Growth inhibition of an Araucaria angustifolia (Coniferopsida) fungal seed pathogen, Neofusicoccum parvum, by soil streptomycetes

Background: Araucariaceae are important forest trees of the southern hemisphere. Life expectancy of their seedlings can largely be reduced by fungal infections. In this study we have isolated and characterized such a fungus and investigated the potentia

Measurement of nuclide cross-sections of spallation residues in 1 A GeV 238U + proton collisions

The production of heavy nuclides from the spallation-evaporation reaction of 238U induced by 1 GeV protons was studied in inverse kinematics. The evaporation residues from tungsten to uranium were identified in-flight in mass and atomic number. Their production cross-sections and their momentum distributions were determined. The data are compared with empirical systematics. A comparison with previous results from the spallation of 208Pb and 197Au reveals the strong influence of fission in the spallation of 238U.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figures, background information at http://www-wnt.gsi.de/kschmidt

Health outcomes of patients in the Complex Chronic Diseases Program

Background: Complex chronic diseases affect almost 3% of Canadians and lead to persistent, debilitating symptoms. The BC Ministry of Health funded the Complex Chronic Diseases Program to address service gaps for affected individuals. We evaluated health outcomes of the program’s patients. Methods: Analysis of data from the Complex Chronic Diseases Program Data Registry (June 2017–September 2022) focused on patientreported outcomes and clinical measures at baseline, 6-month follow-up, and discharge, and on changes in symptoms across these time points. Results: Among the 668 participants included in the study, slight improvements in overall physical and mental health were observed between baseline and discharge. However, symptoms such as sleep dysfunction, fatigue, and pain showed no significant changes. Conclusions: While participation in the Complex Chronic Diseases Program yielded some health benefits, further research and interventions are required to address symptoms and optimize patient outcomes. The further development and use of objective outcome markers are needed for improved program evaluation

Biogenic Volatile Organic Compound and Respiratory CO2 Emissions after 13C-Labeling: Online Tracing of C Translocation Dynamics in Poplar Plants

Globally plants are the primary sink of atmospheric CO(2), but are also the major contributor of a large spectrum of atmospheric reactive hydrocarbons such as terpenes (e.g. isoprene) and other biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC). The prediction of plant carbon (C) uptake and atmospheric oxidation capacity are crucial to define the trajectory and consequences of global environmental changes. To achieve this, the biosynthesis of BVOC and the dynamics of C allocation and translocation in both plants and ecosystems are important.We combined tunable diode laser absorption spectrometry (TDLAS) and proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) for studying isoprene biosynthesis and following C fluxes within grey poplar (Populus x canescens) saplings. This was achieved by feeding either (13)CO(2) to leaves or (13)C-glucose to shoots via xylem uptake. The translocation of (13)CO(2) from the source to other plant parts could be traced by (13)C-labeled isoprene and respiratory (13)CO(2) emission.In intact plants, assimilated (13)CO(2) was rapidly translocated via the phloem to the roots within 1 hour, with an average phloem transport velocity of 20.3±2.5 cm h(-1). (13)C label was stored in the roots and partially reallocated to the plants' apical part one day after labeling, particularly in the absence of photosynthesis. The daily C loss as BVOC ranged between 1.6% in mature leaves and 7.0% in young leaves. Non-isoprene BVOC accounted under light conditions for half of the BVOC C loss in young leaves and one-third in mature leaves. The C loss as isoprene originated mainly (76-78%) from recently fixed CO(2), to a minor extent from xylem-transported sugars (7-11%) and from photosynthetic intermediates with slower turnover rates (8-11%).We quantified the plants' C loss as respiratory CO(2) and BVOC emissions, allowing in tandem with metabolic analysis to deepen our understanding of ecosystem C flux

Prototype acoustic positioning system for the Pacific Ocean Neutrino Experiment

We present the design and initial performance characterization of the prototype acoustic positioning system intended for the Pacific Ocean Neutrino Experiment. It comprises novel piezo-acoustic receivers with dedicated filtering- and amplification electronics installed in P-ONE instruments and is complemented by a commercial system comprised of cabled and autonomous acoustic pingers for sub-sea installation manufactured by Sonardyne Ltd. We performed an in-depth characterization of the acoustic receiver electronics and their acoustic sensitivity when integrated into P-ONE pressure housings. These show absolute sensitivities of up to -125 dB re V2/μPa2 in a frequency range of 10-40 kHz. We furthermore conducted a positioning measurement campaign in the ocean by deploying three autonomous acoustic pingers on the seafloor, as well as a cabled acoustic interrogator and a P-ONE prototype module deployed from a ship. Using a simple peak-finding detection algorithm, we observe high accuracy in the tracking of relative ranging times at approximately 230-280 μs at distances of up to 1600 m, which is sufficient for positioning detectors in a cubic-kilometer detector and which can be further improved with more involved detection algorithms. The tracking accuracy is further confirmed by independent ranging of the Sonardyne system and closely follows the ship's drift in the wind measured by GPS. The absolute positioning shows the same tracking accuracy with its absolute precision only limited by the large uncertainties of the deployed pinger positions on the seafloor

Experimental and theoretical studies of the wear of heat exchanger tubes

A study of heat exchanger tube wear has been completed. A simple theoretical model of elastic/plastic deformation has been developed and used in a new model of wear. Experimental results were used to corroborate the theoretical developments. A literature survey of wear mechanisms and wear models was conducted to provide the author with an opportunity to familiarize himself with current knowledge of the field of tribology. Experiments were conducted to simulate a heat exchanger tube/support wear system. For the first series of experiments, a simple impacting rig was used, while a second set was conducted using a much more accurate rig and facilities of the National Research Council of Canada's Tribology Laboratory. Modifications to the NRC rig were designed by the author to incorporate the specific specimen geometries. The main operating parameters of the test apparatus were varied in an effort to determine their effect on wear rates. Force and displacement data were collected and the normal and shear forces calculated, as was the work input. Comparison between the frictional work input and the measured wear showed that there was an approximately linear correlation between work and wear rates. Inspection of the surfaces of the worn specimens showed that a number of wear mechanisms operate in this wear system but that wear is primarily due to delamination and shear fracture. Also, it was noticed that the micro-surface geometry of the worn specimens has a consistent texture, regardless of magnitude and angle of impact between the tube and ring. A model of plastic contact deformation was developed to allow calculation of the contact parameters between two surfaces, given that the softer surface is repeatedly plastically deformed. This model says that repeated stress cycles lead to the introduction of residual stresses, which combined with work hardening of the material, lead the softer material to an elastic shakedown state. Once the typical asperity contact state is known, the typical stress distribution is calculated using Hertzian line contact stress formulae. A series of computer programs were developed to calculate the stress distribution beneath a sliding contact. The depth of maximum shear stress can then be found. This depth corresponds to the expected wear particle thickness. A wear sheet was assumed to form when the frictional work input is equal to the energy required to cause failure in ductile shear. A wear equation was then developed to predict the wear rate between a heat exchanger tube and its support. The final wear model has seen limited comparison with experimental results. The theoretical work input was found to be about 25% of the correlated bulk work. This indicates that the geometry assumptions of the model are quite reasonable. Unfortunately, the predicted wear rate was found to exceed the measured values by a factor of about 5000. If this empirical value is factored into the the wear model, then the predicted results are found to correspond well with the experimental values.Applied Science, Faculty ofMechanical Engineering, Department ofGraduat