Ultrasonic wave characteristics of a monolayer graphene on silicon substrate

The present work deals with an ultrasonic type of wave propagation characteristics of monolayer graphene on silicon (Si) substrate. An atomistic model of a hybrid lattice involving a hexagonal lattice of graphene and surface atoms of diamond lattice of Si is developed to identify the carbon-silicon bond stiffness. Properties of this hybrid lattice model is then mapped into a nonlocal continuum framework. Equivalent force constant due to Si substrate is obtained by minimizing the total potential energy of the system. For this equilibrium configuration, the nonlocal governing equations are derived to analyze the ultrasonic wave dispersion based on spectral analysis. From the present analysis we show that the silicon substrate affects only the flexural wave mode. The frequency band gap of flexural mode is also significantly affected by this substrate. The results also show that, the silicon substrate adds cushioning effect to the graphene and it makes the graphene more stable. The analysis also show that the frequency bang gap relations of in-plane (longitudinal and lateral) and out-of-plane (flexural) wave modes depends not only on the y-direction wavenumber but also on nonlocal scaling parameter. In the nonlocal analysis, at higher values of the y-directional wavenumber, a decrease in the frequency band gap is observed for all the three fundamental wave modes in the graphene–silicon system. The atoms movement in the graphene due to the wave propagation are also captured for all the tree fundamental wave modes. The results presented in this work are qualitatively different from those obtained based on the local analysis and thus, are important for the development of graphene based nanodevices such as strain sensor, mass and pressure sensors, atomic dust detectors and enhancer of surface image resolution that make use of the ultrasonic wave dispersion properties of graphene.     

Corrosion of novel rail steels in 3.5 % NaCl solution

Eutectoid steels, which are traditionally used as rails in railway systems, are prone to corrosion, especially in coastal environments. In order to minimize this problem, four new rail steel compositions, with different combinations of microalloying elements Cu, Cr, Ni and Si, were designed and processed as per the thermomechanical schedule for normal rail steel processing in industry. Corrosion behavior of the rail steels were studied by weight loss measurement after immersion test and Tafel polarization in freely aerated 3.5 % NaCl. The rust obtained after immersion test were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Corrosion rate obtained weight loss measurement was similar for all the rail steels. γ-FeOOH (lepidocrocite) and δ-FeOOH were identified as the major rust phases from the FTIR spectra of the rail steels. The relative absorption intensities of these rust phases were similar for all the rail steels. Corrosion rates calculated from Tafel polarization tests were similar for all the rail steels. The corresponding free corrosion potentials were also similar for all the rail steels. The zero corrosion potential obtained from Tafel polarization of Cu-Mo, Cr-Mn, Cu-Ni, Cr-Cu-Ni and Cr-Cu-Ni-Si rail steels was more noble compared to C-Mn and Cu-Si rail steels indicating better corrosion resistance of these alloys. The importance of conducting alternate wetting and drying test has been emphasized.     

Individual differences in humans responding under a cocaine discrimination procedure: Discriminators versus nondiscriminators.

Twenty-six cocaine-abusing volunteers were trained to discriminate cocaine (80 mg/70 kg, p.o.) from placebo. On the basis of a discrimination acquisition criterion (i.e., >80% drug-appropriate responding for 4 consecutive sessions within 8–10 sessions), 18 participants were classified as discriminators (Ds) and 8 as nondiscriminators (NDs). Relative to Ds, NDs reported a greater amount of cocaine use per time. During the training phase, NDs showed significantly lower ratings than Ds on a stimulant ratings scale, regardless of the training drug condition. During the test-of-acquisition phase, cocaine-induced increases in scores on ratings of drug strength, anxious-nervous and cocaine high, as well as on a euphoria ratings scale, were significantly greater in Ds than NDs, relative to placebo. These results suggest that drug use history, general arousal level, and drug sensitivity may be important variables influencing the acquisition of cocaine versus placebo discrimination in cocaine abusers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of Alumina on Iron Ore Sinter Properties and Productivity in the Conventional and Selective Granulation Sintering Process

Iron ore sinter constitutes a major proportion of blast furnace burden. Hence, its quality and consistency have a significant impact on blast furnace performance. Iron ore fines are the main source for sinter, and the chemical composition of the iron ore fines, together with the thermal conditions that blends are subjected to, plays an important role in forming the primary melt during the sintering process and accordingly determines the sinter structure and quality. Therefore, considerable importance has been placed on the chemical composition and consistency of iron ore fines, particularly in terms of alumina content. Due to depletion of high grade iron ore resources, alumina content in the iron ore fines is expected to increase gradually. Ore with higher alumina content is usually expected to be detrimental in forming the sinter matrix, if sintered alone, due to the low reactivity of alumina bearing minerals and the high viscosity of primary melts. The selective granulation process is a new sintering process for high alumina iron ore fines, and can eliminate the adverse effects of ‘hard to sinter’ or ‘unsuitable – for ironmaking’ ores. In the present work laboratory sintering experiments have been carried out with iron ore fines of different alumina level (2.00 to 5.46 mass‐%) to know the influence of alumina on mineralogy, productivity, physical and metallurgical properties of sinter prepared by the conventional and the selective granulation process. With increasing alumina content in sinter of both the conventional and selective granulation process, the fractions of hematite and of silico‐ferrites of calcium and alumina (SFCA) as well as the pore phase increased whereas the magnetite and silicate phases decreased. With increase in alumina content sinter productivity and tumbler index (T.I.) decreased, and metallurgical properties like sinter RDI and reducibility improved. However, sinter of the selective granulation process showed better results compared to the conventional process.     

烧结工序中转炉渣的优化利用

钢铁厂产生的矿渣中很大一部分来自氧气顶吹转炉(LD转炉)和吹氧转炉工序.LD工序的主要目的是将熔融的铁水和废钢转化为优质钢.在印度,每年产生的熔融钢渣超过400～450万t.总体看来,生产每吨钢会产生150～200 kg的钢渣,对这些钢渣的处理已经成为了严重的环境问题.金达尔钢公司是年产700万t的联合钢厂,每天产生钢渣3 200 t,其中2 000～2 500 t来自LD转炉.LD转炉渣中含有47.75%的CaO,22.0%的Fe以及8.22%MgO,由于CaO含量很高,LD转炉渣可直接替代烧结工序中的生石灰.目前在实验室范围已进行了一些研究,以确定烧结工序中所允许的LD转炉渣的最大投加量以及转炉渣的投加对烧结产率和性能的影响.实验中,LD转炉渣在烧结矿里的添加量从0依次到60 kg/t.随着添加率的增大,烧结料层温度的降低致使FeO含量降低,而烧结配矿中烧损的降低以及由于避免了石灰石煅烧过程带来的的重量损失,使得烧结产率上升.与此同时,LD转炉渣中缺少自由的CaO,使烧结矿强度及还原粉化指数变差,可参加反应的CaO的减少也导致了铁酸钙相减少,及残存Fe2O3自由相增加.试验结果最终得出:烧结矿中LD转炉渣的投加量为30～35 kg/t时,可获得预期的烧结矿性能.     

Corex风口破损分析

Corex是一种使用非炼焦煤及纯氧代替焦炭和空气的熔融还原炼铁新工艺。与高炉工艺相比,Corex风口区域的温度更高,风口的使用寿命是一项重大挑战。在JSW公司,更换烧坏的风口所造成的休风几乎占工厂休风时间的15%。详细分析了风口破损及生产操作参数对破损的影响,以了解破损机理和根源。所有形式的风口破损不可能用一种普遍的原因来解释,但主要的原因集中在:入炉煤粉(6.3mm)过多、煤的平均粒度偏小、渣铁倒灌、关闭风口、结瘤脱落及滑料等。     

Wild edible fruit diversity and its significance in the livelihood of indigenous tribals: Evidence from eastern India

A number of wild plants, used by rural and tribal populations and contributing significantly to their livelihood and food security have escaped recognition and scientific inquiry. Their distribution, conservation, mode of harvest by locals and optimal use require region-specific assessment in order to integrate them into developmental interventions. This study analyzed the collection, consumption, sale and income from edible forest fruits in 49 tribal villages spread over five districts of Orissa State in eastern India. Density, dominance and diversity of species yielding wild fruit were measured by studying ecological parameters in the sample plots. We estimated an average of 48 fruit plants per hectare of deciduous forests. Fifty-six wild edible fruit species belonging to 40 genera in 26 families were recorded in the study region, many of which have multiple uses. Indigenous fruits formed part of the family diet with average annual consumption of 73 kg per household. Sale of wild fruits contributed 15 % of income for tribal households. Despite their good knowledge of indigenous fruits, the tribal populations have not adopted fruit tree farming which would enhance their nutrition and income.     

Food and nutrition security in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region

The status of food and nutrition security and its underlying factors in the Hindu‐Kush Himalayan (HKH) region is investigated. In this region, one third to a half of children (<5 years of age) suffer from stunting, with the incidence of wasting and under‐weight also being very high. The prevalence of stunting, wasting and under‐weight in children is particularly high in some mountain areas such as Meghalaya state in India, the western mountains and far‐western hills of Nepal, Balochistan province in Pakistan, eastern Afghanistan, and Chin state in Myanmar. Food habits in the HKH region are changing. This has led to a deterioration in traditional mountain food systems with a decline in agrobiodiversity. Factors such as high poverty and low dietary energy intakes, a lack of hygienic environments, inadequate nutritional knowledge, and climate change and environmental degradation are also influencing food and nutrition security in the HKH region. To achieve sustainable food and nutrition security in the mountains, this study suggests a multi‐sectoral integrated approach with consideration of nutritional aspects in all development processes dealing with economic, social, agricultural and public health issues. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry