CCH: a clique based asymmetric rendezvous scheme for cognitive radio ad-hoc networks

Wireless Networks - Rendezvous (RDV) in cognitive radio ad-hoc networks (CRAHNs) is one of the key ways for a pair of unknown cognitive radio users to initiate communications. CRAHN is a...     

Loading Metformin/Nettle Extract Lamium album L. subsp. Crinitum in Porous Hollow Silica Nanoparticle Coated by the Layer-by-Layer Method

Silicon - Metformin (MF) and L. albuman are used to treat type 2 diabetes. Diabetes causes problems such as blindness and albumin excretion. In this study, metformin, L. albuman and a composition...     

A Full Connectable and High Scalable Key Pre-distribution Scheme Based on Combinatorial Designs for Resource-Constrained Devices in IoT Network

Considering the internet of things (IoT), end nodes such as wireless sensor network, RFID and embedded systems are used in many applications. These end nodes are known as resource-constrained devices in the IoT network. These devices have limitations such as computing and communication power, memory capacity and power. Key pre-distribution schemes (KPSs) have been introduced as a lightweight solution to key distribution in these devices. Key pre-distribution is a special type of key agreement that aims to select keys called session keys in order to establish secure communication between devices. One of these design types is the using of combinatorial designs in key pre-distribution, which is a deterministic scheme in key pre-distribution and has been considered in recent years. In this paper, by introducing a key pre-distribution scheme of this type, we stated that the model introduced in the two benchmarks of KPSs comparability had full connectivity and scalability among the designs introduced in recent years. Also, in recent years, among the combinatorial design-based key pre-distribution schemes, in order to increase resiliency as another criterion for comparing KPSs, attempts were made to include changes in combinatorial designs or they combine them with random key pre-distribution schemes and hybrid schemes were introduced that would significantly reduce the design connectivity. In this paper, using theoretical analysis and maintaining full connectivity, we showed that the strength of the proposed design was better than the similar designs while maintaining higher scalability.

     

Evaluation of piezoelectric energy harvester under dynamic bending by means of hybrid mathematical/isogeometric analysis

In this paper, a novel hybrid mathematical/isogeometric analysis (IGA) scheme is implemented to evaluate the energy harvesting of the piezoelectric composite plate under dynamic bending. The NURBS-based IGA is applied to obtain the structural response exerted by the mechanical loading. The dynamic responses conveniently coupled with the governing voltage differential equations to estimate the energy harvested. The capabilities of the scheme are shown with the comparison against analytical and full electromechanical finite element results. As there is no need of fully coupled electromechanical element, the scheme provides cheaper computational cost and could be implemented with standard computational software. Thus, it gives great benefit for early design stage. Moreover, the robustness of the scheme is shown by the couple with high order IGA element which has been proven less prone to the shear locking phenomena in the literature. The computational results show greater accuracy on structural responses and energy estimation for a very thin plate compared to the couple with standard finite element method.     

Microwave assisted synthesis and antimicrobial activity of Fe3O4-doped ZrO2 nanoparticles

Composites play important role in dental filling by controlling shrinkage along with correction in teeth's shape and position. Rehabilitation of severely worn dentition can be achieved using mechanically strong composites. This study aims to synthesize zirconia-based composites to be used as dental fillers. Effect of microwave powers (100–900?W) along with Fe₃O₄ doping are studied on the structural, mechanical and magnetic properties of stabilized zirconia. SEM and TEM reveal formation of spherical nanoparticles with diameter of ～30?nm. XRD results shows phase pure tetragonal zirconia (t-ZrO₂) at microwave power of 500?W without any post heat treatment. Crystallite size calculated from XRD data (～23?nm) matches well with the previously reported value for stabilization of t-ZrO₂. Microwave energy dissipation results in stresses causing volume shrinkage leading to monoclinic to tetragonal phase transformation with higher X-ray density and hardness of ～1347HV. VSM results show ferromagnetic response with low coercivity (600Oe) value and saturation magnetization (～2emu/g). It is worth mentioning here that this is one of its kind study reporting synthesis of room temperature stabilized Fe₃O₄ doped zirconia composites at microwave power of 500?W. Antibacterial studies reveal inhibition zone of ～32?mm against bacillus bacteria suggesting their potential use as dental filler.     

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Amygdalus scoparia Spach stem bark extract and their applications as an alternative antimicrobial,anticancer, and anti-diabetic agent

For the first time in this study, Zinc oxide nanoparticles were biosynthesized by the eco-friendly and cost-effective procedure using Amygdalus scoparia stem bark extract then used as antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and anti-diabetic agents. The characterization techniques confirmed the biosynthesis, crystalline nature, structure, size, elemental composition of ZnO NPs and bioactive compounds that exist in A. scoparia extract accounting for Zn²⁺ ion reduction, capping and stabilization of ZnO NPs. The ZnO NPs displayed remarkable inhibitory activity against E. coli, E. aerigenes, S. aureus, P. oryzae, F. thapsinum, and F. semitectum compared to antibiotic standards. The ZnO NPs showed significant inhibitory effects on cancer cell lines, while it had no toxic effect on Vero normal cell line. The ZnO NPs (30 mg/kg)-treated diabetic rats showed significantly higher levels of insulin and lower AST, ALT and blood glucose compared with the STZ induced diabetic group and other treated groups (P < 0.05). The ZnO NPs- and extract-treated rats showed significantly higher levels of IR, GluT2, and GCK expression and lower TNFα expression compared with the STZ induced diabetic rats. Our findings showed that ZnO NPs represented an outstanding performance for biological applications.     

Effect of sand and clay fouling on the shear strength of railway ballast for different ballast gradations

Ballast contamination by fine materials such as sand and clay in railway track at arid regions is an important issue that causes track instability problems and settlement due to reduction of shear strength of ballast. In this paper, the results of direct shear box test conducted on clean ballast, sand-fouled ballast and clay-fouled ballast for different ballast gradations are reported and discussed. For this purpose, three different fouling amounts according to fouling index are added to clean ballast. Test results show that by increasing the fouling percentage, the ballast shear strength always decreases both for sand and clay fouled ballast. However, the amount of shear strength reduction is low at high normal stresses. Clay contamination has more adverse effect on the shear strength of ballast compared with sand contamination. Also, the results of tests for evaluation of gradation effect on shear strength of fouled ballast which are conducted on various gradations according to American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association, show that the maximum particle size as well as uniformity coefficient affect the shear strength of ballast. Also, an empirical equation is presented to observe the effect of ballast gradation on reduction of shear strength with regard to amount of fouling material and normal stress.     

Industrie 4.0 Readiness: Green Computing in Relation with Key Performance Indicator for a Manufacturing Industry

Mobile Networks and Applications - An effective measure of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is of great significance to enhance the capabilities of a decision support system (DSS) of any...     

Effect of Outrigger Panels on Seismic Performance of Steel Plate Shear Wall Structural System

Structural systems with steel plate shear wall (SPSW) have been used in many tall buildings in the past decades. This system is particularly suitable for s