Abstract: Structural, mechanical and electronic properties of two-dimensional single-layer hexagonal structures in the (111) crystal plane of IIIAs-ZnS systems (III = B, Ga and In) are studied by first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). Elastic and phonon dispersion relation display that 2D h-IIIAs systems (III = B, Ga and In) are both mechanical and dynamically stable. Electronic structures analysis show that the semiconducting nature of the 3D-IIIAs compounds is retained by their 2D single layer counterpart. Furthermore, density of states reveals the influence of sigma and pi bonding in the most stable geometry (planar or buckled) for 2D h-IIIAs systems. Calculations of elastic constants show that the Young's modulus, bulk modulus and shear modulus decrease for 2D h-IIIAs binary compounds as we move down on the group of elements of the periodic table. In addition, as the bond length between the neighboring cation-anion atoms increases, the 2D h-IIIAs binary compounds display less stiffness and more plasticity. Our findings can be used to understand the contribution of the r and p bonding in the most stable geometry (planar or buckled) for 2D h-IIIAs systems. Structural and electronic properties of h-IIIAs systems as a function of the number of layers have been also studied. It is shown that h-BAs keeps its planar geometry while both h-GAs and h-InAs retained their buckled ones obtained by their single layers. Bilayer h-IIIAs present the same bandgap nature of their counterpart in 3D. As the number of layers increase from 2 to 4, the bandgap width for layered h-IIIAs decreases until they become semimetal or metal. Interestingly, these results are different to those found for layered h-GaN. The results presented in this study for single and few-layer h-IIIAs structures could give some physical insights for further theoretical and experimental studies of 2D h-IIIV-like systems. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The limitation in time and length scale is a major issue of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Although several methods have been developed to extend the MD time scale, their performance usually deteriorates with increasing system size. Therefore, an acceleration method which is applicable to large systems is required to bridge the gap between the MD simulations and target phenomena. In this study, an accelerated MD method for large system is developed based on the collective variable-driven hyperdynamics (CVHD) method [K.M. Bal and E.C. Neyts, 2015]. The key idea is to run CVHD in parallel with rate control and accelerate multiple possible events simultaneously. Using this novel method, carbon diffusion in bcc-iron bicrystal with grain boundary is examined as an application for practical materials. Carbon atoms reaching at the grain boundary are trapped whereas carbon atoms in the bulk region diffuse randomly, and both dynamic regimes can be simultaneously accelerated with the parallel CVHD technique.

Abstract: Oxocarbons, known for over two centuries, have recently revealed a long-awaited facet: two-dimensional crystalline structures. Employing an intelligent global optimization algorithm (IGOA) alongside densityfunctional calculations, we unearthed a quasi -flat oxocarbon (C 6 0 6 ), featuring an oxygen -decorated hole, and a novel 3D-borocarbon. Comparative analyses with recently synthesized isostructures, such as 2D -porous carbon nitride (C 6 N 6 ) and 2D -porous boroxine (B 6 0 6 ), highlight the unique attributes of these compounds. All structures share a common stoichiometry of X 6 Y 6 (which we call COF-66), where X = B, C, and Y = B, N, O (with X not equal Y), exhibiting a 2D -crystalline structure, except for borocarbon C 6 B 6 , which forms a 3D crystal. In our comprehensive study, we conducted a detailed exploration of the electronic structure of X 6 Y 6 compounds, scrutinizing their thermodynamic properties and systematically evaluating phonon stability criteria. With expansive surface areas, diverse pore sizes, biocompatibility, pi-conjugation, and distinctive photoelectric properties, these structures, belonging to the covalent organic framework (COF) family, present enticing prospects for fundamental research and hold potential for biosensing applications.

Abstract: The electron states in axially symmetric quantum wires are computed by means of the effective-mass Schrodinger equation, which is written in cylindrical coordinates phi, rho, and z. We show that a direct discretization of the Schrodinger equation by central finite differences leads to a non-symmetric Hamiltonian matrix. Because diagonalization of such matrices is more complex it is advantageous to transform it in a symmetric form. This can be done by the Liouville-like transformation proposed by Rizea et al. (2008), which replaces the wave function psi(rho) with the function F(rho) = psi(rho)root rho and transforms the Hamiltonian accordingly. Even though a symmetric Hamiltonian matrix is produced by this procedure, the computed wave functions are found to be inaccurate near the origin, and the accuracy of the energy levels is not very high. In order to improve on this, we devised a finite-difference scheme which discretizes the Schrodinger equation in the first step, and then applies the Liouville-like transformation to the difference equation. Such a procedure gives a symmetric Hamiltonian matrix, resulting in an accuracy comparable to the one obtained with the finite element method. The superior efficiency of the new finite-difference scheme (FDM) is demonstrated for a few p-dependent one-dimensional potentials which are usually employed to model the electron states in free-standing and core shell quantum wires. The new scheme is compared with the other FDM schemes for solving the effective-mass Schrodinger equation, and is found to deliver energy levels with much smaller numerical error for all the analyzed potentials. It also gives more accurate results than the scheme of Rizea et al., except for the ground state of an infinite rectangular potential in freestanding quantum wires. Moreover, the PT symmetry is invoked to explain similarities and differences between the considered FDM schemes. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Large-eddy simulations (LESS) are frequently used to model the planetary boundary layer, and the choice of the grid cell size, numerical schemes and sub grid model can significantly influence the simulation results. In the present paper the impact of grid spacing on LES of an idealized atmospheric convective boundary layer (CBL), for which the statistics and flow structures are well understood, is assessed for two mesoscale models: the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) and the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF). Nine simulations are performed on a fixed computational domain (6 x 6 x 2 km), combining three different horizontal (120, 60, 30 m) and vertical (20, 10, 5 m) spacings. The impact of the cell size on the CBL is investigated by comparing turbulence statistics and velocity spectra. The results demonstrate that both WRF and RAMS can perform LES of the CBL under consideration without requiring extremely high computational loads, but they also indicate the importance of adopting a computational grid that is adequate for the numerical schemes and subgrid models used. In both RAMS and WRF a horizontal cell size of 30 m is required to obtain a suitable turbulence reproduction throughout the CBL height. Considering the vertical grid spacing, WRF produced similar results for all the three tested values, while in RAMS it should be ensured that the aspect ratio of the cells does not exceed a value of 3. The two models were found to behave differently in function of the grid resolution, and they have different shortcomings in their prediction of CBL turbulence. WRF exhibits enhanced damping at the smallest scales, while RAMS is prone to the appearance of spurious fluctuations in the flow when the grid aspect ratio is too high. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) are involved in many biochemical processes, including nitrooxidative stress that causes cancer cell death, observed in cancer therapies such as photodynamic therapy and cold atmospheric plasma. However, their mechanisms of action and selectivity still remain elusive due to the complexity of biological cells. For example, it is not well known how RONS generated by cancer therapies permeate the cell membrane to cause nitro-oxidative damage. There are many studies dedicated to the perme­ation of RONS across native and oxidized membranes, but not across nitrated membranes, another lipid product also generated during nitro-oxidative stress. Herein, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to calculate the free energy barrier of RONS permeation across nitrated membranes. Our results show that hy­drophilic RONS, such as hydroperoxyl radical (HO2) and peroxynitrous acid (ONOOH), have relatively low barriers compared to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radical (HO), and are more prone to permeate the membrane than for the native or peroxidized membranes, and similar to aldehyde-oxidized membranes. Hy­drophobic RONS like molecular oxygen (O2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitric oxide (NO) even have insignif­icant barriers for permeation. Compared to native and peroxidized membranes, nitrated membranes are more permeable, suggesting that we must not only consider oxidized membranes during nitro-oxidative stress, but also nitrated membranes, and their role in cancer therapies.

Abstract: Condensation of spatially indirect excitons, with the electrons and holes confined in two separate layers, has recently been observed in two different double layer heterostructures. High transition temperatures were reported in a double Transition Metal Dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayer system. We briefly review electron-hole double layer systems that have been proposed as candidates for this interesting phenomenon. We investigate the double TMD system WSe2/hBN/MoSe2, using a mean-field approach that includes multiband effects due to the spin-orbit coupling and self-consistent screening of the electron-hole Coulomb interaction. We demonstrate that the transition temperature observed in the double TMD monolayers, which is remarkably high relative to the other systems, is the result of (i) the large electron and hole effective masses in TMDs, (ii) the large TMD band gaps, and (iii) the presence of multiple superfluid condensates in the TMD system. The net effect is that the superfluidity is strong across a wide range of densities, which leads to high transition temperatures that extend as high as TBKT=150 K.

Abstract: In the present study ultra-fine fly ash as a novel by-product obtained by a dry and closed separation process was investigated as cement replacement in concrete. The impact of ultra-fine fly ash on material properties was investigated following an upscaling as an approach considering paste, mortar and concrete properties. Two types of cement, Portland cement (CEMI) and slag cement (CEMIII), two types of ultra-fly ashes, one with particle size d90< 9.3lm (FA1) and second with d90< 4.6lm (FA2) were used.At paste- and mortar- level, cement was replaced at 0%, 15%, 25%, 35% and 50% with FA1 and FA2. At concrete- level, cement was replaced at 0%, 15% and 25% with different ratios of FA1 and FA2. The results at paste- and mortar- level showed that an increased fineness of the fly ash (FA2) contributes to better workability of the mix. For CEMI, the compressive strength of concrete with FA2 at 25% cement replacement was already equal to the reference 0% replacement concrete at the age of 28 days. For CEMIII, the compressive strength of concrete mix with FA1 with 15% and FA2 with 25% cement replacements reached the reference concrete value at the age of 91 days. Regarding the durability, replacing cement with ultra-fine fly ash (FA2) had a positive influence on the resistivity, chloride migration coefficient and alkali-silica reaction (ASR), and a negative influence on the carbonation resistance.

Abstract: The main goal of this work was to determine the chemical composition of building materials used in Turkey by utilizing energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry. Gas concrete, cement, sand, bricks, roofing tiles, marble, lime and gypsum materials were selected as building materials for this research. The chemical contents and their trace concentrations of the selected samples were determined. The most abundant oxides measured were generally SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, MgO, Fe2O3, K2O and SO3 for all samples. While the main chemical component of gas concrete, cement, sand and marble samples were SiO2 and CaO, brick and roofing tile mainly consisted of SiO2 and Al2O3. CaO and SO3 were major component of lime and gypsum samples, respectively. For U and Th concentrations in the samples, activities of 226Ra and 232Th were measured by utilizing gamma spectrometry. ANOVA and Pearson correlation analyses were performed on the studied data for statistical analysis.

Abstract: Tapered specimens were used for an accelerated test technique to study the crack initiation of high Si stainless steel by means of constant elongation rate tensile testing in a simulated pressurised water reactor environment. Detailed crack density distributions were obtained by applying an advanced crack detection algorithm on iteratively displaced scanning electron microscopy pictures featuring stress corrosion cracks along the specimen's gauge length. By means of finite-element analysis, prominent peaks in the crack density graphs are demonstrated to be related to stress relief and stress build-up during the crack initiation phase. Intrinsic scatter related to the crack detection suggests that stress corrosion cracking is independent of the strain-rate for strain-rates lower than 10(-6 )s(-1). Based on the extrapolation to constant load conditions, the critical threshold value for the duplex high Si stainless steel is estimated to be around 580 MPa.

Abstract: Liquid metal embrittlement (LME) induced quasi-brittle fracture characteristics of a 9Cr–1Mo ferritic–martensitic steel (T91) after fatigue cracking in lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE) have been investigated at various length scales. The results show that the LME fracture morphology is primarily characterized by quasi-brittle translath flat regions partially covered by nanodimples, shallow secondary cracks propagating along the martensitic lath boundaries as well as tear ridges covered by micro dimples. These diverse LME fracture features likely indicate a LME mechanism involving multiple physical processes, such as weakening induced interatomic decohesion at the crack tip and plastic shearing induced nano/micro voiding in the plastic zone.

Abstract: This work investigates the compatibility of Zr2AlC MAX phase-based ceramics with liquid LBE, and proposes a mechanism to explain the observed local Zr2AlC/LBE interaction. The ceramics were exposed to oxygen-poor (C-O <= 2.2 x 10(-10) mass%), static liquid LBE at 500 degrees C for 1000 h. A new Zr-2(Al,Bi,Pb)C MAX phase solid solution formed in-situ in the LBE-affected Zr2AlC grains. Out-of-plane ordering was favorable in the new solid solution, whereby A-layers with high and low-Bi/Pb contents alternated in the crystal structure, in agreement with first-principles calculations. Bulk Zr-2(Al,Bi,Pb)C was synthesized by reactive hot pressing to study the crystal structure of the solid solution by neutron diffraction.

Abstract: The behavior of hydrocarbon species at step edges of diamond terraces is investigated by means of combined molecular dynamics−Metropolis Monte Carlo simulations. The results show that the formation of ballas-like diamond films (like UNCD) and well-faceted diamond films (like NCD) can be related to the gas phase concentrations of CxHy in a new manner: Species that have high concentrations above the growing UNCD films suppress the extension of step edges through defect formation. The species that are present above the growing NCD film, however, enhance the extension of diamond terraces, which is believed to result in well-faceted diamond films. Furthermore, it is shown that, during UNCD growth, CxHy species with x ≥ 2 play an important role, in contrast to the currently adopted CVD diamond growth mechanism. Finally, the probabilities for the extension of the diamond (100) terrace are much higher than those for the diamond (111) terrace, which is in full agreement with the experimental observation that diamond (100) facets are more favored than diamond (111) facets during CVD diamond growth.