Boron-doped activated carbon from the stems of Prosopis juliflora as an effective electrode material in symmetric supercapacitors

For a supercapacitor electrode, carbon-based materials have received great attention for their high surface area and stability. In this work, sustainable and cost-effective synthesis of boron-doped activated biomass-derived carbon from the stems of Prosopis juliflora has been reported for supercapacitor applications. The activation by KOH creates pores and boron induces p-type doping in the carbon matrix. The material gave a higher specific capacitance of 307.14 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g. The symmetric supercapacitor device delivered 156.29 F/g of specific capacitance with 98.1% of energy efficiency. The observed energy and power densities were 7.81 Wh/Kg and 150 W/Kg, respectively. The device was further studied with stability test for 1000 charge/discharge cycles and showed 98.6% of capacitance retention and 97.9% of coulombic efficiency.

     

Deep Learning Techniques for Flaw Characterization in Weld Pieces from Ultrasonic Signals

Russian Journal of Nondestructive Testing - Computer aided Interpretation of Ultrasonic signals depicting flaws in weld pieces is depicted in this work. In this work, feasibility of Long Short Term...     

On the integration of SIC and MIMO DoF for interference cancellation in wireless networks

Recent advances in MIMO degree-of-freedom (DoF) models allowed MIMO research to penetrate the networking community. Independent from MIMO, successive interference cancellation (SIC) is a powerful physical layer technique used in multi-user detection. Based on the understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of MIMO DoF and SIC, we propose to have DoF-based interference cancellation (IC) and SIC help each other so that (i) precious DoF resources can be conserved through the use of SIC and (ii) the stringent SINR threshold criteria can be met through the use of DoF-based IC. In this paper, we develop the necessary mathematical models to realize the two ideas in a multi-hop wireless network. Together with scheduling and routing constraints, we develop a cross-layer optimization framework with joint DoF IC and SIC. By applying the framework on a throughput maximization problem, we find that SIC and DoF IC can indeed work in harmony and achieve the two ideas that we propose.     

Design optimization of deep groove ball bearings using crowding distance particle swarm optimization

This paper presents a crowding distance particle swarm optimization technique to optimize the design parameters of deep groove ball bearings. The design optimization problem is multi-objective in nature. The considered objectives are maximizing dynamic and static load bearing capacities and minimizing elasto-hydrodynamic film thickness. The technique is applied to bearings used in transmission system of a tractor for the purpose of farming. Pareto optimal solutions are obtained using the proposed technique. The results obtained from the technique are found to be superior compared with NSGA-II and catalogue values.     

Hydroxyoctadecadienoic Acids Regulate Apoptosis in Human THP‐1 Cells in a PPARγ‐Dependent Manner

Macrophage apoptosis, a key process in atherogenesis, is regulated by oxidation products, including hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids (HODEs). These stable oxidation products of linoleic acid (LA) are abundant in atherosclerotic plaque and activate PPARγ and GPR132. We investigated the mechanisms through which HODEs regulate apoptosis. The effect of HODEs on THP‐1 monocytes and adherent THP‐1 cells were compared with other C18 fatty acids, LA and α‐linolenic acid (ALA). The number of cells was reduced within 24 hours following treatment with 9‐HODE (p < 0.01, 30 μM) and 13 HODE (p < 0.01, 30 μM), and the equivalent cell viability was also decreased (p < 0.001). Both 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE (but not LA or ALA) markedly increased caspase‐3/7 activity (p < 0.001) in both monocytes and adherent THP‐1 cells, with 9‐HODE the more potent. In addition, 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE both increased Annexin‐V labelling of cells (p < 0.001). There was no effect of LA, ALA, or the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone (1μM), but the effect of HODEs was replicated with apoptosis‐inducer camptothecin (10μM). Only 9‐HODE increased DNA fragmentation. The pro‐apoptotic effect of HODEs was blocked by the caspase inhibitor DEVD‐CHO. The PPARγ antagonist T0070907 further increased apoptosis, suggestive of the PPARγ‐regulated apoptotic effects induced by 9‐HODE. The use of siRNA for GPR132 showed no evidence that the effect of HODEs was mediated through this receptor. 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE are potent—and specific—regulators of apoptosis in THP‐1 cells. Their action is PPARγ‐dependent and independent of GPR132. Further studies to identify the signalling pathways through which HODEs increase apoptosis in macrophages may reveal novel therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis.