Communicating with operating systems in natural language

We aim to conduct a dialogue with a machine in a natural manner without having to learn an artificial language. With the goal of supplying a natural language interface to a variety of operating systems, we have developed a TURBO-PROLOG ®-based system called NLDOS that facilitates the communication with the well known operating system MS-DOS®. NLDOS is capable of understanding English requests, providing an automatic spelling correction facility, resolving ambiguity, and discovering and locating logical errors. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Partnering: Tool for Construction Claims Reduction

This forum is a continuation of a regular series of columns on engineering ethics based on the Applied Ethics Case of the Month program, sponsored by the National Institute for Engineering Ethics (NIEE), Texas Tech University.     

Recent progress in barium zirconate proton conductors for electrochemical hydrogen device applications: A review

Electrochemical hydrogen devices like fuel cells are widely investigated as promising technologies to mitigate the rising environmental challenges and enhance the renewable energy economy. In these devices, proton-conducting oxides (PCOs) are applied as electrolyte materials to transport protons. Excellent physical stability and higher proton transport number are two essential properties of electrolyte materials. Doped BaZrO₃ (BZO) is a solid ion-conducting perovskite material with high chemical stability and good proton-conducting properties at an intermediate temperature range of 400–650 °C. Therefore, BZO is an attractive material among the exciting proton-conducting oxides as electrolyte material. To enhance the proton transport properties and improve the material fabrication process of BZO, techniques such as the use of dopants, sintering aid, synthesis methods are crucial. The present review work highlights the applications of BZO as electrolyte material in electrochemical hydrogen devices such as hydrogen isotopes separation systems, hydrogen sensors, hydrogen pumps, and protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) or solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The central section of this review summarizes the recent research investigations of these applications and provides a comprehensive insight into the various synthesis process, doping, sintering aid, operating environments, and operating condition's impact on the composition, morphology, and performance of BZO electrolyte materials. Based on the reviewed literature, remarks on current challenges and prospects are provided. The presented information on in-depth analysis of the physical properties of barium zirconate electrolyte's along with output performance will guide aspirants in conducting research further on this field.     

Preparation of electrospun nanofibers of carbon nanotube/polycaprolactone nanocomposite

Multiwalled carbon nanotube/polycaprolactone nanocomposites (MWNT/PCL) were prepared by in situ polymerization, whereby functionalized MWNTs (F-MWNTs) and unfunctionalized MWNTs (P-MWNTs) were used as reinforcing materials. The F-MWNTs were functionalized by Friedel-Crafts acylation, which introduced the aromatic amine (COC₆H₄-NH₂) groups on the side wall. The F-MWNTs were chemically bonded with the PCL chains in the F-MWNT/PCL, as indicated by the appearance of the amide II group in the FT-IR spectrum. The TGA thermograms showed that the F-MWNT/PCL had better thermal stability than PCL and P-MWNT/PCL. The PCL and the nanocomposite nanofibers were prepared by an electrospinning technique. The nanocomposites that contain more than 2 wt% of MWNTs were not able to be electrospun. The bead of the F-MWNT/PCL nanofiber was formed less than that of the P-MWNT/PCL. The nanocomposite nanofibers showed a relatively broader diameter than the pure PCL nanofibers. The MWNTs were embedded within the nanofibers and were well oriented along the axes of the electrospun nanofibers, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy.     

黄腐酸和羟丙基-β-环糊精对阿司匹林分解的影响比较

研究了黄腐酸（FA）作为一种的新的络合剂,与羟丙基-β-环糊精络合物（Hp-β-CD）相比,对阿司匹林（ASA）分解的影响。ASA与FA以1：0.5、1：1、1：2（物质的量比）络合,并用冷冻干燥、溶剂蒸发和喷雾干燥三种方法进行干燥。ASA-羟丙基-β-环糊精（1：1）络合物通过喷雾干燥制备,并与最佳FA络合物进行比较。将所有的络合物和ASA放入贴好标签的铝塑小包中密封,在温度为40±2℃、相对湿度为75%±5%的稳定暗箱中存放120d。分别在0、30d、60d、90d和120d分析各样品的水杨酸含量。以物质的量比为1：1进行络合的ASA-FA喷雾干燥络合物中水杨酸含量为4.31%,该络合物在所有不同制备方法的络合物中具有最佳稳定性。然而,1：1的ASA-羟丙基-β-环糊精喷雾干燥络合物中测得水杨酸含量只有2.35%。与FA相比,ASA与羟丙基-β-环糊精络合,其稳定性更强。为提高阿司匹林的稳定性,对一种新型FA络合剂进行了研究。与1：1ASA-FA喷雾干燥络合物相比,ASA与羟丙基-β-环糊精1：1络合时,ASA的稳定性有显著改善。     

Solid–liquid mass transfer in a gas sparging contactor equipped with a tube of circular fins

The solid–liquid mass transfer rate at a stack of circular fin surfaces in a gas sparging contactor was investigated. A diffusion-controlled dissolution technique of copper in an acidified chromate solution was employed. Variables studied included the number of actively exposed fins ranging from 5 to 20, pertinent physical properties of the solution, and air superficial velocity. Experimental data showed that the rate of the diffusion-controlled mass transfer increases with increasing superficial air velocity and decreases with increasing chromate solution acid concentration. Moreover, at relatively low superficial air velocity, increasing the number of actively exposed fins results into a continuous increase in the mass transfer coefficient. At relatively higher superficial air velocity, however, the mass transfer coefficient decreases in the 5–10 range of actively exposed fins and then reverts to increase in the 15–20 range. An empirical correlation relating the mass transfer j factor to Re_g, Fr, and a dimensionless height defined as the ratio of the height of actively exposed fins to the column equivalent diameter was developed based on the data generated in this study, with ±6.45% average deviation.