The mechanism of water pollutant photodegradation by mixed and core-shell WO/TiO nanocomposites.

Environmental pollution is one of the biggest concerns in the world today, and solar energy-driven photocatalysis is a promising method for decomposing pollutants in aqueous systems. In this study, the photocatalytic efficiency and catalytic mechanism of WO-loaded TiO nanocomposites of various structures were analyzed. The nanocomposites were synthesized sol-gel reactions using mixtures of precursors at various ratios (5%, 8%, and 10 wt% WO in the nanocomposites) and core-shell approaches (TiO@WO and WO@TiO in a 9 : 1 ratio of TiO : WO).

A study of bioactive glass-ceramic's mechanical properties, apatite formation, and medical applications.

Apparently, bioactive glass-ceramics are made by doing a number of steps, such as creating a microstructure from dispersed crystals within the residual glass, which provides high bending strength, and apatite crystallizes on surfaces of glass-ceramics when calcium ions are present in the blood. Apatite crystals grow on the glass and ceramic surfaces due to the hydrated silica. These materials are biocompatible with living bone in a matter of weeks, don't weaken mechanically or histologically, and exhibit good osteointegration as well as mechanical properties that are therapeutically relevant, such as fracture toughness and flexural strength.

Insight into structural properties of polyethylene glycol monolaurate in water and alcohols from molecular dynamics studies.

By means of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we explored the structural properties of polyethylene glycol monolaurate (PEGML) in water and in various aliphatic alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, 2-butanol, -butanol, and 1-pentanol). The PEGML and the alcohols were simulated using the optimized potentials for liquid simulations, all-atom (OPLS-AA) force field and water using the extended simple point charge (SPC/E) model. From the isothermal-isobaric (, constant number of particles, constant pressure, and constant temperature) ensemble, we extracted the densities from the simulations and compared them with those from experimental results in order to confirm the validity of the selected force fields.

Synthesis, aggregation induced emission and through space conjugation of triphenylvinylphenyl substituted [2.2]paracyclophane-1,9-diene.

4-Bromo substituted [2.2]paracyclophane-1,9-diene was synthesized from the corresponding dithia[3.3]paracyclophane in three steps through benzyne Steven rearrangement, oxidation, and a thermal elimination reaction.

Synthesis, characterization, aggregation-induced emission, solvatochromism and mechanochromism of fluorinated benzothiadiazole bonded to tetraphenylethenes.

Compounds consisting of unsubstituted, monofluoro and difluoro substituted benzothiadiazole bonded to two tetraphenylethenes were successfully prepared by palladium catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of their corresponding co-monomers. All compounds exhibited aggregation-induced emission characteristics when the water fraction was higher than 60% in the THF/water mixtures. The emission maximum for the three compounds was blue-shifted when the water content reached 90% compared to that in THF solution.

Multiobjective optimization design of spinal pedicle screws using neural networks and genetic algorithm: mathematical models and mechanical validation.

Short-segment instrumentation for spine fractures is threatened by relatively high failure rates. Failure of the spinal pedicle screws including breakage and loosening may jeopardize the fixation integrity and lead to treatment failure. Two important design objectives, bending strength and pullout strength, may conflict with each other and warrant a multiobjective optimization study.

Development and evaluation of an air-curtain fume cabinet with considerations of its aerodynamics.

In order to avoid the inherent aerodynamic difficulties of the conventional fume hood, an innovative design--the 'air curtain-isolated fume hood' is developed. The new hood applies a specially designed air curtain (which is generated by a narrow planar jet and a suction slot flow at low velocities) across the sash plane. The hood constructed for the study is full size and transparent for flow visualization.

Factors affecting preference ratings of prohibitive symbols.

A sign consisting of a pictorial overlaid with a red circle-slash (i.e., a red circle with a red slash) is used ubiquitously to convey the message that some activity is prohibited.