Useful representations of series solutions for transport problems

Simple techniques are presented for rearrangement of an infinite series in a systematic way such that the convergence of the resulting expression is accelerated. These procedures also allow calculation of required boundary derivatives. Several examples of conduction and diffusion-reaction problems illustrate the methods.     

Further development of the uniqueness criteria of the steady state via the contraction mapping principle

Uniqueness criteria of the steady state in porous catalysts are derived by using the contraction mapping principle with different norms. Among the norms considered, the one involving the gradient of the steady state yields the strongest result. The criteria developed in the present study bear some resemblance to those developed by other methods     

Supercritical fluid extraction of alkaloids from Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.

In this work a study about extracts obtained from Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil. leaves with supercritical CO₂ was carried out. Experiments were performed in a pilot-scale extractor with capacity of 1 L at pressure of 120, 150, 170 and 200 bar for four temperature conditions, 313.15, 323.15, 333.15 and 343.15 K. The experimental data were fitted using a mathematical model characterized by the existence of two distinct periods of extraction. Numerical results for the adjusted parameters correlated very well the supercritical extraction experimental data. The confidence of results obtained from mathematical model and experiments was assured through the chi-square test.     

The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of the Methanolic Extract and Fractions from Davilla elliptica St. Hil. (Dilleniaceae) on Bothrops jararaca Envenomation

Inflammation and haemorrhage are the main characteristics of tissue injury in botropic envenomation. Although some studies have shown that anti-venom prevents systemic reactions, it is not efficient in preventing tissue injury at the site of the bite. Therefore, this work was undertaken to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the methanolic extract and fractions from D. elliptica and to evaluate the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in this process. Effects of the extract and fractions from D. elliptica were evaluated using a carrageenan-induced paw oedema model in rats, and leukocyte rolling was visualized by intravital. The quantification of MMPs activities (MMP-2 and MMP-9) extracted from the dermis of mice treated with extract and fractions alone or incubated with venom was determined by zymographic analyses. Our results show that intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of fractions significantly reduced paw oedema after the carrageenan challenge. Treatment with the tannins fraction also resulted in considerable inhibition of the rolling of leukocytes and this fraction was able to decrease the activation of MMP-9. These results confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity of the methanolic extract and tannins fraction of D. elliptica and showed that the dermonecrosis properties of B. jararaca venom might be mediated through the inhibition of MMP-9 activity.     

电弧炉炉盖砖对冶炼2Crl8Ni11Ti钢增磷的影响

分析了攀钢集团成都钢铁有限责任公司用返回吹氧法冶炼2Crl8Ni11Ti钢之初，出现因使用磷酸盐结合的不烧高铝砖炉盖引起冶炼过程中两炉钢液严重增磷的情况和采取的对策。研究和实践证明，采用返回吹氧法冶炼2Crl8Ni11Ti钢时不能用磷酸盐结合的不烧高铝砖做电弧炉的炉盖砖。     

Paleolimnological proxies reveal continued eutrophication issues in the St. Lawrence River Area of Concern

Recent surface-water surveys suggest that high nutrient concentrations and nuisance algae remain issues in the St. Lawrence River Area of Concern (AOC) at Cornwall, Ontario, specifically in the tributaries and nearshore zones of Lake St. Francis (LSF). In particular, it is unclear whether management actions designed to reduce nutrient inputs, first implemented in the 1990s as part of the Remedial Action Plan for the AOC, have reduced algal production or influenced assemblage composition. To address this issue, a paleolimnological approach was used to provide a historical context for the present-day nutrient concentrations and to quantify the extent of change in water quality in LSF since the early 1990s. A sediment core was collected near the north shore of LSF and was examined for changes in the concentrations and compositions of fossil diatoms and pigments, as well as stable isotope (δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C) values. Analyses of diatom and pigment concentrations indicated that overall algal abundance has risen in the last few decades, including trends of increasing occurrences of potentially toxic cyanobacteria, despite ongoing remediation efforts. Temporal patterns of stable isotope signatures in the core suggest a steady increase in nutrient influx since the mid-20th century, with the post-1990 increase in algal production likely attributable to recent inputs associated with land-use changes in local contributing watersheds. These patterns suggest that the AOC delisting goals for the LSF tributaries will not be reached without a drastic change in land management practices.     

Validation of 2015 Lake Erie MODIS image spectral decomposition using visible derivative spectroscopy and field campaign data

Timely identification of color-producing agents (CPAs) in Lake Erie is a challenging, but vital aspect of monitoring harmful algal blooms (HABs). In particular, HABs that include large amounts of cyanobacteria (CyanoHABs) can be toxic to humans, posing a threat to drinking water, in addition to recreational and economic use of Lake Erie. The optical signal of Lake Erie is complex (Becker et al., 2009; Moore et al., 2017), typically comprised of phytoplankton, cyanobacteria, colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), detritus, and terrigenous inorganic particles, varying in composition both spatially and temporally. The Kent State University (KSU) spectral decomposition method effectively partitions CPAs using a varimax-rotated, principal component analysis (VPCA) of visible reflectance spectra measured using lab, field or satellite instruments (Ali et al., 2013; Ortiz et al., 2017, 2013). We analyze 2015 imagery acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor and field samples collected during the early 2015 cyanoHAB season. We identified four primary CPA spectral signatures, and the spatial distribution of each identified CPA, in the reflectance spectra datasets of both the MODIS and lab-measured water samples. The KSU spectral decomposition method results in mixtures of specific pigments, pigment degradation products, and minerals that describe the optically complex water. We found very good agreement between the KSU VPCA spectral decomposition results and in situ measurements, indicating that this method may be a powerful tool for rapid CyanoHAB monitoring and assessment in large lakes using instruments that provide moderate resolution imagery (0.3 to 1 km²).     

Relationships among total recoverable and reactive metals and metalloid in St. Lawrence River sediment: bioaccumulation by chironomids and implications for ecological risk assessment

The availability and bioaccumulation of metals and metalloids, and the geochemical interactions among them, are essential to developing an ecological risk assessment (ERA) framework and determining threshold concentrations for these elements. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among total recoverable and reactive metals and metalloid in sediment and their bioaccumulation by chironomids. In the fall of 2004 and 2005, 58 stations located in the three fluvial lakes of the St. Lawrence River and its largest harbour area in Montreal, Canada, were sampled. Nine total recoverable and reactive metals (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) and one metalloid (As) were measured in whole sediment using two extraction methods: HCl/HNO(3) and HCl 1N, respectively. The bioaccumulation of six metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) and As by chironomids was evaluated in a subset of 22 stations. Strong collinearities were observed between some total recoverable or reactive metal concentrations in sediment; two principal clusters, including collinear metals, were obtained. The first one included metals of mainly geological origin (Al, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni), while the second one included As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, which likely derive mainly from point sources of anthropogenic contamination. Each element also showed strong collinearity between their total recoverable and reactive forms (0.65< or =r < or =0.97). We can conclude that both chemical forms are equivalent for use in statistical models needed to explain biological responses and also in screening risk assessment. However, these relationships are not always proportional. Lower availability percentages were observed for Cd, Cu and Zn in the highly mixed-contaminated area of the Montreal Harbour, even though concentrations in sediment were higher. We observed a significant correlation (0.50< or =r < or =0.56) between concentrations in chironomids and concentrations of both total recoverable and reactive Cr and Pb in sediment. Arsenic was an exception, with accumulation by chironomids being highly related to reactive sediment concentrations. Finally, we observed variable influences of explanatory factors (e.g. sediment grain size, Al, Fe, Mn, S, TOC), depending on which metal or metalloid was being predicted in chironomids. In this context, it is difficult to choose a universal predictive method to explain the bioaccumulation of specific metals, and more research is still needed into normalization procedures that consider a combination of explanatory factors.     

Research, protection and restoration studies on the historical fabric of Isparta, using Aya Baniya Church as an example

Turkey is a country that bears the tracks of many civilizations because of its geographic location and its characteristics that come from its deeply rooted history. So it contains historical and cultural items of value that are quite rich and can be characterized as intensely universal. Thanks to these valuable items, it has always drawn the attention of the world. Isparta is a city that houses quite a few historical, archaeological and cultural items of value in its structure. Protecting the historical buildings that carry the cultural and historical traces of a period and making a contribution to its reuse for the future of all humanity are a truth of international importance. In this connection, with this study, essential work was carried out and certain suggestions made about St. Baniya Church, which is one of the most important structures of the historically, archaeologically and culturally valuable items that make up the historical fabric of Isparta and especially, the historical and cultural potential of Isparta.