Silicene Nanoribbons on an Insulating Thin Film

Silicene, a new 2D material has attracted intense research because of the ubiquitous use of silicon in modern technology. However, producing free-standing silicene has proved to be a huge challenge. Until now, silicene could be synthesized only on metal surfaces where it naturally forms strong interactions with the metal substrate that modify its electronic properties. Here, the authors report the first experimental evidence of silicene nanoribbons on an insulating NaCl thin film. This work represents a major breakthrough, for the study of the intrinsic properties of silicene, and by extension to other 2D materials that have so far only been grown on metal surfaces.     

Multi carrier energy systems and energy hubs: Comprehensive review,survey and recommendations

In this paper, the multi carrier energy (MCE) systems are reviewed from different point of views including mathematical models, integrated components and technologies, uncertainty management, planning objectives, environmental pollution, resilience, and robustness. The basic of MCE systems is formed by combination of cooling, heating and power (CCHP). The natural gas and electricity are the main inputs to MCE systems and the cooling, heating, and electricity are the common outputs. The regular energy converters in the MCE systems are combined heat and power (CHP), gas boiler, absorption-electrical chillers, power to gas (P2G) and fuel-cell. The generic energy storages are electrical, heating, cooling, hydrogen, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydro systems.     

Deadlock-free scheduling in flexible manufacturing systems using Petri nets

This paper addresses the deadlock-free scheduling problem in Flexible Manufacturing Systems. An efficient deadlock-free scheduling algorithm was developed, using timed Petri nets, for a class of FMSs called Systems of Sequential Systems with Shared Resources (S 4 R). The algorithm generates a partial reachability graph to find the optimal or near-optimal deadlock-free schedule in terms of the firing sequence of the transitions of the Petri net model. The objective is to minimize the mean flow time (MFT). An efficient truncation technique, based on the siphon concept, has been developed and used to generate the minimum necessary portion of the reachability graph to be searched. It has been shown experimentally that the developed siphon truncation technique enhances the ability to develop deadlock-free schedules of systems with a high number of deadlocks, which cannot be achieved using standard Petri net scheduling approaches. It may be necessary, in some cases, to relax the optimality condition for large FMSs in order to make the search effort reasonable. Hence, a User Control Factor (UCF) was defined and used in the scheduling algorithm. The objective of using the UCF is to achieve an acceptable trade-off between the solution quality and the search effort. Its effect on the MFT and the CPU time has been investigated. Randomly generated examples are used for illustration and comparison. Although the effect of UCF did not affect the mean flow time, it was shown that increasing it reduces the search effort (CPU time) significantly.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 99m Tc-NIDA and 99m Tc-DMIDA complexes for hepatobiliary imaging

1-Naphthylcarbamoylmethyliminodiacetic acid (NIDA) and diphenylmethylcarbamoylmethyliminodiacetic acid (DMIDA) were synthesized, characterized, and labeled with ^99m Tc using SnCl₂ as reducing agent. The parameters affecting the yield of ^99m Tc-NIDA and ^99m Tc-DMIDA were studied in detail. The optimum conditions ensuring high yield of ^99m Tc-NIDA (94.2 ± 2%) and ^99m Tc-DMIDA (93.1 ± 2%) are as follows: 30 mg of NIDA or DMIDA, 0.3 mg of SnCl₂·H₂O, pH 6, 15 min. The biodistribution in mice injected with ^99m Tc-NIDA and ^99m Tc-DMIDA showed high liver uptake at 10 min post injection, with fast biliary excretion. Accumulation of the activity in kidneys was negligible, especially after a long time post injection. Both ^99m Tc-NIDA and ^99m Tc-DMIDA can be applied as hepatobiliary imaging agents for the evaluation of the functional status of the hepatocytes and the patency of the biliary duct.     

Linear model-based estimation of blood pressure and cardiac output for Normal and Paranoid cases

Provisioning a generic simple linear mathematical model for Paranoid and Healthy cases leading to auxiliary investigation of the neuroleptic drugs effect imposed on cardiac output (CO) and blood pressure (BP). Multi-input single output system identification in consistency with the Z-Transform is considered an essential role in the exploration of linear discrete system identification. Twenty Paranoid and 20 Healthy peer cases have been chosen to lie under study. The generated CO model forming two poles and two zeros produced a root–mean-squared error (RMSE) of 0.109 and an average RMSE of 1.39 due to Paranoid cases. On the other hand, Healthy cases obtained model held three poles and two zeros with RMSE equal to 0.17 and an average of 0.63. The BP model with four poles and two zeros showed a 2.15 and 21.69 for RMSE and an average RMSE, respectively, for Paranoid cases, whereas seven poles and two zeros provided an RMSE of 5.7 and an average RMSE of 17.19 for Healthy cases. The obtained results were provided a generic models of CO with promising outcomes for Paranoid and Healthy cases. Moreover, the BP model has less and yet acceptable results in both Paranoid and Healthy cases.     

Harnessing social dynamics through persuasive technology to promote healthier lifestyle

In light of current calls by medical professionals to confront the global issue of obesity and related illnesses, we developed a mobile application called STEP UP that monitors physical activity and provides data that can be easily shared within a social network. We then conducted an exploratory, theoretical study based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA) followed by an experimental trial and user study. The purpose of the studies was to explore the effect of persuasive technology on physical activity behavior and to investigate its effectiveness in motivating users to use the technology to be more physically active. The application was found to have a positive effect on the participants and their level of physical activity. They enjoyed using the application and were motivated to walk more, especially when enabled to share their step counts with their friends. The social component of the application clearly enhanced users’ walking experience, as the atmosphere of friendly competition motivated them to walk more. Based on user responses, we conclude that a further enhanced application that includes chat functionality may be even more successful in supporting increased physical activity and thus healthier lifestyle.     

M?ssbauer and Electrical Studies of Mn x Co1?x Fe2O4 Compounds Prepared via Glycothermal Route

Manganese-cobalt ferrite powders (Mn _x Co_1?x Fe₂O₄ with x varying from 0.0 to?0.6) have been produced by glycothermal process from pure metal chlorides. Single phase cubic spinel structure and nanophase structure of the as-synthesized samples were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results show that the produced powders have grain sizes in the range 7 to 13?nm. Fe-57 M?ssbauer spectra for as-synthesized and for annealed samples at 700???C (in Ar atmosphere for 1?hour) are found to be similar. No significant changes in the spectra are observed across the composition range studied. The variations of grain sizes, lattice parameters, and M?ssbauer parameters as a function of composition have also been investigated. Bulk samples in the form of pellets were also produced from the as-synthesized compounds for resistivity measurements. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity for the samples sintered at 1050???C were studied using the four-probe method, from room temperature to about 110???C in a PID controlled oven. Two possible mechanisms for resistivity involving T ^?1/2 and T ^?1 dependences are investigated.     

Adsorption and inhibition effect of novel cationic surfactant for pipelines carbon steel in acidic solution

A new cationic surfactant was prepared and examined as an inhibitor for the corrosion of carbon steel in 1.0 M HCl solution using weight loss measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. The chemical structure of the prepared cationic surfactants has been proven by FTIR spectra. The inhibiting effect of the cationic surfactant as a result of the formation of the protective layer adsorbed on the carbon steel surface The adsorption of the inhibitor was discussed accordingly to the Langmuir isotherm. Polarization data indicated that the cationic surfactant is a mixed-type inhibitor.. The effect of temperature on the corrosion rate of carbon steel in1. 0 M HCl solution devoid of and containing the novel cationic surfactant was examined and thermodynamic parameters were computed. Some surface parameters were calculated and explained.