur bacteria isolated from an Antarctic microbial mat is described. The organism, designated strain ANT.BR, was mildly psychrophilic, growing optimally at 15-18 degrees C with a growth temperature range of 0-25 degrees C. Cells of strain ANT.BR were highly motile curved rods and spirals, contained bacteriochlorophyll a, and showed a multicomponent in vivo absorption spectrum. A specific phylogenetic relationship was observed between strain ANT.BR and the purple bacterium Rhodoferax fermentans FR2T, and the two organisms shared several physiological and other phenotypic properties, with the notable exception of growth temperature optimum. Tests of genomic DNA hybridization, however, showed Rfx. fermentans FR2T and strain ANT.BR to be genetically distinct bacteria. Because of its unique set of properties, especially its requirement for low growth temperatures, we propose to recognize strain ANT.BR as a new species of the genus Rhodoferax, Rhodoferax antarcticus, named for its known habitat, the Antarctic.

Impact of temperature on fatty acid composition and nutritional value in eight species of microalgae.

PubMed

Aussant, Justine; Guihéneuf, Freddy; Stengel, Dagmar B

2018-06-01

Microalgae are considered a sustainable source of high-value products with health benefits. Marine algae-derived omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are considered dietary elements with effects on mental health, cognition enhancement, and cardiovascular protection. This study investigated the temperature effect on omega-3 LC-PUFA production in eight species of microalgae from various taxonomic groups, with a focus on achieving an optimal balance between omega-3 accumulation and efficient growth performance. Samples were batch-cultivated at four different temperatures, with constant light, and fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were analyzed by gas chromatography. Several nutritional indices were calculated to assess the potential value of biomass produced for human consumption. Two promising candidates were identified suitable for batch cultivation and large-scale production: Nannochloropsis oculata for EPA and Isochrysis galbana for DHA production, with optimum productivities obtained between 14 and 20 °C, and nutritional indices falling within the range required for nutritional benefit.

Variation in sensitivity of large benthic Foraminifera to the combined effects of ocean warming and local impacts.

PubMed

Prazeres, Martina; Roberts, T Edward; Pandolfi, John M

2017-03-23

Large benthic foraminifera (LBF) are crucial marine calcifiers in coral reefs, and sensitive to environmental changes. Yet, many species successfully colonise a wide range of habitats including highly fluctuating environments. We tested the combined effects of ocean warming, local impacts and different light levels on populations of the common LBF Amphistegina lobifera collected along a cross-shelf gradient of temperature and nutrients fluctuations. We analysed survivorship, bleaching frequency, chlorophyll a content and fecundity. Elevated temperature and nitrate significantly reduced survivorship and fecundity of A. lobifera across populations studied. This pattern was exacerbated when combined with below optimum light levels. Inshore populations showed a consistent resistance to increased temperature and nitrate levels, but all populations studied were significantly affected by light reduction. These findings demonstrated the capacity of some populations of LBF to acclimate to local conditions; nonetheless improvements in local water quality can ultimately ameliorate effects of climate change in local LBF populations.

Effect of temperature and humidity on pathogenicity of native Beauveria bassiana isolate against Musca domestica L.

PubMed

Mishra, Sapna; Kumar, Peeyush; Malik, Anushree

2015-12-01

Beauveria bassiana HQ917687 virulence to housefly larvae and adult was assessed at different relative humidity, RH (50, 75, 90, and 100 %) and temperature (15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 °C) conditions at the fungal dose of 10(8) conidia/ml. Depending on the temperature and RH regime tested, difference in mortality rates of housefly adult and larvae were detected. During assay on adult housefly, 100 % mortality was achieved at RH, 90 and 100 % while the temperature of 30 °C showed maximum mortality at all the tested humidity conditions. Lethal time, LT50 was 2.9 days at 100 % RH. Larval mortality at different humidity conditions varied between 30 and 74 %, with maximum mortality at 100 % RH and 30 °C. Optimum temperature for B. bassiana virulence to housefly larvae was also found to be 30 °C. The interaction between temperature and RH revealed significant effect of RH at moderate temperature range (20-35 °C), while such an interaction was not observed at extreme temperatures. The results obtained in this study have useful implications in understanding the pathogen behavior under actual field conditions. This in turn may help devising suitable entomopathogen release schedules for maximum fungal infection.

Effect of temperature for synthesizing single-walled carbon nanotubes by catalytic chemical vapor deposition over Mo-Co-MgO catalyst

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Niu Zhiqiang; Fang Yan

2008-06-03

The influence of temperature on synthesizing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by catalytic chemical vapor deposition of methane over Mo-Co-MgO catalyst was studied by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Raman scattering. The Mo-Co-MgO bimetallic catalyst was prepared by decomposing the mixture of magnesium nitrate, ammonium molybdate, citric acid, and cobalt nitrate. The results show that Mo-Co-MgO bimetallic catalyst is effective to synthesize SWCNTs. By using Mo-Co-MgO bimetallic catalyst, generation of SWCNTs even at 940 K was demonstrated. The optimum temperature of synthesizing SWCNTs over Mo-Co-MgO bimetallic catalyst may be about 1123 K. At 1123 K, the diameters of SWCNTs are inmore » the range of 0.75-1.65 nm. The content of SWCNTs is increased with the increase of temperature below 1123 K and the carbon yield rate is also increased with the increase of synthesis temperature. Therefore, the amount of SWCNTs increases with the increase of temperature below 1123 K. However, above 1123 K, the content of SWCNTs is decreased with the increase of temperature; therefore, it is not effective to increase the amount of SWCNTs through increasing synthesis temperature above 1123 K.« less

Investigation of the processing conditions for the synthesis of rod-shaped LiCoO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Taejoong; Kim, Yongseon

2018-07-01

We investigate the processing conditions for the synthesis of rod-shaped LiCoO2 (LCO) by a solid-state calcination of a precursor material which was prepared by a hydrothermal method. The rod-like morphology appeared to be easily broken due to the growth of primary crystals recrystallized during the calcination process. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain the temperature under a certain limit. However, the temperature must be high enough to obtain proper crystallinity of the LCO, ideally above 800 °C. Thus, we determined the optimal calcination temperature condition from the common range of temperatures that satisfies both these limiting conditions. The precursor with average diameter of 1 µm sustained the rod shape at calcination temperatures of up to 900 °C; therefore, the optimum calcination temperature could be determined between 800 and 900 °C. Whereas, a proper calcination temperature could not be found for the precursor with 500 nm of diameter because the rod shape did not maintain even at 700 °C. Thus, the maximum temperature at which the rod shape is retained decreases with smaller diameter of the precursor rods, indicating adjusting the diameter above a limiting value is necessary to prepare LCO rod by conventional solid state calcination.

Kinetic characterization, optimum conditions for catalysis and substrate preference of secretory phospholipase A2 from Glycine max in model membrane systems.

PubMed

Mariani, María Elisa; Madoery, Ricardo Román; Fidelio, Gerardo Daniel

2015-01-01

Two secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2s) from Glycine max, GmsPLA2-IXA-1 and GmsPLA2-XIB-2, have been purified as recombinant proteins and the activity was evaluated in order to obtain the optimum conditions for catalysis using mixed micelles and lipid monolayers as substrate. Both sPLA2s showed a maximum enzyme activity at pH 7 and a requirement of Ca(2+) in the micromolar range. These parameters were similar to those found for animal sPLA2s but a surprising optimum temperature for catalysis at 60 °C was observed. The effect of negative interfacial charges on the hydrolysis of organized substrates was evaluated through initial rate measurements using short chain phospholipids with different head groups. The enzymes showed subtle differences in the specificity for phospholipids with different head groups (DLPC, DLPG, DLPE, DLPA) in presence or absence of NaCl. Both recombinant enzymes showed lower activity toward anionic phospholipids and a preference for the zwitterionic ones. The values of the apparent kinetic parameters (Vmax and KM) demonstrated that these enzymes have more affinity for phosphatidylcholine compared with phosphatidylglycerol, in contrast with the results observed for pancreatic sPLA2. A hopping mode of catalysis was proposed for the action of these sPLA2 on mixed phospholipid/triton micelles. On the other hand, Langmuir-monolayers assays indicated an optimum lateral surface pressure for activity in between 13 and 16 mN/m for both recombinant enzymes. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. and Société française de biochimie et biologie Moléculaire (SFBBM). All rights reserved.

Taguchi Optimization of Pulsed Current GTA Welding Parameters for Improved Corrosion Resistance of 5083 Aluminum Welds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rastkerdar, E.; Shamanian, M.; Saatchi, A.

2013-04-01

In this study, the Taguchi method was used as a design of experiment (DOE) technique to optimize the pulsed current gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) parameters for improved pitting corrosion resistance of AA5083-H18 aluminum alloy welds. A L9 (34) orthogonal array of the Taguchi design was used, which involves nine experiments for four parameters: peak current ( P), base current ( B), percent pulse-on time ( T), and pulse frequency ( F) with three levels was used. Pitting corrosion resistance in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution was evaluated by anodic polarization tests at room temperature and calculating the width of the passive region (∆ E pit). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on the measured data and S/ N (signal to noise) ratios. The "bigger is better" was selected as the quality characteristic (QC). The optimum conditions were found as 170 A, 85 A, 40%, and 6 Hz for P, B, T, and F factors, respectively. The study showed that the percent pulse-on time has the highest influence on the pitting corrosion resistance (50.48%) followed by pulse frequency (28.62%), peak current (11.05%) and base current (9.86%). The range of optimum ∆ E pit at optimum conditions with a confidence level of 90% was predicted to be between 174.81 and 177.74 mVSCE. Under optimum conditions, the confirmation test was carried out, and the experimental value of ∆ E pit of 176 mVSCE was in agreement with the predicted value from the Taguchi model. In this regard, the model can be effectively used to predict the ∆ E pit of pulsed current gas tungsten arc welded joints.

Two-phase anaerobic digestion of source sorted OFMSW (organic fraction of municipal solid waste): performance and kinetic study.

PubMed

Pavan, P; Battistoni, P; Cecchi, F; Mata-Alvarez, J

2000-01-01

The results of a two-phase system operated in different conditions, treating the source-sorted organic fraction of municipal solid waste (SS-OFMSW), coming mainly from fruit and vegetable markets, are presented. Hydraulic retention time (HRT) in the hydrolytic reactor and in the methanogenic reactor and also the temperature in the hydrolytic reactor (mesophilic and thermophilic conditions) are varied in order to evaluate the effect of these factors. The methanogenic reactor is always operated within the thermophilic range. Optimum operating conditions are found to be around 12 days (total system) using the mesophilic range of temperature in the first reactor. Specific gas production (SGP) in these conditions is around 0.6 m3/kg TVS. A kinetic study is also carried out, using the first and the step diffusional models. The latter gives much better results, with fitted constants comparable to other studies. Finally, a comparison with a one-phase system is carried out, showing that a two-phase system is much more appropriate for the digestion of this kind of highly biodegradable substrate in thermophilic conditions.

STUDIES ON THERMOPHILIC SULFATE-REDUCING BACTERIA II.

PubMed Central

Akagi, J. M.; Campbell, L. Leon

1961-01-01

Akagi, J. M. (Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio) and L. Leon Campbell. Studies on thermophilic sulfate-reducing bacteria. II. Hydrogenase activity of Clostridium nigrificans. J. Bacteriol. 82:927–932. 1961.—The hydrogenase of Clostridium nigrificans has been found to be associated with the cell-free particulate fraction which can be sedimented at 105,000 × g in 1 hr. The specific activity of this fraction was increased 2 to 3 fold over that of the crude extract. It was not found possible to liberate the enzyme from the particulate fraction by methods of enzymatic digestion, chemical extraction, or physical disruption. The optimum temperature for H2 utilization using benzyl viologen as an electron acceptor was found to be 55 C, and the optimum pH range was 7 to 8. Employing metal complexing agents it was found that the enzyme required Fe++ ions for H2 utilization. In contrast, Fe++ ions were not required to catalyze the evolution of H2 from reduced methyl viologen. The role of Fe++ ions in the hydrogenase activity of this organism is discussed. PMID:13859876

Solid-substrate bioprocessing of cow dung for the production of carboxymethyl cellulase by Bacillus halodurans IND18.

PubMed

Vijayaraghavan, P; Prakash Vincent, S G; Dhillon, G S

2016-02-01

The production of carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) by Bacillus halodurans IND18 under solid substrate fermentation (SSF) using cow dung was optimized through two level full factorial design and second order response surface methodology (RSM). The central composite design (CCD) was employed to optimize the vital fermentation parameters, such as pH of the substrate, concentration of nitrogen source (peptone) and ion (sodium dihydrogen phosphate) sources in medium for achieving higher enzyme production. The optimum medium composition was found to be 1.46% (w/w) peptone, 0.095% (w/w) sodium dihydrogen phosphate and pH 8.0. The model prediction of 4210IU/g enzyme activity at optimum conditions was verified experimentally as 4140IU/g. The enzyme was active over a broad temperature range (40-60±1°C) and pH (7.0-9.0) with maximal activity at 60±1°C and pH 8.0. This study demonstrated the potential of cow dung as novel substrate for CMCase production. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Disc piezoelectric ceramic transformers.

PubMed

Erhart, Jirií; Půlpán, Petr; Doleček, Roman; Psota, Pavel; Lédl, Vít

2013-08-01

In this contribution, we present our study on disc-shaped and homogeneously poled piezoelectric ceramic transformers working in planar-extensional vibration modes. Transformers are designed with electrodes divided into wedge, axisymmetrical ring-dot, moonie, smile, or yin-yang segments. Transformation ratio, efficiency, and input and output impedances were measured for low-power signals. Transformer efficiency and transformation ratio were measured as a function of frequency and impedance load in the secondary circuit. Optimum impedance for the maximum efficiency has been found. Maximum efficiency and no-load transformation ratio can reach almost 100% and 52 for the fundamental resonance of ring-dot transformers and 98% and 67 for the second resonance of 2-segment wedge transformers. Maximum efficiency was reached at optimum impedance, which is in the range from 500 Ω to 10 kΩ, depending on the electrode pattern and size. Fundamental vibration mode and its overtones were further studied using frequency-modulated digital holographic interferometry and by the finite element method. Complementary information has been obtained by the infrared camera visualization of surface temperature profiles at higher driving power.

A novel serine alkaline protease from Bacillus altitudinis GVC11 and its application as a dehairing agent.

PubMed

Vijay Kumar, E; Srijana, M; Kiran Kumar, K; Harikrishna, N; Reddy, Gopal

2011-05-01

A serine alkaline protease from a newly isolated alkaliphilic Bacillus altitudinis GVC11 was purified and characterized. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by acetone precipitation, DEAE-cellulose anion exchange chromatography with 7.03-fold increase in specific activity and 15.25% recovery. The molecular weight of alkaline protease was estimated to be 28 kDa by SDS PAGE and activity was further assessed by zymogram analysis. The enzyme was highly active over a wide range of pH 8.5 to 12.5 with an optimum pH of 9.5. The optimum temperature of purified enzyme was 45 °C and Ca(2+) further increased the thermal stability of the enzyme. The enzyme activity was enhanced by Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) and inhibited by Hg(2+). The present study is the first report to examine and describe production of highly alkaline protease from Bacillus altitudinis and also its remarkable dehairing ability of goat hide in 18 h without disturbing the collagen and hair integrity.

Recovery of heavy metals from spent Ni-Cd batteries by a potentiostatic electrodeposition technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Chun-Chen

Two heavy metals, Cd and Ni, have been separately recovered from spent AA-size Ni-Cd batteries by the potentiostatic electrodeposition and chemical precipitation methods, respectively. Various types and concentrations of HCl, H 2SO 4, and HNO 3 acids had been used as leach extractants. Experimental results indicate that the acid with the best leach capability is 4 M HCl. Three complexing reagents of NH 3, sodium acetate, sodium citrate have been chosen and tested. The most effective buffer is sodium citrate. The optimum mole ratio of metallic ion to citrate ion is 1:1. The recovery process for Cd metal is conducted by the potentiostatic electrodeposition in a leach electrolyte with a sodium citrate complex. The optimum applied potential for Cd recovery is in the range -1100 to -1120 mV (versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE)). The current efficiency for the recovery process is between 70 and 90% and depends strongly on the process parameters, e.g. liquor, concentration, applied potential, temperature, type of complex reagents, mole ratio, mass-transfer rate.

Purification and characterization of polyphenol oxidase from banana (Musa sapientum L.) pulp.

PubMed

Yang, C P; Fujita, S; Ashrafuzzaman, M; Nakamura, N; Hayashi, N

2000-07-01

Polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.10.3.1, PPO) in the pulp of banana (Musa sapientum L.) was purified to 636-fold with a recovery of 3.0%, using dopamine as substrate. The purified enzyme exhibited a clear single band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-PAGE. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be about 41000 and 42000 by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE, respectively. The enzyme quickly oxidized dopamine, and its K(m) value for dopamine was 2.8 mM. The optimum pH was at 6.5, and the enzyme activity was stable in the range of pH 5-11 at 5 degrees C for 48 h. The enzyme had an optimum temperature of 30 degrees C and was stable even after a heat treatment at 70 degrees C for 30 min. The enzyme activity was completely inhibited by L-ascorbic acid, cysteine, sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, and potassium cyanide. Under a low buffer capacity, the enzyme was also strongly inhibited by citric acid and acetic acid at 10 mM.

Preparation and Optimization OF Palm-Based Lipid Nanoparticles Loaded with Griseofulvin.

PubMed

Huei Lim, Wen; Jean Tan, Yann; Sin Lee, Choy; Meng Er, Hui; Fung Wong, Shew

2017-01-01

Palm-based lipid nanoparticle formulation loaded with griseofulvin was prepared by solvent-free hot homogenization method. The griseofulvin loaded lipid nanoparticles were prepared via stages of optimisation, by altering the high pressure homogenisation (HPH) parameters, screening on palm-based lipids and Tween series surfactants and selection of lipid to surfactant ratios. A HPLC method has been validated for the drug loading capacity study. The optimum HPH parameter was determined to be 1500 bar with 5 cycles and among the palm-based lipid materials; Lipid C (triglycerides) was selected for the preparation of lipid nanoparticles. Tween 80 was chosen from the Tween series surfactants for its highest saturated solubility of griseofulvin at 53.1 ± 2.16 µg/mL. The optimum formulation of the griseofulvin loaded lipid nanoparticles demonstrated nano-range of particle size (179.8 nm) with intermediate distribution index (PDI) of 0.306, zeta potential of -27.9 mV and drug loading of 0.77%. The formulation was stable upon storage for 1 month at room temperature (25 ° C) and 45 ° C with consistent drug loading capacity.

Influence of fillers on the alkali activated chamotte

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dembovska, L.; Bumanis, G.; Vitola, L.; Bajare, D.

2017-10-01

Alkali-activated materials (AAM) exhibit remarkable high-temperature resistance which makes them perspective materials for high-temperature applications, for instance as fire protecting and insulating materials in industrial furnaces. Series of experiments were carried out to develop optimum mix proportions of AAM based on chamotte with quartz sand (Q), olivine sand (OL) and firebrick sawing residues (K26) as fillers. Aluminium scrap recycling waste was considered as a pore forming agent and 6M NaOH alkali activation solution has been used. Lightweight porous AAM have been obtained with density in range from 600 to 880 kg/m3 and compressive strength from 0.8 to 2.7 MPa. The XRD and high temperature optical microscopy was used to characterize the performance of AAM. The mechanical, physical and structural properties of the AAM were determined after the exposure to elevated temperatures at 800 and 1000°C. The results indicate that most promising results for AAM were with K26 filler where strength increase was observed while Q and OL filler reduced mechanical properties due to structure deterioration caused by expansive nature of selected filler.

Preparation and Properties of High-T(sub c) Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O Thick Film Superconductors on YSZ Substrates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hooker, Matthew W.

1996-01-01

An evaluation of four firing profiles was performed to determine the optimum processing conditions for producing high-T(sub c) Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O thick films on yttria-stabilized zirconia substrates. Using these four profiles, the effects of sintering temperatures of 830-850 C and soak times of 0.5 to 12 hours were examined. In this study, T-c, zero values of 100 K were obtained using a firing profile in which the films were sintered for 1.5 to 2 hours at 840 to 845 C and then quenched to room temperature. X-ray diffraction analyses of these specimens confirmed the presence of the high-T(sub c) phase. Films which were similarly fired and furnace cooled from the peak processing temperature exhibited a two-step superconductive transition to zero resistance, with T-c,zero values ranging from 85 to 92 K. The other firing profiles evaluated in this investigation yielded specimens which either exhibited critical transition temperatures below 90 K or did not exhibit a superconductive transition above 77 K.

Cluster Evolution at Early Stages of 1,3,5-Triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene under Various Heating Conditions: A Molecular Reactive Force Field Study.

PubMed

Wen, Yushi; Xue, Xianggui; Long, Xinping; Zhang, Chaoyang

2016-06-09

We carried out reactive molecular dynamics simulations by ReaxFF to study the initial events of an insensitive high explosive 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) against various thermal stimuli including constant-temperature heating, programmed heating, and adiabatic heating to simulate TATB suffering from accidental heating in reality. Cluster evolution at the early stage of the thermal decomposition of condensed TATB was the main focus as cluster formation primarily occurs when TATB is heated. The results show that cluster formation is the balance of the competition of intermolecular collision and molecular decomposition of TATB, that is, an appropriate temperature and certain duration are required for cluster formation and preservation. The temperature in the range of 2000-3000 K was found to be optimum for fast formation and a period of preservation. Besides, the intra- and intermolecular H transfers are always favorable, whereas the C-NO2 partition was favorable at high temperature. The simulation results are helpful to deepen the insight into the thermal properties of condensed TATB.

Third generation snacks manufactured from orange by-products: physicochemical and nutritional characterization.

PubMed

Tovar-Jiménez, Xochitl; Caro-Corrales, José; Gómez-Aldapa, Carlos A; Zazueta-Morales, José; Limón-Valenzuela, Víctor; Castro-Rosas, Javier; Hernández-Ávila, Juan; Aguilar-Palazuelos, Ernesto

2015-10-01

A mixture of orange vesicle flour, commercial nixtamalized corn flour and potato starch was extruded using a Brabender Laboratory single screw extruder (2:1 L/D). The resulting pellets were expanded by microwaves. Expansion index, bulk density, penetration force, carotenoid content, and dietary fiber were measured for this third-generation snack and optimum production conditions were estimated. Response surface methodology was applied using a central composite rotatable experimental design to evaluate the effect of moisture content and extrusion temperature. Temperature mainly affected the expansion index, bulk density and penetration force, while carotenoids content was affected by moisture content. Surface overlap was used to identify optimum processing conditions: temperature: 128-130 °C; moisture content: 22-24 %. Insoluble dietary fiber decreased and soluble dietary fiber increased after extrusion.

Emittance Theory for Cylindrical Fiber Selective Emitter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chubb, Donald L.

1998-01-01

A fibrous rare earth selective emitter is approximated as an infinitely long, cylinder. The spectral emittance, e(sub x), is obtained L- by solving the radiative transfer equations with appropriate boundary conditions and uniform temperature. For optical depth, K(sub R), where alpha(sub lambda), is the extinction coefficient and R is the cylinder radius, greater than 1 the spectral emittance depths, K(sub R) alpha(sub lambda)R, is nearly at its maximum value. There is an optimum cylinder radius, R(sub opt) for maximum emitter efficiency, n(sub E). Values for R(sub opt) are strongly dependent on the number of emission bands of the material. The optimum radius decreases slowly with increasing emitter temperature, while the maximum efficiency and useful radiated power increase rapidly with increasing, temperature.

Planar solid oxide fuel cell with staged indirect-internal air and fuel preheating and reformation

DOEpatents

Geisbrecht, Rodney A; Williams, Mark C

2003-10-21

A solid oxide fuel cell arrangement and method of use that provides internal preheating of both fuel and air in order to maintain the optimum operating temperature for the production of energy. The internal preheat passes are created by the addition of two plates, one on either side of the bipolar plate, such that these plates create additional passes through the fuel cell. This internal preheat fuel cell configuration and method reduce the requirements for external heat exchanger units and air compressors. Air or fuel may be added to the fuel cell as required to maintain the optimum operating temperature through a cathode control valve or an anode control valve, respectively. A control loop comprises a temperature sensing means within the preheat air and fuel passes, a means to compare the measured temperature to a set point temperature and a determination based on the comparison as to whether the control valves should allow additional air or fuel into the preheat or bypass manifolds of the fuel cell.

Thermal acclimation of photosynthesis: on the importance of adjusting our definitions and accounting for thermal acclimation of respiration.

PubMed

Way, Danielle A; Yamori, Wataru

2014-02-01

While interest in photosynthetic thermal acclimation has been stimulated by climate warming, comparing results across studies requires consistent terminology. We identify five types of photosynthetic adjustments in warming experiments: photosynthesis as measured at the high growth temperature, the growth temperature, and the thermal optimum; the photosynthetic thermal optimum; and leaf-level photosynthetic capacity. Adjustments of any one of these variables need not mean a concurrent adjustment in others, which may resolve apparently contradictory results in papers using different indicators of photosynthetic acclimation. We argue that photosynthetic thermal acclimation (i.e., that benefits a plant in its new growth environment) should include adjustments of both the photosynthetic thermal optimum (T opt) and photosynthetic rates at the growth temperature (A growth), a combination termed constructive adjustment. However, many species show reduced photosynthesis when grown at elevated temperatures, despite adjustment of some photosynthetic variables, a phenomenon we term detractive adjustment. An analysis of 70 studies on 103 species shows that adjustment of T opt and A growth are more common than adjustment of other photosynthetic variables, but only half of the data demonstrate constructive adjustment. No systematic differences in these patterns were found between different plant functional groups. We also discuss the importance of thermal acclimation of respiration for net photosynthesis measurements, as respiratory temperature acclimation can generate apparent acclimation of photosynthetic processes, even if photosynthesis is unaltered. We show that while dark respiration is often used to estimate light respiration, the ratio of light to dark respiration shifts in a non-predictable manner with a change in leaf temperature.

[Study on new extraction technology of astragaloside IV].

PubMed

Sun, Haiyan; Guan, Su; Huang, Min

2005-08-01

To explore the possibility and the optimal extraction technology of astragaloside IV by SFE-CO2. According the content of astragaloside IV, the optimum extraction technology parameters such as extraction temperature, pressure, extraction time, velocity of fluid and co-solvent were investigated and the result was compared with that of water extraction. The optimum technical parameters were as follows: Extracting pressure 40 Mpa, temperature 45 degrees C, extracting time 2h, co-solvent was 95% ethanol and its dosage was 4ml/g, the ratio of CO2 fluid was 10 kg/kg x h. Extraction technology of astragaloside IV by SFE-CO2 is reliable, stable.

The influence of ozone on the photocatalytic degradation of phenol using TiO2 photocatalyst supported by Bayah natural zeolite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sulaiman, Fatah; Sari, Denni Kartika; Kustiningsih, Indar

2017-05-01

Effect of ozone on the photocatalytic degradation of phenol using TiO2 photocatalyst which supported Bayah Natural Zeolite has been investigated. Phenol (merk Pro analys) was used as waste solution. TiO2 photocatalyst was obtained from Titanium isopropoxide using sol gel method which supported by Bayah Natural Zeolite. The influence of temperature of calcination and catalyst loading have been conducted. The calcination temperature of photocatalyst was 450°C, 500°C, 550°C dan 600°C while the catalyst loading of 0,1g/L; 0,3 g/L; 0,6 g/L; 1 g/L dan 1,2 g/L. Analysis of phenol concentration was used Hach Spechtrophotometer. To determine the effect of ozone on photocatalytic degradation during process ozone was flowed into reactor. The result showed the optimum calcination temperature was obtained at 500°C. The optimum catalyst loading to degrade the phenolic compounds was equal to 1g/L. In these optimum condition the conversion of phenol degradation was 87% after 5 hours. By adding ozone during the degradation process, the conversion reached 100% after 2 hours.

Influence of moisture content and temperature on degree of carbonation and the effect on Cu and Cr leaching from incineration bottom ash.

PubMed

Lin, Wenlin Yvonne; Heng, Kim Soon; Sun, Xiaolong; Wang, Jing-Yuan

2015-09-01

This study investigated the influence of moisture content and temperature on the degree of carbonation of municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration bottom ash (IBA) from two different incineration plants in Singapore. The initial rate of carbonation was affected by the nominal moisture content used. Carbonation temperature seemed to play a part in changing the actual moisture content of IBA during carbonation, which in turn affected the degree of carbonation. Results showed that 2h of carbonation was sufficient for the samples to reach a relatively high degree of carbonation that was close to the degree of carbonation observed after 1week of carbonation. Both Cu and Cr leaching also showed significant reduction after only 2h of carbonation. Therefore, the optimum moisture content and temperature were selected based on 2h of carbonation. The optimum moisture content was 15% for both incineration plants while the optimum temperature was different for the two incineration plants, at 35°C and 50°C. The effect on Cu and Cr leaching from IBA after accelerated carbonation was evaluated as a function of carbonation time. Correlation coefficient, Pearson's R, was used to determine the dominant leaching mechanism. The reduction in Cu leaching was found to be contributed by both formation of carbonate mineral and reduction of DOC leaching. On the other hand, Cr leaching seemed to be dominantly controlled by pH. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stretch-Oriented Polyimide Films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hinkley, Jeffrey A.; Klinedinst, D.; Feuz, L.

2000-01-01

Two thermoplastic polyimides - one amorphous, the other crystallizable -- were subjected to isothermal stretching just above their glass transition temperatures. Room-temperature strengths in the stretch direction were greatly improved and, moduli increased up to 3.6-fold. Optimum stretching conditions were determined.

Experimental Comparison of Speed : Fuel-flow and Speed-area Controls on a Turbojet Engine for Small Step Disturbances

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wenzel, L M; Hart, C E; Craig, R T

1957-01-01

Optimum proportional-plus-integral control settings for speed - fuel-flow control, determined by minimization of integral criteria, correlated well with analytically predicted optimum settings. Engine response data are given for a range of control settings around the optimum. An inherent nonlinearity in the speed-area loop necessitated the use of nonlinear controls. Response data for two such nonlinear control schemes are presented.

Electro-impulse de-icing of a turbofan engine inlet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zumwalt, G. W.

1985-01-01

The application of electromagnetic impulse deicing (EIDI) systems to turbofan engine inlets on business aircraft has been investigated experimentally. The tests were performed in the Icing Research Tunnel at NASA's Lewis Research Center. The deicing system testbed was a Falcon Fanjet 20 engine nacelle. The effectiveness of various deicing coil configurations and mount designs were compared, and design parameters were developed specifically for EIDI systems in turbofan engines. Flight tests were also carried out at altitudes in the range 3000-6000 ft corresponding to a temperature range of -3 to -8 C. It is shown that the ice particles removed from the engine inlet by the deicing system were small enough for the engine to ingest. Tentative design specifications are given with respect to the optimum coil configuration, and operating power of a EIDI production candidate.

Photosynthetic temperature responses of tree species in Rwanda: evidence of pronounced negative effects of high temperature in montane rainforest climax species.

PubMed

Vårhammar, Angelica; Wallin, Göran; McLean, Christopher M; Dusenge, Mirindi Eric; Medlyn, Belinda E; Hasper, Thomas B; Nsabimana, Donat; Uddling, Johan

2015-05-01

The sensitivity of photosynthetic metabolism to temperature has been identified as a key uncertainty for projecting the magnitude of the terrestrial feedback on future climate change. While temperature responses of photosynthetic capacities have been comparatively well investigated in temperate species, the responses of tropical tree species remain unexplored. We compared the responses of seedlings of native cold-adapted tropical montane rainforest tree species with those of exotic warm-adapted plantation species, all growing in an intermediate temperature common garden in Rwanda. Leaf gas exchange responses to carbon dioxide (CO2 ) at different temperatures (20-40°C) were used to assess the temperature responses of biochemical photosynthetic capacities. Analyses revealed a lower optimum temperature for photosynthetic electron transport rates than for Rubisco carboxylation rates, along with lower electron transport optima in the native cold-adapted than in the exotic warm-adapted species. The photosynthetic optimum temperatures were generally exceeded by daytime peak leaf temperatures, in particular in the native montane rainforest climax species. This study thus provides evidence of pronounced negative effects of high temperature in tropical trees and indicates high susceptibility of montane rainforest climax species to future global warming. © 2015 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2015 New Phytologist Trust.

Moorella stamsii sp. nov., a new anaerobic thermophilic hydrogenogenic carboxydotroph isolated from digester sludge.

PubMed

Alves, J I; van Gelder, A H; Alves, M M; Sousa, D Z; Plugge, C M

2013-11-01

A novel anaerobic, thermophilic, carbon monoxide-utilizing bacterium, strain E3-O(T), was isolated from anaerobic sludge from a municipal solid waste digester. Cells were straight rods, 0.6-1 µm in diameter and 2-3 µm in length and grew as single cells or in pairs. Cells formed round terminal endospores. The temperature range for growth was 50-70 °C, with an optimum at 65 °C. The pH range for growth was 5.7-8.0, with an optimum at 7.5. Strain E3-O(T) had the ability to ferment various sugars, such as fructose, galactose, glucose, mannose, raffinose, ribose, sucrose and xylose, producing mainly H2 and acetate. In addition, the isolate was able to grow with CO as the sole carbon and energy source. CO oxidation was coupled to H2 and CO2 formation. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 54.6 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, this bacterium is most closely related to Moorella glycerini (97 % sequence identity). Based on the physiological features and phylogenetic analysis, it is proposed that strain E3-O(T) should be classified in the genus Moorella as a representative of a novel species, Moorella stamsii. The type strain of Moorella stamsii is E3-O(T) ( = DSM 26271(T) = CGMCC 1.5181(T)).

Desulfothermobacter acidiphilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermoacidophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium isolated from a terrestrial hot spring.

PubMed

Frolov, E N; Zayulina, K S; Kopitsyn, D S; Kublanov, I V; Bonch-Osmolovskaya, E A; Chernyh, N A

2018-03-01

An anaerobic sulfate-reducing micro-organism, strain 3408-1 T , was isolated from a terrestrial hot spring in Kamchatka peninsula (Russia). The cells were spore-forming rods with a Gram-positive type of cell wall. The new isolate was a moderately thermoacidophilic anaerobe able to grow either by sulfate or thiosulfate respiration with H2 or formate as substrates, or by fermenting yeast extract, maltose, sucrose, glucose and pyruvate. The fermentation products were acetate, CO2 and H2. The pH range for growth was 2.9-6.5, with an optimum at 4.5. The temperature range for growth was 42-70 °C, with an optimum at 55 °C. The G+C content of DNA was 58 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed that strain 3408-1 T belongs to the family Thermoanaerobacteraceae, order Thermoanaerobacterales and was distantly related to the species of the genus Ammonifex(93-94 % sequence similarity). On the basis of physiological properties and results of phylogenetic analysis, strain 3408-1 T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Desulfothermobacter acidiphilus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 3408-1 T (=DSM 105356 T =VKM B-3183 T ).

Temperature dependence of bioelectrochemical CO2 conversion and methane production with a mixed-culture biocathode.

PubMed

Yang, Hou-Yun; Bao, Bai-Ling; Liu, Jing; Qin, Yuan; Wang, Yi-Ran; Su, Kui-Zu; Han, Jun-Cheng; Mu, Yang

2018-02-01

This study evaluated the effect of temperature on methane production by CO 2 reduction during microbial electrosynthesis (MES) with a mixed-culture biocathode. Reactor performance, in terms of the amount and rate of methane production, current density, and coulombic efficiency, was compared at different temperatures. The microbial properties of the biocathode at each temperature were also analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that the optimum temperature for methane production from CO 2 reduction in MES with a mixed-culture cathode was 50°C, with the highest amount and rate of methane production of 2.06±0.13mmol and 0.094±0.01mmolh -1 , respectively. In the mixed-culture biocathode MES, the coulombic efficiency of methane formation was within a range of 19.15±2.31% to 73.94±2.18% due to by-product formation at the cathode, including volatile fatty acids and hydrogen. Microbial analysis demonstrated that temperature had an impact on the diversity of microbial communities in the biofilm that formed on the MES cathode. Specifically, the hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanobacterium became the predominant archaea for methane production from CO 2 reduction, while the abundance of the aceticlastic methanogen Methanosaeta decreased with increased temperature. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Combined effects of temperature and the herbicide diuron on Photosystem II activity of the tropical seagrass Halophila ovalis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilkinson, Adam D.; Collier, Catherine J.; Flores, Florita; Langlois, Lucas; Ralph, Peter J.; Negri, Andrew P.

2017-03-01

Tropical seagrasses are at their highest risk of exposure to photosystem II (PSII) herbicides when elevated rainfall and runoff from farms transports these toxicants into coastal habitats during summer, coinciding with periods of elevated temperature. PSII herbicides, such as diuron, can increase the sensitivity of corals to thermal stress, but little is known of the potential for herbicides to impact the thermal optima of tropical seagrass. Here we employed a well-plate approach to experimentally assess the effects of diuron on the photosynthetic performance of Halophila ovalis leaves across a 25 °C temperature range (36 combinations of these stressors across 15-40 °C). The thermal optimum for photosynthetic efficiency (▵) in H. ovalis was 31 °C while lower and higher temperatures reduced ▵ as did all elevated concentrations of diuron. There were significant interactions between the effects of temperature and diuron, with a majority of the combined stresses causing sub-additive (antagonistic) effects. However, both stressors caused negative responses and the sum of the responses was greater than that caused by temperature or diuron alone. These results indicate that improving water quality (reducing herbicide in runoff) is likely to maximise seagrass health during extreme temperature events that will become more common as the climate changes.

Optimum discharge energy density at room temperature in relaxor K1/2Bi1/2TiO3 for green energy harvesting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banerjee, Krishnarjun; Asthana, Saket; Karuna Kumari, P.; Niranjan, Manish K.

2018-03-01

Lead-free polycrystalline K1/2Bi1/2TiO3 was prepared by the solid state reaction method. Experimentally observed frequencies of Raman modes signified its tetragonal phase, and matched reasonably well with theoretically calculated values. The relaxor nature of this material was observed in the temperature-dependent real part of the permittivity and dielectric loss curve. The value of the degree of diffuseness (1.99) was estimated from the modified Curie-Weiss law confirmed its relaxor behavior. The validation of this behavior was justified by the Vogel-Fülcher relation. The shoulder in the imaginary part of the modulus (M″) and permittivity (ɛ″) spectra revealed the presence of polar nano regions (PNRs). The evidence of PNRs was detectable above freezing temperatures, and became weaker when the temperature exceeded T m (temperature at the maximum of the dielectric constant). The electric field-induced polarization and strain curve showed the stabilization of the long-range ferroelectric order of the specimen at room temperature. Moreover, the discharge energy density and strain were 0.46 J cm-3 and 0.12%, respectively, at the maximum application of the electric field of 115 kV cm-1 at room temperature.

Determining oxygen consumption rate and asphyxiation point in Chanodichthys mongolicus using an improved respirometer chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geng, Longwu; Jiang, Haifeng; Tong, Guangxiang; Xu, Wei

2017-03-01

Knowledge of oxygen consumption rates and asphyxiation points in fish is important to determine appropriate stocking and water quality management in aquaculture. The oxygen consumption rate and asphyxiation point in Chanodichthys mongolicus were detected under laboratory conditions using an improved respirometer chamber. The results revealed that more accurate estimates can be obtained by adjusting the volume of the respirometer chamber, which may avoid system errors caused by either repeatedly adjusting fish density or selecting different equipment specifications. The oxygen consumption rate and asphyxiation point of C. mongolicus increased with increasing water temperature and decreasing fish size. Changes in the C. mongolicus oxygen consumption rate were divided into three stages at water temperatures of 11-33°C: (1) a low temperature oxygen consumption rate stage when water temperature was 11-19°C, (2) the optimum temperature oxygen consumption rate stage when water temperature was 19-23°C, and (3) a high temperature oxygen consumption rate stage when water temperature was > 27°C. The temperature quotients (Q10) obtained suggested that C. mongolicus preferred a temperature range of 19-23°C. At 19°C, C. mongolicus exhibited higher oxygen consumption rates during the day when the maximum values were observed at 10:00 and 14:00 than at night when the minimum occurred at 02:00.

Low-Temperature Effects on the Design and Performance of Composting of Explosives-Contaminated Soils

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-03-01

7 7. Aerated bins used in field composting tests on dairy manure ............................. 10 8. Typical temperature developed...during bin compostiag of dairy manure under conditions of constant airflow and optimum moisture ................. 10 9. Effect of agitation on the...temperature profile during bin composting of dairy manure

New Developments for Radiation Enhancements from Metal Surfaces by Using Nanoscale Materials in the Membrane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamada, Koji; Matsuda, Masami

2017-12-01

The enhancements of thermal radiations from the surfaces of devices are very important for electric machines to prevent from heating up and/or efficiency degradations. In this investigation, new applications of micro-scale membrane of Si, SiO2 etc. on the metal surfaces have been studied to cool down the temperature without breaking insulations of the devices by selecting materials. The modified black-body radiations were sensitively detected by thermisters with sub-second responses. The optimum membrane thicknesses were successfully determined by subtractions a of radiation intensities between those at membranes with and without membrane, respectively. We obtained the best cooling condition in SiO2 membrane with 20μmt for an Al-plate of 10cmx10cmx1mmt. Further, we observed the detaching/attaching processes of massive molecule clusters from the metal surface as a sudden change in temperature changes just like the noises in the detectors. A characteristic pattern of temperature change was observed in diatomite membranes during the cooling process in a temperature range between 200-50°C. These radiation phenomena as a function of temperature might be available as a molecular analysis on the metal surface.

CALCULATED REGENERATOR PERFORMANCE AT 4 K WITH HELIUM-4 AND HELIUM-3

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Radebaugh, Ray; Huang Yonghua; O'Gallagher, Agnes

2008-03-16

The helium-4 working fluid in regenerative cryocoolers operating with the cold end near 4 K deviates considerably from an ideal gas. As a result, losses in the regenerator, given by the time-averaged enthalpy flux, are increased and are strong functions of the operating pressure and temperature. Helium-3, with its lower boiling point, behaves somewhat closer to an ideal gas in this low temperature range and can reduce the losses in 4 K regenerators. An analytical model is used to find the fluid properties that strongly influence the regenerator losses as well as the gross refrigeration power. The thermodynamic and transportmore » properties of helium-3 were incorporated into the latest NIST regenerator numerical model, known as REGEN3.3, which was used to model regenerator performance with either helium-4 or helium-3. With this model we show how the use of helium-3 in place of helium-4 can improve the performance of 4 K regenerative cryocoolers. The effects of operating pressure, warm-end temperature, and frequency on regenerators with helium-4 and helium-3 are investigated and compared. The results are used to find optimum operating conditions. The frequency range investigated varies from 1 Hz to 30 Hz, with particular emphasis on higher frequencies.« less

Modeling the Hot Tensile Flow Behaviors at Ultra-High-Strength Steel and Construction of Three-Dimensional Continuous Interaction Space for Forming Parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quan, Guo-zheng; Zhan, Zong-yang; Wang, Tong; Xia, Yu-feng

2017-01-01

The response of true stress to strain rate, temperature and strain is a complex three-dimensional (3D) issue, and the accurate description of such constitutive relationships significantly contributes to the optimum process design. To obtain the true stress-strain data of ultra-high-strength steel, BR1500HS, a series of isothermal hot tensile tests were conducted in a wide temperature range of 973-1,123 K and a strain rate range of 0.01-10 s-1 on a Gleeble 3800 testing machine. Then the constitutive relationships were modeled by an optimally constructed and well-trained backpropagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN). The evaluation of BP-ANN model revealed that it has admirable performance in characterizing and predicting the flow behaviors of BR1500HS. A comparison on improved Arrhenius-type constitutive equation and BP-ANN model shows that the latter has higher accuracy. Consequently, the developed BP-ANN model was used to predict abundant stress-strain data beyond the limited experimental conditions. Then a 3D continuous interaction space for temperature, strain rate, strain and stress was constructed based on these predicted data. The developed 3D continuous interaction space for hot working parameters contributes to fully revealing the intrinsic relationships of BR1500HS steel.

Approaches in controllable generation of artificial pinning center in REBa2Cu3O y -coated conductor for high-flux pinning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshida, Y.; Miura, S.; Tsuchiya, Y.; Ichino, Y.; Awaji, S.; Matsumoto, K.; Ichinose, A.

2017-10-01

This paper reviews the progress of studies to determine optimum shapes of the artificial pinning center (APC) of REBa2Cu3O y thin films and coated conductors towards superconducting magnets operating at temperatures of 77 K or less. Superconducting properties vary depending on the kind and quantity of BaMO3 materials. Therefore, we study changes in the shapes of nanorods that are due to the difference in the quality of additives and growth temperature. In addition, we aim to control the APC using an optimum shape that matches the operating temperature. In particular, we describe the shape control of nanorods in SmBCO thin films and coated conductors by employing lower temperature growth (LTG) technology using seed layers. From the cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy observations, we confirmed that using the LTG method, the BaHfO3 (BHO) nanorods, which were comparatively thin and short in length, formed a firework structure in the case of SmBCO films with coated conductors. The superconducting properties in the magnetic field of the SmBCO-coated conductor with the optimum amount of BHO showed that {F}{{p}}\\max = 1.6 TN m-3 on a single crystalline substrate and 1.5 TN m-3 on metallic substrate with a biaxially textured MgO layer fabricated by ion-beam assisted deposition method tape 4.2 K.

[Effects of future climate change on climatic suitability of rubber plantation in China].

PubMed

Liu, Shao-jun; Zhou, Guang-sheng; Fang, Shi-bo; Zhang, Jing-hong

2015-07-01

Global warming may seriously affect the climatic suitability distribution of rubber plantation in China. Five main climate factors affecting rubber planting were mean temperature of the coldest month, mean extremely minimum temperature, the number of monthly, mean temperature ≥18 °C, annual mean temperature and annual mean precipitation. Climatic suitability areas of rubber plantation in 1981-2010, 2041-2060, 2061-2080 were analyzed by the maximum entropy model based on the five main climate factors and the climate data of 1981-2010 and RCP4.5 scenario data. The results showed that under the background of the future climate change, the climatic suitability area of rubber plantation would have a trend of expansion to the north in 2041-2060, 2061-2080. The climatic suitability areas of rubber plantation in 2041-2060 and 2061-2080 increased more obviously than in 1981-2010. The suitable area and optimum area would increase, while the less suitable area would decrease. The climatic suitability might change in some areas, such as the total suitable area would decrease in Yunnan Province, and the suitability grade in both Jinghong and Mengna would change from optimum area to suitable area. However, the optimum area of rubber plantation would increase significantly in Hainan Island and Leizhou Peninsula of Guangdong Province, and a new less suitable area of rubber planting would appear in Taiwan Island due to the climate change.

An empirical model for parameters affecting energy consumption in boron removal from boron-containing wastewaters by electrocoagulation.

PubMed

Yilmaz, A Erdem; Boncukcuoğlu, Recep; Kocakerim, M Muhtar

2007-06-01

In this study, it was investigated parameters affecting energy consumption in boron removal from boron containing wastewaters prepared synthetically, via electrocoagulation method. The solution pH, initial boron concentration, dose of supporting electrolyte, current density and temperature of solution were selected as experimental parameters affecting energy consumption. The obtained experimental results showed that boron removal efficiency reached up to 99% under optimum conditions, in which solution pH was 8.0, current density 6.0 mA/cm(2), initial boron concentration 100mg/L and solution temperature 293 K. The current density was an important parameter affecting energy consumption too. High current density applied to electrocoagulation cell increased energy consumption. Increasing solution temperature caused to decrease energy consumption that high temperature decreased potential applied under constant current density. That increasing initial boron concentration and dose of supporting electrolyte caused to increase specific conductivity of solution decreased energy consumption. As a result, it was seen that energy consumption for boron removal via electrocoagulation method could be minimized at optimum conditions. An empirical model was predicted by statistically. Experimentally obtained values were fitted with values predicted from empirical model being as following; [formula in text]. Unfortunately, the conditions obtained for optimum boron removal were not the conditions obtained for minimum energy consumption. It was determined that support electrolyte must be used for increase boron removal and decrease electrical energy consumption.

Desulfobacter psychrotolerans sp. nov., a new psychrotolerant sulfate-reducing bacterium and descriptions of its physiological response to temperature changes.

PubMed

Tarpgaard, Irene H; Boetius, Antje; Finster, Kai

2006-01-01

A psychrotrolerant acetate-oxidizing sulfate-reducing bacterium (strain akvb(T)) was isolated from sediment from the northern part of The North Sea with annual temperature fluctuations between 8 and 14 degrees C. Of the various substrates tested, strain akvb(T) grew exclusively by the oxidation of acetate coupled to the reduction of sulfate. The cells were motile, thick rods with round ends and grew in dense aggregates. Strain akvb(T) grew at temperatures ranging from -3.6 to 26.3 degrees C. Optimal growth was observed at 20 degrees C. The highest cell specific sulfate reduction rate of 6.2 fmol cell(-1) d(-1) determined by the (35)SO(2-)(40) method was measured at 26 degrees C. The temperature range of short-term sulfate reduction rates exceeded the temperature range of growth by 5 degrees C. The Arrhenius relationship for the temperature dependence of growth and sulfate reduction was linear, with two distinct slopes below the optimum temperatures of both processes. The critical temperature was 6.4 degrees C. The highest growth yield (4.3-4.5 g dry weight mol(-1) acetate) was determined at temperatures between 5 and 15 degrees C. The cellular fatty acid composition was determined with cultures grown at 4 and 20 degrees C, respectively. The relative proportion of cellular unsaturated fatty acids (e.g. 16:1omega7c) was higher in cells grown at 4 degrees C than in cells grown at 20 degrees C. The physiological responses to temperature changes showed that strain akvb(T) was well adapted to the temperature regime of the environment from which it was isolated. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain akvb(T) is closest related to Desulfobacter hydrogenophilus, with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.6%. DNA-DNA-hybridization showed a similarity of 32% between D. hydrogenophilus and strain akvb(T). Based on phenotypic and DNA-based characteristics we propose that strain akvb(T) is a member of a new species, Desulfobacter psychrotolerans sp. nov.

Formation of glycosidases in batch and continuous culture of Bacteroides fragilis.

PubMed Central

Berg, J O; Nord, C E; Wadström, T

1978-01-01

Nine strains of bacteroides fragilis were cultivated in stirred fermentors and tested for their ability to produce glycosidases. B. fragilis subsp. vulgatus B70 was used for optimizing the production of glycosidases. The highest bacterial yield was obtained in proteose peptone-yeast extract medium. The optimum pH for maximal bacterial yield was 7.0, and the optimum temperature for growth was 37 degrees C. The formation of glycosidases was optimal between pH 6.5 and 7.5, and the optimum temperature for synthesis of glycosidases was between 33 and 37 degrees C. Culture under controlled conditions in fermentors gave more reproducible production of glycosidases than static cultures in bottles. The strain was also grown in continuous culture at a dilution rate of 0.1 liter/h at pH 7.0 and 37 degrees C with a yield of 2.0 mg of dry weight per ml in the complex medium. The formation of glycosidases remained constant during the entire continuous process. PMID:25044

Effect of ultrasound on the dissolution of copper from copper converter slag by acid leaching.

PubMed

Beşe, Ayşe Vildan

2007-09-01

This work presents the optimum conditions of dissolution of copper in copper converter slag in sulphuric acid ferric sulphate mixtures in the presence and absence of ultrasound. The Taguchi method was used to determine the optimum conditions. The parameters investigated were the reaction temperature, acid concentration, ferric sulphate concentration and reaction time. The optimum conditions for the maximum dissolution of copper were determined as follows: reaction temperature, 65 degrees C; acid concentration, 0.2M; ferric sulphate concentration, 0.15M; reaction time 180 min. Under these conditions, extraction efficiency of copper, zinc, cobalt, and iron from slag were 89.28%, 51.32%, 69.87%, and 13.73%, respectively, in the presence of ultrasound, while they are 80.41%, 48.28%, 64.52%, and 12.16%, respectively, in the absence of ultrasound. As seen from the above results, it is clear that ultrasound enhances on the dissolution of Cu, Zn, Co and Fe in the slag.

The biochemical characterization, stabilization studies and the antiproliferative effect of bromelain against B16F10 murine melanoma cells.

PubMed

São Paulo Barretto Miranda, Íngara Keisle; Fontes Suzart Miranda, Anderson; Souza, Fernanda Vidigal Duarte; Vannier-Santos, Marcos André; Pirovani, Carlos Priminho; Pepe, Iuri Muniz; Rodowanski, Ivanoé João; Ferreira, Katiúcia Tícila de Souza Eduvirgens; Mendes Souza Vaz, Luciano; de Assis, Sandra Aparecida

2017-06-01

The current study aims to extract bromelain from different parts (stem, crown, peels, pulp and leaves) of Ananas comosus var. comosus AGB 772; to determine of optimum pH and temperature; to test bromelain stability in disodium EDTA and sodium benzoate, and to investigate its pharmacological activity on B16F10 murine melanoma cells in vitro. The highest enzymatic activity was found in bromelain extracted from the pulp and peel. The optimum bromelain pH among all studied pineapple parts was 6.0. The optimum temperature was above 50 °C in all bromelain extracts. The fluorescence analysis confirmed the stability of bromelain in the presence of EDTA and sodium benzoate. Bromelain was pharmacologically active against B16F10 melanoma cells and it was possible verifying approximately 100% inhibition of tumor cell proliferation in vitro. Since bromelain activity was found in different parts of pineapple plants, pineapple residues from the food industry may be used for bromelain extraction.

Application of response surface methodology for the optimization of supercritical fluid extraction of essential oil from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel.

PubMed

Ara, Katayoun Mahdavi; Raofie, Farhad

2016-07-01

Essential oils and volatile components of pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.) peel of the Malas variety from Meybod, Iran, were extracted using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and hydro-distillation methods. The experimental parameters of SFE that is pressure, temperature, extraction time, and modifier (methanol) volume were optimized using a central composite design after a (2 4-1 ) fractional factorial design. Detailed chemical composition of the essential oils and volatile components obtained by hydro-distillation and optimum condition of the supercritical CO 2 extraction were analyzed by GC-MS, and seventy-three and forty-six compounds were identified according to their retention indices and mass spectra, respectively. The optimum SFE conditions were 350 atm pressure, 55 °C temperature, 30 min extraction time, and 150 µL methanol. Results showed that oleic acid, palmitic acid and (-)-Borneol were major compounds in both extracts. The optimum extraction yield was 1.18 % (w/w) for SFE and 0.21 % (v/w) for hydro-distillation.

Isolation and Distribution of a Novel Iron-Oxidizing Crenarchaeon from Acidic Geothermal Springs in Yellowstone National Park▿ †

PubMed Central

Kozubal, M.; Macur, R. E.; Korf, S.; Taylor, W. P.; Ackerman, G. G.; Nagy, A.; Inskeep, W. P.

2008-01-01

Novel thermophilic crenarchaea have been observed in Fe(III) oxide microbial mats of Yellowstone National Park (YNP); however, no definitive work has identified specific microorganisms responsible for the oxidation of Fe(II). The objectives of the current study were to isolate and characterize an Fe(II)-oxidizing member of the Sulfolobales observed in previous 16S rRNA gene surveys and to determine the abundance and distribution of close relatives of this organism in acidic geothermal springs containing high concentrations of dissolved Fe(II). Here we report the isolation and characterization of the novel, Fe(II)-oxidizing, thermophilic, acidophilic organism Metallosphaera sp. strain MK1 obtained from a well-characterized acid-sulfate-chloride geothermal spring in Norris Geyser Basin, YNP. Full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain MK1 exhibits only 94.9 to 96.1% sequence similarity to other known Metallosphaera spp. and less than 89.1% similarity to known Sulfolobus spp. Strain MK1 is a facultative chemolithoautotroph with an optimum pH range of 2.0 to 3.0 and an optimum temperature range of 65 to 75°C. Strain MK1 grows optimally on pyrite or Fe(II) sorbed onto ferrihydrite, exhibiting doubling times between 10 and 11 h under aerobic conditions (65°C). The distribution and relative abundance of MK1-like 16S rRNA gene sequences in 14 acidic geothermal springs containing Fe(III) oxide microbial mats were evaluated. Highly related MK1-like 16S rRNA gene sequences (>99% sequence similarity) were consistently observed in Fe(III) oxide mats at temperatures ranging from 55 to 80°C. Quantitative PCR using Metallosphaera-specific primers confirmed that organisms highly similar to strain MK1 comprised up to 40% of the total archaeal community at selected sites. The broad distribution of highly related MK1-like 16S rRNA gene sequences in acidic Fe(III) oxide microbial mats is consistent with the observed characteristics and growth optima of Metallosphaera-like strain MK1 and emphasizes the importance of this newly described taxon in Fe(II) chemolithotrophy in acidic high-temperature environments of YNP. PMID:18083851

Development of a new microextraction method based on elevated temperature dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for determination of triazole pesticides residues in honey by gas chromatography-nitrogen phosphorus detection.

PubMed

Farajzadeh, Mir Ali; Mogaddam, Mohammad Reza Afshar; Ghorbanpour, Houshang

2014-06-20

In the present study, a rapid, highly efficient, and reliable sample preparation method named "elevated temperature dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction" followed by gas chromatography-nitrogen-phosphorus detection was developed for the extraction, preconcentration, and determination of five triazole pesticides (penconazole, hexaconazole, diniconazole, tebuconazole, and difenoconazole) in honey samples. In this method the temperature of high-volume aqueous phase was adjusted at an elevated temperature and then a disperser solvent containing an extraction solvent was rapidly injected into the aqueous phase. After cooling to room temperature, the phase separation was accelerated by centrifugation. Various parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as type and volume of the extraction and disperser solvents, temperature, salt addition, and pH were evaluated. Under the optimum extraction conditions, the method resulted in low limits of detection and quantification within the range 0.05-0.21ngg(-1) in honey (15-70ngL(-1) in solution) and 0.15-1.1ngg(-1) in honey (45-210ngL(-1) in solution), respectively. Enrichment factors and extraction recoveries were in the ranges of 1943-1994 and 97-100%, respectively. The method precision was evaluated at 1.5ngg(-1) of each analyte, and the relative standard deviations were found to be less than 4% for intra-day (n=6) and less than 6% for inter-days. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of honey samples and difenoconazole was determined at ngg(-1) levels. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterization of the receptor-destroying enzyme activity from infectious salmon anaemia virus.

PubMed

Kristiansen, Marianne; Frøystad, Marianne K; Rishovd, Anne Lise; Gjøen, Tor

2002-11-01

Infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) infects cells via the endocytic pathway and, like many other enveloped viruses, ISAV contains a receptor-destroying enzyme. We have analysed this acetylesterase activity with respect to substrate specificity, enzyme kinetics, inhibitors, temperature and pH stability. The ISAV acetylesterase was inhibited by di-isopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) in a dose-dependent fashion but not by other known hydrolase inhibitors, suggesting that a serine residue is part of the active site. The pH optimum of the enzyme was in the range 7.5-8.0 and the enzymatic activity was lessened at temperatures above 40 degrees C. The effect of DFP on agglutination/elution of erythrocytes by ISAV demonstrated that the acetylesterase activity is the bona fide receptor-destroying enzyme. A haemadsorption assay was used to analyse whether the esterase was active on the surface of infected cells or not.

Absorption measurements of the second overtone band of NO in ambient and combustion gases with a 1.8-mum room-temperature diode laser.

PubMed

Sonnenfroh, D M; Allen, M G

1997-10-20

We describe the development of a room-temperature diode sensor for in situ monitoring of combustion-generated NO. The sensor is based on a near-IR diode laser operating near 1.8 mum, which probes isolated transitions in the second overtone (3, 0) absorption band of NO. Based on absorption cell data, the sensitivity for ambient atmospheric pressure conditions is of the order of 30 parts in 10(6) by volume for a meter path (ppmv-m), assuming a minimum measurable absorbance of 10(-5). Initial H(2) -air flame measurements are complicated by strong water vapor absorption features that constrain the available gain and dynamic range of the present detection system. Preliminary results suggest that detection limits in this environment of the order of 140 ppmv-m could be achieved with optimum baseline correction.

Absorption measurements of the second overtone band of NO in ambient and combustion gases with a 1.8- m room-temperature diode laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sonnenfroh, David M.; Allen, Mark G.

1997-10-01

We describe the development of a room-temperature diode sensor for in situ monitoring of combustion-generated NO. The sensor is based on a near-IR diode laser operating near 1.8 m, which probes isolated transitions in the second overtone (3,0) absorption band of NO. Based on absorption cell data, the sensitivity for ambient atmospheric pressure conditions is of the order of 30 parts in 10 6 by volume for a meter path (ppmv m), assuming a minimum measurable absorbance of 10 5 . Initial H 2 air flame measurements are complicated by strong water vapor absorption features that constrain the available gain and dynamic range of the present detection system. Preliminary results suggest that detection limits in this environment of the order of 140 ppmv m could be achieved with optimum baseline correction.

Sodium Hydroxide and Calcium Hydroxide Hybrid Oxygen Bleaching with System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doelle, K.; Bajrami, B.

2018-01-01

This study investigates the replacement of sodium hydroxide in the oxygen bleaching stage using a hybrid system consisting of sodium hydroxide calcium hydroxide. Commercial Kraft pulping was studied using yellow pine Kraft pulp obtained from a company in the US. The impact of sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide hybrid system in regard to concentration, reaction time and temperature for Kraft pulp was evaluated. The sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide dosage was varied between 0% and 15% based on oven dry fiber content. The bleaching reaction time was varied between 0 and 180 minutes whereas the bleaching temperature ranged between 70 °C and 110 °C. The ability to bleach pulp was measured by determining the Kappa number. Optimum bleaching results for the hybrid system were achieved with 4% sodium hydroxide and 2% calcium hydroxide content. Beyond this, the ability to bleach pulp decreased.

Solid state phase change materials for thermal energy storage in passive solar heated buildings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benson, D. K.; Christensen, C.

1983-11-01

A set of solid state phase change materials was evaluated for possible use in passive solar thermal energy storage systems. The most promising materials are organic solid solutions of pentaerythritol, pentaglycerine and neopentyl glycol. Solid solution mixtures of these compounds can be tailored so that they exhibit solid-to-solid phase transformations at any desired temperature within the range from less than 25 deg to 188 deg. Thermophysical properties such as thermal conductivity, density and volumetric expansion were measured. Computer simulations were used to predict the performance of various Trombe wall designs incorporating solid state phase change materials. Optimum performance was found to be sensitive to the choice of phase change temperatures and to the thermal conductivity of the phase change material. A molecular mechanism of the solid state phase transition is proposed and supported by infrared spectroscopic evidence.

Characterization of the Hot Deformation Behavior of a Newly Developed Nickel-Based Superalloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Zhaoxia; Yan, Xiaofeng; Duan, Chunhua; Tang, Cunjiang; Pu, Enxiang

2018-03-01

To clarify the microstructural evolution and hot workability of GH4282 during hot forming processes, the hot deformation behavior of this superalloy was investigated by isothermal compression tests in the temperature interval of 950-1210 °C and the strain rate range of 0.01-10 s-1 with a true strain of 0.7. The results show that the flow stresses decrease with an increase in the deformation temperature and a decrease in the strain rate. The characteristic of dynamic recrystallization is revealed by the flow curves. The variation rule of the flow stress can be well described by the hyperbolic sine type equation, and the thermal deformation activation energy is determined to be 498.118 kJ/mol. The optimum hot working parameters are 1100-1180 °C and 0.01-0.1 s-1, under which the fine and uniform microstructure can be obtained.

Growth of Aureobasidium pullulans on straw hydrolysate.

PubMed Central

Han, Y W; Cheeke, P R; Anderson, A W; Lekprayoon, C

1976-01-01

Growth characteristics and cell properties of Aureobasidium (Pullularia) pullulans were studied. The organism grew well on an acid hydrolysate of ryegrass straw over a wide range of pH and temperature. The optimum temperature and pH for the growth of the organism were 32 degrees C and 5.5, respectively. A cell yield of 1.5 g/liter of straw hydrolysate was obtained. The dried cell mass contained 42.6% crude protein, 0.4% crude fat, and 6.4% nucleic acids. The essential amino acid profile of the microbial protein was comparable to that of Candida utilis. A rat feeding study indicated that the A. pullulans cells were not toxic and that the feed intake, weight gain, and protein efficiency ratio values were superior to those obtained with C. utilis. Once the question of mathogenicity is resolved, A. pullulans could be useful for production of single-cell protein from cellulosic wastes. PMID:12721

A Novel Method of Fabricating a Well-Faceted Large-Crystal Diamond Through MPCVD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Man, Weidong; Weng, Jun; Wu, Yuqiong; Chen, Peng; Yu, Xuechao; Wang, Jianhua

2009-12-01

A novel method was developed to deposit a large crystal diamond with good facets up to 1000 μm on a tungsten substrate using a microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD). This method consists of two steps, namely single-crystal nucleation and growth. Prior to the fabrication of the well-faceted, large crystal diamond, an investigation was made into the nucleation and growth of the diamond which were affected by the O2 concentration and substrate temperature. Deposited diamond crystals were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that the conditions of single-crystal nucleation were appropriate when the ratio of H2/CH4/O2 was about 200/7.0/2.0, while the substrate temperature Ts of 1000°C to 1050°C was the appropriate range for single-crystal diamond growth. Under the optimum parameters, a well-faceted large crystal diamond was obtained.

Donor-acceptor-pair emission in fluorescent 4H-SiC grown by PVT method

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Xi, E-mail: liuxi@mail.sic.ac.cn; Zhuo, Shi-Yi; Gao, Pan

Fluorescent SiC, which contains donor and acceptor impurities with optimum concentrations, can work as a phosphor for visible light emission by donor-acceptor-pair (DAP) recombination. In this work, 3 inch N-B-Al co-doped fluorescent 4H-SiC crystals are prepared by PVT method. The p-type fluorescent 4H-SiC with low aluminum doping concentration can show intensive yellow-green fluorescence at room temperature. N-B DAP peak wavelength shifts from 578nm to 525nm and weak N-Al DAP emission occurred 403/420 nm quenches, when the temperature increases from 4K to 298K. The aluminum doping induces higher defect concentration in the fluorescent crystal and decreases optical transmissivity of the crystalmore » in the visible light range. It triggers more non-radiative recombination and light absorption losses in the crystal.« less

Measurement of agricultural parameters using wireless sensor network (WSN)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guaña-Moya, Javier; Sánchez-Almeida, Tarquino; Salgado-Reyes, Nelson

2018-04-01

The technological advances have allowed to create new applications in telecommunications, applying low power and reduced costs in their equipment, thus achieving the evolution of new wireless networks or also denominated Wireless Sensor Network. These technologies allow the generation of measurements and analysis of environmental parameter data and soil. Precision agriculture requires parameters for the improvement of production, obtained through WSN technologies. This research analyzes the climatic requirements and soil parameters in a rose plantation in a greenhouse at an altitude of 3,100 meters above sea level. In the present investigation, maximum parameters were obtained in the production of roses, which are in the optimum range of production, whereas the minimum parameters of temperature, humidity and luminosity, evidenced that these parameters can damage the plants, since temperatures less than 10 °C slow down the growth of the plant and allow the proliferation of diseases and fungi.

Vegetative Growth of Four Strains of Hericium erinaceus Collected from Different Habitats

PubMed Central

Imtiaj, Ahmed; Jayasinghe, Chandana; Lee, Geon Woo; Shim, Mi Ja; Rho, Hyun-Su; Lee, Hyun Sook; Hur, Hyun; Lee, Min Woong; Lee, U-Youn

2008-01-01

Vegetative growth of four different strains of Hericium erinaceus was observed. The temperature suitable for optimal mycelial growth was determined to be 25℃, with growth observed in the extend temperature range of 20~30℃. The different strains of this mushroom showed distinct pH requirements for their optimum vegetative growth, with the most favorable growth observed at pH 6. Considering vegetative mycelial growth, PDA, YM, Hennerberg, Hamada, and Glucose peptone were the most favorable media, and Czapek Dox, Hoppkins, Glucose tryptone, and Lilly were the most unfavorable media for these mushroom strains. With the exception of lactose, most of the carbon sources assayed demonstrated favorable vegetative growth of H. erinaceus. For mycelial growth, the most suitable nitrogen source was alanine and the most unsuitable was histidine. Oak sawdust medium supplemented with 10~20% rice bran was the best for mycelial growth of the mushroom. PMID:23990739

Thermoelectric thin film thermal coating systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harpster, J. W.; Bulman, W. E.; Middleton, A. E.; Swinehart, P. R.; Braun, F. D.

1973-01-01

Derivation of the fluid loop temperature profile for a model with thermoelectric devices (TED) attached is developed as a function of position, incident radiation intensity, input fluid loop temperature and TED current. The associated temperature of the radiator is also developed so that the temperature difference across the TED can be determined for each position. The temperature difference is used in determining optimum operating conditions and available generated electrical power.

Ultrasonic sludge pretreatment under pressure.

PubMed

Le, Ngoc Tuan; Julcour-Lebigue, Carine; Delmas, Henri

2013-09-01

The objective of this work was to optimize the ultrasound (US) pretreatment of sludge. Three types of sewage sludge were examined: mixed, secondary and secondary after partial methanisation ("digested" sludge). Thereby, several main process parameters were varied separately or simultaneously: stirrer speed, total solid content of sludge (TS), thermal operating conditions (adiabatic vs. isothermal), ultrasonic power input (PUS), specific energy input (ES), and for the first time external pressure. This parametric study was mainly performed for the mixed sludge. Five different TS concentrations of sludge (12-36 g/L) were tested for different values of ES (7000-75,000 kJ/kgTS) and 28 g/L was found as the optimum value according to the solubilized chemical oxygen demand in the liquid phase (SCOD). PUS of 75-150 W was investigated under controlled temperature and the "high power input - short duration" procedure was the most effective at a given ES. The temperature increase in adiabatic US application significantly improved SCOD compared to isothermal conditions. With PUS of 150 W, the effect of external pressure was investigated in the range of 1-16 bar under isothermal and adiabatic conditions for two types of sludge: an optimum pressure of about 2 bar was found regardless of temperature conditions and ES values. Under isothermal conditions, the resulting improvement of sludge disintegration efficacy as compared to atmospheric pressure was by 22-67% and 26-37% for mixed and secondary sludge, respectively. Besides, mean particle diameter (D[4,3]) of the three sludge types decreased respectively from 408, 117, and 110 μm to about 94-97, 37-42, and 36-40 μm regardless of sonication conditions, and the size reduction process was much faster than COD extraction. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thermoelectric properties of heavily GaP- and P-doped Si0.95Ge0.05

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamashita, Osamu

2001-06-01

The Seebeck coefficient S, the electrical resistivity ρ and the thermal conductivity κ of Si0.95Ge0.05 samples doped with 0.4 at. % P and/or 0.5-2.0 mol % GaP, which were prepared by a conventional arc melting method, were measured as functions of GaP content and temperature T in the range from 323 to 1208 K. When multidoped with P and GaP, Ga tends to segregate more strongly with Ge to the grain boundaries than P, while when doped with GaP alone, both P and Ga segregate equally strongly with Ge. For multidoped samples, the S values at 323 K have a minimum at 1.0 mol % GaP and then increase with additional GaP, while the values of ρ and κ decrease monotonically with increasing GaP content. The optimum additional content of GaP that gives the largest thermoelectric figures of merit (ZT=S2T/κρ) for multidoped n-type Si0.95Ge0.05 samples was 1.5 mol %, which is slightly less than the 2.0 mol % of GaP added to Si0.8Ge0.2 alloy by hot pressing. The ZT value for multidoped Si0.95Ge0.05 with an optimum content of GaP increases linearly with temperature, and at 1073 K is 18% higher than that obtained previously for Si0.95Ge0.05 doped with only 0.4 at. % P. At 1173 K the ZT value is 1.16, which corresponds to 95% of that obtained previously at the corresponding temperature for Si0.8Ge0.2 alloy doped with 2.0 mol % GaP.

Effect of wall cooling on the stability of compressible subsonic flows over smooth humps and backward-facing steps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Al-Maaitah, Ayman A.; Nayfeh, Ali, H.; Ragab, Saad A.

1989-01-01

The effect of wall cooling on the two-dimensional linear stability of subsonic flows over two-dimensional surface imperfections is investigated. Results are presented for flows over smooth humps and backward-facing steps with Mach numbers up to 0.8. The results show that, whereas cooling decreases the viscous instability, it increases the shear-layer instability and hence it increases the growth rates in the separation region. The coexistence of more than one instability mechanism makes a certain degree of wall cooling most effective. For the Mach numbers 0.5 and 0.8, the optimum wall temperatures are about 80 pct and 60 pct of the adiabatic wall temperature, respectively. Increasing the Mach number decreases the effectiveness of cooling slightly and reduces the optimum wall temperature.

Structural adhesives for missile external protection material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banta, F. L.; Garzolini, J. A.

1981-07-01

Two basic rubber materials are examined as possible external substrate protection materials (EPM) for missiles. The analysis provided a data base for selection of the optimum adhesives which are compatible with the substrate, loads applied and predicted bondline temperatures. Under the test conditions, EA934/NA was found to be the optimum adhesive to bond VAMAC 2273 and/or NBR/EPDM 9969A to aluminum substrate. The optimum adhesive for composite structures was EA956. Both of these adhesives are two-part epoxy systems with a pot life of approximately two hours. Further research is suggested on field repair criteria, nuclear hardness and survivability effects on bondline, and ageing effects.

Douglas-fir displays a range of growth responses to ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) growth in the Pacific Northwest is affected by climatic, edaphic factors and Swiss needle cast (SNC) disease. We examine Douglas-fir growth responses to temperature, dewpoint deficit (DPD), soil moisture, and SNC using time series intervention analysis of intra-annual tree-ring width data collected at nine forest stands in western Oregon, USA. The effects of temperature and SNC were similar in importance on tree growth at all sites. Previous-year DPD during the annual drought period was a key factor limiting growth regionally. Winter temperature was more important at high elevation cool sites, whereas summer temperature was more important at warm and dry sites. Growth rate increased with summer temperature to an optimum (Topt) then decreased at higher temperatures. At drier sites, temperature and water affected growth interactively such that Topt decreased with decreasing summer soil moisture. With climate change, growth rates increased at high elevation sites and declined at mid-elevation inland sites since ~1990. Growth response to climate is masked by SNC regionally. We conclude that as temperature rises and precipitation patterns shift towards wetter winters and drier summers, Douglas-fir will experience greater temperature and water stress and an increase in severity of SNC. By the end of the 21st century, climate models predict hotter, drier summers and warmer, wetter winters in the Pac

High-K (Ba0.8Bi0.2)(Zn0.1Ti0.9)O3 ceramics for high-temperature capacitor applications.

PubMed

Raengthon, Natthaphon; Cann, David P

2011-09-01

Solid solutions of BaTiO(3)-Bi(Zn(1/2)Ti(1/2))O(3) were investigated for high-temperature capacitor applications. Compositions close to 0.8BaTiO(3)-0.2Bi(Zn(1/2)Ti(1/2))O(3) revealed pseudo-cubic symmetry and showed a linear dielectric response. The existence of a nearly flat temperature dependence of the relative permittivity over the temperature range of 100 to 350°C was also obtained. In this study, the effects of cation non-stoichiometry and doping were investigated in an attempt to optimize the insulation resistance for high-temperature applications. The dielectric response of (Ba(0.8)-xBi(0.2))(Zn(0.1)Ti(0.9)) O(3) ceramics where 0 ≤ X ≤ 0.08, as well as ZrO2- and Mn(2)O(3)-doped ceramics were studied. The optimum compositions exhibited a relative permittivity in excess of 1150 with a low loss tangent (tan δ < 0.05) that persisted up to a temperature of 460δC. The temperature dependence of resistivity also revealed the improved insulation resistance of Ba-deficient compositions. Additionally, we suggest that an ionic conduction mechanism is responsible for the degradation of resistivity at high temperatures. The temperature coefficient of permittivity ((τ)K) and the RC time constant were also investigated.

Determination of organophosphorus pesticides in environmental water samples by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction with solidification of floating organic droplet followed by high-performance liquid chromatography.

PubMed

Wu, Chunxia; Liu, Huimin; Liu, Weihua; Wu, Qiuhua; Wang, Chun; Wang, Zhi

2010-07-01

A simple dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection was developed for the determination of five organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) in water samples. In this method, the extraction solvent used is of low density, low toxicity, and proper melting point near room temperature. The extractant droplet could be collected easily by solidifying it in the lower temperature. Some important experimental parameters that affect the extraction efficiencies were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration curve was linear in the concentration range from 1 to 200 ng mL(-1) for the five OPs (triazophos, parathion, diazinon, phoxim, and parathion-methyl), with the correlation coefficients (r) varying from 0.9991 to 0.9998. High enrichment factors were achieved ranging from 215 to 557. The limits of detection were in the range between 0.1 and 0.3 ng mL(-1). The recoveries of the target analytes from water samples at spiking levels of 5.0 and 50.0 ng mL(-1) were 82.2-98.8% and 83.6-104.0%, respectively. The relative standard deviations fell in the range of 4.4% to 6.3%. The method was suitable for the determination of the OPs in real water samples.

An organic solvent-, detergent-, and thermo-stable alkaline protease from the mesophilic, organic solvent-tolerant Bacillus licheniformis 3C5.

PubMed

Rachadech, W; Navacharoen, A; Ruangsit, W; Pongtharangkul, T; Vangnai, A S

2010-01-01

Bacillus licheniformis 3C5, isolated as mesophilic bacterium, exhibited tolerance towards a wide range of non-polar and polar organic solvents at 45 degrees C. It produced an extracellular organic solvent-stable protease with an apparent molecular mass of approximately 32 kDa. The inhibitory effect of PMSF and EDTA suggested it is likely to be an alkaline serine protease. The protease was active over abroad range of temperatures (45-70 degrees C) and pH (8-10) range with an optimum activity at pH 10 and 65 degrees C. It was comparatively stable in the presence ofa relatively high concentration (35% (v/v)) of organic solvents and various types of detergents even at a relatively high temperature (45 degrees C). The protease production by B. licheniformis 3C5 was growth-dependent. The optimization of carbon and nitrogen sources for cell growth and protease production revealed that yeast extract was an important medium component to support both cell growth and the protease production. The overall properties of the protease produced by B. licheniformis 3C5 suggested that this thermo-stable, solvent-stable, detergent-stable alkaline protease is a promising potential biocatalyst for industrial and environmental applications.

On the Tuning of High-Resolution NMR Probes

PubMed Central

Pöschko, Maria Theresia; Schlagnitweit, Judith; Huber, Gaspard; Nausner, Martin; Horničáková, Michaela; Desvaux, Hervé; Müller, Norbert

2014-01-01

Three optimum conditions for the tuning of NMR probes are compared: the conventional tuning optimum, which is based on radio-frequency pulse efficiency, the spin noise tuning optimum based on the line shape of the spin noise signal, and the newly introduced frequency shift tuning optimum, which minimizes the frequency pushing effect on strong signals. The latter results if the radiation damping feedback field is not in perfect quadrature to the precessing magnetization. According to the conventional RLC (resistor–inductor–capacitor) resonant circuit model, the optima should be identical, but significant deviations are found experimentally at low temperatures, in particular on cryogenically cooled probes. The existence of different optima with respect to frequency pushing and spin noise line shape has important consequences on the nonlinearity of spin dynamics at high polarization levels and the implementation of experiments on cold probes. PMID:25210000

High Performance Slab-on-Grade Foundation Insulation Retrofits

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Goldberg, Louise F.; Mosiman, Garrett E.

?A more accurate assessment of SOG foundation insulation energy savings than traditionally possible is now feasible. This has been enabled by advances in whole building energy simulation with 3-dimensional foundation modelling integration at each time step together with an experimental measurement of the site energy savings of SOG foundation insulation. Ten SOG insulation strategies were evaluated on a test building to identify an optimum retrofit insulation strategy in a zone 6 climate (Minneapolis, MN). The optimum insulation strategy in terms of energy savings and cost effectiveness consisted of two components: (a) R-20 XPS insulation above grade, and, (b) R-20 insulationmore » at grade (comprising an outer layer of R-10 insulation and an interior layer of R-12 poured polyurethane insulation) tapering to R-10 XPS insulation at half the below-grade wall height (the lower half of the stem wall was uninsulated). The optimum insulation strategy was applied to single and multi-family residential buildings in climate zone 4 - 7. The highest site energy savings of 5% was realized for a single family home in Duluth, MN, and the lowest savings of 1.4 % for a 4-unit townhouse in Richmond, VA. SOG foundation insulation retrofit simple paybacks ranged from 18 to 47 years. There are other benefits of SOG foundation insulation resulting from the increase in the slab surface temperatures. These include increased occupant thermal comfort, and a decrease in slab surface condensation particularly around the slab perimeter.« less

Building America Case Study: Optimized Slab-on-Grade Foundation Insulation Retrofits, Madison, Wisconsin

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

A more accurate assessment of SOG foundation insulation energy savings than traditionally possible is now feasible. This has been enabled by advances in whole building energy simulation with 3-dimensional foundation modelling integration at each time step together with an experimental measurement of the site energy savings of SOG foundation insulation. Ten SOG insulation strategies were evaluated on a test building to identify an optimum retrofit insulation strategy in a zone 6 climate (Minneapolis, MN). The optimum insulation strategy in terms of energy savings and cost effectiveness consisted of two components: (a) R-20 XPS insulation above grade, and, (b) R-20 insulationmore » at grade (comprising an outer layer of R-10 insulation and an interior layer of R-12 poured polyurethane insulation) tapering to R-10 XPS insulation at half the below-grade wall height (the lower half of the stem wall was uninsulated). The optimum insulation strategy was applied to single and multi-family residential buildings in climate zone 4 - 7. The highest site energy savings of 5% was realized for a single family home in Duluth, MN, and the lowest savings of 1.4 percent for a 4-unit townhouse in Richmond, VA. SOG foundation insulation retrofit simple paybacks ranged from 18 to 47 years. There are other benefits of SOG foundation insulation resulting from the increase in the slab surface temperatures. These include increased occupant thermal comfort, and a decrease in slab surface condensation particularly around the slab perimeter.« less

Determination of betulinic acid, oleanolic acid and ursolic acid from Achyranthes aspera L. using RP-UFLC-DAD analysis and evaluation of various parameters for their optimum yield.

PubMed

Pai, Sandeep R; Upadhya, Vinayak; Hegde, Harsha V; Joshi, Rajesh K; Kholkute, Sanjiva D

2016-03-01

Achyranthes aspera L. is a well known herb commonly used in traditional system of Indian medicine to treat various disorders, such as cough, dysentery, gonorrhea, piles, kidney stone, pneumonia, renal dropsy, skin eruptions, snake bite, etc. Here, we used RP-UFLC-DAD method for determining triterpenoids betulinic acid (BA), oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA) from A. aspera. Optimum yield of these compounds were studied and evaluated using parameters viz., method of extraction, time of extraction, age of plant and plant parts (leaves, stem and roots). Linear relationships in RP-UFLC-DAD analysis were obtained in the range 0.05-100 µg/mL with 0.035, 0.042 and 0.033 µg/mL LOD for BA, OA and UA, respectively. Of the variables tested, extraction method and parts used significantly affected content yield. Continuous shaking extraction (CSE) at ambient temperature gave better extraction efficiency than exposure to ultra sonic extraction (USE) or microwave assisted extraction (MAE) methods. The highest content of BA, OA and UA were determined individually in leaf, stem and root extracts with CSE. Collective yield of these triterpenoids were higher in leaf part exposed to 15 min USE method. To best of our knowledge, the study newly reports UA from A. aspera and the same was confirmed using ATR-FT-IR studies. This study explains the distribution pattern of these major triterpenoids and optimum extraction parameters in detail.

Swarm intelligence application for optimization of CO2 diffusivity in polystyrene-b-polybutadiene-b-polystyrene (SEBS) foaming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharudin, Rahida Wati; Ajib, Norshawalina Muhamad; Yusoff, Marina; Ahmad, Mohd Aizad

2017-12-01

Thermoplastic elastomer SEBS foams were prepared by using carbon dioxide (CO2) as a blowing agent and the process is classified as physical foaming method. During the foaming process, the diffusivity of CO2 need to be controlled since it is one of the parameter that will affect the final cellular structure of the foam. Conventionally, the rate of CO2 diffusion was measured experimentally by using a highly sensitive device called magnetic suspension balance (MSB). Besides, this expensive MSB machine is not easily available and measurement of CO2 diffusivity is quite complicated as well as time consuming process. Thus, to overcome these limitations, a computational method was introduced. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is a part of Swarm Intelligence system which acts as a beneficial optimization tool where it can solve most of nonlinear complications. PSO model was developed for predicting the optimum foaming temperature and CO2 diffusion rate in SEBS foam. Results obtained by PSO model are compared with experimental results for CO2 diffusivity at various foaming temperature. It is shown that predicted optimum foaming temperature at 154.6 °C was not represented the best temperature for foaming as the cellular structure of SEBS foamed at corresponding temperature consisted pores with unstable dimension and the structure was not visibly perceived due to foam shrinkage. The predictions were not agreed well with experimental result when single parameter of CO2 diffusivity is considered in PSO model because it is not the only factor that affected the controllability of foam shrinkage. The modification on the PSO model by considering CO2 solubility and rigidity of SEBS as additional parameters needs to be done for obtaining the optimum temperature for SEBS foaming. Hence stable SEBS foam could be prepared.

Comperative study of catalase immobilization on chitosan, magnetic chitosan and chitosan-clay composite beads.

PubMed

Başak, Esra; Aydemir, Tülin; Dinçer, Ayşe; Becerik, Seda Çınar

2013-12-01

Catalase was immobilized on chitosan and modified chitosan. Studies were carried out on free-immobilized catalase concerning the determination of optimum temperature, pH, thermal, storage stability, reusability, and kinetic parameters. Optimum temperature and pH for free catalase and catalase immobilized were found as 35°C and 7.0, respectively. After 100 times of repeated tests, the immobilized catalases on chitosan-clay and magnetic chitosan maintain over 50% and 60% of the original activity, respectively. The ease of catalase immobilization on low-cost matrices and good stability upon immobilization in the present study make it a suitable product for further use in the food industry.

Musa paradisiaca stem juice as a source of peroxidase and ligninperoxidase.

PubMed

Vernwal, S K; Yadav, R S; Yadav, K D

2000-10-01

Musa paradisiaca stem juice has been shown to contain peroxidase activity of the order of 0.1 enzyme unit/ml. The Km values of this peroxidase for the substrates guaiacol and hydrogen peroxide are 2.4 and 0.28 mM respectively. The pH and temperature optima are 4.5 and 62.5 degrees C respectively. Like other peroxidases, it follows double displacement type mechanism. At low pH, Musa paradisiaca stem juice exhibits ligninperoxidase type activity. The pH optimum for ligninperoxidase type activity is 2.0 and the temperature optimum is 24 degrees C. The Km values for veratryl alcohol and n-propanol are 66 and 78 microM respectively.

Evaluation of the Optimum Composition of Low-Temperature Fuel Cell Electrocatalysts for Methanol Oxidation by Combinatorial Screening.

PubMed

Antolini, Ermete

2017-02-13

Combinatorial chemistry and high-throughput screening represent an innovative and rapid tool to prepare and evaluate a large number of new materials, saving time and expense for research and development. Considering that the activity and selectivity of catalysts depend on complex kinetic phenomena, making their development largely empirical in practice, they are prime candidates for combinatorial discovery and optimization. This review presents an overview of recent results of combinatorial screening of low-temperature fuel cell electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation. Optimum catalyst compositions obtained by combinatorial screening were compared with those of bulk catalysts, and the effect of the library geometry on the screening of catalyst composition is highlighted.

Novozyme 435-catalyzed asymmetric acylation of (R, S)-3-n- butylphthalide in hexane.

PubMed

He, Laping; Li, Cuiqin; Gao, Bing

2009-01-01

The asymmetric acylation of (R, S)-3-n-butylphthalide could be efficiently catalyzed by Novozyme 435. The effect of various reaction parameters such as water activity, temperature, molar ratio of acetic anhydride to (R, S)-3-n-butylphthalide, and reaction time on the asymmetric acylation were studied. The optimums of the reaction parameters were water activity 0.62, temperature 30 degrees C, molar ratio of acetic anhydride to (R, S)-3-n-butylphthalide 8:1, and reaction time 48 h, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, enantiopure 3-n-butylphthalide with an optical purity of 95.7% enantiomeric excess and 49.1% yield could be obtained. Furthermore, the enantiomeric excess of product was over 98%.

Exo-polygalacturonase production by Bacillus subtilis CM5 in solid state fermentation using cassava bagasse

PubMed Central

Swain, Manas R.; Kar, Shaktimay; Ray, Ramesh C.

2009-01-01

The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of Bacillus subtilis CM5 in solid state fermentation using cassava bagasse for production of exo-polygalacturonase (exo-PG). Response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effect of four main variables, i.e. incubation period, initial medium pH, moisture holding capacity (MHC) and incubation temperature on enzyme production. A full factorial Central Composite Design was applied to study these main factors that affected exo-PG production. The experimental results showed that the optimum incubation period, pH, MHC and temperature were 6 days, 7.0, 70% and 50°C, respectively for optimum exo-PG production. PMID:24031409

Glass Waste Forms for Oak Ridge Tank Wastes: Fiscal Year 1998 Report for Task Plan SR-16WT-31, Task B

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Andrews, M.K.

1999-05-10

Using ORNL information on the characterization of the tank waste sludges, SRTC performed extensive bench-scale vitrification studies using simulants. Several glass systems were tested to ensure the optimum glass composition (based on the glass liquidus temperature, viscosity and durability) is determined. This optimum composition will balance waste loading, melt temperature, waste form performance and disposal requirements. By optimizing the glass composition, a cost savings can be realized during vitrification of the waste. The preferred glass formulation was selected from the bench-scale studies and recommended to ORNL for further testing with samples of actual OR waste tank sludges.

Preparation and properties of immobilized pectinase onto the amphiphilic PS-b-PAA diblock copolymers.

PubMed

Lei, Zhongli; Bi, Shuxian

2007-01-30

Well-defined amphiphilic block copolymers poly(styrene-b-acrylic acid) (PS-b-PAA) with controlled block length were synthesized using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Pectinase enzyme was immobilized on the well-defined amphiphilic block copolymers PS-b-PAA. The carboxyl groups on the amphiphilic PS-b-PAA diblock copolymers present a very simple, mild, and time-saving process for enzyme immobilization. Various characteristics of immobilized pectinase such as the pH and temperature stability, thermal stability, and storage stability were valuated. Among them the pH optimum and temperature optimum of free and immobilized pectinase were found to be pH 6.0 and 65 degrees C.

Temperature response of photosynthesis in different drug and fiber varieties of Cannabis sativa L.

PubMed

Chandra, Suman; Lata, Hemant; Khan, Ikhlas A; Elsohly, Mahmoud A

2011-07-01

The temperature response on gas and water vapour exchange characteristics of three medicinal drug type (HP Mexican, MX and W1) and four industrial fiber type (Felinq 34, Kompolty, Zolo 11 and Zolo 15) varieties of Cannabis sativa, originally from different agro-climatic zones worldwide, were studied. Among the drug type varieties, optimum temperature for photosynthesis (Topt) was observed in the range of 30-35 °C in high potency Mexican HPM whereas, it was in the range of 25-30 °C in W1. A comparatively lower value (25 °C) for Topt was observed in MX. Among fiber type varieties, Topt was around 30 °C in Zolo 11 and Zolo 15 whereas, it was near 25 °C in Felinq 34 and Kompolty. Varieties having higher maximum photosynthesis (PN max) had higher chlorophyll content as compared to those having lower PN max. Differences in water use efficiency (WUE) were also observed within and among the drug and fiber type plants. However, differences became less pronounced at higher temperatures. Both stomatal and mesophyll components seem to be responsible for the temperature dependence of photosynthesis (PN) in this species, however, their magnitude varied with the variety. In general, a two fold increase in dark respiration with increase in temperature (from 20 °C to 40 °C) was observed in all the varieties. However, a greater increase was associated with the variety having higher rate of photosynthesis, indicating a strong association between photosynthetic and respiratory rates. The results provide a valuable indication regarding variations in temperature dependence of PN in different varieties of Cannabis sativa L.

Optimum drying temperature to prevent oxidative stain in soft maple

Treesearch

Michael C. Wiemann; Mark Knaebe; Scott A. Bowe

2011-01-01

The objective of this paper is to determine the kiln conditions necessary to avoid interior enzymatic oxidative discoloration in soft maple. Three drying chambers were designed and constructed to control temperature and relative humidity of maple test samples. The tests showed that drying as soon as possible after harvest at temperatures below 42°C will...

Production of xylanase from an alkali tolerant Streptomyces sp. 7b under solid-state fermentation, its purification, and characterization.

PubMed

Bajaj, Bijender Kumar; Singh, Narendera Pratap

2010-11-01

Streptomyces sp. 7b showed highest xylanase activity among 41 bacterial isolates screened under submerged fermentation. The organism grew over broad pH (5-11) and temperatures range (25-55 degrees C) and displayed maximum xylanase production on wheat bran (1230 U/g) under solid-state fermentation. Xylanase production was enhanced substantially (76%-77%) by inclusion of trypton (2180 U/g) or beef extract (2170 U/g) and moderately (36%-46%) by yeast extract (1800 U/g) or soybean meal (1670 U/g). Inclusion of readily utilizable sugars such as glucose, maltose, fructose, lactose or xylose in the substrate repressed the xylanase production. The optimum initial pH of the medium for maximum enzyme production was 7 to 8; however, appreciable level of activity was obtained at pH 6 (1,680 U/g) and 9 (1,900 U/g). Most appropriate solid to liquid ratio for maximum xylanase production in solid-state fermentation was found to be 1:2.5. The organism produced a single xylanase of molecular weight of approximately 30 kDa as analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after purification with ammonium sulfate precipitation, and carboxy methyl sephadex chromatography. The enzyme was purified to the extent of 5.68-fold by salt precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography. Optimum temperature and pH for maximum xylanase activity were 50 degrees C and 6, respectively.

Functional expression, production, and biochemical characterization of a laccase using yeast surface display technology.

PubMed

Bertrand, Brandt; Trejo-Hernández, María R; Morales-Guzmán, Daniel; Caspeta, Luis; Suárez Rodríguez, Ramón; Martínez-Morales, Fernando

2016-12-01

A Trametes versicolor laccase was functionally expressed on the membrane surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae EBY100. Laccase expression was increased 6.57-fold by medium optimization and surpassed production by the native strain. Maximal laccase and biomass production reached 19 735 ± 1719 Ug -1 and 6.22 ± 0.53 gL -1 respectively, after 2 d of culture. Optimum oxidization of all substrates by laccase was observed at pH 3. Laccase showed high affinity towards substrates used with Km (mM) and Vmax (μmol min -1 ) values of 0.57 ± 0.0047 and 24.55 ± 0.64, 1.52 ± 0.52 and 9.25 ± 1.78, and 2.67 ± 0.12 and 11.26 ± 0.75, were reported for ABTS, 2, 6-DMP and GUA, respectively. EDTA and NaN 3 displayed none competitive inhibition towards laccase activity. The optimum temperature for activity was 50 °C; however, the enzyme was stable over a wide range of temperatures (25-70 °C). The biologically immobilized laccase showed high reusability towards phenolic substrates and low reusability with non-phenolic substrates. High affinity for a diversity phenolic compounds and great ethanol tolerance substantiates this laccase/yeast biocatalyst potential for application in the production of bioethanol. Copyright © 2016 British Mycological Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optimization of hydrothermal synthesis of pure phase zeolite Na-P1 from South African coal fly ashes.

PubMed

Musyoka, Nicholas M; Petrik, Leslie F; Gitari, Wilson M; Balfour, Gillian; Hums, Eric

2012-01-01

This study was aimed at optimizing the synthesis conditions for pure phase zeolite Na-P1 from three coal fly ashes obtained from power stations in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. Synthesis variables evaluated were: hydrothermal treatment time (12-48 hours), temperature (100-160°C) and varying molar quantities of water during the hydrothermal treatment step (H(2)O:SiO(2) molar ratio ranged between 0-0.49). The optimum synthesis conditions for preparing pure phase zeolite Na-P1 were achieved when the molar regime was 1 SiO(2): 0.36 Al(2)O(3): 0.59 NaOH: 0.49 H(2)O and ageing was done at 47°C for 48 hours. The optimum hydrothermal treatment time and temperature was 48 hours and 140°C, respectively. Fly ashes sourced from two coal-fired power plants (A, B) were found to produce nearly same high purity zeolite Na-P1 under identical conditions whereas the third fly ash (C) lead to a low quality zeolite Na-P1 under these conditions. The cation exchange capacity for the high pure phase was found to be 4.11 meq/g. These results highlight the fact that adjustment of reactant composition and presynthesis or synthesis parameters, improved quality of zeolite Na-P1 can be achieved and hence an improved potential for application of zeolites prepared from coal fly ash.

Ethanol-acetone pulping of wheat straw. Influence of the cooking and the beating of the pulps on the properties of the resulting paper sheets.

PubMed

Jiménez, L; Pérez, I; López, F; Ariza, J; Rodríguez, A

2002-06-01

The influence of independent variables in the pulping of wheat straw by use of an ethanol-acetone-water mixture [processing temperature and time, ethanol/(ethanol + acetone) value and (ethanol + acetone)/(ethanol + acetone + water) value] and of the number of PFI beating revolutions to which the pulp was subjected, on the properties of the resulting pulp (yield and Shopper-Riegler index) and of the paper sheets obtained from it (breaking length, stretch, burst index and tear index) was examined. By using a central composite factor design and the BMDP software suite, equations that relate each dependent variable to the different independent variables were obtained that reproduced the experimental results for the dependent variables with errors less than 30% at temperatures, times, ethanol/(ethanol + acetone) value, (ethanol + acetone)/(ethanol + acetone + water) value and numbers of PFI beating revolutions in the ranges 140-180 degrees C, 60-120 min, 25-75%, 35-75% and 0-1750, respectively. Using values of the independent variables over the variation ranges considered provided the following optimum values of the dependent variables: 78.17% (yield), 15.21 degrees SR (Shopper-Riegler index), 5265 m (breaking length), 1.94% (stretch), 2.53 kN/g (burst index) and 4.26 mN m2/g (tear index). Obtaining reasonably good paper sheets (with properties that differed by less than 15% from their optimum values except for the burst index, which was 28% lower) entailed using a temperature of 180 degrees C, an ethanol/(ethanol + acetone) value of 50%, an (ethanol + acetone)/(ethanol + acetone + water) value of 75%, a processing time of 60 min and a number of PFI beating revolutions of 1750. The yield was 32% lower under these conditions, however. A comparison of the results provided by ethanol, acetone and ethanol-acetone pulping revealed that the second and third process-which provided an increased yield were the best choices. On the other hand, if the pulp is to be refined, ethanol pulping is the process of choice.

Generation of optimum vertical profiles for an advanced flight management system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sorensen, J. A.; Waters, M. H.

1981-01-01

Algorithms for generating minimum fuel or minimum cost vertical profiles are derived and examined. The option for fixing the time of flight is included in the concepts developed. These algorithms form the basis for the design of an advanced on-board flight management system. The variations in the optimum vertical profiles (resulting from these concepts) due to variations in wind, takeoff mass, and range-to-destination are presented. Fuel savings due to optimum climb, free cruise altitude, and absorbing delays enroute are examined.

The Influence of Fe2O3 Addition on the Tio2 Structure and Photoactivity Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wahyuningsih, S.; Ramelan, A. H.; Prasetyawati, L.; Saputri, L. N. M. Z.; Ichsan, S.; Kristiawan, Y. R.

2018-03-01

The influence of Fe2O3 addition on the TiO2 structure and photoactivity properties have been studied. The addition of Fe2O3 on the TiO2 done by TiO2-Fe2O3 synthesized with variation of annealing temperature. The result showed that peak of anatase TiO2 at 2θ = 25.35° and Fe2O3 at 2θ = 54.20°. The XRD of TiO2 show annealing temperature at 400°C is anatase phase and the composite with annealing at temperature 150°C, 300°C, 400°C and 500°C is crystalline anatase phase, due to the addition of Fe2O3. Photodegradation of Rhodamin B with TiO2 at 400°C annealing temperature showed optimum degradation 36.2 %, and the composite with annealing at 400°C showed optimum degradation 44.3% for 300 minutes irradiation.

Prediction of Quality Change During Thawing of Frozen Tuna Meat by Numerical Calculation I

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murakami, Natsumi; Watanabe, Manabu; Suzuki, Toru

A numerical calculation method has been developed to determine the optimum thawing method for minimizing the increase of metmyoglobin content (metMb%) as an indicator of color changes in frozen tuna meat during thawing. The calculation method is configured the following two steps: a) calculation of temperature history in each part of frozen tuna meat during thawing by control volume method under the assumption of one-dimensional heat transfer, and b) calculation of metMb% based on the combination of calculated temperature history, Arrenius equation and the first-order reaction equation for the increase rate of metMb%. Thawing experiments for measuring temperature history of frozen tuna meat were carried out under the conditions of rapid thawing and slow thawing to compare the experimental data with calculated temperature history as well as the increase of metMb%. The results were coincident with the experimental data. The proposed simulation method would be useful for predicting the optimum thawing conditions in terms of metMb%.

Belite cement clinker from coal fly ash of high Ca content. Optimization of synthesis parameters.

PubMed

Guerrero, A; Goñi, S; Campillo, I; Moragues, A

2004-06-01

The optimization of parameters of synthesis of belite cement clinker from coal fly ash of high Ca content is presented in this paper. The synthesis process is based on the hydrothermal-calcination-route of the fly ash without extra additions. The hydrothermal treatment was carried out in demineralized water and a 1 M NaOH solution for 4 h at the temperatures of 100 degrees C, 150 degrees C, and 200 degrees C. The precursors obtained during the hydrothermal treatmentwere heated at temperatures of 700 degrees C, 800 degrees C, 900 degrees C, and 1000 degrees C. The changes of fly ash composition after the different treatments were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, surface area (BET-N2), and thermal analyses. From the results obtained we concluded that the optimum temperature of the hydrothermal treatment was 200 degrees C, and the optimum temperature for obtaining the belite cement clinker was 800 degrees C.

Modeling of sorption processes on solid-phase ion-exchangers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dorofeeva, Ludmila; Kuan, Nguyen Anh

2018-03-01

Research of alkaline elements separation on solid-phase ion-exchangers is carried out to define the selectivity coefficients and height of an equivalent theoretical stage for both continuous and stepwise filling of column by ionite. On inorganic selective sorbents the increase in isotope enrichment factor up to 0.0127 is received. Also, parametrical models that are adequately describing dependence of the pressure difference and the magnitude expansion in the ion-exchange layer from the flow rate and temperature have been obtained. The concentration rate value under the optimum realization conditions of process and depending on type of a selective material changes in a range 1.021÷1.092. Calculated results show agreement with experimental data.

Optimization of radar imaging system parameters for geological analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waite, W. P.; Macdonald, H. C.; Kaupp, V. H.

1981-01-01

The use of radar image simulation to model terrain variation and determine optimum sensor parameters for geological analysis is described. Optimum incidence angle is determined by the simulation, which evaluates separately the discrimination of surface features possible due to terrain geometry and that due to terrain scattering. Depending on the relative relief, slope, and scattering cross section, optimum incidence angle may vary from 20 to 80 degrees. Large incident angle imagery (more than 60 deg) is best for the widest range of geological applications, but in many cases these large angles cannot be achieved by satellite systems. Low relief regions require low incidence angles (less than 30 deg), so a satellite system serving a broad range of applications should have at least two selectable angles of incidence.

Simultaneous removal of SO2 and NOx from flue gas by wet scrubbing using a urea solution.

PubMed

Li, Ge; Wang, Baodong; Xu, Wayne Qiang; Li, Yonglong; Han, Yifan; Sun, Qi

2018-03-27

Nitrogen oxides (NO x ) and sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) are major air pollutants, so simultaneously removing them from gases emitted during fossil fuel combustion in stationary systems is important. Wet denitrification using urea is used for a wide range of systems. Additives have strong effects on wet denitrification using urea, and different mechanisms are involved and different effects found using different additives. In this study, the effects of different additives, initial urea concentrations, reaction temperatures, initial pH values, gas flow rates, and reaction times on the simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification efficiencies achieved using wet denitrification using urea were studied in single factor experiment. The optimum reaction conditions for desulfurization and denitrification were found. Desulfurization and denitrification efficiencies of 97.5% and 96.3%, respectively, were achieved at a KMnO 4 concentration 5 mmol/L, a reaction temperature of 70°C, initial urea solution pH 8, a urea concentration of 9%, and a gas flow rate of 40 L/h. The concentrations of the desulfurization and denitrification reaction products in the solution were determined. NO x was mainly transformed into N 2 , and the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] concentrations in the solution became very low. The reactions involved in SO 2 and NO x removal using urea were analyzed from the thermodynamic viewpoint. Increasing the temperature was not conducive to the reactions but increased the rate constant, so an optimum temperature was determined. The simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification kinetics were calculated. The urea consumption and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] generation reactions were all zero order. The [Formula: see text] generation rate was greater than the [Formula: see text] generation rate. The simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification process and mechanism were studied. The results provide reference data for performing flue gas desulfurization and denitrification in factories.

Temperature-related mortality estimates after accounting for the cumulative effects of air pollution in an urban area.

PubMed

Stanišić Stojić, Svetlana; Stanišić, Nemanja; Stojić, Andreja

2016-07-11

To propose a new method for including the cumulative mid-term effects of air pollution in the traditional Poisson regression model and compare the temperature-related mortality risk estimates, before and after including air pollution data. The analysis comprised a total of 56,920 residents aged 65 years or older who died from circulatory and respiratory diseases in Belgrade, Serbia, and daily mean PM10, NO2, SO2 and soot concentrations obtained for the period 2009-2014. After accounting for the cumulative effects of air pollutants, the risk associated with cold temperatures was significantly lower and the overall temperature-attributable risk decreased from 8.80 to 3.00 %. Furthermore, the optimum range of temperature, within which no excess temperature-related mortality is expected to occur, was very broad, between -5 and 21 °C, which differs from the previous findings that most of the attributable deaths were associated with mild temperatures. These results suggest that, in polluted areas of developing countries, most of the mortality risk, previously attributed to cold temperatures, can be explained by the mid-term effects of air pollution. The results also showed that the estimated relative importance of PM10 was the smallest of four examined pollutant species, and thus, including PM10 data only is clearly not the most effective way to control for the effects of air pollution.

Comparison of biodiesel production from sewage sludge obtained from the A²/O and MBR processes by in situ transesterification.

PubMed

Qi, Juanjuan; Zhu, Fenfen; Wei, Xiang; Zhao, Luyao; Xiong, Yiqun; Wu, Xuemin; Yan, Fawei

2016-03-01

The potential of two types of sludge obtained from the anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (A(2)/O) and membrane bioreactor (MBR) processes as lipid feedstock for biodiesel production via in situ transesterification was investigated. Experiments were conducted to determine the optimum conditions for biodiesel yield using three-factor and four-level orthogonal and single-factor tests. Several factors, namely, methanol-to-sludge mass ratio, acid concentration, and temperature, were examined. The optimum yield of biodiesel (16.6% with a fatty acid methyl ester purity of 96.7%) from A(2)/O sludge was obtained at a methanol-to-sludge mass ratio of 10:1, a temperature of 60°C, and a H2SO4 concentration of 5% (v/v). Meanwhile, the optimum yield of biodiesel (4.2% with a fatty acid methyl ester purity of 92.7%) from MBR sludge was obtained at a methanol-to-sludge mass ratio of 8:1, a temperature of 50°C, and a H2SO4 concentration of 5% (v/v). In this research, A(2)/O technology with a primary sedimentation tank is more favorable for obtaining energy from wastewater than MBR technology. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Catalytic properties of thermophilic lactate dehydrogenase and halophilic malate dehydrogenase at high temperature and low water activity.

PubMed

Hecht, K; Wrba, A; Jaenicke, R

1989-07-15

Thermophilic lactate dehydrogenases from Thermotoga maritima and Bacillus stearothermophilus are stable up to temperature limits close to the optimum growth temperature of their parent organisms. Their catalytic properties are anomalous in that Km shows a drastic increase with increasing temperature. At low temperatures, the effect levels off. Extreme halophilic malate dehydrogenase from Halobacterium marismortui exhibits a similar anomaly. Increasing salt concentration (NaCl) leads to an optimum curve for Km, oxaloacctate while Km, NADH remains constant. Previous claims that the activity of halophilic malate dehydrogenase shows a maximum at 1.25 M NaCl are caused by limiting substrate concentration; at substrate saturation, specific activity of halophilic malate dehydrogenase reaches a constant value at ionic strengths I greater than or equal to 1 M. Non-halophilic (mitochondrial) malate dehydrogenase shows Km characteristics similar to those observed for the halophilic enzyme. The drastic decrease in specific activity of the mitochondrial enzyme at elevated salt concentrations is caused by the salt-induced increase in rigidity of the enzyme, rather than gross structural changes.

Stabilization of high Tc phase in bismuth cuprate superconductor by lead doping

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gupta, Ram. P.; Pachauri, J. P.; Khokle, W. S.; Nagpal, K. C.; Date, S. K.

1991-01-01

It has been widely ascertained that doping of lead in Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O systems promotes the growth of high T sub c (110 K) phase, improves critical current density, and lowers processing temperature. A systematic study was undertaken to determine optimum lead content and processing conditions to achieve these properties. A large number of samples with cationic compositions of Bi(2-x)Pb(x)Sr2Ca2Cu3 (x = 0.2 to 2.0) were prepared by conventional solid state reaction technique. Samples of all compositions were annealed together at a temperature and characterized through resistance temperature (R-T) measurements and x ray diffraction to determine the zero resistance temperature, T sub c(0) and to identify presence of phases, respectively. The annealing temperature was varied between 790 and 880 C to optimize processing parameters. Results are given. In brief, an optimum process is reported along with composition of leaded bismuth cuprate superconductor which yields nearly a high T sub c single phase with highly stable superconducting properties.

Stabilization of high T(sub c) phase in bismuth cuprate superconductor by lead doping

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gupta, Ram. P.; Pachauri, J. P.; Khokle, W. S.; Nagpal, K. C.; Date, S. K.

1990-01-01

It has widely been ascertained that doping of lead in Bi:Sr:Ca:Cu:O systems promotes the growth of high T(sub c) (110 K) phase, improves critical current density, and lowers processing temperature. A systematic investigation is undertaken to determine optimum lead content and processing conditions to achieve these. A large number of samples with cationic compositions of Bi(2-x)Pb(x)Sr2Ca2Cu3 (x = 0.2 to 2.0) were prepared by conventional solid state reaction technique. Samples of all compositions were annealed together at a temperature and characterized through resistance-temperature (R-T) measurements and x ray diffraction (XRD) to determine the zero resistance temperature, T(sub c)(0) and to identify presence of phases, respectively. The annealing temperature was varied between 790 C to optimize processing parameters. Results are given. In brief, an optimum process is reported along with composition of leaded bismuth cuprate superconductor which yields nearly a high T(sub c) single phase with highly stable superconducting properties.

Preparation of A356 Foam Aluminum by Means of Titanium Hydride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarajan, Zohair

2017-09-01

The effect of heating temperature and stirring time during preparation of foam aluminum alloy A356 on its relative porosity is studied. The optimum amount of the foam-forming agent, i.e., titanium hydride TiH2, facilitating uniform distribution of pores throughout the whole cross section of a hardened casting is determined. Optimum conditions are established for foam formation in a melt during stirring using a mixer are described.

Optimum Platinum Loading In Pt/SnO2 CO-Oxidizing Catalysts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schryer, David R.; Upchurch, Billy T.; Davis, Patricia P.; Brown, Kenneth G.; Schryer, Jacqueline

1991-01-01

Platinum on tin oxide (Pt/SnO2) good catalyst for oxidation of carbon monoxide at or near room temperature. Catalytic activity peaks at about 17 weight percent Pt. Catalysts with platinum loadings as high as 46 percent fabricated by technique developed at Langley Research Center. Work conducted to determine optimum platinum loading for this type of catalyst. Major application is removal of unwanted CO and O2 in CO2 lasers.

Carbonic anhydrase from Camelia sinensis (tea) leaves.

PubMed

Demir, Y; Demir, N; Ağar, G

1997-11-01

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) (carbonate hydrolyase; E,C,4.2.1.1) from leaves of mature Camelia sinensis was purified and characterized. The purification level was 53 fold. The optimum temperature for maximal enzyme activity is 50 degrees C. The optimum pH was 6.8 and this pH varied between 6.5 and 7.5. Each enzyme molecule is a hexamer with an M(r) of 169,000 with subunits of M(r) = 28,000.

Effects of atmospheric temperature and humidity on outbreak of diseases.

PubMed

Choi, Sung Hyuk; Lee, Sung Woo; Hong, Yun Sik; Kim, Su Jin; Kim, Nak Hoon

2007-12-01

The present study aimed to determine the plausibility of forecasting the outbreak of diseases based on the weather by analysing the impact of atmospheric temperature and humidity on the occurrence of different diseases. The subjects of the present study were the 30,434 patients who visited the ED in 1 year from 1 February 2005 to 3 February 2006. The present study analysed the correlation between the daily number of patients who suffered from 22 types of traumatic and non-traumatic diseases and the data on atmospheric temperature and humidity provided by the Korea Meteorological Administration. With traumatic disease, the occurrence tended to increase in proportion to the rise in temperature and humidity; whereas with non-traumatic disease, the occurrence tended to increase according to the rise in temperature, irrespective of humidity changes. The research on the impact of atmospheric temperature and humidity on different diseases revealed a high level of distribution of most diseases in an environment with high temperature and humidity. However, in the case of pulmonary diseases and trauma to multiple body regions, the occurrence increased in environments with low temperature and high humidity for pulmonary diseases, and with low temperature and low humidity for trauma to multiple body regions. Most diseases tend to increase in proportion to the rise in atmospheric temperature whereas being less affected by humidity. However, an increase in humidity in an optimum range of atmospheric temperature (12 degrees C or higher) triggers an increase in the occurrence of diseases.

Biofiltration of xylene using wood charcoal as the biofilter media under transient and high loading conditions.

PubMed

Singh, Kiran; Giri, B S; Sahi, Amrita; Geed, S R; Kureel, M K; Singh, Sanjay; Dubey, S K; Rai, B N; Kumar, Surendra; Upadhyay, S N; Singh, R S

2017-10-01

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of wood charcoal as biofilter media under transient and high loading condition. Biofiltration of xylene was investigated for 150days in a laboratory scale unit packed with wood charcoal and inoculated with mixed microbial culture at the xylene loading rates ranged from 12 to 553gm -3 h -1 . The kinetic analysis of the xylene revealed absence of substrate inhibition and possibility of achieving higher elimination under optimum condition. The pH, temperature, pressure drop and CO 2 production rate were regularly monitored during the experiments. Throughout experimental period, the removal efficiency (RE) was found to be in the range of 65-98.7% and the maximum elimination capacity (EC) was 405.7gm -3 h -1 . Molecular characterization results show Bacillus sp. as dominating microbial group in the biofilm. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

JT8D high pressure compressor performance improvement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaffin, W. O.

1981-01-01

An improved performance high pressure compressor with potential application to all models of the JT8D engine was designed. The concept consisted of a trenched abradable rubstrip which mates with the blade tips for each of the even rotor stages. This feature allows tip clearances to be set so blade tips run at or near the optimum radius relative to the flowpath wall, without the danger of damaging the blades during transients and maneuvers. The improved compressor demonstrated thrust specific fuel consumption and exhaust gas temperature improvements of 1.0 percent and at least 10 C over the takeoff and climb power range at sea level static conditions, compared to a bill-of-material high pressure compressor. Surge margin also improved 4 percentage points over the high power operating range. A thrust specific fuel consumption improvement of 0.7 percent at typical cruise conditions was calculated based on the sea level test results.

Optimum Design of LLC Resonant Converter using Inductance Ratio (Lm/Lr)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palle, Kowstubha; Krishnaveni, K.; Ramesh Reddy, Kolli

2017-06-01

The main benefits of LLC resonant dc/dc converter over conventional series and parallel resonant converters are its light load regulation, less circulating currents, larger bandwidth for zero voltage switching, and less tuning of switching frequency for controlled output. An unique analytical tool, called fundamental harmonic approximation with peak gain adjustment is used for designing the converter. In this paper, an optimum design of the converter is proposed by considering three different design criterions with different values of inductance ratio (Lm/Lr) to achieve good efficiency at high input voltage. The optimum design includes the analysis in operating range, switching frequency range, primary side losses of a switch and stability. The analysis is carried out with simulation using the software tools like MATLAB and PSIM. The performance of the optimized design is demonstrated for a design specification of 12 V, 5 A output operating with an input voltage range of 300-400 V using FSFR 2100 IC of Texas instruments.

Automatic temperature adjustment apparatus

DOEpatents

Chaplin, James E.

1985-01-01

An apparatus for increasing the efficiency of a conventional central space heating system is disclosed. The temperature of a fluid heating medium is adjusted based on a measurement of the external temperature, and a system parameter. The system parameter is periodically modified based on a closed loop process that monitors the operation of the heating system. This closed loop process provides a heating medium temperature value that is very near the optimum for energy efficiency.

Hardware-Based Non-Optimum Factors for Launch Vehicle Structural Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, K. Chauncey; Cerro, Jeffrey A.

2010-01-01

During aerospace vehicle conceptual and preliminary design, empirical non-optimum factors are typically applied to predicted structural component weights to account for undefined manufacturing and design details. Non-optimum factors are developed here for 32 aluminum-lithium 2195 orthogrid panels comprising the liquid hydrogen tank barrel of the Space Shuttle External Tank using measured panel weights and manufacturing drawings. Minimum values for skin thickness, axial and circumferential blade stiffener thickness and spacing, and overall panel thickness are used to estimate individual panel weights. Panel non-optimum factors computed using a coarse weights model range from 1.21 to 1.77, and a refined weights model (including weld lands and skin and stiffener transition details) yields non-optimum factors of between 1.02 and 1.54. Acreage panels have an average 1.24 non-optimum factor using the coarse model, and 1.03 with the refined version. The observed consistency of these acreage non-optimum factors suggests that relatively simple models can be used to accurately predict large structural component weights for future launch vehicles.

Influence of process parameters on the content of biomimetic calcium phosphate coating on titanium: a Taguchi analysis.

PubMed

Thammarakcharoen, Faungchat; Suvannapruk, Waraporn; Suwanprateeb, Jintamai

2014-10-01

In this study, a statistical design of experimental methodology based on Taguchi orthogonal design has been used to study the effect of various processing parameters on the amount of calcium phosphate coating produced by such technique. Seven control factors with three levels each including sodium hydroxide concentration, pretreatment temperature, pretreatment time, cleaning method, coating time, coating temperature and surface area to solution volume ratio were studied. X-ray diffraction revealed that all the coatings consisted of the mixture of octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA) and the presence of each phase depended on the process conditions used. Various content and size (-1-100 μm) of isolated spheroid particles with nanosized plate-like morphology deposited on the titanium surface or a continuous layer of plate-like nanocrystals having the plate thickness in the range of -100-300 nm and the plate width in the range of 3-8 μm were formed depending on the process conditions employed. The optimum condition of using sodium hydroxide concentration of 1 M, pretreatment temperature of 70 degrees C, pretreatment time of 24 h, cleaning by ultrasonic, coating time of 6 h, coating temperature of 50 degrees C and surface area to solution volume ratio of 32.74 for producing the greatest amount of the coating formed on the titanium surface was predicted and validated. In addition, coating temperature was found to be the dominant factor with the greatest contribution to the coating formation while coating time and cleaning method were significant factors. Other factors had negligible effects on the coating performance.

Optimization of power generating thermoelectric modules utilizing LNG cold energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeong, Eun Soo

2017-12-01

A theoretical investigation to optimize thermoelectric modules, which convert LNG cold energy into electrical power, is performed using a novel one-dimensional analytic model. In the model the optimum thermoelement length and external load resistance, which maximize the energy conversion ratio, are determined by the heat supplied to the cold heat reservoir, the hot and cold side temperatures, the thermal and electrical contact resistances and the properties of thermoelectric materials. The effects of the thermal and electrical contact resistances and the heat supplied to the cold heat reservoir on the maximum energy conversion ratio, the optimum thermoelement length and the optimum external load resistance are shown.

Effects of growth temperature and carbon dioxide enrichment on soybean seed components at different stages of development

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Soybean plants were grown to maturity in controlled environment chambers and at the onset of flowering three temperature treatments were imposed that provided optimum [28/24°C], low [22/18°C] or high [36/32°C] chamber air temperatures. In addition, plants were treated continuously with either 400 o...

Simulation of a double-effect LiBr/H{sub 2}O absorption cooling system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wardono, B.; Nelson, R.

1996-10-01

Since commercially-available, double-effect, absorption cooling systems give relatively high performance for using solar energy or other medium-temperature sources, their performance was simulated and studied. To evaluate the cooling system performance, two objective functions were established: the system performance (COP) and the system cost. The system cost was used as the objective function to determine the optimum design of the system, while the COP was used to evaluate the effects of each variable on the system performance. The system optimization shows that there is an economic optimum heat-transfer area for each heat exchanger. Further study shows that this is a globalmore » minimum cost of the system. The best COPs that could be achieved by changing the heat-transfer areas and the inlet hot water temperature vary between 1.4 and 1.5. Higher COPs of approximately 1.6 were achieved if higher chilled water inlet temperatures or lower cooling water temperatures are used. These conditions are not desirable since higher chilled water inlet temperatures are not useful for cooling, and lower cooling water inlet temperatures are not usually available.« less

Tomato growth as affected by root-zone temperature and the addition of gibberellic acid and kinetin to nutrient solutions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bugbee, B.; White, J. W.; Salisbury, F. B. (Principal Investigator)

1984-01-01

The effect of root-zone temperature on young tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Heinz 1350) was evaluated in controlled environments using a recirculating solution culture system. Growth rates were measured at root-zone temperatures of 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, and 30 degrees C in a near optimum foliar environment. Optimum growth occurred at 25 degrees to 30 degrees during the first 4 weeks of growth and 20 degrees to 25 degrees during the 5th and 6th weeks. Growth was severely restricted at 15 degrees. Four concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3) and kinetin were added to the nutrient solution in a separate trial; root-zone temperature was maintained at 15 degrees and 25 degrees. Addition of 15 micromoles GA3 to solutions increased specific leaf area, total leaf area, and dry weight production of plants in both temperature treatments. GA3-induced growth stimulation was greater at 15 degrees than at 25 degrees. GA3 may promote growth by increasing leaf area, enhancing photosynthesis per unit leaf area, or both. Kinetic was not useful in promoting growth at either temperature.

Optimum processing of mammographic film.

PubMed

Sprawls, P; Kitts, E L

1996-03-01

Underprocessing of mammographic film can result in reduced contrast and visibility of breast structures and an unnecessary increase in radiation dose to the patient. Underprocessing can be caused by physical factors (low developer temperature, inadequate development time, insufficient developer agitation) or chemical factors (developer not optimized for film type; overdiluted, underreplenished, contaminated, or frequently changed developer). Conventional quality control programs are designed to produce consistent processing but do not address the issue of optimum processing. Optimum processing is defined as the level of processing that produces the film performance characteristics (contrast and sensitivity) specified by the film manufacturer. Optimum processing of mammographic film can be achieved by following a two-step protocol. The first step is to set up the processing conditions according to recommendations from the film and developer chemistry manufacturers. The second step is to verify the processing results by comparing them with sensitometric data provided by the film manufacturer.

Feasibility study of a V-shaped pipe for passive aeration composting.

PubMed

Ogunwande, Gbolabo A

2011-03-01

A V-shaped (Vs) pipe was improvised for composting of chicken litter in passive aeration piles. Three piles, equipped with horizontal (Ho), vertical (Ve) and Vs pipes were set up. The three treatments were replicated thrice. The effects of the aeration pipe on the physico-chemical properties of chicken litter and air distribution within the composting piles were investigated during composting. The properties monitored were temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, moisture content, total carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Moisture level in the piles was replenished fortnightly to 60% during composting. The results of the study showed that all the piles attained the optimum temperature range (40-65°C) for effective composting and satisfied the requirements for sanitation. The non-significant (p > 0.05) temperature difference within the piles with Ve and Vs pipes indicated that these pipes were effective for uniform air distribution within the pile. The aeration pipe had significant (p ≤ 0.05) effect on pile temperature, pre-replenishment moisture content, pH and total phosphorus. In conclusion, the study showed that the Vs pipe is feasible and effective for passive aeration composting.

Gas exchange characteristics of Pinus edulis and Juniperus monosperma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Barnes, F.J.

1987-07-01

A shift in the relative dominance of Pinus edulis and Juniperus monosperma is associated with a complex elevational gradient in northern new Mexico. The ecophysiological parameters contributing to this dominance pattern were studied by determining the gas exchange characteristics of the two species in response to temperature, light and water stress under controlled conditions. P. edulis has a higher photosynthetic capacity than J. monosperma, and has a tendency to form ecotypes with individuals from mesic sites having higher rates of carbon gain than xeric site individuals. J. monosperma is more drought-tolerant than P. edulis. As soil moisture decreases, zero carbonmore » gain in J. monosperma occurs at a lower predawn leaf water potential (-4.6 MPa) than in P. edulis (-2.2 MPa). There is no significant difference between species in the temperature of peak carbon gain. J. monosperma has a significantly wider temperature optimum than P. edulis with the additional range being at high temperatures. The observed lower elevational limit of P. edulis coincides with its physiological tolerance of water stress as estimated by seasonal leaf carbon gain. Environmental limitations to the distribution of J. monosperma were not found at higher elevations where P. edulis is dominant.« less

Effect of neutron irradiation at low temperature on the embrittlement of the reduced-activation ferritic steels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rybin, V. V.; Kursevich, I. P.; Lapin, A. N.

1998-10-01

Effects of neutron irradiation to fluence of 2.0 × 10 24 n/m 2 ( E > 0.5 MeV) in temperature range 70-300°C on mechanical properties and structure of the experimental reduced-activation ferritic 0.1%C-(2.5-12)%Cr-(1-2)%W-(0.2-0.7)%V alloys were investigated. The steels were studied in different initial structural conditions obtained by changing the modes of heat treatments. Effect of neutron irradiation estimated by a shift in ductile-brittle transition temperature (ΔDBTT) and reduction of upper shelf energy (ΔUSE) highly depends on both irradiation condition and steel chemical composition and structure. For the steel with optimum chemical composition (9Cr-1.5WV) after irradiation to 2 × 10 24 n/m 2 ( E ⩾ 0.5 MeV) at 280°C the ΔDBTT does not exceed 25°C. The shift in DBTT increased from 35°C to 110°C for the 8Cr-1.5WV steel at a decrease in irradiation temperature from 300°C to 70°C. The CCT diagrams are presented for several reduced-activated steels.

Two-step rapid sulfur capture. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

1994-04-01

The primary goal of this program was to test the technical and economic feasibility of a novel dry sorbent injection process called the Two-Step Rapid Sulfur Capture process for several advanced coal utilization systems. The Two-Step Rapid Sulfur Capture process consists of limestone activation in a high temperature auxiliary burner for short times followed by sorbent quenching in a lower temperature sulfur containing coal combustion gas. The Two-Step Rapid Sulfur Capture process is based on the Non-Equilibrium Sulfur Capture process developed by the Energy Technology Office of Textron Defense Systems (ETO/TDS). Based on the Non-Equilibrium Sulfur Capture studies the rangemore » of conditions for optimum sorbent activation were thought to be: activation temperature > 2,200 K for activation times in the range of 10--30 ms. Therefore, the aim of the Two-Step process is to create a very active sorbent (under conditions similar to the bomb reactor) and complete the sulfur reaction under thermodynamically favorable conditions. A flow facility was designed and assembled to simulate the temperature, time, stoichiometry, and sulfur gas concentration prevalent in the advanced coal utilization systems such as gasifiers, fluidized bed combustors, mixed-metal oxide desulfurization systems, diesel engines, and gas turbines.« less

An Investigation of the Relation Between Contact Thermometry and Dew-Point Temperature Realization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benyon, R.; Böse, N.; Mitter, H.; Mutter, D.; Vicente, T.

2012-09-01

Precision optical dew-point hygrometers are the most commonly used transfer standards for the comparison of dew-point temperature realizations at National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) and for disseminating traceability to calibration laboratories. These instruments have been shown to be highly reproducible when properly used. In order to obtain the best performance, the resistance of the platinum resistance thermometer (PRT) embedded in the mirror is usually measured with an external, traceable resistance bridge or digital multimeter. The relation between the conventional calibration of miniature PRTs, prior to their assembly in the mirrors of state-of-the-art optical dew-point hygrometers and their subsequent calibration as dew-point temperature measurement devices, has been investigated. Standard humidity generators of three NMIs were used to calibrate hygrometers of different designs, covering the dew-point temperature range from -75 °C to + 95 °C. The results span more than a decade, during which time successive improvements and modifications were implemented by the manufacturer. The findings are presented and discussed in the context of enabling the optimum use of these transfer standards and as a basis for determining contributions to the uncertainty in their calibration.

Optimum performance and potential flow field of hovering rotors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, J. C.; Sigman, R. K.

1975-01-01

Rotor and propeller performance and induced potential flowfields were studied on the basis of a rotating actuator disk concept, with special emphasis on rotors hovering out of ground effect. A new theory for the optimum performance of rotors hovering OGE is developed and presented. An extended theory for the optimum performance of rotors and propellers in axial motion is also presented. Numerical results are presented for the optimum distributions of blade-bound circulation together with axial inflow and ultimate wake velocities for the hovering rotor over the range of thrust coefficient of interest in rotorcraft applications. Shapes of the stream tubes and of the velocities in the slipstream are obtained, using available methods, for optimum and off-optimum circulation distributions for rotors hovering in and out of ground effect. A number of explicit formulae useful in computing rotor and propeller induced flows are presented for stream functions and velocities due to distributions of circular vortices over axi-symmetric surfaces.

An experimental setup for the simultaneous measurement of thermoelectric power of two samples from 77 K to 500 K.

PubMed

Tripathi, T S; Bala, M; Asokan, K

2014-08-01

We report on an experimental setup for the simultaneous measurement of the thermoelectric power (TEP) of two samples in the temperature range from 77 K to 500 K using optimum electronic instruments. The setup consists of two rectangular copper bars in a bridge arrangement for sample mounting, two surface mount (SM) chip resistors for creating alternate temperature gradient, and a type E thermocouple in differential geometry for gradient temperature (ΔT) measurement across the samples. In addition, a diode arrangement has been made for the alternate heating of SM resistors using only one DC current source. The measurement accuracy of ΔT increases with the differential thermocouple arrangement. For the calibration of the setup, measurements of TEP on a high purity (99.99%) platinum wire and type K thermocouple wires Chromel and Alumel have been performed from 77 K to 500 K with respect to copper lead wires. Additionally, this setup can be utilized to calibrate an unknown sample against a sample of known absolute TEP.

An experimental setup for the simultaneous measurement of thermoelectric power of two samples from 77 K to 500 K

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tripathi, T. S.; Bala, M.; Asokan, K.

2014-08-01

We report on an experimental setup for the simultaneous measurement of the thermoelectric power (TEP) of two samples in the temperature range from 77 K to 500 K using optimum electronic instruments. The setup consists of two rectangular copper bars in a bridge arrangement for sample mounting, two surface mount (SM) chip resistors for creating alternate temperature gradient, and a type E thermocouple in differential geometry for gradient temperature (ΔT) measurement across the samples. In addition, a diode arrangement has been made for the alternate heating of SM resistors using only one DC current source. The measurement accuracy of ΔTmore » increases with the differential thermocouple arrangement. For the calibration of the setup, measurements of TEP on a high purity (99.99%) platinum wire and type K thermocouple wires Chromel and Alumel have been performed from 77 K to 500 K with respect to copper lead wires. Additionally, this setup can be utilized to calibrate an unknown sample against a sample of known absolute TEP.« less

Thermal annealing effect on structural and thermoelectric properties of hexagonal Bi2Te3 nanoplate thin films by drop-casting technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hosokawa, Yuichi; Wada, Kodai; Tanaka, Masaki; Tomita, Koji; Takashiri, Masayuki

2018-02-01

High-purity hexagonal bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) nanoplates were prepared by a solvothermal synthesis method, followed by the fabrication of nanoplate thin films by the drop-casting technique. The Bi2Te3 nanoplates exhibited a single-crystalline phase with a rhombohedral crystal structure. The nanoplates had a flat surface with edge sizes ranging from 500 to 2000 nm (average size of 1000 nm) and a thickness of less than 50 nm. The resulting Bi2Te3 nanoplate thin films were composed of well-aligned hexagonal nanoplates along the surface direction with an approximate film thickness of 40 µm. To tightly connect the nanoplates together within the thin films, thermal annealing was performed at different temperatures. We found that the thermoelectric properties, especially the Seebeck coefficient, were very sensitive to the annealing temperature. Finally, the optimum annealing temperature was determined to be 250 °C and the Seebeck coefficient and power factor were -300 µV/K and 3.5 µW/(cm·K2), respectively.

Surface modification of porous suspended ceramsite used for water treatment by activated carbon/Fe3O4 magnetic composites.

PubMed

Lu, Mang; Xia, Guang-Hua; Zhao, Xiao-Dong

2013-01-01

In this study, porous suspended ceramsite with a specific density close to that of water was prepared by high-temperature calcination using fly ash, feldspar, calcite, fired talc and kaolin as the raw materials. The ceramsite was modified by activated carbon/Fe3O4 magnetic composites. The optimum modification conditions determined by methylene blue adsorption experiment were: KOH/glucose ratio of 1.5:1, carbonization temperature of 400 degrees C, activation temperature of 850 degrees C, activation time of 1 h, and Fe3O4/KOH+glucose ratio of 1:10. The results demonstrated that the adsorption capacity of the modified ceramsite for methylene blue was significantly higher than that of the unmodified ones. The presence of the composites did not lead to significant decrease in the mechanical properties of the modified ceramsite. Moreover, the modified ceramsite showed good resistance towards acid and alkali. The modified ceramsite can be used as biocarrier and adsorbent for a wide range of contaminants in water and can subsequently be removed from the medium by a simple magnetic procedure.

High-temperature measurements of methane and acetylene using quantum cascade laser absorption near 8 μm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sajid, M. B.; Javed, T.; Farooq, A.

2015-04-01

The mid-infrared wavelength region near 8 μm contains absorption bands of several molecules such as water vapor, hydrogen peroxide, nitrous oxide, methane and acetylene. A new laser absorption sensor based on the ν4 band of methane and the ν4+ν5 band of acetylene is reported for interference-free, time-resolved measurements under combustion-relevant conditions. A detailed line-selection procedure was used to identify optimum transitions. Methane and acetylene were measured at the line centers of Q12 (1303.5 cm-1) and P23 (1275.5 cm-1) transitions, respectively. High-temperature absorption cross sections of methane and acetylene were measured at peaks (on-line) and valleys (off-line) of the selected absorption transitions. The differential absorption strategy was employed to eliminate interference absorption from large hydrocarbons. Experiments were performed behind reflected shock waves over a temperature range of 1200-2200 K, between pressures of 1-4 atm. The diagnostics were then applied to measure the respective species time-history profiles during the shock-heated pyrolysis of n-pentane.

Species profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Pacific Northwest): Dungeness crab. [Cancer magister dana

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pauley, G.B.; Armstrong, D.A.; Heun, T.W.

1986-08-01

The Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) is found off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and southern British Columbia, as well as in the estuarine waters of this geographic area. It is a shellfish highly prized and sought after by both commercialand sport fishermen. In Washington and Oregon, only male crabs may be retained by sport and commercial fishermen. Commercial crab catches are highly variable from year to year, but the catches from Washington and Oregon follow a very similar pattern. The highest sport catches take place on low tides ranging from -0.60 to -0.74 m. Dungeness crab go through a lifemore » cycle that involves several metamorphic stages: zoea, megalops, postlarval crab, and adult crab. Hatching success decreases as water temperature increases from 10 to 17/sup 0/C; the optimal temperature for larval crabs is between 10 and 14/sup 0/C. Salinity is not as important to egg development and hatching as temperature, but optimum hatching occurs at about 15 ppt.« less

Thickness Dependency of Thin Film Samaria Doped Ceria for Oxygen Sensing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sanghavi, Rahul P.; Nandasiri, Manjula I.; Kuchibhatla, Satyanarayana V N T

High temperature oxygen sensors are widely used for exhaust gas monitoring in automobiles. This particular study explores the use of thin film single crystalline samaria doped ceria as the oxygen sensing material. Desired signal to noise ratio can be achieved in a material system with high conductivity. From previous studies it is established that 6 atomic percent samarium doping is the optimum concentration for thin film samaria doped ceria to achieve high ionic conductivity. In this study, the conductivity of the 6 atomic percent samaria doped ceria thin film is measured as a function of the sensing film thickness. Hysteresismore » and dynamic response of this sensing platform is tested for a range of oxygen pressures from 0.001 Torr to 100 Torr for temperatures above 673 K. An attempt has been made to understand the physics behind the thickness dependent conductivity behavior of this sensing platform by developing a hypothetical operating model and through COMSOL simulations. This study can be used to identify the parameters required to construct a fast, reliable and compact high temperature oxygen sensor.« less

Effect of Bed Temperature on the Laser Energy Required to Sinter Copper Nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, N. K.; Dibua, O. G.; Cullinan, M. A.

2018-03-01

Copper nanoparticles (NPs), due to their high electrical conductivity, low cost, and easy availability, provide an excellent alternative to other metal NPs such as gold, silver, and aluminum in applications ranging from direct printing of conductive patterns on metal and flexible substrates for printed electronics applications to making three-dimensional freeform structures for interconnect fabrication for chip-packaging applications. Lack of research on identification of optimum sintering parameters such as fluence/irradiance requirements for sintering of Cu NPs serves as the primary motivation for this study. This article focuses on the identification of a good sintering irradiance window for Cu NPs on an aluminum substrate using a continuous wave (CW) laser. The study also includes the comparison of CW laser sintering irradiance windows obtained with substrates at different initial temperatures. The irradiance requirements for sintering of Cu NPs with the substrate at 150-200°C were found to be 5-17 times smaller than the irradiance requirements for sintering with the substrate at room temperature. These findings were also compared against the results obtained with a nanosecond (ns) laser and a femtosecond (fs) laser.

Ultra-stable self-foaming oils.

PubMed

Binks, Bernard P; Marinopoulos, Ioannis

2017-05-01

This paper is concerned with the foaming of a range of fats in the absence of added foaming agent/emulsifier. By controlling the temperature on warming from the solid or cooling from the melt, crystals of high melting triglycerides form in a continuous phase of low melting triglycerides. Such crystal dispersions in oil can be aerated to produce whipped oils of high foamability and extremely high stability. The foams do not exhibit drainage and bubbles neither coarsen nor coalesce as they become coated with solid crystals. The majority of the findings relate to coconut oil but the same phenomenon occurs in shea butter, cocoa butter and palm kernel stearin. For each fat, there exists an optimum temperature for foaming at which the solid fat content reaches up to around 30%. We demonstrate that the oil foams are temperature-responsive and foam collapse can be controllably triggered by warming the foam to around the melting point of the crystals. Our hypothesis is given credence in the case of the pure system of tristearin crystals in liquid tricaprylin. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Solubility and precipitation of nicotinic acid in supercritical carbon dioxide.

PubMed

Rehman, M; Shekunov, B Y; York, P; Colthorpe, P

2001-10-01

Solubilities of a model compound (nicotinic acid) in pure supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO(2)) and SC-CO(2) modified with methanol have been measured in the pressure range of 80-200 bar and between temperatures of 35 and 90 degrees C. On-line ultraviolet detection enabled a simple and relatively fast measurement of very low levels of solubility (10(-7) mol fraction) with good accuracy in pure and modified SC-CO(2). The solute solubility in both pure SC-CO(2) and SC-CO(2) modified with methanol increased with pressure at all investigated temperatures. A retrograde solubility behavior was observed in that, at pressures below 120 bar, a solubility decrease on temperature increase occurred. Solubility data were used to calculate supersaturation values and to define optimum operating conditions to obtain crystalline particles 1-5 microm in diameter using the solution-enhanced dispersion by supercritical fluids (SEDS) process, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of a one-step production process for particulate pharmaceuticals suitable for respiratory drug delivery. Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association J Pharm Sci 90:1570-1582, 2001

Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Reserpine Adsorption onto Strong Acidic Cationic Exchange Fiber

PubMed Central

Guo, Zhanjing; Liu, Xiongmin; Huang, Hongmiao

2015-01-01

The kinetics and thermodynamics of the adsorption process of reserpine adsorbed onto the strong acidic cationic exchange fiber (SACEF) were studied by batch adsorption experiments. The adsorption capacity strongly depended on pH values, and the optimum reserpine adsorption onto the SACEF occurred at pH = 5 of reserpine solution. With the increase of temperature and initial concentration, the adsorption capacity increased. The equilibrium was attained within 20 mins. The adsorption process could be better described by the pseudo-second-order model and the Freundlich isotherm model. The calculated activation energy Ea was 4.35 kJ/mol. And the thermodynamic parameters were: 4.97<ΔH<7.44 kJ/mol, -15.29<ΔG<-11.87 kJ/mol and 41.97<ΔS<47.35 J/mol·K. The thermodynamic parameters demonstrated that the adsorption was an endothermic, spontaneous and feasible process of physisorption within the temperature range between 283 K and 323 K and the initial concentration range between 100 mg/L and 300 mg/L. All the results showed that the SACEF had a good adsorption performance for the adsorption of reserpine from alcoholic solution. PMID:26422265

Simulation of Nanowires on Metal Vicinal Surfaces: Effect of Growth Parameters and Energetic Barriers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamouda, Ajmi B. H.; Blel, Sonia; Einstein, T. L.

2012-02-01

Growing one-dimensional metal structures is an important task in the investigation of the electronic and magnetic properties of new devices. We used kinetic Monte-Carlo (kMC) method to simulate the formation of nanowires of several metallic and non-metallic adatoms on Cu and Pt vicinal surfaces. We found that mono-atomic chains form on step-edges due to energetic barriers (the so-called Ehrlich-shwoebel and exchange barriers) on step-edge. Creation of perfect wires is found to depend on growth parameters and binding energies. We measure the filling ratio of nanowires for different chemical species in a wide range of temperature and flux. Perfect wires were obtained at lower deposition rate for all tested adatoms, however we notice different temperature ranges. Our results were compared with experimental ones [Gambardella et al., Surf. Sci.449, 93-103 (2000), PRB 61, 2254-2262, (2000)]. We review the role of impurities in nanostructuring of surfaces [Hamouda et al., Phys. Rev. B 83, 035423, (2011)] and discuss the effect of their energetic barriers on the obtained quality of nanowires. Our work provides experimentalists with optimum growth parameters for the creation of a uniform distribution of wires on surfaces.

Fe3O4/SiO2-g-PSStNa polymer nanocomposite microspheres (PNCMs) from a surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) approach for pectinase immobilization.

PubMed

Lei, Zhongli; Ren, Na; Li, Yanli; Li, Na; Mu, Bo

2009-02-25

Polymer nanocomposite microspheres (PNCMs) as solid supports can improve the efficiency of immobilized enzymes by reducing diffusional limitation as well as by increasing the surface area per mass unit. In this work, pectinase was immobilized on Fe(3)O(4)/SiO2-g-poly(PSStNa) nanocomposite microspheres by covalent attachment. Biochemical studies showed an improved storage stability of the immobilized pectinase as well as enhanced performance at higher temperatures and over a wider pH range. The immobilized enzyme retained >50% of its initial activity over 30 days, and the optimum temperature and pH also increased to the ranges of 50-60 degrees C and 3.0-4.7, respectively. The kinetics of a model reaction catalyzed by the immobilized pectinase was finally investigated by the Michaelis-Menten equation. The PSStNa support presents a very simple, mild, and time-saving process for enzyme immobilization, and this strategy of immobilizing pectinase also makes use of expensive enzymes economically viable, strengthening repeated use of them as catalysts following their rapid and easy separation with a magnet.