Range Of Size Distribution Research Articles

Combined ultrasound and germination treatment on the fine structure of highland barley starch

Highland barley is a grain crop grown in Tibet, China. This study investigated the structure of highland barley starch using ultrasound (40 kHz, 40 min, 165.5 W) and germination treatments (30℃ with 80% relative humidity). The macroscopic morphology and the barley's fine and molecular structure were evaluated. After sequential ultrasound pretreatment and germination, a significant difference in moisture content and surface roughness was noted between highland barley and the other groups. All test groups showed an increased particle size distribution range with increasing germination time. FTIR results also indicated that after sequential ultrasound pretreatment and germination, the absorption intensity of the intramolecular hydroxyl (–OH) group of starch increased, and hydrogen bonding was stronger compared to the untreated germinated sample. In addition, XRD analysis revealed that starch crystallinity increased following sequential ultrasound treatment and germination, but a-type of crystallinity remained after sonication. Further, the Mw of sequential ultrasound pretreatment and germination at any time is higher than that of sequential germination and ultrasound. As a result of sequential ultrasound pretreatment and germination, changes in the content of chain length of barley starch were consistent with germination alone. At the same time, the average degree of polymerisation (DP) fluctuated slightly. Lastly, the starch was modified during the sonication process, either prior to or following sonication. Pretreatment with ultrasound illustrated a more profound effect on barley starch than sequential germination and ultrasound treatment. In conclusion, these results indicate that sequential ultrasound pretreatment and germination improve the fine structure of highland barley starch.

Investigation of Spherical Al2O3 Magnetic Abrasive Prepared by Novel Method for Finishing of the Inner Surface of Cobalt-Chromium Alloy Cardiovascular Stents Tube.

In this investigation, spherical Al2O3 magnetic abrasive particles (MAPs) were used to polish the inner surface of ultra-fine long cobalt-chromium alloy cardiovascular stent tubes. The magnetic abrasives were prepared by combining plasma molten metal powder and hard abrasives, and the magnetic abrasives prepared by this new method are characterized by high sphericity, narrow particle size distribution range, long life, and good economic value. Firstly, the spherical Al2O3 magnetic abrasives were prepared by the new method; secondly, the polishing machine for the inner surface of the ultra-fine long cardiovascular stent tubes was developed; finally, the influence laws of spindle speed, magnetic pole speed, MAP filling quantities, the magnetic pole gap on the surface roughness (Ra), and the removal thickness (RT) of tubes were investigated. The results showed that the prepared Al2O3 magnetic abrasives were spherical in shape, and their superficial layer was tightly bound with Al2O3 hard abrasives with sharp cutting; the use of spherical Al2O3 magnetic abrasives could achieve the polishing of the inner surface of ultra-fine cobalt-chromium alloy cardiovascular bracket tubes, and after processing, the inner surface roughness (Ra) of the tubes decreased from 0.337 µm to 0.09 µm and had an RT of 5.106 µm.

A novel silica-reinforced P(AM/AMPS/SA/TM-SiO2) microspheres for selective adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solution

The development of adsorption materials with large adsorption capacity, high selectivity and strong regeneration ability is of great significance for the treatment of dye wastewater. With the aim of obtaining a microsphere with stable structure, large adsorption capacity and rich negative charge for selective adsorption of methylene blue (MB) and other cationic dyes from aqueous solution, a novel silica-reinforced P(AM/AMPS/SA/TM-SiO2) microspheres were synthesized from acrylamide (AM), 2-acrylamido-1-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS), sodium alginate (SA) and trimethoxy(vinyl)silane modified silica (TM-SiO2) through microemulsion polymerization method. The structural properties of the microspheres were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The influences of TM-SiO2 content on particle size distribution, swelling property, and mechanical stability of the microspheres were thoroughly investigated. The results revealed that TM-SiO2 could effectively adjust the particle size distribution range, reduce the swelling degree, and improve the mechanical stability of the microspheres. The effects of temperature, contact time and initial concentration of MB on the adsorption capacity of the microspheres were systematically inquired. The adsorption capacity of P(AM/AMPS/SA/TM-SiO2) microspheres for MB was 362.52 mg/g at 25℃, while that of P(AM/AMPS/SA) microspheres was 307.17 mg/g. Furthermore, P (AM/AMPS/SA/TM-SiO2) nanocomposite microspheres still maintained a complete shape and high adsorption capacity after five adsorption–desorption cycles. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir model were adopted to describe the adsorption process of MB on the microspheres. Moreover, the intermolecular interaction between the microspheres and MB were explored by quantum chemical (QC) calculations. A possible adsorption mechanism was proposed.

Kinetics and microstructure evolution of dynamic recrystallization of medium-Mn steel during hot working

The dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behavior and microstructure evolution of medium-Mn (0.15C–10Mn) steel were investigated through isothermal hot compression tests. The flow stress–strain curves and microstructure analysis, in wide ranges of temperatures (900–1150 °C) and strain rates (10−3 - 1 s−1), were employed to establish constitutive equations and a grain size evolution model. Since the material constants were calculated based on polynomial function of strains, strain compensation was introduced into constitutive analysis. Comparison and verification showed that the constitutive equation had a high predictive ability. The correlation coefficient and average absolute relative error were 0.99 and 4.46%, respectively, which confirm the accuracy and guidance of the model. Metallographic observation was used to implement the grain size evolution analysis of the medium-Mn steel. Microstructure evolution was characterized with a gradual increase in average recrystallized grain size and an obvious expansion in the range of grain size distribution with both deformation temperature and strain rate, which were attributed to the competition between nucleation and grain boundary migration. Besides, a grain size evolution model was established to analyze the microstructure evolution.

<i>In Vitro</i> Evaluation of Antibacterial Properties of Biogenically Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Pathogenic Paddy Bacteria

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP) were successfully synthesized from aloe vera extract and zinc sulphate as zinc precursor. Characterizations of the ZnO-NP were performed using UV–Vis spectrophotometer, XRD, FESEM and TEM analysis. The absorption peak from UV–Vis was at 380 nm while the XRD diagram displays high purity ZnO-NP. FESEM and TEM analysis showed agglomerated particles with a wide size distribution range. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) pathotype 0.0 generated a product with the size of 230 bp similar to in silico PCR results, verifying the pathotype on molecular level. Subsequently, the antimicrobial activities of the ZnO-NP against Xoo pathotype 0.0 were assessed. Xoo (108 cfu/ml) were grown in LB broth supplemented with various concentrations of ZnO-NP. Collection of samples were done at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours of incubation, grown on LB agar and observed for bacterial growth. Colony forming unit (cfu/ml) values revealed the number of viable cells decreased with high concentrations of ZnO-NP whereas minimal inhibition was observed at lower ZnO-NP concentrations. At lower bacteria cfu/ml (103 cfu/ml), it was found that at 24 hours incubation, ZnO-NP gave comparable antibacterial effects to commercial ZnO-NP and commercial non-nanoZnO after exposure for 1 hour. However, the antimicrobial effects decreased after 48 hours. It was also noted that the ZnO-NP provide better suppression of bacterial growth at lower bacterial concentration.

Influence of bubble size on performance of apatite flotation of different particle sizes

The main mechanism of flotation is bubble-particle interaction, which is strongly dependent on the particle size and the bubble size distribution (BSD). It is known that air bubbles are responsible for collecting and delivering hydrophobic particles from the pulp to the foam zone. Controlling the size and distribution of bubbles generated is essential to promote greater bubble-particle interaction. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of bubble size on the flotation performance of apatite of a low-grade phosphate ore for different particle sizes: fine (d 32 = 13.95 µm), intermediate (d 32 = 50.86 µm), and coarse (d 32 = 108.96 µm). Through the results, it was possible to identify the best bubble size range for each particle size studied. The fine particles showed a better flotation performance when medium-sized bubbles (800–1,000 µm) were used, while the coarse particles had an improved performance when large bubbles (d 32 > 1,000 µm) were used. However, the best flotation result was obtained with intermediate particles, which accepted a large range of bubble size distribution under different operating conditions since the collision and attachment mechanisms are favored in this particle size range.

Synthesis of cubosomes containing cerium oxide nanoparticles from Lactobacillus acidophilus loaded with glatiramer acetate and carboxymethylcellulose coating

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nano-series) are used as catalysts in industrial applications due to their free radical scavenging properties. Given that free radicals play an essential role in the pathology of many neurological diseases, we investigated the use of nanocrystals as a potential therapeutic agent for oxidative damage. This project synthesized nano-series from a new and environmentally friendly bio-pathway. Investigation of cerium nitrate in culture medium containing inoculated Lactobacillus acidophilus strain before incubation produces nano-series. Loaded with glatiramer acetate (GA) was formed by coating carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and CeO2. FE-SEM analysis showed nano-series in the 9–11 nm range, spherical shape, and uniform particle size distribution. Cubic nanoparticles containing anti-multiple sclerosis (anti-Ms) treatment called GA were used. Glycerol monostearate (GMS) was used as a fat base, and evening primrose extract was used as an anti-inflammatory in cubosomes. Design-Expert® software was used to study the effects of different formulation factors on the properties of GA-loaded cubic dispersions. Thirty GA-labeled cubic dispersions were prepared with GA-labeled carboxymethylcellulose and evaluated in vitro. The results showed an average nano-series size of 89.02 and a zeta potential of −49.9. Cubosomes containing GA-CMC/CeO2 showed a stable release profile for 180 min. The results showed that cubosomes containing GA-CMC/CeO2 could be a promising drug carrier with normal release behavior.

Automated ArcticDEM iceberg detection tool: insights into area and volume distributions, and their potential application to satellite imagery and modelling of glacier–iceberg–ocean systems

Abstract. Iceberg calving accounts for up to half of mass loss from the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS), with their size distributions providing insights into glacier calving dynamics and impacting fjord environments through their melting and subsequent freshwater release. Iceberg area and volume data for the GrIS are currently limited to a handful of fjord locations, while existing approaches to iceberg detection are often time-consuming and are not always suited for long time series analysis over large spatial scales. This study presents a highly automated workflow that detects icebergs and appends their associated metadata within Google Earth Engine using high spatial resolution timestamped ArcticDEM (Arctic Digital Elevation Model) strip data. This is applied to three glaciers that exhibit a range of different iceberg concentrations and size distributions: Sermeq Kujalleq (Jakobshavn Isbræ), Umiammakku Isbræ and Kangiata Nunaata Sermia. A total of 39 ArcticDEM scenes are analysed, detecting a total of 163 738 icebergs with execution times of 6 min to 2 h for each glacier depending on the number of DEMs available and total area analysed, comparing well with the mapping of manually digitised outlines. Results reveal two distinct iceberg distributions at Sermeq Kujalleq and Kangiata Nunaata Sermia where iceberg density is high, and one distribution at Umiammakku Isbræ where iceberg density is low. Small icebergs (< 1000 m2) are found to account for over 80 % of each glacier's icebergs; however, they only contribute to 10 %–37 % of total iceberg volume suggesting that large icebergs are proportionally more important for glacier mass loss and as fjord freshwater reservoirs. The overall dataset is used to construct new area-to-volume conversions (with associated uncertainties) that can be applied elsewhere to two-dimensional iceberg outlines derived from optical or synthetic aperture radar imagery. When data are expressed in terms of total iceberg count and volume, insight is provided into iceberg distributions that have potential applicability to observations and modelling of iceberg calving behaviour and fjord freshwater fluxes. Due to the speed and automated nature of our approach, this workflow offers the potential to interrogate iceberg data on a pan-Arctic scale where ArcticDEM strip data coverage allows.

Hydrothermal treatment of alkaline red mud and sewage sludge: formation of a soil-like matrix

ABSTRACT Increasing attention has been focused on the comprehensive utilisation of alkaline red mud (RM) derived from the aluminium industry. Phytoremediation serves as an effective strategy, but it is limited by the drawbacks of red mud. This study proposed ‘co-hydrothermally treating red mud and sewage sludge (SS)’ for producing a soil-like matrix, and explored the impacts of SS addition on the characteristics of hydrothermal solid and liquid products of RM. The results showed that the introduction of SS could improve the characteristics of hydrothermal products, including pH, the particle aggregation, and organic components. During hydrothermal treatment, the acid components released from SS could neutralise the alkalinity of RM, reducing the pH of hydrothermal product from 10.1 (without SS) to and 8.2 (80% SS), respectively. With the increase of addition ratio of SS, the main range of particle size distribution in hydrothermal solid products changed from 0.1∼1 μm to 10∼100 μm, suggesting the positive role of SS in improving the particle aggregation. XRD analysis showed that the addition of SS hindered the mineral crystallization of RM during hydrothermal treatment, while FTIR and XPS analysis confirmed that SS could serve as a ‘supply source’ of organic components, which created favourable conditions for hydrothermal solid products as soil-like matrix. The addition ratio of SS presented the negative correlation with the pH value and positive relative with chemical oxygen demand of hydrothermal liquid products. The hydrothermal liquid product modified by SS was beneficial to further improve soil-like matrix. The strategy of co-hydrothermal treating RM and SS to produce the soil-like matrix could massively consume solid wastes, which is a prospective approach to deal with the trouble of the aluminium industry and sewage treatment plants.

Preliminary Exploration of the Ecological Habits of Odorrana lipuensis

Odorrana lipuensis occurs in an entirely dark karst cave in Lipu County, Guangxi Province, China. This paper discusses the ecological habits of the type locality of O. lipuensis, including the cave environment, daily activity rhythm, annual activity pattern, food, and predators. The results show that the life cycle of O. lipuensis is completed entirely in dark caves; cave temperature fluctuates around 19℃; there is no hibernation phenomenon, and it is active throughout the year. The daily activity rhythm does not differ between day and night, and breeding seasons range from March to June. Given the limited distribution range and small population size of O. lipuensis, it is recommended for inclusion in the national second-class protection animal list.

A novel modified nano-alumina composite sol for potential application in forest firefighting.

Herein, modified ammonium polyphosphate wrapped nano-alumina (mAPP@Als) was first synthesized and then dispersed in traditional fire extinguishing solution (FES) to fabricate a FES-mAPP@Als composite sol. It was found that the phosphorus-silica containing units were attached onto the nano-alumina surface, and the mAPP@Als particles showed excellent dispersion level in FES with a single-domain particle size distribution range. Due to the synergistic effects of the phosphorus-nitrogen and silica-alumina flame retardant components, FES-mAPP@Als (5% concentration) coated wood exhibited improved limiting oxygen index (33.2%) and carbonization ability, and depressed heat release (41.9%) and smoke production (10.7%), as compared to the pristine wood. In addition, the FES-mAPP@Als composite sol showed enhanced fire-extinguishing and anti-reignition capacities compared to the FES. This research offers a novel composite sol fire extinguishing agent for fighting forest fires.

Study on Pollution Characteristics and Ecological Risks of Microplastics in Ningyuan River

A survey was conducted on the surface water samples of Ningyuan River in Hainan Province. The samples were collected through on-site filtration and concentration methods, and pretreated through oxidation digestion and density separation. The microplastics were statistically analyzed by confocal micro-Raman spectrometer, elucidating the abundance, type, particle size, and shape characteristics of the microplastics in the water samples. Seasonal differences were analyzed, and the main conclusions were as follows: microplastics were detected at all sampling points, with the abundance range of 66.67 items/m3 to 1106.67 items/m3; polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polystyrene (PS) are the main types of microplastics; 100-1000 μm is the main particle size distribution range; the proportion order of microplastics with different shapes is fiber> fragment> film> particle. In terms of spatial distribution, there are significant differences due to the influence of functional zones along the river banks, while in terms of seasonal distribution, there is no significant difference between dry and rainy seasons; The overall level of microplastic pollution belongs to a medium to low risk.

Influence of Raw Kaolin Clay and Its Dehydroxylated Form on The Properties and Performance of Portland Cement Mortar

Kaolin, also known as China clay, is one of the materials that can be used as partial replacement for Portland cement but most of the research has been focused on its dehydroxylated form (metakaolin). The lack of interest in raw kaolin clay as a cement replacement material is partly due to its negative impact on strength and the traditional perception that raw clay is detrimental to concrete. However, the use of raw kaolin clay as cement replacement may offer other benefits, such as energy saving and the potential to produce durable cement-based material at low cost. Therefore, this paper presents findings on the influence of raw kaolin clay on the properties and durability performance of Portland cement mortar in comparison with metakaolin, when used as partial substitute. The results show that the use of raw kaolin clay as a partial substitute for Portland cement improved all aspects of the durability properties investigated, which became more apparent with age. Despite having the lowest compressive strength, the raw kaolin clay mix displayed a lower porosity, better resistance to water absorption and finer pores than the control. In contrast to the raw kaolin clay, the metakaolin significantly enhanced both strength and durability. The results also reveal that at a given superplasticizer dosage and replacement level, the kaolin and metakaolin mixes exhibited the same consistency in the fresh state and a similar range of pore size distribution and total intrusion volume at 28 days. The findings further demonstrate that raw kaolin clay can be used as Portland cement replacement material to produce durable mortar and concrete, particularly for applications that do not require high strength.

Particle size distribution: An experimental study using southern African reduction methods and raw materials.

We experimentally created a particle size dataset that is based on reduction sequences and raw materials typical of the Middle and Later Stone Age in southern Africa. The reason for creating this new dataset is that current particle size frameworks are based, almost exclusively, on flint and western European knapping methods. We produced the dataset using knapping methods and raw materials frequently encountered in the southern African archaeological record because we wanted to test whether it has the same distribution as particle size datasets experimentally created in Europe, and to initialise the production of a database for use in the analysis of lithic assemblages from southern African Late Pleistocene deposits. We reduced 117 cores of quartz, quartzite, jasper, chalcedony, hornfels, and rhyolite. The knapping methods selected were unidirectional, discoidal, Levallois recurrent and bipolar flaking. In this article we compare this new particle size distribution dataset with the results obtained from previous experiments. We found that the southern African dataset shows a wider size range distribution, which seems to be explained by differences in knapping methods and raw materials. Our results show that there is overlap between the distribution of the southern African experimental knapping dataset and the sorting experiment conducted by Lenoble on flint artefacts in a runoff context. This article shows that a particle size analysis is not sufficient on its own to assess the perturbation of an archaeological assemblage and must be coupled with other analytical tools.

Molecular Dynamics and Chain Length of Edible Oil Using Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques are widely used to identify pure substances and probe protein dynamics. Edible oil is a complex mixture composed of hydrocarbons, which have a wide range of molecular size distribution. In this research, low-field NMR (LF-NMR) relaxation characteristic data from various sample oils were analyzed. We also suggest a new method for predicting the size of edible oil molecules using LF-NMR relaxation time. According to the relative molecular mass, the carbon chain length and the transverse relaxation time of different sample oils, combined with oil viscosity and other factors, the relationship between carbon chain length and transverse relaxation time rate was analyzed. Various oils and fats in the mixed fluid were displayed, reflecting the composition information of different oils. We further studied the correlation between the rotation correlation time and the molecular information of oil molecules. The molecular composition of the resulting fluid determines its properties, such as viscosity and phase behavior. The results show that low-field NMR can obtain information on the composition, macromolecular aggregation and molecular dynamics of complex fluids. The measurements of grease in the free-fluid state show that the relaxation time can reflect the intrinsic properties of the fluid. It is shown that the composition characteristics and states of complex fluids can be measured using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance.

Evaluation and updates to the Leggett model for pharmacokinetic modeling of exposure to lead in the workplace – Part II adjustments to the adult exposure model, confirmation of Leggett+, and modeling of workplace exposure

California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has updated the comprehensive age-specific model of lead metabolism in humans published by Richard W. Leggett in 1993. The updated model, called Leggett+, was introduced in a peer-reviewed report in 2013. The Leggett + model simulates the relationship between blood lead and exposure in the workplace. Leggett + includes a workplace exposure model comprising respiratory tract intake (workplace lead inhaled by a worker) and uptake (lead absorbed into the blood from the respiratory tract plus uptake from ambient air and diet). The latter is calculated as intake times an inhalation transfer coefficient plus background uptake. An adjusted adult systemic model describes the metabolism of the absorbed lead. This paper provides details about the workplace exposure and uptake elements of Leggett+, an updated approach to calibrating an inhalation transfer coefficient, confirmation of the model’s performance in predicting blood lead levels from workplace studies, and predictions of blood lead levels from simulated exposures to workplace airborne lead over a working lifetime. Blood lead relative to airborne lead concentrations in a standard workplace scenario predicted by Leggett + was similar to corresponding relationships from four published workplace studies. Leggett + predictions displayed a good fit to regression equations when other key factors were considered such as pre-employment blood lead and ongoing background intake of lead, workplace air concentration, lead aerosol characteristics, and worker activity levels. The comprehensive Leggett + model can simulate plausible workplace air–blood lead relationships from a broad range of worker exposures. The inhalation transfer coefficient of 0.30, derived from empirical data described in the 2013 report has been reexamined. The original estimate continues to represent a plausible mid-point for a coefficient derived from an expanded range of theoretical particle size distributions deposited in the upper and lower regions of the respiratory tract considering intake during sedentary and outdoor activity breathing scenarios. This coefficient is slightly lower than the value of 0.35 estimated for unknown forms of lead by Leggett in 1993.

Analysis of incidence data in developmental toxicity studies: Statistical tests to account for litter effects in fetal defect data.

When analyzing fetal defect incidence in laboratory animal studies, correlation in responses within litters (i.e., litter effects) can lead to increased false-positive rates if litter effects are not incorporated into the analysis. Studies of fetal defects require analysis methods that are robust across a broad range of defect types, including those with zero or near-zero incidence rates in control groups. A simulation study compared power and false-positive rates for six approaches across a range of background defect rates and litter size distributions. Statistical methods evaluated included ignoring the litter effect as well as parametric and nonparametric approaches based on litter proportions, generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs), the Rao-Scott Cochran-Armitage (RSCA) trend test, and a modification to the RSCA (mRSCA) introduced here to improve estimation at low background rates. These methods were also applied to a common and a rare defect from two prenatal developmental toxicology studies conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP). At background defect rates of 1%, the mRSCA and parametric litter proportion methods provided gains in power over the nonparametric litter proportion method, the GLMM method, and the RSCA method. Simulations involving litter loss in high-dose groups showed loss of power for both litter proportion methods. The mRSCA test developed here compares favorably with other litter-based approaches and is robust across a range of background defect rates and litter size distributions, making it a practical choice for prenatal developmental toxicology studies involving both common and rare fetal defects.

Pervasive Introgression During Rapid Diversification of the European Mountain Genus Soldanella (L.) (Primulaceae).

Hybridization is a key mechanism involved in lineage diversification and speciation, especially in ecosystems that experienced repeated environmental oscillations. Recently radiated plant groups, which have evolved in mountain ecosystems impacted by historical climate change provide an excellent model system for studying the impact of gene flow on speciation. We combined organellar (whole-plastome) and nuclear genomic data (RAD-seq) with a cytogenetic approach (rDNA FISH) to investigate the effects of hybridization and introgression on evolution and speciation in the genus Soldanella (snowbells, Primulaceae). Pervasive introgression has already occurred among ancestral lineages of snowbells and has persisted throughout the entire evolutionary history of the genus, regardless of the ecology, cytotype, or distribution range size of the affected species. The highest extent of introgression has been detected in the Carpathian species, which is also reflected in their extensive karyotype variation. Introgression occurred even between species with dysploid and euploid cytotypes, which were considered to be reproductively isolated. The magnitude of introgression detected in snowbells is unprecedented in other mountain genera of the European Alpine System investigated hitherto. Our study stresses the prominent evolutionary role of hybridization in facilitating speciation and diversification on the one hand, but also enriching previously isolated genetic pools. [chloroplast capture; diversification; dysploidy; European Alpine system; introgression; nuclear-cytoplasmic discordance; ribosomal DNA.].

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of gold nanoparticles supported on β-cyclodextrin for catalytic reduction of nitrophenols

Nitrophenols with high toxicity are well known as one of the main pollutants in water environment while aminophenols, products of the reduction, are important intermediates in the fabrication of several drugs. Thus, the reduction of nitrophenols is considerably attractive in wastewater treatment and pharmaceutical fields. In this work, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) catalyst was straightforwardly fabricated using β-cyclodextrin as a reducing and stabilizing agent under ultrasound irradiation. The synthetic conditions were explored via the changes in concentration of β-cyclodextrin, environmental pH, temperature and time. The synthesized AuNPs under the optimal condition showed a size distribution in range of 3–21 nm with a mean size of 12 nm. The dynamic lighting scatter and zeta potential data showed the stable colloidal solutions and X-ray diffraction and selected area electron diffraction patterns confirmed crystalline structure of AuNPs. The influence of reagents and the nanoparticles on kinetic data of the reduction was investigated. The kinetic data showed that the performance of 2-nitrophenol reduction is better than that of 4-nitrophenol while rate constants of the reduction is linear to both initial concentrations of nitrophenol substrates and catalyst amount.

Experimental Modeling of Tsunamis Generated by Pyroclastic Density Currents: The Effects of Particle Size Distribution on Wave Generation

AbstractVolcanic tsunamis can expand the radius of hazards posed by a volcano well beyond the reach of the eruption itself; however, their source mechanisms are poorly understood. The tsunamigenic potential of pyroclastic density currents was studied experimentally by releasing a fluidized column of glass beads from a reservoir; the beads then ran down an inclined ramp into a water‐filled flume and generated waves. The effects of the particle size distribution on the generated waves were analyzed by comparing the waves generated by flows comprising different proportions of particles of diameters 63–90 μm and 600–850 μm. The flows comprising higher proportions of large particles travel more slowly down the ramp; however, all the flows impact the water at velocities greater than the shallow water wave speed, , where h is the still‐water depth. The entrance of the fluidized flow into the water generates a solitary‐like leading wave followed by a smaller trough and trailing waves. Upon impact, the flow separates into a part advected with the wave crest and a part which turbulently mixes with water and propagates along the bottom of the flume, forming an underwater gravity current. A higher proportion of large particles makes the flows more porous, allowing the water to penetrate through the flows more easily, slightly decreasing the efficiency of the energy transfer. While this affects the celerity of the waves, the results show that, over the studied range of particle size distributions, all the flows can generate waves of similar amplitudes regardless of the particle size distribution.