Multivariate optimization and comparison between conventional extraction (CE) and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) of carotenoid extraction from cashew apple

Carotenoids are an essential component of cashew and can be used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, natural pigment, food additives, among other applications. The present work focuses on optimizing and comparing conventional and ultrasound-assisted extraction methods. Every optimization step took place with a 1:1 (w:w) mixture of yellow and red cashew apples lyophilized and ground in a cryogenic mill. A Simplex-centroid design was applied for both methods, and the solvents acetone, methanol, ethanol, and petroleum ether were evaluated. After choosing the extractor solvent, a central composite design was applied to optimize the sample mass (59–201 mg) and extraction time (6–34 min). The optimum conditions for the extractor solvent were 38% acetone, 30% ethanol, and 32% petroleum ether for CE and a mixture of 44% acetone and 56% methanol for UAE. The best experimental conditions for UAE were a sonication time of 19 min and a sample mass of 153 mg, while the CE was 23 min and 136 mg. Comparing red and yellow cashews, red cashews showed a higher carotenoid content in both methodologies. The UAE methodology was ca. 21% faster, presented a more straightforward composition of extracting solution, showed an average yield of superior carotenoid content in all samples compared to CE. Therefore, UAE has demonstrated a simple, efficient, fast, low-cost adjustment methodology and a reliable alternative for other applications involving these bioactive compounds in the studied or similar matrix.     

Effect of strain on charge density wave order in α-U

The effect of strain on charge density wave (CDW) order in $\alpha$-U is investigated within the framework of relativistic density-functional theory. The energetical stability of $\alpha$-U with CDW distortion is enhanced by the tensile strain along $a$ and $b$ axes, which is similar to the case of negative pressure and normal. However, the tensile strain along $c$ axis suppresses the energetical stability of CDW phase. This abnormal effect could be understood from the emergence of a new one-dimensional atomic chain along $c$ axis in $\alpha$-U. Furthermore, this effect is supported by the calculations of Fermi surface and phonon mode, in which the topological objects and the dynamical instability show opposite behaviors between strains along $a$/$b$ and $c$ axes.     

Diffusion Model of a Non-Integer Order PIγ Controller with TCP/UDP Streams

In this article, a way to employ the diffusion approximation to model interplay between TCP and UDP flows is presented. In order to control traffic congestion, an environment of IP routers applying AQM (Active Queue Management) algorithms has been introduced. Furthermore, the impact of the fractional controller PIγ and its parameters on the transport protocols is investigated. The controller has been elaborated in accordance with the control theory. The TCP and UDP flows are transmitted simultaneously and are mutually independent. Only the TCP is controlled by the AQM algorithm. Our diffusion model allows a single TCP or UDP flow to start or end at any time, which distinguishes it from those previously described in the literature.     

Boussinesq方程行波解的存在性

利用平面动力系统方法的分支理论，研究了Boussinesq方程，通过对Boussinesq方程进行行波变换，得到了相应行波系统的首次积分和平衡点，给出了不同参数条件下的相图，证实了Boussinesq方程存在孤立波解和周期波解。     

Negative thermal expansion in NbF_3 and NbOF_2:A comparative theoretical study

Thermal expansion control is always an obstructive factor and challenging in high precision engineering field. Here,the negative thermal expansion of Nb F_3 and Nb OF_2 was predicted by first-principles calculation with density functional theory and the quasi-harmonic approximation(QHA). We studied the total charge density, thermal vibration, and lattice dynamic to investigate the thermal expansion mechanism. We found that the presence of O induced the relatively strong covalent bond in Nb OF_2, thus weakening the transverse vibration of F and O in Nb OF_2, compared with the case of Nb F_3.In this study, we proposed a way to tailor negative thermal expansion of metal fluorides by introducing the oxygen atoms.The present work not only predicts two NTE compounds, but also provides an insight on thermal expansion control by designing chemical bond type.     

Stability of Multiplier Ideal Sheaves

Chinese Annals of Mathematics, Series B - In the present article, the authors find and establish stability of multiplier ideal sheaves, which is more general than strong openness.     

Global existence to the initial–boundary value problem for a system of nonlinear diffusion and wave equations

We prove the global existence of weak solution pair to the initial boundary value problem for a system of m-Laplacian type diffusion equation and nonlinear wave equation. The interaction of two equations is given through nonlinear source terms $f(u,v)$ and $g(u,v)$.     

Particle manipulation via integration of electroosmotic flow of power-law fluids with standing surface acoustic waves (SSAW)

Standing surface acoustic wave (SSAW) based microfluidic devices have shown great promise toward fluid and particle manipulation applications in medicine, chemistry, and biotechnology. In this article, we present an analytical model for investigating continuous manipulation of particles (both synthetic and biological) within electroosmotic flow of non-Newtonian bio-fluids in a microfluidic channel under the influence of standing surface acoustic waves (SSAW). The particles are injected along the center of channel into the electroosmotically driven flow of power-law fluids, wherein their transport through the SSAW region is dictated by the hydrodynamic, electrophoretic, and acoustic forces. We first present a mathematical model to analyze the characteristics of electroosmotic flow of non-Newtonian power-law fluids in a hydrophobic slit microchannel. Next, we investigate the trajectories of particles in the flow field due to the combined effect of electroosmotic, electrophoretic, and acoustophoretic forcing mechanisms. The effect of key parameters such as particle size, their physical properties, input power, flow rate, and flow behavior index on the particle trajectories is examined while including the effect of the channel walls. The presented model delineates the methodologies of improving SSAW-based particle separation technology by considering the fluid rheology as well as the surface properties of the channel walls. Therefore, we believe that this model can serve as an efficient tool for device design and quick optimizations to explore novel applications concerning the integration of electroosmotic flows with acoustofluidic technologies.     

REBOUNDING OF GALILEAN CANNON FROM A RIGID WALL1)

研究了Galilean炮——即若干个直径递增的弹性球组成的球链---撞击刚性壁回弹的问题。采用三种力学模型：分离刚体的多次"弹性"碰撞、多刚体的接触碰撞、以及有限元模拟，对球链撞击问题进行了分析，旨在给出碰撞结束后末端小球的飞离速度与入射速度的比值。研究表明：球链碰撞反弹后将会散开，末端小球的飞离速度明显大于球链入射速度；当入射球链间存在间隙时，末端小球的速度增幅更加明显。通过实验展现了这种末端小球回弹速度增加的现象。     

货运动车组装载门凹陷对隧道内会车压力波的影响

随着我国技术经济水平的提高，电子商务产业快速发展，货运动车组应运而生。采用有限体积方法和重叠网格方法，以及SST k-ω高雷诺数湍流模型，数值模拟研究时速350 km的货运动车组在隧道内交会的压力波，探究货运动车组车体结构即装载门凹陷对隧道内交会压力波的影响。实车试验结果验证了本文数值模拟方法的准确性。研究结果表明，凹陷的装载门使平直车身处的最大正压值增大约20%~30%，且有无凹陷的装载门中心最大正压值的差异百分比维持在35%~80%，最大负压值差异百分比在20%~25%。