Recent Progress in the Synthesis and Applications of Some Ferrocene Derivatives and Ferrocene-Based Polymers

In the past decades, a lot of ferrocene (Fc) derivatives have been synthesized and used in many different applications. In addition, Fc-containing polymers have emerged, as an important class of the metal-containing polymers, with unique electrical, magnetic and optical properties and thus much considerable attention has been paid for the application of these polymer systems. These Fc-containing polymers have many different applications such as amperometric biosensors, immunosensors for proteins, DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and carbon monoxide sensors and also they can be used for the fabrication of optical logic gates. This paper reviews the recent progress in the synthetic methodologies, functionalization and the applications of Fc-based polymers as well as some Fc derivatives.     

Simulation and experimental studies of corona power loss in a dust loaded wire-duct electrostatic precipitator

This paper investigates numerically and experimentally the performance of a single stage wire-duct electrostatic precipitators (WDEP) as influenced by different geometrical and operating parameters. To numerically solve the governing equations, namely Poisson’s and the current continuity equations, the finite element method (FEM) and a modified method of characteristics (MMC) were used. One major advantage of the present work over those reported in the literature is that the characteristic lines follow the FE grid pattern which results in fast convergence and reduction of the computational time. To verify the results experimentally, a proto-type WDEP was successfully designed and fabricated at the research institute of KFUPM (RI-KFUPM). The experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions and a smoke of fired coal was used as a source of seed particles of PM10 category (around 78% of particles lying below 10 μm). The results show how different parameters (such as discharging wire radii’s, wire-to-wire spacing and wire-to-plate spacing as well as the fly ash flow speed and applied voltage polarity) influenced the corona power loss and current density profiles. An indication of the effectiveness of this approach was carried out through a comparison of previously computed results and previously as well presently obtained experimental data.     

Determining the specific surface area of ceramic foams: The tetrakaidecahedra model revisited

Silicon carbide foams were characterized with respect to their specific surface area as well as their morphological parameters including strut diameter, window diameter and open porosities. Image analysis, computed tomography, He-pycnometry and mercury intrusion were used for characterization purposes. State-of-the-art correlations (based on different geometrical models for foam structures) for the estimation of the specific surface area were applied and evaluated. Based on the tetrakaidecahedron geometry and different strut morphologies of the foams, new correlations for the specific surface area were developed and successfully validated by comparison with both, own and external experimental data. With the new correlations it is possible to estimate the specific surface area of ceramic foams by using only two measured parameters, namely the window diameter and the open porosity.     

Development of viscosity transfer standards from Chitosan/gelatin mixtures

This paper reports the degree of stability of the viscosity of Chitosan/gelatin mixtures having viscosity from 1 mm²/s to 161 mm²/s. The kinematic viscosity of the five liquids, was determined at 20 °C and 25 °C. To test the stability of the viscosity of these oils, we have repeated the measurements of the kinematic and dynamic viscosity at 20 °C and 25 °C, several times for a period of two years. The measurements were carried out using standard viscometers and water bath, where temperature stability was about ± 0.02 °C. The variations of the viscosity for the oils under test during two years interval were within the ranges of uncertainty of measurements. The results obtained show that these oils can be used for a period of two years with stable physical and chemical composition and in turn their measured viscosity values. These recommended viscosity standards will be of great importance for many applications e.g., thickeners, food, textile, sizings, petrol and medical industries because they verify a wide calibration ranges of viscosity values for different industries.     

Breeding objectives for Holstein dairy cattle in Iran

Trait-by-trait and multiple trait bioeconomic modeling were used to derive farm-specific economic weights (EW) for a wide range of traits under different production and economic circumstances to define breeding objectives for Holstein dairy cattle in Iran. Production parameters and economic data were gathered on 10 dairy farms from March 2008 to February 2010. The EW (economic values multiplied by gene expressions, in US dollars per unit of trait per calf born from sires of self-replacing females in planning horizon of 20 yr) were estimated to be $0.15 per kilogram of milk yield; $1.36 per kilogram of fat yield; -$1.02 per kilogram of protein yield; $4.59 per month of longevity; -$1.22 per kilogram of mature cow weight; -$105.67 for combined somatic cell score and clinical mastitis; -$1.35 and -$0.28 for percentage direct and maternal calving difficulties, respectively; -$3.98 for percentage direct stillbirth; -$0.76 per day of age at first calving; -$0.72 per calving interval day; and $0.91 for percentage 56-d nonreturn rate on averages across investigated farms. The coefficient of variation of economic weights across the 10 farms was lowest for direct calving difficulty and highest for calving interval. The proposed Iranian selection index was compared with selection indices of major countries exporting semen to Iran. Average relative emphasis for production, durability, and health and reproduction, across all exporter countries, was 41, 37.5, and 21.5%, respectively, whereas the respective values were 50, 14, and 36% for the Iranian index. Significant differences in selection indices may potentially decrease the utility of importation of semen as a means of achieving sustainable genetic progress in Iran. Results obtained in this study provide important information about economic values of traits that can be used to improve the Iranian national progeny testing program as well as importation rules for semen to Iran.     

Short communication: Effects of feeding sweet sorghum silage on milk production of lactating dairy cows

The objective of this study was to determine the feeding value of sweet sorghum silage (SS) for dairy cows compared with alfalfa silage (AS). Two diets were formulated with a 50:50 forage:concentrate ratio. Sweet sorghum silage and AS constituted 70% of the forage in each diet (dry matter basis). Twelve lactating Holstein cows in early lactation were used in a crossover experiment. Relative to AS, SS contained 58% more neutral detergent fiber and 36.6 and 72.7% less acid detergent lignin and crude protein, respectively. Milk yield (33.0 vs. 36.7 kg/d) was lower for cows fed SS than for those fed AS. However, dry matter intake, energy-corrected milk, and feed efficiency were similar for both dietary treatments. Replacing AS with SS increased concentrations of milk fat (4.44 vs. 3.80%) and total solids (13.31 vs. 12.88%) and reduced concentrations of milk lactose (4.55 vs. 4.61%), milk solids-not-fat (8.88 vs. 9.08%), and milk urea nitrogen (10.0 vs. 14.0 mg/dL). We concluded that replacing AS with SS had negative effects on milk yield, whereas dry matter intake, energy-corrected milk, and milk efficiency were similar.     

All-optical logic NXOR based on semiconductor optical amplifiers with the effect of amplified spontaneous emission

The performance of all-optical logic NXOR gate based on semiconductor optical amplifiers Mach-Zehnder interferometer(SOAs-MZI)is simulated.The effects of amplified spontaneous emission(ASE)and the input pulse energy on the system’s quality factor are studied.For the parameters used,the all-optical logic gates using SOAs are capable of operating at speed of 80Gbit/s.     

Azo disperse dyes for synthetic fibres. 3: 2-Styrylquinazolone derivatives

Fifteen variously substituted derivatives ( IVa–o ) of 2-styrylquinazolone have been prepared for use as dye-stuffs. The effects of the nature and orientation of substituents on the colour and dyeing properties of these dyes on polyester and acrylic fibres were assessed.     

Acute cerebrovascular accidents with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Cerebrovascular complications are by far the most serious side-effects of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. We report a case in which the patient developed cerebral infarction with right sided hemiplegia as a result of severe hyperstimulation syndrome after using a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist for intracytoplasmic sperm injection.