Advanced kinetic tools for the evaluation of decomposition reactions

Summary An advanced kinetic study on the thermal behaviour of pyrotechnic ignition mixtures has been carried out by differential scanning calorimetry using different B/KNO3 mixtures (50:50, 30:70, 20:80) as a model reaction. The experimental conditions applied (isochoric conditions/closed crucibles and isobaric conditions/open crucibles) as well as the composition of the mixtures noticeably influences the relative thermal stabilities of the energetic materials. The kinetic study focused on the prediction of the thermal stability of the different mixtures both in extended temperature ranges and under temperature conditions at which ordinary investigation would be very difficult. Using advanced numerical tools [1], thermal ageing and influence of the complex thermal environment on the heat accumulation conditions were computed. This can be done for any surrounding temperature profile such as isothermal, non-isothermal, stepwise, modulated, shock, adiabatic conditions and additionally for temperature profiles reflecting real atmospheric temperature changes (yearly temperature profiles of different climates with daily minimal and maximal fluctuations). Applications of accurate decomposition kinetics enabled the determination of the time to maximum rate under adiabatic conditions (TMR_ad) with a precision given by the confidence interval of the predictions. This analysis can then be applied for the examination of the effects of the surrounding temperature for safe storage or transportation conditions (e.g. determination of the safe transport or storage temperatures).     

Semi‐classical formulation of time‐dependent discrete variable representation method

In this article, we apply a novel time‐dependent discrete variable representation (TDDVR) method proposed by Barkakaty and Adhikari to investigate tunneling through an Eckart barrier. This semi‐classical method is theoretically rigorous and straightforward to implement. Among the TDDVR formulations, this report presents the first derivation of a rigorous form of quantum force (QF) for the present perspective. The validity of this semi‐classical approach is demanded based on the excellent agreement of the tunneling probability with the corresponding quantum results. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004     

Direct targeting of human plasma for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and analysis of plasma proteins by time of flight-mass spectrometry

A method to analyze human plasma proteins without fractionation, directly applying a plasma-matrix mixture on the target plate of a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS), has been described. Peaks of ionized plasma proteins could not be detected applying a mixture of an undiluted plasma sample and a matrix solution, but they appeared when the plasma was diluted before mixing with the matrix. Tenfold diluted plasma provided well-resolved protein peaks in the m/z range from 4000 to 30,000. The addition of a simple post-crystallization washing procedure performed on the target plate further improved the quality of mass spectra. We numbered 58 peaks in the range of 4-160 kDa and 32 out of which were assigned to the plasma protein species which have been reported. Especially high sensitivity and resolution were obtained in the region < 30 kDa, where multiple isoforms of apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein A-II, apolipoprotein C-I, apolipoprotein C-II, apolipoprotein C-III, and transthyretin could be assigned. Various post-translational modifications are involved in the isoforms, e.g., proteolytic cleavage, glycosylation and chemical modifications. This method will become complementary with the present electrophoretic techniques, especially for the analysis of low-molecular-mass proteins.     

Fast simultaneous determination of 23 veterinary drug residues in fish,poultry, and red meat by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

The misuses of veterinary drugs can result in the accumulation of residues in food of animal origin that can make its way to the final consumer. Herein we describe a simple method for the accurate determination of beta-lactams, quinolones, sulphonamides, and tetracyclines in fish, poultry, and red meat. No extraction cartridges were used; instead, the extraction process consisted of the addition of an organic solvents, shaking, centrifugation, and dilution. An extensive validation process demonstrated an excellent linearity (R² ≥ 0.99) for 23-drug residues. The recovery of drugs in different matrices at two concentration levels (n = 6) was in the range of 82–119%. The method was proved to be repeatable and reproducible with intra/inter-day measurements (RSDs lower than 20%). The quantification limits of drug residues were in the range of 0.8 to 45.3 ug/kg, which is well below the maximum residue limits set by most regulatory authorities. This method was successfully applied to the routine analysis of 20 fish, poultry, and red meat samples (n = 60).     

The effect of composition of parenteral solution on the thermal resistance of Bacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus subtilis spores

Large-volume parenteral solutions were submitted to heat treatments after being inoculated with Bacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 7953 (T _r =121°C) and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 9372 (T _r =104.5°C) spores. The average decimal reduction time for B. stearothermophilus ranged from a D _121°C value of 1.31 to 3.14 min, in glucophysiologic and Ringer’s solutions respectively. For B. subtilis, D _104.5°C value increased from 0.69 to 1.37 min, in Ringer’s (pH=5.91) and 50% glucose (pH 3.05) solutions respectively. The z value ranged from 7.95°C (20% mannitol solution) to 13.14°C (50% glucose solution), corresponding to an activation energy (Ea) of 81.48 and 49.30 kcal/mol, respectively.     

Complexity of flow time minimization in a crossdock truck scheduling problem with asymmetric handover relations

We address a novel truck scheduling problem arising in crossdocking logistics, in which inbound trucks carry items (pallets) which must be sorted and loaded onto outbound trucks. We minimize the utilisation of the warehouse by focusing on the synchronisation between the different related trucks. The problem is to assign the trucks to the doors of the warehouse and sequence them, in order to minimize the total time spent in the system by the pallets. We discuss the complexity of the problem, showing that even with a single door the problem is NP-hard in general, and discuss some special cases.     

中国数字经济发展水平:时空特征、动态演化及影响因素

基于构建的数字经济发展水平评价指标体系与2010~2018年全国30个省市(除西藏、港澳台)的面板数据,对中国数字经济发展水平的时空特征、动态演化与区域差异原因进行探究。研究发现:全国及三大区域的数字经济发展水平均呈现稳步上升态势,并伴有明显的空间相关性、空间集聚性和区域差异性,且东部相较于中西部区域内差异更大。数字经济发展速度动态演化显示,整体上中国各省市数字化发展水平变化速度状态表现为上升趋势,相较于中西部,东部拥有更大的速度变化状态。地区前期数字化基础、经济发展的一阶滞后、政府科技投入均会促进区域数字经济的发展,对外开放水平会抑制数字经济发展,地区规模对数字经济的影响表现为非线性。此外,不同线性影响因素在不同区域内对数字经济发展水平具有不同的影响力。     

灰色GM(1,1,k,k2)模型背景值及时间响应函数优化

本文提出了一种新的带有时间幂次项的灰色GM(1,1,k,k²)模型,给出了其灰微分方程和白化微分方程基本形式。基于最小二乘法获得了该模型参数估计值,并推导了该模型时间响应函数。鉴于GM(1,1,k,k²)模型灰微分方程与白化微分方程之间存在跳跃关系,首先对灰微分方程的背景值进行了优化,并推导了优化后的背景值计算公式。为了克服初始值的影响,根据误差平方和最小,进一步优化了GM(1,1,k,k²)模型时间响应函数。最后,该优化后的GM(1,1,k,k²)模型被应用于软土地基沉降预测,获得了较好的模拟预测效果,说明模型是可行的。     

第II类双边拆卸线平衡问题建模与优化

报废汽车体积大,废弃物污染大,拆卸过程复杂,将作业任务均衡分配难。为此,本文对工作站数量确定的双边拆卸线平衡问题进行研究,建立问题数学模型,设计一种变邻域蛙跳算法。所提算法在寻优过程中采用变邻域搜索提高族群局部搜索效率;引入个体学习机制加快精英个体进化速度;提出基于二分法的节拍时间调整策略加快对最优节拍的搜索。最后,通过算例对算法性能进行验证并通过实例说明任务在拆卸线上平衡分配的重要性。     

Hopf bifurcation of a tumor immune model with time delay

In this paper, a tumor immune model with time delay is studied. First, the stability of nonnegative equilibria is analyzed. Then the time delay τ is selected as a bifurcation parameter and the existence of Hopf bifurcation is proved. Finally, by using the canonical method and the central manifold theory, the criteria for judging the direction and stability of Hopf bifurcation are given.