Restoration of Eroded Lands with Biochar as Soil Amendment in South Dakota

Biochar is produced from incomplete pyrolysis of plant biomass. Due to the unique properties of biochar such as a higher number of micropores, surface area and carbon content, and recalcitrant nature of carbon, biochar is hypothesized to improve physical and hydrological properties of soil. This study assesses the impact of biochar on soil organic carbon, physical and hydrological properties of two landscape positions under a corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation. Three types of biochar including corn stover, ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Lawson and C. Lawson) wood residue, and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) were applied in the field and compared with control and manure treatments. Data showed that biochar significantly affected the pH and labile carbon fraction at the eroded landscape position for 0-7.5 cm surface depth. Biochar can increase the pH of sandy loam acidic soil due to liming effect of biochar. The labile part of biochar may be degraded by microorganisms as suggested by significant differences in labile carbon of soil with biochar addition at the eroded landscape position. However, biochar, manure, and mixture of manure and biochar significantly impacted the hydrological properties of biochar. This suggested that specific properties of biochar including large number of inner pores and high surface area could be helpful to improve soil water retention (SWR) and water infiltration. Impacts of biochar varied for different years and soil types due to differences in feedstock used, and surface changes occurred in soil. Further field studies are required to determine changes in soil physical properties using higher rates than 10 Mg ha-1 (1% w/w) and different types of biochar. Also, longterm studies are needed in the future to better understand the effect of biochar on soil properties and carbon fractions, and results from our study need to be evaluated under different climatic conditions

Conceptual framework of environmntal sustainable interventions with the use of green infrastructure design criteria on projects

Paper presented at the 33rd Annual Southern African Transport Conference 7-10 July 2014 "Leading Transport into the Future", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.This paper presents a conceptual framework that incorporates eco-efficiency on Infrastructure projects with the use of the environmentally sustainable criteria on infrastructure projects. Mainstreaming environmental aspects and incorporating the eco-efficiency concept into various stages of infrastructure development have not been considered as much as they should have been. Engineers need to look at greener technologies rather than just using traditional engineering solutions. This paper aims to develop a framework that enables a project to be designed in accordance with environmentally sustainable criteria. The key aim of the framework was to create a more socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable neighbourhood, which focused on combating flooding, waste management, water recycling and enhancing biodiversity.This paper was transferred from the original CD ROM created for this conference. The material was published using Adobe Acrobat 10.1.0 Technology. The original CD ROM was produced by CE Projects cc. Postal Address: PO Box 560 Irene 0062 South Africa. Tel.: +27 12 667 2074 Fax: +27 12 667 2766 E-mail: [email protected]

RF/Microwave Non-Destructive Measurements of Electrical Properties of Semiconductor Wafers for Thermophotovoltaic Applications

A radio-frequency/microwave measurement system has been designed for non-contacting determination of sheet resistance and excess carrier lifetime of low-bandgap materials and junctions, specifically GaSb-based alloys for thermophotovoltaic (TPV) applications. The design incorporates RF circuitry in the 100--500 MHz frequency range and utilizes a Q-switched YAG laser at 1.32 microns to photo-generate electron-hole pairs and conductivity modulate the material and/or junction under test. Supplementary measurements with a GaAs pulsed diode laser at 904 nm provides a faster transient response with near-surface photogeneration. Initial measurements on GaSb substrates, Zn-diffused materials and epitaxially grown layers are presented and discussed

Patients' perceived needs of osteoarthritis health information: A systematic scoping review

Background: Optimal management of osteoarthritis requires active patient participation. Understanding patients’ perceived health information needs is important in order to optimize health service delivery and health outcomes in osteoarthritis. We aimed to review the existing literature regarding patients’ perceived health information needs for OA. Methods: A systematic scoping review was performed of publications in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO (1990–2016). Descriptive data regarding study design and methodology were extracted and risk of bias assessed. Aggregates of patients’ perceived needs of osteoarthritis health information were categorized. Results: 30 studies from 2876 were included: 16 qualitative, 11 quantitative and 3 mixed-methods studies. Three areas of perceived need emerged: (1) Need for clear communication: terms used were misunderstood or had unintended connotations. Patients wanted clear explanations. (2) Need for information from various sources: patients wanted accessible health professionals with specialist knowledge of arthritis. The Internet, whilst a source of information, was acknowledged to have dubious reliability. Print media, television, support groups, family and friends were utilised to fulfil diverse information needs. (3) Needs of information content: patients desired more information about diagnosis, prognosis, management and prevention. Conclusions: Patients desire more information regarding the diagnosis of osteoarthritis, its impact on daily life and its long-term prognosis. They want more information not only about pharmacological management options, but also non-pharmacological options to help them manage their symptoms. Also, patients wanted this information to be delivered in a clear manner from multiple sources of health information. To address these gaps, more effective communication strategies are required. The use of a variety of sources and modes of delivery may enable the provision of complementary material to provide information more successfully, resulting in better patient adherence to guidelines and improved health outcomes

Cannabidiol industrial hemp growth, biomass, and temporal cannabinoids accumulation under different planting dates in southern Florida

Abstract Due to limited information, identifying suitable cannabidiol (CBD) dominant industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivars and optimal planting date are critical for hemp commercialization for CBD production in Florida. Two field trials were conducted with seven cultivars planted on three different dates from late April to late June. The cultivars were received from two different suppliers (Kentucky and Colorado) representing their adaptation. Plant growth parameters such as plant height and green canopy cover were recorded at 2−3 weeks intervals during crop growth. Temporal CBD and Δ‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations in developing flowers were analyzed weekly beginning two weeks after flowering until maturity. The final floral biomass yield was measured at harvest. CBD and THC concentration curve over crop growing season varied among the tested cultivars. High positive correlations between CBD and THC concentrations (R2 = 0.88−0.98) were observed in all cultivars. This resulted in similar CBD/THC ratios across all planting conditions. Earlier planting resulted in higher CBD, THC, and floral biomass yield in a few cultivars, with no significant effect in most cultivars. Cultivars adapted in Kentucky performed better compared to Colorado in floral biomass and CBD yield. However, THC concentrations in the cultivars adapted in Kentucky mostly exceeded the acceptable legal threshold (0.3% THC) at harvest. Results indicate cultivar performance was affected more by genetics compared to planting date. Screening more cultivars adapted to regions of similar latitudes and environmental conditions is necessary to identify suitable hemp cultivars for Florida or similar climatic conditions

PP/ABS Blends with Carbon Black: Morphology and Electrical Properties

Phase morphology of melt-mixed polypropylene (PP)/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) blends was found to be blend ratio dependent, viz., matrix-particle dispersed type of morphology which was observed up to 30 wt% of ABS level beyond which the morphology showed co-continuous type. The domain size of 80/20 PP/ABS blends was found to decrease significantly at 10 wt% carbon black (CB) level, and in case of 70/30 blends morphology was transformed into co-continuous type in the presence of CB, which was retained up to 60 wt% ABS. The finer morphological features were associated with the compatibilizing action of CB particles. Continuous network was achieved through aggregated CB particles predominantly in the PP phase wherein one could find CB-rich PP phase and CB-less PP phase. Solution experiments further supported the existence of CB particles preferentially in the PP phase. AC electrical conductivity measurements indicated a 3D network-like structure of CB aggregates in the co-continuous compositions which showed enhanced electrical conductivity as compared to the matrix-dispersed type of morphology in 80/20 PP/ABS blends which exhibited insulating behavior. On increasing ABS content in the blends the electrical conductivity decreased progressively due to a difficulty in retaining 3D continuous network of CB aggregates especially at 40/60 composition. Increased processing temperature led to a higher electrical conductivity in the respective blends. Dielectric measurements revealed the existence of metallic type of conduction in the co-continuous compositions. However, 80/20 blends showed low epsilon' value. Overall, structure property relationship studies were conducted in PP/ABS blends with CB. (C) 2009 . J Appl Polym Sci 112: 998-1004, 200

Blends of Polypropylene and Ethylene Octene Comonomer with Conducting Fillers: Influence of State of Dispersion of Conducting Fillers on Electrical Conductivity

Blends of polypropylene/ethylene octene comonomer (PP/EOC) with conducting fillers viz., carbon black (CB) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were prepared using melt mixing technique with varying filler concentration and blend compositions. Thermo gravimetric analysis studies indicated that presence of filler enhanced the thermal stability of PP/EOC blends. Morphological analysis revealed the formation of matrix-dispersed droplet and co-continuous type of morphology depending on the blend compositions. Significant reduction in droplet size and finer ligament thickness in co-continuous structure were observed in the blends with filler due to compatibilization action. Fillers were found to be aggregated in the EOC phase irrespective of blends compositions and could be related to the affinity of the fillers toward EOC phase. The electrical conductivity of PP/EOC blends with CB and MWNT was found to be highest for 80/20 composition and decreased as EOC content increased. The percolation threshold of CB was between 10 and 15 wt% for the 80/20 and 70/30 blends whereas it was 15-20 wt% for blends with EOC content higher than 30 wt%. The percolation threshold was 2-3 wt% MWNT for PP/EOC blends. This was attributed to the aggregated filler network preferentially in the EOC phase. The melt-rheological behavior of PP/EOC blends was significantly influenced in presence of both the fillers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 49:1502-1510, 2009. (C) 2009 Society of Plastics Engineer