Effect of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> phases on the enhancement of thermal conductivity and viscosity of nanofluids in engine oil

Thermal conductivity of α-Al₂O₃ was measured using hot wire method. α-Al₂O₃ (20 nm in size) was synthesized by microwave method for which, the results were compared with commercially available γ-Al₂O₃. Thermal conductivity of nanofluids was investigated considering, it is dependency on Al₂O₃ phase. It was observed that by adding 3 wt% of nano γ-Al₂O₃ and α-Al₂O₃ to the engine oil, thermal conductivity increases by 37 and 31%, respectively. The corresponding viscosity increase for the same amount of nano γ-Al₂O₃ and α-Al₂O₃ were 36 and 38%, respectively. It was concluded that the differences in thermal conductivity originate from higher specific surface area of γ-Al₂O₃ compared to the α-Al₂O₃ which is the result of porosity difference, obtained during the synthesis process.     

A generalized hypergreedy algorithm for weighted perfect matching

We give a generalization of the hypergreedy algorithm for minimum weight perfect matching on a complete edge weighted graph whose weights satisfy the triangle inequality. With a modified version of this algorithm we obtain a logn-approximate perfect matching heuristic for points in the Euclidean plane, inO(n log² n) time.This research was supported in part by the DIMACS Grant No. NSF-STC88-09648.This research was supported in part by the NSF under Grant No. CCR 88-07518.     

Some Extensions of PSL(2, p 2) are Uniquely Determined by Their Complex Group Algebras

In Tong-Viet's, 2012 work, the following question arose: Question. Which groups can be uniquely determined by the structure of their complex group algebras?

It is proved here that some simple groups of Lie type are determined by the structure of their complex group algebras. Let p be an odd prime number and S = PSL(2, p ²). In this paper, we prove that, if M is a finite group such that S < M < Aut(S), M = ?₂ × PSL(2, p ²) or M = SL(2, p ²), then M is uniquely determined by its order and some information about its character degrees. Let X ₁(G) be the set of all irreducible complex character degrees of G counting multiplicities. As a consequence of our results, we prove that, if G is a finite group such that X ₁(G) = X ₁(M), then G ? M. This implies that M is uniquely determined by the structure of its complex group algebra.     

Application of elastically supported single-walled carbon nanotubes for sensing arbitrarily attached nano-objects

The potential application of SWCNTs as mass nanosensors is examined for a wide range of boundary conditions. The SWCNT is modeled via nonlocal Rayleigh, Timoshenko, and higher-order beam theories. The added nano-objects are considered as rigid solids, which are attached to the SWCNT. The mass weight and rotary inertial effects of such nanoparticles are appropriately incorporated into the nonlocal equations of motion of each model. The discrete governing equation pertinent to each model is obtained using an effective meshless technique. The key factor in design of a mass nanosensor is to determine the amount of frequency shift due to the added nanoparticles. Through an inclusive parametric study, the roles of slenderness ratio of the SWCNT, small-scale parameter, mass weight, number of the attached nanoparticles, and the boundary conditions of the SWCNT on the frequency shift ratio of the first flexural vibration mode of the SWCNT as a mass sensor are also discussed.     

RFID-generated traceability for contaminated product recall in perishable food supply networks

As perishable food supply networks become more complex, incidents of contamination in these supply networks have become fairly common. Added to this complexity is the fact that there have been long delays in identifying the contamination source in several such incidents. Even when the contamination source was identified, there have been cases where the ultimate destination of all contaminated products were not known with complete certainty due, in part, to dispersion in these supply networks. We study the recall dynamics in a three-stage perishable food supply network through three different visibility levels in the presence of contamination. Specifically, we consider allocation of liability among the different players in the perishable supply network based on the accuracy with which the contamination source is identified. We illustrate the significance of finer levels of granularity both upstream and downstream as well as determine appropriate visibility levels and recall policies.     

Synthesis of Hexahydrospiro[pyrazolo[3,4‐b]quinoline‐4,1′‐pyrrolo[3,2,1‐ij]quinoline‐2′,5(1H,4′H)‐diones] from 5,6‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo[3,2,1‐ij]quinoline‐1,2‐dione Using Fe3O4@Cu(OH)x as a Nanocatalyst

The tricyclic isatin, 5,6‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo[3,2,1‐ij]quinoline‐1,2‐dione, undergoes three‐component, one‐pot reactions with 1‐aryl‐3‐methylpyrazole‐5‐amines and cyclohexane‐1,3‐diones producing hexacyclic spiro products, hexahydrospiro[pyrazolo[3,4‐b]quinoline‐4,1‐pyrrolo[3,2,1‐ij]quinoline‐2′,5(1H,4′H)‐diones]. Comparable spiro condensation products are also obtained using 4‐hydroxy‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one in place of cyclohexane‐1,3‐diones.     

Extraction of antidepressant drugs in biological samples using alkanol‐based nano structured supramolecular solvent microextraction followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric analysis

In the present study, a supramolecular solvent was formed from reverse micelle aggregates of octanol. The proposed supramolecular solvent was used for rapid extraction of some antidepressants drugs including amitriptyline, imipramine, desipramine, maprotiline, sertraline, and doxepin from biological samples. Alkanol‐based supramolecular solvents have a unique array of physicochemical properties, making them a very attractive alternative to replace organic solvents in analytical extractions. The parameters affecting the extraction of target analytes (i.e., the volume of tetrahydrofuran and octanol as the major components comprising the supramolecular solvent, chain length of alkanols, sample solution pH, salt addition, and ultrasonic time) were investigated and optimized by factor by factor optimization method. Under the optimum conditions, preconcentration factors of 470, 490, 460, 385, 370, and 430 were obtained for amitriptyline, doxepin, imipramine, desipramine, maprotiline, and sertraline, respectively. The linear ranges and coefficients of determination (R²) were obtained in the range of 0.01–100 μg/L and 0.9974–0.9991, respectively. Also the limits of detection (S/N = 3) of 0.003–0.03 μg/L, and precisions (n = 5) of 4.9–8.9% were calculated. Finally, the method was successfully applied for the extraction of antidepressant drugs in biological samples, and relative recoveries in the range of 91–102% were obtained.     

Polyaniline immobilized on polycaprolactam nanofibers as a sorbent in electrochemically controlled solid-phase microextraction coupled with HPLC for the determination of angiotensin II receptor antagonists in human blood plasma

In this research, electrospun polycaprolactam nanofibers were collected on a fine stainless steel mesh sheet without a binder, and a layer of conductive polyaniline was chemically deposited on the nanofibers. The polyaniline immobilized on the polycaprolactam nanofibers provided high electrical conductivity, acceptable mechanical stability, and a large surface area. This assembly was then used as a working electrode in electrochemically controlled solid-phase microextraction (EC-SPME), a fast and environmentally friendly method. The polymer layers were characterized by SEM and FTIR techniques. Significant factors affecting the EC-SPME efficiency were investigated, including the desorption conditions, the sorbent used, the pH of the sample solution, the extraction voltage, the extraction time, and the ionic strength. Under the optimum conditions, the limits of detection and quantification for the target analytes were 0.9–1.8 μg L⁻¹ and 3.0–6.1 μg L⁻¹, respectively. The linear dynamic range was 5–2000 μg L⁻¹, with R² > 0.993. The method was coupled with HPLC analysis and applied to the determination of angiotensin ΙΙ receptor antagonists (ARA-ΙΙs) in human plasma, and relative recoveries of 91.1–104.3% with RSDs of ≤8.3% were obtained.

     

A basic family of iteration functions for polynomial root finding and its characterizations

Let p(x) be a polynomial of degree n?2 with coefficients in a subfield K of the complex numbers. For each natural number m?2, let L_m(x) be the m×m lower triangular matrix whose diagonal entries are p(x) and for each j=1,…,m−1, its jth subdiagonal entries are . For i=1,2, let L_m^i)(x) be the matrix obtained from L_m(x) by deleting its first i rows and its last i columns. L₁⁽¹⁾(x)≡1. Then, the function B_m(x)=x−p(x) defines a fixed-point iteration function having mth order convergence rate for simple roots of p(x). For m=2 and 3, B_m(x) coincides with Newton's and Halley's, respectively. The function B_m(x) is a member of S(m,m+n−2), where for any M?m, S(m,M) is the set of all rational iteration functions g(x) ∈ K(x) such that for all roots θ of p(x), then g(x)=θ+∑_i=m^Mγ_i(x)(θ−x)ⁱ, with γ_i(x) ∈ K(x) and well-defined at any simple root θ. Given g ∈ S(m,M), and a simple root θ of p(x), gⁱ(θ)=0, i=1, …, m−1 and the asymptotic constant of convergence of the corresponding fixed-point iteration is . For B_m(x) we obtain . If all roots of p(x) are simple, B_m(x) is the unique member of S(m,m + n − 2). By making use of the identity , we arrive at two recursive formulas for constructing iteration functions within the S(m,M) family. In particular, the family of B_m(x) can be generated using one of these formulas. Moreover, the other formula gives a simple scheme for constructing a family of iteration functions credited to Euler as well as Schröder, whose mth order member belongs to S(m,mn), m>2. The iteration functions within S(m,M) can be extended to any arbitrary smooth function f, with the uniform replacement of p^(j) with f^(j) in g as well as in γ_m(θ).     

Molecular parameterization and determination of the electrode potentials of anticoagulant derivatives: Electrochemical and quantum chemical study

This research presents calculations and computation of two anticoagulant derivatives electrode potentials in methanol. For this purpose, the ab initio molecular orbital calculations (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) together with the 6-31G(d) basis set were utilized. The calculated values were compared with the experimental values obtained by linear sweep voltammetry. The observed and the calculated changes in the reduction potential of the anticoagulant derivatives differed from those of the reference compound (catechol), being less than 20 mV. In this way, a method was provided, by which the reduction potentials of the related molecules could be predicted very accurately. Actually, the resulting data illustrated that the method was likely to be useful for the prediction of biomolecules electrode potentials in different aprotic solvents. The bond lengths, bond angles and dipole moment of the studied compounds were calculated in two different solvents and the solvent effects were discussed.