Design,Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Porphyrin-Zirconium-Ferrite@SiO2 Core-Shell and Catalytic Application in Cyclohexane Oxidation

Silicon - In this study, a new magnetic ZrFe2O4@SiO2-TCPP nanocatalyst with high efficiency was used for the oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone (Ke) and cyclohexanol (Al). The mesoporous...     

Seismic design of special moment‐resisting steel frame with prevention of soft‐storey mechanism failure

Most structures with masonry infills that are continuous along their height, which are interrupted in the lowest storey, are damaged by earthquakes. These structures are anticipated to collapse due to the undesirable soft‐storey mechanism formed by lateral stiffness of masonry infills in other storeys. The seismic design criteria of UBC97 code for special moment‐resisting steel frame (SMRSF) are reviewed. In this paper, a new criterion for seismic design of such structures is presented. The proposed criteria are used to design three SMRSFs: 5, 8 and 15 storeys. Nonlinear time‐history dynamic analyses are applied for the designed SMRSFs based on the proposed criteria. Displacements and storey drifts, which are obtained by the proposed method, are compared with nonlinear time‐history dynamic analysis results, finally. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Superparamagnetic NiBaO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Nano-Oxide Using Novel Precursor Complex [Ba(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>8</Subscript>][Ni(dipic)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

In this paper, for the first time, synthesis of [Ba(H₂O)₈][Ni(dipic)₂] complex and preparation of NiBaO₂ nano-oxide are reported through thermal decomposition under surfactant free condition. This novel complex was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultra violet–visible spectroscopy, conductivity measurement and elemental analysis. Formation of novel nanoparticles was supported by FT-IR and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and the orthorhombic structure of nanocrystals was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction analysis. In addition, size distribution as well as uniform morphology of prepared nano-oxide were recorded by dynamic light scattering analysis and field-emission scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Magnetic features measured by vibrating sample magnetometer, illustrate superparamagnetic behavior of the oxide.     

Broadband absorption enhancement in hole-transport- layer-free perovskite solar cell by grating structure

Recently, the hole transport layer-free planar perovskite solar cells(HTL-free PSCs) have attracted intense attention. However, the poor absorption of light in the wavelengths longer than 800 nm is an important challenge in all configurations of PSCs. In this study, the HTL-free PSC with a gold rectangular grating at back contact is proposed. In order to improve the performance of the solar cell, effects of grating dimensions and periodicity on the absorption of the active layer are numerically ...     

A biotechnological perspective on the application of iron oxide nanoparticles

In recent decades,magnetic iron nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted much attention due to properties such as superparamagnetism,high surface area,large surface-to-volume ratio,and easy separation under external magnetic fields.Therefore,magnetic iron oxides have potential for use in numerous applications,including magnetic resonance imaging contrast enhancement,tissue repair,immunoassay,detoxification of biological fluids,drug delivery,hyperthermia,and cell separation.This review provides an updated and integrated focus on the fabrication and characterization of suitable magnetic iron NPs for biotechnological applications.The possible perspective and some challenges in the further development of these NPs are also discussed.     

GSAGA: A hybrid algorithm for task scheduling in cloud infrastructure

Cloud computing is becoming a very popular form of distributed computing, in which digital resources are shared via the Internet. The user is provided with an overview of many available resources. Cloud providers want to get the most out of their resources, and users are inclined to pay less for better performance. Task scheduling is one of the most important aspects of cloud computing. In order to achieve high performance from cloud computing systems, tasks need to be scheduled for processing by appropriate computing resources. The large search space of this issue makes it an NP-hard problem, and more random search methods are required to solve this problem. Multiple solutions have been proposed with several algorithms to solve this problem until now. This paper presents a hybrid algorithm called GSAGA to solve the Task Scheduling Problem (TSP) in cloud computing. Although it has a high ability to search the problem space, the Genetic Algorithm (GA) performs poorly in terms of stability and local search. It is therefore possible to create a stable algorithm by combining the general search capacities of the GA with the Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA). Our experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm can solve the problem with higher efficiency compared with the state-of-the-art.

     

Analysis of the fractal dimension of grain boundaries of AA7050 aluminum alloys and its relationship to fracture toughness

Quantitative analysis of the grain boundaries in partially recrystallized microstructures of heat-treated 7050 aluminum alloys has been performed. Fractal dimensions of the extracted grain boundaries were calculated by box-counting method. Five different types of tear-tested materials rolled in different processes each at two orientations of 0° and 90° were studied. Efforts were made to connect the fractal dimensions of grain boundaries in the crack propagation direction to the fracture toughness (unit propagation energy, UPE, in tear test). The results show that there is a linear correlation between UPE and the fractal dimensions of the grain boundaries along the crack propagation direction for both 0° and 90° samples. The dependence corresponds well with the observation of transition from intergranular fracture to transgranular fracture with the increase of UPE. Quantitative analysis has also been performed on the micrographs to estimate the degree of recrystallization and the grain size in crack growth direction. No correlation between the fraction of recrystallized grains and the UPE could be detected.     

Incorporating Economy and Long-term Inflow Forecasting Uncertainty into Decision-making for Agricultural Water Allocation during Droughts

Optimizing water allocations for the agricultural sector, the main water consumer, at the beginning of a period of drought is essential. However, long-term inflow forecasting, with its high uncertainty, is a necessary component of the allocation process. This paper presents a methodology that combines this uncertainty with economic factors to determine water allocation. The following models were developed and linked: optimization of agricultural water allocation under water scarcity, long-term flow forecast and quantification of forecast uncertainties. The approach coordinates economic values of water with system operational requirements. The Zayandeh Rud dam and irrigation system was selected to explore the methodology of this research.     

Preparation,electrochemical behavior and electrocatalytic activity of chlorogenic acid multi-wall carbon nanotubes as a hydroxylamine sensor

Electrochemical characteristics of an electrodeposited chlorogenic acid film on multi-wall carbon nanotubes glassy carbon electrode (CGA–MWCNT–GCE) and its role as a sensor for electrocatalytic oxidation of hydroxylamine are described. Cyclic voltammograms of the CGA–MWCNT–GCE indicate a pair of well-defined and nearly reversible redox couple with the surface confined characteristics at a wide pH range of 2.0–12.0. The charge transfer coefficient, α, and the charge transfer rate constant, k_s, of CGA adsorbed on MWCNT were calculated 0.48 and 44 ± 2 s^?1 respectively. The CGA–MWCNT–GCE shows a dramatic increase in the peak current and/or a decrease in the overvoltage of hydroxylamine electrooxidation in comparison with that seen at a CGA modified GCE, MWCNT modified GCE and activated GCE. The kinetic parameters of electron transfer coefficient, α, the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant, k′, and exchange current, i₀, for oxidation of hydroxylamine at the modified electrode surface were determined using cyclic voltammetry. Four linear calibration ranges and high repeatability with relative standard deviation of 4.6%, for a series of four successive measurements in 17.7 μM hydroxylamine, are obtained at the CGA–MWCNT–GCE using an amperometric method. Finally, the modified electrode was successfully used for determination of spiked hydroxylamine in two water samples.