Evaluation of Digitally Encoded Layer‐by‐layer Coated Microparticles as Cell Carriers

To obtain more biologically relevant data there is a growing interest in the use of living cells for assaying the biological activity of unknown chemical compounds. Density ‘multiplex’ cell‐based assays, where different cell types are mixed in one well and simultaneously investigated upon exposure to a certain compound are beginning to emerge. To be able to identify the cells they should be attached to microscopic carriers that are encoded. This paper investigates how digitally encoded microparticles can be loaded with cells while keeping the digital code in the microcarriers readable. It turns out that coating the surface of the encoded microcarriers with polyelectrolytes using the layer‐by‐layer (LbL) approach provides the microcarriers with a ‘highly functional’ surface. The polyelectrolyte layer allows the growth of the cells, allows the orientation of the cell loaded microcarriers in a magnetic field, and does not hamper the reading of the code. It has further been shown that the cells growing on the polyelectrolyte layer can become transduced by adenoviral particles hosted by the polyelectrolyte layer. It is concluded that the digitally encoded microparticles are promising materials for use in biomedical and pharmaceutical in‐vitro research where cells are used as tools.     

Définition théorique des paramètres en fort niveau d’un multipôle actif non linéaire

In this paper, large signal non linear P parameters are rigorously defined, allowing the characterization of non linear active n-port circuits in the frequency domain with the aim of computer aided design of power microwave devices. No a priori conditions bind the parameters to the variables describing the input signal. However the following rules apply to the parameters: they may be function of any input variables of the n-port circuit; the expression of the large-signal parameters should become identical to the expression of the linear parameters characterizing the n-port circuit under linear operating conditions when the values of the input variables tend to zero. An application of the definition to afet is demonstrated.     

An evolutionary game theory–based security model in vehicular ad hoc networks

The word population is growing on a daily basis; consequently, the growth of commute and transport, developing efficient and intelligent transportation systems (ITS), has become one of the most popular requirements and the most significant attempts in modern urban areas containing large population. A key component of intelligent transportation systems is a vehicular ad hoc network. Devising internet‐based practical programs such as awareness of climatic conditions, geographical location, practical programs like on‐line payment services in the vehicular ad hoc network has led to safer driving, prevention of deadly accidents, transportation improvement, more welfare and convenience for passengers, and even offering more commercial opportunities. The special features of vehicular ad hoc network, such as intense activity, constantly‐changing topology, the vehicles' high speed, etc, will lead to challenges in gaining security. Therefore, providing vehicular ad hoc networks with security is of extreme importance in terms of users' anonymity, identification, and data privacy. In this paper, a security model is presented using a method based on evolutionary games. This method, in every vehicle, is applied as a node in the network while interacting with other vehicles; it aims at distinguishing some common attacks and defending against attackers. In this method, defending (honest) vehicles and attacking vehicles take part in an asymmetrical game; each vehicle aims at gaining the most utility and achieving its goals. The proposed method is simulated using various scenarios. The simulation results reveal that the proposed method is efficient and it reaches equilibrium and convergence at the end of the game in each scenario.     

A novel amplitude-phase weighting for analog microwave beamforming

A simple receiver and transmitter structure for smart antennas and phased array antennas is proposed. A new technique for amplitude and phase weighting in microwave domain is presented. Signals of different antenna elements are sampled using pulses with adjusted time delay and duty cycles. The first replica of the sampled signal is reconstructed to provide the proper phase shift and amplitude weighting. A new switch circuit is designed to improve the power efficiency of the proposed structure and to lower the effects of switching on the impedance matching. The effect of nonideal switching on the performance of the system is analyzed. Procedures are proposed to integrate the proposed structure with adaptive signal processing tasks. Signal to noise ratio of the structure is studied under different scenarios.     

Synergistic effect of nanoparticles and Thalassospira sp. isolated from Bahregan area in biodegradation of oil sludge

Oil sludge is obtained from the contaminated site of Bahregan area in the Persian Gulf in Iran. Chemotaxis was used for the isolation of alkane-degrading bacteria from oil sludge and the alk genes were determined with specific primers. bac1 identified in Thalassospira was selected as a powerful strain for biodegradation of oil sludge. Biodegradation of oil sludge by bac1 in the presence of nanoparticles was investigated by GC-MS analysis. Synergistic effect of Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on bacteria increases the biodegradation of oil sludge and produces cyclosiloxane compound which is used in the field of medicine; however, the Thalassospira reduced its toxicity in the environment.     

Elaboration of Al2O3/PTFE icephobic coatings for protecting aluminum surfaces

In order to protect aluminum ground wires and phase conductors of overhead power lines against ice adhesion and excessive accretion, for ensuring safe and reliable power transmission during winter periods, a new coating with icephobic characteristics and satisfactory mechanical properties was developed. The method consisted in depositing an extremely adherent poly(tetrafluoroethylene) or PTFE coating on an Al₂O₃ underlayer produced by anodisation in either a phosphoric or an oxalic acid electrolyte. PTFE impregnation was carried out at low temperature (320 °C) and coating adhesion was assessed using tape and bend tests. These treatments resulted in highly hydrophobic surfaces with water contact angles lying between 130° and 140°. Ice shear stress was reduced by almost 2.5 times, and the PTFE coatings remained active after several ice shedding events. Morphologies and chemical compositions were studied using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-Ray analysis, as well as Fourier Transform Infra Red and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy.     

Effects of cold plasma on the color parameters of Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) using color imaging instrumentation and spectrophotometer

This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of cold atmospheric plasma treatment on the color of Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) and also to compare the usage of the spectrophotometer vs the color imaging instrumentation for the evaluation of the treatment on the color parameters. The experiments were investigated at different treatment times of 1, 5, and 10 minutes and the voltage values of 17, 20, and 23 kV. Possible changes of color were evaluated by using CIE L*a*b* values obtained with HunterLab colorimeter and CIE L*a*b* values obtained with a digital still camera (DSC) using digital image processing (MATLAB software). The values of L*, a*, and b* of the samples were obtained using both the methods. The results revealed that the L*, a*, and b* values of the treated Hyssop samples changed with increasing the treatment time and the voltage applied. Evaluating the interaction effects revealed that there was a significant difference in the (−a^*/b^* ) ratio. In addition, the results showed that the effects of all variables on the color parameters were significantly different in the case of the DSC using digital image processing. However, these effects were not significantly different using HunterLab colorimeter except for time variable and interaction effects of a* and (−a^*/b^* ) ratio. The lightest green color and the maximum chlorophyll content loss were observed for 23 kV applied over 10 minutes. Based on the results, the digital image processing can be used as a practical tool to study the variations at the color of dried Hyssop leaves after cold plasma treatment.