Maximum power density for an endoreversible carnot heat engine

An analysis using maximum power-density criteria has been carried out for an endoreversible Carnot heat engine. The results have been compared with known results on maximum power analysis. The design parameters at maximum power density lead to smaller and more efficient endoreversible Carnot heat engines than those working at maximum power output.     

Penalized-likelihood estimators and noise analysis forrandoms-precorrected PET transmission scans

This paper analyzes and compares image reconstruction methods based on practical approximations to the exact log likelihood of randoms-precorrected positron emission tomography (PET) measurements. The methods apply to both emission and transmission tomography, however, in this paper we focus on transmission tomography. The results of experimental PET transmission scans and variance approximations demonstrate that the shifted Poisson (SP) method avoids the systematic bias of the conventional data-weighted least squares (WLS) method and leads to significantly lower variance than conventional statistical methods based on the log likelihood of the ordinary Poisson (OP) model. We develop covariance approximations to analyze the propagation of noise from attenuation maps into emission images via the attenuation correction factors (ACF's). Empirical pixel and region variances from real transmission data agree closely with the analytical predictions. Both the approximations and the empirical results show that the performance differences between the OP model and SP model are even larger, when considering noise propagation from the transmission images into the final emission images, than the differences in the attenuation maps themselves.     

Quantum‐Tunneling Metal‐Insulator‐Metal Diodes Made by Rapid Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition

A quantum‐tunneling metal‐insulator‐metal (MIM) diode is fabricated by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (AP‐CVD) for the first time. This scalable method is used to produce MIM diodes with high‐quality, pinhole‐free Al₂O₃ films more rapidly than by conventional vacuum‐based approaches. This work demonstrates that clean room fabrication is not a prerequisite for quantum‐enabled devices. In fact, the MIM diodes fabricated by AP‐CVD show a lower effective barrier height (2.20 eV) at the electrode–insulator interface than those fabricated by conventional plasma‐enhanced atomic layer deposition (2.80 eV), resulting in a lower turn on voltage of 1.4 V, lower zero‐bias resistance, and better asymmetry of 107.     

Characterization of the Hansenula polymorpha CPY gene encoding carboxypeptidase Y

We have isolated the Hansenula polymorpha CPY gene encoding carboxypeptidase Y (Hp-CPY). The deduced amino acid sequence revealed that Hp-CPY consists of 541 amino acids and has a calculated Mr of 60,793. The protein is highly similar to Saccharomyces cerevisiae CPY (61.8% identity). At the N-terminus of Hp-CPY signals for the entry into the secretory pathway and subsequent sorting to the vacuole were identified. Immunocytochemically, using monospecific antibodies raised against Hp-CPY, the protein was localized to the vacuole. On Western blots, a diffuse protein band was observed in extracts of H. polymorpha cells, suggesting that the protein is glycosylated. This was confirmed by endoglycosidase H treatment, which resulted in a strong reduction of the apparent Mr of the protein. We have investigated the effect of CPY deletion on the degradation of peroxisomes, an autophagous process that occurs when the organelles become redundant for growth. In deltacpy cells peroxisomal proteins were degraded in the vacuole as efficiently as in wild-type H. polymorpha cells, indicating that CPY is not a major proteinase in this pathway.     

Adsorption of an anionic dispersant on lignite

Since coal is not a homogeneous substance but a mixture of carbonaceous materials and mineral matter, it has a variety of surface properties. Therefore, it is not easy to control the properties of coal suspensions by simply adjusting variables, such as pH and/or electrolyte. A chemical agent needs to be added to control the properties of the coal suspensions. The aim of this investigation is to determine the adsorption behavior of an anionic dispersant in the presence of a wetting agent using some Turkish lignite samples. The presence of a wetting agent in the dispersant adsorption behavior is important, since usage of a wetting agent in the preparation of coal–water slurries which are acceptable for potential industrial users is of great importance. The effects of dispersant concentration, temperature and pH on the dispersant adsorption were studied systematically, and the experimental results are presented. Pellupur B69 as a dispersant, commercial mixture of formaldehyde condensate sodium salt of naphthalene sulphonic acid, and Texapon N25 as a wetting agent, a sodium lauryl ether sulfate, have been used.     

DESORPTION OF ETHYL ACETATE-WATER MIXTURE BY USING CROSS-LINKED POLY(VINYLALCOHOL) MEMBRANE AND COMPARISON OF RESULTS WITH PERVAPORATION

In this study using poly(vinylalcohol) (PVOH) membranes cross-linked with tartaric acid (Tac) desorption experiments were performed for selected concentrations of binary ethyl acetate (EtAc)-water mixture at temperatures of 30°, 40°, and 50°C to determine sorption of components. Sorption values measured were compared with those estimated by the Flory-Huggins approach. Additionally, desorption results were compared with pervaporation results of another study in terms of solution-diffusion theory, and the effect of thermodynamic interactions on selective transport of the binary mixture and membrane system was investigated. The results obtained show that selective transport of EtAc-water mixture was influenced by increasing temperature and water content in the feed. It is shown that preferential sorption is more effective for pervaporation selectivity than diffusion selectivity.     

Effect of different surface shapes formed by femtosecond laser on zirconia-resin cement shear bond strength

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different surface shapes formed by femtosecond (FS) laser on zirconia (Y-TZP)-resin cement shear bond strength (SBS). Background data: All ceramic restoration is used as an alternative to metal-ceramic restorations, due to its better aesthetics, strength, and toughness properties. However, bond strength of restoration to tooth and other materials is effective to long term success of the restoration, and to achieve it surface treatment is required on ceramic surface. Materials and methods: Forty square-shaped zirconia samples were prepared and assigned to four groups of 10. The details of the groups are as follows: Group A, square-shaped recessed surface; Group B, square-shaped projection surface; Group C, circular-shaped recessed surface; Group D, circular-shaped projection surface. The SBSs values were performed with a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The data were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey HSD multiple comparisons tests. Results: The one-way ANOVA results on SBSs of the zirconia material bonded with resin cement revealed significant differences among the groups (p < 0.05). The Tukey HSD test results revealed that Group B and D had significantly higher SBS values than other groups (p < 0.05), but there were no significant differences between each other (p > 0.05). Additionally, Group A and C had significantly lower values than other groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Different surface shapes formed by FS laser provided a significant increase in SBSs. The SBS values of projection surfaces of circular and square-shapes are greater than that of recessed surfaces of circular and square-shapes.