Pseudotransient Continuation Method in Extended Period Simulation of Water Distribution Systems

This paper presents and discusses a new static solver that implements the pseudotransient continuation method for the quasi-steady state analysis, or extended-period simulation of water distribution systems. The implementation is based on the concept of virtual tanks and has a clear physical meaning. The steady state solver described in this paper can analyze a pipe network under pressure deficient conditions and is free from some convergence problems that occur in the Newton-Raphson method-based solvers when analyzing a pipe network with control devices. The numerical examples considered in the paper demonstrate the convergence of the proposed method in cases where existing static solvers (e.g., that of the EPANET 2 hydraulic simulator) fail.     

Simultaneous separate and group determination of tylosin and tilmicosin in foodstuffs using single antibody-based immunoassay

An approach to modify the specificity of competitive indirect ELISA for determination of veterinary macrolides tylosin (TYL) and tilmicosin (TMN) using different structural design of coating antigen is described. The homologous and heterologous assay formats using rabbit antiserum against BSA-TYL conjugate were developed. The first format allowed selective determination of TYL (cross-reactivity for TMN was negligible). Heterologous hapten desmycosin (DMN) based conjugate being immobilised on the plates changed the specificity to group recognition (cross-reactivity for TMN was 103.4%). Using two coating antigens but single antibody and the same TYL standard solutions the described tandem test was capable for simultaneous determination of the respective analytes with their possible differentiation. The detection limit of assay that was far below the current MRLs and achieved 0.07 ng mL⁻¹ for TYL and 0.14 ng mL⁻¹ for TMN allowed to minimise matrix effect by sample dilution. The ELISAs of antibiotics in milk, eggs, honey and chicken muscle were optimised and showed acceptable recovery rate. A range of foodstuff samples was analysed using the developed tandem test.     

Rb掺杂Li4Ti5O12作为锂离子电池负极材料的合成及电化学性能

合成了不同Rb掺杂量的钛酸锂（Li_4-xRb_xTi₅O₁₂; x = 0.010, 0.015, 0.020）作为锂离子电池的负极材料。测试结果显示,Rb离子掺杂有效增强了钛酸锂的电子电导率。相同的测试条件下,相比于未掺杂样品和高Rb含量掺杂样品（x = 0.015, 0.020）,适量的Rb掺杂钛酸锂（Li_3.99Rb_0.01Ti₅O₁₂; x = 0.010）表现出最优的电化学性能。Li_3.99Rb_0.01Ti₅O₁₂材料表现出161.2 mA∙h/g的初始容量,且在1 C下经过1000次循环后容量保持率可达90.9%。此外,全电池Li_3.99Rb_0.01Ti₅O₁₂ // LiFePO₄在0.5 C条件下首次放电容量为144 mA∙h/g,经过150次循环后,容量保持率为78.8%。     

Preparation of Starch Carbamates in Homogeneous Phase using Different Mixing Conditions

The preparation of starch carbamates of wrinkled pea starch in homogeneous phase catalysed by dibutyltin dilaurate in DMSO as solvent is described. The empfloyed isocyanates have linear alkyl chains with 7, 9, 11, 15 or 18 carbon atoms. Starch carbamates with equal degrees of substitution and different alkyl chains lengths were synthesised in a reaction flask. The preparation of carbamates with equal alkyl chain length and different degrees of substitution was also possible. The structures of the polymers were characterised by elemental analysis, IR‐ and ¹H‐NMR‐spectroscopy. The behaviour of the prepared starch carbamates under thermal loading was investigated by using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and a hot press. In addition, for 1‐undecyl isocyanate the starch carbamate was prepared both in a kneader and an extruder. The differences in reaction conditions and the results were discussed.     

Improved bioluminescent assay of somatic cell counts in raw milk

Somatic cell count (SCC) in milk is considered to be a valuable indicator of cow mastitis. For assessment of SCC in milk, the bioluminescent assay based on determination of ATP from somatic cells ([ATPsom]) in milk was proposed earlier. However, this assay is still not widely used in practice owing to lower reliability compared with conventional methods such as direct microscopy and flow cytometry. We revised the bioluminescent SCC assay and developed a simple protocol based on determination of the total non-bacterial ATP concentration in milk. It was shown that the novel ATP-releasing agent Neonol-10 (oxy-ethylated iso-nonyl phenol) has superior performance providing 100% lysis of somatic cells while not disrupting bacterial cells of milk at a concentration of 1.5% w/w. There was high correlation (R2=0.99) between measured bioluminescence and SCC as measured by direct microscopy. The observed detection limit of the bioluminescent milk SCC assay was as low as 900 cell/ml, time of analysis was 2-3 min per sample. The proposed method has high potential for on-site mastitis diagnostics.     

Retardation effect of jojoba chain length on the chemical reactivity of the liquid wax

Jojoba wax and its derivatives are slow-reacting compounds. To elucidate the reasons for this phenomenon, we reacted jojoba mono- and bis-epoxide and trans-jojoba bis-epoxide (C₃₈–C₄₄ long-chain esters), as well as side chain esters of three steroid skeleton mono-epoxide derivatives with NaI under acidic conditions to yield the corresponding iodohydrins, which then formed the respective bis-keto (or mono-ketone) derivatives. The kinetics, activation energies, and thermodynamic parameters of activation of nucleophilic epoxide opening and pinacol rearrangement were determined for all these compounds. The reaction rates of the jojoba derivatives were similar to those of two of the epoxides derived from the steroid skeleton compounds, and in the third case the steroid derivative reacted somewhat faster than all the rest. This pattern of rate retardation could stem either from folding of the long jojoba chain, resulting in steric hindrance around the reaction centers, or from repeated unproductive collisions along the long hydrocarbon chain of the jojoba wax (statistical effect). Our results appear to suggest that the multiple unsuccessful collisions were the dominant factor, although steric hindrance cannot be ruled out.     

On the reaction mechanism of MoS42− with nitric oxide

MoS₄^2? (TTM) reacts in deaerated neutral phosphate buffered aqueous solutions with NO. Three consecutive reactions are observed. The two first ones obey pseudo first order rate laws with observed rates proportional to [NO]. The third reaction obeys a first order rate law. Nitrite is one of the final products.The mechanism proposed involves thiol nitrosation via a radical mechanism followed by hydrolysis of the S–N bond. The findings indicate that if MoS₄^2? will be used as a drug, it will not affect considerably the NO concentration in the system.     

Noniterative Implementation of Pressure-Dependent Demands Using the Hydraulic Analysis Engine of EPANET 2

To analyze water distribution networks under pressure-deficient conditions, most of the available hydraulic simulators, including EPANET 2, must be either modified by embedding pressure-dependent demands in the governing network equations or run repeatedly with successive adjustments made to specific parameters until a sufficient hydraulic consistency is obtained. This paper presents and discusses a simple technique that implements the square root relationship between the nodal demand and the nodal pressure using EPANET 2 tools and allows a water distribution network with pressure-dependent demands to be solved in a single run of the unmodified snapshot hydraulic analysis engine of EPANET 2. In this technique, artificial strings made up of a flow control valve, a pipe with a check valve, and a reservoir are connected to the demand nodes before running the engine, and the pressure-dependent demands are determined as the flows in the strings. The resistance of the artificial pipes is chosen such that the demands are satisfied in full at a desired nodal pressure. The proposed technique shows reasonable convergence as evidenced by its testing on example networks.     

Complexity Evaluation of Computer-Based Tasks

In this work, task complexity is considered as a multidimensional, integral characteristic of a task. The more complex a task is, the higher the cognitive demands for performing the task. Components of task complexity impose demands on the mental efforts of users. This article proposes a general approach to evaluate the complexity of computer-based tasks. The proposed principles of complexity evaluation and measures of complexity provide a proper basis for optimization, modification, and enhancement of the software design process. Experimental results support the effectiveness of the proposed method for both the design of man–machine systems and human–computer interfaces. The suggested methods and principles of complexity assessment derive from systemic-structural activity theory.     

Desiliconization of Mullite Felt

High-temperature evaporation from 80% porous, rigid mullite (3Al₂O₃·2SiO₂) whisker felt was studied under vacuum and at various helium pressures using gravimetry, X-ray diffractometry, SEM, and EDS. Heat treatments at 1350° to 1550°C resulted in evaporation of SiO₂ from mullite with a rate strongly dependent on temperature and pressure. A concentration gradient of SiO₂ was observed through the cross section of samples after heating under vacuum, indicating that SiO₂ preferentially evaporated from whiskers on the periphery of the samples. The SiO₂ concentration gradient was accompanied by sharp microstructural changes across the specimens. The gradient was decreased by raising the ambient helium pressure during heat treatment. A mathematical model was developed to predict the SiO₂ concentration profile. The model agrees well with experimental results and demonstrates that the diffusivity of SiO₂ in the vapor phase controls the gradient of SiO₂ through the cross section of mullite felt.