Functionality of graphene as a result of its heterogenic growth on SiC nanoparticles on the basis of reversible hydrogen storage

This article presents the results from research related to graphene functionality based on the production of spatial structures provided for the reversible storage of hydrogen. The functionality process was conducted during graphene synthesis onto a liquid metallic support, on a single level, using SiC nanoparticles. Within the scope of research it was proved that heterogenic growth of the domains of polycrystalline graphene onto the SiC nanoparticles is possible. These nanoparticles are in-built into the graphene structure constituting the pillars of the spatial structure. Material produced in such a way constitutes the foundation for creating a spatial 3D structure (through the rolling operation), called GraphRoll, for the reversible storage of hydrogen in order to conduct its sorption and de-sorption. So, independently of the theoretical configuration, deviations or a possible exception from the 2D configuration on the silicon carbide/graphene were discussed. These differences resulted from the difference between the crystallographic structures of the analyzed forms as well as the structure determined to decrease tensions within the structure.     

Bond strength of polymer lightweight aggregate concrete

Bond strength, physical, and mechanical properties of lightweight PC were investigated with inclusion of pumice lightweight aggregate in maximum size of 12 mm. As binder material, epoxy resin‐based polymer was used with its hardener. The binder to aggregate ratio was 30% by weight. In addition, steel fibers were added to lightweight PC mixtures in ratio of 0, 0.5, and 1%. After lightweight PC mixture was prepared, it was poured in the molds with different type of steel‐bars in size of 100 × 100 × 100 mm³. The steel‐bars centered in the cubic molds, and they were in size of Ø12, Ø14, and Ø16. The specimens were cured at 60°C for 2 h. On the hardened polymer lightweight concrete (PLC), pull‐out test for bond strength and compressive strength tests were performed. Moreover, ultrasonic pulse velocity, water absorption by weight, specific porosity, and density experiments were carried out. The relation between physical and mechanical properties showed that PLCs become more durable when using ratio of steel fibers. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:2125–2132, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Infrared-to-visible conversion luminescence of Er ions in lead borate transparent glass-ceramics

Transparent glass-ceramics were successfully prepared during controlled heat treatment of lead borate glasses. The PbF₂ particles were dispersed into a borate glass matrix which was evidenced by X-ray diffraction analysis. The phase identification revealed that crystalline peaks can be related to the orthorhombic PbF₂ phase. Green up-conversion luminescence due to the ⁴S_3/2–⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺ ions was registered. In comparison to the precursor glass the luminescence intensity was considerably higher, whereas the luminescence linewidth slightly decreased in the studied oxyfluoride transparent glass-ceramics. It indicated that a part of the trivalent erbium was incorporated into the PbF₂ crystalline phase.     

Effect of the type and concentration of lubricating additives on the antiwear and extreme pressure properties and rolling fatigue life of a four‐ball tribosystem

Tests were performed on two different four‐ball testers. The first was used to determine antiwear (AW) and extreme pressure (EP) properties at sliding friction. The second was used to assess the surface fatigue (pitting) life at rolling movement. Lubricating oils of various chemical compositions were tested. A base mineral oil was blended with two different commercial packages of lubricating additives of AW and EP types. The AW additives contained ZDDP and were blended with the base oil at 0.2 and 3wt %. The EP additives were organic compounds of sulphur and phosphorus, blended with the base oil at 1 and 10wt %. It is shown that AW additives not only improve AW and EP properties but also — at 0.2% — are beneficial for the fatigue life. An increase in the concentration of AW additives leads to an improvement of AW and EP properties but — for one of the packages — reduces the fatigue life. EP additives — at 1% concentration — significantly improve EP properties, and to a lesser extent AW properties. Such a concentration of EP additives has no influence on the fatigue life. An increase in the concentration of EP additives leads to a further improvement of EP and AW properties. However, this is accompanied by a considerable decrease in the fatigue life. By using a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer for analysis of the worn surface, mechanisms of action of various lubricating additives under different friction conditions were identified. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemistry towards Biology—Instruct: Snapshot

The knowledge of interactions between different molecules is undoubtedly the driving force of all contemporary biomedical and biological sciences. Chemical biology/biological chemistry has become an important multidisciplinary bridge connecting the perspectives of chemistry and biology to the study of small molecules/peptidomimetics and their interactions in biological systems. Advances in structural biology research, in particular linking atomic structure to molecular properties and cellular context, are essential for the sophisticated design of new medicines that exhibit a high degree of druggability and very importantly, druglikeness. The authors of this contribution are outstanding scientists in the field who provided a brief overview of their work, which is arranged from in silico investigation through the characterization of interactions of compounds with biomolecules to bioactive materials.     

Granular Computing for Data Analytics: A Manifesto of Human-Centric Computing

In the plethora of conceptual and algorithmic developments supporting data analytics and system modeling, humancentric pursuits assume a particular position owing to ways they emphasize and realize interaction between users and the data. We advocate that the level of abstraction, which can be flexibly adjusted, is conveniently realized through Granular Computing. Granular Computing is concerned with the development and processing information granules-formal entities which facilitate a way of organizing knowledge about the available data and relationships existing there. This study identifies the principles of Granular Computing, shows how information granules are constructed and subsequently used in describing relationships present among the data.      

Integrating Variable Reduction Strategy With Evolutionary Algorithms for Solving Nonlinear Equations Systems

Nonlinear equations systems(NESs)are widely used in real-world problems and they are difficult to solve due to their nonlinearity and multiple roots.Evolutionary algorithms(EAs)are one of the methods for solving NESs,given their global search capabilities and ability to locate multiple roots of a NES simultaneously within one run.Currently,the majority of research on using EAs to solve NESs focuses on transformation techniques and improving the performance of the used EAs.By contrast,problem domain knowledge of NESs is investigated in this study,where we propose the incorporation of a variable reduction strategy(VRS)into EAs to solve NESs.The VRS makes full use of the systems of expressing a NES and uses some variables(i.e.,core variable)to represent other variables(i.e.,reduced variables)through variable relationships that exist in the equation systems.It enables the reduction of partial variables and equations and shrinks the decision space,thereby reducing the complexity of the problem and improving the search efficiency of the EAs.To test the effectiveness of VRS in dealing with NESs,this paper mainly integrates the VRS into two existing state-of-the-art EA methods(i.e.,MONES and DR-JADE)according to the integration framework of the VRS and EA,respectively.Experimental results show that,with the assistance of the VRS,the EA methods can produce better results than the original methods and other compared methods.Furthermore,extensive experiments regarding the influence of different reduction schemes and EAs substantiate that a better EA for solving a NES with more reduced variables tends to provide better performance.     

Enhancing the Electrical Conductivity of Electrolytic Tough Pitch Copper Rods Processed by Incremental Equal Channel Angular Pressing

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - Electrolytic tough pitch copper rods were processed by Incremental Equal Channel Angular Pressing and subjected to short-term annealing. Conductivity of...     

Metabolic acidosis

Metabolic acidosis is a pathophysiologic state that is associated with serious morbidities and mortality. The diagnosis of metabolic acidosis is perplexing for novice and expert advanced practice nurses for many reasons. Its differential diagnosis is broad and includes common and rare, complex disease. The diagnosis of metabolic acidosis is also difficult because it is frequently associated with mixed, acid-base disorders. Its clinical manifestations are often nonspecific or subclinical, which means that its diagnosis is made from laboratory and other diagnostic tests. Timely diagnosis of metabolic acidosis is needed to institute appropriate therapy to avoid negative physiologic effects.     

Effect of crystallite size on structural and luminescent properties of nanostructured Eu:KGdF4 synthesised by co-precipitation method

The Eu³⁺:KGdF₄ powders with average crystallite size of 20 and 25 nm have been obtained from solution by co-precipitation method. Morphology of the as-received powders was examined by XRD and TEM methods. Behaviour of these two powdered batches, characterised by different size of nanocrystallites, versus thermal treatment has been studied by X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetric, infrared spectroscopy and emission spectroscopy methods. The phase transitions between low-temperature cubic, orthorhombic, trigonal and high-temperature cubic modifications of KGdF₄ were detected for both samples heated in 300–790 °C temperature range. Abundance of the particular polymorphic form observed at given temperature differs considerably for samples of different initial crystallite size. Besides, significant differences in number of lattice defects, water contents and emission properties were observed for these two samples. The properties of material precipitated from solution are also compared with structural and optical properties of the Eu³⁺:KGdF₄ fluoride synthesised by a solid-state reaction.