Stability Analysis of Stakeholders’ Cooperation in Inter-Basin Water Transfer Projects: a Case Study

Water Resources Management - This study investigates the conflict resolution among different stakeholders in a water transfer project. The portion of the Beheshtabad Water Transfer Project in Iran...     

Field-effect transistors assembled from functionalized carbon nanotubes

We have fabricated field-effect transistors from carbon nanotubes using a novel selective placement scheme. We use carbon nanotubes that are covalently bound to molecules containing a hydroxamic acid functionality. The functionalized nanotubes bind strongly to basic metal oxide surfaces, but not to silicon dioxide. Upon annealing, the functionalization is removed, restoring the electronic properties of the nanotubes. The devices thus fabricated show excellent electrical characteristics.     

A low-power-consuming SOM for wireless communications

This paper presents theoretical and experimental results of a low-power-consuming hybrid push-pull self-oscillating mixer (SOM) circuit at the UHF frequency band. The frequency-stable SOM circuit is designed and fabricated using matched-pair Si bipolar junction transistors and high-Q resonators, where measured phase noise of this free-running voltage-controlled oscillator is -101.2 dBc/Hz at 100-kHz offset. A 20-dB up-conversion gain, a compression dynamic range (CDR) of 65 dB·MHz, and a spurious-free dynamic range of 50 dB·MHz ^2/3 are also measured for the mixer portion of this SOM. Moreover, a down-conversion gain of ≈-2 dB with a CDR of 100 dB·MHz is also measured     

Long‐term study of CO2 absorption by PVDF/ZSM‐5 hollow fiber mixed matrix membrane in gas–liquid contacting process

In order to fabricate hollow fiber mixed matrix membrane (HFMMM) for long‐term CO₂ absorption process, ZSM‐5 (Zeolite Socony Mobil–5) zeolite was modified using hexadecyltrichlorosilane for increasing hydrophobicity and then added to the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) spinning dope. The in‐house made HFMMMs were characterized in terms of gas permeance, overall porosity, average pore size, effective surface porosity, surface roughness, mechanical stability, and wetting resistance. The morphology of the HFMMMs was studied using SEM. The cross‐sectional SEM images indicated that the membrane structure has changed from sponge‐like to finger‐like by ZSM‐5 loading. The surface roughness increased by increasing ZSM‐5 concentration in the spinning dope. The HFMMM spun from the spinning dope with 0.5 wt % of ZSM‐5 zeolite showed that the CO₂ absorption flux decreased 18.9% in the initial 115 h of the operation and then the absorption flux remained constant until the end of the operation. For plain PVDF HFM the absorption flux decreased 36% from the initial value in the first 15 h of the experiment. Thus it could be concluded that the long term stability of HFM was improved by the incorporation of ZSM‐5. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44606.     

An efficient and controllable ultrasonic-assisted microwave route for flower-like Ta(V)–MOF nanostructures: preparation,fractional factorial design,DFT calculations,and high-performance N<Subscript>2</Subscript> adsorption

With respect to different applications of metal–organic framework (MOF) in the medical, industrial and environmental fields, it is very important to choose a new structure that can be synthesized by fast, eco-friendly and affordable methods with distinctive properties so that the properties could be systematically controlled. In this study, new Ta–MOF nanostructures are synthesized by novel methods of microwave (Mw) and ultrasonic assisted microwave (UAMw) in environmental conditions. The final products are characterized by relevant techniques. Although in the both methods, the synthesized products have favourable properties; the use of the UAMw method would produce samples with distinct features such as high thermal stability of 240 °C, average particle size distribution (PSD) of 23 nm and significant specific surface area (SSA) of 2012 m²/g. For a better comprehension of the Ta–MOF formation, computational studies are performed using DFT calculations. In order to investigate the effect of the synthesis parameters on different features of the products, the fractional factorial design is used. The results of analysis of variance confirm that the parameters such as Mw power, Mw duration, ultrasonic temperature, ultrasonic power and ultrasonic duration have a significant effect on PSD and SSA of Ta–MOF samples. Due to the fractional factorial design of the experiments, response surface methodology would optimize the probability of producing samples with the small PSD of 15 nm and high SSA of 2588 m²/g; this desirable amount would provide situations to use these compounds in diverse fields.     

In vivo study of anti‐epidermal growth factor receptor antibody‐based iron oxide nanoparticles (anti‐EGFR‐SPIONs) as a novel MR imaging contrast agent for lung cancer (LLC1) cells detection

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) conjugated with anti‐epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody (anti‐EGFR‐SPIONs) were characterised, and its cytotoxicity effects, ex vivo and in vivo studies on Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC1) cells in C57BL/6 mice were investigated. The broadband at 679.96 cm⁻¹ relates to Fe–O, which verified the formation of the anti‐EGFR‐Mab with SPIONs was obtained by the FTIR. The TEM images showed spherical shape 20 and 80 nm‐sized for nanoparticles and the anti‐EGFR‐SPIONs, respectively. Results of cell viability at 24 h after incubation with different concentrations of nanoprobe showed it has only a 20% reduction in cell viabilities. The synthesised nanoprobe administered by systemic injection into C57BL/6 mice showed good Fe tumour uptake and satisfied image signal intensity under ex vivo and in vivo conditions. A higher concentration of nanoprobe was achieved compared to non‐specific and control, indicating selective delivery of nanoprobe to the tumour. It is concluded that the anti‐EGFR‐SPIONs was found to be as an MR imaging contrast nanoagent for lung cancer (LLC1) cells detection.Inspec keywords: toxicology, biomedical MRI, lung, magnetic particles, biomedical materials, nanofabrication, nanomagnetics, transmission electron microscopy, nanomedicine, superparamagnetism, nanoparticles, iron compounds, proteins, cellular biophysics, molecular biophysics, cancer, tumours, Fourier transform infrared spectraOther keywords: MR imaging contrast agent, LLC1, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, Lewis lung carcinoma cells, ex vivo conditions, cell viability, antiepidermal growth factor receptor antibody‐based iron oxide nanoparticles, antiEGFR‐SPION, lung cancer cell detection, antiepidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody, cytotoxicity effects, C57BL‐6 mice, antiEGFR‐Mab, FTIR spectra, TEM, spherical shape, incubation, nanoprobe concentrations, systemic injection, Fe tumour uptake, image signal intensity, in vivo conditions, time 24.0 hour, Fe₃ O₄      

Voltammetric determination of norepinephrine in the presence of acetaminophen using a novel ionic liquid/multiwall carbon nanotubes paste electrode

A novel multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) was fabricated and used to investigate the electrochemical behavior of norepinephrine (NP). MWCNTs/CILE was prepared by mixing hydrophilic ionic liquid, 1-methyl-3-butylimidazolium bromide (MBIDZBr), with graphite powder, MWCNTs, and liquid paraffin. The fabricated MWCNTs/CILE showed great electrocatalytic ability to the oxidation of NE. The electron transfer coefficient, diffusion coefficient, and charge transfer resistant (R_ct) of NE at the modified electrode were calculated. Differential pulse voltammetry of NE at the modified electrode exhibited two linear dynamic ranges with slopes of 0.0841 and 0.0231 μA/μM in the concentration ranges of 0.3 to 30.0 μM and 30.0 to 450.0 μM, respectively. The detection limit (3σ) of 0.09 μM NP was achieved. This modified electrode exhibited a good ability for well separated oxidation peaks of NE and acetaminophen (AC) in a buffer solution, pH 7.0. The proposed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of NE in human urine, pharmaceutical, and serum samples.     

Synthesis and characterisation of iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody as MRI contrast agent for cancer detection

The aim of this study is to synthesise superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated with anti‐epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody (ANTI‐EGFR‐SPION) and investigate its physicochemical characterisation and biocompatibility as a targeted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent for the EGFR‐specific detection in EGFR expressing tumour cells. These particles employed biocompatible polymers, poly(D,L‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) and polyethylene glycol aldehyde (PEG‐aldehyde), to increase the half‐life of particles in circulation and reduce their side effects. The Fe₃ O₄ ‐loaded PLGA‐PEG‐aldehyde nanoparticles were prepared by a modified water‐in‐oil‐in‐water double emulsion method. The EGFR antibody was conjugated to the surface of SPIONs using the aldehyde‐amine reaction. Synthesised conjugates (nanoprobes) were characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy images, and vibrating‐sample magnetometery, and the results showed that the conjugation was successful. The mean diameter of nanoprobes was about 25 nm. These nanoprobes exhibited excellent water‐solubility, stability, and biocompatibility. Meanwhile, MR susceptibility test proved that synthesised nanoprobes can be managed for negative contrast enhancement. The results of this study suggested the potential use of these nanoprobes for non‐invasive molecular MRI in EGFR detection in the future.Inspec keywords: solubility, nanomedicine, cancer, spectrophotometry, emulsions, biomedical MRI, nanomagnetics, nanofabrication, tumours, nanoparticles, magnetic particles, molecular biophysics, light scattering, proteins, cellular biophysics, Fourier transform spectra, superparamagnetism, polymers, transmission electron microscopy, iron compoundsOther keywords: physicochemical characterisation, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, novel targeting cancer detection, anti‐epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody, ANTI‐EGFR‐SPION, biocompatibility, targeted magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, EGFR‐specific detection, EGFR expressing tumour cells, biocompatible polymers, PLGA‐PEG‐aldehyde nanoparticles, modified water‐in‐oil‐in‐water double emulsion method, EGFR antibody, aldehyde‐amine reaction, synthesised conjugates were characterised using Fourier, transmission electron microscopy images, synthesised nanoprobes, EGFR detection, size 25.0 nm, Fe₃ O₄      

Application of the method of integral relations to boundary layer flows over blunt bodies

Calculations of boundary layer flows past blunt bodies at angles of incidence are presented. Using the method of integral relations together with the method of lines, the full three-dimensional boundary layer equations are reduced to a system of first order ordinary differential equations. The streamwise shear stress function θ and the cross-flow velocity component V are represented as suitable functions of the streamwise velocity component U. The role of the zone of dependence is automatically satisfied by the choice of differencing in the method of lines. Solutions correct to the second order are obtained in the positive shear region for flow over an ellipsoid at 30° incidence. The results are compared with corresponding finite difference solutions.