Sonochemical Synthesis of One-Dimensional Nano-structure of Three-Dimensional Cadmium(II) Coordination Polymer

Nano-wires and nano-rods of a new three-dimensional cadmium(II) coordination polymer, {[Cd₃(3-pyc)₄(NCS)₂(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O} _n (1); 3-Hpyc = 3-pyridinecarboxilic acid, were synthesized by a sonochemical method in two different concetrations. The morphology of the nano-structures depend strongly on reactants’ concentration. The new nano-structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, elemental analyses and IR spectroscopy. Compound 1 was structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and is a three-dimensional polymer with two types of Cd(II) coordination environments.     

Evaluation of the Kinetics of Dynamic Recovery in AISI 321 Austenitic Stainless Steel Using Hot Flow Curves

The trend in the variations of the flow stress, obtained in the hot flow curves of materials, reflects the type of microstructural changes that occur during hot deformation. It is also possible to evaluate the kinetics of the relevant microstructural events directly from flow stress data. In the present study, a method for obtaining the kinetics of dynamic recovery from hot deformation flow curves has been proposed and carried out to evaluate the fraction of dynamic recovery in AISI 321 austenitic stainless steel during hot compression deformation in the temperature range of 800–950 °C. Results show that the rate of dynamic recovery is considerably increased by increasing strain rate. It has also been concluded, that the effect of deformation temperature on the kinetics of dynamic recovery is insignificant compared to the effect of strain rate. The flow behavior in a high temperature deformation reflects the type of microstructural changes that occur during deformation and is also possible to evaluate the kinetics of the relevant microstructural events directly from flow curve data. In the present study, a method to evaluate the fraction of dynamic recovery in AISI 321 austenitic stainless steel during hot compression in the temperature range of 800–950 °C has been proposed and carried out. Results indicate that the dynamic recovery process is considerably increased by increasing the strain rate and temperature.     

Prospects of nuclear power plants for sustainable energy development in Islamic Republic of Iran

This paper presents the feasible contributive share of electricity generation from each energy resources. This includes the economical feasibilities and all demographic projections involved in forecasting methodology, which explicitly reflect on overall national power demand projection in the Energy prospects of Islamic Republic of Iran till 2033. The Energy demand and reliability are presented with a view to elaborate on significant role and required capacity of Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) towards fulfillment of an energy mix policy in the country.     

基于多阶人工神经网络的ECG信号诊断模型研究

目前已经有多种不同的ECG(心电图)信号辅助诊断工具得到应用,其中包含了基于人工神经网络的ECG分类器应用系统.本文介绍一种基于多阶前馈人工神经网络的新型ECG信号诊断模型,其目标是设计一种结构简单、成本低、响应速度快,识别率高的ECG信号辅助诊断系统.首先给出多个不同结构的神经网络,然后针对6种不同的心脏状况,比较这些神经网络之间的性能差异和辨别能力.网络的输入数据来自于MIT/BIH数据库,包括12种ECG特征信号和相应的每次心脏搏动的13段压缩信号.通过研究测试发现,基于二阶神经网络的ECG模型识别率最高,正确率达到了90.57% .     

Dynamic Recrystallization and Precipitation in 13Cr Super-Martensitic Stainless Steels

The influence of precipitation on the kinetics of static and dynamic recrystallization (DRX) was investigated in AISI 403 and 403Nb martensitic stainless steels. Hot compression tests were performed in the temperature range of 1073 K to 1473 K (800 °C to 1200 °C) and strain rates of 0.001 and 0.1 s^?1 to study DRX and precipitation behaviors. In parallel, stress relaxation tests were conducted with pre-strains of 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, and 0.25, a strain rate of 0.1 s^?1, and in the 1073 K to 1473 K (800 °C to 1200 °C) temperature range to study the kinetics of precipitation and recrystallization. Samples of hot compression and stress relaxation tests were quenched and the evolution of the microstructure was examined using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that DRX interacts with dynamic precipitation (DP) over the temperature range of 1173 K to 1273 K (900 °C to 1000 °C). Hot compression testing results, confirmed by EBSD analysis, indicated that partial DRX occurs before precipitation in 403Nb, at 1073 K (800 °C). By contrast, no DRX was observed in 403 steel. At higher temperatures, i.e., over 1273 K (1000 °C), DRX preceded DP in both steels. Increasing the strain rate raised the temperature range of interaction between DRX and DP up to 1373 K (1100 °C). Strain-induced precipitation (SIP) was observed over the entire range of investigated test temperatures. Static recrystallization (SRX) took place predominantly in the temperature range of 1173 K to 1373 K (900 °C to 1100 °C), at which SIP significantly delayed the SRX finishing time. The results are analyzed in the framework of the classical nucleation theory and the underlying mechanisms are identified.     

A note on DEA models in technology selection: an improvement of Karsak and Ahiska's approach

This paper introduces a compact form for the maximum value of the non-Archimedean in Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) models applied for the technology selection, without the need to solve a linear programming (LP). Using this method the computational performance the common weight multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) DEA model proposed by Karsak and Ahiska (International Journal of Production Research, 2005, 43(8), 1537–1554) is improved. This improvement is significant when computational issues and complexity analysis are a concern.     

Continuous devulcanization of waste tires by using a Co‐rotating twin screw extruder: Effects of screw configuration,temperature profile,and devulcanization agent concentration

Recently, for reasons both economical and environmental, recycling of waste tires based on (styrene butadiene rubber)/(natural rubber) (SBR/NR) has been widely considered. Response surface methodology (RSM) has been used to predict SBR/NR devulcanization behavior in a co‐rotating twin screw extruder. In this study, variable parameters were barrel temperature, screw configuration, and content of devulcanization agent. A Box‐Behnken design for the three variables, at three levels, was chosen. The sol fraction of devulcanized rubber, Δtorque (difference between maximum and minimum curing torque), and mechanical properties of revulcanizate samples were considered as the responses. The results indicated that an increase of devulcanization agent content at a certain temperature caused the sol fraction to increase. Samples including a higher sol fraction showed a lower cross‐link density. Sol fraction for high shear rate screw configuration was lower than that for other screw configurations. Tensile strength of revulcanized rubber showed a decrease with a rise of devulcanization temperature. Moreover, a relationship connecting the residence time in the extruder with stagger angle and length of different kneading blocks were obtained. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 19:65–72, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of New Lead(II) Discrete and Infinite Cage-Like Framework: A Precursor to Produce Pure Phase Nano-Sized Lead(II) Oxide

A novel Pb(II) complex, {[Pb₂(tpmba)₂(NO₃)₄]·MeOH} _n (1), was obtained by the reaction of a tripodal ligand, N,N′,N″-tris(pyrid-3-ylmethyl)-1,3,5-benzenetricarboxamide (tpmba), with Pb(NO₃)₂. The structure of complex was determined by X-ray crystallography. The results of structural analysis of the complex reveal that 1 is a M₂L₂ cage-like with a methanol molecule beside the cage. An entirely different structure and topology between 1 and similar complexes indicate that the nature of organic ligands affects the structure of assemblies. The results indicate that the framework of this complex is predominated by the nature of the organic ligand, anions, solvent and geometric need of the metal ions. It was found that the coordination number of Pb^II ions is eight, (PbN₃O₅) has a stereo-chemically active electron lone pair and the coordination sphere is hemi-directed. PbO nanoparticles are obtained by thermolysis of 1 at 180 °C with oleic acid as a surfactant. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the size of the PbO particles is ~30 nm.     

Effect of gum tragacanth on rheological and physical properties of a flavored milk drink made with date syrup

Date syrup as a nutritional additive and safe alternative to added sugar is one of the best choices for milk flavoring. In this study, a flavored milk beverage was formulated using date syrup for flavoring the product and gum tragacanth to obtain an acceptable mouth feel. Steady shear and dynamic oscillatory rheological properties of the samples contained 3 concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3%, wt/wt) of 2 types of gum tragacanth (Astragalus gossypinus and Astragalus rahensis) which at 3°C, were studied. Particle size distribution and colorimetric assays were determined by laser diffractometry and using reflection spectrometer, respectively. Sensory analysis was performed with 25 semitrained panelists, using a 5-point hedonic scale. The results showed that viscoelastic properties, flow behavior parameters, particle size, and color parameters (L^*, a^*, and b^*, where L^* represents lightness, a^* represents the redness/greenness quality of the color, and b^* represents the yellowness and blueness quality of the colors) were significantly affected by the concentration of the gum tragacanth and the severity of this effect was influenced by the type of gum. The use of appropriate type and concentration of gum tragacanth in date milk formulation can improve the texture and mouth feel by affecting on particle size and the flow behavior of this product.     

An artificial neural network for predicting the physiochemical properties of fish oil microcapsules obtained by spray drying

The aim of this work was to develop an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict the physiochemical properties of fish oil microcapsules obtained by spray drying method. The relation amongst inlet-drying air temperature, outlet-drying air temperature, aspirator rate, peristaltic pump rate, and spraying air flow rate with 5 performance indices, namely capsules’ residual moisture content, particle size, bulk density, encapsulation efficiency, and peroxide value was bridged by using ANN. A multilayer perceptron ANN was developed to predict the performance indices based on the input variables. The optimal ANN model was found to be a 5-10-5 structure with tangent sigmoid transfer function, Levenberg-Marquardt error minimization algorithm, and 1,000 training epochs. This optimal network was capable to predict the outputs with R² values higher than 0.87. It was concluded that ANN is a useful tool to investigate, approximate, and predict the encapsulation characteristics of fish oil.