An M/M/1 Driven Fluid Queue – Continued Fraction Approach

This paper presents complete solutions of the stationary distributions of buffer occupancy and buffer content of a fluid queue driven by an M/M/1 queue. We assume a general boundary condition when compared to the model discussed in Virtamo and Norros [Queueing Systems 16 (1994) 373–386] and Adan and Resing [Queueing Systems 22 (1996) 171–174]. We achieve the required solutions by transforming the underlying system of differential equations using Laplace transforms to a system of difference equations leading to a continued fraction. This continued fraction helps us to find complete solutions. We also obtain the buffer content distribution for this fluid model using the method of Sericola and Tuffin [Queueing Systems 31 (1999) 253–264].     

Molecular complexes of copper(I): Easy access to CuF(PPh3)3 · 2ROH (R = Me or Et)

Treatment of a CuSO₄ · 5H₂O solution with NH₂OH · HCl and NaOH produces orange–yellow Cu₂O, which on being reacted with Ph₃P and aqueous HF (48%) in MeOH or EtOH yields CuF(PPh₃)₃ · 2ROH (R = Me or Et) in high yield. The volatile compounds have been characterised by spectroscopic techniques in addition to chemical analyses and solution electrical conductance measurements. Typically, CuF(PPh₃)₃ · 2MeOH appears to be stable up to 118 °C and loses 2 MeOH and 3 PPh₃ between 118 and 274 °C yielding volatile CuF at 274 °C.     

Resistivity,thermopower and single-particle tunneling studies on some zinc-doped yttrium barium copper oxide superconductors

Abstract

Resistance and thermopower measurements have been made on a series of compounds, YBa₂Cu₃- _x Zn _x O_7-y, with x = 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2. The superconducting transition temperature decreases as the zinc concentration increases. In a range of temperatures below T_M , the mid point of the transition, the resistance shows an exponential temperature dependence fitting the phenomenological formula proposed by Ausloos et al. From the plot of logarithm of resistivity vs. (T_M ? T) ^1/2/T, one deduces a value of the average dimension of the Josephson junction to be a few tens of Å, suggesting the microtwin boundaries to be the location of the junctions. The thermopower shows a peak always just above T_c . This conclusively shows that phonon drag is not the cause of the peak. The temperature dependence of the thermopower appears to resemble closely the earlier observations of Srinivasan et al. on yttrium barium copper oxide. Single-particle tunneling measurements carried out for two concentrations, x = 0 and 0.05, appear to indicate that the energy gap parameter scales with T_c , and 2Δ/kT_c has an approximate value of 5.5.     

Assessment of Acrylamide Degradation Potential of Pseudomonas aeruginosa BAC-6 Isolated from Industrial Effluent

Acrylamide finds diverse industrial applications but is considered an environmental threat because of its neurotoxic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic effects. Certain bacteria enzymatically degrade acrylamide to acrylic acid and ammonia. The present investigation was carried out to isolate and identify an acrylamide-degrading bacterium from industrial effluent. Bacterial growth and extent of acrylamide degradation in the presence of different acrylamide concentrations, nutrients, varied range of pH, and temperature were analyzed. Among the eight acrylamide-degrading isolates, isolate BAC-6 demonstrated the highest degradation, and based upon the partial 16S rDNA sequencing, it was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa BAC-6 grew over a wide range of acrylamide concentrations, but the highest degradation was recorded at 500 mg/L concentration with concomitant cell growth. Among the carbon supplements, mannitol supported the highest growth and degradation. Maximum degradation was reported at neutral pH. A mesophilic temperature range (25–40 °C) facilitated conducive bacterial growth followed by degradation. The highest degradation and bacterial growth were observed at 30 and 35 °C, respectively. Thus, it could be inferred from the present investigation that cultural conditions strongly affected the degradation potential of P. aeruginosa BAC-6 and advocated the utilization of the isolate in bioremediation of sites polluted with acrylamide.