C3H8 separation from CH4 and H2 using a synthesized PDMS membrane: Experimental and neural network modeling

A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane was synthesized and permeation behavior of ternary gas mixtures including C₃H₈, CH₄ and H₂ through it was studied as a function of operating parameters. Mixed gas permeability values were also compared with pure gas data as well as literature to validate experimental results. The aim was to predict separation factor (SF) of C₃H₈ as a function of feed temperature, pressure, flow rate and C₃H₈ concentration with the aid of artificial neural network (ANN) technique. Multilayer perceptron (MLP), which is the most common type of feedforward neural network (FFNN), was used for prediction. The Levenberg–Marquardt training method was initially employed to train the net. Then, optimum numbers of hidden layers and nodes in each layer were determined. The selected structure (4:4:5:1) was finally used to predict SF of C₃H₈ for different inputs in the domain of training data. The modeling results showed that there is an excellent agreement between the experimental data and the predicted values, with mean absolute errors of less than 1%. Both modeling and experimental results confirmed that increasing feed temperature, feed pressure and C₃H₈ concentration in feed debilitates separation performance; however, SF increases with increasing feed flow rate. As a result, ANN can be recommended for the modeling of mixed gas transport through dense membranes such as PDMS.     

A heuristic application of Integer Goal Programming and Taguchi Method for planning cable cutting process in power plant projects

The Optimization utilization of raw material and components is one of the main challenges in production and project management success. Executives usually face with waste and shortage of raw material which cause delay and cost, however the material and required components are usually provided more than needed. Therefore planning to provide these components from existing spools of material is one of these challenges especially when the number of the needed material pieces and the existing spools are high. For instance, in power plant projects cables are usually provided in form of spools which later cut down to required pieces in the project location. Extraction of each needed piece of cable from specific existing spool is a decision to be made. In this paper, a heuristic method based on integrating Integer Goal Programming and Taguchi Method is suggested to optimize cutting down process of these materials.     

Composite Lane-Emden Equation as a Nonlinear Poisson Equation

After a quick review of the Lane-Emden equation and its properties, a composite of two different polytropes is introduced and some of the consequences are explored. The results are used to build a nonlinear electromagnetism with non-singular, solitonic solutions as charged particles.     

New approach for the synthesis of novel acenaphtho[1,2-b]furan-8-amines

A new approach for the preparation of new 9-(alkyl or aryl)acenaphtho[1,2-b]furan-8-(alky or aryl) amine derivatives has been reported by the catalyst-free one-pot cyclocondensation of (acenaphthylen-1-yloxy)trimethylsilane, alkyl and aryl aldehydes, and aryl and alky isocyanides in refluxing DMF.     

A novel one‐pot procedure for preparation of some new condensed pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidine(1H,3H)‐2,4‐diones

A novel one‐pot procedure for preparation of some new condensed pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidine(1H,3H)‐2,4‐diones based on condensation of ninhydrin, alkyl cyanoacetate, and 6‐aminouracil derivatives has been reported. The reactions were carried out in refluxed ethanol and were completed in less than 2 h. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 18:16–18, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20242     

Comprehensive Study of Free Radical Copolymerization Using a Monte Carlo Simulation Method, 1

Summary: In order to investigate the influence of reactivity ratios and initial feed composition on the microstructure of macromolecules in free radical copolymerization, a comprehensive study was carried out using a Monte Carlo simulation method. As a result, a new procedure was introduced to modify the works of others on the initiation step. The variation of the copolymer composition and the fashion of the arrangement of monomers in simulated chains were evaluated as a function of copolymerization parameters. The model was capable of monitoring any change in azeotropy as well as the magnitude and direction of composition drift from the azeotrope point. The maximum reachable conversion (MRC) was predicted for different combinations of initial feed compositions and reactivity ratios. According to the simulation results, a critical conversion where the macromolecules produced inherited the maximum allowed alternation was obtained for the reactivity ratios given.

Change of sequence distribution of simulated copolymer chains with conversion for various initial feed compositions on a triangular graph (r_A = 0.5, r_B = 0.9).     

Towards Understanding the Involvement of H+-ATPase in Programmed Cell Death of Psammosilene tunicoides after Oxalic Acid Application

Psammosilene tunicoides is a unique perennial medicinal plant species native to the Southwestern regions of China. Its wild population is rare and endangered due to over-excessive collection and extended growth (4–5 years). This research shows that H⁺-ATPase activity was a key factor for oxalate-inducing programmed cell death (PCD) of P. tunicoides suspension cells. Oxalic acid (OA) is an effective abiotic elicitor that enhances a plant cell’s resistance to environmental stress. However, the role of OA in this process remains to be mechanistically unveiled. The present study evaluated the role of OA-induced cell death using an inverted fluorescence microscope after staining with Evans blue, FDA, PI, and Rd123. OA-stimulated changes in K⁺ and Ca²⁺ trans-membrane flows using a patch-clamp method, together with OA modulation of H⁺-ATPase activity, were further examined. OA treatment increased cell death rate in a dosage-and duration-dependent manner. OA significantly decreased the mitochondria activity and damaged its electron transport chain. The OA treatment also decreased intracellular pH, while the FC increased the pH value. Simultaneously, NH₄Cl caused intracellular acidification. The OA treatment independently resulted in 90% and the FC led to 25% cell death rates. Consistently, the combined treatments caused a 31% cell death rate. Furthermore, treatment with EGTA caused a similar change in intracellular pH value to the La³⁺ and OA application. Combined results suggest that OA-caused cell death could be attributed to intracellular acidification and the involvement of OA in the influx of extracellular Ca²⁺, thereby leading to membrane depolarization. Here we explore the resistance mechanism of P. tunicoides cells against various stresses endowed by OA treatment.     

Loading of ZIF-67 on silk with sustained release of iodine as biocompatible antibacterial fibers

Antibacterial fibers have great potential in numerous applications, including bandages, surgical robes, and surgical sutures, and play a significant role in our everyday lives. Here, zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 was synthesized using a green method on silk fibers through a layer-by-layer process under ultrasonic irradiation (ZIF-67@silk [U]) and without ultrasonic irradiation (ZIF-67@silk [B]). Then, iodine was loaded on ZIF-67@silk samples and were assessed as antibacterial fibers with iodine release. Four samples of ZIF-67@silk and I₂@ZIF-67@silk were characterized by FT-IR, PXRD, FE-SEM, TGA, BET, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Finally, antibacterial activity of ZIF-67@silk (B and U) and I₂@ZIF-67@silk (B and U) on Staphylococcus aureus as Gram-positive bacteria and Escherichia coli as Gram-negative bacteria was investigated. In addition to ZIF-67@silk samples, iodine-loaded samples showed excellent antimicrobial facility.