Remote Computing Cluster for the Optimization of Preventive Maintenance Strategies: Models and Algorithms

The chapter describes a mathematical model of the early prognosis of the state of high-complexity mechanisms. Based on the model, systems of recognizing automata are constructed, which are a set of interacting modified Turing machines. The purposes of the recognizing automata system are to calculate the predictors of the sensor signals (such as vibration sensors) and predict the evolution of hidden predictors of dysfunction in the work of the mechanism, leading in the future to the development of faults of mechanism. Hidden predictors are determined from the analysis of the internal states of the recognizing automata obtained from wavelet decompositions of time series of sensor signals. The results obtained are the basis for optimizing the maintenance strategies. Such strategies are chosen from the classes of solutions to management problems. Models and algorithms for self-maintenance and self-recovery systems are discussed

The essential oil composition of aerial parts of Artemisia austriaca Jacq. from three accessions of Northern Kazakhstan

In the flora of Kazakhstan there are many medicinal plants, of which the genus Artemisia (Asteraceae) includes 81 species. In the current study, chemical composition of essential oil from aerial parts of Artemisia austriaca Jacq. collected from different sites of Northern Kazakhstan was determined using GC-MS analysis. The chemical analysis demonstrated that the oil was dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes amounting to 39.49-59.20% with camphor (7.03-20.52%), 1,8-cineole (8.95-13.55%), α-thujone (3.16-25.78%) and β-thujone (0.87-9.92%) as major constituents. The results also suggested that there was difference in composition as well as amount among different sites depending on pH and organic matter of the soil. Further chemometric analysis using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) of A. austriaca essential oil compositions from the published literature as well as the composition from present study were used in order to demonstrate geographical variations in the composition of the essential oils. It showed the existence of two main clusters: mixture of α- and β-thujones (32.5±21.6%) / 1,8-cineole (13.9±7.8%) (Cluster I) and camphor (40.5±17.4%) / 1,8-cineole (19.4±9.5%) (Cluster II)

Composition of essential oil of leaves and fruits of green strawberry (Fragaria viridis Weston) growing wild in Northern Kazakhstan

Fragaria viridis Weston essential oils from leaves and fruits were obtained by hydrodistillation. The composition of the essential oil from leaves and fruits was analyzed by GC-MS. 39 components were identified in leaves oil representing 67.3-80.7% of the oil composition. The main components of the essential oil from leaves of F. viridis Weston were β-linalool (0.8-8.9%), n-nonanal (0.5-8.6%), tetradecanal (2.1-5.9%), nerolidol (2.1-4.8%), an unidentified component (1.9-6.6%), α-bisabolol (0.8-6.7%), phytol (18.4-47.4%), an unidentified component (0.9-8.2%) depending on the growth conditions. The fruit oil was composed of 34 compounds representing 42.0-70.7% of the total composition of the oil. The main components of the essential oil from fruits of F. viridis Weston were m/p-xylene (2.4-14.0%), isoledene (4.7-8.5%), methyleugenol (3.3-8.4%), α-cedrene (2.5-3.9%), an unidentified component (3.4-9.1%), α-muurolene (6.8-11.3%), nerolidol (1.1-4.8%), α-cedrol (1.7-8.0%), α-bisabolol (2.3-5.0%), an unidentified component (0-25.6%) depending on the growth conditions. This is the first report of the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the leaves and fruits of green strawberry (Fragaria viridis Weston)

Expanding the knowledge about Aflatunia ulmifolia (Franch.) Vassilcz. (Rosaceae), a rare forest species of Central Asia

Aflatunia ulmifolia (Franch.) Vassilcz. is a rare, poorly studied species from the Rosaceae Juss family. Its natural distribution range is limited to Central Asia (Western Tien Shan, Pamir-Alay, Dzhungarskiy and Kirghiz Alatau). Information on the current state of natural plant communities with the participation of A. ulmifolia, the introduction potential, and the methods of conservation of the species is limited. The aim of our study was to improve information about A. ulmifolia, by verifying its current distribution range, both in natural habitats and in places where it is introduced, and analyze the major ecological, morphological and biological characteristics of the species. We produced the most up-to-date species distribution map showing both natural and introduced populations of A. ulmifolia. For the first time, we provide a comprehensive list of tree and shrub species co-occurring with A. ulmifolia in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. We present detailed information on the successful introduction of A. ulmifolia in nine European and Asian countries. Although the species is not of immediate conservation concern, it might become vulnerable to extinction if its distribution range continues to shrink because of anthropogenic impact and natural disturbances. We argue for the development of effective conservation strategies for A. ulmifolia in nature and for the creation of stable introduction populations of this species in botanical gardens and arboretums

Polymer Nanocomposite Containing Palladium Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties

Composite nanomaterials have been prepared through thermal decomposition of palladium diacetate. The composite contains palladium nanoparticles embedded in high-pressure polyethylene. The materials were studied by a number of different physico-chemical methods, such as transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, and EXAFS. The average size of the nanoparticles is 7.0 ± 0.5 nm. It is shown that with the decrease of metal content in the polymer matrix the average size of nanoparticles decreased from 7 to 6 nm, and the coordination number of palladium also decreased from 7 to 5.7. The mean size of palladium particles increases with the growing concentration of palladium content in the matrix. It is shown that the electrophysical properties of the material obtained depend on the filler concentration. The chemical composition of palladium components includes metallic palladium, palladium (III) oxide, and palladium dioxide. All samples have narrow lines (3–5 Oe) with a g factor of around two in the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra. It is shown that EPR lines have uneven boarding by saturation lines investigation. The relaxation component properties are different for spectral components. It leads to the spectrum line width depending on the magnetic field value. At first approximation, the EPR spectra can be described as a sum of two Lorentzian function graphs, corresponding to the following two paramagnetic centers: one is on the surface, and one is inside the palladium particles. Some of the experimental characteristics were measured for the first time. The data obtained indicate interesting properties of palladium-based nanocomposites, which will be useful for obtaining products based on these materials

Chemical composition of the essential oil from carnation coniferous (<i>Dianthus acicularis</i> Fisch. ex Ledeb) growing wild in Northern Kazakhstan

<p>The aim of the study was to investigate volatile compounds from the aerial parts of <i>Dianthus acicularis</i> of the genus <i>Dianthus</i> of the family <i>Caryophyllaceae</i> grown wild in Northern Kazakhstan for the first time. <i>D. acicularis</i> is a typical Trans-Volga-Kazakhstani endemic. <i>D. acicularis</i> has high resistance to the bacterial wilt, a serious disease caused by <i>Burkholderia caryophylli</i>. The qualitative and quantitative compositions of the specimens of the essential oils were analysed by the method of GC–MS. The main constituents of <i>D. acicularis</i> essential oil were methyl ketones - 2-pentadecanone (26.9–32.2%) and 2-tridecanone (4.7–17.7%), identified for the first time in the <i>Dianthus</i> genus. The methyl ketone activity provides protection of the plants from herbivores and fungal pathogens. One can suppose that the presence of 2-pentadecanone and 2-tridecanone in the essential oil of carnation coniferous provides its resistance to different insects and pathogens, including the resistance to the bacterial wilt.</p

Major, Trace and Rare Earth Element Distribution in Water, Suspended Particulate Matter and Stream Sediments of the Ob River Mouth

Ongoing climatic changes are influencing the volume and composition of the river waters that enter the Arctic Basin. This hydrochemical study was conducted within the mouth of the Ob River, which is one of the world&rsquo;s largest rivers, providing 15% of the Arctic Ocean&rsquo;s total intake. Concentrations of suspended and dissolved elements were determined using ICP&ndash;MS and ICP&ndash;AES. As compared to the world average values, the Ob river water had higher concentrations of dissolved P, As, Cu, Zn, Pb and Sb, i.e., the elements that form soluble organo-mineral complexes. The composition of suspended matter was characterized by low concentrations of most trace elements (Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Mo, Al, Ni, Pb, V) due to their low contents in peat soils within the river drainage basin. Concentrations of dissolved forms were many times lower than concentrations of suspended forms in Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Co, Ti, Sc, and all rare earth elements. Total concentrations of Ni, Cu, Bi, Pb, W in the river water increased by 2.5 to 4.2 times during the summer. The effects of climate change, which can cause an increase in the discharge of solid particles from thawing permafrost, are likely to lead to an increase in the discharge of certain elements into the Ob River estuary