Information Content-Based Sensor Selection and Transmission Power Adjustment for Collaborative Target Tracking

For target tracking applications, wireless sensor nodes provide accurate information since they can be deployed and operated near the phenomenon. These sensing devices have the opportunity of collaboration among themselves to improve the target localization and tracking accuracies. An energy-efficient collaborative target tracking paradigm is developed for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). A mutual-information-based sensor selection (MISS) algorithm is adopted for participation in the fusion process. MISS allows the sensor nodes with the highest mutual information about the target state to transmit data so that the energy consumption is reduced while the desired target position estimation accuracy is met. In addition, a novel approach to energy savings in WSNs is devised in the information-controlled transmission power (ICTP) adjustment, where nodes with more information use higher transmission powers than those that are less informative to share their target state information with the neighboring nodes. Simulations demonstrate the performance gains offered by MISS and ICTP in terms of power consumption and target localization accuracy.     

Missing data analysis and homogeneity test for Turkish precipitation series

In this study, missing value analysis and homogeneity tests were conducted for 267 precipitation stations throughout Turkey. For this purpose, the monthly and annual total precipitation records at stations operated by Turkish State Meteorological Service (DMI) from 1968 to 1998 were considered. In these stations, precipitation records for each month was investigated separately and the stations with missing values for too many years were eliminated. The missing values of the stations were completed by Expectation Maximization (EM) method by using the precipitation records of the nearest gauging station. In this analysis, 38 stations were eliminated because they had missing values for more than 5 years, 161 stations had no missing values and missing precipitation values were completed in the remaining 68 stations. By this analysis, annual total precipitation data were obtained by using the monthly values. These data should be hydrologically and statistically reliable for later hydrological, meteorological, climate change modelling and forecasting studies. For this reason, Standard Normal Homogeneity Test (SNHT), (Swed-Eisenhart) Runs Test and Pettitt homogeneity tests were applied for the annual total precipitation data at 229 gauging stations from 1968 to 1998. The results of each of the testing methods were evaluated separately at a significance level of 95% and the inhomogeneous years were determined. With the application of the aforementioned methods, inhomogeneity was detected at 50 stations of which the natural structure was deteriorated and 179 stations were found to be homogeneous.     

Automated Quality Characterization for Composites Using Hybrid Ultrasonic Imaging Techniques

An enhanced technique using image processing has been developed for automated ultrasonic inspection of composite materials, such as glass/carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP or CFRP), to ascertain their structural healthiness. The proposed technique is capable of identifying the abnormality features buried in the composite by image filtering and segmentation applied to ultrasonic C-Scan images. This work presents results performed on two composite samples with simulated delamination defects. A local gating scheme is applied to raw A-Scan data for improved contrast between defective and healthy regions in the produced C-Scan image. In this test campaign, different filtering and thresholding algorithms are evaluated and compared in terms of their effectiveness on defect identification. The accuracies of less than 3 mm and 1.11 mm were attained for the defect size and depth, respectively. The results demonstrates the applicability of the proposed technique for accurate defect localization and characterization of composite materials.     

Markov Chain Analysis of Self-organizing Mobile Nodes

Self-organization of autonomous mobile nodes using bio-inspired algorithms in mobile ad hoc networks (manets) has been presented in earlier work of the authors. In this paper, the convergence speed of our force-based genetic algorithm (called fga) is provided through analysis using homogeneous Markov chains. The fga is run by each mobile node as a topology control mechanism to decide a corresponding node??s next speed and movement direction so that it guides an autonomous mobile node over an unknown geographical area to obtain a uniform node distribution while only using local information. The stochastic behavior of fga, like all ga-based approaches, makes it difficult to analyze the effects that various manet characteristics have on its convergence speed. Metrically transitive homogeneous Markov chains have been used to analyze the convergence of our fga with respect to various communication ranges of mobile nodes and also the number of nodes in various scenarios. The Dobrushin contraction coefficient of ergodicity is used for measuring convergence speed for Markov chain model of our fga. Two different testbed platforms are presented to illustrate effectiveness of our bio-inspired algorithm in terms of area coverage.     

How a new realistic mobility model can affect the relative performance of a mobile networking scheme

The validity of the mobility model used to evaluate a cellular network determines the validity of the evaluation. In the literature, unrealistic assumptions on mobility are exercised for the sake of simplicity. In this paper, we present a novel mobility model which is realistic in the sense that it captures the moving‐in‐groups, conscious traveling and inertial behaviours of the subscribers while respecting the non‐pass‐through feature of structures like households and preserving the autonomy of the subscribers. The mobility and call patterns of the subscribers are determined according to the locus of the subscriber over a real map. Thus, our model allows the subscribers to leave home or arrive home, walk or drive in the streets, get on the highways at specific entry points together with numerous hot and blind spots in the terrain, like city centers and lakes. The call pattern of a subscriber is affected by the type of structure he is in. The model can work on real maps to simulate the mobility patterns in real life. We have evaluated the proposed model against the well‐known way point mobility model. We also analyzed the effect of the mobility model on systems with and without guard channels. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Minimum flow maximum residual routing in LEO satellite networks using routing set

Satellite networks are used as backup networks to the terrestrial communication systems. In this work, we tried to find a routing strategy over dynamic satellite systems to better utilize the capacity of the network. The satellite networks are not affected by natural disasters, therefore they can be used widely during and after disasters. The Minimum Flow Maximum Residual (MFMR) routing algorithm over the Routing Set boundaries is proposed in order to better utilize the capacity of the system by distributing the load over the shortest path alternatives of the system. We assumed the satellite network as having finite states and formulated the problem by using Finite State Automation concept along with earth-fixed cell strategy by using a virtual satellite network model. The routing problem in satellite networks is previously studied in the literature and it is conjectured that the problem is NP-Hard. The online and offline problems are stated and the MFMR algorithm is described in detail. The algorithm is compared with alternatives by simulating the network on Opnet Modeler. Finally, the performance analysis of different scenarios is given in this work. Roy Kucukates received his BS, MS and PhD degrees in computer engineering from Bogazici University, Istanbul, in 1993, 1995 and 2002, respectively. He worked as teaching assistant in Bogazici University between 1993 and 1995. Currently, he is a part time instructor in the Computer Engineering Department of Koc University and Dogus University. He is the co-founder and manager of Gordion Bilgi Hizmet Ltd Sti. LEO satellite networks, wireless networks, simulation and performance evaluationl, routing protocols can be stated among his research areas. Cem Ersoy received his BS and MS degrees in electrical engineering from Bogazici University, Istanbul, in 1984 and 1986, respectively. He worked as an R&D engineer in NETAS A.S. between 1984 and 1986. He received his PhD in electrical engineering from Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, New York in 1992. Currently, he is a professor and department head in the Computer Engineering Department of Bogazici University. His research interests include performance evaluation and topological design of communication networks, wireless communications and mobile applications. Wireless sensor networks. Dr. Ersoy is a Senior Member of IEEE.     

Room-temperature interface state analysis of Au/Poly(4-vinyl phenol)/p-Si structure

The Poly(4-vinyl phenol) insulator layer was grown by spin coating technique onto p-Si substrate. Diode ideality factor (n), insulator layer thickness (δ), space charge region width (W_D), interface state density (N_ss), series resistance (R_s), acceptor concentration (N_A) of the Au/Poly(4-vinyl phenol)/p-Si structure have been extracted from the current–voltage (I–V), frequency dependent capacitance–voltage (C–V) and conductance–voltage (G–V) measurements. It is pointed out that the interface states lead to deviation of the ideality factor value from 1 and frequency dispersion of the C–V characteristics. N_ss profiles as a function of (E_ss−E_v) obtained using I–V and low frequency C–V measurements are in good agreement. N_ss values varying between 10¹² and 10¹³ eV⁻¹ cm⁻² mean that Poly(4-vinyl phenol) is a candidate for insulator layer forming on Si as powerful as SiN₄, SnO₂, TiO₂.     

Effects of ochratoxin A on micronucleus frequency in human lymphocytes

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a nephrotoxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin, was investigated to examine its potency to induce micronuclei (MN) in cultured human lymphocytes. Lymphocyte cultures were treated for the last 48 h with OTA at concentrations of 25 microM, 10 microM, 1 microM, 100 nM, 10 nM, 1 nM, and 100 microM and absolute ethanol. At the highest concentration, OTA was found to induce MN in cytokinesis-blocked lymphocytes (p < 0.05). The 25 microM OTA concentration also led to a clear decrease in the percentage of binucleated cells, probably due to cytotoxicity. OTA at the other concentrations tested did not induce MN frequency. These results indicate that a high concentration of OTA is genotoxic in cultured human lymphocytes.     

Quality of Deployment in Surveillance Wireless Sensor Networks

When wireless sensors are used to keep an area under surveillance, a critical issue is the quality of the deployment from the sensing coverage viewpoint. In this paper, we propose several quality measures, which indicate if the deployment provides sufficient coverage, or whether redeployment is required or not. The terrain is modeled as a grid and the placement of the sensors is uniformly distributed. Neyman–Pearson detection is utilized to determine the effects of false-alarm and signal characteristics on the measures.