A broadband and compact asymmetrical backward coupled-line coupler with high coupling level

A new wideband asymmetric microstrip coupled-line coupler with 3 dB coupling value and quadrature phase difference is presented. Compared with the conventional edge-coupled couplers, this structure, consisting of two different transmission lines (interdigital and conventional microstrip transmission lines) as coupled lines, achieves wider operating bandwidth and larger coupling level. The coupled-line length of the proposed structure is approximately λ_g/4. To characterize the structure, an equivalent circuit model has been established. A 3 dB designed and fabricated coupler with 0.2 mm spacing between coupled lines exhibits an amplitude balance of 2 dB from 2.2 GHz to 4.2 GHz. Good agreements between the full-wave simulation and equivalent circuit model results has been achieved and verified the effectiveness of the proposed circuit model. Also, measurement results have been presented.     

The study of the potential capability of sugar beet pulp on the removal efficiency of two cationic dyes

This study utilizes sugar beet pulp as a low-cost absorbent to remove two different cationic dyes, methylene blue and safranin, in aqueous solutions. The effects of operational parameters on the efficiency of dye removal including pH, adsorbent mass, initial dye concentration and contact time have been investigated. All sets of experiments were carried out in batch mode. For both dyes, the maximum absorption was reached at pH 10 while point zero charge was known to be at pH 6. Boehm method showed that the amount of the acidic and basic groups have been 0.4075 mmol g⁻¹ and 0.0089 mmol g⁻¹, respectively. Freundlich and Langmuir models were used to analyse the obtained experimental data. In comparison, Langmuir model was understood to be a better fit for the experimental data than Freundlich model. Pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order models were used to determine the adsorption kinetics and it was observed that pseudo second-order model was the most suited model for both dyes. The equilibrium state for both dyes was reached after 210 min of the absorption experiment with more than 93% removal of dyes. The absorption capacities were found to be 211 mg/g and 147 mg/g for methylene blue and safranin, respectively.     

Optimization of turning process using artificial intelligence technology

In the current work, some experiments were performed based on a design of experiment (DOE) technique called full factorial design. The experimental results are discussed in statistical analysis, and the system was modeled using the artificial neural network (ANN) and subsequently optimized by a genetic algorithm (GA). The statistical analysis shows that the main effects and some 2-interaction effects affect the surface roughness and flank wear. The results show that the feed rate, nose radius, and approach angle have a significant effect on the flank wear and the surface roughness, but the cutting velocity has a significant effect on the flank wear alone. The optimum values of cutting parameters were identified and the resultant optimum values of flank wear and surface roughness were found to be in good agreement with the results of a validation experiment under a similar condition. The optimized values showed a significant reduction in roughness and flank wear.     

New antimicrobial agents: The synthesis of Schiff base polymers containing transition metals and their characterization and applications

A new polymeric Schiff base containing formaldehyde and 2‐thiobarbituric acid moieties was synthesized by the condensation of a monomeric Schiff base derived from 2‐hydroxyacetophenone and hydrazine. Polymer–metal complexes were also synthesized by the reaction of the polymeric Schiff base with Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) acetate. The polymeric Schiff base and its polymer–metal complexes were characterized with magnetic moment measurements, elemental analyses, and spectral techniques (infrared, ¹H‐NMR, and ultraviolet–visible). The thermal behaviors of these coordination polymers were studied by thermogravimetric analysis in a nitrogen atmosphere up to 800°C. The thermal data revealed that all of the polymer–metal complexes showed higher thermal stabilities than the polymeric Schiff base and also ascribed that the Cu(II) polymer–metal complex showed better heat resistant properties than the other polymer–metal complexes. The antimicrobial activity was screened with the agar well diffusion method against various selected microorganisms, and all of the polymer–metal complexes showed good antimicrobial activity. Among all of the complexes, the antimicrobial activity of the Cu(II) polymer–metal complex showed the highest zone of inhibition because of its higher stability constant and may be used in biomedical applications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Classification of bananas during ripening using peel roughness analysis—An application of atomic force microscopy to food process

To monitor banana surface (peel) roughness changes during ripening treatment, atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a novel and emerging technique was used in this study. The roughness of banana peel was studied using the arithmetic mean between peaks and troughs (R_a) and the root-mean-square roughness (R_q). It was concluded that with changing the ripening stages, the behavior of the roughness changes significantly. With advancing fruit ripening, the extending of the epicarp and the decrease of the surface (peel) roughness were found due to enlarging of fruit volume. The highest mean roughness was found to be at stage 1, R_a = 8.25 and R_q = 9.65 nm. Based on two-dimensional profile results, the surface (peel) roughness was affected strongly by studied different ripening stages. It was concluded that the peak values in the ripple profiles become smaller with advancing fruit ripening. However, the effects of noise in the profiles appeared to increase. So, in all the initial stages of banana fruit ripening, the noise was found to be minimal. Consequently, the AFM technique was found to be a promising tool for quantification of the peel roughness or glossiness and also could help in the quality control of banana fruit on the nanoscale.     

Development of a multispectral imaging system for online quality assessment of pomegranate fruit

The objective of this study was to develop a prototype multispectral imaging system for online quality assessment on pomegranate fruit. At first, a visible/near infrared spectroscopy (400–1100 nm) was tested for non-destructive determination of total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pH. The spectral data were analyzed using the partial least square analysis. Then to establish consistent multispectral imaging system, the highest absolute values of β-coeffcients correspond to wavelengths from the best partial least square calibration model were selected and used for identifying the optimal wavelengths. Consequently, a multispectral imaging system was developed based on the effective wavelengths 700, 800, 900, and 1000 nm. The performance of the developed multispectral imaging system was evaluated by multiple linear regression models. The multiple linear regression model predict total soluble solids with r = 0.97, root mean square error of calibration = 0.21°Brix, and ratio performance deviation = 6.7 °Brix. Also, the results showed that the models had good predictive ability for pH and titratable acidity. Results showed that the developed multispectral imaging system based on the optimal wavelengths could be used for online quality assessment of pomegranate fruit.     

Generation of entropy during forced convection of heat in nanofluid stagnation-point flows over a cylinder embedded in porous media

Thermodynamics and heat transfer of an impinging nanofluid flow upon a cylinder with constant surface temperature and embedded in porous media are investigated. Numerical solutions reveal the flow velocity and temperature fields as well as the Nusselt number. These are then used to calculate the rate of entropy generation within the system by viscous and heat transfer irreversibilities. It is demonstrated that changes in the concentration of nanoparticles modify the thermal and hydrodynamic boundary layers and hence can alter the Nusselt number and entropy generation considerably. However, the shear stress on the surface of the cylinder is observed to be less affected by the variations in the concentration of nanoparticles. Further, the Reynolds number and non-uniform transpiration are shown to affect the Nusselt number and entropy generation. It is argued that the influences of Reynolds number on the boundary layer thickness can majorly modify the irreversibility and Bejan number.     

Hydrogels from dextran and soybean oil by UV photo‐polymerization

In this work, hydrogels were synthesized by UV photo‐polymerization of hydrophilic dextran functionalized with acrylate groups (Dex‐A) and hydrophobic acrylate epoxidized soybean oil (AESO). The acrylation of dextran was accomplished by reacting dextran (M_w 70,000 g mol^?1) with acryloyl chloride and pyridine. The Dex‐A was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Five rigid hydrogels were prepared using the weight ratios of Dex‐A and AESO as 10/90, 20/80, 30/70, 40/60, and 50/50. The hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The experimental results demonstrated that the swelling and release profiles of the Dex‐A/AESO hydrogels can be tailored by varying the ratio of Dex‐A and AESO thus varying the balance of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the network structures and the crosslinking density. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41446.