Radiances simulated in the presence of clouds by use of a fast radiative transfer model and a multiple-scattering scheme

A fast-forward radiative transfer (RTF) model is presented that includes cloud-radiation interaction for any number of cloud layers. Layer cloud fraction and transmittance are treated separately and combined with that of gaseous transmittances. RTF is tested against a reference procedure that uses line-by-line gaseous transmittances and solves the radiative transfer equation by use of the adding-doubling method to handle multiple-scattering conditions properly. The comparison is carried out for channels 8, 12, and 14 of the High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS/2) and for the geostationary satellite METEOSAT thermal infrared and water vapor channels. Fairly large differences in simulated radiances by the two schemes are found in clear conditions for upper- and mid-tropospheric channels; the cause of the differences is discussed. For cloudy situations an improved layer source function is shown to be required when rapid changes in atmospheric transmission are experienced within the model layers. The roles of scattering processes are discussed; results with and without scattering, both obtained by use of a reference code, are compared. Overall, the presented results show that the fast model is capable of reproducing the cloudy results of the much more complex and time-consuming reference scheme.     

Advances in single-molecule magnet surface patterning through microcontact printing

We present an implementation of strategies to deposit single-molecule magnets (SMMs) using microcontact printing microCP). We describe different approaches of microCP to print stripes of a sulfur-functionalized dodecamanganese (III, IV) cluster on gold surfaces. Comparison by atomic force microscopy profile analysis of the patterned structures confirms the formation of a chemically stable single layer of SMMs. Images based on chemical contrast, obtained by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, confirm the patterned structure.     

NMR spectroscopy of paramagnetic metalloproteins

This article deals with the solution structure determination of paramagnetic metalloproteins by NMR spectroscopy. These proteins were believed not to be suitable for NMR investigations for structure determination until a decade ago, but eventually novel experiments and software protocols were developed, with the aim of making the approach suitable for the goal and as user-friendly and safe as possible. In the article, we also give hints for the optimization of experiments with respect to each particular metal ion, with the aim of also providing a handy tool for nonspecialists. Finally, a section is dedicated to the significant progress made on 13C direct detection, which reduces the negative effects of paramagnetism and may constitute a new chapter in the whole field of NMR spectroscopy.     

Comparison between ion chromatography and a spectrophotometric method for determination of nitrates in meat products

Ion chromatography and colorimetry were used to determine nitrate ion concentration in 76 different pork meat products (salami, mortadella, wurstel, raw and cooked ham and other whole-muscle cooked products) and the results were compared. The comparison revealed that the two techniques yield quantitatively similar results, except in cases where the matrix was so complex that it might have influenced the analytical data. These results are consistent with those obtained by other authors who used UV spectrophotometric detection.

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Vergleich zwischen ionenchromatographischer und spektrophotometrischer Methode zur Bestimmung von Nitrat in Fleischwaren

Zusammenfassung Es wurden zwei Analysetechniken, Ionenchromatographie mit konduktimetrischem Detektor und Kolorimetrie, für die Mengenbestimmung des Nitrat-Ions in Fleischerzeugnissen verglichen. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchungen an 76 verschiedenen Schweinefleischprodukten (Salami, Mortadella, Würstchen, Roh- und Kochschinken und andere gekochte Erzeugnisse mit ganzem Muskel) beweisen, daß die beiden Methoden im allgemeinen sich entsprechende Werte liefern, außer in den Fällen, in denen der komplizierte Charakter der Matrix den Analysewert beeinflussen kann. Die Ergebnisse sind mit denen von Autoren vergleichbar, die mit UV-Detektor gearbeitet haben.

     

Exploring environments by hand or foot: Time-based heuristics for encoding distance in movement space.

In Experiment 1, blindfolded observers judged (a) the distance of pathways felt by hand and (b) the straight-line distance between pathway endpoints inferred from such exploration. In Experiment 2, blindfolded observers made corresponding estimates after traversing similar pathways on foot. Pathways were explored under three different speeds. Under both manipulatory and ambulatory exploration, there was substantial length distortion of inferred distance; the straight-line distance was increasingly overestimated with increases in the length of the explored pathway. With manipulatory exploration, slower movements increased length distortion, but duration effects proved secondary to effects of spatial extent. For ambulatory exploration, no duration effects were obtained. Observers used time-independent heuristics, that is, a footstep metric for estimating the pathway actually travelled and a spatial imaging strategy for estimating the inferred line between pathway endpoints. The studies establish length distortion as a general phenomenon in movement space and identify its major causes as spatial rather than temporal. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Imagery training and children's prose learning.

Used a pretest-posttest design to examine the effects of passage-illustration training (relative to a reading-practice control procedure) on reading comprehension in 10 3rd and 22 4th graders. Without this imagery training, imagery instructions did not improve performance on either a standardized reading comprehension test or a paraphrase prose recall procedure. After extended training in drawing adequate "comic strips" to illustrate prose passages, performance in a paraphrase recall task improved, but only when explicit imagery instructions were given with the task. The imagery training did not affect the standardized test performance, explicit imagery instructions notwithstanding. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The detection of residual pectin methylesterase activity in pasteurized tomato juices

The enzyme pectin methylesterase (PME) is believed to be involved in the destabilization and cloud loss of vegetable juices through the de-esterification of pectin followed by the successive coprecipitation of the pectate with insoluble materials present in the juices. Cloud destabilization is often observed even when the vegetable products have been subjected to thermal treatment to produce sterile products and also to stabilize the cloud. Therefore it is possible that loss of cloud may be because of residual enzymatic activities surviving the thermal treatments. However, so far no evidence demonstrating the existence of residual PME activity in pasteurized juices has been published. In this paper it is reported that in industrial tomato products showing cloud loss residual PME activity is present. It has been possible to detect this very low activity by an affinity chromatography procedure. The method is based on a cyanogen bromide-activated resin which is coupled with a pectin methylesterase inhibitor protein purified from kiwi fruit. This resin binds native PME with high selectivity and the enzyme can be concentrated from the product in a single step. Thus, the very low PME residual activity present in pasteurized juice and generally not detectable with common techniques can be detected and easily determined with the method described in this paper.