Technological innovations and 3G mobile phone diffusion: Lessons learned from Japan

Technology and innovation become more important determinants of corporate competitiveness, and the telecommunications sector is no exception. A good example is found in the development of the mobile phones. Technological development, embodied in innovative functions developed from the first (1G) to third generation (3G) systems, has played significantly important roles in the growth and upheavals of the Japanese mobile phone market. In addition, development in contents, value-added services which are supplied by related firms formed in the vertical structure, charging systems, handset development; all these have made this small gadget an increasingly important part of daily life.     

Comparative study of the effects of chlorinated polyethylene and acrylic impact modifier on the thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) compounds and poly(vinyl chloride)/(oil palm empty fruit bunch) composites

The effects of chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) and acrylic impact modifier (AIM) on the thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) compounds and composites were investigated. The amounts of AIM and CPE used were fixed at 9 parts per hundred parts of resin (phr), while oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber content was increased from 0 to 40 phr. To produce composites, the PVC formulations were dry‐blended by using a laboratory blender before being milled into sheets on a two‐roll mill at 165°C. The milled sheets were then hot‐pressed at 180°C. The thermal degradation of the specimens was evaluated by using thermogravimetry in a nitrogen environment. Thermal stability of the PVC/CPE compounds and PVC/CPE/OPEFB composites was improved by the addition of CPE. The CPE retarded the dehydrochlorination of PVC. However, the stabilization effect was reduced by the incorporation of OPEFB at levels of 30 and 40 phr. The presence of AIM accelerated the dehydrochlorination of PVC/AIM compounds and PVC/AIM/OPEFB composites. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A Comparative Study of the Mechanical Properties of Jute Fiber and Yarn Reinforced Concrete Composites

ABSTRACT

A relatively better performance of jute fiber and yarn reinforced concrete composites can open up a wide access to application of natural resources in concrete strengthening. In order to achieve this goal, an experimental investigation on the flexural, compressive and tensile strengths of Jute Fiber Reinforced Concrete Composites (JFRCC) and Jute Yarn Reinforced Concrete Composites (JYRCC) has been conducted. To draw a specific conclusion, the mix ratios of 1:1.5:3 and 1:2:4 (by volume) of concrete have been maintained with incorporation of jute fiber and yarn in concrete mortar having different cut lengths with distinct volumetric ratios. Finally, a comparison of the JFRCC and JYRCC strength increments with respect to the plain concrete has been investigated. A significant increment of compressive, flexural and tensile strength was observed only for a short cut length having a low volumetric ratio, where JYRCC increment value was always found progressive. A far more regular arrangement and adequate mixture of JYRCC was also visualized compare to JFRCC in concrete mortar. All the principal increment values were found only in case of JYRCC with a mix ratio of 1:1.5:3. So, it can be concluded that the presence of jute yarn and more cement content can strengthen the concrete to a great extent.     

Quantum chemical studies on corrosion inhibition for series of thio compounds on mild steel in hydrochloric acid

Quantum chemical calculations were performed on ten thio compounds using semi-empirical method PM3 within program package of Material Studio 5.5. The effect of molecular structure on the corrosion inhibition efficiency was investigated using the quantum chemical calculations. The electronic properties such as highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels, (LUMO–HOMO) energy gap, dipole moment (λ) and fraction of electron transfer (ΔN) were calculated and discussed. A relationship between the corrosion inhibition efficiency and several quantum parameters was established with coefficient correlation (R²) of 0.8894.     

Formulation and Evaluation of an Automatic Dishwashing Detergent Containing T1 Lipase

The use of enzymes in detergent formulations is becoming popular due to the concerns about the environment. T1 lipase (E.C. 3.1.1.3) was evaluated for its stability and performance in dishwashing along with other common components of an automatic dishwashing detergent. Therefore, the process of formulating the detergent would depend on the stability of T1 lipase, which may also reflect the performance during the washing. T1 lipase was mostly stable in nonionic surfactants, especially those that were made of polyhydric alcohols. T1 lipase was also stable in a mixture of sodium carbonate and glycine. However, sodium carbonate alone destabilized T1 lipase possibly due to the interaction between carbonates and Ca²⁺. These results indicated that polyhydric alcohols and glycine had stabilizing effects on T1 lipase. The dishwashing performance was evaluated in term of percent soil removed. The dishwashing performance of the formulated detergent was positively affected by the increase in temperature but negatively affected by the presence of hard water, specifically Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. However, T1 lipase was not negatively affected by the presence of hard water, and this enzyme was enhanced by the presence of polyacrylates. The presence of Ca²⁺ improved the structural integrity of T1 lipase. It is generally known that most enzymes that depend on Ca²⁺ for their structural integrity would be greatly destabilized in the presence of metal chelators; thus, stabilizing strategies such as adding glycine would be essential to maintain enzyme activity during the wash.     

Determination of bixin and norbixin in meat using liquid chromatography and photodiode array detection

The development of an analytical method that enables routine analysis of annatto dye, specifically bixin and norbixin, in meat tissue is described. Liquid-solid extraction was carried out using acetonitrile. Analysis was by HPLC with photodiode array detection using two fixed wavelengths (458 and 486 nm). The possibilities of ion trap mass spectrometry (MS) were also assessed. Method performance characteristics, according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, were determined, with recoveries between 99 and 102% and calibration curves being linear in the 0.5–10 mg kg^?1 range. The limit of quantification was 0.5 mg kg^?1.     

Using tchebichef moment for fast and efficient image compression

Orthogonal moment is known as better moment functions compared to the non-orthogonal moment. Among all the orthogonal moments, Tchebichef Moment appear to be the most recent moment functions that still attract the interest among the computer vision researchers. This paper proposes a novel approach based on discrete orthogonal Tchebichef Moment for an efficient image compression. The image compression is useful in many applications especially related to images that are needed to be seen in small devices such as in mobile phone. Meanwhile, the method incorporates simplified mathematical framework techniques using matrices, as well as a block-wise reconstruction technique to eliminate possible occurrences of numerical instabilities at higher moment orders. In addition, a comparison between Tchebichef Moment compression and JPEG compression is conducted. The result shows significant advantages for Tchebichef Moment in terms of its image quality and compression rate. Tchebichef moment provides a more compact support to the image via sub-block reconstruction for compression. Tchebichef Moment Compression is able to perform potentially better for a broader domain on real digital images and graphically generated images.     

Assessment of quality of fruits using impedance spectroscopy

This study deals with the development of a nondestructive impedance spectroscopic technique that may assess the conditions of the fruits to pluck them with the help of robotic arms. Preliminary investigations are made with the help of two‐terminal probe and an accurate LCR meter. The bulk impedance of mango has been measured to characterise raw and ripe fruits. Effective resistance and effective capacitance vs. frequency characteristics have been determined. The bulk effective resistances, of the ripe fruits, are found to be more than those of the raw fruits, in the frequency range of 1–6 kHz. In the same frequency range, effective capacitances of the raw fruits are found more than those of the ripe fruits. In the light of the data obtained, it can be said that the effective resistance may be used to differentiate between raw and ripe fruits in the frequency range of 1–6 kHz.