Water-superabsorbent polymers through gamma radiation-induced graft-copolymerization of acrylonitrile on guargum

Superabsorbent polymers based on guargum have been prepared through a graft-copolymerization reaction using acrylonitrile as the monomer by a gamma ray-induced irradiation technique. Various grafting parameters have been studied. The grafted products have been characterized using infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric, and differential thermal analysis. The thermograms reveal the superior thermal stability of the grafted product over the control at all stages of its degradative cycle. The maximum absorbency obtained of the superabsorbent product was around 300 g/g.     

Organic photoconductors: Dark and photoconduction studies in two p-dimethylamino styryl dyes derived from pyridine-2 and pyridine-4

Results of our experiments on the dark and photoconduction studies in two p-dimethylamino styryl dyes derived from pyridine-2 (PDMS-P2) and pyridine-4 (PDMS-P4) in their pure form without any dopant or additive are reported. Measurements on surface-type (raster pattern) cells show that the dark and photocurrents are dependent on the applied potential, temperature, and the photocurrent on the intensity of the incident radiation and the wavelength. Action spectra of the samples could not be recorded as the intensity of the monochromatic radiation from the monochromator reaching the sample was too low to induce any noticeable photocurrent. The compounds show a low dark conductivity. The dark and photocurrents show a perfect ohmic behaviour in the temperature range studied (288–328 K). Since photoconduction could only be observed in a vacuum, this clearly indicates that the compounds are n-type semiconductors. The observed rise and decay kinetics of the photocurrents indicate the presence of traps in the forbidden zone. The dyes show an enhanced photoconduction on illumination with visible radiation only. The marked open circuit voltage and the short-circuit current observed in these compounds indicate a possible application in solar photovoltaics.     

Influence of wettability on the recovery of NAPLs from alluvium

The physicochemical characteristics of five nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) recovered from contaminated alluvial aquifers are presented. The five include two chlorinated degreasing solvents, one chlorinated dry-cleaning solvent and two weathered fuel hydrocarbons. In addition to density, viscosity, and interfacial tensions, the equivalent alkane carbon number (EACN), spreading coefficients and Amott-Harvey and USBM wettability indices with respect to alluvial aquifer materials are used as a means to characterize three of these NAPLs. Experimentally measured spreading coefficients of four of these NAPLs illustrate that field NAPLs can have positive initial spreading coefficients. Furthermore, capillary desaturation curves for two NAPLs with alluvial aquifer material collected from the NAPL zone are presented as an additional and important means to infer the practical implications of the wetting characteristics on the efficacy of NAPL recovery. The results from the wettability and capillary desaturation experiments show that these NAPLs are mixed-wet to oil-wet when measured in the alluvium from their respective field sites. Furthermore, these results indicate that the displacement of NAPLs from soils by water is more difficult for mixed-wet or oil-wet soils than it is for water-wet or weakly water-wet soils. Finally experimental data indicate that adding anionic surfactants to the water shifts the wettability toward water-wet and makes the NAPL easier to displace and recover.     

Differential evolution approach for optimal reactive power dispatch

Differential evolution based optimal reactive power dispatch for real power loss minimization in power system is presented in this paper. The proposed methodology determines control variable settings such as generator terminal voltages, tap positions and the number of shunts to be switched, for real power loss minimization in the transmission system. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer nonlinear optimization problem. A generic penalty function method, which does not require any penalty coefficient, is employed for constraint handling. The formulation also checks for the feasibility of the optimal control variable setting from a voltage security point of view by using a voltage collapse proximity indicator. The algorithm is tested on standard IEEE 14, IEEE 30, and IEEE 118-Bus test systems. To show the effectiveness of proposed method the results are compared with Particle Swarm Optimization and a conventional optimization technique – Sequential Quadratic Programming.     

Cross-linking decrystallized and partially acetylated cotton yarn with dimethylol–dihydroxy–ethylene–urea

Easy-care finishing of cotton fabrics invariably results in the loss of mechanical properties of the fabrics. There have been many attempts from time to time by different workers to reduce the above loss in the mechanical properties. But the problem is yet to be resolved satisfactory. As the uniform distribution of cross-links in the resin-finished structure of cellulose is the key for achieving a better balance of mechanical properties, the present work aims at a suitable modification of the cellulose matrix to achieve the goal. The paper reports the mechanical properties of the modified and cross-linked cotton yarn. The cross-linked samples of the modification treatment involving swelling the yarn at normal stretch with 20% NaOH and partially acetylating without washing off the alkali have displayed higher tenacity, elongation, and toughness, with better easy-care properties as compared to the control.     

Acidity of heteropoly compounds from XPS measurements

The changes in the partial charges on oxygens in the various heteropoly salts as a result of the acidity differences have been exploited for probing the oxygen 1s and W 4f lines. The gradation of the acidity thus obtained is compared to that of the conventional method.     

Testing and Modeling Two Rockfill Materials

Modeled rockfill materials consisting of rounded and angular particles obtained from two dam sites are subjected to drained triaxial tests using large size specimens. An elastoplastic constitutive model based on the disturbed state concept is adopted to characterize the behavior of the modeled rockfill materials. The material parameters for the two rockfill materials are determined from the experimental results. The variation of the material parameters with respect to the size of the particles for the rockfill material with the rounded particle is, in general, opposite to that for the rockfill material with the angular particles. The model is shown to provide satisfactory prediction of the behavior of the rockfill materials tested. Material parameters are predicted for prototype size of rockfill materials.     

Correction to: Efficient Algorithm for Identification and Cache Based Discovery of Cloud Services

Mobile Networks and Applications - The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake in the author group section. Author “V. Varadarajan” should be expanded to...