Design of processes of austenization and structure formation in surface hardening of forming rolls conducted with the use of power current inductors

An algorithm and software for analyzing and optimizing the processes of austenization and formation of martensitic and bainitic structural zones in the hardened layer due to continuous serial heating and hardening with the use of sectioned power current inductors are developed. The suggested computer technology based on criteria of the fullness of occurrence of processes of homogeneous austenization and on thermokinetic diagrams of austenitic transformation makes it possible to compute the heating power, the velocity of motion of the inductor, the number of passes in heating, the number of sections in the inductor, their sizes and position, and the width of the cooling zone required for ensuring the specified thickness and structure in the hardened layer. __________ Translated from Metallovedenie i Termicheskaya Obrabotka Metallov, No. 7, pp. 43–48, July, 2006.     

Polyesters bearing furan moieties

Summary This paper describes a preliminary set of results concerning novel systems in which the synthesis of furanic polyesters was conducted according to a transesterification procedure. Regular linear macromolecular structures were thus obtained with molecular weights well above those previously reported for similar polyesters prepared by more conventional routes.     

Structural analytical and electrical conduction mechanisms of 2,7,12,17-tetra-tert-butyl-5,10,15,20-tetraaza-21H,23H-porphine nanostructure films

The 2,7,12,17-tetra-tert-butyl 5,10,15,20-tetraaza-21,23H-porphine (TTBTP) films were prepared using thermal evaporation technique. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) of the powder showed that TTBTP is polycrystalline with a tetragonal system. Also, the analysis of XRD pattern shows that the TTBTP film of thickness 55 nm has a crystallite size of 24.69 nm which tends to increase with the film thickness. By SEM of 177 nm thick TTBTP film, the topography of the surface is characterized by significant spherical granules. The mean diameter was estimated to be 250 nm for the spherical granules. It was observed that the conductivity increases with increasing the film thickness. Also, the TTBTP is a semiconductor film with thermally activated conduction mechanisms. The current–density–voltage (J–V) characteristics showed Ohmic drives in low voltage, whereas the space charge limited conductivity mechanism is familiar in the high voltage region. The carrier mobility values of TTBTP film are relatively the same for other organic molecules. The 50 nm TTBTP film has a carrier mobility of 1.48?×?10^??9 cm² V^??1 s^??1, which increases with increasing the film thickness.

     

Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles coated by new functionalized tetraaza-2,3 dialdehyde micro-crystalline cellulose: synthesis,characterization, and catalytic application for degradation of Acid Yellow 17

In this study, we developed an original approach for preparing cellulose-coated magnetite nanoparticles (NPs). Two novel Schiff bases (PDA-g-DAC) and [Bz-(PDA-g-DAC)] were synthesized via condensation reactions of periodate oxidized micro-crystalline cellulose (DAC) with o-phenylene diamine (PDA) to obtain its azomethine derivative with 85% yield. Subsequently, the functionalization of (PDA-g-DAC) with benzil (Bz) yields the tetraaza macrocycle [Bz-(PDA-g-DAC)]. The physicochemical characterization of the condensation products was performed using ¹³CNMR, FTIR, ATG, DSC, and X-ray diffraction techniques. Magnetic nanomaterial-based Schiff base cellulose was successfully prepared using in situ chemical co-precipitation of coordinated ferric and ferrous ions in cellulose Schiff base matrix under optimized conditions, and then, its magnetic properties were characterized. The results demonstrated that the Fe₃O₄ NPs coated with [Bz-(PDA-g-DAC)] were homogeneously coated in the matrix under ultrasonic irradiation with the saturation magnetization of 69.50 emu g^?1. In addition, XRD line broadening analysis showed that the average particle size of the NPs was 37.3 nm. Furthermore, FTIR spectra demonstrated that [Bz-(PDA-g-DAC)] concavity was anchored to magnetite Fe₃O₄ NPs through azomethine groups. Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) of [Bz-(PDA-g-DAC)@Fe₃O₄] magnetic nanocomposite samples showed the typical behavior of ferromagnetism. This study provided a green and facile method to inhibit magnetic nanoparticle aggregation. Activity results revealed that the prepared [Bz-(PDA-g-DAC)@Fe₃O₄] catalyst shows the maximum activity for degradation of Acid Yellow 17 (AY17) compared to other prepared catalysts. After degradation reaction, the [Bz-(PDA-g-DAC)@Fe₃O₄] catalyst was recovered from the reaction mixture via an external magnet and used for further five consecutive cycles with excellent catalytic activity, successively, which was comparable to the fresh catalyst. The catalyst degradation efficiency and its easy separation exhibited that [Bz-(PDA-g-DAC)@Fe₃O₄] catalyst is a promising material for the removal of AY17 from aqueous solutions in green chemistry perspectives.     

Accelerated deactivation of medium-temperature lignite coke

Efforts are made to eliminate the self-heating and self-ignition of medium-temperature coke produced from Kansk-Achinsk brown coal (lignite) in a fluidized bed via “Termokoks-KS” technology. The optimal conditions of accelerated coke deactivation are found. The deactivation process is based on the low-temperature oxidation of coke by the surrounding air. Deactivation may be greatly accelerated at temperatures close to the critical temperature at which ignition occurs for samples of the given material.     

Mucoadhesive Polymeric Hydrogels for Nasal Delivery of Acyclovir

The study evaluated different mucoadhesive polymeric hydrogels for nasal delivery of acyclovir. Gels containing poly-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (PVP) were prepared with crosslinking achieved by irradiation with a radiation dose of 15 kGy being as efficient as 20 kGy. Gels containing chitosan and carbopol were also evaluated. The mucoadhesive properties of gels were measured by a modification of a classical tensile experiment, employing a tensile tester and using freshly excised sheep nasal mucosa. Considering the mucoadhesive force, chitosan gel and gel prepared with 3% PVP in presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 600 were the most efficient. The in vitro drug release depended on the gel composition. Higher release rates were obtained from PVP gels compared to chitosan or carbopol gels. The release rate of drug from PVP gels was increased further in presence of PEG or glycerol. Histopathological investigations proved that the PVP was a safe hydrogel to be used for mucosal delivery. The PEG in gel formulations caused less damages to the nasal mucosal compared to formulation containing glycerol.     

Modulation of the superoxide anion production and MMP-9 expression in PMA stimulated THP-1 cells by olive oil minor components: Tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol

Extra virgin olive oil has been associated with a reduced incidence of risk factors for coronary heart disease also owing to the presence of antioxidant biophenols. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) have been implicated in numerous somatic illnesses, including cardiovascular disorders and cancer. The aim of this work was to study the capacity of virgin olive oil tyrosol (T) and hydroxytyrosol (HT) at impairing superoxide production and MMP-9 expressions in monocyte cells (THP-1) conveniently differentiated into adherent macrophages, taken as a model of human macrophages implicated in atheroma.O₂⁻ production was evaluated in THP-1 cells by using lucigenin as a specific chemiluminescent probe. Cells, after differentiation for 72 h, were preincubated in the presence of HT and T at increasing concentrations for 4, 15 and 24 h, and then, monocyte-like cells were stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and the O₂⁻-dependent luminescence was immediately recorded at 37 °C by means of a Luminometer. Enzymatic activity of MMP-9 derived from a medium of cells preincubated, or not, with T or HT was tested by zymography.As compared to the cells without treatment, cells preincubated with HT, showed a decrease of O₂⁻ production (50%) at 1 ??M for 15 h of preincubation time. Tyrosol fully prevented ROS overproduction at 15 h and, like HT displayed a high degree of protection but at higher concentrations and later time points (24 h). Gelatin zymograms revealed a reduction of the expression of MMP-9 in conditioned medium derived from T and HT-treated cells. These findings give further evidence in favour of olive oil consumption to counteract cardiovascular diseases.     

Evaluation of the genetic polymorphism among Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris strains using comparative genomic hybridization and multilocus sequence analysis

Genetic diversity of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris provides an important reservoir of industrial functions. Knowledge of strain diversity is an important step for the selection of starter cultures, because technological and sensorial attributes are strain-dependent and it may help to distinguish strains with particular technological properties and performances. In the present study, microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) were used to investigate the genetic variation among eight strains of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris. The CGH analysis allows strain grouping and identification of absent or divergent genes involved in metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, osmoregulation and proteolysis. The MLSA clustering of strains based on the partial sequence of eight genes shows good correlation with the CGH grouping. Strains HP, ATCC 19257 and Wg2 were clustered together, followed by E8, and finally SK11 was in a separate cluster. The combined information provides genetic markers for distinguishing between strains and their variants. By selecting strains according to their genetic profiles, compatible and complementary mixed starters can be formulated, opening new avenues for industrial applications.