Electropolymerization and characterization of 3,4-ethylenedioxy thiophene on glassy carbon electrode and study of ions transport of the polymer during redox process

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOTh) films were deposited on glassy carbon (GC) electrodes from organic electrolytes containing the monomer in a solution of acetonitrile (AN). The effect of the supporting electrolyte used during electropolymerization, on the redox behavior, surface morphology, and degree of crystallinity of the films has been investigated by FTIR, cyclic voltammetry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The use of LiPF₆ leads to a higher electropolymerization efficiency and an increase of electroactivity and crystallinity of the polymer. On the basis of voltammetric studies of the Nernst and Butler–Volmer equations, we concluded that BF₄⁻, ClO₄⁻, and PF₆⁻ anions are the mobile species during the redox process of the PEDOTh films. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Optimization of natural convection heat transfer of Newtonian nanofluids in a cylindrical enclosure

This study characterizes and optimizes natural convection heat transfer of two Newtonian Al2O3 and TiO2/water nanofluids in a cylindrical enclosure. Nusselt number (Nu) of nanofluids in relation to Rayleigh number (Ra) for different concentrations of nanofluids is investigated at different configurations and orientations of the enclosure. Results show that adding nanoparticles to water has a negligible or even adverse influence upon natural convec-tion heat transfer of water:only a slight increase in natural convection heat transfer of Al2O3/water is observed, while natural convection heat transfer for TiO2/water nanofluid is inferior to that for the base fluid. Results also reveal that at low Ra, the likelihood of enhancement in natural convection heat transfer is more than at high Ra:at low Ra, inclination angle, aspect ratio of the enclosure and nanoparticle concentration influence natural convec-tion heat transfer more pronouncedly than that in high Ra.     

Oxidative desulfurization of model and real oil samples using Mo supported on hierarchical alumina-silica: Process optimization by Box-Behnken experimental design

The catalytic performance of Mo supported on hierarchical alumina-silica (Si/Al=15) with Mo loadings of 3, 6 and 15 wt% was investigated for the oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of model and real oil samples. Hierarchical alumina-silica (hAl-Si) was synthesized by economical and ecofriendly silicate-1 seed-induced route using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as mesoporogen. The effect of CTAB on the structure of catalyst was studied by characterization techniques. The results revealed that 6%Mo/hAl-Si had the highest sulfur removal compared to the other catalyst loadings. The effect of operating parameters was evaluated using Box-Behnken experimental design. The optimal desulfurization conditions with the 6%Mo/hAl-Si catalyst were determined at oxidation temperature of 67℃, oxidation time of 42 min, H₂O₂/S molar ratio of 8 and catalyst dosage of 0.008 g·ml^-1 for achieving a conversion of 95%. Under optimal conditions, different sulfur-containing compounds with initial concentration of 1000 ppm, Dibenzothiophene (DBT), Benzothiophene (BT) and Thiophen (Th), showed the catalytic oxidation reactivity in the order of DBT > BT > Th. According to the regeneration experiments, the 6%Mo/hAl-Si catalyst was reused 4 times with a little reduction in the performance. Also, the total sulfur content of gasoline and diesel after ODS process reached 156.6 and 4592.2 ppm, respectively.     

Perceived experiences of anti-bisexual prejudice: Instrument development and evaluation.

This research describes the development and psychometric evaluation of the Anti-Bisexual Experiences Scale (ABES). Items were developed on the basis of prior literature, revised on the basis of expert feedback, and submitted to psychometric evaluation. Exploratory factor analysis of data from 350 bisexual participants yielded 3 factors of reported experiences of prejudicial treatment reflecting (a) Sexual Orientation Instability, (b) Sexual Irresponsibility, and (c) Interpersonal Hostility. This structure emerged with bisexual persons' reported experiences of prejudice from heterosexual people as well as from lesbian and gay people. Confirmatory factor analysis of data from a separate sample of 349 bisexual individuals supported the stability of this 3-factor structure. The data offered evidence of acceptable reliability (i.e., Cronbach's alphas of .81 to .94), convergent validity (i.e., with stigma consciousness, r = .37 to .54; with awareness of public devaluation, r = .28 to .41), and discriminant validity (i.e., for impression management, r = –.00 to .09). Relative levels of the various types of perceived experiences of anti-bisexual prejudice and the role of such experiences within the minority stress framework were also explored. With a separate sample of 176 bisexual individuals, data on the final 17-item version of the ABES yielded 2-week test–retest reliability coefficients of .77 to .89 and Cronbach's alphas of .86 to .96 across subscales. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Molecular dynamic simulation of carbon dioxide,methane, and nitrogen adsorption on Faujasite zeolite

Removing impurities such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen from natural gas is a technical challenge and one of the major concerns in natural gas treatment process. In this study, adsorption of CH₄, N₂, and CO₂ on the Faujasite(FAU) zeolite has been studied using molecular dynamics simulation at temperatures of 293, 308, and 323 K and pressures up to 1 MPa. COMPASS force field was used to model the interactions between zeolite and guest molecules. Ewald and atom-bas...     

Monodisperse Gold Nanoparticles: A Review on Synthesis and Their Application in Modern Medicine

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are becoming increasingly popular as drug carriers due to their unique properties such as size tenability, multivalency, low toxicity and biocompatibility. AuNPs have physical features that distinguish them from bulk materials, small molecules and other nanoscale particles. Their unique combination of characteristics is just now being fully realized in various biomedical applications. In this review, we focus on the research accomplishments and new opportunities in this field, and we describe the rising developments in the use of monodisperse AuNPs for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. This study addresses the key principles and the most recent published data, focusing on monodisperse AuNP synthesis, surface modifications, and future theranostic applications. Moving forward, we also consider the possible development of functionalized monodisperse AuNPs for theranostic applications based on these efforts. We anticipate that as research advances, flexible AuNPs will become a crucial platform for medical applications.     

Effects of Zataria multiflora boiss essential oil,ultraviolet radiation and their combination on Listeria monocytogenes biofilm in a simulated industrial model

The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of Zataria multiflora boiss essential oils (ZEOs), ultraviolet (UV) radiation and their combination against Listeria monocytogenes biofilm in a simulated industrial model (SIM). The effect of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and sub‐MIC concentration of ZEOs, different contact time of UV and their combination was evaluated in a SIM on 6‐ and 12‐day‐old L. monocytogenes biofilm. In a SIM, 0.3% ZEOs were adequate to completely eliminate 6‐ and 12‐day‐old biofilm grown on stainless steel coupons. The population of viable L. monocytogenes biofilm cells under a 15‐ to 45‐min contact time of UV treatment declined significantly at 6‐ and 12‐day‐old biofilm. The combined effect of ZEO and UV showed antagonist effects. These findings indicated that in the single use, ZEO and UV revealed a suitable antilisteria biofilm activity, while combining them is not a promising method to remove listeria biofilms from stainless steel surfaces.