Crystallization via shaking in a granular gas with van der Waals interactions

We investigate the effect of van der Waals forces on a collection of granular particles by means of molecular dynamics simulations of a vibrated system in three dimensions. The van der Waals interactions introduce two phase coexistences: one between a random close packing and a gas and a second between a polycrystalline dense state and a gas, where the dense, disordered component crystallizes when the driving amplitude exceeds a threshold value. The region of stability of the ordered state in the nonequilibrium phase diagram grows in size as the Hamaker constant increases or the degree of dissipation increases

Interactions Between Wear Mechanisms in a WC-Co / Ti-6Al-4V Machining Tribosystem

The objective of this research work is to identify and analyze the interactions between wear mechanisms in a machining tribosystem, and to confirm the fundamental physicochemical material interaction behavior through tribometric tests. The machining tribosystem under study involves dry turning of a grade-5 titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) with uncoated tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co) cutting tools. The interactions being investigated involve both individual and combinations of macro and microstructural wear mechanisms that are predominantly force or temperature controlled. The worn surface obtained with different operational parameters was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the elemental composition analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). In addition, the topology of worn tools was characterized through scanning by a 3D optical surface profiler. The following major interactions were observed. At low cutting speeds, adhesion of Ti alloy and minor diffusion of C was observed (which increases with feed). At medium and high cutting speeds, the increased diffusion of Co led to WC grain pullout forming a crater, followed by the adhesion of Ti alloy. Also, at low feed rates C pullout and deposition was observed. Machining process conditions were appropriately represented in ball-on-disc tribometric bench tests to study the associated material behavior – two of the above interactions were confirmed. These led to recommendations to increase productivity by enabling selective wear mechanism interactions (though parameter selection) thus providing a better understanding of how the final worn tool surface is generated

Deodorants and antiperspirants: New trends in their active agents and testing methods

Sweating is the human body's thermoregulation system but also results in unpleasant body odour which can diminish the self-confidence of people. There has been continued research in finding solutions to reduce both sweating and body odour. Sweating is a result of increased sweat flow and malodour results from certain bacteria and ecological factors such as eating habits. Research on deodorant development focuses on inhibiting the growth of malodour-forming bacteria using antimicrobial agents, whereas research on antiperspirant synthesis focuses on technologies reducing the sweat flow, which not only reduces body odour but also improves people's appearance. Antiperspirant's technology is based on the use of aluminium salts which can form a gel plug at sweat pores, obstructing the sweat fluid from arising onto the skin surface. In this paper, we perform a systematic review on the recent progress in the development of novel antiperspirant and deodorant active ingredients that are alcohol-free, paraben-free, and naturally derived. Several studies have been reported on the alternative class of actives that can potentially be used for antiperspirant and body odour treatment including deodorizing fabric, bacterial, and plant extracts. However, a significant challenge is to understand how the gel-plugs of antiperspirant actives are formed in sweat pores and how to deliver long-lasting antiperspirant and deodorant benefits without adverse health and environmental effects

1-Ethyl-4-hydr­oxy-9-aza­tricyclo­[7.4.1.02,7]tetra­deca-2,4,6-trien-8-one

In the mol­ecule of the title compound, C15H19NO2, the six-membered dihydro­pyridinone ring assumes a screw-boat conformation. In the crystal structure, mol­ecules are linked via O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding between hydr­oxy and carbonyl groups, forming supra­molecular chains along the a axis

3-[(3S)-3-Ethyl-1-methyl­azepan-3-yl]phenyl N-(4-fluoro­phen­yl)carbamate

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C22H27FN2O2, a (−)-S-meptazinol derivative, contains two mol­ecules. The azepane ring adopts a similar twist chair form in both mol­ecules, while the dihedral angles between the two benzene rings are 88.17 (14) and 89.93 (14)° in the two mol­ecules. The absolute configuration of the mol­ecule was determined from the synthetic starting material. The crystal structure is stabilized by classical inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds

2-Methyl-1,2,3,4-tetra­hydro­isoquinolin-6-yl N-phenyl­carbamate

In the mol­ecule of the title compound, C17H18N2O2, the piperidine ring adopts a half-chair form. The two benzene rings are individually planar and make a dihedral angle of 53.90°. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter­molecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking inter­actions (centroid–centroid distance = 3.962 Å)

Preparation, Modification, and Application of Hollow Gold Nanospheres

Hollow gold nanospheres (HGNs) have great potential applications in biological sensing, biomedical imaging, photothermal therapy, and drug delivery due to their unique localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) feature, easy modification, good biocompatibility, and excellent photothermal conversion properties. In this review, the latest developments of HGNs in biosensing, bioimaging, photothermal therapy, and drug delivery are summarized, the synthesis methods, surface modification and bioconjugation of HGNs are also covered in this summary

Relationship between serum irisin level, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the prospective role of serum irisin-a novel adipo-myokine-in all-cause mortality and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Methods: A prospectively observational study was conducted with 154 PD patients. Baseline clinical data were collected from the medical records. Serum irisin concentrations were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients were divided into the high irisin group (serum irisin ≥ 113.5ng/mL) and the low irisin group (serum irisin < 113.5ng/mL) based on the median value of serum irisin. A Body Composition Monitor was used to monitor body composition. Cox regression analysis was utilized to find the independent risk factors of all-cause and CV mortality in PD patients. Results: The median serum irisin concentration was 113.5 ng/mL (interquartile range, 106.2–119.8 ng/mL). Patients in the high irisin group had significantly higher muscle mass and carbon dioxide combining power (CO2CP) than those in the low irisin group (p < 0.05). Serum irisin was positively correlated with pulse pressure, CO2CP, and muscle mass, while negatively correlated with body fat percentage (p < 0.05). During a median of follow-up for 60.0 months, there were 55 all-cause deaths and 26 CV deaths. Patients in high irisin group demonstrated a higher CV survival rate than those in low irisin group (p = 0.016). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high irisin level [hazard ratio (HR), 0.341; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.135–0.858; p = 0.022], age, and diabetic mellitus were independently associated with CV mortality in PD patients. However, serum irisin level failed to demonstrate a statistically significant relationship with all-cause mortality. Conclusion: Low serum irisin levels at baseline were independently predictive of CV mortality but not all-cause mortality in PD patients. Therefore, serum irisin could be a potential target for monitoring CV outcomes in PD patients