A solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell based on a novel ionic liquid gel and ZnO nanoparticles on a flexible polymer substrate

This paper describes a new strategy to make a full solid-state, flexible, dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on novel ionic liquid gel, organic dye, ZnO nanoparticles and carbon nanotube (CNT) thin film stamped onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. The CNTs serve both as the charge collector and as scaffolds for the growth of ZnO nanoparticles, where the black dye molecules are anchored. It opens up the possibility of developing a continuous roll to roll processing for THE mass production of DSSCs.     

Plant intelligence based metaheuristic optimization algorithms

Classical optimization algorithms are insufficient in large scale combinatorial problems and in nonlinear problems. Hence, metaheuristic optimization algorithms have been proposed. General purpose metaheuristic methods are evaluated in nine different groups: biology-based, physics-based, social-based, music-based, chemical-based, sport-based, mathematics-based, swarm-based, and hybrid methods which are combinations of these. Studies on plants in recent years have showed that plants exhibit intelligent behaviors. Accordingly, it is thought that plants have nervous system. In this work, all of the algorithms and applications about plant intelligence have been firstly collected and searched. Information is given about plant intelligence algorithms such as Flower Pollination Algorithm, Invasive Weed Optimization, Paddy Field Algorithm, Root Mass Optimization Algorithm, Artificial Plant Optimization Algorithm, Sapling Growing up Algorithm, Photosynthetic Algorithm, Plant Growth Optimization, Root Growth Algorithm, Strawberry Algorithm as Plant Propagation Algorithm, Runner Root Algorithm, Path Planning Algorithm, and Rooted Tree Optimization.     

Immunohistochemical distribution of heat shock protein 70 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in mouse placenta at different gestational stages

The aim of the present study was to investigate immunohistochemical distribution of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the mouse placenta at different gestational stages. For this purpose a total of 18 Swiss albino female mice at 12–14 weeks of age were used. Females were sacrificed on days 3 (early), 10 (mid‐), and 17 (late) of pregnancy and the implantation sites of the pregnant uterus were sampled. The sections were made transversely through the central region of the implantation site and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological examination. PCNA and Hsp70 was stained immunohistochemically. Since the definitive placenta was not still formed on day 3 of pregnancy, Hsp70 and PCNA positivity were evaluated in only luminal epithelium and decidual‐stromal cells. On days 10 and 17 of pregnancy, Hsp70 and PCNA positivity were evaluated in labyrinth zone, junctional zone and decidual layer of placenta. Hsp70 expression was observed trophoblast cells and decidual cells and was relatively constant throughout the pregnancy. This protein was strongly labeled in the trophoblast cells; while decidual cells were displayed moderate staining. In early pregnant mouse uteri, PCNA was mainly localized in decidual‐stromal cells. The trophoblast cells and decidual cells displayed highly proliferative activity at the midgestational period. However there was a significant decrease in the percentage of PCNA positive cells in late gestation. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:251–257, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Utilization of lentil flour as a biopolymer source for the development of edible films

Lentils are one of the cheapest and most nutritional protein sources for vegetarians. Our objective in this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using lentil flour as a raw material for the development of edible films and to investigate the effects of the glycerol concentration (C_g = 1%, 1.5%, and 2%) and process temperature (T_p; 70 and 90 °C) on the physical properties of these films. The films were characterized via their density; water solubility; thermal, morphological, and chemical characteristics; water vapor permeability (WVP); and tensile and optical properties. The lentil flour films were highly transparent and had lower water solubility values yet similar WVPs and mechanical properties compared to most other biodegradable films. An increase in C_g led to the formation of more flexible films with increased hydrophilicity. A T_p of 90 °C resulted in yellower, more transparent films with increased stiffness compared to a T_p of 70 °C. In this study, lentil flour was shown to be an ideal source for edible film production. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46356.     

Strawberry drying: Development of a closed-cycle modified atmosphere drying system for food products and the performance evaluation of a case study

In the present study, a closed-cycle modified atmosphere drying (CC-MAD) system was developed as an alternative drying technique to facilitate drying processes for agricultural commodities appropriate to highly humid and sunny regions with a better quality. An absorption dehumidifying system was designed for working pseudo-continuously with the most efficient absorbent in terms of moisture absorption, desorption rate, and capacity. The system, assisted by a solar panel for absorbent regeneration, was tested, while its optimum working condition was determined by strawberry drying. This unique process was comparatively carried out using hot-air and freeze-drying techniques in terms of processing time and final product quality. Strawberry slices (5?mm thickness) were dried successfully using CC-MAD. The optimum drying conditions of CC-MAD were determined as drying temperature of 60°C, drying air/gas velocity of 3?m/s and drying medium oxygen level of 9.47%. The loss of ascorbic acid was significantly reduced by CC-MAD technique. These losses were found to be 2.9, 6.9, 27.2, and 23.8% by freeze-drying, CC-MAD, hot-air drying, and hot-air drying combined with CC-MAD, respectively. The total monomeric anthocyanins loss was also significantly reduced by the CC-MAD technique (20.3%), in a similar way to that of freeze-drying (18.1%) in comparison with hot-air drying (40.4%). In addition, CC-MAD (12,446?kJ/kg fresh product at 4?h drying time) is three times more advantageous in terms of energy cost compared with freeze-drying (30492.8?kJ/kg fresh product at 24?h drying time) and six times faster in terms of drying time. This new drying system can be used as an alternative to freeze-drying in the drying of foods, especially in products sensitive to oxidation.     

Somun: entity-centric summarization incorporating pre-trained language models

Neural Computing and Applications - Text summarization resolves the issue of capturing essential information from a large volume of text data. Existing methods either depend on the end-to-end...     

A generalized reference state extends the applicability of approximative kinetics in metabolic engineering

BACKGROUND: The use of approximative kinetics for modeling enzyme kinetics and for metabolic engineering purposes has become increasingly attractive. Despite a list of advantages, the proposed use of a steady state for reference limits the use of such kinetic formats. RESULTS: Here, to avoid these limitations, an alternative formulation is proposed for the linlog approximative kinetics introducing ‘a characteristic set’ for normalization. The necessary equations for the parameter (elasticities and the reaction rate of the characteristic set) estimation framework using data obtained from various types of perturbation experiments are given. The use of the new formulation is exemplified with three illustrative examples: parameter estimation in steady state and in dynamic experiments; and prediction of the effect of a mutation in enzyme kinetics properties. The implications of the new formulation are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: By introducing a so‐called characteristic set, we show that the approximative quality of this kinetics is improved and this formulation can be used to analyze and model data from a broader set of experimental scenarios. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

A simplified correlation for fixed bed pressure drop

An experimental study was conducted on the pressure drop characteristics of a variety of vertical packed beds in turbulent flow of air. The materials of different particle diameter, D_p, with a range of sphericity Φ, 0.55 ≤ Φ ≤ 1.00 were used in random loose packing to produce beds of different lengths, L, with a range of porosity, ε, 0.36 ≤ ε ≤ 0.56. In the covered test cases the cross-sectional velocity distribution at the exit plane of the packed beds and the pressure drop ΔP_Bed were measured in a particle Reynolds number range of Re_p, 675 ≤ Re_p ≤ 7772. The particular emphasis of the study was given to determine the influence of ε, Φ, D_p, L, Re_p on ΔP_Bed. In this respect the measurements of ΔP_Bed were compared with the well-known Ergun's Equation and the data were expressed in terms of correlations through introduced dimensionless parameters of pressure coefficient, ΔP^? and exit Reynolds number Re_exit. The proposed correlations of ΔP^? = ΔP^?(εRe_pD_p / L) and Re_exit = Re_exit(Re_pD_p / L) are found to be appropriate for the determination of ΔP_Bed and mean exit velocity, U, respectively with an acceptable fit of experimental data in an error margin less than ± 20%. The methodology is presented in this paper as an alternative approach to the available literature on packed beds.