The electrochemical behaviour of nitrogen-containing austenitic stainless steel in methanolic solution

The corrosion behaviour of nitrogen-containing austenitic stainless steel in methanol containing different concentrations of H₂SO₄, HCl, LiCl and H₂SO₄ + HCl has been investigated using a potentiostatic polarization method. The cathodic reaction in the H₂SO₄, HCl and H₂SO₄ + HCl solutions was proton reduction whereas in the neutral LiCl solution, oxygen reduction was the predominant cathodic reaction. Active, passive and transpassive behaviours were observed only for higher concentrations of H₂SO₄ (0.01–2.0 M) due to the inherent water content. A cathodic loop, characterized by measured negative current in the anodic region, was also observed in solutions, in which the concentration of H₂SO₄ was 1.0 M or higher. The relative stability of the passive films decreased as the H₂SO₄ concentration increased, and thus the steel suffered from mild pitting corrosion. In the chloride environment, the rate of corrosion increased as the Cl⁻ ion concentration increased. The presence of acid along with Cl⁻ ions enhanced corrosion, and the corrosion rate increased significantly. The steel suffered from mild intergranular corrosion in acidic chloride solutions of methanol. In the H₂SO₄ + HCl solutions, passive films were only formed when the H₂SO₄ to HCl concentration ratio was greater than ∼10:1.     

The effects of a “distinct window” screen design on computer-mediated group decision making

An experiment was performed to test a distinct-window conferencing screen design as an electronic cue of social status differences in computer-mediated group decision-making. The screen design included one distinct window to symbolize high-status, and two nondistinct windows to symbolize low-status. The results indicated that the distinct-window screen design did produce status affects in groups of peers making decisions on judgmental problems. Randomly assigned occupants of the distinct window had greater influence on group decisions and member's attitudes than occupants of nondistinct windows.The authors would like to thank Shyam Kamadolli and Phaderm Nangsue, the programmers who developed the software used in this experiment. We would also like to thank the editor and our three anonymous reviewers for exceedingly helpful comments on an earlier draft of this article.     

Anti-embolism stockings,the similarities and differences

The medical textiles sector is growing annually, estimated to reach $2.7 billion by 2018. Predominantly attributed to the growing and ageing population, and consequently there has been a vast increase in venous disorders. Currently 61% of the British population are thought to be at risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), of which the majority is avoidable given the correct prophylaxis. Anti-embolism stockings (AES) are used to prevent DVT when hospitalised patients are supine for long periods of time. The market place is competitive, with numerous brands striving to win the local British National Health Service contract. It is a commodity market, with low profit margins but high volumes. The aim of this research was to seek an understanding of the AES on the market, exploring the different construction techniques, knit notations and yarn characteristics in three popular AES brands, with the overall aim of providing a basis of knowledge to improve product development, product efficacy and ultimately save lives.     

Effect of microwave treatment on the cooking and macronutrient qualities of pulses

The effect of microwave treatment to reduce the cooking times of five pulses, namely red lentil, chickpea, pigeon pea, mung bean, and pinto bean, were determined in this study. Pulses from 10 to 18% moisture contents were treated using 400 to 600 W microwaves for 14 to 56 s. The cooking times of microwave-treated pulses were significantly lower than that of the control samples. The lowest cooking time was observed for 18% moisture content chickpea and pigeon pea treated with 600 W for 56 s. The Fourier transform mid-infrared spectra in both lipids and fingerprint regions showed the macronutrients differences among the five pulses. Major changes were observed in the amide I region of microwave treated pulses. This effect of microwave treatment was higher in red lentil, chickpea, and mung bean than in pigeon pea and pinto bean at 10% moisture content. At 18% moisture content, the change of β-sheets to aggregates was observed in all pulses due to microwave treatment.     

Thermal expansion studies on Th(MoO4)2, Na2Th(MoO4)3 and Na4Th(MoO4)4

Thermal expansion behavior of Th(MoO₄)₂, Na₂Th(MoO₄)₃ and Na₄Th(MoO₄)₄ was studied under vacuum in the temperature range of 298–1123 K by high temperature X-ray diffractometer. Th(MoO₄)₂ was synthesized by reacting ThO₂ with 2 mol of MoO₃, at 1073 K in air and Na₂Th(MoO₄)₃ and Na₄Th(MoO₄)₄ were prepared by reacting Th(MoO₄)₂ with 1 and 2 mol of Na₂MoO₄, respectively at 873 K in air. The XRD data of Th(MoO₄)₂ was indexed on orthorhombic system where as XRD data of Na₂Th(MoO₄)₃ and Na₄Th(MoO₄)₄ were indexed on tetragonal system. The lattice parameters and cell volume of all the three compounds, fit into polynomial expression with respect to temperature, showed positive thermal expansion (PTE) up to 1123 K. The average value of thermal expansion coefficients for Th(MoO₄)₂, Na₂Th(MoO₄)₃ and Na₄Th(MoO₄)₄ were determined from the high temperature data.     

Phase study in Sr-Th-P-O system: Structural and thermal investigations of quaternary compounds

The sub-solidus phase relations in Sr-Th-P-O quaternary system were determined at 1223 K in air. To confirm the formation and stability of reported phases, ternary and quaternary compounds in Sr-Th-O, Sr-P-O, Th-P-O and Sr-Th-P-O systems were synthesized by solid state reactions of SrCO₃, ThO₂ and NH₄H₂PO₄ in desired molar proportions at 1223 K. A pseudo-ternary phase diagram of SrO-ThO₂-P₂O₅ system was drawn on the basis of the phase analysis of various phase mixtures and phase fields were established by powder X-ray diffraction. In the phase diagram, three quaternary compounds SrTh(PO₄)₂, SrTh₄(PO₄)₆ and Sr₇Th(PO₄)₆ were identified. When heated in air at 1673 K, these compounds decompose to ThO₂. Structures of SrTh(PO₄)₂, SrTh₄(PO₄)₆ and Sr₇Th(PO₄)₆ were derived from X-ray powder data using the Rietveld refinement method. Thermal expansion behaviors of SrTh(PO₄)₂, SrTh₄(PO₄)₆ and Sr₇Th(PO₄)₆ were investigated using high-temperature X-ray diffraction in the temperature range of 298-1273 K.     

An Optical Sensor Based on a Photonic Polymer Film to Detect Calcium in Serum

An optical calcium sensor is fabricated based on a cholesteric liquid crystalline (CLC) polymer containing benzoic acid metal binding sites. A chiral imprinted CLC polymer is made which is subsequently treated with KOH to yield a responsive green reflecting film. On investigation of various metal ions, the polymer film shows a high optical response, and selectivity for calcium ions, which is related to the preorganized binding sites in the ordered liquid crystalline phase, leading to a blue reflecting film. The photonic polymer film is sensitive to Ca²⁺ within the physiologically relevant concentration range of 10^?4 to 10^?2 m . Measurement of total calcium concentration in serum is also investigated using the film. The optical responses of normal serum and samples mimicking hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia can be clearly distinguished, providing a cheap, battery‐free, and easy‐to‐use alternative for calcium determination in clinical diagnostics.     

Thermal expansion studies of Gd2Mo3O12 and Gd2W3O12

Simultaneous thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis of Gd₂Mo₃O₁₂ showed an irreversible phase transition at 1178 K where as Gd₂W₃O₁₂ showed reversible phase transition at 1433 K, which were confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction. The thermal expansion behavior of α-Gd₂Mo₃O₁₂ (room temperature phase), β-Gd₂Mo₃O₁₂ (phase obtained by heating Gd₂Mo₃O₁₂ at 1223 K) and Gd₂W₃O₁₂ have been investigated using high temperature X-ray diffractometer. The cell volume of α-Gd₂Mo₃O₁₂, β-Gd₂Mo₃O₁₂ and Gd₂W₃O₁₂, fit into polynomial expression with respect to temperature, showed positive thermal expansion up to 1073, 1173 and 1173 K, respectively. The average volume expansion coefficients for α-Gd₂Mo₃O₁₂, β-Gd₂Mo₃O₁₂ and Gd₂W₃O₁₂ are 39.52 × 10⁻⁶, 21.23 × 10⁻⁶ and 37.96 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹, respectively.     

Novel and efficient hybrid supercapacitor of chemically synthesized quaternary 3D nanoflower-like NiCuCo2S4 electrode

In this work, we employed a simple and cost-effective chemical route to obtain a highly stable and efficient quaternary mesoporous 3D nanoflower-like NiCuCo₂S₄ nanocomposite for supercapacitor applications. The NiCuCo₂S₄ composite exhibited a mixture of NiCo₂S₄ and CuCo₂S₄ phases, confirming the formation a quaternary NiCuCo₂S₄ thin film. A surface morphological analysis revealed the unique nanoflower-like nanostructure of the annealed composite. The electrochemical analysis of the NiCuCo₂S₄ electrode demonstrated a high specific capacity (Cs) of 414 mAh g^?1 at a lower scan rate of 10 mV s^?1 and a superior cycling stability up to 3000 cycles. A solid-state hybrid supercapacitor (SHS) was also constructed by the NiCuCo₂S₄ and AC powder as positive and negative electrodes, respectively. The NiCuCo₂S₄//AC hybrid cell produced a high Cs, energy density, and power density of 159 F g^?1, 35.19 Wh kg^?1, and 0.66 kW kg^?1, respectively at a current density of 10 mA with good cycling stability. The results demonstrated that the fabrication process is effective for the development of a novel quaternary transition metal sulfide (TMS) electrode.