Comparison of influences of NaCl and CaCl2 on the corrosion of 11% and 17% Cr ferritic stainless steels during cyclic corrosion test

During the drying stage of the cyclic corrosion test on ferritic stainless steels in the NaCl environment, the current abruptly increased and then decreased to nearly zero, indicating that pits are initiated as the salt concentration is increased, which are then repassivated when the surface is completely dry. During the wet stage, the current remained high, suggesting that pits mainly propagate during the wet stage. In contrast, in the cyclic corrosion test in the CaCl₂ environment, the current was highest during the drying stage, indicating that the electrolyte is not completely dried and corrosion mainly propagates during the drying stage.     

Selective hydrogenation of 4-isobutylacetophenone over a sodium-promoted Pd/C catalyst

The effect of sodium promotion on the selective hydrogenation of 4-isobutylacetophenone, 4-IBAP, was investigated over a Pd/C catalyst. A precipitation and deposition method was used to prepare the catalyst, and sodium was promoted on the Pd/C catalyst via post-impregnation while varying the sodium content. The sodium-promoted Pd/C catalyst resulted in a significantly improved yield greater than 96% of the desired product, 1-(4-isobutylphenyl) ethanol (4-IBPE), compared with the non-patented literature results under a mild hydrogenation condition. A detailed hydrogenation network over the Pd/C catalyst was suggested. The reaction mechanism for the yield and selectivity enhancement of 4-IBPE induced-by the promoted Pd/C was elucidated in relation to the geometric and electronic effects of reactant molecules in the microporous support depending on the reaction steps.     

Effects of the addition of hemp powder on the physicochemical properties and energy bar qualities of extruded rice

Extruded rice/hemp mixtures were prepared by mixing defatted and whole hemp powders with rice flour at varying hemp levels (0%, 20%, 30% and 40%). The influence of hemp powder type and level on physicochemical and antioxidant properties was studied. The bulk densities of the extruded rice/hemp samples increased with increase in levels of added hemp powder. The extrudates blended with hemp powder had a lower water absorption index than the control (extruded rice without hemp). The extruded rice/whole hemp had more total phenolics and flavonoids and had a better scavenging effect on DPPH radicals than extruded rice/defatted hemp. The highest potential to inhibit β-carotene oxidation was found in extruded rice/40% whole hemp. Increasing amounts of hemp powder resulted in lower equilibrium moisture content of energy bars. The energy bar made with extruded rice/20% whole hemp was preferred for colour, taste and overall acceptability.     

DNA/Tannic Acid Hybrid Gel Exhibiting Biodegradability,Extensibility, Tissue Adhesiveness,and Hemostatic Ability

DNA has emerged as a novel material in many areas of materials science due to its programmability. Especially, DNA hydrogels have been studied to incorporate new functions into gels. To date, only a few methods have been developed for fabricating DNA hydrogels, such as the use of complementary sequences or covalent bond. Herein, it is demonstrated that one of the most well‐known plant‐derived polyphenols, tannic acid (TA), can form a DNA hydrogel which is named TNA hydrogel ( T A + D NA ). TA plays a role as a “molecular glue” by a new mode of action reversibly connecting between phosphodiester bonds, which is different from the crosslinking utilizing complementary sequences. TA intrinsically degrades due to ester bonds connecting between pyrogallol groups, causing a degradable DNA hydrogel. Furthermore, TNA gel is multifunctional in that the gel is extensible upon pulling and adhesive to tissues because of the rich polyphenol groups in TA (ten phenols per TA). Unexpectedly, TNA gel exhibits superior in vivo hemostatic ability that can be useful for biomedical applications. This new DNA hydrogel preparation method represents a new technique for fabricating a large amount of DNA‐based hemostatic hydrogel without chemically modifying DNA or requiring the crosslinking by complementary sequences.     

Multi-laboratory evaluations of the performance of Catellicoccus marimammalium PCR assays developed to target gull fecal sources

Here we report results from a multi-laboratory (n = 11) evaluation of four different PCR methods targeting the 16S rRNA gene of Catellicoccus marimammalium originally developed to detect gull fecal contamination in coastal environments. The methods included a conventional end-point PCR method, a SYBR^® Green qPCR method, and two TaqMan^® qPCR methods. Different techniques for data normalization and analysis were tested. Data analysis methods had a pronounced impact on assay sensitivity and specificity calculations. Across-laboratory standardization of metrics including the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), target detected but not quantifiable (DNQ), and target not detected (ND) significantly improved results compared to results submitted by individual laboratories prior to definition standardization. The unit of measure used for data normalization also had a pronounced effect on measured assay performance. Data normalization to DNA mass improved quantitative method performance as compared to enterococcus normalization. The MST methods tested here were originally designed for gulls but were found in this study to also detect feces from other birds, particularly feces composited from pigeons. Sequencing efforts showed that some pigeon feces from California contained sequences similar to C. marimammalium found in gull feces. These data suggest that the prevalence, geographic scope, and ecology of C. marimammalium in host birds other than gulls require further investigation. This study represents an important first step in the multi-laboratory assessment of these methods and highlights the need to broaden and standardize additional evaluations, including environmentally relevant target concentrations in ambient waters from diverse geographic regions.     

Laccase‐catalyzed synthesis of polypyrrole‐multiwalled carbon nanotube composites as energy storage materials for capacitors

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were coated with polypyrrole (PPy) using in situ enzymatic polymerization of pyrrole catalyzed by a laccase (benzenediol:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.10.3.2) from Trametes versicolor. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the MWNTs were uniformly coated with very thin layers of PPy without any indication of globular polymer aggregate formations. The enzymatic synthesis of the MWNTs/PPy composites was quite simple being performed in a one‐pot aqueous solution (pH 4.0) under mild reaction conditions. The potential of the composites with respect to the development of energy storage devices was demonstrated by fabricating a two‐electrode coin cell capacitor (diameter 20 mm, thickness 1.6 mm) utilizing the composites as electrode materials. The capacitance of the cell was 28.0 F g^?1 for the electrode material as measured by a galvanostatic charge–discharge method. The energy density and power density were 2.55 and 805 W kg^?1, respectively, which were close to those of the capacitors classified as ultracapacitors. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43307.     

Fabrication of protective-coated SiC reinforced tungsten matrix composites with reduced reaction phases by spark plasma sintering

SiC reinforced tungsten matrix composites were fabricated via the spark plasma sintering process. In order to prevent an interfacial reaction between the SiC and tungsten during sintering, TiOx coated SiC particles were synthesized by a solution-based process. TiOx layer coated SiC particles were treated in high temperature nitriding conditions or annealed in a high temperature vacuum to form TiN or TiC coated SiC particles, respectively. The TiC layers coated on SiC particles successfully prevented tungsten from reacting with SiC; hence the proposed process resulted in successful fabrication of the SiC/W composites. The mechanical properties such as compressive strength and flexural strength of the composites were measured. Additionally, the effect of SiC on the high temperature oxidative ablation of tungsten was also investigated. The addition of SiC resulted in an improved oxidative ablation resistance of the tungsten-based composites.     

Analysis of performance for centrifugal steam compressor

In this study, mean streamline and Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses were performed to investigate the performance of a small centrifugal steam compressor using a latent heat recovery technology. The results from both analysis methods showed good agreement. The compression ratio and efficiency of steam were found to be related with those of air by comparing the compression performances of both gases. Thus, the compression performance of steam could be predicted by the compression performance of air using the developed dimensionless parameters.     

Effects of work hardening models on low-cycle fatigue evaluations of coiled tubing with CT-100 steel

In the present study, low-cycle fatigue life of a coiled tubing (CT) with a CT-100 steel was evaluated by using various work hardening models. Tensile and low-cycle fatigue tests were performed, and experimental results were used to calibrate material model constants. A nonlinear finite element model was constructed in the ABAQUS program by using a CT fatigue test machine. During the test cycles, bending and straightening conditions were repeated and histories of strains were collected. The multiaxial low-cycle fatigue life was calculated by using Manson–Coffin relation and Tresca criterion. The kinematic and combined hardening models can be used to evaluate the fatigue life of CT, and their results are conservative compared with the fatigue test results. Results of the present study can be used as the basic data in establishing CT fatigue analysis.