Multihierarchical electrodes based on titanate nanotubes and zinc oxide nanorods for photoelectrochemical water splitting

Studies involving water splitting to form hydrogen and oxygen have attracted attention because H2 is considered the fuel of the future. Photoelectrocatalysts have been widely used for this application, and several metal oxides can be applied as catalysts. Among them, we highlight zinc oxide nanorods (ZnONRs) and titanate nanotubes (TiNTs); however, their individual nanostructures exhibit disadvantages. For example, ZnONR shows rapid recombination of the photogenerated charges, and TiNT gives rise to randomly orientated films; these disadvantages limit their application as photoanodes. In this study, for the first time, we present a new class of multihierarchical electrodes based on TiNT-decorated ZnONR films that exhibited superior results to the individual species. The TiNTs are homogenously dispersed over the surface of the rods without forming agglomerates, giving rise to a heterojunction that exhibits lower recombination rates. It was found that the results are better when the contents of TiNT in the electrode are higher; thus, glycine was successfully used as a bridge to link both of the structures, increasing the amount of TiNT decorating the rods. As a result, the photocurrent generated with these multihierarchical electrodes is higher than that obtained for pure ZnONR electrodes (0.9 mA and 0.45 mA, respectively), and the electrode potentials for O2 evolution is lower than that observed for pure TiNT electrodes (0 V and 0.8 V vs. ERHE, respectively). The IPCE values are also higher for the multihierarchical electrodes

Inferring mixed-culture growth from total biomass data in a wavelet approach

It is shown that the presence of mixed-culture growth in batch fermentation processes can be very accurately inferred from total biomass data by means of the wavelet analysis for singularity detection. This is accomplished by considering simple phenomenological models for the mixed growth and the more complicated case of mixed growth on a mixture of substrates. The main quantity provided by the wavelet analysis is the Holder exponent of the singularity that we determine for our illustrative examples. The numerical results point to the possibility that Holder exponents can be used to characterize the nature of the mixed-culture growth in batch fermentation processes with potential industrial applications. Moreover, the analysis of the same data affected by the common additive Gaussian noise still lead to the wavelet detection of the singularities although the Holder exponent is no longer a useful parameterComment: 17 pages and 10 (png) figure

Build up of soil phosphorus in coffee plantations of Karnataka overthree decades

Karnataka is the largest coffee producing State in India contributing 72.3 per cent of the total production of the country. ArabicaCoffee is being cultivated in Karnatakain an area of 1.1 lakh ha and Robusta coffee in 1.2 lakh ha. Coffee growing soils are deep,friable, rich in organic matter, high in potassium content, well drained and slightly acidic in reaction. These soils contain largequantities of aluminium and iron oxides. Hence, phosphorus (P) availability in the Indian coffee growing soils is a constraint asthe aluminium and iron oxides fix the appliedphosphorus. Soil testing laboratories(STLs) of Coffee Board are rendering advisoryservice to the growers based on soil analysis and classify the data into low, medium and high category. In order to know the impactof the lime and fertilizer management on the soil available P status of the coffee growing soils of Karnataka, the soil-P data werecompiled and classified into different categories for the 3 districts, viz., Chikmagalur, Hassan and Kodagu for a period from 1980-81 to 2015-16. The decade-wise data set on soil available phosphorus so obtained was analyzed and the changes occurred over aperiod of time were assessed.The results indicated that over a period of thirty six years clear cut shift has taken place from low tohigh category in the available P status of soils cropped to coffee. About 50per cent of the samples were low during 1980s whilethis has reduced to 42 per cent during 1990s and further reduced to 23per cent during 2016. On the other hand the percentage ofsamples under high category has gradually increased from 24 to 51

Influence Of A Cobalt-chromium Metal Framework On Surface Roughness And Knoop Hardness Of Visible Light-polymerized Acrylic Resins

Although visible light-polymerized acrylic resins have been used in removable partial dentures, it is not clear whether the presence of a metal framework could interfere with their polymerization, by possibly reflecting the light and affecting important properties, such as roughness and hardness, which would consequently increase biofilm accumulation. The aim of this study was to compare the roughness and Knoop hardness of a visible light-polymerized acrylic resin and to compare these values to those of water-bath- and microwave-polymerized resins, in the presence of a metal framework. Thirty-six specimens measuring 30.0 x 4.0 ± 0.5 mm of a microwave- (Onda Cryl), a visible light- (Triad) and a water-bath-polymerized (Clássico) (control) acrylic resins containing a cobalt-chromium metal bar were prepared. After processing, specimens were ground with 360 to 1000-grit abrasive papers in a polishing machine, followed by polishing with cloths and 1-μm diamond particle suspension. Roughness was evaluated using a profilometer (Surfcorder SE 1700) and Knoop hardness (Kg/mm 2) was assayed using a microhardness tester (Shimadzu HMV 2000) at distances of 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 μm from the metal bar. Roughness and Knoop hardness means were submitted to two-way ANOVA and compared by Tukey and Kruskal Wallis tests at a 5% significance level Statistically significant differences were found (p<0.05) for roughness and Knoop hardness, with light-polymerized resin presenting the highest values (Ra = 0.11 μm and hardness between 20.2 and 21.4 Kg/mm 2). Knoop values at different distances from the metal bar did not differ statistically (p>0.05). Within the limitations of this in vitro study, it was concluded that the presence of metal did not influence roughness and hardness values of any of the tested acrylic resins.143208212Anusavice, K.J., (2003) Philip's Science of Dental Materials. 11 th Ed., p. 96. , 11 St. Louis: Elsevier ScienceBollen, C.M.L., Lambrechts, P., Quirynen, M., Comparison of surface roughness of oral hard materials to the threshold surface roughness for bacterial plaque retention: A review of the literature (1997) Dent Mater, 13 (4), pp. 258-269Borchers, L., Tavassol, F., Tschernitschek, H., Surface quality achieved by polishing and by varnishing of temporary crown and fixed partial denture resins (1999) J Prosthet Dent, 82 (5), pp. 550-556Braun, K.O., Del Bel Cury, A.A., Cury, J.A., Use of microwave energy for processing acrylic resin near metal (1998) Braz Oral Res, 12 (2), pp. 173-180Curtis, D.A., Eggleston, T.L., Marshall, S.J., Watanabe, L.G., Shear bond strength of visible-light-cured resin relative to heat-cured resin (1989) Dental Mater, 5 (7), pp. 314-318De Clerck, J.P., Microwave polymerization of acrylic resins used in dental prosthesis (1987) J Prosthet Dent, 57 (5), pp. 650-658Khan, Z., Von Fraunhofer, J.A., Razavi, R., The staining characteristics, transverse strength, and microhardness of a visible light-cured denture base material (1987) J Prosthet Dent, 57 (3), pp. 384-386Levin, B., Sanders, J.L., Reitz, P.V., The use of microwave energy for processing acrylic resins (1989) J Prosthet Dent, 61 (3), pp. 381-383Ogle, R.E., Sorensen, S.E., Lewis, E.A., A new visible light-cured resin system applied to removable prosthodontics (1986) J Prosthet Dent, 56 (4), pp. 497-506Quirynen, M., Cml, B., Willems, G., Van Steenberghe, D., Comparison of surface characteristics of six commercially pure titanium abutments (1994) JOMI, 9 (1), pp. 71-76Reitz, P.V., Sanders, J.L., Levin, B., The curing of denture acrylic resins by microwave energy. Physical properties (1985) Quintessence Int, 6 (8), pp. 547-551Rodrigues Garcia, R.C.M., Souza Jr., J.A., Rached, R.N., Del Bel Cury, A.A., Effect of denture cleansers on the surface roughness and hardness of a microwave-cured acrylic resin and dental alloys (2004) J Prosthodont, 13 (3), pp. 1-6Rueggeberg, F.A., Goughman, W.F., Curtis Jr., J.W., Effect of light intensity and exposure duration on cure of resin composite (1994) Oper Dent, 19 (1), pp. 26-32Truong, V.T., Thomasz, F.G., Comparison of denture acrylic resins cured by boiling water and microwave energy (1988) Aust Dent J, 33 (3), pp. 201-204Ulusoy, M., Ulusoy, N., Aydin, A.K., An evaluation of polishing technique on surface roughness of acrylic rsins (1986) J Prosthetic Dent, 56 (1), pp. 107-11

Forage quality and performance of sheep in Massai grass pastures managed at pre-grazing canopy heights

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of pasture height at pre-grazing of Massai grass on the quality of available forage, forage intake and the performance of lambs raised for meat production. The treatments consisted of four pre-grazing canopy heights (35, 40, 45 and 50 cm). Pastures were managed by the intermittent stocking method and 32 sheep were used. Dry matter intake (DMI) was estimated by Lipe® indicator. Green forage allowance was not affected by pre-grazing heights. There was no effect of heights on the chemical composition of the stem or the leaf blades, except for crude protein content of leaf blades, which showed an inverse linear effect. Grazing time had a quadratic response in function of canopy height. The minimum point was at 42.6 cm, with 502.9 min/day. DMI increased linearly with increasing pasture height. Average daily weight gain (ADG) and stocking rate (SR) responded linearly to pre-grazing heights. Weight gain per hectare was not affected by height as a result of the compensation between SR and ADG. The increase from 35 to 50 cm in Massai grass canopy height reduces its nutritional value and individual performance and increases DMI of sheep intended for meat production.Keywords: Panicum maximum, tropical pasture, voluntary intak

Experimental Study and Numerical Simulation of Sediment Transport in a Shallow Reservoir

The prediction of sedimentation is an important aspect of reservoir planning and design. Such prediction can be supported by detailed analyses of flow patterns and sediment transport inside reservoirs, usually conducted through numerical simulation. This research compares laboratorial sedimentation experiments in a shallow reservoir and predictions using a 2D numerical model with depth-average Navier-Stokes equations and a sediment transport code. A number of sediment transport equations were tested, among which the Engelund and Fredsøe formulation better represented the measured data. Flows without sediment transport or without bed dunes could be simulated using Smagorinski’s turbulence model, while flows with sediment occurring over dunes needed the use of a constant turbulent viscosity. The similarity obtained between experimental data and numerical results, for both flow pattern and sediment deposition, confirms that the models and numerical codes used in this work are useful for the analysis and prediction of reservoir sedimentation

CARACTERÍSTICAS HIDROSSEDIMENTOLOGICA E AMBIENTAL DA BAÍA DA CARNE SECA NO RIO PARAGUAI EM CÁCERES, MATO GROSSO

O estudo foi desenvolvido no rio Paraguai, na baía da Carne Seca, com objetivo de avaliar a hidrodinâmica e sedimentologias. Realizou atividade de gabinete, trabalho de campo e análise de laboratório. A vazão no rio variou de 596,60 a 888,54 m3/s e na baía variou de 11,57 a 23,94 m3/s. Os dados granulométricos mostraram a predominância de areia fina e silte nos sedimentos de fundo