Adaptive reliable and congestion control routing protocol for MANET

In mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), the packet loss can be caused either by link failure or by node failure. Moreover, the techniques for selecting the bypass route and avoiding congestion in the bypass route are rarely handled. To overcome these, in this paper, we propose an adaptive reliable and congestion control routing protocol to resolve congestion and route errors using bypass route selection in MANETs. The multiple paths are constructed. Among which, the shortest paths are found for efficient data transmission. The congestion is detected on the basis of utilization and capacity of link and paths. When a source node detects congestion on a link along the path, it distributes traffic over alternative paths by considering the path availability threshold and using a traffic splitting function. If a node cannot resolve the congestion, it signals its neighbors using the congestion indication bit. By using simulation, we show that that the proposed protocol is reliable and achieves more throughput with reduced packet drops and overhead.     

Probing small network differences in sulfur‐cured rubber compounds by combining nuclear magnetic resonance and swelling methods

We studied the network structure of elastomers based on polyisoprene, polybutadiene, and their blends in the narrow range of formulations compatible with actual use in the automotive tyre industry. Cross‐link density (CLD) was quantified comparatively by low‐field ¹H multiple quantum time domain nuclear magnetic resonance (MQ TD‐NMR) and by equilibrium swelling technique. The robustness and agreement of the two methods was demonstrated in measuring minute alterations of unfilled vulcanizates beyond the optimum cure time. Comparison with samples where polysulfidic bonds were selectively cleaved also demonstrates that the length of the sulfur chain constituting the cross‐link does not significantly affect residual dipolar coupling. Kraus, Lorenz, and Parks correction for filler restriction on swelling is validated by MQ TD‐NMR, which also allows extracting information on cross‐link distribution not provided by swelling measurement. Cross‐link distributions in the blends were demonstrated to be significantly different from the weighted average of the pure samples, while average proton–proton residual dipolar coupling values correspond. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42700.     

Flexible Multifunctionalized Carbon Nanotubes‐Based Hybrid Nanowires

In this work, flexible multifunctionalized carbon nanotube (CNT)‐based hybrid nanowires are synthesized through surface modification processes. The good dispersability of the hybrid nanowire in polar solvents facilitates directly making fine patterns with a minimum width of 40 μm for applications of flexible and stretchable circuits (FSCs). The hybrid nanowire possesses a flexible and highly conductive structure which demonstrates stable electro‐mechanical properties on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates under large structural deformation. FSCs fabricated from the hybrid nanowires show a constant resistance of 0.096 Ω □^?1 (equivalent of a resistivity 0.96 Ω μm) under repeated bending cycles. The FSCs also have a low and stable sheet resistance of 0.4 Ω □^?1 for strains up to 30%, which is almost four orders of magnitude lower than that of pure CNT samples (1316 Ω □^?1). Further improved stretchability and electro‐mechanical properties (0.1 Ω □^?1, at the strain of 100%) are achieved with a prestrain PDMS substrate. Repeated deformation tests demonstrate the high reliability of FSCs. The observed stable and reliable electro‐mechanical performance of FSCs suggests the potential use of the material in wearable and portable electronics.     

Application of soft computing techniques in machining performance prediction and optimization: a literature review

Machining is one of the most important and widely used manufacturing processes. Due to complexity and uncertainty of the machining processes, of late, soft computing techniques are being preferred to physics-based models for predicting the performance of the machining processes and optimizing them. Major soft computing tools applied for this purpose are neural networks, fuzzy sets, genetic algorithms, simulated annealing, ant colony optimization, and particle swarm optimization. The present paper reviews the application of these tools to four machining processes—turning, milling, drilling, and grinding. The paper highlights the progress made in this area and discusses the issues that need to be addressed.     

Can the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) deliver?

The paper investigates whether the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol has played a significant role in the development of rural communities, specifically investigating uptake of small-scale renewable energy projects. The investigation involved an assessment of 500 registered small-scale CDM projects under the Kyoto Protocol in terms of their potential impact on the envisaged sustainable development goals for rural communities. Five case studies from the Indian subcontinent were also examined.     

AKUFVE STUDIES ON EXTRACTION BEHAVIOUR OF NEPTUNIUM FROM SIMULATED HLW SOLUTIONS BY 30% TBP

ABSTRACT

The extraction behaviour of neptunium from 3 M nitric acid as well as simulated pressurised heavy water reactor high level radioactive waste (PHWR-HLW) solution by 30% TBP/dodecane was studied using AKUFVE. Np(IV)/Np(V) was oxidised to Np(VI) using oxidising agents, such as K₂Cr₂O₇, VO₂ ⁺ and NaNO₂. Stripping of neptunium from the loaded TBP phase was studied using reducing agents like hydrogen peroxide, ascorbic acid, hydroxyl-amine hydrochloride and hydrazine sulphate. Results of these extraction and stripping studies have been discussed in this paper.     

Magnetic and electric responsive hydrogel–magnetic nanocomposites for drug‐delivery application

Magnetic and electrically responsive hydrogel networks were developed for drug‐delivery applications. The hydrogel matrices were synthesized by the polymerization of acrylamide monomer in the presence of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or methylcellulose (MC) with N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide, a crosslinker with the redox initiating system ammonium persulfate/tetramethylethylenediamine. The magnetic nanoparticles were generated throughout these hydrogel matrices by an in situ method by the incorporation of iron ions and their subsequent reduction with ammonia. A series of hydrogel–magnetic nanocomposites (HGMNCs) were developed with various CMC and MC compositions. The synthesized HGMNCs were characterized with spectral (Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy), X‐ray diffraction, thermal, and microscopy methods. These HGMNCs contained iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles with an average particle size of about 22 nm, as observed by transmission electron microscopy. The dielectrical properties of the pure hydrogel (HG); the hydrogel loaded with iron ions, or the hydrogel iron‐ion composite (HGIC); and the HGMNCs were measured. These results suggest that HGMNCs exhibited higher dielectric constants compared to HG and HGICs. The curcumin loading and release characteristics were also measured for HG, HGIC, and HGMNC systems. These data revealed that there was a sustained release of curcumin from HGMNCs because of the presence of magnetic nanoparticles in the hydrogel networks. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Structural,optical and electrical properties of ZnTe<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Se<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> thin films

ZnTe_1−x Se _x films were deposited on glass substrates kept at 200 °C by the electron beam evaporation technique. These films exhibited cubic structure and the lattice parameter increased with increase of Tellurium concentration in the films which confirmed the solid solution formation. The grain size is found to increase with Te content. The dislocation density and lattice strain show a decreasing trend with increasing of Te content. Band gap values of 2.73 eV, 2.63 eV, 2.52 eV and 2.41 eV have been calculated for the films of composition ‘x’ = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8, respectively, which confirmed the formation of solid solution between ZnSe and ZnTe. Refractive index of the films increased from 2.535 to 2.826 as the concentration of Te increased. All the films showed high resistivity values. Laser Raman spectral studies of ZnTe_1−x Se _x revealed LO phonon frequencies whose values are located in between the LO phonon frequencies of ZnSe and ZnTe.     

Functions of Hydrotropes in Solutions

Hydrotropes affect a several‐fold increase of the solubility of sparingly soluble solutes under normal conditions. Their water‐solubility can significantly enhance the solubility of organic solutes such as esters, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, hydrocarbons, and fats. While the study of hydrotropes is pioneered by a biochemist, greater appreciation of their role and applicability has happened rather in chemistry and chemical engineering than in biology. Hydrotropes are widely used in drug solubilization, as extraction agents for fragrances, as agents to increase the rate of heterogeneous reactions, and for separation of close‐boiling liquid mixtures through extractive distillation and liquid‐liquid extraction. Applications of hydrotropy and its mechanism are discussed and the scope for future work is presented in this review.