Structural characteristics of camel-bone gelatin by demineralization and extraction

Camel bone was demineralized through HCl acidulation process at different concentrations (0.0%, 1.5%, 3.0%, and 6.0%) over 1–5 days. The level of demineralization was acid concentration and soaking time dependent. Highest demineralization (62.0%) was recorded in bone sample treated with 6.0% dilute acid for 5 days. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) elemental analysis revealed reduction in Ca and increase in N and H, while O remains unaffected. Particulate characteristics by scanning electron microscope showed an increased surface roughness of bone after demineralization. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis of ossein depicted the presence of functional group similar to that of bone protein (collagen). Statistical optimization by central composite design (CCD) revealed a significant quadratic model for optimum values of extraction temperature, pH, and extraction time. The highest gelatin yield from camel bone was 23.66% at optimum extraction condition (71.87°C, pH 5.26, and 2.58 h) and the bloom was 205.74 g. Camel bone is suitable for production of gelatin with good potentials in food and nonfood applications.     

BST Capacitor Based Tunable Matching Network for SAW Sensors

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors are becoming extremely important in environmental health monitoring by wireless technologies. SAW devices need impedance matching networks at the input and output for efficient power transfer. In this paper, we are presenting the results of tunable matching networks for SAW devices with BST capacitors. We used simple L-matching network implemented with chip inductors and tunable BST capacitors. The characteristics of tunable matching network interfaced to SAW device is simulated using Agilent's ADS simulation tool. The return loss from the SAW devices can be increased and tuned significantly by applying a tuning voltage to the BST capacitors. The SAW device which has been studied is SAW filter.     

Synthetic-based blended electrospun scaffolds in tissue engineering applications

Journal of Materials Science - Electrospinning, as one of the most common methodologies in nanofibers production, involves applying high voltages to a polymeric solution that is entrapped in a...     

Optimal Operational Scheduling of Pumps to Improve the Performance of Water Distribution Networks

Widely used software packages might still be deficient when it comes to optimal pump scheduling as they allow concurrent Variable Speed Pumps (VSPs) at low speeds and low efficiency. In this study, a new method is developed to optimize the Number of Active Pumps (NAPs) and their variable setting, not only to address the mentioned issue, but also to improve pressure reliability, leakage, and electrical power consumption in Water Distribution Networks (WDNs). For this purpose, an Active Pumps Index (API) is proposed to find the optimal NAPs at each time step and a single-objective Network Pressure Reliability Index (NPRI) is used to optimize VSP setting. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is developed in MATLAB and linked with EPANET as the hydraulic simulator. The proposed method is applied to a sample and a real WDN. The results in both cases show a significant reduction in NAPs, as well as energy costs, while tangibly improving leakage and pressure reliability, especially in big pump stations with several pumps.