Green synthesis of biodegradable terpolymer modified starch nanocomposite with carbon nanoparticles for food packaging application

As to control the increased rate of environmental pollution there is an urgent need to develop improved biodegradable materials regarding the old polymeric packaging materials. It has been done by the incorporation of carbon nanomaterials to the biodegradable starch terpolymers of acrylic acid, methyl methacrylate (MMA), acrylonitrile (AN), 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA), and Ethyl acrylate (EA). The starch-terpolymers were prepared through the free radical polymerization technique using AA, MMA, AN, 2-EHA, EA as monomers. Two different starch-terpolymers were further mixed with carbon nanoparticles (NPs) to form a biodegradable nanocomposite. The biodegradable starch-grafted terpolymers-carbon nanocomposites (STPC NCs) were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimeter, and UV–Visible spectrophotometry. Further, resistivity, electrical conductivity, and biodegradability tests were performed to check its properties for packing materials. The biodegradation of SGCP-composites recorded using the soil burial method was up to 78%. Starch-terpolymers were prepared via free-radical polymerization The biodegradation capability of starch-grafted terpolymers was found to be 78% The decrease in water vapor permeability and solubility proves their utilization as food packaging material     

A Deformation Mechanism Map for the 1.23Cr-1.2Mo-0.26V Rotor Steel and Its Verification Using Neural Networks

A deformation mechanism map is constructed for the 1.23Cr-1.2Mo-0.26V rotor steel as a function of temperature, stress, and strain rate using published creep test results and the current understanding of time dependent deformation mechanisms operative in complex engineering alloys. Instead of diffusional creep, grain boundary sliding (GBS) accommodated by different deformation processes is considered dominant at lower strain rates. The GBS dominated region is further sub-divided into two parts, where GBS is accommodated by wedge type cracking at temperatures below 0.5T/T _m and the accommodation process changes to creep cavitation at temperatures above 0.5T/T _m. The map is verified using experimental data and artificial neural network modeling. The proposed artificial neural network model is capable of predicting the dominance of different deformation mechanisms in 1.23Cr-1.2Mo-0.26V steel over a wide range of stress and temperature. This modeling procedure can potentially be used to construct or expand deformation mechanism maps for other engineering alloys.     

User satisfaction and system success: an empirical exploration of user involvement in software development

For over four decades user involvement has been considered intuitively to lead to user satisfaction, which plays a pivotal role in successful outcome of a software project. The objective of this paper is to explore the notion of user satisfaction within the context of the user involvement and system success relationship. We have conducted a longitudinal case study of a software development project and collected qualitative data by means of interviews, observations and document analysis over a period of 3 years. The analysis of our case study data revealed that user satisfaction significantly contributes to the system success even when schedule and budget goals are not met. The case study data analysis also presented additional factors that contribute to the evolution of user satisfaction throughout the project. Users’ satisfaction with their involvement and the resulting system are mutually constituted while the level of user satisfaction evolves throughout the stages of software development process. Effective management strategies and user representation are essential elements of maintaining an acceptable level of user satisfaction throughout software development process.     

Controlled release of aspirin from pH‐sensitive chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel

The aim of this study was to develop a cheap, pH‐sensitive enteric coating of aspirin with biocompatible polymers. A novel approach was used to develop enteric coating from chitosan (CS) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Solutions of CS and PVA (5 : 1 mol ratio) were mixed and selectively crosslinked with tetraethoxysilane. IR analysis confirmed the presence of the incorporated components and the existence of siloxane linkages between CS and PVA. The crosslinking percentage and thermal stability increased with increasing amount of crosslinker. The response of the developed coating in different media, such as water, pH (nonbuffer and buffer), and ionic media showed hydrogel properties. All hydrogels showed low swelling in acidic and basic pH media, whereas maximum swelling was exhibited at neutral pH. This pH sensitivity of the hydrogel has been exploited as enteric coating for commercial aspirin tablets. The dissolution test of enteric‐coated aspirin tablet in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) showed 7.11% aspirin release over a period of 2 h, whereas a sustained release of remaining aspirin (83.25%) was observed in simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.8). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Effective incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles into polyamide thin‐film composite membranes

The effectiveness of TiO₂ nanoparticles in improving the performance of polyamide (PA) thin‐film composite (TFC) membranes has been investigated. PA TFC membranes were prepared by interfacial polymerization with m‐phenylenediamine (MPD) and 1,3,5‐benzene tricarbonyl trichloride (TMC) where TiO₂ particles were added during and after interfacial polymerization. To distribute the TiO₂ nanoparticles uniformly in the PA films, colloidally stable TiO₂ sols were synthesized and added to the aqueous MPD solution rather than to an organic TMC solution. Through the use of different incorporation methods, TiO₂ particles were located on the top surface, in PA film layer, and in both positions. In the case of dense PA layers, the hydrophilicity of the membranes was significantly improved due to the presence of TiO₂ particles, resulting in an increased water flux. On the other hand, the enhancement of water flux was less significant when TiO₂ particles were incorporated into a loose PA film that was prepared with additives. In addition, a BSA fouling test confirmed that TiO₂ nanoparticles effectively improve the antifouling properties of the membranes for both dense and loose PA films. This effect is possibly due to increased hydrophilicity, covering of the fouling space, and a reduction in surface roughness. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43383.     

Comparative pollen and foliar micromorphological studies using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of some selected species of Lamiaceae from Alpine Zone of Deosai Plateau,Western Himalayas

The study was conducted to highlight a detailed account of morphology of pollen chosen species of Lamiaceae through scanning electron microscopy, and the anatomical characteristics of leaf epidermis of seven species using simple light microscopy. In results, Anisomeles indica and Otostegia aucheri belong to subfamily Lamioideae because it has tricolpate pollen while the rest eight species belong to subfamily Nepetoideae (hexacolpate pollen). The exine sculpturing of pollen of studied species was found to be reticulate. In the family Lamiaceae, four kinds of stomata were found anomocytic, anisocytic, diacytic, and actinocytic, respectively. The cell wall patterns of epidermal cells were irregular or polygonal with straight or undulate walls. It was noted that the variety of the epidermal trichomes seems of taxonomically important for the identification of species of Lamiaceae. Both nonglandular and glandular trichomes were analyzed. The nonglandular trichomes were characterized with long, thin, and pointed apical unicellular cells. The nonglandular trichomes were A‐shaped in Thymus linearis. In Perovskia abrotanoides, stellate glandular trichomes were observed whereas in A. indica and Mentha royleana both glandular and nonglandular trichomes were found. In A. indica, the nonglandular trichomes were sessile and peltate in M. royleana. For the first time in this study, pollen and foliar micromorphological features of selected species of this area are carried out. These taxonomic characters were found to be important in discrimination of species from each other. In future, the detailed study with comprehensive morphology coupled with other important characters is required for delimitation of taxa at various levels.     

Study of intrinsic white light emission and its components from ZnO-nanorods/<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-polymer hybrid junctions grown on glass substrates

We report white-light luminescence from ZnO-organic hybrid light emitting diodes grown on glass substrate by low temperature aqueous chemical growth. The configuration used for the hybrid white light emitting diodes (HWLEDs) consists of two-layers of polymers (PEDOT:PSS/PFO) on glass with top ZnO nanorods. Electroluminescence spectra of the HWLEDs demonstrate the combination of emission bands arising from the radiative recombination in polymer and ZnO nanorods. In order to distinguish emission bands we used a Gaussian function to simulate the experimental data. The emitted white light was found to be the superposition of a blue line at 454 nm, a green emission at 540 nm, orange line at 617 nm, and finally a red emission at 680 nm. The transitions causing these emissions are identified and discussed in terms of the energy band diagram of the hybrid junction. Color coordinates measurement of the WLED reveals that the emitted light has a white impression with 70 color rendering index and correlated color temperature 5500 K. Comparison between ITO and aluminum top contacts and its influence on the emitted intensity is also discussed.     

Double Encryption Using Trigonometric Chaotic Map and XOR of an Image

In the most recent decades, a major number of image encryption plans have been proposed. The vast majority of these plans reached a high-security level; however, their moderate speeds because of their complicated processes made them of no use in real-time applications. Inspired by this, we propose another efficient and rapid image encryption plan dependent on the Trigonometric chaotic guide. In contrast to the most of current plans, we utilize this basic map to create just a couple of arbitrary rows and columns. Moreover, to additionally speed up, we raise the processing unit from the pixel level to the row/column level. The security of the new plot is accomplished through a substitution permutation network, where we apply a circular shift of rows and columns to break the solid connection of neighboring pixels. At that point, we join the XOR operation with modulo function to cover the pixels values and forestall any leaking of data. High-security tests and simulation analyses are carried out to exhibit that the scheme is very secure and exceptionally quick for real-time image processing at 80 fps (frames per second).     

Pleurotus mushrooms. Part IB. Pathology, in vitro and in vivo growth requirements, and world status

Part IB of this review discusses growth abnormalities and diseases of the fruit bodies, as well as containments in the substrates that affect the quality and yield of the fruit bodies. The means and methods to overcome these problems during culturing of Pleurotus on commercial scales are described. In vitro growth requirements and prospects of producing mycelium on organic wastes in liquid culture are discussed. The effects of changes in the nutrients of growth substrate on the yield and quality of fruit bodies in vivo are brought out. Status of culturing Pleurotus in different parts of the world is evaluated. Finally, a critical consideration of the scope and problems of Pleurotus cultivation technology is given.     

Generalized Maxwell-Wagner response in dispersive silver borophosphate glasses

The dielectric response of a glass-forming system (Ag₂OB₂O₃P₂O₅) has been measured in the frequency range from 10^–3–10⁵ Hz and over temperatures in the range 150–400 K for three different compositions. The dynamic behaviour of the conductance and capacitance in these glasses has been observed to follow fractional power-law dependencies on frequency which obey the generalized Maxwell-Wagner relationships. The power-law dispersions for the bulk and the surface layer of the non-ideal solid electrolyte 0.6Ag₂OxB₂O₃(0.4–x) P₂O₅ have been modelled mathematically using frequency-dependent resistive and capacitive elements in a conventional equivalent network. It is shown that controlled substitution of B₂O₃ in the glassy network influences the response and introduces an imperfect charge transport, the quasi-d.c. process of limited charge transport in place of bulk conduction, at higher frequencies, and affects the diffusion barrier at the electrodes to make them, weakly, more conductive at the lowest frequencies. The magnitudes of the activation energies of conduction indicate thermally activated localized hopping of silver ions between neighbouring sites in a structure that is modified by the addition of boron oxide.