Determination of the total concentration and speciation of Al(III) in tea infusions

The aluminium species in different tea infusions were investigated, by determining their stability constants and concentration. This was done for some particular samples using a simple experimental method based on the sorption of aluminium on the strongly sorbing resin Chelex 100, by a batch procedure. From the thermodynamic information obtained it is possible to calculate the concentration of the different species, and in particular that of the free metal ion, which is very important for evaluating the adsorption of aluminium on biological membranes. It was found that aluminium in the tea infusions here considered is present at high total concentration, approximately 0.1 mM, but mainly linked to strong complexes, for instance with side reaction coefficient higher than 10(5.11) at pH 3.95 in one case (tea 1). This could be the reason for the low toxicity of aluminium in tea. These strong complexes were not dissociated even in the presence of Chelex 100. In this case only a limiting value of the reaction coefficient could be evaluated. The presence of the very strong complexes was found in all the tea sample here considered. In two of the considered samples (one black and one green tea) a part of Al(III) was linked to less strong complexes, for example with a reaction coefficient 10(4.14) (tea 2, pH 4.20). The presence in the considered tea infusions of other substances able to complex aluminium was also detected, by the well known ligand titration procedure, at concentration ranging from 0.65 to 3.37 mM in three tea infusions, and at somewhat higher concentration in the case of the ready drink, which was also considered for comparison.     

厦门市气源转换的技术分析

分析了气源转换时原有输配系统的管道、调压设备、计量设备、用气设备与天然气系统相适应的问题，提出了相应的措施。     

The determinants of heat-shock element-directed lacZ expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Heat-shock induction of heat-shock protein genes is due to a specific promoter element (the heat-shock element, HSE). This study used lacZ under HSE control (HSE-lacZ) to characterize HSE activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells of different physiological states and differing genetic backgrounds. In batch fermentations HSE-lacZ induction by heat shock was maximal in exponential growth, and showed marked decline with the approach to stationary phase. Expression in the absence of heat shock was unaffected by growth phase, indicating that the growth-dependent expression of many yeast heat-shock genes uses promoter elements in addition to the HSE. Heat-induced expression was strongly influenced by the temperature at which cultures were grown. While basal, uninduced expression was constant during growth at different temperatures to 30 degrees C, induction by transfer to 39 degrees C was reduced by increases in growth temperature as low as 18-24 degrees C. Maximal HSE-lacZ induction (30- to 50-fold) was in cultures grown at low temperatures (18-24 degrees C), then heat shocked at 39 degrees C. Ethanol was a poor inducer. Mutations having little effect on HSE-lacZ expression included a respiratory petite; ubi4 (which inactivates the poly-ubiquitin gene); also ubc4 and ubc5 (which each inactivate one of the ubiquitin ligases involved in degradation of aberrant protein). pep4-3 increased both basal and induced beta-galactosidase about two-fold, probably because of slower turnover of this enzyme in pep4-3 strains.     

Monitoring water quality in reservoirs with IRS-1A-LISS-I

An attempt has been made to quantify the relationship between the variation in IRS-IA-LISS-I (Indian Remote Sensing Satellite-1A Linear Imaging Self-Scanning System) radiance data and field measured change in secchi disc depth. Secchi disc depth was measured for 47 predetermined sampling locations on reservoir surface water. At extinction depth (secchi depth), water samples were collected from all the sampling locations. Suspended sediments of eight locations representing various reaches of the reservoir were selected for mineralogical, particle size and optical properties analysis. The LISS-I radiance value in band 1 (0.45–0.52µm) band 2 (0-52–0.59 µm) and band 3 (0.62–0.68 µm) were used in a regression analysis. The absorption infrared band 4 (0.77–0.86 µm) was not included in the analysis. In these, the dependable variable was secchi depth (SD) and the LISS-I-radiance data was the estimator variable. Forty-seven data sets of 20 October 1988 from Tawa reservoir surface water were used to obtain an estimator equation for SD. The verification of the estimator equation was tested by applying it to a data set of 21 measurements of 28 September 1988 for this reservoir. The coefficient of correlation between observed and estimated values for the 28 September 1988 data set wasr=0.92 for SD, indicating that the equation could accurately predict the water clarity (SD) for this reservoir on new occasions from IRS-IA-LISS-I spectral data. It is shown that mineral composition and optical properties of suspended sediments influence the reflected radiance of water quality. It is concluded that IRS-IA-LISS-I data provide a useful means of mapping water quality in reservoir.     

A structure/function study of polyaminoamide dendrimers as silica scale growth inhibitors

Dendrimers have attracted immense attention during the last decade due to their interesting properties both from a basic and an applied research viewpoint. Encapsulation of metal nanoparticles for catalysis, drug delivery and light harvesting are only some applications of dendrimers that are breaking new ground. A novel application of dendrimer technology is described in the present paper that relates to industrial water treatment. Industrial water systems often suffer from undesirable inorganic deposits. These can form either in the bulk or on metallic surfaces, such as heat exchangers or pipelines. Silica (SiO₂) scale formation and deposition is a major problem in high‐silica‐containing cooling waters. Scale prevention rather than removal is highly desired. In this paper, benchtop screening tests on various silica inhibition chemistries are reported, with emphasis on materials with a dendrimeric structure. Specifically, the inhibition properties of commercially available STARBURST^® polyaminoamide (PAMAM) dendrimers generations 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 are investigated in detail together with other commonly‐used scale inhibitors. Experimental results show that inhibition efficiency largely depends on structural features of PAMAM dendrimers such as generation number and nature of the end groups. PAMAM dendrimers are effective inhibitors of silica scale growth at 40 ppm dosage levels. PAMAM dendrimers also act as silica nucleators, forming SiO₂–PAMAM composites. This occurs because the SiO₂ formed by incomplete inhibition interacts with cationic PAMAM‐1 and ‐2. The general scope of silica formation and inhibition in industrial waters is also discussed. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

浅谈下一代网络（NGN）

计算机网络的发展日新月异。下一代计算机网络（NGN）的探讨、研究已经成为当前的潮流。下一代网络是目前电信、互联网运营商和设备厂商都在讨论的热点技术，国内外许多网络运营商都在探讨，并正在或考虑建设试验网进行更深入的研究。本文介绍了NGN的定义、主要特点、分层结构和关键技术。     

Screening model for assessing ‘cost’ of minimum flow requirements in the Svartå River,Sweden

The minimum flow requirements in the Svartå River in Sweden are directed at maintaining fishlife and providing suitable dilution for waste flows. The implications of varying the minimum flow requirements in the river are examined using a mixed integer optimisation model. The model is formulated as a modified method-of-weights technique with the economic issues of hydro-electricity generation, irrigation and urban water supply placed in the objective function and the minimum flows specified within the constraint set. The integer component of the model is required to model the operating policy at the major flow regulation facility in the system and the restricted validity of the irrigation permits. Application of the model shows that in dry years where competition between minimum flow levels and the other economic uses, is most intense, the levels achieved by the various economic objectives are only slightly reduced even with significant increases in the minimum flow requirements. Variations in minimum flow requirements of up to 45% only produce changes of 10% or less in the economic objectives. The lack of sensitivity of the objective levels is due primarily to the level of control exerted indirectly on the whole system in dry years by the release regulation policy and the restricted validity of the irrigation permits. In normal to wet years these policies are not as restrictive and more choice is available. In such years, however, there is generally sufficient water to satisfy all requirements and allocation is not a critical issue. The model itself is formulated generally so that a range of scenarios beyond those examined specifically in the paper can be considered.     

FTIR investigation of ethylene coordination and polymerization on reduced Cr/SiO2 catalyst

FTIR spectroscopy was applied to study the initial steps of ethylene polymerization on reduced chromia-silica (0.5 wt% Cr/SiO₂). To decrease the speed of the reaction small doses of gas were introduced to the catalyst in each run and C₂D₄ was used to confirm band assignments. At the initial steps of the reaction only ethylene molecules coordinated to probably Cr _A ²⁺ cations were observed. The concentration of such complexes was estimated to be about 50% of the total amount of Cr atoms in the sample. The FTIR spectrum of the polymer formed at the initial doses of C₂H₄ (when [C₂H₄] [Cr]) was found to be slightly different from that formed after excess ethylene was introduced onto the catalyst ([C₂H₄] > [Cr]).     

Water table fluctuation with a random initial condition

The nonlinear Boussinesq equation is used to understand water table fluctuations in various ditch drainage problems. An approximate solution of this equation with a random initial condition and deterministic boundary conditions, recharge rate and aquifer parameters has been developed to predict a transient water table in a ditch-drainage system. The effects of uncertainty in the initial condition on the water table are illustrated with the help of a synthetic example. These results would find applications in ditch-drainage design.Notation A / tanh t - a lower value of the random variable representing the initial water table height at the mid point - a+b Upper value of the random variable representing the initial water table height at the midpoint - B tanh t - C 4/ - h variable water table height - h mean of the variable water table height - h _m variable water table height at the mid point - h _m mean of the variable water table height at the mid point - K hydraulic conductivity - L half spacing between the ditches - m ₀ initial water table height at the mid point - N Uniform rate of recharge - S specific yield - t time of observation - x distance measured from the ditch boundary - (4/SL)(NK)^1/2 - (L/4)(N/K)^1/2 - dummy integral variable