The MFS–MPS for two-dimensional steady-state thermoelasticity problems

We consider the numerical approximation of the boundary and internal thermoelastic fields in the case of two-dimensional isotropic linear thermoelastic solids by combining the method of fundamental solutions (MFS) with the method of particular solutions (MPS). A particular solution of the non-homogeneous equations of equilibrium associated with a planar isotropic linear thermoelastic material is derived from the MFS approximation of the boundary value problem for the heat conduction equation. Moreover, such a particular solution enables one to easily develop analytical solutions corresponding to any two-dimensional domain occupied by an isotropic linear thermoelastic solid. The accuracy and convergence of the proposed MFS–MPS procedure are validated by considering three numerical examples.     

Exergetic Comparative Analysis of Ammonia and Carbon Dioxide Two-Stage Cycles for Simultaneous Cooling and Heating

The paper deals with the comparative analysis of the performance of cooling and heating systems operating with NH3 （ammonia） or CO2 （carbon dioxide）, both natural refrigerants. The study is based on the exergetic analysis that points out the location and the magnitude of a system malfunction. Both systems, with NH3 or CO2 operate in two stages. The exergetic analysis gives the direction of the structural optimization. The exergetic analysis has shown that the best structural schematic is not the same for the two agents. The exergetic analysis points out that the largest exergy destruction in the CO2 cycle is due to the throttling process and offers solutions to diminish it.     

Enhanced Bio-Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide by Using Neutral Red as a Redox Mediator

Microbial electrosynthetic cells containing Methylobacterium extorquens were studied for the reduction of CO₂ to formate by direct electron injection and redox mediator-assisted approaches, with CO₂ as the sole carbon source. The formation of a biofilm on a carbon felt (CF) electrode was achieved while applying a constant potential of −0.75 V versus Ag/AgCl under CO₂-saturated conditions. During the biofilm growth period, continuous H₂ evolution was observed. The long-term performance for CO₂ reduction of the biofilm with and without neutral red as a redox mediator was studied by an applied potential of −0.75 V versus Ag/AgCl. The neutral red was introduced into the systems in two different ways: homogeneous (dissolved in solution) and heterogeneous (electropolymerized onto the working electrode). The heterogeneous approach was investigated in the microbial system, for the first time, where the CF working electrode was coated with poly(neutral red) by the oxidative electropolymerization thereof. The formation of poly(neutral red) was characterized by spectroscopic techniques. During long-term electrolysis up to 17 weeks, the formation of formate was observed continuously with an average Faradaic efficiency of 4 %. With the contribution of neutral red, higher formate accumulation was observed. Moreover, the microbial electrosynthetic cell was characterized by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to obtain more information on the CO₂ reduction mechanism.     

Effect of fungi contamination in the chemical composition of Hungarian wines

The present study shows the effect of different types of mold, especially microorganisms isolated from the corks, on Tokaj white wines. The transformation in wine chemical composition induced by contamination with molds such as Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium expansum and Phanerochaete spp. was different in each type of mold. Molds can contaminate wine either by transferring from grapes contaminated or by non-hygienic conditions during wine technology. As a result of contamination, molds modify wine chemical composition in terms of total and volatile acidity, residual sugars, alcohol volume, total solids and ash.     

A comparison of bloat control methods for genetic programming

Genetic programming has highlighted the problem of bloat, the uncontrolled growth of the average size of an individual in the population. The most common approach to dealing with bloat in tree-based genetic programming individuals is to limit their maximal allowed depth. An alternative to depth limiting is to punish individuals in some way based on excess size, and our experiments have shown that the combination of depth limiting with such a punitive method is generally more effective than either alone. Which such combinations are most effective at reducing bloat? In this article we augment depth limiting with nine bloat control methods and compare them with one another. These methods are chosen from past literature and from techniques of our own devising. esting with four genetic programming problems, we identify where each bloat control method performs well on a per-problem basis, and under what settings various methods are effective independent of problem. We report on the results of these tests, and discover an unexpected winner in the cross-platform category.     

Multiple surface plasmon resonances and near-infrared field enhancement of gold nanowells

Arrays of Au nanowells (NWs) were fabricated by electron-beam lithography (EBL) and characterized by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). It is revealed that these Au NW arrays exhibit multiple SP resonances that can be tuned by adjusting the geometrical characteristics of the NWs. SERS activity of Au NWs was confirmed for a range of excitation wavelengths and a number of model compounds including rhodamine 6G (R6G), phthalazine, and single-stranded oligonucleotides. According to numerical simulations based on the discrete dipole approximation (DDA), SERS enhancement originates from high electromagnetic fields (hot spots) localized both inside and outside individual NWs. In addition, far-field intercoupling effects between NWs have been observed experimentally in arrays with subwavelength pitch sizes. We show that the SERS enhancement factors can also be tuned and optimized by adjusting the geometry of NWs.     

Influence of composition and particle size on spin dynamics and thermodynamic properties of magnetoresistive perovskites

The thermodynamic behavior and spin dynamics of the colossal magnetoresistive (CMR) perovskites of general formula La(1-x)(A)xMn(1-y)(B)yO3 (where A is an alkaline earth, and B = Al, In) have been studied in order to evidence the effect of composition and the influence of nanocrystallinity on the thermodynamic and magnetic characteristics. By using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, the behavior of the exchange coupling integral (J) between Mn spins and the polaron activation energy (Ea) have been investigated. The thermodynamic properties represented by the relative partial molar free energies, enthalpies and entropies of oxygen dissolution in the perovskite phase, as well as the equilibrium partial pressures of oxygen have been obtained by using solid electrolyte electrochemical cells method. The influence of the oxygen stoichiometry change on the thermodynamic properties was examined using the data obtained by a coulometric titration technique coupled with measurements of the electromotive force (EMF). The results were correlated with the average Mn valence values as determined by redox titration. The properties of the rare-earth manganites are strongly affected by the A- and B-site substitution and by the oxygen nonstoichiometry. New features related to the modifications in properties connected with the nanocrystalline state were evidenced. The correlation existing between the magnetic and thermodynamic characteristics were discussed in relation to significant changes in the overall concentration of defects.     

Effect of oxidation on the chemical nature and distribution of low-temperature pyrolysis products from bituminous coal

Two bituminous coals, a high volatile Eastern Canadian and a medium volatile Western Canadian, were used to investigate the effect of oxidation on yields and chemical composition of gases, liquids and chars produced during coal pyrolysis. Pyrolysis experiments were performed at 500 °C using the Fischer assay method. Mild oxidation of coals resulted in a decrease of liquid hydrocarbon yields. Further coal oxidation increased the proportion of aromatic carbon in liquid products as determined by n.m.r., and also increased the content of oxygen in liquid products. The content of oxygen in chars was markedly lower than in corresponding coals. An attempt is made to explain reactions occurring during oxidation and subsequent pyrolysis of coal on the basis of differences in chemical composition of gases, liquids and chars.     

Novel Synthesis Route for Chitosan-Coated Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles as Potential Sorbents for Wastewater Treatment

Magnetic chitosan–zinc ferrite (ChZnF) composites were proposed as potential adsorbents due to their appropriate physical characteristics and facile separation under external magnetic fields. The magnetic component (ZnFe₂O₄) was prepared by the sol–gel autocombustion method that yields nanometric spinel compounds with narrow size distribution and with low energy consumption. A certain amount of magnetic powder was dispersed consecutively by ultrasonication in a chitosan-PEG (polyethylene glycol) mixture, in order to obtain the desired nanocomposite. The as-obtained materials were characterized by FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), small-angle X-ray scattering, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller test measurements. Finally, the chitosan-ferrite nanomaterial was successfully tested in simulated wastewater treatments. Different kinetic and equilibrium models have been fitted by nonlinear regression to analyze the adsorption data.