Fast projection methods for minimal design problems in linear system theory

The so-called minimal design problem (or MDP) of linear system theory is to find a proper minimal degree rational matrix solution of the equation H(z)D(z)=N(z), where {N(z),D(z)} are given p×r and m×r polynomial matrices with D(z) of full rank r≦m.We describe some solution algorithms that appear to be more efficient (in terms of number of computations and of potential numerical stability) than those presently known. The algorithms are based on the structure of a polynomial echelon form of the left minimal basis of the so-called generalized Sylvester resultant matrix of {N(z), D(z)}. Orthogonal projection algorithms that exploit the Toeplitz structure of this resultant matrix are used to reduce the number of computations needed for the solution.     

The Effects of Annealing Atmosphere on the Electrical Properties of MgNb2O6/ITO Heterostructures

The effects of annealing atmosphere (N₂, air and O₂) on the electrical properties of sol–gel‐derived MgNb₂O₆/ITO heterostructures are discussed in this work. All samples exhibited the amorphous phase and were highly transparent. The percentage of Nb⁴⁺ content increased when the films were annealed in the oxygen‐deficient conditions, which could lead to semiconducting films. In addition, the results show that the electrical properties of sol–gel‐derived MgNb₂O₆ thin films could be tuned based on the annealing atmosphere. Moreover, the conduction mechanisms of MgNb₂O₆/ITO heterostructures are also discussed in this study. The results show that MgNb₂O₆ thin films have potential for use in multifunctional optoelectronic applications, due to their flexible electrical properties and good transparency.     

A Blend of Essential Plant Oils Used as an Additive to Alter Silage Fermentation or Used as a Feed Additive for Lactating Dairy Cows

A blend of essential plant oils was evaluated for its effects on silage fermentation and animal performance. In the first experiment, the blend of essential oils was mixed with freshly chopped whole-plant corn to achieve a concentration of 0, 40, or 80 mg of active product per kilogram of fresh forage weight. Whole-plant corn was also mixed with a buffered propionic acid-based product at 0.2% of fresh forage weight. The blend of essential oils did not affect the populations of yeasts, molds, lactic acid bacteria, or enterobacteria; the fermentation end products; or the aerobic stability of the corn silage. Addition of the buffered propionic acid additive moderately reduced the production of acids during fermentation and resulted in a small reduction in the numbers of yeasts after ensiling, but did not affect aerobic stability. In a second experiment, 30 Holstein cows (4 primiparous and 26 multiparous) averaging 118 ± 70 d in milk and producing 38 ± 16 kg of milk/d were fed a total mixed ration, once daily, that consisted of (on a DM basis) 25% corn silage, 15% alfalfa silage, 10% alfalfa hay, and 50% concentrate. One-half of the cows were fed a blend of essential oils that was mixed directly into their total mixed ration to provide 1.2 g/cow per d for 9 wk. Cows fed the essential oils ate 1.9 kg more dry matter/d and produced 2.7 kg more 3.5% fat-corrected milk/d than did cows fed the control diet. The percentages of milk fat and protein, the somatic cell count numbers, and the concentrations of milk urea nitrogen were unaffected by treatment. Feed efficiency, change in body weight, and change in body condition scoring were also similar between treatments. After 12 h of incubation, the addition of a moderate dose and a high dose of essential oils to in vitro ruminal fermentations had no effect on the concentration of total VFA compared with the control treatment. However, they decreased the molar proportions of acetic, butyric, and valeric acids and increased the proportion of propionic acid. The blend of essential oils evaluated in this study altered in vitro ruminal fermentation and improved animal performance when fed directly to cows, but it did not affect the fermentation or aerobic stability of corn silage.     

Metabolism of DL-methionine and methionine analogs by rumen microorganisms

Rates of degradation of DL-methionine and a number of methionine derivatives by rumen microorganisms were studied in vitro. Methionine hydroxy analog, the ammonium salt, and the amide derivative of methionine hydroxy analog were degraded more slowly than was methionine. Methyl and ethyl esters of methionine hydroxy analog were rapidly converted to methionine hydroxy analog, which was then degraded. Whole rumen contents were separated into protozoal and bacterial fractions, and rates of disappearance of [14C]carboxyl-labeled methionine and methionine hydroxy analog were determined. Disappearance of the label tended to be slower in the bacterial fraction; however, incorporation into cellular material tended to be higher for the bacterial than for the protozoal fraction. Disappearance of labeled methionine hydroxy analog was slower than labeled methionine in all fractions. Addition of unlabeled methionine inhibited disappearance of labeled methionine hydroxy analog, but unlabeled methionine hydroxy analog did not affect disappearance of labeled methionine. The effect of either Na2SO4, methionine, or methionine hydroxy analog on neutral detergent fiber digestion was related to amount of sulfur in the medium and not source of sulfur.     

An amphoteric water‐soluble copolymer. II. Effect of its molecular weight on the dispersion of barium titanate in water

An amphoteric water‐soluble copolymer, that is, polyacrylamide/(α‐N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐acryloyloxyethyl)ammonium ethanate (PAAM/DAAE) was synthesized and it showed the ability to disperse BaTiO₃ (BT) particles in aqueous solutions. In this work, the effect of molecular weight of this polymer on the dispersing properties was further examined. The results indicate that the effectiveness of three polymer samples with different molecular weights in the dispersion of BT particles is P2 (M_w = 1.1 × 10⁵) > P1 (M_w = 1.2 × 10⁴) > P3 (M_w = 3.0 × 10⁵). Apparently, P2 is most effective in dispersing the particles, reducing the viscosity of the suspensions, and obtaining highest green and sintered densities. This is attributed to the highest adsorption of this polymer onto BT powder, and causes strongest electrostatic and steric repulsions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 886–891, 2006     

氰酸酯树脂增韧改性研究进展

主要介绍了氰酸酯(CE)树脂的增韧机制,综合分析了国内外CE树脂的增韧改性研究成果(包括热固性树脂改性CE、热塑性树脂改性CE、橡胶弹性体改性CE和纳米无机材料改性CE等),并对CE树脂的发展前景进行了展望。     

Ink‐jet printing of nylon fabric using reactive dyestuff

This study discusses ink‐jet printing of nylon fabric with reactive dyestuff. Specifically, this paper investigates the impact of the concentration levels of pretreatment paste on fabric permeability, and examines the influence of various acid agents, hygroscopic agents and different processing conditions on colour yield. Results show that ink‐jet printing displayed excellent wet fastness in repeated wash testing. This study used four reactive dyestuffs, cyan, magenta, yellow and black, all of which achieved both wash fastness and crock fastness of grade 4.     

Increasing the potency of a cytotoxin with an arginine graft

Variants and homologs of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease (RNase A) can exhibit cytotoxic activity. This toxicity relies on cellular internalization of the enzyme. Residues Glu49 and Asp53 form an anionic patch on the surface of RNase A. We find that replacing these two residues with arginine does not affect catalytic activity or affinity for the cytosolic ribonuclease inhibitor (RI) protein. This 'arginine graft' does, however, increase toxicity towards human cancer cells. Appending a nonaarginine domain to this cationic variant results in an additional increase in cytotoxicity, providing one of the most cytotoxic known variants of RNase A. These findings correlate the potency of a ribonuclease with its deliverance of ribonucleolytic activity to the cytosol, and indicate a rational means to enhance the efficacy of ribonucleases and other cytotoxic proteins.