Abstract: This research project aims to investigate difference in
relative rates concerning phosphoryl transfer relevant to biological
catalysis of DNA and RNA in the pH-independent reactions.
Activated Models of DNA and RNA for alkyl-aryl phosphate diesters
(with 4-nitrophenyl as a good leaving group) have successfully been
prepared to gather kinetic parameters. Eyring plots for the pH–
independent hydrolysis of 1 and 2 were established at different
temperatures in the range 100–160 °C. These measurements have
been used to provide a better estimate for the difference in relative
rates between the reactivity of DNA and RNA cleavage. Eyring plot
gave an extrapolated rate of kH2O = 1 × 10-10 s -1 for 1 (RNA model)
and 2 (DNA model) at 25°C. Comparing the reactivity of RNA
model and DNA model shows that the difference in relative rates in
the pH-independent reactions is surprisingly very similar at 25°. This
allows us to obtain chemical insights into how biological catalysts
such as enzymes may have evolved to perform their current
functions.
Abstract: The potential of entomopathogenic nematodes in suppressing T. squalida population on cauliflower from transplanting to harvest was evaluated. Significant reductions in plant infestation percentage and population density (/m2) were recorded throughout the plantation seasons, 2011 and 2012 before and after spraying the plants. The percent reduction in numbers/m2 was the highest in March for the treatments with Heterorhabditis indica Behera and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Giza during the plantation season 2011, while at the plantation season 2012, the reduction in population density was the highest in January for Heterorhabditis Indica Behera and in February for H . bacteriophora Giza treatments. In a comparison test with conventional insecticides Hostathion and Lannate, there were no significant differences in control measures resulting from treatments with H. indica Behera, H. bacteriophora Giza and Lannate. At the plantation season is 2012. Also, the treatments reduced the economic threshold of T. squalida on cauliflower in this experiment as compared with before and after spraying with both the two entomopathogenic nematodes at both seasons 2011 and 2012. This means an increase in the marketability of heads harvested as a consequence of monthly treatments.
Abstract: Generation of electricity from coal has increased over
the years in the United States and around the world. Burning of coal
results in annual production of upwards of 100 millions tons (United
States only) of coal combustion products (CCPs). Only about a third
of these products are being used to create new products while the
remainder goes to landfills. Application of CCPs mixed with
composted organic materials onto soil can improve the soil-s
physico-chemical conditions and provide essential plant nutritients.
Our objective was to create plant growth media utilizing CCPs and
compost in way which maximizes the use of these products and, at
the same time, maintain good plant growth. Media were formulated
by adding composted organic matter (COM) to CCPs at ratios
ranging from 2:8 to 8:2 (v/v). The quality of these media was
evaluated by measuring their physical and chemical properties and
their effect on plant growth. We tested the media by 1) measuring
their physical and chemical properties and 2) the growth of three
plant species in the experimental media: wheat (Triticum sativum),
tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) and marigold (Tagetes patula).
We achieved significantly (p < 0.001) higher growth (7-130%) in the
experimental media containing CCPs compared to a commercial mix.
The experimental media supplied adequate plant nutrition as no
fertilization was provided during the experiment. Based on the
results, we recommend the use of CCPs and composts for the
creation of plant growth media.
Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of
gibberellic acid and 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on flower
number, fruit growth and fruit quality of wax apple. GA3 and 2,4-D
were applied at small bud and petal fall stage. Number of flower,
fruit set, fruit drop, fruit crack, fruit growth and fruit quality were
recorded. Results indicated that spraying with 10 ppm GA3 had the
best results in number of flower. GA3 spray at 30 ppm gave the
faster rate of fruit growth than the other treatments. Fruit set, fruit
size as well as fruit weight markedly improved by spraying 30 ppm
GA3, followed by 10 ppm GA3 compared to untreated control.
Moreover, spray GA3 at 30 ppm was the most effective and
increased total soluble solids, reduced titratable acidity and fruit
drop. On the other hand, it was noticed that with 10 ppm 2,4-D
application also enhanced the fruit growth rate, improved
physiological and biochemical characters of fruit compared to
untreated control. It was concluded that both GA3 and 2,4-D spray
have positive effects on fruit development, reduced fruit drop, fruit
crack and improved fruit quality of wax apple under field conditions.
Abstract: The seeds of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fall among the lesser known oil seeds. Cottonseeds are not normally consumed in their natural state due to their gossypol content, an antinutrient. The effect of processing on the sensory characteristics and chemical composition of cottonseed and its extract was studied by subjecting the cottonseed extract to heat treatment (boiling) and the cottonseed to fermentation. The cottonseed extract was boiled using the open pot and the pressure pot for 30 minutes respectively. The fermentation of the cottonseed was carried out for 6 days with samples withdrawn at intervals of 2 days. The extract and fermented samples were subjected to chemical analysis and sensory evaluated for colour, aroma, taste, mouth feel, appearance and overallacceptability. The open pot sample was more preferred. Fermentation for 6 days resulted into a significant reduction in gossypol level of the cottonseed; however, sample fermented for 2 days was most preferred.
Abstract: In situ observation of absorption spectral change of
heptil viologen cation radical (HV+.) was performed by slab optical
waveguide (SOWG) spectroscopy utilizing indium-tin-oxide (ITO)
electrodes. Synchronizing with electrochemical techniques, we
observed the adsorption process of HV+.on the ITO electrode. In this
study, we carried out the ITO-SOWG observations using KBr aqueous
solution containing different concentration of HV to investigate the
concentration dependent spectral change. A few specific absorption
bands, which indicated HV+.existed as both monomer and dimer on
ITO electrode surface with a monolayer or a few layers deposition,
were observed in UV-visible region. The change in the peak position
of the absorption spectra from adsorption species of HV+. were
correlated with the concentration of HV as well as the electrode
potential.
Abstract: Computer based geostatistical methods can offer effective data analysis possibilities for agricultural areas by using
vectorial data and their objective informations. These methods will help to detect the spatial changes on different locations of the large
agricultural lands, which will lead to effective fertilization for optimal yield with reduced environmental pollution. In this study, topsoil (0-20 cm) and subsoil (20-40 cm) samples were taken from a
sugar beet field by 20 x 20 m grids. Plant samples were also collected
from the same plots. Some physical and chemical analyses for these
samples were made by routine methods. According to derived variation coefficients, topsoil organic matter (OM) distribution was more than subsoil OM distribution. The highest C.V. value of
17.79% was found for topsoil OM. The data were analyzed
comparatively according to kriging methods which are also used
widely in geostatistic. Several interpolation methods (Ordinary,Simple and Universal) and semivariogram models (Spherical,
Exponential and Gaussian) were tested in order to choose the suitable
methods. Average standard deviations of values estimated by simple
kriging interpolation method were less than average standard
deviations (topsoil OM ± 0.48, N ± 0.37, subsoil OM ± 0.18) of measured values. The most suitable interpolation method was simple
kriging method and exponantial semivariogram model for topsoil,
whereas the best optimal interpolation method was simple kriging
method and spherical semivariogram model for subsoil. The results
also showed that these computer based geostatistical methods should
be tested and calibrated for different experimental conditions and semivariogram models.
Abstract: The rate of nitrate adsorption by a nitrate selective ion
exchange resin was investigated in a well-stirred batch experiments.
The kinetic experimental data were simulated with diffusion models including external mass transfer, particle diffusion and chemical
adsorption. Particle pore volume diffusion and particle surface diffusion were taken into consideration separately and simultaneously
in the modeling. The model equations were solved numerically using the Crank-Nicholson scheme. An optimization technique was
employed to optimize the model parameters. All nitrate concentration
decay data were well described with the all diffusion models. The
results indicated that the kinetic process is initially controlled by external mass transfer and then by particle diffusion. The external
mass transfer coefficient and the coefficients of pore volume diffusion and surface diffusion in all experiments were close to each
other with the average value of 8.3×10-3 cm/S for external mass
transfer coefficient. In addition, the models are more sensitive to the
mass transfer coefficient in comparison with particle diffusion. Moreover, it seems that surface diffusion is the dominant particle
diffusion in comparison with pore volume diffusion.
Abstract: novel and simple method is introduced for rapid and
highly efficient water treatment by reverse osmosis (RO) method using
multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) / polyacrylonitrile (PAN)
polymer as a flexible, highly efficient, reusable and semi-permeable
mixed matrix membrane (MMM). For this purpose, MWCNTs were
directly synthesized and on-line purified by chemical vapor deposition
(CVD) process, followed by directing the MWCNT bundles towards an
ultrasonic bath, in which PAN polymer was simultaneously suspended
inside a solid porous silica support in water at temperature to ~70 οC.
Fabrication process of MMM was finally completed by hot isostatic
pressing (HIP) process. In accordance with the analytical figures of
merit, the efficiency of fabricated MMM was ~97%. The rate of water
treatment process was also evaluated to 6.35 L min-1. The results reveal
that, the CNT-based MMM is suitable for rapid treatment of different
forms of industrial, sea, drinking and well water samples.
Abstract: Losses of surfactant due to sorption need to be
considered when selecting surfactant doses for soil bioremediation.
The degree of surfactant sorption onto soil depends primarily on the
organic carbon fraction of soil and the chemical nature of the
surfactant. The use of biosurfactants in the control of the
bioavailability of toxicants in soils is an attractive option because of
their biodegradability. In this work biosurfactants were produced
from a cheap raw material, trimming vine shoots, employing
Lactobacillus pentosus. When biosurfactants from L. pentosus was
added to sediments the surface tensión of the water containing the
sediments rapidly increase, the same behaviour was observed with
the chemical surfactant Tween 20; whereas sodyum dodecyl sulphate
(SDS) kept the surface tension of the water around 36 mN/m. It
means, that the behaviour of biosurfactants from L. pentosus is more
similar to non-ionic surfactatns than to anionic surfactants.
Abstract: Gilaburu (Viburnum opulus L.) grown naturally in
Anatolia. In this study, some physico-chemical (sugar, acid, protein,
crude fat, crude fiber, ash etc.) characteristics and mineral
composition of Gilaburu fruit have been investigated. The length,
width, thickness, weight, total soluble solid, protein, crude ash, crude
fiber and crude oil of fruit were found to be 1.12 cm, 1.58 cm, 1.87
cm, 0.87 g, 14.73 %, 0.2 %, 0.11 %, 6.56 % and 0.4 %, respectively.
The seed of fruit mean weight, length, width and thickness were
determinated as 0.08 g, 7.76 cm, 7.67 cm and 1.66, respectively. In
addition 27 mineral elements (Al, Mg, Na, Ba, Ca, Ni, Cd, P, Cr, Pb,
S, Cu, Se, Fe, K, Sr, Li, Z, V, Ag, Bi, Co, Mn, B, Ga, In, Ti) were
analyzed. Gilaburu (Viburnum opulus L.) fruit was richest in
potassium (10764.764 ppm), Mg (1289.088 ppm) and P (1304.169
ppm).
Abstract: The production and consumption of natural gas is on
the rise throughout the world as a result of its wide availability, ease
of transportation, use and clean-burning characteristics. The chief use
of ethane is in the chemical industry in the production of Ethene
(ethylene) by steam cracking. In this simulation, obtained ethane
recovery percent based on Gas sub-cooled process (GSP) is 99.9 by
mole that is included 32.1% by using de-methanizer column and
67.8% by de-ethanizer tower. The outstanding feature of this process
is the novel split-vapor concept that employs to generate reflux for
de-methanizer column. Remain amount of ethane in export gas cause
rise in gross heating value up to 36.66 MJ/Nm3 in order to use in
industrial and household consumptions.
Abstract: A pilot plant for continuous flow microwave-assisted
chemical reaction combined with microreactors was developed and
water heating tests were conducted for evaluation of the developed
plant. We developed a microwave apparatus having a single
microwave generator that can heat reaction solutions in four reaction
fields simultaneously in order to increase throughput. We also
designed a four-branch waveguide using electromagnetic simulation,
and found that the transmission efficiency at 99%. Finally, we
developed the pilot plant using the developed microwave apparatus
and conducted water heating tests. The temperatures in the respective
reaction fields were controlled within ±1.1 K at 353.2 K. Moreover,
the energy absorption rates by the water were about 90% in the
respective reaction fields, whereas the energy absorption rate was
about 40% when 100 cm3 of water was heated by a commercially
available multimode microwave chemical reactor.
Abstract: Alpinia galanga is rhizome, generally known as
Greater galangal and is selected for isolation of newer constituents
accountable for various therapeutic activities. Present study is
intended to isolate glycoside from Alpinia galanga rhizomes. Alpinia
galanga methanolic extract was column chromatograph and eluted
with ethyl acetate-methanol (99:1) to isolate compound β-Sitosterol
Diarabinoside. Herein, the isolation and structural elucidation of new
compound is described. Chemical investigation of methanolic extract
of rhizomes of Alpinia galanga furnished a new compound β-
Sitosterol Diarabinoside. The IR, NMR and MASS investigations of
isolated compound confirmed its structure as β-Sitosterol
Diarabinoside, which is isolated for the first time from a medicinal
plant or any synthetic source.
Abstract: Dehydration process was carried out for tomato slices of var. Avinash after giving different pre-treatments such as calcium chloride (CaCl2), potassium metabisulphite (KMS), calcium chloride and potassium metabisulphite (CaCl2 +KMS), and sodium chloride (NaCl). Untreated samples served as control. Solar drier and continuous conveyor (tunnel) drier were used for dehydration. Quality characteristics of tomato slices viz. moisture content, sugar, titratable acidity, lycopene content, dehydration ratio, rehydration ratio and non-enzymatic browning as affected by dehydration process were studied. Storage study was also carried out for a period of six months for tomato powder packed into different types of packaging materials viz. metalized polyester (MP) film and low density poly ethylene (LDPE). Changes in lycopene content and non-enzymatic browning (NEB) were estimated during storage at room temperature. Pretreatment of 5 mm thickness of tomato slices with calcium chloride in combination with potassium metabisulphite and drying using a tunnel drier with subsequent storage of product in metalized polyester bags was selected as the best process.
Abstract: During 2011 and 2012 seasons, Zaghloul date palms received four sprays of silicon (Si) at 0.05 to 0.1% and selenium (Se) at 0.01 to 0.02%. Growth, nutritional status, yield as well as physical and chemical characteristics of the fruits in response to application of silicon and selenium were investigated. Single and combined applications of silicon at 0.05 to 0.1% and selenium at 0.01 to 0.02% was very effective in enhancing the leaf area, total chlorophylls, percentages of N, P and K in the leaves, yield, bunch weight as well as physical and chemical characteristics of the fruits in relative to the check treatment. Silicon was superior to selenium in this respect. Combined application was favorable than using each alone in this connection. Treating Zaghloul date palms four times with a mixture of silicon at 0.05% + selenium at 0.01% resulted in an economical yield and producing better fruit quality.
Abstract: Lightweight ceramic materials in the form of bricks
and blocks are widely used in modern construction. They may be
obtained by adding of rice husk, rye straw, etc, as porous forming
materials. Rice husk is a major by-product of the rice milling
industry. Its utilization as a valuable product has always been a
problem. Various technologies for utilization of rice husk through
biological and thermochemical conversion are being developed.
The purpose of this work is to develop lightweight ceramic
materials with clay matrix and filler of rice husk and examine their
main physicomechanical properties. The results obtained allow to
suppose that the materials synthesized on the basis of waste materials
can be used as lightweight materials for construction purpose.
Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition method was used to
produce carbon nanotubes on an iron based catalyst from acetylene.
Gas-phase samples collected from the different positions of the tubular reactor were analyzed by GC/MS. A variety of species ranging from hydrogen to naphthalene were observed and changes in their concentrations were plotted against the reactor position. Briefly benzene, toluene, styrene, indene and naphthalene were the main
higher molecular weight species and vinylacetylene and diacetylene were the important intermediates. Nanotube characterization was performed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.
Abstract: The intention of this lessons is to assess the probability
of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for biometric recognition.
The OCT is the foundation on an optical signal acquisition and
processing method and has the micrometer-resolution. In this study,
we used the porcine skin for verifying the abovementioned means. The
porcine tissue was sound acknowledged for structural and
immunohistochemical similarity with human skin, so it could be
suitable for pre-clinical trial as investigational specimen. For this
reason, it was tattooed by the tattoo machine with the tattoo-pigment.
We detected the pattern of the tattooed skin by the OCT according to
needle speed. The result was consistent with the histology images.
This result showed that the OCT was effective to examine the tattooed
skin section noninvasively. It might be available to identify
morphological changes inside the skin.
Abstract: In this work, we treat the problems related to chemical and petrochemical plants of a certain complex process taking the centrifugal compressor as an example, a system being very complex by its physical structure as well as its behaviour (surge phenomenon). We propose to study the application possibilities of the recent control approaches to the compressor behaviour, and consequently evaluate their contribution in the practical and theoretical fields. Facing the studied industrial process complexity, we choose to make recourse to fuzzy logic for analysis and treatment of its control problem owing to the fact that these techniques constitute the only framework in which the types of imperfect knowledge can jointly be treated (uncertainties, inaccuracies, etc..) offering suitable tools to characterise them. In the particular case of the centrifugal compressor, these imperfections are interpreted by modelling errors, the neglected dynamics, no modelisable dynamics and the parametric variations. The purpose of this paper is to produce a total robust nonlinear controller design method to stabilize the compression process at its optimum steady state by manipulating the gas rate flow. In order to cope with both the parameter uncertainty and the structured non linearity of the plant, the proposed method consists of a linear steady state regulation that ensures robust optimal control and of a nonlinear compensation that achieves the exact input/output linearization.