Optimization of optical single sideband configurations for radio over fiber transmission and multi-type data communication over a DWDM link

Two new optical single side band (OSSB) configurations for radio frequency (RF) transmission of data are proposed based on the structures that have been designed for baseband digital data transmission. The performances of these schemes are evaluated based on the relevant eye diagrams and bit error rate (BER). The proposed configurations are studied and analyzed mathematically. Eye diagrams and BER’s indicate an acceptable performance for the suggested structures. Feasible settings for the RF electrical power of the links are considered and the link performance for each setting is evaluated. A 4-dense wavelength division multiplexing (4-DWDM) link is considered for transmitting different types of data over a single mode fiber (SMF). Baseband digital data in the format of OSSB and RF-OSSB signals are transmitted over a 4-DWDM link. Furthermore, the link performance is considered for different electrical power settings of OSSB signal in order to achieve efficient transmission for DWDM network.     

High Gain Modified Dual-Band and Dual-Circularly Polarized Array Antenna

Wireless Personal Communications - A novel design of double-layer dual-band circularly polarized array antennas (DDCPAAs) is presented in this paper. First, a DDCP single antenna is introduced as...     

Investigation of the Binding Behavior between the S-heterocyclic Aromatic Palladium(II) Complex and Human Serum Albumin: Spectroscopic Approach

The interaction of 1, 10-phenanthroline octhyldithiocarbamato palladium(II) nitrate ([Pd(Oct-dtc)(phen)]NO₃) with human serum albumin (HSA) has been investigated by various spectroscopic techniques under physiological conditions. Here, HSA was titrated with the Pd(II) complex, followed by UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy to estimate a binding constant (K_b) and other thermodynamic parameters. The results indicate that the Pd (II) complex has a high affinity for bind HSA. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy changes (ΔS°) are positive and Gibbs free energy change (ΔG°) is negative which indicated that hydrophobic interactions played the predominant role in the binding process. Fluorescence spectroscopy were used to show the mechanism and binding parameters of this interaction. Utilizing the Stern–Volmer equation, the Pd(II) complex quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA via a static quenching procedure. The specific binding distances between the tryptophan (donor) proteins and Pd(II) complex (acceptor) were estimated by Forster resonance energy transfer. The CD results also showed the conformational changes on serum albumin upon binding with the Pd(II) complex.     

Influence of different carbon nanostructures on the electrocatalytic activity and stability of Pt supported electrocatalysts

Commercially available graphitized carbon nanofibers and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, two carbon materials with very different structure, have been functionalized in a nitric–sulfuric acid mixture. Further on, the materials have been platinized by a microwave assisted polyol method. The relative degree of graphitization has been estimated by means of Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction while the relative concentration of oxygen containing groups has been estimated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which resulted in a graphitic character trend: Pt/GNF > Pt/F-GNF ? Pt/MWCNT > Pt/F-MWCNT. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the Pt particle size is around 3 nm for all samples, which was similar to the crystallite size obtained by X-ray diffraction. The activity towards electrochemical reduction of oxygen has been quantified using the thin-film rotating disk electrode, which has shown that all the samples have a better activity than the commercially available electrocatalysts. The trend obtained for the graphitic character maintained for the electrochemical activity, while the reverse trend has been obtained for the accelerated ageing test. Long-term potential cycling has demonstrated that the functionalization improves the stability for multi-walled carbon nanotubes, at the cost of decreased activity.     

Barium cobaltite nanoparticles: Sol-gel synthesis and characterization and their electrochemical hydrogen storage properties

The study of the effect of different chelating agents in the Pechini method on the morphology has been a promising strategy that can be used for practical tuning of the nanoparticle's morphology and hence the electrochemical hydrogen storage capacity. In the current study, the conventional Pechini sol-gel approach was used to prepare the Ba₂Co₉O₁₄ nanoparticles as a novel hydrogen storage material. The X-ray diffraction investigation approved the formation of Ba₂Co₉O₁₄ with a Hexagonal crystal structure for all of the synthesized samples. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed when citric acid was used as a chelating agent, nanoparticles with finer and more uniform morphology were obtained rather than other chelating sources. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed in the presence of citric acid; the size of the synthesized nanoparticles was between 14 and 24 nm. According to the Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) analysis, the calculated bandgap of synthesized nanoparticles was approximately 3.2 eV, which indicates that synthesized nanoparticles were semiconductors in essence. The electrochemical hydrogen adsorption/desorption results showed that the sample synthesized by the citric acid has an enhancement in electrochemical hydrogen storage of approximately 800 mAh/g after 15 cycles.     

Improving the functional properties of fish gelatin by conjugation with the water-soluble fraction of bitter almond gum

Food Science and Biotechnology - Maillard-based conjugation may be a useful way of improving the functional properties of food biopolymers. In this study, covalent attachment of fish gelatin (FG)...     

Adsorptive desulfurization and denitrogenation of model fuel by mesoporous adsorbents (MSU-S and CoO-MSU-S)

Adsorption of heterocyclic sulfur- and nitrogen-containing compounds by mesostructure adsorbent (MSU-S) and its modified form with cobalt oxide is studied using model fuel. The results of characteristic tests (XRD, N₂ adsorption–desorption, FTIR, and SEM) indicate that CoO impregnation causes a negative impact on mesoporous structure, crystalline phase, and particle shape along with a positive effect on surface ion exchange. CoO modification increased the adsorption loadings of DBT and BT to about 33.6% and 45.7%, respectively. For nitrogen compounds adsorption with the model fuel, adsorption loadings of quinoline and carbazole increase by 6.7% and 8.6%, respectively. Data fitting for carbazole, DBT, and BT is achieved better by the Langmuir model than the Freundlich model, and the data of quinoline fitted very well to the Freundlich model for CoO-MSU-S.     

Physical and Morphological Properties of Combined Treated Wood Polymer Composites by Maleic Anhydride and Methyl Methacrylate

Wood polymer composites were prepared by consecutive impregnation with maleic anhydride (MAN) and methyl methacrylate (MMA). Samples impregnated with MAN alone, were heated at 120°C and 150°C for 4 and 8 h. Based on the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis and soaking-drying test results, treatment with MAN at 150°C for 4 h resulted in formation of stable crosslinks. In the second stage, MMA was used for in situ polymerization within MAN-treated wood. Field emission scanning electron microscopy observation and FT-IR analysis indicated that MMA copolymerized with MAN, and the resultant polymer filled up the lumen and is also grafted on to the cell wall. Improvement of water repellency and dimensional stability were observed in the treated samples, particularly in combined treated samples. The MAN/MMA treatment improved interaction between polymer and wood.