Sharif Digital Repository

The problem of combating de-coherence by weak measurements has already been studied for the amplitude damping channel and for specific input states. We generalize this to a large four-parameter family of qubit channels and for the average fidelity over all pure states. As a by-product we classify all the qubit channels which have one invariant pure state and show that the parameter manifold of these channels is isomorphic to S 2 × S 1 × S 1 and contains many interesting sub-classes of channels. By tuning the parameter of the weak measurement, we show that it is possible to increase the average input-output fidelity without blocking too many particles to pass through the channel. Quantitative... 

We introduce dynamic plastic continuous neural network (DPCNN), which is comprised of neurons distributed in a nonlinear plastic medium where wire-like connections of neural networks are replaced with the continuous medium. We use finite element method to model the dynamic phenomenon of information processing within the DPCNNs. During the training, instead of weights, the properties of the continuous material at its different locations and some properties of neurons are modified. Input and output can be vectors and/or continuous functions over lines and/or areas. Delay and feedback from neurons to themselves and from outputs occur in the DPCNNs. We model a simple form of the DPCNN where the... 

Vertically aligned ZnO@CdS nanorod heterostructure films with various loadings of CdS nanoparticle shell were synthesized and applied in photoinactivation of Escherichia coli bacteria under visible light irradiation. While neither the bare ZnO nanorods (with band-gap energy (Eg) of ∼3.28 eV) under visible light irradiation nor the nanorod heterostructures in dark exhibited any significant antibacterial activity, the ZnO@CdS nanorod heterostructures (with Eg ∼2.5-2.6 eV) could successfully inactivate the bacteria under visible light irradiation. Furthermore, it was found that an optimum loading of the CdS shell (corresponding to the effective thickness less than ∼15 nm) is required to achieve... 

Travel speeds between 25–300 mm/min and tool rotational speeds of 800 and 1250 rpm were employed for this study. The microstructure, mechanical properties and fracture surfaces of the joints were studied. Underwater environment and an increase in travel speed significantly increase the precipitates’ volume fraction, reduce the average grain and precipitate sizes of the weld nugget zones. A critical travel speed of 150 mm/min is attained in underwater welds beyond which the average grain sizes remain relatively the same. Average grain and precipitate sizes have linear relationships with the tool rotational and travel speed ratio. Optimum weld strengths of 396 and 360 MPa were obtained in the... 

This paper examines the use of pre-fabricated interlocking arms/threading in enhancing the strength of friction stir spot welded hybrid joints of AA2219/PP-C30S polypropylene polymer by varying parameter combination. The process involves the fabrication of a pre-threaded hole on the Al alloy prior to the joining process, and the threading/crest-pitch profile aids mechanical interlocking. The peak temperature, crest-pitch interlocked profiles, microstructural and mechanical properties of the joints were examined. The results show that an increase in the tool rotational speed increases the thickness of the reaction layer (between the Al and the polymer substrates), the shear-tensile load... 

Graphene oxide (GO)–chitosan composite layers with stacked layer structures were synthesized using chemically exfoliated GO sheets (with lateral dimensions of ∼1 μm and thickness of ∼1 nm), and applied as antibacterial and flexible nanostructured templates for stem cell proliferation. By increasing the GO content from zero to 6 wt%, the strength and elastic modulus of the layers increased ∼80% and 45%, respectively. Similar to the chitosan layer, the GO–chitosan composite layers showed significant antibacterial activity (>77% inactivation after only 3 h) against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Surface density of the actin cytoskeleton fibers of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) cultured... 

Superparamagnetic ZnFe2O4/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites containing ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles (with ∼5-20 nm sizes) attached onto rGO sheets (with ∼1 μm lateral dimensions) were synthesized by hydrothermal reaction method. By increasing the graphene content of the composite from 0 to 40 wt%, the size as well as the number of the ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles decreased and the saturated magnetization of the composites reduced from 10.2 to 1.8 emu/g, resulting in lower responses to external magnetic fields. Concerning this, the time needed for 90% separation of ZnFe2O4/rGO (40 wt%) composite from its solution (2 mg/mL in ethanol) was found 60 min in the presence of an external magnetic field (∼1... 

Tungsten oxide thin films (deposited by thermal evaporation or sol gel method) were used for photocatalytic reduction of graphene oxide (GO) platelets (synthesized through a chemical exfoliation method) on surface of the films under UV or visible light of the environment, in the absence of any aqueous ambient at room temperature. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique was employed to characterize surface morphology of the GO sheets and the tungsten oxide films. Moreover, using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), chemical state of the tungsten oxide films and the photocatalytic reduction of the GO platelets were quantitatively investigated. The better performance of the sol-gel tungsten... 

Dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene (EB) to produce styrene (ST) monomer is commercially performed over potassium-promoted iron oxide catalysts. Catalyst deactivation due to coke deposition and loss of potassium is a major operation and economic drawback in this process. To better evaluate the performance change of these catalysts over their life-cycle, dehydrogenation of EB to ST over the fresh and used commercial catalysts was experimentally investigated at temperatures from 590 to 639°C under atmospheric pressure. The fresh and the used catalysts were obtained from a styrene plant. The used catalyst had been continuously operated for two years under severe plant conditions. The catalyst... 

Graphene oxide (GO) sheets with a low concentration (∼1 wt%) were deposited on surface of hydrothermally synthesized ZnO nanorod films. The deposited films were heat treated at 450 °C in order to achieve suitable GO/ZnO hybrid thin films for photocatalytic purposes. The photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite films was investigated based on degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye which is a typical pollutant model. The GO/ZnO hybrid thin films could degrade higher MB (∼90%) than the bare ZnO nanorods (which showed only ∼75% degradation) after 450 min UV irradiation. A further significant improvement (resulting in a nearly complete degradation of MB) was achieved by exposing the GO/ZnO... 

Surface coverage as one of the most effective parameters of shot peening process has substantial influence on the functionality of the peened component. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of surface coverage increase on the properties of treated specimens experimentally before and after re-shot peening. Different shot peening treatments from conventional to severe; were performed on the AISI 1045 steel. Microstructural observations and XRD measurements were applied to characterize the circumstance of microstructure changes. In order to investigate the mechanical properties, microhardness profiles were achieved, surface roughness was evaluated and the residual stresses... 

The reverse osmosis (RO) desalination capability of hydrogenated and hydroxylated graphene nanomesh membranes (GNMs) inspired by the morphology of carbon nitride (C2N) has been studied by using molecular dynamics simulation. As an advantage, water permeance of the GNMs is found to be several orders of magnitude higher than that of the available RO filters and comparable with highly strained C2N (S-C2N) as follows: 6,6-H,OH > 12-H > S-C2N > 5,5-H,OH > 10-H. The reverse order is found for salt rejection, regardless of S-C2N. The hydrophilic character of the incorporated -OH functional group is believed to be responsible for linking the water molecules in feed and permeate sides via the... 

In this paper, cavity flow is simulated numerically. Forced convection in different Reynolds numbers between 100 and 5000 is simulated. Different and complex thermal boundary conditions are applied and various parameters are calculated numerically. Up and down walls are in constant temperature and left and right walls are thermal insulation in the first thermal boundary condition. The Left and the down walls are in constant temperature and the temperature of the up and the right walls changes linearly in the second thermal boundary condition. For the third thermal boundary condition, the left and the down walls are in constant temperature and the temperature of the up and the right walls... 

Nowadays, fossil fuels are well known as a predominant source of energy in the planet. Located in the Middle East region, Iran holds one of the largest fossil fuel reservoirs in the world. The country has abundant oil and natural gas fields in various regions; some of them are shared between other countries and have not reached their operational capacity yet. Meanwhile, during recent years and due to global warming followed by environmental global contracts such as Kyoto protocol, using fossil fuels is being criticized to a large extent around the world. Therefore, the global interest has been focused toward clean energy resources. Furthermore, endowed with sundry geographical pattern... 

Abstract: Shot peening is well-known process for mechanical properties integrity in metallic materials. In present study influences of different shot peening treatments on the surface hardness of different carbon steels were investigated experimentally and then alternative approach by using artificial neural network is presented for hardness prediction of the shot peened surface. After modeling a comprehensive parametric investigations and sensitivity analysis were applied according to the influence of the related effective parameters on surface hardness improvements. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2020, The Korean Institute of Metals and Materials  

AISI 304 stainless steel is very widely used for industrial applications due to its good integrated performance and corrosion resistance. However, shot peening (SP) is known as one of the effectual surface treatments processes to provide superior properties in metallic materials. In the present study, a comprehensive study on SP of AISI 304 steel including 42 different SP treatments with a wide range of Almen intensities of 14–36 A and various coverage of 100–2000% was carried out. Varieties of experiments were accomplished for the investigation of the microstructure, grain size, surface topography, hardness and residual stresses as well as axial fatigue behavior. After experimental... 

In this paper, cavity flow is simulated numerically. Forced convection in different Reynolds numbers between 100 and 5000 is simulated. Different and complex thermal boundary conditions are applied and various parameters are calculated numerically. Up and down walls are in constant temperature and left and right walls are thermal insulation in the first thermal boundary condition. The Left and the down walls are in constant temperature and the temperature of the up and the right walls changes linearly in the second thermal boundary condition. For the third thermal boundary condition, the left and the down walls are in constant temperature and the temperature of the up and the right walls... 

Industrial dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene is performed using potassium-promoted iron oxide catalyst. Many attempts have been made to understand the deactivation mechanism of the catalyst based on the chemical differences between the fresh and used catalysts. In the present work, in addition to the effect of chemical changes, the effect of structural changes of the internal areas on the catalyst activity was investigated. A fresh and used commercial catalyst from an industrial reactor which had been continuously used for two years under severe conditions (LHSV = 1 h-1, T = 610 °C, mass ratio of steam to ethylbenzene = 1.2, P = 1.2 atm) was studied. Nitrogen adsorption, Hg... 

Recent evidence implicates both basal ganglia and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) in encoding value memories. However, comparative roles of cortical and basal nodes in value memory are not well understood. Here, single-unit recordings in vlPFC and substantia nigra reticulata (SNr), within macaque monkeys, revealed a larger value signal in SNr that was nevertheless correlated with and had a comparable onset to the vlPFC value signal. The value signal was maintained for many objects (>90) many weeks after reward learning and was resistant to extinction in both regions and to repetition suppression in vlPFC. Both regions showed comparable granularity in encoding expected value and value... 

AISI 304 stainless steel is very widely used for industrial applications due to its good integrated performance and corrosion resistance. However, shot peening (SP) is known as one of the effectual surface treatments processes to provide superior properties in metallic materials. In the present study, a comprehensive study on SP of AISI 304 steel including 42 different SP treatments with a wide range of Almen intensities of 14–36 A and various coverage of 100–2000% was carried out. Varieties of experiments were accomplished for the investigation of the microstructure, grain size, surface topography, hardness and residual stresses as well as axial fatigue behavior. After experimental...