Moderate concentration of citric acid for the formation of LaMnO3 and LaCoO3 nano-perovskites

Stoichiometric LaMnO3 and LaCoO3 nanoparticles were synthesized via calcination of a dried solution, containing molar ratio of La(NO3)3·6H2O/[Mn(NO3)2·4H2O or Co(NO3)2·6H2O]=1 and citric acid as disper...     

Effect of Ti (Macro-) Alloying on the High-Temperature Oxidation Behavior of Ternary Mo–Si–B Alloys at 820–1,300 °C

The aim of the present investigation was to gain an initial understanding of the effect of (macro-) alloying with Ti on the oxidation behavior of Mo–Si–B alloys in the ternary phase region of Mo_ss–Mo₃Si–Mo₅SiB₂ at 820–1,300 °C. Motivated by recent studies and thermodynamic calculations, the alloy compositions Mo–9Si–8B–29Ti (at.%) and Mo–12.5Si–8.5B–27.5Ti (at.%) were selected and synthesized by arc-melting. Compared to the reference alloy Mo–9Si–8B, superior initial oxidation rates at 1,100–1,300 °C as well as a significant density reduction by nearly 18 % were observed. Due to enhanced initial evaporation of MoO₃ and mainly inward diffusion of oxygen, a borosilicate-rutile duplex scale with a continuous TiO₂ phase had formed. Detailed investigations of the oxidation mechanism by SEM, EDX, XRD and confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy indicated that Ti alloying is promising with regard to further improvement of the oxidation resistance as well as the strength-to-weight ratio of Mo–Si–B alloys.     

Moderate concentration of citric acid for the formation of LaMn03 and LaCo03 nano-perovskites

Stoichiometric LaMnO3 and LaCoO3 nanoparticles were synthesized via calcination of a dried solution, containing molar ratio of La（NO3）3＋6H20/[Mn（NO3）2-4H20 or Co（NO3）2-6H20]=1 and citric acid as disperser at temperature range of 600-900 ℃for 5 h. The role of organic additive concentration, which was 0.0, 1.0, 2.5 and 5 times of the total number of moles of the nitrate ions, was investigated on phase formation, morphology, extent of crystallization and particle size of the products. Products were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy （FT-IR）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and Wansmission elec- tron microscopy （TEM） analysis. The tendency of lanthanum ion toward manganese cation was observed to be more than to cobalt cation for the formation of LaBO3 （B： Mn or Co） perovskite phase. A spongy product was formed on perovskite phase formation or in the pres- ence of citric acid. A constructive or destructive effect was observed for the organic disperser on perovskite phase formation, which de- pended on mole of the citric acid.     

MHD-conjugate heat transfer analysis for a vertical flat plate in presence of viscous dissipation and heat generation

In this paper, the effects of magnetic field, viscous dissipation and heat generation on natural convection flow of an incompressible, viscous and electrically conducting fluid along a vertical flat plate in the presence of conduction are investigated. Numerical solutions for the governing momentum and energy equations are given. A discussion is provided for the effects of magnetic parameter, viscous dissipation parameter and heat generation parameter on two-dimensional flow. Detailed analysis of the velocity profile, temperature distribution, skin friction, rate of heat transfer and the surface temperature distribution are shown graphically.     

Astrovirus infection in association with acute, persistent and nosocomial diarrhea in Bangladesh

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea is an important public health concern in developing countries such as Bangladesh. Diarrhea in children that persists for 14 days or more occurs in 7% of patients in Bangladesh and frequently results in death. Astrovirus has been demonstrated as a cause of acute and nosocomial diarrhea and can be excreted for prolonged periods, yet its importance as a cause of diarrhea among children in a developing country like Bangladesh has not been investigated. METHODS: We tested 629 stool specimens from patients with acute diarrhea, 153 from patients with persistent diarrhea, 175 specimens from 76 patients hospitalized for diarrhea who were sampled repeatedly to detect nosocomial infection and 428 from nonhospitalized healthy children (controls). All children enrolled in the study were <5 years of age. Astrovirus was detected by enzyme immunoassay and other enteropathogens were detected by standard techniques. RESULTS: The detection of astrovirus increased significantly with the duration of diarrhea. Astrovirus was found in 23 (15%) specimens from patients with persistent diarrhea, 26 (4%) patients with acute diarrhea, but only 8 (2%) healthy controls. This trend remained when we limited our analysis to infants <12 months of age and to episodes in which astrovirus was the sole pathogen. Among patients with nosocomial diarrhea, 16% of postadmission specimens were positive for astrovirus when the admission specimen was negative. CONCLUSION: The observation that astrovirus is detected more frequently with diarrhea of increasing duration suggests the need for further studies to determine whether astrovirus plays a causative role in persistent diarrhea or is a secondary agent.     

Preparation and Evaluation of Acrylate Polymers as Pour Point Depressants for Lube Oil

In the present work, twenty polymeric additives were prepared and used as pour point depressants for lube oil, via copolymerization of different ratios of styrene with different esters of acrylic acid. The efficiency of the prepared copolymers as flow improvers (pour point depressants) for a base lube oil were studied. It was found that the efficiency increases by decreasing the concentration of the prepared copolymers, decreasing the chain length of alkyl groups. The efficiency decreases by increasing the styrene content in the prepared copolymers.     

Research advances in intelligent collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control

This paper looks into recent developments and research trends in collision avoidance/warning systems and automation of vehicle longitudinal/lateral control tasks. It is an attempt to provide a bigger picture of the very diverse, detailed and highly multidisciplinary research in this area. Based on diversely selected research, this paper explains the initiatives for automation in different levels of transportation system with a specific emphasis on the vehicle-level automation. Human factor studies and legal issues are analyzed as well as control algorithms. Drivers' comfort and well being, increased safety, and increased highway capacity are among the most important initiatives counted for automation. However, sometimes these are contradictory requirements. Relying on an analytical survey of the published research, we will try to provide a more clear understanding of the impact of automation/warning systems on each of the above-mentioned factors. The discussion of sensory issues requires a dedicated paper due to its broad range and is not addressed in this paper.     

Polymeric additives for pour point depression of residual fuel oils

Esters of styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers were synthesised by reacting styrene with maleic anhydride and esterifying the product with fatty alcohols. The resulting copolymers were purified and tested as pour point depressants for residual fuel oils. Comparative evaluation of these esters of styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers with some commercial additives showed their good activity.     

Frequency–amplitude relations for cross‐coupled voltage‐controlled oscillator

Dependence of frequency on amplitude and control bias is considered for the cross‐coupled voltage‐controlled oscillator. Closed form expressions are derived for frequency of oscillation as a function of amplitude, for positive and negative control bias voltages. Theory of nonlinear ordinary differential equations is utilized to show that the capacitance–voltage relation is the main cause of frequency shift with amplitude. Furthermore, the case of small amplitudes relative to control voltage is analyzed, and a closed form expression is derived for dependence of frequency on amplitude. This relation is then verified using the concept of effective capacitance. The effective capacitance approach is also used to extend the analysis to large voltage swings. Dependence of frequency on tuner control voltage is calculated for both bias polarities. Implications of the aforementioned equations for voltage‐controlled oscillator performance are discussed. Numerical calculations and simulations are used to compare and verify the closed form equations, showing good agreement. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) and Poly(Vinyl Pyrrolidone) Co-polymer Blend Hydrogel Prepared by Application of Gamma Radiation

Hydrogel is prepared from a poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) blend solution by gamma radiation with a ₆₀Co λ source at room temperature. Properties of the prepared hydrogel, such as gel fraction, gel strength swelling ratio, equilibrium water content, and water absorption in room temperature, were investigated. Blending hydrogel with PVP and PVA obviously increased the gel strength and decreased the swelling ratio of hydrogel. It was observed that the gel fraction increased while the swelling ratio and water content decreased with increased radiation dose, but gel strength increased up to a certain radiation dose and then decreased. The percentage of water absorption at room temperature increased with time but after a certain time it became steady and decreased with radiation dose.