Design and performance evaluation of a banyan network basedinterconnection structure for ATM switches

This paper presents a new self-routing packet network called the plane interconnected parallel network (PIPN). In the proposed design, the traffic arriving at the network is shaped and routed through two banyan network based interconnected planes. The interconnections between the planes distribute the incoming load more homogeneously over the network. The throughput of the network under uniform and heterogeneous traffic requirements is studied analytically and by simulation. The results are compared with the results of the baseline network and another banyan network based parallel interconnection network. It is shown that, for the proposed design, a higher degree of heterogeneity results in better performance     

Application of HUMF13A01 (AAAG)n STR polymorphism to the genetic diagnosis of coagulation factor XIII deficiency

Deficiency of the A subunit of coagulation factor XIII causes a severe bleeding disorder requiring life long replacement therapy. The mutations causing A subunit deficiency appear to be very heterogeneous, and it is impractical to identify each mutation before genetic counselling or prenatal diagnosis can be attempted. In this study we have shown that a highly polymorphic short tandem repeat element, HUMF13A01 (AAAG)n that occurs in the 5' flanking sequence of the factor XIII A subunit gene, can be used to follow the segregation of deficiency causing mutations. We studied 6 families with factor XIII A subunit deficiency from 5 different ethnic groups. All parents were heterozygous for the repetitive element and therefore all the families were informative. The linked polymorphism was used to carry out the first prenatal diagnosis of factor XIII A subunit deficiency. The analysis of this polymorphism by the polymerase chain reaction is rapid, reliable, requires little DNA and is ideal for the genetic analysis of factor XIII A subunit deficiency.     

Deterministic Polymorphic Engineering of MoTe2 for Photonic and Optoelectronic Applications

Developing selective and coherent polymorphic crystals at the nanoscale offers a novel strategy for designing integrated architectures for photonic and optoelectronic applications such as metasurfaces, optical gratings, photodetectors, and image sensors. Here, a direct optical writing approach is demonstrated to deterministically create polymorphic 2D materials by locally inducing metallic 1T′-MoTe₂ on the semiconducting 2H-MoTe₂ host layer. In the polymorphic-engineered MoTe₂, 2H- and 1T′- crystalline phases exhibit strong optical contrast from near-infrared to telecom-band ranges (1–1.5 µm), due to the change in the band structure and increase in surface roughness. Sevenfold enhancement of third harmonic generation intensity is realized with conversion efficiency (susceptibility) of ≈1.7 × 10⁻⁷ (1.1 × 10⁻¹⁹ m² V⁻²) and ≈1.7 × 10⁻⁸ (0.3 × 10⁻¹⁹ m² V⁻²) for 1T′ and 2H-MoTe₂, respectively at telecom-band ultrafast pump laser. Lastly, based on polymorphic engineering on MoTe₂, a Schottky photodiode with a high photoresponsivity of 90 AW⁻¹ is demonstrated. This study proposes facile polymorphic engineered structures that will greatly benefit realizing integrated photonics and optoelectronic circuits.     

Performance of a Tied-Arch Reinforced Concrete Railway Bridge: Rating, Safety Assessment, and Bond Length Evaluation

This study presents investigations regarding visual inspection, dynamic testing, and finite-element modeling of an approximately 80-year old reinforced concrete tied-arch railway bridge that is still in service in Turkey. Investigations were conducted as part of a systematic periodic inspection along Ankara-Zonguldak railway line. The bridge is subject to heavy freight trains with increasing axle loads. Field tests such as material tests and dynamic tests were used to calibrate the finite-element model of the bridge. Detailed information regarding testing and model updating procedure is given. Based on test results, computer model was refined. The calibrated model of the bridge structure was then used for structural assessment and evaluation. Despite sufficient overall safety, local details were found to be problematic. Due to insufficient bond length in hanger-to-arch connection, a strengthening scheme using steel channel sections was proposed.     

Collagen-based hydrogel films as drug-delivery devices with antimicrobial properties

Collagen (coll)-containing hydrogel films were prepared by mixing degraded collagen with monomers such as acrylamide (AAm), and 2-hydroxy ethylmethacrylate (HEMA) before the polymerization/cross-linking of composites as p(coll-co-AAm), and p(coll-co-HEMA), respectively. These materials were used as drug-delivery devices for potential wound dressing materials by loading and releasing of model drugs such as gallic acid (GA) and naproxen (NP). A linear release profile was obtained up to 32-h release from GA-loaded p(coll-co-AAm) interpenetrating polymeric networks films, and 36-h linear release profile of NP for p(coll-co-HEMA). Furthermore, metal nanoparticles such as Ag and Cu prepared within these hydrogel films offered antimicrobial characteristic against known common bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus.     

Synthesis and proton conductivity studies of 5‐aminotetrazole‐doped sulfonated polymer electrolyte membranes

This work reports the preparation and characterization of a new anhydrous proton conducting membrane based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), sulfosuccinic acid (SSA), and 5‐aminotetrazole (ATet) at various stoichiometric ratios. The proton conductivities of membranes were investigated as a function of ATet composition, SSA composition, and temperature. New anhydrous proton conducting membranes were characterized by infrared spectra, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), methanol permeability, and impedance measurements for proton conductivity. TGA showed that the samples were thermally stable up to 150°C. DSC results illustrated the homogeneity of the materials. Mechanical analysis showed that the storage modulus of the PVA–SSA–ATet blend polymer membranes decreased with increasing ATet content. The membranes with higher tetrazole content, or higher acid doping level presented the higher proton conductivity. PVA–SSA–ATet4 can exhibit an anhydrous proton conductivity of 1.7 × 10⁻³ S/cm at 130°C and the proton conductivity increased with increasing temperature and acid doping level. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Determination of mechanical properties of polymeric microspheres used in controlled drug delivery systems by nanoindentation

In this study, we synthesized poly (vinyl acetate-co-divinyl benzene) microspheres with various monomer/cross-linker contents for oral/topical sustained drug release applications and determined the micromechanical properties by nanoindentation. Compression elastic moduli of materials were calculated by using the limited depth of indentation according to Hertz elastic deformation model and presented as the histogram of multiple data. In terms of drug release practices, poly (VAc-co-DVB) microspheres with a high DVB content, especially in topical applications, are expected to carry drugs under mechanical stresses of less than 1.0 GPa.