The isolation of fungi from barley straw under alkaline conditions and their utilization as agents of biodegradation

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Alkaline nitro-benzene oxidation of model compounds and solid fuel derivatives

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Increasing the electrolyte capacity of alkaline Zn-air fuel cells by scavenging zincate with Ca(OH)2

The use of calcium hydroxide for scavenging zincate species is demonstrated to be a highly effective approach for increasing the electrolyte capacity and improving the performance of the zinc-air fuel cell system. A fundamental approach is established in this study to quantify the formation of calcium zincate as the product of scavenging and the amount of water compensation necessary for optimal performance. The good agreement between predicted and experimental results proves the validity of the proposed theoretical approach. By applying the results of theoretical predictions, both the electrolyte capacity and the cell longevity have been increased by more than 40%. It is also found that, using Ca(OH)2 to scavenge zincate species in concentrated KOH solutions, affects mostly the removal of zincate, rather than ZnO, from the electrolyte, whereas the presence of excess, free, mobile H2O plays a key role in dissolving ZnO and forming zincate. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that the proposed approach can widely and effectively be applied to all zinc-air cell systems during their discharge cycle.

A novel method for rapid and selective extraction of male DNA from rape kits using alkaline lysis and pressure cycling technology (PCT)

There is an increasing demand for DNA analysis because of the sensitivity of the method and the ability to uniquely identify and distinguish individuals with a high degree of certainty. But this demand has led to huge backlogs in evidence lockers since the current DNA extraction protocols require long processing time. The DNA analysis procedure becomes more complicated when analyzing sexual assault casework samples where the evidence contains more than one contributor. Additional processing to separate different cell types in order to simplify the final data interpretation further contributes to the existing cumbersome protocols. The goal of the present project is to develop a rapid and efficient extraction method that permits selective digestion of mixtures. ^ Selective recovery of male DNA was achieved with as little as 15 minutes lysis time upon exposure to high pressure under alkaline conditions. Pressure cycling technology (PCT) is carried out in a barocycler that has a small footprint and is semi-automated. Typically less than 10% male DNA is recovered using the standard extraction protocol for rape kits, almost seven times more male DNA was recovered from swabs using this novel method. Various parameters including instrument setting and buffer composition were optimized to achieve selective recovery of sperm DNA. Some developmental validation studies were also done to determine the efficiency of this method in processing samples exposed to various conditions that can affect the quality of the extraction and the final DNA profile. ^ Easy to use interface, minimal manual interference and the ability to achieve high yields with simple reagents in a relatively short time make this an ideal method for potential application in analyzing sexual assault samples.^

Electrochemical pore formation on InP in alkaline solutions

The surface properties of InP electrodes were examined following anodization in (NH4)2S and KOH electrolytes. In both solutions, the observation of current peaks in the cyclic voltammetric curves was attributed to selective etching of the substrate and a film formation process. AFM images of samples anodized in the sulfide solution, revealed surface pitting and TEM micrographs revealed the porous nature of the film formed on top of the pitted substrate. After anodization in the KOH electrolyte, TEM images revealed that a porous layer extending 500 nm into the substrate had been formed. Analysis of the composition of the anodic products indicates the presence of In2S3 in films grown in (NH4)2S and an In2O3 phase within the porous network formed in KOH.

A Novel Method for Rapid and Selective Extraction of Male DNA from Rape Kits using Alkaline Lysis and Pressure Cycling Technology (PCT)

There is an increasing demand for DNA analysis because of the sensitivity of the method and the ability to uniquely identify and distinguish individuals with a high degree of certainty. But this demand has led to huge backlogs in evidence lockers since the current DNA extraction protocols require long processing time. The DNA analysis procedure becomes more complicated when analyzing sexual assault casework samples where the evidence contains more than one contributor. Additional processing to separate different cell types in order to simplify the final data interpretation further contributes to the existing cumbersome protocols. The goal of the present project is to develop a rapid and efficient extraction method that permits selective digestion of mixtures. Selective recovery of male DNA was achieved with as little as 15 minutes lysis time upon exposure to high pressure under alkaline conditions. Pressure cycling technology (PCT) is carried out in a barocycler that has a small footprint and is semi-automated. Typically less than 10% male DNA is recovered using the standard extraction protocol for rape kits, almost seven times more male DNA was recovered from swabs using this novel method. Various parameters including instrument setting and buffer composition were optimized to achieve selective recovery of sperm DNA. Some developmental validation studies were also done to determine the efficiency of this method in processing samples exposed to various conditions that can affect the quality of the extraction and the final DNA profile. Easy to use interface, minimal manual interference and the ability to achieve high yields with simple reagents in a relatively short time make this an ideal method for potential application in analyzing sexual assault samples.

Simulating Granite Emplacement and Deformation with Centrifuge Analogue Modelling

The Greater Himalayan leucogranites are a discontinuous suite of intrusions emplaced in a thickened crust during the Miocene southward ductile extrusion of the Himalayan metamorphic core. Melt-induced weakening is thought to have played a critical role in strain localization that facilitated the extrusion. Recent advancements in centrifuge analogue modelling techniques allow for the replication of a broader range of crustal deformation behaviors, enhancing our understanding of large hot orogens. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is commonly used in centrifuge experiments to model weak melt zones. Difficulties in handling PDMS had, until now, limited its emplacement in models prior to any deformation. A new modelling technique has been developed where PDMS is emplaced into models that have been subjected to some shortening. This technique aims to better understand the effects of melt on strain localization and potential decoupling between structural levels within an evolving orogenic system. Models are subjected to an early stage of shortening, followed by the introduction of PDMS, and then a final stage of shortening. Theoretical percentages of partial melt and their effect on rock strength are considered when adding a specific percentage of PDMS in each model. Due to the limited size of the models, only PDMS sheets of 3 mm thickness were used, which varied in length and width. Within undeformed packages, minimal surface and internal deformation occurred when PDMS is emplaced in the lower layer of the model, showing a vertical volume increase of ~20% within the package; whereas the emplacement of PDMS into the middle layer showed internal dragging of the middle laminations into the lower layer and a vertical volume increase ~30%. Emplacement of PDMS results in ~7% shortening for undeformed and deformed models. Deformed models undergo ~20% additional shortening after two rounds of deformation. Strain localization and decoupling between units occur in deformed models where the degree of deformation changes based on the amount of partial melt present. Surface deformation visible by the formation of a bulge, mode 1 extension cracks and varying surface strain ellipses varies depending if PDMS is present. Better control during emplacement is exhibited when PDMS is added into cooler models, resulting in reduced internal deformation within the middle layer.

X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Computer Modelling Study of Nanocrystalline Binary Alkaline Earth Fluorides

Nanocrystalline samples of Ba1-xCaxF2 prepared by high-energy milling show an unusually high F-ion conductivity, which exhibit a maximum in the magnitude and a minimum in the activation energy at x = 0.5. Here, we report an X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the Ca and Sr K edges and the Ba L-3 edge and a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study of the pure and mixed fluorides. The XAS measurements on the pure binary fluorides, CaF2, SrF2 and BaF2 show that high-energy ball-milling produces very little amorphous material, in contrast to the results for ball milled oxides. XAS measurements of Ba1-xCaxF2 reveal that for 0 < x < 1 there is considerable disorder in the local environments of the cations which is highest for x = 0.5. Hence the maximum in the conductivity corresponds to the composition with the maximum level of local disorder. The MD calculations also show a highly disordered structure consistent with the XAS results and similarly showing maximum disorder at x = 0.5.