Crop Reference Evapotranspiration: A Discussion of the Concept,Analysis of the Process and Validation

The study at first recalls the concept of “potential evapotranspiration” (PET), originally considered equal to the evaporation climatic demand; then, it reminds the steps of its progressive evolution toward the concept of “reference crop evapotranspiration” (ET₀) determined on irrigated grass. A physical analysis conducted on the evaporation process is subsequently reported to help clarifying the links between ET₀ and evaporation climatic demand. This analysis clearly demonstrates that the equivalence of ET₀ to evaporation climatic demand is not correct, although still common assumption in recent scientific literature, particularly in hydrology. The study also identifies two processes acting in opposite directions in the dynamics of ET₀: (1) the climatic variables determining the evaporation demand, and (2) the canopy resistance which slows down the response of irrigated grass to such demand. The analysis of the respective impact of these two processes on ET₀ dynamics shows that the available energy is the dominant process. This variable takes into account the 60–70% of the variation of ET₀, both at hourly and daily scales, while canopy resistance only explains 10–20% of ET₀ variation of irrigated grass. The study regards different climatic situations. Possible effects on practical applications were also discussed in the conclusions, together with comments on the correct canopy resistance modelling.     

Classification of drug molecules for oxidative stress signalling pathway

In humans, oxidative stress is involved in the development of diabetes, cancer, hypertension, Alzheimers’ disease, and heart failure. One of the mechanisms in the cellular defence against oxidative stress is the activation of the Nrf2‐antioxidant response element (ARE) signalling pathway. Computation of activity, efficacy, and potency score of ARE signalling pathway and to propose a multi‐level prediction scheme for the same is the main aim of the study as it contributes in a big amount to the improvement of oxidative stress in humans. Applying the process of knowledge discovery from data, required knowledge is gathered and then machine learning techniques are applied to propose a multi‐level scheme. The validation of the proposed scheme is done using the K‐fold cross‐validation method and an accuracy of 90% is achieved for prediction of activity score for ARE molecules which determine their power to refine oxidative stress.Inspec keywords: cancer, cellular biophysics, biochemistry, drugs, molecular biophysics, proteins, learning (artificial intelligence), medical computingOther keywords: oxidative stress, Nrf2‐antioxidant response element signalling pathway, ARE signalling pathway, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, Alzheimers’ disease, heart failure, machine learning techniques, K‐fold cross‐validation method, ARE molecules     

Classical light scattering quantitation of protein aggregates: off-line spectroscopy versus HPLC detection

This paper describes the development and validation of a new off-line approach to quantitate both covalent and noncovalent, in-solution aggregates present in protein formulations and compares the new assay to established HPLC methods. This off-line analysis is well suited for use in QC release testing, formulation development and stability indicating applications. An inexpensive, continuous source HPLC fluorometer has been adapted with the addition of second order filters for use as a sensitive right-angle scatterometer which can determine the molecular weight of protein aggregates in solution. When used as an HPLC detector, right-angle light scattering is a sensitive method which can determine the molecular weight of peaks separable by HPLC, thus discriminating between monomers of different conformations and aggregates. The weight-averaged molecular weight of aggregate peaks can be calculated with system calibration, yielding the average number of monomers per aggregate. If the protein concentration is high enough for an adequate signal, the off-line technique of right-angle light scattering of protein formulations has advantages of convenience and speed over the HPLC approach. Samples are placed in standard fluorometer cuvettes and toluene is used as a calibrator. Data are presented which show the off-line (static) method to be extremely rapid, rugged and precise. The accuracy of this approach is demonstrated through cross-validation to traditional GPC analysis of protein aggregate distributions. This non-invasive light scattering approach is particularly useful when non-covalent protein aggregation is reversible and readily altered by chromatographic separations typically used for characterizing aggregates.     

The anti-microbial activity of titania-nickel ferrite composite nanoparticles

A novel approach to synthesize a new generation of composite nanoparticles consisting of a photocatalytic shell of anatase-titania and a magnetic core of nickel ferrite has been adopted combining reverse micelle and chemical hydrolysis techniques. Titania is an effective anti-microbial agent that can be directly sprayed on infected areas of the human body or environment. Unfortunately, titania is an electrical insulator and is difficult to extract from the sprayed surface after treatment. The titania photocatalytic shell provides good antimicrobial capability that renders the bacteria inactive and removes the organic pollutants, while the nickel ferrite magnetic core enables controlled delivery of composite nanoparticles through the application of a small magnetic field, encouraging their application as removable anti-microbial photocatalyst nanoparticles. For more information, contact R.D.K. Misra, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Center for Structural and Functional Materials, P.O. Box 44130, Lafayette, LA 70504-4130; (337) 482-6430; e-mail dmisra@louisiana.edu.     

Current distribution and input impedance of printed dipoles

Printed dipole antennas find increasing use in microwave as well as far infrared frequencies. The current distribution, input impedance, and radiation pattern are computed for wire antennas printed on a dielectric substrate. The current distribution is obtained by solving Pocklington's equation by moment methods. The Green's function pertinent to the problem involves improper Sommerfeld-type integrals. These integrals are computed by a real-axis integration technique which involves analytical and numerical steps. The effect of surface modes is carefully taken into account.