Optimization of pump absorption in MOF lasers via multi-long-period gratings: design strategies

Different strategies for designing optical couplers, optimized to enhance the pump absorption in the rare-earth-doped core of microstructured fiber lasers, are illustrated. Three kinds/configurations of optical couplers have been designed and compared as examples of the different design strategies which can be followed. Their effectiveness to enhance the performance of an ytterbium-doped, double cladding, microstructured optical fiber laser has been accurately simulated. They consist of a suitable cascade of multiple long-period gratings (MLPGs) inscribed in the fiber core region. The characteristics of the MLPG couplers have been simulated via a homemade computer code based on both rate equations and an extended coupled mode theory. The proposed MLPG couplers seem particularly useful in the case of low rare-earth concentration but, even for a middle-high ytterbium concentration, as N(Yb)=5×10(25) ions/m(3), the slope efficiency S can be increased up to 20%, depending on the fiber length.     

Numerical integration of a pressure‐dependent,non‐linear kinematic hardening constitutive model for large strain cyclic plasticity of metals

A Gurson‐based constitutive model is presented, which includes non‐linear mixed isotropic–kinematic hardening and creep, and allows the analysis of problems involving arbitrarily large plastic strains. This model was developed with the main objective of allowing, on the basis of a single set of material parameters, the numerical simulation of all the main features of cold metal forming processes, which usually imply severe loading–unloading cycles with very large plastic strains, difficult to be correctly reproduced numerically. A suitable integration scheme of the rate equations is described and implemented into a finite element code. The results obtained are compared with some reference experimental ones; an application of the model for the simulation of wire drawing processes is also presented. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A low-delay MAC solution for MIMO ad hoc networks

Beamforming is regarded as a key element for multiantenna ad hoc networks. However, it cannot simultaneously provide the omnidirectional and long-range coverage required by broadcast transmissions [1]–[4], a problem known as the Asymmetry in Gain. We propose a scheme for control packet exchange over an extended radio coverage based on a Space Time Code technique. This solution is shown to solve the Asymmetry in Gain issue, and is proposed as part of a MAC protocol for MIMO ad hoc networks, whose performance benefits include increased throughput and reduced delay and energy consumption.     

Energy conservation in wireless sensor networks: A survey

In the last years, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have gained increasing attention from both the research community and actual users. As sensor nodes are generally battery-powered devices, the critical aspects to face concern how to reduce the energy consumption of nodes, so that the network lifetime can be extended to reasonable times. In this paper we first break down the energy consumption for the components of a typical sensor node, and discuss the main directions to energy conservation in WSNs. Then, we present a systematic and comprehensive taxonomy of the energy conservation schemes, which are subsequently discussed in depth. Special attention has been devoted to promising solutions which have not yet obtained a wide attention in the literature, such as techniques for energy efficient data acquisition. Finally we conclude the paper with insights for research directions about energy conservation in WSNs.     

Combined microwaves and convection heating: A conjugate approach

Microwave treatment has been gaining increasing recognitions in the food industry and household frameworks alike. Better energy and finishing efficiencies can be obtained by adding an additional transport mechanism, such as forced air convection heating. In this work, transient distributions of temperature and moisture during the combined treatment is analyzed by a full computational fluid dynamics model, coupled with custom moisture diffusion and evaporation notations.     

Soil fungi reduce the iron content and the DNA damaging effects of asbestos fibers

Some soil fungi growing on asbestos fibers release chelators and antioxidants. The bioweathering potential of fungi has thus been envisaged as a possible route for bioremediation of asbestos rich soils, where no inactivation procedures have been established so far. The present study reports fungal-mediated modification of the surface reactivity of the fibers and of their potential to damage DNA in vitro. Verticillium sp. and Paecilomyces sp. were selected among the fungi isolated from fragments of chrysotile bearing rocks, as the most potent in iron extraction, and studied in parallel with F. oxysporum, previously reported to modify the surface reactivity of asbestos fibers. One sample of chrysotile from the Western Alps and a sample of UICC (Union Internationale Contre le Cancer) crocidolite were incubated with or without fungi. All fungi extracted iron from both fibers (7.3% from crocidolite and 33.6% from chrysotile by Verticillium sp.), releasing it into the medium. F. oxysporum and Paecilomyces sp. suppressed the potential of the fibers to release hydroxyl radical, while Verticillium sp. suppressed it on crocidolite but enhanced it on chrysotile, a hallmark of ongoing mobilization of reactive iron. Fibers incubated in the growth medium, but in the absence of fungi, exhibited a remarkable potential to damage DNA in vitro, measured by the generation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine, while all the fungi reduced such effect. Fungi may thus be regarded as appropriate candidates for bioremediation of asbestos rich soils whereby the reactive iron ions responsible for DNA damage are progressively removed from the fibers.     

Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular modeling studies of TIBO-like cyclic sulfones as non-nucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors

TIBO- and TBO-like sulfone derivatives 1 and 2 were designed, synthesized, and tested for their ability to block the replication cycle of HIV-1 in infected cells. The anti-HIV-1 activities of sulfones 3, which were intermediates in the syntheses of 1 and 2, were also evaluated. Surprisingly, the sulfone analogues of TIBO R82913 (compounds 1) were inactive, whereas interesting results were obtained for truncated derivatives 2. Compound 2 w was the most potent among this series in cell-based assays (EC50=0.07 microM, CC50>200 microM, SI>2857). It was twofold less potent than R82913, but more selective. An X-ray crystallographic analysis was carried out to establish the absolute configuration of 2 w and its enantiomer 2 x, which were obtained by semipreparative HPLC of 2 v, one of the most potent racemates. Compounds 1-3 were proven to target HIV-1 RT. In fact, representative derivatives inhibited recombinant HIV-1 RT in vitro at concentrations similar to those active in cell-based assays. 3D QSAR studies and docking simulations were developed on TIBO- and TBO-like sulfone derivatives to rationalize their anti-HIV-1 potencies and to predict the activity of novel untested sulfone derivatives. Predictive 3D QSAR models were obtained with a receptor-based alignment by docking of TIBO- and TBO-like derivatives into the NNBS of RT.     

MPARM: Exploring the Multi-Processor SoC Design Space with SystemC

Technology is making the integration of a large number of processors on the same silicon die technically feasible. These multi-processor systems-on-chip (MP-SoC) can provide a high degree of flexibility and represent the most efficient architectural solution for supporting multimedia applications, characterized by the request for highly parallel computation. As a consequence, tools for the simulation of these systems are needed for the design stage, with the distinctive requirement of simulation speed, accuracy and capability to support design space exploration. We developed a complete simulation platform for a MP-SoC called MP-ARM, based on SystemC as modelling and simulation environment, and including models for processors, the AMBA bus compliant communication architecture, memory models and support for parallel programming. A fully operating linux version for embedded systems has been ported on this platform, and a cross-toolchain has been developed as well. Our MP simulation environment turns out to be a powerful tool for the MP-SOC design stage. As an example thereof, we use our tool to evaluate the impact on system performance of architectural parameters and of bus arbitration policies, showing that the effectiveness of a particular system configuration strongly depends on the application domain and the generated traffic profile.Luca Benini received the B.S. degree (summa cum laude) in electrical engineering from the University of Bologna, Italy, in 1991, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford University in 1994 and 1997, respectively. He is an associate professor in the department of electronics and computer science in the University of Bologna. He also holds visiting researcher positions at Stanford University and the Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, Palo Alto, CA.Dr. Benini’s research interests are in all aspects of computer-aided design of digital circuits, with special emphasis on low-power applications, and in the design of portable systems. He is co-author of the book: Dynamic Power management, Design Techniques and CAD tools, Kluwer 1998.Dr. Benini is a member of the technical program committee for several technical conferences, including the Design Automation Conference, the International Symposium on Low Power Design and the International symposium on Hardware-Software Codesign.Davide Bertozzi received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, in 1999.He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree at the same University and is expected to graduate in 2003. His research interests concern the development of SoC co-simulation platforms, exploration of SoC communication architectures and low power system design.Alessandro Bogliolo received the Laurea degree in electrical engineering and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, in 1992 and 1998.In 1995 and 1996 he was a Visiting Scholar at the Computer Systems Laboratory (CSL), Stanford University, Stanford, CA.From 1999 to 2002 he was an Assistant Professor at the Department of Engineering (DI) of the University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. Since 2002 he’s been with the Information Science and Technology Institute (STI) of the University of Urbino, Urbino, Italy, as Associate Professor. His research interests are mainly in the area of digital integrated circuits and systems, with emphasis on low power and signal integrity.Francesco Menichelli was born in Rome in 1976. He received the Electronic Engineering degree in 2001 at the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. From 2002 he is a Ph.D. student in Electronic Engineering at “La Sapienza” University of Rome.His scientific interests focus on low power digital design, and in particular in level tecniques for low power consumption, power modeling and simulation of digital systems.Mauro Olivieri received a Master degree in electronic engineering “cum laude” in 1991 and a Ph.D. degree in electronic and computer engineering in 1994 from the University of Genoa, Italy, where he also worked as an assistant professor. In 1998 he joined the University of Rome “La Sapienza”, where he is currently associate professor in electronics. His research interests are digital system-on-chips and microprocessor core design. Prof. Olivieri supervises several research projects supported by private and public fundings in the field of VLSI system design.     

Design of photocatalytic reactors made easy by considering the photons as immaterial reactants

While it is quite obvious that photons have an essential role in photochemical and photocatalytic processes, it is not simple to analyse the radiation process.A simple approach is presented on the assumption that photons can be treated as immaterial reactants. It is then possible to evaluate the radiation process in terms of parameters such as conversion, selectivity and yield, which are common in the conventional reaction engineering, and of an additional parameter, a volume efficiency factor, which accounts for the exploitation of the reaction volume as the result of the inevitable attenuation of the radiation in the transport through the participating medium.Attention has also been focused on the validation of kinetic data when, as it is usually done, they are interpreted in terms of volume averages.Finally, guidelines have been prepared to support preliminary phases of analysis and/or design of a photocatalytic reactor.     

Evidence of the CH···O HydrogenBonding in Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids from Far-Infrared Spectroscopy Measurements and DFT Calculations

Knowledge of all the intermolecular forces occurring in ionic liquids (ILs) is essential to master their properties. Aiming at investigating the weaker hydrogen bonding in aprotic liquids, the present work combined computational study and far-infrared spectroscopy on four imidazolium-based ILs with different anions. The DFT calculations of the ionic couples, using the ωB97X-D functional and considering both the empirical dispersion corrections and the presence of a polar solvent, show that, for all samples, the lowest energy configurations of the ion pair present H atoms, directly bound to C atoms of the cation and close to O atoms of the anion, capable of creating moderate to weak hydrogen bonding with anions. For the liquids containing anions of higher bonding ability, the absorption curves generated from the calculated vibrational frequencies and intensities show absorption bands between 100 and 125 cm⁻¹ corresponding to the stretching of the hydrogen bond. These indications are in complete agreement with the presently reported temperature dependence of the far-infrared spectrum, where the stretching modes of the hydrogen bonding are detected only for samples presenting a moderate interaction and become particularly prominent at low temperatures. Moreover, from the analysis of the infrared spectra, the occurrence of various phase transitions as a function of temperature was detected, and the difference in the average energy between the H-bonded and the dispersion-governed molecular configurations was evaluated.