An efficient approach for solving the Riccati equation with fractional orders

The present study introduces a novel and simple analytical method for the solution of fractional order Riccati differential equation. In this approach, the solution considered as a Taylor series expansion converges rapidly to the nonlinear problem. New homotopy perturbation method (NHPM) depends only on two components of the homotopy series. The method is illustrated by applications and the results obtained are compared with those of the exact solution. Moreover, comparing the methodology with some known techniques shows that the present approach is relatively easy and efficient.     

Hydrogen production using Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4 (ATCC 13564)

Fermentative hydrogen production was carried out using Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4 (ATCC 13564). This work investigates the effects of initial substrate concentration, initial medium pH, and temperature. The hydrogen yield was about 3.1 mol (mol glucose)⁻¹ when starting with an initial glucose concentration of 10 gl⁻¹ and initial a pH of 6.0 ± 0.2 at a temperature of 37 °C. The volume of hydrogen produced decreased when higher initial glucose concentrations were applied. The most suitable conditions for hydrogen production in a batch reactor were observed at initial pH 6.0 ± 0.2 and 37 °C.     

Binary chemical reaction with activation energy in radiative rotating disk flow of Bingham plastic fluid

This article presents flow, heat and mass transfer phenomena in Bingham plastic fluid. The flow channel is considered to be a rotating disk with a slip which is different in span and streamwise directions, and heat transfer is investigated using dissipation term of the fluid. Arrhenius activation energy and binary chemical reaction are the imperative features of the study of mass transfer. Bingham plastic fluid and anisotropic slip are the key factors of the study due to their numerous applications in manufacturing industries. On the other hand, the radiative heat transfer phenomenon is considered which is widely used in nuclear and power generating systems. The partial differential equations that govern the flow, and heat and mass transfer are converted into ordinary differential equations by utilizing von Kármán's similarity transformation for rotating disk flows. The velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles and some important physical quantities are examined against important flow parameters. It is observed that the thermal radiation showed an increasing effect on temperature profile and the activation energy enhanced the mass transfer rate. The radial slip increased the volumetric flow rate and reduced the boundary layer thickness. The tangential slip reduced the volumetric flow rate and increased the boundary layer thickness.     

Pretreatment eliminates throat irritation by water yam and facilitates the development of functional cookies

Water yam (Dioscoreaalata) provides sufficient nutrients in terms of protein (10.075 ± 0.02%), fibre (3.40 ± 0.03%) and minerals (potassium and phosphorous). However, due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors such as saponins, water yam causes throat irritation. Consequently, it is less preferred among consumers, and thus, the commercial importance of yam tubers has been limited. The current investigation aims to reduce the saponin content of water yam by pretreatment of yam tubers at the optimised conditions (blanching with 0.2% potassium metabisulphite, 0.5% tartaric acid and 0.5% citric acid) that rendered a 50% reduction in the saponin content (1.65% to 0.86%). The said nutritious yam flour was utilised as a replacement of refined wheat flour (13%) in the development of functional cookies. The yam cookies showed higher mineral content (phosphorous: 116.20 ± 0.80 mg/100 g; potassium: 221.11 ± 0.98 mg/100 g). Reduced water activity and incorporation of antioxidants in yam cookies decreased the peroxide value of the same during storage attesting its higher shelf-life.     

Advances of Proteomic Sciences in Dentistry

Applications of proteomics tools revolutionized various biomedical disciplines such as genetics, molecular biology, medicine, and dentistry. The aim of this review is to highlight the major milestones in proteomics in dentistry during the last fifteen years. Human oral cavity contains hard and soft tissues and various biofluids including saliva and crevicular fluid. Proteomics has brought revolution in dentistry by helping in the early diagnosis of various diseases identified by the detection of numerous biomarkers present in the oral fluids. This paper covers the role of proteomics tools for the analysis of oral tissues. In addition, dental materials proteomics and their future directions are discussed.     

Electrospun nanofibers from ferrocene-containing multiblock copolymers prepared via RAFT polymerization with F127 modified precursor

Electrospun nanofibers from copolymers composed of ferrocene side chains and PEO₁₀₀-PPO₆₅-PEO₁₀₀ (F127) were fabricated in chloroform and N,N–dimethyl formamide solutions (V/V = 95:5) at room temperature. Ferrocene-containing multiblock copolymers (PFcMA_n-F127-PFcMA_n) were synthesized through reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization using s-1-dodecyl-s''- (α, α'-dimethyl-α''-acetic acid) trithiocarbonate (DDMAT) modified F127 with 2- (methacryloyloxy) ethyl ferrocencarboxylate (FcMA). The structures of as-obtained chemicals were characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR. Additionally, the block copolymers molecular weight and polydispersity were measured using gel permeation chromatography. The electrochemical responsiveness of the polymers was investigated using cyclic voltammetry as well as the thermal stabilities of polymers and precursors were tested through DSC and TGA. The morphologies of electrospun fibers were observed through field emission scanning electronic spectroscopy and a fibrous diameter of 300–1100 nm was obtained. The results indicated that the suitable molecular weight of ferrocene -containing polymer would be processed in nanofibrous.     

Computation of environmental forces for use in offshore vessel dynamic analysis

Equations for the computation of environmental loadings due to wind and ocean current on an offshore vessel are presented. A systematic procedure for generating a wave force time history from a given random sea spectrum for use in offshore vessel dynamic analysis is also discussed and is illustrated with a practical example.     

Evaluation of SOCl2 doping effect on electrical conductivity of thin films of SWNTs and SWNT/PEDOT-PSS composites

Transparent conductive thin films of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and their nanocomposites with an organic conductive polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT-PSS) with different CNT loadings ranging from 20 to 90 wt% were prepared and doped by exposing them to thionyl chloride (SOCl2) vapors. After exposure to SOCl2 vapor for 1 h, the SWNT film showed about 15-18% increase of electrical conductivity, while on the other hand pristine polymer film showed a decrease of electrical conductivity. The SWNT-polymer composite films showed a drastic increase in conductivity by doping with SOCl2 vapor, most interestingly, the doping effect was much higher for composite films with less CNT weight fraction and it was linearly decreased with increasing CNT loading. For instance, composite film with 10% and 90% CNT loading demonstrated about 65% and 10% increase of electrical conductivity, respectively. The interaction of SOCl2 vapors on SWNTs and composite films is investigated by UV-visible absorption and Raman spectroscopy.