Chemical structure of autoignition in a turbulent lifted H2/N2 jet flame issuing into a vitiated coflow

In the present paper autoignition is studied as the main stabilization mechanism in turbulent lifted H₂/N₂ jet flames issuing into a vitiated hot coflow. The numerical study is performed using the joint scalar PDF approach with detailed chemistry in a two dimensional axisymmetric domain. The SSG Reynolds stress model is used as a turbulence model in the simulation. Chemical structure and characteristics of autoignition are investigated using various methods and parameters. Reaction rate analysis is made to analyze the ignition process at the flame base. The results show the occurrence of a chain branching reaction preceding thermal runaway, which boosts the chain branching process in the flame. This demonstrates the large impact of autoignition at the flame base on the stabilization of the lifted turbulent flame. Further investigation using the scatter-plots of scalars reveals the characteristics of the ignition. The relation between the behavior of temperature and of key intermediate species demonstrates the formation of OH through consumption of HO₂ at nearly isothermal conditions in a very lean-fuel mixture at the flame base. Flux analyses in the conservation equations of species are used to explore the impacts of mass transport on ignition process. Ignition is found to be mainly controlled by chemical features rather than the mixing processes near the flame base. Characteristics of autoignition are also investigated in terms of Damköhler number and progress variable.     

The Robust Regression Methods for Estimating of Finite Population Mean Based on SRSWOR in Case of Outliers

The ordinary least square (OLS) method is commonly used in regression analysis. But in the presence of outlier in the data, its results are unreliable. Hence, the robust regression methods have been suggested for a long time as alternatives to the OLS to solve the outliers problem. In the present study, new ratio type estimators of finite population mean are suggested using simple random sampling without replacement (SRSWOR) utilizing the supplementary information in Bowley’s coefficient of skewness with quartiles. For these proposed estimators, we have used the OLS, Huber-M, Mallows GM-estimate, Schweppe GM-estimate, and SIS GM-estimate methods for estimating the population parameters. Theoretically, the mean square error (MSE) equations of various estimators are obtained and compared with the OLS competitor. Simulations for skewed distributions as the Gamma distribution support the results, and an application of real data set containing outliers is considered for illustration.     

Development of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on deep eutectic solvent using as complexing agent and extraction solvent: application for extraction of heavy metals

ABSTRACT

A green and efficient dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method based on a new deep eutectic solvent has been developed for the preconcentration and extraction of cobalt and nickel ions. The deep eutectic solvent is formed by mixing choline chloride (hydrogen bond acceptor) and 4-aminophenol (hydrogen bond donor). Then, it is used as a chelating agent as well as extraction solvent. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the linear ranges for Ni(II) and Co(II) were 0.80–50 and 0.50–50 µgL^?1, respectively, by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The obtained detection limits were 0.30 and 0.22 µg L^?1 for Ni(II) and Co(II), respectively.     

Comparison of antireflection surfaces based on two-dimensional binary gratings and thin-film coatings

A comparison of antireflection surfaces based on the two-dimensional binary gratings and thin-film coatings is presented. First, a two-dimensional hybrid binary grating is proposed and analyzed by use of a vector-based implementation of the rigorous coupled-wave analysis method. The optimum parameters of the structure are determined and the effects that changing them have on spectral characteristics of the structure are studied. Then this structure is compared with multilayer thin-film antireflection filters. These filters are designed by genetic algorithm and needle methods, which are powerful methods for multilayer filter design. The comparison results show that the sensitivity of the grating to changes in the incident wavelength is high. However, a reflectance of the order of 10(-3)% at the design wavelength can be achieved. The sensitivity of designed antireflection thin-film filters to wavelength changes is lower, however, and the minimum achievable reflectance is higher.     

An integrated methodology to control the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with hypertension and type 1 diabetes

Today, air pollution, smoking, use of fatty acids and ready‐made foods, and so on, have exacerbated heart disease. Therefore, controlling the risk of such diseases can prevent or reduce their incidence. The present study aimed at developing an integrated methodology including Markov decision processes (MDP) and genetic algorithm (GA) to control the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with hypertension and type 1 diabetes. First, the efficiency of GA is evaluated against Grey Wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm, and then, the superiority of GA is revealed. Next, the MDP is employed to estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease. For this purpose, model inputs are first determined using a validated micro‐simulation model for screening cardiovascular disease developed at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran by GA. The model input factors are then defined accordingly and using these inputs, three risk estimation models are identified. The results of these models support WHO guidelines that provide medicine with a high discount to patients with high expected LYs. To develop the MDP methodology, policies should be adopted that work well despite the difference between the risk model and the actual risk. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to study the behavior of the total medication cost against the changes of parameters.     

Phase and Rheological Behavior of Cetyldimethylbenzylammonium Salicylate (CDBAS) and Water

The temperature–composition phase diagram in the diluted region of the cationic surfactant cetyldimethylbenzylammonium salicylate/water system was studied with a battery of techniques. The Krafft temperature (T _k = 33 ± 1 °C) was measured by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing microscopy, conductimetry, viscosimetry, and rheometry. The critical vesicle concentration (cvc, ~0.002 wt%) and a vesicle–micellar transition (cvm, ~0.005 wt%) was detected at a temperature of 35 °C. Below T _k and concentrations ≤2 wt%, a transparent solution is formed (I). Above 2–8.5 wt%, a lamellar (L₁) phase forms. At higher concentrations and up to 12 wt%, a second lamellar phase (L₂) is detected. From 12.4 to 15.5 wt%, an emulsion phase (E) is formed. Rheological dynamic measurements for the I phase indicate that the system exhibits a predominantly viscous behavior (G′ < G″) for concentrations lower than the overlap or entanglement concentration (C _e, ~0.75 wt%). At higher concentrations, wormlike micelles form and the elastic behavior predominates (G′ > G″). The elastic (G′) modulus collapses in a concentration–time master curve in the whole reduced frequencies range ωτ _c examined, whereas the viscous modulus (G″) collapses only at reduced frequencies lower than 0.1. Reduced stress plotted as a function of the reduced shear rate yields a good superposition of the curves at the different concentrations up to the onset of the non-linear behavior.     

Colour assays: An inside look into Alentejo traditional limewash paintings and coloured lime mortars

A series of colour assays were conducted taking into account old bibliographic recommendations and oral testimony regarding traditional lime painting technology from the Alentejo (South Portugal) region. The main objectives were: (a) the colorimetric analysis of paintings made with different limewash preparation methods; (b) the comparison between natural processed red and yellows ochre pigments (“home made” and from industrial origin) and synthetic iron oxides in different concentrations and lime proportions; (c) the evaluation of the colorimetric CIELAB coordinates during the lime carbonation process in coloured mortars and limewashes. The results shows that the evolution of L*, a*, and b* during the carbonation process is independent of pigment concentration and paint thickness but dependent of pigment composition and finishing technique (lime painting or coloured mortar). They also emphasize the importance of surface appearance attributes and its influence on the colorimetric parameters. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 36, 61–71, 2011     

Cr2O3 nanoparticles: A promising candidate to improve the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of Ni-Co alloy coatings

This study was aimed to assess the effects of reinforcement nanoparticles content, on the microstructural features, mechanical properties, and corrosion-related properties of Ni-Co-Cr₂O₃ nanocomposite coatings. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were employed in order to evaluate the microstructural features and chemical composition of the nanocomposites. Moreover, the microhardness tester and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) tests coupled with potentiodynamic polarization measurements were used to investigate the mechanical and corrosion-related properties, respectively. Results demonstrate that albeit the volume fraction of cobalt in coating, average particle size, Cr₂O₃ nanoparticle content in coating, and microstructural features are of prime significance in determining the mentioned properties of the nanocomposite coatings, Co content is more important. Actually, Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles serve as suitable nucleation sites for Co particles deposition throughout the microstructure. Thus, combined actions of Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles incorporation and their optimal content ensures the nucleation of high population of Co particles, which significantly contributes to the improvement in the properties. The Ni-Co-8.9 wt%Cr₂O₃ nanocomposite coating exhibits the superior mechanical and corrosion-related properties.