Biodegradability evaluation of wastewaters from malt and beer production

This study reports results of respirometric measurements of activated sludge biodegrading the substrate in wastewater originating from the following brewery plant production departments: malt house, brewhouse, fermentation house and racking house. The process was conducted at two temperatures: 10 and 20°C with activated sludge adapted to brewery wastewaters. The loading of activated sludge reached 0.25 g chemical oxygen demand per gram dry matter per day, which assured complete degradation of organic matter. The physicochemical characteristics of the wastewaters are provided. The study demonstrates a correlation between the site of wastewater generation, the specific character of a unitary technological process and the quality of the wastewater discharged to the sewage system, including biodegradability. Despite significant differences in the quality of the wastewaters, they were characterized by high biodegradability at a temperature of 10 and 20°C and by the C:N:P ratio being beneficial for biological treatment, irrespective of their source of origin. Copyright © 2013 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Solution of the two-dimensional wave equation by using wave polynomials

The paper demonstrates a specific power-series-expansion technique to solve approximately the two-dimensional wave equation. As solving functions (Trefftz functions) so-called wave polynomials are used. The presented method is useful for a finite body of certain shape geometry. Recurrent formulas for the wave polynomials and their derivatives are obtained in the Cartesian and polar coordinate system. The accuracy of the method is discussed and some examples are shown.     

Examining the interaction of marketing and financing decisions in a dynamic environment Die Analyse der Beziehungen von Marketing- und Finanzierungsentscheidungen in einem dynamischen Umfeld

The market success of a new product critically depends on the marketing strategy that is adopted during the introductory phase of its life cycle. The decision theoretic marketing literature provides useful insights to this problem through the application of new product diffusion models. While most of the diffusion models incorporate only marketing variables such as price or advertising into the adoption rates of the new product, we introduce the issue of financial decision making and argue that the success of a new product not only depends on an optimal marketing mix strategy but also on the financial decisions of a firm. We adopt a simple diffusion model and show that in case with demand uncertainty and limited liability more leverage (a higher debt equity ratio) causes the firm to be more aggressive in the product market, i.e., to reduce the price of the product. Our findings suggest that marketing decisions should not be taken in isolation but should be coordinated with financial variables.     

Elastohydrodynamic lubrication and finite configuration changes in reciprocating elastomeric seals

A computational framework has been developed for a fully coupled analysis of elastohydrodynamic lubrication and finite deformations of elastomeric reciprocating seals in hydraulic actuators. The relevant formulation is provided, which consistently treats finite configuration changes of the seal modelled as a hyperelastic (Mooney-Rivlin) solid. The steady-state hydrodynamic lubrication is modelled using the classical Reynolds equation. Coupling of the solid and fluid parts is fully accounted for, including friction due to shear stresses in the lubricant film. Detailed results of finite element simulations are provided for two benchmark problems of O-ring and rectangular rod seals in a wide range of process parameters.     

Structural and chromatic characterization of a new Malvidin 3-glucoside–vanillyl–catechin pigment

A new pigment, resulting from the reaction between malvidin 3-glucoside and catechin in the presence of vanillin, was detected in a model solution. This newly formed anthocyanin-aryl-flavanol adduct was structurally characterized by 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectrometry, and its chromatic characteristics were studied by UV–Vis techniques. The new pigment was shown to have a wavelength of maximum absorption in the visible region (λ_max) of 549 nm, conferring on it a purple colour, and a molar extinction coefficient value (ε) of 12,247 l · mol⁻¹ · cm⁻¹.     

Wetting Behavior and Reactivity of Molten Silicon with h-BN Substrate at Ultrahigh Temperatures up to 1750 °C

For a successful implementation of newly proposed silicon-based latent heat thermal energy storage systems, proper ceramic materials that could withstand a contact heating with molten silicon at temperatures much higher than its melting point need to be developed. In this regard, a non-wetting behavior and low reactivity are the main criteria determining the applicability of ceramic as a potential crucible material for long-term ultrahigh temperature contact with molten silicon. In this work, the wetting of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) by molten silicon was examined for the first time at temperatures up to 1750 °C. For this purpose, the sessile drop technique combined with contact heating procedure under static argon was used. The reactivity in Si/h-BN system under proposed conditions was evaluated by SEM/EDS examinations of the solidified couple. It was demonstrated that increase in temperature improves wetting, and consequently, non-wetting-to-wetting transition takes place at around 1650 °C. The contact angle of 90° ± 5° is maintained at temperatures up to 1750 °C. The results of structural characterization supported by a thermodynamic modeling indicate that the wetting behavior of the Si/h-BN couple during heating to and cooling from ultrahigh temperature of 1750 °C is mainly controlled by the substrate dissolution/reprecipitation mechanism.     

High concentration of phosphorus is a distinctive feature of myelin. An X‐Ray elemental microanalysis study using freeze‐fracture scanning electron microscopy of rat sciatic nerve

We have used rat sciatic nerves submitted to freezing and freeze‐fracture to determine the elemental composition of small domains of the peripheral nerve studied at high resolution by scanning electron microscopy. We found that myelin of Schwann cells is unique in its high content in phosphorus (P) that was more than 10 times higher than P measured in any other cells. This high concentration in P makes myelin chemistry suitable of monitoring at the subcellular level using the herein described methodology. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:537–539, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.