Fertilizer requirements for specified yield targets. I. Theoretical derivation of mathematical models for the computation of soil and fertilizer nutrient efficiencies

The conventional deduction procedure of computation of soil () and fertilizer () nutrient efficiencies for the amount of fertilizer required for specified yield targets does not make provision of the amount of soil nutrient derived by crops from the available pool of soil nutrients not accounted for in the amount extracted by a soil test procedure. The derivation of two mathematical models, viz., Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Model I [TNAU Model I] and Model II [TNAU Model II] is reported in this paper which aim at computing the soil () and fertilizer () nutrient efficiencies not accounted for by the conventional method.In the case of TNAU Model I, the relationship between the nutrient uptake (U) and the soil (S) and the fertilizer (F) nutrients was established by assuming a functional relationship of the type U =S +F such that 0 1 and 0 1. In TNAU Model II the same relationship was established as U =S +F + such that 0 1, 0 1 and > 0. The term in the latter model is a measure of the amount of soil nutrient the crop absorbs from a slowly available pool of nutrients not accounted for in the amounts extracted by the soil test procedure employed or applied through fertilizer.The field verification of these models is reported elsewhere.     

Properties ofSrMO 3-δ(M=Fe,Co) as oxygen electrodes in alkaline solution

Strontium ferrates and cobaltates with compositions SrFeO_3- (0.060.40) and SrCoO_3- (0.040.30) were synthesized. The dependence of the oxygen electrode properties on the value was examined in 1 mol dm^–3 KOH solution. In the SrFeO_3- series, the samples with 0.24<<0.29, showed the highest activity in both oxygen evolution and reduction reactions. In contrast, no strong dependence on the value was observed in SrCoO_3-, which also showed a high catalytic activity for oxygen evolution.     

Synthesis of statistical polydiene networks by reaction of liquid polyenes with telechelic siloxanes

The present investigation concerns the synthesis of statistical networks similar to vulcanized rubber. We have used liquid precursor polymers: polybutadiene (PB) and polyisoprene (PI) with telechelic siloxanes. The reactivity of the polydienes can be classified as follows: PB units 1,2 PI units 3,4 PI units 1,4 0. The network formation is a function of the ratio R = nb, of pendent double bonds/nb. of SiH. For R 1 the networks are rather hard and brittle, for 8 R 10 they are soft and elastic, whereas for R 16 the gels obtained are very soft and sticky.     

Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane over some titanates based perovskite oxides

A series of perovskite catalysts have been tested for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane. The composition of these catalysts covered CaTi_1–x Fe _x O_3–, with 0 x 0.4, SrTi_1–x Fe _x O_3–, with 0 x 1.0, as well as mixtures of these. The latter catalysts containing more basic Sr metal showed higher selectivity to ethene than the former catalysts containing Ca. A few catalysts with Co on B-sites in the lattice were tested, but lost their stability above 923 K, resulting in a substantial change in the product selectivity. The perovskites gained activity when Fe was introduced in the lattice to form hypervalent ions (Fe⁴⁺) which are believed to play a role in the catalytic activity of these materials.     

Catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide on strontium-substituted La2CuO4 materials

Catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide (N₂O) to N₂ and O₂ has been studied on a series of solid oxide solutions of La, Sr and Cu according to the nominal formula La_2–x Sr _x CuO₄ (0x1). The reaction has been carried out in a fixed bed, glass static reactor with gas-recirculation facility. The kinetics of decomposition has been studied in the temperature range 250–480C. Among the catalysts studied,x=0.15 andx=1.0 showed higher catalytic activity (in terms of %conversion). The enhanced activity of the above systems has been explained on the basis of mixed valency of copper (Cu²⁺/Cu³⁺) and anion vacancies respectively.     

New polyisobutylene based model ionomers

Three-arm star polyisobutylene ionomers (¯M_n=8800) with terminal SO₃ M (M=K or Ca²) groups were synthesized and their mechanical properties investigated. Compression molded films displayed high elongations, i.e., -1000% for Ca² ionomers with lower values for the K counterions. Strain induced crystallinity was observed at higher elongations. Mechanical properties in general compared favorably with conventional covalently linked rubbery networks and were comparable and in some cases superior to EPDM-based ionomers carrying randomly distributed SO₃ M groups.For the first two parts see Proceedings, 28th IUPAC Macromolecular Symposium, Amherst, MA, July 11–16, 1982, p. 905 and 906     

Measurements of a.c. impedance of sodium-sulphur cells with symmetric and asymmetric resistance behaviour

Measurements of a.c. impedance in the frequency range 10^–2 Hz f 10⁴ Hz were performed on laboratory sodium-sulphur battery cells with symmetric and asymmetric internal resistance behaviour. The impedance spectra of the symmetric cells show only resistive behaviour in the whole frequency range studied. The resistance determined from these spectra is equal to the bulk resistance of the solid electrolyte. In contrast, the impedance of the asymmetric cells is characterized by different high-frequency capacitive and low-frequency inductive behaviour depending on the value of the d.c. current applied. In this case the impedance spectra are very similar to those often observed at metal passivation processes in electrolyte solutions. It is shown that the results obtained can be qualitatively interpreted by a model including the existence of a passivating film on the-Al₂O₃/molten sodium interface. The modification of this film during the deposition or dissolution of the sodium can be assumed as a cause for the asymmetric behaviour of the internal cell resistance observed.     

Molybdenum nitride for the direct decomposition of NO

The physico-chemical properties of passivated -Mo₂N have been investigated. The material showed high activities for NO direct decomposition: nearly 100% NO conversion and 95% N₂ selectivity were achieved at 450C. The amount of O₂ taken up by -Mo₂N increased with temperature rise and reached 3133.9 molg^–1 at 450C; we conclude that there formation of Mo₂O_xN_y occurred. This oxygen-saturated -Mo₂N material was catalytically active: NO conversion and N₂ selectivity were 89 and 92% at 450C. We found that by means of H₂ reduction at 450C, Mo₂O_xN_y could be reduced back to -Mo₂N and the oxidation/reduction cycle is repeatable; such a behaviour and the high oxygen capacity (3133.9 molg^–1) of -Mo₂N suggest that -Mo₂N is a promising catalytic material for automobile exhaust purification.     

Note of the estimation of the Θ temperature and Ψ parameter from the critical temperature data

Summary Critical values of the polymer volume fraction _2,c and the interaction parameter _c have been computed for the case that the equation for the chemical potential of solvent contains terms _{c 2} ³ and _{c 2} ⁴ in addition to ₂ ² . For 0 _c 1/3, the limits for infinite chain length are _2,c = 0 and _c = 0.5. Quite different results are obtained for _c > 1/3, _2,c being finite and _c lower than 1/2. Conclusions for the estimation of the temperature and the entropy-of-dilution parameter are discussed.     

Performance and impedance studies of thin,porous molybdenum and tungsten electrodes for the alkali metal thermoelectric converter

Columnar, porous, magnetron-sputtered molybdenum and tungsten films show optinum performance as AMTEC electrodes at thicknesses less than 1.0 m when used with molybdenum or nickel current collector grids. Power densities of 0.40 W cm^–2 for 0.5 m molybdenum films at 1200 K and 0.35 W cm^–2 for 0.5 m tungsten films at 1180 K were obtained at electrode maturity after 40–90 h. Sheet resistances of magnetron sputter deposited films on sodium beta-alumina solid electrolyte (BASE) substrates were found to increase very steeply as thickness is decreased below about 0.3–0.4 m. The a.c. impedance data for these electrodes have been interpreted in terms of contributions from the bulk BASE and the porous electrode/BASE interface. Voltage profiles of operating electrodes show that the total electrode area, of electrodes with thickness <2.0 m, is not utilized efficiently unless a fairly fine (1×1mm) current collector grid is employed.     

Dynamic mechanical properties of crosslinked polyisoprene under deformation

Summary Molecular motions of elastomers under deformations were observed through dynamic mechanical measurements. Composite master curves of dynamic moduli E and E and loss tangent tan over a wide range of frequency and in a state of elongation were obtained by the time-temperature superposition procedure. It is found that both moduli increase with strain, . The slope of the dispersion curve of E become more gradual with the increase in , while that of E is almost unchanged. The increment of E is generally larger than that of E, which does not agree with the N. W. Tschoegl prediction, E ^* ()=f() E _o ^* (), where E ^* () and E _o ^* () are complex moduli at the strain of and O, respectively, and f() is the function of only . The difference in the strain dependence of E from E was found to correspond to the strain dependence of the equilibrium modulus.     

Catalytic behaviour and characterisation of CuO1−z(La2O3)z/2 based catalysts deposited on γ-Al2O3 and prepared in situ with 0.0 ⩽z⩽1.00, without and with addition of Pd

(CuO)_1–z(La₂O₃)_z/2 based catalysts with 0.0z1.0 supported on -Al₂O₃ have been prepared in situ and the phases formed have been identified by XRD, SEM and TEM/EDS studies. The catalyst with z=0.5 exhibited the best catalytic activity for oxidation of CO (T ₅₀=295 and 390C with degrees of conversions of 93 and 92% at 450C under rich and lean conditions, respectively) and C₃H₆ (291 and 414C; 93 and 83%) and reduction of NO (405C; 60 and 0%). This catalyst contained appreciable amounts of the perovskite phase LaAl_1–xCu_xO₃ and the enhanced catalytic properties are ascribed to the presence of this phase. Addition of Pd to this catalyst implied that the degree of conversion of NO increased and that the light-off temperatures for all involved gas species decreased. Ageing experiments revealed that LaAl_1–xCu_xO₃ decomposed and that Cu containing Pd particles were formed during this procedure which in turn deteriorated the catalytic properties of the catalyst.     

Variable‐temperature IR spectroscopic studies of CO adsorbed on Na‐ZSM‐5 and Na‐Y zeolites

CO interacts with extraframework alkali metal cations (M⁺=) of zeolites to form both M⁺CO and M⁺OC species. By using variabletemperature FTIR spectroscopy, these Cbonded and Obonded species were found to be in a temperaturedependent equilibrium. For the same cation, the difference in interaction energy depends upon the zeolite framework. Thus, for the equilibrium process ZNa⁺=CO ZNa⁺OC, where Z represents the zeolite framework, H ⁰ was found to take the values 3.8 and 2.4 kJ mol^– for CO/NaZSM5 and CO/NaY, respectively. The Cbonded species show always the highest cation–CO interaction energy.     

Potassium ion conduction in the β-alumina type compound K2O·(5−x)Ga2O3·xFe2O3

The sintered materials K₂O·(5–x)Ga₂O₃·xFe₂O₃, which were found to have-alumina type structures in the range of 0x 5, showed mixed ionic and electronic conduction. The potassium ion conductivity estimated from the total conductivity and the transport number increased as the gallium was replaced by iron; the apparent activation energy for potassium ion conduction decreased slightly with the iron content. The phenomenon was explained in terms of the expansion of the structural slot.     

Critical solution point and chain dimension of branched-polystyrene solutions

Summary Critical solution point and chain dimension were measured for branched polystyrene(BPS) in solution as a function of molecular weight(M) and compared with those for linear polystyrene(LPS). The critical concentration _c of BPS was quite different from that of LPS at a fixed M, but the same at a fixed overlap-concentration ^*, i.e., plots of _c vs. ^* fall on a single straight line for both BPS and LPS (gf_c ^*). Reduced critical temperature _c defined by gt_c=(–T_c)/ [T_c: critical temperature, : the -temperature] was related to _c as _{c c} ² for BPS, whereas _{c c} for LPS.     

Change in degree of polyamidation of polycaproamide during orientation stretch

Conclusions The effect of stretch ratio, the ratio of stretch ratios in the cold and hot zones, and of the relative viscosity of polycaproamide on the degree of its breakdown during stretching have been examined.The degree of breakdown decreases if the viscosity stays within the range 3.25–3.35, and the stretch ratio in the cold zone is the maximum possible.Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 5, pp. 26–27, September–October, 1983.     

Inhibition and promotion of germination by several sesquiterpenes

The sesquiterpene lactones, burrodin, confertiflorin. desacetyl-confertiflorin, dihydroparthenolide, parthenin, and 7-hydroxy-3-desoxyzaluzanin C, and the sesquiterpene ester guayulin A were assayed at concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 M for effects on seed germination of 16 dicot and nine monocot species. Six of the dicot and two of the monocot species were affected by one or more of these compounds. Germination was both inhibited and promoted, depending on the compound and the specific species or cultivars, at concentrations as low as 1 M. For example, guayulin A, which promoted the germination of lettuce at all concentrations tested, inhibited the germination of tomato. Confertiflorin stimulated germination of the lettuce cultivar Grand Rapids at 1 M, but inhibited germination of a light-sensitive cultivar at all concentrations tested.     

Thermodynamics of reduction and oxidation reactions on oxidized or reduced Pt supported on γ-Al2O3

The integral enthalpies of H₂ or O₂ reactions with oxidized or reduced Pt supported on Al₂O₃ have been measured in a dual calorimeter at 60 ° C. These enthalpies were calculated assuming the formation of Pt _x ^s O and Pt^sH surface groups and using accepted values of heat of H₂ and O₂ chemisorption on bare polycrystalline Pt. The calculated and measured reaction enthalpies agree under the following conditions: 1) Pt²O and Pt ₂ ^s O surface stoichiometries are acceptable (1 x 2) whereas Pt²O₂ must be rejected (x = 0.5); 2) the water formed in the reduction or oxidation process must be dissociatively chemisorbed on the Al₂O₃ surface; 3) the spiltover hydrogen is atomic and its enthalpy of combination with surface electron deficient site is about -10 kcal/g atom.The significance of dispersion measurements is discussed in relation with hydrogen spillover. Neglecting spillover in reduction at 60 ° C leads to unrealistic values of dispersion.     

Effect of chloride on sintering of Pt/Al2O3 catalysts

Reduced Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts with different chloride contents were treated at different temperatures under oxygen flow. TPR and TPD studies of oxidized species show that at low Cl/Pt atomic ratio (1) PtO₂ is formed at low temperature (400–500 K) and is totally decomposed (900 K) yielding reduced metallic Pt and inducing metal sintering. At high Cl/Pt atomic ratio (6) formation of stable (up to 1000 K) platinum oxichloride avoids metal sintering.     

Electrochemical behaviour of viologen-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes. The case of non-alkyl group substituted viologen

The electrochemical behavior of non-alkyl substituted viologen, 4,4-dibenzyl bipyridinium (BzV), 4,4-dicyanophenyl bipyridinium (CyV) and -,-,-cyclodextrin (, , -CD) was studied using cyclic voltammetry and a spectroelectrochemical method. It was found that BzV and Fe(CN) ₆ ^4– formed a charge-transfer (CT) complex with a ratio of 21 and the colour of the solution faded with the addition of an electrolyte. This behaviour is the same as in then-heptyl viologen and ferrocyanide system [1]. BzV, -CD and -CD formed an inclusion complex only in the reduced state, whilst BzV and -CD formed an inclusion complex in both the oxidized and the reduced state. An EC scheme in which a chemical reaction follows an electrochemical reaction was considered to predominate in the BzV and -, -CD systems, while a CE scheme in which a chemical reaction preceded an electrochemical reaction predominated in the BzV and -CD system. On the other hand, CyV was found to form an inclusion complex with -, -, -CD in both the oxidized and the reduced states. therefore a CE scheme was considered to predominate in the CyV--, -, -CD systems.