Design and performance evaluation of amplifier modules in stackable ROADMs for low-cost CWDM access networks

Coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) network has proven to be promising lower cost network architecture for a significant cost advantage over dense wavelength division multiplexing due to the lower cost of lasers and the filters used in CWDM modules. A compatible amplifier module having bidirectional amplification capability was deployed for introducing inside stackable reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers in realizing large-scale CWDM networks. The amplifier module for use in the bidirectional IP transmission confirmed that the insertion losses of the nodes and the losses of the fibers connecting the nodes can be compensated effectively, allowing the network administrator to increase the number of nodes and fiber length of the network. However, the noise generated from the amplification due to amplified spontaneous emission must be considered in network design issues. In this paper, optical power penalties due to the bidirectional amplification were estimated by conducting experimentation on minimum detectable power of optical transceivers. After analyzing the power penalty issue, an IP-over-CWDM ring network was implemented and the performance of network was evaluated by monitoring the power and packet transmissions before and after the amplifier module was turned on.     

Energy Harvesting for Cooperative Cognitive Radio Networks

Wireless Personal Communications - In this paper, we analyze the performance of cooperative cognitive radio networks where the secondary nodes harvest energy from radio frequency signals. Our...     

Optimal business process deployment cost in cloud resources

Cloud computing is the fastest emerging technology that proposes several resources under various pricing strategies that are specified based on temporal constraints. The main aim of cloud computing is to enhance the performance level and minimize operating costs. Thus, organizations looking towards optimizing their spending on IT infrastructure find such pricing strategies very attractive, especially, to deploy their business process models. However, discovering the optimal deployment cost of a business process in cloud resources proposed under various pricing strategies becomes a highly challenging problem. So, the objective of the present paper is to present an approach that assists business process designers in finding an optimal assignment or scheduling based on the variety of pricing strategies. We use linear programming models with an objective function under a set of constraints. Besides, we propose an extension of the famous cloud simulator provided in the market, CloudSim, to simulate the cloud resources consumed to deploy a business process model. The experimental results show the feasibility, effectiveness, and performance of our approach.

     

Layer thickness impact on the capacity of poly(urethaneimide) for sorbing toxic gases

The sensitivity of a thick layer (500 nm) of poly(urethaneimide) to toxic gases such as pyridine and hexamethyleneimine was studied by the quartz crystal microbalance method. The resonant frequency was registered by a spectrum analyzer. The successful overcoming of the unfavorable impact of the increased viscous damping, typical for the standard oscillator measurement method, allowed complete understanding of the behavior of a thick polymer layer toward highly pollutant gases. Quantitative information for polymer adsorption capacity and gas diffusivity was extracted. The comparison with our recent results for thinner layers revealed strong dependence on layer thickness for pyridine whereas the corresponding effect with hexamethyleneimine was found much less significant. Intermolecular interactions and the impact of the gas physical adsorption on the polymer matrix properties were shown as the driving parameters for the sensors response. The thickness dependence provides a tool for tuning the sensitivity of a potentially efficient poly(urethaneimide) sensor for pyridine. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44214.     

Effect of rare earth on physical properties of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 system: A density functional theory investigation

Na_0.5(Bi_3/4RE_1/4)_0.5TiO₃ (RENBT, RE = Nd, Gd, Dy, and Ho) compounds were investigated in the framework of first-principles calculations using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method based on the spin-polarized density functional theory implemented in the WIEN2k code. Combined charge density distribution and Ti K-edge X-ray absorption spectra reveal that the RENBT compositions with high polarization values are accompanied by a higher TiO₆ distortion, DyNBT, and NdNBT compounds. The effect of the rare-earth elements on the polarization is confirmed experimentally with the collection of the hysteresis loops. The investigation of the electronic properties of the compounds highlights the emergence of a magnetization owing to the 4f orbital effect of the rare-earth elements. Besides, the investigation of the chemical ordering shows a short-range chemical ordering for the pure composition and an increased A-site disorder for dysprosium doped NBT system. The increased disorder may speak for increased relaxor properties in the RE doped compositions.     

Crosstalk between Ca2+ Signaling and Cancer Stemness: The Link to Cisplatin Resistance

In the fight against cancer, therapeutic strategies using cisplatin are severely limited by the appearance of a resistant phenotype. While cisplatin is usually efficient at the beginning of the treatment, several patients endure resistance to this agent and face relapse. One of the reasons for this resistant phenotype is the emergence of a cell subpopulation known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Due to their quiescent phenotype and self-renewal abilities, these cells have recently been recognized as a crucial field of investigation in cancer and treatment resistance. Changes in intracellular calcium (Ca²⁺) through Ca²⁺ channel activity are essential for many cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival in various cell types. It is now proved that altered Ca²⁺ signaling is a hallmark of cancer, and several Ca²⁺ channels have been linked to CSC functions and therapy resistance. Moreover, cisplatin was shown to interfere with Ca²⁺ homeostasis; thus, it is considered likely that cisplatin-induced aberrant Ca²⁺ signaling is linked to CSCs biology and, therefore, therapy failure. The molecular signature defining the resistant phenotype varies between tumors, and the number of resistance mechanisms activated in response to a range of pressures dictates the global degree of cisplatin resistance. However, if we can understand the molecular mechanisms linking Ca²⁺ to cisplatin-induced resistance and CSC behaviors, alternative and novel therapeutic strategies could be considered. In this review, we examine how cisplatin interferes with Ca²⁺ homeostasis in tumor cells. We also summarize how cisplatin induces CSC markers in cancer. Finally, we highlight the role of Ca²⁺ in cancer stemness and focus on how they are involved in cisplatin-induced resistance through the increase of cancer stem cell populations and via specific pathways.     

Camel (Camelus dromedarius) immunoglobulin G, alpha-lactalbumin, serum albumin and lactoferrin in colostrum and milk during the early post partum period

Colostrum and milk samples from twelve Tunisian camels were analysed for concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG), alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-la), serum albumin (CSA) and lactoferrin throughout the first 14 milkings post partum (7 days of lactation) using single radial immunodiffusion assay. Concentrations (mg/ml, means+/-SD) at first milking were IgG, 100.7+/-60.4; alpha-la, 2.2+/-0.7; CSA, 8.5+/-3.6 and lactoferrin, 1.2+/-0.3. Large variations were recorded for IgG and CSA concentrations (11.8-211.1 mg/ml and 2.9-13.8 mg/ml respectively) Concentrations of IgG and CSA dropped abruptly in the subsequent milkings while alpha-la concentration increased until milking 5 and then decreased slowly. Lactoferrin dropped only from milking 7. Mean IgG concentrations were 3.6 and 2.5 mg/ml at milking 9 and 13 respectively. However, IgG concentration did not differ significantly, at the 1% level, from milkings 11 to 14. The contribution of CSA to the increase in whey proteins in early milks was greater than that described in the bovine and caprine species.     

Adaptive cooperation for free space optical communications

Telecommunication Systems - In this paper, we propose a new Adaptive Cooperation (AC) protocol for Free Space Optical (FSO) communications. Two versions of the protocol are presented. The first...     

Computation of Structural,Mechanical, Thermal,and Magnetic Characteristics of Newly Designed Quaternary Heusler Alloys CoNbCrZ (Z = Al,Ga, Si,Ge)

Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism - First-principles calculations accomplished to investigate structural, mechanical, thermal and magnetic properties of newly designed CoNbCrZ...