Estimation of a Unique Pair of Nash Model Parameters: An Optimization Approach

Water resources planning and management requires hydrologic models to estimate runoff from a catchment. For catchments with limited data, the choice of model and identification of its parameters is very important for development of a direct runoff hydrograph. A method is presented to determine a unique pair of hydrologic parameters of the Nash Model, number of linear cascade (n) and storage coefficient (k), using optimization based on Downhill Simplex technique. In this study physical parameters of the catchment are derived from (SPOT) satellite imageries of the basin using ERDAS software. Four different objective functions of varying complexity are tested to find the best solution. Weighted root mean square error (RMSE) and Model Efficiency (Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient) are used to evaluate the model performance. Using the NASH model, a direct surface runoff hydrograph (DSRH) is developed. Kaha catchment is part of Indus river system and is located in the semi-arid region of Pakistan. This catchment is dominated by hill torrent flows and is used in this work to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method. Ten randomly selected rainfall-runoff events are used for calibration and five events are used for validation. Model results during validation are very promising with model efficiency exceeding 93% and error in peak discharge under 8%. The sensitivity of the Nash model output in response to variation in hydrologic parameters n and k is also investigated. When evaluating the hydrologic response of large catchments, model output is more sensitive to n as compared to k indicating that the runoff diffusion phenomenon is dominant compared to translation flow effects.     

Extraction and determination of methylpyrazines in cocoa beans using coupled steam distillation-microdistillator

The formation of methylpyrazines was determined in fermented cocoa beans (Ivory Coast), in laboratory and industrially roasted samples. The determination of these methylpyrazines was studied by coupled steam distillation-microdistillation as the extraction method and gas chromatography using capillary column and a thermionic detector. The monomethyl-; 2,3-dimethyl-; 2,5-dimethyl-; 2,6-dimethyl-; trimethyl- and the tetramethylpyrazine were detected in non-roasted cocoa beans. Their concentration increased rapidly in laboratory roasted cocoa beans and industrial samples, only the tetramethylpyrazine showed a maximum peak of concentration. The principal compound was the tetramethylpyrazine in fermented and roasted cocoa beans. The determination of the different methylpyrazines in cocoa beans would permit both the evaluation of cocoa mass quality and the control of the cocoa roasting process.     

Development of a novel nanocomposite consisting of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propionic acid and magnesium layered hydroxide for controlled-release formulation

ABSTRACT

Magnesium layered hydroxide (MLH) intercalated with anionic 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propionic acid (MPP) was synthesised by a direct reaction method using magnesium oxide and MPP as precursors. A further coating of chitosan was applied on the external surface of MLH–MPP nanocomposite to form a new material, named MLH–MPP/chitosan nanocomposite. The XRD pattern showed an intense and sharp peak at basal spacing 18.9 Å, proving that MPP anions were successfully intercalated into the interlayer gallery of MLH in a monolayer arrangement. The XRD pattern of the MLH–MPP/chitosan nanocomposite shows similar peaks with the MLH–MPP nanocomposite. The result was also supported by FTIR spectra and elemental analysis. TGA/DTG spectra showed that the thermal stabilities of the guest anion in the both nanocomposites were markedly enhanced. A controlled-release study of the MPP ion from the MLH–MPP/chitosan nanocomposite showed a slower release compared to MLH–MPP nanocomposite with an initial rapid release and slow release thereafter. Meanwhile, the release behaviours of MPP ions from both nanocomposites were governed by pseudo-second order kinetics. This result highlights the potential of the nanocomposite as an encapsulated material for the controlled-release formulation of MPP anions.     

The Ni3Al-Ni3Cr-Ni3Ru section of the Ni-Cr-Al-Ru system

An investigation is reported of the 75 at% nickel section of the Ni-Cr-Al-Ru system at 1523 and 1273 K. Constitutional data obtained by electron probe microanalysis, X-ray diffraction and microscopical examination are presented as partial isothermal sections. At 1523 K, the major part of the section consists of phase, while the aluminium-rich region contains a and+ region; the extent of the solid solution of chromium and ruthenium in totals ~ 4 at%. The ruthenium-rich corner of the section shows a two-phase region consisting of + ruthenium-rich solid solution. At 1273 K the,+ and + ruthenium regions increase in extent. The/ mismatch values in the equilibrated alloys studied lie in the range ~ –0.08 to –0.39%. Constitutional features of as-cast alloys are also reported.     

Characterisation of sol–gel method synthesised MgZnFe2 O4 nanoparticles and its cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cell line,MDA MB‐231 in vitro

In this study, nanocrystalline magnesium zinc ferrite nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a simple sol–gel method using copper nitrate and ferric nitrate as raw materials. The calcined samples were characterised by differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the average particle size of the calcined sample was in a range of 17–41 nm with an average of 29 nm and has spherical size. A cytotoxicity test was performed on human breast cancer cells (MDA MB‐231) and (MCF‐7) at various concentrations starting from (0 µg/ml) to (800 µg/ml). The sample possessed a mild toxic effect toward MDA MB‐231 and MCF‐7 after being examined with MTT (3‐[4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay for up to 72 h of incubation. Higher reduction of cells viability was observed as the concentration of sample was increased in MDA MB‐231 cell line than in MCF‐7. Therefore, further cytotoxicity tests were performed on MDA MB‐231 cell line.Inspec keywords: sol‐gel processing, nanoparticles, nanofabrication, magnesium compounds, zinc compounds, toxicology, biological organs, cancer, cellular biophysics, nanomedicine, calcination, differential thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectra, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, particle size, organic compoundsOther keywords: sol‐gel method, cytotoxic effects, breast cancer cell line, MDA MB‐231 in vitro, nanocrystalline magnesium zinc ferrite nanoparticles, copper nitrate, ferric nitrate, raw materials, calcined samples, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, average particle size, cytotoxicity testing, human breast cancer cells, mild toxic effect, 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, cell viability, MCF‐7, MDA MB‐231 cell line, size 17 nm to 41 nm     

Analysis of Lard’s Aroma by an Electronic Nose for Rapid <Emphasis Type=Italic>Halal</Emphasis> Authentication

An electronic nose was successfully used to detect and discriminate lard from other types of animal body fats and samples containing lard. The results are presented in the form of VaporPrint™, the image of the polar plot of the odor amplitudes from the surface acoustic wave (SAW) detector frequency. In the VaporPrint™, the radial angles representing the sensor provides individual fingerprints of the aroma of different animal body fats. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to interpret the data and it provided a good grouping of samples, with 61% of the variation accounted for by PC 1 and 29% accounted for by PC 2. All of the lard-containing samples formed a separate group from the samples that were free from lard. This method can be developed into a rapid method for detecting the presence of lard in food samples for Halal authentication.     

Effects of thermal and mechanical activation methods on compressive strength of ordinary Portland cement–slag mortar

Activation methods and curing regimes have crucial effects on the strength of mortars and concretes. The objective of this investigation is to examine the early and later compressive strength of activated ordinary Portland cement (OPC)–ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) mortars and identify the most effective activation technique. The methods of activation used were thermal, mechanical and thermal–mechanical combined. Two curing regimes were adopted and five groups of mortars were prepared. It was observed that OPC–GGBFS mortars have greater sensitivity to OPC mortars against the curing regimes. However, the study revealed that there was no particular activation method which when used gave the best results for both early and later strengths and did not cause strength loss. It also proved that the most effective activation method for early strength is a combination of both the thermal and mechanical, while for later strengths, none of the activation methods was recommended.     

Application of native and phosphorylated tapioca starches in potato starch noodle

Summary Characteristics of potato starch noodles substituted with native, phosphorylated and commercial phosphorylated (MTS283) tapioca starches were evaluated. Substitution of up to 17% with phosphorylated tapioca starch or up to 35% with MTS283 improved the quality of potato starch noodles. The resulting noodles were transparent and less brittle when uncooked, and were moderately elastic, less sticky and experienced lower cooking loss and less swelling when cooked. Substitution with native tapioca starch of up to 17% was also possible, but the uncooked noodles were less transparent and the cooked noodles swelled more and were less elastic.