Spectral study and classification of worldwide locations considering several multijunction solar cell technologies

Multi‐junction solar cells are widely used in high‐concentration photovoltaic systems (HCPV) attaining the highest efficiencies in photovoltaic energy generation. This technology is more dependent on the spectral variations of the impinging Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) than conventional photovoltaics based on silicon solar cells and consequently demands a deeper knowledge of the solar resource characteristics. This article explores the capabilities of spectral indexes, namely, spectral matching ratios (SMR), to spectrally characterize the annual irradiation reaching a particular location on the Earth and to provide the necessary information for the spectral optimization of a MJ solar cell in that location as a starting point for CPV module spectral tuning. Additionally, the relationship between such indexes and the atmosphere parameters, such as the aerosol optical depth (AOD), precipitable water (PW), and air mass (AM), is discussed using radiative transfer models such as SMARTS to generate the spectrally resolved DNI. The network of ground‐based sun and sky‐scanning radiometers AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) is exploited to obtain the atmosphere parameters for a selected bunch of 34 sites worldwide. Finally, the SMR indexes are obtained for every location, and a comparative analysis is carried out for four architectures of triple junction solar cells, covering both lattice match and metamorphic technologies. The differences found among cell technologies are much less significant than among locations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of PNIPAM/PS core/shell particles

Crosslinked, monodisperse PNIPAM particles were synthesized by precipitation polymerization. The particle size was measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS), capillary hydrodynamic fractionation (CHDF), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Two different polymerization methods were used to prepare PNIPAM/PS core/shell particles, both above and below the volume phase transition temperature (VPPT) using either a semibatch or seeded semibatch polymerization process. In both processes, uniform “raspberry” structures were obtained in which polystyrene formed small domains on the surface of the PNIPAM particles. The resulting core and shell structure was confirmed by temperature‐dependent particle size and density gradient experiments. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Soil management effects on aggregate dynamics in semiarid Aragon (NE Spain)

During decades, in semiarid rainfed Aragon, intensive soil tillage and low crop residue input have led to the loss of soil structure and soil degradation. Conservation tillage and cropping intensification can improve soil structure in these areas. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of three different tillage systems (traditional tillage, reduced tillage and no-tillage) under two cropping systems (fallow-barley rotation and barley monoculture) on soil aggregation dynamics during a cropping season. A decrease in tillage intensity resulted in a higher mean size of dry aggregates and a greater water aggregate stability in both cropping systems particularly under no-tillage.     

Experimental study and modelling of an azo colourant dynamic adsorption onto functional cross-linked chitosan/ceramic particles in a fixed bed column

The use of azo dyes in industrial activities generates a large volume of contaminated wastewater; these pollutants in water bodies affect aquatic biota and human health. A functional biocomposite sorbent material was synthesized using cross-linked chitosan with oxalic acid that forms a coating on alumina ceramic particles (AOCh). The removal of Reactive Red 195, a reactive azo dye, using a fixed-bed adsorption column filled with this material was tested. AOCh was physico-chemically characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy–total attenuated reflection (FTIR-ATR), scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersion spectrometry X-ray (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XDR), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), and Z-potential. The dynamic adsorption performance was analyzed from experimental breakthrough curves obtained in fixed-bed columns by modifying different operating conditions (bed depth, volumetric flow rate, and dye inlet concentration). Equilibrium adsorption isotherms were determined under dynamic conditions and compared with batch results. The maximum adsorption capacity of the dynamic equilibrium isotherm obtained from the continuous assays was 331 mg/g; this value was the highest in comparison to other tested materials reported in the literature. Different dynamic adsorption models were applied to fit experimental data, including Thomas, Bohart–Admas, Yoon–Nelson, logistic general model, bed depth surface time (BDST), and modified dose response (Yan) models. A critical analysis of these equations was presented, showing the equivalences and the relationship among the coefficients. The Yan model achieved the highest level of agreement between the experimental and predicted values of the breakthrough curves. The use of this model enables scaling-up the industrial process for dye removal. The present work proposed a novel biosorbent material and contributes to the analysis of industrial dye removal under dynamic conditions.     

Effect of thermal treatment on the proteins of amaranth isolates

The effect of thermal treatment of proteins from Amaranthus hypochondriacus was studied. Two protein isolates were obtained from the defatted flour by water extraction at a pH of 9 (A9 isolate) and 11 (A11 isolate), followed by isoelectric precipitation at a pH of 5. Effect of thermal treatment (70 and 90 °C, during 3, 5, 10, 15 and 30 min) on A9 and A11 dispersions were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, UV spectrophotometry, superficial hydrophobicity and solubility in water. Thermal treatment induced the aggregate formation of high molecular mass stabilized by disulfide and non‐covalent bond. Thermal treatment at 70 °C produced a 30% denaturation in both, while at 90 °C A9 was more denatured than A11 (75% and 55% of denaturation, respectively). An increase in thermal stability was also detected by DSC in A9 treated at 90 °C. The denaturation process was accompanied at short heating times by an increase in UV absorbance and changes in superficial hydrophobicity. A decrease in water solubility (35–50%, depending on time–temperature conditions) was also observed for the A9 isolates. The results suggest that the A9 isolates, enriched in a globulin protein fraction, are more sensitive to thermal treatment than isolates A11 enriched in glutelin protein fraction. The changes shown by both isolates, indeed, could affect their functional properties and could definitely limit their use in food products. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Localization and speciation of chromium in subterranean clover using XRF, XANES, and EPR spectroscopy

Optimization of phytoremediation and assessment of potential health hazards from metals in the environment requires an understanding of absorption, localization, and transport of the target metal by plants. The objectives of this study were to localize Cr and determine the oxidation state and possible complexation mode of Cr in intact plant tissue by means of XANES, synchrotron XRF microprobe spectroscopy, and EPR spectroscopy. Subterranean clover (Trifolium brachycalycinum) was grown hydroponically with Cr(VI) (0.04-2.0 mmol L(-1)) and compared with plants grown without Cr and with inorganic Cr(III) and various Cr(III)-organic sources. The uptake, translocation, and form of Cr in the plant were dependent on the form and concentration of supplied Cr. Chromium was found predominately in the +3 oxidation state, regardless of the Cr source supplied to the plant, though at high Cr(VI) treatment concentrations, Cr(VI) and Cr(V) were also observed. At low Cr(VI) concentrations, the plant effectively reduced the toxic Cr(VI) to less toxic Cr(III), which was observed both as a Cr(III) hydroxide phase at the roots and as a Cr(III)-organic complex in the roots and shoots. At low Cr(VI) treatment concentrations, Cr in the leaves was observed predominately around the leaf margins, while at higher concentrations Cr was accumulated at leaf veins.     

Different enrichment procedures for recovery of Listeria monocytogenes from raw chicken samples can affect the results of detection (by chromogenic plating or real-time PCR) and lineage or strain identification

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different enrichment procedures on the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food, by a comparison of subculture onto chromogenic agar with real-time PCR. Two different culture media, the primary and secondary enrichment broths of the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) method used for PCR detection of L. monocytogenes, were compared for the primary enrichment of retail ground chicken samples. L. monocytogenes was detected after the completion of each enrichment procedure in 63% (complete FSIS procedure) and 60% (plain FSIS secondary enrichment broth incubated for 48 h) of the samples by both culture and PCR, whereas a combination of the results for the two enrichment procedures revealed 86% of the samples to be positive. Most of the samples analyzed contained a mixture of lineage I and II strains, and their ratio varied for each enrichment procedure. This mixture could have a significant effect on the result of detection of L. monocytogenes for each individual sample, explaining the increase in positive samples when the results of the two enrichment procedures were combined. The use of different isolation procedures can affect the specific samples identified as positive and the specific strains isolated.     

How Henri Lefebvre missed the modernist sensibility of Mies van der Rohe: vitalism at the intersection of a materialist conception of space and a metaphysical approach to architecture

This paper looks at two theoretical statements about ‘space’, both of which are grounded in a vitalist philosophy. The first is Henri Lefebvre's formulation of ‘spatial architectonics’, a structure of concepts which he develops in The Production of Space; the second is Mies van der Rohe's intuition of something he termed ‘authentic form’, a means of triggering new experiences and understandings through sensual engagement with space. Since there are other philosophers and other architects whose thinking about space has been influenced by vitalist philosophy, the discussion will begin with an explanation as to why Lefebvre and van der Rohe have been selected for reciprocal examination.     

Identification of Host Attractants for the Ethiopian Fruit Fly, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dacus ciliatus</Emphasis> Loew

The Ethiopian fruit fly, Dacus ciliatus, is an oligophagous pest of cucurbit crops, particularly melons, cucumbers, and marrows (summer squash). The present study aimed to identify host attractants for D. ciliatus and was guided by a behavioral bioassay and an electrophysiological assay. We tested volatile compounds from the fruits of a host plant, ripe and unripe Galia melon, Cucumis melo var. reticulates. Both sexes were attracted to melon volatiles. Those of ripe melon were preferred. Gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection analysis of the behaviorally active ripe melon volatiles consistently showed that 14 compounds elicited similar antennal responses from both sexes. Twelve compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using GC-MS libraries, retention indices (RI), and authentic standards. The electrophysiological activities of the compounds that were present at sufficient levels for identification, benzyl acetate, hexanyl acetate, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (Z)-3-octenyl acetate, octanyl acetate, (Z)-3-decenyl acetate, and (E)-β-farnesene, were evaluated at six different dosage levels by using electroantennography (EAG). Benzyl and hexanyl acetates elicited dose responses only in males, while other tested compounds elicited dose responses in both sexes. The strongest responses were observed for doses between 100 ng and 10 μg. The dose response, in terms of attractiveness to synthetic compounds within the active range (as determined by EAG), also was evaluated in the behavioral bioassay. Synthetic acetates were attractive to both sexes when tested individually. Significant attraction was observed when individual compounds were applied in the bioassay arena at doses of 0.5–1 μg/dispenser. Blends of compounds in equal proportions also were attractive to the insects. The most attractive blend was a mixture of four or five identified acetates. The addition of an equal proportion of (E)-β-farnesene to this mixture had a deterrent effect.