Characterization and kinetics analysis of the thermal decomposition of the humic substance from hazelnut husk

A humic substance was obtained from hazelnut husk using an alkali extraction. The chemical and morphological structure of the humic matter was characterized via elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance, Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric-FTIR (TG-FTIR). In addition, thermal analysis measurements TG analysis-differential thermogravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DTG/DSC) were performed under dynamic air conditions to better determine the origin, physical and chemical structure, and decomposition process of the humic matter. The Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) methods were used to calculate the kinetic parameters of the high-temperature decomposition process. It was observed that the activation energy values were almost constant at certain conversion and temperature intervals. In addition, the structure of the humic substance at different temperatures was also investigated via FTIR analysis. It was found that the obtained humic substance had a very stable structure and decomposed at a high temperature. The stability of the humic matter can be a useful tool in the environmental quality research of soil.     

Uncommon Terpenoids from Salvia Species: Chemistry,Biosynthesis and Biological Activities

The search for new bioactive compounds from plant sources has been and continues to be one of the most important fields of research in drug discovery. However, Natural Products research has continuously evolved, and more and more has gained a multidisciplinary character. Despite new developments of methodologies and concepts, one intriguing aspect still persists, i.e., different species belonging to the same genus can produce different secondary metabolites, whereas taxonomically different genera can produce the same compounds. The genus Salvia L. (Family Lamiaceae) comprises myriad distinct medicinal herbs used in traditional medicine worldwide that show different pharmacological activities due to the presence of a variety of interesting specialized metabolites, including mono-, sesqui-, di-, sester-, tri-, tetra-, and higher terpenoids as well as phenylpropanoids, phenolic acid derivatives, lignans, flavonoids, and alkaloids. We herein summarize the research progress on some uncommon terpenoids, isolated from members of the genus Salvia, which are well recognized for their potential pharmacological activities. This review also provides a current knowledge on the biosynthesis and occurrence of some interesting phytochemicals from Salvia species, viz. C₂₃-terpenoids, sesterterpenoids (C₂₅), dammarane triterpenoids (C₃₀), and uncommon triterpenoids (C₂₀+C₁₀). The study was carried out by searching various scientific databases, including Elsevier, ACS publications, Taylor and Francis, Wiley Online Library, MDPI, Springer, Thieme, and ProQuest. Therefore, 106 uncommon terpenoids were identified and summarized. Some of these compounds possessed a variety of pharmacological properties, such as antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, cytotoxic and tubulin tyrosine ligase inhibitory activities. Due to the lack of pharmacological information for the presented compounds gathered from previous studies, biological investigation of these compounds should be reinvestigated.     

Signalling crosstalk in FGF2-mediated protection of endothelial cells from HIV-gp120

Background  

The blood brain barrier (BBB) is the first line of defence of the central nervous system (CNS) against circulating pathogens, such as HIV. The cytotoxic HIV protein, gp120, damages endothelial cells of the BBB, thereby compromising its integrity, which may lead to migration of HIV-infected cells into the brain. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), produced primarily by astrocytes, promotes endothelial cell fitness and angiogenesis. We hypothesized that treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with FGF2 would protect the cells from gp120-mediated toxicity via endothelial cell survival signalling.     

Optical characterization of the silicon photodiodes for the establishment of national radiometric standards

Optical properties of the silicon photodiodes are investigated in the visible spectral regime. Non-linearity measurement standard was established by using Hamamatsu S1337-11 type windowless silicon photodiode whose non-linearity value was found to be better than 6×10⁻⁵ at photocurrent level of 10⁻⁹ to 10⁻⁴ A. Temperature effects on the spectral responsivity for S1337-11, S1337-1010BQ and S1227-1010BQ type photodiodes were analyzed between 20°C and 40°C at 488.1, 514.7 and 632.8 nm vacuum wavelengths. The spatial uniformities of the responsivity for three type photodiodes are performed with a laser beam having 1 mm diameter by using home made two-axis micro translation system. Results of the reflectance measurements for three elements of reflection-based trap detectors were compared with the predicted values obtained from Fresnel equations.     

The bat head-related transfer function reveals binaural cues for sound localization in azimuth and elevation

Directional properties of the sound transformation at the ear of four intact echolocating bats, Eptesicus fuscus, were investigated via measurements of the head-related transfer function (HRTF). Contributions of external ear structures to directional features of the transfer functions were examined by remeasuring the HRTF in the absence of the pinna and tragus. The investigation mainly focused on the interactions between the spatial and the spectral features in the bat HRTF. The pinna provides gain and shapes these features over a large frequency band (20-90 kHz), and the tragus contributes gain and directionality at the high frequencies (60 to 90 kHz). Analysis of the spatial and spectral characteristics of the bat HRTF reveals that both interaural level differences (ILD) and monaural spectral features are subject to changes in sound source azimuth and elevation. Consequently, localization cues for horizontal and vertical components of the sound source location interact. Availability of multiple cues about sound source azimuth and elevation should enhance information to support reliable sound localization. These findings stress the importance of the acoustic information received at the two ears for sound localization of sonar target position in both azimuth and elevation.     

Acoustic Analysis Findings in Objective Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Patients

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of objective laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) on the acoustic parameters of patients by comparing their voice samples with that of control subjects. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study in two tertiary reference hospitals. METHODS: 48 consecutive patients with symptoms related to LPR and 64 control subjects were included in the study. Suspected LPR patients underwent a 24-hour ambulatory pH monitoring, and 25 (52%) of them were shown to have objective LPR. Acoustical evaluation results of objective LPR patients were compared with that of symptomatic LPR patients and control subjects. RESULTS: All frequency perturbation values obtained from objective and symptomatic LPR patients were higher than the control subjects (P<0.01). Mean fundamental frequency, amplitude perturbation measures, and noise-to-harmonics ratio were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: LPR patients have significantly different frequency perturbation values than control subjects.     

Optical, Energetic and Exergetic Analyses of Parabolic Trough Collectors

Parabolic trough collectors generate thermal energy from solar energy. Especially, they are very convenient for applications in high temperature solar power systems. To determine the design parameters, parabolic trough collectors must be analysed with optical analysis. In addition, thermodynamics （energy and exergy） analysis in the development of an energy efficient system must be achieved. Solar radiation passes through Earth＇s atmosphere until it reaches on Earth＇s surface and is focused from the parabolic trough collector to the tube receiver with a transparent insulated envelope. A11 of them constitute a complex mechanism. We investigate the geometry of parabolic trough reflector and characteristics of solar radiation to the reflecting surface through Earth＇s atmosphere, and calculate the collecting totM energy in the receiver. The parabolic trough collector, of which design parameters are given, is analysed in regard to the energy and exergy analysis considering the meteorological specification in May, June, July and August in 1sparta/TUrkey, and the results are presented.     

Filter-radiometer-based realization of candela and establishment of photometric scale at UME

The luminous intensity unit of candela was realized based on filter-radiometer, which is traceable to detector-based primary standard electrical substitution cryogenic radiometer (ESCR). In that realization the traditional Osram Wi41/G-type incandescent lamp and filter-radiometer consisting of an aperture, a V(λ) filter and a silicon photodiode based trap detector were used as light source and detection element, respectively. Measurement techniques of effective aperture area, spectral transmittance of V(λ) filter and absolute responsivity of trap detector are also presented.     

Design,modelling and simulation of a new nonlinear and full adaptive backstepping speed tracking controller for uncertain PMSM

In this study, a new nonlinear and full adaptive backstepping speed tracking control scheme is developed for an uncertain permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). Except for the number of pole pairs, all the other parameters in both PMSM and load dynamics are assumed unknown. Three phase currents and rotor speed are supposed to be measurable and available for feedback in the controller design. By designing virtual control inputs and choosing appropriate Lyapunov functions, the final control and parameter estimation laws are derived. The overall control system possesses global asymptotic stability; all the signals in the closed loop system remain bounded, according to stability analysis results based on Lyapunov stability theory. Further, the proposed controller does not require computation of regression matrices, with the result that take the nonlinearities in quite general. Simulation results clearly exhibit that the controller guarantees tracking of a time varying desired reference speed trajectory under all the uncertainties in both PMSM and load dynamics without singularity and overparameterization. The results also show that all the parameter estimates converge to their true values on account of the fact that reference speed signal chosen to be sufficiently rich ensures persistency of excitation condition. Consequently, the proposed controller ensures strong robustness against all the parameter uncertainties and unknown bounded load torque disturbance in the PMSM drive system. Numerical simulations demonstrate the performance and feasibility of the proposed controller.     

Thermal analysis of lanthanide polyphosphates

Summary A study of thermal analysis of some lanthanide polyphosphates has been reported. The DTA curves of Ce, Pr and Sm polyphosphates were of similar nature. They exhibited a sharp exothermic peak indicating crystallization temperature (T _c) around 520 °C. However, no peak indicatingT _m was observed upto 800 °C. TG curves of Ce, La, Pr, Sm, Y polyphosphates indicated weight loss occurring in three stages. The integral procedural decomposition thermal analysis (ipdt) indicated that these materials had refractory nature.With 4 figures and 2 tables