Degradation of Superconducting Properties in MgB2 by Formation of the MgB4 Phase

Superconducting MgB₂ polycrystalline samples have been fabricated under two different conditions in order to determine the effect of MgB₄ phase. A series of samples was placed in an α-alumina container closed with a cup and fired under high purity argon gas. The other series of samples was placed in an α-alumina boot without any lid and fired under similar conditions. For the first series of samples, we have found pure MgB₂ phase formation and a narrow transition width at 0.4 K. For the second series of samples, significant amount of MgB₄ phase were formed and the T _zero was decreased to 27 K. For both the group of samples magnetization hysteresis loops obtained at various temperature range and applied field up to 2 T. The best J _cmag for the first series of samples was 1.9 × 10⁵ A/cm² at 10 K and 0 T, and for the second series of samples was 0.7 × 10⁴ A/cm² at 10 K and 0 T.     

A comparative study on some physical and mechanical properties of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) produced from Beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn.) veneers

Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) panels made from eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn.) and beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky.) veneers were tested for physical and mechanical strength properties in this study. Urea formaldehyde (UF) and Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) adhesives were used for eucalyptus LVL panels and UF adhesive for beech LVL panels. The effect of veneer wood species on some physical and mechanical properties was found statistically significant. Also, different glue species caused the differences in strength properties of LVL panels.

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Über einige Eigenschaften von Furnierschichtholzplatten hergestellt aus Buchen- und Eukalyptusfurnieren

Zusammenfassung In diesem Beitrag werden einige physikalische und mechanische Eigenschaften von Schichtholzplatten, hergestellt aus Buchen- (Fagus orientalis Lipsky.) und Eukalyptusfurnieren (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn.) untersucht. Für die Herstellung von Schichtholzplatten wurden die Buchenfurniere mit UF und die Eukalyptusfurniere mit UF und PVA verleimt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sowohl die Art des Bindemittels als auch die Holzart der Furniere die Eigenschaften der Schichtholzplatten signifikant beeinflussen.

     

Preparation and characterization of light curable hybrid coating: Its potential application for dental restorative material

The objective of this study was to synthesize a dual-functional light curable resin by the reaction between acrylated cycloaliphatic epoxy resin and 3-isocyanatopropyltrimethoxysilane and investigate the performance of this oligomer in the preparation of resin-based composite restoratives. FT-IR and ²⁹Si-NMR were used to characterize the structure of the hybrids. The char yields of the hybrids increased with inorganic content comes from TEOS (tetraethylorthosilicate) and synthesized SiUA oligomers. Gel content of polymeric films was found to be between 95% and 98%. Swelling was found to be between 3.1% and 3.8%. Weight loss of coated human teeth in synthetic saliva solution was found to be among 1% and 2%. There was a systematic increase in the modulus and tensile strength with the increase of inorganic content. On the other hand, elongation at break did not changed. Prepared hybrid coating materials exhibited improvement in tensile properties and hardness, when photo chemically cured.     

The effect of sexual hormone abnormalities on proximal femur bone mineral density in hemodialysis patients and the possible role of RANKL

Sexual hormone concentrations are commonly affected in chronic renal failure. The contribution of sex steroids to bone turnover regulation implies that sex steroid's dysfunction may be implicated in the emergence of renal osteodystrophy. This study was conducted to evaluate sex steroids and gonadotrophins in hemodialysis (HD) patients and to investigate their role in bone homeostasis in concert with other hormones and cytokines. Bone mineral density (BMD) at the proximal femur and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), osteoprotegerin, soluble receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (sRANKL), prolactin, total testosterone, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured in serum samples in 42 patients, 21 men and 21 women, on maintenance HD therapy. Possible associations between clinical characteristics, biochemical parameters, and BMD values were investigated. In male HD patients, the testosterone concentration declined significantly with aging, whereas the estradiol level increased with longer duration of HD. Concurrently, testosterone correlated negatively with sRANKL concentrations (r=-0.520, p=0.016). Luteinizing hormone levels in male patients demonstrated statistically significant negative correlations with BMD values of the proximal femur. In the entire cohort of patients, FSH and LH were negatively associated with absolute values of proximal femur BMD. Gonadotrophin and sexual hormone concentrations in HD patients are associated with bone mineral status and consequently their derangements appear to contribute to the development of bone composition abnormalities in different types of renal osteodystrophy. Furthermore, testosterone's association with sRANKL levels in male HD patients suggests that RANKL may mediate the effect of testosterone on bone metabolism in these patients.     

Strategies for ideal indoor environments towards low/zero carbon buildings through a biomimetic approach

Biomimicry is a relatively new discipline of applied science that seeks inspiration from natural systems for innovative solutions to human problems. Taking nature as ‘model, mentor and measure’ receives wide acceptance in the field of architecture but predominantly in conceptualising novel forms. The biomimicry concept is comprehensively analysed for its ability to provide more sustainable and possibly even regenerative built environments. As part of this study, first, various frameworks for approaching ‘biomimicry’ in general are discussed and then relevant examples pertaining to architecture are evaluated. Case studies are critiqued with respect to varied levels of sustainability achieved and its causative factors. In the second part, an approach model for ‘biomimetic architecture’ in the context of Mumbai is presented and applicable strategies based on climatic adaptation are suggested using local biodiversity as a library of organisms. The generic example of ‘human skin’ addressing the same adaptation is analysed and complemented by a state-of-the-art case study on similar lines. The results achieved clearly reveal that biomimicry is a successful approach to design and operate the sustainable built environments for the buildings of the future.     

Heat transfer enhancement in cylindrical fins through longitudinal parabolic perforations

In our previous works, it is clearly addressed that optimisation of fin profile is of vital importance in terms of the rate of heat transfer from a hot surface, and the optimisation procedure depends on several factors. Within the scope of this research, a longitudinal cylindrical fin profile is under interest for the optimisation research. The purpose is to investigate the effects of longitudinal parabolic perforations on the fin parameters such as temperature distribution, effectiveness and efficiency, in which the fin surface is cooled by natural convection and radiation. Different concavity levels are considered to form parabolic perforations. The rate of heat transfer from fin surface is numerically correlated with the fin mass with respect to different concavity levels. According to results, heat transfer from unit fin mass is enhanced with the new designs. The outcome of the study can be used to optimise the needs for particular applications by making a decision between heat loss and weight options. That is, the increase in the concavity level of the perforation results in a lighter and cheaper design, but yielding a lower heat loss. However, heat transfer from unit mass is still enhanced.     

Corrosion inhibition performance of polymer-alloy bilayer coatings: electropolymerised polyaniline and electrodeposited ZnNi with different layer orders

Polyaniline (PANI) conducting polymer coatings have been obtained galvanostatically with various current densities (from 0·1 to 0·4 mA cm^?2) and ZnNi alloy coatings have been obtained galvanostatically at 30 mA cm^?2 current density. Corrosion protection performances of monolayered PANI and ZnNi alloy coatings and multi-layered ZnNi/PANI and PANI/ZnNi coatings on st-37 low carbon mild steel (MS) have been investigated by an open circuit potential method, Tafel extrapolation method and electrochemical impedance method in 3·5 wt-% NaCl solution. In addition, the surface morphology of the coatings has been characterised by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Synthesising PANI films between two metal layers provided better corrosion protection to the steel. MS/PANI/ZnNi layer formation exhibited the biggest corrosion protection performance among all layer formations of the films and protected MS for up to 72 h.     

Closed-form expressions for the coupling capacitance of metal fill tiles in VLSI circuits

A new closed-form formula for the computation of the coupling capacitance of metal tiles is presented in this work. It exploits the analytical solution of the Laplace equations of equivalent studied problems. Comparative results are given with two commercial tools employing the boundary element method (BEM) and the finite element method (FEM). The results show that the capacitance value computed by the proposed formula is in close agreement to the value obtained by the simulators.