YOLO-V3 based real-time drone detection algorithm

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Drones are currently being used in a wide range of useful tasks that are too dangerous or/and expensive to be performed by humans. However, this is increasingly...     

Effect of nickel oxide - Modified BaCe0.54Zr0.36Y0.1O2.95 as composite anode on the performance of proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cell

The effect of NiO-m-BCZY64 (BCZY64 = BaCe_0.54Zr_0.36Y_0.1O_2.95) as a composite anode with a single anode functional layer (AFL) and gradient AFL on the performance of a button cell was systematically evaluated. The m-BCZY64 is referred to the pristine BCZY64 that was modified by a functionalized activated carbon derived from palm-oil empty fruit bunch (EFB). The electrochemical performance of the cell was investigated by impedance spectroscopy in a controlled atmosphere. The NiO-m-BCZY64 exhibited smaller grain size and homogenous elemental distribution compared to pristine NiO-BCZY64 as observed by SEM/EDX. At T = 800 °C, a button cell consists of NiO:m-BCZY64 with gradient AFL showed the best performance with total resistance (R_T) of 21.12 Ωcm² compared to the cell with single AFL (R_T = 86.04 Ωcm²) and pristine NiO-BCZY64 (R_T = 145.64 Ωcm²). The significant reduction of R_T indicates that the NiO:m-BCZY64 with gradient AFL showed high potential to be used as a composite anode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells.     

Influence of Hybrid Cellulose/Bentonite Fillers on Structure,Ambient, and Low Temperature Tensile Properties of Thermoplastic Starch Composites

Thermoplastic starch (TPS) composites incorporating bentonite/cellulose (Bent/Cellulose) hybrid fillers in different ratios were prepared by film casting. Ultra-sonication was done to promote good dispersion of filler in the host TPS and enhance the filler-matrix interactions. Ultra-sonicated fillers resulted in superior improvement in the tensile properties when the samples preconditioned at both ambient and 2°C. Upon preconditioning at 2°C, the TPS composite containing the ultra-sonicated hybrid bent/cellulose in 80:20 ratio displayed the greatest tensile properties achievement among all the tested materials. These could be due to the effect of low temperature interactions between the starch, plasticizers, and the hybrid fillers. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis proved the changes in the crystallinity and dynamic characteristic of the TPS molecular chains which benefit in enhancing the biopolymer elongation at break and toughness, even when stored at refrigerated condition. In summary, the TPS/bent/cellulose composite has potential to be further developed for refrigerated food packaging application. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:810–822, 2020. © 2020 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of Zirconium Addition on High-Temperature Cyclic Oxidation of Diffusion Chromo-Aluminized Ni-Base Superalloy

Oxidation of Metals - Nimonic 75 alloy was coated with two different types of coatings: chromo-aluminized coating and Zr-doped chromo-aluminized coating. Diffusion coating was carried out by pack...     

Mitochondria-Targeting Selenophene-Modified BODIPY-Based Photosensitizers for the Treatment of Hypoxic Cancer Cells

Two red-absorbing, water-soluble and mitochondria (MT)-targeting selenophene-substituted BODIPY-based photosensitizers (PSs) were realized ( BOD − Se , BOD − Se − I ), and their potential as photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents were evaluated. BOD − Se − I showed higher ¹O₂ generation yield thanks to the enhanced heavy-atom effect, and this derivative was further tested in detail in cell culture studies under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. BOD − Se − I not only effectively functioned under hypoxic conditions, but also showed highly selective photocytotoxicity towards cancer cells. The selectivity is believed to arise from differences in mitochondrial membrane potentials of healthy and cancerous cells. To the best of our knowledge, this marks the first example of a MT-targeted BODIPY PS that functions under hypoxic conditions. Remarkably, thanks to the design strategy, all these properties where realized by a compound that was synthesized in only five steps with 32 % overall yield. Hence, this material holds great promise for the realization of next-generation PDT drugs for the treatment of hypoxic solid tumors.