Efficient performance computations for trellis-coded modulation

The algorithm given by Rouanne and Costello (1989) for the computation of the distance spectrum is improved for trellis-coded modulation schemes having uncoded bits, i.e., for trellis diagrams having parallel paths. It is shown that, when through a trellis corresponding to such kind of codes, all parallel transitions (labeled by signal selectors) between states are considered as a single branch labeled by a subset, then defining subset selector distance polynomials makes the computational complexity of the distance spectrum dependent on the number of states as compared to the complexity of Rouanne and Costello algorithm which depends on the number of paths to be extended     

Multichromic polymers based on pyrene clicked thienylpyrrole

In this study, the effect of pendant pyrene on the optical and electronic properties of poly(2,5‐dithienylpyrrole)s was studied. For this purpose a new pyrene coupled 2,5‐dithienylpyrrole derivative (SNS‐pyrene) was synthesized through click reaction. SNS‐pyrene was electrochemically polymerized and its electrochemical and optical properties were investigated by electrochemical and optical techniques. The polymer had a band gap of 3.36 eV and displayed light green to blue color variation upon oxidation in less than 2.48 s. Additionally, electrochemical copolymerization of SNS‐pyrene with 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene was achieved whilst a detailed investigation was performed on the effect of electrochemical polymerization conditions on the optoelectronic properties of the copolymers. Studies revealed that the copolymers exhibit multichromic reversible redox behavior with lower band gaps and shorter switching times than their parent polymer, P(SNS‐pyrene) © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Effect of Ozonated Water Treatment on Fatty Acid Composition and Some Quality Parameters of Olive Oil

The organic olives from Çine-Ayd?n (Turkey) were washed with tap or ozonated water for 2 and 5 min, respectively, and pressed to olive oil. The effects of wash treatments on fatty acid composition and several quality parameters of the oils were determined. The maximum values after 2-min ozonated water washes were 9.58 meqO₂/kg, 0.73%, 2.44 and 0.16 for peroxide, free acid, K₂₃₂ and K₂₇₀ values, respectively, which were under the standard limits for extra-virgin olive oil. Five min of ozonated water washes also yielded acceptable results, except for a slight excess on K₂₃₂ value. Ozonated water washes had almost no effect on fatty acid composition.     

A note on the incidence and antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from meat and chicken samples

One hundred and fifty samples of raw calf/lamb meat samples (mince and chunks) and chicken parts (giblets, carcass) were analysed for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus. Eighty S. aureus strains were isolated and identified. Resistance of the strains to methicillin and other antibiotics was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test. The overall methicillin resistance rate for S. aureus was 67.5%. Of S. aureus strains, 87.5% were resistant to bacitracin. A high prevalence of penicillin G resistance was detected for S. aureus (53.8%). Few of the strains were resistant to erythromycin (7.5%). All strains were susceptible to vancomycin, sulbactam–ampicillin, ciprofloxacin and cefaperazone–sulbactam. This study confirmed the presence of S. aureus, especially antibiotic-resistant strains, in the foods examined, indicating poor sanitary conditions during processing which may create a health risk for consumers.     

The structural,morphological, optical and gas-sensing properties of Mn3O4 thin films grown by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction technique

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - In this study, Mn3O4 thin films were grown by Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction Technique (SILAR) with 20 and 50...     

Catalytic behavior of ruthenium in soybean oil hydrogenation

Soybean oil was hydrogenated with a carbon‐supported ruthenium catalyst (Ru/C) at 165 °C, 2 bar H₂ and 500 rpm stirring speed. Reaction rates, trans isomer formation, selectivity ratios and melting behaviors of the samples were monitored. No catalytic activity was found for the application of 10 ppm of the catalyst, and significant catalytic activity appeared at >50 ppm of active catalyst. The catalyst concentration had an effect on the reaction rate of hydrogenation, but the weight‐normalized reaction rate constant (k_c) was almost independent of the catalyst concentration at lower iodine values. Ru/C generated considerable amounts of trans fatty acids (TFA), including high amounts of trans 18:2, and also stearic acid, due to its very non‐selective nature. The selectivity ratios were found to be low and varied between 1.12 and 4.32 during the reactions. On the other hand, because of the low selectivity, higher slip melting points and solid fat contents at high temperatures were obtained than those for nickel and palladium catalysts. Another different characteristic of this catalyst was the formation (max 1.67%) of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) during hydrogenation. Besides, CLA formation in the early stages of the reactions did not change very much with the lower iodine values.     

New local binary pattern approaches based on color channels in texture classification

Multimedia Tools and Applications - In this paper, four novel, simple and robust approaches, which are left to right local binary patterns (LBPLL2R), top to down local binary patterns (LBPT2D),...