Performance Evaluation of Multi-Layer Traffic Engineering Enabled IP-over-ION Networks

Recently, network operators started implementing traffic engineering (TE) techniques in their network. These TE techniques typically involve a single layer (for example, the IP/multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) layer). Although single-layer TE (STE) can improve the network performance (e.g., throughput, quality of service (QoS)), this improvement is bounded by the available capacity in that network layer. The evolution towards intelligent optical networks (IONs) allows further increasing the improvements achievable by the TE techniques, by involving more than one layer in the TE actions. Multi-layer TE (MTE) occupies network resources in a smart way and optimizes the QoS since it dynamically reconfigures the logical topology in the upper layer by properly updating the optical connections in the underlying optical layer. However, the performance of the network is impacted by the configuration scheme adopted by MTE. Therefore, in this paper, we focus on analyzing the influence of the MTE configuration scheme on the MTE behavior, and evaluate the network performance by studying simulation results obtained from a realistic IP-over-ION network.     

Characterization and laser performance of a new material: 2 at. % Nd:YAG grown by the Czochralski method

We report on the optical quality and laser performance of Czochralski-grown 2-at. %-doped Nd:YAG. Using a diode pumped laser in an end pumped configuration, we compare the laser performance of this material with the performance of 1-at. %-doped Nd:YAG and 0.7-at. %-doped Nd:YVO4 crystals. Experimental results show the superior performance of 2-at. % Nd:YAG over Nd:YVO4. With a pump power of 25.7 W, a maximum output power of 12.3 W with a slope efficiency of 57% and an optical-to-optical efficiency of 48% were achieved.     

Thermotropic phase behavior of in vivo extracted human stratum corneum lipids

The thermotropic phase behavior of lipids extracted either in vivo from inner forearm (SCLE) or plantar callus (PC) was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and small angle X-ray diffraction. PC composition was chromatographically modified (MPC) by eliminating the more polar lipids in order to evaluate their role. Analysis of composition confirms the potential use of PC as a source of stratum corneum lipids. MPC and SCLE exhibit similar differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) profiles with a main transition around 50°C attributed to the solid-to-liquid phase transition of the ceramides. The absence of a transition around 50°C for PC suggests the possible perturbation of ceramide packing by the significantly high proportion of phospholipids. X-ray data suggest a high miscibility of sebum components in stratum corneum lipids with possible modification of chain packing. The MPC patterns show a lipid phase separation which underscores the role of polar lipids in cholesterol/free fatty acids/sterol esters/ceramides structural cohesion.     

The route to fullernoid oxides

Tetrahedral oxides, like silicates and aluminates, have attracted great interest due to their potential for numerous applications in various fields ranging from catalysis, ion exchange and molecular sieves, to thermo- and photoluminescence. In spite of their tetrahedral character, no effort has been made to date for establishing structural relationships between these tetrahedral oxides with different forms of carbon, for example, fullerenes. Here, we report for the first time an oxide that exhibits a three-dimensional framework of AlO4 tetrahedra forming huge 'Al84' spheres, similar to those of the D2d isomer of the C84 fullerenes. These Al84 spheres, displayed in a face-centred-cubic lattice, are easily identified by high-resolution electron microscopy. We also show that this Sr33Bi24+delta Al48O141+3 delta/2 aluminate exhibits an onion-skin-like subnanostructure of its Bi/Sr/O species located inside the Al84 spheres. The role of the original pseudo-spheric anion [Bi16O52-n empty square box n]-with n vacancies (empty square box)-in the stabilization of such a structure is discussed. This structure seems to be promising for the generation of a large family of fullerene-type (fullerenoid) oxides with various properties.     

Heme alkylation by artesunic acid and trioxaquine DU1301, two antimalarial trioxanes

The sesquiterpene Artemisinin, an antimalarial drug that is effective against multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains, contains a 1,2,4-trioxane, and the endoperoxide function plays a key role in its biological activity. However, its poor solubility means that hemisynthetic derivatives, such as artesunic acid, are preferred for drugs.The reductive activation of the peroxide function of artemisinin by iron(II)-heme produces heme derivatives that are alkylated at meso positions by a C-centered radical derived from artemisinin. We checked if the alkylating ability of trioxane-based drugs toward heme, which might be related to its parasiticidal activity, is a general feature by comparing the chemical reactivity toward heme of the clinically relevant derivative artesunic acid and DU1301, a drug of the trioxaquine family, that is active against P. falciparum. Both artesunic acid and trioxaquine DU1301 efficiently alkylated the heme macrocycle after activation of their peroxide function by the iron(II) of heme itself and thus gave rise to covalently coupled heme-drug products. This heme-drug adduct formation might be related to the high antimalarial activity of DU1301.     

A novel solid polymer electrolyte: Synthesis and characterization

Summary A new polyether network was prepared using a polyethylene oxide (PEO) triol and a PEO diisocyanate, the latter component arising from the chemical modification of commercial PEO diamines. The physico-chemical properties of the network alone and with LiClO₄ were assessed in comparison with those of previously obtained structures. Ionic conductivities were found to be higher with this new system. Replacement of LiClO₄ by LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂ improved the conductivity further because of the plasticizing role of the imidic anion.     

Thermodynamic Properties of Manganese Oxides

Transposed temperature drop calorimetry and hightemperature drop solution calorimetry in molten 2PbO·B₂O₃ at 977 K were used to study the energetics of some manganese oxides, namely pyrolusite (MnO₂), bixbyite (Mn₂O₃), hausmannite (Mn₃O₄), and manganosite (MnO). The enthalpies of oxidation at 298 K in the manganeseoxygen system, which were determined by appropriate thermodynamic cycles, were (in kJ/mol of oxygen): –441.4 ± 5.8 for the reaction 6MnO + O₂→ 2Mn₃O₄, –201.8 ± 8.7 for the reaction 4Mn₃O₄+ O₂→ 6Mn₂O₃, and –162.1 + 7.2 for the reaction 2Mn₂O₃+ O₂→ 4MnO₂. These values agreed very well with previous data that were obtained using equilibrium measurements that were reported in the literature. Thus, direct calorimetric measurements were well suited to obtain reliable enthalpy of formation data for oxides that contain manganese in the 2+, 3+, and 4+ states. Using these new values of enthalpies and reliable standard entropies, the phase-stability diagram of the manganeseoxygen system was constructed.     

Splits in the self following immigration: An adaptive defense or a pathological reaction?

This study examines the extent to which splits in the sense of self following immigration can be seen to be an adaptive defense, allowing the self time to adapt and adjust to a new reality or rather a pathological reaction to the trauma of migration. In-depth interviews were conducted with 68 emerging adult immigrants in Israel from the Former Soviet Union around sense of self and the immigration experience. One year following the first interview, levels of functioning were assessed. Results showed that attempts to resolve splits (self/object) early after immigration led to an initially lower level of psychological symptoms, but one year later to an increased level of symptoms, suggesting that attempts of precocious resolution are likely to lead to subsequent adaptation difficulties. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)