The behavior of capillary suspensions at diverse length scales: From single capillary bridges to bulk

Liquid-liquid-solid systems are becoming increasingly common in everyday life with many possible applications. Here, we focus on a special case of such liquid-liquid-solid systems, namely, capillary suspensions. These capillary suspensions originate from particles that form a network based on capillary forces and are typically composed of solids in a bulk liquid with an added secondary liquid. The structure of particle networks based on capillary bridges possesses unique properties compared with networks formed via other attractive interactions where these differences are inherently related to the properties of the capillary bridges, such as bridge breaking and coalescence between adjacent bridges. Thus, to tailor the mechanical properties of capillary suspensions to specific requirements, it is important to understand the influences on different length scales ranging from the dynamics of the bridges with varying external stimuli to the often heterogeneous network structure.     

Simulating the dynamic behavior of planetary gearbox based on improved Hanning function

Planetary gearboxes are widely used in industrial machines. They usually work in harsh environments giving rise to damages and high maintenance costs. Condition monitoring is a key action allowing one to detect the presence of such damage ensuring healthy running conditions. The knowledge of the dynamic behavior of such a gearbox can be achieved using modeling tools as a primary step before conditioning the monitoring subject. In addition, modeling a gear set can help in the stage of design in order to optimize physical and geometric parameters of the system. Therefore, in this work, a two-dimensional lumped parameter model is adopted to build all vibration sources. The time-varying mesh stiffness is approximated as a square wave form. A novel mathematical formulation is proposed to model the amplitude modulation phenomenon due to the rotational motion of the planets around the center of the gearbox. Finally, the overall vibration signal is concluded as a summation of all vibration components influenced by the modulation function.     

Het(aryl)isatin to het(aryl)aminoindoline scaffold hopping: A route to selective inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a large family of zinc-dependent endoproteases known to exert multiple regulatory roles in tumor progression. A variety of chemical classes have been explored for targeting individual MMP isoforms. In the present study, we further developed our isatin based scaffold BB0223107 capable of binding to and inactivating MMP-2 in a zinc-independent manner (Agamennone et al., 2016). Forty four new compounds were synthesized based on the modified BB0223107. All compounds were tested in enzyme inhibition assays against MMP-2, ?8 and ?13. SAR studies demonstrated that 5-het(aryl)-3-aminoindolin-2-ones (37–39) were active toward MMP-2 and MMP-13. The most potent compounds 33 and 37 displayed an IC₅₀ of 3 µM against MMP-13 and showed a negligible activity toward MMP-8; almost all new compounds were inactive toward MMP-8. Replacement of the isatin ring with a biaryl system (compound 33) did not decrease the potency against MMP-13 but reduced the selectivity. Structure-based computational studies were carried out to rationalize the inhibitory activity data. The analysis of binding geometries confirmed that all fragments occupied the S1′ site in the three enzymes while no ligand was able to bind the catalytic zinc ion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of 3-aminoindolin-2-one-based MMP inhibitors that, based on the computer modeling study, do not coordinate the zinc ion. Thus, the het(aryl)-3-aminoindolin-2-one derivatives emerge as a drug-like and promising chemotype that, along with the hetaryl variations, represents an alternative and thrifty tool for chemical space exploration aimed at MMP inhibitor design.     

多元统计分析中一类矩阵迹函数最小化问题的有效算法

研究来源于多元统计分析中的一类矩阵迹函数最小化问题$\min c+ tr(AX)+\sum\limits_{j=1}^{m}tr(B_j X C_jX^{T}),\ \ {\rm s. t.} \ X^TX=I_p,$其中$c$为常数, $A\in R^{p\times n}\ (n\geq p)$, $B_j\in R^{n\times n}, C_j\in R^{p\times p}$为给定系数矩阵. 数值实验表明已有的Majorization算法虽可行, 但收敛速度缓慢且精度不高. 本文从黎曼流形的角度重新研究该问题, 基于Stiefel流形的几何性质, 构造一类黎曼非单调共轭梯度迭代求解算法, 并给出算法收敛性分析.数值实验和数值比较验证所提出的算法对于问题模型是高效可行的.     

Flume testing of passively adaptive composite tidal turbine blades under combined wave and current loading

The tidal energy industry is progressing rapidly, but there are still barriers to overcome to realise the commercial potential of this sector. Large magnitude and highly variable loads caused by waves acting on the turbine are of particular concern. Composite blades with in-built bend-twist elastic response may reduce these peak loads, by passively feathering with increasing thrust. This could decrease capital costs by lowering the design loads, and improve robustness through the mitigation of pitch mechanisms. In this study, the previous research is extended to examine the performance of bend-twist blades in combined wave–current flow, which will frequently be encountered in the field. A scaled 3 bladed turbine was tested in the flume at IFREMER with bend-twist composite blades and equivalent rigid blades, sequentially under current and co-directional wave–current cases. In agreement with previous research, when the turbine was operating in current alone at higher tip speed ratios the bend-twist blades reduced the mean thrust and power compared to the rigid blades. Under the specific wave–current condition tested the average loads were similar on both blade sets. Nevertheless, the bend-twist blades substantially reduced the magnitudes of the average thrust and torque fluctuations per wave cycle, by up to 10% and 14% respectively.     

Microstructure and dielectric study of pure BST and doped BSTF ceramic materials by broadband dielectric spectroscopy

Pure BST and doped BSTF (with BSTF2: Fe₂O₃ 2 wt % and BSTF4: Fe₂O₃ 4 wt %) ceramics were prepared by solid state reaction. XRD pattern showed the different phases were formed depend on the weight percent of Fe₂O₃. The crystal size and lattice parameters increased while the lattice strain decreased. The topography of the sintered samples shows increase of the grain size with increasing Fe₂O₃ ratio and hence enhances the compaction of ceramics. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy was employed to investigate the effect of magnetite nanoparticle on the dielectric properties of the pure BST ceramic. The interfacial polarization and the conductivity contribution reflect the high values of permittivity and its gradual increase as frequency decreases. The two BSTF samples show relaxation peak dynamic originated from presence of immobile species/electrons at low temperatures and defects/vacancies results from the formation of oxygen vacancies originates from the spontaneous change in oxidation states of Fe ions (Fe ^3+/Fe²⁺) at high temperatures. The relaxation rate obeys Arrhenius law at high temperatures in case of BST sample with activation energy 225 kJ/mol. This high value of activation energy at higher temperatures reflects and confirms the slowed down of the dynamics at the interphase and the decoupling nature of the OH-dynamic and the interfacial polarization.     

Morphology and properties of super-toughened bio-based poly(lactic acid)/poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) blends by peroxide-induced dynamic vulcanization and interfacial compatibilization

Super-toughened poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) blends were prepared via 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxy)hexane (AD) induced dynamic vulcanization and in situ interfacial compatibilization. The effects of AD on the morphology and properties of PLA/EVA blends were studied using a Brabender torque rheometer, gel content test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and mechanical properties test. The torque and gel content demonstrated that EVA and PLA was successfully vulcanized in the presence of free radicals obtained by the decomposition of the 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxy)hexane (AD). Additionally, the gel content results indicated that, compared with PLA, EVA is more aggressive with free radicals. The SEM revealed that a relatively uniform phase morphology and good interfacial compatibilization were achieved in the dynamically vulcanized PLA/EVA/AD blends. The interfacial reaction and compatibilization between the component polymers resulted in the formation of super-toughened PLA/EVA blended materials.