The combined effect of radiation and carbonation on the immobilization of Sr and Cs ions in cementitious pastes

In the present study the effect of gamma irradiation on the transport of immobilized Sr and Cs ions in cementitious paste samples is described. During the irradiation process, the samples were exposed to atmospheric conditions. Hence, atmospheric carbonation of samples could takes place. Cementitious pastes, differing in their w/c ratio (0.3, 0.45), were exposed to an integral dose of 10⁷ grays (Gy) of γ irradiation during a period of approximately 6 months. The effect of irradiation on the transport properties of the immobilized Sr and Cs ions was studied by leaching experiments. The carbonation depth of the different samples was measured and found to markedly increase in the case of irradiated samples compared to samples not exposed to irradiation. The enhanced carbonation is associated with the dehydration due to radiolysis of pore water in the paste. It was found that the irradiation resulted in a marked decrease in the leached fraction of Sr ions. This is related to the increased carbonation found for the irradiated samples. On the other hand, a small increase in Cs diffusivity was found for irradiated samples. This increase in leachability might be associated with the formation of microcracks in the irradiated sample.     

Organo-clay formulations of pesticides: reduced leaching and photodegradation

Adsorption of organic cations on several clay minerals is reviewed with an emphasis on the effect of ionic strength and modeling. The clay exchanged with suitable organic cations forms a basis for ecologically acceptable formulations of herbicides with reduced leaching, ground water contamination and enhanced weed control efficacy. Incomplete neutralization of the clay surface charge by an organic cation may be advantageous in achieving maximal adsorption of hydrophobic herbicides. One conclusion from these studies is that optimization of clay-based herbicide formulations requires a selection of structurally compatible organic cations preadsorbed on the clay at optimal coverage. New experimental results are presented for alachlor formulations, which significantly reduce herbicide leaching under conditions of heavy irrigation. We were able to demonstrate that organo-clay formulations of alachlor and metolachlor can increase crop yields in a 1-year field experiment. The photostabilization of pesticides is reviewed and improved organo-clay formulations of the herbicides trifluralin and norflurazon are described. A pillared clay, nanocomposite micro- and/or meso porous material, was effective in reducing leaching and in conferring photostabilization, without added organic cations.     

Consumer–supplier–government triangular relations: Rethinking the UK policy path for carbon emissions reduction from the UK residential sector

The UK residential (household) sector is responsible for approximately 30% of total carbon dioxide emissions and is often seen as the most promising in terms of early reductions. As most direct household emissions come from only two fuel sources, this paper critically examines how existing emissions reduction policies for the sector shape – and are shaped by – relations between the three main groups of actor in this policy domain: central government, gas and electricity suppliers, and energy users. Focusing on relations between three dyads (government–suppliers, suppliers–consumers and consumers–government) enables us to examine aspects of demand reduction that have often been overlooked to date. By ‘relations’ we refer to services, power relationships and flows of capital and information, as well as less easily defined elements such as loyalty, trust and accountability. The paper argues that the chosen government policy path to deliver demand reduction, which heavily emphasises the suppliers’ role, suffers from principal-agent problems, fails to align consumers and supplier interests toward emissions reduction, and does not yet portray a lower-carbon future in positive terms. It suggests that more attention should be paid to government–consumer relations, recognising that energy consumers are also citizens.     

Phase rotation methods in filtering correlation coefficients for ultrasound speckle tracking

In speckle-tracking-based myocardial strain imaging, large interframe/volume peak-systolic strains cause peak hopping artifacts separating the highest correlation coefficient peak from the true peak. A correlation coefficient filter was previously designed to minimize peak hopping artifacts. For large strains, however, the correlation coefficient filter must follow the strain distribution to remove peak hopping effectively. This processing usually means interpolation and high computational load. To reduce the computational burden, a narrow band approximation using phase rotation is developed in this paper to facilitate correlation coefficient filtering. Correlation coefficients are first phase rotated to increase coherence, then filtered. Rotated phase angles are determined by the local strain and spatial position. This form of correlation coefficient filtering enhances true correlation coefficient peaks in large strain applications if decorrelation due to deformation does not completely destroy the coherence among neighboring correlation coefficients. The assumed strain used in the filter can also deviate from the true strain and still be effective. Further improvement in displacement estimation can be expected by combining correlation coefficient filtering with a new Viterbi-based displacement estimator.     

Calculation of quantitative shunt values using photoluminescence imaging

A proof of concept study for a method of determining quantitative shunt values in silicon solar cells from photoluminescence images is presented. The method is based on interpretation of the luminescence intensity around a local shunt or recombination‐active defect in terms of the extracted current. The theoretical relationship between the photoluminescence signal and the shunt current is derived. Experimental results on specifically prepared test structures show good agreement with known shunt resistance values. Experimental data on diffused wafers are presented. The effect of the front metallisation in complete cells on the appearance and interpretation of shunts in photoluminescence images is investigated experimentally. The limitations of the method are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stabilization of Ni(I)(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)+ in a Sol-Gel Matrix: It's Plausible Use in Catalytic Processes

Monovalent nickel is used as a catalyst in a diversity of important chemical systems due to its properties as a strong reducing agent. However, monovalent nickel is unstable in homogeneous systems; its lifetime is very short, and therefore, its efficiency as a catalyst is quite limited. In this article, we demonstrate the catalytic capabilities of Ni(I)(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)⁺ as a reducing and catalytic agent by its entrapment in the silica sol gel matrix. The EPR results indicate that the sol-gel matrix plays two roles: it inhibits the common mechanism of Ni(I)L⁺ decomposition in aqueous solutions, and it also facilitates its functionality as a heterogeneous catalyst, by stabilizing it for at least several hours. The activity of Ni(I)L⁺ which is entrapped within the matrix, was studied by reducing 2,2-Bis(bromomethyl)-1,3-Propanediol and I₃⁻. The results indicate that Ni(I)L⁺/Ni(III)L−H²⁺ acts as a good reducing agent. These results have important implications for a variety of essential catalytic reactions by shedding light on a new feature of sol-gel matrices and their use as active species stabilizers.     

Method of verifying declared identity in optical answer sheets

In the use of optical answer sheet examinations, occasionally the identity of the examinee is in question. A novel method for characterizing the personal quality of mark shapes in optically read answer sheets is described. The method may be used to identify imposters in multiple choice examinations. All the marks are segmented and measured in multiple parameters including area, dimensions, perimeter and optical density. Imposter decisions are made on the collected data by comparing an identified test form against the form in question in comparison with a population using SVM (support vector machine) modeling. In testing the method, 300 test forms from 100 examinees from past tests were used. An EER (equal error rate) of 15–17% was found. While performance of the presented method is currently insufficient for practical purposes, future research options have been mentioned.     

Extended shelf life of soy bread using modified atmosphere packaging

This study investigated the use of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to extend the shelf life of soy bread with and without calcium propionate as a chemical preservative. The bread samples were packaged in pouches made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) as the control (film 1), high-barrier laminated linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)-nylon-ethylene vinyl alcohol-nylon-LLDPE (film 2), and medium-barrier laminated LLDPE-nylon-LLDPE (film 3). The headspace gases used were atmosphere (air) as control, 50% CO2-50% N2, or 20% CO2-80% N2. The shelf life was determined by monitoring mold and yeast (M+Y) and aerobic plate counts (APC) in soy bread samples stored at 21 degrees C +/- 3 degrees C and 38% +/- 2% relative humidity. At 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 days of storage, soy bread samples were removed, and the M+Y and APC were determined. The preservative, the films, and the headspace gases had significant effects on both the M+Y counts and the APC of soy bread samples. The combination of film 2 in the 50% CO2-50% N2 or 20% CO2-80% N2 headspace gases without calcium propionate as the preservative inhibited the M+Y growth by 6 days and the APC by 4 days. It was thus concluded that MAP using film 2 with either the 50% CO2-50% N2 or 20% CO2-80% N2 was the best combination for shelf-life extension of the soy bread without the need for a chemical preservative. These MAP treatments extended the shelf life by at least 200%.