Technology transfer projects in developing countries—furthering the Project Management perspectives

This paper attempts to broaden the analysis of the technology transfer phenomenon by refocusing research attention on the level of performance assessment of technology transfer projects. An holistic evaluation framework based on the considerations of an extended Project Life Cycle model is proposed to overcome some of the shortcomings of conventional approaches to project evaluation. This also reinforces the need for open systems thinking in assessing and managing risk of technology transfer projects. The discussion is based on two case studies which articulate the experiences with two integrated mechanisms of technology transfer used in Algeria from 1965 to 1990: turnkey and “product-in-hand”. The aim is to gain a better understanding of the processes of technology transfer and to contribute to the improvement of associated managerial practices in developing economies.     

Lipid Structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lallemantia</Emphasis> Seed Oil: A Potential Source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids for Nutritional Supplements

The lipid composition of the seed oil of three varieties (L-74, VIR-11 and BGR-455) of Lallemantia iberica Fisch. &; Mey. (Lamiaceae) harvested in Bulgaria was examined in detail. Triacylglycerols (TAG >90%), phospholipids (<3%), sterol esters (~0.2%), and accompanying compounds—sterols (~0.3%) and tocopherols (336–499 mg/kg)—were determined for the first time. In addition, the specific distribution of fatty acids between the lipid classes was elucidated. Nineteen TAG species were unambiguously identified and quantified and of these the highly unsaturated trilinolenin, dilinolenyl linoleate and dilinolenyl palmitate comprised 59% of the total TAG. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine were the main phospholipids. Beta-sitosterol was the main sterol component, followed by campesterol and stigmasterol. Gamma-tocopherol predominated (>90%) in the tocopherol fraction. Palmitic acid (16:0) was the major fatty acid of the phospholipids and oleic acid (cis 9-18:1) dominated in the sterol ester fraction. The three varieties have similar lipid compositions with BGR-455 being slightly more saturated. Due to its composition, Lallemantia oil might compete successfully with flax and other plant oils as a source of linolenic fatty acid in industrial and dietary applications.     

Effect of electro-chemical properties of sodium salts of various anions on their diffusional parameters in symmetrical cellulose acetate membranes

A relation was obtained between electro-chemical properties of sodium salts (NaCl, NaBr, and Na₂SO₄), and the thermodynamic property of permeability in symmetrical cellulose acetate membranes, the distribution coefficient K and the kinetic property, the overall diffusion coefficients D. K and D were obtained by the method we proposed using measured unsteady- and steady-state dialysis data. The K values increase with the increase of water content and are in the range of 10⁻² for sodium halides and 10⁻³ for Na₂SO₄. D is found to increase with the increase of the solute concentration, and the extrapolated values of D to zero concentration D⁽⁰⁾ are obtained as 0.015–0.03 μm²/s and increase with the increase of water content in the membrane. D can be divided into the concentration independent diffusion coefficients in the dense part of the membrane D_d and in the porous D_p, applying a two-part (perfect or dense and imperfect or porous) model of the membrane. Contrary to D_d, D_p increases with the increase of W_w and can be correlated as D_p,c = _d exp (γ × W_w). It is shown that the averaged D_d, _D increases with the increase of the quantity of the ionic mobility u of the solutes at infinite dilution divided by valence, and that the parameter γ increases with the increase of the ionic mobility u. The value of K increases slightly with the increase of water content and decreases with the increase of the Flory—Huggins parameter χ. The Flory—Huggins parameter χ is calculated from the measured values of distribution coefficients and data obtained from the literature. And it was found that the gradient of linear decrease of χ (λ_cation) depends on equivalent ionic conductivity of anion of salt, λ_an.     

Nanosized zeolite films for vapor-sensing applications

Colloidal zeolites LTA and BEA sized below 100 nm were synthesized as building blocks for the controlled growth of thin microporous films on piezoelectric sensor devices (quartz crystal microbalance, QCM). The zeolite films were prepared on pre-seeded gold substrates on QCM devices. Initially, a layer of colloidal particles was deposited on the support through chemical bonding with a silane coupling agent, followed by hydrothermal growth. BEA- and LTA-type zeolite films with thicknesses of 250 and 450 nm, respectively, were prepared by optimizing the synthesis conditions. The application of these zeolite films in microsensors for water and organic compounds is presented. The importance of the zeolite structure type with respect to the sensitivity towards different organic and water vapors at various concentrations is discussed. Both zeolites are thermally stable and show reproducible responses during long-term experiments. Based on these results, it was concluded that both zeolite films could be used effectively as humidity sensor materials for water vapor sensing purposes. High sensitivity, good reversibility and long life were demonstrated for this type of zeolite film at low water concentrations. In comparison to LTA, the BEA films show a higher sorption capacity towards water vapor and no rejection of pentane, hexane and cyclohexane, due to the larger pore size of the BEA structure.     

Cyanides,Arsenic, and Noble Metals in Abandoned Gold Ore Cyanidation Tailings and Surface Waters in a Permafrost Region (Transbaikal Territory,Russia)

Mine Water and the Environment - Geochemical and geophysical investigations were performed in an area of the Darasun ore cyanidation tailings impoundment, which is located in a permafrost region....