Electrospinning of zein/propolis nanofibers; antimicrobial properties and morphology investigation

In this work, for the first time, zein nanofiber mats loaded with ethanol extracts propolis (EEP) were successfully produced. Raw propolis was extracted by ethanol 70% and total flavonoid content was estimated by aluminum chloride colorimetric method. The anti-microbial activity of the EEP was investigated and compared with amoxicillin via zone of inhibition test against various microorganisms included gram-positive: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, gram-negative: Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungus: Candida albicans. The EEP showed activity only against gram-positive types and fungus, whereas no activity was observed against gram-negative types. Electrospun zein nanofiber was obtained from 70% ethanolic solutions included different content of zein, 15–40?wt.%. The SEM images revealed a smooth ribbon-like morphology for zein nanofibers without any beads in zein content more than 25?wt.%. As well, the SEM images of electrospun zein nanofibers containing different content of propolis (0–40?wt.% based on the zein content) disclosed the increase in the average size of fibers with propolis content from 264 to 419?nm. This increasing was more probably due to the reduction in ionic conductivity of zein solutions with propolis content. The proteinic nature of zein along with the antimicrobial activity and the herbal nature of the propolis make the obtained mats promising candidate for more evaluation in wound healing study.

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Synthesis of high surface area nanostructured La2Zr2O7 by thermal decomposition of new ion pair complex precursor

The paper presents an investigation on the influence of the production method upon crystallite and particle size, surface area and morphology of La₂Zr₂O₇ pyrochlore. Mesoporous La₂Zr₂O₇ nanopowders were synthesized by thermal decomposition of [Zr(sal)₃(H₂O)₂][La(dipic)₂(H₂O)₃]?3(H₂O), (dipic = 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylate, sal = salicylate), ion‐pair complex precursor as a new method. For comparative purposes, two other samples were fabricated by co‐precipitation and citrate sol‐gel methods. The ion‐pair complex precursor technique displays the low degree agglomeration, the smallest crystallite size (8.6 nm) and the highest surface area (119.20 m²/g) and total pore value (0.13 cc/g), in comparison with two other conventional methods which are related to the influence of the fabrication method. The high structural stability of the complex precursor prevents the rapid growth of particles during the calcination process and thus improves the textural properties.     

A predictive current control method for shunt active filter with windowing based wavelet transform in harmonic detection

This paper has been established based on harmonic detection and compensation on power system. The present work deals with two powerful methods in harmonic detection field of digital signal processing. The first one is the windowing technique and the other one is wavelet transform. A traditional synchronous fundamental dq-frame algorithm is modified in filtering process. As an improvement, the Fourier-based low pass filter is replaced with a windowing–wavelet method. The adopted windowing aspect is Hamming window to reduce traditional rectangular window effete in frequency domain. In addition, the applied mother wavelet is selected in terms of its effectiveness on transient response, low overshot and low oscillation at frequency domain. Due to these concepts, the db8 is selected as mother wavelet. In harmonic elimination procedure, the detected harmonic is injected using a shunt active filter based on predictive current control technique. The presented method has been verified with MATLAB–SIMULINK model and wavelet toolbox. The results confirm that this method is superior to traditional FFT based and wavelet based filters because of fast transient response and small negligible sidelobes. As a consequence this technique is able to reduce power system harmonic.     

CMOS Distributed Active Power Combiners and Splitters for Multi-Antenna UWB Beamforming Transceivers

This paper presents the design of the first CMOS distributed active power combiners and splitters with wideband variable delay and gain. These circuits are the key components for use in multi-antenna (MA) ultra-wideband (UWB) point-to-point beamforming communication systems with multiple transmit and receive antennas. Two broadband circuit topologies for each active power combiner and splitter are proposed, one of which being fabricated in a 0.13-mum CMOS process. The proposed fabricated distributed active power combiner and splitter operate across wide range of frequencies that cover the UWB frequency range from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. The gain of each RF path of the power combiner and splitter is independently controllable from -15 to 6 dB and from -16 to 9.5 dB, respectively. The wideband variable delay of each RF path varies from 32 to 42 ps for the two-stage power combiner, and from 43 to 53 ps for the three-stage power splitter across the UWB frequency range. Supplied from 1.8-V DC voltage, the power combiner and splitter consume 8.5 mA and 11.4 mA, respectively.     

Theoretical Analysis of Novel Multi-Order LC Oscillators

A conventional differential pair LC oscillator is capable of generating only a single fundamental oscillation frequency. This brief presents the theoretical study of a novel oscillator that incorporates higher order LC filters to produce multiple oscillation frequencies that may be several octaves apart. These multiple oscillation frequencies are obtained from a single oscillator, thereby reducing the area of the circuit when being used for multistandard wireless applications. Moreover, a multi-order oscillator does not suffer from large parasitic capacitances from switches, which is a common drawback in switched-inductor tuned oscillators. A detailed analysis is carried out, and useful design insights are provided     

Robust decomposed system control for an electro-mechanical linear actuator mechanism under input constraints

This paper aims to develop a robust decomposed system control (RDSC) strategy under input constraints for an electro-mechanical linear actuator (EMLA) facing model uncertainty and external disturbances. At first, a state-space model of a complex multi-stage gearbox EMLA system, driven by a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), is developed, and the non-ideal characteristics of the ball screw are presented through the model. The result is a four-order nonlinear strict-feedback form (NSFF) system decomposed into three subsystems. As the paper's main result, a novel RDSC strategy with uniform exponential stability for controlling subsystem states is presented. This developed controller avoids the "explosion of complexity" problem associated with backstepping by treating the time derivative of the virtual control input as an uncertain system term. The proposed method, despite assuming load disturbances and input constraints with arbitrary bounds, offers a straightforward control approach for a broader range of applications. Further, the controller's performance is evaluated by simulating two distinct duty cycles, each representing different levels of demand on the actuator facing load disturbances near the rated motor performance.     

Numerical investigation of the energy separation effect and flow mechanism inside convergent,straight, and divergent double‐sleeve RHVT

This study provides analysis of a cooled Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube (RHVT) with various specifications. It shows how cooling influences energy conversion inside the RHVT and improves performance of the device in separation of hot gas from the cold stream within the fluid by presenting the temperature detachment (the temperature diminution of cold air (ΔT_c = T_i ? T_c), isentropic efficiency (η_is), and coefficient of performance (COP) of divergent, convergent, and straight VTs. Two key parameters including hot tube length and number of nozzles for cooling and insulated cases are investigated to find out how the performance of the VT is affected by different geometry configurations under cooling conditions. These influences were researched for straight, convergent, and divergent VT separators under different flow characteristics. The optimum geometrical conditions for the cooling cases were identified. Results are indicative of positive influence of cooling for energy separation inside a VT. The quantities of ΔT_c, η_is, and COP for the cooled RHVT are greater than uncooled RHVT for various types of VTs. Cooling the VTs leads to an increase of 12.5% in ΔT_c, 14.4% in η_is, and 15.1% in COP when the base case was an uncooled VT.     

Application of scientometric methods to chemical research in Iran: Reflections on Iran&;#39;s current science policy

Summary Following a brief historical account of the initial difficulties of introducing modern sciences, especially the Western art of independent scientific inquiry, into Iran, using data obtained from the ISI (http://access.isiproducts.com/trials) an attempt is made to analyze the apparent present successes of Iranian scientists on the international science market. Using the corresponding ISI data of the publications (1990-2003) of 24 selected young chemistry Ph.D. graduates and present faculty members at various internal academia, a quantitative and qualitative assessment (www.geocities.com/iipopescu) of their achievements has been attempted and the results related to the strengths and weaknesses of the present science policy of the country.     

Design of ultrahigh-speed low-voltage CMOS CML buffers and latches

A comprehensive study of ultrahigh-speed current-mode logic (CML) buffers along with the design of novel regenerative CML latches will be illustrated. First, a new design procedure to systematically design a chain of tapered CML buffers is proposed. Next, two new high-speed regenerative latch circuits capable of operating at ultrahigh-speed data rates will be introduced. Experimental results show a higher performance for the new latch architectures compared to the conventional CML latch circuit at ultrahigh-frequencies. It is also shown, both through the experiments and by using efficient analytical models, why CML buffers are better than CMOS inverters in high-speed low-voltage applications.     

Oxidation of Primary Amines to N‐Monoalkylhydroxylamines using Sodium Tungstate and Hydrogen Peroxide‐Urea Complex

The sodium tungstate‐catalyzed (10 mol %) oxidation of primary amines with a urea‐hydrogen peroxide complex (UHP) gives the corresponding N‐monoalkylhydroxylamines, which are important biologically active compounds, in good to excellent yields. The method is applicable for a wide range of primary amines, including chiral benzylic amines, α‐1,2‐hydroxylamine and α‐amino esters.