On the Relative Gain Array (RGA) with singular and rectangular matrices

This paper identifies a significant deficiency in the literature on the application of the Relative Gain Array (RGA) formalism in the case of singular matrices. Specifically, it is shown that the conventional use of the Moore–Penrose pseudoinverse is inappropriate because it fails to preserve critical properties that can be assumed in the nonsingular case. It is then shown that such properties can be rigorously preserved using an alternative generalized matrix inverse.     

The optimization of hydrothermal process of MoS_2 nanosheets and their good microwave absorption performances

In this study,flower-like MoS_2 constructed by nanosheets was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method.The hydrothermal process was optimized and the effects of hydrothermal condition,including reaction temperature,reaction time and the ratio of Mo source to S source(Mo:S) in precursor,on microwave absorption performances and dielectric properties were investigated.Our results showed that when the reaction temperature was 180℃,the reaction time was 18 h,and the Mo:S was 1:3.5,the synthesized MoS_2 had the best performance:Its minimum reflection loss could reach-55.78 dB,and the corresponding matching thickness was 2.30 mm with a wide effective bandwidth of 5.17 GHz.Further researches on the microwave absorption mechanism revealed that in addition to the destructive interference of electromagnetic waves,various polarization phenomena such as defect dipole polarization were the main reasons for microwave loss.We believe that MoS_2 is a candidate for a practical microwave absorbent.     

Deformation of thin straight pipes under concentrated forces or prescribed edge displacements

The purpose of this paper is to present an efficient analytic method for obtaining the deformation of thin straight pipes, subjected to prescribed edge displacements or concentrated loads.The approach uses the mixed formulation where unknown functions are combined with trigonometric terms. A variational procedure is used to obtain the system of ordinary differential equations. For the applied load a Fourier approach is used to represent the load as an analytical function. For the prescribed displacement, three solutions for the ovalization are evaluated and a method based on energy contribution of each term is used to obtain their superposition.In contrast to finite element method the proposed method is efficient and can be applied to other boundary condition problems leading to continuous displacement and stress fields with a low number of unknowns. Comparisons with experimental and finite element procedures show good agreement that enhances the merits of the analytical solutions proposed.The value of this method is based on solving the differential equations rather than using commercial codes. So far, the solution of prescribed edge displacements has been limited to one term. This paper discusses how to add further terms using the mixed formulation, thus, presenting a novel procedure.     

Real-time assessment of carbon nanotube alignment in a polymer matrix under an applied electric field via polarized Raman spectroscopy

A technique has been developed utilizing polarized Raman spectroscopy to measure alignment of carbon nanotubes in situ in a polymer matrix under an applied electric field. Previous studies of alignment have been restricted to optically transparent solvents or polymerized specimens that prevent accurate analyses of alignment dynamics in polymers. The effects of electric field strength on the degree of alignment and the time to achieve an aligned state are discussed. The use of in situ, real-time polarized Raman spectroscopy provides a non-invasive technique for assessing carbon nanotube alignment, which can assist in determining processing conditions to improve the mechanical and electrical properties of aligned nanocomposites.     

基于显示连通贝叶斯网络的机场塔台地震易损性分析

将基于性能的多维易损性分析方法,结合显示连通贝叶斯网络,应用于机场塔台的多维易损性分析。考虑地震激励的不确定性,通过非线性时程分析获得结构响应数据;将塔台结构分为三个层次,每个层次按包含的层数分为相应的子层次。根据功能特性确定子层次的评价指标和极限状态,建立服从多元对数正态分布的概率地震需求模型;考虑各种极限状态之间的相关性,建立极限状态方程,确定失效域,通过蒙特卡洛法求得构件的超越概率;建立塔台结构的显示连通贝叶斯网络模型,利用层次分析法获得中间节点的条件概率表,利用MATLAB进行贝叶斯网络的推理计算,实现从单一层次的易损性到整体易损性的推理。     

Atomically Dispersed Iron Regulating Electronic Structure of Iron Atom Clusters for Electrocatalytic H2O2 Production and Biomass Upgrading

The integration of highly active single atoms (SAs) and atom clusters (ACs) into an electrocatalyst is critically important for high-efficiency two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e⁻ ORR) to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Here we report a tandem impregnation-pyrolysis-etching strategy to fabricate the oxygen-coordinated Fe SAs and ACs anchored on bacterial cellulose-derived carbon (BCC) (FeSAs/ACs-BCC). As the electrocatalyst, FeSAs/ACs-BCC exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity and selectivity toward 2e⁻ ORR, affording an onset potential of 0.78 V (vs. RHE) and a high H₂O₂ selectivity of 96.5 % in 0.1 M KOH. In a flow cell reactor, the FeSAs/ACs-BCC also achieves high-efficiency H₂O₂ production with a yield rate of 12.51±0.18 mol g_cat⁻¹ h⁻¹ and a faradaic efficiency of 89.4 %±1.3 % at 150 mA cm⁻². Additionally, the feasibility of coupling the produced H₂O₂ and electro-Fenton process for the valorization of ethylene glycol was explored in detail. The theoretical calculations uncover that the oxygen-coordinated Fe SAs effectively regulate the electronic structure of Fe ACs which are the 2e⁻ ORR active sites, resulting in the optimal binding strength of *OOH intermediate for high-efficiency H₂O₂ production.     

Reversed‐phase liquid chromatography with electrospray mass detection and 1H and 13C NMR characterization of new process‐related impurities,including forced degradants of Efavirenz: Related substances correlated to the synthetic pathway

In this study, a stability‐indicating reversed‐phase liquid chromatographic electrospray mass spectrometric method was developed and validated for the determination of process‐related impurities and forced degradants of Efavirenz in bulk drugs. Efavirenz was subjected to acid, alkaline hydrolysis, H₂O₂ oxidation, photolysis, and thermal stress. Significant degradation was observed during alkaline hydrolysis, and the degradants were isolated on a mass‐based purification system and characterized by high‐resolution mass spectrometry, positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Accurate mass measurement and NMR spectroscopy revealed the possible structure of process‐related impurities and degradant under stress conditions. The acceptable separation was accomplished on Waters bondapak C₁₈ column (250 mm × 4.6 mm; 5 μm), using 5 mM ammonium acetate and acetonitrile as a mobile phase in a gradient elution mode at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The eluents were monitored by diode array detector at 247 nm and quantitation limits were obtained in the range of 0.1–2.5 μg/mL for Efavirenz, degradants, and process‐related impurities. The liquid chromatography method was validated with respect to accuracy, precision, linearity, robustness, and limits of detection and quantification as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines.     

Viscoelastic behaviour of silica filled natural rubber composites – Correlation of shear with elongational testing

Dynamic mechanical behaviour of natural rubber-silica composites was studied by a frequency sweep method at different temperatures (40 °C,70 °C and 100 °C) using a dynamic mechanical analyzer and a rotorless rheometer, RPA, in an attempt to establish a correlation between the two. The composites with silica content up to 40 phr were studied. It was found that the dependence of dynamic modulus on the frequency as obtained from both the instruments followed a similar trend. This suggests that the dynamic mechanical properties of rubber compounds can be determined even during curing. A correlation could be arrived at between the two sets of data, making it possible to predict one set knowing the other. The impact of silane coupling agent, bis (3-triethoxysilylpropyl tetrasulphide), TESPT, on viscoelasticity was also investigated. The mechanical properties were improved in the presence of TESPT. Additionally, an increase in thermal stability was also observed in the presence of TESPT. Scanning electron micrographs showed the better filler dispersion in the case of silane-coupled silica composites.