Biochemical suitability of crop residues for cellulosic ethanol: disincentives to nitrogen fertilization in corn agriculture

Concerns about energy security and climate change have increased biofuel demand, particularly ethanol produced from cellulosic feedstocks (e.g., food crop residues). A central challenge to cropping for cellulosic ethanol is the potential environmental damage from increased fertilizer use. Previous analyses have assumed that cropping for carbohydrate in residue will require the same amount of fertilizer as cropping for grain. Using (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance, we show that increases in biomass in response to fertilization are not uniform across biochemical classes (carbohydrate, protein, lipid, lignin) or tissues (leaf and stem, grain, reproductive support). Although corn grain responds vigorously and nonlinearly, corn residue shows only modest increases in carbohydrate yields in response to high levels of fertilization (25% increase with 202 kg N ha(-1)). Lignin yields in the residue increased almost twice as much as carbohydrate yields in response to nitrogen, implying that residue feedstock quality declines as more fertilizer is applied. Fertilization also increases the decomposability of corn residue, implying that soil carbon sequestration becomes less efficient with increased fertilizer. Our results suggest that even when corn is grown for grain, benefits of fertilization decline rapidly after the ecosystem's N demands are met. Heavy application of fertilizer yields minimal grain benefits and almost no benefits in residue carbohydrates, while degrading the cellulosic ethanol feedstock quality and soil carbon sequestration capacity.     

Effect of growth media and washing on the spectral signatures of aerosolized biological simulants

We have evaluated the influence of growth media and washing on the laser-induced fluorescence spectra of bacteria. Three different bacterial simulants were cultured in three types of growth media. Three kinds of samples were generated from each culture: the culture itself, the growth medium alone, and a triple-washed sample. The materials were injected as aerosols in a lab-sized lidar aerosol chamber to obtain their spectra. Using two different analysis approaches, signature variations were observed between the three kinds of samples for most combinations of growth media/bacteria. This study concludes that the culture media used influences the spectral signatures.     

Hierarchical nanostructures by sequential self-assembly of styrene-dimethylsiloxane block copolymers of different periods

Poly(styrene-block-dimethylsiloxane) (PS-b-PDMS) block copolymers with a period as low as 13 nm have been self-assembled on a template formed from PS-b-PDMS of a 34–40 nm period, which is itself templated by micron-scale substrate features prepared using conventional lithography. This hierarchical process provides a simple method for directing the self-assembly of sub-10 nm features and registering them on the substrate.     

伯纳姆展亭

展亭坐落于密歇根湖千禧公园中央的一处独特的地方,一侧紧临密歇根大道。项目的本意是想吸引更多的人前来散步、游览和观光。基于对城市背景、项目类型及规模的考虑,UNStudio将展亭设计既体现了现有规则的几何构造,又营造出富于动感和多维的空间效果。它很好地适应了城市环境和干禧公园的客流,引入了面向公园和城市环境的诸多景观。     

A Critical-Realist View of Housing Quality within the Post-Communist EU States: Progressing towards a Middle-Range Explanation

Employing a long-term perspective, we explore whether ideologically rooted quality outcomes of housing provision under communism have persisted during the post-communist construction of housing markets. Drawing on theories of path-dependent change, we hypothesize that patterns of housing quality still reflect past lines of division, namely the Soviet housing model, and the classical and reformist models of the Eastern Bloc. Using a critical-realist approach to housing quality, we relate households’ experiences to key underlying structures; this ontological depth is then operationalized by means of micro- and macro-indicators used as input for hierarchical cluster analyses. Findings support our main hypothesis, yet there is more diversity in households’ experiences than initially assumed. Our study advances a valuable middle-range epistemological frame for understanding the complex social reality of housing and helps shatter the growing view that communist housing systems were all too similar.     

Effects of the addition of microencapsulated omega-3 and rosemary extract on the technological and sensory quality of white pan bread

Omega-3 enriched foods are considered functional foods, however they may present undesirable sensory characteristics due to oxidation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the addition of 0.00–5.00 g/100 g microencapsulated omega-3 fatty acids (MO) and of 0.000–0.100 g/100 g rosemary extract (RE) on the technological and sensory quality of white pan bread, following a 2² central composite rotational design (CCRD). The responses evaluated were the specific volume, texture, moisture and color, and the scores obtained in the sensory acceptance test for appearance, aroma, flavor, texture and overall acceptance, and purchase intention. Increasing MO concentration reduced specific volume and lightness and increased firmness and color saturation. Increasing RE concentration presented only a small effect on the reduction of lightness. In the sensory acceptance test, all samples presented acceptable scores (>5).     

Touching the dematerialized

Smart phones and tablet computers have flooded the world. With their seemingly intuitive multi-touch interface, they seem to be a step towards embodied interaction. But are they really? In this paper we take off with an analysis of these products and our interaction with them from the perspective of dematerialization. We claim that the multi-touch display is the outcome of a dematerialization process. As it is applied today, it fails to fulfil the promise of embodied interaction, since it results in an impoverished, standardized and computer-like interaction. Next, we introduce our own design perspective, the third stand, which aims to consciously guide dematerialization instead of blindly applying it. We believe this perspective leads to a fresh way of thinking about the multi-touch display. By presenting the design of a novel alarm clock, we emphasize the single-purpose character of the third stand and reveal its own specific nature. Next, in two design projects, we confront the third stand with the multi-touch display and enhance the latter with specific, meaningful and rich actions. We discuss the results of these two design projects and end this paper by reflecting on the third stand.     

Towards the design of a blending system for precoloured fibres

In order to create a commercial system for blending precoloured fibres that will appear visually solid once combined, it is necessary to understand the maximum colour difference required between the blend components. Based on this understanding, the lowest number of primaries required to populate a given colour gamut can be determined. A series of psychophysical experiments was carried out to explore the colour difference between fibre‐blend components and whether the resulting blended samples are perceived as visually solid. Experiments were carried out with loose stock fibre, yarn and knitted samples. Generally, it was found that the likelihood a blend appeared as visually solid increased as the average colour difference between the blend components, or primaries, decreased. The value of the mean colour difference at which 50% of participants viewed the blend as being visually solid was found to be 20.8, 20.5 and 18.0 for fibre, yarn and knitted samples, respectively. Consequently, it was found that it was more difficult to obtain a solid shade with the knitted form than with the loose stock fibre form.