Variation of internal structure and performance of polyethylene- and polypropylene-modified bitumen during blending process

Linear-viscoelastic characteristics and performance are evaluated throughout the blending process of polyethylene and polypropylene with bitumen. Results indicate that type, form and percentage of polyolefin play a significant role in the time evolution of the composite's mechanical response. Toluene extraction of modified bitumen revealed, for the first time, the formation of a sponge-like polymer network. Visual inspection and Fourier transform infrared analysis of the polyolefins recovered after extraction indicates higher affinity of the polyethylene with bitumen in agreement with the rheological test results. The use of polypropylene is discouraged if rutting performance is a concern, and polyethylene in both pellets and powder form at 4%, and after 210 min of blending produces a modified bitumen with acceptable performance.     

A Light Weight Secure Communication Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Personal Communications - The majority of security systems for wireless sensor networks are based on symmetric encryption. The main open issue for these approaches concerns the...     

2-Phenyloxazole-4-carboxamide as a Scaffold for Selective Inhibition of Human Monoamine Oxidase B

A series of 2-phenyloxazoles bearing an amide group at position 4 were designed and synthesized for evaluation as potential inhibitors of human recombinant monoamine oxidases (hrMAOs). Results of kinetics experiments demonstrated that all compounds behave as competitive MAO inhibitors, with good selectivity toward the MAO-B isoform. The most potent and selective derivatives are characterized by inhibition constant (K_i) values in the sub-micromolar range and a good selectivity index (K_{i MAO-A}/K_{i MAO-B}>50). Some derivatives were also found to be able to inhibit MAO activity in nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells, taken as a model of neuronal cells. In particular, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-N-phenyloxazole-4-carboxamide (compound 4 a ) may be a promising new scaffold, exerting the highest selectivity and inhibitory effect toward MAOs in NGF-differentiated PC12 cell lysates, without compromising cell viability. Molecular docking analysis allowed a rationalization of the experimentally observed binding affinity and selectivity.     

Mitochondrial Bioenergetic,Photobiomodulation and Trigeminal Branches Nerve Damage,What’s the Connection? A Review

Background: Injury of the trigeminal nerve in oral and maxillofacial surgery can occur. Schwann cell mitochondria are regulators in the development, maintenance and regeneration of peripheral nerve axons. Evidence shows that after the nerve injury, mitochondrial bioenergetic dysfunction occurs and is associated with pain, neuropathy and nerve regeneration deficit. A challenge for research is to individuate new therapies able to normalise mitochondrial and energetic metabolism to aid nerve recovery after damage. Photobiomodulation therapy can be an interesting candidate, because it is a technique involving cell manipulation through the photonic energy of a non-ionising light source (visible and NIR light), which produces a nonthermal therapeutic effect on the stressed tissue. Methods: The review was based on the following questions: (1) Can photo-biomodulation by red and NIR light affect mitochondrial bioenergetics? (2) Can photobiomodulation support damage to the trigeminal nerve branches? (preclinical and clinical studies), and, if yes, (3) What is the best photobiomodulatory therapy for the recovery of the trigeminal nerve branches? The papers were searched using the PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane databases. This review followed the ARRIVE-2.0, PRISMA and Cochrane RoB-2 guidelines. Results and conclusions: The reliability of photobiomodulatory event strongly bases on biological and physical-chemical evidence. Its principal player is the mitochondrion, whether its cytochromes are directly involved as a photoacceptor or indirectly through a vibrational and energetic variation of bound water: water as the photoacceptor. The 808-nm and 100 J/cm² (0.07 W; 2.5 W/cm²; pulsed 50 Hz; 27 J per point; 80 s) on rats and 800-nm and 0.2 W/cm² (0.2 W; 12 J/cm²; 12 J per point; 60 s, CW) on humans resulted as trustworthy therapies, which could be supported by extensive studies.     

Weak Delocalization in Graphene on a Ferromagnetic Insulating Film

Graphene has been predicted to develop a magnetic moment by proximity effect when placed on a ferromagnetic film, a promise that could open exciting possibilities in the fields of spintronics and magnetic data recording. In this work, the interplay between the magnetoresistance of graphene and the magnetization of an underlying ferromagnetic insulating film is studied in detail. A clear correlation between both magnitudes is observed but through a careful modeling of the magnetization and the weak localization measurements, that such correspondence can be explained by the effects of the magnetic stray fields arising from the ferromagnetic insulator is found. The results emphasize the complexity arising at the interface between magnetic and 2D materials.     

Lecture capture with real‐time rearrangement of visual elements: impact on student performance

The primary goal of this study is to create and test a lecture‐capture system that can rearrange visual elements while recording is still taking place, in such a way that student performance can be positively influenced. The system we have devised is capable of integrating and rearranging multimedia sources, including learning content, the instructor and students' images, into lecture videos that are embedded in a website for students to review after school. The present study employed a two‐group experimental design, with 153 participants (145 females and 8 males) making up an experimental group in which lecture courses were recorded using the new lecture‐capture system, and 149 participants (140 females and 9 males) forming a control group whose lectures were recorded by traditional means. All participants were in the freshman college and studying Introduction to Computer and Information Science in one of six classes, and were randomly assigned to one of the two groups. The participants' midterm examination and final examination scores were collected as indicators of their academic performance, with their mathematics entrance scores used as a pre‐test. The findings obtained from analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) suggest that appropriate rearrangement of visual elements in lecture videos can significantly impact students' learning performance.     

Photovoltaic Power Supply Unit for the Basic Stations of Cellular Companies

The data on the use of solar photovoltaic plants (PVPs) for providing a reliable and guaranteed power supply to telecommunication systems and cellular communication systems in the conditions prevalent in Uzbekistan are given. The research-based structures developed by OOO MIR SOLAR and the selection of PVP elements ensuring their reliable operation are described. The main influencing factors are discussed, and the use of effective combinations of different types of panels (from monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon) and a specially developed controller are considered.     

Modeling the Motion of a Saw Ginning Machine

The dynamic characteristics of a saw gin as a subsystem with lumped and distributed parameters are considered in the paper. On the basis of investigation of the machine assembly, graphs are drawn that allow establishing the maximum values of the angle of relative rotation and the angle of rotation of the saw cylinder shaft under torsion.     

Tough salami-inspired Cf/ZrB2 UHTCMCs produced by electrophoretic deposition

One of the biggest challenges of the materials science is the mutual exclusion of strength and toughness. This issue was minimized by mimicking the natural structural materials. To date, few efforts were done regarding materials that should be used in harsh environments. In this work we present novel continuous carbon fiber reinforced ultra-high-temperature ceramic matrix composites (UHTCMCs) for aerospace featuring optimized fiber/matrix interfaces and fibers distribution. The microstructures – produced by electrophoretic deposition of ZrB₂ on unidirectional carbon fibers followed by ZrB₂ infiltration and hot pressing – show a maximum flexural strength and fracture toughness of 330 MPa and 14 MPa m^1/2, respectively. Fracture surfaces are investigated to understand the mechanisms that affect strength and toughness. The EPD technique allows the achievement of a peculiar salami-inspired architecture alternating strong and weak interfaces.