Grafting of polyaniline onto the radiation crosslinked chitosan

In this paper we report the chemical grafting of polyaniline onto the radiation crosslinked chitosan. Chitosan is crosslinked using 8 MeV electron beam and Co⁶⁰ γ-ray in the presence of CCl₄ as sensitizer. The so-obtained crosslinked chitosan is grafted with polyaniline (PANI) chemically using ammonium peroxy disulphate (APS) as an initiator. Grafted polymer is characterized by dissolution, swelling, UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis, DC conductivity and nanoindentation studies. From the dissolution studies, grafting of PANI onto the crosslinked chitosan is confirmed. From the weight of films before and after grafting, grafting percentage is calculated. Grafting percentage increases as the monomer concentration increases and decreases with increase in crosslinking. This may be due to the decrease in the penetration of monomer onto the chitosan matrix with increase in crosslinking density. This is verified from SEM (cross-sectional view) of blend. UV–vis–NIR spectrum shows absorption peaks of PANI. Electrical property of grafted polymer is improved after doping with 1 M HCl. The change in volume conductivity is from 10⁻¹¹ to 10⁻⁵ S/cm and surface conductivity from 10⁻¹⁰ to 10⁻² S/cm. From TGA it is observed that grafted polymer and doped polymer are thermally stable.     

Drop Calorimetry Studies on 9Cr–1W–0.23V–0.06Ta–0.09C Reduced Activation Steel

The temperature dependence of enthalpy increment (H _T − H ₂₉₈) of 9 mass% Cr–1 mass% W–0.23 mass% V–0.06 mass% Ta–0.09 mass% C reduced activation steel has been measured by inverse drop calorimetry in the temperature range 400 K to 1273 K. A critical comparison of present isothermal enthalpy measurements with the results of our previous dynamic calorimetry studies has been made to reveal clearly the occurrence of various diffusional phase transformations that occur at high temperature. These phase changes are marked by the presence of distinct inflections or cusps in an overall nonlinear variation of enthalpy values with temperature. The principal thermal relaxation step of the martensitic microstructure obtained through quenching from the high-temperature γ-austenite phase is observed around 793 K. The ferromagnetic-to-paramagnetic transition of the α-ferrite phase is found to occur at 1015 K. The equilibrium values of γ-austenite start (Ae ₁) and finish (Ae ₃) temperatures are found to be 1063 K and 1148 K, respectively. A value of 12 J · g⁻¹ has been estimated for Δ°H ^α→γ the latent heat associated with the α → γ transformation. The measured enthalpy increment variation of the α-ferrite phase with temperature has been fitted to a suitable empirical function to estimate the temperature-dependent values of the specific heat. A comparison of the drop calorimetry-based indirect estimate of the specific heat with the direct differential scanning calorimetry-based values revealed that the drop calorimetry estimates are systematically lower than its dynamic calorimetry counterpart. This difference is attributed to the fact that, under finite heating rate conditions that are typical of dynamic calorimetry, measurements are made under nonequilibrium conditions. Notwithstanding this limitation, there is a good overall agreement between the two C _p values and also among the phase transformation temperatures so that a reliable assessment of thermal properties and phase transformation characteristics of reduced activation steel can be determined by a combined analysis of the results of drop and differential scanning calorimetry.     

Dielectric properties of electron irradiated PbZrO<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films

The present paper deals with the study of the effects of electron (8 MeV) irradiation on the dielectric and ferroelectric properties of PbZrO₃ thin films grown by sol-gel technique. The films were (0.62 μm thick) subjected to electron irradiation using Microtron accelerator (delivered dose 80, 100, 120 kGy). The films were well crystallized prior to and after electron irradiation. However, local amorphization was observed after irradiation. There is an appreciable change in the dielectric constant after irradiation with different delivered doses. The dielectric loss showed significant frequency dispersion for both unirradiated and electron irradiated films. T _c was found to shift towards higher temperature with increasing delivered dose. The effect of radiation induced increase of ɛ′(T) is related to an internal bias field, which is caused by radiation induced charges trapped at grain boundaries. The double butterfly loop is retained even after electron irradiation to the different delivered doses. The broader hysteresis loop seems to be related to radiation induced charges causing an enhanced space charge polarization. Radiation-induced oxygen vacancies do not change the general shape of the AFE hysteresis loop but they increase P _s of the hysteresis at the electric field forced AFE to FE phase transition. We attribute the changes in the dielectric properties to the structural defects such as oxygen vacancies and radiation induced charges. The shift in T _C, increase in dielectric constant, broader hysteresis loop, and increase in P _r can be related to radiation induced charges causing space charge polarization. Double butterfly and hysteresis loops were retained indicative of AFE nature of the films.     

The impact of organizational context on innovation adoption incommercial banks

This study examines the linkages between nonstructured factors in an organization's context and dimensions of innovation adoption in organizations. Elements of an organization's context included in this study are size, geographic scope, and product scope; dimensions of innovation are magnitude and speed of adoption and product and process types of innovation. The relationships among these variables are examined by a sampling of empirical data culled from 101 commercial banks in four states: New York; New Jersey; Connecticut; and Massachusetts. We found that: (1) organization size and geographic scope have a stronger association with magnitude than the speed of adoption, while product scope is more strongly linked to the speed of adoption; (2) geographic and product scope influence the propensity to adopt product and process innovations differently; and (3) the pattern of innovation adoption differs among various types of banks     

La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8M0.2O3-δ (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu or Zn): Transition metal-substituted derivatives of lanthanum-strontium-galliummagnesium (LSGM) perovskite oxide ion conductor

Perovskite oxides of the general formula, La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_0.8M_0.2O_3-δ for M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn, have been prepared and investigated. All the oxides exhibit high electrical conductivities (σ R∼ 10⁻² S/cm at 800°C) comparable to that of the best perovskite oxide ion conductor, La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O_2.85 (LSGM) (σ ∼ 8 × 10⁻² S/cm at 800°C). While M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu members appear to be mixed conductors with a variable electronic contribution to the conductivity, especially at high oxygen partial pressures (pO₂ ≥1 atm), arising from mixed-valency of the transition metals, the M = Zn(II) phase is a pure oxide ion conductor exhibiting a conductivity (σ ∼ 1.5 × 10⁻² S/cm at 800°C) that is slightly lower than that of LSGM. The lower conductivity of the M = Zn(II) derivative could be due to the preference of Zn(II) for a tetrahedral oxygen coordination.     

A New Locking Free Higher Order Finite Element Formulation for Composite Beams.

A refined 2-node, 7 DOF/node beam element formulation is presented in this paper. This formulation is based on higher order shear deformation theory with lateral contraction for axial-flexural-shear coupled deformation in asymmetrically stacked laminated composite beams. In addition to axial, transverse and rotational degrees of freedom, the formulation also incorporates the lateral contraction and its higher order counterparts as degrees of freedom. The element shape functions are derived by solving the static part of the governing equations. The element considers general ply stacking and the numerical results shows that the element exhibits super convergent property. The efficiency of the element in capturing both the static and dynamic inter-laminar stresses is demonstrated. The accuracy of the element to capture free vibration and wave propogation responses with small problem sizes is also demonstrated.     

Preparation of transparent and conducting boron-doped ZnO electrode for its application in dye-sensitized solar cells

A simple and economic chemical spray pyrolysis method is used to prepare transparent and conducting boron-doped zinc oxide (B_nZnO) electrode having potential applications in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The B_nZnO electrodes were critically characterized for their structural, morphological and electrical properties. The B_nZnO electrode with 2 at% boron doping showed average grain size of 20(±1) nm, surface roughness of 9 nm, ?95% transparency and resistivity of 4.5×10⁻³ Ω cm⁻¹. Furthermore, doping concentration of boron could also be easily controlled for achieving desired properties. Using this electrode as a substrate in DSSCs, the solar-to-electrical conversion efficiency with N3 dye as a sensitizer was noted to be 1.53%. This work suggests that the B_nZnO electrodes could be used as promising alternative to presently used indium- or fluorine-doped tin oxide as substrates.     

Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles and mosquito larvicidal activity against dengue,zika and chikungunya causing vector Aedes aegypti

In the present study, high purity copper oxide nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesised using Tridax procumbens leaf extract. Green syntheses of nano‐mosquitocides rely on plant compounds as reducing and stabilising agents. Copper oxide NPs were characterised using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), Field‐emission scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, Ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry and fluorescence spectroscopy. XRD studies of the NPs indicate crystalline nature which was perfectly matching with a monoclinic structure of bulk CuO with an average crystallite size of 16 nm. Formation of copper oxide NPs was confirmed by FT‐IR studies and photoluminescence spectra with emission peaks at 331, 411 and 433 nm were assigned to a near‐band‐edge emission band of CuO in the UV, violet and blue region. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry studies inferred the phytochemical constituents of the leaf extract. Larvicidal activity of synthesised NPs using T. procumbens leaf extract was tested against Aedes aegypti species (dengue, chikungunya, zika and yellow fever transmit vector).Inspec keywords: photoluminescence, spectrophotometry, thermal analysis, chromatography, nanoparticles, antibacterial activity, field emission electron microscopy, microorganisms, wide band gap semiconductors, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, copper compounds, ultraviolet spectra, nanofabrication, X‐ray chemical analysis, crystallites, visible spectra, field emission scanning electron microscopy, nanobiotechnology, semiconductor materials, semiconductor growth, fluorescence, mass spectraOther keywords: energy dispersive spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visual spectrophotometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, chikungunya, green synthesis, mosquito larvicidal activity, zika, X‐ray diffraction analysis, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, XRD, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, copper oxide nanoparticles, dengue, tridax procumben leaf extract, nanomosquitocides, FTIR, monoclinic structure, crystallite size, photoluminescence spectra, near‐band‐edge emission band, phytochemical constituents, Aedes aegypti species, yellow fever transmit vector, CuO     

Application of Strong Arcs in m-Polar Fuzzy Graphs

Neural Processing Letters - Recently, m-polar fuzzy graph (mPF graph) becomes a growing research topic as the generalization of fuzzy graph. In this paper, at first mPF path, mPF cycle in an mPF...     

QR code–based ECG signal encryption/decryption algorithm

The paper presents a novel and enhanced bio-signal (ECG) cryptographic technique in which a QR code has been successfully utilized as a data container. The bio-signal encryption process considers ECG samples in the form of integers in order to create corresponding binary pair sequences that are converted as equivalent ciphertext information. Subsequently, the generated ciphertexts are transformed into QR code by using a QR code generator/reader in order to ensure further security. The encryption process generates a binary key for each binary pair that will be used during signal decryption. The imperceptibility of a reconstructed ECG signal is evaluated by analyzing performance metrics in terms of PSNR and PRD values. The average PSNR values are found to be above 42?dB, whereas PRD values observed were less than 3.43 percent. It is further proved that the proposed technique can encrypt a maximum of 226?kb of diagnose data by using merely seven QR codes.