1,333 research outputs found
Direct Measurement of 2D and 3D Interprecipitate Distance Distributions from Atom-Probe Tomographic Reconstructions
Edge-to-edge interprecipitate distance distributions are critical for
predicting precipitation strengthening of alloys and other physical phenomena.
A method to calculate this 3D distance and the 2D interplanar distance from
atom-probe tomographic data is presented. It is applied to nanometer-sized
Cu-rich precipitates in an Fe-1.7 at.% Cu alloy. Experimental interprecipitate
distance distributions are discussed
OTS 1809+314 and the Gamma-Ray Burst GB 790325b
We present deep CCD images of the field containing the recurring Optical Transient Source (OTS) 1809+314 recently discovered on the archival plates of the Sonneberg Observatory. At the position of OTS 1809+314 we find no optical counterpart brighter tha V=24.0 24.5, rgunn = 22.0-22.5 and I = 22.0 22.5, and I = 22.0-22.5. In the zero proper motion limit our observations place severe constraints on possible quiescent counterparts. There is no compelling evidence to suggest an association between the historical optical transient source and the gamma-ray burst GB 790325b located ~ 5\u27 to the east of OTS 1809+314
JCat: a novel tool to adapt codon usage of a target gene to its potential expression host
A novel method for the adaptation of target gene codon usage to most sequenced prokaryotes and selected eukaryotic gene expression hosts was developed to improve heterologous protein production. In contrast to existing tools, JCat (Java Codon Adaptation Tool) does not require the manual definition of highly expressed genes and is, therefore, a very rapid and easy method. Further options of JCat for codon adaptation include the avoidance of unwanted cleavage sites for restriction enzymes and Rho-independent transcription terminators. The output of JCat is both graphically and as Codon Adaptation Index (CAI) values given for the pasted sequence and the newly adapted sequence. Additionally, a list of genes in FASTA-format can be uploaded to calculate CAI values. In one example, all genes of the genome of Caenorhabditis elegans were adapted to Escherichia coli codon usage and further optimized to avoid commonly used restriction sites. In a second example, the Pseudomonas aeruginosa exbD gene codon usage was adapted to E.coli codon usage with parallel avoidance of the same restriction sites. For both, the degree of introduced changes was documented and evaluated. JCat is integrated into the PRODORIC database that hosts all required information on the various organisms to fulfill the requested calculations. JCat is freely accessible at
Multi-Sensor Field Studies of Lightning and Implications for MTG-LI
Future geostationary satellite systems will offer a variety of improved observing capabilities which will be
extremely useful for many applications like numerical weather forecasting, nowcasting of severe weather,
climate research or hydrology. The planning for MTG (Meteosat Third Generation) includes an optical
lightning imager (LI) as part of the payload. One requirement for a proper interpretation of these optical
data is a better understanding of what components of a flash are to be seen from space and how these
observations relate to ground based radio frequency observations. Therefore, the objectives of the present
study concern the improvement of the understanding of the complex lightning process which then enables
a proper interpretation of the optical data.
For assessing the future performances and benefits of a geostationary lightning sensor this study takes
advantage of the comprehensive lightning data sets obtained from the recent CHUVA field experiment
performed in Brazil. (CHUVA - Cloud processes of tHe main precipitation systems in Brazil: A contribUtion
to cloud resolVing modeling and to the GPM (GlobAl Precipitation Measurement)). During the rainy season
of 2011-2012 a large number of ground based lightning detection systems was set up in the Sao Paulo
area in Brazil. In the present study we look at the detailed radio frequency (RF) based observation from
LINET (Lightning detection network operated by DLR, nowcast and USP) and observing strokes in the
VLF/LF (very low and low frequency) range, the LMA (Lightning mapping array) from NASA observing RF
sources in the VHF (very high frequency) range and the TRMM-LIS (Tropical Rainfall Measuring
Mission-Lightning Imaging Sensor) optical space borne lightning imager. The LIS is used as a reference
instrument for the future MTG-LI sensor as well as for the corresponding GLM sensor (Geostationary
Lightning Mapper) on GOES-R. Thus it is possible to study the relations between the RF and optical
signals from lightning in detail and to assess the performance of the future geostationary observations from
a set of proxy satellite data generated from the ground based observations.
In confirmation of previous studies, it was found that often a direct temporal coincidence of RF
signals (LINET strokes) and optical pulses (LIS groups) exists. The short baseline configuration
of LINET allowed to observe the strokes mapping the flash branches similar to LMA, but by
locating the limited number of strong cloud strokes rather than a large number of weak source
points from leader steps. An initial breakdown phase of vertically propagating sources can often
be found in LINET and LMA data. The higher level LINET and LMA signals have higher
probability to be optically detected. Lower level LINET and LMA signals are optically detected
from above in case of missing high level precipitation as inferred from radar observations
provided by USP. The new comprehensive data set allows for constructing proxy data for the
future geostationary lightning mappers
Techno‐economic assessment and comparison of different plastic recycling pathways: A German case study
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions need to be reduced to limit global warming. Plastic production requires carbon raw materials and energy that are associated today with predominantly fossil raw materials and fossil GHG emissions. Worldwide, the plastic demand is increasing annually by 4%. Recycling technologies can help save or reduce GHG emissions, but they require comparative assessment. Thus, we assess mechanical recycling, chemical recycling by means of pyrolysis and a consecutive, complementary combination of both concerning Global Warming Potential (GWP) [CO2e], Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) [MJ/kg], carbon efficiency [%], and product costs [€] in a process‐oriented approach and within defined system boundaries. The developed techno‐economic and environmental assessment approach is demonstrated in a case study on recycling of separately collected mixed lightweight packaging (LWP) waste in Germany. In the recycling paths, the bulk materials polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), and polystyrene (PS) are assessed. The combined mechanical and chemical recycling (pyrolysis) of LWP waste shows considerable saving potentials in GWP (0.48 kg CO2e/kg input), CED (13.32 MJ/kg input), and cost (0.14 €/kg input) and a 16% higher carbon efficiency compared to the baseline scenario with state‐of‐the‐art mechanical recycling in Germany. This leads to a combined recycling potential between 2.5 and 2.8 million metric tons/year that could keep between 0.8 and 2 million metric tons/year additionally in the (circular) economy instead of incinerating them. This would be sufficient to reach both EU and German recycling rate targets (EC 2018). This article met the requirements for a gold‐silver JIE data openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges
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