Intensification of Rate of Diffusion Controlled Reactions in a Parallel Plate Electrochemical Reactor Stirred by a Curtain of Electrochemically Generated Gas Bubbles

Rates of mass transfer were measured at a vertical plate stirred by a rising curtain of oxygen bubbles generated electrochemically at an upstream plate by measuring the limiting current of the cathodic reduction of K₃Fe(CN)₆ in alkaline solution. The rate of mass transfer was found to increase over the natural convection value by a factor ranging from 2.4 to 25 compared to the previously reported range of 2–5 in the case of copper deposition from acidified solutions. The high tendency of oxygen bubbles to coalesce in alkaline solutions is believed to be responsible for the high rates of mass transfer in alkaline solutions. The rate of mass transfer at a plate stirred by a curtain of oxygen bubbles was found to decrease with increasing plate height and electrolyte concentration. Curtains of H₂ bubbles were found to be less effective in enhancing the rate of mass transfer compared to that of oxygen. Practical application of the results in designing a modified parallel plate electrochemical reactor stirred by a counterelectrode gas curtain was highlighted. The suggested design has the potential of saving part or all of the mechanical stirring energy as well as floor space since it extends vertically.     

Chemistry and antioxidant activity of essential oil and oleoresins of black caraway (Carum bulbocastanum) fruits: Part 69

BACKGROUND: The present study describes the chemical analysis of the essential oil and oleoresins from caraway, which have been studied by using GC–MS. The paper also explains the importance of the extracted oil and oleoresins in the antioxidant activities of target plant species. RESULTS: GC–MS analysis of caraway essential oil showed 51 compounds representing about 96.6% of the total weight. The major components were dillapiole (44.6%), germacrene‐β (14.1%), nothoapiole (8.3%), and β‐selinene (6.8%), along with many other components in minor amounts. Major components in ethyl acetate and iso‐octane oleoresins are dillapiole, nothoapiole and germacrene‐β, whereas in ethanol oleoresin contains dillapiole (25%), sitosterol (21.3%) stigmasterol (9.5%) and nothoapiole (8.1%). The antioxidant activity was evaluated by various antioxidant assays such as peroxide, thiobarbituric acid and p‐anisidine values. These experiments were further supported by other complementary antioxidant assays such as ferric thiocyanate method in linoleic acid system, reducing power, and scavenging effects on 1,1′‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Both the caraway volatile oil and its oleoresins showed strong antioxidant activity in comparison with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). CONCLUSION: This study provides additional information about the chemistry and antioxidant activity of caraway. Hence, caraway may be used as natural food preservatives. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Designing information technology products with flame retarded plastics with special emphasis on current flammability safety and environmental concerns

This paper discusses the requirements and challenges associated with the selection of plastic resins for information technology (IT) products. The discussion includes a review of presently used fire retardant systems in plastics in relation to the current flammability safety and environmental concerns and cost pressures as well as suggestions for the development of new flame retardant systems and/or resins for IT applications with optimum performance, safety, cost and environmental attributes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Peripheral plasma levels of beta-endorphin in alcoholics and highly trained athletes and the relationship to a measure of central opioid tone

Human beta-endorphin-like immunoactivity was measured in highly trained athletes (n = 10), alcoholics in the early phase of abstinence (n=9) and normal controls (n=15) using the Nichols Allegro immunoradiometric assay. The assay was examined for cross reactivity against related peptides, beta-lipotropin and human N-acetyl beta-endorphin. Venous blood sampling was carried out in the morning at 0900 and 1100 hours in a fasting state. Using two-way analysis of variance there was a significant effect of subject group on beta-endorphin concentration (p=0.029). Post-hoc analysis using the Bonferroni t-test showed that the source of the difference was the alcoholic group having significantly lower beta-endorphin immunoreactivity (p < 0.05). There was no difference between the controls and the athletes. There was a positive correlation between plasma beta-endorphin level at 1100 hours and the subsequent ACTH incremental response to naloxone in the group as a whole (r=0.48, p=0.004). The assay showed 100% cross reactivity with beta-lipotropin and 73% cross reactivity with N-acetyl-beta-endorphin. We conclude that alcoholics have reduced levels of beta-endorphin-like immunoactivity. While beta-endorphin is known not to cross the blood-brain barrier, levels of plasma beta-endorphin-like immunoactivity may indirectly reflect central opioid activity.     

Liquid/Solid Mass Transfer in Fixed Beds

The liquid/solid mass transfer behavior of a fixed bed of cylinders was studied using the diffusion‐controlled dissolution of copper in acidified potassium dichromate. Variables studied were solution velocity and cylinder diameter. For a steady flow, the data were correlated for the conditions 25 < Re < 600 and Sc = 990 by the equation Sh = 2.65 Sc^0.33 Re^0.5. A comparison between the present data and previously obtained data for a fixed bed of Raschig rings has revealed that cylinder packing produces higher rates of mass transfer than Raschig rings.     

Designing reliable communication networks in a planned failure environment

A very important issue in many network applications is to provide protection against planned failures. In this paper we first define the concept of a planned failure and then analyze the cost implications in the design of a network for survivability (i.e. protection against planned failure), as against designing a network against random failures. We suggest a simple and systematic approach for designing survivable communication networks and also discuss briefly the consequences of availability of partial knowledge only.     

On creating a reliable programming environment

Many organizations are presently working to develop a software development methodology special to their own needs. The methodology must be supported by automated tools that improve the productivity of both the individual developer and the development team. This collection of tools and the way in which they are used constitute what has been called a “programming environment”, since most automated tools are aimed at the coding and implementation phases of software development. The task of creating effective environments is quite difficult because it is tantamount to understanding the fundamental nature of software processes. This paper is intended to give insight into the characteristics of existing program development environments and to point the way towards some desirable characteristics which may lead to the creation of reliable and cost-effective future programming environments.     

Computer-communication network reliability: Trends and issues

People working in Computer-communication networks usually distinguish between the entire system and the communications subnet. The former includes the latter plus the terminals, devices and computer intercommunication via the subnet. This logically includes the resident processes that control or interface with the subnet. Greater computer communication network reliability can obviously be achieved by maximizing the reliability of its constituent components i.e. hardware, software, and communication network. The network reliability can be improved by exploiting the redundancies that are either inherent due to network topology or can be provided in the network. This paper presents a comprehensive discussion of issues involved and trends prevailing in producing reliable hardware; reliable software; and reliable computer communication network while reviewing techniques available for preventing, detecting, diagnosing, correcting and recovering from malfunctions.