Effects of Mn and Gd Co-substituted into ZnO on Structural and Magnetic Properties

We have worked on the structural and magnetic properties of Zn_0.99?xMn_0.01Gd _x O _δ (for x = 0.02, 0.03, and 0.04) compounds prepared by using a sol–gel method. The x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy were used to understand the structural properties of the samples. We observed that co-substitution of Mn (1 %) and Gd (2–4 %) into the ZnO does not change the hexagonal structure. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show us that the grain size decreases with the increasing amount of the Gd into the ZnO matrix. The magnetic properties of the samples have been investigated by using magnetic hysteresis and DC susceptibility measurements. The ZMG1 sample shows a weak ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature, whereas the ZMG2 and ZMG3 samples exhibit a paramagnetic nature. Furthermore, it is also found that the magnetizations of the samples decrease with increasing Gd content in the ZnMnO system due to the enhancing interaction between Gd ³⁺ ions. We summarize that the co-substitution of Mn and Gd into the ZnO generates a room-temperature ferromagnetism, but it still needs more work to obtain strong and high coercivity magnetic loops for applications.     

Multi-channel energy detection under phase noise: analysis and mitigation

For the development of highly integrated, flexible and low-cost cognitive radio (CR) devices, simple transceiver architectures, like direct-conversion receiver, are expected to be deployed and provide viable radio frequency (RF) spectrum sensing solutions for practical implementation. Yet, this can be very challenging task especially if spectrum sensing and down-conversion are conducted over multiple RF channels simultaneously for improved efficiency in channel scans. Then, the so-called dirty RF problem that degrades link performance of traditional transmission systems starts to be influential from spectrum sensing perspective as well. The unavoidable RF impairments, e.g., oscillator phase noise in direct-conversion receiver, could generate crosstalk between multiple channels that are down-converted simultaneously, and thus considerably limit the spectrum sensing capabilities. Most of the existing spectrum sensing studies in literature assume an ideal RF receiver and have not considered such practical RF hardware problem. In this article, we study the impact of oscillator phase noise on energy detection (ED) based spectrum sensing in multi-channel direct-conversion receiver scenario. With complex Gaussian primary user (PU) signal models, we first derive the detection and false alarm probabilities in closed-form expression. The analytical results, verified through extensive simulations, show that the wideband multi-channel sensing receiver is very sensitive to the neighboring channel crosstalk induced by oscillator phase noise. More specifically, it is shown that the false alarm probability of multi-channel energy detection increases significantly, compared to the ideal RF receiver case. The exact performance degradation depends on the power of neighboring channels as well as statistical characteristics of the phase noise in the deployed receiver. In order to prevent such performance degradation in spectrum identification, an enhanced energy detection technique is proposed. The proposed technique calculates the leakage power from neighboring channels for each channel and improves the sample energy statistics by subtracting this leakage power from the raw values. An analytical expression is derived for the leakage power which is shown to be a function of power spectral levels of neighboring channels and 3-dB bandwidth of phase noise process. Practical schemes for estimating these two quantities are discussed. Extensive computer simulations show that the proposed enhanced detection yields false alarm rates that are very close to those of an ideal RF receiver and hence clearly outperforms classical energy detection.     

Neural extension of experimental data to investigate using phosphogypsume in light brick production

In this study, usability of wastes produced in phosphoric acid plants in structural brick manufacture has been investigated. There are several parameters involved in using these wastes in brick production namely the rate of added waste, firing speed and firing temperature. The performance of these parameters can be measured by several criteria such as natural drying shortening, water absorption and weight loss. Therefore, so many experiments are needed to investigate the effects of these parameters on the bricks produced with these wastes. The result of a series of experiments were utilized to achieve this end. The results have shown that the industrial wastes considered improve the performance of the bricks in terms of the criteria mentioned above. However, the results have also shown that further investigations are needed to explore the effects of interim values on the performance of the bricks. To achieve that end, a neural experimental study is adopted. For this purpose, the results of the experiments conducted were used to construct an artificial neural network. The trained and tested network was then used to check the effects of 280 different combinations for each type of material mixtures mentioned. The outcome of these artificial tests have provided the optimal values for the waste addition rate, firing speed and firing temperature based on the four criteria mentioned previously.     

Effects of mixing techniques and dentin moisture conditions on push-out bond strength of ProRoot MTA and Biodentine

Objective: To evaluate the influence of manual and mechanical mixing techniques as well as the effects of moisture on the push-out bond strength of ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK, USA) and Biodentine (Septodont, Saint Maur des Fosses, France) to radicular dentin.

Material and methods: Two hundred and forty dentin discs were assigned into three groups with respect to the moisture condition tested: (1) dry, (2) paper points, (3) wet. The discs were further divided into four subgroups according to the calcium silicate cements (CSCs) and mixing techniques used: (1) ProRoot MTA mixed manually, (2) ProRoot MTA mixed mechanically, (3) Biodentine mixed manually, and (4) Biodentine mixed mechanically. Bond strengths of the cements to root canal dentin were measured using a push-out test setup. The data were statistically analyzed using three-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test p = 0.05.

Results: The data indicated that the push-out bond strength values were significantly affected by CSCs, mixing techniques, and moisture conditions (p < 0.001). Dry conditions caused a significant decrease in bond strength values for both CSCs (p < 0.001). The mean bond strength of Biodentine was significantly higher than that of ProRoot MTA, regardless of the mixing techniques and moisture conditions (p < 0.001). Mechanical mixing favored bond strength values statistically compared to manual mixing (p < .001).

Conclusion: The mixing techniques and moisture conditions have an effect on the push-out bond strengths of ProRoot MTA and Biodentine. Dry samples and manual mixing of cements deteriorate the push-out bond strengths values.     

Synthesis and characterization of PMMA composites activated with starch for immobilization of L‐asparaginase

Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)–starch composites were prepared by emulsion polymerization technique for L‐asparaginase (L‐ASNase) immobilization as highly activated support. The hydroxide groups on the prepared composites offer a very simple, mild and firm combination for enzyme immobilization. The pure PMMA and PMMA‐starch composites were characterized as structural, thermal and morphological. PMMA‐starch composites were found to have better thermal stability and more hydrophilic character than pure PMMA. L‐ASNase was immobilized onto PMMA‐starch composites contained the different ratio of starch (1, 3, 5, and 10 wt %). Immobilized L‐ASNase showed better performance as compared to the native enzyme in terms of thermal stability and pH. K_m value of immobilized enzyme decreased approximately eightfold compared with the native enzyme. In addition to, immobilized L‐ASNase was found to retain 60% of activity after 1‐month storage period at 4 °C. Therefore, PMMA‐starch composites can be provided more advantageous in terms of enzymatic affinity, thermal, pH and storage stability as L‐ASNase immobilization matrix. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43421.     

Functionalized Hybrid Coatings on ABS Surfaces by PLD and Dip Coatings

It is important to give water-repellent and antibacterial properties to the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) surfaces of the hearing aids. In this study, the sol–gel Si and sol–gel Ti solutions were prepared from the reactions of silicon ethoxide, titanium butoxide and methacrylic acid. The catalyst and Dynasylan F8815 were added to the sol–gel solutions to give hydrophobic properties onto the ABS surfaces. Additionally, silver nanoparticles were synthesized by nanosecond laser and added to the coating solutions to give extra antibacterial properties. The surfaces of the ABS targets were coated using the sol–gel dip coating and pulsed laser deposition techniques. The coatings with good adhesion between film and substrate and good water-repellent properties were achieved. The average contact angles for the coated ABS surfaces were measured in the range between 120 and 125 degrees. The obtained sol–gel materials and produced thin films onto the ABS surfaces were also analyzed in terms of the antibacterial properties. The highly antibacterial properties were observed in the sol–gel solutions and the thin films.     

Preparation and evaluation of linseed oil based alkyd paints

Alkyd resins are produced with reaction of oil or fatty oil, polyol and polyacid. Alkyd resins are commonly used in coating and paint industry due to ease of application in changing environmental conditions. Linseed oil based paints executed all requirements of technical properties, drying time, storage properties, simplicity in maintenance, appearance, economy, etc. In this study, linseed oil based alkyd resins having different oil contents were synthesized     

Effect of calcium hydroxide removal techniques on the bond strength of root canal sealers

To evaluate the influence of calcium-hydroxide(CH) with different vehicles on the push-out bond strength of different canal sealers to radicular dentin. 152 decrowned single-rooted human teeth were used. After preparation of root canals with nickel-titanium rotary files, 8 roots served as control groups. Then, the roots were divided as follows: (1) Calasept and (2) Surepaste (n = 72). Roots were further subgrouped according to the CH removal techniques: (1) %17 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) + rotary file, (2) %17EDTA + hand file, and (3) %17EDTA (n = 24). Eight roots from each group sectioned longitudinally, divided into two pairs and photographed by stereomicroscope (n = 16). The remaining 16 roots in CH intracanal dressing groups were further divided into 2 subgroups according to the sealer used: (1) AH-Plus-jet and (2) Apexit-Plus (n = 8). Bond strengths of the root canal sealers to root canal dentin were measured using a push-out test setup. The data were statistically analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance p = 0.05. The push-out bond strength values were significantly affected by type of vehicle and the removal techniques (p < 0.05). The mean bond strength of AH-Plus-jet was significantly higher than Apexit-Plus, regardless of type of vehicle and the removal techniques (p < 0.05). There was no difference between vehicles on CH removal (p > 0.05). When examining the removal techniques, only irrigation with %17 EDTA left significantly larger amount of residue (p < 0.05). AH-Plus-jet showed better dislocation resistance than Apexit-Plus. Type of vehicle does not play a fundamental role in the degree of persistence of CH residues on the dentin walls. Instrumentation improves the removal efficiency of CH from root canal.