Stochastic response of hysteretic systems

This paper deals with approximate stochastic response of hyseretic structures under white noise excitation, based on It stochastic differential equations. Instead of the original system an equivalent nonlinear system is considered, in which the drift vector is given by a series expansion of the order n 1 in terms of the state variables. n = 1 represents the well-known case of equivalent linearization. Components in the drift vector representing the nonanalytical constitutive equations are replaced by a cubic polynomial expansion. The hierarchy of statistical moment equations is closed by a cumulant neglect closure scheme. The method has been applied to a bilinear single degree-of-freedom system subjected to white noise excitation, for which an equivalent system with a cubic series expansion to the constitutive equation is considered. The results obtained are compared with those of numerical simulation and alternative methods, and they provide substantial improvements compared to equivalent linearization.     

Photocatalytic performance of Sn-doped and undoped TiO2 nanostructured thin films under UV and vis-lights

Sn-doped and undoped nano-TiO(2) particles have been synthesized by hydrotermal process without solvent at 200 degrees C in 1h. Nanostructure-TiO(2) based thin films have been prepared on glass substrate by spin-coating technique. The structure, surface morphology and optical properties of the thin films and the particles have been investigated by element analysis and XRD, SEM, BET and UV-vis-NIR techniques. The photocatalytic performance of the films were tested for degradation of Malachite Green dye in solution under UV and vis-lights. The results showed that (a) hydrothermally synthesized nano-TiO(2) particles are fully anatase crystalline form and are easily dispersed in water, (b) the coated surfaces have nearly super-hydrophilic properties and, (c) the doping of transition metal ion efficiently improved the photocatalytic performance of the TiO(2) thin film.     

Photocatalytic performance of Sn-doped TiO2 nanostructured mono and double layer thin films for Malachite Green dye degradation under UV and vis-lights

Nanostructure Sn(4+)-doped TiO(2) based mono and double layer thin films, contain 50% solid ratio of TiO(2) in coating have been prepared on glass surfaces by spin-coating technique. Their photocatalytic performances were tested for degradation of Malachite Green dye in solution under UV and vis irradiation. Sn(4+)-doped nano-TiO(2) particle a doping ratio of about 5[Sn(4+)/Ti(OBu(n))(4); mol/mol%] has been synthesized by hydrotermal process at 225 degrees C. The structure, surface and optical properties of the thin films and/or the particles have been investigated by XRD, BET and UV/vis/NIR techniques. The results showed that the double layer coated glass surfaces have a very high photocatalytic performance than the other one under UV and vis lights. The results also proved that the hydrothermally synthesized nano-TiO(2) particles are fully anatase crystalline form and are easily dispersed in water. The results also reveal that the coated surfaces have hydrophilic property.     

Geographical origin classification of olive oils by PTR-MS

The volatile compositions of 192 olive oil samples from five different European countries were investigated by PTR-MS sample headspace analysis. The mass spectra of all samples showed many masses with high abundances, indicating the complex VOC composition of olive oil. Three different PLS-DA models were fitted to the data to classify samples into ‘country’, ‘region’ and ‘district’ of origin, respectively. Correct classification rates were assessed by cross-validation. The first fitted model produced an 86% success rate in classifying the samples into their country of origin. The second model, which was fitted to the Italian oils only, also demonstrated satisfactory results, with 74% of samples successfully classified into region of origin. The third model, classifying the Italian samples into district of origin, yielded a success rate of only 52%. This lower success rate might be due to either the small class set, or to genuine similarities between olive oil VOC compositions on this tight scale.     

Long-term microleakage trends in access cavities conditioned with phosphoric acid and deproteinizing agent for root-canal-treated teeth: an investigation of fluid filtration and microscopy analysis

This study evaluated the long-term microleakage of access cavities conditioned with phosphoric acid and deproteinizing agents for root-canal-treated teeth using fluid filtration and microscopical analysis. Occlusal surfaces of extracted human mandibular premolars (N = 90) were removed leaving a 4 mm coronal length from the cemento-enamel junction. After root canal treatment, the specimens were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n = 21) and the remaining teeth were used for positive control group (n = 6): SB: 35% H₃PO₄ + Adper Single Bond 2; SSB: 35% H₃PO₄ + 5.25% NaOCl + 10% Sodium ascorbate (C₆H₇NaO₆) + Adper Single Bond 2; XP: 35% H₃PO₄₊XP Bond; SXP: 35% H₃PO₄₊5.25% NaOCl + 10% Sodium ascorbate + XP Bond. All cavities were restored with a resin composite (Filtek Z250). After removing the root filling from the apical side, teeth were subjected to fluid filtration test for 1 week, 6 and 12 months followed by ×2500 thermocycling after 1st week and 6th months each. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Dunnet T3 tests (α = 0.05). SEM analyses were carried out after each microleakage evaluation in two random teeth from all groups. Microleakage values in groups SB and XP presented no significant difference in any of the evaluated period (p > 0.05). Microleakage results of SXP (0.01665) group showed significant difference compared to XP (0.03377) and SB (0.03049) groups after 12 months. SSB group (0.00901) showed significantly less microleakage among all other groups (0.01665–0.03377) (p < 0.05). Prior to endodontic treatment, in access cavities, acid etching with 35% H₃PO₄ followed by the application of NaOCl and sodium ascorbate completely destroyed the collagen layer, reducing the microleakage and resin–dentin interface degradation up to 12 months.     

Photocrosslinked biobased phase change material for thermal energy storage

A series of novel photocrosslinked biobased shape‐stabilized phase change materials (PCMs) based on octadecanol, eicosanol and docosanol have been prepared by UV technique for the purpose of thermal energy storage applications. Epoxidized soybean oil was reacted with acrylic acid to form acrylated soybean oil (ASO). The structure and composition, cross‐section morphology, thermal stability performances and phase change behaviors of ASO and UV‐cured PCMs were examined by using Attenuated total reflection fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis system (TGA), scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The results indicate that the UV‐cured biobased PCMs possess perfect phase change properties and a suitable working temperature range. The heating process phase change enthalpy is measured between 30 and 68 J/g, and the freezing process phase change enthalpy is found between 18 and 70 J/g. The decomposition of UV‐cured PCMs started at 260 °C and reached a maximum of 430 °C. All the biobased UV‐cured PCMs improved latent heat storage capacity in comparison with the pristine ASO sample. With the obtained results we conclude that, these materials promise a great potential in thermal energy storage applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43757.     

The effect of crowding stress on bacterial growth and sensory properties of chilled Atlantic salmon fillets

Abstract: Atlantic salmon were subjected to minimal preslaughter crowding stress (Control), short‐term crowding for 20 min (SS‐group), or long‐term crowding for 24 h (LS‐group). The fish were filleted prerigor, cut into 270 g pieces, and packaged in modified atmosphere (60% CO₂ and 40% N₂). Fillet quality analyses were determined during 22 d of storage at 0.3 °C. Bacterial growth and unpleasant sensory properties increased earlier in the LS‐group. The negative effects of long‐term preslaughter stress were more pronounced for raw than cooked samples, and more pronounced for odor than flavor. Sequence analyses of bacterial DNA at the end of storage revealed that 100% of the bacteria were comprised by Photobacterium phosphoreum of the SS‐ and LS‐group, whereas the Control group also contained 21% of Carnobacterium maltaromaticum (lactic acid bacteria, LAB). Counting of LAB, using Man‐Rogosa‐Sharke agar, similarly showed higher numbers of the Control group after 15 d of storage. A total bacterial count of log 6 CFU/g was observed after 15 d of storage of the LS‐group, which was 3 and 7 d earlier compared with the Control and SS‐group, respectively. Fillet color, texture, and liquid losses were not negatively affected by preslaughter crowding stress. From the sensory and bacterial analyses, it is concluded that long‐term crowding stress accelerates bacterial growth and development of unpleasant sensory properties, hence reduces the shelf life of prerigor modified atmosphere packaged (MAP) salmon. Practical Application: Stressful handling of Atlantic salmon before slaughter resulted in faster reduction of fresh taste and smell, faster bacterial growth, and hence shorter shelf life. The deteriorative effects were more pronounced of raw compared to cooked salmon. Therefore, salmon should be handled carefully in connection with slaughter to avoid impaired welfare and fillet quality, in particularly for fish that is consumed raw, such as sushi.     

Antioxidant,anticholinesterase and antimicrobial constituents from the essential oil and ethanol extract of Salvia potentillifolia

The essential oil of Salvia potentillifolia was analysed by GC and GC–MS. Totally, 123 components were detected in both hydrodistilled and steam-distilled oils, α- and β-pinenes being major compounds. The antioxidant activities were determined by using complementary tests, namely, DPPH radical-scavenging, β-carotene-linoleic acid and reducing power assays. The ethanol extract also showed better activity (IC₅₀ = 69.4 ± 0.99 μg/ml) than that of BHT in the DPPH system, and showed great lipid peroxidation inhibition in the β-carotene-linoleic acid system (IC₅₀ = 30.4 ± 0.50 μg/ml). The essential oil showed meaningful butyrylcholinesterase activity (65.7 ± 0.21%), and α-pinene showed high acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 86.2 ± 0.96 μM) while β-pinene was inactive. Antimicrobial activity was also investigated on several microorganisms, and the essential oil showed high activity against Bacillus subtilis and B. cereus. It also exhibited remarkable anticandidal activity against Candida albicans and C. tropicalis with MIC values of 18.5 and 15.5 μg/ml, respectively, while α- and β-pinenes showed moderate activity.