Modelling of the radio spectrum evolution in the binary pulsar B1259−-63

In this paper we give the first attempt to model the evolution of the spectrum of PSR B1259$-$63 radio emission while the pulsar orbits the companion Be star. As suggested by Kijak et al. (Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 418:L114, 2011a) this binary system can be useful in understanding the origin of the gigahertz-peaked spectrum of pulsars. The model explains, at least qualitatively, the observed alterations of the spectral shape depending on the orbital phases of this pulsar. Thus, our results support the hypothesis that the external factors have a significant impact on the observed radio emission of a pulsar. The model can also contribute to our understanding of the origin of some non-typical spectral shapes(e.g. flat or broken spectra).Comment: 9 pages, 2 tables, 3 figure

Growth Kinetics of Vitamin C Crystals in a Batch L(+)-Ascorbic Acid – Methanol – Ethanol – Water System: Size Independent Growth Model Approach

The experimental data concerning growth kinetics of vitamin C (L(+)-ascorbic acid, LAA) crystals in a seeded and cooling batch mass crystallization process realized in a four–compound: L(+)-ascorbic acid–methanol–ethanol–water system are reported. Influences of initial composition of solution and its linear cooling rate on “average, effective” values of crystal linear growth rate were examined. Small divergences between LAA crystal size distributions (CSDs) data from granulometric analysis and Coulter counter were interpreted theoretically and discussed. Linear growth rates of crystals in a batch crystallizer were acquired with a proposed by Nývlt indirect method, based on the analysis of population density n(L) data in a MSMPR (mixed suspension mixed product removal) crystallizer. Size–independent growth (SIG) kinetics was assumed. It can be concluded, that the largest and the most uniform particles of purified, crystalline vitamin C correspond to higher initial concentration of L(+)-ascorbic acid in a solution and lower cooling rate applied

Growth Kinetics of Vitamin C Crystals in a Batch L(+)-Ascorbic Acid – Methanol – Ethanol – Water System: Size Independent Growth Model Approach

The experimental data concerning growth kinetics of vitamin C (L(+)-ascorbic acid, LAA) crystals in a seeded and cooling batch mass crystallization process realized in a four–compound: L(+)-ascorbic acid–methanol–ethanol–water system are reported. Influences of initial composition of solution and its linear cooling rate on “average, effective” values of crystal linear growth rate were examined. Small divergences between LAA crystal size distributions (CSDs) data from granulometric analysis and Coulter counter were interpreted theoretically and discussed. Linear growth rates of crystals in a batch crystallizer were acquired with a proposed by Nývlt indirect method, based on the analysis of population density n(L) data in a MSMPR (mixed suspension mixed product removal) crystallizer. Size–independent growth (SIG) kinetics was assumed. It can be concluded, that the largest and the most uniform particles of purified, crystalline vitamin C correspond to higher initial concentration of L(+)-ascorbic acid in a solution and lower cooling rate applied

Remobilization of leaf S compounds and senescence in response to restricted sulphate supply during the vegetative stage of oilseed rape are affected by mineral N availability

The impact of sulphur limitation on the remobilization of endogenous S compounds during the rosette stage of oilseed rape, and the interactions with N availability on these processes, were examined using a long-term 34SO42− labelling method combined with a study of leaf senescence progression (using SAG12/Cab as a molecular indicator) and gene expression of the transporters, BnSultr4;1 and BnSultr4;2, involved in vacuolar sulphate efflux. After 51 d on hydroponic culture at 0.3 mM 34SO42− (1 atom% excess), the labelling was stopped and plants were subject for 28 d to High S-High N (HS-HN, control), Low S-High N (LS-HN) or Low S-Low N (LS-LN) conditions. Compared with the control, LS-HN plants showed delayed leaf senescence and, whilst the shoot growth and the foliar soluble protein amounts were not affected, S, 34S, and SO42− amounts in the old leaves declined rapidly and were associated with the up-regulation of BnSultr4;1. In LS-LN plants, shoot growth was reduced, leaf senescence was accelerated, and the rapid S mobilization in old leaves was accompanied by decreased 34S and SO42−, higher protein mobilization, and up-regulation of BnSultr4;2, but without any change of expression of BnSultr4;1. The data suggest that to sustain the S demand for growth under S restriction (i) vacuolar SO42− is specifically remobilized in LS-HN conditions without any acceleration of leaf senescence, (ii) SO42− mobilization is related to an up-regulation of BnSultr4;1 and/or BnSultr4;2 expression, and (iii) the relationship between sulphate mobilization and up-regulation of expression of BnSultr4 genes is specifically dependent on the N availability

Enhanced MFC power production and struvite recovery by the addition of sea salts to urine

© 2016 The Authors Urine is an excellent fuel for electricity generation in Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs), especially with practical implementations in mind. Moreover, urine has a high content in nutrients which can be easily recovered. Struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) crystals naturally precipitate in urine, but this reaction can be enhanced by the introduction of additional magnesium. In this work, the effect of magnesium additives on the power output of the MFCs and on the catholyte generation is evaluated. Several magnesium sources including MgCl2, artificial sea water and a commercially available sea salts mixture for seawater preparation (SeaMix) were mixed with real fresh human urine in order to enhance struvite precipitation. The supernatant of each mixture was tested as a feedstock for the MFCs and it was evaluated in terms of power output and catholyte generation. The commercial SeaMix showed the best performance in terms of struvite precipitation, increasing the amount of struvite in the solid collected from 21% to 94%. Moreover, the SeaMix increased the maximum power performance of the MFCs by over 10% and it also changed the properties of the catholyte collected by increasing the pH, conductivity and the concentration of chloride ions. These results demonstrate that the addition of sea-salts to real urine is beneficial for both struvite recovery and electricity generation in MFCs

Effect of mineral sulphur availability on nitrogen and sulphur uptake and remobilization during the vegetative growth of Brassica napus L.

Because it has a high demand for sulphur (S), oilseed rape is particularly sensitive to S limitation. However, the physiological effects of S limitation remain unclear, especially during the rosette stage. For this reason a study was conducted to determine the effects of mineral S limitation on nitrogen (N) and S uptake and remobilization during vegetative growth of oilseed rape at both the whole-plant and leaf rank level for plants grown during 35 d with 300 μM 34SO42– (control plants; +S) or with 15 μM 34SO42– (S-limited plants; –S). The results highlight that S-limited plants showed no significant differences either in whole-plant and leaf biomas or in N uptake, when compared with control plants. However, total S and 34S (i.e. deriving from S uptake) contents were greatly reduced for the whole plant and leaf after 35 d, and a greater redistribution of endogenous S from leaves to the benefit of roots was observed. The relative expression of tonoplast and plasmalemma sulphate transporters was also strongly induced in the roots. In conclusion, although S-limited plants had 20 times less mineral S than control plants, their development remained surprisingly unchanged. During S limitation, oilseed rape is able to recycle endogenous S compounds (mostly sulphate) from leaves to roots. However, this physiological adaptation may be effective only over a short time scale (i.e. vegetative growth)

Stability of malacocoenoses in an ash-elm forest based on two-year observations

The paper presents results of two-year (2003–2005) monthly studies on terrestrial malacocoenoses in an ash-elm forest (Fraxino-Ulmetum) near Duszniki in western Wielkopolska (W. Poland). Species composition, dominance structure and abundance of malacocoenoses of selected plots were analysed. Twenty species of ten families were recorded, represented by 7,619 specimens. The main components of the malacocoenoses were Nesovitrea hammonis (Ström), Columella edentula (Drap.), Vallonia costata (O. F. Müll.), Punctum pygmaeum (Drap.), Cochlicopa lubricella (Porro) and Vertigo pusilla O. F. Müll. The species composition was stable but the abundance varied considerably

Malacocoenoses of fragmented forests of Wielkopolska

Terrestrial malacocoenoses of two neighboring forest complexes in W. Wielkopolska were sampled in 2003–2004; their structure and abundance were analysed in selected plots of oak-hornbeam forest of different protection status and degree of anthropogenic transformations. Twenty species (10 families) represented by 1,588 specimens were collected. The main components of the malacocoenoses were: Nesovitrea hammonis, Aegopinella nitidula, Ae. pura, Punctum pygmaeum, Cochlicopa lubricella, Perforatella incarnata and Carychium minimum. Both species composition and abundance varied greatly between the plots. The gastropods showed no preference for old oak-hornbeam stands or plots located in nature reserves. This may suggest that even under strong anthropopressure and in much transformed environments the snails are capable of maintaining a high diversity

Ruthenica filograna (Rossmassler, 1836) (Gastropoda: pulmonata: Clausiliidae) in malacocoenoses of deciduous forests in various regions of Poland

Malacocoenoses containing Ruthenica filograna (Rossm.), a forest-dwelling clausiliid, were studied in two localities in Poland: the nature reserve Dębno nad Wartą (Wielkopolska region) and the Valley of Pieninski Potok (Pieniny Mts). The malacocoenoses were composed of 20 and 42 species, respectively. In Debno nad Wartą R. filograna was the most frequent and abundant species; in the Valley of Pieniński Potok the most frequent and abundant species was Vitrea diaphana. The structure of the two communities differed also in other respects. The gastropod density in the two localities was similar (168 and 185 individuals · m–2, respectively), but their species composition was not, with only six species in common (Nei index 0.22)