On Gaussian approximation of the strength of Daniels' bundle with brittle Weibull fibers

The paper deals with the classical fiber bundle model with brittle Weibull fibers and equal load sharing. This model is significant for the strength of fibrous materials and composites, and the generally random strength of quasi-brittle structures. The model is also relevant for the analysis of the reliability of various parallel systems (computer components, infrastructure etc.). An improved closed-form Gaussian approximation of the standard deviation of bundle strength is presented and compared with accurate solution calculated by recursive formula proposed by Daniels. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Evaluation of the effect of silicon on the carbonization process of Colombian semi-anthracites

The environmental impacts associated with the exploitation and transformation of fossil resources aggravate the planet's situation in terms of climate change. Due to this, this paper studies an alternative use of mineral coal as a precursor to obtaining new materials with different properties to the starting coals. The thermal degradation of two Colombian semi-anthracites is analyzed through the thermogravimetry (TG) technique coupled to a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) equipment from room temperature (25 °C) to 900 °C, at a heating rate of 10 K min^?1 in an inert atmosphere. The catalytic effect of the addition of silicon to these samples before being subjected to a carbonization process is evaluated during this process. The results indicated that the primary reaction occurs in the temperature range between 400 and 680 °C, where the highest mass loss rate was observed. At the end of the heating process, the TG profile of the samples with silicon addition showed losses between 14.33 and 18.82% in mass, these values being slightly higher compared to the starting and demineralized samples. The release of water, light gases such as CO₂, CH₄, and species such as toluene, phenol and formic acid was identified in most of the samples. The presence of silica seems to favor the release of all these species, being more evident in one of the semi-anthracites studied. According to the results obtained, it is proved that the presence of silicon in samples subjected to carbonization processes has a catalytic effect that improves some characteristics of the new materials obtained, thus contributing to the use of carbon to get new materials.

     

Preparation and characterization of microcapsules loaded with polyphenols-enriched Uncaria tomentosa extract using spray-dryer technique

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - This work prepared and characterized microcapsule of Uncaria tomentosa (UT) in order to standardize a spray-dryer Uncaria tomentosa extract. The UT...     

Local Structure Analysis and Modelling of Lignin-Based Carbon Composites through the Hierarchical Decomposition of the Radial Distribution Function

Carbonized lignin has been proposed as a sustainable and domestic source of activated, amorphous, graphitic, and nanostructured carbon for many industrial applications as the structure can be tuned through processing conditions. However, the inherent variability of lignin and its complex physicochemical structure resulting from feedstock and pulping selection make the Process-Structure-Property-Performance (PSPP) relationships hard to define. In this work, radial distribution functions (RDFs) from synchrotron X-ray and neutron scattering of lignin-based carbon composites (LBCCs) are investigated using the Hierarchical Decomposition of the Radial Distribution Function (HDRDF) modelling method to characterize the local atomic environment and develop quantitative PSPP relationships. PSPP relationships for LBCCs defined by this work include crystallite size dependence on lignin feedstock as well as increasing crystalline volume fraction, nanoscale composite density, and crystallite size with increasing reduction temperature.     

SO2 Resisting Pd-doped Pr1-xCexMnO3 Perovskites for Efficient Denitration at Low Temperature

H₂-SCR is served as the promising technology for the controlling of NO_x emission, and the Pd-based derivative catalyst exhibited high NO_x reduction performance. Effectively regulating the electronic configuration of the active component is favorable to the rational optimization of noble Pd. In this work, a series of Pr_1-xCe_xMn_1-yPd_yO₃@Ni were successfully synthesized and exhibited superior NO conversion efficiency at low temperatures. 92.7 % conversion efficiency was achieved at 200 °C over Pr_0.9Ce_0.1Mn_0.9Pd_0.1O₃@Ni in the presence of 4 % O₂ with a GHSV of 32000 h⁻¹. Meanwhile, the outstanding performance was obtained in the resistance to SO₂ (200 ppm) and H₂O (8 %). Deduced from the results of XRD, Raman, XPS, and H₂-TPR, the modification of d orbit states in palladium was confirmed originating from the incorporation in the B site of Pr_0.9Ce_0.1Mn_0.9Pd_0.1O₃. The existence of higher valence (Pd³⁺ and Pd⁴⁺) than the bivalence in Pr_0.9Ce_0.1Mn_0.9Pd_0.1O₃ catalyst was evidenced by XPS analysis. Our research provides a new sight into the H₂-SCR through the higher utilization of Pd.     

A General and Highly Selective Palladium‐Catalyzed Hydroamidation of 1,3‐Diynes

A chemo‐, regio‐, and stereoselective mono‐hydroamidation of (un)symmetrical 1,3‐diynes is described. Key for the success of this novel transformation is the utilization of an advanced palladium catalyst system with the specific ligand Neolephos. The synthetic value of this general approach to synthetically useful α‐alkynyl‐α, β‐unsaturated amides is showcased by diversification of several structurally complex molecules and marketed drugs. Control experiments and density‐functional theory (M06L‐SMD) computations also suggest the crucial role of the substrate in controlling the regioselectivity of unsymmetrical 1,3‐diynes.     

Calorimetric (DSC) and dielectric (TSDC) investigation on the thermal behavior and molecular mobility in the supercooled liquid and glassy states of bifonazole and lamotrigine

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The thermal behavior of the two glass-forming drugs bifonazole and lamotrigine was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); we reported a...     

Improving stability and thermal properties of TiO2-based nanofluids for concentrating solar energy using two methods of preparation

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Nanofluids are considered a promising alternative to the classic fluids used in heat transfer processes. One interesting application of nanofluids is...     

Two New Aristolochic Acid Analogues from the Roots of Aristolochia contorta with Significant Cytotoxic Activity

Twelve compounds, including two new aristolochic acid analogues with a formyloxy moiety (9–10) and 10 known aristolochic acid derivates (1–8 and 11–12), were obtained from the roots of Aristolochia contorta. Their structures were elucidated using extensive spectroscopic methods. Their cytotoxic activity in human proximal tubular cells HK-2 was evaluated by the MTT method, which has been widely used to assess cell viability. Among these molecules, compounds 3 and 9 were found to be more cytotoxic. Furthermore, molecular modeling was used to evaluate, for the first time, the interactions of compounds 3 and 9 with the target protein organic anionic transporter 1 (OAT1) that plays a key role in mediating aristolochic acid nephropathy. Structure–activity relationships are briefly discussed.     

Inequalities for Purity Parameters of Multiqudit and Single-Qudit States

We analyze the recently found inequality for eigenvalues of the density matrix and purity parameters describing either a bipartite-system state or a single-qudit state. We rewrite the Minkowski-type trace inequality for the density matrices of the qudit states in terms of the purity parameters and discuss the properties of the inequality obtained, paying special attention to the X-states of two qubits and a single qudit. Also we study the relation of the purity inequalities obtained with the entanglement.