Design and Optimization of Full Comparator Based on Quantum‐Dot Cellular Automata

Quantum‐dot cellular automata (QCA) is one of the few alternative computing platforms that has the potential to be a promising technology because of higher speed, smaller size, and lower power consumption in comparison with CMOS technology. This letter proposes an optimized full comparator for implementation in QCA. The proposed design is compared with previous works in terms of complexity, area, and delay. In comparison with the best previous full comparator, our design has 64% and 85% improvement in cell count and area, respectively. Also, it is implemented with only one clock cycle. The obtained results show that our full comparator is more efficient in terms of cell count, complexity, area, and delay compared to the previous designs. Therefore, this structure can be simply used in designing QCA‐based circuits.     

Inhibitory effect of magnetic iron‐oxide nanoparticles on the pattern of expression of lanosterol 14α ‐demethylase (ERG11) in fluconazole‐resistant colonising isolate of Candida albicans

Fluconazole‐resistant Candida albicans is a big scary reality. The authors assessed the antifungal effects of magnetic iron‐oxide nanoparticles on fluconazole‐resistant colonising isolate of C. albicans and determined the expression of ERG11 gene, protein sequence similarity and ergosterol content. C. albicans isolates were characterised and fluconazole resistance is recognised using World Health Organization''s WHONET software. Susceptibility testing of magnetic iron‐oxide nanoparticles against fluconazole‐resistant colonising isolate of C. albicans was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The expression patterns of ERG11 and protein sequence similarity were investigated. Ergosterol quantification has been used to gauge the antifungal activity of magnetic iron‐oxide nanoparticles. The findings indicated that 93% of C. albicans isolates were resistant to fluconazole. Magnetic iron‐oxide nanoparticles were presented activity against fluconazole‐resistant colonising isolate of C. albicans with minimum inhibitory concentration at 250–500 µg/ml. The expression level of ERG11 gene was downregulated in fluconazole‐resistant colonising isolate of C. albicans. The results revealed no differences in fluconazole‐resistant colonising isolate of C. albicans by comparison with ERG11 reference sequences. Moreover, significant reduction was noted in ergosterol content. The findings shed a novel light on the application of magnetic iron‐oxide nanoparticles in fighting against resistant C. albicans.Inspec keywords: microorganisms, biochemistry, molecular biophysics, antibacterial activity, iron compounds, proteins, cellular biophysics, nanoparticles, drugs, geneticsOther keywords: albicans isolates, magnetic iron‐oxide nanoparticles, fluconazole‐resistant colonising isolate, fluconazole resistance, ERG11, candida albicans, protein sequence similarity, ergosterol content, WHONET, ergosterol quantification, susceptibility testing, antifungal activity, gene expression     

Numerical simulation of heat transfer and fluid flow of molten metal in MMA–St copolymer lost foam casting process

In this study, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code was developed to calculate the filling pattern using volume of fluid (VOF) algorithm with donor–acceptor method for free surface simulation. This algorithm has been modified to include the pressure of the gas produced from foam degradation. For this purpose a heat transfer model and 2D foam degradation model were developed. In heat transfer model, radiation and conduction between foam and molten metal; and convection between gas and molten metal were considered. In order to evaluate the results of simulation, a bench scale casting apparatus was assembled and the casting was conducted in a transparent mold. The effect of several parameters such as coating thickness, foam density and vacuum level on the gap temperature, gap pressure and filling speed was studied with the developed software. It was found that the simulated results are in good agreement with experimental results.     

Optimization of the fermentation conditions and partial characterization for acido-thermophilic <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-amylase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus niger</Emphasis> NCIM 548

A high performance thermostable α-amylase at low pH values has been synthesized. Sugarcane bagasse was hydrolyzed in a dilute acid solution and utilized as carbon source for the growth of Aspergillus niger strain NCIM 548. Glucose, xylose and arabinose with the ratio of 1.0: 0.9: 0.3 (w/w/w) were detected in the hydrolyzate by HPLC analysis. Optimization of the fermentation conditions for α-amylase production was performed by varying four influential parameters such as Sugarcane bagasse hydrolyzate (SBH), NH₄Cl, pH and incubation time using a central composite design (CCD) under response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum values of SBH, NH₄Cl, pH and incubation time were 20.49, 2.34 g/l, 5.65 and 76.67 h, respectively. The acido-thermophilic enzyme showed maximum stability at 70°C and pH value of 4. The rate constant, K _m and maximum reaction rate, V _max were 18.79 g/l and 15.85 g/l·min, respectively.     

Combustion characteristics of candles made from hydrogenated soybean oil

Hydrogenated soybean oil, referred to as soywax by candle makers, is a renewable and biodegradable alternative to paraffin wax in candle manufacturing. Soywax was investigated for its tendency to produce soot as well as potentially harmful organic volatiles (acrolein, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde) during combustion. Beeswax and paraffin candles were used as references. A considerable amount of soot was produced from the combustion of paraffin candles, but little or none was observed from soywax candles. Compared to paraffin candles, soywax candles burned at a significantly slower rate and required less air. Small amounts of formaldehyde were detected and quantified in the fumes of burning paraffin candles. However, formaldehyde, peaks found in the chromatograms of soy- and beeswax candles were similar to or slightly higher than that of the blank. Since soywax candles exhibited burning properties similar to those of beeswax candles, soywax shows promise in candle applications.     

The mean intercept length polygons for systems of planar nets

With a view towards the characterization of microstructural anisotropy of fibrous materials, we have shown that the mean intercept figure for a planarN-net system of straight lines is a convex 2N-sided polygon. A very simple method of constructing the mean intercept figure for a planarN-net system is presented. It is shown, by example, that there is an inversion process by which one may construct a planarN-net system from its mean intercept polygon. The significance of these results with respect to the characterization of microstructural anisotropy of fibrous materials is discussed.     

The potential for greenhouse gases mitigation in household sector of Iran: cases of price reform/efficiency improvement and scenario for 2000–2010

Iran's demographic profile is sharply youth oriented and this upcoming generation's needs for employment and housing, coupled with low-energy efficiency vectors and consumption patterns, has created a constant rise in energy demand and greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions in the residential sector. Improved energy efficiency as a national policy lynchpin for demand reduction and GHGs mitigation, has become commonplace. OPEC countries however, Iran included, suffer an obvious lack of consumer incentive because of low fuel prices. This study evaluates the twin impacts of price reform and efficiency programs on energy carriers’ consumption and GHGs mitigation in the Iranian housing sector. For this purpose, the demand functions for energy carriers, has been developed by econometrics process models.     

Fabrication of HAp–8YSZ composite layer on Ti/TiO2 nanoporous substrate by EPD/MAO method

Zirconia/Hydroxyapatite composites containing 20–50 wt.% 8YSZ were prepared on Ti/TiO₂ substrates by electrophoretic deposition (EPD)/micro-arc oxidation (MAO) process. Titania, as an inner layer, was grown on the Ti plates using MAO treatment in order to form a strong join between substrate and HAp. These composites were produced by EPD in ethanol containing ZrO₂/HAp particles at 50, 100 and 150 V in 1 min. As-prepared samples were sintered at 900, 1100 and 1300 °C. HAp, β-TCP, CaZrO₃ phases were identified using X-ray diffractometry analysis (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) utilized to study the surface morphology indicated a crack free microstructure at 1300 °C.