Characterization and biodegradability of polyester bioplastic-based green renewable composites from agricultural residues

The biodegradability, morphology, and mechanical properties of composite materials consisting of acrylic acid-grafted poly(butylene succinate adipate) (PBSA-g-AA) and agricultural residues (rice husk, RH) were evaluated. Composites containing acrylic acid-grafted PBSA (PBSA-g-AA/RH) exhibited noticeably superior mechanical properties compared with those of PBSA/RH due to greater compatibility with RH. The dispersion of RH in the PBSA-g-AA matrix was highly homogeneous as a result of ester formation, and the consequent creation of branched and cross-linked macromolecules, between the carboxyl groups of PBSA-g-AA and hydroxyl groups in RH. Each composite was subject to biodegradation tests in an Azospirillum brasilense BCRC 12270 liquid culture medium. The bacterium completely degraded both the PBSA and the PBSA-g-AA/RH composite films. Morphological observations indicated severe disruption of the film structure after 20-40 days of incubation. The PBSA-g-AA/RH (20 wt%) films were not only more biodegradable than those made of PBSA but also exhibited lower molecular weight and intrinsic viscosity, implying a strong connection between these characteristics and biodegradability.     

Determination of Basic Nitrogen in Residues of Crude Oil Distillation Using ATR-FTIR and Chemometric Methods

A method for basic nitrogen determination in residues of crude oil distillation using infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics algorithms was developed. Interval partial least squares, synergy interval partial least squares, and backward interval partial least squares were evaluated for calibration model construction. The samples were divided into a calibration and prediction set containing 40 and 15 samples, respectively. The first derivative with a Savitzky-Golay filter and the mean centered data showed the best results and were used in all calibration models. The backward interval partial least squares algorithm with spectra divided in 60 intervals and combinations of 4 intervals (1407 to 1372; 1117 to 1082; 971 to 936; 914 to 879 cm^?1) showed the best root mean square error of prediction of 0.016 wt%. This calibration model displayed a suitable correlation coefficient between reference and predicted values.     

Complexation and thermogravimetric investigation on tin(II) and tin(IV) with norfloxacin as antibacterial agent

The interaction of tin(II) and tin(IV) chlorides with norfloxacin (NOR) has been investigated. Elemental analysis, infrared, mass spectra and thermal analysis have been used to characterize the isolated solid complexes. The results support the formation of complexes with the formula [Sn(NOR)₂]Cl₂·4H₂O and [Sn(NOR)₃]Cl₄. The infrared spectra of the isolated solid complexes suggested that NOR act as bidentate ligand through the carbonyl oxygen atom and one oxygen atom of the carboxylic group forming six-membered rings with the tin ions. The interpretation, mathematical analysis and evaluation of kinetic parameters of thermogravimetric (TGA) and its differential (DTG), such as entropy of activation, pre-exponential factors, activation energy evaluated by using Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger equations are carried out for two complexes. The data obtained indicate that the two complexes decompose in one stage and general mechanisms describing the decomposition are suggested. Furthermore, the electronic, and ¹H?NMR spectra have been studied.     

Monoclonal Antibody-Based Immunolocalization of Bound Triazine Residues in Two Aquatic Macrophytes (Elodea Canadensis and Myriophyllum Spicatum)

Abstract

Immunohistochemical localization offers a fast and reliable method of obtaining information about the distribution of bound pesticide residues in plants. In the present study aquatic macrophytes (Elodea canadensis, Myriophyllum spicatum) were grown in laboratory model ecosystems spiked with 50 μg/l atrazine. To label cryosections, monoclonal antibodies from cell culture supernatants and ascites fluid with differing specificities for s-triazines were used in combination with the fluorescent dye Phycoerythrin and biotin-streptavidin amplification. The best results were observed with antibodies gained from mice immunized with an ametryn sulfoxide-BSA conjugate, regardless of the method employed for antibody production. The consequences with respect to herbicide metabolism and binding are discussed.     

Non-simultaneous blow-up and blow-up rates for reaction-diffusion equations

This paper considers blow-up solutions for reaction-diffusion equations, complemented by homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. It is proved that there exist initial data such that one block or two (separated or contiguous) blocks of n components blow up simultaneously while the others remain bounded. As a corollary, a necessary and sufficient condition is obtained such that any blow-up must be the case for at least two components blowing up simultaneously. We also show some other exponent regions, where any blow-up of k(∈{1,2,…,n}) components must be simultaneous. Moreover, the corresponding blow-up rates and sets are discussed. The results extend those in Liu and Li [B.C. Liu, F.J. Li, Non-simultaneous blow-up of n components for nonlinear parabolic systems, J. Math. Anal. Appl. 356 (2009) 215-231].     

Dynamic analysis of an SIR epidemic model with state dependent pulse vaccination

An SIR epidemic model with state dependent pulse vaccination is proposed in this paper. Using the Poincaré map, the differential inequality and the method of qualitative analysis, we prove the existence and the stability of positive order-1 or order-2 periodic solution for this model. Moreover, we show that there is no periodic solution with order larger than or equal to three. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the feasibility of our main results and the suitability of state dependent pulse vaccination is also discussed.     

Shocks and slip systems: Predictions from a mesoscale theory of continuum dislocation dynamics

Exploring a recently developed mesoscale continuum theory of dislocation dynamics, we derive three predictions about plasticity and grain boundary formation in crystals. (1) There is a residual stress jump across grain boundaries and plasticity-induced cell walls as they form, which self-consistently acts to attract neighboring dislocations; residual stress in this theory appears as a remnant of the driving force behind wall formation under both polygonization and plastic deformation. We derive the predicted asymptotic late-time dynamics of the grain-boundary formation process. (2) During grain boundary formation at high temperatures, there is a predicted cusp in the elastic energy density. (3) In early stages of plasticity, when only one type of dislocation is active (single-slip), cell walls do not form in the theory; instead we predict the formation of a hitherto unrecognized jump singularity in the dislocation density.     

Approximate solution for the Klein Gordon-Schrdinger equation by the homotopy analysis method

The Homotopy analysis method is applied to obtain the approximate solution of the Klein--Gordon--Schr?dinger equation. The Homotopy analysis solutions of the Klein--Gordon--Schr?dinger equation contain an auxiliary parameter which provides a convenient way to control the convergence region and rate of the series solutions. Through errors analysis and numerical simulation, we can see the approximate solution is very close to the exact solution.     

Soliton models in resonant and nonresonant optical fibers

In this review, considering the important linear and nonlinear optical effects like group velocity dispersion, higher order dispersion, Kerr nonlinearity, self-steepening, stimulated Raman scattering, birefringence, self-induced transparency and various inhomogeneous effects in fibers, the completely integrable concept and bright, dark and self-induced transparency soliton models in nonlinear fiber optics are discussed. Considering the above important optical effects, the different completely integrable soliton models in the form of nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS), NLS-Maxwell-Bloch (MB) type equations reported in the literature are discussed. Finally, solitons in stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) system is briefly discussed.