Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Dar) leaves exposed to UV-B irradiation at a biologically effective dose of 9.5 kJ m-2d-1 showed decreased chlorophyll fluorescence parameter values versus the control; in peppermint (Mentha piperita L. cv. Asia) leaves those values were almost unchanged after treatment. Fv/Fo and Rfd were reduced more than other values, indicating inhibition of the oxygen-evolving complex and cooperation between the light and dark photosynthesis reactions as the primary targets of UV-B. The photosynthetic electron transport rate showed less change directly after irradiation, but after 24 h of recovery it was reduced to 50% of the control. Generally, photosystem II of peppermint leaves appeared more tolerant to the applied UV-B radiation than in cucumber leaves.

The paper discusses an occurrence or latent reactions in the direction perpendicular to the movement of the suspension systems in vibratory machines supported by parallel leaf springs. These reactions occur despite an apparent lack of any forces acting in that direction and may - for long machine bodies - reach values comparable with the exciting force of the vibrator. Analytical relationships allowing for estimation of the value of reactions were derived. The obtained results were verified by means of the Geometric Element Method as well as by the performed experiments.

The paper presents current reports on kinetics and mechanisms of reactions with mercury which take place in the exhaust gases, discharged from the processes of combustion of solid fuels (coals). The three main stages were considered. The first one, when thermal decomposition of Hg components takes place together with formation of elemental mercury (Hg0). The second one with homogeneous oxidation of Hg0 to Hg2+ by other active components of exhaust gases (e.g. HCl). The third one with heterogeneous reactions of gaseous mercury (the both - elemental and oxidised Hg) and solid particles of fl y ash, leading to generation of particulate-bound mercury (Hgp). Influence of exhaust components and their concentrations, temperature and retention time on the efficiency of mercury oxidation was determined. The issues concerning physical (gas-solid) and chemical speciation of mercury (fractionation Hg0-Hg2+) as well as factors which have influence on the mercury speciation in exhaust gases are discussed in detail.

In this work a concept of energetic efficiency of mixing is presented and discussed; a classical definition of mixing efficiency is modified to include effects of the Schmidt number and the Reynolds number. Generalization to turbulent flows is presented as well. It is shown how the energetic efficiency of mixing as well as efficiencies of drop breakage and mass transfer in twophase liquid-liquid systems can be identified using mathematical models and test chemical reactions. New expressions for analyzing efficiency problem are applied to identify the energetic efficiency of mixing in a stirred tank, a rotor stator mixer and a microreactor. Published experimental data and new results obtained using new systems of test reactions are applied. It has been shown that the efficiency of mixing is small in popular types of reactors and mixers and thus there is some space for improvement.

In the construction industry carbonate aggregates are commonly used in processes such as concrete production. Aggregates which contain (in their mineral composition) dolomite and an admixture of clay minerals and amorphous silica , can react with alkalis. These reactions can lead to a destructive expansion in concrete. This article explains the mechanisms and the essence of this phenomenon. What is more, some effective and fast methods of the estimation and evaluation of Polish aggregates consisting of carbonate rocks suggests effective methods to determine the usefulness of Polish carbonate aggregates in concrete production are discussed in the paper. Underneath the quality criteria to determine the reactivity of the aggregates will be given. It has been agreed that alkaline reaction and expansion are two separate phenomena related to each other genetically. The aggregates in which reactions caused by clay-siliceous admixtures occur are subjected to expansion. Mineral composition of expansive aggregates as well as their texture indicate that epigenetic dolomites with a distinctive texture are the most reactive. The phase transformations do not end with a complete disintegration of dolomite. They have a cyclical character. They consist of interchangeable reactions of dedolomitization and dolomitization of secondary calcite formed as a result of dolomite's disintegration. The secondary calcite can be effected by Mg+2 ions from pores' solutions and it can form a secondary dolomite. The Mg2+ ions originate from brucite [Mg(OH)2], created in dolomitization process. As a consequence of its reaction with silica, brucite can dissolve and enrich secondary calcite with magnesium. Therefore the reactions which take place in reactive carbonate aggregates and concrete that ismade of it are in fact ongoing processes which consist of dolomite's changes into calcite and vice versa. They are reactions between dedolomitization products (brucite, silica) and products from outside (water, alkalis). The described dedolomitization reactions are a phase of the process that enables expansion due to formation of pressure in inter-granular cracks, with pressure being a result of dry clay-minerals' expansion under the influence of water solutions. Loosening of the aggregate's structure as an effect of dedolomitization reaction makes it easier for water solutions to migrate far into the aggregate's grains followed by their contact with clay minerals.

The oxygen and chlorophyll a contents. pH, temperature and transparency were studied in Lake Rzuno in the period from June 1998 - September I 999. This lake has a very strong thermal stratification and weaker oxygenic stratification. The degree of surface water saturation with oxygen was rather small (max. 136%) but the oxygen conditions in the whole Lake Rzuno were good because the total lack of oxygen is noted only in summer and only below 20 m depth. Whereas during autumn and spring circulation the oxygen concentration reaches 5 mg O, drn' al the bottom. The correlation between visibility of Secchi disc and chlorophyll a concentration featured high correlation indicator (r = -0.87). The awerage water transparency, low oxygen deficit and small changes in water reaction show that this lake has moderate eutrophic character.

In the manufacturing sector, the processing of magnesium alloys through the liquid casting route is one of the promising methods to manufacture automotive and aircraft components, for their excellent mechanical properties at the lower weight. Investment casting process has the great cabaility to produce near net shape complex castings for automotive and aircraft applications. The distinct and attractive engineering properties of magnesium alloys have shown to be promising in terms of its potential to replace materials such as cast iron, steel, and aluminum In this regard, the efforts to develop processing technology for these alloys for their wide range of applications in industries have been reported by the scientific and engineering community. For successful production of magnesium alloy castings, it requires specialized foundry techniques because of the particular chemical and physical properties of magnesium; especially the reactive and oxidative nature of these alloys. The industry is young enough, to tap the potential.

Honesty and transparency in vaccination safety – monitoring adverse reactions to vaccines

Reaction kinetics of acetic anhydride hydrolysis reaction is being studied at a fixed reaction temperature and ambient pressure using an isoperibolic reaction calorimeter. Temperature versus time data along with heat and mass balance is used to determine the kinetics parameters i.e. activation energy and Arrhenius coefficient. It has been studied with the varying volumetric ratio of acetic anhydride and water; and kinetics parameters were compared and plotted for each ratio. Such a study has not been done previously to determine the kinetics dependency on varying the acetic anhydride water ratio. As the acetic anhydride hydrolysis reaction is exothermic in nature, the present study will help to decide the safe and suitable operating conditions such as concentration and temperature for conducting this reaction at plant scale. The kinetic data presented can be used further for the mathematical modeling and simulation of such exothermic hydrolysis reactions.

The effect of the compaction rate on the structure, microstructure and properties of Fe-Al sinters obtained during the SHS reaction is presented in this paper. It was found that increasing the uniaxial pressing pressure led to the increase of the contact area between iron and aluminium particles, which improved the conduction and lowered heat losses during the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reaction and thus result with a sintered material with an improved phase homogeneity. On the other hand, an increase in the pressing pressure causes air be trapped in the pores and later on reacts with iron and aluminium to form oxides. In this work, the shrinkage course was analysed at six different pressing pressures: 50, 100, 150, 200, 300 and 400 MPa. The green compacts were then subjected to the PAIS process (pressure-assisted induction sintering) at a temperature of 1000°C under a load of 100 kN for 5 min. Such prepared samples were subjected to density, porosity, and microhardness (HV0.1) measurements. X-ray diffraction phase analysis and SEM observations were performed together with EDS chemical composition measurements. For studied chemical composition of the samples and sample geometry, 200 MPa compacting pressure was found to be optimal in order to obtain the best sample homogeneity.

Sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) is based on the ability of spermatozoa to bind exoge- nous DNA and transfer it into oocytes by fertilization. However, SMGT is still undergoing opti- mization to improve its efficiency to produce transgenic animals. The acrosome reaction is neces- sary for spermatozoa to carry the exogenous DNA into oocytes. In this study, the effect of the acrosome reaction on the efficiency of spermatozoa carrying exogenous DNA was evalua- ted. The results showed that the efficiency of the acrosome reaction was significantly higher (p<0.05) after incubation with 50 μmol/L progesterone compared to incubation without proges- terone. It was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the 20, 40, and 60 min of progesterone treatment groups than in the 0 min treatment group. The spermatozoa were further incubated with cyanine dye Cy5 labeled DNA (Cy5-DNA) for 30 min at 37°C, and positive fluorescence signals were detected after the acrosome reaction was induced by progesterone at concentrations of 0 and 50 μmol/L for 40 min. The percentage of positive Cy5-DNA signals in spermatozoa was 96.61±2.06% and 97.51±2.03% following exposure to 0 and 50 μmol/L progesterone, respective- ly. The percentage of partial spermatozoa heads observed following combination with Cy5-DNA was 39.73±3.03% and 56.88±3.12% following exposure to 0 and 50 μmol/L progesterone, respec- tively. The ratio of positively stained spermatozoa combined with exogenous DNA showed no reduction after the acrosome reaction. These results suggest that the acrosome reaction might not be the key factor affecting the efficiency of SMGT.

In this paper, the kinetics of the platinum(IV) chloride complex ions reduction reaction was studied. It was shown that the mechanism exhibits autocatalytic character. The presence of metallic platinum in the system significantly increases the reaction rate. The influence of the initial concentration of precursor, reductant, ionic strength, initial concentration of the chloride ions as well as the temperature on the process rate was investigated. The activation energy was determined and is equal to 93.57 kJ/mol. Moreover, the obtained metallic phase was analyzed, and it was observed that it has a micrometric size.

Effects of mixing on the course of fast chemical reactions are relatively well understood, especially in homogeneous systems. This enables to design and operate chemical reactors with the goal to achieve a high yield of a desired product and use systems of complex reactions as a chemical probe (chemical test reactions) to identify progress of mixing and quality of mixture. Recently, a number of studies have focused on the application of chemical test reactions to identify energy efficiency of mixing, being a convenient way of comparing mixers and reactors in terms of their mixing efficiency. This review offers a presentation of chemical test reactions available in the literature and methods of applications of test reactions to identify the energy efficiency of mixing. Also methods to assess the extent of micromixing by measuring product distribution or segregation index, and to determine the time constant for mixing are presented for single phase homogeneous systems and two-phase liquid-liquid systems.

Energetic efficiency depicting the fraction of energy dissipation rate used to perform processes of drop breakup and mass transfer in two-phase, liquid-liquid systems is considered. Results of experiments carried out earlier in two types of high-shear mixers: an in-line rotor-stator mixer and a batch rotor-stator mixer, have been applied to identify and compare the efficiency of drop breakage and mass transfer in both types of mixers. The applied method is based on experimental determination of both: the product distribution of chemical test reactions and the drop size distributions. Experimental data are interpreted using a multifractal model of turbulence for drop breakage and the model by Favelukis and Lavrenteva for mass transfer. Results show that the energetic efficiency of the in-line mixer is higher than that of the batch mixer; two stator geometries were considered in the case of the batch mixer and the energetic efficiency of the device equipped with a standard emulsor screen (SES) was higher than the efficiency of the mixer equipped with a general purpose disintegrating head (GPDH) for drop breakup but smaller for mass transfer.

A pair of fast competitive reactions, neutralization and 2,2-dimetoxypropane (DMP) hydrolysis, has been applied do study mass transfer and micromixing in a T 50 Ultra-Turrax® - IKA rotor-stator device. In experiments the dispersed organic phase containing p-Toluenesulfonic acid (pTsOH) dissolved in diisopropyl ether, whereas the continuous phase was represented by the aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, 2,2-dimetoxypropane (DMP) and ethanol. During mixing a fast mass transfer of a solute (pTsOH) from organic phase droplets, which were shrinking due to fast dissolution of the organic solvent, was followed by micromixing and chemical reactions in the continuous phase. Measured hydrolysis yields were applied to express effects of mixing on the course of chemical reactions. Modeling was based on application of models describing drop breakup, mass transfer in the liquid-liquid system and micromixing. Combined effects of mass transfer and drop breakage on drop population were expressed using the population balance equations. The model has been used to interpret experimental results, in particular to identify the efficiency of mixing.

Our scientific research is based on oxidation reactions and monitoring of chemical reaction kinetics in the Velekinca groundwaters plant in Gjilan municipality, Kosovo. The GW of this plant contains high concentration of manganese so we need to use potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as one of the most power oxidants in the water treatment plant. In our re-search the high concentration of Mn in groundwaters is 0.22–0.28 mg∙dm–3 and this concentration is not in accordance with the WHO. Chlorine is one of the most common disinfectants used in the water treatment industry because it has a low cost and immediate effect on the destruction of microorganisms, the concentration of chlorine (Cl2) in our research is 0.1–0.32 mg∙dm–3. The speed of chemical reactions in the technology of GW is extremely important because sometimes in the elimi-nation of chemical pollutants using oxidizing agents often form intermediate species. The speed of reactions indicates how fast chemical bonds are formed in the creation of a product, and this depends on the rate of reaction (XA). The focus for the research is to study the potassium permanganate and chlorine gas reactions in water if it forms intermediate products (in-termediate species) due to the high speed of reactions. Scientific research conclusion, intermediate species in the oxidation reactions of Mn and water disinfection with Cl2(g) it is impossible to cause a high rate of chemical reactions from the reac-tion rate (XA = 1%) to the reaction rate (XA = 99%). The maximum speed at the highest XA Cl2 is from 4.405∙10–11 to 8.87∙10–10 mol∙dm–3∙s–1, while at Mn is (2.030–4.034)∙10–7 mol∙dm–3∙s–1.

An interesting fact in the intellectual history of the fin-de-siècle and first three decades of the 20th century is that the crisis of modernity was understood in categories of sex and gender. In spite of the differences dividing the German intellectual trend of cultural pessimism, the conservative revolution, and Fascist thinking, all these paradigms are linked by the characteristic conviction that ‘modernity’, being the consequence of the French Revolution, was ruled by the ‘feminine principle’. This principle was supposed to represent what is anti-military, anti-state, and anti-cultural at the same time. Variations on the theory of male bonding (Männerbund) were the intellectual reaction to that ‘feminine principle’. The intellectual patterns described here find their continuation in contemporary conservative thought.

The characteristic of nano sized particles mass flux conditions are engaged in this investigation. Here we assume that the nano sized particle flux is zero and the nano sized particle fraction arranged itself on the boundary layer. With this convincing and revised relation, the features of Buongiorno relation on three-dimensional flow of Carreau fluid can be applied in a more efficient way. The governing partial differential equations of continuity, momentum, energy and concentration equations which are transmitted into set of pair of nonlinear ordinary differential equations utilizing similar transformations. The numeric solutions are acquired by engaging the bvp4c scheme, which is a finite-difference code for solving boundary value problems. A parametric study is accomplished to demonstrate the impact of Prandtl number,Weissenberg numbers, radiation parameter, chemical reaction parameter, thermophoresis parameter, Brownian motion parameter and Lewis number on the fluid velocity, temperature and concentration profiles as well skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number and Sherwood number within the boundary layer. From this we find the way in which magnetic parameter contributes to the increase in local skin fraction, and the decrease in the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers in these cases. The effects of the velocity temperature and concentration profile are obtained and presented graphically.

The pot experiment was conducted to access the soil microorganisms biomass (physiological method – Substrate Induced Respiration) and emissions of N2O, CO2 and CH4 (photoacoustic infrared detection method), and grasses biomass (weight method). The obtained results of analysed gases were converted to CO2 equivalent. There was no effect of the microorganisms biomass on the N2O emissions. The increase in CO2 emissions was accompanied by an increase in the microorganisms biomass (r = 0.48) under the conditions of the I swath and acid soil reaction, as well as the II swath and neutral reaction ( r = 0.94). On the other hand, in the case of CH4 emission, such a relationship was noted both swaths under the conditions of neutral reaction ( r = 0.51), but a negative correlation ( r = –0.71) was noted for the acid reaction only at the II swath. The increase in the grasses biomass with the increase in the microorganisms biomass was recorded only at the II swath in neutral reaction ( r = 0.91). In a short period of time, with the neutral soil reaction with the increase in the soil microorganisms biomass, an increase in CO2 sequestration and biomass of cultivated grasses was noted. Information on the determination of the microorganisms groups responsible mainly for the transformation of carbon compounds and CO2 and CH4 emissions from the soils of grasslands would be valuable scientifically.

The present study was to reflect the use of some bacteria in the treatment and removal of pollutants in three selected wastewater sites, including a vegetable oil plant (viz. Al-Etihad Food Industries), the main wastewater treatment station in the city of Hila, and Al-Hila River water from October 2019 to January 2020. The bacterial isolates identified in these three sites were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacteria cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Thalasobacillus devorans, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Bacillus subtilis. The molecular study of the bacterial isolates involved the detection of bacterial genera using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results showed that water had a variable nature, depending on the substances in it. It recorded varying chemical and physical property values, ranging between 6.36 and 7.82 for pH and from 2500 to 7100 mg∙dm–3 for total alkalinity. Additional values were 713–2051 μS∙cm–1 for electrical conductivity (EC), 5.90–9.80 mg∙dm–3 for chemical oxygen demand (COD), and 480–960 mg∙dm–3 for total hardness. The given values were also 0.20–0.65 μg∙dm–3, 0.03-0.23 μg∙dm–3, and 0–107 mg∙dm–3 for nitrite (NO2), phosphate (PO4) oils, respectively.

In the paper, differential quadrature method (DQM) is used to find numerical solutions of reaction-diffusion equations with different boundary conditions. The DQM-method changes the reaction- diffusion equation (ordinary differential equation) into a system of algebraic equations. The obtained system is solved using built-in procedures of Maple®(Computer Algebra System-type program). Calculations were performed with Maple®program. The test problems include reaction-diffusion equation applied in heterogeneous catalysis. The method can be employed even in relatively hard tasks (e.g. ill-conditioned, free boundary problems).

Kinetic studies of esterification reaction of maleic anhydride with butan-1-ol, 2-methylpropan-1-ol and butan-2-ol were carried out in a semibatch reactor, in the presence of four acidic catalysts: sulfuric acid, phosphotungstic acid, ion exchange resin Dowex 50WX8 and tetrabutyl zirconate. Phosphotungstic acid proved to be the most active catalyst. The temperature range was 383–413 K, the initial molar ratio of alcohol to acid ranged 2.2-5:1. The kinetic parameters were given. The kinetics appeared to be that of the second order with respect both to the acid and to the alcohol. The reaction carried out in the presence of tetrabutyl zirconate was very slow and depended only on acid concentration. The effect of temperature on the reaction rate follows the Arrhenius equation well.

In this study, a SYBR Green-based real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was developed for rapid detection of porcine parvovirus (PPV) 6. Primer pairs targeting the conserved regions of PPV6 Capsid gene were designed. Sensitivity analyses revealed the lowest detection limit of the SYBR Green-based real-time PCR assay to be 47.8 copies/μL, which indicated it was 1000 times higher than that found in the conventional PCR investigations. This assay was specific and showed no cross-species amplification with other six porcine viruses. The assay demonstrated high repeatability and reproducibility; the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 0.79% and 0.42%, respectively. The positive detection rates of 180 clinical samples with SYBR Green-based real-time PCR and conventional PCR were 12.22% (22/180) and 4.44% (8/180), respectively. Our method is sensitive, specific, and reproducible. The use of SYBR Green-based real-time PCR may be suitable for the clinical detection and epidemiological investigation of PPV6.