Diode laser based photoacoustic water vapor detection system for atmospheric research

A wavelength modulated, distributed feedback diode laser based photoacoustic water vapor mixing ratio measuring system for atmospheric research applications is presented. Laser modulation parameters were optimized either at 180 or 500 mbar total pressure to enhance the system's sensitivity for low or high pressures (upper troposphere/lower stratosphere or biosphere exchange layer), respectively. A wavelength locking method was developed that ensured sub-picometer absolute (5 x 10(-7) relative) wavelength stability of the laser while consuming minimum additional measurement time. At the calibration of the system, correction factors for the pressure- and temperature-dependence of the photoacoustic signal were determined, which were in turn applied to the calculation of the water vapor mixing ratio from the measured signal during the test operation of the system. The introduced features resulted in reliable, sub-ppm-level water vapor detection even under abrupt gas pressure or temperature variations typical in open atmospheric applications.     

Link Capacity Sharing between Guaranteed- and Best Effort Services on an ATM Transmission Link under GoS Constraints

While link allocation policies in multi-rate circuit switched loss models have drawn much attention in recent years, it is still an open question how to share the link capacity between service classes in a fair manner. In particular, when an ATM link is offered calls from service classes with/without strict QoS guarantees one is interested in link capacity sharing policies that maximize throughput and keep the per-class blocking probabilities under some GoS constraints. In this paper we propose a model and associated computational technique for an ATM transmission link to which CBR/VBR and ABR classes offer calls. We also propose a simple link allocation rule which takes into account blocking probability constraints for the CBR/VBR calls and a throughput constraint for the ABR calls and attempts to minimize the blocking probability of ABR calls. Numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the policy and of the applied computational technique.     

Analysing divided wall columns

In chemical processes, beside main products, significant quantities of by-products are often produced due to thermodynamics. Therefore, separation techniques and methods play such an important role, in chemical technologies, as reactor systems. Rectification is one of the most frequently used fluid separation process, which usually involves significant energy consumption. The production of hot and cold energy causes notable environmental load (CO₂ emission, dust pollution, etc.). Hence, from environmental point of view, research on energy saving in separation processes, for instance analysing divided wall columns (DWC), is exceedingly important. This article focuses on how to find more efficient structures with minimal energy consumption. The DWC system is a promising energy-saving alternative for separating multi-component mixtures (Chem Eng Process 38: 549–562, 1999; Chem Eng Process 49: 825–835, 2010). The innovation of this equipment is a wall which divides the inner space of the tower separating the feed and the side stream-product zones. The side stream and the feed stream are prevented from mixing by this wall. The DWC possesses greater efficiency than common column sequences. Conventional columns with side stream can be converted to DWC. In this article, several constructions of DWC are investigated with simulation experiments. The structure of the column is implemented in Aspen Plus in: 2006 Reference Guide, AspenTech Inc., Cambridge, 2006 simulator using the Radfrac unit of the software. The effects of the split ratio, the height and the vertical position of the wall, as the main parameters of DWC, are analysed.     

Regulatory Proteolysis in Arabidopsis-Pathogen Interactions

Approximately two and a half percent of protein coding genes in Arabidopsis encode enzymes with known or putative proteolytic activity. Proteases possess not only common housekeeping functions by recycling nonfunctional proteins. By irreversibly cleaving other proteins, they regulate crucial developmental processes and control responses to environmental changes. Regulatory proteolysis is also indispensable in interactions between plants and their microbial pathogens. Proteolytic cleavage is simultaneously used both by plant cells, to recognize and inactivate invading pathogens, and by microbes, to overcome the immune system of the plant and successfully colonize host cells. In this review, we present available results on the group of proteases in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana whose functions in microbial pathogenesis were confirmed. Pathogen-derived proteolytic factors are also discussed when they are involved in the cleavage of host metabolites. Considering the wealth of review papers available in the field of the ubiquitin-26S proteasome system results on the ubiquitin cascade are not presented. Arabidopsis and its pathogens are conferred with abundant sets of proteases. This review compiles a list of those that are apparently involved in an interaction between the plant and its pathogens, also presenting their molecular partners when available.     

Participation of Low Molecular Weight Electron Carriers in Oxidative Protein Folding

Oxidative protein folding is mediated by a proteinaceous electron relay system, in which the concerted action of protein disulfide isomerase and Ero1 delivers the electrons from thiol groups to the final acceptor. Oxygen appears to be the final oxidant in aerobic living organisms, although the existence of alternative electron acceptors, e.g. fumarate or nitrate, cannot be excluded. Whilst the protein components of the system are well-known, less attention has been turned to the role of low molecular weight electron carriers in the process. The function of ascorbate, tocopherol and vitamin K has been raised recently. In vitro and in vivo evidence suggests that these redox-active compounds can contribute to the functioning of oxidative folding. This review focuses on the participation of small molecular weight redox compounds in oxidative protein folding.     

Preference for copying unambiguous demonstrations in dogs (Canis familiaris).

In an earlier study (P. Pongrácz et al., 2001), it was shown that human demonstration significantly enhances the detouring ability of dogs (Canis familiaris) around a V-shaped fence. The authors investigated the effect of the direction of the demonstrated detour and the dogs' detouring experience. They found that dogs' trial-and-error experience influences strongly the direction of the dogs' detours later, even if the demonstrator showed detours along the opposite side of the fence. However, dogs' preferences based on their own experiences were changed when the dogs observed demonstrations only on 1 side of the fence. Dogs with no trial-and-error experience followed the direction of 1-sided demonstrations. The change from dogs' own directions to the demonstrated directions seems not to be due to simple facilitative effects of social experience; the similarity with the demonstrated action depends on complex interactions between individual experience and socially provided information. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Rate-limiting hydrodynamic resistance for controlled reagent delivery for laboratory solution preparation

The need for precise delivery of minute quantities of substances for solution preparation and other applications is well-known in research, clinical, industrial, and environmental settings. Currently available techniques for solution preparation in the laboratory include traditional transfer pipettes, micropipettes based on air displacement, and motorized devices using some form of a piston system. These techniques control the amount delivered by controlling the delivered volume. In this work we test the practicality of the concept of using a constant rate-limiting hydrodynamic resistance to achieve controlled reagent flow for solution preparation. The delivered amount is determined in this approach by time, pressure, flow resistance, or a combination of these. Good results are achieved comparable to conventional techniques without the use of fine mechanical instrumentation. This approach holds promise as an alternative to current methods of solution preparation and reagent delivery for routine laboratory use.