Monitoring HABs in the shallow Arabian Gulf using a qualitative satellite-based index

In this study, a harmful algal bloom (HAB) index, commonly known as a red tide index (RI), was developed and tested using in situ measurements in the shallow Arabian Gulf where periodical occurrence of red tide has been reported. The index is based on a combination of ratio and difference of bands centred at 443, 531, and 547 nm. The index was applied to Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)/Aqua imagery and compared with other proxies of HABs such as chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentrations and fluorescence line height (FLH). Validation of the proposed index produced a positive correlation between the index and chlorophyll-a concentration with a determination coefficient (R²) of 0.61. Seasonality analysis of RI indicated that HABs in the Gulf region occur mainly in fall and winter. The inter-annual variations of RI showed similar patterns with the conventional chl-a product. This new index can provide insights into the dynamics of red tides and guidance for mitigation efforts, and assist in establishing an effective and timely forecasting and warning system for red tide.     

Titania and titania-silver nanoparticle deposits made by Liquid Flame Spray and their functionality as photocatalyst for organic- and biofilm removal

Titania and titania-silver nanoparticle deposits were made by Liquid Flame Spray technique, in which the liquid precursor is injected into a high temperature flame, where it will evaporate and nucleate to nanosize particles. One-step and two-step methods were used for preparation of titania-silver deposits. The amount of silver added was 1 wt%. The deposits were collected in the flame zone on steel and glass surfaces and were analyzed by TEM, EDS, XPS and SAXS. The titania deposits consisted of porous nanosized titania agglomerates of primary particles (~10 nm). With silver addition, small spherical silver metal particles (~2 nm) were detected on the agglomerates. An increase in the photocatalytic activity was verified by stearic acid decomposition and biofilm removal using Deinococcus geothermalis as the model organism.     

Detection of stressed oil palms from an airborne sensor using optimized spectral indices

Existing vegetation indices and red-edge techniques have been widely used for the assessment of vegetation status and vegetation health from remote-sensing instruments. This study proposed and applied optimized Airborne Imaging Spectrometer for Applications (AISA) airborne hyperspectral indices in assessing and mapping stressed oil palm trees. Six vegetation indices, four red-edge techniques, a standard supervised classifier and three optimized AISA spectral indices were compared in mapping diseased oil palms using AISA airborne hyperspectral imagery. The optimized AISA spectral indices algorithms used newly defined reflectance values at wavelength locations of 734 nm (near-infrared (NIR)) and 616 nm (red). The selection of these two bands was based on laboratory statistical analysis using field spectroradiometer reflectance data. These two bands were then applied to the AISA airborne hyperspectral imagery using the three optimized algorithms for AISA data. The newly formulated AISA hyperspectral indices were D2 = R ₆₁₆/R ₇₃₄, normalized difference vegetation index a (NDVIa)?=?(R ₇₃₄ – R ₆₁₆)/(R ₇₃₄?+?R ₆₁₆) and transformed vegetation index a (TVIa)?=?((NDVIa?+?0.5)/(abs (NDVIa?+?0.5))?×?[abs (NDVIa?+?0.5)]^1/2. The classification results from the optimized AISA hyperspectral indices were compared with the other techniques and the optimized AISA spectral indices obtained the highest overall accuracy. D2 and NDVIa obtained 86% of overall accuracy followed by TVIa with 84% of overall accuracy.     

On-Line Characterization of Morphology and Water Adsorption on Fumed Silica Nanoparticles

The first wetting layer on solid nanoparticles has direct implications on the roles these particles play in industrial processes and technological applications as well as in the atmosphere. We present a technique for online measurements of the adsorption of the first few water layers onto insoluble aerosol nanoparticles. Atomized fumed silica nanoparticles were dispersed from aqueous suspension and their hygroscopic growth factors (HGF) and number of the adsorbed water layers at subsaturated conditions were measured using a nanometer hygroscopic tandem differential mobility analyzer (HTDMA). Particle morphology was characterized by electron microscopy and particle density was determined by mobility analysis. The HGFs of the size-selected particles at mobility diameters from 10 to 50 nm at 90% relative humidity (RH) varied from 1.05 to 1.24, corresponding to 2–6 layers of adsorbed water. The morphology of the generated fumed silica nanoparticles varied from spheres at 8–10 nm to agglomerates at larger diameters with effective density from 1.7 to 0.8 g/cm³ and fractal dimension of 2.6. The smallest spheres and agglomerates had the highest HGFs. The smallest particles with diameters of 8 and 10 nm adsorbed two to three water layers in subsaturated conditions, which agreed well with the Frenkel, Halsey, and Hill (FHH) isotherm fitting. In comparison to the small spheres or large agglomerates, the compact agglomerate structure containing a few primary particles increased the number of adsorbed water layers by a factor of ～1.5. This was probably caused by the capillary effect on the small cavities between the primary particles in the agglomerate.     

Fretting wear characteristics of cold gas-dynamic sprayed aluminum alloys

Process selection for repair of mechanical components due to wear and corrosion, e.g. damage of aluminum casting housings of fuel injection systems, is based on cost and response time factors, provided that the mechanical performance is maintained within acceptable limits. One of the promising and emerging repair technologies is Cold Gas-Dynamic Spray (CGDS) coating, where a high-pressure gas propels fine powder particles to very high velocities to produce surface coating. It is essential to identify the optimum process conditions and powder composition to produce repaired surfaces with tribological properties close to those of the originally manufactured part (without coating). The objective of this work is to compare the dynamic friction and fretting wear properties of the repaired surfaces using various types of coating composition and spraying techniques. Eight types of CGDS coatings, applied to AMS 4260 aluminum specimens, were fretted against 440C stainless steel specimens at low and high nominal loads to assess their fretting wear resistance, dynamic friction properties and damping capacity. The optimum coating composition and process conditions were identified. In comparison to the uncoated specimen, this optimum coating offered tribological characteristics close to the uncoated material and even better dynamic friction properties.     

Effects of organophosphorus, carbamate, pyrethroid and organochlorine pesticides, and a heavy metal on survival and cholinesterase activity of Chironomus riparius Meigen

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The first therapeutic experiences with the conventional photosensitizer dihematoporphyrinester in the treatment of Barrett's esophagus show the curative potential of photodynamic therapy (PDT). The aim of this study was to test 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-induced protoporphyrin IX, a photosensitizer with a high mucosa specificity without phototoxic side effects on the skin, as a new form of PDT. METHODS: Thirty-two patients (mean age, 68.5 years) with histologically proven high-grade dysplasia (n = 10) and mucosal cancer (n = 22) in Barrett's esophagus were treated. Four to 6 hours after oral ingestion of 5-ALA (dose, 60 mg/kg body wt), irradiation was conducted with a dye laser system (635 nm) with a light dose of 150 J/cm2. The patients received 20-80 mg omeprazole daily after PDT. RESULTS: High-grade dysplasia was eradicated in all patients (10 of 10), and mucosal cancer was eliminated in 17 of 22 patients (77%) at a mean follow-up of 9.9 months (range, 1-30 months). All tumors < or = 2 mm in thickness were completely ablated (17 of 17). The method-related mortality and morbidity was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Severe dysplasia and thin (< or = 2 mm) mucosal cancer of Barrett's esophagus can be completely ablated. PDT might offer a minimally invasive treatment modality as an alternative to esophagectomy.     

Wear mechanisms of WC coated and uncoated tools in finish turning of Inconel 718

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on the wear mechanisms of uncoated tungsten carbide (WC) and coated tools (single-layer (TiAlN) PVD, and triple-layer (TiCN/Al₂O₃/TiN) CVD) in oblique finish turning of Inconel 718. Tool wear rate and wear mechanisms were evaluated for cutting speeds, 50<V<100 m/min, and feed rates, 0.075<f<0.125 mm/rev, at a constant depth of cut of 0.25 mm. It was concluded that abrasive and adhesive wear were the most dominant wear mechanisms, controlling the deterioration and final failure of the WC tools. While the triple layer CVD coated tools exhibited the highest wear resistance at high cutting speeds and low feeds, uncoated tools outperformed the single and multi-layer coated tools in the low range of cutting speeds and intermediate feeds. The cutting tool with single-layer PVD coating outperformed the other tools at the medium cutting speed.