Adaptability mechanisms for autonomic system implementation with AAOP

This paper presents a new approach to implementing an adaptability loop in Autonomic Computing (AC) systems, which is based on adaptable aspects. The approach utilizes the concept of adaptable aspect‐oriented programming (AAOP) in which a set of AOP aspects is used to run an application in the manner specified by its adaptability strategy. We present a model execution environment based on this concept, enabling the execution of applications with applied adaptability strategies. In the AAOP‐based AC system, the application is instrumented with aspects selected by the system from a set of all available aspects (sensors, effectors, and goal aspects) in such a way that the system can monitor and manage the application. This model can be used to implement systems that are able to monitor an application and its execution environment, and perform actions such as changing the current set of non‐functional constraints in response to changes in the application or its environment. The model can be used for various types of non‐functional goals, in various programming languages, both in centralized and distributed environments. This paper describes its Java‐based implementation and non‐functional goals referring to resource management. As a consequence, the application uses resources in a way specified in its adaptability strategy. Resource consumption management logic is transparent for the application, meaning that no modifications in the application source code are needed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solid state photoluminescence of novel lanthanide complexes based on 4-benzoylpyrazolone Schiff base

A novel, promising ligand for luminescent lanthanide complexes tris-((4-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-pyrazolonyl)-phenylmethylidene)-2-aminoethyl)amine (trenPMBP) was prepared and used as effective “antenna” for the ligand-sensitized photoluminescence of Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺ and Sm³⁺ ions. All the complexes show surprisingly intensive photoluminescence in comparison with their simple 4-benzoyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-pyrazolone analogues. One of the reasons of such result can be a relatively high located triplet energy level of trenPMBP around 22675 cm^?1, which properly fits with the emissive energy levels of Tb³⁺ and Dy³⁺ (20430 cm^?1 and 20830 cm^?1, respectively), thus avoiding back-energy transfer from the lanthanide to the ligand.     

Evolution of the droplet size distribution during a two-phase flow through a porous media: Population balance studies

Fibrous-bed coalescers are frequently used for separation of the suspension. The effectiveness of the process depends on the flow condition through the packed bed and its structure. The population balance equation was used for analysis of the evolution of the distribution of droplet diameter in the raw suspension due to the coalescence and breakage of droplets passing different sequences of the coalescer structures distinguished by the packing density of fibers in the layers of the coalescers. The results of calculations show the values of particular parameters, like droplet concentration, the mean diameter of the droplet and droplet size distribution in the population as the results of the process. The proposed model can be useful for the designing of the coalescer structures for their particular applications.     

A New Chemiluminescence Method for Detecting Lipid Peroxides in Vegetable Oils

The peroxide value (PV) of several vegetable oils oxidized at 70 °C was measured spectrophotometrically using a new chemiluminescence (CL) method. The reaction in CL was based on lipid hydroperoxides decomposition with HO⁻ ions in two different medium. The first reaction was carried out in a DMF/KOH/oil mixture, while in the second reaction acridine was used in addition. A linear correlation between PVs determined spectrophotometrically and measured with the CL method was found.     

Discovery and Structure–Activity Relationships of N-Aryl 6-Aminoquinoxalines as Potent PFKFB3 Kinase Inhibitors

Energy and biomass production in cancer cells are largely supported by aerobic glycolysis in what is called the Warburg effect. The process is regulated by key enzymes, among which phosphofructokinase PFK-2 plays a significant role by producing fructose-2,6-biphosphate; the most potent activator of the glycolysis rate-limiting step performed by phosphofructokinase PFK-1. Herein, the synthesis, biological evaluation and structure–activity relationship of novel inhibitors of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3), which is the ubiquitous and hypoxia-induced isoform of PFK-2, are reported. X-ray crystallography and docking were instrumental in the design and optimisation of a series of N-aryl 6-aminoquinoxalines. The most potent representative, N-(4-methanesulfonylpyridin-3-yl)-8-(3-methyl-1-benzothiophen-5-yl)quinoxalin-6-amine, displayed an IC₅₀ of 14 nm for the target and an IC₅₀ of 0.49 μm for fructose-2,6-biphosphate production in human colon carcinoma HCT116 cells. This work provides a new entry in the field of PFKFB3 inhibitors with potential for development in oncology.     

Influence of Density Variation on One-Dimensional Modeling of Exhaust Assisted Catalytic Fuel Reforming

Exhaust gas recirculation has become commonplace within the automobile industry to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions because of its ability to lower the combustion temperature. However, it leads to an increase of particulate matter and degradation in fuel economy. One possible avenue for recovering this efficiency is to use exhaust assisted fuel reforming (EAFR) to generate hydrogen by catalytic means using injected fuel and exhaust and add it to the inlet mixture. Adding hydrogen in this manner has shown an increase in combustion stability and efficiency of the engine while reducing particulate matter production. Many classical works use incompressible fluid flow models in order to simulate the reactive flow in monolithic catalyst. However, such models are not appropriate in the case of EAFR, where exothermic reactions cause a large increase in the temperature and consequently in density. To simulate a catalyst undergoing EAFR reactions, a compressible flow solver was used in order to take into account the changes in density. The presented results show the importance of using proper gas dynamics and heat transfer for modeling a flow with catalytic reactions of high exothermicity.     

Oxidative Stability of α‐Linolenic Acid in Corn Chips Enriched with Linseed Oil Pro/Antioxidative Activity of Tocopherol

Extruded products, particularly those which are corn‐based, are widely consumed salty or sweet snacks; moreover, they very often provide a basis for breakfast for people around the world. Extruded products are characterised by a low nutritional value, and a particularly low content of polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n‐3 group. An attempt was made to enrich extruded corn crisps with α‐linolenic acid (ALA) through the addition of refined linseed oil at an amount of 5 %. Corn crisps were produced with the addition of the oil concerned so that the concentration of ALA in the finished product was at least 2 g 100 g^?1 (in a portion). With such a content of ALA, the crisps may be classified as ‘functional food’ in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 of May 2012. The following were tested: oxidative stability, and changes to the content of ALA during 6‐month storage of crisps with the addition of linseed oil and various concentrations of δ‐tocopherol and ascorbic acid. The crisps were packed in polyamide/polyethylene barrier film packages (30/70 µm), using either atmospheric air of argon for the packaging process. The study showed that with each applied concentration of δ‐tocopherol added to the linseed oil (200–800 mg 100 g^?1), it had a strong pro‐oxidant effect. Packaging in argon atmosphere play very protective role in ALA stabilisation in functional corn crisp.     

Shear bond of composites-to-brick applied with highly deformable,in relation to resin epoxy,interface materials

The paper presents comparison of a work of stiff and flexible bonds fastening composite strengthening to masonry. In the first approach (traditional), barely deformable interface material made of stiff epoxy resin is used as shear bonds of composites-to-brick. In the second one (innovative), highly deformable interface material made of flexible polymer is used as repair shear bonds of composites-to-brick. Behavior of both materials was compared using single-lap shear tests made on four kinds of fiber fabrics (glass, carbon, basalt and steel) applied to clay brick units. The results indicated that highly deformable interface materials allow increasing load capacity, because deformable adhesive layers reduce shear stress concentrations in bond, redistributing stress more evenly along the whole lap joint. Usefulness of the theory which allows calculating the bond shear stress–slip characteristic was also discussed in accordance to the highly deformable interface materials.