Understanding the Future of Video Coding

Book Reviewed: Iain E.G. Richardson, H.264 and MPEG-4 VideoCompression: Video Coding for Next-GenerationMultimedia, John Wiley & Sons, 2003, $102.00, 206 pp., ISBN 0-470-84837-5.     

Transient multi pulse method for the determination of N2O - interaction with ZSM-5 type zeolites

Summary Multipulse experiments reveal qualitative and quantitative, time-resolved information about the interaction of N₂O with ZSM-5 type zeolites under conditions of catalytic applications, like the mechanism of N₂O decomposition, amount and reactivity of an atomic surface oxygen species.     

A novel synthesis of (3,6-bis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-9-(4-vinylbenzyl)-9H-carbazole), alternating polymer formation, characterization, and capacitance measurements

In this work, (3,6-bis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-9-(4-vinylbenzyl)-9H-carbazole) (EDOTVBCz) comonomer was chemically synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. EDOTVBCz was electrocoated on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in various initial molar concentrations ([EDOTVBCz]₀?=?1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 3.0) in 0.1 M lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄)/acetonitrile (CH₃CN). P(EDOTVBCz)/GCE was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, FTIR reflectance-attenuated total reflection spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray analysis, atomic force microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). EIS was used to determine the capacitive behaviors of modified GCE via Nyquist, Bode magnitude, Bode phase, and admittance plots. The highest low-frequency capacitance value was obtained as C _LF?=?～2.35 mF cm^?2 for [EDOTVBCz]₀?=?3.0 mM. Double-layer capacitance of the polymer/electrolyte system was calculated as C _dl?=?～2.78 mF cm^?2 for [EDOTVBCz]₀?=?1.0 and 3.0 mM. The maximum phase angle was obtained as θ?=?～76.7^o for [EDOTVBCz]₀?=?1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 3.0 mM at the frequency of 20.6 Hz. AC impedance spectra of P(EDOTVBCz)/LiClO₄/CH₃CN was obtained by performing electrical equivalent circuit model of R(Q(R(CR))) with linear Kramers–Kronig test.

Hierarchical quantization indexing for wavelet and wavelet packet image coding

In this paper, we introduce the quantization index hierarchy, which is used for efficient coding of quantized wavelet and wavelet packet coefficients. A hierarchical classification map is defined in each wavelet subband, which describes the quantized data through a series of index classes. Going from bottom to the top of the tree, neighboring coefficients are combined to form classes that represent some statistics of the quantization indices of these coefficients. Higher levels of the tree are constructed iteratively by repeating this class assignment to partition the coefficients into larger subsets. The class assignments are optimized using a rate-distortion cost analysis. The optimized tree is coded hierarchically from top to bottom by coding the class membership information at each level of the tree. Context-adaptive arithmetic coding is used to improve coding efficiency. The developed algorithm produces PSNR results that are better than the state-of-art wavelet-based and wavelet packet-based coders in literature.     

Auto-tuning of PID controller according to fractional-order reference model approximation for DC rotor control

This paper presents a stochastic, multi-parameters, divergence optimization method for the auto-tuning of proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controllers according to a fractional-order reference model. The study aimed to approximate the step response of the real closed-loop flight control system to the response of a theoretical reference model for a smoother and more precise flight control experience. The proposed heuristic optimization method can auto-tune a PID controller without a precise plant model. This is very advantageous when dealing with model and parameter uncertainties in real control application and practice. Experimental study confirms the reference model driven auto-tuning of the DC rotor prototype.     

Antiblockade in Rydberg excitation of an ultracold lattice gas

It is shown that the two-step excitation scheme typically used to create an ultracold Rydberg gas can be described with an effective two-level rate equation, greatly reducing the complexity of the optical Bloch equations. This allows us to efficiently solve the many-body problem of interacting cold atoms with a Monte Carlo technique. Our results reproduce the observed excitation blockade effect. However, we demonstrate that an Autler-Townes double peak structure in the two-step excitation scheme, which occurs for moderate pulse lengths as used in the experiment, can give rise to an antiblockade effect. It is most pronounced for atoms arranged on a lattice. Since the effect is robust against a large number of lattice defects it should be experimentally realizable with an optical lattice created by CO2 lasers.     

Chloro-Modified Magnetic Fe3O4@MCM-41 Core–Shell Nanoparticles for L-Asparaginase Immobilization with Improved Catalytic Activity,Reusability, and Storage Stability

This paper describes a new support that permits to efficient immobilization of L-asparaginase (L-ASNase). For this purpose, Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and coated by MCM-41. 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane (CPTMS) was used as a surface modifying agent for covalent immobilization of L-ASNase on the magnetic nanoparticles. The chemical structure; thermal, morphological, and magnetic properties; chemical composition; and zeta potential value of Fe₃O₄@MCM-41-Cl were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), and zeta-potential measurement. The immobilization efficiency onto Fe₃O₄@MCM-41-Cl was detected as 63%. The reusability, storage, pH, and thermal stabilities of the immobilized L-ASNase were investigated and compared to that of soluble one. The immobilized enzyme maintained 42.2% of its original activity after 18 cycles of reuse. Furthermore, it was more stable towards pH and temperature compared with soluble enzyme. The Michaelis–Menten kinetic properties of immobilized L-ASNase showed a lower V_max and a similar K_m compared to soluble L-ASNase. Immobilized enzyme had around 47 and 32.5% residual activity upon storage a period of 28 days at 4 and 25 °C, respectively. In conclusion, the Fe₃O₄@MCM-41-Cl@L-ASNase core–shell nanoparticles could successfully be used in industrial and medical applications.

     

Supercapacitor study of reduced graphene oxide/Zn nanoparticle/polycarbazole electrode active materials and equivalent circuit models

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In this study, graphene oxide (GO) was chemically reacted with sodium borohydride (NaBH4) to form reduced graphene oxide (rGO). rGO and rGO/Zn...     

Graphene and its nanocomposites used as an active materials for supercapacitors

This review article investigates the hot topics by presenting the latest advances on graphene-based nanostructures for supercapacitors. In literature, many scientists have studied the nanomaterials and combination of conducting polymers in supercapacitor (SC) devices. The main aim of this review article is to present the higher capacitance, and higher power and energy density performances of the SC devices, which includes the active materials of carbon-based materials, metal oxides, conducting polymers, nanocomposites, etc. Many conventional techniques have already been used such as photolithography, inkjet printing, etc. Each of these methods has specific advantages and some drawbacks, with some working better in different environments. Among various nanoscaled materials, nanocrystal oxides of transition metals play an important role in advanced materials development. In addition to design of active material, symmetric and asymmetric supercapacitor device fabrication is also directly effect to obtain a higher capacitance, energy and power density performances. Therefore, this review article focuses on supercapacitor technology in new developments, such as design of active materials, device fabrication, etc.