Search

Vegetable oil-based esters are shown by the authors to improve the tactile attributes of vegetable oil by lowering its viscosity and improving its spreadability, in addition to providing environmentally friendly options for cosmetic chemists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Dielectric constant (ε′), loss (tan δ), a.c. conductivity (σ) of ZnF2-MO-TeO2 glasses with varying concentrations of MO (P2O5, As2O3 and Bi2O3) were measured as a function of frequency and temperature over moderately wide ranges. From the analysis of these studies along with IR spectra and DTA results of these glasses, the structural changes in the systems with the concentration of metal oxides are discussed.

The Sustainable Agriculture Farming Systems project (SAFS) was established in 1988 to study the transition from conventional to lowinput and organic crop production practices. The project includes four-year crop rotations under conventional (conv-4), low-input, and organic management and a conventionally managed, two-year rotation (conv-2). Positive effects on soil quality resulting from low-input and organic management include increased soil organic matter, a reduction in soil-borne diseases, increased pools of P and K, higher microbial biomass and activity, an increase in mobile humic acids and increased water infiltration rates and soil water-holding capacity. Pesticide use in the low-input cropping system is about 25% of that used in the conventional systems. The most profitable farming system continues to be the conv-2 system due to the greater frequency of tomato in that rotation. Among the four-year rotations, the organic system, in which the produce commands premium prices, is the most profitable, although least profitable if premium prices are not applied. Information generated from SAFS research has been disseminated via videotape, workshops, annual field days, field tours, educational materials, peer-reviewed articles and an Internet homepage. Future challenges for the SAFS project include develo pment of reduced-tillage and cover crop management strategies to optimize N availability following cash crops, weed management in organic and low-input systems, improvement of water-use efficiency in alternative systems and sequestration of C in the soil.

The Sustainable Agriculture Farming Systems (SAFS) Project has studied the transition to low‐input and organic alternatives in California's Sacramento Valley. This project compares a 4‐yr rotation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentumMill.), safflower (Carthamus tinctoriusL.), corn (Zea maysL.), and wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) followed by double‐cropped bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) in the conventional system and oat (Avena sativaL.)–purple vetch (Vicia benghalensisL.) in the low‐input and organic systems. A conventional 2‐yr rotation (tomato–wheat) is also studied. In 1997 and 1998, we evaluated the transition to alternative systems on soil bulk density, water holding capacity, infiltration and storage, water use efficiency, and ‘Brigade’ tomato yield and quality. No differences in laboratory determinations of soil bulk density and water holding capacity were found; however, in situ water holding capacity was highest in the organic system, lowest in the conventional 4‐yr rotation and intermediate in the low‐input and conventional 2‐yr rotations. In 1998, infiltration during 3‐h irrigations was 0.028 m3m−1for the conventional, and 0.062 m3m−1and 0.065 m3m−1for the low‐input and organic systems, respectively. Similar results were observed in 1997. The alternative systems required more water per irrigation for uniform application, resulting in higher soil water content in the organic systems throughout 1998. Evapotranspiration was higher in the conventional systems in both years relative to other systems. Tomato yields did not differ among systems in either year. Fruit quality was highest in the conventional 4‐yr system.

Dielectric properties viz., dielectric constant [?], loss tand and a.c conductivity sa.c (over a wide ranges of frequency and temperature) and dielectric breakdown strength of (45-x) ZnO-xGa2O3-55P2O5 (with 5< = x< = 20) glasses are studied. The analysis of these results with the aid of the data on optical absorption, IR spectra and Differential Thermal Analysis indicate the glasses are more stable when Ga2O3 present in small quantities ([?]5mol %) in the glass matrix.