Deformation and water loss from solvent filled microcapsules under compressive loads

Microcapsules filled with liquid solvents for CO₂ absorption can be easily deformed due to their elastic polymer shells. We present a combination of experiments and model predictions to demonstrate that modest compressive forces can lead to significant capsule deformation and performance issues for this enabling technology. Contrary to expectations based on Raoult's law, capsules containing aqueous carbonate solution were found to lose water to flows of humidified nitrogen in centimeter-scale packed beds. Water loss increased with gas velocity, suggesting compression was responsible for mass transfer, an interpretation supported by microscope images of deformed and broken capsules. A model for compression induced mass transfer under packed/fluidized bed operating conditions was developed and validated with the experimental data for a range of conditions (gas velocities, temperatures, humidities). Design criteria for future generations of microcapsules that will more effectively resist compression are evaluated.     

Phase I and pharmacologic study of weekly doxorubicin and 1 h infusional paclitaxel in patients with advanced breast cancer

Doxorubicin and paclitaxel both display strong antitumor activity in the treatment of breast cancer. The optimal schedule of this combination, however, remains undefined. In this phase I and pharmacologic study, we administered weekly 12 mg/m2 doxorubicin as a bolus infusion immediately followed by a 1 h 80 mg/m2 paclitaxel infusion to patients with metastatic breast cancer. A total of 119 weekly courses were delivered to seven patients. Grade IV neutropenia was observed in two patients at the first dose level, thus already defining the maximum tolerated dose. Pronounced non-hematologic toxicities were mild neuropathy (grade I: 39%) and stomatitis (grade I: 19%, grade II: 8%). No signs of cardiac toxicity were observed with this dose schedule. Three partial responses were achieved in this group of heavily pretreated patients. The pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel, doxorubicin and Cremophor EL with this schedule were analyzed. Overall, the schedule was well tolerated and combined with its preliminary response rate justifies further evaluation in phase II studies.     

Copper(II) removal from aqueous solutions by fly ash

The removal of Cu(II) by adsorption on fly ash has been found to be concentration, pH and temperature dependent. The kinetics of adsorption indicates the process to be diffusion controlled. The Langmuir constants have been calculated at different temperatures, and the adsorption has been found to be endothermic (ΔH = 15.652 kcal mol^?1). The maximum removal is observed at pH 8.0, and variation in adsorption with pH has been explained on the basis of surface ionisation and complexation.     

MIMO模糊控制器的设计及在烟叶发酵中的应用研究

本文重点介绍了一种适用于多输入输出系统的模糊控制器工程设计方法,并讲述了这种设计方法于烟叶发酵工艺中的实际应用,及应用系统的结构框图,经实用表有,这种控制方案使烟叶发酵质量的明显改善,厂家效益提高。     

Luminescence and low temperature trap centers in mixed rare earth borate crystal

The single crystal of this compound has been grown from melt by using a conventional Czochralski technique. The temperature dependent luminescence spectra were measured using a 265 nm laser as an exciting source in the range of 10–300 K. The scintillation decay time profile was measured and found to have three components. The influence of the trap centers on the luminescence properties was studied by means of thermoluminescence (TL) glow peak analysis. Low temperature TL glow peaks were measured in the temperature range of 10–300 K at the heating rate of 0.1 K/s for X-ray irradiated sample. The TL glow peak consists of two dominant peaks at 88 and 109 K. Several glow peaks with a complex nature causes the decrease in the light yield at temperatures below 250 K, and along with long scintillation decay components were observed. The trap parameters such as activation energy (E), frequency factor (s) and order of kinetics (b) were calculated using various standard methods such as peak shape (PS), variable heating rate (VHR), initial rise (IR) and computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD).     

Externally Reinforced Welded I-Beam-to-Box-Column Seismic Connection

This paper presents an externally reinforced I-beam-to-box-column seismic connection. An inclined rib-plated collar-plated configuration with web plates is used to ensure planar continuity between I-beam and box-column webs; the rib plates, inclined in plan between the beam web and the two column web planes, along with collar-plates encircling the box-column at beam flange levels and web plates in plane with the rib plates at the beam web level constitute the new configuration. This connection configuration relieves stresses on box-column flanges and helps in force transfer to the box-column webs. Performance evaluation of the proposed connection configuration shows that sufficient inelasticity is mobilized in the beam away from the column face with connection elements and welds remaining elastic. The seismic performance of the proposed connection is also found to be better than two state-of-the-art connection schemes in terms of higher strength, stiffness, and higher reserve strength of the welds under cyclic displacement loading.     

An electrochemical study on deformed galvanneal steel sheets

Corrosion behavior of deformed galvanneal steel sheets has been evaluated as a function of their degree of deformation under four different strain paths namely, biaxial, uniaxial (drawing), plane strain and tensile mode. A correlation between the degree of deformation and the loss in the extent of corrosion protection offered by these coatings in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution has been established by carrying out electrochemical studies such as potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. An almost linear relation has been found to exist between the effective strain applied to the specimen and damage caused to the coating. While uniaxial, plane strain and tensile modes of deformation have been found to affect the coating corrosion resistance almost to the same extent, the biaxial deformation has been found to cause a greater damage to the coating.     

Removal of victoria blue from aqueous solution by fly ash

The use of fly ash for the removal of victoria blue (C126, 44045) from aqueous solution at different concentrations and pH has been investigated. The process follows first order adsorption rate expression and the rate constant was found to be 1.70 × 10^?2 min^?1 at a victoria blue concentration of 1.0 × 10^?4 M and 25°C. The uptake of victoria blue by fly ash is diffusion controlled and the value of mass transfer coefficient is 1.25 × 10^?5 cm sec^?1. The equilibrium data fit well in the Langmuir model of adsorption. Maximum removal was noted at pH 8.0. Low desorption of dye from adsorbent surface indicates that the process may not be essentially a reversible one.     

Adolescents in the City: Material and Social Living Conditions in Johannesburg–Soweto, South Africa

Urban populations are growing rapidly in developing countries. As a result, challenges to the well-being of adolescents are increasing in priority. This paper describes the material and social living conditions of 5,367 young adolescents, in Johannesburg–Soweto, South Africa in 2002–2003. The majority of children in South Africa’s urban hub have adequate access to basic services. However, social conditions are a key concern—lack of financial support by parents; defaulting caregiver roles to grandparents; minimal or no contact with fathers; and poor school performance. Weakened levels of family support in urban environments may negatively impact on adolescent development. In the long term, family systems as well as other social networks and institutions need to be strengthened to improve adolescent outcomes.