Antibacterial activity and comparison of the volatile constituents obtained by several extraction methods from the flowers, stems and leaves of Astrodaucus orientalis

The oils of the flowers, stems and leaves of Astrodaucus orientalis L. were separately extracted using hydrodistillation (HD), head-space solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and microwave assisted head-space solid-phase microextraction (MA-HS-SPME). The volatile constituents were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Temperature and time of extraction, microwave power and exposure time of extraction were optimized. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fiber was used as the solid phase for SPME methods. The main constituents of the flower, stem and leaf oils isolated by HD, HS-SPME and MA-HS-SPME are as follows, respectively: beta-pinene (20.5%, 13.9% and 30.4%), alpha-thujene (8.7%, 16.2% and 10.9%) and alpha-pinene (7.6%, 14.3% and 10.9%) for the flowers, sabinene (11.8%, 32.3% and 11.8%), alpha-pinene (8.7%, 28.8% and 6.1%) and p-mycrene (2.5%, 12% and 8.5%) for the stem, and alpha-pinene (9.4%, 37.1% and 22.5%), sabinene (13.5%, 26.3% and 23.5%), beta-pinene (6.3%, 9.8% and 10%) and p-mycrene (3.2%, 2.5% and 15.6%) for the leaf. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined for all essential oils obtained by HD against both Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria using the agar dilution method. These oils showed the good activities against the both bacteria (0.5 - 1.5 mg/mL).     

The effect of NaCl and Na2SO4 concentration in aqueous phase on the phase inversion temperature O/W nanoemulsions

The effect of NaCl and Na₂SO₄ concentrations in aqueous phase on the phase inversion temperature (PIT) in nanoemulsions of water/Brij30/n-hexadecane system has been studied separately, and then compared. The variation of conductivity with temperature was measured by Cyber Scan PC510 conductivity meter for emulsions with 20 wt% hexadecane and 8 wt% Brij30 concentration and different concentrations of NaCl and Na₂SO₄ in aqueous phase. The results showed that with increasing concentrations of NaCl and Na₂SO₄ in aqueous phase, the PIT of nanoemulsions decreases. The effect of the elevation of concentration on the decrease of PIT was more for Na₂SO₄ in aqueous phase than NaCl with equal concentrations.     

Small signal gain and saturation intensity of a Yb:Silica fiber MOPA system

In this work, the small signal gain (γ₀) and signal saturation power (P_sat) of a continuous wave (CW) single-frequency ytterbium-doped (YD) double-clad (DC) fiber master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) array has been determined in the optimum length. At first, we have obtained output versus input signal powers in the amplifier, using the coupled steady-state rate equations for the various end diode pumping such as co/counter propagation and bidirectional modes. On the other hand, the steady-state amplification relation was employed at a presumed γ₀ and P_sat as initial guess, to generate output signals. Then, using the least square method (LSM), those input/output signal powers were fitted by the best regression curve obtained from the amplification relation to determine the converged γ₀ and P_sat values. The analytical formulae for γ₀ and P_sat were derived using the rate equations as well.     

Suitability of artificial bulk viscosity for large-eddy simulation of turbulent flows with shocks

The artificial bulk viscosity method to numerically capture shocks is investigated for large-eddy simulation (LES). Different variations of this method are tested on a turbulent flow over a cylinder at Reynolds number of 10,000 and free-stream Mach number of 0.85. The artificial bulk viscosity model by Cook and Cabot, which is parameterized by the strain rate magnitude, is found to provide unnecessary bulk viscosity in turbulent regions away from shocks. While developed turbulent structures are found unaffected, this extra bulk viscosity is shown to significantly damp the sound field. An alternative formulation of the model which is parameterized by the rate of dilatation is proposed. This formulation is shown to avoid the unnecessary bulk viscosity and enhance the sound-prediction capability of the model. It was found that standard LES combined with artificial bulk viscosity is a promising approach for simulation of turbulent flows with shocks. The formulation of the model on curvilinear coordinates is presented in the appendix.     

A novel high selective and sensitive para-nitrophenol voltammetric sensor, based on a molecularly imprinted polymer-carbon paste electrode

By using a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as a recognition element, the design and construction of a high selective voltammetric sensor for para-nitrophenol was formed. Para-nitrophenol selective MIP and a non-imprinted polymer (NIP) were synthesized, and then used for carbon paste (CP) electrode preparation. The MIP-CP electrode showed greater recognition ability in comparison to the NIP-CP. It was shown that electrode washing after para-nitrophenol extraction led to enhanced selectivity, without noticeably decreasing the sensitivity. Some parameters affecting sensor response were optimized and a calibration curve was plotted. A dynamic linear range of 8 × 10⁻⁹ to 5 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ was obtained. The detection limit of the sensor was calculated as 3 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. Thus, this sensor was used successfully for the para-nitrophenol determination in different water samples.     

Synthesis and characterization of MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanostructures by solution combustion method employing morphology and size control

Molybdenum oxide nanostructures were synthesized utilizing the solution combustion method where the ammonium molybdate powder and an organic additive were used as precursors. Different organic additives including ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG 200), sorbitol and urea were used as surfactants in order to investigate the effect of additive structure on morphology and particle size of products. Also various reaction parameters such as the additive/Mo molar ratio, concentration of metal ion in solution, pH of the reaction, and temperature of the synthesis media were changed to study effects on product morphology and size. Outcomes were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques. Results show a variety of MoO₃ nanoparticles and nanorods produced within the size range of 10–80 nm. Furthermore, microrods and microsheets were also obtained through this method whose length varied in the order of microns.     

Hydroelastic analysis of water impact of flexible asymmetric wedge with an oblique speed

Current paper deals with hydroelastic impact of asymmetric and symmetric wedge sections with oblique speed into calm water. It is aimed to provide a better insight regarding fluid–structure interaction of the wedge sections of a high-speed craft into water in more realistic condition, in the presence of heel angle and oblique speeds. The defined problem is numerically investigated by coupled Finite Volume Method and Finite Element Method under two-way approach consideration. Accuracy of the proposed model is assessed in different steps. The results of current method are compared against previous experimental, numerical and theoretical methods and good agreement is displayed in these comparisons. Subsequently, the method is used in order to examine the fluid and structure behavior during the elastic impact of the wedge into water. Accordingly, four different physical situations are simulated. In the first part, symmetric impact with no oblique speed is simulated. The results of this part show fluctuations in vertical force and pressure of the midpoint during the impact time. Also, the relation of deadrise with deflection and pressure is observed in this part. In the second part, heel angle is also taken into consideration. It is concluded that the pressure and deflections at the right side of the wedge reduce, but these parameters increase at the left side. Moreover, it is observed that, the pressure at the midpoint of the left side of the wedge with deadrise angle of 10°, becomes negative, when the wall of the flexible wedge reaches its largest deflection. It is also observed that, the pressure at left side of the wedge with deadrise angle of 20°, reaches zero. Such behavior does not occur for the wedges of 30° and 45° deadrise angles. In the third part of simulations, oblique water entry of a flexible wedge of 20° deadrise angle is simulated, and no heel angle is considered. Harmonic behavior is observed for the vertical force, horizontal force, pressure of the midpoint and its deflection. First peaks of all of these variables are larger than the second peak. The obtained results lead us to conclude that an increase in oblique speed yields larger deflection and pressure at the right side. Meanwhile, no significant effect is observed for the left side of the wedge. Also, larger oblique speed is found to yield larger forces and angular moment. Final part of simulations involves the oblique water entry of a flexible wedge of 5° heel angle. Comparison of the results in the final part with that of third part, show that heel angle affects the pressure and deflection at both sides of the wedge. It is also observed that pressure and deflections of the left side increase, while those of right side increase. It is also seen that, similar as in the case of no heel angle, an increase in oblique speed leads to an increase of pressure and deflection at the starboard. It also leads to an increase in frequency of the vibration at right side.     

High-temperature dynamic behavior in bulk liquid water: A molecular dynamics simulation study using the OPC and TIP4P-Ew potentials

Classical molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the high-temperature (above 300 K) dynamic behavior of bulk water, specifically the behavior of the diffusion coefficient, hydrogen bond, and nearest-neighbor lifetimes. Two water potentials were compared: the recently proposed “globally optimal” point charge (OPC) model and the well-known TIP4P-Ew model. By considering the Arrhenius plots of the computed inverse diffusion coefficient and rotational relaxation constants, a crossover from Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann behavior to a linear trend with increasing temperature was detected at T* ≈ 309 and T* ≈ 285 K for the OPC and TIP4P-Ew models, respectively. Experimentally, the crossover point was previously observed at T* ± 315–5 K. We also verified that for the coefficient of thermal expansion α _P (T, P), the isobaric α _P (T) curves cross at about the same T* as in the experiment. The lifetimes of water hydrogen bonds and of the nearest neighbors were evaluated and were found to cross near T*, where the lifetimes are about 1 ps. For T < T*, hydrogen bonds persist longer than nearest neighbors, suggesting that the hydrogen bonding network dominates the water structure at T < T*, whereas for T > T*, water behaves more like a simple liquid. The fact that T* falls within the biologically relevant temperature range is a strong motivation for further analysis of the phenomenon and its possible consequences for biomolecular systems.