The application of a vehicle routing model to a waste-collection problem: two case studies

In this paper we suggest a unique model for estimating the operating cost of each of three waste-collection systems. Under the traditional system, which is widely used, waste is typically collected in plastic bags and a three-man crew is needed on each vehicle. The other two systems require a one-man crew for vehicle collecting street containers. The side-loader system with fixed body automatically empties street containers into the vehicle body and empties the load at the disposal site. The side-loader system with demountable body allows the separation of the waste collection phase from transport to the disposal site, since the vehicle body can be demounted. We also present two case studies and show how the estimation of operating costs is a critical issue in decisions regarding the type of system to be used for waste collection.     

Mobility of atmospheric eddies: Asymptotic approach to studying the initial growth of local atmospheric disturbances

A mathematical theory for estimating the mobility of localized unstable atmospheric disturbances evolving into vortices is discussed.     

Unsteady axisymmetric stagnation flow on a circular cylinder

Unsteady, axisymmetric stagnation flow about a circular cylinderis examined when the far-field flow is a periodic function oftime with a fixed time average and an oscillatory part of prescribedamplitude and frequency. Solutions are computed for arbitraryvalues of the Reynolds number, quantifying the effects of surfacecurvature, and a frequency parameter based on the period ofthe far-field flow. It is found that solutions remain regularand periodic provided that the far-field amplitude lies belowa critical value. Above this value, solutions terminate in afinite-time singularity. The blow-up time is delayed by increasingthe curvature of the surface. These results are corroboratedby asymptotic predictions valid in the limits of small and largeamplitude and frequency. For large Reynolds number, the problemreduces to the two-dimensional stagnation-point flow againsta plane wall studied by previous authors.     

Polar substituent effects in the bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane ring system: acidities of 3-substituted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1-carboxylic acids

Experimental gas-phase acidities are reported for a series of 3-substituted (X) bicyclo [1.1.1]pent-1-yl carboxylic acids (1, Y = COOH). A comparison with available calculated data (MP2/6-311++G**// B3LYP/6-311+G**) reveals good agreement. The relative substituent effects are shown to be adequately described by a much lower level of theory (B3LYP/6-31+G*). Various correlations are presented which clearly point to polar field effects as being the origin of the relative acidities.     

The interaction of biliverdin and its dimethyl ester with superoxide ion

Bilin-1,19(21H,24H)-diones interact with O₂·- in DMSO giving rise to adducts showing charge-transfer character. This reaction can be reversed by addition of O₂·- consuming compounds. The O₂·-biliverdin dimethyl ester adduct collapses partially to 10-oxobilirubin dimethyl ester when treated with thiourea and 2-mercaptoethanol.     

Hindered inversion of chiral ion-dipole pairs.

O-Protonated S-(-)-1-phenyl-1-methoxyethane (IS) has been generated in the gas phase by CH3(2)Cl+ methylation of S-(-)-1-phenylethanol (1S). Detailed information on the reorganization dynamics of the intimate ion-dipole pair (IIS), arising from IS by C-O bond dissociation, is inferred from the kinetic study of the intramolecular inversion of configuration of IS vs its dissociation to alpha-methylbenzyl cation (III) and CH(3)OH. The behavior of IIS in the gas phase is compared to that observed in aqueous solutions, where the loss of optical activity of IS is prevented by exchange of the leaving CH3OH with the solvent shell. Hindered inversion of IS in solution is attributed to the operation of attractive interactions between the moving CH3OH moiety and the solvent cage which inhibit internal return in the intimate ion-dipole pair IIS. Similar interactions do not operate in the solvolysis of 18O-labeled 1S in aqueous acids, whose loss of optical activity efficiently competes with exchange of the leaving H2(18)O with the solvent shell.     

Troposelective substitutions in microsolvated systems.

The mechanism and the stereochemistry of the intracomplex "solvolysis" of the proton-bound complexes I(X)() between CH(3)(18)OH and (R)-(+)-1-aryl-ethanol (1(R)()(X)(); aryl = phenyl (X = H); pentafluorophenyl (X = F)) have been investigated in the gas phase in the 25-100 degrees C temperature range. The results point to intracomplex "solvolysis" as proceeding through the intermediacy of the relevant benzyl cation III(X)() (a pure S(N)1 mechanism). "Solvolysis" of I(H)() leads to complete racemization at T > 50 degrees C, whereas at T < 50 degrees C the reaction displays a preferential retention of configuration. Predominant retention of configuration is also observed in the intracomplex "solvolysis" of I(F)(). This picture is rationalized in terms of different intracomplex interactions between the benzylic ion III(X)() and the nucleophile/leaving group pair, which govern the timing of their reorientation within the electrostatic complex. The obtained gas-phase picture is discussed in the light of related gas-phase and solution data. It is concluded that the solvolytic reactions are mostly governed by the lifetime and the dynamics of the species involved and, if occurring in solution, by the nature of the solvent cage. Their rigid subdivision into the S(N)1 and S(N)2 mechanistic categories appears inadequate, and the use of their stereochemistry as a mechanistic probe can be highly misleading.     

Synthesis and characterization of PMMA-based superhydrophobic surfaces

Recently, superhydrophobic surfaces are gaining much interest because they may be employed in a series of applications, spanning from the realization of self-cleaning surfaces to microfluidics to special water-impermeable tissues allowing perspiration. It is well-known that superhydrophobicity strictly depends on the combination of superficial micro- and nano-structures. Then, key factors in the process of surface synthesis are the parameters which will define the surface conformation. In this work, we deal with the fabrication of polymer-based superhydrophobic surfaces. We developed a new method to have a good control of the structure of the synthesised surface. A high stability of the superhydrophobic character during time was obtained. Moreover, the synthesis process is green and easily transferable to industry for large production.