The fabrication of a novel film based on polycaprolactone incorporated with chitosan and rutin: potential as an antibacterial carrier for rainbow trout packaging

Food Science and Biotechnology - Rutin and chitosan could be utilized in the food industry owing to their antioxidant and antibacterial properties. This study was carried out to fabricate novel...     

Experimental and Simulation Investigation on Energy Absorption of Cu Casting Lattice Structure during Compression

This investigation aims to assess the mechanical behavior and energy absorption properties of the Cu lattice structures made by investment casting method experimentally and by finite element method (FEM) simulation. The casting pattern of lattice structures is additively manufactured with 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 mm diameters and the lattice structures produced by investment casting of Cu. Then a uniaxial compression test is applied to measure maximum compressive strength, energy absorption density, efficiency, and specific energy absorption. The simulation and the experimental results indicate that the abovementioned properties of the lattice structures have a significant improvement and properties developments will rise by increasing the diameter of the struts. The mechanical characterization has done for Cu lattice structure with 3.0 mm strut diameter, which endures a stress of 242 MPa at the densification strain and the maximum tolerated stress of 404 MPa. The energy absorption density of this lattice structure is 67 MJ m⁻³ and has a specific energy absorption of 28 J g⁻¹ followed by an energy absorption efficiency around 70%. The simulation result shows a mathematical connection between the unit cells and the final lattice structures in terms of maximum tolerated stresses, which can help the prediction of the mechanical behavior of these structures.     

Simultaneous coloration and functional finishing of cotton fabric using Ag/ZnO nanocomposite

In this study, colored cotton fabric with special functions, including self‐cleaning, anti‐bacterial, and ultraviolet (UV) blocking were prepared by applying zinc oxide as a photocatalyst and using silver nanoparticles as both a novel class of colorant for coloration and an agent capable of modifying the zinc oxide nanoparticles. The homogenous distribution of Ag/ZnO nanocomposite on the fibre surface was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X‐ray mapping. X‐ray diffraction patterns showed the presence of the nanocomposite on the treated cotton fabric. The results indicated that adding silver nanoparticles to zinc oxide led to better self‐cleaning properties, even the photocatalytic activity of ZnO had no negative effect on fabric colour. Moreover, this process imparted proper anti‐bacterial properties and UV‐blocking activity to cotton fabrics.     

Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase-1B (PTP-1B) Knockdown Improves Palmitate-Induced Insulin Resistance in C2C12 Skeletal Muscle Cells

Insulin resistance is the central defect in type 2 diabetes and obesity. During the development of insulin resistance a lipid accumulation is accompanied by increased PTP-1B expression in the muscle. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of PTP-1B knockdown on insulin signaling and insulin resistance in the presence or absence of palmitate in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. A stable C2C12 cell line was established using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) to knockdown protein expression of PTP1B. Analysis of PTP-1B protein expression and phosphorylation and protein levels of IRS-1 and Akt were detected by western blot. The effects of PTP-1B knockdown on the glucose uptake was also measured in C2C12 cells. The stable C2C12 cell line harboring the PTP-1B shRNA showed 62% decrease in the PTP-1B protein levels. 0.5 mM palmitate significantly induced insulin resistance in both control (26%) and PTP-1B knockdown cells (16.5%) compared to the untreated cells. Under treatment with palmitate, insulin stimulated phosphorylation of IRS-1 (Tyr632) and Akt (Ser473) in knockdown cells was significantly 1.55- and 1.86-fold, respectively, greater than the controls. In the presence of palmitate, insulin dependent glucose uptake was significantly about 3-fold higher in PTP-1B knockdown stable C2C12 cells compared to the control cells. Our data showed that decreasing the PTP-1B protein level by shRNA can enhance the activity of important elements of insulin signaling. The improvement in insulin action persisted even in palmitate treated insulin resistant myotubes.     

On the mechanical behavior of a wide tunable capacitive MEMS resonator for low frequency energy harvesting applications

Microsystem Technologies - We present a method for tuning the resonance frequency of a comb resonator using a combination of mechanically softening and hardening springs in order to achieve a high...     

Developing a location–inventory model under fuzzy environment

Process analytical technology encourages the industry to adopt innovative technologies to increase quality. The key components of this approach are better understanding the product manufacturing process, data analysis, process analytical tools, process monitoring, and continuous feedback during the manufacturing process. Remote process analytical technology over public IP networks can significantly reduce the cost of maintenances and technical support, and simplify the classical OPC-like architecture based on multiple server gateways. The requirements for using remote process analytical technology for high-speed processes are mainly concerned with cyber security and high data refresh rate on the remote monitoring machine. This work intends to evaluate a new, open application protocol named CyberOPC dedicated to CNC machines. The CyberOPC version presented in this paper supersedes the first version presented in previous papers, which had no streaming features. The CyberOPC technology is not only an open alternative to other data exchange protocols, but it also introduces streaming capabilities to gain high refresh rate on remote control stations. It is based on the Client/Server Model, where a software layer is introduced between CNC and the remote monitoring station, on the Server side of CyberOPC. Even if the case study adopts a tunneling Schema that includes server gateways, the requirements to develop protocols in embedded devices and modern CNC are fulfilled by several devices that include a TCP/IP stack.