All-Grounded Passive Elements Voltage-Mode DVCC-Based Universal Filters

In this paper two new voltage-mode (VM) universal filters employing three plus-type differential voltage current conveyors (DVCC+s) and grounded passive elements are presented. The first proposed filter is a single-input five-output (SIFO) circuit which can realize simultaneously all of the standard responses, i.e. low-pass (LP), band-pass (BP), high-pass (HP), all-pass (AP) and notch (NH) from the same configuration. The second proposed circuit is a three-input single-output (TISO) universal filter for realizing standard responses depending on the selection of the input signal from the same topology. Both of the proposed filters have the advantage of a high input impedance, which enables easy cascading to obtain higher order filters. The proposed filters are simulated using the SPICE program to verify the theoretical analysis.     

Understanding student behavior and perceptions toward earning badges in a gamified MOOC

Universal Access in the Information Society - Despite the advantages of MOOCs, such as the open and free access to education, these courses are criticized for students’ lack of motivation and...     

Effect of partial removal of prolamins on some chemical and functional properties of barley flours

In this study, some chemical and functional properties of hulled (BF-1) and hull-less (BF-2) barley flours and their partial prolamin removed forms (PPRF-1 and PPRF-2, respectively) were determined. Total dietary fiber and resistant starch values increased on dry weight basis, conversely β-glucan levels slightly decreased after partial prolamin removing (PPR). Sodium dodecyl sulphatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) patterns of PPRF-1 and PPRF-2 exhibited that PPR was highly achieved. Rapid visco analyzer (RVA) peak and breakdown viscosity values of PPRF-1 and PPRF-2 were higher than BF-1 and BF-2, conversely their setback, trough, and final viscosity values were lower than that of the BF-1 and BF-2, respectively. PPR also caused an increase in water binding capacity and resulted in a decrease on water solubility values of barley flours. Protein solubility of PPRF-1 and PPRF-2 were lower than BF-1 and BF-2, respectively. Emulsifying properties of PPRF-2 were affected negatively from the PPR.     

A novel phase shifter using two NMOS transistors and passive elements

In this paper, a new voltage-mode configuration for realizing a first-order phase shifter is suggested. The proposed phase shifter contains low number of components, i.e. two n-type metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (NMOS transistors) both operating in saturation region, a grounded capacitor and three resistors. The presented circuit can be equipped with electronic tunability by using externally controllable electronic resistor. Computer simulation results, using SPICE program, are given to demonstrate the performance of the proposed phase shifter.     

An Application of the Fuzzy ELECTRE Method for Academic Staff Selection

There are various methods regarding staff selection in different fields. Thanks to the increasing improvements in the field of education, universities around the world tend to demand high ‐quality and professional academic staff. Staff selection is a multi‐criteria decision‐making processes, and of strategic importance for most universities. This study deals with actual application of academic of staff selection using the opinion of experts to be applied into a model of group decision ‐ making called the Fuzzy ELECTRE (Elimination Et Choix Traduisant la REaite) method. There are ten qualitative criteria for selecting the best candidate amongst five prospective applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effects of Different Treatments on the Inactivation of Various Seedborne Viruses in Some Vegetables

In this study, we considered the efficacy of seed treatments for the inactivation of some seedborne viruses in tomato, pepper, melon, squash, bean and lettuce seeds, which are essential for human nutrition and seed production in our country. A total of 325 seed samples obtained from various farmers and foundations were tested by DAS-ELISA and RT-PCR procedures. Eight seed lots infected with Tomato mosaic tobamovirus (ToMV), Tobacco mosaic tobamovirus (TMV), Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV), Soybean mosaic potyvirus (SMV) and Lettuce mosaic potyvirus (LMV) were selected as research materials. Virus inactivation treatments were made by using acetic acid (CH₃COOH), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), hydrochloric acid (HCl), sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), Triton X 100, dry heat, heated water, ozone (O₃), and UV (305 nm wavelength). The most effective treatments for reducing virus concentration were HCl, heated water (65 °C) and ozone (10 g m^?3). These treatments reduced concentrations of seed-borne viruses in ranges of 51%, 42%, and 32%, respectively. Other treatments were less effective and reduced virus concentrations in the range of 27%–12%. HCl and ozone treatments were the most effective and applicable methods because they did not have negative effect on seed germination.     

High Power Performance of Manganese‐Doped BNT‐Based Pb‐Free Piezoelectric Ceramics

Electromechanical properties and high power characteristics of Pb‐free hard piezoelectric ceramics in the (BiNa_0.88K_0.08Li_0.04)_0.5 (Ti_1?xMn_x)O₃ (x = 0, 0.014, 0.015, and 0.016) system were studied. Mn doping resulted in a considerable enhancement of mechanical quality factor Q_m and vibration velocity. The lowest mechanical and dielectric losses were achieved in 1.5 mol% Mn‐doped ceramics with a planar Q_m of about 970 and tanδ of 0.89%. The heat dissipation and resonance frequency shift under high drive condition were remarkably suppressed upon Mn doping. The maximum vibration velocity was increased from 0.28 m/s in undoped ceramic to 0.6 m/s in 1.5 mol% Mn‐doped composition. The results of this study revealed that Mn‐doped BNT‐based piezoelectrics exhibited a superior high power performance compared to their lead‐based counterparts such as PZT4 and PZT8 ceramics.     

Monthly river flow forecasting by an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system

In this study, the applicability of an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) to forecast for monthly river flows is investigated. For this, the Göksu river in the Seyhan catchment located in southern Turkey was chosen as a case study. The river flow forecasting models having various input structures are trained and tested by the ANFIS method. The results of ANFIS models for both training and testing are evaluated and the best-fit forecasting model is determined. The best-fit model is also trained and tested by feed forward neural networks (FFNN) and traditional autoregressive (AR) methods, and the performances of the models are compared. Moreover, ANFIS and FFNN models are verified by a validation data set including river flow data records during the time period 1997–2000. The results demonstrate that ANFIS can be applied successfully and provides high accuracy and reliability for monthly river flow forecasting.     

Effects of high pressure treatment on physicochemical characteristics of fresh sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The effects of high pressure (HP) treatment (pressure: 220–250–330 MPA; holding time: 5 and 10 min; temperature: 3, 7, 15 and 25°C) on physicochemical characteristics (colour, thiobarbituric acid, trimethylamine nitrogen values) of fresh sea bass fillets were investigated. HP-treated sea bass fillets had higher lightness (Hunter L*) values than untreated sea bass fillets; the magnitude of changes increased with treatment pressure. HP-induced changes in colour generally imparted a cooked sample. The TBA value of HP treated sea bass samples (except 220–330 MPa, 3°C for 5 min) were found to be insignificant (P > 0.05) or significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the untreated samples. TMA-N content of HP treated at 220–250–330 MPa, 3–7–25°C for 10 min sea bass samples were found to insignificant according to the untreated samples. The results obtained from this study showed that the quality of high pressure treated sea bass is best preserved at 220 MPa, 25°C for 5 min.