Performance of the PAC optical packet network

For multiuser packet communications with unpredictable user demands (e.g., in a local or metropolitan area network), coordination and control of access to the frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) channels are difficult. B. Glance (J. Lightwave Technol., vol.10, pp.1323-1328, Sep 1992) proposed using a simple protection-against-collision (PAC) circuit to solve this media access problem and achieve full optical connectivity. The PAC system has the potential to interconnect hundreds of ports, each transmitting at several gigabits per second. Performance aspects of the PAC optical packet network are discussed here. The delay-throughout performance of this network is analyzed for uniform traffic patterns. The results show that in geographically distributed applications the maximum achievable throughput (normalized to the transmission rate) is typically between 0.4 and 0.5 per channel. In a centralized switch the (normalized) maximum achievable throughput can approach 0.8 per channel     

FDTD simulation of microwave sintering of ceramics in multimodecavities

Microwave sintering of ceramics in multimode cavities, particularly the use of picket-fence arrangements, has recently received considerable attention. Various types of ceramics have been successfully sintered and, in some cases, a desirable and unique “microwave effect” has been observed. At present, various aspects of the sintering profess such as preparation of sample sizes and shapes, types of insulations, and the desirability of including a process stimulus such as SiC rods are considered forms of art and highly dependent on human expertise. The simulation of realistic sintering experiments in a multimode cavity may provide an improved understanding of critical parameters involved and allow for the development of guidelines towards the optimization of the sintering process. In this paper, we utilize the FDTD technique to model various geometrical arrangements and material compatibility aspects in multimode microwave cavities and to simulate realistic sintering experiments. The FDTD procedure starts with the simulation of a field distribution in multimode microwave cavities that resembles a set of measured data using liquid crystal sheets. Also included in the simulation is the waveguide feed as well as a ceramic loading plate placed at the base of the cavity     

New approach to enhance adhesions between carbon nanotube emitters and substrate by the combination of electrophoresis and successive electroplating

Complementary electroplating combined with electrophoresis enhanced the field emission characteristics of emitters by improving the adhesions between CNT emitters and substrate. The emitting current of the CNT emitters prepared by our combined method increased nine times higher than that of CNT emitters prepared by electrophoresis only, since electroplating improved the adhesion of CNT emitters. During the life-time measurement for 10 h, the emitting current of CNT emitters fabricated by electrophoresis only was drastically decreased to 13% of the initial current, while that prepared by the combination of electrophoresis and successive electroplating decreased to 64% of the initial current. We suggest that our method is a promising approach for the efficient fabrication of reliable CNT emitters.     

Adenosine Receptor Agonist HE-NECA Enhances Antithrombotic Activities of Cangrelor and Prasugrel in vivo by Decreasing of Fibrinogen Density in Thrombus

Blood platelets’ adenosine receptors (AR) are considered to be a new target for the anti-platelet therapy. This idea is based on in vitro studies which show that signaling mediated by these receptors leads to a decreased platelet response to activating stimuli. In vivo evidence for the antithrombotic activity of AR agonists published to date were limited, however, to the usage of relatively high doses given in bolus. The present study was aimed at verifying if these substances used in lower doses in combination with inhibitors of P2Y₁₂ could serve as components of dual anti-platelet therapy. We have found that a selective A_2A agonist 2-hexynyl-5’-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (HE-NECA) improved the anti-thrombotic properties of either cangrelor or prasugrel in the model of ferric chloride-induced experimental thrombosis in mice. Importantly, HE-NECA was effective not only when applied in bolus as other AR agonists in the up-to-date published studies, but also when given chronically. In vitro thrombus formation under flow conditions revealed that HE-NECA enhanced the ability of P2Y₁₂ inhibitors to decrease fibrinogen content in thrombi, possibly resulting in their lower stability. Adenosine receptor agonists possess a certain hypotensive effect and an ability to increase the blood–brain barrier permeability. Therefore, the effects of anti-thrombotic doses of HE-NECA on blood pressure and the blood–brain barrier permeability in mice were tested. HE-NECA applied in bolus caused a significant hypotension in mice, but the effect was much lower when the substance was given in doses corresponding to that obtained by chronic administration. At the same time, no significant effect of HE-NECA was observed on the blood–brain barrier. We conclude that chronic administration of the A_2A agonist can be considered a potential component of a dual antithrombotic therapy. However, due to the hypotensive effect of the substances, dosage and administration must be elaborated to minimize the side-effects. The total number of animals used in the experiments was 146.     

The Co-Culture of Staphylococcal Biofilm and Fibroblast Cell Line: The Correlation of Biological Phenomena with Metabolic NMR1 Footprint

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most prevalent pathogens associated with several types of biofilm-based infections, including infections of chronic wounds. Mature staphylococcal biofilm is extremely hard to eradicate from a wound and displays a high tendency to induce recurring infections. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate in vitro the interaction between S. aureus biofilm and fibroblast cells searching for metabolites that could be considered as potential biomarkers of critical colonization and infection. Utilizing advanced microscopy and microbiological methods to examine biofilm formation and the staphylococcal infection process, we were able to distinguish 4 phases of biofilm development. The analysis of staphylococcal biofilm influence on the viability of fibroblasts allowed us to pinpoint the moment of critical colonization—12 h post contamination. Based on the obtained model we performed a metabolomics analysis by ¹H NMR spectroscopy to provide new insights into the pathophysiology of infection. We identified a set of metabolites related to the switch to anaerobic metabolism that was characteristic for staphylococcal biofilm co-cultured with fibroblast cells. The data presented in this study may be thus considered a noteworthy but preliminary step in the direction of developing a new, NMR-based tool for rapid diagnosing of infection in a chronic wound.     

New aspects in cationization of lignocellulose materials. IX. Flame retardancy effect of modification with nitrogen and sulfur containing groups

Lignocellulose materials were modified with 3-chlor-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammoniumchloride, 1,3-bis(3-chlor-2-hydroxypropyl)imidazoliumhydrogensulphate, and 2-chlorethyl-sodiumsulphonate and the flame-retardant properties of materials obtained were studied. The flame-retardant effect was proved using the limited oxygen index (LOI) method and values up to 32.8 vol % of oxygen were determined. The LOI values were higher when the modification was done without using NaOH for activation, but in that case the alkylating groups were not chemically bonded to the material. The NaOH activation was necessary to obtain material with flame-retardant properties stable against washing. No synergistic effects were observed when the material was modified with both nitrogen- and sulfur-containing groups.     

Influence of anionic form on thermooxidation of TMAHP–cellulose

With the help of DTA, DTG elementary analysis of carbonized residues and ESR spectroscopy the influence of anionic form on thermooxidation of trimethylammoniumhydroxyprophyl (TMAHP)–cellulose was studied. At 300°C the percentage of carbon in carbonized residue thermolyzed in oxidative atmosphere is higher than for the sample degraded in inert atmosphere. The percentage of hydrogen decreases simultaneously. The concentration of free radicals in thermolyzed residue also increases due to the presence of oxygen. We propose that oxygen is abstracting the hydrogen atoms from polysaccharide and unpaired electrons on carbon atoms are produced. At 400°C the percentage of carbon in residues prepared at inert atmosphere is higher than for residue formed at oxidative atmosphere. Also the concentration of free radicals in thermolyzed residues obtained in inert atmosphere is greater than for those from oxidative ones. That is why suppose that at this temperature oxygen is bonded to polysaccharide residue and free radicals are terminated. From the semiquantitative DTA we can make the following sequence of samples according to their increasing thermooxidative effect: unmodified cellulose < A–HSO < A–Br^? < A–I^? < A–NO < A–H₂PO < A–CH₃COO^? < A–HCO < A–F^? < A–Cl^?1 < A–OH^p?.     

3D resistive RAM cell design for high-density storage class memory—a review

In this article, we comprehensively review recent progress in the ReRAM cell technology for 3D integration focusing on a material/device level. First we briefly mention pioneering work on high-density crossbar ReRAM arrays which paved the way to 3D integration. We discuss the two main proposed 3D integration schemes—3D horizontally stacked ReRAM vs 3D Vertical ReRAM and their respective advantages and disadvantages. We follow with the detailed memory cell design on important work in both areas, utilizing either filamentary or interface-limited switching mechanisms. We also discuss our own contributions on HfO₂-based filamentary 3D Vertical ReRAM as well as TaO_x/TiO₂ bilayer-based self-rectifying 3D Vertical ReRAM. Finally, we summarize the present status and provide an outlook for the nearterm future.     

High-Resolution and Stable Ruddlesden–Popper Quasi-2D Perovskite Flexible Photodetectors Arrays for Potential Applications as Optical Image Sensor

The development of an efficient fabrication route to achieve high-resolution perovskite pixel array is key for large-scale flexible image sensor devices. Herein, a high-resolution and stable 10 × 10 flexible PDs array based on formamidinium(FA⁺) and phenylmethylammonium (PMA⁺) quasi-2D (PMA)₂FAPb₂I₇ (n = 2) perovskite is demonstrated by developing SiO₂-assisted hydrophobic and hydrophilic treatment process on polyethylene terephthalate substrate. By introducing Au nanoparticles (Au NPs),  the perovskite film quality is improved and grain boundaries are reduced. The mechanism by which Au NPs upgrade the photoelectric quality of perovskite is mainly revealed by glow discharge-optical emission spectroscopy (GD-OES) and grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS). To further improve the photoelectric performance of the devices, a post-treatment strategy with formamidinium chloride (FACl) is used . The optimized flexible PDs arrays show excellent optoelectronic properties with a high responsivity of 4.7 A W⁻¹, a detectivity of 6.3 × 10¹² Jones, and a broad spectral sensitivity. The device also exhibits excellent electrical stability even under severe bending and excellent flexural strength, as well as excellent environmental stability. Finally, the integrated flexible PDs arrays are used as sensor pixels in an imaging system to obtain high-resolution imaging patterns, demonstrating the imaging capability of the PDs arrays.     

Combining make to order and make to stock

In inventory control and production planning one is tempted to use one of two strategies: produce all demand to stock or produce all demand to order. The disadvantages are well-known. In the make everything to order case (MTO) the response times may become quite long if the load is high, in the make everything to stock case (MTS) one gets an enormous inventory if the number of different products is large.In this paper we study two simple models which combine MTO and MTS, and investigate the effect of combining MTO and MTS on the production lead times.