Chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol-sulfonated polyethersulfone mixed-matrix membranes as methanol-barrier electrolytes for DMFCs

Chitosan (CS)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) cross-linked with sulfosuccinic acid (SSA) and modified with sulfonated polyethersulfone (SPES) mixed-matrix membranes are reported for their application in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Polyethersulfone (PES) is sulfonated by chlorosulfonic acid and factors affecting the sulfonation reaction, such as time and temperature, are studied. The ion-exchange capacity, degree of sulfonation, sorption, and proton conductivity for the mixed-matrix membranes are investigated. The mixed-matrix membranes are also characterised for their mechanical and thermal properties. The methanol-crossover flux across the mixed-matrix membranes is studied by measuring the mass balance of methanol using the density meter. The methanol cross-over for these membranes is found to be about 33% lower in relation to Nafion-117 membrane. The DMFC employing CS-PVA-SPES mixed-matrix membrane with an optimum content of 25 wt % SPES delivers a peak power-density of 5.5 mW cm-2 at a load current-density of 25 mA cm-2 while operating at 70 degrees C. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Identification of fault location in power distribution system with distributed generation using support vector machines

This paper presents a multi-class support vector machine (SVMs) approach for locating and diagnosing faults in electric power distribution feeders with the penetration of Distributed Generations (DGs). The proposed approach is based on the three phase voltage and current measurements which are available at all the sources i.e. substation and at the connection points of DG. To illustrate the proposed methodology, a practical distribution feeder emanating from 132/11kV-grid substation in India with loads and suitable number of DGs at different locations is considered. To show the effectiveness of the proposed methodology, practical situations in distribution systems (DS) such as all types of faults with a wide range of varying fault locations, source short circuit (SSC) levels and fault impedances are considered for studies. The proposed fault location scheme is capable of accurately identify the fault type, location of faulted feeder section and the fault impedance. The results demonstrate the feasibility of applying the proposed method in practical in smart grid distribution automation (DA) for fault diagnosis.

Lizard Wears Shades. A Spectacled Sphenomorphus (Squamata: Scincidae), from the Sacred Forests of Mawphlang, Meghalaya, North-east India

A new species of lygosomatine scincid lizard is described from the sacred forests of Mawphlang, in Meghalaya, northeastern India. Sphenomorphus apalpebratus sp. nov. possesses a spectacle or brille, an unusual feature within the Scincidae, and a first for the paraphyletic genus Sphenomorphus. The new species is compared with other members of the genus to which it is here assigned, as well as to members of the lygosomatine genera Lipinia and Scincella from mainland India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and south-east Asia, to which it also bears resemblance. The new taxon is diagnosable in exhibiting the following combination of characters: small body size (SVL to 42.0 mm); moveable eyelids absent; auricular opening scaleless, situated in a shallow depression; dorsal scales show a line of demarcation along posterior edge of ventral pes; midbody scale rows 27-28; longitudinal scale rows between parietals and base of tail 62-64; lamellae under toe IV 8-9; supraoculars five; supralabials 5-6; infralabials 4-5; subcaudals 92; and dorsum golden brown, except at dorsal margin of lateral line, which is lighter, with four faintly spotted lines, two along each side of vertebral row of scales, that extend to tail base. The new species differs from its congeners in the lack of moveable eyelids, a character shared with several distantly related scincid genera.

Computationally Efficient and Accurate Modeling of Li-ion Battery

A computationally efficient Li-ion battery model has been proposed in this paper. The battery model utilizes the features of both analytical and electrical circuit modeling techniques. The model is simple as it does not involve a look-up table technique and fast as it does not include a polynomial function during computation. The internal voltage of the battery is modeled as a linear function of the state-of-charge of the battery. The internal resistance is experimentally determined and the optimal value of resistance is considered for modeling. Experimental and simulated data are compared to validate the accuracy of the model.

Valence band electronic structure of Nd1-xYxMnO3 using X-ray absorption, photoemission and GGA plus U calculations

The electronic structures of Nd1-xYxMnO3 (x=0-0.5) were studied using X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) at the Mn L-3,L-2- and O K-edge along with valence-band photoemission spectroscopy (VB-PES). The systematic increase in white-line intensity of the Mn L-3,L-2-edge with doping, suggests a decrease in the occupancy of Mn 3d orbitals. The O K-edge XANES shows a depletion of unoccupied states above the Fermi energy. The changes in the O K-edge spectra due to doping reflects an increase in the Jahn-Teller distortion. The VB-PES shows broadening of the features associated with Mn 3d and O 2p hybridized states and the shift of these features to a slightly higher binding energy in agreement with our GGA + U calculations. The system shows a net shift of the occupied and unoccupied states away from the Fermi energy with doping. The shift in theoretical site-projected density of states of x=0.5 composition with respect to x=0 suggest a subtle change from a charge transfer to Mott-Hubbard type insulator. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A charge self-consistent LDA plus DMFT study of the spectral properties of hexagonal NiS

The electronic structure and spectral properties of hexagonal NiS have been studied in the high temperature paramagnetic phase and low temperature anti-ferromagnetic phase. The calculations have been performed using charge self-consistent density-functional theory in local density approximation combined with dynamical mean-field theory (LDA+DMFT). The photoemission spectra (PES) and optical properties have been computed and compared with the experimental data. Our results show that the dynamical correlation effects are important to understand the spectral and optical properties of NiS. These effects have been analyzed in detail by means of the computed real and imaginary part of the self-energy.

A new rock dwelling Hemidactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Chhattisgarh, India

A distinct new species of gecko of the genus Hemidactylus is described from the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh State, east-central India. This large-sized (SVL average 81.33 +/- 13.40 to at least 98.0 mm) Hemidactylus is characterized by a dorsum with small granules, intermixed with 10-12 rows of irregularly arranged, slightly larger, rounded, weakly-keeled tubercles at midbody; 10-12 and 13-15 subdigital lamellae on the first and fourth digits, respectively, of both manus and pes; a single enlarged postcloacal tubercle on either side of the tail; 10-12 femoral pores on each thigh separated by 5-8 poreless scales; 12-14 supralabials and 10-12 infralabials.

A new rock dwelling Hemidactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Chhattisgarh, India

A distinct new species of gecko of the genus Hemidactylus is described from the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh State, east-central India. This large-sized (SVL average 81.33 +/- 13.40 to at least 98.0 mm) Hemidactylus is characterized by a dorsum with small granules, intermixed with 10-12 rows of irregularly arranged, slightly larger, rounded, weakly-keeled tubercles at midbody; 10-12 and 13-15 subdigital lamellae on the first and fourth digits, respectively, of both manus and pes; a single enlarged postcloacal tubercle on either side of the tail; 10-12 femoral pores on each thigh separated by 5-8 poreless scales; 12-14 supralabials and 10-12 infralabials.

Towards an exact factorization of the molecular wave function

An exact single-product factorisation of the molecular wave function for the timedependent Schrodinger equation is investigated by using an ansatz involving a phasefactor. By using the Frenkel variational method, we obtain the Schrodinger equations for the electronic and nuclear wave functions. The concept of a potential energy surface (PES) is retained by introducing a modified Hamiltonian as suggested earlier by Cederbaum. The parameter in the phase factor is chosen such that the equations of motion retain the physically appealing Born- Oppenheimer-like form, and is therefore unique.

"Evaluación del carbono almacenado en la biomasa y suelo del bosque tropical seco en el municipio de Nandaime, departamento de Granada, Nicaragua"

El dióxido de carbono es el más importante de los Gases de Efecto Invernadero, por la actividad humana, tanto en términos de su cantidad como de su potencial efecto sobre el calentamiento global. Este es producido cuando se usa combustible fósil para generar energía y cuando los bosques son deforestados y quemados. La vegetación arbórea es una fuente y a la vez un sumidero natural de CO2. El presente estudio se realizó en el municipio de Nandaime departamento de Granada 20 10, con el objetivo de evaluar el carbono almacenado en los componentes biomasa aérea, hojarasca y suelo en tres sucesiones de edad (9, 15 y 19 años), en bosque seco tropical. Se hizo un inventario forestal (fustal 200 m2 y latizal 25 m2). Se cortó el árbol promedio en fustales Se pesó y muestreo la biomasa aérea y hojarasca, en las cuales se determinó en laboratorio el porcentaje de humedad y contenido de carbono. La mayor cantidad de árboles fue en la edad de 9 años con 2,366.7 árboles/ha. Los promedios de diámetro en fustal fueron 10.92, 14.7 y 15.97 cm, para 9, 15 y 19 años respectivamente. Los promedios de diámetro en latizal fueron 6.29, 6.41 y 6.43 cm, para 9 15 y 19 años respectivamente. Los promedios de altura en fustal fueron 6.92, 10.21 y 10.78 m, para 9 15 y19 años respectivamente. Los promedios de altura en latizal fueron 5.25, 6.00 y 8.13 m, para 9 15 y19 años respectivamente. La mayor cantidad de área basal y volumen fue en la edad de 9 años con 38.66 m 2/a y 356.83 m3/ha. Según el índice de diversidad Shannon-Wiener y Simpson se determinó que el sitio más diverso en fustal fue la sucesión de 15 años de edad y el menos diverso el nivel de 19 años, en latizal el más diverso fue el de 15 años y el menos diverso el de 19. En la edad 19 años , se cuantifico la mayor cantidad de hojarasca con 5.69 t/ha, pero el mayor contenido de carbono fue en 9 años con 1.11 t/ha. En la edad 9 años, se cuantifico la mayor cantidad de biomasa y carbono en ramas y hojas con 206.82 y 37.49t/ha, respectivamente. Para fuste, se cuantifico la mayor cantidad de biomasa y carbono en la edad de 9 años con 149.98 y 47.63 t/ha, respectivamente. El carbono almacenado en el suelo fueron 22.5, 27.68 y 42.39 t/ha, para 9, 15 y19 años respectivamente. La tasa de fijación de la biomasa aérea fue 9.46, 7.11 y 6.23 t/año, para 9, 15 y 19 años respectivamente.

Prueba de rendimiento por beneficiado húmedo de café (Coffea arábica L.) variedades Catuaí amarillo y Catuaí rojo

El objetivo principal de la investigación fue estudiar el rendimiento de variedades Catuai amarillo y Catuai rojo utilizando beneticiado vía húmeda, ambas variedades pertenecientes a Coffea arabica L. Esta prueba consistió en la conversión de 0.197 m3 ( una fanega ), de café uva maduro a oro para ambas variedades. El café utilizado en dicha investigación se obtuvo de la hacienda Santa Gertrudis, ubicada en Jinotepe, tomando de aquí la muestra del Catuai amarillo. Y la otra muestra del Catuai rojo fue obtenida de la hacienda Australia, Situada en San Marcos. El proceso de beneficiado fue realizado en el beneficio San francisco localizado entre las Ciudades de San Marcos y la Concepción, la primera perteneciente al departamento de Carazo y la segunda al departamento de Masaya. Las dos variedades de de café fueron sometida al proceso de beneficiado obteniéndose del Catuai amarillo los mejores rendimientos en todas las variables evaluadas durante todo el proceso en comparación al Catuai rojo. A pesar del manejo agronómico que realizan los caficultores en estas zonas y la época del año en que fue realizada esta prueba, al final ambas, la variedad amarilla pesó 21.40 kg (46.50 libras), con 17.61 por ciento de rendimiento y con 11 por ciento de humedad, todo esto en café oro bruto. Mientras que la variedad roja pesó 20.20 kg (44.50 libras), con un rendimiento del 17.05 por ciento y con un porcentaje de humedad del 11.60 por ciento. Utilizando la criba número 15 para hacer la clasificación del grano por tamaño para la posterior selección para exportación, el mejor resultado en esta prueba lo tuvo el Catuai rojo con un 90 por ciento de grano de primera, ligeramente mayor que el 83.3 por ciento presentado por el Catuai amarillo.

Acesso gratuito aos medicamentos antirretrovirais : contribuição do Legislativo para a política brasileira de combate à Aids

Analisa os fatores que influenciaram na elaboração e contribuíram para a apresentação e tramitação exitosa no Congresso Nacional do Projeto de Lei nº 158, de 1996, que resultou na Lei nº 9.313, de 13 de novembro de 1996. Com a aprovação da referida lei, as pessoas vivendo com HIV/Aids passaram a ter acesso gratuito às drogas que impedem a multiplicação do vírus - os medicamentos antirretrovirais. Atesta que a sociedade civil organizada e os profissionais de saúde tiveram papel marcante para a aprovação da lei, a qual também se valeu de dispositivos da Constituição Federal de 1988, que reconhece a saúde como dever do Estado e direito do cidadão, estabelecendo, entre outros, os princípios da universalidade da cobertura e integralidade do atendimento.

Procesado, estructura y propiedades de materiales compuestos de matriz termoplástica y nanorefuerzos de carbono

208 p.

Payments for Water Ecosystem Services in Latin America: Evidence from Reported Experience

27 p.

Produção in vitro e criopreservação de raízes de Cleome rosea Vahl (Capparaceae)

Cleome rosea é uma espécie nativa, de porte herbáceo, ocorrente em restingas brasileiras. Estudos recentes têm revelado o potencial medicinal da espécie para importantes propriedades farmacológicas, como por exemplo, as atividades anti-inflamatória, antigenotóxica, antiviral e antibacteriana. Porém, nos últimos anos, C. rosea não tem sido encontrada em várias regiões de seu ambiente natural, devido, principalmente, às ações antrópicas. Dessa forma, torna-se relevante o desenvolvimento de métodos de conservação que permitam o estudo e exploração das propriedades medicinais da espécie. O cultivo in vitro de raízes representa uma forma eficiente para produção de biomassa, devido ao rápido crescimento, produção estável de metabólitos, além de representar uma potencial fonte de explantes para a propagação em massa de diferentes espécies. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo a produção in vitro de culturas de raízes de C. rosea, associada à criopreservação, como forma de manutenção em longo prazo das culturas, monitorada através da análise de estabilidade genética. As culturas estabelecidas a partir de explantes radiculares de plantas propagadas in vitro de C. rosea demonstraram excelente capacidade de multiplicação de raízes em meio de cultura suplementado com o fitorregulador ANA, com manutenção dessa capacidade ao longo de sucessivas subculturas. Associado a esses resultados, o estabelecimento de protocolos de criopreservação pelo método de vitrificação resultou em elevados valores de frequência de recuperação do material após congelamento em nitrogênio líquido com as soluções de vitrificação PVS2 e PVS3. Os estudos de monitoramento da estabilidade genética, pela técnica de marcadores moleculares RAPD, revelaram a presença de polimorfismos significativos em uma das três culturas iniciadas a partir de raízes de C. rosea criopreservadas. Esses resultados demonstram as possibilidades de produção de raízes de C. rosea e conservação em longo prazo através da criopreservação, iniciando estudos inéditos para a espécie.