Feather growth rate and mass in nearctic passerines with variablemigratory behavior and molt pattern

Bird species vary greatly in the duration of their annual complete feather molt. However, such variation is not well documented in birds from many biogeographic areas, which restricts our understanding of the diversification of molt strategies. Recent research has revealed that molt duration can be estimated in passerines from ptilochronology-based measurements of the growth rate of their tail feathers. We used this approach to explore how molt duration varied in 98 Nearctic species that have different migratory strategies and molt patterns. As previously documented for Palearctic species, migration was associated with a shortening of molt duration among species that molted during summer on their breeding range. However, molts of winter-molting migratory species were as long as those of summer-molting sedentary species, which suggests that winter molt also allows Nearctic migrants to avoid the temporal constraints experienced during summer. Our results also suggest that migratory species that undergo a stopover molt within the Mexican monsoon region have the shortest molt duration among all Nearctic passerines. Interestingly, and contrary to expectations from a potential tradeoff between molt duration and feather quality, observed variation in feather growth rate was positively correlated with differences in tail feather mass, which may be caused by differences among groups in the availability of resources for molting. We encourage the use of similar approaches to study the variation in molt duration in other geographic areas where knowledge of the evolution of molt is limited.

MMP-13 Selective Alpha-sulfone Hydroxamates: Identification of Selective P1\u27 Amides

Continuing our interest in designing compounds preferentially potent and selective for MMP-13, we report on a series of hydroxamic acids with a flexible amide P1\u27 substituents. We identify an amide which spares both MMP-1 and -14, and shows \u3e500 fold selectivity for MMP-13 versus MMP-2 and -8

Chlamydia trachomatis CT771 (nudH) is an asymmetric Ap4A hydrolase

Asymmetric diadenosine 5′,5′″-P1,P4-tetraphosphate (Ap4A) hydrolases are members of the Nudix superfamily that asymmetrically cleave the metabolite Ap4A into ATP and AMP while facilitating homeostasis. The obligate intracellular mammalian pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis possesses a single Nudix family protein, CT771. As pathogens that rely on a host for replication and dissemination typically have one or zero Nudix family proteins, this suggests that CT771 could be critical for chlamydial biology and pathogenesis. We identified orthologs to CT771 within environmental Chlamydiales that share active site residues suggesting a common function. Crystal structures of both apo- and ligand-bound CT771 were determined to 2.6 Å and 1.9 Å resolution, respectively. The structure of CT771 shows a αβα-sandwich motif with many conserved elements lining the putative Nudix active site. Numerous aspects of the ligand-bound CT771 structure mirror those observed in the ligand-bound structure of the Ap4A hydrolase from Caenorhabditis elegans. These structures represent only the second Ap4A hydrolase enzyme member determined from eubacteria and suggest that mammalian and bacterial Ap4A hydrolases might be more similar than previously thought. The aforementioned structural similarities, in tandem with molecular docking, guided the enzymatic characterization of CT771. Together, these studies provide the molecular details for substrate binding and specificity, supporting the analysis that CT771 is an Ap4A hydrolase (nudH)

Utilization of the Net Heat Process Tail Gases in the Reactor for the Production of Oil-Furnace Carbon Black

Otpadni procesni plinovi niske donje toplinske vrijednosti koji nastaju kao sporedni proizvod industrijske proizvodnje uljno-pećnih čađa mogu se energetski učinkovito iskoristiti prije konačnog ispuštanja u atmosferu. Osim što se upotrebljavaju za sušenje mokro granulirane uljno-pećne čađe, proizvodnju pare i električne energije te se spaljuju na baklji, učinkovito se mogu iskoristiti i kao zamjena goriva u reaktorima za proizvodnju uljno-pećnih čađa uz povećanje iskorištenja ugljikovodične sirovine. U radu je prikazano tehnološko-tehničko rješenje iskorištenja topline otpadnih procesnih plinova niske donje toplinske vrijednosti u reaktoru za proizvodnju "tvrdih" tipova uljno-pećnih čađa uz povećanje iskorištenja ugljikovodične sirovine. Uvođenje predgrijanih procesnih otpadnih plinova niske donje toplinske vrijednosti u reaktor za proizvodnju "tvrdih" tipova uljno-pećnih čađa ostvareno je serijskim spajanjem četiriju ventilatora. Sustav je izveden pomoću ventilatora predviđenih za pneumatski transport smjese uljno-pećne čađe u prahu i otpadnih procesnih plinova. Navedenom izvedbom osiguran je stabilan tehnološki proces uvođenja otpadnih procesnih plinova niske donje toplinske vrijednosti u reakcijsku zonu sagorijevanja prirodnog plina u predgrijanom zraku. Prilikom proizvodnje uljno-pećne čađe N220 pokazano je da se upotrebom otpadnih procesnih plinova niske donje toplinske vrijednosti u količini Q od 1000 do 2000 m3 h-1 po reaktoru ostvaruje ušteda prirodnog plina od 10 do 20 %,uz istodobno povećanje iskorištenja ugljikovodične sirovine od 7 do 9%.Tail gases of low calorific value, which are the by-product of oil-furnace carbon black industrial production, can be efficiently used as energy before their final release into the atmosphere. Apart from being used mainly for heating dryers, production of steam, electricity, or flared, they can also be used as a substitute for fuel in the reactor for the production of oil-furnace carbon blacks, thus increasing the efficiency of the hydrocarbon raw feedstock. This technical paper represents the technical-technological solution for applying the waste heat of the low calorific tail gases in the reactor for the production of "hard" grade oil-furnace carbon blacks with savings of the hydrocarbon raw feedstock. The introduction of the preheated low calorific tail gases in the reactor for the production of "hard" grade oil-furnace carbon blacks is achieved by serial cascading of four fans. The system consists of fans designed to pneumatically transport the mixture of process tail gases and oil-furnace carbon black dust particles. This ensures a stable technological process for the introduction of the low calorific process tail gases into the reaction zone where the natural gas and preheated air are combusted. In the production of oil-furnace carbon black N220, it is shown that by using low calorific process tail gases in the amount from 1000 to 2000 m3 h–1 per reactor, savings from 10 to 20 % of natural gas and simultaneously 7 to 9 % of the hydrocarbon raw feedstoks were achieved

Pelatihan Membatik Khusus untuk Anak Jalanan di Daerah Semarang, sebagai Media Positif Pengembangan Bakat

Sensitizing communities against street children is lacking. Though the community of street children is a component that has the same right to get all the attention and guidance. This training aims to appreciate batik to street children as a form of devotion to the community. Batik training is done with a social approach that begins with the observation that the place has a lot of street children. Alternative non-formal education suitable to be developed on street children as batik and control emotions is one of the nation\u27s preservation of culture. Results are achieved such products handkerchief, Splash batik, batik shoes, shirts / batik shirt, batik cloth, batik brands

Using Bi-Weekly Surveys to Portray Adolescent Partnership Dynamics: Lessons From a Mobile Diary Study.

Partnership formation is an important developmental task for adolescents, but cross-sectional and periodic longitudinal studies have lacked the measurement precision to portray partnership stability and flux and to capture the range of adolescent partnership experiences. This article assesses the promises and challenges of using bi-weekly mobile diaries administered over the course of a year to study adolescent partnership dynamics. Descriptive findings illustrate the potential of bi-weekly diaries for both capturing the longitudinal complexity and fluidity of adolescent partnerships as well as for reducing retrospection biases. Results also underscore several challenges, including those posed by missing data, and highlight several strategies for maximizing participant engagement and reliably tracing adolescent partnerships

Analysis of microsatellite instability in colorectal carcinoma by microfluidic-based chip electrophoresis

Microsatellite analysis is an important tool in clinical research and molecular diagnostics because microsatellite instability (MSI) occurs frequently in various types of cancer. Approximately 10–15% of colorectal, gastric and endometrial carcinomas are associated with MSI, and this has an impact on clinical prognosis. The microsatellite loci Bat25, Bat26, D2S123, D5S346 and D17S250, recommended by the Bethesda guidelines, were analysed by microfluidic-based on-chip electrophoresis in 40 cases of colon carcinoma with known MSI status. In all cases, microfluidic separation of the PCR amplicons resulted in highly resolved, distinct patterns of each of the five microsatellite loci. Detection of MSI could be demonstrated by microsatellite-loci-associated, well-defined deviations in the electropherogram profiles of tumour and non-tumour material, and confirmed the classification of MSI cases performed by conventional technology. In conclusion, microfluidic chip technology is a simple and reliable approach for MSI detection that allows label-free and very fast analysis of microsatellite amplicons

Filtration of Oil-furnace Carbon Black Dust Particles from the Tail Gases by Filter Bags With PTFE Membrane

Prilikom industrijskog procesa proizvodnje uljno-pećnih čađa u zrak se emitiraju otpadni procesni plinovi koji uz plinovite onečišćujuće tvari sadrže i čestice prašine uljno-pećnih čađa. Na postrojenju za proizvodnju uljno-pećne čađe Petrokemije d. d. postoji šest ispusta otpadnih procesnih plinova u zrak. Prije svakog ispusta postavljena je procesna oprema za filtriranje otpadnih procesnih plinova. Učinkovitost filtriranja ponajprije ovisi o konstrukcijskoj izvedbi opreme te odabranoj tehnologiji filtriranja. Blizina naselja, kakvoća zraka kutinskog područja s obzirom na lebdeće čestice PM10 i obveza tvrtke za stalnim unapređenjem stanja okoliša nameću potrebu pronalaženja sve boljih mjera smanjenja emisija čestica prašine uljno-pećnih čađa u zrak. Zbog toga je dizajniran poseban ciklofiltar za filtriranje čestica prašine uljno-pećnih čađa od otpadnih procesnih plinova uz primjenu filtar-vreća s PTFE-membranom (politetrafluoretilen). Posebna konstrukcija ciklofiltra ostvarena je kombinacijom centrifugalnog taložnika i vrećastog filtra "pulse- jet". Kombinacijom dviju tehnika filtriranja čestica prašine uljno-pećnih čađa od otpadnih procesnih plinova osigurava se maksimalna učinkovitost filtriranja od η = 99,9 %. U konstrukcijskom dijelu vrećastog filtra upotrebljavaju se filtar-vreće najnovije generacije s ugrađenim PTFE membranama, koje se naknadno čiste pomoću stlačenog zraka. Tehnologija filtriranja pomoću PTFE-membrana osigurava učinkovitost filtriranja od maksimalno γ = 5 mg m-3 čestica prašine uljno-pećnih čađa u pročišćenim izlaznim otpadnim procesnim plinovima. Učinkovitost filtriranja prati se kontinuiranim mjerenjem emisije čestica prašine uljno-pećnih čađa u pročišćenim izlaznim otpadnim procesnim plinovima putem automatskog neekstraktivnog uređaja. Ostvarena tehnologija filtriranja poslužit će kao osnova za ugradnju filtar-vreća s PTFE-membranom u glavne operacijske filtre, čime će se osigurati poboljšana zaštita zraka grada Kutine s obzirom na lebdeće čestice PM10.During the industrial production of oil furnace carbon black, tail gases containing oil-furnace carbon black dust particles are emitted to the atmosphere. In the carbon black plant, Petrokemija d. d., there are six exhaust stacks for tail gases. Each of them has installed process equipment for cleaning tail gases. Efficiency of cleaning mainly depends on equipment construction and cleaning technology. The vicinity of the town, quality of the air in the region of Kutina, regarding floating particles PM10, and corporate responsibility for further enviromental improvement, imposes development of new methods that will decrease the emmision of oil-furnace carbon black dust particles in the air. Combining centrifugal percipitator and filter, special construction of cyclofilter for filtration of oil-furnace carbon black dust particles from tail gases by using PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) membrane filter bags, was designed. Developed filtration technique provides η = 99.9 % efficiency of filtration. Construction part of the filter contains the newest generation of PTFE membrane filter bags with the ability of jet pulse cleaning. Using the PTFE membrane filter bags technology, filtration efficiency for oil-furnace carbon black dust particles in tail gases of maximum γ=5mgm-3 can be achieved. The filtration efficiency was monitored continuously measuring the concentration of the oil-furnace carbon black dust particles in the tail gases with the help of in situ electronic probe. The accomplished filtration technology is the base for the installation of the PTFE membrane filter bags in the main operation filters which will provide better protection of the air in the town of Kutina against floating particles PM10

Thermal Oxidation of Tail Gases from the Production of Oil-furnace Carbon Black

U radu je prikazana tehnologija proizvodnje uljno-pećne čađe i odabrano tehnološko rješenje u funkciji zaštite zraka. Prilikom industrijskog procesa proizvodnje uljno-pećne čađe osim glavnog proizvoda, kao sporedni proizvodi nastaju i otpadni procesni plinovi. Otpadni procesni plinovi nastali prilikom industrijskog procesa proizvodnje uljno-pećne čađe po kvalitativnom sastavu sastoje se od: ugljikovog (IV) oksida, ugljikovog(II) oksida, vodika, metana, sumporovodika, dušika, kisika i vodene pare. Ovisno o vrsti uljne sirovine za proizvodnju te samom proizvodnom tipu uljno pećne-čađe mijenja se kvantitativan sastav i donja kalorična vrijednost otpadnih procesnih plinova. Donja kalorična vrijednost otpadnih procesnih plinova relativno je mala i nalazi se u području od 1500 do 2300 kJ m–3. U konvencionalnom procesu proizvodnje uljno-pećne čađe pročišćeni otpadni procesni plinovi od čestica čađe ispuštaju se u atmosferu bez ikakve dodatne obrade. Na taj način otpadni procesni plinovi zagađuju atmosferu, jer njihove kvantitativne vrijednosti višestruko premašuju dopuštene granice emisije za sumporovodik i ugljikov(II) oksid, čime se znatno narušava kvaliteta lokalnog zraka grada Kutine. Logično tehnološko rješenje sprječavanja zagađivanja zraka je spaljivanje otpadnih procesnih plinova, odnosno njihova termalna oksidacija. Kao sredstvo za termalnu oksidaciju otpadnih procesnih plinova odabrana je posebno dizajnirana izvedba baklje. Sustav baklje dizajniran je tako da omogućuje termalnu oksidaciju otpadnih procesnih plinova male kalorične vrijednosti s 99%-tnom djelotvornošću uz minimalnu potrošnju prirodnog plina potrebnog za oksidaciju. Na taj način se štetne i zapaljive komponente (sumporovodik, vodik, ugljikov (II) oksid te metan i ostali ugljikovodici u tragovima) prevode u kvalitativno-kvantitativan ekološki prihvatljivij sastav otpadnih procesnih plinova (sumporov(IV) oksid, vodena para, ugljikov (IV) oksid, dušikov(IV) oksid), koji udovoljavaju propisanim graničnim vrijednostima emisije i kakvoće zraka (Uredbe NN 133/2005. i NN 21/2007.) Ispravnim tehnološkim radom sustava baklji u industrijskom postrojenju proizvodnje uljno-pećne čađe ostvareno je rješavanje problema onečišćavanja zraka grada Kutine, posebno prizemnih masenih koncentracija sumporovodika. Usporedo s razvojem sustava baklji uspostavlja se i sustav kontinuiranog praćenja onečišćujućih tvari u zrak (sumporovodik i ugljikov(II) oksid) te njegovo povezivanje s Agencijom za zaštitu okoliša.This paper describes the production technology of oil-furnace carbon black, as well as the selected solution for preventing the emissions of this process from contaminating the environment. The products of industrial oil-furnace carbon black production are different grades of carbon black and process tail gases. The qualitative composition of these tail gases during the production of oil-furnace carbon black are: carbon(IV) oxide, carbon(II) oxide, hydrogen, methane, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor. The quantitative composition and lower caloric value of process tail gases change depending on the type of feedstock used in the production, as well as the type of process. The lower caloric value of process tail gases is relatively small with values ranging between 1500 and 2300 kJ m–3. In the conventional production of oil-furnace carbon black, process tail gases purified from carbon black dust are freely released into the atmosphere untreated. In this manner, the process tail gases pollute the air in the town of Kutina, because their quantitative values are much higher than the prescribed emissions limits for hydrogen sulfide and carbon(II) oxide. A logical solution for the prevention of such air pollution is combustion of the process tail gases, i. e. their thermal oxidation. For this purpose, a specially designed flare system has been developed. Consuming minimum amounts of natural gas needed for oxidation, the flare system is designed to combust low caloric process tail gases with 99 % efficiency. Thus, the toxic and flammable components of the tail gases (hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, carbon(II) oxide, methane and other trace hydrocarbons) would be transformed into environmentally acceptable components (sulfur(IV) oxide, water, carbon(IV) oxide and nitrogen(IV) oxide), which are in compliance with the emissions limit values prescribed by law. Proper operation of this flare system in the production of oil-furnace carbon black would solve the air pollution problem in the town of Kutina, especially the concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in the troposphere. Together with the development of this flare system, a continuous air-pollutant (hydrogen sulfide and carbon(II) oxide) monitoring system shall be established and linked with the Environmental Protection Agency

Observing the Sun with Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA): High Resolution Interferometric Imaging

Observations of the Sun at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths offer a unique probe into the structure, dynamics, and heating of the chromosphere; the structure of sunspots; the formation and eruption of prominences and filaments; and energetic phenomena such as jets and flares. High-resolution observations of the Sun at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths are challenging due to the intense, extended, low- contrast, and dynamic nature of emission from the quiet Sun, and the extremely intense and variable nature of emissions associated with energetic phenomena. The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) was designed with solar observations in mind. The requirements for solar observations are significantly different from observations of sidereal sources and special measures are necessary to successfully carry out this type of observations. We describe the commissioning efforts that enable the use of two frequency bands, the 3 mm band (Band 3) and the 1.25 mm band (Band 6), for continuum interferometric-imaging observations of the Sun with ALMA. Examples of high-resolution synthesized images obtained using the newly commissioned modes during the solar commissioning campaign held in December 2015 are presented. Although only 30 of the eventual 66 ALMA antennas were used for the campaign, the solar images synthesized from the ALMA commissioning data reveal new features of the solar atmosphere that demonstrate the potential power of ALMA solar observations. The ongoing expansion of ALMA and solar-commissioning efforts will continue to enable new and unique solar observing capabilities.Comment: 22 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Solar Physic