High efficiency of methylene blue removal using a novel low-cost acid treated forest wastes,Cupressus semperirens cones: Experimental results and modeling

The removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions using sulfuric acid modified Cupressus semperirens cones (H₂SO₄-CSC), was investigated. Results showed that a pH value of 12 was favorable for the adsorption of MB and that the moisture and ash yields are suitable for industrial exploitation. A high porosity value was found, 68.1%. In agreement with its low content of basicity compared to its acidity, the H₂SO4-CSC absorbent had an acidic behavior. Rate constants of pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and nth kinetic model were determined to analyze the dynamic of the biosorption process; they showed that adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order and nth kinetic models. Ionic strength was shown to have a negative impact on the biosorption of MB onto H₂SO₄-CSC. The Sips isotherm model was found to be the most relevant to describe MB biosorption onto H₂SO₄-CSC with a correlation factor R²?>?0.999. The biosorption capacity of H₂SO₄-CSC was found to be 460?mg?g^?1 at 10°C and 590?mg?g^?1 at 25°C, confirming biosorbent efficiency for the removal of MB dye from aqueous solutions. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that the biosorption process of MB was endothermic and more effective at high temperatures. The values of ΔG° and ΔH° confirmed that the biosorption of MB onto H₂SO₄-CSC was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. An irregular increase in randomness at the H₂SO₄-CSC–solution interface during the biosorption process was suggested by the positive values of ΔS°.     

The Stiles–Crawford Effect: spot-size ratio departure in retinitis pigmentosa

The Stiles–Crawford effect of the first kind is the retina’s compensative response to loss of luminance efficiency for oblique stimulation manifested as the spot-size ratio departure from the perfect power coupling for a normal human eye. In a retinitis pigmentosa eye (RP), the normal cone photoreceptor morphology is affected due to foveal cone loss and disrupted cone mosaic spatial arrangement with reduction in directional sensitivity. We show that the flattened Stiles–Crawford function (SCF) in a RP eye is due to a different spot-size ratio departure profile, that is, for the same loss of luminance efficiency, a RP eye has a smaller departure from perfect power coupling compared to a normal eye. Again, the difference in spot-size ratio departure increases from the centre towards the periphery, having zero value for axial entry and maximum value for maximum peripheral entry indicating dispersal of photoreceptor alignment which prevents the retina to go for a bigger compensative response as it lacks both in number and appropriate cone morphology to tackle the loss of luminance efficiency for oblique stimulation. The slope of departure profile also testifies to the flattened SCF for a RP eye. Moreover, the discrepancy in spot-size ratio departure between a normal and a RP eye is shown to have a direct bearing on the Stiles–Crawford diminution of visibility.     

Analysis of supercritical carbon dioxide extracts from cones and leaves of a Humulus lupulus L cultivar

Extracts obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of cones and leaves of hop (Humulus lupulus L) at different combinations of temperature and pressure were analysed for their α- and β-acids and volatiles, using HPLC and GC respectively. The yield and composition of the mixtures of bitter compounds from the cones were largely influenced by the temperature and pressure applied during the extraction. Bitter compounds could not be detected in the extracts from the leaves. The most important volatile components identified were β-myrcene, β-caryophyllene and α-humulene. The extraction parameters also influenced the composition of the mixture of volatiles from the cones and leaves, 40°C and 20.0 MPa being optimum for the extraction of both bitter compounds and volatiles, which are thought to be important for the aroma of beer.     

浅谈亚麻纱染色工艺

通过对亚麻筒纱的染色技术及其工艺进行多方面的分析和研究，利用大量的实验数据和有关资料，对亚麻筒纱染色容易出现的质量问题进行了科学的分析。     

Microstructure of Si Cones Prepared by Ar^＋—Sputtering Si／Mo Target

By Ar^ sputtering onto Si wafers which were surrounded by Mo plates.uniform cones over a large area on the Si surface were formed.Scanning electron microscopic study showed that the cones were formed on the entire surface of the Si wafer.The dimensions of the uniform cones were one micrometer in diameter and 5-6 micrometers high.They were further characterized by means of cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy,with the technique of micro-diffractions,It was found that the cone contained a pure Si regime and a Mo-rich regime.In the binary Mo-Si zone,we identified three distinct areas vertically:(1)domains of Mo-induced Si ordered structures,(2)a small volume of a new Mo3Si2 structural variant,intergrown with the Si ordered structure,and(3) a small amount of pure Mo nanoparticles covering the surface of the cones.The formation of the large and uniform cones may provide a new surface configuration for potential applications in surface science and technology.     

DESIGN AND APPLICATION OF A DEHUMIDIFIER DRYER FOR DRYING PINE CONES AND POLLEN CATKINS

A critical issue for the plantation forest industry is the preservation and control of genetic material in order to facilitate the fertilisation process. This is best achieved by drying at low temperature and low humidity prior to extraction of seeds and pollen. For example, freshly picked green cones of Pinus radiata are best dried at 25°C, 20% relative humidity to avoid thermal damage and to prevent mould formation. Similar conditions are required for drying pollen catkins. These conditions can be met efficiently and reliably by the use of a dehumidifier dryer. This paper describes the design of such a drying system, including a review of the dehumidifier and the kiln design parameters necessary to achieve the required drying conditions. Performance data and commercial operating experience are also presented and analysed. The system is effective and reliable, and has increased both the speed of drying and the quality of the product.     

无限延迟自动控制系统的稳定性研究

很多自动控制系统可以用无限延迟微分方程来描述．通常不稳定的系统才会引出控制问题．选择了适当状态下的反馈控制,研究了系统稳定性的问题。其证明是以锥体理论的应用为基础的．