On the interplay between Q^2 and t dependence in exclusive diffractive production of real photons and vector mesons in ep collisions

We show how the familiar phenomenological way of combining the Q2 (photon virtuality) and t (squared momentum transfer) dependences of the scattering amplitude in Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) [1, 2] and Vector Meson Production (VMP) [2] processes can be understood in an off-mass-shell generalization of dual amplitudes with Mandelstam analyticity [3]. By comparing different approaches, we managed also to constrain the numerical values of the free parameters.

Production of silica gel from residual rice husk ash

This paper presents a study on the production of silica gel in hydrothermal process using residual rice husk ash. Measurements of the chemical composition, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, particle size distribution, and pozzolanic activity were carried out in order to characterize the obtained material, and the optimal silica gel was selected for use as a mineral additive in cement pastes. The compressive strengths were determined for cement pastes containing silica gel (0.0, 2.5 or 5% by mass) in different times. The results indicate that the mixtures containing silica gel showed improved mechanical behavior over all time periods evaluated.

Preparation and immobilization of diNOsarcobalt(III) complex in zeolite y for the catalyzed production of hydrogen peroxide

A complex cation, diNOsarcobalt(III), [Co(diNOsar)]3+, (diNOsar = 1,8-dinitro-3,6,10,13,16,19-hexaazabicyclo-[6.6.6]eicosane), was synthesized and immobilized in the cavities of a Y zeolite by the reaction of precursor species in the pores of the zeolite. The encapsulated material was compared to the compound diNOsarcobalt(III) chloride, [Co(diNOsar)]Cl3. Both diNOsarcobalt(III) chloride and the zeolite-encapsulated complex, [Co(diNOsar)]3+/zeolite, were obtained in high yield and characterized by ultraviolet-visible and infrared spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction demonstrated the incorporation of the complex cation into the pores of the zeolite. The catalytic production of hydrogen peroxide from oxygenated water confirmed the successful synthesis of the complex diNOsarcobalt(III) immobilized in the zeolite.

Advances in ethanol reforming for the production of hydrogen

Catalytic steam reforming of ethanol (SRE) is a promising route for the production of renewable hydrogen (H2). This article reviews the influence of doping supported-catalysts used in SRE on the conversion of ethanol, selectivity for H2, and stability during long reaction periods. In addition, promising new technologies such as membrane reactors and electrochemical reforming for performing SRE are presented.

Simple method for mass production of polypyrrole/carbon nanotubes hybrid artificial muscle

Large scale preparation of hybrid electrical actuators represents an important step for the production of low cost devices. Interfacial polymerization of polypyrrole in the presence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes represents a simple technique in which strong interaction between components is established, providing composite materials with potential applications as actuators due to the synergistic interaction between the individual components, i.e., fast response of carbon nanotubes, high strain of polypyrrole, and diversity in the available geometry of resulting samples.

Production of policlonal antisera specific to plant viruses by rabbit oral immunization

Serological techniques are of great importance for plant virus identification and characterization. The major limiting factor for using these techniques for plant virus identification is the requirement of a good virus purified preparation to be used in immunizing animals for antiserum production. In the present study, two New Zealand rabbits were orally immunized with extracts from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) plants systemically infected with Cowpea severe mosaic virus (CPSMV) and with extracts from papaya (Carica papaya) infected with Papaya lethal yellowing virus (PLYV). The leaf extracts were prepared in saline solution 0.15 M in the rate of 1:1 (w/v) and clarified by a centrifugation of 10,000 g for 10 min. The clarified extracts containing the viruses were orally administered to the New Zealand rabbits in two series of five daily doses of 1.0 ml each. The obtained policlonal antisera were shown to be very specific to their respective viruses in double immunodiffusion and indirect ELISA. These seem to be the first antisera specific for plant virus obtained by rabbit oral immunization. The results open up some possibilities for producing antisera to plant viruses of difficult purification. It is a simple, fast and inexpensive method for production of antisera for plant viruses when compared to the traditional techniques that involve rabbit injections with purified virus preparations.

Production of caffeine alkaloid by Claviceps sorghi

The ergot disease of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), caused by the fungus Claviceps sorghi, restricted to the Indian sub-continent, is a disease in which the pathogen infects the florets, colonizing the unfertilized ovaries. Losses are higher in hybrid seed production fields due to a higher susceptibility of male sterile lines. The sclerotia of C. sorghi have never been found to contain alkaloids with a tetracyclic ergoline ring system, which is normal in most ergot pathogens. In this work, we show that sclerotia of C. sorghi contain caffeine alkaloid and the ability to produce it in vitro.

Soybean pod blight and root rot caused by lineages of the Fusarium graminearum and the production of mycotoxins

Surveys of soybean (Glycine max) seed grown in South Brazil revealed infection with Fusarium graminearum. To determine if members of this complex were pathogenic to soybean, six strains derived from soybean were added to soil at a rate of 10³ macroconidia/ ml or individual pods were inoculated with 10(4) macroconidia/ml. Seedlings grown in infested soil developed small necrotic lesions in the crown and upper roots. Pods inoculated with conidia developed large (>1 cm), dark brown, necrotic lesions. Younger pods inoculated with the fungus blighted and dropped from the plant. Strains of the F. graminearum complex recovered from lesions on the crown, roots and pods of soybean plants were identified as lineage 1, 2 or 8 by obtaining the DNA sequence from the EF1-alpha gene and comparing it to strains of the known lineage. Two strains of F. graminearum lineage 7 from the U.S. caused similar symptoms of the disease on soybean. Mycotoxin tests on soybean and wheat (Triticum aestivum) indicate that most Brazilian strains produce nivalenol as the major trichothecene mycotoxin rather than deoxynivalenol. In addition, strains from lineages 2 and 8 produce the novel trichothecene, 3-acetylnivalenol.

Effect of temperature, leaf wetness, and rainfall on the production of Guignardia citricarpa ascospores and on back spot severity on sweet orange

The black spot of citrus (Citrus sp.) is caused by Guignardia citricarpa with ascospore production depending on temperature, leaf wetness, and rainfall. The number of ascospores produced was monitored using a spore trap and climatic factors were recorded using an automated meteorological station of 'Natal' and 'Valencia' sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) orchards in Mogi Guaçu in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, from November 2000 to March 2001. The fruits were bagged to prevent infection and the bags removed from different sets of fruit for one week during each of the 18 weeks of the season in both orchards. Ascospores were produced during the entire experimental period, from spring through summer, primarily after rain events. In both orchards, ascospore production reached a peak in January and February. Ascospore production was related to leaf wetness only in the Natal orange orchard but was not related to total rainfall or temperature in either orchard. Disease was most severe on fruit exposed the 7th, 8th, and 13th weeks after beginning the experiment in both cultivars as well as after the 16th week for 'Natal'. There was a strong relationship between disease severity and total rainfall for both orchards and a weak correlation between temperature and severity in the 'Natal' block only. There was no relationship between severity and leaf wetness or ascospore numbers.

Expression of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 coat protein gene in Escherichia coli and production of polyclonal antibodies

Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3), the main viral species of the grapevine leafroll complex, causes yield and quality reduction in grapes (Vitis spp.). The coat protein gene was RT-PCR-amplified from total RNA extracted from infected grapevine leaves and the amplified fragment was cloned and completely sequenced. The fragment was subsequently subcloned into the pRSET-C expression vector. The recombinant plasmid was used to transform Escherichia coli BL21:DE3 and express the capsid protein. The coat protein, fused to a 6 His-tag, was purified by affinity chromatography using an Ni-NTA resin. The identity of the purified protein was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The in vitro-expressed protein was quantified and used for rabbit immunizations. The antiserum was shown to be sensitive and specific for the detection of GLRaV-3 in grapevine extracts in Western blot and DAS-ELISA assays, with no unspecific or heterologous reactions against other non-serologically related viruses being observed.

Use of a Ca-selective electrode in the determination of total Ca in the production of crude sugar. Preliminary studies

The determination of the total calcium in juice, syrups, and other products of the sugar industry is investigated. Total calcium and free calcium is determinated by AAS and employing Ca-selective electrode respectively. A coefficient is obtained for the relation of total calcium with respect to free calcium. The coefficient is employed to determine the content of total calcium in accordance with the following equation.

Production of biodiesel from babassu oil using methanol-ethanol blends

Maranhão state in Brazil presents a big potential for the cultivation of several oleaginous species, such as babassu, soybean, castor oil plant, etc... These vegetable oils can be transformed into biodiesel by the transesterification reaction in an alkaline medium, using methanol or ethanol. The biodiesel production from a blend of these alcohols is a way of adding the technical and economical advantages of methanol to the environmental advantages of ethanol. The optimized alcohol blend was observed to be a methanol/ethanol volume ratio of 80 % MeOH: 20 % EtOH. The ester content was of 98.70 %, a value higher than the target of the ANP, 96.5 % (m/m), and the biodiesel mass yield was of 95.32 %. This biodiesel fulfills the specifications of moisture, specific gravity, kinematic viscosity and percentages of free alcohols (methanol plus ethanol) and free glycerin.

Production of Biofuels by Fischer Tropsch Synthesis

Production of biofuel via biomass gasification followed by Fischer Tropsch synthesis is of considerable interest because of the high quality of fuels produced which do not contain sulphur and are free of carbon dioxide. The purpose of this Master’s thesis is to study feasibility production of biofuels integrated with Fischer Tropsch process using Aspen Plus simulation. The simulation results were used to size process equipment and carry out an economic evaluation. The results show that lowering the reactor temperature from 1000 oC - 850 oC and raising the water gas shift temperature from 500 oC - 600 oC can improve overall gas efficiency, which in turn leads to better production of ultra clean syngas for the Fischer Tropsch synthetic reactor. Similarly, the Fischer Tropsch offgas is converted into a gas turbine for power production, and finally biodiesel is produced as fuels for transportation.

Effect of light intensity and growth substratum on plant development and production of secondary metabolites in Cordia curassavica (Jacq.) Roem. & Schult

Cordia curassavica (Jacq.) Roem. & Schult. (Boraginaceae), also referred to as Cordia verbenacea DC, has been traditionally used for medicinal purposes. This study was driven to verify the behavior of the species in similar conditions to its natural environment, such as high light intensity and sandbank soil, and in conditions of low light intensity and fertilized substratum (dystroferric red nitosoil plus earthworm humus). The growth of the plant, the income of leaf crude extracts and, in the alcoholic extract, the number of substances found in thin layer cromatography and the toxicity of the substratum was observed. The results indicated that the growth of the root biomass, stem and leaves in discharge or lower light intensity was similar, but smaller in sandbank soil than in fertilized soil. The relative income of extracts in ether of petroleum and alcohol was larger in high light intensity and fertilized substratum. The light intensity and the substratum type didn't affect the number of substances detected in the alcoholic extract or the toxicity of this extract. Stains corresponding to the rosmarinic acid were only evidenced in some samples of the alcoholic extract, not allowing the verification of the effect of the treatments about its production.