Instability of SRPT,SERPT and SJF multiclass queueing networks

Queueing Systems - We provide two examples of strictly subcritical multiclass queueing networks which are unstable under the shortest remaining processing time (SRPT) service protocol. Both of them...     

Alkylation of Nitroarenes via Vicarious Nucleophilic Substitution – Experimental and DFT Mechanistic Studies

Alkylation of nitroarenes via Vicarious Nucleophilic Substitution (VNS) was tested experimentally and modelled with DFT calculations. Mechanistic studies reveal intrinsic differences between reactions of archetypal carbanion precursor PhSO₂CH₂Cl, and alkyl phenyl sulfones, in which benzenesulfinate acts as a leaving group. Accordingly, for the latter precursors steric hindrance develops at the β-elimination step, that raises energy barrier and results in the formation of byproducts.     

Influence of temperature and pressure on the preferential adsorption of component of hydroorganic mobile phase in liquid chromatography

The excess isotherms of methanol and acetonitrile were measured on the series of C18 bonded phases. The measurements were done using the minor disturbance method. The goal of our work was to determine the influence of the temperature on the adsorption of two commonly used solvents. The influence on the mobile phase flow rate on the both organic solvent adsorption was also investigated. The effect of these two parameters was compared on the octadecyl packed columns with different coverage density and on the monolithic Chromolith column. Adsorption of both solvents decreases with the increase of the temperature. The increase of the pressure increases adsorption of methanol but decreases adsorption of acetonitrile.     

The Study of Derivatization Prior MALDI MSI Analysis—Charge Tagging Based on the Cholesterol and Betaine Aldehyde

Mass spectrometry imaging is a powerful tool for analyzing the different kinds of molecules in tissue sections, but some substances cannot be measured easily, due to their physicochemical properties. In such cases, chemical derivatization could be applied to introduce the charge into the molecule and facilitate its detection. Here, we study cholesterol derivatization with betaine aldehyde from tissue slices and evaluate how different sample preparation methods influence the signal from the derivatization product. In this study, we have tested different solutions for betaine aldehyde, different approaches to betaine aldehyde deposition (number of layers, deposition nozzle height), and different MALDI matrices for its analysis. As a result, we proved that the proposed approach could be used for the analysis of cholesterol in different tissues.     

Attenuation of high-level impulses by earmuffs

Attenuation of high-level acoustic impulses (noise reduction) by various types of earmuffs was measured using a laboratory source of type A impulses and an artificial test fixture compatible with the ISO 4869-3 standard. The measurements were made for impulses of peak sound-pressure levels (SPLs) from 150 to 170 dB. The rise time and A duration of the impulses depended on their SPL and were within a range of 12-400 mus (rise time) and 0.4-1.1 ms (A duration). The results showed that earmuff peak level attenuation increases by about 10 dB when the impulse's rise time and the A duration are reduced. The results also demonstrated that the signals under the earmuff cup have a longer rise and A duration than the original impulses recorded outside the earmuff. Results of the measurements were used to check the validity of various hearing damage risk criteria that specify the maximum permissible exposure to impulse noise. The present data lead to the conclusion that procedures in which hearing damage risk is assessed only from signal attenuation, without taking into consideration changes in the signal waveform under the earmuff, tend to underestimate the risk of hearing damage.     

Proficiency testing as a tool to assess the performance of visual TLC quantitation estimates

The use of rapid and inexpensive nonlaboratory-based screening tests for drug quality assessments is recommended as a component of a drug quality assurance program in poor resource settings. We have established routine Minilab test procedures to screen product quality and a proficiency testing program to determine the competency of the inspectors and reliability of results. Samples for the proficiency testing were prepared by pulverizing a standard reference tablet of the appropriate drug and making serial dilutions with starch to obtain concentrations of 0, 40, and 100%. The samples, which were labeled only with the drug name and an identifying letter, were given to inspectors for quality screening using Minilab procedures. In round 1 of the proficiency test, only 3 of 28 substandard samples were correctly identified. Round 2 of the proficiency test, which was administered after a performance qualification test for the analytical method, showed much improvement: 19 of 27 substandard drugs were correctly identified, while 5 out of 9 inspectors made the correct inference on the quality of 45 samples. However, in both rounds, 2 inspectors failed to identify substandard samples, indicating that their technical competencies need to be improved for the reliability of the results. Although the thin-layer chromatography screening methods provide a rapid means for drug quality assessment, they need to be put in the hands of competent users. The inclusion of a proficiency test in the screening program provides a measure of determining competency of the personnel and reliability of the results.     

Periods of singular double octic Calabi–Yau threefolds and modular forms

By the modularity theorem, every rigid Calabi–Yau threefold X has associated modular form f such that the equality of L-functions $L(X,s)=L(f,s)$ holds. In this case, period integrals of X are expected to be expressible in terms of the special values $L(f,1)$ and $L(f,2)$. We propose a similar interpretation of period integrals of a nodal model of X. It is given in terms of certain variants of a Mellin transform of f. We provide numerical evidence toward this interpretation based on a case of double octics.