Novel CMOS Realization of Balanced-Output Third Generation Inverting Current Conveyor with Applications

A new current conveyor block, called a balanced-output third generation inverting current conveyor (ICCIII+−), is introduced in this paper. A novel CMOS realization for this block is proposed. To show the strength of this block, many applications are given, such as integrators, filters, and an oscillator. The proposed ICCIII+− and the presented applications are tested with SPICE simulations using CMOS 0.35 μm technology to verify the theoretical results.     

Ethanol counteraction of I1-imidazoline but not alpha-2 adrenergic receptor-mediated reduction in vascular resistance in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats

Our recent findings have shown that ethanol selectively counteracts decreases in blood pressure (BP) evoked via activation of central I1-imidazoline receptors but not alpha-2 adrenoceptors in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). This study investigated the role of sympathetic activity, cardiac output and total peripheral resistance (TPR) in the differential effect of ethanol on centrally mediated hypotension. Changes in plasma norepinephrine (NE), as index of sympathetic activity, BP, heart rate, cardiac index, stroke volume, and TPR elicited by rilmenidine or alpha-methylnorepinephrine (selective I1 and alpha-2 receptor agonists, respectively) and subsequent ethanol (0.5 or 1 g/kg) or saline, were evaluated in conscious SHRs. Intracisternal rilmenidine (25 microg) or alpha-methylnorepinephrine (alpha-MNE; 4 microg) elicited similar decreases in BP, TPR, and plasma NE, but cardiac index was not changed. Ethanol (0.5 g/kg i.v.) had no effect on hemodynamic responses to rilmenidine or alpha-MNE. The higher dose (1 g/kg i.v.) of ethanol counteracted the hypotensive response to rilmenidine and significantly (P <.05) elevated TPR and plasma NE. In contrast, ethanol (1 g/kg) had no effect on the hypotensive responses to alpha-MNE but significantly (P <.05) elevated plasma NE. However, this increase in NE was approximately one third of the increase evoked by ethanol when given after rilmenidine. These findings suggest that the selective counteraction by ethanol of the hypotension evoked via activation of central I1 but not alpha-2 receptors may relate, at least in part, to its greater ability to reverse the sympathoinhibition and the associated decrease in vascular resistance mediated by I1 receptors.     

Diversion of Mississippi River Water Downstream of New Orleans,Louisiana, USA to Maximize Sediment Capture and Ameliorate Coastal Land Loss

Boat-based field data and monitoring station data from the tidal reach of the Mississippi River are utilized to examine the sediment capture of large (>1,400 cms) proposed water and sediment diversions from the channel to build and sustain wetlands in the Mississippi delta. The purpose herein is to suggest the importance of siting the diversion relative to river morphology and operating it to optimize sediment capture. At the site of a proposed diversion near Myrtle Grove, LA, water and sediment data suggest that the washload (fine) fraction is strongly weighted toward the rising limb of individual freshets (e.g., flows >16,990 cms, 1 to 5 events/y over the last 49 y) based on daily turbidity records. Significant variability in suspended fines exists between freshets depending on whether they are the first peak of the water year, and on their tributary source. Much of the sand fraction in suspended load, since it is derived from the underlying bed (e.g., bed material load), is strongly tied to water discharge in this reach, and can be accurately predicted by ratings curve. An analytical model is presented that is utilized to test efficiency of sand capture in a diversion based on ADCP backscatter data calibrated by isokinetic water samplers. Using observations from the diversion site, the model predicts a 30 % more efficient sand capture for a 1,416 cms diversion (0–10 m withdrawal depth) at a discharge of 27,250 cms (March 2011) on the proposed lateral bar diversion site, relative to a thalweg site on the opposite bank. This suggests that the proximity of large dunes, and the turbulence induced by them, is a primary control on sand resuspension in the water capture zone, which in turn plays a strong role in efficiency of diversion sand capture.     

Compact stub type microstrip bandpass filter using defected ground plane

Usually a defected ground plane structure (DGS) provides only a band-reject response. However, in this work we introduce a simple band-accept circuit element in the DGS and developed a microstrip stub type compact 3-pole bandpass filter (BPF) at 4.2 GHz. The BPF has bandwidth and insertion loss 38% and 0.6 dB respectively. It has better than 25 dB rejection in the stopband up to 12 GHz.     

4-Aminoantipyrine as a chromogenic agent for aromatic amine determination in natural water

Reaction of 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AAP) with aromatic amines was investigated. The study showed the merits and limitations of 4-AAP as a chromogenic agent for the colorimetric determination of aromatic amies in water. Maximum colour development was reached within one minute and the colour maintained its stability for 10 min. 4-AAP is not a sensitive chromogenic reagent for the determination of chloro-, nitro-, p-substituted amines nor for polycyclic aromatic amines. Molar absorptivity of the 4-AAP-dye complexes was discussed and shown to be affected by steric hinderance and lability of the lone pair of electrons of the amino nitrogen.     

Synthesis and application of some new oxazole derivatives as antimicrobial agents

5-(p-Acetylphenyl)-2-phenyloxazole ( I ) was condensed with aromatic aldehydes to furnish chalcones 2a-e . Cyclocondensation of 2a-e with hydrazine hydrate and with phenyl hydrazine led to the formation of pyrazoline derivatives 3a-e and 4a-e respectively. Similarly, 2a was interacted with hydroxylamine to give isoxazoline ( 5 ). On the other hand, condensation of 1 with phenyl hydrazine yielded hydrazone 6 which on treatment with Vilsmeier reagent (DMF/POCl₃) gives 5-[p-(4-formyl-1-phenylpyrazol-3-yl)phenyl]-2-phenyloxazole ( 7 ). Also, a few derivatives of 7 have been prepared. Moreover, all compounds were screened for their antimicrobial activity against some strains of bacteria and fungi.     

Studies on γ-irradiated polymer–nano calcined clay blended cement mortar composites

This study focuses on the preparation of blended cement mortars by a partial replacement of Portland cement by different ratios of nano-calcined clay. Also, the addition of PVA on blended cement mortar with different percentages. In addition to the influence of different doses of gamma rays on the physico-chemical properties of the blended cement composites; the specimens are cured under tap water. Results showed that, compressive strength and bulk density of the composites increased with increasing the irradiation dose and PVA contents for certain values while, total porosity behaved in an opposite direction. XRD, SEM, TGA confirmed these conclusions.     

Low temperature enhanced ductility of friction stir processed 5083 aluminum alloy

Commercial 5083 Al rolled plates were subjected to friction stir processing (FSP) with two different processing parameters, having 430 and 850 rpm tool rotational speed with a single traverse feed rate of 90 mm/min. These FSP conditions resulted in two fine grained microstructures of 0·95 μm (430 rpm) and 2·6 μm (850 rpm). Tensile elongations were measured at a relatively low temperature of 250°C at three strain rates, and demonstrated that a decrease in grain size resulted in significantly enhanced ductility and lower forming loads. The occurrence of a relatively high value of strain rate sensitivity, m of 0·45 for a grain size of 0·95 μm, suggests the operation of superplastic deformation under these present experimental conditions.     

Ensuring the possibility of using thorium as a fuel in a pressurized water reactor(PWR)

The possibility of utilizing thorium as a fuel in a pressurized water reactor(PWR)has been proven from the neutronic perspective in our previously published work without assessing the thermal hydraulic(TH)and solid structure performances.Therefore,the TH and solid structure performances must be studied to confirm these results and ensure the possibility of using a thorium-based fuel as an excellent accident-tolerant fuel.The TH and solid structure performances of thorium-based fuels were investigated and compared with those of U02.The radial and axial power peaking factors(PPFs)for U02,(232Th,235U)02,and(232Th,233U)02 were examined with a PWR assembly to determine the total PPF of each one.Both Gd203 and Er203 were tested as burnable absorbers(BAs)to manage the excess reactivity at the beginning of the fuel cycle(BOC)and reduce the total PPF.Er203 resulted in a more significant reduction to the total PPF and,therefore,a greater reduction to the temperature distribution compared to Gd203.Given these results,we analyzed the effects of adding Er203 to thorium-based fuels on their TH and solid structure performances.