An apparatus for determining the secondary electron emission properties of nonconductors
The apparatus described allows the measurement of the secondary emission coefficient and the secondary electron energy distribution from nonconducting surfaces. The potential of the nonconducting surface is stabilized by a cathode very close to it. The use of an oscillatory primary beam allows a measurement of the secondary emission coefficient. The application of a sinusoidally modulated voltage sawtooth allows the determination of the emitted electron energy distribution and measures the potential of the emitting surface. The performance of the apparatus is demonstrated by results obtained from an amorphous magnesium oxide coating.
Conduction, breakdown, and other phenomena in dielectric liquids
The format of this year's chapter is essentially the same as last year's. In addition to major sections on conduction and breakdown, sections on the following topics are included: technology, fluid motion, electrostatics, and dielectric phenomena. The selection of subject matter in the dielectric phenomena section is based upon its direct or indirect connection with conduction or breakdown. Although the connection may seem obscure in some cases, those concerned will recognize the articles of interest to them. Relaxation behavior is generally excluded from this section, but subjects like opalescence and secondary electron emission are included, in addition to the obviously-important subject of electric field distribution.
Toluene degradation via a unique metabolic route in indigenous bacterial species
Tanneries are the primary source of toluene pollution in the environment and toluene due to its hazardous effects has been categorized as persistent organic pollutant. Present study was initiated to trace out metabolic fingerprints of three toluene-degrading bacteria isolated from tannery effluents of Southern Punjab. Using selective enrichment and serial dilution methods followed by biochemical, molecular and antibiotic resistance analysis, isolated bacteria were subjected to metabolomics analysis. GC–MS/LC–MS analysis of bacterial metabolites helped to identify toluene transformation products and underlying pathways. Three toluene-metabolizing bacteria identified as Bacillus paralicheniformis strain KJ-16 (IUBT4 and IUBT24) and Brevibacillus agri strain NBRC 15538 (IUBT19) were found tolerant to toluene and capable of degrading toluene. Toluene-degrading potential of these isolates was detected to be IUBT4 (10.35 ± 0.084 mg/h), IUBT19 (14.07 ± 3.14 mg/h) and IUBT24 (11.1 ± 0.282 mg/h). Results of GC–MS analysis revealed that biotransformation of toluene is accomplished not only through known metabolic routes such as toluene 3-monooxygenase (T3MO), toluene 2-monooxygenase (T2MO), toluene 4-monooxygenase (T4MO), toluene methyl monooxygenase (TOL), toluene dioxygenase (Tod), meta- and ortho-ring fission pathways. But additionally, confirmed existence of a unique metabolic pathway that involved conversion of toluene into intermediates such as cyclohexene, cyclohexane, cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol. LC–MS analysis indicated the presence of fatty acid amides, stigmine, emmotin A and 2, 2-dinitropropanol in supernatants of bacterial cultures. As the isolated bacteria transformed toluene into relatively less toxic molecules and thus can be preferably exploited for the eco-friendly remediation of toluene.