Energetic stability of boron nitride nanostructures doped with one carbon atom

We have investigated, using first‐principles calculations, the role of a substitutional carbon atom on the geometric stability of boron nitride monolayers, nanotubes, and nanocones. It is shown that the formation of energy depends on the number of atoms for the monolayers and on the diameter for the tubes. It is also found, for the carbon‐doped boron nitride nanotubes, that the value for the strain energy approaches the one obtained for nondoped tubes with increasing diameter. For the structural stability, we have verified that the doping, which introduces an excess of nitrogen or boron, makes each structure more favorable in its reverse atmosphere, i.e., excess of nitrogen is more stable in a boron‐rich growth environment, whereas excess of boron is preferred in a nitrogen‐rich condition. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Adsorption equilibria of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> in cation-exchanged zeolites 13X

Ion-exchange with different cations (Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, Li⁺, Ba²⁺ and Fe³⁺) was performed in binderless 13X zeolite pellets. Original and cation-exchanged samples were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry (inert atmosphere), X-ray powder diffraction and N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms at 77 K. Despite the presence of other cations than Na (as revealed in TG-MS), crystalline structure and textural properties were not significantly altered upon ion-exchange. Single component equilibrium adsorption isotherms of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) were measured for all samples up to 10 bar at 298 and 348 K using a magnetic suspension balance. All of these isotherms are type Ia and maximum adsorption capacities decrease in the order Li > Na > NH₄–Ba > Fe for CO₂ and NH₄–Na > Li > Ba for CH₄. In addition to that, equilibrium adsorption data were measured for CO₂/CH₄ mixtures for representative compositions of biogas (50 % each gas, in vol.) and natural gas (30 %/70 %, in vol.) in order to assess CO₂ selectivity in such scenarios. The application of the Extended Sips Model for samples BaX and NaX led to an overall better agreement with experimental data of binary gas adsorption as compared to the Extended Langmuir Model. Fresh sample LiX show promise to be a better adsorption than NaX for pressure swing separation (CO₂/CH₄), due to its higher working capacity, selectivity and lower adsorption enthalpy. Nevertheless, cation stability for both this samples and NH₄X should be further investigated.     

Amberlite XAD-2 functionalized with 2-aminothiophenol as a new sorbent for on-line preconcentration of cadmium and copper

A new functionalized resin has been applied in an on-line preconcentration system for copper and cadmium determination. Amberlite XAD-2 was functionalized by coupling it to 2-aminothiophenol (AT-XAD) by means of an NN spacer. This resin was packed in a minicolumn and used as sorbent in the on-line system. Metal ions were sorbed in the minicolumn, from which it could be eluted directly to the nebulizer-burner system of the flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS). Elution of Cd(II) and Cu(II) from minicolumn can be made with 0.50 mol l⁻¹ HCl or HNO₃. The enrichment factors obtained were 28 (Cd) and 14 (Cu), for 60 s preconcentration time, and 74 (Cd) and 35 (Cu), if used 180 s preconcentration time. The proposed procedure allowed the determination of cadmium and copper with detection limits of 0.14 and 0.54 μg l⁻¹, respectively, when used preconcentration periods of 180 s. The effects of foreign ions on the adsorption of these metal ions are reported. The validation of the procedure was carried out by analysis of certified reference material. This procedure was applied to cadmium and copper determination in natural, drink and tap water samples.     

Background airborne radioactivity in an equatorial Brazilian town

The aim of this work was to determine the background airbome radioactivity in the town of Natal, Brazil. Indoor radon concentrations were measured inside 24 buildings using solid state nuclear track detectors which were exposed for a period of about 180 days. The average indoor radon level resulted to be 15.4±10.6 Bq·m^–3. Measurements of gross - and -activities were performed at six different sites for airbome particulate samples collected over cellulose nitrate filters. Mean values of 0.15±0.06 mBq·m^–3 and 0.42±0.10 mBq·m^–3 were obtained for the gross -and gross -activity, respectively.     

In Vivo Biological Behavior of Polymer Scaffolds of Natural Origin in the Bone Repair Process

Autologous bone grafts, used mainly in extensive bone loss, are considered the gold standard treatment in regenerative medicine, but still have limitations mainly in relation to the amount of bone available, donor area, morbidity and creation of additional surgical area. This fact encourages tissue engineering in relation to the need to develop new biomaterials, from sources other than the individual himself. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of an elastin and collagen matrix on the bone repair process in critical size defects in rat calvaria. The animals (Wistar rats, n = 30) were submitted to a surgical procedure to create the bone defect and were divided into three groups: Control Group (CG, n = 10), defects filled with blood clot; E24/37 Group (E24/37, n = 10), defects filled with bovine elastin matrix hydrolyzed for 24 h at 37 °C and C24/25 Group (C24/25, n = 10), defects filled with porcine collagen matrix hydrolyzed for 24 h at 25 °C. Macroscopic and radiographic analyses demonstrated the absence of inflammatory signs and infection. Microtomographical 2D and 3D images showed centripetal bone growth and restricted margins of the bone defect. Histologically, the images confirmed the pattern of bone deposition at the margins of the remaining bone and without complete closure by bone tissue. In the morphometric analysis, the groups E24/37 and C24/25 (13.68 ± 1.44; 53.20 ± 4.47, respectively) showed statistically significant differences in relation to the CG (5.86 ± 2.87). It was concluded that the matrices used as scaffolds are biocompatible and increase the formation of new bone in a critical size defect, with greater formation in the polymer derived from the intestinal serous layer of porcine origin (C24/25).     

Structural and electronic properties of amorphous bismuth calcium borate from first-principle calculations

Structural Chemistry - We investigatethe electronic and structural properties of two new amorphous materials, Bi6Ca2O28B12 and Bi6Ca2 O28B11:Tm, using density functional theory with a short-range...     

Developing real option game models

By mixing concepts from both game theoretic analysis and real options theory, an investment decision in a competitive market can be seen as a “game” between firms, as firms implicitly take into account other firms’ reactions to their own investment actions. We review two decades of real option game models, suggesting which critical problems have been “solved” by considering game theory, and which significant problems have not been yet adequately addressed. We provide some insights on the plausible empirical applications, or shortfalls in applications to date, and suggest some promising avenues for future research.     

On second order differential equations with state-dependent delay

We study existence and uniqueness of solutions for a general class of second order abstract differential equations with state-dependent delay. Some examples related to partial differential equations with state dependent delay are presented.     

Effective mass properties of Al<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>B<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>N ordered alloys: a first-principles study

We present first-principles’ calculations of the structural, electronic, and effective mass properties of cubic Al_1−x B _x N ordered alloys. They are based on the density functional theory within the local density approximation, and the full-potential linear augmented plane-wave method. From such calculations we obtain the equilibrium lattice constants, the bulk moduli, the bandgap energies, and the effective masses along the (111), (100), and (110) directions. The results are used to give important information on characteristics analysis of AlBN-based quantum well devices, to provide the Luttinger-like valence band parameters and the effective masses of charge carriers, connecting the first-principles’ band calculations with effective-mass theory.     

Unstructured Adaptive Grid Flow Simulations of Inert and Reactive Gas Mixtures

Unstructured adaptive grid flow simulation is applied to the calculation of high-speed compressible flows of inert and reactive gas mixtures. In the present case, the flowfield is simulated using the 2-D Euler equations, which are discretized in a cell-centered finite volume procedure on unstructured triangular meshes. Interface fluxes are calculated by a Liou flux vector splitting scheme which has been adapted to an unstructured grid context by the authors. Physicochemical properties are functions of the local mixture composition, temperature, and pressure, which are computed using the CHEMKIN-II subroutines. Computational results are presented for the case of premixed hydrogen–air supersonic flow over a 2-D wedge. In such a configuration, combustion may be triggered behind the oblique shock wave and transition to an oblique detonation wave is eventually obtained. It is shown that the solution adaptive procedure implemented is able to correctly define the important wave fronts. A parametric analysis of the influence of the adaptation parameters on the computed solution is performed.