A queue based mutual exclusion algorithm

A new elegant and simple algorithm for mutual exclusion of N processes is proposed. It only requires shared variables in a memory model where shared variables need not be accessed atomically. We prove mutual exclusion by reformulating the algorithm as a transition system (automaton), and applying simulation of automata. The proof has been verified with the higher-order interactive theorem prover PVS. Under an additional atomicity assumption, the algorithm is starvation free, and we conjecture that no competing process is passed by any other process more than once. This conjecture was verified by model checking for systems with at most five processes.     

Micro- and nano-scale deformation behavior of nylon 66-based binary and ternary nanocomposites

The primary aim of this paper is to provide an insight on the effect of the location of organoclay on the micro- and nano-scale deformation processes in melt-compounded nylon 66/organoclay/SEBS-g-MA ternary nanocomposites prepared by different blending sequences. In addition, the deformation processes of the ternary nanocomposites were compared to the binary nanocomposites (nylon 66/organoclay and nylon 66/SEBS-g-MA) and neat nylon 66. The incorporation of SEBS-g-MA particles toughened nylon 66 markedly; but the flexural modulus and strength were both reduced. Conversely, the use of organoclay increased the modulus but decreased the fracture toughness of nylon 66. Nylon 66/SEBS-g-MA/organoclay ternary nanocomposites exhibited balanced elastic stiffness and toughness. Stress-whitening studies of the fracture surfaces in terms of gray level were also performed and an attempt was made to correlate the optical reflectivity characteristics with fracture toughness. It was concluded that the capability of SEBS-g-MA particles to cavitate was decreased by the presence of organoclay in the SEBS-g-MA phase, resulting in reduced toughening efficiency. The best micro-structure for toughness and other mechanical properties is thus to maximize the amount of exfoliated organoclay in the nylon 66 matrix rather than to have it embedded in the finely dispersed SEBS-g-MA particles.     

Interleaving-Based Cyclic Delay Diversity OFDM Systems over Spatially Correlated Channels

Cyclic delay diversity employing multiple transmit antenna provides increased frequency selectivity and thereby improves the frequency diversity in coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). However, spatial correlation due to insufficient spacing between transmit antennas degrades the diversity performance. In this paper, the correlation of effective channel frequency response (CFR) of CDD OFDM is analysed and then propose constellation rotation and adjacent interleaving (CRAI) scheme over spatially correlated channel. In the proposed scheme, the subcarrier constellation is rotated by a known angle and then imaginary parts of rotated adjacent subcarriers are interleaved. The squared Euclidean distance of the codewords is derived to show the effect of constellation rotation. Adjacent interleaving is shown to exploit the frequency diversity by reducing the variation in average channel power (ACP) due to spatial correlation. Simulation results reveal that the proposed scheme performs well in spatial correlated channel and thereby improves the bit error rate (BER) performance.     

Wireless Aspects of Telehealth

Telehealth is the use of electronic information and communication technology to deliver health and medical information and services over large and small distances. Broadband wireless services available today, along with more powerful and convenient handheld devices, will enable a transformational change in health management and healthcare with the introduction of real-time monitoring and timely responses to a wide array of patient needs. Further, a network of low-cost sensors and wireless systems help in creating constantly vigilant and pervasive monitoring capability at home and at work. This paper addresses recent efforts in this growing field, including standards, system architectures, propagation models, and lower layer protocols for body area networks. The paper also suggests the use of cooperative transmission-based strategies for such wireless topologies.     

On the integration of SIC and MIMO DoF for interference cancellation in wireless networks

Recent advances in MIMO degree-of-freedom (DoF) models allowed MIMO research to penetrate the networking community. Independent from MIMO, successive interference cancellation (SIC) is a powerful physical layer technique used in multi-user detection. Based on the understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of MIMO DoF and SIC, we propose to have DoF-based interference cancellation (IC) and SIC help each other so that (i) precious DoF resources can be conserved through the use of SIC and (ii) the stringent SINR threshold criteria can be met through the use of DoF-based IC. In this paper, we develop the necessary mathematical models to realize the two ideas in a multi-hop wireless network. Together with scheduling and routing constraints, we develop a cross-layer optimization framework with joint DoF IC and SIC. By applying the framework on a throughput maximization problem, we find that SIC and DoF IC can indeed work in harmony and achieve the two ideas that we propose.     

Energy and Trust Management Framework for MANET using Clustering Algorithm

In General, Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET) has limited energy resources, and it cannot recharge itself. This research goal focuses on building a power management scheme that saves energy in the MANET. Due to power instability, there is a chance that cluster heads fail and function incorrectly in cluster-based routing. As a result, instability occurs with the cluster heads while collecting data and communicating with others effectively. This work focuses on detecting the unstable cluster heads, which are replaced by other nodes implementing the envisaged self-configurable cluster mechanism. A self-configurable cluster mechanism with a k-means protocol approach is proposed to designate cluster heads effectively. The proposed k-means procedure is based on periodic irregular cluster head rotations or altering the number of clusters. We also propose a trust management mechanism in this research to detect and avoid MANET vulnerabilities. Because of the continuously changing topology and limited resources (power, bandwidth, computing), the trust management algorithm should only use local data. Consequently, compared to traditional protocols, the proposed approach with the k-means procedure and its experimental results show lower power usage and provide an optimal system for trust management.

     

An IND-CCA2 Secure Certificateless Hybrid Signcryption

This article proposes a hybrid certificateless signcryption scheme that is secure against adaptive chosen ciphertext adversary in the random oracle model. The scheme combines an asymmetric encryption which is one way against chosen plaintext attack and any One-Time secure symmetric encryption scheme, combined using Fujisaki–Okamoto transformation. Uncommon to many Fujisaki–Okamoto based constructions which ensure message integrity alone, this scheme provides entity authentication in addition. By the choice of a hash function that utilizes the advantage of sponge based construction, the scheme enables the user to incorporate any One-Time secure symmetric encryption by re-configuring the input/output parameters. Fujisaki–Okamoto transformation, which is currently a standard in hybrid constructions, guarantees the indistinguishability against adaptive chosen ciphertext attack. The provision for choosing symmetric encryption in the scheme enables it to be implemented in all sort of cryptographic requirements including those in wireless communication.

     

An Energy-efficient Switching Scheme with Reduced Switching Transients for a Wind-driven Induction Generator

This article presents a scheme for improving the power output of grid-connected induction generator commonly used in wind energy conversion systems. Generally, the stator of the induction generator is connected in a star with a line voltage of √3 times the rated winding voltage to reduce the line current and, hence, conductor size. To extend the generating operation over a wider speed range, delta-star switchable stator windings are also in vogue. In such cases, the stator is star connected in the lower speed range and switched to a delta connection above a threshold speed. In this study, a new switching scheme is proposed wherein the stator coils are always connected in a star, while the stator is connected to different voltages in low- and high-speed conditions. At low wind speeds, nominal winding voltage is applied to the stator, whereas at higher speeds, the stator applied voltage is √3 times higher than the rated winding voltage. The efficacy of the scheme is demonstrated experimentally with a suitable microcontroller-based switching arrangement. Typical results indicate an increase in output with reduced switching transients. A case study on a 3-Φ, 50-kW induction generator is presented to emphasize the performance improvement with the proposed scheme.     

Cyclic Lean Reduction of NO by CO in Excess H2O on Pt–Rh/Ba/Al2O3: Elucidating Mechanistic Features and Catalyst Performance

This study provides insight into the mechanistic and performance features of the cyclic reduction of NO_x by CO in the presence and absence of excess water on a Pt–Rh/Ba/Al₂O₃ NO_x storage and reduction catalyst. At low temperatures (150–200 °C), CO is ineffective in reducing NO_x due to self-inhibition while at temperatures exceeding 200 °C, CO effectively reduces NO_x to main product N₂ (selectivity >70 %) and byproduct N₂O. The addition of H₂O at these temperatures has a significant promoting effect on NO_x conversion while leading to a slight drop in the CO conversion, indicating a more efficient and selective lean reduction process. The appearance of NH₃ as a product is attributed either to isocyanate (NCO) hydrolysis and/or reduction of NO_x by H₂ formed by the water gas shift chemistry. After the switch from the rich to lean phase, second maxima are observed in the N₂O and CO₂ concentrations versus time, in addition to the maxima observed during the rich phase. These and other product evolution trends provide evidence for the involvement of NCOs as important intermediates, formed during the CO reduction of NO on the precious metal components, followed by their spillover to the storage component. The reversible storage of the NCOs on the Al₂O₃ and BaO and their reactivity appears to be an important pathway during cyclic operation on Pt–Rh/Ba/Al₂O₃ catalyst. In the absence of water the NCOs are not completely reacted away during the rich phase, which leads to their reaction with NO and O₂ upon switching to the subsequent lean phase, as evidenced by the evolution of N₂, N₂O and CO₂. In contrast, negligible product evolution is observed during the lean phase in the presence of water. This is consistent with a rapid hydrolysis of NCOs to NH₃, which results in a deeper regeneration of the catalyst due in part to the reaction of the NH₃ with stored NO_x. The data reveal more efficient utilization of CO for reducing NO_x in the presence of water which further underscores the NCO mechanism. Phenomenological pathways based on the data are proposed that describes the cyclic reduction of NO_x by CO under dry and wet conditions.     

Noncatalytic alcoholysis kinetics of soybean oil

Reaction kinetics for the alcoholysis of soybean oil with methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol were evaluated in the absence of catalyst. Metal reactor surfaces catalyzed these reactions, so the reactions were conducted in glass capillary tubes at 120, 150, and 180°C. The reactivity of the alcohols increased with decreasing carbon number. Higher temperatures promoted faster reactions. Higher alcohol stoichiometries did not significantly increase reaction rates; this was attributed to the limited solubility of the alcohol in the soybean oil. At less than 20% conversion, the solubility of the alcohol in the oil phase continuously increased, resulting in increased reaction rates. At approximately 20% conversion, the reaction systems became homogeneous until a glycerine phase was formed at high conversions. In addition to their fundamental value, these data provided a basis on which catalytic reactions can be investigated between 100 and 200°C.