Genetic Variation in The Age of Demarcation Between Juvenile And Mature Wood in Douglas-Fir

Variation in the age of demarcation between juvenile and mature wood based on wood density was studied in 180 Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) trees. Ring density profiles were generated from X-ray densitometry of increment cores from each of 3 randomly selected trees from each of 30 wind-pollinated families (parent trees) grown in 2 replication blocks. The families represented 10 provenances (3 families per provenance). Two boundary points were determined: the age at which a significant change occurred in the slope of the density-age relationship (using piecewise regression techniques), and the age at which species average density was reached. The period of juvenile wood production ranged from 11 to 37 years among the trees sampled. Most of the variation was among trees-within-plots; however, significant differences among families-within-provenances indicated that the period of juvenile wood production for this population of Douglas-fir was under appreciable genetic control

Appropriate scales and technologies for energy recovery by thermal processing of waste in the urban environment

In the developed world, 75% of the population live in urban areas, a figure projected to rise to nearly 83% by 2030, while in the developing world, the rate of urbanisation is even faster. One of the most important environmental problems associated with urbanisation is the amount of waste that is generated at a rate that outstrips the ability of the natural environment to assimilate it and authorities to manage it. Therefore, if we are to deliver a more sustainable economy, we must do more with less by making better use of resources. The recovery of energy from waste or EfW is an important component of an integrated waste management strategy, as it reduces our reliance on landfill. It is also a low carbon, low cost fuel, which by displacing fossil fuels can help the UK Government in meeting its energy policy and emission targets. Furthermore, EfW can contribute to energy security through diversification of supply it is projected that EfW may supply up 17% of the total UK electricity consumption by 2020. The main objectives of this work are to investigate the appropriate scales and technologies for the production of energy from waste in the urban environment. The suitability and effectiveness of fluidized bed combustion and gasification processes have been studied, together with gas clean-up systems. The most appropriate scales for each of these approaches in relation to system efficiencies and costs were evaluated, so that a sound judgement can be made as to which processes should be used in the urban context. Within this framework, a comprehensive assessment of fluidized bed reactor types and operational process conditions has been presented. Current and future status of these technologies was discussed, as well as the non-technical barriers hampering their development. The assessment concluded with a review of the different emissions and residues generated from the thermal treatment processes, their management, practices and costs. Mass and energy balances of traditional moving-grate combustion plants and key issues regarding the treatment of the output gas stream have been investigated during a five- month placement programme at Germana & Partners Consulting Engineers in Rome (Italy). The aim of the study was to gain an in-depth understanding of design methodologies and engineering principles applied in the detailed design of real industrial energy recovery plants. The study led to the development of a consistent approach for the technical and economic evaluation of more advanced technologies, namely fluidized bed combustion and gasification systems. Two different scale scenarios of 50,000 tpa and 100,000 tpa plant capacities were considered for the generation of electric power using a steam turbine for the combustion process and gas engine & combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) for the gasification process. Mass and energy balances of the processes were performed and the cost effectiveness of the different waste treatment options was assessed using a discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, which includes current market-based mechanisms, such as eligibility for Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs). A sensitivity analysis was carried out to evaluate the effects of changing system variables on the economic performances of the different waste treatment options. Seventeen system variables have been chosen and the effects of a 10% change in these variables on the levelised costs and gate fees were examined. These variables include waste calorific value, gasifier efficiency, prime mover electrical generation efficiency, as well as electricity and ROC prices and biodegradable fraction of the waste. As part of this study, the techno-economic performances of traditional moving-grate combustions systems was reported and compared against the different fluidized bed systems co-located with Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) facilities. The work was subsequently extended to analyse the technical and cost effectiveness of the simultaneous generation of heat and power from EfW fluidized bed combustion and gasification systems, using the same scale scenarios of 50,000 tpa and 100,000 tpa. The study focused on the additional capital and operating costs involved in incorporating combined heat and power (CHP) into EfW facilities. The projected revenues from heat sales and eligibility for ROCs were also evaluated for a range of market penetration levels. Furthermore, the environmental benefits associated with EfW with CHP facilities were assessed and the CO2 savings achieved from displacing fossil fuels in the separate generation of heat and power were also determined

Виртуальная реальность

This article provides a brief overview of Virtual Reality and what is it and wha

Acute pancreatitis-induced by platinum compounds in patients with cancer: a review of the literature

The purpose of this review of the literature was to describe the relationship between use of platinum-based antineoplastics and development of acute pancreatitis in patients with cancer. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Science Direct and Google scholar databases for articles published from 1985 to 2014. The headings and/or text words (platinum compounds), (acute pancreatitis-induced by platinum compounds), and (cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin) were entered, and the search was limited to articles describing case reports in adults with cancer. A total of 12 cases were reported between 1985 and 2012; including three platinum compounds; cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin. In conclusion, it is highly recommended to include baseline assessment for acute pancreatitis risk factors and to consider acute pancreatitis in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in patients who have received platinum-based chemotherapy

Intra-Ring Variations in Mature Douglas-Fir Trees From Provenance Plantations

Variations in seven intra-ring characteristics were studied in juvenile and mature wood from two Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] genetic plantations. Samples were collected from 30 families representing 10 provenances with two replicates in each plantation. The following characteristics were determined by X-ray densitometry: earlywood density (EWD), latewood density (LWD), average ring density (RD), earlywood width (EWW), latewood width (LWW), total ring width (RW), and latewood proportion (LWP). Variation patterns were analyzed by two models: (1) families pooled across provenances and (2) provenances and families-within-provenances.Differences between plantations were significant for all traits except juvenile RD and mature RW and EWD. Variance components associated with families (pooled across provenances) remained the same with stand development and were biased upwards as a result of provenance variation. Genetic variation resulting from provenances was evident for RD and EWD, but (except for LWP) was relatively unimportant for RW parameters. Selection for families within populations can contribute to juvenile RW, as well as to mature RD and LWP

Bearing Capacity of Driven Open-Ended Pipe Piles in Weak Soil Formations

Steel pipe piles have been increasingly used as deep foundations for offshore or onshore structures in weak soil formations. These piles are usually open-ended and installed to their final level using suitable hammers or vibrators relying on the subsurface conditions. Simultaneously, the soil plug (SP) forms inside the employed pipe pile during driving or installation. Moreover, it affects bearing behavior and total pile resistance. The experimental tests have been performed on a single tube pile. All tube piles were tested using the well-graded sand collected from the Egyptian desert, and the sand was prepared at medium density using a raining technique. The outcomes of the model pile tests showed that the value of plug resistance in open-ended pipe pile (OEPP) is typically on the order of 50% to 70% of the total pile load of OEPP, and it is influenced by pile thickness, pile diameter, pile length, and submerged state. Simultaneously, the plugging influence of OEPP increased with increasing pile thickness and embedded pile length. However, the plugging influence decreased with increasing pile diameter. The total pile load of OEPP increased with increasing the embedded pile length. It must be noted that the influence of pile length on the total pile load is greater than the influence of pile diameter; this refers to the pile length having a significant effect on the total pile load. This is due to an increase in the influence of SP

Pengembangan Sistem Penyediaan Air Bersih Untuk Zona Pelayanan IPA Pilolodaa Kota Gorontalo

Sistem jaringan air bersih adalah suatu sistem suplai air bersih yang meliputi sistem transmisi dan reservoar. Sistem distribusi atau perpipaan dioperasikan sedemikian rupa sehingga dapat memenuhi kebutuhan air bersih.Zona pelayanan IPA Pilolodaa terletak di Kota Barat, Kota Gorontalo. Saat ini sebagian wilayah pelayanan tersebut telah mendapat pelayanan air bersih dari PDAM, namun sebagian wilayah pelayanan tidak mendapatkan air bersih. Penyebabnya adalah wilayah tersebut berada pada dataran yang lebih tinggi dari PDAM, sehingga tekanan air untuk distribusinya terbatas.Dengan menggunakan analisa eksponensial, hasil proyeksi jumlah penduduk zona pelayanan IPA Pilolodaa pada tahun 2032 yakni berjumlah 18.537 jiwa dengan total kebutuhan air bersih mencapai 40,164 liter/detik. Agar kebutuhan air bersih terpenuhi maka dibangun 2 reservoir, masing-masing bertipe ground reservoir dengan ukuran 11m x 11m x 3m dan 15m x 15m x 3m. Sistem distribusi menggunakan sistem kombinasi antara sistem pompa dan gravitasi, dengan hasil perhitungan diameter pipa transmisi ke masing-masing reservoar adalah 175 mm dan 200 mm, untuk pipa distribusi bervariasi antara 50 mm - 200 mm. Untuk mendesain sistem penyediaan air bersih digunakan software EPANET 2.0

A new monoclonal antibody detects downregulation of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type γ in chronic myeloid leukemia patients

Background: Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor gamma (PTPRG) is a ubiquitously expressed member of the protein tyrosine phosphatase family known to act as a tumor suppressor gene in many different neoplasms with mechanisms of inactivation including mutations and methylation of CpG islands in the promoter region. Although a critical role in human hematopoiesis and an oncosuppressor role in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) have been reported, only one polyclonal antibody (named chPTPRG) has been described as capable of recognizing the native antigen of this phosphatase by flow cytometry. Protein biomarkers of CML have not yet found applications in the clinic, and in this study, we have analyzed a group of newly diagnosed CML patients before and after treatment. The aim of this work was to characterize and exploit a newly developed murine monoclonal antibody specific for the PTPRG extracellular domain (named TPγ B9-2) to better define PTPRG protein downregulation in CML patients. Methods: TPγ B9-2 specifically recognizes PTPRG (both human and murine) by flow cytometry, western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and immunohistochemistry. Results: Co-localization experiments performed with both anti-PTPRG antibodies identified the presence of isoforms and confirmed protein downregulation at diagnosis in the Philadelphia-positive myeloid lineage (including CD34+/CD38bright/dim cells). After effective tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment, its expression recovered in tandem with the return of Philadelphia-negative hematopoiesis. Of note, PTPRG mRNA levels remain unchanged in tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) non-responder patients, confirming that downregulation selectively occurs in primary CML cells. Conclusions: The availability of this unique antibody permits its evaluation for clinical application including the support for diagnosis and follow-up of these disorders. Evaluation of PTPRG as a potential therapeutic target is also facilitated by the availability of a specific reagent capable to specifically detect its target in various experimental conditions