International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 18-21, 2004 / Town & Country Resort, San Diego, California / IEEE 802.11e is an amendment of the medium-access control (MAC) layer of the standard for wireless local area networking IEEE 802.11. The goal of 802.11e is to provide 802.11 networks with Quality of Service (QoS). 802.11 has three physical layers (PHY) of practical importance: 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11g. 802.11a and 802.11g provide data rates between 6 and 54 Mbps, and 802.11b provides data rates of 5.5 Mbps and 11 Mbps. However these data rates are not the actual throughput. The actual throughput that a user will experience will be lower. The throughput depends on both the PHY and MAC layers. It is important to estimate what exactly is the throughput when the physical layer is 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g, and the MAC layer is 802.11e. In other words, how does providing QoS change the throughput for each of the three physical layers? In this paper we provide answers to this problem. Analytic formulae are derived. The maximum achievable throughput and minimum delay involved in data transfers are determined. The obtained results have further significance for the design of high-throughput wireless protocols.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / Langmuir circulations in a coastal environment at an inner shelf site with strong tidal forcing were examined using a 4-month observation of high-resolution velocity profiles during the ONR-sponsored CBLAST-Low air-sea interaction experiment. Because of their potential contributions to mixing processes in the surface boundary layer, Langmuir circulations are important for naval operations such as ASW, MCM and Amphibious operations in littoral waters. A detection algorithm for upwelling / downwelling velocities due to Langmuir circulations was developed. Analyses focused on long-fetch, unstratified water column conditions with locally developed seas. The observations showed that strong Langmuir circulations greatly reduced water column shear arising from the tidally forced bottom boundary layer, while there was no significant effect from the strong tidal boundary layer on the formation of Langmuir cells. Long fetch conditions had the strongest vertical velocities with Langmuir number 0.1-0.4, while short fetch conditions have weaker vertical velocities with Langmuir number greater than 0.5. Cell vertical velocities were correlated with the water friction velocity, but penetration depths did not depend on forcing mechanisms. Spacing and penetration depths were correlated for increasing wind speed and wave heights whereas this correlation was not seen for constant high wind speed and wave heights. / Lieutenant Junior Grade, Turkish Navy

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / This thesis is an analysis of the link-layer and network-layer performance of an experimental Seaweb undersea acoustic network. The objective is to statistically determine RTS/CTS handshaking and ARQ retransmission performance during the Fleet Battle Experiment-India, executed in June 2001. Many factors constrain or impair undersea acoustic communications. Analysis of a sample portion of the data reveals insights about the overall throughput, latency, and reliability of the Seaweb network. / Lieutenant, United States Navy

O presente estudo avaliou, por meio de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e análise Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), a capacidade de limpeza e as alterações da superfície dentinária após diferentes tratamentos. Foram utilizados 32 incisivos bovinos, dos quais obteve-se uma amostra de dentina do terço médio radicular de cada espécime. Inicialmente as 32 amostras foram analisadas em FT-IR após os seguintes tratamentos: dentina normal, sem tratamento (T1); NaOCl 2,5% por 5´ (T2). Os espécimes foram, então, distribuídos em quatro agrupamentos conforme tratamento com soluções (n=8): T3- EDTA 15%; T4- quitosana 1% diluída em ácido acético 1% + genipina 0,06%; T5- quitosana 1% diluída em ácido acético 1% + EDTA 15% + genipina 0,06%; T6- quitosana 1% diluído em EDTA 5% + genipina 0,06%. Os dados referentes a relação amidaIII/fosfato de cada tratamento foi submetida ao teste ANOVA, com dados vinculados seguido do teste de Tukey (p<0,001). Para a avaliação em MEV, após biomecânica de 8 raízes bovinas com limas rotatórias e NaOCl 2,5%, as mesmas foram distribuídas em 4 grupos (n=2), conforme irrigação final. As soluções utilizadas em G1, G2 G3 e G4 foram, respectivamente, as mesmas empregadas em T3, T4, T5 e T6, com volume de 1mL por 5´. Foram obtidas 6 fotomicrografias do terço médio radicular de cada espécime para análise da capacidade de limpeza e da deposição de quitosana/genipina sobre a superfície dentinária. Os resultados mostraram não haver diferença na porcentagem da razão amidaIII/fosfato entre T1 e T2. Houve diferença significante entre a porcentagem da razão amidaIII/fosfato de T3, T4, T5 e T6 em relação à T1. A porcentagem da razão amidaIII/fosfato foi significantemente menor para T4 em relação a T3, T5 e T6. Todos os grupos, com exceção de G2, removeram a camada de smear. Observou-se deposição de quitosana/genipina sobre a dentina do G3 e G4. Dentre os tratamentos propostos, o uso de quitosana solubilizada em EDTA associada à genipina removeu a camada de smear sem erudir o tecido, além de evidenciar a presença de aglomerado de quitosana/genipina sobre a superfície dentinária. / The present study evaluated, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis, the cleaning ability and the changes of the dentin surface after different treatments. Thirty-two bovine incisors were used, from which a dentin sample was obtained from the middle third of each specimen. Initially the 32 samples were analyzed in FT-IR after the following treatments: normal dentin, without treatment (T1); NaOCl 2.5% by 5\' (T2). The specimens were then distributed into four groups according to treatment with solutions (n = 8): T3- EDTA 15%; T4- chitosan 1% diluted in acetic acid 1% + genipine 0.06%; T5- chitosan 1% diluted in acetic acid 1% + EDTA 15% + genipine 0.06%; T6 chitosan 1% diluted in 5% EDTA + 0.06% genipine. The data concerning the amideIII / phosphate ratio of each treatment was submitted to the ANOVA test, with bound data followed by the Tukey test (p <0.001). For evaluation in SEM, after biomechanics of 8 bovine roots with rotating files and 2.5% NaOCl, they were distributed in 4 groups (n = 2), according to final irrigation. The solutions used in G1, G2, G3 and G4 were, respectively, the same as those employed in T3, T4, T5 and T6, with a volume of 1mL per 5\'. Six photomicrographs of the root mean third of each specimen were obtained for analysis of the cleaning capacity and chitosan/genipine deposition on the dentin surface. The results showed no difference in the percentage of the amide III/phosphate ratio between T1 and T2. There was a significant difference between the percentage of amide III/phosphate ratio of T3, T4, T5 and T6 in relation to T1. The percentage of the amide III/phosphate ratio was significantly lower for T4 compared to T3, T5 and T6. All groups, except for G2, removed the smear layer. Chitosan/genipine deposition was observed on G3 and G4 dentin. Among the proposed treatments, the use of chitosan solubilized in EDTA associated to genipine removed the smear layer without erode the tissue, besides evidencing the presence of agglomerate of chitosan/genipine on the dentin surface.

A técnica de automontagem [Self-Assembly (SA)] tem sido largamente empregada na fabricação de estruturas supramoleculares de polímeros condutores que requerem controle molecular. O paradigma implícito no método de automontagem é a adsorção espontânea de camadas carregadas com cargas opostas, conduzindo assim a um filme de multicamadas formado pela alternância de policátions e poliânions. Nesta dissertação, são empregados dois tipos de polímeros conjugados e seus derivados que são identificados por suas famílias, que são a da polianilina (PAn) e a do poli(pfenileno vinileno) (PPV). São enfatizados os processos de adsorção para as polianilinas e precursores do PPV, propondo-se um mecanismo de adsorção não autolimitada sustentado por condições de não equilíbrio. O processo não autolimitado comprova que a adsorção pode ser controlada por outras interações que não a eletrostática, como as pontes de hidrogênio que são comuns nas polianilinas, e/ou por interações típicas de dispersões coloidais, visto que os polímeros se agregam em solução. Este novo método pode ter grande impacto na fabricação de estruturas supramoleculares porque podem ser obtidos filmes espessos de uma única camada com controle em nível molecular. A desvantagem deste método está na obtenção de filmes não uniformes, propriedade que ainda não é adequadamente controlada. A investigação da formação de filmes de múltiplas camadas e dos processos de fluorescência para filmes de bicamadas e não autolimitados é apresentada e discutida em função dos trabalhos da literatura. Finalmente, são correlacionados os processos de adsorção e a fluorescência / The self-assembly (SA) technique has been widely used for producing supramolecular structures fi-om conducting polymers, in which molecular control may be achieved. The paradigm implicit in the SA method is the spontaneous adsorption of oppositely charged layers, thus leading to a multilayer film containing polycations alternated with polyanions. In this dissertation, two types of polymer are employed in the fabrication of SA films, namely polyanilines and poly(p-phenylene vinylenes) (PPVs). For the polyanilines, emphasis was placed in the adsorption processes, where it is proposed that a non-self-limiting process may be achieved if adsorption is carried out under non-equilibrium conditions. A non-self-limiting process is proof that adsorption is not entirely controlled by electrostatic interactions, but may also depend on H-bonding which is very efficient in polyanilines and on interactions typical of colloid dispersions as the polymers aggregate while in solution. This nove1 method may have a large impact in the fabrication of supramolecular structures because much thicker films may be obtained in a single layer. The disadvantage of this method, however, lies in the fabrication of non-uniform films which cannot be controlled adequately. The investigation of the fabrication of multilayers and of fluorescence processes in films built with bilayers and via non-self-limiting adsorption is presented and discussed in terms of work published in the literature. Finally, the processes of adsorption and fluorescence are correlated

One-dimensional nanostructures have offered unique advantages in many fields. Protein based nanotubes, in particular, are desirable for biomedical applications due to their ease of functionlization and intrinsic biocompatibility. Template-assisted methods are widely used to fabricate cylindrical nanostructures like carbon nanotubes, metal nanowires, polymer nanorods, etc. In the fabrication of protein nanostructures, the layer by layer (LbL) technique has long been applied to deposit protein multilayers on planar and spherical substrates. The success in each area led to the conclusion that the combination of these two techniques will potentially bring us the capability of fabricating protein nanotubes in a more controllable fashion. In this work, protein nanotubes have been successfully deposited inside nanoscopic pores by sequential filtration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution at pH 3.8 and pH 7.0 through the channels in the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template. The morphologies of the obtained nanostructures have been examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Also, a simple analysis from UV/Vis spectroscopy has shown that the solutions used in our experiment will not significantly damage the bioactivity of BSA. Our future work will focus on strengthening the mechanical stability of the protein nanotubes and controlling their morphology more precisely.

Conductive thin films of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT-PSS) were created via layer-by-layer assembly. The PEDOT-PSS was used in an aqueous solution as an anionic polyelectrolyte, with both linear and branched polyethylenimine (PEI) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) in the positive aqueous solution. The electrical conductivity was varied by altering pH, concentration, polyelectrolyte, and doping the PEDOT with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The most conductive 12BL samples were doped with 1wt% DMSO and have a sheet resistance of approximately 8kΩ/□. Despite exhibiting good initial conductivity, these PEDOT based thin films degrade under ultraviolet (UV) exposure. UV absorbing nanoparticles were added into the cationic solution in an effort to reduce UV sensitivity. The final bilayers of the films contained either colloidal titanium dioxide (TiO2) or carbon black (CB) and the films were exposed to a 365nm UV-light with an intensity of 2.16mW/cm2 for 9 days. The UV light at this intensity correlates to approximately four years of sunlight. The initial sheet resistances for all samples were similar, but the UV-degradation was reduced by a factor of 5 by utilizing TiO2 and CB in the final bilayers. In addition to being the most conductive after UV exposure, the TiO2 containing film was also 27% more optically transparent than the pure PEDOT films. These additional UV-absorbing nanoparticles extend the operational life of the PEDOT films and, in the case of TiO2, do so without any reduced transparency.

Polyelectrolyte microcapsules containing stimuli-responsive polymers have potential applications in the fields of sensors or actuators, stimulable microcontainers and controlled drug delivery. Such capsules were prepared, with the focus on pH-sensitivity and carbohydrate-sensing. First, pH-responsive polyelectrolyte capsules were produced by means of electrostatic layer-by-layer assembly of oppositely charged weak polyelectrolytes onto colloidal templates that were subsequently removed. The capsules were composed of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA) or poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) and PMA and varied considerably in their hydrophobicity and the influence of secondary interactions. These polymers were assembled onto CaCO3 and SiO2 particles with diameters of ~ 5 µm, and a new method for the removal of the silica template under mild conditions was proposed. The pH-dependent stability of PAH/PMA and P4VP/PMA capsules was studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). They were stable over a wide pH-range and exhibited a pronounced swelling at the edges of stability, which was attributed to uncompensated positive or negative charges within the multilayers. The swollen state could be stabilized when the electrostatic repulsion was counteracted by hydrogen-bonding, hydrophobic interactions or polymeric entanglement. This stabilization made it possible to reversibly swell and shrink the capsules by tuning the pH of the solution. The pH-dependent ionization degree of PMA was used to modulate the binding of calcium ions. In addition to the pH-sensitivity, the stability and the swelling degree of these capsules at a given pH could be modified, when the ionic strength of the medium was altered. The reversible swelling was accompanied by reversible permeability changes for low and high molecular weight substances. The permeability for glucose was evaluated by studying the time-dependence of the buckling of the capsule walls in glucose solutions and the reversible permeability modulation was used for the encapsulation of polymeric material. A theoretical model was proposed to explain the pH-dependent size variations that took into account an osmotic expanding force and an elastic restoring force to evaluate the pH-dependent size changes of weak polyelectrolyte capsules. Second, sugar-sensitive multilayers were assembled using the reversible covalent ester formation between the polysaccharide mannan and phenylboronic acid moieties that were grafted onto poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). The resulting multilayer films were sensitive to several carbohydrates, showing the highest sensitivity to fructose. The response to carbohydrates resulted from the competitive binding of small molecular weight sugars and mannan to the boronic acid groups within the film, and was observed as a fast dissolution of the multilayers, when they were brought into contact with the sugar-containing solution above a critical concentration. It was also possible to prepare carbohydrate-sensitive multilayer capsules, and their sugar-dependent stability was investigated by following the release of encapsulated rhodamine-labeled bovine serum albumin (TRITC-BSA). / Die Entwicklung von stimulisensitiven Systemen hat in den vergangenen Jahren großes Interesse hervorgerufen. Diese Systeme verändern ihre Eigenschaften in Abhängigkeit von äußeren Einflüssen und haben potenzielle Anwendungsgebiete im Bereich von Sensoren und der kontrollierten Wirkstofffreisetzung. Beispiele für äußere Einflüsse sind die Temperatur, die Salzkonzentration der Lösung, der pH-Wert oder die Gegenwart bestimmter chemischer Substanzen. Polyelektrolyt-Multischicht-Hohlkugeln stellen viel versprechende stimulisensitive Systeme dar, da sie aus dünnen Membranen mit veränderbaren Eigenschaften aufgebaut sind, und eingekapselte Substanzen definiert freigesetzt werden können. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurden zum einen Polyelektrolytkapseln untersucht, deren Stabilität, Größe und Durchlässigkeit abhängig ist vom pH-Wert und der Salzkonzentration der Lösung. Zum anderen wurden Hohlkugeln entwickelt, deren Stabilität durch die Gegenwart verschiedener Zucker in der umgebenden Lösung beeinflusst wurde. Hierbei war es möglich, eine eingekapselte Substanz in Abhängigkeit der Zuckerkonzentration der Lösung freizusetzen. pH-sensitive Polyelektrolyt-Hohlkugeln wurden mit Hilfe der elektrostatischen Layer-by-Layer Methode aufgebaut. Hierbei wurden abwechselnd schwache Polysäuren und Polybasen auf kolloidalen Partikeln adsorbiert und in einem weiteren Schritt wurde das Templat entfernt. Als Polyelektrolyte fanden Poly(allylaminhydrochlorid) (PAH) und Poly(methacrylsäure) (PMA) bzw. Poly(4-vinylpyridin) (P4VP) und PMA Verwendung. Diese zwei Systeme unterscheiden sich in ihren hydrophoben Eigenschaften und dem Einfluss von Sekundärwechselwirkungen. Die Polymere wurden auf CaCO3 und SiO2 Partikeln mit Durchmessern von ~ 5 µm aufgebracht, und eine neue Methode zum Entfernen des Silica-Templats wurde vorgestellt. Die pH-abhängige Stabilität von PAH/PMA und P4VP/PMA Hohlkugeln wurde mit der konfokalen Fluoreszenzmikroskopie untersucht. Beide Systeme waren über einen breiten pH-Bereich stabil und zeigten an der Grenze der Stabilität ein ausgeprägtes Schwellen, das den unkompensierten positiven oder negativen Ladungen der Mulitschichten zugeordnet werden konnte. Gab es innerhalb der Multischichten stabilisierende Wechselwirkungen, z.B. Wasserstoffbrückenbindungen oder hydrophobe Anziehungskräfte, welche der elektrostatischen Destabilisierung entgegenwirkten, so ließ sich der geschwollene Zustand stabilisieren. Diese Stabilisierung ermöglichte das reversible Schwellen der Hohlkugeln durch Veränderung des pH-Wertes der Lösung. Der pH-abhängige Ionisationsgrad von PMA wurde zur Bindung von Calcium-Ionen verwendet. Die Stabilität und das Schwellen der Hohlkugeln konnten durch Variation der Ionenstärke der Lösung modifiziert werden. Das reversible Schwellen wurde von reversiblen Permeabilitätsänderungen für nieder- und hochmolekulare Substanzen begleitet. Die Permeabilität für Glucose wurde mit Hilfe der Zeitabhängigkeit der Verformung der Kapselmembranen in Glucoselösungen untersucht, und die reversible Veränderung der Permeabilität wurde zur Einkapselung von Polymeren verwendet. Die pH-abhängigen Größenänderungen ließen sich mit einem theoretischen Modell beschreiben, das von einem Kräftegleichgewicht zwischen einer osmotischen expansiven Kraft und einer elastischen kontraktiven Kraft ausging. Als zweites stimulisensitives System wurden zuckersensitive Multischichten untersucht. Diese wurden über reversible kovalente Esterbindungen stabilisiert. Als Polymere für den Schichtaufbau fanden das Polysaccharid Mannan und Polyacrylsäure, die mit Aminophenylboronsäure modifiziert war, Verwendung. Die daraus entstehenden Multischichten waren sensitiv gegenüber verschiedenen Kohlenhydraten, mit der größten Selektivität für Fructose. Diese Affinitäten ergaben sich aus der kompetitiven Bindung zwischen niedermolekularen Zuckern und Mannan an die Boronsäuregruppen. Oberhalb einer kritischen Zuckerkonzentration kam es zur schnellen Auflösung der Multischichten. Darüber hinaus war es möglich zuckersensitive Polymerkapseln herzustellen, deren zuckerabhängige Stabilität durch die Freisetzung von eingekapseltem Rinderserumalbumin verfolgt wurde.

Aflatoxin is a potent biological toxin produced by fungi Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. Current quantification methods for aflatoxins are mostly established on immunoaffinity columns which are both costly and labor intensive. Inspired by smectites’ high aflatoxin adsorption capacity and affinity, a novel aflatoxin quantification sensor based on smectite-polyacrylamide (PAM) nanocomposite was fabricated. First, a smectite-PAM nanocomposite film was synthesized on flat silicon substrates which assembled smectite particles from the clay suspension. A layer-by-layer assembly process was developed to achieve uniform morphology and thickness of the nanocomposite films. During the aflatoxin quantification process, positive correlations between the fluorescence intensity from the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) adsorbed smectite-PAM nanocomposite films and the AFB1 concentration in the test solutions were obtained. The smectite-PAM nanocomposite film has shown similar AFB1 adsorption capabilities as the smectite. Second, the smectite-PAM nanocomposite film was optimized in order to achieve the aflatoxin quantification at ppb level (below 20ppb) in corn extraction solutions. The smectite was modified by Ba2+, which had demonstrated to be able to improve its aflatoxin adsorption capacity. PAM aqueous solutions with the mass concentration ranging from 0.8% to 0.001% were tested. The results showed that the nanocomposite synthesized from 0.005% concentration of PAM solution generated the best properties. After the optimization, the smectite-PAM nanocomposite films achieved the detection of aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 (AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2) in 10 ppb corn extraction solution. Aflatoxin quantifications in AFB1 and AFB2 mixture solution, AFB1 and AFB2 mixture solution and AFB1 and AFG1 mixture solution were conducted, and the recoveries of last test ranged from 90.52% to 110.11% at low aflatoxin concentration (below 20 ppb). Third, in order to shorten the quantification duration and simplify the detection process, a novel aflatoxin detection array based on smectite-PAM nanocomposite and an improved fluorometric quantification method were developed. Through a microfluidic chip, the reaction time was reduced to 10~20min. Two concentration levels (20~80ppb/5~15ppb) of aflatoxin B1 spiked corn extraction solutions were tested. In the fluorometric quantification step, a common lab-use 365 nm ultraviolet lamp replaced the spectrofluorometer which simplified and accelerated the process.

Numerous studies have focused on enhancing the flame retardant behavior of cotton and polyurethane foam. Some of the most commonly used treatments (e.g., brominated compounds) have raised concerns with regard to toxicity and environmental persistence. These concerns have led to significant research into the use of alternative approaches, including polymer nanocomposites prepared from more environmentally benign nanoparticles. These particles migrate to the surface from the bulk during fire exposure to form a barrier on the surface that protects the underlying polymer. This theory of fire suppression in bulk nanocomposites inspired the use of layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly to create nanocoatings in an effort to produce more effective and environmentally-benign flame retardant treatments. Negatively charged silica nanoparticles of two different sizes were paired with either positively charged silica or cationic polyethylenimine (PEI) to create thin film assemblies. When applying these films to cotton fabric, all coated fabrics retained their weave structure after being exposed to a vertical flame test, while uncoated cotton was completely destroyed. Micro combustion calorimetry confirmed that coated fabrics exhibited a reduced peak heat release rate, by as much as 20% relative to the uncoated control. Even so, this treatment would not pass the standard UL94 vertical flame test, necessitating a more effective treatment. Positively- charged chitosan (CH) was paired with montmorillonite (MMT) clay to create a renewable flame retardant nanocoating for polyurethane foam. This coating system completely stops the melting of a flexible polyurethane foam when exposed to direct flame from a butane torch, with just 10 bilayers (~ 30 nm thick). The same coated foam exhibited a reduced peak heat release rate, by as much as 52%, relative to the uncoated control. This same nanobrick wall coating is able to impart gas barrier to permeate plastic film. Multilayered thin films were assembled with "green" food contact approved materials (i.e., chitosan, polyacrylic acid (PAA) and montmorillonite clay). Only ten CH-PAA-CH-MMT quadlayers (~90 nm thick) cause polylactic acid (PLA) film to behave like PET in terms of oxygen barrier. A thirty bilayer CH-MMT assembly (~100 nm thick) on PLA exhibits an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) below the detection limit of commercial instrumentation (<= 0.005 cm^3/(m^2*day*atm)). This is the same recipe used to impart flame retardant behavior to foam, but it did not provide effective FR to cotton fabric, so a very different recipe was used. Thin films of fully renewable electrolytes, chitosan and phytic acid (PA), were deposited on cotton fabric in an effort to reduce flammability through an intumescent effect. Altering the pH of aqueous deposition solutions modifies the composition of the final nanocoating. Fabrics coated with highest PA content multilayers completely extinguished the flame and reduced peak heat release (pkHRR) and total heat release of 60% and 76%, respectively. This superior performance is believed to be due to high phosphorus content that enhances the intumescent behavior of these nanocoatings.