Seasonal variations in semen quality of local and crossbred rams raised in the United Arab Emirates

Amphiphilic pseudopeptide analogs of Phe-Thr-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH2, representing the active C-terminal core pentapeptide of the pyrokinin class of insect neuropeptides, were synthesized by replacement of phenylalanine with hydrocinnamic acid (Hca-Thr-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH2), or addition of 1-pyrenebutyric acid (Pba-Phe-Thr-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH2) or 9-fluoreneacetic acid (Fla-Phe-Thr-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH2). The pseudopeptides were found to stimulate sex pheromone biosynthesis when injected into females of the moth Heliothis virescens. Optimal pheromonotropic responses were obtained by injection of 0.25 pmol of Hca-Thr-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH2, 2.5 pmol of Pba-Thr-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH2 and 0.5 pmol of Fla-Thr-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH2. Topical application of each of the pseudopeptides in water to the cuticle of moths stimulated significant production of pheromone at a dose of 50 pmol with optimal stimulation occurring when 500 pmol were applied. The parent peptide, Phe-Thr-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH2, failed to stimulate significant production of pheromone when applied topically at a dose as high as 2000 pmol. Temporal studies indicated that Hca-Thr-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH2 stimulated significant production of pheromone for only 4 h after application where as continuous pheromone production for 18 h was observed when either Pba-Phe-Thr-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH2 or Fla-Phe-Thr-Pro-Arg-Leu-NH2 were applied to the abdomen. The results show that modification of the C-terminal active core of the insect pyrokinins, by addition of hydrophobic moieties, can result in production of pseudopeptides which effectively penetrate the insect cuticle and have prolonged physiological effects making them favorable candidates for use in development of alternative strategies for pest insect control.     

A review on macro‐level modeling of planar solid oxide fuel cells

In this review paper, a comprehensive literature survey on macro‐level modeling of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is presented. First, the current status of the SOFC modeling is assessed. Second, modeling techniques are discussed in detail. These include the thermodynamics, electrochemistry and heat transfer aspects of the modeling. Thermodynamic relations for pure hydrogen as the fuel and then gas mixture as the fuel are given. Additionally, exergy destructed due to polarizations is shown. Then, modeling equations for ohmic, activation, and concentration polarizations are given. Handling the carbon deposition problem in the modeling is discussed. The inclusion of the convection and radiation heat transfer processes to the modeling is explained. Finally, the models in literature are compared in terms of the methodology used and suggestions for increasing the accuracy of the future models are given. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pressure-transient analysis of infinite-conductivity fractured gas wells producing at high-flow rates

It is commonly observed in field practice that hydraulically fractured wells perform as though the effective fracture half-length and fracture conductivity were much less than the designed parameters. This observation keeps on creating conflicts and dilemmas between the well stimulation and production engineers. It is widely accepted in the field that part of this controversy is due to high-velocity flow in the fracture around the wellbore, which restrains the flow of gas toward the wellbore and deteriorates the overall well performance. Thus, proper diagnosis of the post-fracture well test and good estimation of the fracture parameters are crucial for accurate stimulation treatment assessment, production forecast, and recovery calculation.This paper presents for the first time a technique that analyzes high-flow rate drawdown data of infinite-conductivity fractured gas wells producing at constant-sandface pressure. This technique will enable the well test analyst accurately calculating the fracture half-length and non-Darcy flow coefficient from a single well test. The proposed method is based on a new semi-analytical equation that integrates the effects of high-velocity flow in the fracture. A comprehensive inspection of the diverse factors affecting the flow behavior of real-gas in the fracture and reservoir in the vicinity of the wellbore is demonstrated. Moreover, a step-by-step procedure illustrating the application of the proposed method using simulated well tests is also presented.     

Correlation between Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High C‐Cr Cast Steel

The effect of carbide morphology and matrix structure on abrasion resistance of cast alloyed steel with 2.57% C, 16.2% Cr and 0.78% Mo was studied in the as‐cast and heat treated conditions. Samples were austenitized at three different temperatures of 980, 1050 and 1250 °C for 15 minutes and followed by tempering at 540 °C for 3 hours. The austenitizing temperature of 980 °C revealed fully martensitic structure with little amount of retained austenite, while at 1050 °C the matrix was austenitic with massive amount of coarse secondary carbides. The austenitic matrix with very fine secondary carbides was developed at 1250 °C. The maximum abrasion resistance was obtained at 1050 °C due to the highest structure hardness and existence of both eutectic and secondary carbides in larger size than the formed groove by the abrasive particles during the wear test. On the other hand, the as‐cast pearlitic structure showed high wear rate by an applied load of up to 0.2 bar, followed by very rapid increase in wear rate with higher applied loads. It could be considered that the austenitizing temperature of 1050 °C showed better combination of abrasion resistance and toughness in comparison with other heat treatment cycles.     

Guest Editorial

Journal of Signal Processing Systems -     

Effect of tool edge geometry and cutting conditions on experimental and simulated chip morphology in orthogonal hard turning of 100Cr6 steel

Understanding chip formation mechanisms in hard turning is an important area of research. In this study, experiments with varying cutting conditions and tool edge geometry were performed concurrently with finite element simulations. The aim was to investigate how the two mechanisms reported in literature namely—surface shear-cracking (SCH) and catastrophic thermoplastic instability (CTI) contribute to overall chip geometry and machining forces. By varying tool edge geometry and cutting conditions predominance of one over another is discussed. The calculation prescribed by Recht [Recht, R., 1964. Catastrophic thermoplastic shear. J. Appl. Mech. 31, 189–193] for representative cutting conditions resulted in a small critical cutting speed of 0.034 m/min indicating CTI was operative in the range of cutting conditions tested. FEM simulations were conducted on a subset of experimental conditions. Chip geometry and forces were compared between experiments and simulations. The experimental results indicated that SCH predominated in a majority of conditions. However, formation of saw-tooth chips in the FEM simulations established the occurrence of CTI also. Specifically, the edge radius did not alter chip geometry parameters. However, machining forces decreased with cutting speed and chip formation frequency increased linearly with cutting speed. A more negative rake angle also increased the chip pitch. The findings also indicate that only an intrinsic length scale governs saw-tooth chip formation in hard turning.     

Spectroscopic and Thermal Studies of Mn(II), Fe(III), Cr(III) and Zn(II) Complexes Derived from the Ligand Resulted by the Reaction Between 4-Acetyl Pyridine and Thiosemicarbazide

Transition metal complexes of Mn(II), Fe(III), Cr(III) and Zn(II) metal ions with a general formulas [Mn(L)₂(Cl)₂]·4H₂O (I), [Fe(L)₂(Cl)₂]·Cl·6H₂O (II), [Cr(L)₂(Cl)₂]·Cl·6H₂O (III) and [Zn(L)₂(Cl)₂]·2H₂O (IV) where L = 4-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone, have been synthesized and interpreted using CHN elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility measurements, molar conductance, thermal analysis and spectroscopic techniques; i.e., infrared, electronic UV/vis, ¹H-NMR and mass. The manganese(II), ferric(III), chromium(III) and zinc(II) complexes have octahedral geometry. The molar conductance measurements reveal that the Mn(II) and Zn(II) chelates are non-electrolytes but Fe(III) and Cr(III) have an electrolytic behavior. The IR spectra show that the 4-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone free ligand is coordinated to the metal(II) chlorides as a neutral bidentate ligand through both of the lone pair of electrons of the C=N azomethine group and C=S group. X-ray powder diffraction gives an impression that the resulting complexes are amorphous and different from the start materials. The thermogravimetric studies indicate that uncoordinated water molecules are lost in the first and second decomposition steps. The activation thermodynamic parameters E*, ΔH*, ΔS* and ΔG* are estimated from the differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTG) curves using Horowitz–Metzger (HM) and Coats–Redfern (CR) methods. The ligand and its complexes have been screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities against two bacteria; i.e., Escherichia coli (Gram −ve) and Bacillus subtilis (Gram +ve) and two fungi, i.e., tricoderma and penicillium activities).