Gas phase esterification of acetic acid with ethanol over MoO3 supported on AlPO4 and the effect of modification with phosphomolybdic acid and Ce4+ ions

A series of AIPO₄–MoO₃ (APM) systems with various molybdena loadings (5–50) mol %, same modified with phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) and cerium ions, were prepared by an impregnation method and calcined at 400 °C, except for the samples modified with PMA which were calcined at 350 °C for 4 h. The catalysts were characterized by TG/DTG, XRD, IR spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption and electrical conductivity measurements. The surface acidity and basicity of the catalysts were determined by adsorption of pyridine and the dehydration–dehydrogenation of isopropyl alcohol. The catalytic esterification of acetic acid with ethanol was carried out in a convention fixed bed reactor. The results clearly revealed that the catalyst with a composition of 10 mol % MoO₃ (APM10) was the most active and selective catalyst for the production of ethyl acetate. Moreover, the yield of ethyl acetate increases on addition of PMA into APM10 while it decreases on the addition of Ce⁴⁺ ions. These results were correlated with structure, semiconductivity and the acid–base properties of the prepared catalysts. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Is Kaposi's sarcoma--associated herpesvirus ubiquitous in urogenital and prostate tissues?

Controversy exists as to whether Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is more widespread than originally reported. Recently, Monini et al reported that KSHV is ubiquitous in urogenital and prostate tissues and sperm of healthy Italian adults using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We have examined for the presence of KSHV in 10 normal prostates from Italian men and 10 from men from the United States, as well as 32 prostatic, 30 vulvar, 24 ovarian, 20 cervical, and 30 testicular cancer specimens from patients from the United States. None of the patients had a history of human immunodeficiency virus infection. The samples were tested by nested PCR. The sensitivity of this assay was determined by a dilution study performed by diluting KSHV DNA from the KS-1 cells (a primary effusion lymphoma cell line which is estimated to have 16 copies of KSHV per cell) in DNA from a K562 myeloid cell line. The nested PCR that we used can detect 2.4 copies of KSHV sequences on a background of K562 DNA. All the samples were negative for KSHV sequences. Therefore, we cannot confirm the finding that KSHV sequences are ubiquitous in urogenital and prostate tissues. Furthermore, because our samples were from both the United States and Italy, the discrepancy between results is unlikely to be explained by either ethnic or environmental factors. False-positive results easily occur using nested primer PCR because of contamination. Our data argue that KSHV is not widely disseminated in urogenital tissues from nonimmunosuppressed individuals.     

Dynamic Faults in Random-Access-Memories: Concept, Fault Models and Tests

The ever increasing trend to reduce DPM levels of memories requires tests with very high fault coverage and low cost. This paper describes an important fault class, called dynamic faults, that cannot be ignored anymore. The dynamic fault behavior can take place in the absence of the static fault behavior, for which the conventional memory tests have been constructed. The concept of dynamic fault will be established and validated for both dynamic and static Random-Access-Memories. A systematic way to develop fault models for dynamic faults will be introduced. Further, it will be shown that conventional memory tests do not necessarily detect its dynamic faulty behavior, which has been shown to exist in real designs. The paper therefore also presents new memory tests to target the dynamic fault class.     

Numerical studies on a paradox for non-cooperative static load balancing in distributed computer systems

Numerical examples of a Braess-like paradox in which adding capacity to a distributed computer system may degrade the performance of all users in the system under non-cooperative optimization have been reported. Unlike the original Braess paradox, in the models examined, this behavior occurs only in the case of finitely many users and not in the case of infinite number of users and the degree of performance degradation can increase without bound. This study examines numerically some examples around the Braess-like paradox in a distributed computer system. In the numerical examples, it is observed that the worst-case degree of the paradox (WCDP) is largest in complete symmetry. The dependence of the WCDP on some system parameters is also examined.     

Cellulose nanocrystals reinforced poly(oxyethylene)

Nanocomposite materials were prepared from poly(oxyethylene) (POE) as the matrix and a stable aqueous suspension of cellulose nanocrystals extracted from tunicate as the reinforcing phase. After dissolving POE in water and mixing with the cellulose nanocrystals suspension, solid films were obtained by casting and evaporating the preparations. Resulting films were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis. Favorable interactions between cellulose and POE were evidenced and assumed to be partially responsible for a decrease of the crystallinity of the matrix. A thermal stabilization of the nanocomposites for temperatures higher than the melting temperature of POE was reported and ascribed to the formation of a rigid cellulosic network within the matrix assumed to be governed by a percolation effect. The formation of this percolating network was not altered by the matrix crystallization process and filler/POE interactions.     

Plasticized nanocomposite polymer electrolytes based on poly(oxyethylene) and cellulose whiskers

Nanocomposite polymer electrolytes based on a plasticized high molecular weight poly(oxyethylene) (POE) reinforced with high aspect ratio cellulose nanoparticles were reported. The influence of tetra(ethylene) glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDME) as plasticizer is investigated. The study mainly focuses on the dynamic mechanical behavior and ionic conductivity performances. The miscibility of the blend POE/TEGDME was investigated using both thermal and mechanical investigations. Viable polymer electrolytes can be obtained from this combination, conciliating acceptable ionic conductivities and outstanding mechanical performances on a large temperature range.     

Economical evaluation of electricity generation considering externalities

The economics of renewable energy are the largest barrier to renewable penetration. Nevertheless, the strong desire to reduce environmental emissions is considered a great support for renewable energy sources. In this paper, a full analysis for the cost of the kWh of electricity generated from different systems actually used in Egypt is presented. Also renewable energy systems are proposed and their costs are analyzed. The analysis considers the external cost of emissions from different generating systems. A proposed large scale PV plant of 3.3 MW, and a wind farm 11.25 MW grid connected at different sites are investigated. A life cycle cost analysis for each system was performed using the present value criterion. The comparison results showed that wind energy generation has the lowest cost, followed by a combined cycle–natural gas fired system. A photovoltaic system still uses comparatively expensive technology for electricity generation; even when external costs are considered the capital cost of photovoltaic needs to be reduced by about 60% in order to be economically competitive.     

Hand infections due to non-cholera Vibrio after injuries from St Peter's fish (Tilapia zillii)

We report 49 patients with a wide variety of hand infections, which developed after injuries from St Peter's fish (Tilapia zillii). Twenty-eight of 36 patients who had been operated on had non-cholera Vibrio infections, all identified as Vibrio vulnificus. The course in these patients was characterized by rapid spread of the infection with progressive necrosis of the tendon sheath, subcutaneous tissues and the skin. Two of them required amputations but the others had satisfactory functional results. Thirteen other patients were managed nonoperatively with intravenous antibiotics and all of them recovered completely.