Pseudo‐3D RSSI‐based WSN localization algorithm using linear regression

Receiver Strength Signal Indication based Wireless Sensor Networks offer a cheap solution for location‐aware applications. For a final breakthrough these systems need fast deployment and easy auto‐configuration. In this study, we use the real‐life iMinds test bed to expand a two‐dimensional localization algorithm to the pseudo third dimension with very low additional computational time. Our experiments show that this fast three‐dimensional algorithm has no outliers and avoids manual calibration. Our algorithm has lower position errors than a maximum likelihood algorithm with a mean square error cost function. Furthermore, with non‐parametric statistical tests, we show that our previously designed two‐dimensional preprocessing performs equally well in pseudo‐three dimensions: the preprocessing reduces the position error in a statistically significant way.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Developing eco-friendly methods for purification of compounds derived from hydrogenated cardanol

The present work made a comparative study between two purification methods, column chromatography and recrystallization, for compounds derived from cardanol, a by-product of the cashew industry (Anacardium occidentale L.). The compounds were successfully synthesized and characterized, focusing our attention to results obtained in terms of yield, purity, generation of solid waste and amount of solvent used in each purification process. For all the synthesized compounds, the amount of solvent used was greatly reduced in the recrystallization process, with purities above 80%, when compared to chromatographic column, which still demands high amounts of eluent.     

Optimization of osmotic dehydration of yacon slices

Osmotic dehydration assisted by ultrasound (ODAU) at low temperatures reduces water activity (a_w) and maintains nutrients. The influence of solution concentration (SC; 20 to 60° Brix, xylitol and sorbitol) and ultrasound application time (t_us, 0 to 40 min) in ODAU of yacon was studied with the aid of a response surface method. The optimum condition with respect to mass transfer parameters, a_w, and fructan retention was SC of 60° Brix for both solutions and t_us of 2.67 min for xylitol samples and 0 min for sorbitol samples. The application of ultrasound improved dehydration but resulted in depolymerization of fructans.     

Metformin Reduces Lipogenesis Markers in Obese Mice Fed a Low-Carbohydrate and High-Fat Diet

Lipogenesis is the process by which fatty acids are synthesized. In metabolic syndrome, an insulin resistant state along with high plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA) and hyperglycemia may contribute to the lipogenic process. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of oral administration of metformin on the expression of lipogenic genes and glycemic profile in mice fed with low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet by evaluating their metabolic profile. SWISS male mice were divided into 4 groups (N = 7) that were fed with standard (ST), standard plus metformin (ST + MET), low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet (LCHFD) and low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet plus metformin (LCHFD + MET) (100 mg kg^?1 diet) diets respectively. Food intake, body weight and blood parameters, such as glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, glucose, HDL‐c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, ASL and ALT levels were assessed. Histological analyses were performed on hematoxylin and eosin‐stained epididymal adipose tissue histological specimens. The expression levels of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPARγ), sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1 (SREBP1), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC), were assessed by RT‐PCR. This study showed that metformin decreased adipocyte area, body weight and food consumption in obese animals when compared to the standard group. Furthermore, the expression of lipogenic markers in adipose tissue were diminished in obese animals treated with metformin. This data showed that oral administration of metformin improved glucose and lipid metabolic parameters in white adipose tissue by reducing the expression of lipogenesis markers, suggesting an important clinical application of MET in treating obesity‐related diseases in metabolic syndrome.     

Freestanding fiber mats of zeolitic imidazolate framework 7 via one‐step,scalable electrospinning

We demonstrated the fabrication of freestanding zeolitic imidazolate framework 7 (ZIF‐7) nanofiber (NF) mats by means of one‐step, scalable electrospinning. The formation of ZIF‐7 nanoparticles embedded in polymer fibers was unambiguously pinpointed via X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and adsorption studies. The NF mats exhibited excellent characteristics, with an average diameter of 245 nm, in the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide (CO₂); this makes them attractive candidates for gas separation and other selective filtration applications. This excellent property of the ZIF‐7 mats was explained by the gate‐opening phenomenon of ZIF‐7, which yielded a stepwise increase in the overall CO₂ uptake capacity. The mechanical strength of the NF mats was also obtained via large‐strain uniaxial tensile deformation, which enabled preliminary assessment of the mat's suitability for textiles and membranes in targeting separation and filtration applications with large‐area permeability. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43788.     

Mechanical Properties of Submicrometer‐Grained Transparent Yttria Ceramics by Hot Pressing with Hot‐Isostatic Pressing

Here, we report the fabrication and mechanical properties of submicrometer‐grained (0.29–0.58 μm) transparent yttria ceramics by hot pressing combined with hot‐isostatic pressing. The effects of the grain size on the microhardness and the fracture toughness were studied. An unusual decrease of the fracture toughness with an increase in the grain size was revealed, which may be attributed to the different grain size dependence of the fracture behavior of the ZrO₂‐doped yttria ceramics compared to that of other yttria ceramics. The microhardness and fracture toughness of the transparent yttria ceramics were found to be better than those of the large‐grained yttria ceramics.     

Nitroarenes as Antitubercular Agents: Stereoelectronic Modulation to Mitigate Mutagenicity

Nitroarenes are less preferred in drug discovery due to their potential to be mutagenic. However, several nitroarenes were shown to be promising antitubercular agents with specific modes of action, namely, nitroimidazoles and benzothiazinones. The nitro group in these compounds is activated through different mechanisms, both enzymatic and non‐enzymatic, in mycobacteria prior to binding to the target of interest. From a whole‐cell screening program, we identified a novel lead nitrobenzothiazole (BT) series that acts by inhibition of decaprenylphosphoryl‐β‐d ‐ribose 2′‐epimerase (DprE1) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The lead was found to be mutagenic to start with. Our efforts to mitigate mutagenicity resulted in the identification of 6‐methyl‐7‐nitro‐5‐(trifluoromethyl)‐1,3‐benzothiazoles (cBTs), a novel class of antitubercular agents that are non‐mutagenic and exhibit an improved safety profile. The methyl group ortho to the nitro group decreases the electron affinity of the series, and is hence responsible for the non‐mutagenic nature of these compounds. Additionally, the co‐crystal structure of cBT in complex with Mtb DprE1 established the mode of binding. This investigation led to a new non‐mutagenic antitubercular agent and demonstrates that the mutagenic nature of nitroarenes can be solved by modulation of stereoelectronic properties.     

Reactive Extrusion Strategies to Fabricate Magnetite–Polyethylene Nanocomposites with Enhanced Mechanical and Magnetic Hyperthermia Properties

Biofouling is a major problem in water filtration units, which leads to premature system failure. Conventional treatment methods involving the use of chemicals or high‐pressure hydraulics exert mechanical strain on filter materials, leading to shortened service lifetimes. In this study, a novel magnetic polymer nanocomposite is fabricated using a blend of high density/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene with magnetite nanoparticle (MNP) fillers. The resulting magnetite–polyethylene nanocomposite (MPE‐NC) is mechanically robust and can be externally actuated with an alternating magnetic field to generate localized heating that is effective in eradicating bacterial biofilms. The MNPs are functionalized with silane‐based coupling agents and crosslinked onto the polyethylene backbone via a reactive extrusion approach, which results in a twofold enhancement in mechanical properties of the polymer matrix. Furthermore, the magnetic hyperthermia performance of the MPE‐NC is improved eightfold by replacing undoped magnetite nanospheres with zinc‐doped magnetite nanocube fillers, and the magnetic hyperthermia treatment approach is shown to be 12 times more effective in destroying bacterial biofilms compared to a direct heat‐treatment method. During hyperthermia treatment, the mechanical integrity of the MPE‐NC is preserved, thereby validating the potential of the MPE‐NC as a new filter material with high efficiency in biofilm removal and extended durability.

     

Removal of lindane using electrokinetic soil flushing coupled with air stripping

Journal of Applied Electrochemistry - This paper evaluates the remediation of soil spiked with lindane using a combined treatment consisting of electrokinetic soil flushing (EKSF) with air...