A simplified approach to vapor–liquid equilibria calculations with the group-contribution lattice-fluid equation of state

Equations of state that are based on the lattice-statistics approach use Guggenheim's quasi-chemical approximation to describe the non-randomness in the mixture due to the energetic interactions between the molecules. For ternary and higher-component systems the non-randomness expression is complex and requires an iterative calculation procedure. We have shown that the non-randomness parameters play a negligible role in the application of the GCLF-EoS model (based on the Panayiotou–Vera EoS) for predicting vapor–liquid equilibria. Omission of the non-randomness parameters from such calculations can significantly improve the computation efficiency. Binary, ternary, and quaternary vapor–liquid equilibria predictions were made including polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, and polypropylene in polar and non-polar solvents to test the theory.     

Evaluation of the bioactivity of novel spiroisoxazoline typecompounds against normal and cancer cell lines

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro cellular activity of novel spiroisoxazoline type compounds against normal and cancer cell lines from lung tissue (Hs888Lu), neuron-phenotypic cells (SH-SY5Y), neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y), human histiocytic lymphoma (U937), lung cancer (A549), and leukaemia (HL-60). Our bioassay program revealed that the spiroisoxazoline type compounds show cytotoxicity only in lymphoma cell lines, which is in contrast with the pyrrolidine precursor of these spiroisoxazoline compounds, where significant cytotoxicity is seen in all normal and cancer cell lines. These data suggest a tumour-specific mechanism of action. In addition these data also show that spiroisoxazoline compounds are non-toxic in the human neuronphenotypic neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line, and furthermore that they might protect cells from neurodegenerative disease.     

Photochemical Transformation of Colchicine: A Kinetic Study

Spectroscopic methods and theoretical calculations were used to study the photophysical properties of colchicine (1). The characteristic bands of colchicine (1) transitions occurring at ∼245 nm and 350 nm arise from n–π ^* and π–π ^* transitions, and were found to be blue shifted with increasing polarity index of the solvent and red shifted (bathocrhomic) with increasing acidity of the media. Solvent type and polarity were found to affect both the rate constant and photo conversion yield. Excitation of colchicine (1) at 366 nm populates the S1 orbital, from which the photoreaction of colchicine (1) initially produces lumicolchicine directly in its ground state by a concerted disrotatory electrocyclization (i.e., 4π electrocyclization involving the tropolone ring). The acidity of the media affects both rate constants and conversion yield; both of these were inversely proportional to the acid concentration. The presence of acid decreases the photo conversion yield of colchicine (1) from 90% to 40%. The ionic strength affects both the rate constants and the photo conversion yield; rate constants are inversely related to the ionic strength. The photochemistry of colchicine (1) is explained on the basis of the initial formation of a solvation complex in the ground state.     

Natural convection of nanoencapsulated phase change suspensions inside a local thermal non-equilibrium porous annulus

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In this study, the heat transfer, fluid flow and heat capacity ratio are analyzed in an annulus enclosure filled with porous and saturated by a...     

A numerical study of variable depth KdV equations and generalizations of Camassa–Holm-like equations

In this paper we numerically study the KdV-top equation and compare it with the Boussinesq equations over uneven bottoms. We use here a finite-difference scheme that conserves a discrete energy for the fully discrete scheme. We also compare this approach with the discontinuous Galerkin method. For the equations obtained in the case of stronger nonlinearities and related to the Camassa–Holm equation, we find several finite difference schemes that conserve a discrete energy for the fully discrete scheme. Because of its accuracy for the conservation of energy, our numerical scheme is also of interest even in the simple case of flat bottoms. We compare this approach with the discontinuous Galerkin method.     

Compact fiber laser at L-band region using Erbium-doped Zirconia fiber

A compact Erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) operating in L-band region is demonstrated using a fabricated Erbium-doped Zirconia fiber (EDZF) for the first time. The fiber is fabricated by combining Zr and Al to achieve the maximum Erbium ion concentration of 4320 wt ppm. By using a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) in a ring configuration, the laser operates at 1579.6 nm with a slope efficiency of 13.6% and the threshold pump power of 25.1 mW. The lasing wavelength is obtained at Bragg wavelength with an output power of 13 dBm and a 3 dB spectral width of 0.02 nm using a piece of 2 m long EDZF in conjunction with 120 mW of 1480 nm pump power.     

Natural radioactivity measurements in the granite rock of quarry sites,Johor, Malaysia

This study was conducted to determine the concentration of natural radionuclides in the granite rocks of selected quarry sites in Johor state, Malaysia and their possible radiological effects. The activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in the areas of study indicated varying values of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K. The highest values of ²³⁸U and ²³²Th concentrations (67±1 and 85±2 Bq kg^?1, respectively) were observed at Kamad Quarry (IJM), whereas the highest value of ⁴⁰K concentration (722±18 Bq kg^?1) was detected in Kim Seng Quarry, while the values of activity concentration are lower in Hanson Quarry Products (Kulai) (25±0.5 for ²³⁸U, 24±0.5 for ²³²Th and 429±11 for ⁴⁰K). Overall, ⁴⁰K has the highest concentration in the granite rocks of the quarry sites, followed by ²³²Th and the least for ²³⁸U. The radium equivalent activity concentration was found in the range between 94 and 239 Bq kg^?1, the absorbed dose rate was found to be in the range between 47 and 112 nGy h^?1, and effective dose ranged from 58 to 137 μSv h^?1. Moreover, the internal and external hazard index values were given in results lower than unity.     

"Molecular chameleons". Design and synthesis of a second series of flexible nucleosides

The second series of flexible shape-modified nucleosides is introduced. The "fleximers" feature the purine ring systems split into their individual imidazole and pyrimidine components. This structural modification serves to introduce flexibility to the nucleoside while still retaining the elements essential for recognition. As a consequence, these structurally innovative nucleosides can more readily adapt to their environment and should find use as bioprobes for investigating enzyme-coenzyme binding sites as well as nucleic acid and protein interactions. Their design and synthesis is described.     

Effects of vibrations on particle motion near a wall: Existence of attraction force

The effects of small vibrations on a particle oscillating near a solid wall in a fluid cell, relevant to material processing such as crystal growth in space, have been investigated experimentally and theoretically. Assuming the boundary layer around the particle to be thin compared to the particle radius at high vibration frequencies, an inviscid fluid model was developed to predict the motion of a spherical particle placed near a wall of a rectangular liquid-filled cell subjected to a sinusoidal vibration. Under these conditions, a non-uniform pressure distribution around the particle results in an average pressure that gives rise to an attraction force. Theoretical expressions for the attraction force are derived for the particle vibrating normal to and parallel with the nearest cell wall. The magnitude of this attractive force has been verified experimentally by measuring the motion of a steel particle suspended in the fluid cell by a thin wire. Experiments performed at high frequencies showed that the mean particle position, when the particle is brought near a cell wall, shifts towards the same wall, and is dependent on the cell amplitude and frequency, particle and fluid densities.