Study of a continuous reactor for selective solvent extraction of haemorphins in the course of peptic haemoglobin hydrolysis

The continuous hydrolysis of bovine haemoglobin at pH 3 in a triphasic reactor was studied in order to prepare two pure transient and hydrophobic opioid peptides in one step. A continuous stirred‐tank reactor was designed to extract continuously and selectively LVV‐haemorphin‐7 and VV‐haemorphin‐7 by a butan‐2‐ol–octan‐1‐ol mixture in the course of bovine haemoglobin hydrolysis by pepsin immobilised on A568 Duolite resin. The residence time in the aqueous and organic phases was maintained at 1 h. This system allowed a steady state to be achieved for haemorphin concentrations in each phase and the pepsin stability to be maintained. Finally, success was achieved in producing and extracting continuously the two haemorphins in the aqueous/butan‐2‐ol–octan‐1‐ol biphasic medium for more than 10 bed volumes of the reactor. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Denial of responsibility: A new mode of dissonance reduction.

Denial of responsibility as a mode of dissonance reduction and the conditions under which it is likely to occur were explored in 3 experiments. Two experiments tested and supported the hypothesis that following a counterattitudinal behavior, participants prefer the mode of reduction made available to them first, regardless of whether it is attitude change, trivialization, or denial of responsibility. The 3rd experiment tested and supported the hypothesis that denial of responsibility reduces the negative affective state induced by dissonance. The mechanism of denial of responsibility in dissonance reduction is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

一种用于道路车辆跟踪的多目标数据关联方法

数据关联是多目标跟踪的一个重要部分，作者对基于证据合成和简易JPDA的数据关联方法进行了比较。蒙特卡罗仿真结果表明，基于证据合成的方法可以改善跟踪精度，能适应目标数目不确定的场合。     

Setting, elaborating, and reflecting on personal goals improves academic performance.

Of students who enroll in 4-year universities, 25% never finish. Precipitating causes of early departure include poor academic progress and lack of clear goals and motivation. In the present study, we investigated whether an intensive, online, written, goal-setting program for struggling students would have positive effects on academic achievement. Students (N = 85) experiencing academic difficulty were recruited to participate in a randomized, controlled intervention. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 intervention groups: Half completed the goal-setting program, and half completed a control task with intervention-quality face validity. After a 4-month period, students who completed the goal-setting intervention displayed significant improvements in academic performance compared with the control group. The goal-setting program thus appears to be a quick, effective, and inexpensive intervention for struggling undergraduate students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Numerical study of the impact of fluid density on the pressure distribution and stimulated volume in the Soultz HDR reservoir

During the last 5 years the European hot dry rock project (HDR) at Soultz-sous-Forêts (France) has made significant progress. Three approx. 5000-m deep wells have been drilled into the crystalline basement and hydraulically stimulated. These operations have provided a great deal of information on the subsurface, especially from the interpretation of the monitored induced microseismic events. To better understand the development and hydraulic behaviour of the fractured reservoir, a numerical model based on a discrete fracture network approach has been written to interpret and predict the pressure distribution in the HDR reservoir. The hydraulic part of this finite volume code is strongly coupled with the mechanical behaviour of the fractures.Recent modelling studies have demonstrated that the density difference between the in situ (native) reservoir fluid (density 1060 kg/m³) and the injected fluid (dense brine or fresh water) might play a significant role in the hydraulic stimulation of the reservoir. The decision was therefore taken to enhance the numerical code, under the assumption of immiscibility of the two fluids.The improved code permits us to evaluate the impact of fluid density differences on the pressure distribution in the reservoir during stimulation or fluid circulation tests. It provides better estimates on both the extension and shape of the stimulated areas, and can be used to define new stimulation strategies. The code has also been successful in predicting changes in fluid flow distributions in the reservoir, especially in fractures intersecting the wells, as well as in estimating trace breakthrough times.     

Optimal Coding and Sampling of Triangulations

We present a bijection between the set of plane triangulations (aka maximal planar graphs) and a simple subset of the set of plane trees with two leaves adjacent to each node. The construction takes advantage of Schnyder tree decompositions of plane triangulations. This bijection yields an interpretation of the formula for the number of plane triangulations with n vertices. Moreover, the construction is simple enough to induce a linear random sampling algorithm, and an explicit information theory optimal encoding. Finally, we extend our bijection approach to triangulations of a polygon with k sides with m inner vertices, and develop in passing new results about Schnyder tree decompositions for these objects.     

Heat and mass transfer modeling in rotary desiccant dehumidifiers

A desiccant wheel model has been developed in the aim to be adapted to building simulation tools. This model fulfils several criteria such as simplicity of parameterization, accuracy, possibility to characterize the equipment under all operation conditions and low computation time. The method of characteristics has been applied to the heat and mass transfer partial differential equations. This transformation provides new equations which are similar to those of a rotary heat exchanger. Then, the model is described by the Effectiveness-NTU method and it is identified from only one nominal rating point. The model has been compared to experimental and manufacturers’ data for a broad range of operating conditions. A good agreement has been found.     

Brittle-to-ductile transition in Beaucaire marl from triaxial tests under the CT-scanner

This paper presents an experimental study of the deformation of Beaucaire marl subjected to drained triaxial tests under a wide range of confining pressure. Several methods of observation have been used: X-ray computed tomography, scanning electronic microscopy, quantitative image analysis of thin sections and mercury porosimetry. The analysis at the grain scale shows the existence of various deformation modes depending on the mean stress level. These modes are classified with reference to the brittle and ductile regimes. In specimens deformed under low confining pressure, macro-cracks are localised in a band more contracting than the rest of the specimen. In specimens deformed under moderate confining pressure, a series of micro-scale shear bands characterised by a grain re-orientation towards the direction of macro-shear is detected in the zones of localised deformation. The material in between the micro-scale shear bands is contracting more than the rest of the specimen in some cases; in other cases, a schistosity is detected also in the rest of the specimen outside the localisation zones. In the specimen deformed under high confining pressure, no localisation occurs, and a schistosity is observable throughout the specimen.     

A transient finite element cavitation algorithm with application to radial lip seals

The presented elastohydrodynamic (EHD) formulation allows accurate analysis of lubricant film breakdown and reformation during the operation of lubricated devices. The algorithm is based on finite-element discretization and the JFO model. Active and non-active lubricant film zones are determined for non-stationary operating conditions. The model was validated through comparisons with previously published studies. The presented results show the shape of rupture boundaries, with a sample of plots demonstrating the efficiency of the algorithms in solving complex problems, such as the EHD lubrication of lip seals. The analysis of thickness, pressure and filling rate fields allows the optimisation of lip seal element design and demonstrates the efficiency of the lubricant feeding device.