Removal of cadmium from aqueous solutions using clinoptilolite: influence of pretreatment and regeneration

In this study, Cd removal from aqueous solutions via clinoptilolite was investigated in terms of the effect of pretreatment and regeneration. Four different chemicals (NaCl, KCl, CaCl₂ and HCl) were tested for this purpose. Samples treated by a total of 20 bed volume (BV) of 1 M NaCl solution prepared in tap water with no pH adjustment were found to perform satisfactorily. Five exhaustion and regeneration cycles were then carried out, revealing an increasing Cd removal capacity, coupled with constant Cd elution efficiency in progressing cycles. Furthermore, the change of pH and the presence of exchangeable (Na, K, Ca and Mg) and framework cations (Si and Al) in the aqueous phase were investigated. Subsequently, these were discussed in terms of progressive conversion of clinoptilolite to its homoionic Na-form, and the presence of different Cd removal mechanisms in the system. This study emphasizes the potential of clinoptilolite to be a part of sustainable wastewater treatment technologies, enabling the recovery of both the sorbent and the metal, via demonstration of effective Cd removal and clinoptilolite recovery, besides successful concentration of metal in the regenerant solution.     

Characterization,antibacterial and in vitro compatibility of zinc–silver doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles prepared through microwave synthesis

We investigated the possibility of enhancing hydroxyapatite (HA) bioactivity by co-substituting it with zinc and silver. Zn–Ag–HA nanoparticles were synthesized by using the microwave-assisted wet precipitation process, and their phase purity, elemental composition, morphology, and particle size were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). FTIR, XRD, and EDX results showed the characteristic peaks of the Zn–Ag–HA structure, while SEM results demonstrated that the nanoparticles were of spherical shape with a particle size of 70–102 nm. Antibacterial tests of the nanoparticles revealed their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. By using simulated body fluid (SBF), an apatite layer formation was observed at 28 days. In vitro cell adhesion assay confirmed the cell attachment of normal human osteoblast (NHOst) cells to the disc surface. MTT [(3(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay indicated that the cells were viable, and the cells proliferated faster on the disks than on the control surface due to the presence of metal ions. In conclusion, the novel Zn–Ag–HA nanoparticles were found to be compatible with in vitro experiments and having potential antibacterial properties. Therefore these nanoparticles could be a promising candidate for future biomedical applications.     

Spatial and temporal control of microwave triggered chemiluminescence: a protein detection platform

We have combined the principles of microwave circuitry and antenna design and our recent work in microwave-triggered metal-enhanced chemiluminescence to now "trigger" chemically and enzyme-catalyzed chemiluminescent reactions with spatial and temporal control. With this technology platform, we achieve spatial and temporal control of enzyme and chemically catalyzed chemiluminescence reactions to achieve more than 500-fold increases in "on-demand" photon flux from chemically catalyzed chemiluminescent reactions. We also report a 6-fold increase in photon flux from HRP-catalyzed assays on disposable coverslips functionalized with HRP and placed proximal to the substrates modified with thin-film aluminum triangle disjointed "bow-tie" structures. In addition, we demonstrate the applicability of this technology to develop multiplexed or high-throughput chemiluminescent assays. We also demonstrate the clinical and biological relevance of this technology platform by affixing aluminum structures in proximity to HRP protein immobilized on nitrocellulose to improve the sensitivity for this model Western blot scheme by 50-fold. We believe analytical applications that rely on enzyme-catalyzed chemiluminescence, such as immunoassays, may greatly benefit from this new platform technology.     

Polymer nanocomposites based on graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs): a review on thermal-electrical conductivity,mechanical and barrier properties

Journal of Materials Science - In this paper, graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs)-based polymer nanocomposites were reviewed. This review mainly discusses various synthesis techniques for making graphite...     

Towards High-Fidelity Machining Simulation

The main purpose of any machining simulation system is to reveal or mimic the real machining process as accurately as possible. Current simulation systems often use G-code or CL data as input that has inherent drawbacks such as vendor-specific nature, incomplete data, irreversible data conversions and lack of accuracy. These limitations hinder the development of a truthful simulation system. Hence, there is a need for higher-level input data that can assist with accurate simulation for machining processes. In addition, there is also a need to take into account of true behaviour and real-time data of a machine tool. The paper presents a High-Fidelity Machining Simulation solution for more accurate results. STEP-NC is used as the input data as it provides a more complete data model for machining simulations. The status-quo of the machine tool is captured by means of sensors to provide true data values for machining simulation purposes. The outcome of the research provides a smart and better informed simulation environment. The paper reviewed some of the current simulation approaches, highlighted the current simulation problems, discussed input data sources for smart machining simulation and introduced the high-fidelity simulation system architecture.     

Numerical study of radiative Maxwell viscoelastic magnetized flow from a stretching permeable sheet with the Cattaneo–Christov heat flux model

In this article, the Cattaneo–Christov heat flux model is implemented to study non-Fourier heat and mass transfer in the magnetohydrodynamic flow of an upper-convected Maxwell fluid over a permeable stretching sheet under a transverse constant magnetic field. Thermal radiation and chemical reaction effects are also considered. The nonlinear partial differential conservation equations for mass, momentum, energy and species conservation are transformed with appropriate similarity variables into a system of coupled, highly nonlinear ordinary differential equations with appropriate boundary conditions. Numerical solutions have been presented for the influence of elasticity parameter (α), magnetic parameter (M ²), suction/injection parameter \((\lambda ),\) Prandtl number (Pr), conduction–radiation parameter (R _d ), sheet stretching parameter (A), Schmidt number (Sc), chemical reaction parameter \(\left( {\gamma_{c} } \right)\), modified Deborah number with respect to relaxation time of heat flux (i.e., non-Fourier Deborah number) on velocity components, temperature and concentration profiles using the successive Taylor series linearization method (STSLM) utilizing Chebyshev interpolating polynomials and Gauss–Lobatto collocation. The effects of selected parameters on skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number and Sherwood number are also presented with the help of tables. Verification of the STSLM solutions is achieved with existing published results demonstrating close agreement. Further validation of skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number and Sherwood number values computed with STSLM is included using Mathematica software shooting quadrature.

     

FOOD SECURITY RISK LEVEL ASSESSMENT: A FUZZY LOGIC-BASED APPROACH

A fuzzy logic (FL)-based food security risk level assessment system is designed and is presented in this article. Three inputs—yield, production, and economic growth—are used to predict the level of risk associated with food supply. A number of previous studies have related food supply with risk assessment for particular types of food, but none of the work was specifically concerned with how the wider food chain might be affected. The system we describe here uses the Mamdani method. The resulting system can assess risk level against three grades: severe, acceptable, and good. The method is tested with UK (United Kingdom) cereal data for the period from 1988 to 2008. The approach is discussed on the basis that it could be used as a starting point in developing tools that may either assess current food security risk or predict periods or regions of impending pressure on food supply.     

Electrochemical synthesis of sulfonated polypyrrole in FSO3H/acetonitrile solution

The incorporation of SO₃^? groups into a polypyrrole backbone was successfully carried out using FSO₃H/acetonitrile medium. The degree of sulfonation (sulfonation or sulfur‐to‐nitrogen ratio) of polymer was controlled by varying FSO₃H concentration while the film was being electrodeposited. The cyclic voltammograms of the electrodeposited films were taken between ?1.00 and +2.00 V (versus Ag/AgCl) in blank solution. A substantial effect on the electrical conductivity was observed upon the incorporation of SO₃^? groups in the polypyrrole polymeric chain. The elemental analysis results of the freshly prepared and reduced films give independent evidence that the SO₃^? groups are covalently bound to the structure. FTIR, UV‐Vis, spectroscopy and SEM techniques were used to characterize the electrosynthesized polypyrrole films. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 526–533, 2004     

TTS语音单元的无损压缩与按需解压缩技术

以波形拼接式维吾尔语音合成系统研发为背景,在已建立的维吾尔语最小发音单位音节和音素作为合成基元的语音库基础上,对语料库中的所有音节、音素进行无损压缩,选择了运算速度快,便于实现的哈夫曼压缩。在解压过程中只解压人们所需的语音单元,而不需要解压整个语料库。实验结果表明,通过哈夫曼压缩算法对语料库进行压缩和解压,减小了语料库的占用空间,同时解压后的语音不失真,解压速度快。     

Sorption of malachite green on chitosan bead

Chitosan bead was synthesized for the removal of a cationic dye malachite green (MG) from aqueous solution. The effects of temperature (303, 313 and 323 K), pH of the solution (2-11) on MG removal was investigated. Preliminary kinetic experiment was carried out up to 480 min. The sorption equilibrium was reached within 5 h (300 min). In order to determine the adsorption capacity, the sorption data were analyzed using linear form of Langmuir and Freundlich equation. Langmuir equation showed higher conformity than Freundlich equation. Ninety-nine percent removal of MG was reached at the optimum pH value of 8. From kinetic experiments, it was obtained that sorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. This study showed that chitosan beads can be excellent adsorbents at high pH values. Activation energy value for sorption process was found to be 85.6 kJ mol(-1). This indicates that sorption process can be assumed as chemical process. Due to negative values of Gibbs free energy, sorption process can be considered as a spontaneous. In order to determine the interactions between MG and chitosan bead, FTIR analysis was also conducted.