Abstract  Seasonally resolved chemical ice core records available from the Col du Dome glacier (4250m elevation, French Alps), are here used to reconstruct past aerosol load and composition of the free European troposphere from before World War II to present. Available ice core records include inorganic (Na+, Ca2+, NH4,+ Cl-, NO3-, and SO42-) and organic (carboxylates, HCHO, humic-like substances, dissolved organic carbon, water-insoluble organic carbon, and black carbon) compounds and fractions that permit reconstructing the key aerosol components and their changes over the past. It is shown that the atmospheric load of submicron aerosol has been increased by a factor of 3 from the 1921-1951 to 1971-1988 years, mainly as a result of a large increase of sulfate (a factor of 5), ammonium and watersoluble organic aerosol (a factor of 3). Thus, not only growing anthropogenic emissions of sulfur dioxide and ammonia have caused the enhancement of the atmospheric aerosol load but also biogenic emissions producing water-soluble organic aerosol. This unexpected change of biospheric source of organic aerosol after 1950 needs to be considered and further investigated in scenarios dealing with climate forcing by atmospheric aerosol.

Abstract  In this paper we present the morphological, structural, optical and electrical properties of aluminium doped zinc oxide films prepared by spin coating technique from a zinc acetate dihydrate and 2-methoxyethanol (0.5M) solution. AlCl(3) and Al(NO(3))(3) were used as doping agents in different concentrations (1at%, 4at% and 6at% in starting solution). After deposition, films were dried at 100 degrees C and then annealed at temperatures between 400 degrees C and 500 degrees C. The characterization of deposited layer was performed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The results show that the optical and electrical properties of the structures strongly depend on the deposition conditions of ZnO:Al. In addition, the resistivity can be easily varied depending on ZnO:Al annealing temperatures and Al concentration.

Abstract  G. Gokmen. Wavelet Based Reference Current Calculation Method for Active Compensation Systems // Electronics and Electrical Engineering. - Kaunas: Technologija, 2011. - No. 2(108). - P. 61-66. Today, active compensation systems have become more preferable compared with passive compensation systems. Performance of an active compensation system depends on current control method of the compensator as well as how this current is generated. In this study, a Discrete Wavelet Packets Transform (DWPT) based method was proposed for calculating reference current of active compensation systems and the results were compared with the currents produced from classical p-q theory. According to the obtained results, the proposed method can be used in active compensation systems without using an additional signal processing and filtering method. Ill. 12, bibl. 21, tabl. 1 (in English; abstracts in English and Lithuanian).

Abstract  A new salt, [NO(2)BzDMAP](3)[Cu2Cl7] center dot H2O (1), has been synthesized, where [NO(2)BzDMAP](+) is 1-(4'-nitrobenzyl)-4-dimethylaminopyridinium. Herein, the synthesis, spectral and structural characterization, and magnetic behavior of 1 are reported. It is orthorhombic, with space group Pca2(1), and a = 26.639(2) angstrom, b = 9.638(1) angstrom, and c = 20.011(2) angstrom with V = 5137.5(7) angstrom(3) for Z = 4. The anion shows a chloride-bridged binuclear structure with Cu center dot center dot center dot Cu distance of 3.872 angstrom; the two Cu(II) ions have a tetrahedral geometry. The cations stack through p center dot center dot center dot pi and pi center dot center dot center dot pi interactions, and a complicated hydrogen-bonding network structure is formed through C-H center dot center dot center dot Cl and C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds. The variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that 1 exhibits strong antiferromagnetic interaction with J = -193.0 cm(-1).

Abstract  Electromechanical wave model is a new method in the research of generator-grid dynamic response of large scale electric power systems. Based on wave equations of elastic bearing transmit mechanical power and transmission line transmit magnetic power respectively, this paper built integrate electromechanical wave model of turbine-generator-grid with the example of No. 3 unit in Yimin Power Plant. With the help of electromechanical wave model, subsynchronous oscillation (SSO) example was given which indicated that the higher disturbance voltage, the bigger SSO amplitude; the larger damp, the smaller SSO amplitude, which will make the fluctuation become stable earlier. This conclusion has significant engineering value on reducing SSO amplitude of Yimin power plant.

Abstract  V. Hrabovcova, P. Rafajdus, M. Liptak. Output Power of Switched Reluctance Generator with regard to the Phase Number and Number of Stator and Rotor Poles // Electronics and Electrical Engineering. - Kaunas: Technologija, 2011. - No. 3(109). - P. 25-30. This paper deals with comparison of the SRG output power with regard to the phase number and number of stator and rotor poles. An optimal topology of SRG magnetic circuit from the point of view of achieved output power is investigated by means of FE analysis. On the base of presented mathematical model the output power is simulated for two kinds of single phase and five kinds of multiphase topologies. Some measurements are carried out in motoring mode and compared with FEM investigations and simulations to verify mathematical model of SR machine. Ill. 12, bibl. 12, tabl. 2 (in English; abstracts in English and Lithuanian).

Abstract  The Superomega muon beamline is currently under construction at Experimental hall No. 2 of the Materials and Life Science Facility at J-PARC in Tokai, Japan. The beamline has a large solid angle acceptance, and will produce the highest intensity pulsed muon beam in the world. The beamline is designed to capture both surface positive and cloud negative muons for simultaneous use in a variety of experiments. The expected rate of surface muons for this beamline is 4x10(8) mu(+)/s, and that for cloud muons is 10(7) mu(-)/s. The beamline consists of the normal-conducting capture solenoid, the superconducting curved transport solenoid and axial focusing solenoid. The construction of the capture solenoid has been completed and installed in March 2009, and the transport solenoid is now fabricated, and will be installed in the summer of 2011. The calculation of the beamline optics of the axial focusing solenoid is underway.

Abstract  M. Jamali, M. Mirzaie, S. Asghar Gholamian. Calculation and Analysis of Transformer Inrush Current Based on Parameters of Transformer and Operating Conditions // Electronics and Electrical Engineering. - Kaunas: Technologija, 2011. - No. 3(109). - P. 17-20. An inrush current is a transient current with high amplitude that may occur when a transformer is energized under no load or lightly loaded conditions. The magnitude of inrush current may be as high as ten times or more times of transformer rated current. This could result in huge mechanical and thermal stresses on transformer in addition to inadvertent operation of the protective relay systems. This paper represents the effects of some factors on the inrush current of transformers. For this purpose, a one-phase transformer is simulated in MATLAB and the effects of switching angle variation, the energizing circuit impedance and the remanent flux on the characteristics of inrush current are investigated. The results show that increasing circuit resistance or switching angle will decrease inrush current amplitude. Also, it is concluded that for reducing inrush current, appropriate switching angle with respect to the remanent flux must be selected. The results can be used for a better understanding of the inrush current characteristics and proper actions of the protective system. Ill. 7, bibl. 13, tabl. 1 (in English; abstracts in English and Lithuanian).

Abstract  There is more interest of using biodiesel fuels derived from vegetable oil or animal fats as alternative fuels for both diesel and gas turbine engines. This is mainly due to the potential benefits on CO2 reductions and renewable. Regulated emissions of biodiesel and its blends are widely studied in diesel engines and some gas turbine engines. However, there is a knowledge gap of lack of information about non-regulated pollutants such as carbonyl compounds (aldehydes etc). This paper assessed aldehydes emissions under atmospheric pressure and 600K using a radial swirler industrial low NOx gas turbine combustor. A comparison was made between B100 (100% WME), B20 (80% Kerosene: 20% WME) and pure Kerosene. A FTIR was used to determine aldehydes including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acrolein. OFP (Ozone Formation Potential) of formaldehyde emissions were assessed for these three fuels. The results showed that formaldehyde was the most prevalent aldehyde species for B100, B20 and kerosene, accounted for up to 50%. The aldehydes decreased as equivalence ratio increased due to the increased flame temperatures. A strong correlation between aldehydes emissions and flame temperatures was observed.

Abstract  The main objective of this study was to investigate the capabilities of the receptor-oriented inverse mode Lagrangian Stochastic Particle Dispersion Model (LSPDM) with the 12-km resolution Mesoscale Model 5 (MM5) wind field input for the assessment of source identification from seven regions impacting two receptors located in the eastern United States. The LSPDM analysis was compared with a standard version of the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) single-particle backward-trajectory analysis using inputs from MM5 and the Eta Data Assimilation System (EDAS) with horizontal grid resolutions of 12 and 80 km, respectively. The analysis included four 7-day summertime events in 2002; residence times in the modeling domain were computed from the inverse LSPDM runs and HYPSLIT-simulated backward trajectories started from receptor-source heights of 100, 500, 1000, 1500, and 3000 m. Statistics were derived using normalized values of LSPDM- and HYSPLIT-predicted residence times versus Community Multiscale Air Quality model-predicted sulfate concentrations used as baseline information. From 40 cases considered, the LSPDM identified first- and second-ranked emission region influences in 37 cases, whereas HYSPLIT-MM5 (HYSPLIT-EDAS) identified the sources in 21 (16) cases. The LSPDM produced a higher overall correlation coefficient (0.89) compared with HYSPLIT (0.55-0.62). The improvement of using the LSPDM is also seen in the overall normalized root mean square error values of 0.17 for LSPDM compared with 0.30-0.32 for HYSPLIT. The HYSPLIT backward trajectories generally tend to underestimate near-receptor sources because of a lack of stochastic dispersion of the backward trajectories and to overestimate distant sources because of a lack of treatment of dispersion. Additionally, the HYSPLIT backward trajectories showed a lack of consistency in the results obtained from different single vertical levels for starting the backward trajectories. To alleviate problems due to selection of a backward-trajectory starting level within a large complex set of 3-dimensional winds, turbulence, and dispersion, results were averaged from all heights, which yielded uniform improvement against all individual cases.

Abstract  The impregnation of wood pieces in the course of pulping can be divided into primary (advective mass transport) and secondary (diffusive mass transport) penetration. Little is known about the latter partly because of the difficulties in the determination of the relevant diffusivities for this system. In the present article, a precise experimental methodology has been developed to measure the concentration profiles of cations as a function of wood piece dimensions, impregnation time, temperature, and wood structure. The cation concentration can be measured at any position in the impregnated wood piece. The impregnation of Norway spruce wood samples with LiCl was investigated. The impregnated wood pieces were cut mechanically into cubes, which were cut in slices by means of a microtome, and the eluate of the 0.4-mm-thick slices in HNO3 was analyzed by flame atomic emission spectroscopy. The method gave reasonable results, and defects in the wood piece (microcracks) were detectable. The preliminary results presented here have to be verified with more replicates due to the heterogeneity of wood.

Abstract  Four new salts of the well-known spin-crossover centre [Fe(3-bpp)(2)](2+) are described: [Fe(3-bpp)(2)][M(CN)(2)](2) (M = Ag, 1; M = Au, 2), [Fe(3-bPP)(2)][Au(SCN)(2)](2) (3) and [Fe(3-bpp)(2)][Bph(4)](2) (4) are reported. Monohydrate crystals of 1 and 2 are isostructural, and are better formulated as [Fe(3-bpp)(2)](2)[M(CN)(2)][M-3(CN)(6)]center dot 2H(2)O (M = Ag or Au) with the mononuclear and trinuclear anion sites being disordered within each anion dyad. These groups are linked into a 2D network topology through N-H center dot center dot center dot X (X = N or O) hydrogen bonding between the cations and the cyanometallate anions, and the lattice water. In contrast, the complex cations in the solvate 4 center dot 2CH(3)NO(2)center dot(C2H5)(2)O are completely encapsulated by phenyl groups from the BPh4- anions. Dried powder samples of 1-4 all exhibit very gradual thermal spin-state transitions centred at 198 <= T-1/2 <= 291 K. ES mass spectrometry of 1-3 implies that extensive ligand exchange between the iron and coinage metal ions occurs in solution. Solid 1 and 2 are not emissive at room temperature upon irradiation in the UV. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract  Automated sensing of macronutrients in hydroponic solutions would allow more efficient management of nutrients for crop growth in closed hydroponic systems. Ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) are a promising approach because they can directly measure the analyte with a wide range of sensitivity and are small and portable. However, signal drift and reduced accuracy over time are major concerns with an in-line management system based on continuous immersion of ISEs in a solution. An ISE-based, computer-controlled measurement system for automatic sampling, calibration, and electrode rinsing is a viable technique to improve accuracy and precision in the determination of nutrient concentration. This study reports on development and evaluation of such a system for direct measurement of macronutrients in recirculating hydroponic solutions. The sensitivity and selectivity of PVC membrane-based ISEs fabricated with TDDA-NPOE, valinomycin, and calcium ionophore II were satisfactory for measuring NO3-N, K, and Ca concentrations in single-ion solutions over ranges typical of hydroponic solutions. However, an acceptable Mg membrane was not identified. An ISE array incorporating the selected membranes, in combination with a computer-controlled measurement system, was evaluated for the direct measurement of NO3-N, K, and Ca concentration in paprika hydroponic nutrient solutions. Using previously developed baseline correction and two-point normalization methods, ISE-measured NO3-N and K concentrations in spiked or diluted hydroponic nutrient samples were strongly related to those determined using standard laboratory instruments (R-2 = 0.85). However, the tested Ca electrode did not provide satisfactory results due to reduced sensitivity and poor selectivity in the hydroponic solution. The approach used in this research, where a base solution is used for both referencing the baseline and rinsing electrodes and two calibration solutions are injected to implement the two-point normalization method, could be used in an automated sensing system for hydroponic nutrients in greenhouses. Additional research is required to identify ion-selective membranes for Ca and Mg ions in hydroponic solutions. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract  During the "African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis" (AMMA) field phase in August 2006, a variety of measurements focusing on deep convection were performed over West Africa. The German research aircraft Falcon based in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) investigated the chemical composition in the outflow of large mesoscale convective systems (MCS). Here we analyse two different types of MCS originating north and south of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ, similar to 10 degrees N), respectively. In addition to the airborne trace gas measurements, stroke measurements from the Lightning Location Network (LINET), set up in Northern Benin, are analysed. The main focus of the present study is (1) to analyse the trace gas composition (CO, O-3, NO, NOx, NOy, and HCHO) in the convective outflow as a function of distance from the convective core, (2) to investigate how different trace gas compositions in the boundary layer (BL) and ambient air may influence the O-3 concentration in the convective outflow, and (3) to estimate the rate of lightning-produced nitrogen oxides per flash in selected thunderstorms and compare it to our previous results for the tropics. The MCS outflow was probed at different altitudes (similar to 10-12 km) and distances from the convective core (<500 km). Trace gas signatures similar to the conditions in the MCS inflow region were observed in the outflow close to the convective core, due to efficient vertical transport. In the fresh MCS outflow, low O-3 mixing ratios in the range of 35-40 nmol mol(-1) were observed. Further downwind, O-3 mixing ratios in the outflow rapidly increased with distance, due to mixing with the ambient O-3-rich air. After 2-3 h, O-3 mixing ratios in the range of similar to 65 nmol mol(-1) were observed in the aged outflow. Within the fresh MCS outflow, mean NOx (=NO + NO2) mixing ratios were in the range of similar to 0.3-0.4 nmol mol(-1) (peaks similar to 1 nmol mol(-1)) and only slightly enhanced compared to the background. Both lightning-produced NOx (LNOx) and NOx transported upward from the BL contributed about equally to this enhancement. On the basis of Falcon measurements, the mass flux of LNOx in the investigated MCS was estimated to be similar to 100 g(N) s(-1). The average stroke rate of the probed thunderstorms was 0.04-0.07 strokes s(-1) (here only strokes with peak currents >= 10 kA contributing to LNOx were considered). The LNOx mass flux and the stroke rate were combined to estimate the LNOx production rate. For a better comparison with other published results, LNOx estimates per LINET stroke were scaled to Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) flashes. The LNOx production rate per LIS flash was estimated to 1.0 and 2.5 kg(N) for the MCS located south and north of the ITCZ, respectively. If we assume, that these different types of MCS are typical thunderstorms occurring globally (LIS flash rate similar to 44 s(-1)), the annual global LNOx production rate was estimated to be similar to 1.4 and 3.5 Tg(N) a(-1).

Abstract  Rainwater and airborne particles were sampled at five sites, including Beijing and Mazhuang Town in the northeast of China, Chongqing in the southwest of China, Shenzhen and Mangdang Mountain in the south of China. The pollution of airborne particles in winter at Chongqing and Beijing were the worst and the following was in summer at Mazhuang town and atmosphere quality in spring at Mangdang Mountain was the best. The ratios of fine particles to coarse particles were high among all the sampling sites. The contribution from soluble components to particulate mass was important and the main ions both on PM10 and PM2.5 were SO42-, NO3- and NH4+. Both inorganic and organic soluble components on particles were mainly enriched on fine particles. The average pH values in rainwater at Beijing, Mazhuang Town, Shenzhen and Mangdang Mountain were 6.02, 5.97, 4.72 and 4.81 respectively.

A new methodology to determine the neutralizing capacity of airborne particles was established in this study. The pH values and water-soluble ion concentrations in particulate matter extract were measured, then the ionization balance and charge conservation principle were adopted to determine the amount of acid-basic compositions on particle. The amount of H+ in rainwater neutralized by airborne particles per unit mass was used to denote the neutralizing capacity of particles. The neutralizing capacity of airborne particles was lower if both of the concentrations of particles and ratio of fine to coarse particles were higher. The neutralizing capacity of airborne particles was inverse proportion to the acidity of rainwater and the rain intensity. The neutralizing effect of particles accounted for 4%-28% of the reduction of rainwater acidity during wash-out process among different sites, and it was deduced that NH3 was the major neutralizing species especially for rainwater from sites in the northeast of China. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract  The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) on systemic and renal hemodynamics in a rat model of renal ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury. We used 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats distributed among the following 3 groups (10 rats per group): (i) the sham-operated group, (ii) the control group (I/R injury only), and (iii) the EPO-treated group (I/R injury with 1500 U EPO.(kg body mass)-1 on day 0, and 500 U.kg(-1) on days 2 and 4 after ischemia). Renal function, arterial blood pressure (ABP), renal plasma flow (RPF), renal blood flow (RBF), and renal vascular resistance (RVR) were measured on days 1, 2, and 7 after ischemia. The expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and histopathology of kidney were evaluated on day 7. The contractility of aortic strips was recorded from the different groups. The results show that renal function and histopathology were significantly improved after treatment with EPO. Compared with the control group, the EPO-treated group showed a significant increase in RPF, RBF, haematocrite, ABP, eNOS expression, and a decrease in RVR (p < 0.05). The response of aortic strips to the relaxant effect of acetylcholine was improved in the EPO-treated group. In conclusion, treatment with EPO improves renal function and renal haemodynamics in renal I/R injury, and causes significant rise of ABP and haematocrite value.

Abstract  Acute lung injury (ALI), instilled by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), is a severe illness with excessive mortality and has no specific treatment strategy. Luteolin is an anti-inflammatory flavonoid and widely distributed in the plants. Pretreatment with luteolin inhibited LPS-induced histological changes of ALI and lung tissue edema. In addition, LPS-induced inflammatory responses, including increased vascular permeability, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 production, and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), were also reduced by luteolin in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, luteolin suppressed activation of NFκB and its upstream molecular factor, Akt. These results suggest that the protection mechanism of luteolin is by inhibition of NFκB activation possibly via Akt.

Abstract  A combined theoretical and experimental study of the depolarization of selected NO(X(2)Π, v = 0, j, F, ɛ) levels in collisions with a thermal bath of Ar has been carried out. Rate constants for elastic depolarization of rank K = 1 (orientation) and K = 2 (alignment) were extracted from collision-energy-dependent quantum scattering calculations, along with those for inelastic population transfer to discrete product levels. The rate constants for total loss of polarization of selected initial levels, which are the sum of elastic depolarization and population transfer contributions, were measured using a two-color polarization spectroscopy technique. Theory and experiment agree qualitatively that the rate constants for total loss of polarization decline modestly with j, but the absolute values differ by significantly more than the statistical uncertainties in the measurements. The reasons for this discrepancy are as yet unclear. The lack of a significant K dependence in the experimental data is, however, consistent with the theoretical prediction that elastic depolarization makes only a modest contribution to the total loss of polarization. This supports a previous conclusion that elastic depolarization for NO(X(2)Π) + Ar is significantly less efficient than for the electronically closely related system OH(X(2)Π) + Ar [P. J. Dagdigian and M. H. Alexander, J. Chem. Phys. 130, 204304 (2009)].

Abstract  This study provided an insight into the complex phenomenon of acid deposition over Dhaka division of Bangladesh. The 10-day HYSPLIT back trajectories showed that majority of air masses arriving to Bangladesh were originated from the west. The gridded emissions (0.055 degrees or similar to 5.5 km) for Dhaka division was prepared for 2006 by updating a preliminary emission inventory (EI) available for 2000 and by conducting a new EI for two major source categories, brick kilns and traffic. In Dhaka division as of 2006, the brick kilns contributed the largest SO2 emission (about 70%), while residential emissions had the highest share of CO and PM10 (over 60%) and substantial NMVOC (about 40%). Emission rates of SO2 and NOx in the dry season of 355 t/d and 183 t/d, respectively, were higher than the corresponding rates in the wet season of 60 t/d and 146 t/d, which was mainly due to the operation of brick kilns in the dry season. The acid deposition was simulated, using CAMx-MM5 model, for December and June to represent the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Model performance was reasonable considering the simulated spatial distribution of acid deposition with simulated wind and precipitation fields. The model results for SO2 and NOx concentrations were in the same ranges of the limited monitoring data available. However, the acid deposition simulation was still largely experimental due to the lack of acid deposition monitoring data for the model evaluation. The preliminary acid deposition simulation results suggested that the nitrogen wet deposition was the major contributor over the Dhaka division that could be the reason of exceeding the critical load for the local ecosystem. Further research is still required to refine the emission inventory and to gather the monitoring data to confirm the modeling results. (C) Author(s) 2011. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Abstract  This study was conducted for two consecutive years to evaluate the effect of dairy manure (0, 25 & 50 Mg ha(-1)) and nitrogen rate (200, 250 & 300 kg ha(-1)) on soil physical health indices, soil organic carbon and nitrate contents in maize (Zea mays L.). The samples were taken at 0-10, 10-25 and 25-40 cm depth for determining the nitrate concentration leached below the root zone. The results showed that the plant height, grain yield and biological yield of maize increased by 28.3%, 15.5% and 20.6%, respectively at nitrogen rate 300 kg ha(-1) and 50 Mg ha(-1) dairy manure than the control treatment (DM0 x N-200). Dairy manure increased infiltration rate and soil hydraulic conductivity. But it reduced the soil strength that might be due to better soil aeration and upgrading of soil structure. Dairy manure and nitrogen application significantly increased soil organic carbon contents over control at both 0-5 cm and 5-10 cm depth. Dairy manure and nitrogen caused greater leaching of nitrate than the control at all depths. (C) 2012 Friends Science Publishers

Abstract  In this study, we tested the hypothesis that agriculture, through its influence on water NO3 (-)-N availability, would control denitrification in agriculturally influenced temporary saline streams, and that water salinity would not affect this process. We also tested the effect of summer drought on the denitrification process. We approached these objectives by estimating sediment denitrification (using the acetylene inhibition technique) in two temporary Mediterranean streams following an increased natural water salinity and agricultural gradient under pre- and post-drought conditions. During the pre-drought conditions, the water NO3 (-)-N concentration was the main predictor of denitrification rates. Together with the water NO3 (-)-N concentration, sediment redox conditions and water salinity appeared to be significant predictors, the latter showing a negative effect. During the post- drought, denitrification rates dropped significantly in both streams and no abiotic factors seemed to significantly influence this process. Our results suggest that high water salinity and drought affected negatively the stream-denitrifying capacity. This study highlights that stressors such as water salinity and hydrological intermittency should be considered in future stream management plans in order to preserve the role of streams on controlling the NO3 (-)-N export, especially in the context of a warmer and drier climate.

Abstract  In this work we have tested the variations of the calyxes pelvic kidney system and have done so on three-dimensional preparations of the calyxes-pelvic kidney system, which we obtained through injections and corrosive methods. Fifteen preparation pairs (30 kidneys), taken from adult cadavers, have been anatomically stuffed and injected with a solution of plastic matter after which they were dissolved in nitric acid in order to get corrosive preparations of the calyxes-pelvic kidney system. Based on the angle under which the calyx inferior instilled into renal pelvis, two types of calyxes-pelvic kidney systems have been defined. Type I has been defined as a shape where the angle between the longitudinal axis of large lower calyx and the longitudinal axis of renal pelvis is higher than 90, is marked as the descendant shape and has been found in the amount of 33,3%. Type II has been defined as a shape where the same angle is bellow 90, is marked as the ascendant shape and has been found in the amount of 66,7%. Based on the measurement of large renal calyxes' dimensions, it has been noted that a positive correlation between the calibres of upper renal calyxes on the right and on the left side (r = 0,68; p < 0,05) had existed. At the same time the calibre of middle renal calyxes and lower renal calyxes on the right side have not shown a statistically relevant correlation with the one on the left side (r = 0,19; p < 0,05). The ascendant shape, at average, has wider infundibula (large lower calyx) and longer upper large calyx from those in the descendant shape. The length of infundibula in the ascendant and descendant shape has shown almost equal average values. These parameters can be a good indicator in determining calculosis and stasis in the lower calyxes of the kidney.

Abstract  The pterin-coordinated ruthenium complex, [Ru-II(dmdmp) (tpa)](+) (1) (Hdmdmp=N, N-dimethyl-6,7-dimethylpterin, tpa=tris(2-pyridyl-methyl)amine), undergoes photochromic isomerization efficiently. The isomeric complex (2) was fully characterized to reveal an apparent 1808 pseudorotation of the pterin ligand. Photoirradiation to the solution of 1 in acetone with incident light at 460 nm resulted in dissociation of one pyridylmethyl arm of the tpa ligand from the RuII center to give an intermediate complex, [Ru (dmdmp)(tpa)-(acetone)](2+) (I), accompanied by structural change and the coordination of a solvent molecule to occupy the vacant site. The quantum yield (phi) of this photoreaction was determined to be 0.87%. The subsequent thermal process from intermediate I affords an isomeric complex 2, as a result of the rotation of the dmdmp(2-) ligand and the recoordination of the pyridyl group through structural change. The thermal process obeyed first-order kinetics, and the rate constant at 298 K was determined to be 5.83 x 10(-5) s(-1). The activation parameters were determined to be Delta H-not equal = 81.8 kJmol(-1) and Delta S-not equal = -49.8 Jmol K-1 (1). The negative Delta S-not equal value indicates that this reaction involves a seven-coordinate complex in the transition state (i.e., an interchange associative mechanism). The most unique point of this reaction is that the recoordination of the photodissociated pyridylmethyl group occurs only from the direction to give isomer 2, without going back to starting complex 1, and thus the reaction proceeds with 100% conversion efficiency. Upon heating a solution of 2 in acetonitrile, isomer 2 turned back into starting complex 1. The backward reaction is highly dependent on the solvent: isomer 2 is quite stable and hard to return to 1 in acetone; however, 2 was converted to 1 smoothly by heating in acetonitrile. The activation parameters for the first- order process in acetonitrile were determined to be Delta H-not equal = 59.2 kJmol(-1) and Delta S not equal = -147.4 kJmol(-1)K(-1). The largely negative Delta S-not equal value suggests the involvement of a seven-coordinate species with the strongly coordinated acetonitrile molecule in the transition state. Thus, the strength of the coordination of the solvent molecule to the Ru-II center is a determinant factor in the photoisomerization of the Ru-II-pterin complex.