Carbon‐Based Anodes for Lithium Sulfur Full Cells with High Cycle Stability

The lithium sulfur battery system has been studied since the late 1970s and has seen renewed interest in recent years. However, even after three decades of intensive research, prolonged cycling can only be achieved when a large excess of electrolyte and lithium is used. Here, for the first time, a balanced and stable lithium sulfur full cell is demonstrated with silicon–carbon as well as all‐carbon anodes. More than 1000 cycles, a specific capacity up to 1470 mAh g^?1 _sulfur (720 mAh g^?1 _cathode), and a high coulombic efficiency of over 99% even with a low amount of electrolyte are achieved. The alternative anodes do not suffer from electrolyte depletion, which is found to be the main cause of cell failure when using metallic lithium anodes.     

Identifying peer‐to‐peer communities in the network by connection graph analysis

In this paper we present a unified solution to identify peer‐to‐peer (P2P) communities operating in the network. We propose an algorithm that is able to progressively discover nodes cooperating in a P2P network and to identify that P2P network. Starting from a single known node, we can easily identify other nodes in the P2P network, through the analysis of widely available and standardized IPFIX (NetFlow) data. Instead of relying on the analysis of content characteristics or packet properties, we monitor connections of known nodes in the network and then progressively discover other nodes through the analysis of their mutual contacts. We show that our method is able to discover cooperating nodes in many P2P networks and present the real computational requirements of the algorithm on a large network. The use of standardized input data allows for easy deployment onto real networks. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization, weathering, and application of sesquiterpanes to source identification of spilled lighter petroleum products

Biomarkers have become increasingly important for identifying the source of spilled oil, due to their specificity and high resistance to biodegradation. The biomarkers most commonly used in forensic investigations are the high molecular weight (MW) tri- and pentacyclic terpanes and steranes. For lighter petroleum products such as jet fuels and diesels, the refining processes remove most high MW biomarkers from the original crude oil feedstock. The smaller bicyclic sesquiterpanes, however, are concentrated in these products. Sesquiterpanes are ubiquitous components of crude oils and ancient sediments. Examination of GC-MS chromatograms of these bicyclic biomarkers using their characteristic fragment ions (m/z 123, 179, 193, and 207) provides a highly diagnostic means for identifying spilled oil, particularly for lighter refined product samples that are difficult to identify by current techniques. In this work, sesquiterpanes in crude oils and petroleum products are identified and characterized, distributions of sesquiterpanes in oils and refined products are compared, the effects of evaporative weathering on sesquiterpane distributions are examined, and a methodology using diagnostic indices of sesquiterpanes is developed for oil correlation and differentiation. Finally, two case studies are presented to illustrate the unique utility of sesquiterpanes for fingerprinting and identifying unknown diesel spills.     

The Effect of Exogenous Application of Quercetin Derivative Solutions on the Course of Physiological and Biochemical Processes in Wheat Seedlings

Quercetin, classified as a flavonoid, is a strong antioxidant that plays a significant role in the regulation of physiological processes in plants, which is particularly important in the case of biotic and abiotic stresses. The study investigated the effect of the use of potassium quercetin solutions in various concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 3.0% and 5.0%) on the physiological and biochemical properties of wheat seedlings. A pot experiment was carried out in order to determine the most beneficial dose of this flavonoid acting as a bio-stimulant for wheat plants. Spraying with quercetin derivative solutions was performed twice, and physiological measurements (chlorophyll content and fluorescence as well as gas exchange) were carried out on the first and seventh days after each application. The total phenolic compounds content and the total antioxidant capacity were also determined. It was shown that the concentrations of potassium quercetin applied have a stimulating effect on the course of physiological processes. In the case of most of the tested physiological parameters (chlorophyll content and fluorescence and gas exchange) and the total antioxidant capacity, no significant differences were observed in their increase as a result of application with concentrations of 3.0 and 5.0%. Therefore, the beneficial effect of quercetin on the analysed parameters is already observed when spraying with a concentration of 3.0%.     

The cytochrome c content of various poultry meats

The cytochrome c content and total haem pigments in the breast and thigh meat of broiler chickens, hens out of lay, turkeys, geese, duckling (Peking), and muscovy ducks were determined. The levels of cytochrome c in the breast and thigh meat were: for chicken 11.4 and 35.5; for hens 14.0 and 84.2; for turkeys 13.1 and 47.4; for geese 141.0 and 107.8; for duckling 111.2 and 149.9 and for muscovy ducks 81.5 and 97.3 μg per g of tissue, respectively. The correlation coefficient between cytochrome c and total haem pigments concentration was r=0.98 for breast, and r=0.85 for thigh meat. The authors postulate that the cytochrome c may play a noticeable role in the colour of fresh and processed poultry meat, but further investigations are needed to confirm this.     

POST—DEHYDRATION SHELF LIFE EXTENSION OF FRUITS AND NUTS

Post- dehydration storage life of fruits and plant nuts such as apricot, raisin, date, fig, almond, peanut, pinenut and walnut, was studied. The results showed that radiation dose of 1.0 kGy completely, inhibited insect infestation. Low dose radiation (0.25kGy) plus 20℃ and vacuum extended the storage life for 6 and 12 months in dry nuts and fruits respectively without affecting nutritional quality except ascorbic acid. Packaging in opaque pouches under vacuum proved better than other treatments in maintaining nutritional and sensoric quality.