Detailed study on fusion characteristics of rigid poly(vinyl chloride) nanocomposites: The comparison of using multiple regression analysis and artificial neural network

Fusion behavior of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) compounds plays an important role in the development of physical properties of processed material. The fusion characteristics in PVC processing are governed by material variables that affect the fusion with some interactions. In this research, the aim was to characterize the effects of formulation ingredients on fusion characteristics of PVC. Four material parameters, including the contents of nanoclay (NC), azodicarbonamide, calcium stearate, and processing aid, are proposed as affecting variables. The fusion time (FT) as well as fusion factor (FF) are considered fusion indicators and are experimentally determined in some different levels of affecting parameters. The multivariable regression analysis (MRA) and the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modeling are considered as two analytical methods. The regression analysis result for the FT denotes, in part, significant linear and quadratic effects of NC and also its significant interactions with azodicarbonamide and calcium stearate, whereas that of FF indicates only a linear effect of NC. ANN modeling is performed with a three‐layer (input, hidden, and output) neural network. The results of the comparison of the MRA and ANN predictions with experimental values are reported as the correlation coefficient (R²), mean‐square error, and mean absolute percentage error for both FF and FT parameters. The obtained values clearly denote that the ANN results are more precise and especially more general than those of MRA. However, in the case of FT, improvement of the ANN modeling is much greater than that of FF. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 21:147–155, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Phase-Structural and Electrochemical Properties of La2MgNi9 Alloys

Powder Metallurgy and Metal Ceramics - Multiphase La 2 MgNi 9 alloys are synthesized by induction melting. The crystalline structures of all phases in the alloys are determined with X-ray...     

Crystallization of progesterone polymorphs using polymer-induced heteronucleation (PIHn) method

Progesterone is a natural hormone steroid used in humans for several treatments and in livestock for artificial insemination, which exhibits two polymorphic forms at ambient conditions: form 1 and form 2. Form 2 is metastable and more soluble than form 1; however, it is not suitable to use as powder raw material because it transforms into form 1 by the effects of grinding. A polymorphic screening of progesterone based on polymer-induced heteronucleation method was performed as an alternative to prepare the metastable form. Polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), dextran, gelatin, polyisoprene (PI) and acrylonitrile-butadiene (NBR) copolymer were used. Crystals were prepared from 0.5, 10 and 40?mg/mL solutions in acetone at room temperature by solvent evaporation. The samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microcopy and attenuated total reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. Form 1 was nucleated from 40?mg/mL solutions on the six polymers and from 10?mg/mL solutions on PI and NBR. The mixture of form 1 and form 2 was obtained from 10?mg/mL solution on HPMC, dextran and gelatin and from 0.5?mg/mL solution crystallizations. Therefore, the polymeric devices, which crystallized the metastable and more soluble polymorph (2) of progesterone, would be a promissory alternative for the pharmaceutical applications.     

Characterizing physical habitat preferences and thermal refuge occupancy of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at high river temperatures

Anthropogenic influences, including climate change, are increasing river temperatures in northern and temperate regions and threatening the thermal habitats of native salmonids. When river temperatures exceed the tolerance levels of brook trout and Atlantic salmon, individuals exhibit behavioural thermoregulation by seeking out cold‐water refugia – often created by tributaries and groundwater discharge. Thermal infrared (TIR) imagery was used to map cold‐water anomalies along a 53 km reach of the Cains River, New Brunswick. Trout and salmon parr did not use all identified thermal anomalies as refugia during higher river temperature periods (>21°C). Most small‐bodied trout (8–30 cm) were observed in 80% of the thermal anomalies sampled. Large‐bodied trout (>35 cm) required a more specific set of physical habitat conditions for suitable refugia, that is, 100% of observed large trout used 30% of the anomalies sampled and required water depths >65 cm within or adjacent to the anomaly. Densities of trout were significantly higher within anomalies compared with areas of ambient river temperature. Salmon parr were less aligned with thermal anomalies at the observed temperatures, that is, 59% were found in 65% of the sampled anomalies; and densities were not significantly different within/ outside anomalies. Salmon parr appeared to aggregate at 27°C, and after several events over 27°C variability in aggregation behaviour was observed – some fish aggregated at 25°C, others did not. We stipulate this is due to variances of thermal fatigue. Habitat suitability curves were developed for velocity, temperature, depth, substrate, and deep water availability to characterize conditions preferred by fish during high‐temperature events. These findings are useful for managers as our climate warms, and can potentially be used as a tool to help conserve and enhance thermal refugia for brook trout and Atlantic salmon in similar systems.