Growth,X-ray peak broadening studies,and optical properties of Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles

Undoped and Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) (Zn_1?xMg_xO, x=0.01, 0.03, and 0.05) were grown by the sol–gel method. X-ray results showed that the products were crystalline with a hexagonal wurtzite phase. Microscopy studies revealed that the undoped ZnO NPs and Zn_1?xMg_xO NPs had nearly spherical and hexagonal shapes. The size–strain plot (SSP) method was used to study the individual contributions of crystallite sizes and lattice strain on the peak broadening of the undoped and Mg-doped ZnO NPs. Some physical parameters such as strain, stress, and energy-density values were calculated for all reflection peaks of the XRD corresponding to the wurtzite hexagonal phase of ZnO in the 20–100° range from the SSP results. The effect of doping on the band-gap was also investigated by a photoluminescence (PL) spectrometer. The PL results showed that Mg²⁺ is a good dopant to control band gap of the ZnO properties.     

Palladium-catalysed amination of bromofluorans and an investigation of their thermochromic behaviour

The palladium-catalysed amination of readily accessible bromofluorans and bromobenzo[a]fluorans has been accomplished with a series of anilines and morpholine. The resulting aminofluorans generated intense black shades upon formulation in methyl stearate containing bisphenol A. The route provides an alternative approach to various amino substituted fluorans without the need of a series of individual diphenylamine intermediates.     

Free and Open Source Software versus Internet content filtering and censorship: A case study

This study critically investigates the main characteristics and features of anti-filtering packages provided by Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). For over a decade, the digital communities around the globe have used FOSS packages not only as an inexpensive way to access to information available on Internet, but also to disseminate thoughts, opinions and concerns about various socio-political and economic matters. Proxy servers and FOSS played a vital role in helping citizens in repressed countries to bypass the state imposed Internet content filtering and censorship practices. On the one hand, proxy servers act as redirectors to websites, and on the other hand, many of these servers are the main source for downloading FOSS anti-filtering software packages. These packages can provide secure web surfing via anonymous web access, data encryption, IP address masking, location concealment, browser history and cookie clean-ups but they also provide proxy software updates as well as domain name updates.The main objectives of this study are to investigate the role of FOSS packages in combating Internet content filtering and censorship and empowering citizens to effectively participate in communication discourse. By evaluating some of the well known FOSS anti-filtering packages used by Iran's digital community, this study found that despite the success of FOSS in combating filtering and state censorship, the majority of these software packages were not designed to meet the needs of Internet users. In particular, they are poorly adapted to the slow Internet connections in many developing countries such as Iran. In addition, these software packages do not meet the level of sophistication used by authorities to filter the content of the Net. Therefore, this study offers a new model that takes into account not only the existing level of the Internet infrastructure but also the growing number of Internet users demanding more effective FOSS packages for faster access to uncensored information while maintaining anonymity.     

New quadratic solid–shell elements and their evaluation on linear benchmark problems

This paper is concerned with the development of a new family of solid–shell finite elements. This concept of solid–shell elements is shown to have a number of attractive computational properties as compared to conventional three-dimensional elements. More specifically, two new solid–shell elements are formulated in this work (a fifteen-node and a twenty-node element) on the basis of a purely three-dimensional approach. The performance of these elements is shown through the analysis of various structural problems. Note that one of their main advantages is to allow complex structural shapes to be simulated without classical problems of connecting zones meshed with different element types. These solid–shell elements have a special direction denoted as the “thickness”, along which a set of integration points are located. Reduced integration is also used to prevent some locking phenomena and to increase computational efficiency. Focus will be placed here on linear benchmark problems, where it is shown that these solid–shell elements perform much better than their counterparts, conventional solid elements.     

TQM consultant selection in SMEs with TOPSIS under fuzzy environment

Although much has been written about TQM in SMEs, little attention has been paid to the role of external consultant in the successful implementation of a TQM program in this kind of firms. Sometimes there are some candidates and companies have to select the best one. In general, many factors affect this problem which adheres to uncertain and imprecise data, and usually several people from different functional areas of the company are involved in this process. This study aims to improve the quality of decision in this area. In this paper a systematic decision process for selecting external consultant is proposed. The proposed method is based on TOPSIS method in fuzzy environment. Decision criteria are obtained from the nominal group technique (NGT). Additionally, a real case study is presented to illustrate the application of the proposed method.     

Application of electrostatic precipitator in collection of smoke particles from hospital wastes combustion

The paper reports the development and implementation of a cost-effective electrostatic precipitator (ESP) prototype for the medical wastes incinerator of university hospital centre (CHU) of Sidi-Bel-Abbes, using a water washing system for cleaning electrodes. The impact of medical waste incineration on human health is a topical debate. The incineration process is a safe mode of disposal [OK] of such waste, but it is not an effective solution and needs a pollution control system. Generally, in Africa, cost is the major constraint for manufacturers and users. A half-scale ESP model was initially used for an experimental study in the laboratory. Thereafter, a full-scale model was produced and installed for the incinerator based on the optimal values obtained from this preliminary study.     

Synthesis and Properties of MoSi2–MoB–SiC Ceramics

MoB and SiC particulate reinforced MoSi₂ matrix composites were synthesized in situ from Mo, Si, and B₄C powder mixtures by self‐propagating high‐temperature synthesis (SHS). The SHS MoSi₂–MoB–SiC products were vacuum hot‐pressed (HPed) at 1400°C for 90 min to fabricate high‐density (> 97.5% relative density) bulk composites. Microstructure refinement and improvements in the Vickers hardness and fracture toughness of the HPed composites were observed with increasing B₄C content in the reaction mixture. The HPed composite of composition MoSi₂–0.4MoB–0.1SiC exhibited grain size of 1–5 μm, Vickers hardness of 12.5 GPa, bending strength of 537 MPa, and fracture toughness of 3.8 MPa.m^1/2. These excellent mechanical properties indicate that MoB and SiC particulate reinforced MoSi₂ composites could be promising candidates for structural applications.     

Silver monoliths and their applications in catalytic reduction of 4-NP to 4-AP and sensing against As3+

Journal of Porous Materials - Silver monoliths using non-ionic surfactant Triton X-102 as reducing agent with and without additives such as Dextran and Ludox (SiNPs) were synthesized by modified...     

A Novel Sprague-Dawley Rat Model Presents Improved NASH/NAFLD Symptoms with PEG Coated Vitexin Liposomes

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a global threat to the human population, with manifestations resulting from alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD, if not treated, may progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Furthermore, inflammation leads to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Vitexin, a natural flavonoid, has been recently reported for inhibiting NAFLD. It is a lipogenesis inhibitor and activates lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation. In addition, owing to its antioxidant properties, it appeared as a hepatoprotective candidate. However, it exhibits low bioavailability and low efficacy due to its hydrophobic nature. A novel rat model for liver cirrhosis was developed by CCL4/Urethane co-administration. Vitexin encapsulated liposomes were synthesized by the ‘thin-film hydration’ method. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was coated on liposomes to enhance stability and stealth effect. The diseased rats were then treated with vitexin and PEGylated vitexin liposomes, administered intravenously and orally. Results ascertained the liposomal encapsulation of vitexin and subsequent PEG coating to be a substantial strategy for treating liver cirrhosis through oral drug delivery.