n-Hexadecane hydrocracking Single-Event MicroKinetics on Pt/H-beta

[EN] The Single-Event MicroKinetic (SEMK) model constructed for gas-phase hydroconversion of light n-alkanes on large-pore USY zeolites was applied, for the first time, to the hydrocracking of n-hexadecane on a Pt/H-Beta catalyst. Despite the 12-ringed pore channels, shape selectivity was observed in the formation of ethyl side chains. Additionally, heavy feed molecules such as n-hexadecane lead to physisorption saturation of the catalyst pores by strong Van der Waals interactions of the long alkyl chains with the zeolite framework. Intermolecular interactions and packing efficiencies in the pores induce deviations from typical Henry-regime physisorption characteristics as the physisorption selectivity, which is expected to increase with increasing carbon number, appeared to be independent of the latter. Micropore saturation effects were described by the 'size entropy' which quantifies the difference in standard entropy loss between physisorption in the Henry regime and hindered physisorption on a saturated surface. The size entropy is proportional to the catalyst loading with physisorbed species and the adsorbate carbon number. The addition of a size entropy term in the SEMK model, amounting to 102J mol(-1) K-1 for a hexadecane molecule at full saturation, allowed accurately reproducing the contribution of secondary isomerization and cracking reactions, as quantified by means of a contribution analysis. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.This work was funded by the European Research Institute of Catalysis and the European Community’s Sixth Framework Programme. This work was also supported by the Research Board of Ghent University (BOF), the Interuniversity Attraction Poles Programme–Belgian State–Belgian Science Policy and the Long Term Structural Methusalem Funding by the Flemish Government. Financial support by the Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología (CICYT) of Spain through the Project CTQ2010-17988/PPQ is also gratefully acknowledged.Vandegehuchte, BD.; Thybaut, JW.; Martinez Feliu, A.; Arribas Viana, MDLD.; Marin, GB. (2012). n-Hexadecane hydrocracking Single-Event MicroKinetics on Pt/H-beta. Applied Catalysis A General. 441:10-20. doi:10.1016/j.apcata.2012.06.054S102044

Specializing Interpreters using Offline Partial Deduction

We present the latest version of the Logen partial evaluation system for logic programs. In particular we present new binding-types, and show how they can be used to effectively specialise a wide variety of interpreters.We show how to achieve Jones-optimality in a systematic way for several interpreters. Finally, we present and specialise a non-trivial interpreter for a small functional programming language. Experimental results are also presented, highlighting that the Logen system can be a good basis for generating compilers for high-level languages

Diet-derived antioxidants do not decrease risk of ischemic stroke: a Mendelian randomization study in 1 million people

Background Dietary intake and blood concentrations of vitamins E and C, lycopene, and carotenoids have been associated with a lower risk of incident (ischemic) stroke. However, causality cannot be inferred from these associations. Here, we investigated causality by analyzing the associations between genetically influenced antioxidant levels in blood and ischemic stroke using Mendelian randomization. Methods and Results For each circulating antioxidant (vitamins E and C, lycopene, beta-carotene, and retinol), which were assessed as either absolute blood levels and/or high-throughput metabolite levels, independent genetic instrumental variables were selected from earlier genome-wide association studies (P<5x10(-8)). We used summary statistics for single-nucleotide polymorphisms-stroke associations from 3 European-ancestry cohorts (cases/controls): MEGASTROKE (60 341/454 450), UK Biobank (2404/368 771), and the FinnGen study (8046/164 286). Mendelian randomization analyses were performed on each exposure per outcome cohort using inverse variance-weighted analyses and subsequently meta-analyzed. In a combined sample of 1 058 298 individuals (70 791 cases), none of the genetically influenced absolute antioxidants or antioxidant metabolite concentrations were causally associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke. For absolute antioxidants levels, the odds ratios (ORs) ranged between 0.94 (95% CI, 0.85-1.05) for vitamin C and 1.04 (95% CI, 0.99-1.08) for lycopene. For metabolites, ORs ranged between 1.01 (95% CI, 0.98-1.03) for retinol and 1.12 (95% CI, 0.88-1.42) for vitamin E. Conclusions This study did not provide evidence for a causal association between dietary-derived antioxidant levels and ischemic stroke. Therefore, antioxidant supplements to increase circulating levels are unlikely to be of clinical benefit to prevent ischemic stroke.Diabetes mellitus: pathophysiological changes and therap

Minimizing Tree Automata for Unranked Trees

International audienceAutomata for unranked trees form a foundation for XML schemas, querying and pattern languages. We study the problem of efficiently minimizing such automata. We start with the unranked tree automata (UTAs) that are standard in database theory, assuming bottom-up determinism and that horizontal recursion is represented by deterministic finite automata. We show that minimal UTAs in that class are not unique and that minimization is NP-hard. We then study more recent automata classes that do allow for polynomial time minimization. Among those, we show that bottom-up deterministic stepwise tree automata yield the most succinct representations

Designing for interaction

At present, the design of computer-supported group-based learning (CS)GBL) is often based on subjective decisions regarding tasks, pedagogy and technology, or concepts such as ‘cooperative learning’ and ‘collaborative learning’. Critical review reveals these concepts as insufficiently substantial to serve as a basis for (CS)GBL design. Furthermore, the relationship between outcome and group interaction is rarely specified a priori. Thus, there is a need for a more systematic approach to designing (CS)GBL that focuses on the elicitation of expected interaction processes. A framework for such a process-oriented methodology is proposed. Critical elements that affect interaction are identified: learning objectives, task-type, level of pre-structuring, group size and computer support. The proposed process-oriented method aims to stimulate designers to adopt a more systematic approach to (CS)GBL design according to the interaction expected, while paying attention to critical elements that affect interaction. This approach may bridge the gap between observed quality of interaction and learning outcomes and foster (CS)GBL design that focuses on the heart of the matter: interaction

The Efficacy Of Rice As A Leaching

The concluding phase(s) of a rice rotation experiment presented the opportunity to assess the effect of consecutive crops of rice on the chemistry of the soil profile. An experiment which aimed to determine the potential to use high salinity groundwater for the irrigation of the non-rice phases of a wheat - sub.clover - rice rotation, and then use rice, irrigated with low salinity channel water (<0.1 dS/m), as a leaching crop was undertaken. The rotation included a single rice crop between each cycle of the application of saline groundwater. Although soil salinity of most horizons under saline treatments could be reduced by leaching in the rice phase (single crop), this was not true for sodicity. Average rootzone sodicity remained elevated above control values at the end of each cycle and increased following successive cycles. This project was implemented to further assess the effectiveness of rice as a leaching crop. As the blocks completed two cycles within the rice rotation the opportunity to grow successive crops of rice was undertaken. At the time of soil sampling (May, 2000) separate blocks had grown one, two, three or four consecutive rice crops. Soil samples were taken from each plot and processed for electrical conductivity and sodium (Na) content. Additional consecutive crops of rice resulted in more leaching of salt from the profile. After three crops sufficient salts had been leached to reduce ECe to below 0.6 dS/m to at least the depth sampled in this project (90 cm). Similar values were measured after a fourth crop. The levels of SARe measured after a second consecutive crop of rice were still higher than pre-treatment levels. Even after three and four crops of rice the SARe at profile depths below 60 cm, whilst reduced from the pre-treatment level, were still between 6 and 8

A Measurement of Time-Averaged Aerosol Optical Depth using Air-Showers Observed in Stereo by HiRes

Air fluorescence measurements of cosmic ray energy must be corrected for attenuation of the atmosphere. In this paper we show that the air-showers themselves can yield a measurement of the aerosol attenuation in terms of optical depth, time-averaged over extended periods. Although the technique lacks statistical power to make the critical hourly measurements that only specialized active instruments can achieve, we note the technique does not depend on absolute calibration of the detector hardware, and requires no additional equipment beyond the fluorescence detectors that observe the air showers. This paper describes the technique, and presents results based on analysis of 1258 air-showers observed in stereo by the High Resolution Fly's Eye over a four year span.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication by Astroparticle Physics Journa

Search for Global Dipole Enhancements in the HiRes-I Monocular Data above 10^{18.5} eV

Several proposed source models for Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECRs) consist of dipole distributions oriented towards major astrophysical landmarks such as the galactic center, M87, or Centaurus A. We use a comparison between real data and simulated data to show that the HiRes-I monocular data for energies above 10^{18.5} eV is, in fact, consistent with an isotropic source model. We then explore methods to quantify our sensitivity to dipole source models oriented towards the Galactic Center, M87, and Centaurus A.Comment: 17 pages, 31 figure