Kinetic modeling of ethylbenzene isomerization using Bodenstein approximation technique

Ethylbenzene isomerization reaction is a significant reaction employed in the production of xylene isomers which are used as petrochemical feedstocks. The reaction which proceeds over Pt/Al2O3 catalyst is multi-pathway and multi-cycle in topology. Kinetic model for the reaction was developed in this study using the general rate equation approach. Bodenstein approximation, cross-to-square, and Y-to-delta transformation techniques were used to reduce the complex reaction network to a single cycle network. In addition, the general rate equation for reduced single cycle networks was applied to derive the model for the reaction. The Nelder-Mead simplex optimization technique was used to estimate the kinetic parameters in the model. The structure of the model developed indicates that the model reasonably represents the mechanism of the reaction although few anomalies were observed in the values of the kinetic parameters estimated. The activation energy obtained for the rate constants follows the expected trend for multi-step reactions

Awareness, Satisfaction and Willingness to Pay Remuneration for Architectural Services among Clients in Nigeria

This study assessed relationships between awareness, satisfaction, and willing(ness)-to-pay (WTP) remuneration for architectural services from client perspectives toward improving the public image and business performance of architects in Nigeria. Likert ratings of 16 officially approved architectural services based on residential developments from 97 respondents using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and regression analysis revealed that clients obtained architectural information through word-of-mouth referrals from friends, colleagues, architects and finally, through digital media. Respondents were significantly more aware (mean 2.75 on a 4-point Likert scale) than were WTP for architectural services (mean 2.12), P = 0.000. Clients were WTP for only production of construction drawings and site supervision. Awareness significantly predicted WTP (β = −0.7, Exp (β) = 4.106, P = 0.003) in a model including age and income which explained 36% of the variance in WTP. Satisfaction with architectural services negatively predicted WTP (β = −0.77, Exp(β)=0.462, P = 0.16), implying that client satisfaction, a key performance indicator for architects, was no guarantee for WTP. Revisions to professional fees and code of ethics are recommended to allow architects and allied professionals advertise and market their services through online and social media outlets. Architects should also leverage on interior, furniture, fittings, and component design to improve remuneration and business performance

INSECTICIDAL ACTIVITY OF GARLIC (Alium sativum (L.)) OIL ON Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) IN POST-HARVEST COWPEA (Vigna unguiculata (L.) WALP.)

Studies were conducted to determine the effect of garlic oil on Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) in three cowpea varieties (Borno brown, Mubi white and Iron beans).  Ten grams in 3 replicates for untreated (check) and 4 levels of garlic Alium sativum (L.) seed oil treatments (0.1, 0.2,0.4 and 0.6 ml) were infested with 3 pairs of 0 - 3 days old C. maculatus for pre and post oviposition.  Experiments were conducted under ambient conditions of 25- 30oC and 27 - 56% relative humidity.  Data on number of eggs laid and progeny emergence were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA).  Significantly different means were separated using the Least Significant difference at 5% level of probability.  Result showed that the number of eggs laid and adults that emerged from untreated grains of the varieties were each significantly  (p<0.05) different from the number of eggs that were laid and adults that emerged from all treated grain of the varieties.  The study also showed that cowpea grains infested with 1 - 5 day old eggs of C. maculatus can be prevented from damage by the bruchid.  Grain treatment with garlic oil before oviposition drastically suppressed oviposition, egg-hatch and development by the cowpea bruchid consequently the emergence of few to zero adults.  Both pre and post oviposition grain treatments were effective in the management of the beetle. However, treatment before oviposition appeared to be more effective in protecting cowpea grains against infestation and damage.   Key words: Damage, C. maculatus, garlic oil, varieties, pre-oviposition, post-ovipotio

Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis as a tool to extract fishing footprints and estimate fishing pressure: application to small scale coastal fisheries and implications for management in the context of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive

In the context of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive and with the intention of contributing to the implementation of a future maritime spatial plan, it was decided to analyze data from the small scale coastal fisheries sector of Greece and estimate the actual extent of its activities, which is largely unknown to date. To this end we identified the most influential components affecting coastal fishing: fishing capacity, bathymetry, distance from coast, Sea Surface Chlorophyll (Chl-a) concentration, legislation, marine traffic activity, trawlers and purse seiners fishing effort and no-take zones. By means of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) conducted through a stepwise procedure, the potential fishing footprint with the corresponding fishing intensity was derived. The method provides an innovative and cost-effective way to assess the impact of the, notoriously hard to assess, coastal fleet. It was further considered how the inclusion of all relevant anthropogenic activities (besides fishing) could provide the background needed to plan future marine activities in the framework of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and form the basis for a more realistic management approach

The MINOUWApp: a web-based tool in support of by-catch and discards management

Current fishing practices often do not allow adequate selection of species or sizes of fish, resulting in unwanted catches, subsequently discarded, with the consequent negative effects on both marine communities and fisheries profitability. The cross-analysis of density patches of potential unwanted catches and distribution of fishing effort can support the identification of spatial-temporal hot-spots in which the fishing pressure should be reduced to limit the amount of discards. The MinouwApp represents a technological and methodological framework to bring different, and structurally complex, sources of georeferenced data together into a simple visual interface aiming to interactively explore temporal ranges and areas of interest. The objective is to improve the understanding of fisheries dynamics, including discards, thus contributing to the implementation of discard management plans in a context of participative, ecosystem-based fisheries management strategies

Forward Jets and Energy Flow in Hadronic Collisions

We observe that at the Large Hadron Collider, using forward + central detectors, it becomes possible for the first time to carry out calorimetric measurements of the transverse energy flow due to "minijets" accompanying production of two jets separated by a large rapidity interval. We present parton-shower calculations of energy flow observables in a high-energy factorized Monte Carlo framework, designed to take into account QCD logarithmic corrections both in the large rapidity interval and in the hard transverse momentum. Considering events with a forward and a central jet, we examine the energy flow in the interjet region and in the region away from the jets. We discuss the role of these observables to analyze multiple parton collision effects.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures. Version2: added results on azimuthal distributions and more discussion of energy flow definition using jet clusterin