Effect of sulphur and nitrogen fertilization on bread-making quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties under Mediterranean climate conditions

Turkey has applied for EU-membership, but still faces problems of lacking quality standards for bread wheat. Studies on the influence of S-fertilization on grain yield and bread-making quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the region haven’t been carried out until today. This research was conducted for two growing seasons (2008-2009 and 2009-2010) at Adnan Menderes University Research and Experimental Farm located in the Western Turkey (Aegean region) at 37º 44’ N 27º 44’ E in order to determine the effects of nitrogen (0, 70, 140, 210 kg ha-1) supplemented with sulphur (0 or 40 kg ha-1) with respect to yield and bread-making quality of the varieties Golia and Sagittario, grown primarily in Western Turkey. S-fertilization had positive effects on grain yield and some quality parameters under Mediterranean conditions; however, signifi cant differencess were rather rare. Particularly the gluten-index and the sedimentation value promoted by S fertilization were among the tested parameters. Therefore, S-fertilization in improving bread-making quality of wheat in the region should not be disregarded. Grain yield and quality could be promoted simultaneously with increasing N-doses

Asymptotic Symmetries of String Theory on AdS3 X S3 with Ramond-Ramond Fluxes

String theory on AdS3 space-times with boundary conditions that allow for black hole states has global asymptotic symmetries which include an infinite dimensional conformal algebra. Using the conformal current algebra for sigma-models on PSU(1,1|2), we explicitly construct the R-symmetry and Virasoro charges in the worldsheet theory describing string theory on AdS3 X S3 with Ramond-Ramond fluxes. We also indicate how to construct the full boundary superconformal algebra. The boundary superconformal algebra plays an important role in classifying the full spectrum of string theory on AdS3 with Ramond-Ramond fluxes, and in the microscopic entropy counting in D1-D5 systems.Comment: 30 page

Co-sputtered MoRe thin films for carbon nanotube growth-compatible superconducting coplanar resonators

Molybdenum rhenium alloy thin films can exhibit superconductivity up to critical temperatures of $T_c=15\mathrm{K}$. At the same time, the films are highly stable in the high-temperature methane / hydrogen atmosphere typically required to grow single wall carbon nanotubes. We characterize molybdenum rhenium alloy films deposited via simultaneous sputtering from two sources, with respect to their composition as function of sputter parameters and their electronic dc as well as GHz properties at low temperature. Specific emphasis is placed on the effect of the carbon nanotube growth conditions on the film. Superconducting coplanar waveguide resonators are defined lithographically; we demonstrate that the resonators remain functional when undergoing nanotube growth conditions, and characterize their properties as function of temperature. This paves the way for ultra-clean nanotube devices grown in situ onto superconducting coplanar waveguide circuit elements.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure

Chloropentaphenyldisiloxane—Model Study on Intermolecular Interactions in the Crystal Structure of a Monofunctionalized Disiloxane

Small functional siloxane units have gained great interest as molecular model systems for mimicking more complex silicate structures both in nature and in materials chemistry. The crystal structure of chloropentaphenyldisiloxane, which was synthesized for the first time, was elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecular crystal packing was studied in detail using state-of-the-art Hirshfeld surface analysis together with a two-dimensional fingerprint mapping of the intermolecular interactions. It was found that the phenyl C–H bonds act as donors for both weak C–H···π and C–H···Cl hydrogen bond interactions. The influence of intramolecular Si–O–Si bond parameters on the acceptor capability of functional groups in intermolecular hydrogen bond interactions is discussed

Seasonal variation in sex-specific immunity in wild birds

Whilst the immune system often varies seasonally and exhibits differences between males and females, the general patterns in seasonality and sex differences across taxa have remained controversial. Birds are excellent model organisms to assess these patterns, because the immune system of many species is well characterised. We conducted a meta-analysis using 41 wild bird species from 24 avian families to investigate sex differences and seasonal (breeding/non-breeding) variations in immune status, including white blood cell counts, phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) test, bacteria-killing ability (BKA), haemolysis and haemagglutination assays. We found male-biased macrophage concentration, BKA and haemolysis titers, but only during the breeding season. Sexspecific heterophil concentrations, heterophil/lymphocyte ratios and PHA responses differed between breeding and non-breeding, suggesting larger changes in males than in females. Importantly, sex differences in immune status are stronger during the breeding period than during the non-breeding period. Taken together, our study suggests that both seasonal variation and sex differences in immune system are common in birds, although their associations are more complex than previously thoughtPeer reviewe

Excitations in one-dimensional S=1/2 quantum antiferromagnets

The transition from dimerized to uniform phases is studied in terms of spectral weights for spin chains using continuous unitary transformations (CUTs). The spectral weights in the S=1 channel are computed perturbatively around the limit of strong dimerization. We find that the spectral weight is concentrated mainly in the subspaces with a small number of elementary triplets (triplons), even for vanishing dimerization. So, besides spinons, triplons may be used as elementary excitations in spin chains. We conclude that there is no necessity to use fractional excitations in low-dimensional, undoped or doped quantum antiferromagnets.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure include

Deflating the shale gas potential of South Africa’s Main Karoo Basin

The Main Karoo basin has been identified as a potential source of shale gas (i.e. natural gas that can be extracted via the process of hydraulic stimulation or ‘fracking’). Current resource estimates of 0.4–11x109 m3 (13–390 Tcf) are speculatively based on carbonaceous shale thickness, area, depth, thermal maturity and, most of all, the total organic carbon content of specifically the Ecca Group’s Whitehill Formation with a thickness of more than 30 m. These estimates were made without any measurements on the actual available gas content of the shale. Such measurements were recently conducted on samples from two boreholes and are reported here. These measurements indicate that there is little to no desorbed and residual gas, despite high total organic carbon values. In addition, vitrinite reflectance and illite crystallinity of unweathered shale material reveal the Ecca Group to be metamorphosed and overmature. Organic carbon in the shale is largely unbound to hydrogen, and little hydrocarbon generation potential remains. These findings led to the conclusion that the lowest of the existing resource estimates, namely 0.4x109 m3 (13 Tcf), may be the most realistic. However, such low estimates still represent a large resource with developmental potential for the South African petroleum industry. To be economically viable, the resource would be required to be confined to a small, well-delineated ‘sweet spot’ area in the vast southern area of the basin. It is acknowledged that the drill cores we investigated fall outside of currently identified sweet spots and these areas should be targets for further scientific drilling projects. Significance:  • This is the first report of direct measurements of the actual gas contents of southern Karoo basin shales. • The findings reveal carbon content of shales to be dominated by overmature organic matter. • The results demonstrate a much reduced potential shale gas resource presented by the Whitehill Formation

Molecular Scissors for Tailor‐Made Modification of Siloxane Scaffolds

The controlled design of functional oligosiloxanes is an important topic in current research. A consecutive Si−O−Si bond cleavage/formation using siloxanes that are substituted with 1,2-diaminobenzene derivatives acting as molecular scissors is presented. The method allows to cut at certain positions of a siloxane scaffold forming a cyclic diaminosilane or -siloxane intermediate and then to introduce new functional siloxy units. The procedure could be extended to a direct one-step cleavage of chlorooligosiloxanes. Both siloxane formation and cleavage proceed with good to excellent yields, high regioselectivity, and great variability of the siloxy units. Control of the selectivity is achieved by the choice of the amino substituent. Insight into the mechanism was provided by low temperature NMR studies and the isolation of a lithiated intermediate