Reserves Accumulated in Non-Photosynthetic Organs during the Previous Growing Season Drive Plant Defenses and Growth in Aspen in the Subsequent Growing Season

Plants store non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), nitrogen (N), as well as other macro and micronutrients, in their stems and roots; the role of these stored reserves in plant growth and defense under herbivory pressure is poorly understood, particularly in trees. Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) seedlings with different NSC and N reserves accumulated during the previous growing season were generated in the greenhouse. Based on NSC and N contents, seedlings were assigned to one of three reserve statuses: Low N–Low NSC, High N–Medium NSC, or High N–High NSC. In the subsequent growing season, half of the seedlings in each reserve status was subjected to defoliation by forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) while the other half was left untreated. Following defoliation, the effect of reserves was measured on foliar chemistry (N, NSC) and caterpillar performance (larval development). Due to their importance in herbivore feeding, we also quantified concentrations of phenolic glycoside compounds in foliage. Seedlings in Low N-Low NSC reserve status contained higher amounts of induced phenolic glycosides, grew little, and supported fewer caterpillars. In contrast, aspen seedlings in High N-Medium or High NSC reserve statuses contained lower amounts of induced phenolic glycosides, grew faster, and some of the caterpillars which fed on these seedlings developed up to their fourth instar. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis indicated that foliar phenolic glycoside concentration was related to reserve chemistry (NSC, N). Overall, these results demonstrate that reserves accumulated during the previous growing season can influence tree defense and growth in the subsequent growing season. Additionally, our study concluded that the NSC/N ratio of reserves in the previous growing season represents a better measure of resources available for use in defense and growth than the foliar NSC/N ratios.     

Small/medium nuclear reactors for potential desalination applications : Mini review

Small/medium nuclear reactors (SMRs) are a promising alternative for powering large scale desalination plants. The modern generations of these systems manifest cost effectiveness and built-in safety features. The compatibility with geological and topological challenges is an added advantage. Moreover, funding opportunities and packages could be easily arranged for small/medium nuclear reactors (SMR). This mini review article provides the latest technical features of SMR nuclear plants with emphasis on pressurized light water reactors (PWR), boiling water reactors (BWR), heavy water reactors (HWR), gas cooled reactors (GCR), and liquid metal fast breeder reactors (LMFBR). Preliminary cost indicators for typical units were investigated as a part of joint effort to develop a cost database for these types of reactors. Security and safety features of small/medium reactors are identified and reviewed. This paper identifies and briefly discusses the various types of small/medium nuclear reactors to provide a preliminary evaluation and consideration of using this type of reactor in potential seawater desalination applications.     

Cationic polymerization of ethylene oxide with Maghnite‐H as a clay catalyst in the presence of ethylene glycol

The activated‐monomer cationic ring‐opening polymerization of ethylene oxide, initiated with ethylene glycol and using an acid‐exchanged montmorillonite clay called Maghnite‐H⁺ as an effective catalyst, was carried out to obtain the corresponding homopolymers with narrow polydispersity ratios. The molecular weights of the obtained polymers were controlled with the feed ratio of the monomer to the initiator. The effects of the amount of the catalyst and time on the polymerization yield and viscosity of the polymers were studied. The structure was confirmed with proton nuclear magnetic resonance and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

High Stable Al-MCM-41: Structural Characterization and Evaluation for Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution

Aluminosilicate (Al-MCM-41) was synthesized via a modified wet-method in a Si/Al atomic ratio of 13.64:1.00 and calcination at 500 °C. The structural     

Effect of toluene proportion on the yield and composition of oils obtained by supercritical extraction of Moroccan oil shale

Supercritical extraction of Tarfaya's oil shale by toluene revealed that the solvent proportion has a significant effect on the yield and the composition of the obtained oils. The analyses carried out on the recovered oils allowed to establish the optimal operating conditions giving the highest oil yields. In addition, it was observed that these oils contain a large proportion of aromatics compounds.     

Rheology of foamed cement

Foams are being used in a number of petroleum industry applications that exploit their high viscosity and low density. Foamed cement slurries can have superior displacement properties relative to non-foamed cement slurries. This article presents results of an experimental study of foamed cement rheology. Viscosity curves of foamed cements were obtained using a flow-through rotational viscometer. Foamed cements with different foam qualities were generated under different pressures using a foam generator/viscometer apparatus. The foam qualities during the tests ranged from 0% to 30%, and the shear rate varied between 5 s^− 1 and 600 s^− 1. Experimental results indicate that: i) unlike conventional aqueous foams, low-quality cement foams have a lower viscosity than the base fluid; ii) as the cement foam quality (gas volumetric fraction) increases from 10% to 30%, the viscosity also increases; and iii) the viscosity of low-quality cement foam slightly increases after depressurization or expansion.