Optimization of Brillouin pump wavelength location on tunable multiwavelength BEFL

Optimization of Brillouin pump (BP) wavelength location on tunable multiwavelength Brillouin-erbium fiber laser (BEFL) with BP pre-amplified technique is experimentally investigated. The tunable multiwavelength BEFL is achieved by utilization a tunable band-pass filter in a laser cavity. The optimum BP power and BP wavelength location within the filter bandwidth is determined in order to obtain the maximum stable output channels. Optimum distance of launching the BP wavelength is found at 0.80 nm shorter from the center wavelength of the filter bandwidth. 15 stable output channels are achieved from the tunable fiber laser system within the optimum range of BP power which is found to be between 5.2 to 5.7 dBm.     

Absolute polar duty cycle division multiplexing over wavelength division multiplexing system

The performance of absolute polar duty cycle division multiplexing (AP-DCDM) over wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system is presented based on the simulation results. The AP-DCDM signal has narrower bandwidth than conventional time division multiplexing (TDM) signal, which makes its implementation in WDM system advantageous. In this paper, characteristics of AP-DCDM and TDM signals in WDM system are compared at the speed of 40 Gbit/s per channel, for the minimum allowed channel spacing and the chromatic dispersion tolerance. The results clearly show that AP-DCDM performs significantly better than TDM. By using AP-DCDM, 1.28 Tbit/s (32 × 40 Gbit/s) was successfully transmitted over 320 km standard single mode fiber. Spectral efficiency of 0.64 b/s/Hz was achieved by using 10 Gbit/s transmitters and receivers without polarization multiplexing.     

Immobilization of urease in poly(1-vinyl imidazole)/poly(acrylic acid) network

In this study, urease was immobilized in a polymer network obtained by complexation of poly(1-vinyl imidazole) (PVI) with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). Preparation of the polymer network was monitored by FT-IR spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that enzyme immobilization had a strong effect on film morphology. Proton conductivity of the PVI/PAA network was measured via impedance spectroscopy under humidified conditions. Values of the Michaelis-Menten constant (K _M) for immobilized urease were higher than for the free enzyme, indicating a decreased affinity of the enzyme to its substrate. The basic characteristics (pH_opt, pH_stability, T _opt, T _stability, reusability, and storage stability) of immobilized urease were determined. The results show that the PAA/PVI polymer network is suitable for enzyme immobilization.     

Broad bandwidth SOA-based multiwavelength laser incorporating a bidirectional Lyot filter

We demonstrate a broad bandwidth multiwavelength laser based on a bidirectional Lyot filter and a semiconductor optical amplifier with a mechanism of intensity-dependent loss as the flatness agent. A wide bandwidth of a multiwavelength spectrum of 32.9 nm within a 5 dB uniformity is obtained under optimized polarization parameters. For this case, the number of generated lasing lines is 329 with a fixed wavelength separation of 0.1 nm. The power stability of this multiwavelength laser is less than 1.35 dB within 200 min time frame. This shows that the bidirectional Lyot filter provides an alternative option for multiwavelength generation in laser systems.     

Phase transitional behaviour of S-shaped oligomers incorporating biphenylene and cholesterol entities

A new series of symmetrical S-shaped oligomers 4,4′-bis[(5-cholesteryloxycarbonylpentyl alkoxy)hexyloxy]biphenyl consisting of outer spacers –(COCH₂)_n– as well as an inner spacer –(CH₂)₆– has been synthesised. Their liquid crystalline properties and phase transition temperatures with associated enthalpy changes are recorded. The outer spacers are varied from n = 5–8 to 10 and 11. The compounds with even spacer exhibit enantiotropic phase and oligomers with odd parity display monotropic phase. The oligomers with odd membered n = 5, 7 and 11 exhibit N* and SmC* phases upon cooling. Whilst upon heating, the homologues with even-numbered member n = 6 and 10 show N* phase and upon cooling, both compounds exhibit N* and SmC* phases. However, oligomer with outer spacer n = 8 displays enantiotropic N* and SmC* phases. The temperature range of N* phase for even and odd membered decreased as the outer spacers are increased. The odd–even effect has been found in the I–N* transition temperatures where the odd-parity oligomers exhibit lower values when compared to compounds of an even-parity series. The X-ray diffraction measurements reveal the appearance of SmC* phase that can be associated with the monolayer ordering of these oligomers.     

New Urea Biosensor Based on Urease Enzyme Obtained from Helycobacter pylori

The urease enzyme of Helicobacter pylori was isolated from biopsy sample obtained from antrum big curvature cell extracts. A new urea biosensor was prepared by immobilizing urease enzyme isolated from Helicobacter pylori on poly(vinylchloride) (PVC) ammonium membrane electrode by using nonactine as an ammonium ionophore. The effect of pH, buffer concentration, and temperature for the biosensor prepared with urease from H. pylori were obtained as 6.0, 5 mM, and 25 °C, respectively. We also investigated urease concentration, stirring rate, and enzyme immobilization procedures in response to urea of the enzyme electrode. The linear working range of the biosensor extends from 1 × 10(-5) to 1 × 10(-2) M and they showed an apparent Nernstian response within this range. Urea enzyme electrodes prepared with urease enzymes obtained from H. pylori and Jack bean based on PVC membrane ammonium-selective electrode showed very good analytical parameters: high sensitivity, dynamic stability over 2 months with less decrease of sensitivity, response time 1-2 min. The analytical characteristics were investigated and were compared those of the urea biosensor prepared with urease enzyme isolated from Jack bean prepared at the same conditions. It was observed that rapid determinations of human serum urea amounts were also made possible with both biosensors.     

Efficient technique for intracavity loss optimization in a dual-wavelength erbium-doped fiber laser

An efficient technique to improve the quality of a tunable dual-wavelength fiber laser is reported. The power of both channels can be equalized with efficient intracavity loss optimization. The maximum power difference between the two wavelengths is less than ±0.37 dB and the output power is approximately flat within C-band.     

Investigation of heavy metals mobility in shrimp aquaculture sludge—Comparison of two sequential extraction procedures

Influence of heavy metals was investigated by conducting various tests on the samples collected from aquaculture shrimp in Selangor, Malaysia. The concentration of heavy metals in the sludge and potential of mobility based on its association forms was studied. Two sequential extraction methods (five stages Tessier method and three steps BCR method) were used to determine the binding forms of the metals.From the analysis, Ca, Fe and Mn were found to be highest concentrated metals compared to Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd and Pb in aquaculture shrimp sludge. From the sequential extraction, Cd, Mn and Pb were mostly found in exchangeable/carbonate form, showed its susceptibility to be leached easily. Also Cu and Zn were extracted predominantly in oxidizable form. All metal concentrations (except Cd, Zn and Cu) were extracted to be higher in residual fraction in this method. The results of BCR method are totally similar to the five stages Tessier method. By comparing the percent of recovery, the BCR method was better than Tessier method. Nevertheless for both methods the percent of their recoveries were acceptable. For Pseudototal metal digestion, although the concentration of Cd is less than other heavy metals, it is very harmful as a fertilizer because Cd is one of the heavy metals that might be in the leaf or fruit of plants. Also for investigation of Ca in the sludge, this element was measured and high amounts of that show sludge is useful for growing of plant. The results of direct digestion of heavy metals show that with the control of Cd in this sludge we can use this sludge as fertilizer in soils for agriculture but it is better if it is used for fruitless plants.