Liquid-state interfacial reactions in Sn–Zn/Pd couples and phase equilibria of the Sn–Zn–Pd system at 260 °C

This study investigated the effects of Zn contents on the reaction products and microstructural evolution in the liquid/solid Sn–Zn/Pd interfacial reactions at 260 °C. A uniform Pd₂Zn₉ layer was formed at the Sn–9 wt.%Zn/Pd interface. The reaction phase transited from Pd₂Zn₉ to PdSn₄ when the Zn content decreased from 2 wt.% to 1 wt.%. The most striking feature is that the PdSn₄ growth was greatly suppressed with only 0.5 wt.% Zn addition in solders. Additionally, a drastic microstructural evolution was observed in the Sn–1.5 wt.%Zn/Pd reaction. The Pd₂Zn₉ layer was initially formed and then it was detached from the interface due to the decrease in the Zn content. Subsequently, the dominant phase changed to the PdSn₄ phase. Furthermore, a partial isothermal section in the Sn–Zn–Pd ternary system (less than 20 at.%Pd) at 260 °C was experimentally determined. The liquid apex of the liquid + PdSn₄ + Pd₂Zn₉ tie-triangle was located at Sn–2.7 at.%Zn–1.0 at.%Pd. The phase transition from Pd₂Zn₉ to PdSn₄ in the interfacial reactions was in good agreement with the phase equilibria relationship.     

In Silico Analysis and Experimental Validation of Active Compounds from Cichorium intybus L. Ameliorating Liver Injury

This study aimed at investigating the possible mechanisms of hepatic protective activity of Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) in acute liver injury. Pathological observation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection and measurements of biochemical indexes on mouse models proved hepatic protective effect of Cichorium intybus L. Identification of active compounds in Cichorium intybus L. was executed through several methods including ultra performance liquid chromatography/time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF-MS). Similarity ensemble approach (SEA) docking, molecular modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were applied in this study to explore possible mechanisms of the hepato-protective potential of Cichorium intybus L. We then analyzed the chemical composition of Cichorium intybus L., and found their key targets. Furthermore, in vitro cytological examination and western blot were used for validating the efficacy of the selected compounds. In silico analysis and western blot together demonstrated that selected compound 10 in Cichorium intybus L. targeted Akt-1 in hepatocytes. Besides, compound 13 targeted both caspase-1 and Akt-1. These small compounds may ameliorate liver injury by acting on their targets, which are related to apoptosis or autophagy. The conclusions above may shed light on the complex molecular mechanisms of Cichorium intybus L. acting on hepatocytes and ameliorating liver injury.     

Supply chain planning and scheduling integration using Lagrangian decomposition in a knowledge management environment

The integration of planning and scheduling decisions in rigorous mathematical models usually results in large scale problems. In order to tackle the problem complexity, decomposition techniques based on duality and information flows between a master and a set of subproblems are widely applied. In this sense, ontologies improve information sharing and communication in enterprises and can even represent holistic mathematical models facilitating the use of analytic tools and providing higher flexibility for model building. In this work, we exploit this ontologies’ capability to address the optimal integration of planning and scheduling using a Lagrangian decomposition approach. Scheduling/planning sub-problems are created for each facility/supply chain entity and their dual solution information is shared by means of the ontological framework. Two case studies based on a STN representation of supply chain planning and scheduling models are presented to emphasize the advantages and limitations of the proposed approach.     

Fracture surface evolution and apparent delamination toughness in split composite beam specimens subjected to mixed mode I–III loading

The influence of specimen twisting during global anti-plane shear loading in composite split beam specimens is studied. Tests were conducted on specimens with different thicknesses and delamination lengths to produce different amounts of specimen twisting prior to fracture. It is shown that specimen twisting causes mode I stresses to develop, thereby producing mixed mode I–III conditions along the delamination front. This causes near-tip transverse cracks to initiate, prior to delamination advance, at an orientation related to the mode mix. Unlike in homogeneous materials, transverse crack extension is accompanied by planar delamination advance, and transverse crack rotation during extension is restricted by the laminate’s fibers. The overall fracture surface evolution is therefore strongly controlled by specimen geometry. The influence of these findings on the apparent delamination toughness as obtained from composite split beam and other types of mode III tests is discussed.     

Green synthesis of polyaniline/clay/iron ternary nanocomposite by the one step solid state intercalation method

The incorporation of two or more active components into clay layered structure with uniform distribution is expected to facilitate wider applications of the material. In this study, nanocomposite composed of clay, polyaniline and iron nanoparticles was synthesized by a facile and environmentally friendly strategy for the first time. Local smectite clay from Tunisia was exchanged with Fe³⁺ then it was subjected to fine grinding with anilinium chloride using mortar grinder and the mixture has been allowed for ageing at ambient air until the change of color to dark green. Both interlayer Fe³⁺ cations and atmospheric oxygen act as oxidant for aniline polymerization. In addition, the presence of interlayer Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ cations (the result of the reduction of Fe³⁺) at the same time favors the formation of iron nanoparticles phase. Electrical and dielectric properties have studied using spectroscopy impedance. The ac conduction shows a regime of constant dc conductivity at low frequencies and a crossover to a frequency-dependent regime of the type Aω^S at high frequencies. The material shows high dielectric constant, resulting from the presence of iron nanoparticles, indicating its improved ability to store electric energy and to be used as capacitor.     

Performance validation of a hybrid ventilation strategy comprising longitudinal and point ventilation by a fire experiment using a model-scale tunnel

We examined the exhaust performance of a hybrid ventilation strategy for maintaining a safe evacuation environment for tunnel users in a tunnel fire. The hybrid ventilation strategy combines the longitudinal ventilation strategy with the point ventilation strategy which is a type of transverse ventilation strategy. The model tunnel developed by this study was scaled to 1/5 the size of a full-scale tunnel. The model-scale experiment was performed taking into consideration Froude's law of similarity. Measurement items were the distribution of temperature and concentration of smoke inside the tunnel, longitudinal wind velocity, mass flow of smoke in the point ventilation duct, and the heat release rate of the fire source. The following main conclusions were obtained. The smoke height was constant even when varying the extraction rate of smoke from the ceiling vent. The backlayering length and critical velocity of the smoke flow in the hybrid strategy could be predicted by the methodology developed by using the longitudinal strategy. The hybrid strategy maintained a safe evacuation environment on both sides of the tunnel fire.     

砷铁渣中砷酸铁的热力学分析及热分解试验

利用铁盐法处理某铅冶炼工业含砷废水,得到砷质量分数为10%的砷铁渣,物相分析表明砷与铁在渣中以砷酸铁的形态存在。据热力学分析,砷酸铁化合物在1600℃以下不会热分解,表明其热力学性质稳定;而在有添加剂碳的情况下,砷酸铁的热分解温度大大降低。试验结果表明:在1200℃条件下,静态焙烧5h,砷酸铁砷的挥发率在90%以上,铁富集10%以上。     

A novel synthesis method for manganese ferrite nanopowders: The effect of manganese salt as inorganic additive in electrosynthesis cell

Manganese ferrite nanoparticles were electro-crystallized in an electrochemical cell containing two iron electrodes, and an electrolyte solution of sodium sulfate, sodium butanoate, and manganese sulfate hydrate. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, magnetometry, and Mössbauer spectroscopy methods. The crystal structure of the samples was studied using X-ray diffraction. Based on obtained results we found that the manganese ferrite nanoparticles are formed in the electrochemical cell containing 0.001 M manganese sulfate hydrate. Also, the formation of a paramagnetic secondary phase in the sample without manganese is suppressed by adding manganese salt in the electrochemical cell. The nanoparticle size, shape, and morphology were characterized using electron microscopy. Magnetization curves show that all samples are magnetically soft and their specific magnetization ranges from 15 A m² kg⁻¹ to 75 A m² kg⁻¹, depending on the growth conditions. Room temperature Mössbauer spectra confirm the formation of nonstoichiometric spinel ferrite of magnetite or manganese ferrite, again depending on the growth conditions. Based on Mössbauer analysis, reduction in the population of octahedral sites provides direct evidence for the presence of the manganese ions substitution in the octahedral sites.