Classification of Reconfigurable Parallel Mechanisms

Russian Engineering Research - The theoretically possible reconfigurable parallel mechanisms are classified, in terms of the layout of guides on the base. Formulas are derived for the...     

Intraprocedural Analysis Based on Symbolic Execution for Bug Detection

Programming and Computer Software - In this paper, we overview the approaches and techniques employed by the Svace static analysis tool for intraprocedural analysis. This analysis implies the...     

Solar light-driven reduction of crystal violet by a composite of g-C3N4, β-Ag2Se, γ-Fe2O3 and graphite

Abstract

In this work, a new g-C₃N₄-based Z-scheme with γ-Fe₂O₃ and β-Ag₂Se both n-type semiconductors, and graphite to favor electron exchange is presented. The composite material was studied by XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, TEM, XPS, TGA, DSC and TOF-SIMS, and the ability of this photocatalytic system to act as a photo-reductant was assessed using crystal violet (CV⁺) dye. Solar light driven photo-reduction of CV⁺ in the presence of tri-sodium citrate evidenced a synergistic enhancement of the activity of the composite toward reduction, with ～20 times higher conversion rates per unit of surface area than those of g-C₃N₄. Photo-oxidation experiments under Xe lamp irradiation in the presence of H₂O₂ also showed that the AgFeCN composite featured a higher activity (～8×) than g-C₃N₄. This Z-scheme may deserve further study as a photo-reductant to obtain hydrogen or hydrogenated compounds. Moreover, the use of CV⁺ may represent a facile procedure that can aid in the selection of new photocatalysts to be used in hydrogen production.     

Inferring kinetic dissolution of NaCl in aqueous glycol solution using a low-cost apparatus and population balance model

An experimental methodology for inferring brine dissolution rate in monoethylene glycol (MEG) solutions at different temperatures using a webcam combined with a mathematical model is presented. The measurement system is designed to track the RGB (red, green, and blue) colour variations during the dissolution process. A dynamic model augmented with the population balance equation is applied to describe the dissolution process. Moreover, the dissolution rate is consistently related to the temperature and MEG concentration through the driving force based on the Gibbs energy and chemical affinity. The applied low-cost measurement apparatus proved to be a useful resource for tracking the dissolution dynamics in a wide range of undersaturation.     

Harmful effects of pyrethroid ester insecticide on the male reproductive system mainly through affecting testicular function and inflammatory markers

Pyrethroid esters are widely used as insecticides worldwide. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the harmful effect of deltamethrin on the male reproductive system through the assessment of reproductive hormones, inflammatory markers, and testicular function. To achieve our aim, eighty male 7-9-week-old, Wistar rats were taken, weighed, and divided into four experimental groups. The first group was kept as a control group, and the other three groups were given deltamethrin orally at different concentrations (0.87, 8.7, and 17.4 mg/kg body weight) for nine weeks. The results indicated that deltamethrin administration associated with a significant decrease in reproductive hormones, especially FSH, LH, and significant elevation in the interleukin 2 (IL2), interleukin 6 (IL6), histamine, and cortisol levels. Also, the significance of inhibition of sperm motility and viability, decreased testis weights, sperm count, and fructose in semen were noted. These findings clarify the harmful effect of deltamethrin on the male reproductive system by producing a significant alteration in reproductive hormones, inflammatory markers as well as testicular function.     

Preparation of highly crystalline titanium-based ceramic microfibers from polymer precursor blend by needle-less electrospinning

The aim of the present contribution is to study the influence of the post-spinning heat - treatment of single TiO₂/PVP precursor fibers on the properties and morphology of the final titanium-based microfibers. The post-spinning treatment conditions were: calcination in air at 450–600?°C and pyrolysis in argon at 1000–1700?°C. Calcination resulted in a production of anatase-rich and pure rutile fibers. The use of an alternative sintering method, the low-temperature plasma treatment, led to the crystallization of the composite Magnéli phases/polymer fibers. As a result of the same one precursor, pyrolysis at 1000?°C, the Carbon/TiO₂ composite fibers were obtained. Rising the treatment temperature in inert atmosphere led to the formation of the titanium carbide fibers. The formation process and all the obtained products were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry accompanied with thermogravimetric analysis (DSC/TGA), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and image analysis techniques.