Preparation and properties of zinc layered hydroxide with nitrate and phosphate as the counter anion,a novel control release fertilizer formulation

Journal of Porous Materials - New two-dimensional (2D) nanodelivery systems, namely Zinc layered hydroxide-nitrate (ZLN) and Zinc layered hydroxide-phosphate (ZLP) nanocomposites were successfully...     

Effects of post-drying methods on pomelo fruit peels

Process conditions of alkali refining, bleaching, and deodorization of crude chufa oil extracted from chufa (Cyperus esculentus L.) tubers grown in Korea were optimized to obtain an edible grade vegetable oil. The overall scope of refining conditions was similar to other vegetable oils. The degumming process, however, could be omitted since phospholipids were removed during alkalirefining and bleaching processes. RBD (alkali-refined, bleached, and deodorized) chufa oil fully satisfied Korean quality standards for edible vegetable oil. Chufa oil contained a high level of oleic acid, along with palmitic acid and linoleic acid. Physicochemical properties of chufa oil were similar to olive oil. The order of oxidative stability of chufa oil was crude>deodorized>degummed>refined>bleached oil. RBD chufa oil was virtually colorless and bland tasting, and was considered suitable for edible purposes.     

Thermal-hydraulic analysis of UO2 and MOX fuel considering different cladding materials at various burnup levels in pressurized water reactor

Thermal analysis of fuel elements with UO₂ and mixed-oxide (MOX) fuels at different fuel burnup levels has been performed analytically and by simulation using ANSYS. Results showed that UO₂ incurred a lower fuel temperature than MOX under all conditions. Higher fuel element temperatures were obtained for higher levels of burnup for UO₂ fuel. For MOX fuel, higher temperatures were obtained for low and high burnup fuel. Radial temperature, thermal gradient, and thermal heat flux were determined across reactor pressure vessel (RPV), demonstrating the highest value at the center of the RPV. The maximum linear power density was determined for UO₂ and MOX, showing that using UO₂ fuel at 2 at% burnup rendered the highest allowable linear power density. Furthermore, the transient analysis showed that there was a small rise in fuel temperature for a decrease in mass flow rate from 100% to 60% followed by a rapid increase in temperature for further reduction in flow rate.     

Membrane potential and fixed-charge density across TiPO4–VPO4 composite membranes for uni-univalent electrolyte solution

The TVP composite membranes were prepared by sol–gel process, and the membrane potential has been measured for characterizing the ion-transport phenomena across a charged membrane using electrolytes (KCl, NaCl and LiCl). The membrane potential offered by the electrolytes is in the order of LiCl > NaCl > KCl, and the membrane is found to be cation-selective. The results have been used to estimate fixed-charge density, distribution coefficient, charge effectiveness and transport properties of electrolytes of this membrane. The fixed-charge density is the most important parameter, governing transport phenomena in membranes. It is estimated by the TMS method; it is dependent on the feed composition due to the prefential adsorption of some ions. The results indicate that the applied pressure is also an important variable to modify the charge density and, in turn, the performance of membrane. The order of charge effectiveness of the electrolytes in membrane depends on the ionic radii of the counter-ions. The experimental results for membrane potential are quite consistent with the theoretical prediction. The morphology of the membrane surface is studied by scanning electron micrographs (SEM).     

Selective Growth of CdTe on Nano-patterned CdS via Close-Space Sublimation

Selective-area deposition of CdTe on CdS via close-space sublimation is used to study the effect of window size (2 μm and 300 nm) on grain growth. The basic fabrication procedures for each of the layers (CdS, SiO₂, and CdTe) and for achieving selective-area growth are presented. Selective-area growth of both micro- and nano-scale CdTe islands on CdS substrates using close-spaced sublimation is demonstrated. Scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction microstructure analysis show that the micro-scale CdTe islands remain polycrystalline. However, when the island size is reduced to 300 nm, single crystal CdTe can be achieved within the windows. The CdTe grains were most often in the (101) orientation for both the micro- and nano-sized CdTe islands.     

Lateralization of perinatal cerebral insult and cognitive asymmetry: Evidence from neuroimaging.

The current investigation incorporated 2 studies. The objective of Study 1 was to explore lateralizalion of cerebral insult in the preterm neonate. To attain this goal, the radiological records of 148 premature infants with intracranial hemorrhage were retrospectively reviewed. Statistical analyses revealed that the lesion tended to be observed initially in the left hemisphere. Bilateral hemorrhage tended to be asymmetrical, with more pathological changes observed on the left. Study 2 examined the cognitive outcome of unilateral hemorrhage in a subsample of 20 children. Analyses revealed a link between lateralization of hemorrhage and pattern of cognitive asymmetry. Possible origins of increased left hemisphere vulnerability and implications of the reported cognitive changes for the onset of hemispheric specialization are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reversible collapse of the Langmuir films of a series of triphenylsilyl ether-terminated amphiphiles

The Langmuir films of a series of triphenylsilyl ether (TPSE)-terminated amphiphiles were investigated in order to explore the bulge amphiphile model developed by Haycraft et al. [Thin Solid Films, 515 (2007) 2990]. The TPSE series was examined using surface pressure-surface area isotherms over a range of temperatures (287-298 K) with simultaneous acquisition of Brewster angle microscopy images. The Langmuir films of the TPSE series exhibit the reversible collapse process characteristic of bulge amphiphiles, including an observation consistent with the reversed cybotactic cluster model and increased entropy upon collapse. No solid-like monolayer phases were found over the temperature range studied. The reversed cybotactic clusters displayed for these films show domain growth and coalescence that differ from those observed by Haycraft et al.     

Identification of novel,non-edible oil seeds via scanning electron microscopy as potential feedstock for green synthesis of biodiesel

In the present era, environmental glitches associated with extensive emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) and energy crises caused by exhausting fossil fuel reservoirs has diverted researcher's interest toward alternative and renewable energy sources. Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable, and sustainable alternative to petro-diesel. Biodiesel synthesized from non-edible seed oils is preferred due its cost effectiveness and eco-friendly nature. Hence, our present study focused on investigation and identification of micromorphological characters of six novel, non-edible seed oil feedstock for biodiesel production via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results of light microscopy of seeds revealed distinct variation in seed size (15.8–1.8 mm in length and 9.4–1.1 in width), shape (round to Cuneiform), and color (from black to yellowish green). Non-edible seed oil content fall in range of 28–38% (wt/wt). Free fatty acid (FFA) content varied from 0.56 to 2.06 mg KOH/g. Multivariate analysis was performed to investigate correlation between three significant variables of seed oil yielding feedstock such as potential for biodiesel synthesis, oil content, and FFA content via principal component analysis. Ultra morphological investigation of seeds surfaces via SEM exhibited distinctive variation in surface sculpturing, cell arrangement, cell shape, periclinal wall shape, margins, protuberances, and anticlinal wall shape. Seed surface sculpturing varied from reticulate, semitectate, wrinkled, rugose, papillate, perforate, and striate. Periclinal wall arrangements confirmed variation from glabrous, raised, depressed, elevated, smooth, pentagonal, entire, and ripple margins. Whereas, anticlinal walls pattern demonstrated variation from angular, smooth, wavy, deep, dentate, entire, irregular, puzzled, elongated, curved, and depressed. Finally, it was concluded from obtained results that SEM could be a possible useful tool in disclosing veiled micromorphological characters of non-edible oil yielding seeds, which provides useful information to researchers for their correct, authentic identification, and classification in modern synthetic system.     

Enhanced Cr(vi) removal using iron nanoparticle decorated graphene

Nanoscale iron particles decorated graphene sheets synthesized via sodium borohydride reduction of graphene oxide, showed enhanced magnetic property, surface area and Cr(vi) adsorption capacity compared to bare iron nanoparticles.