Synthesis,Chemical Modification,and Surface Assembly of Carbon Nanowires

Carbon nanotubules and nanowires were synthesized by pyrolysis of polymer precursors in the pores of alumina membranes. The nanowires were released by dissolving the membranes, and were then made hydrophobic or hydrophilic by chemical surface derivatization. These nanowires could be placed into lithographically defined wells on surfaces by means of electrostatic interactions with monolayers at the bottoms of the wells.     

A 900-MHz/1.8-GHz CMOS transmitter for dual-band applications

The design of a radio-frequency transmitter that can operate in two bands while employing a minimal number of external components entails many challenges at both the architecture and the circuit levels. This paper describes the design of a 900-MHz/1.8-GHz transmitter implemented in CMOS technology for dual-band applications. Configured as a two-step architecture, the circuit generates the first upconverted signal in quadrature form and subsequently performs single-sideband modulation to produce the output in two bands. Fabricated in a 0.6-μm digital CMOS technology, the transmitter exhibits unwanted spurs 40 dB below the carrier while drawing 75 mW from a 3-V supply     

A theoretical analysis of OPEC behaviour

This paper attempts to provide some theoretical insights into OPEC behaviour by: (1) comparing the OPEC's optimum pricing policy derived from a welfare maximisation model with that of the traditional profit maximisation model; and (2) introducing a coalition formation model which is utilised to analyse the compromised pricing policy of OPEC, while each of its members takes a different attitude regarding this matter.     

Effect of Osmotic Dehydration and Air Drying on Physicochemical Properties of Dried Kiwifruit and Modeling of Dehydration Process Using Neural Network and Genetic Algorithm

In this study, effect of osmotic dehydration and hot air-drying conditions on shrinkage, rehydration capacity, and moisture content of dried kiwifruit was investigated and artificial neural network and genetic algorithm were applied as an intelligent modeling system to predict these physicochemical properties. Kiwifruit slices were immersed in osmotic solutions (30%, 40%, 50%, and 60%) at different temperatures (20, 40, and 60 °C) and were dried at 60, 70, and 80 °C for 5, 6, and 7 h. The results showed that increasing drying time and temperature caused an increase in shrinkage, while rehydration capacity and moisture content were decreased. Neural network model with one hidden layer, four inputs (operating conditions) was developed to predict three outputs (shrinkage, rehydration capacity as a well as moisture content) and genetic algorithm was used to optimize network structure and learning parameters. Artificial neural network models were then tested against an independent dataset and results showed the ability of optimized intelligent model to estimate shrinkage, rehydration capacity, and moisture content with high correlation coefficients (0.94, 0.93, and 0.96, respectively). Moreover, sensitivity analysis indicated that the most sensitive input variable toward such predictions was drying time.     

Development and evaluation of a novel biodegradable film made from chitosan and cinnamon essential oil with low affinity toward water

Combining antimicrobial agents such as plant essential oils directly into a food packaging is a form of active packaging. In this work chitosan-based films containing cinnamon essential oil (CEO) at level of 0.4%, .0.8%, and 1.5% and 2% (v/v) were prepared to examine their antibacterial, physical and mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out to explain structure–property relationships. Incorporating CEO into chitosan-based films increased antimicrobial activity. CEO decreased moisture content, solubility in water, water vapour permeability and elongation at break of chitosan films. It is postulated that the unique properties of the CEO added films could suggest the cross-linking effect of CEO components within the chitosan matrix. Electron microscopy images confirmed the results obtained in this study.     

Utilization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echium amoenum</Emphasis> Extract as a Growth Medium for the Production of Organic Acids by Selected Lactic Acid Bacteria

Gol-gavzaban (Echium amoenum Fisch. & Mey.) is an indigenous herbal plant, related to the Boraginaceae family, cultivated historically in Iran. In this study, the suitability of Echium extract as a raw material for production of fermented juice by four strains of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii) was examined. Echium extract was inoculated with these bacteria and incubated at 30 °C for 24 h. Changes in microbial population, pH, acidity, sugars, and organic acids metabolism were measured during the fermentation process. Results showed that all of the selected bacteria were capable to grow well in Echium extract without any supplementation. They all metabolized sugars including glucose, fructose and sucrose simultaneously. L. paracasei showed more affinity to sugar consumption at almost 45.2%, 38%, and 21.6% of initial glucose, fructose, and sucrose concentration, respectively. Lactic acid was produced immediately after the fermentation started. L. plantarum, L. delbrueckii, and L. acidophilus produced 6.8, 6.6, and 6.4 g/l lactic acid, respectively, which were significantly higher than that produced by L. paracasei (5 g/l). On the other hand in the case of acetic acid, L. paracasei produced significantly greater quantities in comparison with other strains (4.48 g/l). It was proved that E. amoenum was a desirable media for the production of some organic acids by all these bacterial strains.     

Extraction optimization of a hydrocolloid extract from cress seed (Lepidium sativum) using response surface methodology

Extraction conditions for maximum values of yield, viscosity and minimum protein content of hydrocolloid extract from Lepidium sativum seed were investigated using response surface methodology. A Central Composite Face Design (CCFD) with four independent variables: temperature (25–85 °C); pH (3–10); extraction time (10–25 min) and water to seed ratio (10:1–80:1) was used to study the response variables (yield, viscosity and protein content). Data analysis showed that all the variables significantly (p < 0.05) affected the extraction yield and viscosity, whereas the effect of water to seed ratio on protein content was not significant (p > 0.05). Applying a desirability function method the optimum parameters were: extraction temperature 35 °C, pH 10, water to seed ratio of 30:1 and an extraction time of 15 min. At this optimum point, apparent viscosity, yield and protein content were 0.2 Pa s, 6.46% and 0.57%, respectively. The experimental values were very close to the predicted values and were not statistically different (p > 0.05).     

Physicochemical aspects of hydrocolloid extract from the seeds of Lepidium sativum

Acid equivalent weight, intrinsic viscosity and FT‐IR measurements have demonstrated a polyelectrolyte nature to Lepidium sativum seed extract. The polyelectrolyte nature relates to the carboxyl groups carried by galacturonic acid and glucuronic acid unit. The seed extract exhibited pronounced shear thinning in steady shear rheology and a weak gel type behaviour in dynamic rheology when the concentration is high i.e. > 1%. Such behaviour suggests the ability of L. sativum seed extract to structure a liquid, thus showing the possibility of applying it as a novel thickener and stabiliser in aqueous systems. The characteristic could be due to a strong tendency of molecular association of L. sativum seed extract as found for high M/G ratio galactomannans, and possibly also the enhanced macromolecular entanglement due to relatively rigid chain conformation. Temperature dependence study showed that the rheological properties of L. sativum structured solution is stable against temperature variation.