CPTR: conditional probability tree based routing in opportunistic networks

In opportunistic networks due to the inconsistency of the nodes link, routing is carried out dynamically and we cannot use proactive routes. In these networks, nodes use opportunities gained based on store-carry-forward patterns to forward messages. Every node that receives a message when it encounters another node makes decision regarding the forwarding or not forwarding the node encountered. In some previous methods, the recognition of whether encounter with current node is considered as an appropriate opportunity or not has been carried out based on the comparison of the probability of carrier node and the node encountered. In these methods, if the message is delivered to the encountered node, a better opportunity would be lost. To fight with this challenge we have posed CPTR method by using conditional probability tree method through which in addition to the probability of the delivery of carrier and encountered nodes’ message delivery, the opportunities for after encounter will be involved in messages’ forwarding. Results of simulation showed that the proposed method can improve the ratio of delivery and delay of message delivery compared to other similar methods in networks with limited buffer.     

The effect of porosity on the laser induced damage threshold of TiO2 and ZrO2 single layer films

Monolayer ZrO₂ and TiO₂ films were prepared on BK7 glass by physical vapor deposition (PVD) and were subsequently annealed for 1 h at 300 °C. By using the transmission spectra of two samples and the envelope method, the refractive index dispersion and extinction coefficients have been calculated. Laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) measurement shows that despite slight differences between the extinction coefficients of the two samples, the LIDT parameter of the ZrO₂ film is greater than that of the TiO₂ film. This fact leads us to consider thermal conductivity as an important parameter for interpreting the LIDT difference. According to our theoretical analysis, as a consequence of increase in the number of thermal barriers along poorer film, its thermal conductivity, and hence LIDT, decreased, which is in agreement with our experimental results. The measured porosity of the two samples shows higher porosity for TiO₂ single layer, which is in agreement with atomic force (AFM) images. The gradual and smooth damage morphology of ZrO₂ observed in optical images implies higher thermal conductivity than TiO₂.     

Performance improvement of PDMS/PES membrane by adding silicalite-1 nanoparticles: separation of xenon and krypton

The polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mixed matrix membrane with dispersed phase of nanozeolite silicalite-1 has been synthesized on polyethersulphone (PES) as a support, and its performance in the gas separation of xenon and krypton has been studied. For this purpose, nanozeolite silicalite-1 is synthesized by the hydrothermal clear solution method and is characterized by XRD and SEM analysis. In this research, the separation performance of MMM has also been compared with the polymeric PDMS membrane. Furthermore, the effect of feed pressure and loading percentage of nanozeolite in the polymeric matrix are evaluated. The results indicate that the addition of nanozeolite to the polymeric matrix improves its separation performance, and that the changes of the feed pressure have no major effect. The average permeability of the krypton and xenon gases through the PDMS polymeric membrane is calculated as 1.25 × 10^?9 and 1.78 × 10^?9 cm mol/(cm² s kPa), respectively, while by adding only 5 wt% of nanosilicalite-1 to the polymeric matrix of the membrane, this amount increased to 1.82 × 10^?9 and 8.07 × 10^?9 cm mol/(cm² s kPa), respectively. In addition, the presence of nanosilicalite-1 as the filler leads to an increase in the selectivity of xenon to krypton up to 4.38.     

Polyelectrolyte Nanocomposite Membranes Using Imidazole-Functionalized Nanosilica for Fuel Cell Applications

The preparation and characterization of a new type of nanocomposite polyelectrolyte membrane, based on DuPont Nafion/imidazole-modified nanosilica (Im-Si), for direct methanol fuel cell applications is described. Related to the interactions between the protonated imidazole groups, grafted on the surface of nanosilica, and negatively charged sulfonic acid groups of Nafion, new electrostatic interactions can be formed in the interface of Nafion and Im-Si which result in both lower methanol permeability and also higher proton conductivity. Physical characteristics of these manufactured nanocomposite membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water uptake, methanol permeability, and ion-exchange capacity, as well as proton conductivity. The Nafion/Im-Si membranes showed higher proton conductivity, lower methanol permeability and, as a consequence, higher selectivity parameter in comparison to the neat Nafion or Nafion/silica membranes. The obtained results indicated that the Nafion/Im-Si membranes could be utilized as promising polyelectrolyte membranes for direct methanol fuel cell applications.     

Configurational and Conformational Properties of 1,3,7,9-Tetraphospha-Cyclododeca-1,2,7,8-tetraene: An Ab Initio Study and NBO Analysis

An investigation employing the ab initio molecular orbital (MO) and density functional theory (DFT) methods to calculate structural optimization and conformational interconversion pathways for the two diastereoisomeric forms, (±) and meso configurations of 1,3,7,9-tetraphospha-cyclododeca-1,2,7,8-tetraene (1) was undertaken. Two axial symmetrical conformations are found for (±)-1 configuration. (±)-1-TB axial symmetrical form is found to be about 0.35 and 0.99 kcal mol^?1 more stable than (±)-1-Crown axial symmetrical conformation, as calculated by HF/6-31G*//HF/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-31G*//HF/6-31G* levels of theory, respectively. The unsymmetrical meso-1-TBCC form is found to be the most stable geometry, among the various conformations of meso-1 configuration. HF/6-31G*//HF/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-31G*//HF/6-31G* results showed that between the two most stable conformations of (±) and meso configurations, (±)-1-TB is more stable than meso-1-TBCC by about 3.35 and 2.43 kcal mol^?1, respectively. In addition, MP2/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-311+G** results showed that the (±)-1-TB form is about 1.10 and 2.36 kcal mol^?1 more stable than the meso-1-TBCC form. Further, NBO results revealed that in the most stable form of meso configuration (meso-1-TBCC), the sum of the π* allenic antibonding orbital occupancies (Σ π *_occupancy) is greater than dl configuration ((±)-1-TB). Also, NBO results indicated that in the (±)-1-TB conformer, the sum of σ and π allenic moieties bonding orbital deviations (Σ σ _dev+Σ π _dev) from their normal values, is lower than in the meso-1-TBCC form.     

Directed Evolution of a Soluble Human IL-17A Receptor for the Inhibition of Psoriasis Plaque Formation in a Mouse Model

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Highlights? IL-17 is involved in many inflammatory diseases ? Directed evolution of IL-17A receptor results in improved IL-17A affinity ? The engineered receptors efficiently inhibit IL-17A induced cytokine secretion ? Engineered receptor promotes the recovery of psoriasis plaques in mouse model     

Effect of the thermal treatment conditions on the formation of zinc ferrite nanocomposite, ZnFe2O4, by sol–gel method

Zinc ferrite nanocomposite was synthesized via thermal decomposition of zinc acetate and iron nitrate at three different temperatures (350, 450, and 550 °C). The influence of the thermal decomposition of precursors on the formation zinc ferrites was studied by differential thermal gravimetry and thermogravimetry (TG). The TG curve shows two steps for the thermal decomposition with mass loss of 17.3 % at 78 °C and 63.3 % at 315 °C. The prepared zinc ferrites nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The X-ray diffractograms of ZnFe₂O₄ shows that a crystalline phase, spinel system is formed. SEM micrograph of the zinc ferrite nanocomposite indicates the formation of uniformly spherical 48-nm nanograins. The properties of the zinc ferrite phase were strongly dependent on their calcinations temperature and molar ratio of precursors.     

The electrochemical behaviors of methylene blue on the surface of nanostructured NiWO4 prepared by coprecipitation method

A simple coprecipitation method was used for preparation of monoclinic nanostructured NiWO₄ from an aqueous solution at a fixed pH and temperature of 7.0 and 80 °C, respectively. The prepared material was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and electrochemical measurements. Nano-NiWO₄ was incorporated into a carbon paste electrode and by means of cyclic voltammetry; the electrochemical behavior of methylene blue on the surface of nano-NiWO₄ was investigated. A mechanism on terms of obtained cyclic voltammograms showing one reduction peak and two sequential oxidation peaks was suggested by emphasizing on the stabilizing role of nano-NiWO₄ for semi-methylene blue. A diffusion coefficient of 5.30?×?10^?6 cm²/s was gained for methylene blue.