Some Thermodynamic Aspects of the Oxides of Chromium

To understand Cr emissions from slag melts to a vapor phase, an assessment of the stabilities of the chromium oxides at high temperatures has been carried out. The objective of the present study is to present a set of consistent data corresponding to the thermodynamic properties of the oxides of chromium, with special reference to the emission of hexavalent chromium from slags. In the current work, critical analysis of the experimental data available and a third analysis in the case of Cr₂O₃ have been carried out. Commercial databases, Fact Sage and ThermoCalc along with NIST-JANAF Thermochemical Tables, have been used for the analysis and comparisons of the results that are presented. The significant discrepancies in the available data have been pointed out. The data from NIST-JANAF Thermochemical Tables have been found to provide a set of consistent data for the various chromium oxides. An Ellingham diagram and the equations for the ΔG° (standard Gibbs free energy change) of formation of CrO _x have been proposed. The present analysis shows that CrO₃(g) is likely to be emitted from slag melts at high oxygen partial pressures.     

Physico‐mechanical properties of nano‐polystyrene‐decorated graphene oxide–epoxy composites

Nano‐polystyrene (nPS)‐decorated graphene oxide (GO) hybrid nanostructures were successfully synthesized using stepwise microemulsion polymerization, and characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. XRD and FTIR spectra revealed the existence of a strong interaction between nPS and GO, which implied that the polymer chains were successfully grafted onto the surface of the GO. The nPS‐decorated GO hybrid nanostructures were compounded with epoxy using a hand lay‐up technique, and the effect of the nPS‐decorated GO on the mechanical, thermal and surface morphological properties of the epoxy matrix was investigated using a universal tensile machine, Izod impact tester, thermogravimetric analysis and contact angle measurements with a goniometer. It was observed that in the epoxy matrix, GO improved the compatibility. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Classification of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia using hybrid hierarchical classifiers

Multimedia Tools and Applications - In current consequence of haematology, blood cancer i.e. acute lymphoblastic leukemia is very frequently founded in medical practice, which is characterized by...     

Magnetic Behaviour of Granular GdMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Film

The present study deals with the investigation of magnetic properties along with morphological and microstructure analyses of a multiferroic GdMnO₃ film fabricated on Si(100) substrate by the pulsed laser deposition technique. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopic analysis suggests that the film is fabricated in the form of diffused layers having different stoichiometric proportions. Raman spectroscopy signifies that few modes present in the film are associated with MnO₆ octahedra and some extra peaks indicating the mixed phase formation in tuning with the Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. Atomic force microscopy confirms the granular nature of the film. Field-cooled and zero-field-cooled thermal magnetization curves show irreversible behaviour extending well above room temperature, which is associated with spin disorder. The presence of Gd⁺³ state and Mn⁺³/Mn⁺⁴ mixed states in the uppermost layers of the film was confirmed by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure. Subsequently, in association with these observations, the film is a weak ferromagnetic at 5 K and even at room temperature.     

Recent Advances in Microalgal Bioactives for Food,Feed, and Healthcare Products: Commercial Potential,Market Space,and Sustainability

To combat food scarcity as well as to ensure nutritional food supply for sustainable living of increasing population, microalgae are considered as innovative sources for adequate nutrition. Currently, the dried biomass, various carotenoids, phycocyanin, phycoerythrin, omega fatty acids, and enzymes are being used as food additives, food coloring agents, and food supplements. Apart from nutritional importance, microalgae are finding the place in the market as “functional foods.” When compared to the total market size of food and feed products derived from all the possible sources, the market portfolio of microalgae‐based products is still smaller, but increasing steadily. On the other hand, the genetic modification of microalgae for enhanced production of commercially important metabolites holds a great potential. However, the success of commercial application of genetically modified (GM) algae will be defined by their safety to human health and environment. In view of this, the present study attempts to highlight the industrially important microalgal metabolites, their production, and application in food, feed, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmeceuticals. The current and future market trends for microalgal products have been thoroughly discussed. Importantly, the safety pertaining to microalgae cultivation and consumption, and regulatory issues for GM microalgae have also been covered.     

Mesoporous electroactive silver doped calcium borosilicates: Structural,antibacterial and myogenic potential relationship of improved bio-ceramics

In this work improved electroactive mesoporous Ag-doped bio-ceramics for medical usages are developed, examining their structural, electrical, in-vitro bioactivity, cell cultures and antibacterial properties against various classical pathogenic bacteria. Ag-containing mesoporous bio-ceramics (MBCs): xmol%Ag₂O - (100-x)[45.8CaO-8.4B₂O₃-45.8SiO₂] where x = 2, 5, 7.5 and 10 were synthesized through a sol-gel method. The small angle X-ray scattering and electron microscopy studies reveal the embedment of silver nanoparticles in the samples. Existence of silver as Ag⁺/Ag⁰ forms in the samples is confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The N₂ adsorption-desorption analysis evidence the mesoporous structure of the samples. The electrical conductivity of samples increases from 5.4 x 10^?8 S cm^?1 for x = 2 to 1.9 x 10^?6 S cm^?1 for x = 7.5 and then decreases to 0.9 x 10^?6 S cm^?1 for x = 10 at 110 °C. In vitro bioactivity studies revealed that Ag-containing MBCs hold the bone-like hydroxyapatite formation after immersion in human blood plasma like-solution such as Dulbecco's Modi?ed Eagle's Medium. The antibacterial effect of samples against pathogenic bacteria (S. aureus, E. coli, P. monas aeruginosa, and B. cereus) increases with Ag concentration (x = 7.5) and then decreases with Ag content (x = 10). Antibacterial effect is greater for the sample with high electrical conductivity. The cell culture studies evidence not considerable cytotoxic effects for Ag-containing MBCs. Finally, the C2C12 myoblast cell culture studies reveal the significant cell growths and differentiation (myogenesis) for high electrical conducting Ag-containing MBCs.     

Cognitive Mapping and Planning for Visual Navigation

International Journal of Computer Vision - We introduce a neural architecture for navigation in novel environments. Our proposed architecture learns to map from first-person views and plans a...     

An overview on the cellulose based conducting composites

Biopolymer based composites have been employed in numerous applications with increasing interest not only due to renewable, eco-friendly nature, but also because of the flexibility in processing conditions and competitive cost of their end products. The conductive materials from biopolymers have been found applicable in robots, medical imaging, sensitive membranes, actuators, visual displays, electronic wiring and shielding, and components in batteries. Cellulose is one of the most abundant biopolymers in the nature, which has received special attention for development of conducting materials due to biocompatibility for protein and drug immobilization and ability to form the composites with synthetic polymers. The present review is aimed to provide concisely the current status in this field of conducting composites from cellulose, with brief discussions of associated problems and future applications.     

Numerical simulation of particulate processes for control and estimation by spectral methods

Results of application of pseudospectral methods, also known as spectral collocation methods, to practical particulate processes including growth, nucleation, aggregation, and breakage are presented. For growth‐dominated processes, a considerable reduction in model dimension can be achieved; for pure aggregation and breakage they form a viable option. To handle problems that include aggregation, breakage, and growth phenomena simultaneously, we introduce a hybrid algorithm combining the advantages of spectral methods and cell average or fixed pivot methods for aggregation and breakage. Results are shown for analytical examples as well as real processes taken from the fields of granulation and crystallization. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 2309–2319, 2012     

Measurement of Bulk Mechanical Properties and Modeling the Load-Response of Rootzone Sands. Part 1: Round and Angular Monosize and Binary Mixtures

The bulk mechanical properties of two different types of rootzone sands (round and angular) were measured using a cubical triaxial tester. Two monosize sands (d 50 = 0.375 mm and 0.675 mm) and their 50:50 binary mixtures (d 50 = 0.500 mm) were studied. The compression, shear, and failure responses of the above-mentioned six compositions were analyzed, compared, and modeled. Two elastic parameters (bulk and shear moduli) and two elastoplastic parameters (swelling and consolidation indices) of the six sand compositions were also calculated and compared. The angular sand was more compressible than round sand during isotropic compression. In addition, the angular sands tended to have lower initial bulk density and high porosity values. Among the three different size fractions, the 0.375 mm mixture was least compressible for both sand shapes. The failure strength and shear modulus of the angular sand were higher than the round sands. In addition, due to their simplicity, phenomenological models were developed to predict the compression and shear behavior of the sands. The prediction models were validated using subangular and subround sands. Average relative difference values were calculated to determine the effectiveness of the prediction models. The mean average relative difference values for compression profiles, i.e., volumetric stress vs. volumetric strain, were from 16 % to 39 %, except for the initial load-response portion (< 1 % volumetric strain). The predictive models were effective in reproducing the failure responses: at 17.2 kPa confining pressure, the mean of average relative difference was 23 %; at 34.5 kPa , the mean difference was 24 %.