Hybrid Multicast and Segment‐Based Caching for VoD Services in LTE Networks

This paper proposes a novel video delivery scheme that reduces the bandwidth consumption cost from a video server to terminals in Long‐Term Evolution networks. This proposed scheme combines optimized hybrid multicast with a segment‐based caching strategy for use in environments where the maximum number of multicast channels is limited. The optimized hybrid multicast, allocation of multicast channels, and cache allocation are determined on the basis of a video's request rate, the related video's length, and the variable cost per unit size of a segment belonging to the related video. Performance evaluation results show that the proposed scheme reduces a video's delivery costs. This work is applicable to on‐demand TV services that feature asynchronous video content requests.     

Sea‐Urchin‐Inspired 3D Crumpled Graphene Balls Using Simultaneous Etching and Reduction Process for High‐Density Capacitive Energy Storage

A crumpled configuration of graphene is desirable for preventing irreversible stacking between individual nanosheets, which can be a major hurdle toward its widespread application. Herein a sea‐urchin‐shaped template approach is introduced for fabricating highly crumpled graphene balls in bulk quantities with a simple process. Simultaneous chemical etching and reduction process of graphene oxide (GO)‐encapsulated iron oxide particles results in dissolution of the core template with spiky morphology and conversion of the outer GO layers into reduced GO layers with increased hydrophobicity which remain in contact with the spiky surface of the template. After completely etching, the outer graphene layers are fully compressed into the crumpled form along with decrease in total volume by etching. The crumpled balls exhibit significantly larger surface area and good water‐dispersion stability than those of stacked reduced GO or other crumple approaches, even though they also show comparable electrical conductivity. Furthermore, they are easily assembled into 3D macroporous networks without any binders through typical processes such as solvent casting or compression molding. The graphene networks with less pore volume still have the crumpled morphology without sacrificing the properties regardless of the assembly processes, producing a promising active electrode material with high gravimetric and volumetric energy density for capacitive energy storage.     

Natural rubber/leather waste composite foam: A new eco‐friendly material and recycling approach

This article describes a new approach of recycling the leather waste (shavings) using it as filler in natural rubber foams composites. The foams were prepared using different amounts of leather waste (0–60 parts per hundred of rubber) and submitted to morphological (SEM microscopy) and mechanical analyses (cyclic stress–strain compression). The increase of leather shavings on the composite causes an increase of viscosity in the mixture, which reflects in the foaming process. This results in smaller and fairly uniform cells. Furthermore, expanded rubber has the biggest cell size, with more than 70% of cell with 1000 µm, while the composite with the higher concentration of leather has around 80% of total number of cells with 100–400 µm. The mechanical parameters were found to depend on the leather dust concentration. Moreover, the stiffness rises with the increase of leather shavings; consequently, the compression force for expanded rubber was 0.126 MPa as well as the composite with higher concentration of leather was 7.55 MPa. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41636.     

Water‐Powered Cell‐Mimicking Janus Micromotor

Cell derivatives have received increasing attention due to their unique ability to mimic many of the natural properties displayed by their source cells. Integration of cell‐derived natural materials with synthetic subjects can be applied toward the development of novel biomedical nano/microscale devices for a wide range of applications, including drug delivery and biodetoxification. Herein, a cell membrane functionalized magnesium‐based Janus micromotor, powered by water, that mimics natural motile cells is reported. The new cell‐mimicking Janus micromotor is constructed by integrating red blood cell (RBC) membranes, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and alginate (ALG) onto the exposed surface areas of magnesium microparticles that are partially embedded in Parafilm. The resulting RBC membrane‐coated magnesium (RBC‐Mg) Janus micromotors display an efficient and guided propulsion in water without any external fuel, as well as in biological (albumin‐rich) media with no apparent biofouling, mimicking the movement of natural motile cells. The effective RBC membrane coating bestows the RBC‐Mg Janus micromotors with unique capability for absorbing and neutralizing both biological protein toxins and nerve agent simulants. Such detoxification ability is facilitated greatly by the water‐driven motion of the motors. The RBC‐Mg Janus micromotors represent an exciting progress toward cell‐mimicking microscale motors that hold great promise for diverse biomedical and biodefense applications.     

The isopropylation of biphenyl over H-mordenite — Roles of 3- and 4-isopropylbiphenyls

The isopropylation of biphenyl (BP) and 3- and 4-isopropylbiphenyls (3- and 4-IPBPs) was examined over H-mordenites (MOR) to elucidate the mechanism of shape-selective formation of 4,4′-diisopropylbiphenyl (4,4′-DIPB). The isopropylation of BP occurred predominantly to form 4-isopropylbiphenyl (4-IPBP) from BP and 4,4′-DIPB from 4-IPBP. However, 3-IPBP, a minor isomer from BP, cannot participate effectively in the formation of 3,4′-DIPB due to steric restriction of its isopropyl moiety with MOR channels. Selective formation of 4,4′-DIPB was observed at low to moderate temperatures: 225–275 °C. However, the selectivities for 4,4′-DIPB were decreased at high temperatures, 300–350 °C under propene pressure, 0.8MPa, by the isomerization of 4,4′-DIPB at external acid sites. The isomerization of 4,4′-DIPB occurred under low propene pressure even at 250 °C. The roles of 3- and 4-IPBPs in the formation of DIPB isomers were examined in the isopropylation of their mixtures. 4-IPBP was consumed much faster than 3-IPBP in all cases examined. 4-IPBP was an exclusive precursor to DIPB isomers, particularly 4,4′-DIPB. 4,4′-DIPB was also found as a predominant isomer in encapsulated products at all conditions examined. These results show that 4-IPBP can preferentially establish active transition state with propene and acid site in MOR channels, resulting in selective formation of 4,4′-DIPB. It is concluded that the isopropylation of BP over MOR occurs through reactant selectivity mechanism and restricted transition state mechanism, but not through product selectivity mechanism.     

Effect of Misfit on Preload Maintenance of Retention Screws of Implant-Supported Prostheses

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of unilateral misfit at different levels on a crown-implant-retention screw system of implant-supported crowns. Hexagon castable UCLA abutments were cast in Co-Cr alloy to fabricate 48 metallic crowns divided into four groups (n = 12). Group A: crowns did not present misfit; Groups B, C and D: crowns were fabricated with unilateral misfit of 50, 100, and 200 μm, respectively. The crowns were attached by titanium retention screw with 30 N/cm to external hexagonal osseointegrated implants embedded in acrylic resin. After 2 min, the retention screw of each replica was submitted to detorque evaluation by an analogic torque gauge. Three retention screws were used to perform detorque evaluation at each replica and the procedure was repeated twice with each screw. Each group was submitted to 72 detorque measurements. Data were evaluated by ANOVA and Tukey test (P < 0.05). All groups exhibited significant decrease (P < 0.05) in preload and the lowest decrease occurred in Group A. Groups B, C, and D were statistically significant different from Group A (P < 0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between Groups B and D (P > 0.05). Crowns with unilateral misfit presented higher preload decrease than crowns completely fitted to osseointegrated implants.     

Analysis of variables that influence electric energy consumption in commercial buildings in Brazil

Air conditioning systems in commercial buildings in Brazil are responsible for about 70% share of their energy consumption. According to BEN 2009 (The Brazilian Energy Balance), energy consumption in the residential, commercial and public sectors, where most buildings are found, represents 9.3% of the final energy consumption in Brazil. This paper aims to examine design factors that could contribute to greater reductions of electric energy consumption in commercial buildings, with emphasis on air conditioning. Simulations were carried out using shades and different types of glass, walls, flooring and roofing. The VisualDOE 2.61 was used as a simulation tool for calculating energy consumption of the analyzed building. This paper shows that the energy performance of the building is considerably influenced by the façade protection and shows, through tables, the impact that decisions related to the top-level and façades have on the energy consumption of the building. The authors concluded that the results confirm the importance of taking energy use into account in the very first design stages of the project, since appropriate choices of types of glass, external shading and envelope materials have a significant impact on energy consumption.     

A Laterally‐Driven Bistable Electromagnetic Microrelay

In this letter, a laterally‐driven bistable electromagnetic microrelay is designed, fabricated, and tested. The proposed microrelay consists of a pair of arch‐shaped leaf springs, a shuttle, and a contact bar made from silicon, low temperature oxide (LTO), and gold composite materials. Silicon‐on‐insulator wafers are used for electrical isolation and releasing of the moving microstructures. The high‐aspect‐ratio microstructures are fabricated using a deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) process. The tandem‐typed leaf springs with a silicon/gold composite layer enhance the mechanical performances while reducing the electrical resistance. A permanent magnet is attached at the bottom of the silicon substrate, resulting in the generation of an external magnetic field in the direction vertical to the surface of the silicon substrate. The leaf springs show bistable characteristics. The resistance of the pair of leaf springs was 7.5 Ω, and the contact resistance was 7.7 Ω. The relay was operated at ±0.12 V.