Cobalt promoted Ni/MgAl2O4 catalyst in lean methane catalytic oxidation

In the present research, magnesium aluminate spinel was prepared as catalyst support using a novel, facile, and efficient mechanochemical method. The Co-promoted catalysts with 20 wt.% of Ni were fabricated using an impregnation route and the samples were analyzed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption/desorption (BET), temperature-programmed reduction and desorption (H₂-TPR and O₂-TPD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) tests. The results confirmed that all samples have a mesoporous structure with a high specific surface area and the presence of cobalt caused complete CH₄ oxidation at low temperatures, and no side reactions were observed. The results indicated that the 3%Co-20%Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalyst was the optimal sample among the prepared catalysts, owing to the improvement of reduction features and oxygen mobility. The 50 and 90% of methane conversion was obtained at 530 and 600 °C, respectively. Also, the influence of calcination temperature, GHSV, and feed ratio was determined on the catalytic activity. The obtained outcomes revealed that the calcination temperature has a significant effect on the textural properties and catalytic efficiency. The sample calcined at 700 °C showed the weakest performance, which was related to the sintering of particles at high temperatures. The catalytic stability showed that the 3%Co-20%Ni/MgAl₂O₄ has acceptable stability during 600 min time of reaction.

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Patterns and Symmetries in the Visual Cortex and in Natural Images

As borders between different entities, lines are an important element of natural images. Indeed, the neurons of the mammalian visual cortex are tuned to respond best to lines of a given orientation. This preferred orientation varies continuously across most of the cortex, but also has vortex-like singularities known as pinwheels. In attempting to describe such patterns of orientation preference, we are led to consider underlying rotation symmetries: Oriented segments in natural images tend to be collinear; neurons are more likely to be connected if their preferred orientations are aligned to their topographic separation. These are indications of a reduced symmetry requiring joint rotations of both orientation preference and the underlying topography. This is verified by direct statistical tests in both natural images and in cortical maps. Using the statistics of natural scenes we construct filters that are best suited to extracting information from such images, and find qualitative similarities to mammalian vision. PACS84.35+i 89.70.+c 87.57.Nk     

Syntheses of 5‐alkylthio‐1,3‐diaryl‐1,2,4‐triazoles

Arylation of the readily available 3‐alkythio‐5‐aryl‐1,2,4‐triazoles gave 5‐alkylthio‐1,3‐diaryl‐1,2,4‐triazoles in moderate yield. The structures of the latter were confirmed by NOE and ¹³C‐NMR.     

On the equitability of multiply-connected monolayered cyclofusene

Multiply-connected monolayered cyclofusene (MMC) is a fused hexacyclic system with an exterior region and at least two interior empty regions called holes, as in figure 1. Each hexacyle has either: (a) two edges belonging to an exterior boundary and at least one hole, or (b) two edges belonging to boundaries of at least two holes. Let G be the graph of a given MMC. We show that G is equitable if and only if the set of vertices belonging to three hexacycles is equitable.     

A tabu search heuristic for solving the CLSP with backlogging and set-up carry-over

In this paper, the multi-item, single-level, capacitated, dynamic lot sizing problem with set-up carry-over and backlogging, abbreviated to CLSP⁺, is considered. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer programming problem. A heuristic method consisting of four elements: (1) a demand shifting rule, (2) lot size determination rules, (3) checking feasibility conditions and (4) set-up carry-over determination, provides us with an initial feasible solution. The resulting feasible solution is improved by adopting the corresponding set-up and set-up carry-over schedule and re-optimizing it by solving a minimum-cost network flow problem. Then the improved solution is used as a starting solution for a tabu search procedure, with the value of moves assessed using the same minimum-cost network problem. Computational results on randomly generated problems show that the algorithm, which is coded in C++, is able to provide optimal solutions or solutions extremely close to optimal. The computational efficiency makes it possible to solve reasonably large problem instances routinely on a personal computer.     

A facile synthesis of new 3-(2-benzimidazolyl)-2-alkyl-4-(3H)-quinazolinones under microwave irradiation

Preparation of 2-amino-N-(1-H-benzimidazol-2-yl)benzamide and a variety of new 3-(2-benzimidazolyl)-2-alkyl-4-(3H)-quinazolinones using isatoic anhydride, 2-aminobenzimidazole and orthoesters under microwave irradiation are described.     

Flow injection chemiluminescence determination of hydrazine by oxidation with chlorinated isocyanurates

A rapid and sensitive flow injection chemiluminescence (CL) method is described for the determination of hydrazine based on the CL generated during its reaction with either sodium dichloroisocyanurate (SDCC) or trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) in alkaline medium. The emission intensity is greatly enhanced if dichlorofluorescein (DCF) as sensitizer is present in the reaction medium. The presence of citrate prevents the precipitation of some cations in the reaction medium and also causes an enhancement in emission intensity. The effect of analytical and flow injection variables on these CL systems and determination of hydrazine are discussed. The optimum parameters for the determination of hydrazine were studied and were found to be the following: SDCC and TCCA both 1x10(-3) M; NaOH, 2x10(-1) M; DCF, 5x10(-6) M; citrate, 1x10(-3) M and flow rate, 3.8 ml min(-1). The optimized method yielded 3sigma detection limits of 2x10(-7) and 3x10(-7) M for hydrazine with SDCC and TCCA oxidants, respectively. The method is simple, fast, sensitive, and precise and was applied to the determination of hydrazine in water samples.