Dewfish Demonstration Reach : Restoring native fish populations in the Condamine Catchment

The purpose of the project is to demonstrate how the restoration of riverine habitat and connectivity benefits native biodiversity and promote the importance of a healthy river system for native fish and the greater river catchment. The goal is to restore native fish populations to 60% of pre-European settlement levels and improve aquatic health within the Reach.

Effect of Geometric Uncertainties on the Aerodynamic Characteristic of Offshore Wind Turbine Blades

Offshore wind turbines operate in a complex unsteady flow environment which causes unsteady aerodynamic loads. The unsteady flow environment is characterized by a high degree of uncertainty. In addition, geometry variations and material imperfections also cause uncertainties in the design process. Probabilistic design methods consider these uncertainties in order to reach acceptable reliability and safety levels for offshore wind turbines. Variations of the rotor blade geometry influence the aerodynamic loads which also affect the reliability of other wind turbine components. Therefore, the present paper is dealing with geometric uncertainties of the rotor blades. These can arise from manufacturing tolerances and operational wear of the blades. First, the effect of geometry variations of wind turbine airfoils on the lift and drag coefficients are investigated using a Latin hypercube sampling. Then, the resulting effects on the performance and the blade loads of an offshore wind turbine are analyzed. The variations of the airfoil geometry lead to a significant scatter of the lift and drag coefficients which also affects the damage-equivalent flapwise bending moments. In contrast to that, the effects on the power and the annual energy production are almost negligible with regard to the assumptions made.

Isotope characterisation of deep aquifers in the Gwda catchment, northern Poland

We present the results of isotope measurements (δ 18 O, δ D, δ 13 C DIC and 14 C) and chemical analyses (TDS, TOC, HCO 3– , SO 42– , Cl – , NO 3– , NH 4+ , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ Na + and K + ) conducted on groundwater samples collected from deep Cenozoic aqui- fers. These aquifers are the basic source of drinking water at numerous localities within the study area in northern Po- land. Most of the δ 18 O determinations are characterised by low variability (i.e., > 70 per cent of δ 18 O are between –9.5‰ and –9.2‰). In most cases tritium activity was not detected or its content slightly exceeded the uncertainty of measure- ment (from ±0.3 T.U. to ± 0.5 T.U.). On average, 14 C activity is twice higher than that under similar conditions and in hydrogeological systems. The δ 13 C DIC values fall within the –13.6‰ to –12.8‰ range. A slight variability is observed when considering all isotope and chemical data within the study area and under these hydrogeological conditions. In general, the results of isotope and chemical analyses seem to be homogeneous, indicating the presence of closely similar groundwaters in the system, irrespective of geological formation. It is likely that there is a significant hydraulic connec- tion between shallow and deep aquifers in the Gwda catchment, which indicates the potential for seepage of pollutants from shallow Pleistocene to deep Miocene aquifers. This can endanger the latter by e.g., high concentrations of NO 3– , SO 42– and Cl – ions from shallow aquifers within the Gwda catchment.

Physicochemical characteristic of Exudate of Dacryodes edulis

The Present work deals with the study of exudate of Dacryodes edulis with regards to various seasonal physicochemical properties of the purified solids exudate, acid hydrolysis product and saponification product like charring temperature (oC) (195.73 ± 4.75, 190 ± 7.9, 190 ± 3.4, ); flash point (oC) (105 ± 5.0, 100 ± 7.9, 100 ± 3.4); moisture content % (1.32 – 1.35, 1.05 – 1.08, 1.00 - 1.10); ash content (%) (1.77 – 1.85, 1.21 – 1.31, 1.26 -1.37); lignin content (%) (7.77 – 7.85, 6.21 – 6.31, 5.26 – 5.37); electrical conductivity (μS/cm) (28.40 -29.20, 32.10 – 33.00, 30.30 – 30.90); density (g/cm3) (0.76 -0.77, 0.94 – 0.98, 0.88 – 0.98); melting point (oC) (61.08 – 73.35, 58.69 – 73.35, 55.35 – 65.67). The physicochemical characteristic of Dacryodes edulis is found to be fluctuated with seasonal variations during the present investigation. The correlation coefficient showed positive relationship among the properties. The study reveals that exudate of Daryodes edulis can be tapped in large quantity in the dry season and is rich in lignin content but the seasons does not affect the properties.

The Ponto-Caspian basin as a final trap for southeastern Scandinavian Ice-Sheet meltwater

This paper provides new data on the evolution of the Caspian Sea and Black Sea from the Last Glacial Maximum until ca. 12 cal kyr BP. We present new analyses (clay mineralogy, grain-size, Nd isotopes and pollen) applied to sediments from the river terraces in the lower Volga, from the middle Caspian Sea and from the western part of the Black Sea. The results show that during the last deglaciation, the Ponto-Caspian basin collected meltwater and fine-grained sediment from the southern margin of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet (SIS) via the Dniepr and Volga Rivers. It induced the deposition of characteristic red-brownish/chocolate-coloured illite-rich sediments (Red Layers in the Black Sea and Chocolate Clays in the Caspian Sea) that originated from the Baltic Shield area according to Nd data. This general evolution, common to both seas was nevertheless differentiated over time due to the specificities of their catchment areas and due to the movement of the southern margin of the SIS. Our results indicate that in the eastern part of the East European Plain, the meltwater from the SIS margin supplied the Caspian Sea during the deglaciation until ∼13.8 cal kyr BP, and possibly from the LGM. That led to the Early Khvalynian transgressive stage(s) and Chocolate Clays deposition in the now-emerged northern flat part of the Caspian Sea (river terraces in the modern lower Volga) and in its middle basin. In the western part of the East European Plain, our results confirm the release of meltwater from the SIS margin into the Black Sea that occurred between 17.2 and 15.7 cal kyr BP, as previously proposed. Indeed, recent findings concerning the evolution of the southern margin of the SIS and the Black Sea, show that during the last deglaciation, occurred a westward release of meltwater into the North Atlantic (between ca. 20 and 16.7 cal kyr BP), and a southward one into the Black Sea (between 17.2 and 15.7 cal kyr BP). After the Red Layers/Chocolate Clays deposition in both seas and until 12 cal kyr BP, smectite became the dominant clay mineral. The East European Plain is clearly identified as the source for smectite in the Caspian Sea sediments. In the Black Sea, smectite originated either from the East European Plain or from the Danube River catchment. Previous studies consider smectite as being only of Anatolian origin. However, our results highlight both, the European source for smectite and the impact of this source on the depositional environment of the Black Sea during considered period.

Water risk contamination trends by yellow-passion fruit pesticides in a small catchment in the eastern Amazon.

2009

Assessment of virulence factors characteristic of human Escherichia coli pathotypes and antimicrobial resistance in O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 isolates from livestock in Spain

The distribution of virulence factors (VFs) typical of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles were assessed in 780 isolates from healthy pigs, broilers, and cattle from Spain. VF distribution was broader than expected, although at low prevalence for most genes, with AMR being linked mainly to host species.

National university`s students perspective of teachers and college education: their characteristic and classroom environment

This article presents the results of a research project in which the characteristics of university teachers and classroom environment were studied from the students´ perspectives. The study was based on a mixed design, this one attempts to develop a profile of the teachers, with the participation of students being trained in pedagogy majors. The results indicate that the students underline the importance of personality and psico-pedagogical characteristics in contrast with the theoretical findings, which point more towards professional characteristics.

Genetic Characteristic of Indonesian Local Ducks Based on Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Analysis in D-loop Region Mitochondria DNA

Abstract. The aim of the study was to know the genetic characteristic and polymorphysm of Indonesian local ducks including Magelang, Tegal, Mojosari, Bali and Alabio duck based on Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) analysis in D-loop region mtDNA. The long term aim was to set the spesific genetic marker based on SNP D-loop region mtDNA which could differentiate local ducks in Indonesia. In the future, it could be used as selection tool for local duck conservation, and refinement strategy as well as the improvement of genetic quality by utilizing the available native duck germplasm. There were 20 ducks for each duck population and were taken 3 ml of its blood as sample. DNA Isolation Kit high pure PCR template preparation (Geneaid) was uded for Genome DNA isolation.  Amplification with PCR technique used primer DL-AnasPF (L56) as forward and DL-AnasPR (H773) as reverse. Next, PCR product or amplicon were sequenced. Sequence result were analyzed with SNP technique and observed the similarity and difference of its nucleotide sequence between individual and population. The result of the study showed that genome DNA from local duck in Indonesia was successfully isolated. DNA fragment of 718 bp was amplified with primer pair of DL-AnasPF and DL-AnasPR. Nucleotide sequence was 469 nt and analyzed with SNP technique. It was compared with standard nucleotide sequence of Anas platyrhynchos (HM010684.1) in Gen Bank. The result of nucleotide sequence similarity percentage was 99.68±0.56%. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism D-loop region mtDNA Indonesian local duck was 0.32±0.56%.  Some SNP was found in Magelang duck C (Klawu blorok), F (Cemani black),  G (Gambiran), H (Jarakan kalung), I (Jowo plain) and K (Plain white) also Tegal duck 8, 1, 2, 5, 2, 8 and 2 SNP respectively. It could be concluded that polymorphic genetic characteristic similarity were existed in Indonesia local duck populations which was shown by its big standard deviation SNP in D-loop region mtDNA. Magelang duck with different feather color relatively more polymorphic to another local duck in Indonesia. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism which was achieved could be used as genetic marker that differentiate genetic characteristic of Indonesian local ducks.Key words:  genetic characteristic, local duck, Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP), D-loop mtDNAAbstrak.  Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui karakteristik genetik dan polimorfisme itik lokal Indonesia yaitu itik Magelang, Tegal, Mojosari, Bali dan Alabio berdasarkan analisis Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) daerah D-loop mtDNA. Tujuan jangka panjangnya adalah menetapkan marker atau penanda genetik berdasarkan SNP daerah D-loop mtDNA spesifik yang dapat membedakan itik-itik lokal yang ada di Indonesia. Selanjutnya digunakan sebagai  alat bantu seleksi untuk konservasi, pembibitan  dan pengembangbiakan itik lokal.  Populasi masing-masing jenis itik lokal yang digunakan sebanyak 20 ekor untuk diambil 3 ml sampel darahnya. Isolasi DNA genom menggunakan DNA Isolation Kithigh pure PCR template preparation (Geneaid). Amplifikasi dengan teknik PCR menggunakan pasangan primer DL-AnasPF (L56) sebagai forward dan DL-AnasPR (H773) sebagai reverse. Produk PCR atau amplikon yang diperoleh disekuensing. Hasil sekuensing dianalisis dengan teknik SNP dan diamati kesamaan dan perbedaan urutan nukleotida antar individu itik dan antar populasi.  Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa DNA genom dari itik lokal di Indonesia berhasil diisolasi. Amplifikasi dengan teknik PCR berhasil memperoleh fragmen berukuran 718 bp. Urutan nukleotida hasil sekuensing sebesar 469 nt dianalisis dengan teknik SNP dan dibandingkan dengan urutan nukleotida standar dari itik Anas platyrhynchos (HM010684.1) yang ada di Gen Bank, diperoleh persentase kesamaan urutan nukleotid sebesar 99,68±0,56%. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism daerah D-loop mtDNA pada itik lokal di Indonesia sebesar 0,32±0,56%. Sejumlah SNP ditemukan pada itik Magelang C (Klawu blorok), F (Hitam cemani),  G (Gambiran), H (Jarakan kalung), I (Jowo polos) dan K (Putih polos) serta itik Tegal  masing-masing 8, 1, 2, 5, 2, 8 serta 2 SNP. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini adalah terdapat karakteristik genetik yang polimorfik pada populasi itik lokal di Indonesia, ditunjukkan dengan adanya simpang baku SNP pada daerah D-loop mtDNA yang relatif besar. Itik Magelang dengan warna bulu yang berbeda relatif lebih polimorfik dibandingkan dengan itik lokal lainnya di Indonesia.  Single Nucleotide Polymorphism yang diperoleh dapat digunakan sebagai penanda genetik yang dapat membedakan karakteristik genetik yang dimiliki oleh itik lokal di Indonesia.Kata kunci:  karakteristik genetik, itik lokal, Single NucleotidePolymorphism (SNP),  D-loop mtDNA

Determination of preventive maintenance lead time using hybrid analysis

The time for conducting Preventive Maintenance (PM) on an asset is often determined using a predefined alarm limit based on trends of a hazard function. In this paper, the authors propose using both hazard and reliability functions to improve the accuracy of the prediction particularly when the failure characteristic of the asset whole life is modelled using different failure distributions for the different stages of the life of the asset. The proposed method is validated using simulations and case studies.

An infrared spectroscopic study of the some Autunite minerals

A series of selected autunites with phosphate as the anion have been studied using infrared spectroscopy. Each autunite mineral has its own characteristic spectrum. The spectra for different autunites with the same composition are different. It is proposed that this difference is due to the structure of water and hydrated cations in the interlayer region between the uranyl phosphate sheets. This structure is different for different autunites. The position of the water hydroxyl stretching bands is related to the strength of the hydrogen bonds as determined by hydrogen bond distance. The highly ordered structure of water is also observed in the water HOH bending modes where a high wavenumber bands are observed. The phosphate and uranyl stretching vibrations overlap and are obtained by curve resolution.

Raman spectroscopy of some complex arsenate minerals—implications for soil remediation

The application of spectroscopy to the study of contaminants in soils is important. Among the many contaminants is arsenic, which is highly labile and may leach to non-contaminated areas. Minerals of arsenate may form depending upon the availability of specific cations for example calcium and iron. Such minerals include carminite, pharmacosiderite and talmessite. Each of these arsenate minerals can be identified by its characteristic Raman spectrum enabling identification.

Time-Dependent Density Functional Molecular Orbital and Excited State Calculations on Bis(porphyrinyl)butadiynes in the Monocationic, Neutral, Monoanionic, and Dianionic Oxidation States

We report a theoretical study of the multiple oxidation states (1+, 0, 1−, and 2−) of a meso,meso-linked diporphyrin, namely bis[10,15,20-triphenylporphyrinatozinc(II)-5-yl]butadiyne (4), using Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT). The origin of electronic transitions of singlet excited states is discussed in comparison to experimental spectra for the corresponding oxidation states of the close analogue bis{10,15,20-tris[3‘,5‘-di-tert-butylphenyl]porphyrinatozinc(II)-5-yl}butadiyne (3). The latter were measured in previous work under in situ spectroelectrochemical conditions. Excitation energies and orbital compositions of the excited states were obtained for these large delocalized aromatic radicals, which are unique examples of organic mixed-valence systems. The radical cations and anions of butadiyne-bridged diporphyrins such as 3 display characteristic electronic absorption bands in the near-IR region, which have been successfully predicted with use of these computational methods. The radicals are clearly of the “fully delocalized” or Class III type. The key spectral features of the neutral and dianionic states were also reproduced, although due to the large size of these molecules, quantitative agreement of energies with observations is not as good in the blue end of the visible region. The TDDFT calculations are largely in accord with a previous empirical model for the spectra, which was based simplistically on one-electron transitions among the eight key frontier orbitals of the C4 (1,4-butadiyne) linked diporphyrins.