Northern challanges for profitable production of quality naked oat

Naked oat (Avena sativa f.sp. nuda L.) is the highest quality cereal in northern growing conditions. However the cultivation area of naked oat is remarkably small. Major challenges for naked oat production are to observe its nakedness. The caryopsis of naked oat is sensitive to mechanical damage at harvest, especially at high grain moisture content. The greater the grain moisture content of naked oat at harvest, the more loses of germination capacity was caused by threshing. For producing high quality naked oat seed, it is recommended that harvesting be done at as low grain moisture content as possible. However, if this is not possible, better germination can be ensure with gentle harvest by reducing the cylinder speed. In spite of conventional oat s excellent fat and amino acid composition in animal feed use, as far as nutritional value is concerned, the total energy yield of oat is weaker than other cereals because of the hulls. Also with naked oat the dehulling is not complete, while hull content on different cultivars mostly varied between one to six percent. In addition to genotype, environmental conditions markedly control the expression of nakedness. Thresher settings had only limited effects on hull content. The function of hulls is to protect the groat, but this was confirmed only for Finnish, small grain, cultivar Lisbeth. The oat kernel is generally covered with fine silky hairs termed trichomes. The trichomes of naked oat are partly lost during threshing and handling of grains. Trichomes can cause itchiness in those handling the grains and also accumulate and form fine dust and can block-up machinery. The cultivars differed considerably in pubescence. Some thresher settings, including increased cylinder speed, slightly increased grain polishing such that grains had some areas completely free of trichomes. Adjusting thresher settings was generally not an efficient means of solving the problems associated with naked oat trichomes. The main differences in cultivation costs between naked and conventional oat lie in the amount of seeds required and the drying costs. The main differences affecting the economic result lie in market prices, yield level and feed value. The results indicate that naked oat is financially more profitable than conventional oat, when the crop is sold at a specific price at all yield levels and when the crop is used as feed at highest yield level. At lower yield levels, conventional oat is, in spite of its lower feed value, the more profitable option for feed use. Dehulled oat did not achieve the same economic result as naked oat, as the cost of dehulling, including the hull waste, was considerable. According to this study naked oat can be cultivated successfully under northern conditions, when taking into consideration the soft, naked grain through cultivation chain.

Thermal decomposition of doped calcium hydroxide for chemical energy storage

Thermal decomposition of Ca(OH)2 with and without additives has been experimentally investigated for its application as a thermochemical energy storage system. The homogeneous reaction model gives a satisfactory fit for the kinetic data on pure and Ni(OH)2---, Zn(OH)2--- and Al(OH)3---doped Ca(OH)2 and the order of reaction is 0.76 in all cases except for the Al(OH)3-doped sample for which the decomposition is zero order. These additives are shown not only to enhance the reaction rate but also to reduce the decomposition temperature significantly. Some models for solid decomposition reactions, and possible mechanisms in the decomposition of solids containing additives, are also discussed.

The law and policy for electricity generated by renewable energy: Greening the power in three Middle Eastern jurisdictions

This thesis examines the law and policy concerning renewable energy electricity generation in Palestine, Jordan, and Abu Dhabi. The thesis gives greater attention to the promotion of solar power owing to the abundance and viability. It appears that energy security profoundly underpins the utilisation of renewable electricity, and the motivation of climate change mitigation also pays a role in the promotion of renewable energy in these jurisdictions. However, current policies and regulations are not fully able to promote the renewables in the power sector. The thesis submits that reforms of law and policy are necessary to enhance the achievement of environmental and energy goals.

Grid-connected versus stand-alone energy systems for decentralized power-A review of literature

The decentralized power is characterised by generation of power nearer to the demand centers, focusing mainly on meeting local energy needs. A decentralized power system can function either in the presence of grid, where it can feed the surplus power generated to the grid, or as an independent/stand-alone isolated system exclusively meeting the local demands of remote locations. Further, decentralized power is also classified on the basis of type of energy resources used-non-renewable and renewable. These classifications along with a plethora of technological alternatives have made the whole prioritization process of decentralized power quite complicated for decision making. There is abundant literature, which has discussed various approaches that have been used to support decision making under such complex situations. We envisage that summarizing such literature and coming out with a review paper would greatly help the policy/decision makers and researchers in arriving at effective solutions. With such a felt need 102 articles were reviewed and features of several technological alternatives available for decentralized power, the studies on modeling and analysis of economic, environmental and technological asibilities of both grid-connected (GC) and stand-alone (SA) systems as decentralized power options are presented. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Interdiffusion and activation energy in Ti3Au phase with A15 crystal structure

The knowledge of diffusion parameters, such as integrated diffusion coefficient and the activation energy for diffusion is important to understand the growth rate of the product phase and the atomic mechanism of diffusion. These parameters are determined in Ti3Au phase with A15 crystal structure. The calculated diffusion parameters will help in validating the theoretical analysis on defect structure of the phase.

An End-Use Oriented Global Energy Strategy

Abstract is not available.

Effectiveness of commercial harvesting in controlling feral-pig populations

Context. The feral pig (Sus scrofa) is a widespread pest species in Australia and its populations are commonly controlled to reduce damage to agriculture and the environment. Feral pigs are also a resource and harvested for commercial export as game meat. Although many other control techniques are used, commercial harvesting of feral pigs is often encouraged by land managers, because it carries little or no cost and is widely perceived to control populations. Aims. To use feral-pig harvesting records, density data and simple harvest models to examine the effectiveness of commercial harvesting to reduce feral-pig populations. Methods. The present study examined commercial harvest off-take on six sites (246-657 km2) in southern Queensland, and 20 large blocks (~2-6000 km2) throughout Queensland. The harvest off-take for each site was divided by monthly or average annual population size, determined by aerial survey, to calculate monthly and annual harvest rates.Asimple harvest model assuming logistic population growth was used to determine the likely effectiveness of harvesting. Key results. Commercial harvest rates were generally low (<~20%) and are likely to provide only modest reductions in population size. Additionally, harvest rates capable of substantial reductions (>50%) in long-term population size were isolated occurrences and not maintained across sites and years. High harvest rates were observed only at low densities. Although these harvest rates may be sufficiently high to hold populations at low densities, the population is likely to escape this entrapment following a flush in food supply or a reduction in harvest effort. Implications. Our results demonstrated that, at current harvest rates, commercial harvesting is ineffective for the landscape-scale control of feral-pig populations. Unless harvest rates can be significantly increased, commercial harvesting should be used as a supplement to, rather than as a substitute for, other damage-control techniques.

Adsorption of carbon monoxide on the surfaces of polycrystalline transition metals and alloys: electron energy loss and ultraviolet photoelectron spectral studies1

Adsorption of CO has been investigated on the surfaces of polycrystalline transition metals as well as alloys by employing electron energy loss spectroscopy (eels) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (ups). CO adsorbs on polycrystalline transition metal surfaces with a multiplicity of sites, each being associated with a characteristic CO stretching frequency; the relative intensities vary with temperature as well as coverage. Whilst at low temperatures (80- 120 K), low coordination sites are stabilized, the higher coordination sites are stabilized at higher temperatures (270-300 K). Adsorption on surfaces of polycrystalline alloys gives characteristic stretching frequencies due to the constituent metal sites. Alloying, however, causes a shift in the stretching frequencies, indicating the effect of the band structure on the nature of adsorption. The up spectra provide confirmatory evidence for the existence of separate metal sites in the alloys as well as for the high-temperature and low-temperature phases of adsorbed CO.

Exploring metrics to express energy expenditure of physical activity in youth

Background Several approaches have been used to express energy expenditure in youth, but no consensus exists as to which best normalizes data for the wide range of ages and body sizes across a range of physical activities. This study examined several common metrics for expressing energy expenditure to determine whether one metric can be used for all healthy children. Such a metric could improve our ability to further advance the Compendium of Physical Activities for Youth. Methods A secondary analysis of oxygen uptake (VO2) data obtained from five sites was completed, that included 947 children ages 5 to 18 years, who engaged in 14 different activities. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was computed based on Schofield Equations [Hum Nutr Clin Nut. 39(Suppl 1), 1985]. Absolute oxygen uptake (ml.min-1), oxygen uptake per kilogram body mass (VO2 in ml.kg-1.min-1), net oxygen uptake (VO2 – resting metabolic rate), allometric scaled oxygen uptake (VO2 in ml.kg-0.75.min-1) and YOUTH-MET (VO2.[resting VO2] -1) were calculated. These metrics were regressed with age, sex, height, and body mass. Results Net and allometric-scaled VO2, and YOUTH-MET were least associated with age, sex and physical characteristics. For moderate-to-vigorous intensity activities, allometric scaling was least related to age and sex. For sedentary and low-intensity activities, YOUTH-MET was least related to age and sex. Conclusions No energy expenditure metric completely eliminated the influence of age, physical characteristics, and sex. The Adult MET consistently overestimated EE. YOUTH-MET was better for expressing energy expenditure for sedentary and light activities, whereas allometric scaling was better for moderate and vigorous intensity activities. From a practical perspective, The YOUTH-MET may be the more feasible metric for improving of the Compendium of Physical Activities for Youth.

Harvesting, packing, postharvest technology, transport and processing

This chapter provides updated information on avocado fruit quality parameters, sensory perception and maturity, production and postharvest factors affecting quality defects, disinfestation and storage (including pre-conditioning), predicting outturn quality and processing.

Micro-breaks matter: A diary study on the effects of energy management strategies on occupational well-being

Organizational researchers and practitioners are increasingly interested in self-regulatory strategies employees can use at work to sustain or improve their occupational well-being. A recent cross-sectional study on energy management strategies suggested that many work-related strategies (e.g., setting a new goal) are positively related to occupational well-being, whereas many micro-breaks (e.g., listening to music) are negatively related to occupational well-being. We used a diary study design to take a closer look at the effects of these energy management strategies on fatigue and vitality. Based on conservation of resources theory, we hypothesized that both types of energy management strategies negatively predict fatigue and positively predict vitality. Employees (N = 124) responded to a baseline survey and to hourly surveys across one work day (6.7 times on average). Consistent with previous research, between-person differences in the use of work-related strategies were positively associated with between-person differences in vitality. However, results of multilevel analyses of the hourly diary data showed that only micro-breaks negatively predicted fatigue and positively predicted vitality. These findings suggest that taking micro-breaks during the work day may have short-term effects on occupational well-being, whereas using work-related strategies may have long-term effects.

Urban energy fluxes in Helsinki and their high frequency spectral corrections

Inadvertent climate modification has led to an increase in urban temperatures compared to the surrounding rural area. The main reason for the temperature rise is the altered energy portioning of input net radiation to heat storage and sensible and latent heat fluxes in addition to the anthropogenic heat flux. The heat storage flux and anthropogenic heat flux have not yet been determined for Helsinki and they are not directly measurable. To the contrary, turbulent fluxes of sensible and latent heat in addition to net radiation can be measured, and the anthropogenic heat flux together with the heat storage flux can be solved as a residual. As a result, all inaccuracies in the determination of the energy balance components propagate to the residual term and special attention must be paid to the accurate determination of the components. One cause of error in the turbulent fluxes is the fluctuation attenuation at high frequencies which can be accounted for by high frequency spectral corrections. The aim of this study is twofold: to assess the relevance of high frequency corrections to water vapor fluxes and to assess the temporal variation of the energy fluxes. Turbulent fluxes of sensible and latent heat have been measured at SMEAR III station, Helsinki, since December 2005 using the eddy covariance technique. In addition, net radiation measurements have been ongoing since July 2007. The used calculation methods in this study consist of widely accepted eddy covariance data post processing methods in addition to Fourier and wavelet analysis. The high frequency spectral correction using the traditional transfer function method is highly dependent on relative humidity and has an 11% effect on the latent heat flux. This method is based on an assumption of spectral similarity which is shown not to be valid. A new correction method using wavelet analysis is thus initialized and it seems to account for the high frequency variation deficit. Anyhow, the resulting wavelet correction remains minimal in contrast to the traditional transfer function correction. The energy fluxes exhibit a behavior characteristic for urban environments: the energy input is channeled to sensible heat as latent heat flux is restricted by water availability. The monthly mean residual of the energy balance ranges from 30 Wm-2 in summer to -35 Wm-2 in winter meaning a heat storage to the ground during summer. Furthermore, the anthropogenic heat flux is approximated to be 50 Wm-2 during winter when residential heating is important.

Mode of inhibition of mitochondrial energy transduction by chlorophenoxyisobutyrate

1. a-p-Chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid, the ethyl ester of which is widely used as an antihypercholesterolaemic drug, is an inhibitor of energy-transfer reactions in isolated rat liver mitochondria. 2. The compound at lower concentrations (<4.0mmol/mg of mitochondrial protein) inhibits state 3 oxidation, stimulates state 4 oxidation, abolishes respiratory control and stimulates the latent adenosine triphosphatase activity of mitochondria. The inhibition imposed on state 3 oxidation is relieved by dinitrophenol. 3. At higher concentrations it inhibits coupled phosphorylation as well as dinitrophenol-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase activity. The inhibition of state 3 oxidation under these conditions is not reversed by uncouplers. 4. The three coupling sites of phosphorylation exhibit differential susceptibility to inactivation by this compound. Coupled phosphorylation at the first site is abolished at a drug concentration of 3.0mmol/mg of protein. The third site is inactivated when the concentration of the drug reaches 5.0mmol/mg of protein. The second site is the most refractory and drug concentrations of the order of 10.0mmol/mg of protein are required effectively to inhibit phosphorylation at this site. 5. The compound also inhibits ATP-dependent reversal of electron transport as well as the adenosine triphosphatase activity in submitochondrial particles. 6. The oxidation of NADH and succinate in these particles is not inhibited. 7. These properties indicate that the compound acts as an `inhibitory uncoupler' of energy-transfer reactions in isolated mitochondria.

Harvesting

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