Visual reasoning about social networks using centrality sensitivity

In this paper, we study the sensitivity of centrality metrics as a key metric of social networks to support visual reasoning. As centrality represents the prestige or importance of a node in a network, its sensitivity represents the importance of the relationship between this and all other nodes in the network. We have derived an analytical solution that extracts the sensitivity as the derivative of centrality with respect to degree for two centrality metrics based on feedback and random walks. We show that these sensitivities are good indicators of the distribution of centrality in the network, and how changes are expected to be propagated if we introduce changes to the network. These metrics also help us simplify a complex network in a way that retains the main structural properties and that results in trustworthy, readable diagrams. Sensitivity is also a key concept for uncertainty analysis of social networks, and we show how our approach may help analysts gain insight on the robustness of key network metrics. Through a number of examples, we illustrate the need for measuring sensitivity, and the impact it has on the visualization of and interaction with social and other scale-free networks.     

NO reduction by CH4 over Pd/Co-sulfated zirconia catalysts

A series of sulfated zirconia supported Pd/Co catalysts was synthesized by the sol–gel method and examined for NO_x reduction by methane. The NO conversion increased up to a Co/S ratio of 0.43, and then decreased at a higher Co loading (Co/S = 0.95). Sulfate content was also essential for obtaining high selectivity to molecular nitrogen. A catalyst loaded with 0.06 wt.% Pd, 2.1 wt.% Co and 2.1 wt.% S (Pd/Co-SZ-2) exhibited remarkable performance under lean conditions and displayed stability in a long-term durability test using a synthetic reaction mixture containing 10% water vapor. This catalyst exhibited the highest sulfur retention most probably as cobalt sulfide. Besides, the catalytic oxidation of NO to NO_y groups was confirmed by FT-IR, in agreement with the general mechanism for the SCR of NO by hydrocarbons. In the absence of oxygen in the feed stream, the catalyst was highly active for NO reduction with methane. IR stretching bands assigned to N₂O and adsorbed nitro groups were identified upon adsorbing NO on Pd/Co-SZ-2. This indicates that under rich conditions disproportionation of NO to N₂O and NO₂ occurs and confirms that the formation of NO₂ species is an essential step for NO reduction by CH₄.     

The effect of ceria content on the performance of Pt/CeO2/Al2O3 catalysts in the partial oxidation of methane

The effect of CeO₂ loading (1–20 wt.%) on the properties and catalytic behaviors of CeO₂–Al₂O₃-supported Pt catalysts on the partial oxidation of methane was studied. The catalysts were characterized by S_BET, X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and oxygen storage capacity (OSC). XRD and TPR results showed that the pretreatment temperature of the support influences on the amount of CeO₂ with fluorite structure. The pretreatment temperature of the support and CeO₂ loading influenced the morphology of Pt. OSC analysis showed a significant increase in the oxygen storage capacity per weight of CeO₂ for samples with high CeO₂ loading (12 and 20 wt.%). TPR analyses showed that the addition of Pt promotes the reduction of CeO₂. This effect was more significant for the catalysts with high CeO₂ loading (≥12 wt.%). The dispersion of Pt, measured by the rate of cyclohexane dehydrogenation, increases with increasing of the pretreatment temperature of the support. It was shown that the kind of the support is very important for obtaining of catalysts resistant to carbon formation. The catalysts with high CeO₂ loading (≥12 wt.%) showed the highest catalytic activity and stability in the reaction of partial oxidation of methane due to a higher Pt–CeO₂ interface.     

Total content and dialyzable iron and zinc in foods from northern and Southern Mexico

Developing countries diets are based on a variety of plant foods that often are the main suppliers of important amounts of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). The objectives of this study were 1) to measure the total and dialyzable amounts of Fe and Zn in foods from Northern Mexico (Sonora) and from Southern Mexico (Oaxaca) and 2) to evaluate the effect of meat content of diets on the dialyzable amount of Fe and Zn. Methods to calculate the total dialyzable amount of Fe and Zn, were those of the AOAC and of Shen et al. Total Fe in e northern Mexican foods went from 0.78 +/- 0.0 to 11.59 +/- to 0.03 mg/ 100g (dry weight, DW); in southern Mexican foods the same micronutrient amounts were 0.86 +/- 0.18 to 8.8 +/- 0.57 mg/100 g (BS). Total Zn values were 0.91 +/- 0.00 to 13.58 +/- 0.05 mg/100 g (DW) in Sonora, and 0.64 +/- 0.18 to 20.80 +/- 0.33 mg/100 g (DW) in Oaxaca. In northern Mexico, foods dialyzable Fe had values from 0.1 +/- 0.04% to 10.6 +/- 0.36% and for Zn from 4.0 +/- 0.21% to 55.32 +/- 0.14%. Meanwhile, the range of values of dialyzable Fe for foods from Oaxaca were from 0.22 +/- 0.06% to 9.40 +/- 0.14% for and from 2.41 +/- 0.26% to 54.27 +/- 1.49% for dialyzable Zn. The average value for dialyzable Fe was higher in the foods that contained meat or meat products (p= 0.001).     

Combustion of methane over palladium ZSM-5 and mordenite catalysts

The effect of Pd-loading on Pd-NaZSM-5 and Pd-NaMordenite catalysts prepared by ion exchange was studied for methane combustion with excess oxygen (1% CH₄, 18% O₂, balance N₂) in the temperature range 40–500°C. Fresh and calcined samples (3 h, 450°C) showed methane conversions proportional to Pd-loading on Pd-NaZSM-5 catalysts, while conversions decreased with Pd-loading on calcined Pd-NaMordenite catalysts. TOF (number of methane molecules converted per second per Pd²⁺ ion) for over exchanged Pd-NaZSM5-116 was low as compared to under exchanged Pd-NaZSM5-80 and Pd-NaZSM5-58 samples. Close TOF's were found for the last two samples at 330°C. TOF differences in Pd-NaMordenite catalysts demonstrate the heterogeneity of Pd⁺² sites due to structurally nonidentical locations of cations. TOF's appear to be related to Na/Pd ratios in both catalyst types. Apparent activation energies for Pd-NaZSM-5 materials are higher than those for Pd-NaMordenite catalysts.     

Evaporation of polymer-solvent mixtures

Summary The Stefan-Winkelmann diffusion technique has been used to determine vapor pressures of high boiling point compound-solvents mixtures. Data are reported at a temperature of 67°C for the mixtures polyphenyl ether (6 rings) — benzene and carbowax 1500 — benzene and at a temperature of 100°C for the mixtures polyphenyl ether (6 rings) — toluene and tricresylphosphate-toluene. The range of concentration is only limited by the appearance of a solid phase, and results are in good agreement with those determined by vapor pressure osmometry.Nomenclature A Vapour source - B Flowing gas phase - c Concentration, g-mol/cm³ - D_AB Molecular diffusion coefficient, cm₂/s - h_i Total interface depth, cm - K Parameter defined by equation (6), dimensionless - I Polymer or high boiling point compound - M_A Molecular weight - N_AZ Molar flux, g-mol/(cm₂) (s) - P_A Partial pressure at the interface, atm - P Total pressure, atm - R Gas constant, (atm) (cm₃) / (°K) (g-mol) - T Temperature, °K - t Time, s - Y_A Molar fraction at the interface, dimensionless - z_o Initial interface depth, cm - z_i Drop of the interface depth, cm - z Interface position Greek Letters _A Density of the liquid phase, g/cm³     

Inactivation of Fusarium oxysporum Conidia in Soil with Gaseous Ozone – Preliminary Studies

ABSTRACT

In this study, the efficiency of gaseous ozone (O₃) injected in the soil as an oxidizing agent for the inactivation of F. oxysporum was evaluated under laboratory conditions. The results show the treatment reached an inactivation efficiency of 76% after an applied dose of 0.40 g O₃ kg ^?1 soil. This shows that the injection of O₃ can be a viable alternative to control pathogenic organisms in the soils. Nevertheless, it is clear that more studies on determining the effects of this treatment on soil quality are needed.     

Modèles Hydrodynamiques pour la Séparation des Courants dans un Décanteur Pilote

Despite of its general use in industry, particle sedimentation is still a not well understood unit operation. Hydrodynamics is complex in essence, mainly because the possible volumes are depending on the operating conditions, which in turn has consequences on the stability of the equipment in unsteady state conditions.     

Secretory profile of metapleural gland cells of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex coronatus (Formicidae: Attini)

Ants present a pair of metapleural glands located at the posterolateral end of the thorax. Because of its importance in the social organization of ants, the present study was aimed at describing the morphophysiology of this gland in three worker castes of Acromyrmex coronatus, focused on secretory activity using histological and histochemical techniques. Our findings revealed that the secretory and the storage portions of this gland are connected by extracytoplasmic portion of canaliculi that drain the secretion from each secretory cell to the collecting chamber. This secretion contains glycoproteins. In minor workers, the secretion contains higher levels of polysaccharides when compared to that of major workers, supporting the role of the metapleural gland in the maintenance of the fungus garden. The nucleus as well as cytoplasm of secretory cells were strongly positive for RNA indicating that these cells are active in the synthesis of proteins and lipids, compounds found in the final secretion. The variant of the CEC revealed that the secretory activity of the entire gland is synchronous, as all cells exhibit the result.     

Reconstructing design parameters of a rectangular resonator via peak signal-to-noise ratio and global optimization algorithms

This article proposes an approach for reconstructing physical parameters of a sample in a rectangular resonator during microwave radiation, knowing a priori, its electric field distribution. The inverse problem was solved using two global optimization algorithms and the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) criterion. First, the Self-regulated Fretwidth Harmony Search algorithm (SFHS) identified suitable resonant frequencies for a given configuration. Next, the unified Particle Swarm Optimization (UPSO) optimized said configuration. Together, they became a maximization strategy of the PSNR through a dual optimization process. Results showed the ability of the approach for estimating the height of each sample block and the resonating frequency of the cavity. This process takes longer to finish as a higher PSNR is demanded (mainly due to the aforementioned dual optimization). Even so, it allows for more similar electric field distributions between both, the direct and inverse problems.