Preparation of silica-decorated graphene oxide nanohybrid system as a highly efficient reinforcement for woven jute fabric reinforced epoxy composites

In the current work, silica-decorated graphene oxide (SiO₂@GONPs) nanohybrids were used to reinforce the jute fiber/epoxy (JF/EP) composite. Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) was utilized to prepare the SiO₂@GONPs using a facial route. The results of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy, and elemental X-ray mapping confirmed the successful synthesis of SiO₂@GONPs nanohybrids. Herein, the effects of SiO₂@GONPs loading (0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 wt%) on the mechanical behavior of the JF/EP composite were investigated with emphasis on the flexural and high-velocity impact properties. The results revealed that reinforcement of matrix with 0.3 wt% SiO₂@GONPs enhanced the flexural strength of the JF/EP composite by about 40%. The energy absorption capability and impact limit velocity of the 0.3 wt% SiO₂@GONPs-filled JF/EP composite were 61 and 28%, respectively, higher than those of the neat specimen. Compared to the untreated-GONPs, the SiO₂@GONPs nanohybrid demonstrated an evident superiority in improving the mechanical properties of the JF/EP composite at the same loading. Evaluation of the fracture surfaces of the multiscale composites revealed that the improved fiber-matrix interfacial bonding was the basic mechanism of fracture in these specimens.     

Rare earth elements leaching from Chadormalu apatite concentrate: Laboratory studies and regression predictions

The extraction of rare earth elements from apatite concentrate of Chadormalu plant of Iran was studied with the dissolution of ore in nitric acid. The parameters of acidity: 60%, solid to liquid ratio: 30%, leaching time: 30 minute, agitation rate: 200 rpm, temperature: 60 °C and particle size (d₈₀): 50 microns were determined as the optimum operational conditions. The recoveries of lanthanum, cerium, neodymium and yttrium were achieved at 74, 59, 72 and 73%, respectively, in the optimized conditions. Multivariable regression was used to predict La, Ce, Nd, Y and total REEs (Y+Nd+Ce+La) leaching recoveries, using experimental data from laboratory studies. It was achieved quite satisfactory correlations of 0.93, 0.98, 0.99, 0.97 and 0.99 for the prediction of Y, Nd, Ce, La and total REEs recoveries, respectively. It was shown that the proposed equations accurately reproduce the effects of operational variables on the different REEs recoveries, and can be used to optimize the REEs leaching plant.     

Preparation mullite/Si3N4 composites by reaction spark plasma sintering and their characterization

In the present study, in-situ mullite/Si₃N₄ composites were prepared successfully by reaction spark plasma sintering. For this purpose, 5, 10 and 15?wt% of Si₃N₄ were added to stoichiometric mullite made of mechanically milled mixture of alumina and kaolin clay to investigate the effect of reinforcement content on the final properties of the prepared composites. The sintering processes were performed at 1400?°C under the initial and final applied pressures of 10 and 30?MPa and the vacuum condition of 17?Pa. The XRD patterns revealed the mullite and Si₃N₄ peaks as the dominant crystalline phases. Microstructural investigations demonstrated a uniform distribution of Si₃N₄ inside mullite matrix for the composites containing 5 and 10?wt% of the reinforcement particles. Meanwhile, some agglomerates of Si₃N₄ were observed in the microstructure of the mullite-15?wt%Si₃N₄ composite. Moreover, no evidence of reaction between the starting materials was detected through XRD and FESEM analyses. The highest values of hardness, bending strength, and fracture toughness obtained for the composite containing 15?wt% of Si₃N₄ were 19.14?GPa, 481?MPa and 3.85?MPa?m^?1/2, respectively. The fracture toughness mechanisms were detected as crack branching, breaking and deflection, as well as particles pulling-out, all of which were observed in the mullite-15?wt%Si₃N₄ composite.     

Using a genetic algorithm for parameter identification of transformer R-L-C-M model

The R-L-C-M model of power transformer is obtained from geometrical structure and is extremely appropriate for studying transient phenomena in a transformer and detecting mechanical faults. The precision of this model depends strongly on the precision of its parameters. The accuracy of these parameters that are calculated by analytical formulas is limited due to different reasons. In this paper a genetic algorithm (GA) is introduced as a method to identify the parameters of R-L-C-M Model without employing any analytical formulas.     

Changes in sialylation of low‐density lipoprotein in coronary artery disease

Reduction of LDL sialylation may correlate with coronary artery disease (CAD), but the details of this modification and its effect on CAD are not well studied. This study was aimed to show desialylation of LDL and to reveal more details of this modification. Blood samples were collected from 16 patients with CAD and 25 healthy individuals. Serum sialic acid was determined. LDL was extracted from all samples, and the interaction of the extracted materials with lectins (MAA, SNA, and DSA) was studied using the lectin blotting method. Serum total sialic acid (TSA) concentrations in CAD patients and healthy individuals were 71.9 ± 2.66 and 60.76 ± 2.34 mg/dL, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p <0.001). The intensity of interaction of extracted LDL with SNA and MAA lectins was lower in CAD patients compared to that in normal subjects (p <0.001). The intensity of interaction of LDL with DSA was higher in CAD (p <0.001). There was a reverse correlation between TSA and intensity of LDL interaction with SNA and MAA in both groups, but in the case of DSA this correlation was direct and positive. These findings indicated an increase in desialylation of LDL in CAD. It was concluded that LDL was subjected to glycosylation changes in CAD and that there was a positive correlation between TSA and the desialylated form of LDL. This modification may contribute to the pathogenesis of CAD.     

A New Approach to Analysis and Design of Chaos-Based Random Number Generators Using Algorithmic Converter

This paper presents a new approach to analysis and design of ADC-based random number generators. To this end, different full-bit and half-bit redundant stages of algorithmic converter are used to design chaotic maps. It is shown that, in the redundant and nonredundant structures, output probability density function of the converter stages and their related chaotic functions always converge to uniformity. It is demonstrated that residues become independent and uniformly distributed. This fact leads to the randomness and uniformity of distribution of the random number generator output bits. Moreover, it is shown that some common chaotic maps that are employed in chaotic random number generators can be implemented using nonredundant and half-bit redundant stages of algorithmic converter. In this way, the capability of ADC-based generators in designing chaotic maps and producing random number sequences is illustrated. The validity of the proposed chaos-based random number generator is confirmed using NIST statistical tests even in the presence of nonidealities in algorithmic converter. Since the ADCs are mixed-signal integrated circuits and can be used in high-speed applications, the ADC-based random number generator has high throughput and is easily embeddable in all analog and digital circuits.     

Removal of Toxic Metal Ions from Sungun Acid Rock Drainage Using Mordenite Zeolite,Graphene Nanosheets,and a Novel Metal–Organic Framework

We evaluated the sorptive properties of mordenite zeolite (MOR), a copper terephthalate metal–organic framework (MOF), and graphene oxide (GO) and their potential use in treating acid rock drainage (ARD) containing Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions. MOR was prepared via a hydrothermal method, MOF was prepared via a solvothermal method, and few-layered GO nanosheets were synthesized using Hummers’ method. The aqueous contaminants were removed by chemico-physical sorption and ion exchange in batch tests. It proved possible to dramatically improve removal efficiency and sorptive capacity by optimizing experimental conditions. Magnetic MOF crystals were more efficient in removing metals than the MOR and GO. Sorption tests using ARD from the Sungun copper mine and a multi-component solution containing cationic metal species revealed that both GO nanosheets and magnetic MOF have great potential for ARD treatment.     

Influence of Trenched Shaped Holes on Turbine Blade Leading Edge Film Cooling

Computational results are presented for a row of coolant injection holes on each side of a high-pressure turbine blade near the leading edge. Seven hole configurations have been used to show the effect of various diffusion shaped holes and their trenching on film cooling effectiveness: (1) cylindrical film hole; (2) forward diffused film hole; (3) trenched forward diffused film hole; (4) conically flared film hole; (5) trenched conically flared film hole; (6) laterally diffused film hole; and (7) trenched laterally diffused film hole. Computational solutions of the steady, Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations are obtained using a finite-volume method. Results show that the main effect of trenching is the reduction of jet lifting off from the blade surface and so the prevention of sudden lowering of cooling effectiveness after the injection location. Moreover, hole trenching has more effect on film cooling flow on the suction side than on the pressure side. Also, the trenched laterally diffused shaped hole has the highest laterally averaged effectiveness on both the suction side and the pressure side of the blade.     

Preparation and In Vitro Evaluation of Controlled Release Hydrophilic Matrix Tablets of Ketorolac Tromethamine Using Factorial Design

Controlled release matrix tablets of ketorolac tromethamine (KT) were prepared by direct compression technique using cellulose derivatives as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in different concentrations (10–20%). The effect of polymer type and concentration was investigated on drug release by 2³ factorial design. For the quality control of matrix tablets, weight deviation, hardness, friability, diameter–height ratio, content uniformity of KT, and in vitro dissolution technique were performed. UV Spectrophotometric method was used to detection of KT in matrix tablets. This method was validated. Dissolution profiles of the formulations were plotted and evaluated kinetically. An increase in polymer content resulted with a slow release rate of drug as was expected. According to the dissolution results, tablets prepared with HPMC + HEC + CMC (F1 and F8) were found to be the most suitable formulation for KT. About 99.27% KT was released from F8 in 7 h.