Mass Water Content Research Articles

Dynamics and Runoff Losses of Nitrogen in Paddy Field Surface Water Under Combined Application of Biochar and Slow/Controlled-Release Fertilizer

Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of four fertilization treatments, that is, controlled-release fertilizer (CRF), biochar combined with controlled-release fertilizer (BC+ CRF), biochar combined with stabilized fertilizer (BC+ SF), and biochar combined with controlled-release fertilizer and stabilized fertilizer (BC+ CRF+ SF), on the dynamics of the pH and nitrogen mass concentration and runoff losses of nitrogen in paddy field surface water in the Taihu Lake Basin. The results show that the average pH of the surface water decreases by 3.16%-4.48% for BC+ CRF+ SF and is in the range of 5.64-8.15. The average total nitrogen (TN) mass concentration of surface water ranges from 19.05 to 25.23 mg·L-1. A significant decrease of 4.75%-6.58% in the TN mass concentration of surface water was observed for BC+ CRF+ SF. The average ammonium (NH4+-N) and nitrate (NO3--N) mass concentration of the surface water vary from 0.01-17.26 mg·L-1 and from 0.24-3.11 mg·L-1, respectively. Inorganic nitrogen is dominated by NH4+-N in surface water. Compared with individual CRF, other treatments significantly reduce the NH4+-N mass concentration of surface water by 35.89%-48.78% and the NO3--N mass concentration of surface water by 20.54%-37.01%. The BC+ SF combination shows a significant reduction in the NH4+-N and NO3--N mass concentration of the surface water, which greatly lowers the risk of inorganic nitrogen loss via runoff. The runoff losses of TN, NH4+-N, and NO3--N are in the range of 16.24-18.09, 1.76-2.22 and 0.76-1.38 kg·hm-2, respectively. Compared with the individual CRF, the runoff loss of TN, NH4+-N, and NO3--N of other treatments is reduced. The BC+ CRF+ SF combination shows a significant reduction in the runoff losses of nitrogen, which greatly lowers the risk of nitrogen nonpoint source pollution from paddy fields.

Comparison of the Body Composition of Caucasian Young Normal Body Mass Women, Measured in the Follicular Phase, Depending on the Carbohydrate Diet Level.

Background and objectives: Some publications indicate the possibility of the influence of meal nutritional value on results of bioelectrical impedance, and of the relation between the long-term carbohydrate intake and body composition. The aim of the presented study was to evaluate the influence of long-term intake of carbohydrates on body composition results assessed using the bioelectrical impedance of Caucasian young women with normal body mass, who were in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. Materials and Methods: Body composition was assessed in 100 women (18–30 years), according to strict rules, to minimize the influence of disturbing factors and by using two types of bioelectrical impedance device of the same operator to eliminate the influence of measurement (BIA 101/SC and BIA 101/ASE by Akern Srl, Firenze, Italy with the Bodygram 1.31 software and its equations by Akern Srl, Firenze, Italy). The analysis included validation of reproducibility of body composition assessment (fat, fat-free, body cell and muscle mass, water, extracellular water, and intracellular water content), and comparison of body composition for groups characterized by carbohydrate content <50% (n = 55) and >50% of the energy value of the diet (n = 45). Results: Analysis conducted using Bland–Altman method, analysis of correlation, analysis of quartile distribution, and weighted κ statistic revealed a positively validated reproducibility, but extracellular water associations were the weakest. Depending on the device, participants characterized by higher carbohydrate intake had significantly higher intracellular water content (p = 0.0448), or close to significantly higher (p = 0.0851) than those characterized by lower carbohydrate intake, whose extracellular water content was close to significantly lower (p = 0.0638) or did not differ. Conclusions: The long-term, moderately reduced, carbohydrate intake may cause the shift of intracellular water to the extracellular space and, as a result, influence the body composition results.

Hydroconversion of Thiophene Derivatives over Dispersed Ni–Mo Sulfide Catalysts

The activity of unsupported Ni–Mo sulfide catalysts is studied in the hydroconversion of benzothiophene and dibenzothiophenes in the temperature range of 340–380°С and at an increased H2 pressure and in the СО/H2О system. The structure of dispersed catalysts formed by the in situ high-temperature decomposition of oil-soluble precursors (molybdenum hexacarbonyl, nickel naphthenate) is investigated by TEM. Effects of СО/H2О molar ratio, water mass content in the system, and CO pressure on the activity of the catalysts and yields of the products are explored. It is shown that, in the СО/H2О system, the highest conversion of benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene is attained at a temperature of 380°С, a СО pressure of 5 MPa, and a СО/H2О molar ratio of 2. The introduction of alkyl substituents into a dibenzothiophene molecule causes a reduction in the rate of reaction that predominantly occurs via the hydrogenation of aromatic rings. The catalyst activities in hydrogenation under H2 pressure and in the СО/H2О system are comparable.

Experimental Investigation of the Solar Drying and Solar Collector Design for Drying Agricultural Product (Mint)

Drying is basically a phenomenon of removal of liquid by evaporation from a solid. In the following section an attempt is made to provide a concise overview of the fundamental principles of drying process for agricultural product (Mint). Drying basically comprises of two fundamental and simultaneous processes: heat is transferred to evaporate liquid, and mass is transferred as a liquid or vapor within and the solid as a vapor from the surface. The experimental study is investigated in the Biskra city of Algeria for drying mint in the drying room which it integrated with a solar air collector (new design). We have to spread the produce on a suitable surface and let it dry in the drying room and added the study of thermal performance of solar air collector and trying with three different airflow rates, namely, 0.018, 0.028 and 0.034 kg/s are conducted. Finally, the results have been illustrated with mass water content, product temperature, drying room temperature, outlet temperature in both solar collector and drying room and enthalpy of solar collector and drying room.

Sex differences in relationship between body composition and digit length ratio (2D:4D) in students of military courses

It is believed that the second to fourth finger length ratio is an indirect indicator of fetal testosterone levels. It is pointed out that there is a relationship between the 2nd to 4th finger length ratio and the body structure in women and men. Studies on the relationship between body composition and 2D:4D finger length among military students have not been carried out so far. The work aims to determine the dependence of body composition and the quotient of the 2nd and 4th fingers length of military students. The research material has been gathered as a result of examinations of women and men studying military subjects. The study involved 55 women and 65 men. The tests included anthropometric measurements (body height, body weight, length of the second and the fourth fingers) and body composition measurements. As a result of the tests, no dimorphic differentiations in the digit length ratio (2D:4D) was indicated. The BMI, muscle mass, lean body mass and water in the body demonstrated higher values in men than in women. However, the fat content in men was low. It was found that the relationship exists between muscle mass, lean mass and total water content in the body and the 2D:4D finger length ratio in the left hand in women. A higher level of fetal testosterone, characterized by lower values of the 2nd to 4th finger length ratio, may be associated with a higher content of muscle mass, lean body mass and water in the body of adult women leading a similar lifestyle.

Estimation of rock mass strength and water content by geophysical methods

Estimation of rock mass strength and water content by geophysical methods

Coupling effects of irrigation and nitrogen levels on yield, water and nitrogen use efficiency of surge-root irrigated jujube in a semiarid region

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is one of the most optimal fruit trees for economy and ecology in many semiarid regions. However, with water as a scarce resource, the strategy for irrigation and applied nitrogen (Napp) management need to be identified. The goal of this project was to determine the effects of irrigation and Napp on jujube yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency (ANUE), and the optimal level of soil water content (SWC) and Napp for jujube under surge-root irrigation (SRI) in a semiarid region. Experiments were conducted during the jujube growing seasons (May–October) of 2014 and 2015 in northern Shaanxi in China that included three levels of SWC, i.e. 60–85%θ (I1) (mass water content, simplified as %θ), 50–75%θ (I2), 40–65%θ (I3), and four levels of Napp, i.e. 0.75 (N1), 0.50 (N2), 0.25 (N3) and 0.00 kg N plant−1 (N4). The treatments were arranged in a strip-plot design with complete randomized blocks with three replications. For both years, irrigation and Napp had significant (P < 0.05) effects on yield, WUE and ANUE, while the interaction effect of irrigation and Napp on WUE and ANUE was significant (P < 0.05), and significant on yield in 2014 but not in 2015. In both years, maximum yield (10.16 and 9.81 kg plant−1, respectively) occurred in 60–85%θ and 0.50 kg N plant−1, maximum WUE were 3.75, 4.43kg m−3 when SWC level and Napp were 40–65%θ and 0.50 kg N plant−1, while maximum ANUE were 2.21, 2.88 kg kg−1 when SWC level and Napp rate were 50–75%θ and 0.25 kg N plant−1, respectively. The dualistic and quadric regression equations of irrigation amount and rate of Napp indicate that the yield, WUE and ANUE of jujube cannot reach the maximum at the same time. Irrigation−Napp input optimization model shows that three combinations of likelihood functions can all be used for the comprehensive management of SRI for jujube. Considering the coupling effects of irrigation and Napp on yield, WUE and ANUE in 2014 and 2015, the SWC level shall be controlled in 50–75%θ and the Napp rate is 0.42 kg N plant−1, which can be as the suitable strategy of irrigation and Napp management for the maximum comprehensive benefits of yield, WUE and ANUE for jujube under SRI in a semiarid region.

Simulating Biogenic Secondary Organic Aerosol During Summertime in China

AbstractBiogenic secondary organic aerosol (BSOA) contributes significantly to summertime organic particulate matter. In this study, a simulation of BSOA for summer 2012 over China is performed using the Community Multiscale Air Quality model with an explicit representation of BSOA formation via reactive uptake of isoprene‐derived intermediates, species‐specific parameters for monoterpene‐derived BSOA production, and a multigenerational oxidation scheme. Simulated BSOA tracks the measurements well (normalized mean bias of 1% and r2 of 0.59). Elevated BSOA occurs in the Sichuan Basin and southeastern China (except the coastal areas) where concentrations are mostly within the range of 5–7.5 μg/m3. Nitrate oxidation dominates fresh BSOA originating from monoterpenes. Simulated monoterpene‐formed BSOA increases by a factor of 3–11 with multigenerational oxidation. Isoprene‐formed BSOA shows high concentrations in southwestern China, formed primarily by two methyltetrols (2‐MT) and organosulfates (62%–83%). High concentrations in this region are driven by the abundance of IEPOX and high particle surface area of sulfate‐laden aerosols. NOx emissions influence the formation pathways of isoprene‐formed BSOA, as a high ratio of two‐methylglyceric acid (2‐MG)/2‐MT is found in the North China Plain and part of the Yangtze River Delta Region. The simulated isoprene‐formed BSOA is more strongly correlated with sulfate than with particle water mass concentration or particle acidity, in part because sulfate increases the surface area increasing uptake for heterogeneous reactions. Decreases in isoprene‐formed BSOA were simulated with a pH increase of 2, implying that particle acidity mediates the BSOA formation.

Enzyme-Assisted Aqueous Oil Extraction from High Oleic Sunflower Seeds in a Scalable Prototype Reactor

Enzyme assisted aqueous extraction processing (EAEP) facilitates the production of high quality oils without the need for chemical refining. However, up to date, oil recovery remains remarkably below that found in mechanical and solvent extraction. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was applied, to optimize oil extraction from high oleic sunflower seeds via EAEP in a prototype automatic continuous stirred-tank extractor. Temperature, enzyme mass, water mass and proton concentration were varied for the exploration of optimum process conditions. The fit of a full second-order model was significant (p = 0.003), while the lack of fit was non-significant (p = 0.111). A local maximum was found at an extraction efficiency of 82.18%. A subsequent mass balance succeeded in reproducing the results from the RSM optimization. 93.03 ± 2.80% of the initial total mass was recovered, of which 90.90 ± 4.3% could be related to the components of the fractions.

A reference installation based on thermo-gravimetric analysis with mass-spectrometric detection as a part of the state primary standard GET 173

The issue of assuring the traceability of the results of water determination in solid and liquid substances and materials is discussed. The stages of development and improvement, as well as composition of the State primary measurement standard of mass fraction and mass (molar) concentration of water in liquid and solid substances and materials (GET 173) are considered. The problems of the limited applicability of GET 173 in case of separation of water with different binding energies and impossibility of conducting qualitative analysis of non-water volatile compounds during heating of substances and materials are revealed. The results regarding upgrading of GET 173 due to incorporation of additional reference installation which implements the methods of thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and mass-spectrometry (MS) are presented. The composition and operating principle of the new reference unit are described. An algorithm for estimating the uncertainty of reproducing a unit mass fraction of water using this reference facility is presented and sources of the uncertainty are identified. The results of the experiment on determination of the lower limit of the reproduction range for a unit water mass fraction are presented. We also present the results of comparisons regarding determination of the water mass fraction in crystalline hydrates obtained using the improved State primary standard and high-precision installations of the metrological and leading sectorial research institutes of the European countries. The results of developing a certified reference material of water mass fraction in sodium molybdate dihydrate (Na2MoO4· 2H2O CRM UNIIM 10911–2017 intended for metrological support of measurement instruments and measurement procedures based on thermo-gravimetric method are presented. Additional possibilities which result from the introduction of a new reference installation into the state primary standard of GET 173 are disclosed: identification and the quantification of non-water volatile components, adjustment of drying regimes both in laboratory and process conditions, determination of water content as one of the main impurities in estimating mass fraction of the main component of high-purity substances.

The role and place of bioimpedance analysis assessment of body composition of children and adolescents with different body mass

The steady rise of obesity in children and adolescents emphasizes the need for new, integrated approaches to its diagnosis and therapy. When diagnosing obesity and choosing methods for its correction, it is fundamentally important to use reliable methods of estimating the amount of adipose tissue. Using the body mass index is not always sufficient, since it does not provide complete information on quantitative content in the body weight of the patient’s body. For these purposes in clinical medicine use of bioimpedance analysis to assess the indicators, which characterize the basal metabolism, active cell mass, fat and basirova mass and total water content in the body. However, the holding of bioimpedance body composition analysis is currently limited mainly to dietetics and sports medicine, and adult patients. Quite interesting is the use of the bioimpedance method in the pediatric age group for accurate evaluation of body composition of children of various ages and body weight that will allow for dynamic control of all types of metabolism to evaluate the effectiveness of the observation and treatment of patients with overweight and obesity.

Suitable Strategy of Water–Nitrogen Management for Surge‐Root Irrigation of Jujube in China

Core Ideas Surge‐root irrigation is a new kind of micro irrigation technology, which is especially suitable for the irrigation of orchards in arid and semi‐arid regions. This is the first report about the effect of water and nitrogen on net income, water use efficiency, and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency of jujube under surge‐root irrigation in the Loess Plateau. Determination of suitable strategy for water and nitrogen management under surge‐root irrigation for jujube. Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is an economic tree with high tolerance to environmental stresses. Surge‐root irrigation (SRI) is a new technology of micro‐irrigation which is especially suitable for the irrigation of economic trees. A 2‐yr field experiment was conducted in the Loess Plateau of China that included three levels of soil water content (SWC): 60–85%θ (W1) (mass water content, simplified as %θ), 50–75%θ (W2), and 40–65%θ (W3); and four levels of N: 0.75 (N1), 0.50 (N2), 0.25 (N3), and 0.00 kg plant–1 (N4). For both years, the LAI gradually increased with the increase of N level, and the more N input, the later LAImax reached; however, water had no effect on the LAI. Water and N had significant (P &lt; 0.05) effect on the NI, WUE, and ANUE, while the interaction effect of water and N on the WUE and ANUE was significant (P &lt; 0.05), but not on the NI. The maximum NI, WUE, and ANUE were 19.15 kg plant–1, 3.75 kg m–3, and 2.21 kg kg–1 in 2014, and 17.53 kg plant–1, 4.43 kg m–3, and 2.88 kg kg–1 in 2015, respectively. Considering the interaction of water and N on the NI, WUE, and ANUE in 2014 and 2015, the SWC shall be controlled in 50–75%θ and the N application rate is 0.42 kg plant–1, which can be as the suitable strategy of water and N management for the maximum comprehensive benefits of the NI, WUE, and ANUE for jujube under SRI in the Loess Plateau.

Investigation of Tensile Creep of a Normal Strength Overlay Concrete.

The present contribution deals with the experimental investigation of the time-dependent behavior of a typical overlay concrete subjected to tensile stresses. The latter develop in concrete overlays, which are placed on existing concrete structures as a strengthening measure, due to the shrinkage of the young overlay concrete, which is restrained by the substrate concrete. Since the tensile stresses are reduced by creep, creep in tension is investigated on sealed and unsealed specimens, loaded at different concrete ages. The creep tests as well as the companion shrinkage tests are performed in a climatic chamber at constant temperature and constant relative humidity. Since shrinkage depends on the change of moisture content, the evolution of the mass water content is determined at the center of each specimen by means of an electrolytic resistivity-based system. Together with the experimental results for compressive creep from a previous study, a consistent set of time-dependent material data, determined for the same composition of the concrete mixture and on identical specimens, is now available. It consists of the hygral and mechanical properties, creep and shrinkage strains for both sealed and drying conditions, the respective compliance functions, and the mass water contents in sealed and unsealed, loaded and load-free specimens.

Influence of chokeberry juice concentrate used as osmotic solution on the quality of differently dried apples during storage

Braeburn variety was subjected to the process of osmotic dehydration in sucrose solution with addition of chokeberry juice concentrate. After drying by two different methods (convective- and freeze-drying), apples were stored in three different temperatures (25, 35 and 45 °C) for a period of 12 months. The aim of the study was to determine selected physical and chemical changes after storage time in each group and to show benefits of the pre-treatment use. Mass changes, water content, water activity and total colour difference ΔE, as well as anthocyanins and polyphenols content in stored dried apples were marked. It was considered that different storage conditions were statistically significant and influenced on level of changes. Storage in medium temperature (35 °C) proved to be the best efficient in terms of the lowermost values of water activity, small mass changes, as well as the smallest colour changes. Addition of chokeberry juice concentrate resulted in a significant increase of polyphenol content in dried apples. Although they were stored for a long time at different conditions, polyphenol compounds were still substantial amounts in the apple samples.

Semi-empirical method for analysis of cultivated soils

The main objective of the present work to develop Semi-empirical Method (SEM) which can provide analysis of cultivated soil-samples non-destructively. Gamma-ray transmission measurement of soil-sample provides information about its parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient, mass-density, water content and porosity. These parameters further quantify soils suitability for particular crop and irrigation system to be used for the cultivation of particular crop. Soil-samples have been collected from the cultivated soils of Punjab (India). Chemical-compositions of these samples have been measured with XRDR (x-ray Diffraction followed by Rietveld analysis). Three standard γ-ray point-isotropic sources have been used for experimental measurements of these parameters for the samples in the energy-range (59.54–1332.5 keV). A standardized self-designed computer program has been used for theoretical computations of these parameters. Good agreement between spectrometric-method (experimental) and theoretical-method (TM) have been observed with ±5% fluctuations. It is concluded that by measuring chemical composition of soil, its other parameters can be computed theoretically, thus the present methods is named as SEM. Thus, SEM is a non-destructive soil analysis (NDSA) without any loss of valuable information.

Influence of Applied Potential, Water Content and Forced Convection on the Electrodeposition of Ni Films on Steel from Choline Chloride Based Deep Eutectic Solvents

Electrochemically deposited Ni coatings are widely used in the aviation, automotive, telecommunication and electronic industry because of their unique mechanical, protective and decorative properties. These films are commonly deposited from aqueous electrolytes due to the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of the processes. However, the use of water-based baths is related to several issues, i.e. water reduction and hydrogen gas formation that lead to the formation of pores and cracks which result into more brittle coatings. A promising alternative to avoid these problems is to use non-aqueous electrolytes such as Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs). The feasibility of electroplating Ni and its alloys from choline chloride based DESs has been reported by several research groups [1–3]. In this context, recent studies have been focusing on the use of water as an additive. In most of the cases, just a small addition of water to those non-aqueous electrolytes is beneficial due to a decrease of viscosity and an increase of conductivity [3,4]. However, the electrocatalytic reduction of water during electrodeposition from DESs has also been shown to result into complex chemical and electrochemical processes that have a strong influence in the structure and morphology of the electrodeposited metallic phase [5]. Moreover, industrial electroplating processes are always carried out under forced convection to increase process efficiency and reduce deposition time. The interplay between electrodeposition kinetics and the mass transport of reactants and byproducts of the Ni electrodeposition from DESs has not been evaluated in detail yet. Similarly, the influence of applied potential on the structure and morphology of Ni coatings electrodeposited from DESs, as well as the effect on the electrochemical reduction processes are so far not fully understood. In this presentation, we report on the inter-related effects of water content, applied potential and forced convection in Ni electrodeposition on steel from 1 choline chloride (ChCl): 2 urea (U) DESs. Electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperommetry (CA) were combined with surface analysis techniques (field emission scanning microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy) in order to understand the occurring phenomena under both stagnant and forced convection conditions. The influence of mass transport on Ni electrodeposition process was studied by linear sweep voltammetry in combination with a rotating disk electrode (LSV-RDE). The obtained results allowed a better understanding of the complex chemical and electrochemical processes occurring at the electrode surface depending on the mass transport conditions, applied potential and water content, which may result into the formation of NiO-OH and incorporation of DES decomposition by-products in the growing films. [1] A.P. Abbott, A. Ballantyne, R.C. Harris, J.A. Juma, K.S. Ryder, G. Forrest, "A Comparative Study of Nickel Electrodeposition Using Deep Eutectic Solvents and Aqueous Solutions", Electrochim. Acta. 176 (2015) 718–726. [2] L. Anicai, A. Florea, T. Visan, "Studies Regarding the Nickel Electrodeposition from Choline Chloride Based Ionic Liquids", Appl. Ion. Liq. Sci. Technol. (2011) 261–286. [3] V.S. Protsenko, A.A. Kityk, D.A. Shaiderov, F.I. Danilov, "Effect of water content on physicochemical properties and electrochemical behavior of ionic liquids containing choline chloride, ethylene glycol and hydrated nickel chloride", J. Mol. Liq. 212 (2015) 716–722. [4] C. Du, B. Zhao, X.-B. Chen, N. Birbilis, H. Yang, "Effect of water presence on choline chloride-2urea ionic liquid and coating platings from the hydrated ionic liquid", Sci. Rep. 6 (2016) 29225. [5] E.A. Mernissi Cherigui, K. Sentosun, P. Bouckenooge, H. Vanrompay, S. Bals, H. Terryn, J. Ustarroz, "Comprehensive Study of the Electrodeposition of Nickel Nanostructures from Deep Eutectic Solvents: Self-Limiting Growth by Electrolysis of Residual Water", J. Phys. Chem. C. 121 (2017) 9337–9347.

Development of a frozen soil dielectric constant model and determination of dielectric constant variation during the soil freezing process

We used an interaction model of electromagnetic waves and mixed dielectric in unsaturated soil to develop an electromagnetic wave and mixed dielectric model of frozen soil. The new dielectric constant model was used to investigate the effects of temperature, mass water content (θm), and dry density on the relative dielectric constant (εr) of a yellow clay soil in Harbin, China. Based on frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) sensors under field conditions, the influencing factors were altered during measurements and the corresponding changes in soil εr were recorded for comparison and analysis. The influence of temperature on εr occurs mainly during the phase change period of liquid water in soil, while in the positive temperature range, εr varies only slightly with temperature. The εr increased with θm or dry density when the temperature was above 0 °C, but εr varied little with respect to θm or dry density after the soil froze. The accuracy of the proposed dielectric constant model in frozen soil was validated by comparing actual and predicted εr values.

The effect of near-infrared fluorescence conjugation on the anti-cancer potential of cetuximab

This study investigated the anti-cancer potential of a near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) molecule conjugated with Cetuximab (Cetuximab-NIRF) in six-week-old female BALB/c athymic (nu+/nu+) nude mice. A431 cells were cultured and injected into the animals to induce solid tumors. Paclitaxel (30 mg/kg body weight (BW)), Cetuximab (1 mg/kg BW), and Cetuximab-NIRF (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg BW) were intraperitoneally injected twice a week into the A431 cell xenografts of the nude mice. Changes in BW, tumor volume and weight, fat and lean mass, and diameter of the peri-tumoral blood vessel were determined after two weeks. Tumor volumes and weights were significantly decreased in the Cetuximab-NIRF (1 mg/kg BW) group compared with the control group (P<0.001). Lean mass and total body water content were also conspicuously reduced in the Cetuximab-NIRF (1 mg/kg BW) group compared with the vehicle control group. Peri-tumoral blood vessel diameters were very thin in the Cetuximab-NIRF groups compared with those of the paclitaxel group. These results indicate that the conjugation of Cetuximab with NIRF does not affect the anti-cancer potential of Cetuximab and NIRF can be used for molecular imaging in cancer treatments.

Postharvest quality of Aster ericoides after treatment with silver thiosulphate and sucrose

ABSTRACT: Aster (Aster ericoides L.) is a flower crop of North American origin, which belongs to the family Asteraceae. This plant presents capitulum-type inflorescences, widely used as cut flowers. In Brazil, it has been grown only recently, but still has a high expansion potential. In floriculture, pulsing and conditioning solutions are often used to extend the vase life of cut flowers. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of silver thiosulphate (STS) pulsing and sucrose solutions on the postharvest life of A. ericoides stems. The experiment was carried out under a complete randomized design with treatments arranged in a 2x5 factorial scheme. Treatments consisted of flower stems treated with STS pulsing for 30 minutes, combined with four sucrose concentrations (5, 10, 15, and 20%) for six hours, plus a control (without treatment). Each plot contained four replicates of 10 stems, totalizing 400 stems. The following variables were daily: vase life, fresh mass, and relative water content (RWC). For pulsing data, means were compared by the Tukey’s test (p≥5%). Yet for sucrose concentrations, means were submitted to a polynomial regression to verify the behavior of variables as a function of concentrations increases. Likewise, each treatment was evaluated for fresh mass and RWC variations over time by a polynomial regression. Results indicated no effect of STS pulsing (2mM) on the vase-life length of aster stems. In contrast, the sucrose solution at 10% extended the vase life of stems by two days, decreased fresh mass loss, and helped maintain water balance in stems.

Exergy and energy analysis of a double evaporating temperature chiller

Temperature and humidity independent control (THIC) has been demonstrated as an effective way to improve the performance for air-conditioning systems. As an alternative option of THIC method, a double evaporating temperature (DET) chiller using zeotropic mixture refrigerants of R32 and R236fa has been proposed to substitute the traditional water-cooled chiller. The low temperature chilled water of 7 °C and high temperature chilled water of 17 °C will be produced simultaneously by this DET chiller, and the latent and sensible cooling loads of buildings can be afforded by the produced low temperature chilled water and high temperature chilled water respectively. In this paper, the experiments with different concentration ratios of R32 to R236fa are carried out on a 4.0-kW DET chiller. To further improve the energy performance of the DET chiller, the exergy analysis is used to investigate the effects of chilled water temperature and mass concentration of zeotropic mixture on the DET chiller. The exergy loss for each component is discussed in detail to identify the inefficient components, and then indicate the ways to improve the performance of DET chiller. The results show that the DET chiller achieves the lowest exergy loss and highest exergy efficiency when the mass concentration ratio of R32 to R236fa is 40%: 60%. Furthermore, the design temperature of high temperature chilled water should be at 16 °C to improve the energy utilization of DET chiller. This study will help to understand the design and operation for the DET chiller based air-conditioning systems.