Analysis of the essential oil of Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens HBK)

The composition of the volatile oil of Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens HBK) isolated by steam distillation was investigated by means of column chromatography, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. A total of 33 components were identified including 22 hydrocarbons, 4 alcohols, 4 ethers, 2 phenols and 1 ketone. Of the 33 components observed in the present study 7 were identified in Mexican oregano for the first time.     

The evolution of RFID security

As RFID technology progresses, security and privacy threats also evolve. By examining RFID's history, we can learn from past mistakes, rediscover successful solutions, and inspire future research.     

Evaluation of mathematical equations to predict the theoretical yield of Chilean Gouda cheese

This study was performed to obtain an adequate tool for predicting the yield of Chilean Gouda cheese. The theoretical yields were calculated by applying equations derived from technical references to industrial cheese production and were compared with their own actual yields, thus selecting those equations showing the best correlation with the actual yield.
The manufacturing and ripening of the cheese were controlled through the chemical composition of milk, whey and cheese, and the weight of the product before and after ripening was recorded.
The actual and theoretical yield values derived from each formula were compared using the mean yield graphs. Furthermore, the global concordance coefficient ( W ) of Kendall and Smith was also applied, showing the lack of significant discrepancy between actual and theoretical yield values [ P  > 0.01 ( W  = 27; W ≥  18.48)] for either 3- or 30-day cheeses. Out of the 11 formulae used to measure the yield of cheese, six showing a good correlation between the yields were selected through the comparison of error sums and Pearson correlation analysis. However, two formulae showed the best yield results for practical use.     

Preparation, Characterisation and Catalytic Behaviour of a New TeVMoO Crystalline Phase

TeM_xMo_1.7O mixed oxides (M = V and/or Nb; x = 0-1.7) have been prepared by calcination of the corresponding salts at 600 °C in an atmosphere of N₂. A new crystalline phase, with a Te/V/Mo atomic ratio of 1/0.2-1.5/1.7, has been isolated and characterised by XRD and IR spectroscopy. This phase is observed in the TeVMo or TeVNbMo mixed oxide but not in the TeNbMo mixed oxide. The new crystalline phase shows an XRD pattern similar to Sb₄Mo₁₀O₃₁ and probably corresponds to the M1 phase recently proposed by Aouine et al. (Chem. Commun. 1180, 2001) to be present in the active and selective MoVTeNbO catalysts. Although these catalysts present a very low activity in the propane oxidation, they are active and selective in the oxidation of propene to acrolein and/or acrylic acid. However, the product distribution depends on the catalyst composition. Acrolein or acrylic acid can be selectively obtained from propene on Nb-free or Nb-containing TeVMo catalysts, respectively. The presence of both V and Nb, in addition to Mo and Te, appears to be important in the formation of acrylic acid from propene.     

Blind OFDM symbol synchronization in ISI channels

We present a new algorithm for blind symbol synchronization in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. The new algorithm declares symbol synchronization when a certain autocorrelation matrix, constructed from the received signal, achieves minimum rank. Unlike previously proposed blind algorithms, the new rank method guarantees correct symbol synchronization, even in the presence of intersymbol interference. Also, it does not assume that the OFDM time samples are i.i.d. In particular, the rank method works even with OFDM systems that employ pulse shaping. The increased complexity of the algorithm would be acceptable for systems, such as fixed-receiver broadcast systems, that require guaranteed synchronization under all conditions.     

Symmetry-breaking transitions in equilibrium shapes of coherent precipitates: Effect of elastic anisotropy and inhomogeneity

We examine the symmetry-breaking transitions in equilibrium shapes of coherent precipitates in two-dimensional (2-D) systems under a plane-strain condition with the principal misfit strain components ε* _xx and ε* _yy . For systems with cubic elastic moduli, we first show all the shape transitions associated with different values of t=ε* _yy /ε* _xx . We also characterize each of these transitions, by studying its dependence on elastic anisotropy and inhomogeneity. For systems with dilatational misfit (t=1) and those with pure shear misfit (t=−1), the transition is from an equiaxed shape to an elongated shape, resulting in a break in rotational symmetry. For systems with nondilatational misfit (−1<t<1; t ≠ 0), the transition involves a break in mirror symmetries normal to the x- and y-axes. The transition is continuous in all cases, except when 0<t<1. For systems which allow an invariant line (−1≤t<0), the critical size increases with an increase in the particle stiffness. However, for systems which do not allow an invariant line (0<t≤1), the critical size first decreases, reaches a minimum, and then starts increasing with increasing particle stiffness; moreover, the transition is also forbidden when the particle stiffness is greater than a critical value.     

A Symbolic Pole/Zero Extraction Methodology Based on Analysis of Circuit Time-Constants

This paper introduces a methodology for symbolic pole/zero extraction based on the formulation of the time-constant matrix of the circuits. This methodology incorporates approximation techniques specifically devoted to achieve an optimum trade-off between accuracy and complexity of the symbolic root expressions. The capability to efficiently handle even large circuits will be demonstrated through several practical circuits.     

Gel permeation chromatography: Automatic data acquisition and reduction in real-time with a process computer

A real-time computer system is described which minimizes the total analysis time in gel permeation chromatography by automatically acquiring the data, performing the necessary calculations and displaying the molecular weight distribution and molecular weight averages as soon as the polymer peak has eluted. The calculation method described here is valid for linear homopolymers only, and does not include corrections for instrumental peak broadening. The experimental results show good reproducibility and precision. On-line changes of the constants and other parameters may be implemented by means of an auxiliary program which runs in parallel with the data analysis program. A system such as that described here is suitable for utilization as a measurement technique in process control applications. The programs are written in CORAL 66 for a Ferranti Argus 700 E computer.     

Discussion influence of yield surface curvature on flow localization in dilatant plasticity

The results of finite element calculations for a hollow sphere micromodel are used to examine the underlying assumptions and the specific yield functions in the dilatant plasticity theories of Gurson (1977) and Mear and Hutchinson     

K-winner networks.

A special class of mutually inhibitory networks is analyzed, and parameters for reliable K-winner performance are presented. The network dynamics are modeled using interactive activation, and results are compared with the sigmoid model. For equal external inputs, network parameters that select the units with the larger initial activations (the network converges to the nearest stable state) are derived. Conversely, for equal initial activations, networks that select the units with larger external inputs (the network converges to the lowest energy stable state) are derived. When initial activations are mixed with external inputs, anomalous behavior results. These discrepancies are analyzed with several examples. Restrictions on initial states are derived which ensure accurate K-winner performance when unequal external inputs are used.