Using Kelgin to Increase Heat Resistance and Strength of the Sheet of Paper Against Prolonged Heating

The purpose of this paper has been to examine what properties of sheet strength may be stabilized by the use of kelgin in a size press application and after a subsequent heating period. A softwood kraft pulp was used because of the strength properties which it possesses. Alkaline sizing with Aquapel and Kymene was felt to be the best because of the alkaline p.H. range which was desired. The sheets were sized with solutions of Kelgin (M .V.) of varying concentrations and treated at 150 and 175 °C. The effects were studied using the M.I .T. Fold Test, the Instron Tensile (kg to rupture), and the Instron Elongation. The results showed that as the concentrations of the kelgin size solutions increased, some protection was afforded the fiber against prolonged heating. The strength loss was appreciable in the samples which were treated at the different temperatures. The room temperature samples showed higher strength properties than either of the samples heated at 150 or 175°C. which was as expected. It was shown that the high viscosity of the kelgin solutions at the concentrations of 1.00 and 1.25 percent tended to . give a tapering off of the protection which was expected. A viscosity reducer (Azite 900 Liquifier) was used in conjunction with the kelgin solutions to study the effects of a reduced viscosity on strength maintenance. It was shown that the liquefier did indeed increase the penetration of the kelgin into the sheet and provide a better protection. The experimental findings demonstrate that the use of kelgin in the form of a sizing solution can give beneficial results against loss of strength upon prolonged heating. It was also shown that the magnitude of this effect was not as great as had been expected from previous findings

MULTIPLE COMPARISONS WITH THE BEST: BAYESIAN PRECISION MEASURES OF EFFICIENCY RANKINGS

A large literature exists on measuring the allocative and technical efficiency of a set of firms. A segment of this literature uses data envelopment analysis (DEA), creating relative efficiency rankings that are nonstochastic and thus cannot be evaluated according to the precision of the rankings. A parallel literature uses econometric techniques to estimate stochastic production frontiers or distance functions, providing at least the possibility of computing the precision of the resulting efficiency rankings. Recently, Horrace and Schmidt (2000) have applied sampling theoretic statistical techniques known as multiple comparisons with control (MCC) and multiple comparisons with the best (MCB) to the issue of measuring the precision of efficiency rankings. This paper offers a Bayesian multiple comparison alternative that we argue is simpler to implement, gives the researcher increased exibility over the type of comparison made, and provides greater, and more in-tuitive, information content. We demonstrate this method on technical efficiency rankings of a set of U.S. electric generating firms derived within a distance function framework.Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

RESPONSE OF WARM SEASON TURFGRASSES TO REDUCED LIGHT ENVIRONMENTS

Shade or low light tolerance is an increasingly important issue to turf managers as they are often expected to grow turf in less than ideal agronomic conditions. As permanent structures such as residential buildings add to already problematic shade caused by trees, and other barriers, new solutions are needed to help turf managers provide acceptable turf conditions. The plant growth regulator trinexapac-ethyl (TE) can lessen negative responses of turfgrass to shade. Two experiments were conducted during the summers of 2008 and 2009 to evaluate various grasses under a reduced light environment (RLE). In the first study, performance of `Diamond\u27 zoysiagrass in a RLE was evaluated when maintained under putting green conditions. In a second study, performance of various cultivars of zoysiagrass [Zoysia japonica Steud.] [Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr.] and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy] were evaluated under a RLE. Both studies included three levels of shade: (0, 60, and 90%) and two levels of trinexapac-ethyl (0 and 0.57 kg ai ha-1 wk-1 Primo MAXX 1 EC). TE treatments were applied with a CO2 backpack operating at 189.5 L ha-1 (20 GPA) with an 8003 flat flan nozzle. Application of shade was initiated on 23 May 2008 and removed 30 October 2008. In 2009 application of shade was initiated 24 May and removed 31 October. Plot size in the first study was 2m by 1.5m. Shade structures were maintained at a height of 45 cm above ground level to maintain proper airflow. Shade tents were removed 2 hours weekly to take measurements and perform maintenance. In the first study, application of Trinexapac-ethyl to 90% shade increased turf quality by ~4 units from 1 to ~5 at the end of each study year. While still not commercially acceptable (TQ≥7), some turf cover was still preserved. Other plant responses measured included percent lateral regrowth (LR), total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC), clipping yield, ball roll distance, and total shoot chlorophyll. Lateral regrowth increased initially with shade application until plant health declined, leading to decreased LR. Application of TE decreased LR by limiting plant growth. Total non-structural carbohydrates decreased with increasing shade application, and increased with TE application. Clipping yield initially increase in both 60% and 90% RLE, then declined as plant health declined. Application of TE slowed clipping yield production at the beginning of the study, then increased clipping yield at the end due to increase in plant health from TE application compared to treatments not receiving TE. Ball roll distance was decreased by 60% and 90% RLE initially. As plant health in 90% RLE without TE and 90% RLE + TE declined, ball roll distance increased due to declining turf cover. Chlorophyll concentration was increased by both 60% RLE with and without TE. Ninety percent RLE with and without TE reduced chlorophyll concentration. In the second study, TQ decreased with increasing RLE level in all cultivars. At the end of both years, Diamond and Meyer zoysiagrass demonstrated the highest TQ in a 60% RLE out of all cultivars. In a 90% RLE, Meyer zoysiagrass demonstrated the highest TQ at the end of each year. Application of TE increased TQ of cultivars grown in 60% and 90% RLE. At the end of 2009, Meyer zoysiagrass + TE application was the only cultivar to maintain turf cover in a 90% RLE. Clipping yield was initially increased in all cultivars by increased levels of RLE. Application of TE decreased clipping yield. As plant health declined, clipping yield also decreased. At the end of the study, TE application increased clipping yield as a result of increased plant health. Initially, an increase was seen in chlorophyll concentration with increased levels of RLE. Application of TE to RLE treatments further increased chlorophyll concentration. At the end of each study, chlorophyll concentration decreased in 60% and 90% RLE treatments as plant health declined. Once again, as TE application increased plant health, chlorophyll concentration was increased

Stroke, High Blood Pressure and The Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System – New Developments

This review considers whether a case can be made for a protective effect of inhibitors and blockers of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) on the cerebral circulation. It first looks at whether there exists a preferential effect on the cerebral circulation during a drug-induced lowering of high arterial blood pressure and cardiovascular morbi-mortality. It then goes on to consider background studies on the relationship between inhibition of the RAAS and stroke. This is followed by exploration of possible new directions in the inhibition of the RAAS and its effect on stroke

Biology, Ecology, and Control of Doveweed (Murdannia nudiflora [L.] Brenan)

Doveweed (Murdannia nudiflora [L.] Brenan) is a summer annual in the Southeastern United States with an expanding geographic range. The light green color and texture of doveweed is problematic for turfgrass managers as it contrasts with the color and texture of desirable turfgrasses. Limited research is available concerning the biology, ecology, and herbicide control options for doveweed. Therefore, experiments were conducted to improve the understanding of how environmental conditions effect doveweed germination, how cultural practices and environmental resource availability effect doveweed growth and development, to identify pre- and postemergence herbicides with efficacy for doveweed control, and to improve the understanding of why poor control is observed with postemergence herbicides. Doveweed germination was affected by scarification, osmotic potential and salt concentration. Mechanical abrasion of the seed coat increased germination to 84% compared to 18% in non-scarified seed. Germination was similar between osmotic potentials of 0 and -0.4 MPa and was reduced ~50% in a -0.8 MPa solution, suggesting doveweed favors a moist environment for germination. Germination was similar between NaCl concentrations of 0 and 40 mM, and reduced ~50% in a 160 mM NaCl solution, suggesting infestations can occur in moderately saline soils. Germination was not affected by nitrate concentration or pH. Doveweed spread of established plants was between 30 and 46% less in response to low mowing after one study year; however, differences in doveweed spread were not detected after year two. The lack of mowing height effect was attributed to recruitment of doveweed seedlings from seeds produced at the end of year one. This result suggests doveweed infestations can rapidly increase in severity if left unchecked. When grown in competition with `Tifway\u27 bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy), doveweed coverage per plant was ~38% less when mown at 1.32 cm compared to mowing at 2.65 cm. In the same study, increasing nitrogen rate from 24.5 to 49 kg N ha-1 increased doveweed spread per plant 75%. In response to a reduced light environment (RLE), shoot production did not increase on a weight basis; however, an etiolation response was detected as internode length increased 28% in plants grown in a 30% RLE and 39% in a 50 and 70% RLE. Root production on a weight basis was between 46 and 59% less in all RLE treatments compared to full sunlight treatments. Doveweed shoot growth was significantly greater in plants maintained above 50% field capacity (FC) and plants maintained at ≥75% FC produced more root biomass than 50, 25, and 12.5% FC treatments, further suggesting doveweed suggests a moist environment for growth and development. Sequential applications of pre- and postemergence herbicides improved doveweed control compared to single applications. Indaziflam, dimethenamid-p, and oxadiazon applied at 0.054, 1.68, and 3.36 kg ai ha-1, respectively, provided ~12, 6, and 6 wk of doveweed control, respectively, when applied on May 1 in Augusta, GA. Postemergence control was greatest following sequential application of sulfentrazone + metsulfuron at 0.30 kg ai ha-1, thiencarbazone + iodosulfuron + dicamba at 0.176 kg ai ha-1, 2,4-D + MCPP + dicamba + carfentrazone at 0.123 kg ai ha-1, or thiencarbazone + foramsulfuron + halosulfuron at 0.136 kg ai ha-1 21 days apart

From fat to bilayers: Understanding where and how vitamin E works

Vitamin E was one of the last fat-soluble vitamins to be discovered. We provide here an historical review of the discovery and the increasingly more detailed understanding of the role of α-tocopherol both as an antioxidant and as a structural component of phospholipid bilayer membranes. Despite the detailed descriptions now available of the orientation, location, and dynamics of α-tocopherol in lipid bilayers, there are still gaps in our knowledge of the effect of α-tocopherol and its potential receptors than control gene transcription

Vitamin E-inspired multi-scale imaging agent

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd The production and use of multi-modal imaging agents is on the rise. The vast majority of these imaging agents are limited to a single length scale for the agent (e.g. tissues only), which is typically at the organ or tissue scale. This work explores the synthesis of such an imaging agent and discusses the applications of our vitamin E-inspired multi-modal and multi-length scale imaging agents TB-Toc ((S,E)-5,5-difluoro-7-(2-(5-((6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-yl) methyl) thiophen-2-yl) vinyl)-9-methyl-5H-dipyrrolo-[1,2-c:2’,1’-f][1,3,2]diazaborinin-4-ium-5-uide). We investigate the toxicity of TB-Toc along with the starting materials and lipid based delivery vehicle in mouse myoblasts and fibroblasts. Further we investigate the uptake of TB-Toc delivered to cultured cells in both solvent and liposomes. TB-Toc has low toxicity, and no change in cell viability was observed up to concentrations of 10 mM. TB-Toc shows time-dependent cellular uptake that is complete in about 30 min. This work is the first step in demonstrating our vitamin E derivatives are viable multi-modal and length scale diagnostic tools

Non-Reacting Spray Characteristics of Gasoline and Diesel With a Heavy-Duty Single-Hole Injector

Gasoline compression ignition (GCI) is a promising combustion technology that could help alleviate the projected demand for diesel in commercial transport while providing a pathway to achieve upcoming CO2 and criteria pollutant regulations for heavy-duty engines. However, relatively high (i.e., diesel-like) injection pressures are needed to enable GCI across the entire load range while maintaining soot emissions benefits and managing heat release rates. There have only been a limited number of previous studies investigating the spray characteristics of light distillates with high-pressure direct-injection hardware under charge gas conditions relevant to heavy-duty applications. The current work aims to address this issue while providing experimental data needed for calibrating spray models used in simulation-led design activities. The non-reacting spray characteristics of two gasoline-like fuels relevant to GCI were studied and compared to ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD). These fuels shared similar physical properties and were thus differentiated based on their research octane number (RON). Although RON60 and RON92 had different reactivities, it was hypothesized that they would exhibit similar non-reacting spray characteristics due to their physical similarities. Experiments were conducted in an optically accessible, constant volume combustion chamber using a single-hole injector representing high-pressure, common-rail fuel systems. Shadowgraph and Mie-scattering techniques were employed to measure the spray dispersion angles and penetration lengths under both non-vaporizing and vaporizing conditions. Gasoline-like fuels exhibited similar or larger non-vaporizing dispersion angle compared to ULSD. All fuels followed a typical correlation based on air-to-fuel density ratio indicating that liquid density is the main governing fuel parameter. Injection pressure had a negligible effect on the dispersion angle. Gasoline-like fuels had slower non-vaporizing penetration rates compared to ULSD, primarily due to their larger dispersion angles. As evidenced by the collapse of data onto a non-dimensional penetration correlation over a wide range of test conditions, all fuels conformed to the expected physical theory governing non-vaporizing sprays. There was no significant trend in the vaporizing dispersion angle with respect to fuel type which remained relatively constant across the entire charge gas temperature range of 800–1200 K. There was also no discernable difference in vapor penetration among the fuels or across charge temperature. The liquid length of gasoline-like fuels was much shorter than ULSD and exhibited no dependence on charge temperature at a given charge gas pressure. This behavior was attributed to gasoline being limited by interphase transport as opposed to mixing or air entrainment rates during its evaporation process. RON92 had a larger non-vaporizing dispersion angle but similar penetration compared to RON60. Although this seems to violate the original similarity hypothesis for these fuels, the analysis was made difficult due to the use of different injector builds for the experiments. However, RON92 did show a slightly larger vapor dispersion angle than RON60 and ULSD. This observation was attributed to nuanced volatility differences between the gasoline-like fuels and indicates that vapor dispersion angle likely relies on a more complex correlation beyond that of only air-to-fuel density ratio. Finally, RON92 showed the same quantitative liquid length and insensitivity to charge gas temperature as RON60

Pharmacy Practice and Education in Latvia

The PHARMINE (“Pharmacy Education in Europe”) project studied the organisation of pharmacy practice and education in the member states of the European Union (EU). The work was carried out using an electronic survey sent to chosen pharmacy representatives. The surveys of the individual member states are now being published as reference documents. This paper presents the results of the PHARMINE survey on pharmacy practice and education in Latvia. In the light of this, we examine the harmonisation of practice and education in Latvia with EU norms.publishersversionPeer reviewe