The prediction of transport parameters in filamentous fermentation broths based on results obtained in pseudoplastic polymer solutions

Transport phenomena studies on single phase “model” fluids are of limited value in biochemical engineering if they cannot be translated to the heterogeneous systems encountered in real fermentation processes. In this paper we discuss the utility of polymer solutions as models of filamentous fermentation broths for evaluation of: pipeline friction factors and impeller power numbers (turbine and helical ribbon). To a first approximation, polymer solutions can serve as suitable models for the prediction of laminar flow pressure drop in pipelines and turbulent power consumption in stirred tanks. However, results obtained on polymer solutions do not directly apply to filamentous fermentation broths for predictions of laminar flow impeller power consumption and the transition point for turbulent flow in stirred tanks. These discrepancies are believed to result from the existence of a time dependent yield stress in filamentous fermentation broths.     

Poly(p-tert-butoxycarbonyloxystyrene): a convenient precursor to p-hydroxystyrene resins

An efficient synthetic route to pure, high molecular weight poly(p-hydroxystyrene) is reported. The route involves synthesis of a new monomer, p-tert-butoxycarbonyloxystyrene, polymerization by radical initiation or by cationic initiation in liquid SO₂, followed by thermolysis or acidolysis of the tert-butoxycarbonyl protecting group. Porous, crosslinked resin beads containing the nucleophilic, phenol pendant group have been prepared in a similar fashion from the precursor terpolymer of p-tert-butoxycarbonyloxystyrene, styrene and divinylbenzene. The utility of this resin for solid-phase synthesis has been demonstrated.     

Effects of solid solution alloying on creep deformation of aluminum

The effects of solid solution alloying on the creep-rupture properties, deformation characteristics, ductility, and fracture of pure aluminum were studied by means of creep-rupture tests on polished specimens of three alloys each of Al-Cu (0.24, 0.79, and 2.05 pct Cu), Al-Zn (4.93, 9.89, and 19.78 pct Zn), and Al-Mg (0.94, 1.92, and 5.10 pct Mg) at 500°, 700°, and 900°F.     

Chromium distribution between liquid iron and molten basic slags

An equilibrium study was made of the distribution of chromium and oxygen between liquid iron, containing less than 1 pct Cr, and simple slags of the CaO(MgO)-SiO₂-FeO-Cr₂O₃ type in the temperature range 1526° to 1734°C The effects of slag oxidation, temperature, and basicity were observed.     

A model to predict land susceptibility to wind erosion in western Queensland,Australia

This paper describes the development and validation of the Australian Land Erodibility Model (AUSLEM), designed to predict land susceptibility to wind erosion in western Queensland, Australia. The model operates at a 5 × 5 km spatial resolution on a daily time-step with inputs of grass and tree cover, soil moisture, soil texture and surficial stone cover. The system was implemented to predict land erodibility, i.e. susceptibility to wind erosion, for the period 1980–1990. Model performance was evaluated using cross-correlation analyses to compare trajectories of mean annual land erodibility at selected locations with trends in wind speed and observational records of dust events and a Dust Storm Index (DSI). The validation was conducted at four spatial length scales from 25 to 150 km using windows to represent potential dust source areas centered on and positioned around eight meteorological stations within the study area. The predicted land erodibility had strong correlations with dust-event frequencies at half of the stations. Poor correlations at the other stations were linked to the inability of the model to account for temporal changes in soil erodibility, and comparing trends in the land erodibility of regions with dust events whose source areas lie outside the regions of interest. The model agreement with dust-event frequency trends was found to vary across spatial scales and was highly dependent on land type characteristics around the stations and on the types of dust events used for validation.     

Analysing inconsistent first-order knowledgebases

It is well-known that knowledgebases may contain inconsistencies. We provide a framework of measures, based on a first-order four-valued logic, to quantify the inconsistency of a knowledgebase. This allows for the comparison of the inconsistency of diverse knowledgebases that have been represented as sets of first-order logic formulae. We motivate the approach by considering some examples of knowledgebases for representing and reasoning with ontological knowledge and with temporal knowledge. Analysing ontological knowledge (including the statements about which concepts are subconcepts of other concepts, and which concepts are disjoint) can be problematical when there is a lack of knowledge about the instances that may populate the concepts, and analysing temporal knowledge (such as temporal integrity constraints) can be problematical when considering infinite linear time lines isomorphic to the natural numbers or the real numbers or more complex structures such as branching time lines. We address these difficulties by providing algebraic measures of inconsistency in first-order knowledgebases.     

Electronic speckle interferometry, phase-mapping, and nondestructive testing techniques applied to real-time, thermal loading

A digital phase-mapping method has been developed for application in real-time electronic speckle interferometry studies. Its principles and application to a continuously deforming object are described. An efficient digital image-processing algorithm has been developed that permits quantitative interpretation of the resulting phase maps.