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Atmosphere
Kinds of Atmosphere Terms modified by Atmosphere Selected AbstractsMASS TRANSFER IN PACIFIC HAKE (Merluccius australis) PACKED IN REFRIGERATED MODIFIED ATMOSPHEREJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2001R. SIMPSON ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to develop, and experimentally validate a fully mathematical model, to predict mass transfer phenomena in Pacific Hake (Merluccius australis) packed in refrigerated modified atmosphere. A mathematical model to predict mass transfer of CO2, O2, N2 and water vapor was developed and validated. The diffusion model was developed utilizing Fick's second law, considering fish fillet as an infinite slab and applied to Pacific Hake (lean fish species) under refrigeration conditions. CO2 diffusivity of Pacific Hake was determined by an inverse procedure at OC and resulted in a value of 5.19 × 10,10 [m2/s] that is in accordance with values reported in the literature. However, postmortem variations of pH could affect solubility and diffusivity of CO2 in fish muscle. [source] EFFECTS of CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE ON QUALITY of MINIMALLY PROCESSED APPLE (cv. JONAGORED)JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 6 2000ADA MARGARIDA CORREIA NUNES ROCHA Controlled atmosphere (2% O2+ 4% to 12% CO2) storage was found to be advantageous over air storage in terms of overall preservation of fresh-cut apple (cv. Jonagored). After 3 days, CA-stored apple cubes were firmer, showed better color and higher content of fructose and soluble solids content than air-stored cubes. In relation to color preservation this benefit was increased when CO2 in the atmosphere was increased to 12% CO2. Controlled atmosphere storage showed no advantage over air storage in relation to sensory evaluation of firmness and flavor. [source] CHALLENGE STUDIES WITH PROTEOLYTIC CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM IN YEAST AND CHEMICALLY LEAVENED CRUMPETS PACKAGED UNDER MODIFIED ATMOSPHERESJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 2 2003DAPHNE PHILLIPS DAIFAS ABSTRACT Challenge studies were done with proteolytic Clostridium botulinum (103 spores/g) in yeast-and chemical-leavened crumpets (50-g) packaged in air with an ethanol vapor (2-G Ethicap®) generator or in 100% CO2 and stored at ambient temperature (25C) for 30 days. Neurotoxin was detected in all gas- (CO2) packaged crumpets after 5 days regardless of the method of leavening. While neurotoxin was delayed for 10 days in chemical-leavened Ethicap®-packaged crumpets, it was not detected in any similarly packaged yeast-leavened crumpets throughout storage. This inhibition of growth and neurotoxin production by C. botulinum was attributed to the production of ethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the yeast leavened crumpets, in conjunction with the ethanol vapor generated by the Ethicap® sachets (2-G), to levels to inhibitory to the growth of C. botulinum (>2.8% v/v). Subsequent challenge studies in sterile crumpets inoculated with either C. botulinum (103 spores/g) or a co-inoculum of C. botulinum (103 spores/g) and S. cerevisiae (105 CFU/g) confirmed the significant role (p<0.001) of S. cerevisiae in enhancing the antibotulinal efficacy of ethanol vapor. These studies showed that the method of crumpet leavening could have a profound effect on the growth of and neurotoxin production by C. botulinum in crumpets packaged under modified atmospheres. [source] EFFECT OF HEADSPACE OXYGEN AND FILMS OF DIFFERENT OXYGEN TRANSMISSION RATE ON TOXIN PRODUCTION BY CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM TYPE E IN RAINBOW TROUT FILLETS STORED UNDER MODIFIED ATMOSPHERESJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 3 2000ISABELLE DUFRESNE ABSTRACT Studies were conducted to determine the effect of various levels of headspace oxygen (0,100%, balance CO2) or film oxygen transmission rate (OTR) on the time to toxicity in modified atmosphere packaged (MAP) fresh trout fillets challenged with C. botulinum type E (102 spore/g) and stored under moderate temperature abuse conditions (12C). In all cases, trout were toxic within 5 days, irrespective of the initial levels of oxygen in the package headspace. However, spoilage preceded toxigenesis. Packaging of trout fillets in low gas barrier films, with OTRs ranging from 4,000 to 10,000 cc/m2/day at 24C and 0% relative humidity, also had no effect on time to toxicity in all MAP trout fillets. All fillets were toxic within 4,5 days and spoilage again preceded toxigenesis. This study has shown that the addition of headspace O2, either directly to a package or indirectly by using a low gas barrier film, had no influence on the time to toxigenesis or spoilage. Additional barriers, other than headspace O2 or film transmission rate, need to be considered to ensure the safety of MAP trout fillets, particularty at moderate temperature abuse conditions. [source] Connecting Atmosphere and Wetland: Trace Gas ExchangeGEOGRAPHY COMPASS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 2 2009Peter M. Lafleur This article reviews the exchange of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) gases between wetland and atmosphere, with a primary emphasis on ecosystem-scale fluxes and their environmental controls. It is intended to complement a previous review of wetland energy and water exchanges (Lafleur 2008). It is shown that wetland exchanges of these gases are greatly variable in space and time, especially CH4. Most wetlands appear to be sinks for atmospheric CO2, while almost all are emitters of CH4. The strongest environmental control on the CO2 flux is drought, which often determines whether a wetland will be a net sink or source for atmospheric CO2. Due to complex biochemistry and transport mechanisms, methane efflux from wetlands often ranges over several orders of magnitude within a single wetland and among wetlands, making it difficult to quantify the environmental controls on this flux. The magnitude of gas fluxes is not strongly related to wetland type, which implies that modelling of these fluxes should consider wetlands a continuum and attempt to address processes as they vary along this continuum instead of as discrete entities. Although more research is required into the magnitude, variation and controls on trace gas fluxes in all wetland types, some wetlands (tropical and temperate marshes) are particularly understudied. [source] Connecting Atmosphere and Wetland: Energy and Water Vapour ExchangeGEOGRAPHY COMPASS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 4 2008Peter M. Lafleur Wetlands are ubiquitous over the globe, comprise a vast array of ecosystem types and are of great ecological and social importance. Their functioning is intimately tied to the atmosphere by the energy and mass exchanges that take place across the wetland,atmosphere boundary. This article examines recent research into these exchanges, with an emphasis on the water vapour exchange. Although broad classes of wetland type, such as fen, bog and marsh, can be defined using ecological or hydrologic metrics, distinct difference in energy exchanges between the classes cannot be found. This arises because there are many factors that control the energy exchanges and interplay of these factors is unique to every wetland ecosystem. Wetlands are more similar in their radiation balances than in the partitioning of this energy into conductive and turbulent heat fluxes. This is especially true of evapotranspiration (ET) rates, which vary considerably among and within wetland classes. A global survey of wetland ET studies shows that location has little to do with ET rates and that variation in rates is largely determined by local climate and wetland characteristics. Recent modelling studies suggest that although wetlands occupy a small portion of the global land surface, their water and energy exchanges may be important in regional and global climates. Although the number of studies of wetland,atmosphere interactions has increased in recent years more research is needed. Five key areas of study are identified: (i) the importance of moss covers, (ii) lack of study in tropical systems, (iii) inclusion of wetlands in global climate models, (iv) importance of microforms in wetlands and their scaling to the whole ecosystem, and (v) the paucity of annual ET measurements. [source] High-Performance Zinc Oxide Transistors and Circuits Fabricated by Spray Pyrolysis in Ambient AtmosphereADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 21 2009Aneeqa Bashir The use of a simple deposition technique, namely spray pyrolysis, for the fabrication of high-mobility, low-voltage ZnO transistors and simple integrated circuits is demonstrated. The method is compatible with large-area deposition and could potentially address both the issue of manufacturing cost and high operating voltages. [source] Global Governance and the AtmosphereINTERNATIONAL STUDIES REVIEW, Issue 1 2007IAN H. ROWLANDS No abstract is available for this article. [source] Upscaling water savings from farm to irrigation system level using GIS-based agro-hydrological modelling,IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE, Issue 1 2007Shahbaz Khan simulation d'irrigation; extrapolation; efficacité d'utilisation de l'eau; économie de l'eau Abstract Irrigation continues to be the main water user on a global scale despite the increase in water use by sectors other than agriculture. More efficient water application technologies and water management practices are ways of realising potential water savings, thus moderating the negative impacts of higher water use on farm incomes and environmental impact on rivers and groundwater systems. This paper describes an integrated approach of agro-hydrological modelling for determining potential water savings achievable by adopting high-tech irrigation technologies at farm level and application of GIS techniques to upscale those benefits at the regional irrigation system level. The SWAP (Soil,Water,Atmosphere,Plant) model was used for the simulation of water use at the farm level. The results are promising, as the potential water saving ranges from 0.1 to 2.2,ML,ha,1 (10,220,mm) for different broad-acre crops, 1.0 to 2.0,ML,ha,1 (100,200,mm) in sprinkler and 2.0 to 3.0,ML,ha,1 (200,300,mm) in drip irrigation for citrus, 1.0 to 1.5,ML,ha,1 (100,150,mm) in sprinkler and up to 4.0,ML,ha,1 (400,mm) in drip irrigation for vineyards and 0.5 to 1.0,ML,ha,1 for vegetables (50,100,mm). SWAP simulations show crop water saving potential of 7% for maize, 15% for soybean, 17% for wheat, 35% for barley, 17% for sunflower and 38% for fababean from the current water use statistics in Australia. Spatial analysis in GIS environment is carried out to investigate the spatial variations of water use for a particular crop under different depths to water table and varying soil types. Maps of water need for all broad-acre crops are drawn and pixel-to-pixel comparison is performed to determine the water saving potential per unit area. The upscaling approach shows that considerable water amounts could be saved both in Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) and Coleambally Irrigation Area (CIA) with potential water saving of 36 to 95,GL (MCM) in MIA and 42 to 72,GL (MCM) in CIA. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. L'irrigation reste l'usage principal de l'eau à l'échelle mondiale en dépit de l'augmentation des volumes utilisés par les secteurs autres que l'agriculture. L'amélioration des techniques d'irrigation et des procédures de gestion de l'eau permet de réaliser des économies d'eau potentielles, modérant ainsi les impacts négatifs d'une surconsommation d'eau sur les revenus agricoles et ses incidences sur l'environnement des cours d'eau et des aquifères. Cet article décrit comment un modèle agro-hydrologique intégré peut déterminer les économies d'eau réalisables grâce à l'adoption de technologies de pointe dans l'irrigation au niveau de l'exploitation agricole et à l'application des techniques de SIG à l'extension de ces avantages au niveau d'un système régional d'irrigation. Le modèle SWAP (Sol-Eau-Atmosphère-Plante) a été employé pour simuler l'utilisation de l'eau au niveau de l'exploitation. Les résultats sont prometteurs car l'économie d'eau potentielle va de 100 à 2 200 m3/ha (10 à 220 millimètres) pour différentes cultures de plein champ, de 1 000 à 2 000 m3/ha (100 à 200 millimètres) en aspersion et de 2 000 à 3 000 m3/ha (200 à 300 millimètres) en goutte à goutte sur des citronniers, de 1 000 à 1 500 m3/ha (100 à 150 millimètres) en aspersion et jusqu'à 4 000 m3/ha (400 millimètres) en goutte à goutte sur de la vigne, et de 500 à 1 000 m3/ha pour des légumes (50 à 100 millimètres). Les simulations de SWAP à partir de données statistiques australiennes courantes montrent un potentiel d'économie d'eau de 7% pour le maïs, 15% pour le soja, 17% pour le blé, 35% pour l'orge, 17% pour le tournesol et 38% pour les fèves. Une analyse par SIG permet d'étudier les variations spatiales de l'utilisation de l'eau pour une récolte particulière selon la profondeur de la nappe et le type de sol. Les besoins en eau de toutes les cultures de plein champ sont cartographiés et le potentiel d'économie d'eau par unité de surface est estimé pixel par pixel. L'extrapolation des résultats montre que des volumes d'eau considérables pourraient être économisés dans les zones irriguées de Murrumbidgee (MIA, économie potentielle de 36 à 95 millions de m3) et de Coleambally (CIA, économie potentielle de 42 à 72 m3). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Sustainable use of groundwater for irrigation: a numerical analysis of the subsoil water fluxes,IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE, Issue 3 2002Mobin-ud-Din Ahmad irrigation; eaux souterraines; surexploitation de l'aquifère; recharge des eaux souterraines; utilisation nette de l'eau souterraine; modélisation au niveau de la parcelle cultivée; le Pakistan Abstract The food-producing regions of the world increasingly rely on irrigation from groundwater resources. Further increases of groundwater use can adversely affect the sustainability of irrigated agriculture and put food security at risk. Sustainability of irrigation at field scale with groundwater is obtained if groundwater recharge is in equilibrium with tubewell extractions and capillary rise. Traditional information on phreatic surface behaviour does not explain the processes causing a phreatic surface to decline or incline. In this study, the physically based numerical model Soil,Water,Atmosphere,Plant (SWAP) was applied to compute soil moisture content and vertical soil water fluxes in the unsaturated zone for the cotton,wheat and rice,wheat cropping system of Punjab, Pakistan. SWAP has been calibrated and verified with in situ measurements of soil moisture content and evapotranspiration fluxes measured by means of the Bowen ratio surface energy balance technique. Accurate data of the soil hydraulic properties are critical for the calibration of the soil moisture distribution. With knowledge of the van Genuchten,Mualem parameters available, SWAP could be applied to assess recharge and capillary rise for most field conditions, including basin irrigation. The results under Pakistani conditions show that deep percolation cannot always be estimated from root zone water balances. An annual recharge of 23.3 cm was computed for the cotton,wheat area. Sustainability of irrigation with groundwater is obtained if a reduction in irrigation with groundwater by 36% is obtained. An annual recharge of 38.9 cm is estimated in rice,wheat systems, and a reduction of 62% in groundwater extraction is required to reach sustainability of groundwater use at field scale. Such information cannot be obtained from classical phreatic surface fluctuation data, and unsaturated zone modelling therefore provides additional insights for groundwater policy making. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. RÉSUMÉ Les régions de production alimentaire de la planète se servent de plus en plus de l'eau souterraine pour l'irrigation. Ultérieurs accroissements de l'utilisation des eaux souterraines peuvent avoir des répercussions négatives sur l'irrigation agricole soutenable et sur la sécurité alimentaire. Une irrigation soutenable au niveau de la parcelle cultivée en utilisant l'eau souterraine est obtenue si le taux de recharge de cette dernière est en équilibre avec le taux d'extraction des puits et la remontée capillaire. L'information traditionellement disponible concernant l'évolution du niveau phréatique ne permet pas d'expliquer les procès qui causeraient son abaissement ou son accroissement. Cette étude présente les resultats obtenus grâce à l'utilisation d'un modèle numérique appelé Soil,Water,Atmosphere,Plant (SWAP), qui se base sur des principes physiques, avec lequel ont été calculés les taux d'humidité du sol et les flux verticaux d'humidité dans la zone non-saturée du sol pour ce qui concèrne le système de cultivation coton,blé et riz,blé du Pounjab, au Pakistan. SWAP a été calibré et verifié grâce à des mesures in situ du taux d'humidité du sol et des flux d'évapotranspiration quantifiés en appliquant le rapport de Bowen, basé sur le concept du bilan énergétique au niveau du sol. Disposer de données prises concernant les propriétés hydrauliques du sol est essentiel pour calibrer la distribution de l'humidité du sol. Grâce à la connaissance des paramètres de van Genuchten,Mualem disponibles, SWAP a pu être utilisé pour évaluer le taux de recharge et la remontée capillaire en fonction de différentes conditions du terrain, irrigation de bassin incluse. Les résultats sous les conditions Pakistanes montrent que la percolation profonde ne peut pas toujours être estimée par les équilibres hydrologiques de la zone radicale. Une recharge annuelle de 23,3 cm a été estimée pour la zone coton,blé. L'utilisation soutenable de l'eau souterraine pour l'irrigation serait obtenue si on en réduisait l'extraction de 36%. Pour ce qui concerne la zone riz,blé, une recharge annuelle de 38,9 cm a été estimée, et une réduction de 62% de l'extraction de l'eau souterraine serait nécessaire pour une utilisation soutenable de l'eau souterraine à l'échelle de la parcelle cultivée. Ces informations ne peuvent pas être obtenues sur la base des données ordinaires concernant les fluctuations du niveau phréatique; la modélisation représente donc un appui essentiel en matière de prise de décision concernant la gestion de l'eau souterraine. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Microbiological and Sensorial Quality Assessment of Ready-to-Cook Seafood Products Packaged under Modified AtmosphereJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 9 2009B. Speranza ABSTRACT:, The effects of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (30:40:30 O2:CO2:N2 and 5:95 O2:CO2) on the quality of 4 ready-to-cook seafood products were studied. In particular, the investigation was carried out on hake fillets, yellow gurnard fillets, chub mackerel fillets, and entire eviscerated cuttlefish. Quality assessment was based on microbiological and sensorial indices determination. Both packaging gas mixtures contributed to a considerable slowing down of the microbial and sensorial quality loss of the investigated seafood products. Results showed that sensorial quality was the subindex that limited their shelf life. In fact, based primarily on microbiological results, samples under MAP remained acceptable up to the end of storage (that is, 14 d), regardless of fish specie. On the other hand, results from sensory analyses showed that chub mackerel fillets in MAP were acceptable up to the 6th storage d, whilst hake fillets, yellow gurnard fillets, and entire cuttlefish became unacceptable after 10 to 11 d. However, compared to control samples, an increase in the sensorial shelf life of MAP samples (ranging from about 95% to 250%) was always recorded. Practical Application: Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is an inexpensive and uncomplicated method of extending shelf life of packed seafood. It could gain great attention from the fish industrial sector due to the fact that MAP is a practical and economic technique, realizable by small technical expedients. Moreover, there is great attention from the food industry and retailers to react to the growing demand for convenience food, thus promoting an increase in the assortments of ready-to-cook seafood products. [source] Effect of Capsicum annuum (Red Sweet and Cayenne) and Piper nigrum (Black and White) Pepper Powders on the Shelf Life of Fresh Pork Sausages Packaged in Modified AtmosphereJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 1 2006Luis Martínez ABSTRACTCapsicum annuum (red sweet and hot cayenne) and Piper nigrum (black and white) pepper powders were evaluated for inhibition of oxidative reactions and extension of the shelf life of fresh pork sausages packaged in a modified atmosphere. Sausages containing either red sweet pepper or cayenne pepper (0.1%, 0.5%, or 2%) or black or white pepper (0.1%, 0.5%, or 1%) were packaged in a modified atmosphere of 80% O2+ 20% CO2, stored for 16 d in the dark at 2 °C, and analyzed each 4 d for pH, CIE L*, a*, and b*, 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), psychrotrophic aerobes, sensory discoloration, and off-odor. Results demonstrated that Capsicum peppers (sweet red and hot cayenne) enhanced red color but failed to prevent discoloration, whereas they were very effective in inhibiting lipid oxidation, chiefly at the highest concentration used (2%), which resulted in a delay of off-odor formation. Piper peppers (black and white) significantly delayed discoloration with small modification of sausage color; furthermore, they also inhibited lipid oxidation, which led to a delay of off-odor formation, particularly in the form of black pepper. Besides this, all those spices inhibited microbial growth when added at the highest concentration (1%Piper and 2%Capsicum). [source] Retail Shelf-Life of Pork Dipped in Organic Acid before Modified Atmosphere or Vacuum PackagingJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 8 2005Nai-Yun Huang ABSTRACT Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is increasingly popular for meat, but raw, chilled pork in vacuum or anoxic environments has a purple color. The retail shelf-life of pork chops dipped in 500 ppm ascorbic acid, 250 ppm citric acid, or no acid dip and stored at 1 °C before simulated retail display in MAP with gas exchange or air-permeable packaging after vacuum pouch storage was determined. The 80% N2:20% CO2 in MAP was exchanged with 80% O2:20% CO2, and chops were removed from vacuum packages and overwrapped with permeable film (VP-PVC) on the 7th day before simulated retail display at 4 °C. Shelf-life traits were determined at 1, 7, 8, 10, 12, and 14 d postpackaging. The pH values changed with time, but returned to post-dipped, prepackaged levels at the end of simulated retail storage. Weight loss of chops increased (P < 0.05) in VP-PVC compared with MAP. The a* values increased (P < 0.05) and L* and b* values decreased during simulated retail display, with higher L*, a*, and b* color values for chops in MAP than VP-PVC. Log numbers of psychrotrophic microorganisms were higher (P < 0.05) on VP-PVC samples than for chops in MAP on days 12 and 14. Psychrotrophic counts on ascorbic acid-treated samples were decreased compared with citric acid or no dipping on pork during simulated retail display. Pork chops in MAP with gas exchange had lighter and redder color, increased weight retention, decreased psychrotrophic counts, and increased lipid oxidation compared with conventional vacuum and overwrap packaging systems. [source] Volatile Compounds of Raw Beef from 5 Local Spanish Cattle Breeds Stored Under Modified AtmosphereJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 4 2002K. Insausti ABSTRACT Volatile compounds of raw beef from Asturiana de los Valles, Morucha, Parda Alpina, Pirenaica, and Retinta cattle breeds were studied. Steaks were packaged under 60% O2, 30% CO2, and 10% N2, and 53 volatile compounds were tentatively identified by purge-and-trap extraction and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry after 0, 5, 10, and 15 d of chill storage. The degradation of beef quality with increasing storage time was evidenced by the increase in 2,3,3-trimethylpentane, 2,2,5-trimethylhexane, 3-octene, 3-methyl-2-heptene, 2-octene, and 2-propanone and by the decrease in dimethyl sulfide. Consequently, some of the volatile compounds, which are believed to be formed by thermal degradation of meat, might be formed during chill storage, and the rate of formation of some was dependent on the specific compound. [source] Influence of Storage Atmosphere and Temperature on Quality Evolution of Cut Belgian EndivesJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 8 2001M.D. Van de Velde ABSTRACT: An optimal combination of O2, CO2, and N2 for storage of cut Belgian Endive was defined, investigating visual quality aspects. In the experimental design, principles of mixture theory were used. The acceptability of cut endives stored under different gas combinations, selected in the range where both CO2 and O2 were varied between 2% and 18%, was evaluated by a consumer panel at different time intervals during storage. The response was modeled with a second-degree polynomial, the response surface pointed in the direction of a gas mixture 10% CO2, 10% O2, and 80% N2 for maximum acceptability or best quality during storage. Repeated experiments, including different varieties from 2 different growers, confirmed the optimal gas concentration, (10% CO2, 10% O2, and 80% N2). In a second step, the effect of temperature on quality degradation of cut endives stored under optimal atmosphere conditions, was quantified using the Arrhenius equation. An activation energy of 16.3 kcal/mol was obtained. [source] Sintering of Transparent Yttria Ceramics in Oxygen AtmosphereJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 10 2010Yihua Huang A novel method is reported for the preparation of transparent polycrystalline yttria ceramics in oxygen atmosphere. Zirconia and other additives were added to control the grain growth. Pores can be eliminated clearly at a temperature <1650°C with the grain size around 1 ,m. The grain growth kinetics and the mechanisms controlling grain growth were studied. Sintering in oxygen atmosphere is beneficial for making samples with a big size at low cost and avoiding the posttreatment of samples sintered in vacuum or hydrogen atmosphere. [source] Influence of Ba/Ti Ratio on the Positive Temperature Coefficient of Resistivity Characteristics of Ca-Doped Semiconducting BaTiO3 Fired in Reducing Atmosphere and Reoxidized in AirJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 6 2007Hideaki Niimi The positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTCR) characteristics of donor-doped BaTiO3 fired in a reducing atmosphere and reoxidized in air are investigated. The result reveals that conventional semiconducting BaTiO3 ceramics fired in a reducing atmosphere and reoxidized at a low temperature of 800°C in air show minimal PTCR characteristics, as reported earlier; however, Ca-doped BaTiO3 with compositions in the range of 1.005,(Ba+Ca+La)/Ti,1.010 exhibit pronounced PTCR characteristics, even when reoxidized at such a low temperature. The semiconducting BaTiO3 ceramics with {(Ba+Ca+La)/Ti}=1.005 and Ca-doped to 20 mol% exhibit remarkable PTCR characteristics with a resistivity jump of two orders of magnitude when they have been reoxidized at 800°C after firing in a reducing atmosphere. [source] Phase Formation and Crystal-Structure Determination in the Bi2O3,TiO2,TeO2 System Prepared in an Oxygen AtmosphereJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 11 2006Marko Udovic Using X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy it was revealed that in an atmosphere of flowing oxygen in the temperature range 700°,800°C, three new compounds are formed in the Bi2O3,TiO2,TeO2 pseudoternary system. These compounds are Bi2Ti3TeO12, Bi2TiTeO8, and Bi6Ti5TeO22, and all the compounds include Te6+. All three crystal structures were solved and refined using X-ray powder diffraction data. Based on the results of the phase formation, a solid-state compatibility diagram is proposed. [source] Thermal Cycling Damage Mechanisms of C/SiC Composites in Displacement Constraint and Oxidizing AtmosphereJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 7 2006Hui Mei A constraint stress of 62.5 MPa is created on a three-dimensional C/SiC composite specimen whose both ends are fixed when temperature is cycled between 900° and 1200°C. The cyclic stress results in a maximum damage strain of 0.06% within 50 cycles owing to coating and matrix cracking, fiber debonding, sliding, and breaking in the composite. This constrained specimen elongation also leads to a final compressive stress of 14 MPa on the composite through a decrease in the baseline constraint stress. Wet oxygen atmosphere at a high cyclic temperature, concomitant with stresses, can aggravate the damage situation by alternate oxidation between internal and external fibers in composites. [source] Effect of Varying Quartz Particle Size and Firing Atmosphere on Densification of Brazilian Clay-Based StonewareJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 6 2006G. P. Souza Body mixes for stoneware containing a Brazilian red clay, nepheline syenite, and quartz with two different median particle sizes (,2 and 18 ,m) were fired under oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. The densification behavior was followed by dilatometry simulating the firing schedule, as well as by water absorption, linear shrinkage, and bulk density measurements on as-fired specimens. It was revealed that finer quartz led to interconnected pore closure at 1125°C when fired under an oxidizing atmosphere. Densification was systematically related to the uniformity of the compacts in the unfired state. Phase and microstructural examination by X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy/EDS showed that mullite developed more extensively in the stonewares fired in an oxidizing atmosphere, along with cristobalite and haematite, whereas metallic iron was found in stonewares fired under a reducing atmosphere. [source] Effect of Nitrogen Atmosphere on the Densification of a 3-mol%-Yttria-Doped ZirconiaJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 6 2002Yeong-Kyeun Paek The densification behavior of a 3-mol%-Y2O3 -doped ZrO2 (3Y-ZrO2) has been investigated under N2 and O2 atmospheres. Powder compacts have been sintered at 1550° and 1400°C for various times. The density of the specimen sintered at 1550°C is higher in N2 than in O2, while the contrary result is obtained in the case of the specimen sintered at 1400°C. Such results can be explained in terms of nitrogen solubility and oxygen vacancy in a ZrO2 matrix. Because nitrogen solubility into the ZrO2 increases with an increase in heat-treatment temperature, leading to the formation of oxygen vacancy, the densification rate becomes higher. The present study thus shows evidence of nitrogen solubility into the ZrO2 and its role on the densification behavior of 3Y-ZrO2. [source] Communicating the value of atmospheric servicesMETEOROLOGICAL APPLICATIONS, Issue 2 2010John Thornes Abstract The atmosphere is one of the most valuable resources on the planet and yet because it is largely invisible it tends to be taken for granted and is increasingly being exploited and commodified. This paper presents 12 Atmospheric Services that are vital to human well-being and the existence of the biosphere. The Total Economic Value of the atmosphere is estimated to be at least between 100 and 1000 times the Gross World Product (GWP was approximately £43 Trillion in 2008). It is only by appreciating the value of the atmosphere to society that we can understand how we need to communicate sustainable management of the atmosphere and treat it as a global commons. It is also important to realize which Atmospheric Services are currently under threat. Only by appreciating the full range of services provided by the atmosphere can the real cost of geo-engineering the climate be calculated. Before geo-engineering of the climate can ever be considered seriously a Law of the Atmosphere will be required. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Reactions of Cl,/Cl2,, Radicals with the Nanoparticle Silica Surface and with Humic Acids: Model Reactions for the Aqueous Phase Chemistry of the AtmospherePHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2007Paula Caregnato ABSTRACT Reactions of chlorine radicals might play a role in aqueous aerosols where a core of inorganic components containing insulators such as SiO2 and dissolved HUmic-LIke Substances (HULIS) are present. Herein, we report conventional flash photolysis experiments performed to investigate the aqueous phase reactions of silica nanoparticles (NP) and humic acid (HA) with chlorine atoms, Cl,, and dichloride radical anions, Cl2,,. Silica NP and HA may be taken as rough models for the inorganic core and HULIS contained in atmospheric particles, respectively. Both Cl, and Cl2,, were observed to react with the deprotonated silanols on the NP surface with reaction rate constants, k ± ,, of (9 ± 6) × 107 M,1 s,1 and (7 ± 4) × 105 M,1 s,1, respectively. The reaction of Cl, with the surface deprotonated silanols leads to the formation of SiO, defects. HA are also observed to react with Cl, and Cl2,, radicals, with reaction rate constants at pH 4 of (3 ± 2) × 1010 M,1 s,1 and (1.2 ± 0.3) × 109 M,1 s,1, respectively. The high values observed for these constants were discussed in terms of the multifunctional heterogeneous mixture of organic molecules conforming HA. [source] Study of the Cathode Potential in a Sputtering Discharge by Pulsing the Reactive Gas: Case of a W Target in an Ar-O2 AtmospherePLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, Issue 1 2007Nuno M.G. Parreira Abstract The process we used was d.c. magnetron sputtering, and we studied both the conventional process, using a constant flow of oxygen, and the process in which we pulsed the reactive gas. Square regulation signal with different pulsing periods (T) and oxygen injection time (ton) was used in the reactive gas pulsing (RGP), while the partial argon pressure was kept constant for all depositions. The oxygen flow rate during the injection time was sufficient to switch the process to compound sputtering mode, while the oxygen flow was stopped in the rest of period to allow cleaning of target. Sputtering experiments have shown that the instability phenomena, typical of the reactive sputtering process and known as the "hysteresis effect", are relatively weak due to the small reactivity of tungsten. The influence of the pulsing period and of the oxygen injection time on the deposition parameters is discussed in relation to the poisoning effect. It has been shown that d.c. magnetron sputtering with the oxygen pulsing is a suitable method to prepare tungsten oxide films. This process is very stable, leads to multilayered W-O coatings, and the deposition rates are slightly lower than those of obtained during the conventional process. [source] Germination and Initial Root Growth of Four Legumes as Affected by Landfill Biogas AtmosphereRESTORATION ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2000L. Marchiol The most important problem in the restoration of closed landfills is the production of toxic gases by decomposition of refuse. Such gases affect the root system of plants growing on these sites. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects induced by landfill biogas contamination on germination and initial root growth of Vicia villosa (hairy vetch), Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil), Trifolium pratense (red clover), and Trifolium repens (white clover). In laboratory conditions, simulated landfill and control gas were supplied to the seedlings. The composition of the simulated landfill gas used was: 16% O2, 8% CO2, 3% CH4, and 73% N2; a control gas was also tested (21% O2, 0. 035% CO2, and 78% N2). Percentage of germinated seeds was determined after 6 and 12 days from the starting date; at the same time qualitative assays of metabolic root functionality were also performed by using an agar technique in order to visualize changes in rhizosphere pH. At the end of the experiment, the length of the primary and secondary root was measured. Germination after 6 days was affected by the gas treatment; the landfill biogas caused a delay in germination with respect to the control in seeds of V. villosa and L. corniculatus. Root fresh weight and dry weight were significantly decreased by biogas treatment in V. villosa and T. repens. In contrast, root dry weight was higher in gas treated L. corniculatus and T. pratense compared to control seedlings. Total root system was significantly higher in treated T. pratense. The qualitative assay suggests, with the exception of T. pratense, a metabolic adjustment of the treated seedlings. Key words: restoration, landfill biogas, legumes. [source] Adaptive ensemble reduction and inflationTHE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 626 2007B. Uzunoglu Abstract In this paper we address the question of whether it is possible consistently to reduce the number of ensemble members at a late stage in the assimilation cycle. As an extension, we consider the question: given this reduction, is it possible to reintroduce ensemble members at a later time, if the accuracy is decreasing significantly? To address these questions, we present an adaptive methodology for reducing and inflating an ensemble by projecting the ensemble onto a limited number of its leading empirical orthogonal functions, through a proper orthogonal decomposition. We then apply this methodology with a global shallow-water-equations model on the sphere in conjunction with an ensemble filter developed at Florida State University and the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University. An adaptive methodology for reducing and inflating ensembles is successfully applied in two contrasting test cases with the shallow-water-equations model. It typically results in a reduction in the number of ensemble members required for successful implementation, by a factor of up to two. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Momentum transport processes in the stratiform regions of mesoscale convective systems over the western Pacific warm poolTHE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 616 2006David B. Mechem Abstract Momentum transport by the stratiform components of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) during the Tropical Ocean,Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean,Atmosphere Response Experiment in December 1992 is investigated using a cloud-resolving model. The mesoscale momentum transport by the stratiform regions of MCSs is examined in two distinct large-scale flow regimes associated with the intraseasonal oscillation over the western Pacific warm pool. Model simulations for 14 December 1992 characterize the ,westerly onset' period, which has relatively weak low-level westerlies with easterlies above. Simulations for 23,24 December represent the ,strong westerly' regime, when westerlies extend from the upper troposphere to the surface, with a jet 2,3 km above the surface. In the westerly onset simulation, the extensive stratiform region of a MCS contained a broad region of descent that transported easterly momentum associated with the mid-level easterly jet downward. Thus, the stratiform regions acted as a negative feedback to decrease the large-scale mean westerly momentum developing at low levels. In the strong westerly regime, the mesoscale downward air motion in the stratiform regions of large MCSs transported westerly momentum downward and thus acted as a positive feedback, strengthening the already strong westerly momentum at low levels. Momentum fluxes by the mesoscale stratiform region downdraughts are shown to have a systematic and measurable impact on the large-scale momentum budget. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society. [source] The Atmosphere of Interior Urbanism: OMA at ITTARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, Issue 3 2008Charles Rice Abstract Charles Rice explores interior atmosphere in a site challenged by existing infrastructure among a generally deteriorating urban scene. Crediting the Office for Metropolitan Architecture's IIT building in Chicago with refiguring the field via the deployment of complex spatial planning, integration of the building with the elevated train rail and a highly differentiated illumination scheme, he ultimately defines the nature of interior urbanism, an urbanity and atmosphere beyond the limits of the building envelope. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Improvement of Metabolic Performance of Cultured Hepatocytes by High Oxygen Tension in the AtmosphereARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 1 2001Kennichi Yanagi Abstract: Maintaining metabolic functions of cultured hepatocytes at higher levels is an essential requirement for the development of a bioartificial liver. We investigated the effect of oxygen tension (10,40%) of the medium on immobilization efficiency and metabolic functions of cultured hepatocytes obtained from a rat for up to 4 days. Immobilization efficiencies of cultures in 10% oxygen showed a significantly lower value from those for the other conditions. The ammonium metabolic rate and the albumin secretion rate were significantly improved with an increase of dissolved oxygen tension for up to 2 days. These values remained similar in the later stage of the culture. The urea secretion rate showed similar values in all conditions. In conclusion, higher oxygen tension improved immobilization efficiency and metabolic functions of cultured rat hepatocytes in the earlier stage of culture for up to 2 days. [source] Tree-Ring Carbon Isotopic Constraints on Carbon-Water Exchanges between Atmosphere and Biosphere in Drought Regions in Northwestern ChinaACTA GEOLOGICA SINICA (ENGLISH EDITION), Issue 2 2000WANG Shilu Abstract The comparison between the carbon isotope and the index of ring width of a pine disc from the Tuomuer Peak region in Xinjiang shows that the effects of climate changes on the tree-ring growth and carbon isotopic fractionation varies with time. The reason is probably relative to the characters of climate changes and adaptability of the tree-ring growth to climate changes. The relationships between the atmospheric CO2 level and the revised ,13Cair by the tree-ring carbon isotope indicate that the carbon cycle is not in a steady state, but under a stage-change condition in this area. It also can be concluded that the ratio of CO2 from the terrestrial eco-system has increased, and the flux of CO2 exchange between the atmosphere and the biosphere was gradually increasing over the past century. In addition, the results also confirm the validity and superiority of the carbon isotope to the research of the water-use efficiency. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||