Experimental investigation and prediction of bonding strength of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) bonded with polyvinyl acetate adhesive

Adhesive bond strength of solid wood plays a key role in the efficient use of wood in a large number of engineering applications. In this study, the effects of amount of adhesive, pressing pressure, and pressing time on bonding strength of beech wood bonded with polyvinyl acetate adhesive were investigated and predicted by developing an artificial neural network (ANN) model. Experimental results have showed that bonding strength of wood samples increased generally by increasing amount of adhesive, pressing pressure, and pressing time. Besides, ANN analysis has yielded highly satisfactory results. The designed neural network model allows predicting the bonding strength of wood samples with mean absolute percentage error of 2.454% and correlation coefficient of 97.8% for testing phase. It is clear from the results that the model has a good learning and generalization ability. This model therefore can be used to predict bonding strength of beech samples bonded with polyvinyl acetate adhesive under given conditions. Consequently, this study provides beneficial insights for practitioners in terms of the safe and efficient use of wood as an engineering material in applications related to the strength of the bond between wood and adhesive.     

The behavior of organic components in copper recovery from electroless plating bath effluents using 3D electrode systems

An electrochemical method was applied for the recovery of copper both from the spent solutions and from the rinse waters of electroless copper plating baths, containing copper sulfate, formaldehyde, quadrol, and NaOH. Experiments were conducted in a rotating packed cell (Rollschichtzelle) to investigate the effects of current density, electrolyte composition, temperature, and pH on the copper recovery. All the copper (final CCu=0.1 ppm) was recovered from the waste and rinse waters of chemical copper plating plants with 70% current efficiency by the electrochemical treatment in a rotating packed cell at 130 A/m2 current density, room temperature, with 5mm diameter cathode granules, with the presence of formaldehyde, and with a specific energy consumption of 3.2-3.5 kW h/kg Cu. On the other hand, final copper concentrations of 5 ppm were reached with 62% current efficiency and 5.5-5.8 kW h/kg Cu specific energy consumption, with electrolytes containing no formaldehyde.     

Effects of different drying treatments on fungal population and ochratoxin A occurrence in sultana type grapes

This study aimed to determine the changes in mould and ochratoxin A (OTA) occurrence in sultanas under three different conventional drying conditions. Five different vineyards were chosen, and the three different treatments were applied to these grapes while drying. At the end of the drying process, total mould and black aspergilli (BA) populations in the samples varied from 2.45 to 5.61 log colony-forming units (CFU) g^–1 and from 0 to 4.92 log CFU g^–1, respectively. Significant increases (p < 0.05) occurred in mould loads depending on the extending drying period. However, independent of vineyard location, all the samples treated with cold dipping solution showed the lowest fungal loads. These results indicate that dipping solution treatment was the most effective drying method to minimise fungal infection of grapes. The expected results could not be achieved by drying grapes artificially contaminated with ochratoxigenic Aspergillus carbonarius spores. Seventy-one of 96 isolates (73.95%) obtained during drying were Aspergillus spp., and the remaining (n = 25, 26.05%) belonged to other genera, such as Penicillium, Trichoderma and Cladosporium. Grape juice-based agar medium was used to determine the realistic OTA production capacities of the isolated mould strains. The highest OTA production capacities were 809.70 ± 9.19, 87.58 ± 16.89 and 45.44 ± 18.78 ng g^–1 in 50% grape juice agar (GJ50), all five of which were from A. niger isolates. OTA was not present in any sample during the drying period; however, OTA was detected in two samples at 0.32 ± 0.15 and 0.52 ± 0.36 µg kg^–1 after the end of the drying process. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of the method used for detecting OTA in samples were 0.1 and 0.3 µg kg^–1, respectively.     

Broadband satellite system technologies for effective use of the12-30 GHz radio spectrum

Broadband satellite systems are an integral part of communications technology, aiming to provide a wide range of services to a society that increasingly expects ubiquitous access to broadband telecommunication services. Key drivers behind the development of these systems include rapid growth in the use of the Internet, PC- and TV-based e-commerce and interactive broadcasting services. In the UK, broadband satellite service trials are currently being conducted by BT, amongst others, with a primary objective of providing services to areas where asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) technology has not been deployed. Two key factors for the success of broadband satellite technology lie in the area of overcoming constraints associated with frequency spectrum and orbital resources. This paper provides a review of technologies employed in geostationary (GSO) and nongeostationary (NGSO) satellite networks designed for the provision of broadband services to fixed and portable ground terminals within the 12 to 30 GHz frequency range. After reviewing the system design parameters related to the use of the radio frequency spectrum, consideration is given to the issues involved in sharing spectrum between GSO and NGSO satellite networks     

Effects of shooting period, times within shooting periods and processing systems on the extract, caffeine and crude fiber contents of black tea

The extract, caffeine and crude fibre contents of black tea, from different shooting periods, different times within each shooting period and processed by five different commercial rolling methods, were examined. The extract and crude fibre contents of black tea were significantly (P<0.01) affected by all these factors and their interactions. The caffeine content of black tea was affected by the shooting period and times within the shooting period. It was determined that processing methods did not have a significant (P<0.05) effect on the caffeine content. The amount of extract and caffeine decreased from the first shooting period to the third, and also from the beginning of each shooting period to the end. However, the crude fibre content of the black tea increased, especially from the beginning of each shooting period to the end of each shooting period.

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Die Wirkungen der Sproßperiode, die Zeit innerhalb der Sproßperioden und der Verarbeitungssysteme auf den Tee-Extrakt, den Coffein-und den Rohfasergehalt von schwarzem Tee

Zusammenfassung Die in den verschiedenen Sproßperioden und in unterschiedlichen Zeiten innerhalb der einzelnen Sproßperiode erhaltenen frischen Teeproben wurden mit den fünf verschiedenen kommerziellen Walzmethoden zu schwarzem Tee verarbeitet. Bei diesen Teeproben wurden der Extrakt-, Coffein- und Rohfasergehalt bestimmt. Der Extrakt- und der Rohfasergehalt von schwarzem Tee werden durch alle Faktoren und deren Wechselwirkungen signifikant (P<0.01) beeinflußt. Die Sproßperiode und die Zeit innerhalb der Sproßperioden wirkten auf den Coffeingehalt von schwarzem Tee ein. Es wurde festgestellt, daß die Verarbeitungsmethode keine signifikante Wirkung (P<0.05) auf den Coffeingehalt hatte. Der Extrakt- und der Coffeingehalt nahmen von der ersten Sproßperiode bis zur dritten, und auch vom Anfang der einzelnen Sproßperiode bis zum Ende ab. Der Rohfasergehalt von schwarzem Tee nahm dagegen insbesonders vom Anfang der einzelnen Sproßperiode bis zum Ende der Sproßperiode zu.

     

Kinetic of Color Changes in Almond (Akbadem Variety) During Roasting and Storage

In this research, the color change kinetics of the Akbadem variety during roasting and storage processes was investigated. The roasting process was carried out at three different temperatures (150, 160, and 170°C) and four different times 10, 20, 30, and 40 min. Then, roasted samples were separated in two groups and stored for 6 months in 4 and 22°C. All of the color parameters reactions during roasting and storage took place according to first order reaction kinetics. L- and hue angle-values tended to decrease linear significantly during roasting. The L-values of Akbadem samples roasted at 150, 160,and 170°C for 40 min was determined as 52.34 ± 2.53, 47.96 ± 1.35, and 43.17 ± 0.09, respectively. The highest Ea-value was determined on the L-value as 14.80 ± 4.26. The a, b, ΔE, metric chroma (C), and metric saturation (S) values increased during roasting. L-, C-, a-, b-, and S-values tended to decrease linear significantly during storage. The L-, a-, and b-values of Akbadem samples which were roasted at 170°C and stored at 4°C for 6 months were decreased from 43.17 ± 0.09, 14.25 ± 0.026, and 29.53 ± 0.06 to 34.91 ± 0.13, 10.06 ± 0.15, and 15.93 ± 0.12, respectively. According to sensory analysis, the panelists gave low scores as taste (1.9 ± 0.88), color (2.1 ± 0.57), and flavor (2.4 ± 0.7) for Akbadem samples roasted at 170°C for 40 min. ΔE was increased during storage Ea-values were decreased during roasting and storage at 4 and 22°C for 6 months.     

Nanocrystalline spherical iron–nickel (Fe–Ni) alloy particles prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and hydrogen reduction (USP-HR)

FeCl₂ and NiCl₂ were used for synthesis of nanocrystalline spherical Fe–Ni alloy particles by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and hydrogen reduction (USP-HR). Spherical ultrafine Fe–Ni particles were obtained by USP of aqueous solutions of iron–nickel chloride followed by thermal decomposition of generated aerosols in hydrogen atmosphere. Particle sizes of the produced Fe–Ni particles can be controlled by the change of the concentration of an initial solution. The effect of the precursor solution in the range of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 M on the morphology and crystallite size of the Fe–Ni alloy particles are investigated under the conditions of 1.5 h running time, 900 °C reduction temperature, and 1.0 L/min H₂ volumetric flow rate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies and Scherrer crystallite size calculations show that the crystalline size was nearly 28 nm. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was performed to determine the chemical composition of the particles. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to confirm the crystalline size, that was determined using XRD results. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations reveal that the precursor solution strongly influences the particle size of the synthesized Fe–Ni alloy particles. Spherical nanocrystalline Fe–Ni alloy particles in the range of 80 and 878 nm were obtained at 900 °C.     

Comparison of 4 V and 3 V electrochemical properties of nanocrystalline LiMn2O4 cathode particles in lithium ion batteries prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

Nanocrystalline LiMn₂O₄ particles were prepared by an ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method using nitrate salts at 800 °C in air atmosphere. Particle properties were characterized by the X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy. In addition, cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic tests were performed to investigate the effects of structure on electrochemical behavior of both the 4 V and 3 V potential plateaus. Particle characterization studies show that the nanocrystalline particles have spinel structure of submicron size with spherical morphology. Particles, ranging between 75 and 1250 nm, were formed by aggregation of nanoparticles. Discharge capacity of LiMn₂O₄ particles between 3.0 and 4.5 V is 70 mA h g⁻¹ and cumulative capacity between 2.2 and 4.5 V is 111 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.5 C rate. Discharge capacity at the 4 V potential region reduces to 47% of initial capacity, whereas cumulative capacity fade is 62% after 100 cycles at 0.5 C rate. Although nanocrystalline LiMn₂O₄ cathode particles exhibit good rate capability at the 4 V plateau, capacity decreased rapidly by increasing C- rates and cycling between 2.2 and 4.5 V. The loss of capacity can be attributed to phase transformation and dissolution of electrode material. Particle characterization of used cathodes showed that nanocrystalline LiMn₂O₄ electrodes partly dissolve during electrochemical cycling.