Boron-doped activated carbon from the stems of Prosopis juliflora as an effective electrode material in symmetric supercapacitors

For a supercapacitor electrode, carbon-based materials have received great attention for their high surface area and stability. In this work, sustainable and cost-effective synthesis of boron-doped activated biomass-derived carbon from the stems of Prosopis juliflora has been reported for supercapacitor applications. The activation by KOH creates pores and boron induces p-type doping in the carbon matrix. The material gave a higher specific capacitance of 307.14 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g. The symmetric supercapacitor device delivered 156.29 F/g of specific capacitance with 98.1% of energy efficiency. The observed energy and power densities were 7.81 Wh/Kg and 150 W/Kg, respectively. The device was further studied with stability test for 1000 charge/discharge cycles and showed 98.6% of capacitance retention and 97.9% of coulombic efficiency.

     

Improved 2D mass-spring-damper model with unstructured triangular meshes

In this paper, we investigate both the visual realism and the physical accuracy of the 2D mass-spring-damper (MSD) model with general unstructured triangular meshes for the simulation of rigid cloth. For visual realism, the model should, at a minimum, bend smoothly under pure bending load conditions. For physical accuracy, it should bend approximately the same amount and shape as dictated by continuum mechanics. By matching the 2D MSD model with an elastic plate, we obtain a series of constraints on the parameters of the model. We find that for a 2D unstructured MSD model, it is necessary to apply preloads on the springs for accurate modeling of bending resistance. By simultaneously applying the constraints for both visual realism and physical accuracy, we can optimize the parameters of the model to enhance its fidelity. The simulation shows that the deformation of the optimized MSD model with preload is very close to the result obtained by the finite element method (FEM) under either point load condition or pressure load condition. With a much smaller computational burden compared with FEM, the optimized MSD model is especially suitable for real time haptic applications.     

A semi-parametric generalization of the Cox proportional hazards regression model: Inference and Applications

The assumption of proportional hazards (PH) fundamental to the Cox PH model sometimes may not hold in practice. In this paper, we propose a generalization of the Cox PH model in terms of the cumulative hazard function taking a form similar to the Cox PH model, with the extension that the baseline cumulative hazard function is raised to a power function. Our model allows for interaction between covariates and the baseline hazard and it also includes, for the two sample problem, the case of two Weibull distributions and two extreme value distributions differing in both scale and shape parameters. The partial likelihood approach can not be applied here to estimate the model parameters. We use the full likelihood approach via a cubic B-spline approximation for the baseline hazard to estimate the model parameters. A semi-automatic procedure for knot selection based on Akaike’s information criterion is developed. We illustrate the applicability of our approach using real-life data.     

Water-soluble polymers. I. Synthesis of N-succinimido (N) thiocarbonyl acrylamide and its polymerization: Grafting of this monomer and acrylamide onto poly(vinyl alcohol)

A new monomer, N-succinimido (N) thiocarbonyl acrylamide is formed when succinic anhydride, thiourea, and acryloyl chloride are condensed in mole proportions at low temperatures. The monomer is polymerized and graft copolymerized onto poly(vinyl alcohol) using a potassium bromate-thiourea redox system. Acrylamide is also similarly grafted to poly(vinyl alcohol) using the same initiator system. Grafting efficiencies of the monomers are determined from the elemental analyses data of the graft copolymers. Thermal behavior of the polymers are derived from the DSC thermograms of the polymers. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Analog Circuit Fault Detection Using Location of Poles

A method for detection of parametric faults occurring in linear analog circuits based on location of poles of the Circuit Under Test (CUT) is proposed. In the proposed method, the value of each component of the CUT is varied within its tolerance limit using monte carlo simulation. The upper and lower bounds of magnitude, phase angle, real part and imaginary part of all poles of the CUT are obtained. While testing, the locations of poles are obtained. If any one or more of the poles lies outside the tolerance limit then the CUT is declared faulty. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through two benchmark circuits like second order sallenkey band pass filter and fourth order leapfrog low pass filter.     

Emission and performance study emulsified orange peel oil biodiesel in an aspirated research engine

This study paves the way on reducing smoke emission and NO_x emissions of research diesel engine by detailing the effect of water addition in biodiesel. Fuel samples were prepared with different concentrations of water in orange peel oil biodiesel (94% waste orange peel oil biodiesel + 4% water + 2% Span 80 (WOPOBDE1) and 90% waste orange peel oil biodiesel + 8% water + 2% Span 80 (WOPOBDE2). Span 80 was employed as a nonionic surfactant, which emulsifies water in biodiesel. Experimental results revealed that the nitrogen oxides and smoke emission of orange peel oil biodiesel emulsion were reduced by 11%–19% and 3%–21%, respectively, compared to that of neat orange peel oil biodiesel (WOPOBD). In addition, the introduction of orange peel oil–water emulsions in the diesel engine considerably reduced the emissions of unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. The overall hydrocarbon emission of WOPOBDE2 was 12.2% lower than that of WOPOBD and 16.3% lower than that of diesel. The overall CO emission of WOPOBDE2 was 17% lower than that of base fuel (WOPOBD) and 21.8% lower than that of diesel. Experimental results revealed that modified fuel had higher brake thermal efficiency and lower brake specific fuel consumption than that of base fuel at all engine brake power levels.     

Monomer reactivity ratios of some methyl aryloxymethacrylates

Summary The monomer reactivity ratios of methyl phenoxymethacrylate (MPMA), methyl p-cresoxymethacrylate (MCMA) and methyl p-nitrophenoxymethacrylate (MNMA) were evaluated both by Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tüdös methods. The tendency to form alternating copolymers of these monomers is discussed.     

Variation Of Airflow Pattern Through Dissimilar Valve Lift In A Spark Ignition Engine

Abstract

Bi-fuel conversions are a common alternative fuelling option for mono-fuel gasoline SI vehicles because of the minor vehicle modifications required. In Malaysia, most bi-fuel vehicles are fuelled with compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline. However, CNG flame speed is lower than gasoline reducing the power and range of the vehicle when operating on CNG. This situation can be improved by increasing the flame speed via higher swirl generation. A Computational fluid dynamics model is used to analyse swirl generated by dissimilar valve lift (DVL) profiles on the intake valve. A three-dimensional engine simulation shows differences in swirl motion and turbulence between the original symmetric valve lift profile and the DVL. The higher swirl number reduces the turbulence kinetic energy level slightly. The best case profile is selected for further experimental testing.     

Preparation and In Vitro/In Vivo Evaluation of Gliclazide Loaded Eudragit Nanoparticles as a Sustained Release Carriers

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to formulate and optimize gliclazide-loaded Eudragit nanoparticles (Eudragit L100 and Eudragit RS) as a sustained release carrier with enhanced efficacy. Eudragit L 100 nanoparticles (ELNP) were prepared by controlled precipitation method whereas Eudragit RSPO nanoparticles (ERSNP) were prepared by solvent evaporation method. The influence of various formulation factors (stirring speed, drug:polymer ratio, homogenization, and addition of surfactants) on particle size, drug loading, and encapsulation efficiency were investigated. The developed Eudragit nanoparticles (L100 and RS) showed high drug loading and encapsulation efficiencies with nanosize. Mean particle size altered by changing the drug:polymer ratio and stirring speed. Addition of surfactants showed a promise to increase drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and decreased particle size of ELNP as well as ERSNP. Dissolution study revealed sustained release of gliclazide from Eudragit L100 as well as Eudragit RSPO NP. SEM study revealed spherical morphology of the developed Eudragit (L100 and RS) NP. FT-IR and DSC studies showed no interaction of gliclazide with polymers. Stability studies revealed that the gliclazide-loaded nanoparticles were stable at the end of 6 months. Developed Eudragit NPs revealed a decreased t_min (ELNP), and enhanced bioavailability and sustained activity (ELNP and ERSNP) and hence superior activity as compared to plain gliclazide in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat model and glucose-loaded diabetic rat model. The developed Eudragit (L100 and RSPO) NP could reduce dose frequency, decrease side effects, and improve patient compliance.     

Fault Detection of Analog Circuits Using Network Parameters

A new method to detect component faults in analog circuits is proposed in this paper. Network parameters like driving point impedance, transfer impedance, voltage gain and current gain are used to detect component faults in analog circuits as these network parameters are sensitive to the components of the circuit. Using montecarlo simulation each component of the circuit is varied within its tolerance limit and the minimum and the maximum values of each network parameter are found for fault free circuit. At the time of testing, the network parameters are found for the injected fault and if any one or more network parameters is exceeding its predetermined bound limits then the circuit is confirmed faulty. The proposed method is validated through second order Sallenkey band pass filter and fourth order Chebyshev low pass filter circuits. Numerical results are presented to clarify the proposed method and prove its efficiency.