New fractal functions on the sphere

In this article, a family of continuous functions on the unit sphere S subset of R-3 is considered as a generalization of spherical harmonics. The family is fractalized using a linear and bounded operator of functions on the sphere. Particular values of the scale vector in the iterated function system (IFS) may yield classical functions system on the sphere. We have shown that for different values of the scale vector in the IFS, Bessel sequences, frames, and Riesz bases can be established for the space L-2 (S) of square integrable functions on the sphere

Thermal, electrochemical and mechanical properties of shape memory alloy developed by a conventional processing route

A Cu based shape memory alloy (Cu-Al-Ni) having a composition 83% Cu, 14% Al, 3% Ni, was developed and studied to determine the shape memory effect. Powder of Cu, Al and Ni was melted in a pit furnace at about 15500C, and casted alloy was heat treated at 8500C for a period of 50 minutes followed by water quenching. Microstructure characterization of alloy (Cu-Al-Ni) was carried out to determine the pre-quenched (cast structure) and quenched martensitic structure. The microstructure analysis of developed samples showed needle like structure of quenched martensite after heat treatment. It has a very good resemblance with structure of casted shape memory alloy obtained from the vacuum induction process. The Vickers hardness test was also performed. Quenched microstructure with improved hardness than pre-quenched structure was observed.Keywords: Shape Memory Alloy, Microstructure, Mechanical Propertie

OPTIMIZATION OF INJECTION MOLDING PARAMETERS: IMPROVING MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF KENAF REINFORCED POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITES

Natural fiber composites offer significant benefits as alternative material composites in terms of renewable materials. Therefore, natural fibers are commonly used in automotive industries primarily as interior and exterior parts. The manufacturing process of the automotive parts is essential to minimize the defects such as residual stress with better mechanical properties. Hence, this study focused on the employment of rational design of experiment (DOE) to determine the optimized injection molding parameters by improving the mechanical properties of kenaf fibers reinforced polypropylene composites. Taguchi method with L27 (34)orthogonal array applied to optimize the injection molding process parameters, based on the highest response of the strength properties generated by S/N ratio using the larger the better. Moreover, ANOVA analysis was employed to evaluate the most significant parameter including injection temperature, injection pressure, holding pressure and injection rate which affected the mechanical properties. The confirmation test was conducted to verify the predicted range of optimum mechanical properties. Results indicated that the optimum injection molding parameter obtained with the injection temperature at 190 °C, injection pressure at 1300 bar, holding pressure at 1900 bar, and the injection rate at 20 cm³/s. Implementing the optimum parameters is able to fabricate better mechanical properties of kenaf/PP composites where most of the confirmation mechanical strength values are evaluated within the predicted range or lie near the acceptable limits

Influence of silica calcination temperature on the performance of supported catalyst SiO2–nBuSnCl3/MAO/(nBuCp)2ZrCl2 polymerizing ethylene without separately feeding the MAO cocatalyst

Abstract The effects of support calcination temperature, an important catalyst synthesis parameter, on the overall performance of the supported catalyst [silica ES70–nBuSnCl3/MAO/(nBuCp)2ZrCl2], polymerizing ethylene without separately feeding the MAO cocatalyst, were studied. The silica was calcined at 250, 450, 600, and 800 8C for 4 h. nBuSnCl3 was used to functionalize the silica. Ethylene was polymerized using the synthesized catalysts at 8.5 bar(g) in hexane for 1 h. No reactor fouling was observed. Free-flowing polymer particles with bulk density (0.23–0.27 g/ml) and a fairly spherical morphology similar to that of the catalyst particles were obtained. Also, the particle size distribution of the polymer resembled that of the catalyst. Therefore, the replication phenomenon from catalyst to polymer took place. The narrow PSD span (1.41) indicates that the resulting polyethylenes are suitable for various mixing-intensive polymer applications. The MAO cocatalyst-free ethylene polymerization instantaneously formed a polymer film around the catalyst particle, which coated/immobilized the catalyst constituents; this is how leaching was in situ prevented which favored heterogeneous catalysis to occur. The catalysts showed fairly stable polymerization kinetics. The catalyst activity, as a function of the silica calcination temperature, varied as follows: 250 8C > 600 8C > 800 8C > 450 8C. This finding has been explained considering the relevant surface chemistry phenomena. The calcination temperature did not significantly affect the bulk density and the PDI (3.4 PDI 3.8) of the resulting polyethylenes. The low PDI substantiates the retention of single-site catalytic behavior of the experimental supported catalysts. # 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Supported zirconocene catalysts; Silica functionalization; Calcination temperature; Particle size distribution; Bulk densit

Influence of silica calcination temperature on the performance of supported catalyst SiO2–nBuSnCl3/MAO/(nBuCp)2ZrCl2 polymerizing ethylene without separately feeding the MAO cocatalyst

Abstract The effects of support calcination temperature, an important catalyst synthesis parameter, on the overall performance of the supported catalyst [silica ES70–nBuSnCl3/MAO/(nBuCp)2ZrCl2], polymerizing ethylene without separately feeding the MAO cocatalyst, were studied. The silica was calcined at 250, 450, 600, and 800 8C for 4 h. nBuSnCl3 was used to functionalize the silica. Ethylene was polymerized using the synthesized catalysts at 8.5 bar(g) in hexane for 1 h. No reactor fouling was observed. Free-flowing polymer particles with bulk density (0.23–0.27 g/ml) and a fairly spherical morphology similar to that of the catalyst particles were obtained. Also, the particle size distribution of the polymer resembled that of the catalyst. Therefore, the replication phenomenon from catalyst to polymer took place. The narrow PSD span (1.41) indicates that the resulting polyethylenes are suitable for various mixing-intensive polymer applications. The MAO cocatalyst-free ethylene polymerization instantaneously formed a polymer film around the catalyst particle, which coated/immobilized the catalyst constituents; this is how leaching was in situ prevented which favored heterogeneous catalysis to occur. The catalysts showed fairly stable polymerization kinetics. The catalyst activity, as a function of the silica calcination temperature, varied as follows: 250 8C > 600 8C > 800 8C > 450 8C. This finding has been explained considering the relevant surface chemistry phenomena. The calcination temperature did not significantly affect the bulk density and the PDI (3.4 PDI 3.8) of the resulting polyethylenes. The low PDI substantiates the retention of single-site catalytic behavior of the experimental supported catalysts. # 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Supported zirconocene catalysts; Silica functionalization; Calcination temperature; Particle size distribution; Bulk densit

Perceptions on the accessibility of Islamic banking in the UK—Challenges, opportunities and divergence in opinion

This study examines the views of UK-based Muslims, Islamic Scholars and Islamic banking employees on the current state of the latter industry, both in practical terms and as regards engagement with the nation’s large, but often marginalised Islamic community. The British Government has recently championed the Islamic banking sector and committed to supporting it as a means of addressing financial services needs and consolidating London’s position as the global centre for Islamic investment. The analysis adds to the substantive literature in two principal ways: (i) by contextualising the evidence via the notions of empowerment, engagement and social justice that underpin both the state’s attempts to foster growth and the central tenets of Islam; and (ii) by placing comparison of the opinions of key groups at the heart of the investigation. The findings reveal that while progress has been made, UK-based Muslims see several substantive impediments to access, including the complex terminology of Islamic banking products, the lack of internet banking facilities and branch networks as well as a generalised lack of interest in marketing on the part of the institutions. Whilst some coincidence of perception is evident, the views of bankers are shown to be out of line with those of the other parties in a number of key areas. For example, bankers appear to see less potential in the role of the internet as a medium for spreading awareness than do either potential customers or religious scholars. The paper therefore concludes with a call for multi-party Ijtihad and Qiyas (deductive analogy) that will encourage industrial outreach and, in so doing, support long-term growth

The Cholecystectomy As A Day Case (CAAD) Score: A Validated Score of Preoperative Predictors of Successful Day-Case Cholecystectomy Using the CholeS Data Set

Background Day-case surgery is associated with significant patient and cost benefits. However, only 43% of cholecystectomy patients are discharged home the same day. One hypothesis is day-case cholecystectomy rates, defined as patients discharged the same day as their operation, may be improved by better assessment of patients using standard preoperative variables. Methods Data were extracted from a prospectively collected data set of cholecystectomy patients from 166 UK and Irish hospitals (CholeS). Cholecystectomies performed as elective procedures were divided into main (75%) and validation (25%) data sets. Preoperative predictors were identified, and a risk score of failed day case was devised using multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to validate the score in the validation data set. Results Of the 7426 elective cholecystectomies performed, 49% of these were discharged home the same day. Same-day discharge following cholecystectomy was less likely with older patients (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), higher ASA scores (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), complicated cholelithiasis (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.48), male gender (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.58–0.74), previous acute gallstone-related admissions (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.48–0.60) and preoperative endoscopic intervention (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.34–0.47). The CAAD score was developed using these variables. When applied to the validation subgroup, a CAAD score of ≤5 was associated with 80.8% successful day-case cholecystectomy compared with 19.2% associated with a CAAD score >5 (p < 0.001). Conclusions The CAAD score which utilises data readily available from clinic letters and electronic sources can predict same-day discharges following cholecystectomy