Study of YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>7−<Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis></Subscript> Superconductor/Graphene Oxide Composite

The aim of this research was to fabricate YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ (YBCO) superconductor composite with graphene oxide nanosheets and to study the effect of the graphene oxide nanosheets on YBCO superconductor properties. For this purpose, the samples of pure superconductor and superconductor composite with 0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 wt.% graphene oxide were synthesized. First, graphite oxide was made by Hummer’s chemical method; after that, graphene oxide nanosheets were produced by bath-keeper ultrasonic. Then, different amounts of graphene oxide were added to the process of superconductor fabrication, which was made by solid-state reaction method. The samples were characterized and studied by Meissner effect test, XRD analysis, FESEM imaging, EDX measurement, and ac magnetic susceptibility. The critical current density (J_c) of samples was measured by four probes method. The results showed that by increasing the weight ratio of graphene oxide, J_c and T_c decrease.     

Mapping urban land cover based on spatial-spectral classification of hyperspectral remote-sensing data

In this article, an innovative classification framework for hyperspectral image data, based on both spectral and spatial information, is proposed. The main objective of this method is to improve the accuracy and efficiency of high-resolution land-cover mapping in urban areas. The spatial information is obtained by an enhanced marker-based minimum spanning forest (MMSF) algorithm. A pixel-based support vector machine (SVM) algorithm is first used to classify the hyperspectral image data, then the enhanced MMSF algorithm is applied in order to increase the accuracy of less accurately classified land-cover types. The enhanced MMSF algorithm is used as a binary classifier. These two classes are the low-accuracy class and remaining classes. Finally, the SVM algorithm is trained for classes with acceptable accuracy. In the proposed approach, namely MSF-SVM, the markers are extracted from the classification maps obtained by both SVM and watershed segmentation algorithms, and are then used to build the MSF. Three benchmark hyperspectral data sets are used for the assessment: Berlin, Washington DC Mall, and Quebec City. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed approach compared with SVM and the original MMSF algorithms. It achieves approximately 5, 6, and 7% higher rates in kappa coefficients of agreement in comparison with the original MMSF algorithm for the Berlin, Washington DC Mall, and Quebec City data sets, respectively.     

A simple approach for adapting continuous load balancing processes to discrete settings

We consider the neighbourhood load balancing problem. Given a network of processors and an arbitrary distribution of tasks over the network, the goal is to balance load by exchanging tasks between neighbours. In the continuous model, tasks can be arbitrarily divided and perfectly balanced state can always be reached. This is not possible in the discrete model where tasks are non-divisible. In this paper we consider the problem in a very general setting, where the tasks can have arbitrary weights and the nodes can have different speeds. Given a continuous load balancing algorithm that balances the load perfectly in \(T\) rounds, we convert the algorithm into a discrete version. This new algorithm is deterministic and balances the load in \(T\) rounds so that the difference between the average and the maximum load is at most \(2d\cdot w_{\max }\), where d is the maximum degree of the network and \(w_{\max }\) is the maximum weight of any task. For general graphs, these bounds are asymptotically lower compared to the previous results. The proposed conversion scheme can be applied to a wide class of continuous processes, including first and second order diffusion, dimension exchange, and random matching processes. For the case of identical tasks, we present a randomized version of our algorithm that balances the load up to a discrepancy of \(\mathscr {O}(\sqrt{d \log n})\) provided that the initial load on every node is large enough.     

An adaptive fuzzy handover triggering approach for Long‐Term Evolution network

To cope with the increasing demand for efficient data delivery, self‐organizing networks have been introduced in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system to provide autonomous and flexible mobility management. The existing handover triggering scheme for LTE is not flexible enough to incorporate new performance metrics, and it introduces handover latency. There are studies on non‐conventional handoff algorithms for LTE applications, for instance, the fuzzy logic approach. However, the fuzzy logic approach needs regular manual tuning to constantly produce optimal output. In this paper, we address this issue by proposing an adaptive fuzzy logic‐based handoff decision algorithm, which can cope with environmental changes and improve efficiency by reducing human intervention. Performance results show that the proposed algorithm can reduce unnecessary handovers by about 20% compared with the fuzzy logic and conventional LTE handover triggering scheme, leading to reduced packet loss rates.     

Customers perspectives on adoption of cloud computing in banking sector

The advent of cloud computing has transformed the role of the Internet in many businesses and organizations. Currently, banks are increasingly adopting cloud technologies to fulfil their varied purposes and to create a flexible and agile banking environment that can quickly respond to new business needs. However, past studies tend to focus more on the adoption issues of cloud computing from the organizational perspective with little attention paid on the users’ view of these cloud-based services. Therefore, this paper attempts to investigate the factors influencing cloud computing adoption in the banking sector from the customers’ perspective and to propose an adoption model for this purpose. The model is mainly developed based on the TAM-diffusion theory model (TAM-DTM) with the introduction of three new constructs namely trust, cost, and security and privacy. Questionnaires were randomly distributed to 162 bank customers in Malaysia. Survey data were analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS) method while SmartPLS was used to test the hypotheses and to validate the proposed model. The results suggest that trust, cost, and security and privacy can be successfully integrated within the TAM-TDM. The security and privacy constructs exhibited strong positive influence on perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and trust. The study concludes that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, cost, attitudes toward cloud and trust significantly influence users’ behavioral intention to adopt cloud computing. Thus, the finding of this study will enable banks to focus more on customer perspectives on cloud-based applications and identify their attitude towards their adoption.     

Comparison of drag characteristics of self-polishing co-polymers and silicone foul release coatings: A study of wettability and surface roughness

An experimental study has been carried out to evaluate the drag characteristics of different self-polishing co-polymers (SPC) (tin based and tin-free) and a silicone foul release (FR) coating. Drag measurements have been performed on a smooth aluminum cylinder connected to a rotor device. Various coatings on cylinders were examined and differential length technique was also used to avoid the end effects during rotation. Surface energy of the coated samples was determined using static contact angle measurement. Characteristic roughness measurements of the coated surfaces were evaluated with atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique.

Drag measurements showed that the frictional resistance of the FR coated cylinders was lower than that of SPC coated samples.

Contact angle results showed that the critical surface tension and its polar component for silicone FR coating are less than SPC coatings. This prevents firm adhesion of fouling organisms on underwater hulls.

AFM studies revealed a lower surface roughness for silicone FR coating as compared to SPC coatings. Also, its surface texture is considerably different from SPC coatings.

It can be concluded that the drag characteristics of a surface are affected by its free energy and roughness parameters.     

LLACA: An adaptive localized clustering algorithm for wireless ad hoc networks

Performance of ad hoc networks dramatically declines as network grows. Cluster formation in which the network hosts are hierarchically partitioned into several autonomous non-overlapping groups, based on proximity, is a promising approach to alleviate the scalability problem of ad hoc networks. In this paper, we propose a localized learning automata-based clustering algorithm for wireless ad hoc networks. The proposed clustering method is a fully distributed algorithm in which each host chooses its cluster-head based solely on local information received from neighboring hosts. The proposed algorithm can be independently localized at each host. This results in a significantly reduction in message overhead of algorithm, and allows cluster maintenance can be locally performed only where it is required. To show the performance of proposed algorithm, obtained results are compared with those of several existing clustering methods in terms of the number of clusters, control message overhead, clustering time, and load standard deviation.     

Reliability assessment of a stand-alone wind-hydrogen energy conversion system based on thermal analysis

Due to the stochastic behavior of the wind speed, accessing the wind energy would be problematic in some critical moments. One feasible solution lies in the use of wind turbines to produce hydrogen through an electrolyzer and by using wind-hydrogen hybrid systems. However, many of the issues related to these systems should be investigated to make landmark decisions about their performance. For instance, there is a lack of study on the reliability assessment of the wind-hydrogen systems; for this purpose, the main objective of this study is to evaluate the reliability of a stand-alone wind-hydrogen energy conversion system unconnected to the grid. The proposed system consists of two major parts: the rectifier and the buck converter. The primary task of the rectifier is to rectify the wind turbine output voltage to a constant DC voltage. Additionally, the buck converter is responsible to reduce the voltage level to a 48 V voltage, which meets the voltage requirement of the 3.6 kW electrolyzer. The results of the performed simulations showed that the rectifier is under more thermal stresses than the buck converter. The predicted mean time to failure (MTTF) of the hybrid system is approximately 7.6 years, and this estimation can affect the maintenance and refurbishment costs.     

Study on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Nd:YAG pulsed laser beam weld of UNS-C17200 copper beryllium alloy

In this study, the microstructure of Nd:YAG pulsed laser welding of copper beryllium sheet has been investigated by tensile and hardness tests, optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The SEM images reveals three distinct solidified structures due to various thermal gradients occurred in the fusion zone. The XRD patterns show that the preferred solidification directions are like other FCC materials. Tensile strength of the weld metal is lower than that of the base metal since the CuBe phase precipitates during solidification. The effects of pulsed laser parameters on the weld pool dimensions were also studied. The results show that by applying constant pulse energy, focused beam diameter should be kept as low as possible to obtain the weld pool with the highest penetration and the least width. Moreover, the effect of passive layer on the reflectivity of surface by incident beam was investigated. It was found that weld pool increases when the laser energy is high due to multiple internal reflections.