Mm Of Water Research Articles

Heat transfer during condensing droplet coalescence

Dropwise condensation can yield heat fluxes up to an order of magnitude higher than filmwise condensation. Coalescence is the primary mode of growth for condensing droplets above a small threshold size (e.g., radius r > 2 μm for water at 1 atm), but no prior studies have quantitatively assessed heat transfer during coalescence. Previous models of dropwise condensation have generally described coalescence as an instantaneous event, with a step reduction in heat transfer rate. However, coalescence and recovery of a quasi-steady droplet temperature profile requires a finite time, during which the direct droplet condensation heat transfer rate gradually decays. Additionally, during this period, the droplet may oscillate, repeatedly clearing the surrounding surface and resulting in high overall heat fluxes. This study employs Volume-of-Fluid (VOF) simulations to quantitatively assess these two transient heat transfer processes during droplet coalescence. It is shown that the direct mechanism of gradual heat transfer decay can be represented by a decaying exponential function with a time constant τ. Simulations are performed to determine τ(r1,Rt) for (1μm⩽r1⩽25μm;1⩽Rt⩽4) where r1 is the radius of the smaller droplet and Rt is the radius ratio between the two merging droplets. For water at atmospheric pressure this spans the range of droplet sizes through which most of the heat transfer occurs on a surface (∼80%). A simple correlation is proposed for τ(r1,Rt) for the studied droplet size range, fluid properties, and surface conditions. These simulations are also employed to determine the order of magnitude of heat transfer enhancement due to repeated clearing of the surrounding surface as droplets coalesce. Findings can inform improved models of dropwise condensation that more accurately predict transient heat transfer during coalescence events.

A Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for K+ in Water Based on a Phenylaza-18-Crown-6 Lariat Ether.

This work presents two molecular fluorescent probes 1 and 2 for the selective determination of physiologically relevant K+ levels in water based on a highly K+ /Na+ selective building block, the o-(2-methoxyethoxy)phenylaza-18-crown-6 lariat ether unit. Fluorescent probe 1 showed a high K+ -induced fluorescence enhancement (FE) by a factor of 7.7 of the anthracenic emission and a dissociation constant (Kd ) value of 38 mm in water. Further, for 2+K+ , we observed a dual emission behavior at 405 and 505 nm. K+ increases the fluorescence intensity of 2 at 405 nm by a factor of approximately 4.6 and K+ decreases the fluorescence intensity at 505 nm by a factor of about 4.8. Fluorescent probe 2+K+ exhibited a Kd value of approximately 8 mm in Na+ -free solutions and in combined K+ /Na+ solution a similar Kd value of about 9 mm was found, reflecting the high K+ /Na+ selectivity of 2 in water. Therefore, 2 is a promising fluorescent tool to measure ratiometrically and selectively physiologically relevant K+ levels.

Uchimizu: A Cool(ing) Tradition to Locally Decrease Air Temperature

The urban heat island effect was first described 200 years ago, but the development of ways to mitigate heat in urban areas reaches much further into the past. Uchimizu is a 17th century Japanese tradition, in which water is sprinkled around houses to cool the ground surface and air by evaporation. Unfortunately, the number of published studies that have quantified the cooling effects of uchimizu are limited and only use surface temperature or air temperature at a single height as a measure of the cooling effect. In this research, a dense three-dimensional Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) setup was used to measure air temperature with high spatial and temporal resolution within one cubic meter of air above an urban surface. Six experiments were performed to systematically study the effects of (1) the amount of applied water; (2) the initial surface temperature; and (3) shading on the cooling effect of uchimizu. The measurements showed a decrease in air temperature of up to 1.5 °C at a height of 2 m, and up to 6 °C for near-ground temperature. The strongest cooling was measured in the shade experiment. For water applied in quantities of 1 mm and 2 mm, there was no clear difference in cooling effect, but after application of a large amount of water (>5 mm), the strong near-ground cooling effect was approximately twice as high as when only 1 mm of water was applied. The dense measurement grid used in this research also enabled us to detect the rising turbulent eddies created by the heated surface.

Partículas Absorbentes de Luz durante El Niño y El Niño Costero en los Glaciares de la Cordillera Blanca, Perú

Este estudio proporciona de manera general el impacto de las Partículas Absorbentes de Luz (LAPs, por sus siglas en inglés) en la nieve superficial de los glaciares de la Cordillera Blanca, dando prioridad al carbono negro (CN), ya que representa el material particulado PM más común de los contaminantes atmosféricos proveniente de la quema de pastos, la quema de residuos agrícolas, el uso de biomasa para cocinar, el parque automotor y toda actividad humana que involucre la combustión de combustibles fósiles. La presencia de la LAPs sobre los glaciares explicaría en parte el acelerado retroceso de los glaciares, debido a que involucra el aumento de la tasa de fusión. Aquí informamos sobre las concentraciones de LAPs en la nieve superficial de los glaciares Yanapaccha, Shallap, Tocllaraju y Vallunaraju durante la ocurrencia de El Niño y El Niño Costero. Entre 2016 y 2017 se recolectaron muestras de nieve de forma mensual en los glaciares a una altitud aproximada de 5000 msnm. Estas muestras fueron fundidas y filtradas en el campo y luego se analizaron bajo el método de calentamiento por absorción de luz (LAHM, por sus siglas en inglés) para determinar las concentraciones de carbono negro efectivo (CNe). Este método se basa en la medición de la capacidad de las partículas 2.5 retenidas en los filtros para absorber la luz visible, siendo el carbono negro un tipo de LAP con un alto poder para absorber la luz solar a diferencia del polvo mineral. Los resultados de LAHM se utilizaron para estimar la disminución del albedo mediante el programa de simulación SNICAR. Asimismo, se utilizaron datos de radiación solar registrados en las cercanías de los glaciares, con el fin de estimar la cantidad de nieve fundida a causa del carbono negro en kg/m2 o su equivalente en mm de agua (mm w.e.). Los resultados muestran una mayor concentración de carbono negro durante El Niño (1047.07 y 1091.75 ng/g) que durante El Niño Costero (780.67 y 706.40 ng/g), fundiéndose un total de 3897.56 kg/m2 de nieve durante El Niño y 1884.03 kg/m2 durante El Niño Costero. En cuanto a la reflectancia de la nieve estimamos una reducción del 15% en promedio durante el período de estudio.

Influences of preparation techniques on glass-forming ability of Fe–P–B–Si–C amorphous alloys

It has been widely accepted that the ultrafast cooling rate is required for the glass formation of amorphous alloys. Here, the larger glass-forming ability (GFA) of Fe76P5(B0.5Si0.3C0.2)19 amorphous alloy was achieved by water quenching at lower cooling rate under argon atmosphere. Cylindrical rods with diameters of 1–2 mm were prepared by water quenching without flux treatment, Cu-mold injection casting, and Cu-mold suction casting, respectively. The influences of the preparation techniques with different cooling rates on GFA, thermal property, and nucleation/growth behavior were examined. The critical diameter of the Fe76P5(B0.5Si0.3C0.2)19 amorphous alloys is 1.7 mm for water quenching while smaller than 1.0 mm for injection casting. Microstructure analysis indicates that the crystallization and solidification processes are quite different between the water-quenched and the injection-cast rods. These findings could deepen fundamental understanding on the relationship between the cooling rate, techniques, and GFA of Fe-based amorphous alloys.

Year-Round Irrigation Schedule for a Tomato–Maize Rotation System in Reservoir-Based Irrigation Schemes in Ghana

Improving irrigation management in semi-arid regions of Sub-Saharan Africa is crucial to respond to increasing variability in rainfall and overcome deficits in current irrigation schemes. In small-scale and medium-scale reservoir-based irrigation schemes in the Upper East region of Ghana, we explored options for improving the traditional, dry season irrigation practices and assessed the potential for supplemental irrigation in the rainy season. The AquaCrop model was used to (i) assess current water management in the typical tomato-maize rotational system; (ii) develop an improved irrigation schedule for dry season cultivation of tomato; and (iii) determine the requirement for supplemental irrigation of maize in the rainy season under different climate scenarios. The improved irrigation schedule for dry season tomato cultivation would result in a water saving of 130–1325 mm compared to traditional irrigation practices, accompanied by approximately a 4–14% increase in tomato yield. The supplemental irrigation of maize would require 107–126 mm of water in periods of low rainfall and frequent dry spells, and 88–105 mm in periods of high rainfall and rare dry spells. Therefore, year-round irrigated crop production may be feasible, using water saved during dry season tomato cultivation for supplemental irrigation of maize in the rainy season.

Probing the Gelatin-Alkylammonium Salt Mixed Assemblies through Surface Tensiometry and Fluorimetry.

The interactions, nature of the organization, and physicochemical properties of alkyltrimethylammonium bromide (C nTAB, n = 12, 14, and 16)-gelatin mixed assemblies were investigated by UV-visible spectrometry, surface tensiometry, and fluorimetry techniques. The synergistic interaction between the surfactant and gelatin was established from the decrease in critical micellar concentration (cmc) and the increase in molecular parking area of surfactants with an increase in percentage of gelatin from 0 to 0.4%; for example, the cmc of C16TAB decreased from 0.93 mM in water to 0.44 mM in the presence of 0.4% gelatin, whereas its Amin increased from 134.98 to 325.55 Å2. The fluorescence anisotropy data and polarity parameters of pyrene indicated the progressive change in the anisotropy and micropolarity of the mixed system media with gelatin percentage, respectively. The decrease in aggregation number with an increase in gelatin concentration can be attributed to the enhanced compatibility of surfactants with the bulk microenvironment. The maximum rigidity of the mixed system was also significant from the lifetime data of tyrosine. The formation of Menger micelles on gelatin segments was supported by surface tension and anisotropy data. The overall observations can be attributed to the formation of micelles via gelatin-surfactant aggregates; gelatin segments are localized within the microdomain of these aggregates.

Liquid microdroplet as an optical component to achieve imaging of 100 nm nanostructures on a far-field microscope

We demonstrate that placing liquid microdroplets on a sample surface enables probing of the evanescent wave, thus having super-resolution capability on a far-field optical microscope. A simple method to form diiodomethane (CH2I2) liquid microdroplets with diameters of 10–90 μm in water is proposed. These microdroplets can be used to image various nanostructured samples with a feature size of about 100 nm under white-light illumination.

Self-assembly behaviours of peptide-drug conjugates: influence of multiple factors on aggregate morphology and potential self-assembly mechanism.

Peptide–drug conjugates (PDCs) as self-assembly prodrugs have the unique and specific features to build one-component nanomedicines. Supramolecular structure based on PDCs could form various morphologies ranging from nanotube, nanofibre, nanobelt to hydrogel. However, the assembly process of PDCs is too complex to predict or control. Herein, we investigated the effects of extrinsic factors on assembly morphology and the possible formation of nanostructures based on PDCs. To this end, we designed a PDC consisting of hydrophobic drug (S)-ketoprofen (Ket) and valine–glutamic acid dimeric repeats peptide (L-VEVE) to study their assembly behaviour. Our results showed that the critical assembly concentration of Ket-L-VEVE was 0.32 mM in water to form various nanostructures which experienced from micelle, nanorod, nanofibre to nanoribbon. The morphology was influenced by multiple factors including molecular design, assembly time, pH and hydrogen bond inhibitor. On the basis of experimental results, we speculated the possible assembly mechanism of Ket-L-VEVE. The π–π stacking interaction between Ket molecules could serve as an anchor, and hydrogen bonded-induced β-sheets and hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance between L-VEVE peptide play structure-directing role in forming filament-like or nanoribbon morphology. This work provides a new sight to rationally design and precisely control the nanostructure of PDCs based on aromatic fragment.

In vivo high-resolution cortical imaging with extended-focus optical coherence microscopy in the visible-NIR wavelength range.

Visible light optical coherence tomography has shown great interest in recent years for spectroscopic and high-resolution retinal and cerebral imaging. Here, we present an extended-focus optical coherence microscopy system operating from the visible to the near-infrared wavelength range for high axial and lateral resolution imaging of cortical structures in vivo. The system exploits an ultrabroad illumination spectrum centered in the visible wavelength range (λc = 650 nm, Δλ ∼ 250 nm) offering a submicron axial resolution (∼0.85 μm in water) and an extended-focus configuration providing a high lateral resolution of ∼1.4 μm maintained over ∼150 μm in depth in water. The system's axial and lateral resolution are first characterized using phantoms, and its imaging performance is then demonstrated by imaging the vasculature, myelinated axons, and neuronal cells in the first layers of the somatosensory cortex of mice in vivo.

EFFECT OF PRESSURE IN ORGANIC WASTE BURNING PROCESS ON THE COMBUSTION RATE

The combustion process of organic waste has several drawback which produce flue gases containing pollutants SO2, HCl, tar and heavy metals (Cu, Hg, Fe, Zn, Pb, and Cr). The pollutants can be removed from the flue gas using a water scrubber. The process of absorption using the water scrubber can cause a rise in pressure in the combustion chamber.This research aims to study the effect of combustion process pressure of organic waste on the combustion rate. The research was conducted by burning waste in the reactor at various flow rate of combustion air. The exhaust gases of combustion then flowed into ihe water scrubber that the height varied. The change in pressure and combustion rate of each variation of the air flow rate and the height of the water scrubber was measured. According to the results, it was obtained the correlation of combustion pressure to the combustion rate was y = 0,844e-0,2X, where y = the combustion rate (kg/min) and x = combustion pressure (gauge, mm H2O). In addition, the increase in combustion pressure up to 21 mm of water, caused a reduction in combustion temperatures up to 50 ° C, while the combustion rate decreased to one-tenth from atmospheric combustion.

Integrating Participatory Data Acquisition and Modelling of Irrigation Strategies to Enhance Water Productivity in a Small‐Scale Irrigation Scheme in Tigray, Ethiopia

AbstractApplication of participatory modelling to water‐saving strategies in smallholder farming is rare. Farmer‐preferred and efficient strategies were identified through participatory modelling. The farmers' basin irrigation and scheduling (I), farmers' scheduling with furrow strategy (II), farmers' scheduling with alternate furrow strategy (III) and scheduling at 55% maximum allowable depletion (MAD) (IV) were evaluated for maize (Zea mais) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) using the FAO AquaCrop model. The results showed that I resulted in over‐irrigation for maize and under‐irrigation for barley, while IV resulted in maximum yield (8.6 t ha‐1 for maize and 2 t ha‐1 for barley) with maximum (1.8 kg m‐3) and minimum (0.8 kg m‐3) water productivity of maize under IV and I, respectively. A shift from I to IV (most preferred strategy by farmers) can save 8440 mm of water, which can possibly bring back 18.5 ha of land into irrigation. It is essential to interact with farmers on a basis of mutual comprehension to increase their trust and to lay a base for discussion, awareness raising and decision making. The transdisciplinary approach, Community of Practice (CoP) and Learning Practice Alliance (LPA) were appropriate platforms for participation. The increased crop yield and water productivity may contribute to ecological and economical sustainability and social equity. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Eucalyptus x urograndis biomass production for energy purposes exposed to a Mediterranean climate under different irrigation and fertilisation regimes

Lignocellulosic biomass derived from energy crops, a renewable energy source, must be boosted in order to mitigate climate change effects. For this reason, vegetative growth and biomass production of Eucalyptus x urograndis, under a Mediterranean climate, was studied for three years. At the second and the third planting years, 12 treatments were applied combining four irrigation levels during the dry season (0, 325, 646 and 1298 mm of water per year, plus 418 mm of average rainfall) and three fertilisation amounts (0, 150 and 300 kg ha−1 of N per year with a nutrient balance of 16-8-12 [2 MgO, 12 SO3, 2.6 CaO]). A seasonal growth monitoring of height and diameter was carried out along with dry biomass production and assessment of soil properties before and after of the trial was carried out. Irrigation and fertilisation significantly increased aboveground biomass production, averaging 20.6–55.4 t ha−1 per year; the combined treatments 0 mm−0 kg ha−1 of N and 1298 mm–300 kg ha−1 of N were the least and the most productive, respectively. The data constitute a useful resource for the adjustment of the optimal irrigation (≥1500 mm per year of rainfall plus irrigation) and fertilisation doses (≥150 kg ha−1 of N) applied to plantations, as well as the management of crops to design a sustainable productive system that allows the preservation or improvement of soils. The energy and physical-mechanical biomass properties together with the derived pellets were of high quality, and they show promise for industrial boiler use.

Research into resonance phenomena in gas-vapor bubbles

In order to calculate resonating gas bubbles, the mathematical model was supplemented by taking into account phase-transition processes on the surface of a bubble in gas-vapor media, as well as the thermal effects at gas dissolution in fluid. A series of calculations of the resonance mode for bubbles of dimensions of 0.5‒3 mm in water at temperatures from +1 to +99 °C and atmospheric pressure was performed. As a result of mathematical modeling, the possibility of resonance in gas-vapor bubbles in water in the frequency range of 0.5–5 kHz was established. It was shown that in the resonance mode the amplitude of oscillations of the wall of a bubble first increases rapidly and then is stabilized at the level of 30‒50 % of the radius. It was established that motion velocity of the walls of a bubble under resonance conditions can exceed 6 m/s. It was shown that in the compression mode internal pressure of a bubble can increase by three times or decrease by two times compared with ambient pressure. Dependence of approximation resonance frequency of air bubbles in water on their diameter was established. It was found that in the resonance mode, temperature of gas-vapor medium of a bubble periodically decreases by 6 °C and increases by 12 °C in comparison with the original one. In this case, the temperature of the surface of a bubble decreases by 1 °C and increases by 7 °C. It was shown that favorable conditions for water vapor condensation (fog formation) are created at the stage of the growth of a bubble. The schematic of the research setup and the results of field observations of gas-vapor bubbles under condition of the influence of sound waves was presented. The existence of resonance of bubbles at calculation frequencies was proved and formation of bubbles was established experimentally. The phenomena of a bubble division and its explosion were illustrated. It was found that addition of surface active substances extends the frequency range of formation of multi-bubbles by five times and contributes to an increase in the number of small bubbles inside a large one. The research results can be applied to intensification of various technological processes related to heat and mass exchange in gas-vapor systems.

Hydrodynamics and oxygen transfer characterization in a net draft tube airlift reactor with water-in-diesel microemulsion

The objective of the present work was to characterize gas holdup (εG), volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient (kLa), and specific gas-liquid interfacial area (a) in a water-in-diesel microemulsion (WDME) as a liquid model for aerobic biodesulfurization inside an airlift reactor with a net draft tube (ALR-NDT) when aerated at different rates ranging from 0.05 to 1vvm. For comparison, the hydrodynamics of ALR (with solid draft tube) and bubble column reactor (‘BCR’, with no use of draft tube) were also studied for water, diesel and WDME systems. In all reactors, the εG and kLa values for diesel-based liquids were higher compared to the water system. This indicates the coalescence-inhibiting tendency of petroleum liquids mainly due to the lower surface tension which resulted to a decrease in bubble size distribution (i.e., 0.29–1.90mm for the WDME versus 0.43–14.17mm for water in the ALR-NDT). Although the kLa values in ALR-NDT were maintained between those values obtained in ALR and BCR for all fluids; however, the transition points from homogeneous to heterogeneous regime were shifted to higher aerations in the ALR-NDT. In this regard, empirical correlations were developed by considering the physicochemical properties of the liquid phase and superficial gas velocity.

Proton Beam Ocular Treatment in Eyes with Intraocular Silicone Oil: Effects on Physical Beam Parameters and Clinical Relevance of Silicone Oil in EYEPLAN Dose-Volume Histograms

Proton beam therapy (PBRT) is an essential tool in the treatment of certain ocular tumors due to its characteristic fall-off and sharp beam parameters at critical structures. Review of clinical cases in our ocular PBRT program identified patients with silicone oil used as an intraocular tamponade following pars plana vitrectomy for repair of retinal detachment. Patient’s eye may be filled with silicone oil prior to PBRT for an ocular tumor. The objective of this study was to extend our knowledge of the physical characteristics of proton beams in silicone oil by measuring dose within a silicone tank itself, hence better representing the surgical eye, as well as applying the range changes to EYEPLAN software to estimate clinical impact. The relevant proton beam physical parameters in silicone oil were studied using a 67.5 MeV un-modulated proton beam. The beam parameters being defined included: 1) residual range; 2) peak/plateau ratio; 3) full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the Bragg peak; and 4) distal penumbra. Initially, the dose uniformity of the proton beam was confirmed at 10 mm and 28 mm depth, corresponding to plateau and peak region of the Bragg peak using Gefchromic film. Once the beam was established as expected, three sets of measurements of the beam parameters were taken in: a) water (control); b) silicone-1000 oil and water; and c) silicone-1000 oil only. Central-axis depth-ionization measurements were performed in a tank (“main tank”) with a 0.1cc ionization chamber (Model IC-18, Far west) having walls made of Shonka A150 plastic. The tank was 92 mm (length) × 40 mm (height) × 40 mm (depth). The tank had a 0.13 mm thick kapton entrance window through which the proton beam was incident. The ionization chamber was always positioned in the center of the circular field of diameter 30 mm with the phantom surface at isocenter. The ionization chamber measurements were taken at defined depths in increments of 2 mm, from 0 to 35 mm. To define the effect of silicone oil on the physical characteristics of proton beam, the above-defined three sets of measurements were made. In the first run (a), the Bragg-peak measurements were made in the main tank filled with water. In the second run (b), a second smaller tank filled with 10 mm depth silicone oil was placed in front of the water tank and the measurements were repeated in water. In the third run (c), the water in the main tank was replaced with silicone oil and the measurements were repeated in silicone directly (no second tank in runs “a” and “c”). Finally, the effects of change in range on dose distribution based on the EYEPLAN® treatment planning software of patients with lesions in close proximity to the disc/macula as well as ciliary body tumors were studied. The uniformity of the radiation across the treatment volume shows that the radiation field was uniform within ± 3% at 10 mm depth and within ±4% at 28 mm depth. Parameters evaluated for the three runs (a, b, c) included: 1) residual range; 2) peak/plateau ratio; 3) FWHM of the Bragg curve; and 4) distal penumbra. The measured data revealed that the un-modulated Bragg peak had a penetration at the isocenter of: a) 30 mm in water; b) 31.5 mm in silicone and water; and c) 32 mm range in silicone oil. The peak/plateau ratio of the depth dose curve is 3.1:1 in all three set-ups. The FWHM is: a) 9 mm in water; b) 10 mm in silicone and water; and c) 11 mm in silicone oil. The distal penumbra (from 90% to 20%) was: a) 1.1 mm; b) 1.4 mm; and c) 2 mm. Clinical relevance of the extended distal range in silicone was studied for impact in EYEPLAN treatment software, including cases in which tumors were in close proximity to the optic disc/nerve and macula as well as cases in which anterior ciliary body tumors were treated. The potential change of range by 2 mm in silicone would impact the dose-volume histograms (DVH) importantly for the posterior structures. In ciliary body/anterior tumors, an increase in distal range in silicone could result in optic disc/macula dose and length of optic nerve treated, compared with original EYEPLAN model DVHs. The use of silicone oil as a surgical tamponade in the treatment of retinal detachments has important implications for PBRT treatment planning. In patients with intraocular silicone oil, the physical parameters of the beam should be closely examined and DVHs for posterior structures should be analyzed for potential increased doses to the macula, disc, and length of optic nerve in the field. The change in beam parameters due to silicone oil is essential to consider in treatment planning and DVH interpretation for ocular patients with posterior as well as anterior ocular tumors.

Simulation of Energy Sorghum under Limited Irrigation Levels Using the EPIC Model

Abstract. Energy sorghum is one of the most attractive alternatives for producing energy in many regions of the world because of the high biomass productivity obtained in a short period. However, it faces many challenges, particularly where water resources are limited. Crop simulation models are suitable decision support tools for the assessment of crop water use and biomass production under different spatial and climatic conditions. Calibration of simulation models to local conditions is a necessary procedure to improve model reliability. The objective of this study was to calibrate and evaluate the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model for the production of energy sorghum under different irrigation levels. The model was then used to simulate crop biomass productivity and crop water use to identify appropriate irrigation strategies. This study was conducted at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center in Weslaco, Texas. Simulations were performed to determine the total dry biomass, crop water use, the relationship between crop productivity and crop evapotranspiration (ETc), and water use efficiency (WUE). Simulated ETc agreed well with estimates from a weather station, except for a few simulation events. The statistical parameters derived from measured versus simulated dry biomass in the calibrated model, which indicated that the model performed well, were R2 = 0.99 and PBIAS = -5.35%. The calibrated model showed great potential for simulating the total dry biomass. At full irrigation, the difference between measured and simulated total dry biomass was 4.3% in 2013 and 3.0% in 2015. This study showed that energy sorghum requires approximately 600 mm of water to obtain 23 Mg ha-1 of total dry biomass. It also demonstrated that the EPIC model could be used for assessment of crop water use and total biomass under limited irrigation levels, especially in semi-arid regions. Keywords: Crop model, Dry biomass, Energy sorghum, EPIC model, Irrigation, Model calibration, Water use efficiency.

Evapotranspiration in High‐Yielding Maize and under Increased Vapor Pressure Deficit in the US Midwest

Core Ideas Higher maize yields do not require more water. The transpiration efficiency approach results in biased estimates of ET in high‐yielding maize production. Evapotranspiration does not change in higher plant populations if water supply is adequate. Projected changes in vapor pressure deficit will not lead to greater water use in maize. This paper describes the results of an analysis demonstrating that high yields in maize can be obtained without additional water under current and projected vapor pressure deficits. The objective of the study was to quantify evapotranspiration (ET) in high‐yielding maize under current and projected vapor pressure deficits using the energy balance contrasted with the transpiration efficiency (TE) approach. This study indicates a lack of accuracy and bias in the TE approach when future crop water requirements were estimated. High maize yields are achievable using on average 700 mm of water as demonstrated by the current record maize grain yield of 34 Mg ha−1, which is ∼23 Mg ha−1 higher than the US average. These yields are achievable with approximately the same ET even under projected changes in vapor pressure deficit, through improved genetics and optimum agronomic management.

Micellar chemotherapeutic platform based on a bifunctional salicaldehyde amphiphile delivers a "combo-effect" for heightened killing of MRSA.

The devastating infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) coupled with its high resistance towards antibiotics underscores the need for an effective anti-MRSA therapeutic. The present study illustrates the use of a salicylaldehyde based bactericidal amphiphile (C1) in generating a micellar carrier that renders delivery of therapeutic antibiotics. The inherent membrane-targeting activity of C1 present in the micelle could be leveraged to counter the resistance of MRSA and enhance cellular uptake of the released antibiotics, resulting in effective elimination of the pathogen. The inherent bactericidal and antibiofilm activity of C1 was captured in FESEM analysis, solution-based assays and fluorescence microscopy. ANS-based fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that the critical micelle concentration (CMC) for C1 was 18.5 μM in water. DLS studies and FESEM analysis indicated that the average particle size for micelles based on C1 (C1M) and rifampicin-loaded C1M (C1M- R) was smaller than vancomycin-loaded C1M (C1M- V). C1M- R and C1M- V rendered sustained release of the antibiotics in physiologically relevant fluids. Notably, following interaction with MRSA for 3 h, the relative anti-MRSA activity of C1M- R and C1M- V was nearly 12-fold and 8-fold higher, respectively, as compared to the free antibiotics at equivalent concentration, highlighting the merit of leveraging the activity of C1 and the antibiotic concurrently in the micellar system. The relative cell-free antibiotic was also manifold lower in the case of C1M- R and C1M- V treated MRSA as against treatment with free antibiotics, suggesting that the amphiphilic warhead breached the membrane barrier and enhanced cellular uptake of the released antibiotics. Interestingly, C1M- R and C1M- V exhibited a high therapeutic index, being non-toxic to HEK 293 cells at concentrations higher than their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against MRSA and they could be employed as an antibacterial coating to prevent MRSA biofilm formation on surgical silk sutures. The antibiotic-replete biocompatible micelles based on a self-assembling membrane-targeting amphiphile described herein represent a promising framework to integrate multiple warheads and generate a potent anti-MRSA therapeutic material.

Performance of soilless cucumbers under partially controlled greenhouse environment in relation to deficit fertigation

An experimental trial was carried out in a split plot design in three replicates to identify the effect of deficit nutrient supply to soilless cucumbers under partially controlled greenhouse environment. The main plots included three levels of fertigation viz. F1=100%, F2=85% and F3=70%. The subplots included three cucumber cultivars viz. V1 (Kafka), V2 (Multistar) and V3 (PBRK-4). A total 256.1 mm of water was applied throughout the season. A significant decrease in mean yield was noticed with a decrease in fertigation level from 100% to 70%. Yield was also affected by cultivars, where the mean yield under V2 was statistically higher from that under V3. Among interaction, the yield under F1V2 was significantly higher from that under F3V3. The water and nutrient use efficiencies were also statistically in agreement with yield. The nutrient use efficiency of macro and micronutrients were in orders of S>P>Mg>N>Ca>K and Cu≥Mo>Zn>B>Mn>Fe respectively. The effect of deficit nutrient supply was undoubtedly reflected in the yield with a significant decline from highest to lowest fertigation level. Likewise, the yield was significantly affetcted by the greenhouse microclimate which was partilly under control. Thus, for obtaining higher fruit yield, there is a need to raise the fertigation level within optimal range or maintain optimal microclimatic conditions or the both.