Influence of plasma properties on ARC discharge destabilization

The influence of heat transfer processes in arc discharges on the development of thermal instability is considered. A substantial dependence of the process of destabilization on the plasma properties is shown by the example of argon and helium arcs. Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 70, No. 1, pp. 93–98, January–February, 1997.     

Effect of saturation parameters on the interaction of titanium alloys with carbon-nitrogen-containing media

We study some specific features of phase formation and gas saturation in the course of chemical and thermal treatment of VT1-0, OT4, and VT14 titanium alloys in carbon-nitrogen-containing (graphite and nitrogen under atmospheric pressure) and nitrogen-containing (molecular nitrogen under atmospheric pressure) media. Saturation was carried out at 750–1100°C, and the time of isothermal holding was 5 or 20 h. We have shown that, irrespective of the composition of the saturating medium, within the range 750–1000°C, the phase composition of coatings is identical and consists of TiN and Ti₂N nitrides. The quantitative proportions between them depend on the temperature and time of treatment. Owing to the specific features of the composition of a carbon-nitrogen-containing medium, the depth of the diffusion sublayer increases, and the stoichiometry of cubic nitride decreases, which leads to an increase in the surface microhardness of nitride coatings. Carbonitride coatings are formed only at high saturation temperature (1100°C). Their maximum hardness is 2.5 GPa higher than that of nitrides formed under similar conditions.Translated from Fizyko-Khimichna Mekhanika Materialiv, Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 81–87, May–June, 2004.     

Thermal buckling optimisation of composite plates using firefly algorithm

Abstract

Composite plates play a very important role in engineering applications, especially in aerospace industry. Thermal buckling of such components is of great importance and must be known to achieve an appropriate design. This paper deals with stacking sequence optimisation of laminated composite plates for maximising the critical buckling temperature using a powerful meta-heuristic algorithm called firefly algorithm (FA) which is based on the flashing behaviour of fireflies. The main objective of present work was to show the ability of FA in optimisation of composite structures. The performance of FA is compared with the results reported in the previous published works using other algorithms which shows the efficiency of FA in stacking sequence optimisation of laminated composite structures.     

Formation of Transition Metal Cluster Adducts on the Surface of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes: HRTEM Studies

We report the formation of chromium clusters on the outer walls of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The clusters were obtained by reacting purified SWNTs with chromium hexacarbonyl in dibutyl ether at 100°C. The functionalized SWNTs were characterized by thermogravimetic analysis, XPS, and high-resolution TEM. The curvature of the SWNTs and the high mobility of the chromium moieties on graphitic surfaces allow the growth of the metal clusters and we propose a mechanism for their formation.     

Efficient Utilization of Energy of Natural Gas Pressure Drop

Chemistry and Technology of Fuels and Oils - The expediency of replacement of throttling devices used for low-pressure gas (fuel, starting, etc.) treatment to meet self-needs of plants treating gas...     

Dependence of thermal destabilization of electric-arc plasma in an air flow on discharge conditions

The effect of the conditions of electric-arc burning in an air flow on the process of thermal destabilization is considered. The considerable role of heat-transfer processes in the development of instability in an arc-discharge column is shown. Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 70, No. 2, pp. 246–251, March–April, 1997.     

A non-sense mutation at Arg95 is predominant in complement 9 deficiency in Japanese

Deficiency of the ninth component of complement (C9D) is one of the most common genetic abnormalities in Japan, with an incidence of one homozygote in 1000. Although C9D individuals are usually healthy, it has been shown that they have an significantly increased risk of developing meningococcal meningitis. In the present study we report the molecular bases for C9D in 10 unrelated Japanese subjects. As a screening step for mutations, exons 2 to 11 of the C9 gene were analyzed using exon-specific PCR/single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis, which demonstrated aberrantly migrating DNA bands in exon 4 in all the C9D subjects. Subsequent direct sequencing of exon 4 of the C9D subjects revealed that eight of the 10 C9D subjects were homozygous for a C to T transition at nucleotide 343, the first nucleotide of the codon CGA for Arg95, leading to a TGA stop codon (R95X). R95X is a novel mutation different from those recently identified in a Swiss family with C9D. Cases 6 and 7 were heterozygous for the R95X mutation. Family study in case 10 confirmed the genetic nature of the defect. In case 6, the second mutation for C9D of the C9 gene was identified to be the substitution of Cys to Tyr at amino acid residue 507 (C507Y), while the genetic defect(s) in the other allele in case 7 remains unknown. Our results indicate that a novel mutation, R95X, is present in most cases of C9D in Japan.     

Thermal Ageing Induced Effects on Pd/LaFeO3 for NOx Reduction by Hydrocarbons: Influence of the Preparation Method

The influence of the support synthesis for the preparation of supported Pd/LaFeO₃ perovskite based catalysts and the nature of the palladium precursor on the catalytic performances in the selective reduction of NO to N₂ by hydrocarbons have been investigated. According to the preparation method, subsequent surface and bulk characterisation revealed significant changes in the degree of dispersion and the chemical environment of oxidic palladium species depending on the extent of interaction with the support. Pd nitrate precursor leads to the stabilisation of the Pd surface concentration. The metal support interactions thus obtained strongly enhance the catalytic performances, particularly the resistance to thermal ageing whereas sol–gel synthesis produces the higher support activity.