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Coagulational growth in an aerosol is a multistep process; first particles collide, and then they coalesce with one another. Coalescence kinetics have been investigated in numerous prior studies, largely through atomistic simulations of nanoclusters (102–104 atoms). However, with a few exceptions, they have either assumed the process is completely isothermal or is a constant energy process. During coalescence, there is the formation of new bonds, decreasing potential energy, and correspondingly increasing internal kinetic (thermal) energy. Internal kinetic energy evolution is dependent not only on coalescence kinetics but also on heat transfer to the surrounding gas. Here, we develop and test a model of internal kinetic energy evolution in collisionally formed nanoclusters in the presence of a background gas. We find that internal kinetic energy dynamics hinge upon a power law relationship describing latent-to-sensible heat release as well as a modified thermal accommodation coefficient. The model is tested against atomistic models of 1.5–3.0 nm embedded-atom gold nanocluster sintering in argon and helium environments. The model results are in excellent agreement with the simulation results for all tested conditions. Results show that nanocluster effective temperatures can increase by hundreds of Kelvin due to coalescence, but that the rise and re-equilibration of the internal kinetic energy is strongly dependent on the background gas environment. Interestingly, internal kinetic energy change kinetics are also found to be distinct from surface area change kinetics, suggesting that modeling coalescence heat release solely due to surface area change is inaccurate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coagulation is a key factor governing the size distribution of nanoclusters during the high temperature synthesis of metal oxide nanomaterials. Population balance models are strongly influenced by the coagulation rate coefficient utilized. Although simplified coagulation models are often invoked, the coagulation process, particularly for nanoscale particles, is complex, affected by the coagulating nanocluster sizes, the surrounding temperature, and potential interactions. Toward developing improved models of nanocluster and nanoparticle growth, we have developed a neural network (NN) model to describe titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocluster coagulation rate coefficients, trained with molecular dynamics (MD) trajectory calculations. Specifically, we first calculated TiO2 nanocluster coagulation probabilities via MD trajectory calculations varying the nanocluster diameters from 0.6 to 3.0 nm, initial relative velocity from 20 to 700 m s−1, and impact parameter from 0.0 to 8.0 nm. Calculations consider dipole–dipole interactions, dispersion interactions, and short-range repulsive interactions. We trained a NN model to predict whether a given set of nanocluster diameters, impact parameter, and initial velocity would lead to the outcome of coagulation. The accuracy between the predicted outcomes from the NN model and the MD trajectory calculation results is >95%. We subsequently utilized both the NN model and MD trajectory calculations to examine coagulation rate coefficients at 300 and 1000 K. The NN model predictions are largely within the range 0.65–1.54 of MD predictions, and importantly NN predictions capture the local minimum coagulation rate coefficients observed in MD trajectory calculations. The NN model can be directly implemented in population balances of TiO2 formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrically enhanced media filters improve filtration efficiency in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Enhancement is accomplished by placing a uniquely formulated media material which can be polarized between arrays of wire electrodes. We explore the implementation of an electrically enhanced filtration system to both quantify the level of enhancement in filtration efficiency achievable in conditions representative of HVAC systems, and to determine the mechanism of collection enhancement. Measurements were carried out on a system comprised of a MERV 11 base filter, two arrays of upstream electrodes, and one array of downstream electrodes. Collection efficiency measurements reveal a strong dependency on the applied voltage across all examined face velocities. At a particle diameter of 0.3 μm, the collection efficiencies showed marked increases of 51.6%, 47.2%, and 30.7% from the zero-field level to a voltage of 10 kV at flow rates of 850, 1700, and 2550 m3 hr−1, respectively. Notably, this enhancement in collection efficiency is maintained even after particle loading on the filter. Charge state examinations revealed minimal changes in particle charge levels within the filter unit, demonstrating that the enhancement of filter performance is driven by dielectrophoretic motion and to a lesser extent electrophoretic motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the extension of the classic Avrami equation to nonisothermal systems with arbitrary temperature–time history and arbitrary initial distributions of transformed phase. We start by showing that through examination of phase change in Fourier space, we can decouple the nucleation rate, growth rate, and transformed fraction, leading to the derivation of a nonlinear differential equation relating these three properties. We then consider a population balance partial differential equation (PDE) on the phase size distribution and solve it analytically. Then, by relating this PDE solution to the transformed fraction of phase, we are able to derive initial conditions to the differential equation relating nucleation rate, growth rate, and transformed fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In gas phase synthesis systems, clusters form and grow via condensation, in which a monomer binds to an existing cluster. While a hard-sphere equation is frequently used to predict the condensation rate coefficient, this equation neglects the influences of potential interactions and cluster internal energy on the condensation process. Here, we present a collision rate theory-molecular dynamics simulation approach to calculate condensation probabilities and condensation rate coefficients. We use this approach to examine atomic condensation onto 6-56-atom Au andMgclusters. The probability of condensation depends upon the initial relative velocity (v) between atom and cluster and the initial impact parameter (b). In all cases, there is a well-defined region of b-v space where condensation is highly probable, and outside of which the condensation probability drops to zero. For Au clusters with more than 10 atoms, we find that at gas temperatures in the 300--1200 K range, the condensation rate coefficient exceeds the hard-sphere rate coefficient by a factor of 1.5-2.0. Conversely, for Au clusters with 10 or fewer atoms and for 14- and 28-atom Mg clusters, as cluster equilibration temperature increases, the condensation rate coefficient drops to values below the hard-sphere rate coefficient. Calculations also yield the self-dissociation rate coefficient, which is found to vary considerably with gas temperature. Finally, calculations results reveal that grazing (high b) atom-cluster collisions at elevated velocity (>1000 m s-1) can result in the colliding atom rebounding (bounce) from the cluster surface or binding while another atom dissociates (replacement). The presented method can be applied in developing rate equations to predict material formation and growth rates in vapor phase systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sorption of vapor molecules onto pre-existing nanometer sized clusters is of importance in understanding particle formation and growth in gas phase environments and devising gas phase separation schemes. Here, we apply a differential mobility analyzer-mass spectrometer based approach to observe directly the sorption of vapor molecules onto iodide cluster ions of the form (MI)xM+ (x = 1- 13, M = Na, K, Rb, or Cs) in air at 300 K and with water saturation ratios in the 0.01-0.64 range. The extent of vapor sorption is quantified in measurements by the shift in collision cross section (CCS) for each ion. We find that CCS measurements are sensitive enough to detect the transient binding of several vapor molecules to clusters, which shift CCSs by only several percent. At the same time, for the highest saturation ratios examined, we observed CCS shifts of up to 45%. For x < 4, cesium, rubidium, and potassium iodide cluster ions are found to uptake water to a similar extent, while sodium iodide clusters uptake less water. For x = 4, sodium iodide cluster ions uptake proportionally more water vapor than rubidium and potassium iodide cluster ions, while cesium iodide ions exhibit less uptake. Measured CCS shifts are compared to predictions based upon a Kelvin-Thomson-Raoult (KTR) model as well as a Langmuir adsorption model. We find that the Langmuir adsorption model can be fit well to measurements. Meanwhile, KTR predictions deviate from measurements, which suggests that the earliest stages of vapor uptake by nanometer scale species are not well described by the KTR model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural characterization of ions in the gas phase is facilitated by measurement of ion collision cross sections (CCS) using techniques such as ion mobility spectrometry. Further information is gained from CCS measurement when comparison is made between measurements and accurately predicted CCSs for model ion structures and the gas in which measurements are made. While diatomic gases, namely molecular nitrogen and air, are being used in CCS measurement with increasingly prevalency, the majority of studies in which measurements are compared to predictions use models in which gas molecules are spherical or non-rotating, which is not necessarily appropriate for diatomic gases. Here, we adapt a momentum transfer based CCS calculation approach to consider rotating, diatomic gas molecule collisions with polyatomic ions, and compare CCS predictions with a diatomic gas molecule to those made with a spherical gas molecular for model spherical ions, tetra-alkylammonium ions, and multiply charged polyethylene glycol ions. CCS calculations are performed using both specular-elastic and diffuse-inelastic collisions rules, which mimic negligible internal energy exchange and complete thermal accommodation, respectively, between gas molecule and ion. The influence of the long range ion-induced dipole potential on calculations is also examined with both gas molecule models. In large part we find that CCSs calculated with specular-elastic collision rules decrease, while they increase with diffuse-inelastic collision rules when using diatomic gas molecules. Results clearly show the structural model of both the ion and gas molecule, the potential energy field between ion and gas molecule, and finally the modeled degree of kinetic energy exchange between ion and gas molecule internal energy are coupled to one another in CCS calculations, and must be considered carefully to obtain results which agree with measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurements of size distribution of small particles (e.g. dusts, droplets, bubbles, etc) are critical for a broad range of applications in environmental science, public health, industrial manufacturing, etc. Laser diffraction (LD), a widely used method for such applications, depends on model-based inversion with underlying assumptions on particle properties. Furthermore, the presence of sampling biases such as velocity differentials are often overlooked in simple ex-situ calibrations, which introduces as an additional source of error. In contrast, digital inline holography (DIH), a single camera coherent imaging technique, can both measure particle size distributions without the need for a model-based inversion and can directly provide information on the shape characteristics of the particles. In this study, we evaluate the performance of an LD system in characterizing polydisperse droplets produced in a flat fan spray using in-situ DIH based imaging as a reference. The systematic differences in the two techniques are examined. A droplet-trajectory-based correction for the LD-inferred size distributions is proposed to compensate for the observed differences. We validate the correction using NIST standard polydisperse particles undergoing differential settling, and then apply the correction to polydisperse spray droplet measurements. The correction improves agreement between LD and DIH size distributions for droplets over two orders of magnitude, but with LD still underestimating the fraction of droplets at sizes above ∼1 mm. This underestimation is possibly linked to the complex oscillatory and rotational motion of droplets which cannot be faithfully captured by measurement or modelled by the correction algorithm without additional information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Aerosol generation with modes of oxygen therapy such as high-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation is a concern for healthcare workers during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. The amount of aerosol generation from the respiratory tract with these various oxygen modalities is unknown.Objectives: To measure the size and number concentration of particles and droplets generated from the respiratory tract of humans exposed to various oxygen delivery modalities.Methods: Ten healthy participants with no active pulmonary disease were enrolled. Oxygen modalities tested included nonhumidified nasal cannula, face mask, heated and humidified high-flow nasal cannula, and noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation. Aerosol generation was measured with each oxygen mode while participants performed maneuvers of normal breathing, talking, deep breathing, and coughing. Testing was conducted in a negative-pressure room. Particles with a diameter between 0.37 and 20 μm were measured using an aerodynamic particle spectrometer.Measurements and Main Results: Median particle concentration ranged from 0.041 to 0.168 particles/cm3. Median diameter ranged from 1.01 to 1.53 μm. Cough significantly increased the number of particles measured. Measured aerosol concentration did not significantly increase with the use of either humidified high-flow nasal cannula or noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation. This was the case during normal breathing, talking, deep breathing, and coughing.Conclusions: Oxygen delivery modalities of humidified high-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation do not increase aerosol generation from the respiratory tract in healthy human participants with no active pulmonary disease measured in a negative-pressure room. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerosol deposition with gas phase-synthesized chain-like nanoaggregates can yield dense coatings from the impaction of particles on a substrate; however, dense coating formation is not well understood. Here, we study coating consolidation at the single nanoaggregate level. Flame spray pyrolysis-made tin oxide nanoaggregates are mobility (size) filtered, accelerated through a de Laval nozzle, and impacted on alumina substrates. TEM images obtained from low velocity collection and supersonic deposition are compared via quantitative image analysis, which reveals that upon supersonic impact nanoaggregates fragment into smaller aggregates. This suggests that fragmentation is a key step in producing coatings denser than the depositing nanoaggregates themselves. We supplement experiments with detailed particle trajectory calculations, which show that the impact energies per atom during nanoaggregate deposition are below 0.2 eV/molecule. These results suggest that fragmentation can only occur at locations where nanoaggregates bonded by van der Waals and capillary interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved methods to probe the reactivity of nano-ions, such as C60−, would find utility in nanochemistry, combustion chemistry, and in generally understanding the behavior of matter at the nanometer scale. We demonstrate that ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) with a low-field differential mobility analyzer can be used to probe nano-ion reaction kinetics. We used the developed IM-MS approach to examine the gas phase reactivity of C60− ions with ozone at atmospheric pressure. Experimental results show that ozonation of C60− mainly leads to the formation of C60On−. The controlled reaction time within the ion mobility instrument enables calculation of ozonation reaction rates and assuming oxygen atoms are added sequentially, we find that the reaction rate between C60− and O3 is near the collision controlled limit. We propose an exponentially decaying reaction rate coefficient expression to describe ozonation leading to the addition of ＞20 oxygen atoms. At high ozone concentrations, CO or CO2 loss from C60On− is additionally observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In aerosol and dusty plasma systems, the behavior of suspended particles (grains) is often strongly influenced by collisions occurring between ions and particles, as well as between particles themselves. In determining the collision kernel or collision rate coefficient for such charged entities, complications arise in that the collision process can be completely described neither by continuum transport mechanics nor by free molecular (ballistic) mechanics; that is, collisions are transition regime processes. Further, both the thermal energy and the potential energy between colliding entities can strongly influence the collision rate and must be considered. Flux-matching theory, originally developed by Fuchs, is frequently applied for calculation of collision rate coefficients under these circumstances. However, recent work suggests that crucial assumptions in flux-matching theory are not appropriate to describe transition regime collisions in the presence of potential interactions. Here, we combine dimensional analysis and mean first passage time calculations to infer the collision kernel between dilute charged entities suspended in a light background gas at thermal equilibrium. The motion of colliding entities is described by a Langevin equation, and Coulombic interactions are considered. It is found that the dimensionless collision kernel for these conditions, H, is a function of the diffusive Knudsen number, KnD (in contrast to the traditional Knudsen number), and the potential energy to thermal energy ratio, &psgr;E. For small and large KnD, it is found that the dimensionless collision kernels inferred from mean first passage time calculations collapse to the appropriate continuum and free molecular limiting forms, respectively. Further, for repulsive collisions (&psgr;E negative) or attractive collisions with &psgr;E < 0.5, calculated results are in excellent agreement with flux-matching theory predictions, and the dimensionless collision kernel can be determined conveniently via use of the H(KnD,) relationship found for hard-sphere collisions with modified definitions of H and KnD to account for potential energy. However, for &psgr;E > 0.5, it is found that flux-matching theory predictions substantially underestimate the collision kernel. We find that the collision process in this regime is governed by the minimum of KnD and Kn&psgr;, (Kn&psgr; = 3KnD/2&psgr;E). and based on calculations, propose a function H(KnD, Kn&psgr;) for collision kernel evaluation. The situations for which &psgr;E > 0.5 apply to singly charged nanoparticles and multiply charged submicrometer and supermicrometer particles, and are thus prevalent in both aerosol and dusty plasma environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism of the multiple charging of macromolecules in elecirospray ionization (ESI) continues to inspire debate and controversy. Recently, we proposed that the number of charges on a macromolecule is determined by the emission of small charge carriers from macromolecule-containing nanodroplets and that, after solvent evaporation, the remaining charge is transferred to the macromolecule. In this study, we tested the applicability of this new theory for macromolecular, positive-ion ESI mass spectrometry by measuring the mean charge states and charge distributions of globular proteins under nondenaturing and denaturing conditions. Predictions of protein mean charge states for native state proteins are in excellent agreement with mass spectrometric measurements, giving strong credence to the proposed theory. Theoretical predictions are also in good agreement with mean charge states measured for proteins in basic solutions (pH = 11.5). For some proteins in acidic solutions (pH = 2.1), the measured mean charge states are anomalously higher than the Rayleigh limit of a water droplet with a volume equivalent to that of the protein. We propose that some macromolecules that are highly charged in solution may desorb from charged droplets of the same polarity in a similar manner to that whereby charge carriers emit from nanodroplets, leading to "super-charged" macromolecular ions. Examination of rate expressions for solvent evaporation and charge-carrier emission demonstrates that the newly proposed model for ESI is consistent with previously reported ion-emission kinetics. Overall, we obtained additional experimental evidence for the charge carrier emission model for macromolecular charging, suggesting opportunities for understanding and applying ESI-MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerosolization of bacteriophage MS2 virions by nebulization and charge-reduced electrospray were compared during testing of three filter media. Sample swatches were taken from a surgical mask, N95 filtering-facepiece respirator (FFR), and N100 FFR for use in repeated, short-duration (15 min) penetration tests with bacteriophage MS2 aerosolized by nebulizer and electrospray. Evaluated were (1) the virus suspension preparation protocol, (2) resulting particle size distribution, count stability, and count variability, and (3) the ability to generate culturable MS2 virions. While preparation of the electrospray bacteriophage suspension required additional purification and concentration steps and took more time than the nebulization protocol, it resulted in a much higher titer suspension. The nebulizer produced a polydisperse aerosol; conversely, the electrospray produced a relatively monodisperse aerosol with a count peak at the mobility size of the single virion. The nebulized aerosol particle count was 2.8 times as variable as the electrosprayed aerosol particle count althoughneither aerosolization method maintained a constant count over repeated 15-minute filter tests. No differences in filter penetration were observed between nebulized and electrosprayed MS2 aerosol particles. Electrosprayed dextrose particles, used as an inert aerosol particle comparator, exhibited higher penetration than MS2 particles in two of the three filter samples, which can be attributed, atleast partially, to the difference in dielectric properties of dextrose and virus particles. Both aerosolization methods generated culturable MS2 virions with the electrospray producing an airborne concentration approximately 20-fold higher than the nebulizer. In general, the electrospray produced cleaner, more stable, and more viable bacteriophage aerosol particles compared to conventionalnebulization. The findings of this study are expected to assist researchers in selecting appropriate generation methods when using viable virus-based challenge aerosol particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism of the multiple charging of macromolecules in electrospray ionization (ESI) continues to inspire debate and controversy. Recently, we proposed that the number of charges on a macromolecule is determined by the emission of small charge carriers from macromoleculecontaining nanodroplets and that, after solvent evaporation, the remaining charge is transferred to the macromolecule. In this study, we tested the applicability of this new theory for macromolecular, positive-ion ESI mass specirometry by measuring the mean charge states and charge distributions of globular proteins under nondenaturing and denaturing conditions. Predictions of protein mean charge states for native state proteins are in excellent agreement with mass spectrometric measurements, giving strong credence to the proposed theory. Theoretical predictions are also in good agreement with mean charge states measured for proteins in basic solutions (pH = 11.5). For some proteins in acidic solutions (pH = 2.1), the measured mean charge states are anomalously higher than the Rayleigh limit of a water droplet with a volume equivalent to that of the protein. We propose that some macromolecules that are highly charged in solution may desorb from charged droplets of the same polarity in a similar manner to that whereby charge carriers emit from nanodroplets, leading to "supercharged" macromolecular ions. Examination of rate expressions for solvent evaporation and charge-carrier emission demonstrates that the newly proposed model for ESI is consistent with previously reported ion-emission kinetics. Overall, we obtained additional experimental evidence for the charge carrier emission model for macromolecular charging, suggesting opportunities for understanding and applying ESI-MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to analyze and identify large macromolecular complexes whose molecular weight is beyond the analyzable range of mass spectrometry is of great interest. The size of such complexes makes them suitable for analysis via mobility size spectrometry. In this work, charge reduced electrospray size spectrometry was used for the analysis of bacteriophage viruses with total molecular masses ranging from 3.6 MDa up to the gigadalton range. The electrospray source used was operated in "cone jet" mode with a mean droplet diameter of 170.56 nm. Bacteriophage MS2 was found to have a mobility diameter of 24.13 ± 0.06 nm and remain highly viable after the electrospray process. Larger bacteriophages T2 and T4 have lengths greater than the diameter of the electrospray jet and droplets; thus, they could not be completely enclosed and were found to fragment at the virus capsid head-tail noncovalent interface during either the jet formation or jet breakup process. No viable T2 or 14 virions were detectable after being electrosprayed. While the exact mechanism of fragmentation could not be determined, it is proposed here that macromolecular fragmentation at noncovalent interfaces occurs due to mechanically and electrically induced stresses during jet formation and jet breakup. Bacteriophage 14 capsid heads were found to be statistically significantly larger than bacteriophage T2 capsid heads, with a mean peak diameter of 88.32 ± 1.02 nm for T4 and 87.03 ± 0.18 nm for T2. While capsid head fragments were detectable, tail and tail-fiber fragments could not be detected by size spectrometric analysis. This is attributed to the fact that the contractile tails of bacteriophage T2 and T4 virions mechanically deform to a varying degree while confined within the smaller jet and droplets. Further evidence of contractile tail deformation during the electrospray process was found by measuring the size spectrum of bacteriophage λ, which has a noncontractile tail. Bacteriophage λhad two distinct peaks in its size spectrum, one corresponding to the capsid head and the other corresponding to the tail fragment. Size spectrometry was also used for rapid quantification of virus concentrations, thus demonstrating its full capabilities in the analysis of large macromolecular complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The charge distribution of airborne MS2 bacteriophage nanoparticles and the efficiency of electrical-mobility-based capture mechanisms with bipolar charging were studied. MS2 virions form large agglomerated particles in a suspension. The average charge on airborne MS2 virions can be as high as one unit charge (negatively charged). The application of both soft X-ray irradiation and alpha rays from a Po-210 bipolar charger was shown to not only reduce the average charge on MS2 virion particles but also partially fragment the larger MS2 virion agglomerates, thereby increasing the number of ultrafine MS2 virion particles. A cylindrical electrostatic precipitator with a mounted soft X-ray emitter was used to determine the effectiveness of electrical capture methods for virus particles. At low applied voltages, it was found that the capture efficiency of ultrafine virus particles can be increased by applying in situ soft X-ray irradiation with electrostatic precipitation. It has also been shown that in the presence of both a positive and negative corona, virus particles are readily captured with log removal values exceeding 4. The unit developed and demonstrated in this work is a compact, low-pressure drop system that can be readily mounted in ventilation ducts or air supply systems to remove ultrafine particles such as viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the hypothesis that the procumbent growth habit of the rare, columnar cactus Stenocereus eruca is in part the result of a diminution of the mechanical properties of stem tissues by comparing the properties of S. eruca plants with those of the putatively closely related semi-erect shrub S. gummosus. Intact stems and surgically removed anatomically comparable regions of the stems of both species were tested in bending and tension to determine their Young's modulus and breaking stress. A computer program was used to evaluate the contribution of each region to the capacity of entire stems to resist bending forces. Our analyses indicate that the principal stiffening agent in the stems of both species is a peripheral tissue complex (= epidermis and collenchyma in the primary plant body) that has a significantly higher tensile breaking stress and greater extensibility for S. gummosus than that of S. eruca. Computer simulations indicate that the wood of either species contributes little to bending stiffness, except in very old portions of S. gummosus stems, because of its small volume and central location in the stem. These and other observations are interpreted to support the hypothesis that S. eruca evolved a procumbent growth habit as the result of manifold developmental alterations some of which reduced the capacity of tissues to support the weight of stems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the allometry and mechanical properties of the peduncles of Hieracium pilosella and other species in the Asteraceae (H. aurantiacum, Taraxicum officinale, Tragopogon pratensi) to evaluate the hypothesis that tapered, tubular, and non-septate peduncles optimize the trade-offs among stem biomass allocation, elevating flowers and thus their wind-dispersed fruits, and the requirement for a factor of safety against mechanical failure. This hypothesis was evaluated by comparing peduncle morphometry (e.g., biomass M[sub s], floral biomass M[sub f] and length L) and mechanical properties (e.g., bending rigidity EI) for populations growing in windy and windsheltered sites as well as transplants between sites. Regardless of ambient wind speeds, M[sub s] ∝ L[sup 4/3] and E1 ∝ L[sup 11/4] ∝ M[sup 5/3, sub s], whereas M[sub f]/M[sub s] ∝ L[sup -1.15], i.e., peduncles disproportionately increase in their biomass as they increase in length, but mechanically support a disproportionately smaller floral biomass relative to their biomass. Calculations show that the tall peduncles from wind-sheltered sites have a larger fruit dispersal range and a lower factor of safety than the shorter peduncles produced in open sites. These and other observations are interpreted to indicate that tubular peduncles enhance relative fitness in terms of propagule dispersal (but not propagule number per stem) while maintaining a sufficient factor of safety against mechanical failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like and oppositely charged particles or dust grains in linear shear flows are often driven to collide with one another by fluid and/or electrostatic forces, which can strongly influence particle-size distribution evolution. In gaseous media, collisions in shear are further complicated because particle inertia can influence differential motion. Expressions for the collision rate coefficient have not been developed previously which simultaneously account for the influences of linear shear, particle inertia, and electrostatic interactions. Here, we determine the collision rate coefficient accounting for the aforementioned effects by determining the collision area, i.e., the area of the plane perpendicular to the shear flow defining the relative initial locations of particles which will collide with one another. Integration of the particle flux over this area yields the collision rate. Collision rate calculations are parametrized as an enhancement factor, i.e., the ratio of the collision rate considering potential interactions and inertia to the traditional collision rate considering laminar shear only. For particles of constant surface charge density, the enhancement factor is found dependent only on the Stokes number (quantifying particle inertia), the electrostatic energy to shear energy ratio, and the ratio of colliding particle radii. Enhancement factors are determined for Stokes numbers in the 0-10 range and energy ratios up to 5. Calculations show that the influences of both electrostatic interactions and inertia are significant; for inertialess (St=0) equal-sized and oppositely charged particles, we find that even at energy ratios as low as 0.2, enhancement factors are in excess of 2. For the same situation but like-charged particles, enhancement factors fall below 0.5. Increasing the Stokes number acts to mitigate the influence of electrostatic potentials for both like and oppositely charged particles; i.e., inertia reduces the enhancement factor for oppositely charged particles and increases it for like-charged particles. Uniquely, at elevated Stokes numbers with attractive potentials we find collisionless "pockets" within the collision area, which are regions completely bounded by the collision area but within which collisions do not occur. Regression equations to results are provided, enabling calculation of the enhancement factor as a function of energy ratio and Stokes number. In total, this study both leads to insight into the collision dynamics of finite-inertia, charged particles in shear flows, and provides a means to simply calculate the particle-particle collision rate coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the result of a study concerning the effectiveness of carrier field emission method in determining the number of charges on native state proteins in electrospray ionization (ESI). The paper proposes that charges species smit from droplets in order of their requisit E*, from low to high.