Improvement of form accuracy in hybrid machining of microstructures

Micromachining is gaining popularity due to recent advancements in Micro Electro Mechanical Systems. Using conventional micromachining, it is relatively difficult to produce moving components in the order of microns. In this study, an attempt is made to fabricate microstructures using a combination of turning and electrodischarge machining (EDM). Several sets of experiments have been performed to study the characteristics of the hybrid machining process. From the experiments, it has been observed that a higher form of accuracy could be obtained by integrating the on-machine fabrication of the tool and by subsequently using the same tool for EDM. The main cause of the form error is due to the deflection of the shaft during turning. Hence, an attempt is made to observe the deflection of the shaft using a deflection sensor. The influence of micro-EDM parameters such as feed rate, discharge circuits, and gap control parameters on material removal rate and tool wear is also discussed in this study.     

Interleaving-Based Cyclic Delay Diversity OFDM Systems over Spatially Correlated Channels

Cyclic delay diversity employing multiple transmit antenna provides increased frequency selectivity and thereby improves the frequency diversity in coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). However, spatial correlation due to insufficient spacing between transmit antennas degrades the diversity performance. In this paper, the correlation of effective channel frequency response (CFR) of CDD OFDM is analysed and then propose constellation rotation and adjacent interleaving (CRAI) scheme over spatially correlated channel. In the proposed scheme, the subcarrier constellation is rotated by a known angle and then imaginary parts of rotated adjacent subcarriers are interleaved. The squared Euclidean distance of the codewords is derived to show the effect of constellation rotation. Adjacent interleaving is shown to exploit the frequency diversity by reducing the variation in average channel power (ACP) due to spatial correlation. Simulation results reveal that the proposed scheme performs well in spatial correlated channel and thereby improves the bit error rate (BER) performance.     

Distribution and elimination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins,dibenzofurans, biphenyls,and p,p'-DDE in tissues of bald eagles from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Liver, muscle, fat, kidney, and gall bladder of eight bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) found dead in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan during 2000 were analyzed for the presence of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and biphenyls (including coplanar PCBs), p,p'-DDE, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). Necropsy results showed that the birds suffered from peritonitis, bacterial infection, or trauma. Concentrations of PCDD/DFs in livers ranged from 23 to 4500 pg/g on a wet weight basis (wet wt), whereas the least concentrations were found in blood plasma of bald eagle nestlings (2.3-49 pg/g, wet wt). A maximum total PCB concentration of 280,000 ng/g, wet wt, was found in the liver of a dead bald eagle affected by peritonitis. The greatest concentrations of p,p'-DDE and HCB in eagle livers were 17,000 and 120 ng/g, wet wt, respectively. Eagles with elevated 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or total PCB concentrations tended to have great TCDD/TCDF or PCB126/PCB77 ratios, hypothesized to be due to induction of cytochrome P450 enzymes and subsequent metabolism of TCDF and PCB77. Concentrations of TCDD toxic equivalents (TEQs) in the tissues of bald eagles exceeded the thresholds for toxicity in a few avian species. Non-ortho coplanar PCBs accounted for 68-88% of the total TEQs in bald eagle tissues. PCDDs and PCDFs collectively accounted for, on average, 17% of the total TEQs. On the basis of the analysis of a single gall bladder with bile, biliary excretion rates of PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs were estimated as 0.015-0.02% per day.     

Exploration of a Library of 3,4‐(Methylenedioxy)aniline‐Derived Semicarbazones as Dual Inhibitors of Monoamine Oxidase and Acetylcholinesterase: Design,Synthesis, and Evaluation

A library of 3,4‐(methylenedioxy)aniline‐derived semicarbazones was designed, synthesized, and evaluated as monoamine oxidase (MAO) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Most of the new compounds selectively inhibited MAO‐B and AChE, with IC₅₀ values in the micro‐ or nanomolar ranges. Compound 16 , 1‐(2,6‐dichlorobenzylidene)‐4‐(benzo[1,3]dioxol‐5‐yl)semicarbazide presented a balanced multifunctional profile of MAO‐A (IC₅₀=4.52±0.032 μm ), MAO‐B (IC₅₀=0.059±0.002 μm ), and AChE (IC₅₀=0.0087±0.0002 μm ) inhibition without neurotoxicity. Kinetic studies revealed that compound 16 exhibits competitive and reversible inhibition against MAO‐A and MAO‐B, and mixed‐type inhibition against AChE. Molecular docking studies further revealed insight into the possible interactions within the enzyme–inhibitor complexes. The most active compounds were found to interact with the enzymes through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Additionally, in silico molecular properties and ADME properties of the synthesized compounds were calculated to explore their drug‐like characteristics.     

Electrochemical sensing using quantum-sized gold nanoparticles

This paper describes the electrocatalytic activity of quantum-sized thiolate protected Au(25) nanoparticles and their use in electrochemical sensing. The Au(25) film modified electrode exhibited excellent mediated electrocatalytic activity that was utilized for amperometric sensing of biologically relevant analytes, namely, ascorbic acid and uric acid. The electron transfer dynamics in the Au(25) film was examined as a function of Au(25) concentration, which manifested the dual role of Au(25) as an electronic conductor as well as a redox mediator. The electron transfer study has further revealed the correlation between the electronic conductivity of the Au(25) film and the sensing sensitivity.     

Optimization of Mixing Parameters in Nanosilica Toughened Cement Mortar Using Taguchi-Grey Relational Analysis

Silicon - In this research, multi response Taguchi-grey relational approach was employed to optimize the mixing parameters in cement mortar preparation. The main aim of this present investigation...     

Nanometer Sized Silver Particles Embedded Silica Particles—Spray Method

Spherical shaped, nanometer to micro meter sized silica particles were prepared in a homogeneous nature by spray technique. Silver nanoparticles were produced over the surface of the silica grains in a harmonized manner. The size of silver and silica particles was effectively controlled by the precursors and catalysts. The electrostatic repulsion among the silica spheres and the electro static attraction between silica spheres and silver particles make the synchronized structure of the synthesized particles and the morphological images are revealed by transmission electron microscope. The silver ions are reduced by sodium borohydride. Infra red spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirm the formation of silver–silica composite particles. Thermal stability of the prepared particles obtained from thermal analysis ensures its higher temperature applications. The resultant silver embedded silica particles can be easily suspended in diverse solvents and would be useful for variety of applications.