Combination of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and nonlinear methods to analyze the copolymerization of phosphonic acid derivatives

We demonstrate in this study that the combination of modern inline monitoring methods [here: inline nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)] with simulations gains more exact and profound kinetic results than previously used methods like linearization without that combination. The ¹H-NMR spectroscopic data (more than 100 data points) are used to construct the copolymerization diagram. The reactivity ratios are obtained applying the van Herks nonlinear least square method. The examination of the radical copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with (2-{[2-(ethoxycarbonyl)prop-2-en-1-yl]oxy}ethyl) phosphonic acid (ECPPA) as important adhesive monomer used in dentistry yields reactivity ratios of r_HEMA = 1.83; r_ECPPA = 0.42. The copolymerization diagram reflects nonideal, non-azeotropic copolymerization. The sequence distribution of the obtained by Monte Carlo simulation indicates the generation of statistical copolymers. As an important finding, it is demonstrated that the repeating units responsible for etching and adhesion are arranged over the whole polymer chain, which is necessary to achieve proper functionality. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48256.     

Effect of hot strip processing during direct charging of thin slabs on the properties of cold strip of LC-steel

Direct charging of thin slabs of low carbon steel (0.05%C) was investigated by using laboratory tests on a thin-slab-casting Simulator linked with the hot deformation Simulator (Wumsi). Starting with a different initial thickness of simulated thin slabs (45 down to 25 mm) the total strain ?∑ was varied. Hot deformation schedules (with and without roughing) with different finishing temperatures T_F lead to some differences in the hot strip microstructure. Nevertheless, after cold rolling and batch annealing, a rather uniform pancake-structure and a pronounced {111}-texture were achieved in the cold strip without any significant relation to the processing routs. The measurement of final mechanical properties proved that a good deep drawability of cold strip can be achieved with direct charging of thin slabs, well comparable to that after a conventional cold charging of thick slabs.     

Computing surfaces invariant under subdivision

In this paper, we propose a general subdivision algorithm for generating surfaces. The algorithm has as motivation our earlier work on the design of free form curves where similar ideas were investigated. Here we describe some properties of uniform refinement algorithms for surface generation. A detail analysis of their properties will be given later by one of us.     

Apparatus for steady-state kinetic measurements of the catalytic reduction of nitric oxide by ammonia on iron oxide

The reduction of nitric oxide with ammonia on an unsupported iron oxide catalyst has been studied in a continuous-flow recycle reactor using simulated flue gas. The responses of the employed reactor system to step and pulse inputs of tracer indicate that the system could be regarded as a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). Preliminary tests were carried out to determine the effect of temperature and particle size on the measured reaction rates. Additional experiments were performed in order to study the influence of oxygen and water concentration on these rates. A gas chromatographic system has been developed to analyze the gas components NO, N₂O, NO₂, NH₃, H₂O, O₂, CO₂ and N₂. In addition, the concentrations of NO and NO₂ were measured with a nondisperse infrared (NDUV/NDIR) analyzer.     

Solubilization of fish muscle proteins with buffers containing sodium dodecyl sulfate

Summary The extraction of fish muscle protein using SDS containing solubilization buffers was studied varying the time and the temperature of solubilization, as well as pH and SDS concentration of the buffer. At pH < 6 the myofbrillar proteins were incompletely solubilized; temperatures of 80-100 °C resulted in protein degradation observable in the SDS-PAGE.Samples of fish muscle containing high amounts of formaldehyde (50 mmoles FA/kg wet weight) could only be solubilised at 100 °C; on the other hand it was possible to solubilize cooked and/or canned products under mild conditions (2% SDS, 1% 2-ME, pH 8.9, shaking for 2 h at 60 °C).

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Solubilisierung von Fischmuskelproteinen durch Natriumdodecylsulfathaltige Puffer

Zusammenfassung Der Einfluß von Solubilisierungszeit und -temperatur, des pH-Wertes und der SDS-Konzentration des Solubilisierungspuffers auf die Extraktion von Fischmuskelproteinen wurde überprüft. Bei pH-Werten < 6 wurden die myofbrillären Proteine nur unvollständig gelöst; Solubilisierungstemperaturen von 80 bis 100 °C führten zu einem in der SDS-PAGE sichtbaren Proteinabbau. Fischmuskelproben mit hohem Formaldehydgehalt (50 mmole FA/kg Feuchtgewicht) ließen sich nur bei 100 °C vollständig solubilisieren; demgegenüber gelang die weitgehende Solubilisierung gegarter und/oder sterilisierter Produkte unter milden Bedingungen (2% SDS, 1% 2-ME, pH 8,9; 2stündiges Schütteln bei 60 °C).

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Abbreviations FA formaldehyde - IEF isoelectric focusing - 2-ME 2-mercaptoethanol - PA polyacrylamide - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - pI isoelectric point - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - TMAO trimethylamine oxide - Tris Tris (hydroxymethyl)methylamine     

Energieinformatik

Due to the increasing importance of producing and consuming energy more sustainably, Energy Informatics (EI) has evolved into a thriving research area within the CS/IS community. The article attempts to characterize this young and highly dynamic field of research by describing current EI research topics and methods and provides an outlook of how the field might evolve in the future. It is shown that two general research questions have received the most attention so far and are likely to dominate the EI research agenda in the coming years: How to leverage information and communication technology (ICT) to (1) improve energy efficiency, and (2) to integrate decentralized renewable energy sources into the power grid. Selected EI streams are reviewed, highlighting how the respective research questions are broken down into specific research projects and how EI researchers have made contributions based on their individual academic background.     

Adaptive training interfaces for less-experienced,elderly users of electronic devices

A great number of complex electronic devices are now part of our everyday lives. While many of us learn to handle these products by trial and error; others, especially older users with little experience in using electronic devices, need support. In order to allow the user maximum flexibility in terms of learning time and location, a training programme is presented which is implemented as part of the software embedded in the product itself. Particular focus is placed on the effect of adaptive training on learning. In this study, the training versions differed in their ability to adjust their complexity to the user's experience (adaptive user interface complexity) and their capability to support the learner by prompting them during the learning process (adaptive training advice). The results show that the adjustment of complexity had a positive effect on users’ experience: elderly users who trained with an adaptive interface were more successful in learning to use a mobile phone. Adaptive training advice, however, was found to have no significant effects on learners’ success and reduced their self-efficacy. This work offers guidelines on how to design integrated training applications for electronic devices that successfully help elderly users with little prior experience.