Dielectric relaxation and conduction mechanism in Aurivillius ceramic Bi5Ti3FeO15

For this study, we synthesized Aurivillius Bi5Ti3FeO15 ceramic using the generic solid-state reaction route and then performed room-temperature X-ray diffraction to confirm that the compound had a single phase with no impurities. The surface morphology of the prepared sample was observed to contain microstructural grains approximately 0.2–2 μm in size. The dielectric properties of the sample were determ-ined as a function of frequency in a range of approximately 100 Hz to 1 MHz at various temperatures (303 K ≤ T ≤ 773 K). Nyquist plots of the impedance data were found to exhibit a semi-circular arc in the high-temperature region, which is explained by the equivalent electrical circuit (R1C1)(R2QC2), where R1 and R2 represent the resistances associated with the grains and grain boundaries, respectively, C1 and C2 are the re-spective capacitances, and Q is the constant phase element (CPE), which accounts for non-Debye type of behavior. Our results indicate that both the resistance and capacitance of the grain boundaries are more prominent than those of the grains. The alternating current (ac) conductiv-ity data were analyzed based on the Jonscher universal power law, which indicated that the conduction process is dominated by the hopping mechanism. The calculated activation energies of the relaxation and conduction processes were very similar (0.32 to 0.53 eV), from which we conclude that the same type of charge carriers are involved in both processes.     

Effect of Co substitution on the structural,dielectric and optical properties of KBiFe2O5

Cobalt (Co)-modified brownmillerite KBiFe2O5 (KBFO; [KBiFe2(1?x)Co2xO5 (x = 0, 0.05)]) polycrystalline is synthesized following the solid-state reaction route. Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction data confirmed the phase purity of KBFO and KBiFe1.9Co0.1O5 (KBFCO). The optical bandgap energy (Eg) of KBFO decreased from 1.59 to 1.51 eV because of Co substitution. The decrease in bandgap can be attributed to the tilting of the Fe–O tetrahedral structure of KBFCO. The observed room-temperature Raman peaks of KBFCO shifted by 3 cm?1 toward a lower wavenumber than that of KBFO. The shift in Raman active modes can be attributed to the change in the bond angles and bond lengths of the Fe–O tetrahedral structure and modification in response to oxygen deficiency in KBFO because of Co doping. Compared with that of KBFO, the frequency-dependent dielectric constant and dielectric loss of KBFCO decrease at room temperature, which is a con-sequence of the reduction in oxygen migration and modification in response to vibrational modes present in the sample.     

Effect of equal channel angular pressing on aging treatment of Al-7075 alloy

The effect of aging treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of equal channel angular pressed Al-7075 alloy was examined.Commercial Al-7075 alloy in the solid solution heat-treated condition was processed by equal channel angular pressing through route BCat both the room temperature and 120 1C. Only three passes of equal channel angular pressing was possible due to the low ductility of the alloy at both temperatures. Followed by equal channel angular pressing, the specimens have been aged at 120 1C for different aging times. Mechanical properties were measured by Vickers microhardness and tensile tests and microstructural observations were undertaken using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometer as well as optical microscopy. Microstructural investigations showed that ultrafine-grained materials with grain size in the range of 200–350 nm and 300–500 nm could be obtained after three passes of equal channel angular pressing at room temperature and 120 1C, respectively. Equal channel angular pressing of solid solution heat-treated Al-7075 alloy accelerates precipitation rate and subsequently leads to a significant decrease in aging time to attain maximum mechanical properties. Furthermore, it is possible to achieve maximum mechanical properties during equal channel angular pressing at 120 1C as a result of dynamic aging and formation of small η′ phase.     

The Social Network Analysis of Techno-Economic Systems:Comparing Results Based on Binary and Weighted Networks

The network analysis of a technological system combines the interindustry transactions with a matrix of sectoral innovative efforts as measured by R&D investment intensity.The matrixes of interindustry transactions of R&D-embodied products(innovations)are weighted matrixes where the interindustry flows measure the intensity of the innovation diffusion.In the past,studies using this approach in innovation studies have transformed weighted matrixes into binary matrixes of zero and one element where the flows less than a selected threshold value were considered to be zero and the flows greater than the threshold value were counted as one.Such matrix transformation leads to the loss of a great deal of information.In the present study,using degree and clustering coefficients for both binary direct as well as weighted direct techno-economic networks of the manufacturing sector of the German economy,we show that the binary directed network analysis is incapable of refined ranking of interindustry innovation transactions.The total degree index based on the weighted network of the German techno-economic system assigns a unique ranking to each sector,and clustering coefficients show that at least 75%of sectors in the network of Germany have two links with the other industries.However,the same indices based on the binary network are incapable of such refined ranking.     

凝聚度——描述与测度社会生态系统抗干扰能力的一种新特性

研究一个网络系统抵抗干扰的能力,系统科学里有＂鲁棒性＂的概念,社会—生态系统里用＂脆弱性＂、＂恢复性＂和＂适应性＂等概念.这些已有的概念是否已经全面地描述了系统抵抗干扰的能力呢？在综合灾害风险管理的实践中,整个社会凝心聚力,行动协调一致,往往发挥着至关重要的决定性作用.然而,现有学术研究中所用到的各种系统属性,都不能很好表述一个系统凝心聚力的能力或水平.鉴于此,本文提出一种全新的网络系统属性：网络凝聚度（consilience degree）,专门用以度量一个如社会—生态系统一样行为的网络系统凝心聚力,行动协调一致,以抵抗干扰的能力.网络凝聚度实际上是一种更具普遍意义的＂联结度＂.它可以象联结度一样,派生发展出一系列的系统新属性和网络新模型,从而形成一个研究复杂系统的新的理论体系.本文将重点阐述这个体系的雏型.理论分析和仿真研究都证明：本文所提出的网络凝聚度是现有各种系统属性所无法涵盖或替代的,是研究现实复杂系统所必需的新理论工具.     

Sonochemical synthesis of nanostructured nickel hydroxide as an electrode material for improved electrochemical energy storage application

A facile and fast approach for the synthesis of a nanostructured nickel hydroxide(Ni(OH)_2) via sonochemical technique is reported in the present study. The X-ray diffraction results confirmed that the synthesized Ni(OH)_2 was oriented in β-phase of hexagonal brucite structure. The nanostructured Ni(OH)_2 electrode exhibited the maximum specific capacitance of 1256 F/g at a current density of 200 mA/g in 1 M KOH_((aq)). Ni(OH)_2 electrodes exhibited the pseudocapacitive behavior due to the presence of redox reaction. It also exhibited long-term cyclic stability of 85% after 2000 cycles, suggesting that the nanostructured Ni(OH)_2 electrode will play a promising role for high performance supercapacitor application.     

Use of booster fans in underground coal mining to advantage

A booster fan is an underground main fan which is installed in series with a main surface fan and used to boost the air pressure of the ventilation to overcome mine resistance.Currently booster fans are used in several major coal mining countries including the United Kingdom,Australia,Poland and China.In the United States booster fans are prohibited in coal mines although they are used in several metal and non-metal mines.A study has been undertaken to examine alternatives for ventilating an underground room and pillar coal mine system.A feasibility study of a hypothetical situation has shown that current ventilation facilities are incapable of fulfilling mine air requirements in the future due to increased seam methane levels.A current ventilation network model has been prepared and projected to a mine five years plan.“Ventsim visual” software simulations of different possible ventilation options have been conducted in which varying methane levels are found at working faces.The software can also undertake financial simulations and project present value total costs for the options under study.Several scenarios for improving the ventilation situation such as improving main surface fans,adding intake shafts,adding exhaust shafts and utilizing booster fans have been examined.After taking into account the total capital and operating costs for the five years mine plan the booster fan scenarios are recommended as being the best alternatives for further serious consideration by the mine.The optimum option is a properly sized and installed booster fan system that can be used to create safe work conditions,maintain adequate air quantity with lowest cost,generate a reduction in energy consumption and decrease mine system air leakage.     

基于刚度及经济的CFRP与钢组合拉索设计理论

基于钢斜拉索、碳纤维增强塑料(CFRP)斜拉索适用跨径研究结果,针对1 400~2 800 m主跨斜拉桥整体刚度不足提出一种新型结构方案,即基于刚度及经济性能的CFRP与钢组合拉索方案.该方案将CFRP斜拉索与传统钢斜拉索同时应用于斜拉桥中,将２种材料高强轻质及弹性模量高的优点进行组合,以充分提高斜拉索的等效刚度,进而提高斜拉桥的整体刚度.详细介绍该组合方案设计思路与方法,通过比较等效刚度以及经济性能给出２种材料斜拉索推荐组合比例.最后,通过一座1 400 m主跨CFRP与钢组合拉索斜拉桥试设计说明该方案相对传统方案整体刚度上的优势,证明其工程应用的可行性,是主跨为1 400~2 800 m斜拉桥的优选方案之一.     

一个多用途吡咯烷类氮杂糖中间体的不对称合成

报道了多用途的吡咯烷类氮杂糖中间体6的不对称合成.起始原料(2R,3R,4S)-2-苄氧甲基-3,4-二苄氧基-5-氧代吡咯烷-1-羧酸叔丁酯(8)由手性合成砌块酒石酸酰亚胺7按照先前本实验室报道的方法经4步得到.活化的酰胺8经乙烯基加成、立体选择性还原、环化、氧化断裂双键成醛以及还原醛成醇等步骤得到了氮杂糖中间体(2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-羟甲基-3,4-二苄氧基-5-苄氧甲基吡咯烷-1-羧酸叔丁酯(6).从活化的酰胺8出发,经过5步反应,立体选择性地合成了氮杂糖中间体6,总产率46%.中间体6可用于多个吡咯烷类氮杂糖的合成.     

An eicosanoid-centric view of atherothrombotic risk factors

Cardiovascular disease is the foremost cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western world. Atherosclerosis followed by thrombosis (atherothrombosis) is the pathological process underlying most myocardial, cerebral, and peripheral vascular events. Atherothrombosis is a complex and heterogeneous inflammatory process that involves interactions between many cell types (including vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, macrophages, and platelets) and processes (including migration, proliferation, and activation). Despite a wealth of knowledge from many recent studies using knockout mouse and human genetic studies (GWAS and candidate approach) identifying genes and proteins directly involved in these processes, traditional cardiovascular risk factors (hyperlipidemia, hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus, sex, and age) remain the most useful predictor of disease. Eicosanoids (20 carbon polyunsaturated fatty acid derivatives of arachidonic acid and other essential fatty acids) are emerging as important regulators of cardiovascular disease processes. Drugs indirectly modulating these signals, including COX-1/COX-2 inhibitors, have proven to play major roles in the atherothrombotic process. However, the complexity of their roles and regulation by opposing eicosanoid signaling, have contributed to the lack of therapies directed at the eicosanoid receptors themselves. This is likely to change, as our understanding of the structure, signaling, and function of the eicosanoid receptors improves. Indeed, a major advance is emerging from the characterization of dysfunctional naturally occurring mutations of the eicosanoid receptors. In light of the proven and continuing importance of risk factors, we have elected to focus on the relationship between eicosanoids and cardiovascular risk factors.