A laboratory investigation of high polymer modified asphalt mixtures with softening agent

This study was initiated to evaluate the impact of aging and High Polymer Modified Asphalt (HPMA) binders containing a bio-based-oil softening agent (SA) on the rutting, cracking, and durability of asphalt mixtures. One control asphalt binder (PG 52-34), Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) polymer modifier, and corn-oil SA were used to produce four asphalt mixtures including a control prepared using PG 52-34 binder and three modified mixtures were produced by blending PG 52-34 binder with different dosages of SBS and SA. The mixtures were tested using the Dynamic Complex Modulus (|E*|), Hamburg Wheel Tracking Device (HWTD), Flow Number (FN), Indirect Tension Cracking Test (IDEAL-CT), Semi-Circular Bend (SCB), Disk-Shaped Compact Tension (DCT), and Cantabro Durability tests. The impact of aging on cracking resistance was also evaluated by subjecting all mixes to short-, long, and extended-long-term aging levels. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc statistical analysis were also performed on the testing results. Based on testing results, SBS and corn oil SA increased the durability and rutting resistance of asphalt mixtures. At extreme low-temperature (i.e., -24°C), the use of SBS and corn oil SA improved the cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures; however, increasing the SBS and/or the SA dosage rates had a negative impact on their cracking resistance. Using balanced dosages (i.e., 7.5% and 7%) of SBS and corn oil SA led to the best improvement in durability, rutting, and short-term cracking performance

Proučavanje luminescencije uzbudom naviše u nanokristalima BaTiO3: Ho3+

Visible up-conversion emissions at 435, 545, 580, 675 and 690 nm and 437, 547, 575 and 675 nm have been obtained from BaTiO3 doped with 4 % Ho3+ ions in two different forms of the prepared samples, powder and thin film, under 808 nm laser diode excitation emissions. Combined with the energy level structure of Ho3+ ions and the kinetics of the visible emissions, the up-conversion mechanism has been analyzed and explained. The blue, green and red emissions of both samples have been attributed to the ground state-directed transition from 5F1, 5S2 and 5F5 states, respectively, which are populated through excited state absorption on 808 nm excitation. Nano-structure pure barium titanate and doped with different concentrations of Ho3+ ions in the form of powder and thin films have been prepared by so-gel technique, using barium acetate (Ba(CH3CHOO)2) and titanium isopropoxide (Ti((CH3)2CHO)4) as precursors. The thin films were prepared by spin-coating sol-gel method. The as-grown thin film and powders were found to be amorphous, which crystallized to the tetragonal phase after synthesization at 750 °C in air for 30 minutes. The crystallite size of thin film and powder samples both doped with 4 % Ho3+ ions, were found to be equal to 11 and 16 nm, respectively.Uzbudom laserskom diodom na 808 nm postigli smo emisije u vidljivom području na 435, 545, 580, 675 i 690 nm, te na 437, 547, 575 and 675 nm, u BaTiO3 punjenom s 4 % Ho3+ iona u uzorcima dvaju oblika, prahu i tankom sloju. Uzimajući u obzir stanja iona Ho3+ i kinetiku emisije fotona, analizirali smo i objasnili mehanizam uzbude naviše. Emisije oba uzorka u plavom, zelenom i crvenom području pripisuju se prijelazima u osnovno stanje sa stanja 5F1, 5S2 odn. 5F5 koja se pune apsorpcijom fotona 808 nm u višim stanjima Ho3+ iona. Metodom sol-gel pripremili smo nanostrukturni čist barijum titanat i barijum titanat punjen s dvjema koncentracijama Ho3+ iona, kao prah i kao tanke slojeve. Rabili smo barijum acetat (Ba(CH3CHOO)2) i titanijev izopropoksid (Ti((CH3)2CHO)4) za njihovu pripremu. Tanke smo slojeve dobivali centrifugiranjem sol-gela. Svježe pripremljeni tanki slojevi i prah su amorfni, ali se kristaliziraju zagrijavanjem na 750 ◦C u zraku tijekom 30 minuta. Veličina kristalita u tankom sloju i prahu, svaki punjen s 4 % Ho3+ iona, iznosi 11 odn. 16 nm

Assessment of genotype x environment interaction and stability of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed yield under rainfed and supplementary irrigation in central Sudan

ABSTRACT       Sesame knowledge of genotype x environment interaction (GEI) is advantageous in order to have a cultivar that gives consistently high yield in a broad range of environments and to increase the efficiency of breeding programs and selection of the best genotypes. Fifteen genotypes of sesame (Sesamum  indicum L.) were evaluated during 2011 and 2012 rainy seasons, at Wad Medani, Rahad (under supplementary irrigation) and Gedarif (under rainfed), to assess genotype x environment interaction and stability of seed yield. A randomized complete block design with four replicates was used in each location. The analysis of variance procedure revealed highly significant differences among the 15 sesame genotypes for seed yield over the eight environments. The mean squares of environment, genotype and genotype x environment interaction were highly significant for seed yield. Both statistical stability models, i. e. Eberhart and Russell (1966) as well as the Additive Main Effect and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analysis, indicated that genotypes Elgezouli, Promo, Um Shagra and Kenana-2 were the most high yielding and stable genotypes and can be recommended for both rainfed and irrigated areas of central Sudan.                من ميزات دراسة التفاعل الوراثي- البيئي في محصول السمسم معرفة افضل الاصناف ذات الانتاجية العالية في مدي واسع من البيئات المختلفة مما يزيد من كفاءة برامج التربية المستعملة وانتخاب افضل الاصناف. تم تقويم 15 سلالة من السمسم في الموسمين الزراعيين 2011 و2012م في ثلاثة مواقع هي مدني، الرهد (ري تكميلي) والقضارف (ري مطري)، وذلك لتقويم التفاعل الوراثي والبيئي وثبات درجة انتاجية بذور السمسم. استخدم تصميم القطاعات العشوائية الكاملة بأربع مكررات. اظهرت نتائج تحليل التباين لعدد 15 سلالة من السمسم فروقات معنوية عالية جدا لمعظم الصفات التي درست في كل المواقع والمواسم مع معنوية للتفاعل الوراثي والبيئي لإنتاجية البذور. بناءاً علي نماذج التحليل Eberhart and Russel (1966)              وAdditive Main Effect and Multiplicative Interaction(AMMI) لتحديد ثبات الاداء معاً وجد ان انتاجية بذور الاصناف الجزولي، برومو، ام شجرة وكنانة-2 ثابتة وعالية في كل المواقع والمواسم. وبناءاً علي ذلك يوصي بزراعة هذه الاصناف في المناطق المطرية والمروية في وسط السودان.                   &nbsp

Proučavanje luminescencije uzbudom naviše u nanokristalima BaTiO3: Ho3+

Visible up-conversion emissions at 435, 545, 580, 675 and 690 nm and 437, 547, 575 and 675 nm have been obtained from BaTiO3 doped with 4 % Ho3+ ions in two different forms of the prepared samples, powder and thin film, under 808 nm laser diode excitation emissions. Combined with the energy level structure of Ho3+ ions and the kinetics of the visible emissions, the up-conversion mechanism has been analyzed and explained. The blue, green and red emissions of both samples have been attributed to the ground state-directed transition from 5F1, 5S2 and 5F5 states, respectively, which are populated through excited state absorption on 808 nm excitation. Nano-structure pure barium titanate and doped with different concentrations of Ho3+ ions in the form of powder and thin films have been prepared by so-gel technique, using barium acetate (Ba(CH3CHOO)2) and titanium isopropoxide (Ti((CH3)2CHO)4) as precursors. The thin films were prepared by spin-coating sol-gel method. The as-grown thin film and powders were found to be amorphous, which crystallized to the tetragonal phase after synthesization at 750 °C in air for 30 minutes. The crystallite size of thin film and powder samples both doped with 4 % Ho3+ ions, were found to be equal to 11 and 16 nm, respectively.Uzbudom laserskom diodom na 808 nm postigli smo emisije u vidljivom području na 435, 545, 580, 675 i 690 nm, te na 437, 547, 575 and 675 nm, u BaTiO3 punjenom s 4 % Ho3+ iona u uzorcima dvaju oblika, prahu i tankom sloju. Uzimajući u obzir stanja iona Ho3+ i kinetiku emisije fotona, analizirali smo i objasnili mehanizam uzbude naviše. Emisije oba uzorka u plavom, zelenom i crvenom području pripisuju se prijelazima u osnovno stanje sa stanja 5F1, 5S2 odn. 5F5 koja se pune apsorpcijom fotona 808 nm u višim stanjima Ho3+ iona. Metodom sol-gel pripremili smo nanostrukturni čist barijum titanat i barijum titanat punjen s dvjema koncentracijama Ho3+ iona, kao prah i kao tanke slojeve. Rabili smo barijum acetat (Ba(CH3CHOO)2) i titanijev izopropoksid (Ti((CH3)2CHO)4) za njihovu pripremu. Tanke smo slojeve dobivali centrifugiranjem sol-gela. Svježe pripremljeni tanki slojevi i prah su amorfni, ali se kristaliziraju zagrijavanjem na 750 ◦C u zraku tijekom 30 minuta. Veličina kristalita u tankom sloju i prahu, svaki punjen s 4 % Ho3+ iona, iznosi 11 odn. 16 nm

Tropomyosin Flexural Rigidity and Single Ca2+ Regulatory Unit Dynamics: Implications for Cooperative Regulation of Cardiac Muscle Contraction and Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy

Striated muscle contraction is regulated by dynamic and cooperative interactions among Ca2+, troponin, and tropomyosin on the thin filament. While Ca2+ regulation has been extensively studied, little is known about the dynamics of individual regulatory units and structural changes of individual tropomyosin molecules in relation to their mechanical properties, and how these factors are altered by cardiomyopathy mutations in the Ca2+ regulatory proteins. In this hypothesis paper, we explore how various experimental and analytical approaches could broaden our understanding of the cooperative regulation of cardiac contraction in health and disease

New heat treatment to prepare high quality polycrystalline and single crystal MgB2 in single process

We report here on a new heat treatment to prepare both dense polycrystalline and single crystal MgB2 high quality samples in one single process. Resistivity measurements for polycrystalline part of the sample gives a residual resistivity ratio RRR=16.6 and a very low normal state resistivity rho(40K)= 0.28 microOhmcm. Both SEM and SQUID study on polycrystals reveal the high quality, dense character and well coupling of grain boundaries. On the other hand, the high quality single crystals have a unique shape that resembles the hexagonal crystal structure. SQUID measurements reveals very weak flux pinning character implying our single crystals to be very clean. In this study, we conclude that heat treatment is playing a major rule on the characteristics of both polycrystalline and single crystal MgB2. Samples are thoroughly characterized by x-ray, resistivity, dc SQUID and SEM

Ramanovi i fotoluminescentni spektri čistih i kositrom obogaćenih tankih slojeva CdS pripremljenih prskanjem i pirolizom

Thin films of CdS, pure and enriched with different concentrations of tin up to 6%, were prepared by the spray pyrolysis technique. All samples were prepared at the deposition temperature of 420 ◦C. The XRD diagnostic data of the investigated samples revealed the polycrystalline nature of the as-deposited samples. The main characteristic peaks of CdS appeared in both pure and enriched films prepared by all used methods. The enrichment of Sn has no effect on positions of the characteristic peaks. The observed effect of Sn enrichment is the change in peak broadening which increases with the increase of Sn concentration. The thickness values ranged from 0.65 up to 1.15 µm. The samples of pure CdS show a sharp absorption edge at about 2.43 eV. The absorption coefficient α of the investigated samples was calculated from transmission and reflection spectra. Photoluminescence measurements show red emission band of the as-deposited samples, which was quenched by Sn incorporation. This band is ascribed to the excess of Cd which was checked by the energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry. Raman spectra of samples with different concentrations of Sn were studied. They show remarkable increase of intensity when increasing the film thickness and decreasing the Sn concentration.Metodom prskanja i pirolize pripremali smo čiste i do 6% kositrom obogaćene tanke slojeve CdS. Sve uzorke smo pripremali na temperaturi polaganja od 420 ◦C. XRD spektri ispitivanih uzoraka pokazuju polikristaliničnu strukturu. Glavni karakteristični vrhovi CdS vide se i u čistim i u obogaćenim uzorcima pripremljenim primijenjenim metodama. Obogaćenje kositrom nema utjecaja na položaje karakterističnih vrhova. Međutim, javlja se proširenje vrhova koje se povećava pri povećanim koncentracijama kositra. Izmjerene i izračunate debljine slojeva su u skladu. Debljine slojeva bile su između 0.65 i 1.15 µm. Uzorci CdS pokazuju oštar apsorpcijski rub na oko 2.43 eV. Apsorpcijske koeficijente α ispitivanih uzoraka smo izveli iz transmisijskih i refleksijskih spektara. Mjerenja fotoluminescencije pokazuju crvenu emisijsku vrpcu koja trne dodavanjem kositra. Ta se vrpca tumači viškom Cd što smo potvrdili disperzivnom rendgenskom spektrometrijom (EDX). Proučavali smo i Ramanove spektre uzoraka s raznim koncentracijama kositra. Oni pokazuju snažan porast intenziteta za slojeve veće debljine i manje koncentracije kositra

Ramanovi i fotoluminescentni spektri čistih i kositrom obogaćenih tankih slojeva CdS pripremljenih prskanjem i pirolizom

Thin films of CdS, pure and enriched with different concentrations of tin up to 6%, were prepared by the spray pyrolysis technique. All samples were prepared at the deposition temperature of 420 ◦C. The XRD diagnostic data of the investigated samples revealed the polycrystalline nature of the as-deposited samples. The main characteristic peaks of CdS appeared in both pure and enriched films prepared by all used methods. The enrichment of Sn has no effect on positions of the characteristic peaks. The observed effect of Sn enrichment is the change in peak broadening which increases with the increase of Sn concentration. The thickness values ranged from 0.65 up to 1.15 µm. The samples of pure CdS show a sharp absorption edge at about 2.43 eV. The absorption coefficient α of the investigated samples was calculated from transmission and reflection spectra. Photoluminescence measurements show red emission band of the as-deposited samples, which was quenched by Sn incorporation. This band is ascribed to the excess of Cd which was checked by the energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry. Raman spectra of samples with different concentrations of Sn were studied. They show remarkable increase of intensity when increasing the film thickness and decreasing the Sn concentration.Metodom prskanja i pirolize pripremali smo čiste i do 6% kositrom obogaćene tanke slojeve CdS. Sve uzorke smo pripremali na temperaturi polaganja od 420 ◦C. XRD spektri ispitivanih uzoraka pokazuju polikristaliničnu strukturu. Glavni karakteristični vrhovi CdS vide se i u čistim i u obogaćenim uzorcima pripremljenim primijenjenim metodama. Obogaćenje kositrom nema utjecaja na položaje karakterističnih vrhova. Međutim, javlja se proširenje vrhova koje se povećava pri povećanim koncentracijama kositra. Izmjerene i izračunate debljine slojeva su u skladu. Debljine slojeva bile su između 0.65 i 1.15 µm. Uzorci CdS pokazuju oštar apsorpcijski rub na oko 2.43 eV. Apsorpcijske koeficijente α ispitivanih uzoraka smo izveli iz transmisijskih i refleksijskih spektara. Mjerenja fotoluminescencije pokazuju crvenu emisijsku vrpcu koja trne dodavanjem kositra. Ta se vrpca tumači viškom Cd što smo potvrdili disperzivnom rendgenskom spektrometrijom (EDX). Proučavali smo i Ramanove spektre uzoraka s raznim koncentracijama kositra. Oni pokazuju snažan porast intenziteta za slojeve veće debljine i manje koncentracije kositra

Catch rate of juveniles Ethamatosa fimbriata, Sardinella maderensis, and Brachydeuterus auritus fishing in Freetown Peninsular

We investigated the incidences of juvenile fishing according to fishing practices in Freetown peninsular. The industrial trawl fishing sector, despite its technology is not fully selective to avoid bycatch of juvenile fish, and artisanal fishing is so less for economic reasons. Ineffective enforcement of fishing regulations is a major cause to the catch of both targeted and non-targeted juvenile fish. We collected data on the quantity of juvenile fish and the daily duration of fishing trips in four landing sites over a two-week period Bernoulli random variables and properties of uniform distribution were used to analyze the data. Catch rates of juveniles Ethamatosa fimbriata, Sardinella maderensis, and Brachydeuterus auritus around the Freetown peninsular were 170.8, 212.4 and 194.60 kg per hour per day, respectively. This rate revealed that the current trend of juvenile fish landings is a threat to the sustainability of fishery capital, revenue, and biodiversity.Key words: High juvenile, landing, national problem, Sierra Leone, by-catch juvenile