An Active Feedback System for Stabilizing Visual Images

In normal vision, eye movements cause the image to move on the retina. Special apparatus can stabilize the image on the retina so it cannot move, and vision fades away. Previous methods for stabilizing the image were either optical systems or complex computer-controlled feedback systems. A simpler feedback system is presented which detects eye motion and rotates a mirror through which the target is viewed, to exactly compensate for eye motion. Unlike previous optical systems, this new system has no lenses in either the viewing or the image-forming path to limit the spatial resolution.     

Mössbauer studies of iron-bearing minerals in coal and coal ash

⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy has been used to characterize the iron-bearing minerals present in some British Columbia coals. The minerals observed in a range of samples include pyrite/marcasite, siderite, jarosite, rozenite or melanterite, and Fe²⁺ -bearing clay minerals such as illite. The presence of jarosite is confirmed through the magnetic hyperfine interaction observed at 4.2 K. The absence of magnetic ordering at 4.2 K for the ferrous sulphate component indicates the presence of rozenite, FeS0₄ · 4H₂0, or melanterite, FeS0₄ · 7H₂0, rather than szomolnokite, FeS0₄ · H₂0 or FeS0₄. The effects of ashing on two of the coals is also studied.     

INVESTIGATION OF THE USE OF LASER-DOPPLER VELOCIMETRY IN TWO-PHASE BUBBLY FLOWS

Understanding the dynamic phenomena of viability loss of shear sensitive cells and bubble breakage and coalescence within airlift reactors requires knowledge of local, liquid-phase hydrodynamics. The laser-Doppler velocimeter (LDV) is a non-invasive instrument which may be used to obtain this information. Experimental procedures and software were developed to detect and measure Doppler bursts in two-phase flow in a split-cylinder airlift reactor. Off-line analysis of the data indicated a detection rate approximately one order of magnitude greater than that observed using an available commercial frequency tracker. Approximately 400 to 500 observations are needed for the ensemble mean to characterize the local mean velocity to within ±5% for a superficial gas velocity of 10.4 cm/s, the highest superficial gas velocity used in these studies. The limitations, prospects, and signal-processing options for LDV in this application are also discussed     

Analysis of solvent extracts of bituminous coal macerals by chromatography, 1H n.m.r. and field-desorption mass spectrometry

Analysis of the carbon disulphide extracts of nine samples of UK coal-maceral concentrates by ¹H highresolution n.m.r. spectroscopy, gas-liquid chromatography and field-desorption mass spectrometry indicates the presence of components with a wide molecular weight range extending up to 1200 amu; these are attributed to n-alkanes up to ≈C₅₀ and highly condensed polynuclear aromatic compounds.     

An analysis of moving-bed flow of solids down standpipes and side valves

A method of analysing solids downflow through standpipe and slide valve in the moving bed mode is presented. The method is based on combining Yoon and Kunii equations for moving-bed flow with a proposed modified orifice equation for gas—solid flow. The analysis correctly predicts the observed trend of the effects of gas injection into the standpipe. It also provides quantitative prediction of the conditions for transition from moving-bed flow to dense phase fluidized solids flow and to lean phase “streaming flow”. The latter flow pattern refers to solids streaming down a tube at high voidage typified by the discharge of solid down a tube with no constriction at the lower end of the tube. Further work is required to test the general applicability of the present analysis and to extend the analysis to yield a generalized quantitative flow regime diagram for downflow of solids in a pipe.     

A generalist herbivore in a specialist mode Metabolic,sequestrative, and defensive consequences

Adults of a generalist herbivore, the lubber grasshopper,Romalea guttata, can be converted to functional specialists by feeding them exclusively on catnip,Nepeta cataria. No obvious adverse effects on adult development resulted from this enforced monophagy. Notwithstanding the fact thatR. guttata has had no coevolutionary relationship with this Eurasian mint, it readily sequesters compounds that are identical to or derived from the terpenoid lactones that are characteristic ofN. cataria. R. guttata appears to both biomagnify minor allelochemicals and to sequester metabolites of theNepeta terpenes in its paired defensive glands. The levels of autogenously produced phenolics are not affected by feeding onN. cataria and the defensive secretions of catnip-fed grasshoppers are more repellent to ants than those of wild-fed acridids. Metabolites of theN. cataria monoterpenes are sequestered in the defensive glands when catnip is added to the natural diet ofR. guttata. The ability of a generalist,R. guttata, to facilely bioaccumulate a potpourri of foreign allelochemicals when feeding in a specialist mode is analyzed in terms of its biochemical, physiological, and functional significance. Sequestration is examined as a response to the enteric effronteries represented by the phytochemicals that can be characteristic of the overload in a monophagous diet.     

Occurrence of wax esters in the tissues of the organge roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus)

The skin, skeleton and a fat-filled swim bladder of the orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) each contained greater than 20% lipid by wet weight which was almost entirely wax esters. These had carbon numbers of 34–40 consistent with the major fatty acid being 18∶1 and the major fatty alcohols being 16∶0, 18∶1, 20∶1 and 22∶1. In contrast, the liver and the roe contained appreciable quantities of glycerolipids with 18∶1 and 22∶6 as the major fatty acids.     

Observations on the relatively high strength of a chalk-aggregate concrete

It has been observed that concrete containing chalk aggregate had a higher compressive strength than other wise similar concrete which contained basalt aggregate, although the chalk rock had a lower compressive strength than the basalt. Measurements of the rates of development of hardness of concrete containing these aggregates, measurements of the surface areas of these aggregates and X-ray examinations of the crystal phases in the set cement are reported and discussed. It was concluded that the relatively low strength of concrete containing basalt aggregate may be due to development of a phase, not chemically identified in the present work, which had a relatively weak bonding strength to the augite crystals in the basalt concrete.     

Studies of microhardness and mar resistance using a scanning probe microscope

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) is in a period of rapid development. It shows great promise for characterizing coating surfaces. This paper describes modification of an SPM so that it can be used to mar the surfaces of coatings under controlled conditions and to characterize the mars. Mar resistance of coatings is analyzed in terms of a ‘three response, two mechanism model.' The three responses (fracture, elastic, and plastic) can be measured quantitatively using the SPM. Of the three responses, only two (fracture and plastic deformation) are marring mechanisms – elastic deformations recover instantaneously. In some cases mars resulting from plastic deformation may recover slowly with time or with immersion in water; this phenomenon is attributed to viscoelastic creep. Microhardness is also measured with the modified SPM. Some thermoset coatings appear to be substantially harder near their surfaces than in the mass of material, and such materials may respond quite differently to stress applied at different levels near the surface. This finding has important implications for all coating properties that are strongly influenced by the surface. A quantity called ‘micro mar resistance' is defined. It may be useful for comparing different coatings under specified conditions of marring. However, there can be no single quantity that expresses ‘mar resistance' of a coating under all conditions.     

Free radicals in coal and coal conversions. 8. Experimental determination of conversion in hydroliquefaction

The results of conversion determinations on the products from Powhatan No.5 coal liquefied in an autoclave and in a high-pressure, high-temperature e.s.r. cavity are reported. Oil, asphaltene and preasphaltene yields, and overall conversion have been determined for Powhatan No.5 coal samples liquefied in tetralin, SRC-11 heavy distillate, and naphthalene at temperatures from 400 to 480 ° C in both reactor systems. The concept of reaction severity is introduced and used to formalize the relation between the effect of temperature and reaction time on oil yield and conversion. Oil is the predominant product in liquefaction in tetralin or naphthalene, asphaltene is the major product of liquefaction in SRC-II heavy distillate. Retrogressive reaction (THF-insoluble product formation) becomes severe when SRC-II heavy distillate is the liquefaction solvent and residence time of >10 min are used at temperatures >450 °C. Preasphaltenes appear to be the only intermediate species in Powhatan No.5 liquefaction.