Realization of 2-D OCDMA network using EDW code

The attraction towards two-dimensional optical code division multiple access (2D-OCDMA) systems has increased due to its potential in enhancing the performance of optical access networks and producing optical code-based signals. 2D-OCDMA network systems enable better bit-error-ratio (BER) performance as well as increase the number of supportable users in the optical network. Time-spreading wavelength-hopping is one of the many techniques that has been proposed for 2D-OCDMA. In this paper, we present the simulative study of a 2D-OCDMA system. The developed time-spreading, wavelength-hopping network utilizes enhanced double weight (EDW) code which has enhanced properties such as a cross-correlation value of 1 and has a simple encoder/decoder design. The output BER was satisfactory at above 10^?9 at data rate of 1.25 Gbps for 20 km distance with the ITU-T G.652 standard single mode optical fiber for 3 users.     

Characterization of AZ91D Granules Covered with a Flux during In‐Situ Melting

Oxidation and melting behaviors of AZ91D granules throughout the in‐situ melting process using flux were investigated. The granules were heated under unprotected environment at four different temperatures between 650 and 800 °C, for the durations of 30 and 60 min. The products of heating process were characterized macroscopically and the oxides formed on the granules were examined using field emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis. Thermal analysis was used to reveal the response of the granules to heating during the in‐situ melting. The results showed that the granules experienced severe oxidation even in the presence of the flux, and significant amount of them changed to a powdered state due to oxidation and combustion, especially at 800 °C. It was discovered that the granules melted during heating; however, oxides formed on their surface encapsulated the molten metal and prevented the liquids from merging. The results also revealed that increasing heating temperature and time enhanced mold‐magnesium reaction resulted in the entrance of mold materials into the oxidation residues.     

AC conductivity and dielectric behavior of bulk Furfurylidenemalononitrile

AC conductivity and dielectric behavior for bulk Furfurylidenemalononitrile have been studied over a temperature range (293–333 K) and frequency range (50–5×10⁶ Hz). The frequency dependence of ac conductivity, σ_ac, has been investigated by the universal power law, σ_ac(ω)=Aω^s. The variation of the frequency exponent (s) with temperature was analyzed in terms of different conduction mechanisms, and it was found that the correlated barrier hopping (CBH) model is the predominant conduction mechanism. The temperature dependence of σ_ac(ω) showed a linear increase with the increase in temperature at different frequencies. The ac activation energy was determined at different frequencies. Dielectric data were analyzed using complex permittivity and complex electric modulus for bulk Furfurylidenemalononitrile at various temperatures.     

Tri-polarized spectrum sensing based on an experimental outdoor-to-indoor cognitive-radio scenario

Compared to classical spatially separated multiple antenna system, cross-polarized co-located antenna systems are an interesting way to reduce equipment size while reducing the inter-antenna correlation. In this paper the spectrum sensing of a Cognitive Radio (CR) system taking advantage of polarization diversity under Rayleigh fading is investigated and compared to an equivalent system using spatial diversity. This analysis is based on a theoretical formulation applied to a real-world scenario. For this purpose, an outdoor-to-indoor measurement campaign at a frequency of 3.5 GHz is realized, where an indoor secondary user senses the signals received from an outdoor primary base station. The signals received at each antenna are first combined and then applied to an energy detector. The theoretical expressions are simulated in the measurement context. The detection probability behavior as a function of distance between the Primary Transmitter (PTx) and the Secondary Terminal (STE) and the inter-antenna correlation effect on the sensing performance are studied.     

Prospects of inflation with perturbed throat geometry

We study brane inflation in a warped deformed conifold background that includes general possible corrections to the throat geometry sourced by coupling to the bulk of a compact Calabi–Yau space. We focus specifically, on the perturbation by chiral operator of dimension 3/2 in the CFT. We find that the effective potential in this case can give rise to required number of e-foldings and the spectral index nS$n_S$ consistent with observation. The tensor to scalar ratio of perturbations is generally very low in this scenario. The COBE normalization, however, poses certain difficulties which can be circumvented provided model parameters are properly fine tuned. We find the numerical values of parameters which can give rise to enough inflation, observationally consistent values of density perturbations, scalar to tensor ratio of perturbations and the spectral index nS$n_S$.     

Thermodynamic description of the viscosity of liquid solder alloys with minor Co impurities

Because of the increasing complexity and cost of experiments carried out, the data for the multi-component alloy systems have frequently been obtained by numerical modelling. It is clear that the related calculations require reliable data dealing with the pure components and binary alloy systems. Selecting the reliable data concerning the pure components from the literature, the viscosities for the SAC and (SAC)_1?x Co_x solder alloys have been calculated using different viscosity models (geometric and physical). The viscosity decreases as the amount of tin content increases in the SAC387 alloy while the addition of the cobalt to SAC387 solder results in the increasing of the viscosity. Moreover, by computing the root mean square values between theoretical and experimental viscosities, it can be concluded that the lowest value among all models is that of obtained by Kaptay equation.     

Sulphur and oxygen isotopic characters of dissolved sulphate in groundwater from the Pleistocene aquifer in the southern Jordan Valley (Jericho area,Palestine)

Sulphate and chloride concentrations in the shallow Pleistocene aquifer systems in the lower Jordan valley area indicate a general trend of increasing salinity eastward and southward. This study was conducted in one of the important sub-basins feeding the Pleo–Pleistocene aquifer in the Jericho area in the southern part of the valley using S and O isotopes of dissolved sulphate. The results show that sulphate has mainly two contributions to the groundwater. One is the surface seepage, which is present as a salty leachate form with the positive δ³⁴S_sulphate values of primary gypsum in Lisan and Samara formations, and the second is the upwelling saline water which was in contact with a deep secondary gypsum, aragonites and salty rocks and rose up under heavy abstraction with depleted ³⁴S in sulphate and relatively high sulphate and chloride content. The latest was clearly shown in the Arab Project wells to the east that is undergoing a continuous heavy abstraction. The isotopic signatures of S and O in these wells to the east show that this depleted ³⁴S and highly concentrated sulphate might also indicate a dissolved sulphate originating from pyrite oxidation that results from the interaction with a pyrite-rich aquifer, which can well up with salty water under heavy abstraction and is oxidised in the upper aerobic shallow aquifer.     

Supramolecular Polymer Based on Poly (Ethylene-co-Vinyl Alcohol)-g-Ureidopyrimidinone: Self-Assembly and Thermo-Reversibility

The synthesis of a poly (ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH)-based supramolecular polymer by graft functionalization of EVOH with ureidopyrimidinone groups (UPy) has been studied. The resulting polymer, designated as EVOH-U, has been studied from a thermo-reversibility point of view. Generally, UPy, itself, can be self-assembled through fourfold hydrogen bonding, but in dimethyl sulfoxide solvent, it favors a tautomeric form that is incapable of self-assembly. Thermal treatment was applied as a means of manipulating the tautomerism. With applying consecutive heating and annealing procedures, the disruption and reversible regeneration of UPy hydrogen bonds were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The results showed about 91% and 86% of the hydrogen bonds regenerated after first and second adequate thermal treatments. Dynamic mechanical-thermal analysis (DMTA) confirmed the thermo-reversibility of EVOH-U as well. Moreover, DMTA showed that, after disruption and regeneration of hydrogen bonds, the EVOH-U specimen retained its structural integrity.     

Intelligent reversible watermarking technique in medical images using GA and PSO

The advances in recording, editing, and broadcasting multimedia contents in digital form motivate to protect these digital contents from illegal use, such as duplication, manipulation, and redistribution. However, watermarking algorithms are designed to satisfy requirements of applications, as different applications have different concerns. We intend to design a watermarking algorithm for applications which require high embedding capacity and imperceptibility, to maintain the integrity of the host signal as well as embedded information. Reversible watermarking is a promising technique which satisfies our requirements. In this paper, we concentrate on improving the watermark capacity and reducing the perceptual degradation of an image. We investigated the Luo's [1] additive interpolation-error expansion algorithm and enhanced it by incorporating with two intelligent techniques: genetic algorithm (GA), and particle swarm optimization (PSO). Genetic algorithm is applied to exploit the correlation of image pixel values to obtain better estimation of neighboring pixel values, which results in optimal balance between information storage capacity and imperceptibility. Particle swarm optimization (intelligent technique) is also applied for the same purpose. Experimental results show that PSO and GA nearly give the same results, but GA outperforms the PSO. Experimental results also reveal that the proposed strategy outperforms the state of art works in terms of perceptual quality and watermarking payload.     

Structure and Mechanical Properties of 50/50 NR/SBR Blend/Pristine Clay Nanocomposites

A blend/clay nanocomposites of 50/50 (wt%) NR/SBR was prepared via mixing the latex of a 50/50 NR/SBR blend with an aqueous clay dispersion and co‐coagulating the mixture. The structure of the nanocomposite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Nanocomposites containing less than 10 phr clay showed a fully exfoliated structure. After increasing the clay content to 10 phr, both nonexfoliated (stacked layers) and exfoliated structures were observed in the nanocomposites. The results of mechanical tests showed that the nanocomposites presented better mechanical properties than clay‐free NR/SBR blend vulcanizate. Furthermore, tensile strength, tensile strain at break, and hardness (shore A) increased with increasing clay content, up to 6 phr, and then remained almost constant.