VLSI Implementation of Forward Error Control Technique for ATM Networks

In asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks, fixed length cells of 53 bytes are transmitted. A cell may be discarded during transmission due to buffer overflow or a detection of errors. Cell discarding seriously degrades transmission quality. The quality degradation can be reduced by employing efficient forward error control (FEC) to recover discarded cells. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of decoding equipment for FEC in ATM networks based on a single parity check (SPC) product code using very‐large‐scale integration (VLSI) technology. FEC allows the destination to reconstruct missing data cells by using redundant parity cells that the source adds to each block of data cells. The functionality of the design has been tested using the Model Sim 5.7cXE Simulation Package. The design has been implemented for a 5 ° 5 matrix of data cells in a Virtex‐E XCV 3200E FG1156 device. The simulation and synthesis results show that the decoding function can be completed in 81 clock cycles with an optimum clock of 56.8 MHz. A test bench was written to study the performance of the decoder, and the results are presented.     

Template-free synthesis of self-assembled Co3O4 micro/nanocrystals

In this article, we have reported the fabrication of various morphological porous Co3O4 by thermal decomposition of cobalt oxalate at open atmospheric conditions. Uniform cobalt oxalate microrods and microneedles were synthesized without using any surfactants or templates in large scale. The cobalt oxalate preparation method was played a crucial role on the crystal structure and its morphology. The as prepared cobalt oxalates and its corresponding cobalt oxides were characterized by using the thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nitrogen adsorption analysis. The XRD results indicated that the orthorhombic and monoclinic cobalt oxalates were formed in different experimental conditions. The influence of preparation method of cobalt oxalates and cobalt precursors on the final morphology has been investigated. The M-H loop of the Co3O4 porous microrods and microneedles showed the presence of paramagnetic properties at room temperatures. A plausible mechanism of both cobalt oxalates and Co3O4 formation was proposed based on the experimental results.     

Significance of Nanomaterials in Wearables: A Review on Wearable Actuators and Sensors

Together with the evolution of digital health care, the wearable electronics field has evolved rapidly during the past few years and is expected to be expanded even further within the first few years of the next decade. As the next stage of wearables is predicted to move toward integrated wearables, nanomaterials and nanocomposites are in the spotlight of the search for novel concepts for integration. In addition, the conversion of current devices and attachment‐based wearables into integrated technology may involve a significant size reduction while retaining their functional capabilities. Nanomaterial‐based wearable sensors have already marked their presence with a significant distinction while nanomaterial‐based wearable actuators are still at their embryonic stage. This review looks into the contribution of nanomaterials and nanocomposites to wearable technology with a focus on wearable sensors and actuators.     

Bacteria-Responsive Self-Assembly of Antimicrobial Peptide Nanonets for Trap-and-Kill of Antibiotic-Resistant Strains

Bacterial trapping using nanonets is a ubiquitous immune defense mechanism against infectious microbes. These nanonets can entrap microbial cells, effectively arresting their dissemination and rendering them more vulnerable to locally secreted microbicides. Inspired by this evolutionarily conserved anti-infective strategy, a series of 15 to 16 residue-long synthetic β-hairpin peptides is herein constructed with the ability to self-assemble into nanonets in response to the presence of bacteria, enabling spatiotemporal control over microbial killing. Using amyloid-specific K114 assay and confocal microscopy, the membrane components lipoteichoic acid and lipopolysaccharide are shown to play a major role in determining the amyloid-nucleating capacity as triggered by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria respectively. These nanonets displayed both trapping and killing functionalities, hence offering a direct improvement from the trap-only biomimetics in literature. By substituting a single turn residue of the non-amyloidogenic BTT1 peptide, the nanonet-forming BTT1-3A analog is produced with comparable antimicrobial potency. With the same sequence manipulation approach, BTT2-4A analog modified from BTT2 peptide showed improved antimicrobial potency against colistin-resistant clinical isolates. The peptide nanonets also demonstrated robust stability against proteolytic degradation, and promising in vivo efficacy and biosafety profile. Overall, these bacteria-responsive peptide nanonets are promising clinical anti-infective alternatives for circumventing antibiotic resistance.     

Triangular‐shaped super‐thin microwave network cloak in antenna applications

In this research article, a triangular‐shaped microwave network cloak made out of interconnected patches was designed at the frequency of 2.88 GHz. Its performances in terms of field distributions and radar cross section scattering were compared with the existing structures. The novel triangular‐shaped cloak structure was then applied to cloak a hindering obstacle placed in front of an electromagnetic source. The simulated scattering parameter and radiation pattern of antenna source were then validated through the experimental results. Also, the proposed structure was applied to reduce the mutual interference between two neighboring antennas. The effects of various parameters such as position and size of the cloak, dielectric constant, and substrate thickness on the cloaking effect were also simulated and studied.     

Image encryption using sparse coding and compressive sensing

Multidimensional Systems and Signal Processing - An encryption algorithm based on sparse coding and compressive sensing is proposed. Sparse coding is used to find the sparse representation of...     

Glass-Ceramic Tiles Prepared by Pressing and Sintering DC Plasma-Vitrified Air Pollution Control Residues

Air pollution control (APC) residues produced from cleaning gas emissions at energy from waste (EfW) plants processing municipal solid waste are a problematic hazardous waste. In this research they have been treated using DC plasma technology and this produces an inert glass. Glass-ceramic tiles were prepared by powder pressing and sintering fritted APC residue-derived glass. Tile samples prepared with high levels of plasma treated APC residue glass had comparable physical properties to commercially available ceramics such as porcelain and monoporosa, with high bulk density (2.4 g/cm³), low water absorption (<6%) and high flexural strength (∼60 MPa).     

Preparation of PVDF nanofiber composites for hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride

Nanofibers are able to form a highly porous mesh and their large surface to volume ratio improves performance for many applications. Organic-inorganic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-cobalt (II) chloride hexahydrate nanofiber composites were prepared by electrospinning method. The structure and physical-chemical properties of the novel nanofiber composites are characterized by SEM, EDX and FTIR. The SEM results showed the morphology of the fibers and EDX was given the composition of the nanocomposite catalysts. The nanofibers loaded with metal catalysts are used for the hydrogen production by directly mixing with NaBH₄ and water. The novel PVDF nanofiber composites catalyst has shown the stability and given the promising results for the quick production of hydrogen.