HyOctane: a HyTime engine for an MMIS

We are interested in the development of distributed multimedia information systems that use the HyTime international standard as the data model and interchange format. We have developed and implemented a prototype system in which interactive multimedia presentations can be stored and retrieved. Sample document instances are externally encoded in HyTime and stored in the database using the HyTime data model. The architecture and operation of our system are presented. Issues related to using a HyTime engine for general multimedia presentation and interchange are discussed.     

Using of cotton oil soapstock biodiesel–diesel fuel blends as an alternative diesel fuel

In this study, usability of cotton oil soapstock biodiesel–diesel fuel blends as an alternative fuel for diesel engines were studied. Biodiesel was produced by reacting cotton oil soapstock with methyl alcohol at determined optimum condition. The cotton oil biodiesel–diesel fuel blends were tested in a single cylinder direct injection diesel engine. Engine performances and smoke value were measured at full load condition. Torque and power output of the engine with cotton oil soapstock biodiesel–diesel fuel blends decreased by 5.8% and 6.2%, respectively. Specific fuel consumption of engine with cotton oil soapstock–diesel fuel blends increased up to 10.5%. At maximum torque speeds, smoke level of engine with blend fuels decreased up to 46.6%, depending on the amount of biodiesel. These results were compared with diesel fuel values.     

Gain and offset correction methods for analog-to-digital converters

This paper describes a simple offset error (OEC) and two gain error (GEC) correction methods for an analog–digital converter (ADC), which use a dedicated sample-and-hold (S/H) circuit. These three methods are specifically proposed for switched- capacitor (SC) S/H circuits. In these methods, few unit capacitors of main S/H-capacitor are separated for correction. OEC method and one of GEC method uses bottom-plate sampling to correct the sampled voltage. The second GEC method uses charge sharing method between capacitors.     

Antioxidant α‐tocopherol/γ‐cyclodextrin–inclusion complex encapsulated poly(lactic acid) electrospun nanofibrous web for food packaging

α‐Tocopherol (α‐TC) and α‐TC/cyclodextrin (CD)–inclusion complex (IC) incorporated electrospun poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanofibers (NF) were developed via electrospinning (PLA/α‐TC–NF and PLA/α‐TC/γ‐CD–IC–NF). The release of α‐TC into 95% ethanol (fatty food simulant) was much greater from PLA/α‐TC/γ‐CD–IC–NF than from PLA/α‐TC–NF because of the solubility increase in α‐TC; this was confirmed by a phase‐solubility diagram. 2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical‐scavenging assay shows that PLA/α‐TC–NF and PLA/α‐TC/γ‐CD–IC–NF had 97% antioxidant activities; this value was expected to be high enough to inhibit lipid oxidation. PLA/α‐TC–NF and PLA/α‐TC/γ‐CD–IC–NF were tested directly on beef with the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) method, and the nanofibers displayed a lower TBARS content than the unpackaged meat sample. Thus, active packaging significantly enhanced the oxidative stability of the meat samples at 4 °C. In conclusion, PLA/α‐TC/γ‐CD–IC–NF was shown to be promising as an active food‐packaging material for prolonging the shelf life of foods. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44858.     

Synthesis and characterization of solvent-free hybrid alkyd resin with hyperbranched melamine core

In this study, a new hybrid alkyd resin was formulated using melamine-based hyperbranched polymer having 24 hydroxyl groups on its structure and relatively low molecular weight alkyd. The alkyd was synthesized using an oil mixture (40% linseed + 60% sunflower). Melamine was used as the core molecule for the hyperbranched polymer due to its excellent properties such as greater hardness, alkali and solvent resistance, and thermal stability. Melamine was first hydroxylated using formaldehyde and changed into hexamethylol melamine. This product was then twice hydroxylated with dimethylol propionic acid to obtain a hyperbranched polymer with 24 hydroxyl end groups. It was then reacted with low molecular weight alkyd resin at different proportions. The product had a low viscosity and could easily flow like oil. It is a solvent-free and water-free liquid. The ‘hyperbranched polymer/alkyd’ ratio affected physical properties of the liquid polymer and also the mechanical properties of the hardened polymer, which can be used for surface coating. The viscosity of the liquid resin decreases from 148 to 8.84 Pa.s as the hyperbranched-polymer-to-alkyd ratio is decreased from 1:3 to 1:24. On the other hand, the hardness of heat-treated resin decreases from 198 Persoz to 43 Persoz, respectively. That is, the increase in the amount of hyperbranched polymer in the resin increases hardness, whereas the increase in the amount of alkyd decreases it. The mechanical tests of hardened resins showed that all specimens passed conical mandrel bending test, and they all depicted high adhesion, and high abrasion and impact resistance. The specimens also had excellent gloss properties.     

Abrasion resistances of cellulosic,synthetic, polyurethane,waterborne and acidhardening varnishes used woods

This study was performed to determine the abrasion resistances of some varnishes used on wood materials. For this purpose, test samples prepared from Scots pine, Oriental beech, European oak, Black poplar, Basswood and Black walnut woods, which met the requirements of ASTM D 358, were coated according to ASTM D 3023 standards with cellulosic (C), synthetic (Sn), polyurethane (Pu), waterborne (Wb) and acidhardening (Ah) varnishes. The abrasion resistance of samples after the varnishing process was determined in accordance with TS 4755. It was observed that, according to wood samples, the highest abrasion resistance was obtained in Black walnut (168.9 rpm), and the lowest abrasion resistance was obtained in Scots pine (50.63 rpm); according to varnish types, the highest abrasion resistance was obtained in acidhardening (213.4 rpm), and the lowest abrasion resistance was obtained in waterborne (45.44 rpm). In accordance with the interaction of the factors wood type, varnish type and layer type, the highest abrasion resistance was found at interaction of Black walnut + acidhardening + 3 layers (578.0 rpm), and the lowest abrasion resistance was found at interaction of Oriental beech + waterborne + 1 layer (11.50 rpm). Furthermore, it was found that interactions according to the varnish type and amount of layer thickness display differences; varnish types are efficient to the first degree and layer thickness to the second degree for abrasion resistance. In this respect, it can be stated that in wooden parquets and place floorings, in which the abrasion resistance is considerably important, the varnish application with three layers of acidhardening can provide an advantage.     

Usage of enzymes in a novel baking process

In this study, the effects of different enzymes (alpha-amylase, xylanase, lipase, protease) on quality of breads baked in different ovens (microwave, halogen lamp-microwave combination and conventional oven) were investigated. It was also aimed to reduce the quality problems of breads baked in microwave ovens with the usage of enzymes. As a control, bread dough containing no enzyme was used. Specific volume, firmness and color of the breads were measured as quality parameters. All of the enzymes were found to be effective in reducing the initial firmness and increasing the specific volume of breads baked in microwave and halogen lamp-microwave combination ovens. However, in conventional baking, the effects of enzymes on crumb firmness were seen mostly during storage. The color of protease enzyme added breads were found to be significantly different from that of the no enzyme and the other enzyme added breads in the case of all type of ovens.