A note on the spheroidal modes vibration of an elastic sphere in linear viscoelastic fluid

Vibration characteristics of elastic nanostructures embedded in fluid medium have been used for biological and mechanical sensing, and also to investigate materials mechanical properties. An analytical approach based on the exact theory has been developed in this paper, to establish a new accurate and simple generalized frequency equation to predict spheroidal vibration of an elastic nanosphere, in a compressible viscoelastic fluid using linear Maxwell fluid model. To demonstrate the accuracy of the present approach, a comparison is made with the published theoretical results in the literature in some particular cases, which shows a very good agreement. Thus, the obtained frequency equation can be very useful to interpret the experimental measurements of vibrational dynamics of nanospheres and can serve as benchmark solution in design of liquid sensors.     

Modeling of metallic foam morphology using the Representative Volume Element approach: Development and experimental validation

This paper focuses on the development of an algorithm capable of generating morphologically-representative foam structures using the Representative Volume Element (RVE) approach. Stereology, a sampling method based on direct observations of the foam cross-sections, is used to characterize the pore size and shape distributions. Using the morphology generation algorithm, the smallest RVEs corresponding to the numerically-convergent foam morphologies are calculated for different foam porosities. To validate the foam generation algorithm, the pore size and shape distributions of the numerically-generated foams are compared to those of the titanium foams manufactured by the space holder method.     

Optimal investment strategies for participating contracts

Participating contracts are popular insurance policies, in which the payoff to a policyholder is linked to the performance of a portfolio managed by the insurer. We consider the portfolio selection problem of an insurer that offers participating contracts and has an S-shaped utility function. Applying the martingale approach, closed-form solutions are obtained. The resulting optimal strategies are compared with portfolio insurance hedging strategies (CPPI and OBPI). We also study numerical solutions of the portfolio selection problem with constraints on the portfolio weights.     

Utility maximization problem with random endowment and transaction costs: when wealth may become negative

In this article, we study the problem of maximizing expected utility from the terminal wealth with proportional transaction costs and random endowment. In the context of the existence of consistent price systems, we consider the duality between the primal utility maximization problem and the dual one, which is set up on the domain of finitely additive measures. In particular, we prove duality results for utility functions supporting possibly negative values. Moreover, we construct a shadow market by the dual optimal process and consider the utility-based pricing for random endowment.     

Power and reversal power links for binary regressions: An application for motor insurance policyholders

In binary regression, symmetric links such as logit and probit are usually considered as standard. However, in the presence of unbalancing of ones and zeros, these links can be inappropriate and inflexible to fit the skewness in the response curve and likely to lead to misspecification. This is the case of covering some type of insurance, where it can be observed that the probability of a given binary response variable approaches zero at different rates than it approaches one. Furthermore, when usual links are considered, there is not a skewness parameter associated with the distribution chosen that, regardless of the linear predictor, is easily interpreted. In order to overcome such problems, a proposal for the construction of a set of new skew links is developed in this paper, where some of their properties are discussed. In this context, power links and their reversal versions are presented. A Bayesian inference approach using MCMC is developed for the presented models. The methodology is illustrated considering a sample of motor insurance policyholders selected randomly by gender. Results suggest that the proposed link functions are more appropriate than other alternative link functions commonly used in the literature. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Miniaturized matrix solid-phase dispersion and solid-phase clear-up combined with capillary electrophoresis for efficient determination of trace bioactive components in complicated sample matrix: Take Wubi Shanyao Pill as an example

Accurate quantitative analysis of trace analytes in a complicated matrix is a challenge in modern analytical chemistry. An appropriate analytical method is considered to be one of the most common gaps during the whole process. In this study, a green and efficient strategy based on miniaturized matrix solid-phase dispersion and solid-phase extraction combined with capillary electrophoresis was first proposed for extracting, purifying and determining target analytes from complicated matrix, using Wubi Shanyao Pill as an example. In detail, 60 mg of samples were dispersed on MCM-48 to obtain high yields of analytes, then the extract was purified with a solid-phase extraction cartridge. Finally, four analytes in the purified sample solution were determined by capillary electrophoresis. The parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of matrix solid-phase dispersion, purification efficiency of solid-phase extraction and separation effect of capillary electrophoresis were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, all analytes demonstrated satisfactory linearity (R²>0.9983). What's more, the superior green potential of the developed method for the determination of complex samples was confirmed by the Analytical GREEnness Metric Approach. The established method was successfully applied in the accurate determination of target analytes in Wubi Shanyao Pill and thus provided reliable, sensitive, and efficient strategy support for its quality control.     

Numerical treatment of Casson nanofluid Bioconvectional flow with heat transfer due to stretching cylinder/plate: Variable physical properties

PurposeThe purpose of the current framework is to scrutinize the two-dimensional flow and heat transfer of Casson nanofluid over cylinder/plate along with impacts of thermophoresis and Brownian motion effects. Also, the effects of exponential thermal sink/source, bioconvection, and motile microorganisms are taken.Methodology/ApproachThe resulting non-linear equations (PDEs) are reformed into nonlinear ODEs by using appropriate similarity variables. The resultant non-linear (ODEs) were numerically evaluated by the use of the Bvp4c package in the mathematical solver MATLAB.FindingsThe numerical and graphical illustration regarding outcomes represents the performance of flow-involved physical parameters on velocity, temperature, concentration, and microorganism profiles. Additionally, the skin friction coefficient, local Nusselt number, local Sherwood number, and local microorganism density number are computed numerically for the current presented system. We noted that the velocity profile diminishes for the rising estimations of magnetic and mixed convection parameters. The Prandtl number corresponds with the declining performance of the temperature profile observed. The enhancement in the values of the Solutal Biot number and Brownian motion parameter increased in the concentration profile.OriginalityIn specific, this framework focuses on the rising heat transfer of Casson nanofluid with bioconvection by using a shooting mathematical model. The novel approach of the presented study is the use of motile microorganisms with exponential thermal sink/source in a Casson nano-fluid through a cylinder/plate. A presented study performed first time in the author’s opinion. Understanding the flow characteristics and behaviors of these nanofluids is crucial for the scientific community in the developing subject of nanofluids.     

Greener approach toward synthesis of biologically active s-Triazine (TCT) derivatives: A recent update

The greener methodology to synthesize s-triazine derivatives (also known as TCT) is described, including synthesis through microwave, ultrasound, and solvent-free conditions. This review mainly focuses on reactions of TCT (2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine) with various substituents having amine and hydroxy functionalities to give corresponding triazine derivatives under a greener approach. The results of reactions indicate that, unlike classical methods, green methods result in better yields of the product, through a rapid reaction, under mild reaction conditions, and by easy workup procedures.     

The Roles of Composition and Mesostructure of Cobalt-Based Spinel Catalysts in Oxygen Evolution Reactions

By using the crystalline precursor decomposition approach and direct co-precipitation the composition and mesostructure of cobalt-based spinels can be controlled. A systematic substitution of cobalt with redox-active iron and redox-inactive magnesium and aluminum in a cobalt spinel with anisotropic particle morphology with a preferred 111 surface termination is presented, resulting in a substitution series including Co₃O₄, MgCo₂O₄, Co₂FeO₄, Co₂AlO₄ and CoFe₂O₄. The role of redox pairs in the spinels is investigated in chemical water oxidation by using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN test), electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and H₂O₂ decomposition. Studying the effect of dominant surface termination, isotropic Co₃O₄ and CoFe₂O₄ catalysts with more or less spherical particles are compared to their anisotropic analogues. For CAN-test and OER, Co³⁺ plays the major role for high activity. In H₂O₂ decomposition, Co²⁺ reveals itself to be of major importance. Redox active cations in the structure enhance the catalytic activity in all reactions. A benefit of a predominant 111 surface termination depends on the cobalt oxidation state in the as-prepared catalysts and the investigated reaction.