A foraminiferal d18O record of sediment core GT90-3 covering the last 2,200 years

For many years the Torino Cosmogeophysics group has been studying sediment cores drilled from the Gallipoli Terrace in the Gulf of Taranto (Ionian Sea) and deposited in the last millennia. The gravity core GT90-3, in which the 18O series was measured, was drilled from the Gallipoli Terrace in the Gulf of Taranto (Ionian Sea) at 39°45'53''N, 17°53'33''E. It was extracted at a depth of 178 m and its length is 3.57 m. Thanks to its geographical location, the Gallipoli Terrace is a favourable site for climatic studies based on marine sediments, because of its closeness to the volcanically active Campanian area, a region that is unique in the world for its detailed historical documentation of volcanic eruptions. Tephra layers corresponding to historical eruptions were identified along the cores, thus allowing for accurate dating and determination of the sedimentation rate. The measurements performed in different cores from the same area showed that the sedimentation rate is uniform across the whole Gallipoli Terrace. We measured the oxygen isotope composition d18O of planktonic foraminifera. These measurements provided a high-resolution 2,200-year-long record. We sampled the core using a spacing of 2.5 mm corresponding to 3.87 years. Each sample of sediment (5 g) was soaked in 5% calgon solution overnight, then treated in 10% H2O2 to remove any residual organic material. Subsequently it was washed with a distilled-water jet through a sieve with a 150 µm mesh. The fraction > 150 µm was kept and oven-dried at 5°C. The planktonic foraminifera Globigerinoides ruber were picked out of the samples under a microscope. For each sample, 20-30 specimens were selected from the fraction comprised between 150 µm and 300 µm. The use of a relatively large number of specimens for each sample reduces the isotopic variability of individual organisms, giving a more representative d18O value. The stable isotope measurements were performed using a VG-PRISM mass spectrometer fitted with an automated ISO-CARB preparation device. Analytical precision based on internal standards was better than 0.1 per mil. Calibration of the mass spectrometer to VPDB scale was done using NBS19 and NBS18 carbonate standards. The strategic location of the drilling area makes this record a unique tool for climate and oceanographic studies of the Central Mediterranean.

High-resolution physical mapping by combined Alu-hybridization/PCR screening: construction of a yeast artificial chromosome map covering 31 centimorgans in 3p21-p14.

We describe an integrated approach to large-scale physical mapping using an Alu-PCR hybridization screening strategy in conjunction with direct PCR-based screening to construct a continuous yeast artificial chromosome map covering >20 mb in human chromosome 3, bands p14-p21, composed of 205 loci, connected by 480 yeast artificial chromosomes, with average interlocus distance of approximately equal to 100 kb. We observe an inverse distribution of Alu-PCR and (CA)n markers. These results suggest that the two screening methods may be complementary and demonstrate the utility of Alu-PCR hybridization screening in the closure of high-resolution human physical maps.

Review and extension of the McCabe-Thiele method covering multiple feeds, products and heat transfer stages

The McCabe-Thiele method is a classical approximate graphical method for the conceptual design of binary distillation columns which is still widely used, mainly for didactical purposes, though it is also valuable for quick preliminary calculations. Nevertheless, no complete description of the method has been found and situations such as different thermal feed conditions, multiple feeds, possibilities to extract by-products or to add or remove heat, are not always considered. In the present work we provide a systematic analysis of such situations by developing the generalized equations for: a) the operating lines (OL) of each sector, and b) the changeover line that provides the connection between two consecutive trays of the corresponding sectors separated by a lateral stream of feed, product, or a heat removal or addition.

Thermal decomposition of the different particles size fractions of almond shells and olive stones. Thermal behaviour changes due to the milling processes

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of particle size on the non-isothermal pyrolysis of almond shells (AS) and olive stones (OS) and to show possible differences in the composition of the different fractions obtained after milling and sieving. The results obtained from the study of different particle size of AS and OS samples show significant differences in the solid residue obtained and in the shape and overlapping degree of the peaks, especially with the smaller particle size. These differences can be due to different factors: (a) the amount of inorganic matter, which increases as particle size decreases, (b) heat and mass transfer processes, (c) different sample composition as a consequence of the milling process which may provoke changes in the structure and the segregation of the components (in addition to the ashes) increasingly changes the composition of the sample as the particle size decreases.

Analysis of the Connecting Zone between Consecutive Sections in Distillation Columns Covering Multiple Feeds, Products and Heat Transfer Stages

In the present work, we provide a systematic analysis about all tine streams involved in the zone connecting two consecutive sections for the design of distillation columns with different thermal feed conditions, product extractions and heat additions or withdrawals. This analysis allows a better understanding of what happens on a feed or side draw (of mass or energy) stage, what compositions are or are not in equilibrium, and the impact on internal liquid and vapor flows.

Supplementary Material: Analysis of the Connecting Zone Between Consecutive Sections in Distillation Columns Covering Multiple Feeds, Products and Heat Transfer Stages

Supplementary Material: J.A. REYES-LABARTA, M.D. SERRANO and A. MARCILLA. ANALYSIS OF THE CONNECTING ZONE BETWEEN CONSECUTIVE SECTIONS IN DISTILLATION COLUMNS COVERING MULTIPLE FEEDS, PRODUCTS AND HEAT TRANSFER STAGES. Latin American Applied Research an International Journal of Chemical Engineering. 2014, vol. 44(4), 307-312 (http://www.laar.uns.edu.ar/indexes/artic_v4404/44_04_307.pdf)