A Channel Borrowing Approach for Cluster-based Hierarchical Wireless Sensor Networks

Mobile Networks and Applications - In Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), energy-efficient routing is required to conserve the scarce resources of these networks. Various energy-efficient routing...     

A hybrid chaotic blowfish encryption for high-resolution satellite imagery

Multimedia Tools and Applications - In this article, we have designed a new information confidentiality mechanism based on the combination of Blowfish encryption algorithm along with Henon and Chen...     

Scanning electron microscopy of bio‐fabricated Fe2O3 nanoparticles and their application to control brown rot of citrus

Citrus is the leading fruit crop of Pakistan and exported to different parts of the world. Due to suitable weather condition, this crop is affected by different biotic factors which seriously deteriorate its quality and quantity. During the months of November 2018 to January 2019, citrus brown rot symptoms were recurrently observed on sweet oranges in National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad. Causal agent of citrus brown rot was isolated, characterized, and identified as Fusarium oxysporum. For environment‐friendly control of this disease, leaf extract of Azadirachta indica was used for the green synthesis of iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were characterized before their application for disease control. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of these synthesized nanoparticles described the presence of stabilizing and reducing compounds like alcohol, phenol, carboxylic acid, and alkaline and aromatic compounds. X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the crystalline nature and size (24 nm) of these nanoparticles. Energy dispersive X‐Ray (EDX) analysis elaborated the presence of major elements in the samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the spinal shaped morphology of prepared nanoparticles. Successfully synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated for their antifungal potential. Different concentrations of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were used and maximum mycelial inhibition was observed at 1.0 mg/ml concentration. On the basis of these findings, it could be concluded that Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, synthesized in the leaf extract of A. indica, can be successfully used for the control of brown rot of sweet oranges.     

阿拉伯胶/白色玫瑰茄提取物复合涂膜对低温贮藏蓝莓保鲜效果的影响

为改善低温贮藏蓝莓果实易于腐败的问题,探讨一种可以改善蓝莓贮藏品质的保鲜处理方法。实验以‘兔眼’蓝莓品种为试材,在（4.0±0.5）℃、相对湿度75%的贮藏条件下,采用100 mg/mL阿拉伯胶＋体积分数1.5%甘油（M1）、100 mg/mL阿拉伯胶＋体积分数1.5%甘油＋体积分数1.5%白色玫瑰茄提取物（white roselle extract,WRE）（M2）、100 mg/mL阿拉伯胶＋体积分数1.5%甘油＋体积分数2.5% WRE（M3）3 种可食性涂膜液对蓝莓样品进行涂膜处理,通过分析果实理化性质、抗氧化酶活力和抗氧化物质含量等指标的变化,探讨复合涂膜对低温贮藏蓝莓保鲜效果的影响。结果表明：在低温贮藏的条件下,阿拉伯胶复合涂膜可以显著减缓蓝莓果实质量损失、降低腐烂率和延缓硬度降低（P＜0.05）,并能维持果实较高的总酚、花色苷含量和较好的感官品质,显著抑制多酚氧化酶（polyphenol oxidase ,PPO）活力和降低果实表面褐变程度（P＜0.05）;且M3涂膜剂在抑制低温贮藏蓝莓果实PPO活力、维持果实总酚和花色苷含量、改善感官品质方面具有最佳效果。综合分析各项指标可得出,M3涂膜剂对低温贮藏蓝莓的保鲜效果最好。     

Mechanical and thermal properties of hybrid carbon fibre–phenolic matrix composites containing graphene nanoplatelets and graphite powder

Carbon fibre–phenolic matrix (CF–P) composites containing graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were manufactured for improved mechanical and thermal properties. For comparison, micrometer-size pyrolytic graphite powder (GP) was also incorporated in CF–P composites. The loading of carbon fibres was kept constant at 60?wt-% while the quantity of GNPs was varied from 0.1?wt-% to 0.3?wt-% and GP from 1.0?wt-% to 3.0?wt-%. Only GNPs were functionalised by ultraviolet-ozone treatment to improve their dispersion in the matrix while all the composites were manufactured by hand layup method and characterised by scanning electron microscopy, impact, flexural, thermogravimetry and ablation tests. The composite containing 0.3?wt-% GNPs showed considerable improvement in ablation, flexural and impact testing as compared to CF-P composites containing GP. Finally, the ablation mechanisms of post-ablated composites were discussed in the light of available data in the literature.     

Measurement of liquid film profiles by Moiré topography

Area-wide surface topography is continuously monitored with the moiré technique, i.e. measurement of patterns formed by superposition of the warped image of a line grating on a similar reference grating. A simple method for reconstructing liquid film profiles from moir$\text{\$}\text{?}$fringe patterns is developed. The method is tested with a known specimen, a convex lens. Leveling of an uneven liquid film by gravity and capillary force is followed and film profiles are measured at intervals of time. Waves flowing down an inclined plate and disturbances in a liquid curtain are viewed, as are small disturbances caused by the impingement of tiny surface-active particles. Possible application to control of coating operations is pointed out.     

Recent progress in the modification of carbon materials and their application in composites for electromagnetic interference shielding

With the development in the modern technologies such as telecommunication instruments and scientific electronic devices, large amount of the electromagnetic radiations are produced, which lead to harmful effect on the highly sensitive electronic devices as well as on the health of human beings. To minimize the effect of electromagnetic radiations produced by different technologies, more efficient shielding materials are required which must be cost-effective, lightweight and good corrosion resistive. In this review, we focused on the shielding materials based on composites of carbon nanotubes and graphene. The typical surface modification of carbon nanotubes and graphene to optimize their interactions with polymers matrix has also summarized. It was found that the composites based on these carbon fillers were more efficient for electromagnetic interference shielding due to their unique properties (i.e., superior electrical, mechanical and thermal) together with lightweight, easy processing. Hence, the carbon nanotubes and graphene-based composites are excellent shielding materials against the electromagnetic radiations.     

Production of sustainable fibre-reinforced concrete incorporating waste chopped metallic film fibres and palm oil fuel ash

The consumption of waste materials is one of the essential concerns of waste management strategies in many parts of the world. With the advances in concrete technology, the utilisation of waste materials in the sustainable construction has developed increasingly widespread because of technological, economic and ecological advantages. This paper presents the workability and mechanical properties of concrete incorporating waste chopped metallic film (WCMF) fibres and palm oil fuel ash (POFA). Waste plastic results in waste discarding disaster and consequently causes significant harms to the environment. WCMF fibres were prepared by recycling metallic–plastic films used for food packaging. Six concrete mixes containing 0–1.25% WCMF fibres with a length of 20 mm were made of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Further, six concrete mixes with the same fibre content were made, where 20% POFA substituted OPC. The combination of WCMF fibres and POFA decreased the workability of concrete mixes. The inclusion of WCMF fibres to OPC and POFA concrete mixes decreased the compressive strength. However, at the curing period of 91 days, the POFA-based mixes obtained higher compressive strength values than those of OPC-based mixtures. The positive interaction between WCMF fibres and POFA consequently enhanced the flexural and tensile strengths, impact resistance, thereby increasing energy absorption capacity and ductility of concrete composites. It revealed that WCMF fibres acted as a bridge arrester and improved the load-transfer capacity of the concrete specimens. The study showed that the utilisation of WCMF fibres in the production of sustainable concrete is a beneficial, affordable and feasible solution.