Advance polymeric carbon nanocomposite films with enhanced thermo‐mechanical properties

The homogenous nanocomposite films of UV/O₃ oxidized multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) subsequently modified with aniline moiety were synthesized with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) through free radical polymerization. The phenylamine functional groups present on the surface of MWCNTs providing an anchoring sites for deposition of Ag metal nanoparticles (NP).The in situ free radical polymerization of MMA in the presence of these well dispersed nanotubes gave a new class of radiation resistant nanocomposite films. The synthesized materials were characterized by FT‐IR, TGA, TEM, EDX, TC, DMA, universal testing machine, and optical microscopy to ascertain their structural morphologies, thermal stability, and mechanical strength. The microscopic and structural properties reflect the homogenous mixing of modified MWCNTs in polymer matrix contributing in enhancement of thermal stability, thermo‐mechanical strength, glass transition temperatures, and thermal conductivity of nanocomposites even at 0.25 wt% addition of modified nanofiller. Thermal and thermo‐mechanical behavior of pre‐ and post‐UV/O₃ irradiated nanocomposite films have been compared with neat polymer. The results revealed that modified nanofiller network can effectively disperse the radiation and has a dramatic reinforcement effect on the nature of degradation of PMMA matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Micronutrient Food Supplements in Patients with Gastro-Intestinal and Hepatic Cancers

Colorectal carcinogenesis is the second most common cause of mortality across all types of malignancies, followed by hepatic and stomach cancers. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are key approaches to treating cancer patients, but these carry major concerns, such as a high risk of side effects, poor accessibility, and the non-selective nature of chemotherapeutics. A number of natural products have been identified as countering various forms of cancer with fewer side effects. The potential impact of vitamins and minerals on long-term health, cognition, healthy development, bone formation, and aging has been supported by experimental and epidemiological studies. Successful treatment may thus be highly influenced by the nutritional status of patients. An insufficient diet could lead to detrimental effects on immune status and tolerance to treatment, affecting the ability of chemotherapy to destroy cancerous cells. In recent decades, most cancer patients have been taking vitamins and minerals to improve standard therapy and/or to decrease the undesirable side effects of the treatment together with the underlying disease. On the other hand, taking dietary supplements during cancer therapy may affect the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Thus, micronutrients in complementary oncology must be selected appropriately and should be taken at the right time. Here, the potential impact of micronutrients on gastro-intestinal and hepatic cancers is explored and their molecular targets are laid down.     

Performance Evaluation of MWCNTs Reinforced Cement Mortar Composites using Natural and Commercial Surfactants

An efficient and promising approach for effectively dispersing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in cementitious composites has been investigated.The naturally occurring organic extracts from species of indigenously known ‘Keekar’ trees scattered along tropical and sub-tropical regions;is found as an exceptional replacement to the non-natural commercial surfactants.In the initial phase of investigation,ideal surfactant’s content required for efficient dispersion of MWCNTs in solution was de...     

Effect of Calcium Propionate and Water Activity on Growth and Aflatoxins Production by Aspergillus flavus

ABSTRACT: The efficacy of calcium propionate at 2 different doses (0.5% and 1%) against growth and aflatoxins production by Aspergillus flavus (A-2092) was investigated in vitro on Czapek yeast extract agar at different levels of water activity (a_w) in the range of 0.94 to 0.996a_w. A. flavus spores germinated on all calcium propionate and a_w treatments; however, 1% calcium propionate at 0.94 a_w delayed the germination process for up to 10 d. The growing rate of mycelia was slower (0.28 mm/d) at 1% calcium propionate and 0.94 a_w. Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) were also produced minimally (36.1, 1, 1.86, and 1.01 ng/g of media, respectively) at the aforementioned dose rate of calcium propionate and water activity. It was concluded that addition of calcium propionate and a_w amelioration can prove effective tools for suppressing the germination, growth rate, and aflatoxins production by A. flavus in substrate.     

Synthesis and characterization of new optically active poly(amide-imide)s containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety in the main chain

Six new optically active poly(amide-imide)s were synthesized by poly condensation reaction of 2,5-bis(4-aminophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (8) with six chiral N,N′-(bicyclo[2,2,2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic)-bis-l-amino acids (3a–f) in a medium consisting of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), triphenylphosphite (TPP), calcium chloride (CaCl₂), and pyridine. Chiral N,N′-(bicyclo[2,2,2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic)-bis-l-amino acids (3a–f) were obtained by the reaction of bicyclo[2.2.2]-oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (1) with two equimolar of l-alanine (2a), l-valine (2b), l-leucine (2c), l-isoleucine (2d), l-phenyl alanine (2e), and l-2-aminobutyric acid (2f) in acetic acid. The poly condensation reaction produced a series of novel poly(amide-imide)s (9a–f) in high yield and with inherent viscosities between 0.30 and 0.52 dL/g. The resulting polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, viscosity measurement, solubility testing, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), ¹H-NMR, and FT-IR techniques.     

Heat transfer on peristaltically induced Walter's B fluid flow

This paper look at the effects of heat transfer on peristaltic flow of Walter's B fluid in an asymmetric channel. The regular perturbation method is used to solve the governing equations by taking the wave number as the small parameter. Expressions for stream function, temperature distribution, and heat transfer coefficient are presented in explicit form. Solutions are analyzed graphically for different values of arising parameters. It has been found that these parameters affect considerably the considered flow characteristics. Results show that with an increase in the Eckert and Prandtl numbers, the temperature and heat transfer coefficient increase. Further, the absolute value of the heat transfer coefficient increases with an increasing viscoelastic parameter. Comparison with published results for viscous fluid is also presented. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj ). DOI 10.1002/htj.21021     

Fractional factorial design optimization of nontraditional completion fluid for perforation with underbalance

Optimal well performance is always associated with the creation of a clean and undamaged connection between wellbore and reservoir. However, it is apparent that the use of shaped-charge perforating tends to produce perforation-induced formation damage. This damage impairs fluid flow and decreases well productivity. To minimize and eliminate this damage, underbalance perforating should be considered. Underbalance perforating has been considered as one of the best means of providing a transient surge flow for tunnel cleanup. This paper introduces the formulation of super lightweight completion to achieve underbalance condition. The formulation was optimized using fractional factorial design. The result indicates that the experimental data and model predictions agreed well. The optimum formulation condition is able to produce a stable fluid with minimum and acceptable density and viscosity.     

圆弧焊接薄壁圆筒残余应力场的分析研究

由于圆弧焊接的薄壁圆筒在高科技工程,如航空机器、压力容器和核工程中的广泛应用,对焊接导致的如焊接变形和残余应力等缺陷的研究就显得非常重要。介绍了一个计算程序,用以分析低碳钢薄壁圆筒在圆弧焊接中的温度分布以及随后将产生的残余应力场。基于数值模拟的参数研究用于分析焊接所产生的残余应力中的关键参数的影响。考虑了低碳钢、焊丝和双椭圆热源模型的基于温度的热机械性能。通过全尺寸焊接试验中的瞬时温度分布和残余应力场证实了有限元模拟方法的精确性。其目的在于提供数据以证实薄壁圆筒现有焊接工艺的有效性,从而将预加应力导致的结构在使用期间失效的可能性降至最低。