Impact of traffic localization on communication rates in ad-hoc networks

The effect of traffic distribution on communication rates and receiver complexity in ad-hoc networks is addressed, considering a network with constant density of users and a certain traffic model. Information theoretic upper bounds on communication rates are derived under an assumption that transmitting nodes as well as receiving nodes cooperate. It is shown that for the case of large signal attenuation the bounds hold even when the cooperation among users is limited to a certain region of the network domain. Furthermore, achievability bounds on communication rates are derived. The bounds rely on two proposed local cooperation strategies. A comparison shows that the upper bounds are tight and closely follow the achievability results. Finally, the impact of traffic localization on the receiver complexity is addressed.     

Achieving seamless handoffs via backhaul support in Wireless Mesh Networks

In Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs), mobile clients may experience frequent handoffs due to the relatively small transmission range of the mesh routers. Each handoff may lead to packet delays and/or packet losses, which limits the performance of real-time applications over WMNs. In this work, we propose BASH—a Backhaul-Aided Seamless Handoff scheme. BASH takes advantage of the wireless backhaul feature of WMNs, and allows a mobile station to directly access the backhaul channel to probe the neighboring mesh routers. Our work shows that by utilizing the wireless backhaul, BASH (1) reduces the probing latency and, thus, the Layer-2 handoff latency; (2) allows partial overlap of the Layer-2 and Layer-3 handoffs, reducing the overall handoff latency; and (3) shortens the authentication latency by utilizing the transitivity of trust relationship. The experimental results show that BASH achieves an average Layer-2 handoff of 8.9 ms, which supports real-time applications during the handoff.     

Characterization,Cathodoluminescence, and Field‐Emission Properties of Morphology‐Tunable CdS Micro/Nanostructures

High‐quality, uniform one‐dimensional CdS micro/nanostructures with different morphologies—microrods, sub‐microwires and nanotips—are fabricated through an easy and effective thermal evaporation process. Their structural, cathodoluminescence and field‐emission properties are systematically investigated. Microrods and nanotips exhibit sharp near‐band‐edge emission and broad deep‐level emission, whereas sub‐microwires show only the deep‐level emission. A significant decrease in a deep‐level/near‐band‐edge intensity ratio is observed along a tapered nanotip towards a smaller diameter part. This behavior is understood by consideration of defect concentrations in the nanotips, as analyzed with high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. Field‐emission measurements show that the nanotips possess the best field‐emission characteristics among all 1D CdS nanostructures reported to date, with a relatively low turn‐on field of 5.28 V µm^?1 and the highest field‐enhancement factor of 4 819. The field‐enhancement factor, turn‐on and threshold fields are discussed related to structure morphology and vacuum gap variations under emission.     

Superparamagnetic Ag@Co‐Nanocomposites on Granulated Cation Exchange Polymeric Matrices with Enhanced Antibacterial Activity for the Environmentally Safe Purification of Water

Cation exchange polymeric matrices are widely used in water treatment protocols to reduce the mineral content of hard waters, even for human consumption. However, they are not antibacterial and flowing bacteria can be trapped in their structures and proliferate, thus acting as microbial contamination sources. Here, Ag@Co‐nanoparticles (Ag@Co‐NPs) with a low‐cost superparamagnetic Co⁰‐core and an antibacterial Ag‐shell are synthesized on granulated cation exchange polymeric matrices under soft reaction conditions. The presence of these NPs provides the final nanocomposite (NC) with additional functionalities (superparamagnetism and antibacterial activity) making it ideal for water purification applications. Ag@Co‐NPs are synthesized in situ on four cation exchange polymeric matrices containing either strong (sulfonic) or weak (carboxylic) acid functional groups homogeneously distributed (C‐type) or concentrated on an external shell (SST‐type) by the intermatrix synthesis (IMS) method. The NCs are characterized (metal content, NP size and distribution, metal oxidative state, and metal release) and evaluated for water purification applications.     

Strength distribution of particles under compression

From time immemorial people dealt with size reduction processes (mill, mineral liberation, etc.). As time has passed industrial units for comminution processes have become larger and more sophisticated, but still they perform with low efficiencies [1], [2] and [3]. The strength of a particle is one of its most crucial characteristics due to the mechanical stresses experienced by each particle within an industrial unit. This is because the final size of particles is mostly dependant on the strength distribution of the raw material [4]. In this present study, the ability of a number of statistical formulations to accurately describe the strength distribution of particles was examined. Additionally, selected equations were analyzed and a general expression including the effect of the material and particle size was developed. A number of approaches to define particle strength were considered, and strength in terms of crushing force was chosen. Particle strength in terms of force and in terms of energy was also compared and found to be size independent. Finally, particle strength in terms of stress was examined and compared to the particle strength in terms of force.The ability to describe the compression strength distribution will significantly improve the accuracy of the comminution processes simulation, design and optimization.     

The electrical delivery of a sublimable II–VI compound by vapor transport in carbon nanotubes

Progress in the field of femtogram (10⁻¹⁵ g) mass delivery relies on finding dependable transport vehicles and uncomplicated methods to tailor the deposition of active substances. Here, current-conductive containers consisting of turbostratic carbon nanotubes were used to store a light-emitting ternary alloy and guide its delivery on demand. We found that the electrically-activated delivery process of this sublimable compound, performed inside a transmission electron microscope, was highly dependent on factors such as the substrate type and current injection mode. Furthermore, our observations suggest that the alleged “missing matter” problem is not solely due to surface migration. Besides extending the field of electrical delivery to the realm of functional materials, the extrusion and mass transport of a sublimable II–VI compound demonstrates that it is possible to guide vapor migration using a carbon nanotube support.     

Interaction of tRNA with Eukaryotic Ribosome

This paper is a review of currently available data concerning interactions of tRNAs with the eukaryotic ribosome at various stages of translation. These data include the results obtained by means of cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography applied to various model ribosomal complexes, site-directed cross-linking with the use of tRNA derivatives bearing chemically or photochemically reactive groups in the CCA-terminal fragment and chemical probing of 28S rRNA in the region of the peptidyl transferase center. Similarities and differences in the interactions of tRNAs with prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes are discussed with concomitant consideration of the extent of resemblance between molecular mechanisms of translation in eukaryotes and bacteria.