Applications of the singularity function method to orthotropic plate problems

The singularity function method is applied to solve structural problems of orthotropic rectangular and circular plates. Except in the work of Conway (Int. J. Mech. Sci.22, 209, 1980) and Selek et al. (Int. J. Mech. Sci.25, 397, 1983), which considered the tapered circular plate, previous attempts at applying the singularity function method have always assumed material isotropy. In this work extensive results for displacements and moments are presented for material rigidities different in two orthogonal directions. In particular, Conway's isotropic plate results [7] are obtained as a special case from the present work.     

DNA damage induced by wastewater from cocoa industry in two prokaryotic systems

In this study, the potential genotoxic and mutagenic effects of cocoa industry wastewater was assessed using SOS Chromo and Ames fluctuation tests, respectively. The physico-chemical analyses of the wastewater were also carried out. The SOS Chromo and Ames fluctuation tests results showed that cocoa industry wastewater can induce different levels of DNA damage and mutagenic potential at the different concentrations used in this study. Salmonella typhimurium TA98 was more sensitive than TA100 strain, indicating frameshift mutation as a possible mechanism of DNA damage. High concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni and Cu in the tested sample were possibly responsible for the observed mutagenicity and genotoxicity.     

Analysing wear behaviour of Al–CaCO3 composites using ANN and Sugeno-type fuzzy inference systems

Neural Computing and Applications - Design of experiment for the development of stir cast calcium carbonate-reinforced aluminium composite is a search for optimum combination of material and...     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Heteroleptic Ru(II) Complex of Phenanthroline Containing Oligo-Anthracenyl Carboxylic Acid Moieties

In an effort to develop new ruthenium(II) complexes, this work describes the design, synthesis and characterization of a ruthenium(II) functionalized phenanthroline complex with extended π-conjugation. The ligand were L(1) (4,7-bis(2,3-dimethylacrylic acid)-1,10-phenanthroline), synthesized by a direct aromatic substitution reaction, and L(2) (4,7-bis(trianthracenyl-2,3-dimethylacrylic acid)-1,10-phenanthroline), which was synthesized by the dehalogenation of halogenated aromatic compounds using a zero-valent palladium cross-catalyzed reaction in the absence of magnesium-diene complexes and/or cyclooctadienyl nickel (0) catalysts to generate a new carbon-carbon bond (C-C bond) polymerized hydrocarbon units. The ruthenium complex [RuL(1)L(2)(NCS)(2)] showed improved photophysical properties (red-shifted metal-to-ligand charge-transfer transition absorptions and enhanced molar extinction coefficients), luminescence and interesting electrochemical properties. Cyclic and square wave voltammetry revealed five major redox processes. The number of electron(s) transferred by the ruthenium complex was determined by chronocoulometry in each case. The results show that processes I, II and III are multi-electron transfer reactions while processes IV and V involved one-electron transfer reaction. The photophysical property of the complex makes it a promising candidate in the design of chemosensors and photosensitizers, while its redox-active nature makes the complex a potential mediator of electron transfer in photochemical processes.     

Synthesis of Alkanolamide: a Nonionic Surfactant from the Oil of Gliricidia sepium

Oil of Gliricidia sepium with high contents of C18:2 (32.2 ± 0.3%) and C18:1 (23.8 ± 0.5%) fatty acids was used in the preparation of diethanolamide and epoxidised diethanolamide via transamidation. The epoxidised diethanolamide was synthesized by peroxyformic acid generated in situ by reacting formic acid and hydrogen peroxide with the oil of G. sepium, a renewable resource. The formation of the amide was monitored and confirmed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. The epoxidised diethanolamide showed better surface-active properties than the diethanolamide in terms of emulsion stability, wetting property and foaming power.     

Quality properties of fruits as affected by drying operation

The increasing consumption of dried fruits requires further attention on the quality parameters. Drying has become necessary because most fruits are highly perishable owing to their high moisture content and the need to make them available all year round and at locations where they are not produced. In addition to preservation, the reduced weight and bulk of dehydrated products decreases packaging, handling and transportation costs. Quality changes associated with drying of fruit products include physical, sensory, nutritional, and microbiological. Drying gives rise to low or moderate glycemic index (GI) products with high calorie, vitamin and mineral contents. This review examines the nutritional benefits of dried fruits, protective compounds present in dried fruits, GI, overview of some fruit drying methods and effects of drying operations on the quality properties such as shrinkage, porosity, texture, color, rehydration, effective moisture diffusivity, nutritional, sensory, microbiological and shelf stability of fruits.