Measurement of average particle size in metal powders by microwave cavity perturbation in the magnetic field

The magnetic absorption of metallic powders, particularly at microwave frequencies, is of great theoretical and practical interest and has been the subject of previous research examining the dependence of absorption on the ratio of the particle skin depth to radius. Here, the validity of the theoretical approach concerning the peak in the absorption spectrum is verified using a 3D simulation of a hexagonal, close-packed particle matrix. Clear experimental data is given for the real and imaginary parts of the magnetic permeability of metal alloy powders (Ti6Al4V), of varying size, obtained by using the cavity perturbation technique across three separate frequencies in the GHz range. The results are shown to be congruent with existing theory. Further verification of the absorption peak is given by the testing of the powder at lowered conductivity by elevating the temperature. The results demonstrate the applicability of the relatively simple microwave cavity perturbation approach to the determination of the average particle size in a metal powder when compared with other, more complex and time-consuming methods

Stratigraphy and Chronology of Karst Features on Rodriguez Island, Southwestern Indian Ocean

This publication has been made available with the permission of the National Speleological Society (www.caves.org). The attached file is the published version of the article

GGE BIPLOT ANALYSIS OF YIELD STABI LITY FOR ANDEAN DRY BEAN ACCESSIONS GROWN UNDER DIFFERENT ABIOTIC STRESS REGIMES IN TANZANIA

Large seeded Andean dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are most preferred in Africa. However, low soil fertility and increasing drought stress conditions due to climate change are among the challenges faced by farmers in this region. The purpose of this study was to identify Andean genotypes with yield stability and to identify the best environments for selection of this trait. GGE-Biplot analysis was used to examine 183 Andean bean genotypes in Tanzania. Results indicated significant environment (E), genotype (G) and genotype x environment (GE) effects for seed yield. The environment explained 46%, genotype 20%, and GE 34% of the total (G + E + GE) variation. Two principal components explained 41.21% (PC1) and 26.35% (PC2) of GGE sum of squares. The Andean genotypes, ADP-102 (Jessica)- purple mottle, large seed, bush plant habit, released by Selian Agriculture Research Institution (ARI) in Tanzania; ADP-220 (G5625)- red, large seed, vine plant habit, from Central America; ADP-276 (G13654) - brown, medium seed, vine, from Mexico; and ADP-648 (‘Red Kloud’) large red kidney, with bush plant habit, were stable across environments and can be recommended for general adaptation across environments. An individual location for selection for yield stability was not identified, thus justifying the continued need for multiple test sites

GGE BIPLOT ANALYSIS OF YIELD STABI LITY FOR ANDEAN DRY BEAN ACCESSIONS GROWN UNDER DIFFERENT ABIOTIC STRESS REGIMES IN TANZANIA

Large seeded Andean dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are most preferred in Africa. However, low soil fertility and increasing drought stress conditions due to climate change are among the challenges faced by farmers in this region. The purpose of this study was to identify Andean genotypes with yield stability and to identify the best environments for selection of this trait. GGE-Biplot analysis was used to examine 183 Andean bean genotypes in Tanzania. Results indicated significant environment (E), genotype (G) and genotype x environment (GE) effects for seed yield. The environment explained 46%, genotype 20%, and GE 34% of the total (G + E + GE) variation. Two principal components explained 41.21% (PC1) and 26.35% (PC2) of GGE sum of squares. The Andean genotypes, ADP-102 (Jessica)- purple mottle, large seed, bush plant habit, released by Selian Agriculture Research Institution (ARI) in Tanzania; ADP-220 (G5625)- red, large seed, vine plant habit, from Central America; ADP-276 (G13654) - brown, medium seed, vine, from Mexico; and ADP-648 (‘Red Kloud’) large red kidney, with bush plant habit, were stable across environments and can be recommended for general adaptation across environments. An individual location for selection for yield stability was not identified, thus justifying the continued need for multiple test sites

Description of Baetao-Manteiga 41 and ‘Yunguilla’ superior Andean common beans for Tanzanian production environments

An international effort was initiated with the evaluation of a diverse set of largeseeded Andean common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), the Andean Diversity Panel, in sub-Saharan Africa. Several entries in the panel have been selected for extensive characterization on the basis of high performance acrossmultiple location × year trials in Tanzania—conducted both on station and on farm. Baetao- Manteiga 41, tested asADP-190, has a commercialKablanketi (light purple speckled) seed type, and ‘Yunguilla’, tested as ADP-447, has a commercial Calima (red mottled) seed type. Both lines exhibited yield stability, vigorous growth under low fertility conditions, angular leaf spot resistance, andmoderate common bacterial blight resistance; Yunguilla also possessed rust resistance. These two lines were tested, selected, and characterized cooperatively by Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), the Tanzanian Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), the USDA-ARS, and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) of South Africa, and in collaboration with local farmers in Tanzania

Linear Temperature Variation of the Penetration Depth in YBCO Thin Films

We have measured the penetration depth $\lambda(T)$ on $\rm YBa_{2}Cu_{3}O_{7}$ thin films from transmission at 120, 330 and 510~GHz, between 5 and 50~K. Our data yield simultaneously the absolute value and the temperature dependence of $\lambda(T)$. In high quality films $\lambda(T)$ exhibits the same linear temperature dependence as single crystals, showing its intrinsic nature, and $\lambda(0)=1750\,{\rm \AA}$. In a lower quality one, the more usual $T^2$ dependence is found, and $\lambda(0)=3600\,{\rm \AA}$. This suggests that the $T^2$ variation is of extrinsic origin. Our results put the $d$-wave like interpretation in a much better position.Comment: 12 pages, revtex, 4 uuencoded figure

Unusual features in the nonlinear microwave surface impedance of Y-Ba-Cu-O thin films

Striking features have been found in the nonlinear microwave (8 GHz) surface impedance $Z_s=R_s + jX_s$ of high-quality YBaCuO thin films with comparable low power characteristics [$R_{res}\sim 35--60 \mu\Omega$ and $\lambda_L(15 K)\sim 130--260 nm$]. The surface resistance $R_s$ is found to increase, decrease, or remain independent of the microwave field $H_{rf}$ (up to 60 mT) at different temperatures and for different samples. However, the surface reactance $X_s$ always follows the same functional form. Mechanisms which may be responsible for the observed variations in $R_s$ and $X_s$ are briefly discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Contributions in Puerto Rico to Bean, \u3ci\u3ePhaseolus\u3c/i\u3e spp., Research

Most literature reviews focus on a specific topic. The purpose of this paper, however, is to review the contributions made by a multidisciplinary team of researchers at a specific location (Puerto Rico) over a period of several decades. This paper documents bean research of the University of Puerto Rico and the USDA-ARS Tropical Agriculture Research Station during the past century. The following illustrates the merits of continuity of effort in research and shows that research often follows a logical sequence of actions to solve problems related to genetic improvement as well as to study biotic and abiotic factors that affect common bean production in Central America and the Caribbean. Finally, this narrative demonstrates that the ongoing development of improved bean germplasm lines and cultivars is cyclical and builds upon previous research achievements. The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important component of the traditional diet in Puerto Rico. The 1900 report of the USDA Puerto Rico Agricultural Experiment Station (USDA-PRAES) noted that rice and beans were staple crops in Puerto Rico and found on the tables of both the rich and poor. Smit et al. (2007) noted that annual per capita consumption of grain legumes, mostly dry beans, in Puerto Rico (6.4 kg) is almost double the per capita consumption in the U.S. (3.4 kg; US Dry Bean Council, 2019). Common and lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus L.) have been produced in the Caribbean for at least 500 years. The grain legume fits well into rotations and is often intercropped with other longer season crops such as plantains and bananas. Small white beans, locally known as ‘Blanca del País’ and striped pink beans known as ‘Colorado del País’ are traditional market classes in Puerto Rico (Koenig, 1953). Consumers in Puerto Rico today consume a wide array of market classes including white, red, pink, pinto, black and kidney beans (Bean Institute, 2018). Although Puerto Ricans represent roughly 1% of the U.S. population, they consume 3.1% of the common and lima beans in the U.S. (Lucier et al., 2000)

Unusual microwave response and bulk conductivity of very thin fese0.3te0.7 films as a function of temperature

Results of X-band microwave surface impedance measurements of FeSe1-xTex very thin film are reported. The effective surface resistance shows appearance of peak at T less and near Tc when plotted as function of temperature. The authors suggests that the most well-reasoned explanation can be based on the idea of the changing orientation of the microwave magnetic field at a SN phase transition near the surface of a very thin film. The magnetic penetration depth exhibits a power-law behavior of delta lambda proportional to T with an exponent n = 2.4 at low temperatures, which is noticeably higher than in the published results on FeSe1-xTexsingle crystal. However the temperature dependence of the superfluid conductivity remains very different from the behavior described by the BCS theory. Experimental results are fitted very well by a two-gap model with delta1/kTc=0.43 and delta2/kTc=1.22,thus supporting s(+-)- wave symmetry. The rapid increase of the quasiparticle scattering time is obtained from the microwave impedance measurements.Comment: 13 pages, 13 figure

Penetration Depth and Anisotropy in MgB2

The penetration depth lambda of MgB2 was deduced from both the ac susceptibility chi and the magnetization M(H) of sorted powders. The good agreement between the two sets of data without geometric correction for the grain orientation suggests that MgB2 is an isotropic superconductor.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures; submitted to Physical Review B (February 28, 2001; revised June 28, 2001); reference list update