Bootstrap confidence bands for spectra and cross-spectra

A nonparametric method for setting confidence intervals and confidence bands for spectra and cross-spectra of stationary weakly dependent time series is presented. The proposed methodology involves using a bootstrap resampling scheme that was recently developed for use in time series problems. A computing algorithm is provided, along with guidelines on its practical application. Finally, results of simulations with artificially generated data are shown as an illustration of the method's potential     

SIMULATION OF FLUX DECLINE DUE TO PARTICULATE FOULING IN ULTRAFILTRATION

The flux decline in thin-channel and tubular ultrafiltration (UF) modules due to fouling by dilute suspensions is presented for a wide range of operating conditions. The dynamics of fouling is simplified by viewing the particle deposition on the membrane surface at discrete time as a steady state event and formulating the problem as an infinite series of successive events. Only inertial effects are considered and it is assumed that for a dilute system, particle-particle interactions and forces of interaction between particles and membrane walls are insignificant. Further, at such low concentration, the motion of fluid and particle may be taken independent of each other. The equations of motion for the particles are solved by Fourthorder Runge-Kutta method, where the fluid flow is obtained from the finite difference solution of Navier-Stokes equation. The present theoretical calculations of flux decline due to particulate fouling at typical UF operating conditions indicate that the inertial effects are important and under positive wall permeation flux conditions, particles are encouraged to migrate to the membrane walls.     

Slow release of levofloxacin conjugated on silica nanoparticles from poly(ɛ-caprolactone) nanofibers

Composite levofloxacin (LVF)/nanofibers have been fabricated through electrospinning. Slow release was achieved by covalently binding LVF to mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) through a cleavable thioester bond and then blending the MSN into poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers. Conjugated LVF–MSN was characterized by FTIR, DSC, TGA, and solid-state C¹³ NMR. The structure of composite nanofibers was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Drug release profiles showed that burst release was decreased from 59% in the uniform PCL/LVF electrospun mats to 20% in the PCL/conjugated LVF–MSN mats after 1 day in phosphate buffer at 37°C, and gradual release in the latter was observed over the next 13 days. This slow release is due to the cleavable bond between LVF and MSN that can be hydrolyzed over a time and results in slow release of LVF. The results indicate that confining drug-conjugated MSN into nanofibers are effective ways to slow down the burst release of the drug.     

Survey on Grid Resource Allocation Mechanisms

Grid is a distributed high performance computing paradigm that offers various types of resources (like computing, storage, communication) to resource-intensive user tasks. These tasks are scheduled to allocate available Grid resources efficiently to achieve high system throughput and to satisfy user requirements. The task scheduling problem has become more complex with the ever increasing size of Grid systems. Even though selecting an efficient resource allocation strategy for a particular task helps in obtaining a desired level of service, researchers still face difficulties in choosing a suitable technique from a plethora of existing methods in literature. In this paper, we explore and discuss existing resource allocation mechanisms for resource allocation problems employed in Grid systems. The work comprehensively surveys Gird resource allocation mechanisms for different architectures (centralized, distributed, static or dynamic). The paper also compares these resource allocation mechanisms based on their common features such as time complexity, searching mechanism, allocation strategy, optimality, operational environment and objective function they adopt for solving computing- and data-intensive applications. The comprehensive analysis of cutting-edge research in the Grid domain presented in this work provides readers with an understanding of essential concepts of resource allocation mechanisms in Grid systems and helps them identify important and outstanding issues for further investigation. It also helps readers to choose the most appropriate mechanism for a given system/application.     

Development and Laboratory Performance Evaluation of a Personal Multipollutant Sampler for Simultaneous Measurements of Particulate and Gaseous Pollutants

A personal multipollutant sampler has been developed. This sampler can be used for measuring exposures to particulate matter and criteria gases. The system uses asingle personalsampling pump that operates at a flow rate of 5.2 l/min. The basic unit consists of two impaction-based samplers for PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ attached to a single elutriator. Two mini PM_2.5 samplers are also attached to the elutriator for organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), sulfate, and nitrate measurements. For the collection of nitrate and sulfate, the minisampler includes a miniaturized honeycomb glass denuder that is placed upstream of the filter to remove nitric acid and sulfur dioxide and to minimize artifacts. Two passive samplers can also be attached to the elutriator for measurements of gaseous copollutants such as O₃, SO₂, and NO₂. The performance of the multipollutant sampler was examined through a series of laboratory chamber tests. The results showed a good agreement between the multipollutant sampler and the reference methods. The overall sampler performance demonstrates its suitability for personal exposure assessment studies.     

An investigation into the forging of Bi-metal gears

This paper introduces a method for the production of bi-metal gears using the forging technique. To study the process, model materials of copper (tooth ring material) and lead (core material), were used for both experimentation and simulation. Firstly, experimental setup and test procedures are introduced and the bi-metal gears are forged with different thicknesses of the outer ring material. A simplified FE model is established based on the symmetry of a gear forging process, which enables the 3D FE analysis to be carried out in an efficient manner. The material flow and thickness distribution of the experimentally forged bi-metal gears are analysed and compared with FE predictions. The effect of friction on the axial lock caused by the material flow of the forged gears is also studied. Finally, simulations of different combinations of the inner core and outer ring materials, specifically steel (ring material), copper (ring and core material) and lead (core material) are performed. The numerical and experimental data showed that: thin rings can deform excessively, affecting the structure of the gear; and that both tooling friction and flow stress can significantly affect the relative material flow between the core and the ring.     

Development of a fast,lean and agile direct pelletization process using experimental design techniques

A novel hot melt direct pelletization method was developed, characterized and optimized, using statistical thinking and experimental design tools. Mixtures of carnauba wax (CW) and HPMC K100M were spheronized using melted gelucire 50–13 as a binding material (BM). Experimentation was performed sequentially; a fractional factorial design was set up initially to screen the factors affecting the process, namely spray rate, quantity of BM, rotor speed, type of rotor disk, lubricant–glidant presence, additional spheronization time, powder feeding rate and quantity. From the eight factors assessed, three were further studied during process optimization (spray rate, quantity of BM and powder feeding rate), at different ratios of the solid mixture of CW and HPMC K100M. The study demonstrated that the novel hot melt process is fast, efficient, reproducible and predictable. Therefore, it can be adopted in a lean and agile manufacturing setting for the production of flexible pellet dosage forms with various release rates easily customized between immediate and modified delivery.     

Variation of the physicochemical properties diesel-biodiesel blends – range 0–100%

Recently biodiesel has become more attractive because it is made from renewable resources. In this study we demonstrate how the proportion of diesel/biodiesel blends determines the qualitative parameters and energy efficiency of the final product. The use of biodiesel in blends with conventional diesel is becoming more and more valuable, based on European directive for use up to 20% biodiesel by 2020. We came to the conclusion that mixtures up 30% Biodiesel gives product within diesel specification limits which is suitable for commercial use. This methodology can be a manual for the production line of mixtures for commercial use.