SOLVENT EXTRACTION OF PAKISTANI COALS (ii): EXTRACTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF METHANOL-BENZENE EXTRACTS

Structural characterization of the solvent extracts from four different Pakistani lignitic coals has been carried out by their proximate, elemental analysis and FT-Infrared and ¹H n.m.r. spectra. The yield of each extracts was greater with 1:1 benzene-methanol mixture in comparison to the total yield obtained by separate extractions with benzene and methanol. The extracts contained significantly less amount of ash and fixed carbon along with an increase in the percentage of volatile matter. The FTIR and ¹H n.m.r. spectra indicated that basically all the extracts contained less condensed aromatic rings in comparison to the coal. The FTIR spectra showed sharp well resolved peaks which have been assigned to various functional groups.

The ¹H n.m.r. spectra were used to obtain average structural parameters for all the extracts. A detailed analysis of the FTIR and n.m.r. spectra of the coal and their extracts provided an important in-sight into the differences between various extracts and also between various coals and their corresponding extracts.     

Analysis of an accelerated trip scheme for faults in the secondzone of protection of a transmission line

An analysis of a scheme of accelerated trips for faults in the second zone of a transmission line distance protection system is given. By the use of the two-port network theory, variations of the sequence currents and voltages are analyzed when the fault occurs on the protected line followed by a trip of the circuit breaker on the other side. The analysis is supported by tests performed on a laboratory model of a power system. The new scheme can improve sensitivity and avoid improper operation. Thus, it may be possible to use this scheme instead of pilot protection and alleviate any problems caused by the nonavailability of a sufficient number of communication channels for remote control and relaying     

Thermoreversible gelation of poly[hexyl isocyanate]: Effect of solvent type

The thermoreversible gelation of poly[hexyl isocyanate] (PHIC), a rather stiff polymer, has been studied in two closely-related solvents of the alcane series, namely heptane and octane. Temperature-concentrations phase diagrams have been established for both systems. The occurrence of polymer-solvent compound is suggested in heptane but not in octane. This conclusion receives further support from neutron diffraction investigations through the use of the isotopic labelling technique. Finally, it is observed that the morphology is also affected by the solvent type although still displaying a fibrillar network structure.     

Reliability and profit analysis of two single-unit models with three modes and different repair policies of repairmen who appear and disappear randomly

Cost-benefit analysis of a single-unit system with three possible modes of the unit—normal (N), partial failure (P) and complete failure (F)—is carried out. The paper consists of two models: in model 1, the unit goes under repair (if a repairman is available) the moment it fails partially, whereas in model 2 the unit goes under repair at complete failure. The repairman appears in, and disappears from, the system randomly. A comparison between these two models after calculating MTSF and profit has also been made.     

Strategy for development of a pre-erythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum DNA vaccine for human use

Data generated in the Plasmodium yoelii rodent model indicated that plasmid DNA vaccines encoding the P.yoelii circumsporozoite protein (PyCSP) or 17 kDa hepatocyte erythrocyte protein (PyHEP17) were potent inducers of protective CD8+ T cell responses directed against infected hepatocytes. Immunization with a mixture of these plasmids circumvented the genetic restriction of protective immunity and induced additive protection. A third DNA vaccine encoding the P. yoelii sporozoite surface protein 2 (PySSP2) also induced protection. The P. falciparum genes encoding the homologues of these three protective P. yoelii antigens as well as another P. falciparum gene encoding a protein that is expressed in infected hepatocytes have been chosen for the development of a human vaccine. The optimal plasmid constructs for human use will be selected on the basis of immunogenicity data generated in mice and nonhuman primates. We anticipate that optimization of multi-gene P. falciparum DNA vaccines designed to protect against malaria by inducing CD8+ T cells that target infected hepatocytes will require extensive clinical trials during the coming years.     

Bioethics in the medical subspecialty literature

The high affinity growth hormone-binding protein (GHBP) circulates in human blood and represents the extracellular domain of the growth hormone (GH) receptor. It is well known that repetitive bouts of endurance type exercise result in increased integrated GH secretion. As the effects of chronic exercise on plasma GHBP levels have never been studied systematically, we investigated the effect of 2 weeks of intense endurance training on plasma GHBP as well as on plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I levels in 10 healthy, young, non-obese men. IGF-I was measured as an indicator of the effects of GH release. We also studied 10 control subjects matched for sex, age and activity, who were instructed not to change their customary activities. GHBP was determined by FPLC size exclusion chromatography and subsequent Scatchard plot analysis of the binding data; IGF-I levels were measured by RIA. The results showed that plasma IGF-I and GHBP levels were increased in the subjects who followed the training program. IGF-I and GHBP changed from 252 +/- 56 ng/ml and 912 +/- 59 pmol/l before training, to 344 +/- 61 ng/ml (p < 0.01) and 1020 +/- 48 pmol/l (p < 0.01), respectively. Another effect of the training was that the aerobic capacity of these subjects was better utilized and endurance was improved. In contrast, plasma IGF-I, GHBP, utilization of aerobic capacity and endurance did not change significantly in the control subjects. We conclude that two weeks of strenuous endurance training lead to increased plasma IGF-I and high affinity GHBP levels.     

Expert Systems in Electric Power Systems a Bibliographical Survey

This paper presents a bibliographical survey of research, development and application of expert systems in electric power systems based on over 80 articles published since 1982.     

Network management and control systems and strategic issues

The development of a network management strategy and a network control system for the large integrated telecommunications network (ITN) at American Express Travel Related Services Company is discussed. Network control relates to operational activities such as the diagnostics, configuration, monitoring, and performance of networks, and network management relates to all of the functions performed to manage network resources. An architecture that addresses both control and management requirements is described. Network control functions are consolidated so that operations have a single interface to the system and can operate dissimilar systems from a single workstation. NETVIEW, a licensed IBM software, performs the functions of a focal point, and the network element management system (NEMS) addresses the management of network elements. The centralization of alarms and/or alerts and issuance of commands provides immediate capability to monitor and resolve network problems through a single set of terminals as well as a platform for further automation through the use of artificial intelligence technology