The effect of internal capacitance on power quality and energy efficiency in a tubular microbial fuel cell

The pseudo-capacitive behaviour of a high surface area carbon veil electrode in a tubular microbial fuel cell (MFC) was investigated as a mechanism to enhance power quality and energy efficiency. Accumulated charge and energy from the anodic biofilm after prolonged open circuit times (1–120 min) were compared against equivalent periods of steady state loading (R = 100–3000 Ω). A significant difference in the amount of accumulated charge with different loads was observed, resulting in 1.051 C (R = 100 Ω) compared to 0.006 C (R = 3 kΩ). The automated application of short open and closed circuit (0.5–10 s) cycles resulted in an increase of power/current production (closed circuit alone), but presented lower efficiency considering entire open and closed period. The cumulative charge on the carbon veil electrode with biofilm was 39,807 C m⁻² at 100 Ω. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) showed that the Helmholtz layer presented a double layer capacitance of more than ten times the biofilm on electrode. The results indicate that the capacitive behaviour could be utilized to increase the power quality, i.e. its availability/applicability with respect to the operation of low power consuming devices.     

Utilization of Polyphenyl and Polyphenyl-related Compounds by Microorganisms. Part I

Two hundreds and fifty eight strains of microorganisms have been isolated from 526 samples (soil, leaf and river water gathered from 17 prefectures) by repeating liquid enrichment culture techniques in the medium containing biphenyl, diphenylmethane, diphenylethane or terphenyl, as the sole source of carbon.

In the course of investigation, several strains were found to produce a large amount of γ-benzoylbutyric acid from biphenyl. Furthermore these strains utilized p-Cl-biphenyl and produced p-Cl-benzoic acid in good yield.

Microorganisms obtained were almost short rod, motile bacteria, and fungi were also found from the screening medium of diphenylethane.     

Changes in protein and carbohydrate content during development of seeds and siliquas of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Abstract

A study was made on the changes observed in the protein, starch and soluble sugar content during development of siliquas and seeds of rapeseed grown in central Italy.

Concentration of starch and soluble sugars in the seed increases to 75 per cent dry matter during the first few weeks of pod development and then drops to minimum values. The protein increases steadily until maturity, when a level of 0.85 mg per seed is reached, equivalent to 18 per cent dry matter. The protein and starch in the hull? decrease continuously during development, while in the initial stages the soluble sugars are accumulated until they account for 33 per cent dry matter, after which they decline towards maturity.     

Barley γ3-hordein: Glycosylation at an atypical site,disulfide bridge analysis,and reactivity with IgE from patients allergic to wheat

Post translational modifications of a seed storage protein, barley γ3-hordein, were determined using immunochemical and mass spectrometry methods. IgE reactivity towards this protein was measured using sera from patients diagnosed with allergies to wheat. N-glycosylation was found at an atypical Asn-Leu-Cys site. The observed glycan contains xylose. This indicates that at least some γ3-hordein molecules trafficked through the Golgi apparatus. Disulfide bridges in native γ3-hordein were almost the same as those found in wheat γ46-gliadin, except the bridge involving the cysteine included in the glycosylation site. IgE reacted more strongly towards the recombinant than the natural γ3-hordein protein. IgE binding to γ3-hordein increased when the protein sample was reduced. Glycosylation and disulfide bridges therefore decrease epitope accessibility. Thus the IgE from patients sensitized to wheat cross-react with γ3-hordein due to sequence homology with wheat allergens rather than through shared carbohydrate determinants.     

A HEMATOLOGICAL STUDY IN MICE FOR EVALUATION OF LEUKEMOGENESIS BY EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS

OF1 mice were chronically exposed to a 50-Hz sinusoidal East–West magnetic field of 15 μT (rms), in order to make a peripheral blood study for a leukemogenic evaluation of this non-ionizing radiation. Mating and pregnancy of ancestors (first generation), and birth, lactation, and development of second-generation female mice until adulthood occurred in the experimental field. A hematological study of both control and exposed 14- to 15-week-old and 50- to 52-week-old, second-generation females was realized. Individual diagnosis of specimens and statistical analysis of results revealed a high incidence of blood leukoproliferative disorders in 14- to 15-week-old exposed females (relative risk [RR] = 3.00, p = 0.0033), despite the resistance of this strain of mice to developing malignancies under normal environmental conditions before they are 26 weeks old. Especially elevated incidences of lymphocytic (RR = 6.50, p = 0.0021) and chronic (RR = 4.00, p = 0.0153) leukemias were associated with medium-term (14–15 weeks) exposure. After 50–52 weeks of exposure, the mortality of exposed mice was 30% versus 0% of control mice. From dead exposed females, 67% revealed some type of malignancy. Corresponding RR for blood leukoproliferative disorders of those exposed which survived was 2.57 (p = 0.0351). Especially important was the proportion of chronic leukemias after long-term (50–52 weeks) exposure (RR = 8.57, p = 0.0118). Moreover, a statistically nonsignificant increase of lymphoblastic–myeloblastic leukemias pointed to a relation between age of specimen and type of alteration. We suggest that the increase in blood leukemias in OF1 mice agrees with the results of numerous epidemiological studies.     

Effect of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium on spikelet sterility induced by low temperature at the reproductive stage of rice

Spikelet sterility induced by low temperature at the reproductive stage of rice increased further with the increase of nitrogen supply. Spikelet sterility in Fujisaka-5 did not increase due to low temperature when nitrogen supply was increased from 10 to 40 ppm and at 80 ppm nitrogen supply it was less affected than IR36. Total nitrogen content in the leaves increased with the increase of nitrogen supply and was forced to be associated with the spikelet sterility induced by low temperature. Based on auricle distance between the last two leaves, the most sensitive stage to low temperature damage differed in Fujisaka-5 and IR36. Spikelet sterility induced by low temperature for 10 days was very high in both the varieties and the effect of nitrogen was not clear.The effect of phosphorus on the spikelet sterility induced by low temperature at reproductive stage was not clear except that at the highest phosphorus (P) level (10 ppm) the spikelet sterility increased both in Fujisaka-5 and IR36.Spikelet sterility induced by low temperature at the reproductive stage of rice decreased with the increase of Potassium (K) supply in both Fujisaka-5 and IR36. With an increase of potassium supply, nitrogen (N) content decreased in the leaves and panicles and spikelet sterility induced by low temperature decreased with an increase of the K to N ratio in the leaves and panicles. The results suggest that potassium might play a major role to counteract the low temperature damage at the reproductive stage of rice.     

Development of a low input system for growing wheat (Triticum vulgare) in a permanent understorey of white clover (Trifolium repens)

In three field experiments carried out during 1989-91, a permanent sward of pure white clover (Trifolium repens) was established to provide a source of N for winter or spring wheat crops (Triticum vulgare) directly drilled into the legume. Spring-sown wheat failed to compete with the clover, but wheat sown in the autumn established successfully. N fertiliser was applied to all three experiments at rates of 0, 50 and 100 kg N ha“¹ measurements of grain and whole-crop silage yields were made. Yields were low for all treatments, probably because of the dry conditions prevailing and the low soil N status of the site used. Yield responses to fertiliser were significant, despite the contribution to plant nutrition that the clover was intended to make. A key feature of the work was that the clover survived successive cereal crops and could be grazed and used as an understorey for later crops. Further, response to fertiliser N diminished with a successive crop implying a build-up of available soil N, which measurements confirmed had occurred. Use of the system obviated the need to use pesticides, although reasons for the lack of pest damage were not clear.     

Behavioural variations among strains of Trichogramma spp.: Adaptability to field-temperature conditions

In order to select a candidate strain of Trichogramma sp. for inundative releases against lepidopteran pests in cabbage field-crops in the Netherlands, the parasitization activity of a collection of 60 different Trichogramma spp. strains was studied during 2 h and 24 h exposures at 12°C. Activity and parasitism varied significantly among strains and the two characteristics were not correlated, suggesting the action of two differentially temperature-dependent mechanisms influencing both characteristics. Native strains were characterized by a low activity at 12°C, making their usefulness for inundative releases doubtful. In three strains tested at 12, 17, 20, 25 and 30°C, activity increased linearly with temperature, until nearly all females parasitized at 20 or 25°C. Parasitism increased with increasing temperature to a maximum at 20–25°C and declined at 30°C. Handling time decreased asymptotically with increasing temperature. The results of this study suggest that Trichogramma strains vary in adaptability to low temperature, making this characteristic a useful criterion for evaluation of candidate strains.

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Résumé Afin de sélectionner une souche de Trichogramma sp. (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) candidate pour des lâchés inondatifs contre les Lépidoptères pestes de chou aux Pays-Bas, l'activité de parasitisation d'une collection de 60 souches différentes de Trichogramma spp. a été étudiée à 12°C pendant des durées d'exposition de 2 h et 24 h. L'activité proportionnelle et le degré de parasitisation des femelles varient significativement selon des souches et ne sont par corrélés. Ceci suggère l'action des deux mécanismes distincts, dépendant de la température et contrôlant independamment chacun de ces processus. Les souches indigènes sont caractérisées par une faible activité à 12°C, mettant en doute leur utilisation pour les lâchés inondatifs. Dans 3 souches testées à 12, 17, 20, 25 et 30°C, l'activité augmente linéairement avec la température, jusqu'a ce que quasi toutes les femelles parasitent les oeufs hôtes à 20°C et 25°C. Le taux de parasitisation augmente avec la température atteignant un maximum à 20–25°C puis diminue à 30°C. Le temps de manipulation d'un oeuf hôte diminue asymptotiquement lorsque la température croît. Les résultats de cette étude suggèrent que la capacité d'adaptation aux températures basses varie selon les souches de Trichogramma. Cette caractéristique constitue un critère utile pour l'évaluation de souches candidates potentielles.

     

INHIBITION OF EHRLICH TUMOR GROWTH IN MICE BY ELECTRIC INTERFERENCE THERAPY (IN VIVO STUDIES)

A study of solid tumor growth retardation by employing extremely low frequency (ELF) electric fields has been carried out. ELF electric fields were generated in tumor tissue in mice by the interference of two high frequency sinusoidal waves with the beat frequency centered at the tumor core. The results indicated a pronounced decrease in tumor growth rate in animals exposed to a 5-Hz interferential frequency for 1 hr daily. The 1 hr/day treatment produced a greater retardation effect than the 1 hr/week treatment. This indicates that treatment duration at the applied field frequency appears to play an important role in tumor growth delay. The dielectric properties of the tumor cells showed higher permittivity and conductivity values than homologous normal tissue. The permittivity of tumor cells treated daily with 5 Hz reaches nearly the same value as control tissue. Moreover, histological studies show that tumor tissues treated daily with the same frequency undergo partial regression and shrinkage of the aggregates of neoplastic cells leaving very little of them. We conclude that this new interferential technique is promising for tumor treatment in which a resonating electric field affects cell-to-cell communication.