Methyl methacrylate based copolymers and terpolymers: Preparation,identification, and plasticizing capability for a poly(methyl methacrylate) used in aviation

In this study, we first synthesized transparent poly(methyl methacrylate–maleic anhydride) [P(MMA–MAH)] and poly(methyl methacrylate–maleic anhydride–N‐2‐methyl‐4‐nitrophenyl maleimide) [P(MMA–MAH–MI)] via free‐radical polymerization at different monomer ratios. The synthesized polymers were characterized by titration, viscometric, spectroscopy, and thermal analyses. Higher contents of maleic anhydride (MAH) resulted in increases in the viscosity, glass‐transition temperature (T_g), and transparency. The synthesized polymers were then blended with a commercial‐grade poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) used in aviation in the presence of CHCl₃. According to the free volume theory, the incorporation of 5 wt % P(MMA–MAH)s or P(MMA–MAH–MI)s into the commercial PMMA resulted in a plasticizing impact on this thermoplastic, which was confirmed by the decrease in the T_g values of the blends with almost the same transparency as the initial PMMA. In fact, the higher the content of MAH was, the lower the T_g of the blends was. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46603.     

Influence of polyethylene glycol on the excretion and digestibility of amino acids in casein and tannic acid‐fed broilers

Using the precision feeding technique, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of tannic acid (TA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the excretion of amino acids and the apparent and true digestibilities of casein protein in broilers. Seventy‐two 9‐week‐old broiler cockerels grouped in nine treatments of eight replicates were fed warm water (50 mL, control birds), casein alone (12 or 18 g) or casein (12 or 18 g) with TA solution (4.5 g per 10 mL) or/and PEG solution (2 g per 10 mL). Total excreta were collected for 48 h and freeze‐dried. The amino acid content of casein and excreta was determined by reverse phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. In the absence of TA the digestibility of casein was almost complete. TA increased the excretion of amino acids to a varying extent (P < 0.01). Although the digestibility of all essential and non‐essential amino acids was adversely affected by the presence of TA, raising the amount of casein from 12 to 18 g improved significantly (P < 0.05) the apparent and true digestibilities of all amino acids. PEG reduced significantly (P < 0.01) the excretion of amino acids and improved significantly (P < 0.01) the amino acid digestibility of casein in TA‐dosed birds. However, the improvement was greater when the lower level of casein (12 g) was fed. Thus PEG might play an important role in inactivating dietary tannins in the gastrointestinal tract of birds and improving protein digestibility and utilisation, particularly when the diet is low or intermediate in protein. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis of Quinazolinones from Alcohols via Laccase‐Mediated Tandem Oxidation

This paper describes the synthesis of quinazolinones via a tandem reaction using the laccase‐mediator system under mild conditions. The procedure involved the laccase‐catalyzed oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes, followed by cyclocondensation with isatoic anhydride and a number of amines to afford 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones, which were further oxidized to quinazolinones in useful yields. The use of an enzyme as the catalyst, O₂ as an environmentally friendly oxidant, and a citrate buffer as the green solvent represents a novel and efficient approach for the one‐pot synthesis of quinazolinones.

     

Thermodynamic equation of state approach for the choice of working fluids of absorption cooling cycles

A methodology is developed for the application of thermodynamic equations of state of fluids and fluid mixtures in evaluating working fluid combinations of absorption cooling cycles. Thermodynamic phase equilibrium formulation of this methodology is presented. In the application of this approach for the comparitive study and choice of working fluids, the Redlich-Kwong equation of state is used for a number of possible working fluid combinations for solar absorption cooling cycles. It is demonstrated that when limited experimental data are at hand this approach could be a useful screening technique for potential working fluid combinations.     

Attractive energy contribution to nanoconfined fluids behavior: the normal pressure tensor

The aim of our research is to demonstrate the role of attractive intermolecular potential energy on normal pressure tensor of confined molecular fluids inside nanoslit pores of two structureless purely repulsive parallel walls in xy plane at z = 0 and z = H, in equilibrium with a bulk homogeneous fluid at the same temperature and at a uniform density. To achieve this we have derived the perturbation theory version of the normal pressure tensor of confined inhomogeneous fluids in nanoslit pores:

转盘式萃取塔有效扩散系数的预测及其在设计中的应用

A rotating disc column (RDC) with inner diameter 68 mm and 28 compartments is used in this study. Parameters including Sauter mean diameter, hold-up and mass transfer coefficient are measured experimentally under different operating conditions. The correlations in literature for molecular diffusion and enhancement factor equation including eddy diffusion, circulation and oscillation of drops are evaluated. A new equation for the effective diffusion coefficient as a function of Reynolds number is proposed. The calculated values of mass transfer co-efficient and column height from the previous equations and present equation are compared with the experimental data. The results from the present equation are in very good agreement with the experimental results, which may be used in designing RDC columns.     

Optimized Hemolysin Type 1 Secretion System in Escherichia coli by Directed Evolution of the Hly Enhancer Fragment and Including a Terminator Region

Type 1 secretion systems (T1SS) have a relatively simple architecture compared to other classes of secretion systems and therefore, are attractive to be optimized by protein engineering. Here, we report a KnowVolution campaign for the hemolysin (Hly) enhancer fragment, an untranslated region upstream of the hlyA gene, of the hemolysin T1SS of Escherichia coli to enhance its secretion efficiency. The best performing variant of the Hly enhancer fragment contained five nucleotide mutations at five positions (A30U, A36U, A54G, A81U, and A116U) resulted in a 2-fold increase in the secretion level of a model lipase fused to the secretion carrier HlyA1. Computational analysis suggested that altered affinity to the generated enhancer fragment towards the S1 ribosomal protein contributes to the enhanced secretion levels. Furthermore, we demonstrate that involving a native terminator region along with the generated Hly enhancer fragment increased the secretion levels of the Hly system up to 5-fold.     

Performance evaluation of single stand and hybrid solar water heaters: a comprehensive review

In this review, flat plate and concentrate-type solar collectors, integrated collector–storage systems, and solar water heaters combined with photovoltaic–thermal modules, solar-assisted heat pump solar water heaters, and solar water heaters using phase change materials are studied based on their thermal performance, cost, energy, and exergy efficiencies. The maximum water temperature and thermal efficiencies are enlisted to evaluate the thermal performance of the different solar water heaters. It is found that the solar water heaters’ performance is considerably improved by boosting water flow rate and tilt angle, modification of the shape and number of collectors, using wavy diffuse and electrodepositioned reflector coating, application of the corrugated absorber surface and coated absorber, use of turbulent enhancers, using thermal conductive working fluid and nanofluid, the inclusion of the water storage tank, and tank insulation. These items increase the heat transfer area and coefficient, thermal conductivity, the Reynolds and Nusselt numbers, heat transfer rate, and energy and exergy efficiencies. The evacuated tube heaters have a higher temperature compared to the collectors with a plane surface. Their thermal performance increases by using all-glass active circulation and heat pipe integration. The concentrative type of solar water heaters is superior to other solar heaters, particularly in achieving higher water temperatures. Their performance improves by using a rotating mirror concentrator. The integration of the system with energy storage components, phase change materials, or a heat pump provides a satisfactory performance over conventional solar water heaters.

Graphical abstract

Modification of solar water heaters

     

Inhibitive Effect of New Azole-Azomethine Derivatives on Mild Steel Corrosion in HCl Solution: Electrochemical,Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy Studies

Two azole-based Schiff bases, namely, 2-(((1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)imino)methyl)-4-bromophenol, TIB , and 4-Bromo-2-((thiazol-2-ylimino)methyl)phenol, BTP , are synthesized and used as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel, MS, in acidic medium. The inhibitive effect of TIB and BTP , in 0.5 m hydrochloric acid, is investigated using weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance measurements. The optimum concentrations of TIB and BTP for coverage of metal surface are 600 and 400 μM, respectively. An electrochemical impedance study shows that the corrosion of MS is reduced through a charge transfer mechanism. The maximum inhibition efficiencies at optimum concentration of TIB and BTP are ≈83% and ≈81%, respectively. Tafel polarization reveals that the TIB and BTP behave as mixed-type inhibitors, predominantly of cathodic type. The results indicate that the MS surface has been blocked by TIB and BTP molecules following the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The formed protective layer on MS surface is verified using SEM and EDX techniques. Furthermore, atomic force microscopic study reveals that the current inhibitors increase the surface smoothness of MS by adsorbing on the metallic surface.