Single-component Ones Research Articles

Rhodium-Based Catalysts: An Impact of the Support Nature on the Catalytic Cyclohexane Ring Opening

Because of the growing demand for high-quality fuels, the light cycle oil fraction improvement including cetane number improvement is important. The main way to reach this improvement is the ring opening of cyclic hydrocarbons, and a highly effective catalyst should be found. Cyclohexane ring openings are a possible option to investigate the catalyst activity. In this work, we investigated rhodium-loaded catalysts prepared using the commercially available industrial supports: single-component ones, SiO2 and Al2O3; and mixed oxides CaO + MgO + Al2O3 and Na2O + SiO2 + Al2O3. The catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and investigated by N2 low-temperature adsorption-desorption, XRD, XPS, DRS UV-Vis and DRIFT spectroscopy, SEM, and TEM with EDX. The catalytic tests were performed in cyclohexane ring opening in the range of 275-325 °C. The best result was demonstrated by the sample 1Rh/CaMgAlO: the selectivity to n-hexane was about 75% while the cyclohexane conversion was about 25% at 275 °C. The space-time yield was up to 12 mmoln-hexane gcat-1h-1.

Decomposition and Nutrient Releasing of Biochar Compound Materials in Soil with Different Textures

Combining biochar with chemical fertilizers or compost not only improves the shortcomings of biochar’s lack of fertility, but also extends the benefits of the compost. The application of biochar composite materials will be a future agricultural management strategy. In this study bagasse compost was mixed with wood biochar (w/w) at rates of 0% (B), 25% (BC), 50% (BC3), and 100% (no biochar, C) to produce four types of particle biochar compound materials (pBCM). These materials were applied to two types of soil (sandy soil and clayey soil) for a 180-day incubation to determine the decomposition rate and the nutrient release efficiency of the pBCMs. The results showed that C treatment had the highest decomposition rate in both types of soil. Overall, the materials decomposed faster in the sandy soil than in the clayey soil. Plants were grown over two 30-day crop periods. The plant yields of treatments C and BC3 were the highest in the first period and respectively decreased and increased in the second period. The experiment results revealed that in the biochar–compost compounds, compost increased the use efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil, and biochar increased the nutrient use efficiency in the second period. These compound materials had greater capacity for long-term supply of nutrients in soil than did single-component ones.

AT2017gfo: Bayesian inference and model selection of multicomponent kilonovae and constraints on the neutron star equation of state

ABSTRACTThe joint detection of the gravitational wave GW170817, of the short γ-ray burst GRB170817A and of the kilonova AT2017gfo, generated by the the binary neutron star (NS) merger observed on 2017 August 17, is a milestone in multimessenger astronomy and provides new constraints on the NS equation of state. We perform Bayesian inference and model selection on AT2017gfo using semi-analytical, multicomponents models that also account for non-spherical ejecta. Observational data favour anisotropic geometries to spherically symmetric profiles, with a log-Bayes’ factor of ∼104, and favour multicomponent models against single-component ones. The best-fitting model is an anisotropic three-component composed of dynamical ejecta plus neutrino and viscous winds. Using the dynamical ejecta parameters inferred from the best-fitting model and numerical–relativity relations connecting the ejecta properties to the binary properties, we constrain the binary mass ratio to q < 1.54 and the reduced tidal parameter to $120\lt \tilde{\Lambda }\lt 1110$. Finally, we combine the predictions from AT2017gfo with those from GW170817, constraining the radius of a NS of 1.4 M⊙ to 12.2 ± 0.5 km (1σ level). This prediction could be further strengthened by improving kilonova models with numerical-relativity information.

Low-pressure droplet-evaporation deposition forming transparent conductive films of graphene and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate

Transparent conductive materials and films at nanometer scales have been studied over the last decade for use as electrodes in a variety of industrial applications such as optical detectors, displays, and solar cells. Fundamental requirements for the coating of them on substrates involves both electrical conductivity and optical transmittance in the visible range of light. Recently remarkable progress of emerging nanomaterials has been shown to further enhance these properties. This paper reports a low-pressure droplet-evaporation deposition method that can be simply implemented by one or two atomizers. Using dual spray of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and graphene solutions in a vacuum environment, two components composite films were produced with a much higher conductivity than that with single component ones. The experimental results showed that the electrical conductivity of the graphene-doped PEDOT:PSS films are simply altered from the different rates of dual sprays. As a result, dual spray provided the capability to control the conductivity and transmittance by altering the deposition parameters. In this way, a variety of composite films and materials fabricated by low-pressure dual-spray deposition could be applied in applications such as flexible displays and solar cells.

A regional equity profile to assess the impact of social inequalities on determinants and health outcomes in the population residing in Sicily Region (Southern Italy)

to build an equity profile for assessing the impact of socioeconomic inequalities on the determinants and health outcome in Sicily (Southern Italy). descriptive study aimed to define an equity profile in Sicily by using a rich list of indicators of structure of the resident population and of distribution of determinants and health outcome, derived from the integration of available information and scientific evidence at regional level with high local detail. the equity profile collects available information on the health status of the population in Sicily, on the determinants, and on the use of health and social services. The characteristics of people or population groups have been explored and can produce inequalities on health which included individual and context socioeconomic status. using available information sources and study results have explored the effects of the disadvantage on health in the region: mortality, morbidity, oncological incidence, reproductive health, and some of their determinants. the Sicilian population tends to aging. Migration flows tend to compensate the reduction in births in Sicily and it increases the proportion of younger people and women in childbearing age. The proportion of large families tends to get smaller, whereas the proportion of single-component ones increases; the population groups with low education, unemployment, poverty, and income increases. Starting from the first thousand days of life, to continue in the other classes of the population, the different distribution of risk factors on health was identified according to different levels of deprivation. the Sicilian equity profile has systematized and consolidated previous experiences on the effects of disadvantage on health. Prevention interventions, oriented towards equity, should be based on the results of this study and should take care of the general aspects of actions and, at the same time, focus on vulnerable population groups.

Прагматическая специфика цветообозначений человеческого тела в тексте судебно-медицинского исследования

This article is devoted to the pragmatic specifics of the color designations of the human body in the text of a forensic medical investigation. The forensic post-mortem investigation text includes data on external and internal research, special attention is paid to the designation of the color of the human body, its parts, organs, injuries and other phenomena discovered during the research, because these data can be important for determining the cause of death, time of death and resolution of other questions posed to the expert. A reliable color identification of these objects and their sufficient description in the text of the conclusion is one of the criteria for the completeness of the forensic medical examination. Texts of this type, despite their great social significance, are insufficiently studied with regard to pragmatics and rarely become objects of linguistic research. The purpose of this article is to identify pragmatic specifics of the selection of human bodies’ color designations in the text of a forensic medical investigation through their structural and semantic analysis. The main research methods are the continuous sampling method for highlighting color designations; quantitative analysis to single out the most frequent lexemes, structural and semantic analysis. Out of 20 texts of forensic medical expertise, with the help of continuous sampling we found 1173 color designations represented by 204 different lexemes. The following colors turned out to be the most frequent: темно-красный (dark red, 152), серый (gray, 79), желтоватый (yellowish, 45), сероватый (grayish, 39), белесоватый (whitish, 36), краснокоричневый and жёлтый (red-brown and yellow, 35 for each), серо-розовый (gray-pink, 31), бледно-серый (pale gray, 27), тёмный (dark, 23). These colors were most widely distributed: тёмно-красный (dark red, in 20 texts), желтоватый (yellowish, in 17 ones), белесоватый, серый and жёлтый (whitish, gray and yellow, in 16 ones), краснокоричневый (red-brown, in 15 ones), сероватый (grayish, in 14 ones), серо-розовый (gray-pink, in 12 ones), синюшный and бледный (cyanotic and pale, in 11 ones). Structural analysis showed the predominance of hue color designations over absolute ones; two- and three-component terms over single-component ones, and the widespread use of formants that specify the color intensity. The semantic analysis showed an insignificant number of color terms that have a metaphorical meaning, as well as complete absence of “authorisms” and stylistically colored color terms. Two main pragmatic intentions were established that characterize the selection of color terms in this type of text: on the one hand, it is due to the referent and the need to convey its color as accurately as possible with the lexical means of the Russian language, and on the other, the need to use only common lexemes.

Preparation of an AgI/CuBi2O4 heterojunction on a fluorine-doped tin oxide electrode for cathodic photoelectrochemical assays: application to the detection of L-cysteine.

Photocathodic methods in photoelectrochemical (PEC) analysis are based on the use of functional photocathodes. Heterojunction cathodes consisting of different kinds of semiconductors are being considered as favorite schemes when compared to the single-component ones. A semiconductor heterojunction between CuBi2O4 (CBO) and other semiconductors has not been exploited in PEC assays so far. Herein, CBO nanospheres were initially electrochemically deposited on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) conductive glass and then coupled to chemically deposited AgI nanoparticles to obtain an electrode of typeAgI/CBO/FTO. It was applied as a cathode in the PEC detection of L-cysteine as a model analyte. The sensor can selectively detect L-cysteine, and it is assumed that this is due to the selective interaction between the L-cysteine and both copper and silver via the formation of Cu-S and Ag-S bonds. The photocurrent of the electrode increases linearly with the logarithm of the cysteine concentration in the range from 0.1 and 50μM, and the detection limit is 0.1μM. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of the preparation of an AgI/CuBi2O4 (AgI/CBO)heterojunction on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)electrode and its application to the cathodic photoelectrochemical detection of L-cysteine.

Epedimiologic, clinical profile and factors affecting the outcome in febrile neutropenia.

Background:Febrile neutropenia (FN) is common in cancer patients particularly hematologic malignancies due to intensive cytotoxic chemotherapy. It is an important cause of morbidity, mortality and treatment delays. The risk is greater in patients with ANC < 500/ mm3 and increases dramatically in those with ANC < 100/ mm3 and duration of neutropenia more than 1 week.Aims and Objectives:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, demographic characteristics, clinical profile, mortality, outcome and factors affecting the outcome in patients with febrile neutropenia (FN) admitted at our Center between January 2011 and November 2012.Materials and Methods:All cases of FN admitted in our Institute between January 2011 and November 2012 were analyzed. Data was analyzed using IBM statistic SPSS version 19.Results:A total of 333 episodes of FN were reviewed. Hematologic malignancies accounted for 299 (89.7%) episodes and 88% of all the episodes had grade 4 neutropenia. There was a significant association noted between high serum bilirubin, creatinine and outcome. Isolation of an organism from blood culture, positive findings on chest X-ray and fungal infection was associated with higher mortality. Association between transfusion requirements and outcome was analyzed and it was observed that patients who had multiple component transfusions vs single component ones were at a significantly higher risk of death. There were only 7 deaths noted among the patient population.Conclusion:Leukemias are the leading cause of FN at our Institute. Higher bilirubin, creatinine, chest imaging favoring pneumonia, positive isolates and multiple transfusions had significant association with mortality. Large scale prospective studies are needed to determine the association of preemptive therapy with higher mortality. The outcome of high risk FN in this study is favorable.

Uptake of Metals from Single and Multi-Component Systems by Spirulina Platensis Biomass

Abstract Spirulina platensis biomass is widely applied for different technological purposes. The process of lanthanum, chromium, uranium and vanadium accumulation and biosorption by Spirulina platensis biomass from single- and multi-component systems was studied. The influence of multi-component system on the spirulina biomass growth was less pronounced in comparison with the single-component ones. To trace the uptake of metals by spirulina biomass the neutron activation analysis was used. In the experiment on the accumulation the efficiency of studied metal uptake changes in the following order: La(V) &gt; Cr(III) &gt; U(VI) &gt; V(V) (single-metal solutions) and Cr(III) &gt; La(V) &gt; V(V) &gt; U(VI) (multi-metal system). The process of metals biosorption was studied during a two-hour experiment. The highest rate of metal adsorption for single-component systems was observed for lanthanum and chromium. While for the multi-component system the significant increase of vanadium and chromium content in biomass was observed. In biosorption experiments the rate of biosorption and the Kd value were calculated for each metal. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to identify functional groups responsible for metal binding. The results of the present work show that spirulina biomass can be implemented as a low-cost sorbent for metal removal from industrial wastewater.

Metal-insulator transition induced by mass imbalance in a three-component Hubbard model

The effects of mass imbalance in a three-component Hubbard model are studied by the dynamical mean-field theory combined with exact diagonalization. The model describes a fermion-fermion mixture of two different particle species with a mass imbalance. One species is two-component fermion particles, and the other is single-component ones. The local interaction between particle species is considered isotropically. It is found that the mass imbalance can drive the mixture from insulator to metal. The insulator-metal transition is a species-selective-like transition of lighter mass particles and occurs only at commensurate particle densities and moderate local interactions. For weak and strong local interactions the mass imbalance does not change the ground state of the mixture.

Factors predicting the outcome in febrile neutropenia: A study from a tertiary cancer center in India.

e20684 Background: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is common in patients undergoing chemotherapy. The risk dramatically increases in those with absolute neutrophil count (ANC) less than 100/ mm3. Methods: In this 2 year studyall FN patients admitted at our center between January 2011 and November 2012 were analyzed for clinical profile, microbiologic isolates, mortality and factors affecting outcome. IBM statistic SPSS version 19 was used to analyze the data. Results: There were 333 episodes of FN during the study period. Majority (89.7%) of FN episodes occurred in patients with hematologic malignancies and 87% of episodes had ANC&lt; 500. Induction, consolidation and maintenance related episodes were 125 (37.5%), 125 (37.5%) and 17 (5.1%) respectively. First line antibiotics (cefipime, Cefaperazone- Sulbactum + aminoglycoside), second line antibiotics (carbapenam) and antifungals were used in 44.4%, 15.6 % and 34% episodes respectively. Gram negative organisms accounted for 51.6% of the isolates. Prognostic significance between mean serum bilirubin, serum creatinine and outcome was noted, with higher deaths in patients with bilirubin &gt; 1.5 mg% (12.2% vs 0.7%) (p= 0.000) and creatinine &gt; 1.2 mg% (16% vs 1%) (p=0.000). Isolation of an organism and infiltrates on chest X-ray had a significant association with outcome(p= 0.017 and 0.002) respectively. Patients who had multiple component transfusions vs single component ones were at a significantly higher risk of death ( 6 deaths vs 1)(p= 0.002). There were 20 (6%) possible,33 (10%) probable and 9 (2.7 %) proven fungal infections, with significant association with outcome (p=0.000). The risk of death in those with fungal infection was 14.323 (95%CI - 2.70-75.952). Preemptiveantifungal use had a higher percentage of prolonged (&gt; 8 days) and profound neutropenia in contrast to the empirical group (77.2% vs 65.2%) and (91% vs 83.8%), resulting in 3 deaths in the preemptive group (6.8% vs 0%) (p=0.02). The overall mortality was 2.1%. Conclusions: Leukemias are the leading cause of FN at our Institute with 2.1% mortality. Higher bilirubin, creatinine, chest imaging favoring pneumonia, positive isolates and multiple transfusions had significant association with mortality.

Have we improved use of medicines in developing and transitional countries and do we know how to? Two decades of evidence

To assess progress in improving use of medicines in developing and transitional countries by reviewing empirical evidence, 1990-2009, concerning patterns of primary care medicine use and intervention effects. We extracted data on medicines use, study setting, methodology and interventions from published and unpublished studies on primary care medicine use. We calculated the medians of six medicines use indicators by study year, country income level, geographic region, facility ownership and prescriber type. To estimate intervention impacts, we calculated greatest positive (GES) and median effect sizes (MES) from studies meeting accepted design criteria. Our review comprises 900 studies conducted in 104 countries, reporting data on 1033 study groups from public (62%), and private (mostly for profit) facilities (26%), and households. The proportion of treatment according to standard treatment guidelines was 40% in public and <30% in private-for-profit sector facilities. Most indicators showed suboptimal use and little progress over time: Average number of medicines prescribed per patient increased from 2.1 to 2.8 and the percentage of patients receiving antibiotics from 45% to 54%. Of 405 (39%) studies reporting on interventions, 110 (27%) used adequate study design and were further analysed. Multicomponent interventions had larger effects than single component ones. Median GES was 40% for provider and consumer education with supervision, 17% for provider education alone and 8% for distribution of printed education materials alone. Median MES showed more modest improvements. Inappropriate medicine use remains a serious global problem.

Organic Superconductors

We briefly describe the strategies to increase (or decrease) the electronic dimensionality to suppress (or induce) metal-insulator transition and discuss the structural and physical properties, ground state and phase diagram of TMTSF and ET superconductors. Then we touch on the other superconductors including single component ones and unidentified superconducting organics (USO) reported so far.

Surface tensions and stress tensors of liquid and solid clusters by molecular dynamics

Surface tension and pressure (stress) tensors of Lennard-Jones clusters, in the size range 200 ~ 2700 atoms/cluster, formed from evaporating liquid droplets were calculated in a Molecular Dynamics simulation. Icosahedral clusters have a much larger surface tension than decahedral, fcc, and hcp ones, meanwhile asymmetric icosahedral clusters have a lower surface tension. Fcc and hcp clusters have a very small surface tension. Decahedral clusters have a surface tension closer to that of fcc and hcp ones than to that of icosahedral ones, though both icosahedral and decahedral structures have five fold symmetry axis. Binary component clusters have a higher surface tension than single component ones.

Small-angle neutron scattering study of sodium alkyl sulfate mixed micelles

Sodium (octyl + decyl) and (octyl + dodecyl) sulfate mixed surfactant solutions containing the two solutes in a 1:1 proportion were studied by small-angle neutron scattering. The measurements were carried out at different concentrations and temperatures. For mathematical reasons it was not possible to determine the composition of mixed micelles through a least-squares fitting procedure, and therefore Clint's theory assuming ideal mixing of the components was used to calculate the monomer concentrations and the composition of micelles. With the calculated composition, two-shell spherical and ellipsoidal shape models were fitted to the experimental scattering curves. Except for the (octyl + dodecyl) sulfate micelles at higher concentrations, the best fit was obtained by a spherical model. The aggregation number in the mixed systems obtained from the fit lies between the aggregation numbers of the two single-component constituent systems, but closer to that of the longer chain and shows strong concentration and temperature dependence. The fractional charge of the mixed micelles was found to be smaller than the fractional charge of the single-component ones.

Spreading of mixed solution of fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon surfactants on oil

The surface tension and the spreading (on oil) properties of the mixed solution of anionic (or cationic) and cationic (or anionic) fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon surfactants have been studied. The anionic-cationic system has a much higher surface activity than the single component ones. The mixed aqueous solution has not only a very low surface tension, but also a very low oil/water interfacial tension, so that it can spread on oil (n-heptane, light kerosene) efficiently. The high surface activity has been attributed to the strong interaction between the surface active ions with opposite charges.