Algorithms for multi‐group PLS

Several approaches of investigation of the relationships between two datasets where the individuals are structured into groups are discussed. These strategies fit within the framework of partial least squares (PLS) regression. Each strategy of analysis is introduced on the basis of a maximization criterion, which involves the covariances between components associated with the groups of individuals in each dataset. Thereafter, algorithms are proposed to solve these maximization problems. The strategies of analysis can be considered as extensions of multi‐group principal components analysis to the context of PLS regression. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Acrylamide Hydrogels Preparation via Free Radical Crosslinking Copolymerization: Kinetic Study and Morphological Investigation

The simultaneous gravimetric and dilatometric techniques have been used to study the kinetics of aqueous free radical crosslinking copolymerization of acrylamide (AAm) and N,N^'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) at different crosslinker ratios, and reaction temperatures. In this study, the gel properties were investigated using swelling measurements and microscopic techniques. Based on the data, it was proposed that the deviation point of the results of dilatometric technique from those of the gravimetric one can be a new criterion for gel point. The monomer conversion and the equilibrium swelling ratio of the hydrogels were measured as a function of the reaction time. Experimental data showed an inverse dependence of the critical gel point on crosslinker concentration. As the MBA/AAm ratio was decreased to 0.1?wt%, the product appearance changed. In addition, the effects of temperature on the reaction rate and critical gel point were studied. At higher temperatures, the equilibrium swelling ratio reached to its minimum value earlier. Besides, the hydrogel surface became smoother.     

Inhibitive assessment of 1-(7-methyl-5-morpholin-4-yl-thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-2-yl)-hydrazine as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in sulfuric acid solution

In this study, the inhibitive effect of synthesized 1-(7-methyl-5-morpholin-4-yl-thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-2-yl)-hydrazine (MMTPH) as a new corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 0.5 M sulfuric acid medium is investigated employing potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and linear polarization resistance techniques. The results show MMTPH reduces anodic dissolution, retards the hydrogen evolution reaction and its adsorption follows Langmuir’s adsorption isotherm. Any increase in temperature will in turn increase corrosion current densities; however, the presence of MMTPH hinders the rate. In solutions with inhibitor concentration of 200 ppm, temperature elevations as great as 30° (25–55 °C) result in a drop of about 45 % in inhibition efficiency (99–55 %). Thermodynamic adsorption parameters show that the MMTPH is absorbed by a spontaneous exothermic process and the adsorption mechanism is physical. Quantum chemical method shows that the MMTPH molecules can be directly adsorbed at the steel surface on the basis of donor–acceptor interactions between π-electrons of pyrimidine, N atoms of hydrazine and vacant d-orbitals of iron atoms.     

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Ionic Liquid 1-n-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Methylsulfate [Bmim][MeSO4]: Interfacial Properties at the Silica and Vacuum Interfaces

Molecular dynamics simulations are done to investigate the structure and dynamics of a thin [Bmim][MeO₄] film in contact with a hydroxylated silica surface on one side and with vacuum on the other. An examination of the microscopic structure of ionic liquid (IL) film shows that strong layered anionic/cationic structures are formed at both interfaces. At the silica interface, the imidazolium rings are closer to the silica surface (compared to anions) and are coplanar with it. At the vacuum interface, the charged imidazolium ring more concentrates in the interior of the film, but the butyl side chain stretches out toward the vacuum interface. While there exists an excess concentration of the cations at the silica interface, at the vacuum interface an excess concentration of anions (dissolved in the butyl chain) is found. The influence of the interface on the dynamical properties is shown to depend on their time scales. A short-time dynamical property, such as hydrogen bond formation is not noticeably perturbed at the interface. In contrary, long-time properties such as ion-pair formation/rupture and translation of ions across the film are largely decelerated at the silica interface but are accelerate at the vacuum interface. Our findings indicate that the structural relaxation time of ion-pairs, is comparable to diffusion time scale in the IL film. Therefore, ion-pairs are not stable species; the IL is composed of short-lived ion-pairs and freely diffusing ions. However, the structural relaxation times of ion-pairs is still long enough (comparable to the time scale of diffusion) to conclude that correlated motions of counterions influence the macroscopic properties of IL, such as diffusion and ionic conductivity. In this respect, we have shown that correcting the Nernst-Einstein equation for the joint translation of ion-pairs considerably improves the accuracy of calculated ionic conductivities.     

A new insight into encapsulation process of a drug molecule in the polymer/surfactant system: a molecular simulation study

Structural Chemistry - Drug delivery plays a substantial role in a more effective treatment of diseases of the central nervous system; therefore, the selection of an appropriate drug carrier system...     

Surveying FDA-approved drugs as new potential inhibitors of N-cadherin protein: a virtual screening approach

Since N-cadherin protein plays a remarkable role in cancer metastasis and tumor growth and progression, finding new effective inhibitors of this protein can be of high importance in cancer treatment. Nevertheless, few molecules have been introduced to inhibit N-cadherin protein to date. In this work, in order to find and present potent inhibitors, 3358 FDA-approved small molecules were docked against N-cadherin protein. All complexes with binding energy ??9 to ??8 kcal/mol were selected for protein-ligand interaction analysis. In the following, Tanimoto coefficient (T_c) was calculated for those molecules that established appropriate interactions with N-cadherin in order to compute the similarity score between them. Afterwards, molecular dynamics simulation and free energy calculations were done to estimate the stability and ability of the chosen ligands in complex with the target protein. Finally, seven small molecules among 3358 FDA-approved were suggested as potential inhibitors of N-cadherin protein.

     

Temporal Evolution of Polarization Resolved Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy of Cu

Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing - Polarization-resolved laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy based on a temporal investigation of polarized Cu plasma emission is presented by a gated...     

Hydrogen production via CO2-reforming of methane over Cu and Co doped Ni/Al2O3 nanocatalyst: impregnation versus sol–gel method and effect of process conditions and promoter

In this study, Cu and Co doped Ni/Al₂O₃ nanocatalyst was synthesized via impregnation and sol–gel methods. The physiochemical properties of nanocatalyst were characterized by XRD, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), particle size distribution, BET, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), TG–DTA and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The samples were employed for CO₂-reforming of methane in atmospheric pressure, temperature range from 550 to 850 °C, under various mixture of CH₄/CO₂ and different gas hourly space velocity. XRD patterns besides indicating the decline of the peaks intensity in sol–gel method, proved the potential of this procedure in diminishing the crystal size and preventing the NiAl₂O₄ spinel formation. Moreover, high surface area might derive of smaller particle size and uniform morphology of sol–gel prepared ones, confirmed by FESEM and BET analysis. TG–DTG analysis as well supported the higher surface area for sol–gel made ones, represented the proper calcination temperature (approximately 600 °C). Also, presence of the active phases and elemental composition of nanocatalysts determine via EDX analysis. Promoting the basicity and the adsorption rate of CO₂, is attributed to the higher amount of OH groups for sol–gel prepared samples, proved by FTIR. Ni–Co/Al₂O₃ due to the synergetic effect of sol–gel method and cobalt addition depicted excellent characterization such as higher surface area, smaller particle size, supplying more stable support and enhanced morphology. Therefore, this nanocatalyst represented the best products yield (H₂ = 98.21 and CO = 95.64), H₂/CO close to unit (0.92–1.05) and stable conversion during 1,440 min stability test. So, Ni–Co/Al₂O₃ among all of the prepared nanocatalysts demonstrated the best catalytic performance and presented it as a highly efficient catalyst for dry reforming of methane. Despite of the stable yield of Ni–Cu/Al₂O₃, it depicted the lower catalytic activity and H₂/CO ratio than the unprompted nanocatalysts.     

Grand canonical ensemble molecular dynamics simulation of water solubility in polyamide-6,6

Grand canonical ensemble molecular dynamics simulation is employed to calculate the solubility of water in polyamide-6,6. It is shown that performing two separate simulations, one in the polymeric phase and one in the gaseous phase, is sufficient to find the phase coexistence point. In this method, the chemical potential of water in the polymer phase is expanded as a first-order Taylor series in terms of pressure. Knowing the chemical potential of water in the polymer phase in terms of pressure, another simulation for water in the gaseous phase, in the grand canonical ensemble, is done in which the target chemical potential is set in terms of pressure in the gas phase. The phase coexistence point can easily be calculated from the results of these two independent simulations. Our calculated sorption isotherms and solubility coefficients of water in polyamide-6,6, over a wide range of temperatures and pressures, agree with experimental data.     

Dynamic analysis of functionally graded plates using the hybrid Fourier-Laplace transform under thermomechanical loading

In this study, the analytical solution is presented for dynamic response of a simply supported functionally graded rectangular plate subjected to a lateral thermomechanical loading. The first-order and third-order shear deformation theories and the hybrid Fourier-Laplace transform method are used. The material properties of the plate, except Poisson’s ratio, are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction according to a power-law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. The plate is subjected to a heat flux on the bottom surface and convection on the upper surface. A third-order polynomial temperature profile is considered across the plate thickness with unknown constants. The constants are obtained by substituting the profile into the energy equation and applying the Galerkin method. The obtained temperature profile is considered along with the equations of motion. The governing partial differential equations are solved using the finite Fourier transformation method. Using the Laplace transform, the unknown variables are obtained in the Laplace domain. Applying the analytical Laplace inverse method, the solution in the time domain is derived. The computed results for static, free vibration, and dynamic problems are presented for different power law indices for a plate with simply supported boundary conditions. The results are validated with the known data reported in the literature. Furthermore, the results calculated by the analytical Laplace inversion method are compared with those obtained by the numerical Newmark method.