bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomass Valorization for Fuel and Chemicals Production -- A Review
Authors: Briens Cedric , Piskorz Jan , Berruti Franco
Published: July 2008

The transformation of biomass into fuel and chemicals is becoming increasingly popular as a way to mitigate global warming and diversify energy sources. Biomass is a renewable, carbon-neutral resource, and fuels derived from biomass usually burn more cleanly than fossil fuels. It has been estimated that biomass could provide about 25% of global energy requirements. In addition, biomass can also be a source of valuable chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food additives. Several kinds of biomass can be converted to fuel and chemicals. Examples are wood and wood waste, agricultural crops, agricultural waste, litter from animal feedlots, waste from food processing operations and sludge from water treatment plants.Various processes can be used to convert biomass to energy. The biomass can be burned, transformed into a fuel gas through partial combustion, into a biogas through fermentation, into bioalcohol through biochemical processes, into biodiesel, into a bio-oil or into a syngas from which chemicals and fuels can be synthesized. Wood combustion, bioethanol production from either sugarcane or corn, and biodiesel production from oilseeds are currently the most economically significant processes but still need significant improvements. A detailed review of the many processes that can convert biomass into fuels and chemicals shows that no individual process is without drawbacks. As a result, it is recommended that a biorefinery is the best solution to combine and integrate various processes to maximize economic and environmental benefits, while minimizing waste and pollution.
Film and Pore Diffusion Effects in Catalytic Vapor Phase Alkylation of Aniline
Authors: Bankupalli Satyavathi , Kotra Viswanath , Cheedipudi Vijaya Lakshmi , S Venkateshwar
Published: July 2008

Catalytic vapor phase alkylation of aniline with ethanol was effected in the presence of a zeolite catalyst in a fixed bed reactor at atmospheric pressure and moderate temperatures. Experimental runs were carried out at five different temperatures (350, 370, 390, 410 and 430 °C) with a constant aniline to ethanol ratio (1:5) and different catalyst loadings to find the limits of external and internal resistance zones. The resistance due to external mass transfer was overcome by operating at high velocities and the pore diffusion resistance was nullified by conducting experiments with different particle sizes of the catalyst. The effectiveness factor was determined experimentally and the optimum zone of operation where the diffusional resistances are absent was obtained for kinetic experiments to be conducted. The results indicated that below 0.6 cm/sec velocity external mass transfer was likely to influence the rate of reaction. The effect of pore diffusion was accounted for by the effectiveness factor which was nearly unity for an operative range of particle size < 2 mm. Pore diffusion will therefore play a role for a particle size > 2 mm.
Modeling of the Anode Flow Fields in DMFCs
Authors: Icardi Ugo A. , Specchia Stefania , Saracco Guido , Specchia Vito
Published: July 2008

Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs) have recently attracted the interest of portable applications due to their superior specific energy density compared to the best rechargeable battery and for their potentialities of instantaneous refueling. The most recent literature in the field of DMFCs has directed increasing interest on the role of the flow fields on the performance of the FC itself. The most "primitive" designs (e.g. parallel channels) have generally been dismissed and substituted by serpentine or interdigitated flow patterns. The serpentine pattern forces the entire feed flow rate to pass through a serpentine spanning over the entire electrode surface. This system is particularly suited to drive gas bubbles out of the system and therefore it seems to be particularly suited for the methanol side. The interdigitated flow field pattern is particularly suitable only for the air feed to the DMFC. The effect of the channel and graphite rib geometries is of critical importance. The choice of the correct geometry is thus a question of compromise which can be drawn on the grounds of modeling calculations and experimental checks. A series of simulations in CFD (fluent 6.1) were thus performed on a multichannel serpentine matrix for the anode side (methanol feed) piled up in a stack hosting 40 MEAs (nominal power 250 W; 222 cm2 membrane surface per cell). Three different channel geometries were modeled. This paper shows that a series flow is not suitable for the too high pressure drop and average velocity into channels it implies. Optimal flow distribution (i.e. low pressure drop, acceptable average velocity and a good methanol distribution) seems to be guaranteed with three serpentines per cell for fuel cell stacks of a nominal power of 250 W.
Miniaturized Methanol Reformer for Fuel Cell Powered Mobile Applications
Authors: Telotte John C , Kern Jesse , Palanki Srinivas
Published: July 2008

In this paper, the design of a miniaturized methanol reformer is considered that can operate in two different modes to produce sufficient hydrogen for generating a net power of 24 W and 72 W. The reformer is modeled as a radial flow packed bed reactor and the Ergun equation is used to model the pressure drop. Simulation studies are conducted to study the effect of steam to methanol ratio, inlet pressure and reactor temperature on the production of hydrogen. It is shown that a volume of 20 ml is required to produce sufficient hydrogen for generating the necessary power if an inlet pressure of 202 kPa and a steam to methanol ratio of 1.5 is used. A temperature of 500 K is required for the lower power application while a temperature of 550 K is required for the higher power application.
1-Soliton Solution of the Nonlinear Reaction-Diffusion Equation
Authors: Biswas Anjan
Published: July 2008

In this paper, the 1-soliton solution of the nonlinear reaction-diffusion equation is obtained. The solitary wave ansatz is employed to obtain the solution.
A New Way to Address Climate Change: A Global Refunding System
Authors: Gersbach Hans
Published: July 2008

Hans Gersbach proposes a new kind of international framework for addressing climate change that solves many of the problems in current approaches.
Securing the Means of Payment: The Ultimate Requisite of a Modern Economy
Authors: Telser Lester G
Published: July 2008

In a column first written before the recent financial crisis, Lester Telser renews an old call for narrow banking as a cure for a problem that he sees as increasingly acute.
Letter: Baker's "Own to Rent" Proposal is Economically Inefficient
Authors: Weaver Nicholas
Published: July 2008

Nicholas Weaver argues that Dean Baker's "Own to Rent" proposal would represent a massive taking from leinholders, while not providing economically significant relief to homeowners.
The Rush to Re-Regulate
Authors: Hahn Robert , Passell Peter
Published: July 2008

The subprime crisis makes clear that more financial regulation is both called for and coming; however, unless we are careful we may cause more trouble than we avoid, according to Robert Hahn and Peter Passell.
Letter: Hedge Funds Race to the Bottom
Authors: D'Amato Anthony
Published: July 2008

Anthony D'Amato argues that hedge fund wizards will engage in a race to the bottom, accepting ever higher chances of going bust to pursue short run returns both to maximize their percentage take in good years and to attract more investment.
Magnetotherapy: Changes in the Nature of Biomolecules under a Constant Magnetic Field
Authors: Irshad M. , Rizvi M.A , Singh Man
Published: July 2008

Doses of 0.0175 Weber m-2 magnetic fields were given to four series of biomolecules for up to 40 minutes in aqueous solution. During this, every 5 minutes, viscosities (?) were measured at 303.15 K and one atmospheric pressure. The source of the magnetic field of 0.0175 Weber m-2 was generated by putting two permanent magnets around the solutions. Interestingly, the viscosities of the bimolecules responded to the magnetic field dose and the length of the field exposure with time as compared to their viscosities without a magnetic dose. An initial magnetic dose of 5 minutes causes a drastic decrease in viscosities for vitamins, amino acids and carbohydrates, and a slight decrease for proteins due to the hydrogen-bonded peptides framework. The vitamins, amino acids and carbohydrates show decreased ? values due to free functional group. Further studies show the recovery of ? values moving toward normal but remaining lower except for protein. The influences of magnetic doses on the structural interactions of biomolecules with the length of time are observed and discussed to establish the relationship between the magnetic field and the structural behavior of the biomolecules. Since viscosity is a fundamental property that depends on the structural reorientation due to any external force, information is derived from the viscosity data.
Research Advances on the Anti-aging Profile of Fructus lycii: an Ancient Chinese Herbal Medicine
Authors: Sze Stephen Cho-Wing , Song Juxian , Chang Raymond Chuen-Chung , Zhang Kalin Yanbo , Wong Ricky Ngok-Shun , Tong Yao
Published: July 2008

Fructus lycii is a common Chinese herbal medicine used in China for nearly 2000 years. It has beneficial effects on eyes, liver and kidneys; and it has long been considered to be an anti-aging herb in ancient Chinese medicine. Modern studies have partially probed the magic anti-aging property of F. lycii. The beneficial effects of F. lycii on aging are largely attributed to its bioactive components such as polysaccharides, carotenoids and flavonoids. This review focuses on the anti-aging aspect of F. lycii, elaborating the bioactive ingredients accounting for the property, anti-aging pharmacology in terms of its antioxidation capacity, immunomodulative effect and neuroprotective activity.
Effect of Some Ayurvedic Vajikaran Rasayana Herbs on Heat Induced Testicular Damage in Male Albino Rats
Authors: Thakur Mayank , Loeppert Renate , Praznik Werner , Dixit V K
Published: July 2008

Modern society is phased with a number of environmental and social stressors which may lead to one form of sexual dysfunction or the other. Global warming and exposure to heat is one such phenomenon. A study was conducted to determine the testicular damage in male rats following exposure to high temperatures and the preventive effect of some of Ayurvedic herbs known for their sexual health benefits (Vajikaran) against heat induced testicular damage. Scrotal sacs of male rats were subjected to a 15 min exposure by dipping in water bath maintained at 40± 2 deg C daily for 14 days. The histo-architecture and the overall spermatogenesis profile was considerably prevented in rats treated with lyophilized aqueous extracts of Asparagus racemosus Willd., Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. F., Curculigo orchioides Gaertn., Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo and Orchis latifolia Linn.(200 mg/Kg b. w.) as compared to control group animals which were administered vehicle only. The differently treated groups were also subjected to evaluation of sexual behavior. The treatment with extracts results in significant amelioration of sexual behavior and the mount, intromission and ejaculatory latencies were significantly reduced while the frequencies for the same parameter were significantly restored in rats exposed to heat and treated with extracts as compared to heat exposed control group alone. Epididymal sperm count was reduced significantly in heat treated control group animals, whereas the extracts significantly prevented the decrease in sperm count in rats as compared to positive control group, exposed to heat. The results are therefore clear indication of the possible role of these herbs in protecting the genital organs against physical stresses viz. heat.
Protective Role of Grewia asiatica on Blood after Radiation Exposure in Mice
Authors: Singh Smita , Sharma K.V. , Ahaskar Muktika , Sisodia Rashmi
Published: July 2008

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the radioprotective effect of Grewia asiatica fruit pulp extract (GAE) on Swiss albino mice against radiation induced hematological and biochemical alterations. Experimental Design: Mice (68 weeks) were divided into four groups: Group I (Normal) without any treatment, Group II (Drug) was orally supplemented (GAE) once daily at the dose of 700 mg / kg. b.wt / day for 15 days, Group III (Control) only irradiated group, and GroupIV (IR+Drug) was first exposed to 5 Gy of gamma radiation then administered with GAE same as group II. Mice were sacrificed at day 1 and 15 post irradiation. Result: Radiation induced deficit in different blood constituents GSH, sugar, and protein levels in the serum could be significantly increased, whereas radiation induced elevation of LPO and cholesterol levels were markedly decreased in GAE post-treated animals compared to the control group. Conclusion: It showed that GAE provides protection against radiation-induced alterations in blood of mice.
An Extract from North American Ginseng Stimulates Spontaneous Immunity in Infant Mice: Sustained, Augmented Immunity in Adulthood Long after Withdrawal of the Extract
Authors: Miller Sandra C , Delorme Danielle
Published: July 2008

The present study evaluated the effect of CVT E002, a proprietary extract of North American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius (CV Technologies, Inc., Edmonton, AB, Canada), in vivo, on the hemopoietic and immune cells when administered intraperitoneally to infant (pre-weaned) mice. The extract was administered to groups of mice daily, for 14 days, from 7  21 days after birth, the dosage being adjusted progressively according to body weight as the infants grew. At 21-26 days of age, the period immediately after the last of the injection, and at 7-8 weeks of age, long after the termination of CVT E002, the bone marrow and spleen were removed from treated and control mice (CVT E002-injected and vehicle-injected, respectively). The results revealed that CVT E002 stimulated only those cells acting as the first line of defense against cancer, i.e., natural killer (NK) cells and granulocytes when assessed immediately after termination of CVT E002. However, even more potentially significant, was the observation that in spite of withdrawing the agent at weaning (21 days of age), the influence of CVT E002 had indirectly continued to produce a significant augmentation in NK cells and granulocytes in adulthood. Thus, CVT E002 may be considered as a dietary additive, fortifying anti-cancer immunity during the critical infant/juvenile ages when, in humans at least, pediatric cancers such as leukemia, lymphomas, Wilms tumors and retinoblastoma are relatively frequent.
Inhalation of Neroli Essential Oil and Its Anxiolytic Effects
Authors: Chen Ying-Ju , Cheng Fuchou , Shih Ying , Chang Tsong-Min , Wang Ming-Fu , Lan Sen-Sen
Published: July 2008

In this study, gerbils were subjected to aromatherapy using inhaled neroli. Forced swimming tasks and locomotor activity were measured to evaluate levels of anxiety. Comparison was made between the duration time of the forced swimming tasks and total distance, and the duration time in the central and peripheral areas, between the control and neroli-inhaled groups. In addition, treatment with Xanax®, an anxiolytic drug, was used as a positive control. The average duration times for swimming were 228 ± 7, 439 ± 23, 386 ± 21, and 427 ± 18 seconds in the control, neroli-inhaled, and two Xanax-treated groups, respectively. The duration times were significantly increased by 65%-91% in neroli-inhaled, and the two Xanax-treated groups (p<0.01) when compared with the control. The total distances traveled during 30 min were 280 ± 25, 189 ± 11, and 168 ±18 m in the control, neroli-inhaled, and Xanax-treated groups, respectively. The duration times in the central area for the 30- min period were 493 ± 54, 476 ± 57, and 1014 ± 70 seconds in the control, neroli-inhaled, and Xanax-treated groups, respectively. In addition, the duration times in the peripheral area for the 30-min period were 1244 ± 66, 1324 ± 57, and 859 ±83 seconds in the control, neroli-inhaled, and Xanax-treated groups, respectively. The inhalation of neroli and the treatment of Xanax® had anxiolytic effects, as shown in both behavior tests. However, the mechanisms of anxiolytic effect responses for neroli and Xanax® were unclear. This study provides evidence-based data on aromatherapy using neroli in the treatment of anxiety.
Numerical Modelling of Heat Generation and Distribution in the Core and Winding of Power Transformers
Authors: Mousavi Takami Kourosh , Mahmoudi Jafar
Published: July 2008

The power transformer is a complex and critical component of the power transmission and distribution system. System abnormalities, loading, switching and ambient condition normally contribute to accelerated aging and sudden failure. In the absence of critical components monitoring, the failure risk is always high. For early fault detection and real time condition assessment, an online monitoring system in accordance with the age and conditions of the asset would be an important tool. Power loss, heat generation and heat distribution evaluations in a large-scale oil immersed power transformer are presented here, along with the details of computer implementation and experimental verification.Core power losses are approximately constant with temperature variation or may decrease with that. Over the temperature range of 20 to 100°C the change in hysteresis loss Ph with temperature was negligible. Since the total core loss PT decreased with increasing temperature over this range, almost all the loss reduction was due to a reduction in the eddy current loss component Pe that was inversely proportional to the resistivity. Winding and oil temperature will increase with the load increasing and may create a hot spot. This is caused by degradation insulation and the loss of life in the power transformer.Hottest spot temperature and temperature profiles in radial and height coordinates were found using three different methods in this paper. The finite element method (FEM), finite difference method (FDM) and discrete furrier transform methods (DFT) are used to analyze algorithms in this paper. Computational results based on theoretical considerations and using the DFT method are shown to be in good agreement with FDM and FEM. Two mathematical formulae are proposed for temperature distribution in both radial and horizontal axes of core and windings. COMSOL for FEM, GEMINI for FDM and MATLAB for DFT are used.
Efficacy in Microbial Sterilization of Pulsed Magnetic Field Treatment
Authors: Haile Ma , Pan Zhongli , Gao Mengxiang , Luo Lin
Published: July 2008

Sterilization effects of the pulsed magnetic field with a maximum intensity of 11.37 Tesla were investigated on Escherichia coli AS 1.129, Staphylococcus aureus AS 1.89, Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATTC 7552 and Bacillus subtilis AS 1.921. The well-regulated fluctuations of sterilization effects with magnetic field intensity and pulse number were observed, and can be described by the "window effect" of magnetic fields and provide a better explanation of the inconsistent results of PMF sterilization in published literature. Sensibility of bacteria on the pulsed magnetic field significantly depends on a variety of microorganisms. Sterilization effects of a flowing sample were better than that of static samples.
Comparative Study of Total Phenol, Flavonoid Contents and Antioxidant Activity in Canna indica and Hibiscus rosa sinensis: Prospective Natural Food Dyes
Authors: Vankar Padma S , Srivastava Jyoti
Published: July 2008

In the present study the comparative data of total phenol and total flavonoid contents along with antioxidant activity were assessed in native Canna indica. Total phenolic contents were analyzed by a Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and antioxidant activity was analyzed by DPPH assay and TEAC assay, in crude methanolic extracts of red, yellow varieties of Canna indica and red variety of Hibiscus rosa sinensis. DPPH assay of crude extracts taking pyrogallol as standard show that fresh red canna extract has best results for radical scavenging. Stability of color content of canna towards pH and its pKa were assessed. Colorimetric analysis of crude extracts showed red canna extract to be the best in terms of its tinctorial strength, a pre-requisite for a food dye. On the basis of the results obtained, red canna flowers were found to serve as a potential source of natural antioxidant and a natural food colorant.
Power Ultrasound Enhanced One-Step Soaking and Gelatinization for Rough Rice Parboiling
Authors: Wambura Peter , Yang Wade , Wang Yajane
Published: July 2008

The conventional parboiling of rough rice is a lengthy process that takes 24-28 h to complete. It would be beneficial to the industry if the processing time could be reduced. The objective of this study was to develop an ultrasound based one-step protocol for soaking and gelatinization during rice parboiling. The gelatinization temperature was measured by alkali (KOH) degradation and found to be 72°C. The combined soaking and gelatinization was conducted at 75°C with or without sonication (control). The moisture content during soaking was measured following the AOAC oven method. Starch gelatinization was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Moisture content after 3 h of ultrasonic soaking (48.6% w.b.) was equivalent to 10 h conventional soaking (44.0% w.b.), indicating that ultrasound reduced some 70% of soaking time. DSC showed that the retrogradation peaks (Tr) values for 80°C soaking and ultrasonic horn (US.horn) soaking, which were accomplished during 4 h, was 53.8°C and 53.5°C, respectively. This showed that US.horn soaked samples at 75°C partially gelatinized at the same time frame (4 h) with the samples soaked at 80°C. This study showed the feasibility of ultrasound to enhance the rice parboiling by reducing processing time.
Producing Powders of Hibiscus Extract in a Laboratory-Scale Spray Dryer
Authors: Langrish Tim , Chiou Don
Published: July 2008

The production of powder from hibiscus extract with the possible addition of maltodextrin or fine citrus fibre has been investigated in a small-scale Buchi B-290 spray dryer to assess the drying yields and outlet moisture contents. The yields ranged from 24-58%, with inlet temperatures from 150oC to 210oC, solids concentrations in the extract of 11.4% and 25.9%, and the addition of 0.9-5.7% fine citrus fibre or 1% maltodextrin. At the same solids concentration, the inlet gas temperature was found to improve the yield. The drying behaviour appears to be kinetically limited. The inlet gas temperature has the most significant effect on the yield, with a 95% confidence level. For the outlet moisture contents, the effects of fibre, the amount of solids in the extract and the inlet gas temperature are all significant at confidence levels above 97.5%. Hence inlet conditions appeared to be more important than outlet ones, lending support to the suggestion that the performance of the equipment is more strongly influenced by the particulate drying kinetics.
Sorption Drying of Soybean Seeds with Silica Gel in a Fluidized Bed Dryer
Authors: Ye Jingsheng , Luo Qiaojun , Li Xiaolan , Xu Qing , Li Zhanyong
Published: July 2008

Soybean seeds were contacted with silica gel in a fluidized bed, where mass transfer is driven by moisture concentration gradient. It has the advantage of well-mixing the solid adsorbent (silica gel) with the material being dried (soybean seeds) in fluidization state, and thus the dried seeds quality could be improved since they are in a uniform environment of low humidity. The drying kinetics was compared under different mass ratios and fluidization conditions. The drying rate was improved with the gas velocity and mass ratio of silica gel. A scheme of sorption drying in a hybrid process of fluidized/fixed bed is proposed in the viewpoint of energy efficiency and product quality.
State and Federal Approaches to Health Reform: What Works for the Working Poor?
Authors: Meara Ellen , Rosenthal Meredith B , Sinaiko Anna D. , Baicker Katherine
Published: July 2008

We compare and contrast the labor market and distributional impact of three common approaches to state and federal health insurance expansion: public insurance expansions, refundable tax credits for low income people, and employer and individual mandates. We draw on existing estimates from the literature and individual-level data on the non-institutionalized population aged 64 and younger from the 2005 Current Population Survey to estimate how each approach affects (1) the number of people insured; (2) private and public health spending; (3) employment and wages; and (4) the distribution of subsidies across families based on income in relation to the federal poverty level and work status of adult family members. Employer mandates expand coverage to the largest number of previously insured relative to public insurance expansions and individual tax credits, but with potentially negative labor market consequences. Medicaid expansions could achieve moderate reductions in the share of the uninsured with neutral labor market consequences, and by definition, they expand coverage to the poorest groups regardless of work status. Tax credits extend coverage to relatively few uninsured, but with neutral effects on the labor market. Both Medicaid expansions and tax credits offer moderate redistribution to previously insured individuals who are poor or near-poor. None of the three policies significantly expand insurance coverage among poor working families. Our findings suggest that no single approach helps the working poor in exactly the ways policy makers might hope. To the extent that states are motivated to help the uninsured in poor working families, health reforms must find ways to include those unlikely to take up optional policies, and states must address the challenge of the many uninsured likely to be excluded from policies based on part-time work status, firm size, or immigration status.
Thermodynamics and the Simulation Engineer
Authors: Satyro Marco A
Published: July 2008

In this paper a brief, commented introduction to thermodynamics highlighting its connections with the simulation of chemical processes is presented. With these connections established I proceed to comment on current challenges faced by process and product modelers and conclude with a peek into the future of process and product design and the role of thermodynamics as the unifying discipline for engineers.
Modeling of Phenol Degradation in Spouted Bed Contactor Using Artificial Neural Network (ANN)
Authors: Dabhade Madhukar A. , Saidutta M. B. , Murthy D. V. R.
Published: July 2008

Presence of phenol and phenolic compounds in various wastewaters and its harmful effects has led to the use of different treatment methods. Work on biological methods shows the use of different microorganisms and different bioreactors so as to improve the removal efficiency economically. The present work deals with the use of N. hydrocarbonoxydans (NCIM 2386), an actinomycetes, for the degradation of phenol. N. hydrocarbonoxydans was immobilized on GAC and used in a spouted bed contactor for effective contact of microorganisms and the substrate. The contactor performance was studied by varying flow rates, influent concentrations and the solids loading in the contactor. The effect of these variables on phenol degradation was investigated and modeling study was carried out using the artificial neural network (ANN). A feed forward neural network with back propagation was used for the model development. The experiments were planned as per the face centered cube design (FCCD) and used for training of the model, whereas data from four other experimental runs were used for testing and validation of the model. The network was optimized for the number of neurons based on the mean square error. The ANN model with three layers with three input neurons, eight neurons in hidden layers and one output neuron was found to predict effectively the effluent concentration for the given operating conditions in the spouted bed contactor. The mean square error was found to be 9.318e-12 for this ANN model. Also the experimental data was used to develop second order nonlinear empirical model obtained using multiple regression (MR) and the results compared with ANN using correlation coefficient (R2), average absolute error (AAE) and root mean square error (RMSE). Results show that R2, AAE and RMSE values of MR model were 0.9363, 2.085 % and 2.338 % respectively, while in case of ANN model these values were 0.9995, 0.59 % and 1.263 % respectively. This shows that ANN model prediction is better than multiple regression model prediction.
Modeling and Simulation of Viscoelastic Behavior of Three-Phase Polymer Blends with Multiple Droplet Morphology
Authors: Pal Rajinder
Published: July 2008

Three-phase polymer blends with ``multiple droplet" morphology are important industrially. They are referred to as ``double emulsions" as the droplets of these blends themselves contain a number of smaller droplets inside. In this work, the dynamic viscoelastic behavior of double emulsions composed of three immiscible polymeric liquids is modeled. Simulations show that such double emulsions exhibit three relaxation domains due to relaxation of two different interfaces (internal and external) and the matrix polymer. The factors affecting the dynamic viscoelastic behavior of double emulsions composed of three immiscible polymeric liquids are discussed.
Removal of Reactive Orange 4 from Aqueous Solution by Waste Eichhornia crassipes Biomass
Authors: Renganathan S. , Gautam P.
Published: July 2008

Biosorption of Reactive Orange 4 dye, from an aqueous solution was evaluated by Eichhornia crassipes in a batch system. The influence of pH (1-6), temperature (20-30°C) and initial dye concentration (20 to 120 mg/L) on the biosorption process was studied. Maximum biosorption was observed at initial pH of 2.0, temperature of 30°C and at the initial dye concentration of 120 mg/L. Batch biosorption kinetics was studied with different initial dye concentrations and rate of biosorption was determined using the pseudo first and pseudo second order rate equations. From the result it was observed that pseudo second order rate expression fit the experimental data well for Reactive Orange 4 when compared to pseudo first order kinetic model. The intra particle diffusion coefficient (Ki) and effective diffusion coefficient (Di) values obtained for the sorption of Reactive Orange 4 using E. crassipes was found to be increased with increase in initial dye concentrations.
Development of Sigmoidnet Based NARX Model for a Distillation Column
Authors: Ramesh K. , Abd. Shukor S.R. , Aziz N.
Published: July 2008

Distillation exhibits highly nonlinear dynamic behavior and the development of suitable nonlinear model to distillation pose a challenging problem to current process industry. In the absence of a reasonably accurate nonlinear model, distillation column is difficult to control using advanced model based control strategies. In this paper, a novel sigmoidnet based nonlinear auto-regressive with exogenous inputs (NARX) model is developed for high purity distillation column and verified using the experimentally validated first principle model. The model validation and regressor analysis proved that the developed NARX model was capable of capturing the nonlinear dynamics of a distillation column.
Prediction of Various Parameters of a River for Assessment of Water Quality by an Intelligent Technique
Authors: Sharma Y. C. , Mukherjee A. K. , Srivastava J. , Mahato M. , Singh T. N.
Published: July 2008

The Artificial Neural Network (ANN) has been used as a predictive tool for the estimation of certain parameters of Subernarekha, an important river in the Jharkhand state in India. The network used two algorithms for this purpose and was sufficiently accurate in predicting the most economically heavy and time-consuming set of data. The Levenberg-Marquardt Backpropagation Network (trainlm) and the Resilient Backpropagation Network (trainrp) were the two algorithms used for the estimation of metallic species and physicochemical parameters of the river. The MAPE for metallic species were found to be 0.71 for cadmium, 0.182 for copper and 0.771 for chromium, while physicochemical parameters were 16.645 for alkalinity, 5.883 for dissolved oxygen (DO) and 23.28 for chemical oxygen demand (COD). Both the algorithms were used with different sets of hidden layers i.e., one for trainlm with 5 neurons and three for trainrp with 5, 4 and 5 neurons, and these were determined using the trial and error method. This method is not only economically favorable but time-adaptive as well, as it depends on the amount and span of data available and it can predict values to a very high degree of accuracy. This method can successfully be employed for the prediction of parameters of any river system with confidence.
Modeling of Heat Transfer Augmentation in a Circular Tube Fitted with Right-Left Helical Inserts in Laminar Flow Using CFD
Authors: Sivashanmugam Palani
Published: July 2008

Computational heat transfer flow modeling is one of the great challenges in the classical sciences. As with most problems in Engineering, the interest in the heat transfer augmentation is due to its extreme importance in various industrial applications. CFD simulation for the heat transfer augmentation in a circular tube fitted with right-left helical tape inserts in laminar flow conditions has been explained in this paper using Fluent version 6.2.16. The data obtained by simulation are matching with the literature value for plain tube with the discrepancy of less than plus or minus 5% for Nusselt number and friction factor. Enhanced heat transfer with decreasing twist ratio was observed. Heat flux is more uniform all along the tube and decreases uniformly towards the center. Right-left movement of the flow as per direction twist was also observed from the velocity contour.
Studies of Chromium Removal from Tannery Effluents by Dead Streptomyces Rimosus
Authors: Sahmoune Mohamed Nasser , Louhab Krim , Boukhiar Aissa
Published: July 2008

Dead streptomyces rimosus was found to be an effective biosorbent for the removal of chromium from industrial tanning effluents. A sorption level of 65 mg/g was observed at pH 4.8 while the precipitation effect augmented this value at a higher pH range. Chromium desorption increased with decreasing desorption agents pH (including HCl and H2SO4) to a maximum value of 95% at approximately zero pH. The biosorption data of trivalent chromium by streptomyces rimosus has been used for kinetic studies based on fractional power, Elovich, pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order rate expressions. The time-dependent Cr (III) biosorption data were well-described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The intraparticle diffusion is not the rate-limiting step for the whole reaction. It was found that the biosorption equilibrium data fit well with the Langmuir model.
Fairness in Extended Dictator Game Experiments
Authors: Oberholzer-Gee Felix , Eichenberger Reiner
Published: July 2008

We test the robustness of behavior in dictator games by offering allocators the choice to play an unattractive lottery. With this lottery option, mean transfers from allocators to recipients substantially decline, partly because many allocators now keep the entire endowment for themselves (without playing the lottery). In our standard dictator game, the median transfer amounts to 41% of the dictators' endowment. Once the lottery option is present, the median transfer falls to zero. Introducing an additional unattractive choice thus leads subjects to violate the weak axiom of revealed preference (WARP).
Mitigating the Problem of Unmeasured Outcomes in Quality Reports
Authors: Glazer Jacob , McGuire Thomas , Normand Sharon-Lise T.
Published: July 2008

Quality reports or profiles of health care providers are inevitably based on only a measurable subset of the ``outputs" of the organization. Hospitals, for example, are being profiled on their mortality in the cardiac area but not in some other areas where mortality does not seem to be the appropriate measure of quality. If inputs used for outputs included in the profile also affect outputs outside the scope of the profile, it can be taken into account in constructing a profile of the measured outputs. This paper presents a theory for how such a commonality in production should be taken into account in designing a profile for a hospital or other health care provider. We distinguish between ``conventional" weights in a quality profile, and ``optimal" weights that take into account a commonality in the production process. The basic idea is to increase the weights on discharges for which output is measured that use inputs that are important to other discharges whose outputs are not included in the profile.
Advertising, Free-Riding, and Price Differences in the Market for Prescription Drugs
Authors: Linnosmaa Ismo Erkki
Published: July 2008

This article studies the pricing and advertising of prescription drugs in a duopoly market. If advertising is banned, decisions of the prescribing physician are price-sensitive. The emerging market equilibrium is characterized by marginal-cost pricing and normal profits. The introduction of advertising, and physician-oriented advertising (detailing) in particular, creates market power and asymmetric pricing and advertising behavior. In an equilibrium, one firm chooses maximum detailing and the rival firm invests less in physician-oriented advertising. The asymmetric detailing strategies explain the observed price differences in the market for prescription drugs. The model also predicts free-riding in DTC advertising. According to the predictions of the model, the free-rider is the firm with a low level of physician-oriented advertising. The firm with maximum detailing invests money in DTC advertising, expanding the market for prescription drugs.
Effects of Electoral Rules, Political Competition and Corruption on the Size and Composition of Government Consumption Spending: An Italian Regional Analysis
Authors: Baraldi A. Laura
Published: July 2008

This paper analyses how proportionality of the electoral system, political competition and corruption affect the total amount of Italian regional public consumption expenditure and alter the public budget structure. The Italian case is particular: from 1993 the country underwent a change in the electoral system (from proportional to majoritarian) and, at the same time, a campaign was waged against the corruption of public bureaucrats. The aim of this work is to study the political determinants of public consumption spending, and more specifically the role played by political institutions (meaning electoral rules), the intensity of political competition in the "votes' market" and the corruption of public bureaucracy. We used panel data for 20 Italian regions from 1980 to 2003 in order to estimate a quantity effect and an allocation effect of the degree of proportionality of the electoral system, political competition and corruption of public bureaucracy on public consumption spending. The quantity effect of the proportionality of the electoral system and of the degree of political competition is positive; the same holds for corruption, meaning that corruption increases the total level of public spending. Analysis of the allocation effect shows that corruption, rather than the electoral system and political competition, alters the public budget structure towards social services and securities and general service sectors instead of education and health, leading to important policy implications.
Giving It Away for Free? The Nature of Job-Market Signaling by Open-Source Software Developers
Authors: Hakim Orman Wafa
Published: July 2008

Much work has been done in recent times to answer the question of why people contribute, and continue to contribute to open-source and free software, despite the lack of immediate financial gain in most cases. Lerner and Tirole (2002) hypothesize that open-source contributions act as a form of job-market signaling  they permit prospective employers to judge a person's ability directly. This paper tests the nature of this signaling using a complementarity framework. Do developers use open source software as a way to enhance the signal from a college education, or to substitute for it, in a form of learning by doing? I find evidence that they are complements, while conclusively rejecting the idea that they are substitutes.
Partners in Crime: Collusive Corruption and Search
Authors: Nabin Munirul Haque , Bose Gautam
Published: July 2008

This paper analyzes corruption as a collusive act which requires the participation of two willing partners. An agent intending to engage in a corrupt act must search for a like-minded partner. When many people in the economy are corrupt, such a search is more likely to be fruitful. Thus when an agent engages in a search, he raises the net benefit of searching for other similar agents in the economy, creating an externality. This introduces a non-convexity in the model, which consequently has multiple equilibria. The economy can be in stable equilibrium with a high or low level of corruption.Starting from the high-corruption equilibrium, a sufficient increase in vigilance triggers a negative cascade, leading the economy to a new equilibrium in which no agent finds it profitable to search for corrupt partners. The no-corruption equilibrium continues to be stable if vigilance is then relaxed. This suggests that the correct way to deal with corruption is to launch a ``big push'' with large amounts of resources. Once the level of corruption declines, these resources can be withdrawn.
An Empirical Study of Happiness in Italy
Authors: Scoppa Vincenzo , Ponzo Michela
Published: July 2008

This study analyzes the determinants of individual subjective well-being (happiness) in Italy by estimating microeconometric happiness equations in order to examine the effects of socio-demographic characteristics and economic conditions on subjective evaluations of happiness. Consistent with the findings in other advanced countries we find that income and wealth increase happiness and that unemployment is extremely bad for subjective well-being. In addition, we obtain some novel and interesting results for Italy including the following: income obtained by public transfers has a limited impact on subjective well-being; education increases happiness, even when controlling for income; Southern residents and individuals living in large cities are less happy; and social capital makes people happier. Finally, individuals care about relative income, in the sense that their happiness is negatively influenced by the income of others in their group of reference. Our results show that several non-economic variables are extremely important for subjective well-being.
Stemming the Tide? The Effect of Expanding Medicaid Eligibility On Health Insurance Coverage
Authors: Shore-Sheppard Lara D.
Published: July 2008

Despite considerable research, there is little consensus about the impact of Medicaid eligibility expansions for low-income children. In this paper, I reexamine the expansions impact on Medicaid take-up and private insurance crowd-out by investigating a number of critiques leveled at the seminal work of Cutler and Gruber (1996) and extending the analysis to include further expansions of Medicaid. I find that accounting for most critiques of Cutler and Gruber does not substantively affect their estimates of sizable take-up and crowd-out. However, controlling for age-specific time trends does substantially reduce the estimated take-up and crowd-out and recovers results close to those found elsewhere in the literature. I also find that later expansions generated much lower rates of take-up and crowding out.
Revisiting Independence and Stochastic Dominance for Compound Lotteries
Authors: Zimper Alexander
Published: July 2008

We establish mathematical equivalence between independence of irrelevant alternatives and monotonicity with respect to first order stochastic dominance. This formal equivalence result between the two principles is obtained under two key conditions. Firstly, for all natural numbers m, each principle is defined on the domain of compound lotteries with compoundness level m. Secondly, the standard concept of reduction of compound lotteries applies.
Democracy, Demography, and Sovereignty
Authors: Benhabib Seyla
Published: July 2008

In this article I examine recent debates concerning the emergence of cosmopolitan norms that protect individuals rights regardless of their citizenship status, and the spread of what some have called global law without a state. I distinguish between the spread of human rights norms and the emergence of deterritorialized legal regimes, by focusing on the relationship between global capitalism and legal developments arguing that cosmopolitan norms can enhance popular sovereignty while other forms of global law do not do so. The latter fragment the public sphere and create privatized norms of justification.I suggest that Israel inhabits three spatio-temporal modalities of sovereignty simultaneously, and this accounts for the enormously complex and existential nature of the dilemmas it faces: First, Israel is in a pre-Westphalian zone; second, for the Jewish population within its borders and for its one and a half million Arab citizens, Israel is a Westphalian state, which in fact exhibits strong features of a liberal, social democracy; and third, Israel is part of the global techno-economic complex. Within the three distinct spatio-temporal zones of sovereignty inhabited by contemporary Israel, one can detect new reconfigurations of sovereignty and citizenship that have not been exhausted.
Demography, Human Rights, and Diversity Management, American-Style
Authors: Schuck Peter H.
Published: July 2008

This paper uses diversity management as a placeholder for human rights policy. By diversity management, I mean those policy techniques that a society can use to deal with diversity, which include not only decisions to make diversity a subject of active legal and governmental intervention, but also decisions to leave diversity to informal, unregulated choices by individuals or civil society institutions. My discussion proceeds with particular reference to the United States, in part because it has been relatively successful in managing its diversity in recent decadesrelative, that is, both to its own past (especially the pre-1965 period) and to the record of other countries today. (Serious, long-standing problems in the integration of certain minorities in the U.S. remain, most notably with respect to three groups: Native-Americans, underclass black men, and unskilled, often undocumented, immigrants.)An approach to diversity management works, in my view, if and to the extent that the countrys vulnerable minorities (a) enjoy some social mobility, (b) are integrated into the major institutions of society, (c) have access to political influence roughly proportional to their limited numbers, (d) are free to live according to their own group values and practices, and (e) do not feel deep alienation from the dominant cultural norms. By this definition, the American system works relatively wellwith the qualifications and exceptions noted just above. The paper proceeds in three parts. Part I seeks to sharpen our understanding of diversity by analyzing several different ways of understanding and defining that idea, with a view to underscoring the significance of choosing one or another measure of it. Part II discusses two examples multiracial individuals and anti-profiling lawsto illustrate the inevitable politicization of certain demographic categories when used for politicallysensitive purposes. Part III presents some distinctive and, in some cases, unique features of the American approach to diversity management. Most of these features, I argue, effectively advance the cause of minority mobility and integration, whereas some tend to undermine these goals.