Effect of quantum confinement on the dielectric function of PbSe

Monolayers of lead selenide nanocrystals of a few nanometers in height have been made by electrodeposition on a Au(111) substrate. These layers show a thickness-dependent dielectric function, which was determined using spectroscopic ellipsometry. The experimental results are compared with electronic structure calculations of the imaginary part of the dielectric function of PbSe nanocrystals. We demonstrate that the size-dependent variation of the dielectric function is affected by quantum confinement at well-identifiable points in the Brillouin zone, different from the position of the band-gap transition

Karakteristik Surimi Yang Dibuat Dari Hasil Pencucian Daging Ikan Cakalang (Katsuwonus Pelamis L) Dengan Air Dingin (± 4ºc)

This research intended to study the effect of washing period of skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis L) meat with cold water to the chemical and physical properties of surimi. The functional properties of surimi was tested either by physical or chemical analysis. In this study we measured folding test, texture and fat content. A complete randomized design were designated for this study with washing period as a treatment ( 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 min). The average value of folding test were 2.2, 2.6, 3.0, 3.8 and 4.6, respectively. There is an increment of folding test value as the washing period increased. The average value of the texture analysis were 3.0, 3.8, 4.4, 5.1 and 5.9. Likewise, the longer the washing time, the firmer the texture. However, as the washing period increased, the fat content of surimi tend to decrease

Mutu Ikan Cakalang (Katsuwonus Pelamis L) Asap Yang Direndam Dengan Larutan Kulit Buah Manggis (Gracinia Mangostana Linn).

The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of smoked skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis L) smoke pre-treated in a solution of mangosteen peel with a concentration of 3, 4 and 5%, with various soaking time, then stored and observed at 0, 3, 6, and 9 days. The results showed that the highest value of total plate count (TPC) was found in the fish sample storage for 9 days, soaking with a concentration of 3% for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the lowest TPC value was discovered for the fish samples that did not undergo storage, and immersed in a solution of 5% for 30 minutes. Furthermore, the highest TVB value (Total Volatile bases) was detected in fish samples soaked with 3% solution of the mangosteen for 15 minutes (59.22mg N/100g) while the lowest value obtained on the fish sample marinated with 5% concentration for 15 minutes and did not experience storage (5.04mg N/100g)

Analysis of chromosome positions in the interphase nucleus of Chinese hamster cells by laser-UV-microirradiation experiments

Unsynchronized cells of an essentially diploid strain of female Chinese hamster cells derived from lung tissue (CHL) were laser-UV-microirradiated (=257 nm) in the nucleus either at its central part or at its periphery. After 7–9 h postincubation with 0.5 mM caffeine, chromosome preparations were made in situ. Twenty-one and 29 metaphase spreads, respectively, with partial chromosome shattering (PCS) obtained after micro-irradiation at these two nuclear sites, were Q-banded and analyzed in detail. A positive correlation was observed between the frequency of damage of chromosomes and both their DNA content and length at metaphase. No significant difference was observed between the frequencies of damage obtained for individual chromosomes at either site of microirradiation. The frequency of joint damage of homologous chromosomes was low as compared to nonhomologous ones. Considerable variation was noted in different cells in the combinations of jointly shattered chromosomes. Evidence which justifies an interpretation of these data in terms of an interphase arrangement of chromosome territories is discussed. Our data strongly argue against somatic pairing as a regular event, and suggest a considerable variability of chromosome positions in different nuclei. However, present data do not exclude the possibility of certain non-random chromosomal arrangements in CHL-nuclei. The interphase chromosome distribution revealed by these experiments is compared with centromere-centromere, centromere-center and angle analyses of metaphase spreads and the relationship between interphase and metaphase arrangements of chromosomes is discussed

A comparison of the Nordtest and Japanese test methods for the moisture buffering performance of building materials

Two test methods, one worked out in a Nordtest project and the other available as a Japanese Industrial Standard, both developed to characterize building materials with respect to moisture buffering performance, are analyzed in detail by a numerical study on four different materials. Both test methods are based on a similar kind of dynamic loading, but the specifications of each test protocol vary. Therefore, the sensitivity of the test protocols is investigated by varying different protocol parameters. Subsequently, the practical applicability of the obtained values is investigated by confronting the values obtained for the four materials with the dynamic response of a small room with each of the materials used in turns as finishing material. Finally, the results determined according to the dynamic test protocol are compared with values calculated from steady-state material data.status: publishe

Stakeholder Delphi-perception analysis on impacts and responses of acid rain on agricultural ecosystems in the Vietnamese upland

Vietnam is one of most vulnerable countries to acid rain in Asia. In the Vietnamese Northern Mountains, acid rainwater affects negatively to local agricultural ecosystems. This paper analyzes how major agricultural stakeholders living in the mountains assess the impacts of acid rain and their responses on agricultural ecosystems. A two-round Stakeholder Delphi combined with the pressure-state-response (PSR) model allows ranking effects, mitigation and adaptation measures. Eight themes, 14 sub-themes, and 35 indicators for acid rain are structured in the PSR model. The results show that deforestation and rainfall variability relate to changes in the concentrations of acid ions in rainwater. Energy consumption in the industry and transportation, chemical fertilizer use in agriculture, and air pollution from neighboring areas contribute significantly to acid rain. Acid rain affects agriculture and decreases crop yields, causes arable land loss, reduces nutrients and organic matter, and accumulates heavy metals. Panel members perceive that applying local knowledge in agricultural practices, rational energy use, promotion of integrated agricultural policies, and changing farmer behaviors are measures to mitigate acid rain and its adverse effects. The results contribute to a vision on local adaptation actions and policy to foster the capacity and the resilience of major local group

Onzekerheid over de baten van de Betuwelijn

Model estimates of the pay-off of the Betuwe railway have played an important role for politicians to decide to build this railway. This has already been discussed extensively, especially with respect to the macro-economic effects of this investment. A deeper analysis shows that these effects are very difficult to assess. The NIJFER institute for example calculated a long term profit of 52.1 biljon Dutch guilders, but our analysis of this model shows that the profit lays with 50 reliability between 15 and 30 biljon Dutch guilders. Our conclusion is that this political investment decision is not sufficiently supported by the expected macro-economic pay-off. A prudent use of quantitative research requires that the involved uncertainties in the model outcomes is properly taken into account

Sex chromosome positions in human interphase nuclei as studied by in situ hybridization with chromosome specific DNA probes

Two cloned repetitive DNA probes, pXBR and CY1, which bind preferentially to specific regions of the human X and Y chromosome, respectively, were used to study the distribution of the sex chromosomes in human lymphocyte nuclei by in situ hybridization experiments. Our data indicate a large variability of the distances between the sex chromosomes in male and female interphase nuclei. However, the mean distance observed between the X and Y chromosome was significantly smaller than the mean distance observed between the two X-chromosomes. The distribution of distances determined experimentally is compared with three model distributions of distances, and the question of a non-random distribution of sex chromosomes is discussed. Mathematical details of these model distributions are provided in an Appendix to this paper. In the case of a human translocation chromosome (XqterXp22.2::Yq11Y qter) contained in the Chinese hamster x human hybrid cell line 445 x 393, the binding sites of pXBR and CY1 were found close to each other in most interphase nuclei. These data demonstrate the potential use of chromosome-specific repetitive DNA probes to study the problem of interphase chromosome topography

The biomass based electricity generation potential of the Province of Cienfuegos, Cuba

By 2013, the province of Cienfuegos in Cuba consumed about 5165 GWh of primary energy, of which an estimated 60 % was used to produce 767 GWh of electricity. 29 % of the primary energy was obtained from renewable fuel, and only less than 5 % of the biomass energy, was used to produce about 27 GWh of biomass based electricity. This study proposes and assesses opportunities to produce electricity from biomass in the sugar industry of the province. The scenarios considered include: upgrading the agricultural yield of sugarcane, producing energy cane and combusting it after the sugarcane milling season, combusting the filter cake, combusting marabu (Dichrostachys cinerea, a bush tree considered a plague in Cuba) after the sugarcane milling season, and updating the electricity generation technology. Results are given for the different scenarios and it is shown that a combined scenario, including upgrading agricultural yield of sugarcane, upgrading electricity generation technology, combusting filter cake, and producing energy cane to generate electricity after the sugarcane milling season, thus allowing to use the generation units in sugar factories during 8000 h per year affords a potential production of 1150 GWh of electricity, 50 % more than consumed in Cienfuegos province in 2013. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht