Design of optimal configuration for generating A0 Lamb mode in a composite plate using piezoceramic transducers

This work concerned a technique for a health monitoring system based on the generation and sensing of Lamb waves in composite structures by thin surface-bonded piezoceramic transducers. The objective was to develop transducers that are adapted for the damage detection in orthotropic composites. The key problem with the investigated Lamb waves was to select a mode to be sensitive to the damage. A hybrid modeling technique was therefore used to conceive transducers that were adapted to achieve such a feature. This modeling technique enabled studying the influence of the transducer characteristics on the Lamb waves propagating in orthotropic plates. It was demonstrated that a Lamb mode could be generated dominantly to other modes by using a multi-element transducer. The effectiveness of this technique was successfully verified experimentally on composite plates. It was shown that the dominant Lamb mode, obtained by use of dual-element transducers, was an appropriate mode for successfully detecting a damage in composites.     

Chiral multi-electron emission

In this report we review recent progress in the understanding of the role of chirality in the multi-electron emission. A brief account of the chiral single-electron photoemission is given. In this case the chirality of the experimental set-up is brought about by an initial orientation of the target or/and by specifying a certain projection of the photoelectron spin. The dependence of the photoelectron spectrum on the chirality of the experiment is probed by changing the initial orientation of the target or by inverting the photoelectron spin projection. In a further section we envisage the direct transition of chiral electron pairs from an isotropic bound initial state into a double-continuum state following the absorption of a circularly polarised photon. We work out the necessary conditions under which the spectrum of the correlated photoelectron pair shows a chiral character, i.e. a dependence on the chirality of the exciting photon. The magnitude and the general behaviour of the chiral effects are estimated from simple analytical models and more elaborate numerical methods are presented for a more quantitative predictions. As a further example for the chiral multi-electron emission we study the photoelectron Auger-electron coincidence spectrum. The Auger hole is created by ionising a randomly oriented target by a circular polarised photon. We investigate how the helicity the photon is transferred to the emitted photoelectron pair. The theoretical findings are analysed and interpreted in light of recent experiments. In a final section we focus on the emission of correlated electrons where the initial state is already oriented, e.g. via optical pumping by circularly polarised light. The initial orientation of the atom is transferred to the continuum states following the ionisation of the target by low-energy electrons. We formulate and analyse the theoretical concepts for the transition of the screw sense of the initially bound atomic electron to the continuum electron pair. Numerical methods for the calculations of the cross-sections for the electron-impact ionisation of oriented atoms are presented and their results are contrasted against recent experimental data.     

A theoretical practice on grazing‐exit energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy as a surface analysis strategy to investigate BiVO4 nano‐films

In the current work, a thin film of bismuth vanadate was defined over a silicon substrate, and a calculative Monte Carlo approach was followed to achieve the best grazing‐exit angle to acquire compositional data from top few nanometers of surface. This strategy is very beneficial in order to increase X‐ray signals originated from surface and diminish the background X‐ray signals started off from the substrate. In this regard, grazing‐exit energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy can be considered as an accessible and economical analytical tool to investigate thin films and nano‐layers. The major advantage of this method is that just by applying a re‐arrangement in a scanning electron microscope, it can be used to study compositional properties of thin layers. In this contribution, a theoretical approach using Monte Carlo models was used to simulate the behavior of electron beams impinging onto BiVO₄ nano‐layers with thickness of 50 nm and electron trajectories inside the film. Characteristic X‐rays and spatial energy distribution of the backscattered electrons were also calculated. Under grazing‐exit angle of around 0.5°, the best surface signal/background noise ratio was achieved. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coercivity reduction in a two-dimensional array of nano-particles

We report on theoretical investigation of the magnetization reversal in two-dimensional arrays of ferromagnetic nano-particles with parameters of cobalt. The system was optimized for achieving the lowest coercivity in an array of particles located in the nodes of triangular, hexagonal and square grids. Based on the numerical solution of the non-stochastic Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation we show that each particle distribution type is characterized with a proper optimal distance, allowing to lower the coercivity values for approximately 30% compared with the reference value obtained for a single nano-particle. It was shown that the reduction of coercivity occurs even if the particle position in the array is not very precise. In particular, the triangular particle arrangement maintained the same optimal distance between the particles under up to 20% random displacements of their position within the array.     

Solid phase extraction and uptake properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes of different dimensions towards some nitro-phenols and chloro-phenols from water

Equilibrium sorption studies and solid phase extraction (SPE) of various phenols (Phenol (Ph), 2-chlorophenol (2-CP), 3-chlorophenol (3-CP), 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), 2-nitrophenol (2-NP), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP)) on oxidized and raw multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) of various external diameters (10–20, 10–30, 20–40, 40–60 and 60–100?nm) and various lengths (short: 1–2?µm and long: 5–15?µm) were tested. Equilibrium sorption studies showed that 2-NP fits the Langmuir isotherm model (LIM), while the other phenolic compounds fit the Freundlich isotherm model (FIM). There was generally an inverse relation between external diameter of MWCNT and its sorption capacity towards phenolic compounds. Long MWCNT showed higher sorption capacity than short MWCNT. Thus dimensions of MWCNT play a role in retaining the sorbed molecules. Oxidation of MWCNT caused a decrease in sorption capacity of phenolic compounds of lower acidity where hydrophobic interaction is predominant, while it caused an increase in sorption capacity of phenolic compounds of higher acidity where H-bonding is predominant. The dependence of sorption on the acidity of phenols (pK_a values) indicates that the basic groups (pyrone-like groups) on the MWCNT surface play a role in the sorption process. In SPE experiments, it was found that hydrogen peroxide-oxidized MWCNT of external diameter 40–60?nm and length 5–15?µm was the best extractant at pH 6.5 using acetonitrile as eluting solvent. The optimized SPE procedure gave detection limits range: 0.027–0.202?ng?mL^?1 within the studied concentration range (10–100?ng?mL^?1). Application of the optimum SPE method on spiked tap water, reservoir water and stream water gave recovery range of 84.3–100% for 2-CP, 3-CP and 4-CP (%RSD range 2.8–9.2%); while Ph, 2-NP, 4-NP, and 2,4-DNP gave recoveries <67.6%.     

Formulation of Isopropyl Isothiocyanate Loaded Nano Vesicles Delivery Systems: In Vitro Characterization and In Vivo Assessment

Isopropyl Isothiocyanate (IPI) is a poorly water-soluble drug used in different biological activities. So, the present work was designed to prepare and evaluate IPI loaded vesicles and evaluated for vesicle size, polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, drug release, and drug permeation. The selected formulation was coated with chitosan and further assessed for the anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic activity. The prepared IPI vesicles (F3) exhibited a vesicle size of 298 nm ± 5.1, the zeta potential of −18.7 mV, encapsulation efficiency of 86.2 ± 5.3% and PDI of 0.33. The chitosan-coated IPI vesicles (F3C) exhibited an increased size of 379 ± 4.5 nm, a positive zeta potential of 23.5 ± 2.8 mV and encapsulation efficiency of 77.3 ± 4.1%. IPI chitosan vesicle (F3C) showed enhanced mucoadhesive property (2.7 folds) and intestinal permeation (~1.8-fold) higher than IPI vesicles (F3). There was a significant (p < 0.05) enhancement in size, muco-adhesion, and permeation flux achieved after coating with chitosan. The IPI chitosan vesicle (F3C) demonstrated an enhanced bleeding time of 525.33 ± 12.43 s, anti-thrombin activity of 59.72 ± 4.21, and inhibition of platelet aggregation 68.64 ± 3.99%, and anti-platelet activity of 99.47%. The results of the study suggest that IPI chitosan vesicles showed promising in vitro results, as well as improved anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic activity compared to pure IPI and IPI vesicles.     

Synthesis and In-Vivo Evaluation of Benzoxazole Derivatives as Promising Anti-Psoriatic Drugs for Clinical Use

2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-benzoxazoleacetic acid (CBA) and its ester, methyl-2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-benzoxazoleacetate (MCBA), were synthesized, and their structures were confirmed by ¹HNMR, IR, and mass spectrophotometry. The anti-psoriatic activities of CBA and MCBA were tested using an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriatic mouse model, in which mice were treated both topically (1% w/w) and orally (125 mg/kg) for 14 days. The erythema intensity, thickness, and desquamation of psoriasis were scored by calculating the psoriasis area severity index (PASI). The study also included the determination of histopathological alterations in the skin tissues of treated mice. Topical and oral administration of CBA and MCBA led to a reduction in erythema intensity, thickness, and desquamation, which was demonstrated by a significant decrease in the PASI value. In addition, skin tissues of mice treated with CBA and MCBA showed less evidence of psoriatic alterations, such as hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, scale crust, edema, psoriasiform, and hyperplasia. After administration of either topical or oral dosing, the anti-psoriatic effects were found to be stronger in MCBA-treated than in CBA-treated mice. These effects were comparable to those produced by Clobetasol propionate, the reference drug. This drug discovery could be translated into a potential new drug for future clinical use in psoriasis treatment.     

Synthesis and characterization of Mn:CdS nanoflower thin films prepared by hydrothermal method for photocatalytic activity

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - Mn-CdS nanoflowers were successfully deposited using hydrothermal technique at 150 °C for 2 h. The effect of changing the dopant...