Observer-based leader-following consensus of one-sided Lipschitz multi-agent systems over input saturation and directed graphs

This paper investigates a local observer-based leader-following consensus control of one-sided Lipschitz (OSL) multi-agent systems (MASs) under input saturation. The proposed consensus control scheme has been formulated by using the OSL property, input saturation, directed graphs, estimated states, and quadratic inner-boundedness condition by attaining the regional stability. It is assumed that the graph always includes a (directed) spanning tree with respect to the leader root to develop matrix inequalities for investigating parameters of the proposed observer and consensus protocols. Further, a new observer-based consensus tracking method for MASs with saturation, concerning independent topologies for communicating outputs and estimates over the network, is explored to deal with a more perplexing and realistic situation. In contrast to the traditional methods, the proposed consensus approach considers output feedback and deals with the input saturation for a generalized class of nonlinear systems. The efficiency of the obtained results is illustrated via application to a group of five moving agents in the Cartesian coordinates.     

Robust Multimodal Biometric System Based on Feature Level Fusion of Optimiseddeepnet Features

Wireless Personal Communications - Multimodal biometric systems combine feature knowledge from multiple traits to overcome shortcomings of unimodal systems. However, most of the traditional...     

Attack Resilient and Efficient Protocol based on Greedy Perimeter Coordinator Routing—Mobility Awareness for Preventing the Attack in the VANET

Wireless Personal Communications - A Greedy Perimeter Coordinator Routing and Mobility Awareness (GPCR-MA) vehicular routing is a widely accepted routing protocol for VANET (Vehicular Ad hoc...     

Research advances on blockchain-as-a-service: architectures,applications and challenges

Due to the complexity of blockchain technology, it usually costs too much effort to build, maintain and monitor a blockchain system that supports a targeted application. To this end, the emerging “Blockchain as a Service” (BaaS) makes the blockchain and distributed ledgers more accessible, particularly for businesses, by reducing costs and overheads. BaaS combines the high computing power of cloud computing, the pervasiveness of IoT and the decentralization of blockchain, allowing people to build their own applications while ensuring the transparency and openness of the system. This paper surveys the research outputs of both academia and industry. First, it introduces the representative architectures of BaaS systems and then summarizes the research contributions of BaaS from the technologies for service provision, roles, container and virtualization, interfaces, customization and evaluation. The typical applications of BaaS in both academic and practical domains are also introduced. At present, the research on the blockchain is abundant, but research on BaaS is still in its infancy. Six challenges of BaaS are concluded in this paper for further study directions.     

Proposition of new computer artificial intelligence models for shear strength prediction of reinforced concrete beams

Engineering with Computers - The study is investigated the capacity of new artificial intelligence (AI) methodologies for shear strength (Vs) computation of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. The...     

Modelling of air damping effect on the performance of encapsulated MEMS resonators

Microsystem Technologies - The dynamic performance of a micro-resonator depends on its energy loss mechanism which is quantified by Q-factor (Quality factor). This paper presents numerical...     

Intrusion Detection Systems Using Blockchain Technology: A Review,Issues and Challenges

Intrusion detection systems that have emerged in recent decades can identify a variety of malicious attacks that target networks by employing several detection approaches. However, the current approaches have challenges in detecting intrusions, which may affect the performance of the overall detection system as well as network performance. For the time being, one of the most important creative technological advancements that plays a significant role in the professional world today is blockchain technology. Blockchain technology moves in the direction of persistent revolution and change. It is a chain of blocks that covers information and maintains trust between individuals no matter how far apart they are. Recently, blockchain was integrated into intrusion detection systems to enhance their overall performance. Blockchain has also been adopted in healthcare, supply chain management, and the Internet of Things. Blockchain uses robust cryptography with private and public keys, and it has numerous properties that have leveraged security’s performance over peer-to-peer networks without the need for a third party. To explore and highlight the importance of integrating blockchain with intrusion detection systems, this paper provides a comprehensive background of intrusion detection systems and blockchain technology. Furthermore, a comprehensive review of emerging intrusion detection systems based on blockchain technology is presented. Finally, this paper suggests important future research directions and trending topics in intrusion detection systems based on blockchain technology.     

Pulse current co-deposition of Ni-WS2 nano-composite film for solid lubrication

This study was undertaken to observe the effect of nano-composite coating on steel surface for enhancing its tribological properties. In the investigation, EN31 steel surfaces were coated with nano-composite (Ni-WS₂) by pulse current co-deposition process in order to improve the tribological properties of the surface. The coatings were prepared according to different parameter settings. The effect of variations on coating thickness, microstructure, surface morphology, microhardness and tribological properties was observed. The maximum coating thickness of 117?µm with 8% by weight of WS₂ particle concentration could be attained with the following parameter settings: applied voltage: 5?V; pulse frequency: 20?Hz; WS₂ concentration: 20?g/l; duty factor: 0.6 and bath temperature: 50°C. The average friction coefficient of the deposited surface was 0.11, which is significantly less than that of the EN31 steel surface (average coefficient of friction >?0.5).     

A novel application of micro-EDM process for the generation of nickel nanoparticles with different shapes

This article explains production of nickel nanoparticles through a micro-electrical discharge machining (EDM) process with a combination of different process parameters. The production of nickel nanoparticles was carried out in a dielectric medium (deionized water) with developed micro-EDM while polyvinyl alcohol worked as the stabilizing agent. The characterization of nickel nanoparticle was done by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. From this investigation, the mean crystal size of the nickel nanoparticles was found to be in the range of 15–20?mm for a pulse-on time variation of 2–0.3?µs and the crystal size was found to decrease with the decrease of pulse-on time. It was also observed that with this decrease, the shape and size of nickel nanoparticles change from spherical to needle-like. The dispersion stability of nickel nanofluid was determined by viscosity measurements and the dynamic viscosity was noted to decrease by decreasing the pulse duration. From the FTIR spectrum results, it was confirmed that the synthesized nickel nanoparticles in deionized water were pure and monolithic. UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy depicted that the band gap energy increases with a reduction in the pulse-on time and obtains a higher band gap (5.31?eV) for 0.3?µs pulse-on time.