Abstract. A stable polytetrafluoroethylene superhydrophobic surface is prepared with filter paper which is first used as a template. Scanning electron microscope image shows a lotus-leaf like structure appears on the polytetrafluoroethylene surface. Altering the sintering temperature, the microstructure of the as-prepared surface also varied. After treating 12 h in acid, alkali or organic s…
Abstract. Bi2O3 nanofibers with diameter of 70–200 nm were successfully prepared by electrospinning a precursor mixture of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/bismuth nitrate, followed by calcination treatment of the electrospun polymer/inorganic composite fibers. The resulting Bi2O3 nanofibers were characterized with X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, …
Abstract. Dye adsorption and microstructure of TiO2 film are important properties when it is used as photoelectrode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). This study investigated the application of a low crystallinity TiO2 film in DSCs. The low crystallinity TiO2 film is composed of interconnected spherical particles with an average size of 20 nm and has homogeneous mesoporous inner structur…
Abstract. In this paper, we present two new modified Newton methods for solving a non-linear equation, permitting f'(x) = 0 in some points. These new methods are showed to be cubically convergent. From the practical application, we show that these new methods are vast superior and possible in global convergence. Keywords: Newton method; Third-order convergence; Non-linear equations; Root-f…
Abstract. In this paper, we present a new modification of Newton method for solving non-linear equations. Analysis of convergence shows that the new method is cubically convergent. Per iteration the new method requires two evaluations of the function and one evaluation of its first derivative. Thus, the new method is preferable if the computational costs of the first derivative are equal or mo…
Abstract. In this paper, we present a family of new methods with the order of convergence four. Per iteration these methods require two evaluations of the function and one evaluation of its first derivative and therefore this family of methods has the efficiency index equal to 1.587. These methods can be of practical interest, as we show in some examples. Keywords: Newton’s method; Non-l…
Production per amount of water used (water use efficiency, WUE) is closely correlated with drought tolerance. Although stomatal aperture can regulate WUE, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unclear. Previous reports revealed that stomatal closure was inhibited in the calcium-sensing receptor (CAS) antisense line of Arabidopsis (CASas). Here it is shown that decreased drought toleranc…