Systematic effects induced by a flat isotropic dielectric slab

The instrumental polarization induced by a flat isotropic dielectric slab in microwave frequencies is discussed. We find that, in spite of its isotropic nature, such a dielectric can produce spurious polarization either by transmitting incoming anisotropic diffuse radiation or emitting when it is thermally inhomogeneous. We present evaluations of instrumental polarization generated by materials usually adopted in radio astronomy, by using the Mueller matrix formalism. As an application, results for different slabs in front of a 32 GHz receiver are discussed. Such results are based on measurements of their complex dielectric constants. We evaluate that a 0.33 cm thick Teflon slab introduces negligible spurious polarization (<2.6 x 10(-5) in transmission and <6 x 10(-7) in emission), even minimizing the leakage (<10(-8) from Q to U Stokes parameters, and vice versa) and the depolarization (approximately 1.3 x 10(-3)).     

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of chernozem humic acid and their fractions obtained by coupled size exclusion chromatography-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SEC-PAGE)

A humic acid extracted from a chernozem soil was fractionated combining size exclusion chromatography and polyacrylamide electrophoresis (SEC-PAGE). Three fractions named A, B, and C+D, with different electrophoretic mobilities and molecular sizes (MS), were obtained and subsequently characterized by thermochemolysis and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The data confirmed that fraction A, with the higher MS, was more aliphatic than fractions B and C+D and, in turn, fractions with lower MS (B and C+D) denoted an enrichment in lignin residues. These structural features explain conformational changes when varying the pH in the humic fraction A and indicated that combination of the two techniques is a good approach for characterizing humic substances.     

Growth of zinc oxide nanorods, tetrapods, and nanobelts without catalyst

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures with various morphologies have been synthesized without catalyst in a one-step simple redox process. The results show that ZnO nanorods, nanobelts, and tetrapods with hexagonal needled arms could be synthesized via thermal treatment of a mixture of zinc oxide and charcoal powder in a muffle furnace at 1000-1200 degrees C for 240 min. XRD analyses showed that polycrystalline ZnO phase with wurtzite crystal structure was formed. At a relatively low temperature, 1000 degrees C, the ZnO structure was found to be a bundle of denser nanorods. By increasing the reaction temperature to 1100 degrees C, tetrapod-like structures of needle-like arms with pyramidal tips were formed. With the increase of temperature up to 1200 degrees C, the morphology of ZnO nanostructures changed from nanorods and tetrapods to coalescence grains. Reaction temperature was found to be the most important experimental parameter that played an important role in controlling the mode, mechanism of growth, and formation of different ZnO morphologies.     

Direct visualization of symmetry breaking during janus nanoparticle formation

The straight-forward synthesis of Janus nanoparticles composed of Ag and AgBr is reported. For their formation, cucurbit[n]uril (CB)-stabilized AgBr nanoparticles are first generated in water by precipitation. Subsequent irradiation with an electron beam transforms a fraction of each AgBr nanoparticle into Ag(0) , leading to well-defined Janus particles, stabilized by the binding of CB to the surface of both AgBr and Ag(0) . With the silver ion reduction being triggered by the electron beam, the progress of the transformation can be directly monitored with a transmission electron microscope.     

粒子群优化的聚类方法在图像分割中的应用

图像分割和对象提取是从图像处理到图像分析的关键步骤.K-均值聚类算法和粒子群优化方法结合,即将K-均值方法的结果作为一个粒子并采用粒子群优化的方法,通过适应度函数,利用新的分类中心调整粒子位置,产生新的聚类中心.并将此方法应用于图像的分割.最后,将两种方法的处理结果进行了比较,结果表示基于PSO聚类方法对图像的分割效果比原算法有所改进.     

Pilot-scale in situ bioremedation of uranium in a highly contaminated aquifer. 2. Reduction of u(VI) and geochemical control of u(VI) bioavailability

In situ microbial reduction of soluble U(VI) to sparingly soluble U(IV) was evaluated at the site of the former S-3 Ponds in Area 3 of the U.S. Department of Energy Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research Field Research Center, Oak Ridge, TN. After establishing conditions favorable for bioremediation (Wu, et al. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2006, 40, 3988-3995), intermittent additions of ethanol were initiated within the conditioned inner loop of a nested well recirculation system. These additions initially stimulated denitrification of matrix-entrapped nitrate, but after 2 months, aqueous U levels fell from 5 to approximately 1 microM and sulfate reduction ensued. Continued additions sustained U(VI) reduction over 13 months. X-ray near-edge absorption spectroscopy (XANES) confirmed U(VI) reduction to U(IV) within the inner loop wells, with up to 51%, 35%, and 28% solid-phase U(IV) in sediment samples from the injection well, a monitoring well, and the extraction well, respectively. Microbial analyses confirmed the presence of denitrifying, sulfate-reducing, and iron-reducing bacteria in groundwater and sediments. System pH was generally maintained at less than 6.2 with low bicarbonate level (0.75-1.5 mM) and residual sulfate to suppress methanogenesis and minimize uranium mobilization. The bioavailability of sorbed U(VI) was manipulated by addition of low-level carbonate (< 5 mM) followed by ethanol (1-1.5 mM). Addition of low levels of carbonate increased the concentration of aqueous U, indicating an increased rate of U desorption due to formation of uranyl carbonate complexes. Upon ethanol addition, aqueous U(VI) levels fell, indicating that the rate of microbial reduction exceeded the rate of desorption. Sulfate levels simultaneously decreased, with a corresponding increase in sulfide. When ethanol addition ended but carbonate addition continued, soluble U levels increased, indicating faster desorption than reduction. When bicarbonate addition stopped, aqueous U levels decreased, indicating adsorption to sediments. Changes in the sequence of carbonate and ethanol addition confirmed that carbonate-controlled desorption increased bioavailability of U(VI) for reduction.     

Lipid class and fatty acid composition of the boreal soft coral Gersemia rubiformis

Total lipid, phospholipid, and FA composition and distribution of FA between polar lipids (PL) and neutral lipids (NL) were investigated in the boreal soft coral Gersemia rubiformis from the Bering Sea. The total lipids were mostly hydrocarbons and waxes (33.7%) and PL (33.1%). The content of monoalkyldiacylglycerols (9.7%) exceeded the content of TAG (6.7%). PC and PE constituted 31.4% and 25.6% of total phospholipids, respectively. Principal FA were 16∶0, 16∶1n−7, 18∶0, 18∶1n−9, 18∶1n−7, 20∶1n−7, 20∶4n−6, 20∶4n−3, 20∶5n−3 22∶5n−3, 22∶6n−3, 24∶5n−6, and 24∶6n−3. Most n−6 PUFA (52% of total FA) were associated with the PL fraction; this was especially true for arachidonic and tetracosapentaenoic acids. The NL were enriched with mono-, di-, trienoic, and n−3 PUFA. The variation in EPA levels in both NL and PL suggests an origin of this acid from lipids of diatoms consumed by the corals.     

Effect of fructose-containing beverages on glycemic parameters in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

The dynamics of glycemia after meal in 21 patients with type II diabetes under the influence of drinks with fructose or sugar and enriched with soluble fibres was investigated. To estimate glycemia after meal in first stage of investigation the test-meals with 50 g carbohydrates (cocktails of juices "Multivitamin" with fructose and sugar, or bread) were used. In second stage, carbohydrates "Peach nectar with fructose" and cocktail of juices "Multivitamin with fructose" were used. The level of glucose in capillary blood was defined after 14-h fasting and 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes after every test-meal. "Peach nectar with fructose" enriched with fructose and soluble food fibres (pectin) caused glycemic response in a less degree.