User grouping and power allocation for energy efficiency maximization in mmWave-NOMA heterogeneous networks

Wireless Networks - This paper investigates the application of non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and millimeter-wave (mmWave) transmission in the fifth-generation (5G) of heterogeneous cellular...     

Current Approaches in Improving Hemocompatibility of Polymeric Membranes for Biomedical Application

Suitable membranes for blood‐contacting medical applications need to be resistant in confrontation with blood proteins and cells, while possessing high blood compatibility and permeability at the same time. Herein, an overview of the recent advances and strategies that have been used to enhance the hemocompatibility of polymeric membranes is provided. The review focuses on two modification strategies: (i) physical modifications and (ii) chemical modifications. It also highlights the current progress in the design of hemocompatible‐functionalized membranes for biomedical applications. Subsequently, the commonly applied biocompatibility tests are also discussed and finally the future perspectives of the application of polymeric membranes in the biomedical field are presented.

     

Incorporation of graphene oxide and calcium phosphate in the PCL/PHBV core-shell nanofibers as bone tissue scaffold

Bone tissue scaffolds should have both desired mechanical stability and cell activities including biocompatibility, cell differentiation, and maturation. Also, suitable mineralization is another key factor for these materials. Hence, in current work, in order to achieve a scaffold with desired mechanical and bioactivity properties, core-shell nanofibers based on the polycaprolactone and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) with different concentration of graphene oxide (GO) (0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt%) and calcium phosphate (CP) (1 and 3 wt%) were prepared to utilize as bone scaffold. Microstructure of nanofibers observed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and results exhibited that the most of nanofibers had 270–500 nm diameter. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray evaluations verified appearance of GO and CP into the electrospun scaffolds (ES). Transmission electron microscopy analysis endorsed core-shell structure of nanofibers. X-ray diffraction study moreover determination of semicrystalline structure, verified presence of GO and CaPO₄ into the nanofibers. Water contact angle demonstrates that, ES2 and ES3 situated in suitable domain of hydrophilicity. Tensile analysis determined that, ES2, ES3, and ES4 had the highest mechanical properties for use as bone scaffold. Cell viability assessment confirmed biocompatibility of scaffold during 7 days. Alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red staining exhibited maturating and differentiating of osteocytes after 21 days seeding on the scaffolds.     

Natural vs. Synthetic Phosphate as Efficient Heterogeneous Compounds for Synthesis of Quinoxalines

Natural phosphate (NP) and synthetic fluorapatite phosphate (SFAP) were proposed as stable, inexpensive, readily available and recyclable catalysts for the condensation of 1,2-diamines with 1,2-dicarbonyls in methanol to afford quinoxaline at room temperature. NP provided as high as 92–99% yield for quinoxalines in short reaction times (i.e., 1–45 min), while SFAP created quinoxalines with 87–97% yield in 60–120 min. From the chemical analyses, X-ray fluoresecency, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy methods, two main phases (CaO, P₂O₅) appeared in NP together with other low content phases (SiO₂, Fe₂O₃). Compared to other phases, apatite (CaO and P₂O₅ as Ca10(PO₄)₆) played a major role in the catalytic activity of NP. SFAP with similar Ca/P atomic ratio showed a relatively lower catalytic activity than NP for the condensation of 1,2-diamine with 1,2-dicarbonyl in methanol at ambient temperature. To investigate the recyclability of catalysts, the surface properties of NP and 6-recycled NP were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda methods. Some differences were observed in NP and 6-recycled NP’s particle size, surface area, the volume and size of pores, and the content of elements; nevertheless, the use–reuse process did not noticeably change the catalytic property of NP.     

Experimental investigation of thermo-physical properties of platelet mesoporous SBA-15 silica particles dispersed in ethylene glycol and water mixture

This paper presents an experimental investigation of thermophysical properties of platelet mesoporous SBA-15 particles dispersed in 60:40 (v/v) ethylene glycol:water mixture. The effect of weight fraction of particles and temperature is studied on density, viscosity and thermal conductivity of nanofluids. The maximum measured thermal conductivity enhancement reaches up to 22% for the nanofluids containing 5 wt% of SBA-15 at 60 °C. The SBA-15 nanofluids show Newtonian behavior in the tested temperature range. Also, the relative density increases between 0.4% and 2.2% when the weight percent of the nanoparticles varies between 1 and 5 at 60 °C. Structural and morphological characterization of synthesized SBA-15 have been carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms methods.     

Histone Acetylation Dynamics during In Vivo and In Vitro Oocyte Aging in Common Carp Cyprinus carpio

Aging is the most critical factor that influences the quality of post-ovulatory oocytes. Age-related molecular pathways remain poorly understood in fish oocytes. In this study, we examined the effect of oocyte aging on specific histone acetylation in common carp Cyprinus carpio. The capacity to progress to the larval stage in oocytes that were aged for 28 h in vivo and in vitro was evaluated. Global histone modifications and specific histone acetylation (H3K9ac, H3K14ac, H4K5ac, H4K8ac, H4K12ac, and H4K16ac) were investigated during oocyte aging. Furthermore, the activity of histone acetyltransferase (HAT) was assessed in fresh and aged oocytes. Global histone modifications did not exhibit significant alterations during 8 h of oocyte aging. Among the selected modifications, H4K12ac increased significantly at 28 h post-stripping (HPS). Although not significantly different, HAT activity exhibited an upward trend during oocyte aging. Results of our current study indicate that aging of common carp oocytes for 12 h results in complete loss of egg viability rates without any consequence in global and specific histone modifications. However, aging oocytes for 28 h led to increased H4K12ac. Thus, histone acetylation modification as a crucial epigenetic mediator may be associated with age-related defects, particularly in oocytes of a more advanced age.     

Assessment of water depth change patterns in 120° sharp bend using numerical model

In this study,FLUENT software was employed to simulate the flow pattern and water depth changes in a 120° sharp bend at four discharge rates.To verify the numerical model,a 90° sharp bend was first modeled with a three-dimensional numerical model,and the results were compared with available experimental results.Based on the numerical model validation,a 120° bend was simulated.The results show that the rate of increase of the water depth at the cross-section located 40 cm before the bend,compared with the cross-sections located 40 cm and 80 cm after the bend,decreases with the increase of the normal water depth in the 120° curved channel.Moreover,with increasing normal water depth,the dimensionless water depth change decreases at all cross-sections.At the interior cross-sections of the bend,the transverse water depth slope of the inner half-width is always greater than that of the outer half-width of the channel.Hence,the water depth slope is nonlinear at each crosssection in sharp bends.Two equations reflecting the relationships between the maximum and minimum dimensionless water depths and the normal water depth throughout the channel were obtained.