Magnetic Properties of Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles Synthesized by Coprecipitation Method

The influence of the precipitant and ferric concentration on the magnetic properties of coprecipitated zinc ferrite nanoparticles has been investigated. The nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscope, and vibrating sample magnetometer techniques. The results showed that the single-phase zinc ferrite with partially inverse spinel structures can be formed at high concentrations. The inversion coefficient calculated by the Rietveld method decreases with increasing of the concentrations, may be due to the crystal growth. The magnetic measurements exhibited that the coprecipitated zinc ferrite nanoparticles were superparamagnet and magnetization decreases with increasing of the concentrations through decreasing of inversion coefficient.     

A modified particle swarm optimization for disaster relief logistics under uncertain environment

Relief logistics is one of the most important elements of a relief operation. This paper investigates a relief chain design problem where not only demands but also supplies and the cost of procurement and transportation are considered as the uncertain parameters. Furthermore, the model considers uncertainty for the locations where those demands can arise and the possibility that a number of the facility could be partially destroyed by the disaster. The proposed model for this study is formulated as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming to minimize the sum of the expected total cost (which includes costs of location, procurement, transportation, holding, and shortage) and the variance of the total cost. The model simultaneously determines the location of relief distribution centers and the allocation of affected area to relief distribution centers. Furthermore, an efficient solution approach based on particle swarm optimization is developed in order to solve the proposed mathematical model. At last, computational results for several instances of the problem are presented to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm.     

Stochastic models for transfer point location problem

The transfer point location problem has been introduced recently and for the case of minimax objective and planar topology, has only been studied for situations in which demand points are not weighted and have known coordinates. In this paper, we consider the case in which demand points are weighted and their coordinates have bivariate uniform distribution. Also, the problem is developed from a conceptual view and different distance measures are used to make models more applicable in real world situations. The problem is to find the best location for the transfer point such that the maximum expected weighted distance to all demand points through the transfer point is minimized. Depending on assumptions for uniform distributions, two models are considered, convexity conditions are discussed, properties of the optimal solution are obtained and methods to solve the problems are proposed. Finally, numerical examples are given.     

Analysis of bioheat transfer equation for hyperthermia cancer treatment

Magnetic fluid hyperthermia is a new subclass of hyperthermia cancer treatment that can selectively heat up a tumor without damaging the surrounding healthy tissues. Some authors studied the temperature distribution of a magnetically mediated tumor assuming a homogeneous distribution of nanoparticles inside the tumor. Practically speaking, the injected nanoparticles do not usually distribute uniformly throughout the entire tumor, thus leaving some parts of the tumor without nanoparticles. In this study, an inhomogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles inside the tumor is assumed to investigate the tissues’ temperature profiles. The problem is solved for polar coordinate. Also in this study, the heating effect of magnetic fluid in a porcine liver tissue is experimentally examined. Numerical transient solutions are found to be in good agreement with experimental data.     

Electrosynthesis of hierarchical Cu2O–Cu(OH)2 nanodendrites supported on carbon nanofibers/poly(para-phenylenediamine) nanocomposite as high-efficiency catalysts for methanol electrooxidation

The development of highly efficient catalysts using inexpensive and earth-abundant metals is a crucial factor in a large-scale commercialization of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). In this study, we explored a new catalyst based on copper nanodendrites (CuNDs) supported on carbon nanofibers/poly (para-phenylenediamine) (CNF/PpPD) nanocomposite for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). The catalyst support was prepared on a carbon paste electrode by electropolymerization of para-phenylenediamine monomer on a drop-cast carbon nanofibers network. Afterwards, CuNDs were electrodeposited on the nanocomposite through a potentiostatic method. The morphology and the structure of the prepared nanomaterials were characterized by transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope. The results suggested that a three-dimensional nanodendritic structure consisting of Cu₂O and Cu(OH)₂ formed on the hybrid CNF/PpPD nanocomposite. The catalytic performance of CuNDs supported on CNF, PpPD and CNF/PpPD was evaluated for MOR under alkaline conditions. The CNF/PpPD/CuNDs exhibits a highest activity (50 mA cm^?2) and stability toward MOR over 6 h, with respect to CNF/CuNDs (40 mA cm^?2) and PpPD/CuNDs (36 mA cm^?2). This inexpensive catalyst with high catalytic activity and stability is a promising anode catalyst for alkaline DMFC applications.     

ERES: an extended regular expression signature for polymorphic worm detection

Journal of Computer Virology and Hacking Techniques - The quick spreading of modern sophisticated polymorphic worms poses a serious threat to the internet security. So far, several signature...     

Performance based earthquake evaluation of reinforced concrete buildings using design of experiments

Seismic resiliency of new buildings has improved over the years due to enhancements in seismic codes and design practices. However, existing buildings designed and built under earlier codes are vulnerable and require a performance-based screening and retrofit prioritization. The performance modifiers considered are soft story, weak story, and the quality of construction, which are collated through a walk down survey. The building evaluation is performed through a pushover analysis, and performance objective are obtained through initial stiffness of the pushover curve. Using a design of experiments technique, a reliable system input-output relation has been identified and used to evaluate the performance criteria at untried design points (i.e., buildings with different modifier values). The proposed method of performance based evaluation is illustrated through consideration of the different structural deficiencies on a typical six-storey reinforced concrete building in Vancouver. Through the designed experiments, the main and interaction effects of the performance modifiers have also been studied.     

Evaluation of the environmental impacts of rare earth elements production

This study aims to estimate the emissions and evaluate the environmental impacts from the production of rare earth elements (REEs). The life cycle assessment method was used to evaluate the environmental load from the production of each metal. To understand the environmental impacts of REEs production, they were compared with the impacts from the production of base metals and precious metals. The findings of this study should present a scientific baseline for the environmental profile for producing these REEs, which might help lessen their impacts and improve production processes and technologies.     

Structural changes and stress relaxation behavior of κ‐carrageenan cold‐processed gels: Effects of ultrasonication time and power

Ultrasound has been used for cold gelation of κ‐carrageenan hydrocolloid. In this work, the effect of ultrasound conditions such as power (50–150 W) and time (20–240 s) of sonication has been investigated. The application of ultrasound to hydrocolloid dispersion caused an increase in water solubility. The texture profile analysis test was used in order to evaluate the mechanical properties of gels. Textural parameters of κ‐carrageenan gels, enhanced with increasing sonication time and power up to a certain level (usually 2.5 min) and longer sonication times had negative effects. In addition, intrinsic viscosities of sonicated specimens were measured to investigate the molecular characteristics of all samples. An increase in the process time and power reduced the intrinsic viscosity. The microstructural observation by scanning electron microscope determined that applying power ultrasound on κ‐carrageenan dispersions influenced the formation of gel networks significantly.