The growing demands for mobile broadband application services along with the scarcity of the spectrum have triggered the dense utilization of frequency resources in cellular networks. The capacity ...demands are coped accordingly, however at the detriment of added inter-cell interference (ICI). Fractional Frequency Reuse (FFR) is an effective ICI mitigation approach when adopted in realistic irregular geometry cellular networks. However, in the literature optimized spectrum resources for the individual users are not considered. In this paper Hungarian Mechanism based Sectored Fractional Frequency Reuse (HMS-FFR) scheme is proposed, where the sub-carriers present in the dynamically partitioned spectrum are optimally allocated to each user. Simulation results revealed that the proposed HMS-FFR scheme enhances the system performance in terms of achievable throughput, average sum rate, and achievable throughput with respect to load while considering full traffic.
Inspired by the well-established distyryl anthracenyl (DSA) π-conjugates as aggregation-induced emission active (AIE) materials and the evolution of the synthesis/optoelectronic properties of ...numerous anthracene-based π-conjugates, a new series of 9-or 10-(hetero)arylated anthracenyl π-conjugates were synthesized using a straightforward and metal-free protocol by starting with a unique family of organophosphonates. The fluorescence behaviors of these (hetero)arylated π-conjugates were systematically studied to determine their AIE-activities, resulting in a new class of much smaller anthracene-based AIEgens. Considerable effort was made to analyze the AIE-behaviors of selected molecules by performing single crystal X-ray diffraction, time-resolved fluorescence, and dynamic light scattering studies. Our mechanistic investigations reveal that the heteroarene(s) linked to a π-conjugated system facilitate the AIE-behaviors of these molecules. Fluorescence microscopy images of the selected compounds in both molecular and aggregated form were obtained to demonstrate their structure–property relationship. Further, a trisubstituted anthracene-based π-conjugate was synthesized and established as a new AIEgen.
Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is becoming an essential tool to characterize the genomes of avian reovirus (ARV), a viral disease of economic significance to poultry producers. The current strategies ...and procedures used to obtain the complete genome sequences of ARV isolates are not cost-effective because most of the genetic material data resulting from next-generation sequencing belong to the host and cannot be used to assemble the viral genome. The purpose of this study was to develop a workflow to enrich the ARV genomic content in a sample before subjecting it to next-generation sequencing (NGS). Herein, we compare four different ARV purification and enrichment approaches at the virion, RNA and cDNA levels to determine which treatment or treatment combination would provide a higher proportion of ARV-specific reads after WGS. Seven ARV isolates were subjected to different combinations of virion purification via ultracentrifugation in sucrose density gradient or Capto Core 700 resin with or without a subsequent Benzonase treatment, followed by a chicken rRNA depletion step after RNA extraction and a final ARV cDNA amplification step using a single-primer amplification assay. Our results show that the combination of Capto Core 700 resin, Chicken rRNA depletion and cDNA amplification is the most cost-effective strategy to obtain ARV whole genomes after short-read sequencing.
Fluorescence enhancement on aggregation for π-conjugates linked with pyridyl ring has been established as a part of widely studied smart organic functional materials. Therefore, the photophysical ...features in the solution and aggregate states for such compounds remain impressive. In this work, we synthesized three series of photostable unsymmetrical aryl-substituted anthracenyl π-conjugates linked to pyridyl ring with a variation of the position of a pyridyl-N atom and examined the difference in the photophysical properties preferably in the aggregate state. The so-called “aggregation-induced emission (AIE)” behavior was discernible for the 2- and 4-pyridyl- but not 3-pyridyl-10-p-tolyl or mesityl-substituted π-conjugates. Curiously, a variation of the position of a pyridyl-N atom does not solely control the AIE phenomenon for 10-thiophenyl-substituted π-conjugates, where all of the isomers are found to be AIE-active. Hence, the dissimilarity in emission behavior in the aggregate state is governed by the position of N-atom for pyridine and also the substituent at the 10th position of the anthracyl ring. The mechanistic insight behind these observations is demonstrated by concentration-dependent fluorescence studies, time-resolved fluorescence, single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies (largely supportive to understand the molecular structure and packing in the aggregate), and average particle size measurement of the aggregates and partly by the density functional theory studies for a few representative molecules.
Graphene aerogels are widely used in the oil–water system as they possess high internal surface area and super-oleophilic properties. However, they tend to absorb water along with oil, and to ...overcome this problem; surface coatings are generally employed using expensive fluoro-silane compounds. It leads to an increase in production costs and environmental concerns. Herein, we report super-hydrophobic 3D graphene aerogels as selective oil sorbent for oil–water separation. The reduction of oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface of graphene aerogels has been studied and characterized with FTIR. The thermal treatment of up to 700 °C was carried out using an in-house flow system. The gases used to reduce graphene oxide aerogel are H2 and N2 with an optimized ratio of 5:95. The presence of H2 significantly decreased the oxygen-containing functional groups in graphene aerogel. The increase in the C/O ratio results in higher uptake capacity due to higher surface area and pore volume. The thermal reduction yields a C/O ratio of 24:1, slightly higher than most reported values.
Critical heat flux (CHF) is an essential parameter that plays a significant role in ensuring the safety and economic efficiency of nuclear power facilities. It imposes design and operational ...restrictions on nuclear power plants due to safety concerns. Therefore, accurate prediction of CHF using a hybrid framework can assist researchers in optimizing system performance, mitigating risk of equipment failure, and enhancing safety measures. Despite the existence of numerous prediction methods, there remains a lack of agreement regarding the underlying mechanism that gives rise to CHF. Hence, developing a precise and reliable CHF model is a crucial and challenging task. In this study, we proposed a hybrid model based on an artificial neural network (ANN) to improve the prediction accuracy of CHF. Our model leverages the available knowledge from a lookup table (LUT) and then employs ANN to further reduce the gap between actual and predicted outcomes. To develop and assess the accuracy of our model, we compiled a dataset of around 5877 data points from various sources in the literature. This dataset encompasses a diverse range of operating parameters for two-phase flow in vertical tubes. The results of this study demonstrate that the proposed hybrid model performs better than standalone machine learning models such as ANN, random forest, support vector machine, and data-driven lookup tables, with a relative root-mean-square error (rRMSE) of only 9.3%. We also evaluated the performance of the proposed hybrid model using holdout and cross-validation techniques, which demonstrated its robustness. Moreover, the proposed approach offers valuable insights into the significance of various input parameters in predicting CHF. Our proposed system can be utilized as a real-time monitoring tool for predicting extreme conditions in nuclear reactors, ensuring their safe and efficient operation.
Amongst various techniques to prepare thin films, spin coating takes less time to make thin films, is less energy-intensive, is easier to use, and provides reproducible results quickly. It is ...observed that such a user-friendly and quick process has hardly been explored to prepare polyolefin-based free-standing porous or nonporous thin films. Herein, we report a free-standing thin film of at least 5μm made from polypropylene using the spin coating technique. Our methodology utilizes lower embodied energy and generates lower carbon footprints than the conventional melt extrusion technique. The thin films prepared from the spin coating technique was investigated with DSC, XRD, SEM, XPS, etc., which suggested the heated thin films showed more crystallinity and strength compared to unheated thin films. The SEM images revealed a fibrous structure with a pore size range from 1-10μm. The tensile strength and modulus of the as-prepared thin films were found to be 7 MPa and 583 MPa, respectively. Also, enthalpy change of 84 J/g and relative crystallinity of 41% were obtained. The as-prepared thin film can be used in various applications with minor modifications, such as in coating layers on the solid surface, porous sorbent, and filtration membrane.
Oil spills on water surface and shoreline have caused significant water pollution, and one of the ways to deal with them is to use oil sorbents. An effective sorbent provides high oil uptake and ...retention values, high selectivity, super-fast uptake kinetics, and sufficient mechanical strength to ensure practical application under different conditions. In this regard, synthetic sorbents made up of graphene, carbon nanotubes, and polymers in the form of aerogels, thin films, pads, and non-woven fibers have been widely explored. However, none of them addresses all the attributes of an ideal oil sorbent. Aerogels provide extremely high uptake values, but they are so light that it is difficult for the end user to handle them. On the other hand, thin films and non-woven fibers can quickly absorb oil but suffer from low uptake capacity with low retention values. Similarly, commercial oil sorbent pads have sufficient mechanical strength, but low uptake capacity compared to aerogels. Herein, we present a super oil sorbent with a porous structure using a facile energy-efficient approach. The as-prepared sorbent comprises a porous thin film with micropores and macro-cavities, resulting in super-fast uptake kinetics and a high oil uptake value of 85 g/g. Moreover, tensile test results confirm sorbent’s effectiveness in spill response. Lastly, our unique design does not involve expensive hydrophobic functionalization and thus utilizes lower embodied energy and generates lower carbon footprints.
ABSTRACTAs a tropical fruit, the banana is one of the favorite fruits, and the banana herb only bears fruit once in its lifespan; it is chopped off after harvesting, and only 40% of it is adequately ...utilized, leaving the remaining 60% as trash rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, and natural fibers. The pseudostem accounts for 75% of the waste, with the rest accounting for 25%. The purpose of this paper is to raise important awareness about the bioactive chemicals found in banana pseudostems hence they can be considered as sustainable foods and their applications as culinary raw materials and in other sectors. Even though bulk waste is biodegradable, it causes many problems in our environment, so sustainable waste usage with proper management and utilization of the residues can not only help in the utilization of the bioactive and nutrient compounds present but also increase the economic and environmental issues associated with the problem. The banana pseudostem is used in various businesses as culinary ingredients, fibers, and hazardous removers. Even when used for heavy metal treatment in wastewater, the fiber in it is strong enough to manufacture cardboard and food packaging materials. Some pseudostem types can even be extracted for pectin and used as food additives. The powdered pseudostem is used to boost the nutritional content of numerous recipes. In summary, the banana pseudostem can be divided into two first the central core part that can be used as food raw material and other outer sheaths in various different industries.
Mirabilis jalapa L. belongs to Nyctaginaceae family is an ornamental plant and domestically known as Sandhamaloti in Bangladesh. In this report we evaluated phenol and flavonoid content of cold ...methanol extractives of flower of M. jalapa and their role in antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic and thrombolytic potentials. This study utilized HPLC to identify qualitative phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Gallic acid and Kaempferol were employed as standards for phenolic and flavonoid identification, respectively. Consequently, evaluating the overall phenolic and flavonoid content in the plant extract was considered a logical step. Flower of M. jalapa is an abundant source of phenols and flavonoids. The antioxidant activities in the phosphomolybdenum assay are differed in distinct extractives and have been found as 334.78 ± 0.62, 142.53 ± 0.51, 398.04 ± 0.81, 470.29 ± 0.55 and 480.90 ± 0.59 mg of ascorbic acid equivalent per gm of crude methanol extract (MSF), petroleum ether fraction (PSF), carbon tetrachloride fraction (CTF), chloroform fraction (CSF) and ethyl acetate fraction (ESF), respectively. The IC50 values for DPPH radical scavenging have been evaluated to be 13.70 ± 0.32, 49.05 ± 0.47, 6.76 ± 0.22, 9.30 ± 0.41 and 6.94 ± 0.31 μg/mL for MSF, PSF, CTF, CSF and ESF, respectively. The cytotoxicity was evaluated against brine shrimp lethality bioassay and LC50 values of MSF, PSF, CTF, CSF and ESF have been found 11.83 ± 0.32, 35.50 ± 0.54, 5.00 ± 0.18, 11.30 ± 0.30 and 4.61 ± 0.15 μg/mL, respectively in comparison to a standard vincristine sulphate 2.50 ± 0.11 μg/mL. Plant polyphenols and flavonoids having antioxidant properties exhibit potential antibacterial activity and our results revealed that the entire tested fractions of vegetation of M. jalapa exhibit potential antibacterial activity. On this observation, the thrombolytic activity, is the first strive in M. jalapa to investigate for more modern thrombolytic and its ethyl acetate fraction was shown to substantial (53.81 ± 0.52%) thrombolysis property. A high correlation was observed between antioxidant, cytotoxicity, thrombolytic and antibacterial activity with polyphenol and flavonoid contents (r2 = 0.903 to 0.996, p < 0.05). These data suggest the role of polyphenols and flavonoids in the bioactivities. Further study of this plant may lead to isolation of bioactive polyphenols and flavonoids which will be effective in the management of many chronic diseases.
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