Transport study of Berry's phase, the resistivity rule, and quantum Hall effect in graphite

Transport measurements indicate strong oscillations in the Hall-,$R_{xy}$, and the diagonal-, $R_{xx}$, resistances and exhibit Hall plateaus at the lowest temperatures, in three-dimensional Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite (HOPG). At the same time, a comparative Shubnikov-de Haas-oscillations-based Berry's phase analysis indicates that graphite is unlike the GaAs/AlGaAs 2D electron system, the 3D n-GaAs epilayer, semiconducting $Hg_{0.8}Cd_{0.2}Te$, and some other systems. Finally, we observe the transport data to follow $B\times dR_{xy}/dB \approx - \Delta R_{xx}$. This feature is consistent with the observed relative phases of the oscillatory $R_{xx}$ and $R_{xy}$.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Microwave-induced electron heating in the regime of radiation-induced magnetoresistance oscillations

We examine the influence of microwave photoexcitation on the amplitude of Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations in a two dimensional GaAs/AlGaAs electron system in a regime where the cyclotron frequency, $\omega_{c}$, and the microwave angular frequency, $\omega$, satisfy $2 \omega \le \omega_{c} \le 3.5 \omega$. A SdH lineshape analysis indicates that increasing the incident microwave power has a weak effect on the amplitude of the SdH oscillations, in comparison to the influence of modest temperature changes on the dark-specimen SdH effect. The results indicate negligible electron heating under modest microwave photoexcitation, in good agreement with theoretical predictions.Comment: 5 pages, 4 color figure

The role of soils in the disposition, sequestration and decontamination of environmental contaminants

Soil serves as both a ‘source’ and ‘sink’ for contaminants. As a source, contaminants are derived from both ‘geogenic’ and ‘anthropogenic’ origins. Typically, while some of the inorganic contaminants including potentially toxic elements are derived from geogenic origin (e.g. arsenic and selenium) through weathering of parent materials, the majority of organic (e.g. pesticides and microplastics) as well as inorganic (e.g. lead, cadmium) contaminants are derived from anthropogenic origin. As a sink, soil plays a critical role in the transformation of these contaminants and their subsequent transfer to environmental compartments, including groundwater (e.g. pesticides), surface water (phosphate and nitrate), ocean (e.g. microplastics) and atmosphere (e.g. nitrous oxide emission). A complex transformation process of contaminants in soil involving adsorption, precipitation, redox reactions and biodegradation control the mobility, bioavailability and environmental toxicity of these contaminants. Soil also plays a major role in the decontamination of contaminants, and the ‘cleaning’ action of soil is controlled primarily by the physico-chemical interactions of contaminants with various soil components, and the biochemical transformations facilitated by soil microorganisms. In this article, we examine the geogenic and anthropogenic sources of contaminants reaching the soil, and discuss the role of soil in the sequestration and decontamination of contaminants in relation to various physico-chemical and microbial transformation reactions of contaminants with various soil components. Finally, we propose future actions that would help to maintain the role of soils in protecting the environment from contaminants and delivering sustainable development goals. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The role of soils in delivering Nature's Contributions to People’

Quantum magneto-optics of graphite family

The optical conductivity of graphene, bilayer graphene, and graphite in quantizing magnetic fields is studied. Both dynamical conductivities, longitudinal and Hall's, are analytically evaluated. The conductivity peaks are explained in terms of electron transitions. We have shown that trigonal warping can be considered within the perturbation theory for strong magnetic fields larger than 1 T and in the semiclassical approach for weak fields when the Fermi energy is much larger than the cyclotron frequency. The main optical transitions obey the selection rule with \Deltan = 1 for the Landau number n, however the \Deltan = 2 transitions due to the trigonal warping are also possible. The Faraday/Kerr rotation and light transmission/reflection in the quantizing magnetic fields are calculated. Parameters of the Slonczewski-Weiss-McClure model are used in the fit taking into account the previous dHvA measurements and correcting some of them for the case of strong magnetic fields.Comment: 28 pages, 12 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1106.340

Developing work breakdown structure matrix for managing offsite construction projects

© 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Offsite construction techniques continue to receive considerable attention in academic/research discourse. Whilst discourse in seminal literature critique the positive and negative aspects of offsite; on balance, the benefits outweigh the barriers, especially when fully integrated and managed. From a project management perspective, the techniques applied to construction projects typically commence in determining the project’s work breakdown structure (WBS). Whilst the WBS is applicable to offsite deliverables, reflecting site-based construction activities and concomitant dependencies with the manufacturing processes, there are slight discrepancies in processes, and equally, some areas of repetition and duplication. This mismatch has a fundamental impact on integration, creating pockets of confusion, where less seamless (sub-optimal) synergy between offsite and onsite works is lost. This is an acknowledged challenge. There is, therefore, a real need to retain the product breakdown structure, whilst ensuring a seamless interface with the onsite works is maintained. This is a challenge. Whilst the WBS-matrix has been implemented in the project management domain to bridge the ‘products’ and ‘activities’, this arrangement has not yet been developed for offsite building construction projects. This paper reports an on-going research project set up to implement WBS-matrix for offsite construction projects. Two cases of recently completed offsite construction building projects were studied to analyse current practices–to inform the way forward to further develop the WBS-matrix. Findings from this research provide clear guidance for practitioners involved in offsite construction projects; particularly on the development of the WBS-matrix for manufacturing deliverables/activities in order to more effectively manage offsite construction projects.Published versio

Fish anaesthetic properties of some local plant materials.Tropical Agricultural Research Extension 9. http://www.agri.ruhrac.UC/tare/pdf/v9/A.G.9.14pdf: Accessed:24.03.2011

ABSTRACT Objective of this study was to evaluate the anesthetic properties of several plant extracts in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Extractions were made by grinding 50 g of plant material with 500 ml of water followed by crushing and filtering. Induction times of anesthesia to four pre-determined stages (S 1 -S 4 ) were recorded for different concentrations of plants extracts. When fish lost the total equilibrium (S 4 ), it was placed in a fresh water tank and the recovery time was recorded. Each concentration of the plant extract was tested in ten replicate fish. Clove (Eugnia carioplyllum), Clotalaria (Clotalaria sp), Kalawel (Derris scandens) and Kukuru extracts showed high to medium level of anesthetic properties. Clove gave the best induction and recovery times. At 3 ml plant extract/L, fish attained S 4 within 5.5 minutes and recovered within 15 minutes. Even though clotalaria at 2.5ml/L induced S 4 within 4.3 minutes, the recovery time was 64 minutes. Kalawel had a narrow effective range and acted fast. At 2 ml/L fish attained S 4 within 8.7 minutes and recovered in 43 minutes. At 3.75 ml/L Kukuru had 20 minutes induction and 60 minutes recovery time. Welan and Medella (Barrigtonia racemosa) showed some anesthetic properties but were less effective due to longer induction and recovery times. Thiththawel (Anamirla coculus), Thala (Corypha ambraculifera) and Daluk (Euphorabhia antiqurum) showed no anesthetic properties but were toxic. It is concluded that anaesthetic properties of clove are comparable with the recommended criteria for being an effective anesthetic

Role of soil organic matter on the retention and mobility of common plastic additives, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, bisphenol A and benzophenone, in soil

The objectives of this study were to assess the role of soil organic matter on retaining plastic additives, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Bisphenol A (BPA) and Benzophenone (BP), to postulate the retention mechanisms and mobility in soil. Batch experiments were conducted for red yellow podzolic soil (OM) and soil subjected to high temperature oxidation at 600 °C for 2 h to remove total organic matter (OMR). Pristine soil, which contains organic matter abbreviated as OM (soil with organic matter) whereas total organic matter removed soil is abbreviated as OMR (organic matter removed soil). The pH edge and kinetic experiments were conducted with 20 g/L soil suspension spiked with 10 mg/L of each additive, whereas 1–20 mg/L concentration range was used in isotherm experiments and analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography. DEHP demonstrated the highest retention, 331 and 615.16 mg/kg in OM and OMR soils respectively, at pH 6.6. However, BPA and BP showed highest retentions of 132 and 128 mg/kg, respectively around pH 4.3 in pristine soil. DEHP interaction with soil OM indicated weak physical bonding whereas chemisorption to OMR soil. In the case of BPA, physisorption governed its interaction with both soil organic matter and mineral fraction. Nevertheless, BP demonstrated chemical interactions with OM and minerals. Desorption of DEHP was close to 100% however, BPA and BP were <15%. Overall, DEHP and BPA could be easily released into soil water and possibly be available for plant uptake while, BP is immobilized in soil

PCR-based assay for the rapid detection of fumonisin-producing fusarium species in maize-based animal and poultry feeds in Karnataka, India

One hundred and fourteen animal feedstuffs and eighty poultry feed mixtures commonly used for animal and poultry nutrition in Karnataka, India, were analysed for Fusarium contamination. The total counts of fusaria in animal feeds and poultry feed mixtures revealed a high incidence of F. verticillioides, being isolated from all positive samples. Most contaminated samples were maize pellets (71.4%), cotton seed (66.6%), maize powder (60%) and fine wheat bran (50%), respectively, while no Fusarium species was isolated from Bengal gram husk and wheat flakes. All the Fusarium species were identified by the PCR method using genus specific ITS and group specific FUM 1 primers. Of the 374 Fusarium isolates tested with ITS set of primers, all fusaria scored positive, whereas only 244 (65%) isolates tested positive with the FUM 1 set of primers. The specificity of the primers provides the basis for a simple, accurate and precise detection of Fusarium species that represents fumonisin producers, which are a considerable risk for animal, poultry and human health

References

Picture stories lined by ciliated columnar, stratified squamous or rarely gastric epithelium. Most contain a clear jelly like fluid. These cysts are extramural and share the common muscular wall of the oesophagus [2]. The oesophageal duplication cysts are commonly asymptomatic. If gastric mucosa persists it may lead to ulceration, haemorrhage and perforation. An enlarging cyst can cause dysphagia, airway obstruction and repeated lung infections. Radiographically these cysts appear as a mediastinal mass. Barium studies show a filling defect indistinguishable from common tumours such as leiomyoma. At endoscopy there is a bulge with overlying normal mucosa. If the duplication cyst communicates with the oesopagus the barium fills in a blind pouch [3]. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice [4]. Excision is done via thoracotomy or by video assisted thoracoscopy. Regular follow up of these patients is essential as impaired propulsive activity of the oesophagus due to damage to oesophageal musculature may result in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease