Ozone application in a modified screw conveyor to treat grain for insect pests, fungal contaminants, and mycotoxins

Recent efforts have focused on improving the application of ozone technology as a pest management tool for stored grain. This study evaluated the efficacy of a modified screw conveyor to treat grain with ozone in a continuous-flow system. The ozone concentration delivered into the screw conveyor was 47,800 ppm and the average retention time for a corn kernel moving through the system was 1.8 min. Under these conditions, 100% mortality of adult red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)) and adult maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.)) was achieved after three passes through the screw conveyor, which equated to a concentration × time (CT) product value of 258,120 ppm-min. The potential effectiveness of the continuous treatment to reduce mold on the surface of corn kernels was also explored. Aspergillus flavus counts were reduced by 96% in a single pass through the screw conveyor. Three passes through the screw conveyor reduced the mold count by more than 2-log units. Ozone treatment also reduced aflatoxin applied to the grain; however, the reduction was not sufficient enough to be of commercial value. The results of this study provide valuable information for estimating the parameters needed for effectively treating grain in a commercial scale continuous-flow treatment system.     

Vascular design of constructal structures with low flow resistance and nonuniformity

Here we explore new vascular designs for volumetric bathing of smart structures with volumetric functionalities (cooling, self healing). One stream bathes the volume, and the vasculature is configured as two trees matched canopy to canopy. Several architecture types are optimized: one channel size versus two channel sizes, increasing complexity (first, second, and third constructs) and increasing size (up to 50 × 50 elemental volumes). Vasculatures can be optimized for two objectives: low flow resistance and low flow nonuniformity. Tradeoffs are discovered with respect to complexity: for example, the optimized second construct has a lower global resistance than the first construct when the system size exceeds 20 × 20. The flow nonuniformity in the third construct is lower than in the second and first constructs.     

A pilot study of the efficacy of residuum lodges for managing sediment delivery to impoundment reservoirs

Residuum lodges comprise small dams constructed on feeder streams immediately before they enter a reservoir, behind which ponds form, where sediment is deposited. Despite their construction on many impoundment reservoirs (IRE) and catchwaters, little research has previously investigated their efficacy at removing sediments from feeder streams. The current pilot study has, therefore, been carried out at an IRE supplying Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK, where a residuum lodge was recently cleaned out. Sediment concentrations reaching the reservoir were reduced by up to 42% although no certain impacts were noted on the other water quality variables that were measured. Moreover, it was found that the clearance operation did not result in the release of excessive quantities of sediment into the reservoir. It was estimated that the cleared residuum lodge would take 12 years to refill. A survey of other residuum lodges in the Yorkshire region showed there to be considerable differences in their remaining capacities.     

Travel in a Different World Makes a World of Difference

By reference to the literature of postcolonial studies, this paper addresses some of the theoretical difficulties, paradoxes and contradictions that inhere in the study or teaching of ‘different’, that is, ‘non-Western’ architectures. It examines, in particular, the writings of Said on Orientalism, and those of Spivak and Homi Bhabha on the ‘unspeakability’ of the ‘different’ and ‘other.’ These writings call into question the possibility of an Orientalist scholarship or pedagogy that does not reinforce stereotypes and perpetuate unequal power relations. Taking these writings to their logical limit, they would seem to preclude in advance all attempts to introduce non-Eurocentric materials into the curricula of architectural schools, since this continues and strengthens neo-colonialist essentialising of otherness and difference. In response, it is suggested that this impasse can be avoided if the metaphors of confrontation, power and objectivity that ground critical theory in postcolonial studies are replaced by the hermeneutic metaphors of conversation, translation and travel. These metaphors indicate that the study of the architecture of the ‘different other’ can be included in the curriculum in ways that are not tainted by neo-colonialist attitude     

Numerical modelling of production from the Poihipi dry steam zone: Wairakei geothermal system,New Zealand

The Poihipi power station utilizes dry steam from a shallow zone near the margin of the Wairakei geothermal reservoir. The station has been in operation for several years, with daily variations in the fluid production rate following variations in time-of-day pricing of electricity. The corresponding varying pressure history provides a good database for testing models of the geothermal reservoir.     

Voice over IP versus voice over frame relay

This paper presents a comparison of the voice‐enabling features of the Internet protocol (IP) and frame relay (FR) networks. The discussion focuses on the issues that affect the quality of service of voice applications and the relative suitability of IP and FR for delivering voice applications. This independent assessment serves to assist network managers in decision‐making regarding suitable packetized voice solutions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The time course of competition for attention: Attention is initially labile.

Competition for attention between 2 written words was investigated by presenting the words briefly in a single stream of distractors (Experiment 1) or in different streams (Experiment 2- 6), using rapid serial visual presentation at 53 ms/item. Stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) was varied from 0 to 213 ms. At all SOAs there was strong competition, but which word was more likely to be reported shifted markedly with SOA. At SOAs in the range of 13-53 ms the second word was more likely to be reported, but at 213 ms, the advantage switched to the first word, as in the attentional blink. A 2-stage competition model of attention is proposed in which attention to a detected target is labile in Stage 1. Stage 1 ends when one target is identified, initiating a serial Stage 2 process of consolidation of that target. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Temperaturverlauf bei der Schmalflächenbeschichtung

Edge banding is well known in practice, but there are only few scientific analysis about the temperature of the hotmelt during the process. Adhesion problems are reported due to a loss of temperature under the melting point of the hotmelt. An experimental setup was developed and proved to measure temperatures and forces during the process. With this setup the ability of the edge banding process can be evaluated.     

Benefits of all work and no play: The relationship between neuroticism and performance as a function of resource allocation.

The authors evaluate a model suggesting that the performance of highly neurotic individuals, relative to their stable counterparts, is more strongly influenced by factors relating to the allocation of attentional resources. First, an air traffic control simulation was used to examine the interaction between effort intensity and scores on the Anxiety subscale of Eysenck Personality Profiler Neuroticism in the prediction of task performance. Overall effort intensity enhanced performance for highly anxious individuals more so than for individuals with low anxiety. Second, a longitudinal field study was used to examine the interaction between office busyness and Eysenck Personality Inventory Neuroticism in the prediction of telesales performance. Changes in office busyness were associated with greater performance improvements for highly neurotic individuals compared with less neurotic individuals. These studies suggest that highly neurotic individuals outperform their stable counterparts in a busy work environment or if they are expending a high level of effort. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)