Synthesis and bioimmunological efficiency of poly(2-oxazolines) containing a free amino group

Novel amphiphilic copolymers on the basis of 2-oxazolines containing a free amino group were prepared. The copolymers were synthesized by the living cationic polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline (ETOX) and 2-(4-aminophenyl)-2-oxazoline (APOX). The main goal of this work was the synthesis of water soluble polymer material with the defined number of functional groups necessary for the attachment of proteins and polysaccharides. A high concentration of free amino groups allows immobilization of various biosubstances, e.g. drugs, proteins or polysaccharides. Thermal properties have been studied with respect to the composition of the copolymers. Cytotoxicity and the bioimmunological efficiency of the selected copolymer were studied.     

Comparison of colorimetric and spectrophotometric methods for colour determination in pasta

 Product colour is one of the most important criteria for determining pasta quality. For pasta produced without eggs, pasta colour will depend mostly on the content of the yellow pigment in flour. Analyses were done with 12 samples of hand-made pasta without eggs. The yellow pigment content was determined by the standard spectrophotometric method, while the pasta colour (fresh shaped and dry milled pasta) was measured using the Minolta CR-300 colorimeter. The results obtained show that there is a correlation between spectrophotometric determination of the yellow pigment content and the results of colorimetric measurement. The correlation coefficient between the colorimetric results of dry milled pasta and the yellow pigment content is higher than that between the colorimetric results of fresh shaped pasta and the yellow pigment content.     

Multi-Agent Formation Control Based on Bell-Shaped Potential Functions

In this paper we analyze stability properties of multi-agent control system with an artificial potential based on bell-shaped functions. In our approach attractive and repulsive forces created by potential gradient have the same form. This particular property allows definition of target formation that is parameter invariant. Due to the fact that agents are identical, the proposed structure of formation potential is invariant to the interchange of agents configurations, hence, target in which particular agent would eventually end up, depends only on formation initial condition. It has been demonstrated that stability analysis, given for stationary targets, applies to moving targets formation as well. We show that position of unwanted stable equilibria can be controlled by a single parameter that defines an elementary potential function. This fact has been used for synthesis of an adaptation algorithm, such that arrival of agents at required formation is guarantied. Simulation results, presented at the end of the paper, confirm correctness of the proposed control scheme.     

Glucosinolates,glycosidically bound volatiles and antimicrobial activity of Aurinia sinuata (Brassicaceae)

Volatiles of Aurinia sinuata (L.) Griseb. were isolated from aerial parts and analysed by gas chromatography/gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/GC–MS). The main compounds were glucosinolate degradation products originating from glucoberteroin, glucobrassicanapin and glucoalyssin. They were: 6-(methylthio)hexanenitrile (1.8–51.5%), 6-(methylsulfinyl)hexanenitrile (0–11.5%), 5-(methylsulfinyl)pentyl isothiocyanate (0–10.2%), 5-(methylthio)pentyl isothiocyanate (0.4–9.5%), 4-pentenyl isothiocyanate (0.7–8.9%), 5-hexenenitrile (2.6–14.6%) and 5,6-epithiohexanenitrile (0–3.4%). Also other volatiles were identified, such as fatty acids and esters (0.3–19.2%), phenols, phenylpropane derivatives and related compounds (0.4–15.8%), aliphatic alcohols and carbonyl compounds (4.2–11.6%) and some other compounds in smaller percentages.     

Wheat dough rheology and bread quality effected by Lactobacillus brevis preferment,dry sourdough and lactic acid addition

The influence of chemical and biological acidification on dough rheological properties and bread quality has been investigated. Two different flour types were used. Dough was chemically acidified with lactic acid. Two types of biologically acidified dough were prepared: dough with dry sourdough and with a Lactobacillus brevis preferment. Wheat dough rheological properties were investigated using the Farinograph, Extensograph and Amylograph. The baking response was also determined using standard baking tests. Addition of acidifiers resulted in firmer doughs with less stability, decreased extensibility and decreased gelatinisation maximum. The biological acidifiers increased the bread specific volume. Lactic acid addition had no influence on bread specific volume. In general, biological and chemical acidification decreased bread hardness. The addition of dry sourdough significantly decreased the lightness and increased the yellowness and redness of the bread crumb. The crust chroma, hue angle and brownness index were significantly changed by addition of acidifiers.     

Grafting of iPP powder with methacrylate monomers in water medium

The grafting of different methacrylates on iPP in the solid state has been studied under various reaction conditions using a radical initiation. Three peroxides and five grafting agents representing methyl‐, ethyl‐, butyl‐, ethyl hexyl‐, and dodecyl methacrylate were tested. The grafting efficiency (GE) performed in water medium (slurry) as possible heat transfer medium was compared with the GE obtained without using water. The iPP powder was first impregnated with monomer and peroxide initiator and then water solution of NaCl was added. Obtained GEs were much higher for all peroxides and monomers used when compared with GE performed without water. Quantity of grafted monomer was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The products were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and surface energies of grafted iPP films were measured. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Resistance to earth of earthing grids buried in multi-layer soil

Expressions for the resistance to earth of earthing grids buried in uniform, two- and three-layer soils are proposed based upon the examination of a large set of grids and soil structures using the finite-element approach. Simple empirical correction factors are introduced to modify the earth resistance formulae for uniform soil to account for the multi-layer soil structure. A comparative analysis of available expressions for uniform and two-layer soils is performed in order to check their applicability in various cases.     

Computational aspects of vector-like parametrization of three-dimensional finite rotations

Theoretical and computational aspects of vector-like parametrization of three-dimensional finite rotations, which uses only three rotation parameters, are examined in detail in this work. The relationship of the proposed parametrization with the intrinsic representation of finite rotations (via an orthogonal matrix) is clearly identified. Careful considerations of the consistent linearization procedure pertinent to the proposed parametrization of finite rotations are presented for the chosen model problem of Reissner's non-linear beam theory. Pertaining details of numerical implementation are discussed for the simplest choice of the finite element interpolations for a 2-node three-dimensional beam element. A number of numerical simulations in three-dimensional finite rotation analysis are presented in order to illustrate the proposed approach.     

Construction Baseline Productivity: Theory and Practice

In this paper, the theoretical basis for construction labor productivity measurement is presented. In particular, the theoretical basis for baseline productivity measurements is developed by examining a productivity database consisting of 23 projects involving masonry construction. An important hypothesis is presented showing that as the design becomes more complex, the baseline productivity worsens. It is also hypothesized that higher values of the coefficient of variation indicates a higher variability in management and craft skills and in the use of technology. Two measures are proposed to measure the performance of individual projects: The disruption index and the project management index. These two measures identify the best and worst performing projects. Cumulative probability distributions of the disruption index and the project management index were also developed to evaluate the 23-project database and compare it with other databases. The hypotheses developed from the 23-masonry project database were tested against an 8-project database of concrete formwork and a 12-project database of structural steel erection. Strong support for each hypothesis was found using the two additional databases.