Effects of interactions with the surface on the orientation of the mesogenic monoazacrown-substituted phthalocyanine films

In this paper, the effect of interaction with the substrate surface on the orientation of films' molecules of substituted liquid crystalline phthalocyanines M(II)Pc (M = Cu, Ni, Zn) having monoazacrown ether moieties on the periphery containing long alkyloxyphenyl N-pivotal groups is studied. The phthalocyanine derivatives demonstrate thermotropic mesophase behaviour and show Col_h mesophases over a wide temperature range. The preferential orientation of the phthalocyanine films deposited on glass, silicon and NaCl substrates as well as between two of those substrates is studied by polarized Raman spectroscopy at different temperatures. These phthalocyanines form homeotropically aligned films on the surface of NaCl substrate, whereas planar alignment with a random distribution of the column directors occurs on the glass slides.     

Weighted finite automata over strong bimonoids

We investigate weighted finite automata over strings and strong bimonoids. Such algebraic structures satisfy the same laws as semirings except that no distributivity laws need to hold. We define two different behaviors and prove precise characterizations for them if the underlying strong bimonoid satisfies local finiteness conditions. Moreover, we show that in this case the given weighted automata can be determinized.     

NMR‐Guided Molecular Docking of a Protein–Peptide Complex Based on Ant Colony Optimization

Standard docking approaches used for the prediction of protein–ligand complexes in the drug development process have problems identifying the correct binding mode of large flexible ligands. Herein we show how additional experimental data from NMR experiments can be used to predict the binding mode of a mucin 1 (MUC‐1) pentapeptide recognized by the breast‐cancer‐selective monoclonal antibody SM3. Distance constraints derived from trNOE and saturation transfer difference NMR experiments are combined with the docking approach PLANTS. The resulting complex structures show excellent agreement with the NMR data and with a published X‐ray crystal structure. The method was then further tested on two complexes in order to demonstrate its more general applicability: T‐antigen disaccharide bound to Maclura pomifera agglutinin, and the inhibitor SBi279 bound to S100B protein. Our new approach has the advantages of being fully automatic, rapid, and unbiased; moreover, it is based on relatively easily obtainable experimental data and can greatly increase the reliability of the generated structures.     

Progress in the KIT approach for development of the HCPB TBM stiffening plate feasibility mock up fabrication

Sub-component manufacturing and assembly concepts for the fabrication of the Helium Cooled Pebble Bed Test Blanket Module have been developed since more than one decade in the KIT. In the present design the structure of the HCPB TBM can be sub-divided into three key components: (i) TBM box, (ii) stiffening plates and (iii) the breeder zone. The present fabrication and assembly routines is based on the assumption that each of the aforementioned sub-components can be assembled in parallel and independently before assembling the TBM. Therefore the procedures to fabricate these sub-components can be addressed in independent tasks. This paper shows the results of the KIT/industry collaboration with the final goal to develop a set of preliminary welding procedure specifications (pWPS) for the assembly of the HCPB TBM stiffening plate. Recently a promising set of draft pWPS could be identified in medium scale fabrication experiments. This paper recalls the results of qualification routines according to ISO 15614-11 (RCC-MR Edition 2007, RS 3570) in order to verify the parameters.     

滚动轴承润滑脂耐高温性能的试验及评价

比较了润滑脂耐高温性能的静态和动态试验方法,说明润滑脂的耐高温性能应该采用动态试验方法,以试验后润滑脂润滑功能的劣化程度即轴承摩擦力矩的升高程度或手感的加重程度来评价,强调试验后润滑脂色变与否及色变程度与其润滑功能没有必然联系,不宜作为润滑脂耐高温性能的评价依据.     

Characterization of Acetyl Starch by Means of NMR Spectroscopy and SEC/MALLS in Comparison with Hydroxyethyl Starch

The properties of starch derivatives which may be used as plasma substitutes, are dependent upon the molecular structure. Seven acetyl starch (AS) samples were determined and compared with results from hydroxyethyl starch (HES) samples. The molar masses and their distributions were determined with the combination of size exclusion chromatography and light scattering. Slightly asymmetric distributions were determined with a polydispersity M_w/M_n = 2.4 and weight-average molar masses of M_w = 250,000–300,000 g/mol for six AS samples and M_w/M_n = 3.6 and a weight-average molar mass of 766,000 g/mol for one AS sample. The average degrees of substitution (DS) and the substitution pattern were determined by high resolution NMR spectroscopy. The AS samples investigated had a DS of 0.42 to 0.81, comparable to HES, but the regioselective substitution pattern revealed differences. While for HES the position C-2 is preferred and the position C-3 has nearly no substituent, for AS both positions, C-2 and C-3, are substituted likewise. Degradability by α-amylase was tested in the laboratory for AS as well as for HES having nearly the same degree of substitution and molar mass, but C-2/C-6 = 2 for AS and C-2/C-6 = 1.4 for HES. An exponential decrease in the molar mass was observed over time, down to a limiting molar mass M_w = 50,000 g/mol for AS and M_w = 30,000 g/mol for HES, the degradation of AS occurred more slowly.     

Understanding puffing in a domestic microwave oven

This work is intended to develop an overall understanding of puffing of a starch-based snack in a home microwave oven, using primarily the microwave energy. Combination of experimental measurements was used, including dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, CT-Scan, SEM, image processing, and measurement of temperature, moisture content, and expansion ratio. Effects of various product and process parameters on puffing, including those of pretreatment to produce the half product, were studied. Experimental data showed that the physicochemical processes contributing to crust formation were gelatinization of starch, migration of soluble ingredients to the surface, and shrinkage at the surface. A thicker material was harder to puff due to its increased mechanical resistance. Higher microwave power, leading to higher rate of evaporation, increased expansion. Evolution of mechanical properties of the crust greatly affected the final shape of the puffed product. In overall understanding, critical determinants of a puffing process were attributed to three material factors (reduced surface permeability, optimal moisture content, and deformability) and two process factors (intense heat and higher internal pressure from evaporation).     

Vergabeentscheidung und Wirtschaftlichkeitsberechnung von PPP/PFI‐Projekten in der Bauwirtschaft

Contract letting and economic calculation of PPP/PFI projects in construction industries. Risk premium has to be taken into account in the PPP comparison of producti‐vity. In case of PPP/PFI projects, officials compare the costs of self construction to the costs of leasing from private investors (PSC calculation). In this context, risk factors for two different variants (A, B) are calculated using both the DCF method and the VaR approach. Finally, the economic results for each PPP party and the expected yield are discussed.