Evolving an Accurate Decision Tree-Based Model for Predicting Carbon Dioxide Solubility in Polymers

Solubility is one of the most indispensable physicochemical properties determining the compatibility of components of a blending system. Research has been focused on the solubility of carbon dioxide in polymers as a significant application of green chemistry. To replace costly and time-consuming experiments, a novel solubility prediction model based on a decision tree, called the stochastic gradient boosting algorithm, was proposed to predict CO₂ solubility in 13 different polymers, based on 515 published experimental data lines. The results indicate that the proposed ensemble model is an effective method for predicting the CO₂ solubility in various polymers, with highly satisfactory performance and high efficiency. It produces more accurate outputs than other methods such as machine learning schemes and an equation of state approach.     

Removal of Cadmium from Aqueous Solution by Nano Composites of Bentonite /TiO2 and Bentonite/ZnO Using Photocatalysis Adsorption Process

Silicon - In this study, bentonite/TiO2 and bentonite/ZnO nanoparticles were used for studying the cadmium removal from the aqueous solution. The experiments were done in a batch condition under...     

Silver nanoparticle films by flowing gas atmospheric pulsed laser deposition and application to surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

For the fast uptake into industrial applications, the further development of robust methods of nanomaterials, which are inexpensive and simultaneously technologically feasible, is one of the major key factors. A newly introduced atmospheric pulsed laser deposition method, based on a flowing gas approach, was used for plasmonic metal nanoparticle (NP) film of silver. Contrary to vacuum, in this method, the ambient air restricts expansion of the ablation plume within 1 to 3 mm above the target surface. These sets constrain on the formation of NP film close to the ablation spot. For deposition on a widely spaced surface, ablation material was entrained in a flow of argon, supplied at ~32 ms⁻¹, and effectively delivered to the substrate at ~20 ms⁻¹. The films produced were crystalline and particulate in nature, showing spectral plasmonic feature of surface plasmon resonance in the visible region. The film was directly tested in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for chemical detection of crystal violet; the film with large particulates and aggregated crystallites was well-performed, showing enhanced Raman signals and detection sensitivity. Certainly, flowing gas atmospheric pulsed laser deposition seems a fast alternative to vacuum-pulsed laser deposition but needs further investigations to bring it in the industry for applications in sensor, catalysis, solar cell, and coating technology.     

Human Cellular Retinol Binding Protein II Forms a Domain-Swapped Trimer Representing a Novel Fold and a New Template for Protein Engineering

Domain-swapping is a mechanism for evolving new protein structure from extant scaffolds, and has been an efficient protein-engineering strategy for tailoring functional diversity. However, domain swapping can only be exploited if it can be controlled, especially in cases where various folds can coexist. Herein, we describe the structure of a domain-swapped trimer of the iLBP family member hCRBPII, and suggest a mechanism for domain-swapped trimerization. It is further shown that domain-swapped trimerization can be favored by strategic installation of a disulfide bond, thus demonstrating a strategy for fold control. We further show the domain-swapped trimer to be a useful protein design template by installing a high-affinity metal binding site through the introduction of a single mutation, taking advantage of its threefold symmetry. Together, these studies show how nature can promote oligomerization, stabilize a specific oligomer, and generate new function with minimal changes to the protein sequence.     

Corrosion behavior of porous magnesium coated by plasma electrolytic oxidation in simulated body fluid

Porous magnesium has a great potential to be used as degradable bone scaffolds. In this study, porous magnesium with 35% percolating porosity has been successfully fabricated through powder metallurgy route utilizing space holders. The intrinsic mechanical properties of the porous magnesium were measured by nanoindentation testing and analyzed with the Oliver–Pharr method. Afterward, a ceramic coating on the surface of the porous magnesium was performed by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) treatment in a silicate‐based solution. The morphology and composition results of the PEO coatings indicated that it is possible to apply a homogenous and adhesive ceramic coating layer on all free surface of the porous magnesium through PEO method. The protective performance of the PEO coatings was evaluated using by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests in simulated body fluid. The results revealed the PEO coating significantly improves biocorrosion resistance of the porous magnesium. Therefore, it can be used as an effective method to control the degradation rate of porous magnesium implants in the human body.     

Could-based vehicular networks: a taxonomy,survey, and conceptual hybrid architecture

Wireless Networks - In recent times, vehicular network research has attracted the attention of both researchers and the industry partly due to its potential applications in efficient traffic...