On alternativep-center problems

LetG=(V, E) be an undirected connected graph with positive edge lengths. The vertexp-center problem is to find the optimal location ofp centers so that the maximum distance to a vertex from its nearest center is minimized, where the centers may be placed at the vertices. Kariv and Hakimi have shown that this problem is NP-hard. We will consider two modifications of this problem in which each center may be located in one of two predetermined vertices. We will show the NP-completeness of their recognition versions.     

Discontinuous alkylation of diphenylamine with nonene for maximum catalyst utilization

This study examines the alkylation of diphenylamine (DPA) with nonene (NON) in a liquid phase catalyzed by acid-treated clay-based catalysts from commercial suppliers (Fulcat 22B, Nobelin MM, and Jeltar 300). Alkylations were conducted to achieve the highest possible selectivity of diisononyldiphenylamine (DNDPA), low selectivity of monoisononyldiphenylamine, and a maximum triisononyldiphenylamine yield of 4%. This study also examines the reaction conditions to selectively form dialkylated diphenylamine from DPA and NON in a batch reactor. Repeated use of the catalyst during the alkylation of DPA with NON was also investigated. Catalyst deactivation takes place during the alkylation of each batch and intensifies with repeated catalyst use, resulting in low DNDPA selectivity. The regenerated catalyst was sufficiently active only until the regeneration of the first and second batches. After the third batch, the catalyst’s selectivity for DNDPA was very low, and its reuse in the alkylation of DPA with NON was not efficient. Therefore, to achieve the maximum length of catalyst activity, the fresh catalyst was gradually added to the used catalyst from a previous batch, thus maintaining a high activity of eight batches. The reduction in catalyst activity was probably caused by the irreversible adsorption of substances on the surface, a loss of microporous structure, and a loss of surface acidity. DPA or alkylated products are adsorbed on the surface oxygen of the catalyst through nitrogen and form nitro formations. The fresh and regenerated catalysts were characterized by their surface area, surface acidity, pore size distribution, and pore volume.     

A Simple One-Step Synthesis of Alkyl Benzazol-2-carboxylates

A simple one-step synthesis of alkyl benzazol-2-carboxylates employing alkyl trialkoxyacetate is described.     

Calcination of SiO2-aerogel in Oxidizing Atmosphere

Differences in mass loss occurring in the course of dynamic and isothermal heating of SiO₂-aerogel and changes of specific surface and hydrophylicity during calcination were studied by thermal analysis. SiO₂-aerogel was prepared from tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) hydrolyzed by ammonia solution at 0°C with molar ratio TMOS: H₂O:NH₄OH 4:1:0.01. Differences are caused mainly by oxidation of organic matter and by diffusion of products of the oxidation. Heat transfer has none or little effect on the differences. Samples calcined at temperatures about 300°C reach maximum hydrophilicity though they still contain small amounts of residual organic matter. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Use of ZSM-5 catalyst in deoxygenation of waste cooking oil

This study investigated the potential use of waste cooking oil (WCO) in the production of engine fuels and valuable chemicals via catalytic cracking. WCO was processed in its pure form and in a mixture with hydrotreated vacuum gas oil (HVGO). Catalytic cracking experiments were performed using a microactivity test (MAT) (simulation of the fluid catalytic cracking environment). In cracking over the standard fluid catalytic cracking equilibrium catalyst (FCC-ECAT), the oxygen contained in the feed was consumed in the formation of CO and CO₂, water and into oxygenated organic compounds (phenolics, esters, carboxylic acids, etc.), which were found in the organic phase of the liquid product. In order to remove the unwanted organic oxygenates, the catalytic system based on pure FCC-ECAT was modified by addition of the ZSM-5-based FCC catalyst. By using the mixture containing FCC-ECAT and 10 mass % of FCC-ZSM-5, it was possible to reduce the amount of organic oxygenates to almost the feasible minimum when cracking pure WCO. The effect of the catalyst mixture on cracking the feed mixture of the vacuum gas oil with 10 vol. % of WCO was manifested in the practically zero formation of organic oxygenates and in a gasoline yield comparable with vacuum gas oil (VGO) cracking.     

The photochemistry of citral

Citral (I) is cyclized by UV irradiation¹ to 2-isopropenyl-5-methylcyclopentane-carboxaldehyde (II), containing the carbon skeleton of the monoterpenes of ants and catmint. 1,6,6-Trimethylbicyclo[2,1,1]hexane-2-carboxaldehyde (XII, R = H), produced in lesser amount at the same time, was synthesized from camphor. The two photocitrals may, perhaps, come from a common intermediate containing the cyclopentane ring.     

Acidity of montmorillonite pillared by alumina, zirconia and chromia

Acidic properties of Al-, Zr- and Cr- pillared montmorillonites prepared from Jelšovy Potok bentonite (Central Slovakia) have been investigated using temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia. The number of acid sites varied with different interlayer cations from 0.06 to 0.23 mmol g⁻¹. The character of acid sites was similar in the case of Al- and Zr- forms. It is obvious that the chromium analogue contains fewer acid sites, nevertheless, they seem to be stronger compared to Al- and Zr- pillared montmorillonites.     

Atmospheric-pressure plasma treatment of ultra-high-molecular-weight polypropylene fabric

Effects of an atmospheric pressure surface discharge on a woven ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fabric were studied. Our results show that the surface discharge can be used to achieve a higher long-term wettability and improved adhesion properties of textile materials.     

A fuzzy system for municipalities classification

A knowledge-based fuzzy system for the purpose of municipalities classification is presented in this paper. It illustrates how fuzzy systems can be used for municipalities classification and ranking tasks. The application of the system is explained by the example of classification in one region in the Slovak Republic. The original problem of estimating and rough planning of road maintenance requirements in winter was examined. The suggested methodology is supported by GIS technology for visualization of the ranked municipalities to offer a better view on the territorial distribution of the obtained solution. A disadvantage of fuzzy systems for the end user is in their complexity. This disadvantage has been analysed and a solution is suggested to overcome it. The proposal deals with the integration of information system and self developed fuzzy system. This integration enables creating the model, importing input data, processing rules and presenting results in tables and maps in one integrated tool.