Nonpoint source pollution management for the multipurpose dam watersheds.

Main pollution sources in multipurpose dam watersheds in Korea are highland fields, stream banks, livestock farms, roads, and construction sites. Specifically, highland fields are the major nonpoint pollution sources. Excessive organic chemicals such as fertilizer and pesticide can be exuded from the land, and the area is likely to be eroded by heavy rain. Fallow, conservative cultivation, and covering can be alternatives for soil protection and reinforcement. In addition to these, construction of detour waterways and improvement of irrigation method can minimize the impact of runoff. In the case of slope in 15% degree or more, prohibiting cultivation and restoring the surface is preferred to improving cultivation method in order to control nonpoint pollution sources efficiently.     

Non-linear and resonance effects in carbon nanotube structures

In this paper, we report on Raman scattering and Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) studies of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and carbon nanotube/conjugated polymers composites. We demonstrate that under SERS conditions we induce an abnormal anti-Stokes Raman emission, that can be interpreted as being due to a “single-beam pumped” Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) effect. We also investigate in detail the anti-Stokes/Stokes (aS/S) intensity ratios of the radial breathing modes (RBMs) of SWNTs as a function of several parameters. From calculations, we show that resonance phenomena mostly explain the aS/S intensity ratio anomalies, but only at low frequencies. In addition, we describe results obtained with polymers like poly(bithiophene) (PBTh) polymerized on carbon nanotube thin films which exhibit also an amplification of its high frequency Raman modes in the anti-Stokes branch, generated by the plasmon excitation of metallic tubes. This phenomenon occurs in several other materials such as composites based on SWNTs and conjugated polymers such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and polyparaphenylene-vinylene (PPV) for modes located around 1500 cm⁻¹.     

Sources, concentrations, and risks of naphthalene in indoor and outdoor air

Naphthalene is a ubiquitous pollutant, and very high concentrations are sometimes encountered indoors when this chemical is used as a pest repellent or deodorant. This study describes the distribution and sources of vapor-phase naphthalene concentrations in four communities in southeast Michigan, USA. Outdoors, naphthalene was measured in the communities and at a near-road site. Indoors, naphthalene levels were characterized in 288 suburban and urban homes. The median outdoor concentration was 0.15 μg/m(3), and a modest contribution from rush-hour traffic was noted. The median indoor long-term concentration was 0.89 μg/m(3), but concentrations were extremely skewed and 14% of homes exceeded 3 μg/m(3), the chronic reference concentration for non-cancer effects, 8% exceeded 10 μg/m(3), and levels reached 200 μg/m(3). The typical excess individual lifetime cancer risk was about 10(-4) and reached 10(-2) in some homes. Important sources include naphthalene's use as a pest repellent and deodorant, migration from attached garages and, to lesser extents, cigarette smoke and vehicle emissions. Excessive use as a repellent caused the highest concentrations. Naphthalene presents high risks in a subset of homes, and policies and actions to reduce exposures, for example, sales bans or restrictions, improved labeling, and consumer education, should be considered. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Long-term average concentrations of naphthalene in most homes fell into the 0.2-1.7 μg/m(3) range reported as representative in earlier studies. The highly skewed distribution of concentrations results in a subset of homes with elevated concentrations and health risks that greatly exceed US EPA and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The most important indoor source is the use of naphthalene as a pest repellant or deodorant; secondary sources include presence of an attached garage, cigarette smoking, and outdoor sources. House-to-house variation was large, reflecting differences among the residences and naphthalene use practices. Stronger policies and educational efforts are needed to eliminate or modify indoor usage practices of this chemical.     

On the reliability of scrape-off layer ion temperature measurements by retarding field analyzers

The retarding field analyzer (RFA) is one of the only widely accepted diagnostics for measurements of ion temperature Ti in the tokamak scrape-off layer. In this paper we analyze some instrumental effects of the RFA and their influence on Ti measurements. It is shown that selective ion transmission through the RFA slit is responsible for an overestimation of Ti by less than 14%, even for a relatively thick slit plate. Therefore, thicker slit plates are preferable, since they reduce, e.g., the risk of melting during off-normal events, and the effect of positive space charge inside the cavity. The influence of the electron repelling grid, as well as misalignment of the slit with respect to the magnetic field on Ti measurements are negligible.     

Data sampling and processing for contact free-form surface scan-tracking measurement

To overcome the shortcomings of the traditional free-form surface tracking measurement data sampling methods, a new data accept and reject method which combines isochronous indistinctive sampling with off-line equal-error accurate arithmetic is designed. Dual-thread and dual-buffer dynamic storage technique is adopted to solve the problem of mass data information storage, and data acquisition processing is divided into two links: data sampling thread and data storage thread, each link being achieved by an individual thread and can concurrently assess data buffer without overlapping. SQLite3 is chosen to realize data storage, and the storage speed is tested by experiments. To reflect the geometric characteristic of the model surface figure accurately and make the measured data close to the real model curve more, the circle ratio method is utilized to achieve the curve smoothing treatment. The designed data sampling method enhances the sampling precision and sampling efficiency. Finally, a bicycle saddle model intersection’s self-learning control process is simulated with Matlab. Simulation results demonstrate the workability and the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Vibrational properties of the electrochemically synthesized polyindole/single-walled carbon nanotubes composite

Electrochemical polymerization of indole in a LiClO₄/CH₃CN solution on a single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) film was studied by cyclic voltammetry, Raman scattering and FTIR spectroscopy. Comparing the cyclic voltammograms recorded on a blank Pt electrode with those obtained when carbon nanotubes films were previously deposited onto the Pt electrode, a down-shift of the indole reduction peak potential in the latter case was observed. Raman spectroscopy studies indicate that the electrochemical deposition of polyindole (PIN) onto the SWNT film results in a breaking of SWNT bundles into individual tubes. A covalent functionalization of SWNTs with PIN in the doped state is demonstrated by FTIR spectroscopy, when an increase in the intensity of the absorption band at 1045 cm^?1 is observed. Besides, Raman and FTIR studies performed on samples electrochemically prepared and thereafter post-chemically reacted with an NH₄OH solution, indicate both a roping process of individual tubes with PIN as a binding agent and a strong steric hindrance effect.     

One-step synthesis of highly biocompatible multi-shaped gold nanostructures with fruit extract

In this study, the authors demonstrate the synthesis of various gold nanostructures through a one-step, green and complete bio-modulation approach. Nanoparticles were successfully synthesised by the addition of gold aqueous solution to fruit extracts, including orange, papaya, peach or lemon. The particles were of various shapes and sizes with high abundance, such as sphere, marigold, triangle and hexagon. The biocompatibility of the presented gold nanostructures was examined; haemolysis tests revealed a non-toxicity result in blood cell uptake of such gold nanostructures. This study opens the exciting possibility of synthesising various multi-shaped nanoparticles through a simple and green approach, as well as paving the way for future bio-applications.     

Thermal resistance of Salmonella serovars isolated from raw, frozen chicken nuggets/strips, nugget meat and pelleted broiler feed

Raw, frozen chicken nuggets/strips available at retail and prepared at home before consumption have been identified as a significant risk factor in contracting food-borne salmonellosis. Cases of salmonellosis from consumption of these products may be due, in part, to Salmonella strains originating in broiler feed. In this study the thermal resistances of Salmonella strains isolated from chicken nuggets and strips, chicken nugget/strip meat and broiler feed were determined to assess whether they exhibited enhanced thermal resistance. Thermal resistances (D- and z- values) of 7 cocktails (25 isolates, 4 serovars) were determined in commercially prepared irradiation-treated chicken nugget/strip meat blend, and heated in a constant temperature waterbath. The thermal resistances found were lower than those reported for similar strains in the literature. D-values ranged from 6.93 to 0.12 min at 55 and 62 degrees C respectively, with z-values from 4.10 to 5.17 degrees C. Two strains of S. Enteritidis separately isolated from pelleted feed and chicken nugget meat blend, with indistinguishable geno- and phenotypes, had lower (and probably identical) thermal resistances than the other isolates. Results indicated that the strains of Salmonella isolated from raw, frozen chicken nuggets/strips and pelleted broiler feed did not exhibit unusually high thermal resistance, and that normal heating (71 degrees C) prior to consumption should eliminate these organisms from chicken nuggets/strips.