In vitro activity of methanol extracts of plants used as spices against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other bacteria

This study determined the phenolic composition of two thyme species (Lamiaceae), Origanum minutiflorum O. Schwarz and P.H. Davis and Thymbra spicata L. var. spicata, and assessed their antibacterial and antimycobacterial activities. “Kekik” is a collective term used in Turkey for plants that smell like thyme. O. minutiflorum, (locally “Sutculer kekigi”, endemic) and T. spicata var. spicata (locally “Karakekik”) are widely used in Turkey and are important export commodities.     

Clustering of wireless sensor and actor networks based on sensor distribution and connectivity

Wireless Sensor and Actor Networks (WSANs) employ significantly more capable actor nodes that can collect data from sensors and perform application specific actions. To take these actions collaboratively at any spot in the monitored regions, maximal actor coverage along with inter-actor connectivity is desirable. In this paper, we propose a distributed actor positioning and clustering algorithm which employs actors as cluster-heads and places them in such a way that the coverage of actors is maximized and the data gathering and acting times are minimized. Such placement of actors is done by determining the k-hop Independent Dominating Set (IDS) of the underlying sensor network. Basically, before the actors are placed, the sensors pick the cluster-heads based on IDS. The actors are then placed at the locations of such cluster-heads. We further derive conditions to guarantee inter-actor connectivity after the clustering is performed. If inter-connectivity does not exist, the actors coordinate through the underlying sensors in their clusters to adjust their locations so that connectivity can be established. The performances of the proposed approaches are validated through simulations.     

Synthesis,characterization and SEESR spectroscopic investigations of indole/aniline copolymers

Indole/aniline copolymers were synthesized electrochemically and the polymerization mechanism was investigated via in‐situ simultaneous electrochemical electron spin resonance (SEESR) spectroscopy. The Radical cationic intermediates of substituted indole and aniline were detected during the electrochemical oxidation. The resulting ESR‐spectra with hyperfine splitting were simulated and radicalic structures were identified. It was suggested that the polymerization occurs over positions C‐3 and C‐6 of indole molecule and over the nitrogen and para‐position of aniline. Furthermore, aniline, indole and aniline/indole copolymers were investigated depending on applied potential via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Response of matrix chains to nanoscale filler particles

A new generation of on-lattice MC simulations for dense melts of coarse-grained POE chains has been developed so that the MC simulations include nanoscale filler particles. In this novel approach, filler particles and polymer chains are built from the same chemical structural building unit. Early simulations pointed an ambiguous behavior for the response of the matrix chains to the introduction of the nanoparticles. When the size of nanoparticles is comparable to that of matrix chains, or even smaller, a significant amount of chain expansion (for matrix chains) is always the case, which challenges the current theoretical considerations in this field. Our recent simulations show that the chain expansion behavior is not triggered by an artificially created “extra volume” effect. Furthermore, the relation between chain expansion behavior and a potential enhancement in the free volume is found to be irrelevant based on our analysis on the pair correlation and scattering functions.     

Critical evaluation of thermodynamics of complex formation of metal ions in aqueous solutions: VI. Hydrolysis and hydroxo-complexes of Zn at 298.15 K

The standard thermodynamic properties of Zn²⁺, its hydrolysis reactions and hydroxo-complex formation are critically evaluated on the basis of published experimental studies and specific interaction theory (SIT) for activity coefficient modelling. A set of thermodynamic data and interaction coefficients are recommended.     

Microencapsulation of fig seed oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids by spray drying

Fig oil is a nutritious vegetable based oil type which is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the present study, several attempts have been made to produce encapsulated oil with maximum efficiency. In the first step, the effect of feed concentration was observed at 140, 150 and 160 °C and 20 % dry matter was selected. In the second step, distribution of gum arabic (GA) and maltodextrin (MD) as a wall material was determined at different temperature levels (140, 150, 160, 170 and 180 °C), and optimum MD/GA ratio and temperature were found to be 8/1 and 150 °C, respectively. In the next step, impact of wall material/fig oil ratio on the encapsulation efficiency was investigated and it was determined to be 3.0. According to the results, optimum encapsulation ratio of MD/GA/oil and temperature were 8/1/3 and 150 °C, respectively. The physicochemical properties; particle size, peroxide value, dry matter content, and encapsulation efficiency of the oil encapsulated under this condition were determined. Water content and water solubility of the powder was determined as 2.875 and 97.85 %, respectively. At the optimum conditions particle of the fig oils showed smooth surface, non-homogeneous and spherical shape, and size of the most of the particles ranged between 8 and 40 μm.     

Investigation of Microstructure,Mechanical and Wear Behaviour of B<Subscript>4</Subscript>C Particulate Reinforced Magnesium Matrix Composites by Powder Metallurgy

In the present study, magnesium and magnesium matrix composites reinforced with 10, 20 and 30 wt% B₄C particulates were fabricated by powder metallurgy using hot pressing technique. The microstructure, mechanical properties and wear behaviour of the samples were investigated. Microstructure characterization showed generally uniform distribution of B₄C particulates. XRD investigations revealed the presence of Mg, B₄C and MgO phases. The mechanical properties of the investigated samples were determined by hardness and compression tests. Hardness and compressive yield strength significantly increased with increasing B₄C content. The reciprocating wear tests was applied under loads of 5, 10 and 20 N. Wear volume losses decreased with increasing B₄C content. Abrasive and oxidative wear mechanisms were observed.     

Thermodynamic performance assessment of ocean thermal energy conversion based hydrogen production and liquefaction process

In the proposed study, the thermodynamic performance assessment of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) based hydrogen generation and liquefaction system are evaluated. In this context, the energetic and exergetic analyses of integrated system are conducted for multigeneration. This integrated process is consisted of the heat exchangers, turbine, condenser, pumps, solar collector system, hot storage tank, cold storage tank and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer. In addition to that, the impacts of different design indicators and reference ambient parameters on the exergetic performance and exergy destruction rate of OTEC based hydrogen production system are analyzed. The energetic and exergetic efficiencies of integrated system are founded as 43.49% and 36.49%, respectively.