An equivalent von Mises stress and corresponding equivalent plastic strain for elastic–plastic ordinary peridynamics

Meccanica - Simple formulas for calculating equivalent von Mises stress and von Mises effective plastic strain in an elastic–plastic ordinary peridynamic analysis are proposed. The equivalent...     

Synthesis and characterization of molybdenum (VI) complex immobilized on polymeric Schiff base-coated magnetic nanoparticles as an efficient and retrievable nanocatalyst in olefin epoxidation reactions

In this study, a new polymeric functionalized magnetic nanocatalyst containing a molybdenum Schiff base complex was prepared using a few consecutive steps. Poly (methylacrylate)-coated magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized via radical polymerization of methyl acrylate onto modified magnetic nanoparticles followed by the amidation of the methyl ester groups with hydrazine. Polymeric functionalization efficiently provides the advantage that more catalytic units can be grafted on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles. The functionalization process was continued with salicylaldehyde which introduced Schiff base groups on to the surface of the polymeric support. In the final step, the desired catalytic system was prepared via complexation of the Schiff base groups with MoO₂(acac)₂. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, elemental analysis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, vibrating sample magnetometry and thermogravimetric analysis. This heterogenized catalytic system was also found to be highly active, sustainable and recyclable nanocatalyst in alkene epoxidation. Eventually, the attractive features of the synthesized catalyst such as simple work-up, good stability, magnetic separation, high TOF and high surface area; make it appropriate for oxidation reactions.     

Extraction and Determination of Two Antidepressant Drugs in Human Plasma by Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction‒HPLC

In this study, an effective method of ultrasound-assisted ionic liquid based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (UA?IL?DLLME) coupled with HPLC was applied for extraction and determination of two antidepressant drugs: venlafaxine hydrochloride and amitriptyline hydrochloride from human plasma samples. Three ionic liquids were studied: 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 1-hexyl-3- methyl imidazolium hexa-fluoro-phosphate, and 1-octyl-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate [C8MIM][PF6]. Various factors affect the stages and efficiency of extraction, some of which are pH of sample solution, type and volume of ionic liquid, the time of ultrasonication, centrifuging time and rate, and the ionic strength of solution. In this research, optimum conditions were obtained as 55 μL of [C8MIM][PF6] selected as ionic liquid, pH 11, 2% NaCl, 4 min ultrasonication and 5 min centrifuging at 3500 rpm. Under the optimized conditions, the linearity was obtained in the range of 0.2 to 250 μg/L. The limits of detection were 0.5 μg/L for venlafaxine and 0.8 μg/L for amitriptyline. Pre-concentration factors were 1.3 × 10³ for venlafaxine and 1.2 × 10³ for amitriptyline. The UA?IL?DLLME method coupled with HPLC was successfully used for the determination of venlafaxine and amitriptyline spiked into the real samples of human plasma.     

Two Histidines in an α‐Helix: A Rigid Co2+‐Binding Motif for PCS Measurements by NMR Spectroscopy

Pseudocontact shifts (PCS) generated by paramagnetic metal ions present valuable long‐range information in the study of protein structural biology by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Faithful interpretation of PCSs, however, requires complete immobilization of the metal ion relative to the protein, which is difficult to achieve with synthetic metal tags. We show that two histidine residues in sequential turns of an α‐helix provide a binding site for a Co²⁺ ion, which positions the metal ion in a uniquely well‐defined and predictable location. Exchange between the bound and free cobalt is slow on the timescale defined by chemical shifts, but the NMR resonance assignments are nonetheless readily transferred from the diamagnetic to the paramagnetic NMR spectrum by an I_zS_z‐exchange experiment. The double‐histidine‐Co²⁺ motif offers a straightforward, inexpensive, and convenient way of generating precision PCSs in proteins.     

Experimental determination of acetamiprid pesticide residue in three different types of pistachio by ion mobility spectrometry and using QuEChERS method in the different temperatures and in the presence of ammonia as dopant gas

In this project, Ion Mobility Spectrometer (IMS) instrument in the positive mode and with corona ionization source was utilized to determine the residue of acetamiprid pesticide in three different types of pistachio (Akbari, Fandoghi and Kalachuchi). The QuEChERS method, notable because of easy and quick preparation of sample and using lower amounts of organic solvents with harmful environmental effects and high costs, was used in this study. Many experiments were performed in the different temperatures in order to obtain optimum temperature for cell and injection. Ammonia and acetone were considered as dopant substances and it turned out that the ammonia gas, contrary to acetone, increased significantly the signal intensity and sensitivity and avoided the overlap of desired peaks. The LOD of device for acetamiprid pesticide was estimated to be 0.5 μg g^?1 and the LOQ of instrument was obtained as 1.66 μg g^?1. The calibration curve was in the dynamic range between 0.5–11.5 μg g^?1 and the Correlation Coefficient was 0.998. Also, the ion mobility and the reduced ion mobility were calculated for acetamiprid ion. After analysis of five samples with IMS instrument, the acetamiprid residue was determined and it turned out that it was under allowed limit in all three types of pistachio. In addition, the amount of acetamiprid residue was higher for Akbari type relative to Fandoghi and Kalachuchi ones. The reason for this observation is the higher vulnerability of Akbari trees to insects and pests and this in turn causes more pesticide to be consumed.     

Surface Properties of Low Density Polyethylene upon Low-Temperature Plasma Treatment with Various Gases

The surface of a LDPE was modified by Ar, O₂, N₂, CO₂ gaseous plasma. The changes in surface morphology and surface wettability were investigated using AFM and SEM. The surface chemical changes of LDPE were also characterized by FTIR-ATR. The SEM and AFM results demonstrated variable changes in surface roughness for different types of plasma gas used, the changes being more for the Ar and N₂ plasma treatments. Considering the nature of the LDPE film, XRD studies were carried out to determine changes in the percentage crystalinity. The results showed that all low pressure O₂, Ar, N₂, CO₂ gas plasmas improved the wettability of LDPE films. Contact angles decreased significantly depending on the discharge powers and exposure times. Surface morphology was also found to vary with plasma discharge powers, exposure times, and the type of gas being used. Ar and N₂ gas plasmas in general produced more superior results.     

Highly selective transport of silver ion through a supported liquid membrane using calix[4]pyrroles as suitable ion carriers

Facilitated transport of silver ion across a supported liquid membrane (SLM) by calix[4]pyrroles, as selective ion carriers, dissolved in kerosene has been investigated. The influences of fundamental parameters affecting the transport of silver ion including ion carrier concentration in the membrane phase, thiosulfate concentration in strip phase, picric acid concentration in the feed phase, stirring speed of aqueous phases, type of membrane solvent and time of transport have been studied. In the presence of thiosulfate as a suitable metal ion acceptor in the strip phase and picrate ion as ion pairing agent in the source phase, transport of silver occurs almost quantitatively after 75 min. The selectivity and efficiency of silver transport from aqueous solution containing Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Co²⁺, Al³⁺, Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺ and Cr³⁺ were investigated.     

Preparation and characterization of novel thermostable polyamides bearing different photoactive pendent architectures with antibacterial properties

Three diamine monomers with different derivatives of imidazole heterocyclic ring, aryl ethers and electron withdrawing trifluoromethyl groups in the backbone were synthesized and used in polycodensation reaction with various aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids for preparation of a series of novel polyamides(PAs). The PAs were obtained in high yields and possessed inherent viscosities in the range of 0.26-0.75 d L/g. All of the polymers were amorphous in nature,showed outstanding solubility and could be easily dissolved in amide-type polar aprotic solvents. They showed good thermal stability with glass transition temperatures between 162-302 ℃. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that all polymers were stable, with 10% weight loss recorded above 421 ℃ in N_2 atmospheres. All the PAs presented fluorescence upon irradiation with ultraviolet light and thus showed promise for applications in electroluminescent devices. The monomers and PAs were also screened for antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.     

Stabilization of active fault‐tolerant control systems by uncertain nonhomogeneous markovian jump models

This article investigates the stabilization and control problems for a general active fault‐tolerant control system (AFTCS) in a stochastic framework. The novelty of the research lies in utilizing uncertain nonhomogeneous Markovian structures to take account for the imperfect fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) algorithms of the AFTCS. The underlying AFTCS is supposed to be modeled by two random processes of Markov type; one characterizing the system fault process and the other describing the FDD process. It is assumed that the FDD algorithm is imperfect and provides inaccurate Markovian parameters for the FDD process. Specifically, it provides uncertain transition rates (TRs); the TRs that lie in an interval without any particular structures. This framework is more consistent with real‐world applications to accommodate different types of faults. It is more general than the previously developed AFTCSs because of eliminating the need for an accurate estimation of the fault process. To solve the stabilizability and the controller design problems of this AFTCS, the whole system is viewed as an uncertain nonhomogeneous Markovian jump linear system (NHMJLS) with time‐varying and uncertain specifications. Based on the multiple and stochastic Lyapunov function for the NHMJLS, first a sufficient condition is obtained to analyze the system stabilizability and then, the controller gains are synthesized. Unlike the previous fault‐tolerant controllers, the proposed robust controller only needs to access the FDD process, besides it is easily obtainable through the existing optimization techniques. It is successfully tested on a practical inverted pendulum controlled by a fault‐prone DC motor. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 318–329, 2016