Coastal trapped waves in the southern Caspian Sea

Previous studies reported coastal trapped waves (CTWs) in the Caspian Sea (CS). This study deals with the generation mechanisms, the temporal and spatial variability of CTWs in this area, and their transformations during propagation from the origin to the destination using recent measurements and high-resolution numerical simulations. CTWs are observed at all stations with periods of 2–6 days after northerly storms. The Absheron Peninsula, old Sefidrud delta, and Nur coasts were identified as the CTWs prone regions. The generation of CTWs in these locations was confirmed using numerical experiments. The propagation away from the generating location of CTWs was analyzed using a representative real wind storm. In the west part of the CS, the generation mechanism of CTWs is mainly similar to the barotropic Kelvin waves; in contrast, it is similar to the continental shelf waves in the southern shelves. The results can be used to study the contribution of generated CTWs to the transport of sediment and biological materials in all large lakes.     

Multi-wheat-model ensemble responses to interannual climate variability

We compare 27 wheat models' yield responses to interannual climate variability, analyzed at locations in Argentina, Australia, India, and The Netherlands as part of the Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP) Wheat Pilot. Each model simulated 1981–2010 grain yield, and we evaluate results against the interannual variability of growing season temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation. The amount of information used for calibration has only a minor effect on most models' climate response, and even small multi-model ensembles prove beneficial. Wheat model clusters reveal common characteristics of yield response to climate; however models rarely share the same cluster at all four sites indicating substantial independence. Only a weak relationship (R² ≤ 0.24) was found between the models' sensitivities to interannual temperature variability and their response to long-term warming, suggesting that additional processes differentiate climate change impacts from observed climate variability analogs and motivating continuing analysis and model development efforts.     

Recent advances using gold nanoparticles as a promising multimodal tool for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have arisen a lot of interest in the clinical realms of nanomedicine. Despite the large advances made in cancer research using AuNPs, their use in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) is still in its infancy. Herein, it is discussed the properties, functionalization, and emerging use of AuNPs as a multifunctional and multimodal platform for drug delivery, phototherapy, diagnostic and cell imaging purposes. Moreover, the recent reports related to the ability of AuNPs to enhance stem cell differentiation for bone tissue engineering, to enhance the mechanical and adhesive properties of scaffolds and surface topography to guide cell behaviors are addressed.     

Characterization of best Chebychev approximation using the frequency response of IIR digital filters with convex stability

This paper deals with the application of Chebychevʼs approximation theory to IIR digital filter frequency response (FR) approximation. It explores the properties of the frequency response of IIR digital filters as a nonlinear complex approximating function; IIR digital filter frequency response is used to approximate a prescribed magnitude and phase responses. The approximation problem is closely related to optimization. If the set of approximating functions is non-convex, the optimization problem is difficult and may converge to a local minimum. The main results presented in the paper are proposing a convex stability domain by introducing a condition termed “sign condition” and characterization of the best approximation by the Global Kolmogorovʼs Criterion (GKC). The Global Kolmogorovʼs Criteria is shown to be also a necessary condition for the approximation problem. Finally, it is proved that the best approximation is a global minimum. The sign condition can be incorporated as a constraint in an optimization algorithm.     

Vision-based integrated mobile robotic system for real-time applications in construction

To increase the degree of automation and frequency of data collection for monitoring construction sites, there has been a rapid increase in the number of studies, in the past few years, that developed and/or examined mobile robotic applications in construction. These vision-based platforms capable of autonomous navigation and scene understanding are becoming essential in many construction applications, namely construction sites surveying, work-in-progress monitoring, and existing structure inspection. Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) and object recognition for proper context-aware motion planning are some of the core vision techniques that are driving innovation for these robotic systems. To characterize the limitations of current techniques on real-time performance and identify challenges in integration and implementation for construction applications, this paper proposes a mobile robotic platform that incorporates a stack of embedded platforms with integrated Graphical Processing Units (GPUs). This paper presents three case studies to evaluate the performance of the proposed system. The results demonstrate the robustness and feasibility of developing and deploying an autonomous system in the near future.     

An eco-friendly process: Predictive modelling of copper adsorption from aqueous solution on Spirulina platensis

The adsorption of copper ions on Spirulina platensis was studied as a function of contact time, initial metal ion concentration, and initial pH regimes. Characterization of this adsorbent was confirmed by FTIR spectrum. Modified Gompertz and Logistic models have not been previously applied for the adsorption of copper. Logistic was the best model to describe experimental kinetic data. This adsorption could be explained by the intra-particle diffusion, which was composed of more than one sorption processes. Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich–Peterson were fitted to equilibrium data models. According to values of error functions and correlation coefficient, the Langmuir and Redlich–Peterson models were more appropriate to describe the adsorption of copper ions on S. platensis. The monolayer maximum adsorption capacity of copper ions was determined as 67.93 mg g^?1. Results indicated that this adsorbent had a great potential for removing of copper as an eco-friendly process.     

Functionalization of multi-wall carbon nanotubes to reduce the coefficient of the friction and improve the wear resistance of multi-wall carbon nanotube/epoxy composites

Functionalization of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was achieved by grafting carboxyl groups and amino groups. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to detect the changes produced by functional groups on the surface of the MWCNTs. Three different MWCNTs were incorporated into epoxy resin and the friction and wear behavior of MWCNT/epoxy composites was investigated using a M-2000 wear testing machine at different sliding speeds under different applied loads. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the worn surfaces of the samples. The results indicated that the functional groups had been grafted on the surface of MWCNTs. Compared with neat epoxy, the composites with MWCNTs showed a lower friction coefficient and wear rate, and the wear rate decreased with the increase of MWCNT loading. Combining epoxy resin with MWCNTs is an efficient method to improve the wear resistance and decrease the coefficient of friction.     

Syntheses and characterizations of two-dimensional polymers based on tetraimidazole tetraphenylethylene ligand with aggregation-induced emission property

Two new coordination polymers [Co(TIPE)(H₂O)₂]·Hbtc·CH₃CN·3H₂O (1) and [Cd(TIPE)_0.5(m-bdc)(H₂O)]·CH₃OH·H₂O (2) (TIPE = tetra(3-imidazoylphenyl)ethylene, H₃btc = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate, m-H₂bdc = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylate) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR, TGA, and PXRD. Furthermore, the luminescent properties of complexes 1, 2 and TIPE ligand have also been investigated in the solid at room temperature.     

壳聚糖及其衍生物在食品工农业中的应用研究进展

壳聚糖作为一种天然碱性多糖,具有高附加值、可再生资源、抑菌、无毒、易成膜、可生物降解、螯合重金属等优点。文章综述了壳聚糖在食品工农业方面的应用研究进展情况,详细介绍了壳聚糖、改性壳聚糖和复合壳聚糖在果蔬保鲜、植物诱导、防止微生物生长、果汁澄清、添加剂和食品工业废水方面的应用性能,并对壳聚糖在食品中应用的未来发展进行展望。     

Revealing unconventional host–guest complexation at nanostructured interface by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Interfacial host–guest complexation offers a versatile way to functionalize nanomaterials. However, the complicated interfacial environment and trace amounts of...