Kinetics and thermodynamics of paclitaxel extraction from plant cell culture

We investigated the effect of temperature on the efficiency of paclitaxel extraction from biomass. In addition, kinetic and thermodynamic studies of this extraction process were performed. The concentration of extracted paclitaxel increased with increasing extraction temperature and extraction time. When the experimental data were applied to various kinetic models, the hyperbolic model (second-order model) was the most appropriate. The predictive model was developed to predict the concentration of extracted paclitaxel at different temperatures at a given time. The Gibbs free energy change was determined to be negative, while enthalpy change and entropy change were positive. These results indicate that this extraction process is spontaneous, endothermic, and irreversible.     

A Modification of the Coates Gain Formula for the Analysis of Linear Systems

In this paper, the Coates flow-graph gain formula is modified by the introduction of the loop-set and the two-loop-set, baaed on the concepts of the tree and the two-tree in network topology. The analogy is evident by observing that the two-trees T _ij of a given graph G can be obtained by coalescing vertices i and j of G and thon removing the self-loops. In a similar manner, the two-loop-sets can be obtained from the flow graph by first modifying the graph and then obtaining the loop-sets of tho modified graph. Because of such modification, the derivation of tho gain formula is considerably simplified. Consequently, the evaluation of the terms in the formula becomes easier. Finally, a simple method of determining the number of terms in the formula is derived as a check against possible omission of terms due to carelessness.     

Optimal control of economic growth with application to Korean economy

This paper is concerned with the application of optimal control theory to the dual growth of the Korean economy. A closed two sector economic growth model is formulated by dividing the economy into agriculture and non-agriculture in order to represent the transitional phenomena between the two sectors. Taking capital and saving as state and control variables, respectively, the model governing the economic growth becomes a non-linear simultaneous differential equations with coupling terms of state and control variables. Assuming the Cobb-Douglas production function and the exponential form of the social welfare function, the necessary and sufficient conditions of the optimal control have been derived for the case of finite planning horizon by using the Pontryagin's maximum principle. Since deriving the optimal trajectories of state and control variables analytically is impossible, a numerical procedure based on the variation of extremals is used to obtain the optimal paths of the aggregate investment and consumption of the Korean economy.     

Quality-by-design approach for the development of telmisartan potassium tablets

A quality-by-design approach was adopted to develop telmisartan potassium (TP) tablets, which were bioequivalent with the commercially available Micardis^® (telmisartan free base) tablets. The dissolution pattern and impurity profile of TP tablets differed from those of Micardis^® tablets because telmisartan free base is poorly soluble in water. After identifying the quality target product profile and critical quality attributes (CQAs), drug dissolution, and impurities were predicted to be risky CQAs. To determine the exact range and cause of risks, we used the risk assessment (RA) tools, preliminary hazard analysis and failure mode and effect analysis to determine the parameters affecting drug dissolution, impurities, and formulation. The range of the design space was optimized using the face-centered central composite design among the design of experiment (DOE) methods. The binder, disintegrant, and kneading time in the wet granulation were identified as X values affecting Y values (disintegration, hardness, friability, dissolution, and impurities). After determining the design space with the desired Y values, the TP tablets were formulated and their dissolution pattern was compared with that of the reference tablet. The selected TP tablet formulated using design space showed a similar dissolution to that of Micardis^® tablets at pH 7.5. The QbD approach TP tablet was bioequivalent to Micardis^® tablets in beagle dogs.     

Effect of pulse time on surface characteristics and corrosion resistance during pulse electrochemical polishing

Pulse electrochemical polishing (PECP) was used to improve the mechanical properties,such as surface roughness and corrosion resistance,of conductive metallic materials.PECP can provide a smooth,bright,reflective,and deburred surface that exhibits superior corrosion resistance.In this work,stainless steel was used as the anode,and copper was used as the cathode due to their low electrical resistances.The surface roughness of the PECP sample was measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM).A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe surface characteristics,and an Auger electron spectroscope (AES) was used to analyze the metallurgical composition and thickness of the passive film.The aim of this research was to compare the corrosion resistance rates of the unprocessed and PECP-processed stainless steel.     

Optimal number of minor failures before replacement

This paper extends a replacement model based on failure number to include a repair-cost limit for general failure distributions. The stochastic behaviour of failures and repair costs are modelled by a non-homogeneous Poisson process. An efficient marginal analysis algorithm is presented for finding the optimal failure number for replacement that minimizes the average cost rate.     

Evaluation of microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-xCe-0.5Zn alloys by nano-indentation

The microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-xCe-0.5Zn(x=0.5,1.5,2.5,molar fraction,%) alloys were examined using a nano-indentation technique.The alloys were fabricated using a vacuum induction melting method under an argon atmosphere. The microstructures of Mg-xCe-0.5Zn alloys mainly consist ofα-Mg and eutectic Mg12Ce phase.The volume fraction and size of the eutectic Mg12Ce phase increase with increasing Ce contents.Nano-indentation test results show that the indentation hardness and elastic modulus of the eutectic Mg12Ce phase are higher than those of theα-Mg matrix.In addition,the mean indentation hardness and elastic modulus of the Mg-xCe-0.5Zn alloys increase with the Ce addition amount increasing.     

从日、韩低碳型生态城市探讨相关生态城规划实践

随着全球对气候变化和生态环境的重视,最近国内外的城市发展政策都将焦点集中到低碳生态城市的规划建设上.于是,实现现有城市发展模式向低碳生态城市空间结构的转变就成为城市领域共同探讨的新课题.目前,我国正在积极与新加坡和欧洲国家共同对生态城规划建设进行实践研究,在此背景下,首先对生态规划建设起步较早的日本和韩国的典型低碳型生态城市进行案例分析,然后利用归纳总结的规划要素构想出适合低碳生态城市建设的紧凑型城市空间结构,最后针对中新天津生态城与日本和韩国的低碳生态城市比较分析中得出的问题提出相应的改善建议.     

Effect of ion exchange resin on increased surface area crystallization process for purification of vancomycin

We investigated the effects of ion exchange resins on the efficiency of crystallization with an increased surface area for the purification of vancomycin. As surface area-increasing materials, diverse types of ion exchange resin were used to increase the surface area per working volume (S/V). When the S/V was increased, in cation exchange resin Amberlite 200, Amberlite IR 120 (Na), and Amberlite IRC 50 and in anion exchange resin Amberlite IRA 400 (Cl) and Amberlite IRA 910 (Cl), vancomycin crystals were successfully generated. The yield of vancomycin increased (>97%), and the time necessary for crystallization was reduced dramatically (reduced from 24 hr to 12 hr). On the other hand, the purity of the vancomycin was approximately 95% and was not affected by increasing S/V. Use of an ion exchange resin also resulted in the production of smaller vancomycin crystals than in the absence of ion exchange resin.