Trichoderma viride suppresses fumonisin B1 production by Fusarium moniliforme

Biocontrol activity against Fusarium moniliforme was analyzed for a Trichoderma viride strain isolated from root segments of corn plants grown in Piedmont Georgia. The isolate suppressed radial extension of F. moniliforme colonies during cocultivation on potato dextrose agar and fumonisin B1 (FB1) production during incubation of both fungi on corn kernels. T. viride decreased radial extension of F. moniliforme by 46% after 6 days and by 90% after 14 days. Furthermore, the colony diameter of F. moniliforme was less at 14 days than at 5 days, suggesting that F. moniliforme mycelia were undergoing lysis. FB1 production by F. moniliforme on corn kernels decreased by 85% when both organisms were inoculated the same day onto corn kernels and by 72% when inoculation of T. viride was delayed by 7 days after F. moniliforme inoculation. These results are the first to demonstrate that T. viride can suppress FB1 production by F. moniliforme, thereby functioning to control mycotoxin production. Thus, this isolate may be useful in biological control to inhibit F. moniliforme growth as a preharvest agent to prevent disease during plant development and/or as a postharvest agent during seed storage to suppress FB1 accumulation when kernels are dried inadequately.     

On the limitation of the weak-coupling assumption for crosstalkanalysis based on quasi-TEM propagation

The limitation of the weak-coupling assumption for the case of two transmission lines with a common ground is examined. The analysis is based on the mathematical structure of solutions to the telegrapher's equations, and, therefore, quasi-transverse electromagnetic (TEM) propagation is assumed. All loss is neglected, and the lines are assumed to be symmetric. Requirements that are necessary for the weak-coupling assumption to hold in a homogeneous medium as well as in a medium that possesses certain types of inhomogeneities are derived by examining both the fully coupled and the weakly coupled forms of the telegrapher's equations. It is shown that terminating impedances influence the validity of the weak-coupling solution locally to resonances but have little effect elsewhere. Theoretical and experimental results are given in both the frequency and time domains for several geometries. A solution to the weak-coupling form of the telegrapher's equations is provided     

Techno‐economic analysis of three different substrate removal and reuse strategies for III‐V solar cells

The high cost of wafers suitable for epitaxial deposition of III‐V solar cells has been a primary barrier to widespread use of these cells in low‐concentration and one‐sun terrestrial solar applications. A possible solution is to reuse the substrate many times, thus spreading its cost across many cells. We performed a bottom‐up techno‐economic analysis of three different strategies for substrate reuse in high‐volume manufacturing: epitaxial lift‐off, spalling, and the use of a porous germanium release layer. The analysis shows that the potential cost reduction resulting from substrate reuse is limited in all three strategies––not by the number of reuse cycles achievable, but by the costs that are incurred in each cycle to prepare the substrate for another epitaxial deposition. The dominant substrate‐preparation cost component is different for each of the three strategies, and the cost‐ranking of these strategies is subject to change if future developments substantially reduce the cost of epitaxial deposition. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Effect of Weathering on the Rheology of an Atypical Waxy Crude Oil

Abstract

The Stoney Creek field, located outside Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, has been challenged by production problems throughout its history. The oil is identified as paraffinic oil with high wax content (estimates between 19.5% to over 50% wax) but no wax deposits have been found throughout the life of the field. The pour points and viscosities were found to vary greatly with weathering and thermal history, so previous rheological information may not be accurate. The effect of weathering on the rheology of the oil was studied and results presented.     

Computer simulation of the interaction of carbon atoms with self-interstitial clusters in α-iron

Static and dynamic properties of clusters of self-interstitial atoms and their complexes with carbon (C) atoms in α-iron are studied by molecular dynamics method using a pairwise interatomic potential for iron-carbon interaction and a many-body potential for iron. The effect of C atoms on the configuration, stability and migration of , and 〈1 0 0〉 interstitial clusters is investigated. In the framework of the simple model of interstitial solute used here, C atoms enhance the relative stability of 〈1 0 0〉 over clusters, but not enough to explain their common occurrence under irradiation. Clusters of seven interstitials or smaller are able to co-migrate with C atoms with a reduced mobility compared with pure iron. Bigger clusters have dislocation structure and are immobilised: C migrates along the core of their periphery as in the core of a straight edge dislocation. C dissociates from all clusters at high enough temperature.     

Juice quality indices and consumer acceptability of late harvested valencias

Valencias on five rootstocks were harvested at approximately monthly intervals between December and May for four years. Palatability was assessed by a taste panel (mean of 19 tasters per panel) and related by regression analysis to easily measured indices such as % soluble solids, titratable acidity and juice content. Only soluble solids and juice content were useful in predicting the mean rating of the taste panel (r² = 0.42 and 0.35 respectively). Percentiles of tasters' scores for juice with similar values of the indices were more accurately predicted by the indices than by simply using the mean panel ratings (r² up to 0.81). Regression lines giving mean panel score for different per cent taster response for juice and soluble solids content are presented.     

Effect of natural fermentation on carbohydrates, riboflavin and trypsin inhibitor activity of lentils

Lentils were subjected to natural fermentation for 4 days at 30°C. The pH value fell to 3.8 during the process. -Galactosides and sucrose were not detected in fermented lentils but a significant increase in the fructose content was observed. In fermented lentils the neutral detergent fibre, cellulose and hemicellulose contents decreased and the lignin content increased. After fermentation the riboflavin content was higher and the trypsin inhibitor activity decreased.

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Einfluß der natürlichen Fermentation von Linsen auf den Kohlenhydratgehalt, Riboflavingehalt und die Trypsininhibitor-Aktivität

Zusammenfassung Es wurde die Linsenfermentation durch natürlich vorkommende Mikroorganismen während 4 Tage durchgeführt. Die Temperatur wurde bei 30°C gehalten. Durch die Vergärung fällt der pH-Wert auf 3,8. -Galaktoside und Saccharose wurden in den Linsen nicht nachgewiesen, jedoch eine signifikante Zunahme des Fructosegehaltes. Es zeigte sich, daß in den Linsen die neutrale Detergent-Faser, der Cellulose- und Hemicellulosegehalt und die Trypsininhibitor-Aktivität abnimmt, aber der Lignin- und Riboflavingehalt zunimmt.

     

The isolation and determination of chlorophylls A and B in the california avocado

Summary It has been shown that chlorophylls A and B are the principal green pigments of two varieties of the California avocado. Chlorophylls A and B have been determined quantitatively in those two varieties. Supported by a grant from Avocado Growers of California.     

Cosmic-ray muon radiography of UO2 fuel assembly

A technical demonstration of cosmic-ray muon radiography of a UO₂ fuel assembly was performed at Toshiba Nuclear Critical Assembly (NCA). The fuel assembly in the NCA was imaged through obstacles such as steel and concrete. The result suggested that the method can be applicable to assess the damage to the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Here, both scattering and displacement methods are presented, and the results are shown to agree with Monte Carlo simulations. In addition, detailed Monte Carlo simulations of the Fukushima Daiichi reactor were performed, which showed capability of muon radiography to locate the fuel in the damaged reactors.