Solar PV for Water Pumping and Irrigation

Water pumping for irrigation has a relatively high energy demand, depending on the applied irrigation method. At the same time, there is a considerable energy from the sun during the irrigation period. The solar PV (photovoltaic) technology may be suitable to ensure electric energy for pumping in many cases in agriculture, where the electric network is not available or reduction of the energy costs is wanted. There are some pilot plants for water pumping on the base of solar energy in the world and the spreading of these solar technologies is predictable. The solar energy based pumping process can be approached both in theoretical and experimental ways. In this paper, both the theoretical questions of the solar based pumping process and the experimental results of a model testing pump station powered by PV panels are shown

Neuropeptides Exert Direct Effects on Rat Thymic Epithelial Cells in Culture

To determine if major thymic neuropeptides and neurotransmitters can directly influence the functional activity of cultured rat thymic epithelium, neuropeptides and neurotransmitters were applied, and intercellular communication, proliferation, and thymulin secretion assessed. After injections of a mixture of lucifer yellow dextran (too large to pass gap junctions) and cascade blue (which does) into single cells, some neuropeptides decrease dye coupling: 0.1 mM GABA (P < 0.0001), 100 nM NPY (P < 0.0001), 100 nM VIP (P < 0.001), 100 nM CGRP (P < 0.001), 100 nM SP (P < 0.01), and 0.1 mM histamine (P < 0.01), whereas 0.1 mM 5-HT, mM acetylcholine, and 1 μM isoproterenol (β-adrenergic agonist) had no effect. Proliferation (incorporation of tritiated thymidine) was increased by CGRP (P = 0.004) and histamine (P < 0.02), but decreased by isoproterenol (P = 0.002), 5-HT (P = 0.003), and acetylcholine (P < 0.05). The percentage of multinucleate cells was decreased after isoproterenol (2.5%), and increased after 5-HT (21.3%), GABA (15%), and histamine (15.1%). Compared to controls, thymulin in the supernatant was decreased after challenge with acetylcholine (52%), isoproterenol (71%), 5-HT (73%), and histamine (84%). This study demonstrates direct effects of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters on functional aspects of cultured thymic epithelial cells

FACULTY, STUDENTS, AND PARENTS SATISFACTION WITH FLEXIBLE LEARNING IMPLEMENTATION IN A STATE-FUNDED UNIVERSITY

Learner satisfaction and experience have a big impact on how well and how widely distant learning is accepted in higher education institutions. This study used a quantitative research methodology with the use of adapted standardized questionnaires from several sources to find out how satisfied 173 faculty members, 548 students, and 321 parents were with the deployment of flexible learning modes throughout the pandemic years. The frequency count, percent, and mean statistical techniques were used to total the scores, tabulate them, and conduct further analysis and interpretation. The faculty, students, and parents were generally satisfied in terms of the online learning modality. The faculty perceived the online teaching process as efficient, effective, and beneficial for both students and faculty. The students believed that the online learning was "satisfactory" in acquiring knowledge, while the parents believed that the online learning aided their children's learning. On the other hand, the faculty and students were satisfied with modular learning, while the parents were dissatisfied. The faculty found modular learning to be one of the ways to aid teaching during the pandemic. The students believed that the distribution and retrieval of modules were organized, the time allotment was acceptable, and safety and health protocols were ensured. The parents found that distribution and retrieval of modules are not well organized, and the orientation as to the use of modules during distribution is not clearly explained. A training workshop may be conducted for the faculty to repackage and revise the modules to ensure that enough and adequate time is allotted to each activity or assessment, to ensure that the learning activities and assessments adhere to complexity, timeliness, relevance, and alignment to the learning outcomes, and to structure and plan the course online, upload pictures, images, and videos on the chosen platform, attach links, use Google Forms, and engage in other computer-aided games and activities. The guidelines and procedures for the distribution and retrieval of the modules may be disseminated to parents and other stakeholders through brochures and flyers. Moreover, the administration may allot funds to provide internet connectivity to students who choose online learning modes, such as free cell cards, or form partnerships with LGUs and NTC to create a free wifi connection at a specific location in each barangay. &nbsp

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic detection of oligomannosidic n glycans in alpha-mannosidosis: a method of monitoring treatment

In Alpha-mannosidosis (MIM 248500) the patients accumulate mainly unbranched oligosaccharide chains in the lysosomes in all body tissues, including the brain. With ensuing therapeutic modalities in man (BMT and ERT) non-invasive methods of monitoring the effect of treatment are needed. Paramount is the possible effect of the treatment on the brain, since this organ is regarded as difficult to reach because of the blood-brain barrier. We therefore performed proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of the brain in two untreated patients, and a 16-year-old patient treated with BMT at the age of 10 to assess whether this non-invasive method could be applied in the monitoring of the accumulation of abnormal chemicals in the brain of patients. We found an abnormal peak that was not present in the treated patient. A similar pattern was also found in MRS of urine from patients, reflecting the concentration of oligosaccharides in serum and tissues. We therefore conclude that MRS can be a useful method to monitor the effect of treatment for Alpha-Mannosidosis

Performance of the CMS Cathode Strip Chambers with Cosmic Rays

The Cathode Strip Chambers (CSCs) constitute the primary muon tracking device in the CMS endcaps. Their performance has been evaluated using data taken during a cosmic ray run in fall 2008. Measured noise levels are low, with the number of noisy channels well below 1%. Coordinate resolution was measured for all types of chambers, and fall in the range 47 microns to 243 microns. The efficiencies for local charged track triggers, for hit and for segments reconstruction were measured, and are above 99%. The timing resolution per layer is approximately 5 ns

Performance and Operation of the CMS Electromagnetic Calorimeter

The operation and general performance of the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter using cosmic-ray muons are described. These muons were recorded after the closure of the CMS detector in late 2008. The calorimeter is made of lead tungstate crystals and the overall status of the 75848 channels corresponding to the barrel and endcap detectors is reported. The stability of crucial operational parameters, such as high voltage, temperature and electronic noise, is summarised and the performance of the light monitoring system is presented

Calibration of the CMS Drift Tube Chambers and Measurement of the Drift Velocity with Cosmic Rays

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