Characterization and antibacterial property of Kapok fibers treated with chitosan/AgCl–TiO2 colloid

The aim of this research is to investigate the antibacterial activity of Kapok fibers modified with AgCl/TiO₂ and Chitosan colloid. A very simple, single-step (pad-dry-cure) method was used for the application of AgCl/TiO₂ and Chitosan colloid on kapok fibers, the chemicals used are easily available. Different blend ratios of chitosan and AgCl/TiO₂ colloid were applied to the bleached kapok fibers and antibacterial properties were assayed against gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. The treated kapok fibers were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). It was observed that the bacterial growth was significantly reduced in the samples which had a higher concentration of chitosan and AgCl/TiO₂ colloid. However, a significant reduction in bacterial growth with the use of this colloid was observed.     

Optimization of the constant power speed range of a saturated permanent-magnet synchronous motor

This paper proposes an optimization procedure for interior permanent-magnet synchronous machines to achieve wide-speed operation. This method applies on motors with a finite maximum speed. The method takes into account the effect of saturation. Nonlinear models of the d- and q-axes flux linkages are obtained from finite-element analysis and are used to derive the power capability of the machine. These models are combined with response-surface method and genetic algorithms to optimize its constant power speed range.     

Cigs flexible nano solar cell by inert argon gas condensation

The Cu(In_0.7Ga_0.3)Se₂ nano solar cell pn junction structure consist of six layers of Al/CIGS/nano-CIGS/CdS/ITO/PET with thicknesses about 200, 500, 70, 100, 150 nm and 170 um were deposited by thermal evaporation technique at vacuum pressure 2 × 10^–5 mbar respectively. where the ITO/PET conductive flexible substrate with sheet resistance 15 Ohms per sq. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed that as-deposited thin films CIGS and CdS are polycrystalline where optical energy gap and carrier concentration are found that 1.15 and 2.38 eV with p = 3.58 × 10¹⁰ cm^–3 and n = 3.11 × 10¹³ cm^–3 respectively. CIGS nano solar cell thin films are deposited on CdS/ITO/PET with assistance of inlet Argon gas vacuum pressure at 1, 5, 20 mbar by thermal evaporation technique at room temperature by using Inert gas condensation (IGC) is the method by which one can deposit films with high purity as deposition is done in low vacuum. The high magnification SEM image of CIGS nano-structures synthesized at 20 mbar revealed that the particles have exact spherical shape with sizes ranged from few nanometers to hundreds nanometers due to agglomeration effect. It was found that the grain size and the root mean square of surface roughness increases as Argon gas pressure increase. Therefore the structure of CIGS thin films has been changed from polycrystalline to nanostructure and have been found with increase Argon gas vacuum pressure from 1mbar to 5 mbar and then 20 mbar will increase grain size at 2θ = 32° from 15.9, 18.9 and 25.7 nm with decrease optical energy gap from 1.54, 1.44 and 1.26 eV respectively. The results showed the efficiency increase from 1.37% of CIGS/CdS to 2.01% of CIGS nano thin films of solar cells.     

维生素与护肤化妆品（英）

维生素对于生命的重性是众所周知的,研究中发现维生素对于保护皮肤,促进皮肤的新陈代谢有特别功效,介绍了维生素用于护理皮肤的最新研究成果,阐述了各种维生素的护肤活性和含维生素护肤化妆品的配方技术与基本结构。     

Comparative study: Thermal and non-thermal treatment on enzyme deactivation and selected quality attributes of fresh carrot juice

The combined effect of emerging electro-technology high-voltage cold plasma (HVCP) and non-thermal ultra-high hydrostatic pressure (UHP) as bioprocess technologies on the quality and stability of carrot juice has been evaluated. Carrot juice was treated with HVCP (70 kV for 3 min), UHP (300, 400, and 500 MPa) at 25 °C for 5 min, and a blanched sample of 100 °C for 5 min (BS) was also prepared. As compared to control and single treatments, the combined treatment (HVCP-UHP500) has attained better results in terms of enzyme inactivation and electroporation extraction of coloring compounds, phytochemicals, and ascorbic acid. Wherein, the maximum of 25.87 ± 0.12^a µg/100 mL of β-Carotene, 11.89 ± 0.80^a GAE (µg g⁻¹) of total phenols, and 24.07 ± 0.12^b mg/100 mL of ascorbic acid content in carrot juice were also observed in the combined treatment at 500 MPa. In addition, phytochemical enhancement might be attributed to the disintegration of phenolic dimers into simple aglycones, predominantly because of the electro-kinetic phenomenon of HVCP, which is subsequently intensified by UHP treatment. Therefore, the current study suggests that the combination of two novel techniques is a highly efficient method in terms of energy, time, and cost, with low yield efficiency and bio-safety.     

Preparation of SMA functionalized sulfanilic acid hydrogels and investigation of their metal ions adsorption behavior

This study is concerned with the synthesis of some network polymers and their possibility of metal ions removal from aqueous solution. A chelating hydrogel based on modified poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) with p-aminobenzene sulfonic acid (sulfanilic acid) was synthesized. This hydrogel was further reacted by 1,2-diaminoethane or 1,3-diaminopropane in presence of ultrasonic irradiation for preparation of tridimensional hydrogels. The prepared hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG) techniques. Also, the swelling index of the copolymers was measured and the results clearly indicate that the uptake of the water decreased with cross-linked hydrogels with respect to noncross-linked form. Adsorption capacity of the hydrogels for the selected metal ions, i.e., Zn(II), Cu(II) and Fe(II) was investigated in detail in aqueous solutions at pH 3–7 utilizing atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Also the prepared hydrogels were examined for removal of metal ions from industrial wastewater samples. This study showed that the prepared cross-linked hydrogel is very efficient in chelating the selected metal ions from aqueous solutions, compared to noncross-linked hydrogel and the affinity order was: Fe(II) > Cu(II) > Zn(II). The equilibrium distribution coefficient (k _d) was determined and the findings proved that the k _d value is approximately high in the case of all measured metal ions.     

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac is readily biodegradable in agricultural soils

Diclofenac, 2-[2-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl)amino]phenyl]acetic acid, is an important non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug widely used for human and animals to reduce inflammation and pain. Diclofenac could potentially reach agricultural lands through the application of municipal biosolids or wastewater, and in the absence of any environmental fate data, we evaluated its persistence in agricultural soils incubated in the laboratory. ¹⁴C-Diclofenac was rapidly mineralized without a lag when added to soils varying widely in texture (sandy loam, loam, clay loam). Over a range of temperature and moisture conditions extractable ¹⁴C-diclofenac residues decreased with half lives < 5 days. No extractable transformation products were detectable by HPLC. Diclofenac mineralization in the loam soil was abolished by heat sterilization. Addition of biosolids to sterile or non-sterile soil did not accelerate the dissipation of diclofenac. These findings indicate that diclofenac is readily biodegradable in agricultural soils.     

Understanding the soft side of software projects: An empirical study on the interactive effects of social skills and political skills on complexity – performance relationship

While prior research considers project complexity as a double-edged sword, researchers and practitioners still remain unclear whether project complexity serves as productive or counterproductive ingredient for project performance. Our research brings clarity on the dynamic nature of complexity-performance relationship by integrating social exchange theory with recent developments in project management research to develop and test a novel framework involving interactive roles of social skills and political skills in software-projects. Regardless of calls for further empirical studies, researchers have predominantly neglected the fundamental role of human efforts and human interaction in outlining performance particularly in complex projects. Drawing on a survey based sample of 242 project managers and use of variance based structural equation modeling, the findings illuminate theoretical and practical contributions in better understanding complexities in software-projects performance. In addition, prioritizing human-centric factors i.e. social skills and political skills in supporting complexity- performance relationship further enhances contributions of this research.