Performance and scalability evaluation of IEEE 802.11v/aa multicast transport

IEEE 802.11v and 802.11aa are two recent amendments that define new functionalities in order to support a reliable multicast transport over wireless networks. The first amendment introduces directed multicast service (DMS). On the other hand, 802.11aa defines the groupcast with retries (GCR) service, which proposes two retransmission policies: block acknowledgement (GCR‐BACK) and unsolicited retry (GCR‐UR). In this paper, we evaluate the throughput and the scalability of these new proposals using both analytical and simulation approaches. We show that DMS has the lowest scalability, while GCR‐BACK is not appropriate for groups with a large number of receivers. We conclude that GCR‐UR is the most appropriate for large groups. However, increasing the number of transmission retries reduces significantly the achieved throughput of the unsolicited retry policy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Immunohistochemical and lectin histochemical studies on the developing olfactory organs of fetal camel

Little is known about the development of the olfactory organs of camel. In this study, prenatal development and neuronal differentiation of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) and the olfactory epithelium (OE) of the one‐humped camel were studied by immunohistochemistry and lectin histochemistry. A neuronal marker, protein gene product (PGP) 9.5, but not a marker of fully differentiated olfactory receptor cells, olfactory marker protein, intensely labeled the olfactory receptor cells of the VNO and OE at 395 mm, 510 mm, and 530 mm fetal ages, indicating that the olfactory receptor cells are differentiated, but not fully matured both in the VNO and the OE. In 187 mm and 190 mm fetuses, PGP 9.5 yielded faint immunoreactive signals in the VNO, but not in the OE, although the presence of olfactory receptor cells were demonstrated in both tissues by intense WGA and LEL stainings. We conclude that the camel VNO and OE bear differentiated, but still immature receptor cells; in addition, the onset of neuronal differentiation seems to be somewhat earlier in the VNO than in the OE till half of the prenatal life. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:613–619, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Antimicrobial activity of chitosan‐based films against Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus

The antibacterial effect of polyamide 6/66‐chitosan blend and chitosan‐coated plastic films was compared to chitosan films and chitosan solution, against Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus. The chitosan films did not show inhibition halos; however, contact inhibition was observed. During the tests, the films absorbed moisture, increasing of the diameter discs in relation to the concentration of the chitosan for both microorganisms at least 31%. Chitosan plastic film coating (bilayer system) showed only contact inhibition, without increase in contact area. The films from polyamide 6/66‐chitosan blend had no antibacterial activity. The highest inhibitory effect resulted from a chitosan solution at 1000 and 2000 ppm for S. typhimurium and S. aureus, respectively. The results of this study showed that the antimicrobial activity was lessened when the chitosan was combined with the plastic matrix because of the absence of contact inhibition, and the best activity was obtained with films prepared by casting of chitosan solution.     

Effect of TiO2, LiF and Cr2O3 in the Crystallization of Cristobalite and Tridymite in Sintered Glass-Ceramics

Based on the poudretteite (K Na₂ B₃ Si₁₂ O₃₀) glass composition, six transparent glass frits were prepared. TiO₂, LiF and Cr₂O₃ were experimented on the base glass composition as nucleation catalysts. Only cristobalite and tridymite were developed through the sintering process of the glasses between 900 and 1100?°C. LiF enhances mainly tridymite with traces of cristobalite and in the opposite side the parent and both TiO₂ and Cr₂O₃ containing glasses catalyzed mainly cristobalite with traces of tridymite. The microstructure of the glass samples heat-treated at 1000?°C showed backbone-like, small rods, quadrant-, hexagonal crystals referred to the cristobalite and tridymite. The EDS microanalysis shows the presence of both alkalis, i.e. Na^?+? and K^?+?, in the cristobalite crystal structure while the residual glass contains K^?+?. The infrared spectroscopy indicates the band patterns of cristobalite and tridymite.     

Micellization and Interfacial Interaction Behaviors of Gemini Cationic Surfactants–CTAB Mixed Surfactant Systems

The interfacial and micellization behaviors of binary mixtures of two gemini cationic surfactants and conventional the cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide surfactant were studied at various molar ratios. From the equilibrium surface tension measurements, the critical micelle concentrations (CMC) data were obtained as functions of the composition. Values of the CMC were analyzed according to the regular solution model developed by Rubingh for mixed micelles. Two interaction parameters were obtained for each system, the interaction at the interface, and in the micellar phase. The results showed that micellization and adsorption properties of the studied mixed systems depend on the spacer chain lengths of the gemini surfactants and their ratio in the mixed systems.     

Eilatin Ru(II) complexes display anti-HIV activity and enantiomeric diversity in the binding of RNA

Eilatin-containing octahedral ruthenium complexes inhibit HIV-1 replication in CD4+ HeLa cells and in human peripheral blood monocytes with IC(50) values of approximately 1 microM. Similar metal complexes that lack eilatin display 15-100-fold lower anti-HIV activities. [Ru(bpy)(2)"pre-eilatin"](2+), a complex that contains a nonplanar analogue of eilatin, shows significantly lower nucleic acid binding and lower anti-HIV activity than eilatin complexes. This result indicates that the extended planar surface presented by eilatin is important for both activities. Rev peptide and ethidium bromide displacement assays are used to probe the nucleic acid affinity and specificity of Lambda- and Delta-[Ru(bpy)(2)eilatin](2+). Two HIV-1 RNA sites are compared and a significant binding preference for the Rev response element over the transactivation response region is found. Simple DNA duplexes show a consistent selectivity for Lambda-[Ru(bpy)(2)eilatin](2+) compared to Delta-[Ru(bpy)(2)eilatin](2+), while RNAs show more diverse enantiomeric selectivities.     

Ultrasonic spray pyrolysis deposition of SnSe and SnSe2 using a single spray solution

Thin films of SnSe and SnSe2 have been deposited using the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis(USP) technique.To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of the deposition of SnSe and SnSe2 thin films using a single spray solution.The use of a single spray solution for obtaining both a p-type material,SnSe,and an n-type material,SnSe2,simplifies the deposition technique.The SnSe2 thin films have a bandgap of 1.1 eV and the SnSe thin films have a band gap of 0.9 eV.The Hall measurements were used to determine the resistivity of the thin films.The SnSe2 thin films show a resistivity of 36.73 Ωcm and n-type conductivity while the SnSe thin films show a resistivity of 180 Ωcm and p-type conductivity.     

Phosphonated cross-linked polyethylenimine for selective removal of uranium ions from aqueous solutions

Among many remediation techniques for metal ion removal, polymeric adsorbents are efficient and widely applied. This has made them comparable with other remediation techniques in terms of technical and economic efficiency, feasibility as well as green technology. This study was dedicated to the development of an insoluble modified chelating polymer for use as an adsorbent for abstraction of uranium from wastewaters. Cross-linked polyethylenimine (CPEI) was phosphonated by phosphorous acid for selective removal of uranium ions. The binding affinity of the phosphonated cross-linked polyethylenimine (PCPEI) to uranium ions was assessed as well as its ability to be regenerated for reuse. It exhibited high removal percentage for uranium ions up to 99% with high selectivity even in the presence of competing ions (Mn, Ni, As). The Freundlich isotherm was found to be the best fit describing the adsorption process of uranyl ions onto the PCPEI. The pseudo-second-order equation was found to better explain the adsorption kinetics, implying chemisorption. The thermodynamic study of the adsorption revealed high activation energies which confirmed the chemisorption as the mechanism of adsorption.     

Non-ionic surfactant based vesicular drug delivery system for topical delivery of caffeine for treatment of cellulite: design,formulation, characterization,histological anti-cellulite activity,and pharmacokinetic evaluation

Cellulite is a common topographical alteration where skin acquires an orange peel or mattress appearance with alterations in adipose tissue and microcirculation. This work aims to develop and evaluate a topical niosomal gel formulae with good permeation to reach the subcutaneous fat layer. Several caffeine niosomal dispersions were prepared and incorporated into gel formulae using Carbopol 940 polymer, chemical penetration enhancers, and iontophoresis, then the prepared gels were applied onto the skin of rats and anticellulite activity of caffeine from the prepared gels compared to that of the commercial product Cellu Destock^® was evaluated by histological study of the skin and measurement of plasma level of caffeine passing through the skin using liquid chromatography (LC/MS–MS). Results of histology revealed reduction of size and thickness of fatty layer of rat skin in the following order: FVII?>?FXIV?>?Cellu Destock^®?>?FVII?+?Iontophoresis?>?FXIV?+?Iontophoresis. Pharmacokinetic results of caffeine in plasma revealed that C_max, T_max, and AUC_0–12h decreased in the following order: FXIV?>?FVII?>?Cellu Destock^®. These results conclude that incorporation of caffeine niosomal dispersion into gel matrix with penetration enhancers and iontophoresis resulted in improvement in penetration of caffeine through the skin into the underlying fatty layer in treatment of cellulite.