A proof of wavelength conversion not improving the lagrangian bound of the static RWA problem

The fact that wavelength conversion hardly improves the performance of static routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) in Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) networks has been observed in many previous studies. However, other than simulation results, until now there was no formal proof of such fact. In this paper, we formally prove that wavelength conversion does not improve the Lagrangian bound of the static RWA problem.     

Effect of harmonics on power measurement

Energy (kWh) measurement has become critically important in determining industrial power flow. With the proliferation of nonlinear loads, there are significant amounts of harmonics in the power distribution system. The effects of nonlinear loads on devices such as circuit breakers have been studied in detail. A review of three-phase power (kW) metering is given, and the effects of harmonics on power measurement are analyzed. It is noted that applying digital microprocessor technology to power metering permits the precise measurement of power. With sample data techniques, it is possible to determine true real power or kWh consumed by the power distribution system or resolve poor power factor questions     

Microbiological Decontamination of Poultry Feed—Evaluation of Steam Conditioners

The microbial decontamination of chicken feed, obtained from a commercial pellet mill, was evaluated using a direct-fired steam conditioner (DFSC; APC System^™). The standard plate count of the feeds before (mash) and after (pellets) conditioning ranged from 65×10⁴ to 83×10⁵ colony forming units (CFU) g⁻¹ and from 91×10¹ to 92×10³ CFU g⁻¹, respectively. The incidence of Escherichia coli , Salmonella and Listeria in the feeds before conditioning was 61·7, 8·3 and 27·1%, respectively. Following conditioning these levels were reduced to 1·7, 1·7 and 0%, respectively. Species of Listeria and Salmonella identified included L monocytogenes , L innocua and S agona , S ohio , S heidelberg , S senftenberg , S tallahasse and S braenderup , respectively. Compared with a conventional, indirect-fired boiler-generated-steam conditioner (IFSC) the direct-fired steam conditioner proved superior in regards to pathogen decontamination; no E coli , Salmonella or Listeria were recovered from mash lots positive for these microorganisms. However, with the IFSC system, both E coli and L monocytogens were recovered at levels of 11·1 and 5·6%, respectively.     

Bio-Orthogonal Conjugation of a Cationic Metalloporphyrin to BSA and HSA via “Click” Chemistry

In this study, we present a convenient method for the labelling of tyrosine residues on bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) and report for the first time their subsequent bio-orthogonal conjugation with porphyrins via “click” chemistry. We demonstrate that these serum proteins can be labelled with an alkyne-diazonium heterobifunctional linker and can then undergo chemo-selective bio-orthogonal conjugation with a water-soluble azido metalloporphyrin via “click” chemistry to yield protein-conjugates that retain their photodynamic properties. In our hands, this method was found to be highly reproducible, scalable, and tuneable which allows for the production of bioconjugates where the porphyrin-protein conjugate not only retains an ability to generate singlet oxygen but possess an enhanced relative singlet oxygen quantum yields relative to the porphyrin alone. Furthermore, we have investigated the photochemical properties of these conjugates through photospectrometric techniques and have determined that the porphyrin macrocycles remain appreciably photostable under light irradiation. Our phototoxic protein-photosensitizer-conjugates show excellent photodynamic activity against a human colorectal adenocarcinoma cancer cell line (HT-29) with cell viabilities of 7.7±0.5 % (IC50 8.76±2.14 μM) and 1.7±1.9 % (IC50 8.48±5.11 μM) for BSA and HAS, respectively, when irradiated with 20 J cm⁻² of white-light. Importantly, neither of the conjugates was found to possess any significant “dark” toxicity even at concentrations of 100 μM. Furthermore, the natural fluorescent properties of the bioconjugates allowed for the determination of cellular uptake in vitro via fluorescence microscopy thus highlighting the potential theranostic applications of these unique protein-drug-conjugates.     

Human Reliability Analysis in Spaceflight Applications

Predicting and mitigating human error in manned spaceflight can be the difference between mission success and lost vehicle or crewmember. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has used the Cognitive Reliability Error Analysis Model analysis developed by the nuclear industry during the last 30 years of manned spaceflight to predict human error. Although the analysis has proven to be reliable, it does not take into account operations specific for long duration spaceflight such as crew training and ground support. This article first explains the principles of the Cognitive Reliability Error Analysis Model and how it is used at NASA. Then, the probability for error for an International Space Station ingress procedure is calculated using standard performance shaping factors developed for the nuclear power industry. Lastly, the environmental and operational constraints of space flight are used to develop new performance shaping factors specific to a NASA‐operated spacecraft. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interpersonal workplace deviance: Why do offenders act out? A comparative look on personality and organisational variables.

To understand interpersonal workplace deviance in a more comprehensive way, in this study we investigated the relationship between personality and organisational variables. Hierarchical multiple regressions based on responses from 284 employees revealed that physical violence was positively related to continuance commitment and workplace frustration and negatively correlated with procedural justice. Also, psychological violence was negatively correlated with age but positively linked to affective commitment and frustration. Amongst personality traits, agreeableness was negatively correlated with both physical and psychological violence. Furthermore, personality traits still explained a statistically significant proportion of variance after controlling for organisational and sociodemographic factors. Thus, it seems imperative to include personality traits to fully understand interpersonal workplace deviance. The discussion aims to help organisations cope with deviance in their work environment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

2-Pyridinyl-3-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenylpyridines: selective and orally active cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors

A series of novel 2-pyridinyl-3-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenylpyridines has been synthesized and evaluated with respect to their ability to inhibit the isozymes of cyclooxygenase, COX-1, and COX-2. Optimum COX-2 activity is observed by introduction of a substituent at C5 of the central pyridine. 5- Chloro-3-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-2-(2-methyl-5-pyridinyl)pyridine 33 was identified as the optimum compound in this series.     

Empowering employees: The moderating role of perceived organisational climate and justice.

Previous research suggests that empowering managerial practises have small and variable effects on employees' behaviours. The objective of this study is to assess whether organisational climate and justice perceptions moderate the relationship between supervisor empowering managerial practises (SEMPs) and employees' behavioural empowerment. Self-report data were gathered from a sample of 358 employees from three service-sector organisations in a cross-sectional study. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that both perceptions of organisational climate and justice interact with SEMPs in the prediction of employees' behavioural empowerment. As expected, SEMPs were more positively related to behavioural empowerment when perceptions of organisational supportive climate and justice were higher. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Optical network testbed-key enabler in developing current and future network solutions

The all-optical network (AON) demonstrator is a trial system-level testbed for the validation and verification of key network building blocks, scalable architectures, as well as control and management solutions for next-generation wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks. Developed at the Communications Research Centre (CRC) in Ottawa, ON, Canada, the AON testbed has already validated certain system-level concepts at the physical and upper layers. The paper describes the crucial role of the AON testbed in research, development, and "proof of concept" for both emerging optical technologies at the physical layer (performance characterization) and customer-managed networks at the upper layer (network management). Moreover, it is expected that the AON testbed will continue to be a valuable playground for future developments of emerging technologies, solutions, and applications.