Flame-propagation rates in ammonia-air combustion at high pressure

The reluctance of ammonia to be ignited easily and the necessity to advance the spark for optimum performance in combustion engines led to this investigation. Ionization gap techniques showed that long induction times and slow flame speed were both contributors to the observed phenomena. The most important factor in determining combustion characteristics of ammonia was found to be the extent of predissociation prior to attempted ignition. There was evidence from combustion gas analysis that NO + was the probable most abundant ion contributing to succesful application of the ionization gap techniques, and that the NO + was probably produced in the pyrolysis of ammonia rather than by equilibrium reactions. © 1967 Combustion Institute.

Bacterial and pathological study of caudal fin rot in brood stocks of Salmo trutta caspius from the propagation and breeding center of Shahid Bahonar of Kelardasht region

In order to study caudal fin rot with emphasis on Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas fluorescens in Salmo trutta caspius from the salmonids propagation and breeding center of Shahid Bahonar of kelardasht region, One hundred and eighty brood stocks having fin damage symptoms were chosen. Two bacterial samples from each fish were cultured on Aeromonas and Pseudomonas specific media. Biochemical tests, API2OE identification system and antibiogram test using six antibiotic disks were performed for diagnosing isolates bacteria and finding suitable antibiotic. Thirty samples from caudal fin of damaged fishes were fixed in 10% formalin and 51.tm microscopic sections were prepared using standard scatological methods and then stained by Haematoxylin-Eosin staining method to observe the pathological changes and also Maccallum-Goodpasture staining method to observe the bacterial colonies. In second stage of the study, bacterial samples were taken from thirty brood stocks using similar method at the first stage of sampling. For isolation and biochemical diagnosis of Aeromonas and Pseudormonas genus, the samples were analyzed by molecular research included PCR amplification (using 16S rDNA genes of the genus pseudomonas and 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer of the genus Aeromonas) and restriction analysis by four restriction enzymes for each genus. The results of biochemical tests showed that isolated bacteria were belonged to Aeromonas caviae and Aeromonas hydrophila (subspecies anaerogenes), Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas alcaligenes while the results of API2OE identification system showed that the isolated bacteria belonged to Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Restriction analysis of Aeromonas samples with Hin6l, Csp6I, Taql, and Tasl revealed three samples were different from others while restriction analysis of Pseudomonas samples with Alul, Hinfl, Rsal, and Trull showed at least five species or biovars. The results of antibiogram test showed all Aeromonas samples were sensitive to Trimethoprim, Chloramphenicol and Nitrofurazone, mostly to Nalidixic acid and Chloramphenicol, while most of samples were resistant to Erythromycin and Oxytetracycline. Pseudomonas samples were only sensitive to Nitrofurazone and mostly resistant to Oxytetracycline, Nalidixic acid, Erythromycin, Trimethoprim and Chloramphenicol. The results of light microscope study showed hyperplasia and spongiosis of the malpigian cells of epidermis, increasing of melanin pigments underlying epidermis; sever necrosis in both epidermis and dermis and also sloughing the epidermis in some cases. Occurrence of clefts through the epithelium, neovascularization, hyperemia and mild inflammatory response in dermis and separation of the fin rays also were observed. No bacterial colonies were found in the sections.

Seed and vegetative propagation methods for the rare Florida native species Chionanthus pygmaeus (pygmy fringetree)

Chionanthus pygmaeus Small (pygmy fringetree) (Oleaceae) is an endemic and rare Florida species, which has an attractive, small habit giving it great potential for use in managed landscapes. Members of the genus Chionanthus are difficult to propagate via cuttings and possess complex seed dormancies that are not well understood. Conservation of pygmy fringetree and its potential for commercial propagation for use in managed landscapes is contingent on a better understanding of its complex seed dormancy and enhancement of its propagation. I conducted two experiments to assess sexual and asexual propagation methods for pygmy fringetree. The first experiment was conducted to determine what factors are involved in overcoming seed dormancy. Various scarification treatments, which mimicked conditions seeds are exposed to in the wild, were investigated to determine their effects on germination of 20-year-old seeds originally collected from the species’ native range. Treatments included endocarp removal, sulfuric acid, boiling-water, and smoke-water treatments. Prior to treatment initiation, seed viability was estimated to be 12%. Treated seeds went through two cold- and two warm-stratification periods of 4°C and 25°C, respectively, in a dark growth chamber. After 180 days, none of the treatments induced early germination. Seeds were then tested for viability, which was 11%. Seed dormancy of the species is apparently complex, allowing some of the seeds to retain some degree of viability, but without dormancy requirements satisfied. The second experiment was conducted to assess if pygmy fringetree could be successfully propagated via hardwood or root cuttings if the appropriate combination of environmental conditions and hormones were applied. Hardwood and root cuttings were treated with either 1000 ppm IBA talc, 8000 ppm IBA talc, or inert talc. All cuttings were placed on a mist bench in a greenhouse for 9 weeks. Hardwood cuttings were supplemented with bottom heat at 24 °C. No treatments were successful in inducing adventitious root formation. I conclude that pygmy fringetree seeds possess complex dormancy that was not able to be overcome by the treatments utilized. However, this result is confounded by the age of the seeds used in the experiment. I also conclude that vegetative propagation of pygmy fringetree is highly dependent on the time of year cuttings are harvested. Further research of both seed and asexual propagation methods need to be explored before pygmy fringetree can be propagated on a commercial scale.

Analysis and modelling of immune cell behaviour in lymph nodes based on multi-photon imaging

This thesis presents quantitative studies of T cell and dendritic cell (DC) behaviour in mouse lymph nodes (LNs) in the naive state and following immunisation. These processes are of importance and interest in basic immunology, and better understanding could improve both diagnostic capacity and therapeutic manipulations, potentially helping in producing more effective vaccines or developing treatments for autoimmune diseases. The problem is also interesting conceptually as it is relevant to other fields where 3D movement of objects is tracked with a discrete scanning interval. A general immunology introduction is presented in chapter 1. In chapter 2, I apply quantitative methods to multi-photon imaging data to measure how T cells and DCs are spatially arranged in LNs. This has been previously studied to describe differences between the naive and immunised state and as an indicator of the magnitude of the immune response in LNs, but previous analyses have been generally descriptive. The quantitative analysis shows that some of the previous conclusions may have been premature. In chapter 3, I use Bayesian state-space models to test some hypotheses about the mode of T cell search for DCs. A two-state mode of movement where T cells can be classified as either interacting to a DC or freely migrating is supported over a model where T cells would home in on DCs at distance through for example the action of chemokines. In chapter 4, I study whether T cell migration is linked to the geometric structure of the fibroblast reticular network (FRC). I find support for the hypothesis that the movement is constrained to the fibroblast reticular cell (FRC) network over an alternative 'random walk with persistence time' model where cells would move randomly, with a short-term persistence driven by a hypothetical T cell intrinsic 'clock'. I also present unexpected results on the FRC network geometry. Finally, a quantitative method is presented for addressing some measurement biases inherent to multi-photon imaging. In all three chapters, novel findings are made, and the methods developed have the potential for further use to address important problems in the field. In chapter 5, I present a summary and synthesis of results from chapters 3-4 and a more speculative discussion of these results and potential future directions.

The Influence of Propagation Model and Sectorization over WCDMA Capacity

In this paper we use a dynamic model that we have developed for WCDMA capacity analysis using MATLAB and a GIS based planning tool, to estimate the capacity of a mobile system under different conditions like number of cells, propagation model, sectorization and handover margin.

Laser beam control, combining, and propagation in atmospheric turbulence

This dissertation is concerned with the control, combining, and propagation of laser beams through a turbulent atmosphere. In the first part we consider adaptive optics: the process of controlling the beam based on information of the current state of the turbulence. If the target is cooperative and provides a coherent return beam, the phase measured near the beam transmitter and adaptive optics can, in principle, correct these fluctuations. However, for many applications, the target is uncooperative. In this case, we show that an incoherent return from the target can be used instead. Using the principle of reciprocity, we derive a novel relation between the field at the target and the scattered field at a detector. We then demonstrate through simulation that an adaptive optics system can utilize this relation to focus a beam through atmospheric turbulence onto a rough surface. In the second part we consider beam combining. To achieve the power levels needed for directed energy applications it is necessary to combine a large number of lasers into a single beam. The large linewidths inherent in high-power fiber and slab lasers cause random phase and intensity fluctuations occurring on sub-nanosecond time scales. We demonstrate that this presents a challenging problem when attempting to phase-lock high-power lasers. Furthermore, we show that even if instruments are developed that can precisely control the phase of high-power lasers; coherent combining is problematic for DE applications. The dephasing effects of atmospheric turbulence typically encountered in DE applications will degrade the coherent properties of the beam before it reaches the target. Finally, we investigate the propagation of Bessel and Airy beams through atmospheric turbulence. It has been proposed that these quasi-non-diffracting beams could be resistant to the effects of atmospheric turbulence. However, we find that atmospheric turbulence disrupts the quasi-non-diffracting nature of Bessel and Airy beams when the transverse coherence length nears the initial aperture diameter or diagonal respectively. The turbulence induced transverse phase distortion limits the effectiveness of Bessel and Airy beams for applications requiring propagation over long distances in the turbulent atmosphere.

Validation of single photon absorptiometry for on-farm measurement of density and mineral content of tail bone in cattle

A validation study examined the accuracy of a purpose-built single photon absorptiometry (SPA) instrument for making on-farm in vivo measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) in tail bones of cattle. In vivo measurements were made at the proximal end of the ninth coccygeal vertebra (Cy9) in steers of two age groups (each n = 10) in adequate or low phosphorus status. The tails of the steers were then resected and the BMD of the Cy9 bone was measured in the laboratory with SPA on the resected tails and then with established laboratory procedures on defleshed bone. Specific gravity and ash density were measured on the isolated Cy9 vertebrae and on 5-mm2 dorso-ventral cores of bone cut from each defleshed Cy9. Calculated BMD determined by SPA required a measure of tail bone thickness and this was estimated as a fraction of total tail thickness. Actual tail bone thickness was also measured on the isolated Cy9 vertebrae. The accuracy of measurement of BMD by SPA was evaluated by comparison with the ash density of the bone cores measured in the laboratory. In vivo SPA measurements of BMD were closely correlated with laboratory measurements of core ash density (r = 0.92). Ash density and specific gravity of cores, and all SPA measures of BMD, were affected by phosphorus status of the steers, but the effect of steer age was only significant (P < 0.05) for steers in adequate phosphorus status. The accuracy of SPA to determine BMD of tail bone may be improved by reducing error associated with in vivo estimation of tail bone thickness, and also by adjusting for displacement of soft tissue by bone mineral. In conclusion a purpose-built SPA instrument could be used to make on-farm sequential non-invasive in vivo measurements of the BMD of tailbone in cattle with accuracy acceptable for many animal studies.

Propagation des ondes longitudinales dans le noyau terrestre d'après les séismes profonde des Iles Fidji

Observations from three deep focus earthquakes, of focal depth 600 km, originating in the Fiji Islands region, have permitted to trace the travel-time curves for the longitudinal waves travelling through the earth's core. Of principal importance is the travel-time table for the phase PKP1 which has been given upto 158° and for which the data so far were incomplete. Other important phases observed between 103 and 143° have been illustrated and their travel-time curves drawn.

Propagation des ondes longitudinales dans le noyau terrestre: résumé et conclusion

Six earthquakes (magnitude 6 to 7) in the Fiji Islands, New Hebrides and Sulawesi, divided in two groups of depth h=100 to 200 km and h= 600 km, were studied through more than a thousand of seismographic observations in 16 months.

Sistematic, population genetics, propagation and conservation of Prunus azorica (Rosaceae)

Tese de Doutoramento, Biologia (Ecologia Vegetal), 25 de Junho de 2013, Universidade dos Açores.

Sistematics, population genetics, propagation and conservation of Picconia azorica (Tutin) Knobl. (Oleaceae)

Tese de Doutoramento, Biologia (Ecologia Vegetal), 24 de Junho de 2013, Universidade dos Açores.

Doubly charged Higgs through photon-photon collisions in 3-3-1 models

We study the production and signatures of doubly charged Higgs bosons (DCHBs) in the process gamma gamma <-> H(--)H(++) at the e(-)e(+) International Linear Collider and CERN Linear Collider, where the intermediate photons are given by the Weizsacker-Willians and laser backscattering distributions.

La sécrétion de la protéine tau : mécanisme de propagation de la pathologie de tau dans la maladie d’Alzheimer

Dans la maladie d’Alzheimer, il existe deux marqueurs histopathologiques : les plaques amyloïdes composées de la protéine amyloïde-bêta et les enchevêtrements neurofibrillaires (NFTs) composés de la protéine tau agrégée. Dans le cerveau, la propagation de la pathologie de tau est observée le long des circuits neuronaux connectés synaptiquement, selon une séquence de stades, caractérisés par le Docteur Braak en 1991. Chez les patients, le degré de démence corrèle avec le nombre de NFTs. Ces derniers apparaissent dans des régions précises du cerveau et se propagent, de manière prédictible, le long des projections neuronales à des stades plus tardifs de la pathologie. Il reste à éclaircir la manière dont les NFTs se propagent dans les différentes régions du cerveau. Dans notre laboratoire, nous avons émis l’hypothèse que la propagation de tau pourrait se produire par un processus de transmission de cellule à cellule. Ainsi, la protéine tau serait tout d’abord sécrétée par un neurone, puis endocytée par un neurone adjacent. Nos travaux de recherche se sont concentrés sur la sécrétion de la protéine tau. Dans une première étape, nous avons démontré l’existence de la sécrétion active de tau dans l’espace extracellulaire, en utilisant des modèles in vitro de cellules non neuronales et neuronales. Par la suite, nous avons caractérisé les formes de protéines tau sécrétées. Enfin dans un dernier temps, nous avons exploré les voies de sécrétion de la protéine tau ainsi que les mécanismes régulant ce phénomène. Nous avons réussi à moduler la sécrétion de tau en reproduisant plusieurs insultes observées dans la maladie d’Alzheimer. Nos recherches nous ont permis d’identifier l’appareil de Golgi comme étant une organelle dont la fragmentation augmente la sécrétion de la protéine tau. A la lumière de cette découverte, nous avons été capable de moduler la sécrétion de tau en ciblant spécifiquement l’activité de cdk5 et l’expression de rab1A contrôlant la morphologie du Golgi. Ainsi, nous avons réussi à diminuer significativement la sécrétion de la protéine tau. Nos travaux de recherche proposent de nouvelles cibles thérapeutiques pour la maladie d’Alzheimer, visant à diminuer la propagation de la pathologie de tau par de nouveaux mécanismes cellulaires.