Path protection WDM networks with impaired-transmission

In wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks, failures may imply severe loss of data due to the high transmission rates, leading to the need for employment of protective mechanisms. Transparency and switching in all-optical networks cause physical impairment, which can significantly degrade signal quality. If the signal quality along a path is below acceptable values, this path cannot be used for incoming requests in the establishment of lightpaths. Therefore, quality must be checked by the routing and wavelength assignment algorithm. The present article introduces two novel algorithms for shared path protection in WDM networks that take into consideration the Polarization Mode Dispersion, Amplifier Spontaneous Emission, and homowavelength cross-talk physical impairments during path selection. The efficiency of these algorithms is compared to that of their impairment-unaware counterparts.     

Rheology of Cream-like Emulsions Prepared with Soybean Milk and Low Trans Vegetable Fat

The objective of this work was to study the effect of fat globule size and fat content on the rheological behavior of oil-in-water emulsions prepared with soybean milk, sunflower oil and low trans vegetable fat (LTF). Emulsions were prepared with 40 % w/w lipid phase (containing different proportions of LTF) and three different homogenization methods were used in order to obtain different globule sizes. Emulsions were subjected to controlled magnetic shaking until an increase in thickness. Partial coalescence was observed in all systems containing solid fat, which gave a rheopectic behavior and an increase in the viscoelastic parameters of the emulsions. Smaller particle sizes required higher shaking times to produce an increase in thickness, even though this did not lead to different final values of the viscoelastic parameters. The highest partial coalescence degree was observed at 50 % LTF in lipid phase, but the highest final viscoelastic parameters after shaking were observed at 100 % LTF in the lipid phase. The rheological behavior of these emulsions indicates that they could be a potential vegetable substitute for traditional dairy creams.     

Platinum–Vanadium Oxide Nanotube Hybrids

The present contribution reports on the features of platinum-based systems supported on vanadium oxide nanotubes. The synthesis of nanotubes was carried out using a commercial vanadium pentoxide via hydrothermal route. The nanostructured hybrid materials were prepared by wet impregnation using two different platinum precursors. The formation of platinum nanoparticles was evaluated by applying distinct reduction procedures. All nanostructured samples were essentially analysed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. After reduction, transmission electron microscopy also made it possible to estimate particle size distribution and mean diameter calculations. It could be seen that all reduction procedures did not affect the nanostructure of the supports and that the formation of metallic nanoparticles is quite efficient with an indistinct distribution along the nanotubes. Nevertheless, the reduction procedure determined the diameter, dispersion and shape of the metallic particles. It could be concluded that the use of H₂PtCl₆ is more suitable and that the use of hydrogen as reducing agent leads to a nanomaterial with unagglomerated round-shaped metallic particles with mean size of 6–7 nm.     

Factors enhancing diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity in microsomes from cell-suspension cultures of oilseed rape

Several factors, including an unidentified endogenous component, were found to stimulate microsomal diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT, EC 2.3.1.20) from a microspore-derived cell-suspension culture of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. cv. Jet Neuf). At a concentration of 25mM, MgSO₄ and MgCl₂ stimulated microsomal DGAT 25- and 10-fold, respectively. AIP and CoA at concentrations of 2 and 1 mM stimulated the enzyme 2.4- and 12-fold, respectively, although the effects were lessened in the presence of higher Mg²⁺ concentrations. Although microsomal DGAT activity was increased only slightly by the addition of exogenous sn-1,2-diacylglycerol to the reaction mixture, it was increased substantially by the addition of exogenous phosphatidate. sn-Glycerol-3-phosphate and other phospholipids tested did not have this stimulatory effect. DGAT activity did not decrease when microsomes were incubated with ATP in the presence of the cytosolic fraction. This fraction, however, contained a small organic compound(s) that stimulated microsomal DGAT activity.     

Low-frequency and high-frequency all-fiber modulators based on birefringence modulation

In-line optical modulators with low insertion losses and high maximum optical powers are required for Q switching and cavity dumping of fiber lasers as well as for nonlinear optical-fiber experiments. We report the design of polarimetric all-fiber modulators based on optical-fiber birefringence modulation combined with an all-fiber polarizer. Birefringence modulation involves a piezoelectric ceramic tube. This simple technique permits efficient low-frequency and high-frequency harmonic modulation, up to the megahertz range, as well as modulation of pulses shorter than 1 mus.     

A methodology to answer to individual queries : finding relevant and robust controls

Behaviormetrika - In this paper we present the guidelines for an estimation and inference method aimed to answer questions to databases about new potential entries. The idea is to classify the data...     

Influence of LDH conversion coatings on the adhesion and corrosion protection of friction spot-joined AA2024-T3/CF-PPS

Layered double hydroxide(LDH)conversion coatings loaded with corrosion inhibitors were suggested for the surface treatment of the aluminum alloy 2024-T3,prior to friction spot joining with carbon-fiber reinforced polyphenylene sulfide(AA2024-T3/CF-PPS).Vanadate was used as a model corrosion inhibitor.Lap shear testing method revealed an increase of approx.20%of the joint’s adhesion performance when treated with LDH and before exposure to salt spray.The evaluation of the joints after exposure to salt spray demonstrated a significant difference in the corrosion behavior of the joints when the AA2024-T3 is treated with LDH loaded with nitrate and vanadate species.The LDH intercalated with nitrate revealed a clear improvement in the mechanical and corrosion resistance performance of the joints,even after 6 weeks of salt spray.However,the LDH intercalated with vanadate failed in providing protection against corrosion as well as preserving the mechanical properties of the joints.The effect of the galvanic corrosion was further investigated by zero resistance ammeter(ZRA)measurements as well as localized scanning vibrating electrode technique(SVET).     

Web Application Commercial Design for Financial Entities Based on Business Intelligence

Multiple customer data management has become a focus of attention in big organizations. Although much information is available, it does not translate into significant profitable value-added services. We present a design of a commercial web application based on business intelligence that generates information on social and financial behavior of clients in an organization; with the purpose of obtain additional information that allows to get more profits. This app will provide a broader perspective for making strategic decisions to increase profits and reduce internal investment costs. A case in point is the financial sector, a group of financial entities were used to make measurements and test them. A design to build a web application aimed at achieving a large and ambitious goal by means of defined tools reflecting clients’ business needs is proposed. In this research, different techniques and technologies are explored, such as diagrams, frameworks, design, architecture, model entity-relationship, tables, equations, mental maps and development tools. Through the Personal Software Process methodology and with the help of information extraction, consolidation, and visualization, the implementation can be carried out. This article provides the importance of implementing business intelligence in an organization and expands on the steps needed for the implementation of this valuable technology.