Closed‐Loop Transmit Diversity Techniques for Small Wireless Terminals and Their Performance Assessment in a Flat Fading Channel

Closed‐loop transmit diversity is considered an important technique for improving the link budget in the third generation and future wireless communication standards. This paper proposes several transmit diversity algorithms suitable for small wireless terminals and presents performance assessment in terms of average signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and outage improvement, convergence, and complexity of operations. The algorithms presented herein are verified using data from measured indoor channels with variable antenna spacing and the results explained using measured radiation patterns for a two‐element array. It is shown that for a two‐element array, the best among the proposed techniques provides SNR improvement of about 3 dB in a tightly spaced array (inter‐element spacing of 0.1 wavelength at 2 GHz) typical of small wireless devices. Additionally, these techniques are shown to perform significantly better than a single antenna device in an indoor channel considering realistic values of latency and propagation errors.     

Radiation analysis and errors associated with the monopulse operation of a satellite direction finder

This work describes the radiation performance of a novel concept for direction and location finding, using stationary satellite beacons. The received signals are processed with a monopulse four-element array. The monopulse mode is generated using the phase excitation of the radiating elements. For accurate processing the radiation phase should correspond with the bearing angle around the boresight direction. Phase deviations, however, occur in this phase pattern owing to the discrete excitation of the elements. Therefore, detailed analyses are presented for this phase pattern, its attainable gain and the depolarization effects, in order to select the kind of array elements, and their spacings, which minimize the phase pattern deviations. The dipoles and the slots, as array elements, yield better phase performance, smaller size and simpler structures than horn radiators, at the expense of worse depolarization.     

A new quantum-dot cellular automata full-adder

A novel expandable five-input majority gate for quantum-dot cellular automata and a new full-adder cell are presented. Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) is an emerging technology and a possible alternative for semiconductor transistor based technologies. A novel QCA majority-logic gate is proposed. This component is suitable for designing QCA circuits. The gate is simple in structure and powerful in terms of implementing digital functions. By applying these kinds of gates, the hardware requirement for a QCA design can be reduced and circuits can be simpler in level, gate counts and clock phases. In order to verify the functionality of the proposed device, some physical proofs are provided. The proper functionality of the FA is checked by means of computer simulations using QCADesigner tool. Both simulation results and physical relations confirm our claims and its usefulness in designing every digital circuit.     

Solid-State Electrodes for Multichannel Multiplexed Intracortical Neuronal Recording

Thin-film arrays of extracellular recording electrodes have been developed for use in studies of information processing in neural structures and eventual use in closed-loop control of neural prostheses. These probes consist of a silicon substrate which supports an array of thin-film conductors. The conductors are insulated above and below with deposited dielectrics. The electrode sites are defined by openings in the upper dielectric layer and are inlaid with gold to form low-impedance recording surfaces. The probes are typically 15 pim in thickness with shank widths as narrow as 20 ?m. The probe fabrication process is compatible with the inclusion of signal processing circuitry directly on the probe substrate. A 12 channel on-chip signal processor design with per-channel gain of 100, bandwidth of 100 Hz-6 kHz, multiplexed output, and recording-site impedance check capability is described. The probes have adequate strength to penetrate the gerbil pia-arachnoid layer and have recorded single neuron activity of over 500 ?V peak-to-peak from tip, side, and mid-carrier sites. Signal-to-noise ratios as high as 10:1 have been achieved. An equivalent circuit model for the conducting leads, the recording site, and the electrode-electrolyte interface is described. Development of biocompatible insulation and encapsulation materials for long-term implantation of active probes is underway.     

Reduction toxicity of Amphotericin B through loading into a novel nanoformulation of anionic linear globular dendrimer for improve treatment of leishmania major

Amphotericin B (A) as an antileishmanial drug has limited clinical application owing to severe side-effects and low-water solubility. This is the first study reported using Anionic Linear Globular Dendrimer (ALGD) as A carrier for the increase of A solubility rate, decrease its toxicity, and improve its therapeutic effects. ALGD was synthesized and A was loaded into nanoparticles for the first time with the drug-loading efficiency of 82%. Drug loading was confirmed using characterization methods. The drug solubility rate was increased by 478-folds. The results of the study showed that the A toxicity was significantly decreased by 95% in vitro and in vivo environments, which was confirmed by pathology findings and enzymatic evaluation. Furthermore, the nanodrug caused that mortality rate was reached to zero. Moreover, the nanodrug was as potent as the free drug and glucantime (GUL) in reducing the parasite burden and parasite number. These findings indicated the potency of ALGD to decrease the drug side-effects, increase the drug solubility rate, and improve the drug efficacy. Moreover, the nanoformulation was a non-toxic and cost-effective formulation. The conformity between in vitro and in vivo results suggested that the A-loaded ALGD could be considered as a promising candidate in reducing the side-effects of A in leishmaniasis treatment.

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The effect of electrospinning parameters on the morphology of glass nanofibers

Abstract

Electrospinning of glass nanofibers, as one of the most important techniques for producing nanofibers, was the focus of the present research. This process was done using a carrying polymer in order to modify all important parameters of the process including the solution parameters, the electrospinning voltage, the electrospinning distance and feeding rate of the solution to achieve a desired nanofiber morphology. The produced nanofibers were pyrolyzed at a high temperature to remove the carrying polymer and the FTIR test approved that it was completely removed. The diameter of nanofibers and other details were investigated using SEM images and it was shown that the produced nanofibers have a finer diameter with an average of 228?nm and standard deviation of 46?nm in comparison to other works that reported 500?nm for these characteristics.     

Use of sourdough to reduce phytic acid and improve zinc bioavailability of a traditional flat bread (sangak) from Iran

In this study, effects of 8 different sourdough starters prepared with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus plantarum, L. acidophilus, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides were investigated on the phytic acid level and mole ratio of phytic acid to zinc in a traditional Iranian bread (sangak). Different sourdough preparations were made and incubated at 30°C for 16 h and added to the dough at 10, 20, and 30% replacement levels. Use of sourdough resulted in a decrease in phytic acid level (also in a decrease in the phytic acid to zinc mole ratio) and corresponding increase in zinc bioavailability index when compared to the commercial sangak bread. The lowest phytic acid concentration and highest zinc bioavailability index were achieved when S. cerevisiae, L. plantarum, and Leu. mesenteroides were used at 30.0% dough replacement with sourdough. This study provides awareness about the negative impacts of higher phytic acid level in the breads, which is particularly the case for sangak bread, and also provides a solution for such issue.     

Bioactive properties of Kilka (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Clupeonella cultriventris caspi</Emphasis>) fish protein hydrolysates

Whole common Kilka fish was hydrolyzed separately using four commercial enzymes, Alcalase, Neutrase, Protamex at 50 °C and Pepsin at 37 °C for 30, 60 and 90 min. Degree of hydrolysis, angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity and antimicrobial activity of each hydrolysate against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua) bacteria were studied. Results showed that the degree of hydrolysis for all enzymes was in the range of 2.63–3.36%. Electrophoresis profiles of the Kilka protein hydrolysates showed that most of produced peptides were in the range of 30 D but Alcalase and Neutrase had a better performance in the production of low molecular weight peptides in the range of 10 D. This led to increase the antimicrobial activity against the examined bacteria at the concentration of 200 µg/mL peptide solution. The Neutrase enzyme produced hydrolysate with the highest ACE inhibitory activity (53%?±?1.8 at 500 µg/mL). Antimicrobial activity of Kilka protein hydrolysates using Protamex and Pepsin was lower than the others due to lack of considerable amount of small peptides. The current research has demonstrated that the peptides derived from the enzymatic hydrolysis of Kilka fish protein in optimum conditions are capable of being converted to antimicrobial and antihypertensive agents to be used in functional foods.     

Withdrawal and lateral resistance of wood screw in beech, hornbeam and poplar

Withdrawal and lateral resistance of wood screw in three hardwood species of beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky.), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and poplar (Populus deltoides 75/51) were studied. Measured values of ultimate withdrawal resistance of wood screws were compared with predicted values. Moreover, shear strength parallel to the grain of wood as an input parameter of the expression given by Eckelman was measured. Measured values of lateral resistance of wood screw connection were compared with predicted values of yield limit equations, and dowel bearing strength of wood as the input parameter of yield limit equations was measured. Results show that the expression by Eckelman gives a more accurate prediction than the expression given in NDS. Furthermore, yield limit equations accurately predicted observed yield mode, and in the three species lateral resistance was predicted lower than the measured values.     

Occurrence of mycotoxins (ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol) and toxigenic fungi in Moroccan wheat grains: impact of ecological factors on the growth and ochratoxin A production

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the contamination of some samples, taken from Moroccan wheat grains, by ochratoxin A (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON) and the associated toxigenic fungi. Moreover, we focused on the influence of environmental factors on both the growth and OTA production by three strains of Aspergillus. The results showed that only few samples were contaminated by the two mycotoxins (2 samples for OTA and 7 for DON). The main isolated fungi belong to the Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium genus; 74 Aspergillus and 28 Penicillium isolates were tested for their ability to produce OTA. Only 2 A. alliaceus and 14 A. niger were able to synthesize OTA. However, none of Penicillium isolates can produce this toxin under the conditions mentioned. In respect of the effects of the temperature and water activity (aw), the optimal conditions for the growth and OTA production were different. While the optimal conditions of growth for A. alliaceus and A. terreus are 30 degrees C and 0.98 aw, A. niger preferred 0.93-0.95 aw at 25 degrees C, whereas the optimal production of OTA was observed at 30 degrees C for both A. alliaceus and A. niger at 0.93 and 0.99 aw, respectively.