Diaspore

Infrared emission spectroscopy has been used to study the dehydroxylation behavior over the temperature range from 200 to 750 degrees Celsius of three major Al-minerals in bauxite: gibbsite (synthetic and natural), boehmite (synthetic and natural) and diaspore. A good agreement is found with the thermal analysis and differential thermal analysis curves of these minerals. Loss in intensity of especially the hydroxyl-stretching modes of gibbsite, boehmite and diaspore as function of temperature correspond well with the observed changes in the TGA/DTA patterns. The DTA pattern of gibbsite clearly indicates the formation of boehmite as an intermediate shown by a endotherm around 500 degrees Celsius. Dehydroxylation of gibbsite is followed by a loss of intensity of the 3620 and 3351 cm-1 OH-stretching bands and the corresponding deformation band around 1024 cm-1. Dehydroxylation starts around 220 degrees Celsius and is complete around 350 degrees Celsius. Similar observations were made for boehmite and diaspore. For boehmite dehydroxylation was observed to commence around 250 degrees Celsius and could be followed by especially the loss in intensity of the bands around 3319 and 3129 cm-1. The DTA pattern of diaspore is more complex with overlapping endotherms around 622 and 650 degrees Celsius. The dehydroxylation can be followed by the decrease in intensity of the OH-stretching bands around 3667, 3215 and 2972 cm-1. Above 550 degrees Celsius only a single band is observed that disappears after heating above 600 degrees Celsius corresponding to the two endotherms around 622 and 650 degrees Celsius in the DTA

Dehydroxylation of diaspore has been followed by a combination of differential thermal analysis (DTA) and infrared emission spectroscopy (IES). The DTA endotherm of diaspore is not simple, and two inflections are observed at 505 and 531 °C. Dehydroxylation shows that diaspore loses 15% of its weight upon dehydroxylation. The Mn-substituted diaspore shows major endotherms at 620 and 649 °C with a broad endotherm at 539 °C. Infrared absorption bands of diaspore were observed at 3365, 3284, and 3095 cm−1 in the hydroxyl stretching region and at 911, 755, 706, 668, 649, 570, and 544 cm−1 in the low-frequency region. Infrared emission bands were observed at 3239 and 2958 cm−1 in the hydroxyl stretching region. Low-frequency infrared emission bands in agreement with the absorption bands were observed at around 916, 752, 706, 668, 649, 570, and 544 cm−1. The variation of intensity of the hydroxyl stretching frequencies with temperature follows a pattern similar to that for the DTA curves.

Near-infrared (IR) spectroscopy has been used to distinguish between alumina oxo and hydroxy phases. Two near-IR spectral regions are identified for this function: (1) the high-frequency region between 6400 and 7400 cm−1, attributed to the first overtone of the hydroxyl stretching mode, and (2) the 4000–4800 cm−1 region attributed to the combination of the stretching and deformation modes of the AlOH units. Near-IR spectroscopy allows the study and differentiation of the hydroxy and oxo(hydroxy) alumina phases, since each phase has its own characteristic spectrum. The spectrum of bayerite resembles that of gibbsite, whereas the spectrum of boehmite is similar to that of diaspore. Bayerite has four characteristic near-IR bands at 7218, 7128, 6996, and 6895 cm−1. Gibbsite shows five major bands at 7151, 7052, 6958, 6898, and 6845 cm−1. Boehmite displays three near-IR bands at 7152, 7065, and 6960 cm−1. Diaspore shows a prominent band at around 7176 cm−1. The use of near-IR reflectance spectroscopy to study alumina surfaces has a wide application, particularly with thin films and surfaces. The technique is rapid and accurate. Near-IR, because of its sensitivity, can be used in reflectance mode for the on-line processing of bauxitic minerals.

Several aspects of the propagule bank dynamics including germination, burial and storage characteristics, and the relationship between the distribution of the propagule bank and cover of an expanding Chara vegetation (dominated by C. asperaDeth. ex Willd.) was studied in the shallow lake Veluwemeer. The density of oospores in the sediment was positively correlated with the number of years that Chara was present at that particular site. After six years of Chara presence, at least 1.7 × 106 oospores m−2 had accumulated in the sediment. Oospores in sediment were evenly distributed in the 15 cm top layer, which was very similar to the foraging depth of Bewick's Swans (Cygnus columbianus bewickii Yarr). Burial in the sediment may be an important mechanism by which oospores are stored. On the other hand, at shallow areas about 50% of the biomass was consumed enhancing the potential dispersal of oospores by water birds. In a laboratory experiment, 100% of the tested bulbils of C. aspera emerged and thus may be important for short time survival of established vegetation. In contrast, oospore germination varied between 1 and 15% depending on light level and burial depth. The low germination and the high accumulation of oospores suggest that oospores are adapted to long time survival in a dormant state. Charophytes colonized Veluwemeer step by step in the course of about nine years. Not all the sites with suitable light conditions were colonized at the same speed. C. aspera established a dense vegetation only at sites with high oospores densities (> c. 1 × 104 m−2). The results indicate that the high density of oospores needed for attaining complete vegetation cover may be an important limiting factor during colonization.

High‐quality Raman spectra were used for the characterization of alumina phases of gibbsite, bayerite, diaspore and boehmite. The Raman spectrum of gibbsite shows four strong, sharp bands at 3617, 3522, 3433 and 3364 cm−1 in the hydroxyl stretching region. The spectrum of bayerite shows seven bands at 3664, 3652, 3552, 3542, 3450, 3438 and 3420 cm−1. Five broad bands at 3445, 3363, 3226, 3119 and 2936 cm−1 and four broad and weak bands at 3371, 3220, 3085 and 2989 cm−1 are present in the Raman spectrum of the hydroxyl stretching region of diaspore and boehmite. The hydroxyl stretching bands are related to the surface structure of the minerals. The Raman spectra of bayerite, gibbsite and diaspore are complex whereas the Raman spectrum of boehmite shows only four bands in the low‐wavenumber region. These bands are assigned to deformation and translational modes of the alumina phases. A comparison of the Raman spectrum of bauxite with those of boehmite and gibbsite showed the possibility of using Raman spectroscopy for on‐line processing of bauxites that contain a mixture of alumina phases.

This study investigated how two different N sources used as fertilizer (NO3− or NH4+) interact with an inoculated arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus (Glomus etunicatum) in an Andisol from southern Chile. The effect of NO3− or NH4+ on mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal wheat plants was measured on key root–soil interface activities: pH, acid phosphatase (P-ase) activity and P availability. Root AM colonization,

This study describes the fruiting phenology of woody plants and their dispersal syndromes in caatinga (semi-arid region in the northeast of Brazil). The fruiting phenology of 42 species with different dispersal modes and life-forms was followed over a period of 1 y. Animal dispersal was the most commonly observed dispersal mode (36%), followed by anemochory (33%), ballistic dispersal (19%) and barochory (12%). Overall, a greater number of species fruited during the rainy season. Zoochorous species were the most representative in the rainy season, whereas anemochorous species predominated during the dry season. Five different life-forms were observed, and the occurrence of dispersal modes was discussed for each of them. In the caatinga plant community studied the patterns of life-forms, fruiting phenology and seed dispersal syndromes were similar to other tropical seasonal ecosystems.Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal descrever como se comportam as espécies de caatinga (regiã...

This paper aims to underline how hidden selves rediscover their identity when they are translating or are being translated into the language of their ethnic origin. It compares two specific instances in which translations have been the primary means through which two famous Italian women writers, both of whom received thoroughly Italian formal educations and considered themselves thoroughly Italian, or “thoroughly translated women into Italian” to recall Rushdie, rediscovered their Armenian identity. The authors are the late 19th and early 29th century Italian-Armenian poetess Vittoria Aganoor and the late 20th and early 21st century novelist Antonia Arslan.

This essay introduces the main themes of Scrivere di Islam. Raccontare la diaspora. It focuses on the historical, cultural and literary encounter between Italy and Somalia with a particular emphasis on Shirin Ramzanali Fazel’s life and literary career. It also discusses the impact of immigration literature on the Italian literary and cultural field. The analysis presents collaboration as a decolonial practice, which can produce unconventional outcomes such as a hybrid text like Scrivere di Islam. Raccontare la diaspora. Collaboration between writers and scholars can enrich critical enquiry and create texts and activities that potentially have a broader impact on a general audience.

Jajarm's bauxite deposits are mainly diasporic, and they have a low mass ratio of Al 2 O 3 /SiO 2 . It is necessary to increase the run-of-mine mass ratio before feeding the material to the Bayer process. Chemical analysis indicated that the low-grade bauxite sample from Jajarm contained 43.9wt% Al 2 O 3 and 13.35wt% SiO 2 , resulting in a mass ratio of 3.29. According to mineralogical studies, the presence of aluminosilicate minerals such as kaolinite, illite, and quartz was the main reason for the decrease of the mass ratio. Microscopic observations revealed that, with the size reduction from −1000+710 to −38 μm, the liberation degree of diaspore increased from 10% to 60%, and that of aluminosilicates increased from 20% to 85%. Heavy liquids with the densities of 2.8, 3.0, 3.2, and 3.4 g/cm 3 were used to evaluate the heavy media separation in three sizes, i.e., −3350+710, −710+212, and −212+125 μm. Laboratory studies confirm that the density of 3.2 g/cm 3 can produce the conc...

Ants frequently interact with non-myrmecochorous diaspores on the ground in neotropical savannas. Our objective was to quantify the removal rate of these diaspores by ants and vertebrates in order to test the predator avoidance hypothesis, and to test how diaspore traits influence removal by ants and dispersal distance. We also investigated whether seed cleaning (removal of fruit matter simulating ant activity) can influence seed germination. We performed removal experiments with nine diaspore species in a reserve of cerrado savanna in south-east Brazil. Considerable differences in removal rates were found among the nine species. We found a positive linear relationship between lipid content and removal rates for five diaspore species. Vertebrate predation pressure was low for most species, limiting the benefits that ants can provide to plants to escape predators. Ants displace diaspores up to 25 m, which may increase the chance of a seed hitting a safe site. Smaller diaspores attain...

Information on jointed goatgrass caryopsis development is currently lacking in published literature. It is hoped that through a better understanding of jointed goatgrass caryopsis ontogeny more effective weed-management strategies will be developed. Greenhouse experiments were initiated in fall 2002 and 2003 and completed the following spring seasons. Jointed goatgrass plants were started from spikelets, vernalized for 8 wk at 4 C, and grown in a greenhouse. Treatments were the number of days after anthesis (DAA) that a spike was allowed to remain on the plant before harvesting and ranged from 2 to 34 DAA, in increments of 1 (2002) or 2 (2003) d. Individual spikes were divided at harvest into three sections: top, middle, and bottom, disarticulated from the rachis, placed into a germinator, and germination recorded each day. Goatgrass spikelets germinated as early as 2 DAA, although spikelets harvested <7 DAA had <3% germination for all spike sections and were extremely variabl...