Evolution of collaboration and optimization of impact: self-organization in multinational research

Scientometrics - The expanding presence of multinational research teams highlights the importance of characterizing the outcomes of international collaboration. Herein, we characterize the...     

Applicability of time-of-flight-based ground and multispectral aerial imaging for grapevine canopy vigour monitoring under direct root-zone deficit irrigation

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the applicability of ground-based 3D time-of-flight (ToF) imaging and small unmanned aerial system (UAS) integrated multispectral imaging as a rapid grapevine canopy vigour mapping tool for decision support during crop production management. Direct root-zone deficit irrigation was applied to grapevines with continuous and pulse irrigation techniques at 15%, 30%, and 60% rates as that of standard irrigation rate (100%) established by the grower in a commercial production. The control block was irrigated continuously at 100% standard irrigation rate. Field plots were imaged using ground platform integrated with 3D ToF imaging sensor and small UAS-integrated multispectral camera at 128 and 65 days before the harvest to estimate the canopy vigour variability associated with irrigation treatments. Customized as well as standard methods (convex hull and voxel grid) were utilized to extract canopy attributes (e.g. volume) from the 3D ToF imaging sensor data. The multispectral images were processed to extract normalized and green normalized difference vegetation index images. Resulting data were used to estimate canopy area ratio i.e. the ratio between the grapevine canopy area with respect to the total area in selected region of interest. A significant correlation (r = 0.34) between canopy volume estimated by customized algorithm and aerial canopy area ratio was observed. Custom canopy volume estimates were also highly correlated (r = 0.79) with voxel grid derived canopy volume data. Overall, 60% continuous direct root zone deficit irrigation appeared to produce canopy volume/vigour comparable with those under control treatment. Results also suggest that grower can utilize either or both (ground and aerial) grapevine canopy mapping techniques for effective management.     

Formation of brominated products in irradiated titanium dioxide suspensions containing bromide and dissolved organic carbon

We report the irradiation of TiO(2) suspensions containing Br(-) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). In the absence of DOC, we found no evidence for the formation of BrO(3)(-) upon irradiation of 1gL(-1) P25 suspensions with UV light for initial Br(-) concentrations up to 10mgL(-1). In the presence of DOC (Lake Hohloh, Germany and salicylic acid), we found no evidence for the formation of either BrO(3)(-) or trihalomethanes (THMs). However, small amounts of adsorbable organic halogen (AOX) were formed at high bromide concentrations (3mgL(-1)). When irradiating P25 suspensions containing bromide and 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA, high bromoform formation potential), we observed the formation of significant amounts of bromoform (up to 10microgL(-1)). Bromoform appeared only after the DHBA had been degraded.     

Potenziale und Grenzen der Sekundärrohstoffgewinnung – Ergebnisse der r4-Begleitforschung

The socio-economic and ecological impacts of selected projects of the BMBF funding program “r⁴ – Innovative Technologies for Resource Efficiency – Research for the Provision of Raw Materials of Strategic Economic Importance” are presented. Many, but not all, research projects indicate a potential improvement of the supply situation in Germany. In some cases, the provision of secondary raw materials is unprofitable or ecologically detrimental. These cases require a balancing between security of supply and other economic and ecological objectives.     

Arsenical grafted membranes for immobilization of thioredoxin-like proteins

In this work, we describe the cografting of glycidyl methacrylate and dimethyl acrylamide onto a macroporous polysulfone polymer. Aminophenyl arsenical compounds were covalently attached to the copolymer through epoxy ring add-on reactions followed by a 2-mercaptoethanol activation. Thioredoxin and thioredoxin-fusion proteins were immobilized onto this surface and detected by specific antibody recognition. Preservation of native protein folding was confirmed by the detection of the enzymatic activity of an unstable fusion protein. Immobilized fusion protein onto the modified material maintains the enzymatic activity for a longer time, up to two weeks, against the free protein under the same storage conditions that remains active for 2 days.     

Grinding operation optimization of the CODELCO-Andina concentrator plant

This paper presents results following the application of a sub-optimal control scheme, both through simulation and in situ, from the operation of Section C of the CODELCO-Andina copper concentrator plant. The algorithm permits the determination of the necessary control action at each instant of time in order to maximize a defined plant performance index. The main objective of the algorithm is to maximize the mineral tonnage processed by the section, subject to it not exceeding a predetermined value establishes! for the operation conditions of the mills, while at the same time maintaining constant the mass fraction over 65 mesh (212 [microns]) in the overflow of the hydrocyclones, at a value within the operational requirements of the flotation stage. The performance index is defined in terms of; the percentage of pulp solids fed to the hydrocyclones of each line of ball mills, penalty functions to prevent electric power to the ball mills ,falling below the lower limit (so as not to enter the overload region), the tonnage processed in the section, and, since water is a scarce resource, a term considering the water added to each sump is also included. The scheme is first studied and adjusted in a simulator of a concentrator plant similar to that used in the industrial application. For plant implementation, a PC software program, denoted CONMOL, is developed in TurboPascal for Windows. This software allows plant applications to be carried out through a communications interface. Finally, the results of two tests performed on Section C of the CODELCO-Andina copper concentrator plant are shown where the control is applied over 3 and 5.5 hours respectively.