Joint data rate and power allocation for lifetime maximization in interference limited ad hoc networks

In this paper, we consider the following problem in the wireless ad hoc network: Given a set of paths between source and destination, how to divide the data flow among the paths and how to control the transmission rates, times, and powers of the individual links in order to maximize the operation time of the worst network node. If all nodes are of equal importance, the operation time of the worst node is also the lifetime of the network. By solving the problem, our aim is to investigate how the network lifetime is affected by link conditions such as the maximum transmission power of a node and the peak data rate of a link. For the purpose, we start from a system model that incorporates the carrier to interference ratio (CIR) into a variable data rate of a link. With this, we can develop an iterative algorithm for the lifetime maximization, which resembles to the distributed power control in cellular systems. Numerical examples on the iterative algorithm are included to illustrate the network lifetime as a function of the maximum transmission power and the peak data rate.     

ICA结构进化和未来网

ICA是一种含有中间件的网络软件体系结构,旨在以结构进化取得功能突破,据以全面支持来自用户的以及来自系统的各种应用需要。ICA的出台,表明国际上已建立起一种未来网定位新理念。ICA所代表的“信息通信”领域内的网络软件结构进化,立足于把未来网规范为三层结构,即“应用(Application)层”、“中间件(Middleware)层”和“基础(Baseware)层”。ICA的出现,对我国谋求新崛起是大好机遇,这不仅可以直接振兴我国网络软件产业,更可激励我国在新一轮的网络进化的进程中力争跻身“领潮国”的行列。“ICA融合了各种最新信息技术的长处”。ICA结构进化,标志着当今网络进化的时代特征。推进和实现基于ICA的未来网,有着较佳的可行性。     

Rapid and comprehensive indicator for evaluation of performance of treatment processes and of river waters.

Naturally occurring UV active compounds, commonly present in almost all source waters, can be rapidly monitored by their ultraviolet absorbance at 260 nm (E260). Herein, the extent of correlation between the E260 and the removal efficiency of the hazardous contaminants, endocrine disrupters and dioxins, were investigated using various treatment and river source waters. The detection of various types of hazardous contaminants using sophisticated analytical methods, such as high resolution gas chromatography (HRGC)/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/inductively coupled plasma (ICP)/mass spectrometry (MS), as well as various short-term bioassays, can require hours or even days for results to be obtained. The removal of the E260 correlated well with those of individual contaminants, such as endocrine disruptor chemicals and dioxins, with the various treatment processes employed. In the plots of the endocrine disrupters against the DOC/E260, a correlation was found with the endocrine activity of the Korean/Japanese river waters employed in this study.     

Formation of C4 species in the deactivation of a Pd/SiO2 catalyst during the selective hydrogenation of acetylene

The deactivation characteristics of Pd/SiO₂ in the selective hydrogenation of acetylene were correlated with changes in the amount of the C4 species produced. The amounts of butenes produced changed in parallel with the catalyst activity, indicating that the rate limiting step for butene production was the same as that for acetylene hydrogenation. On the other hand, the amount of 1,3-butadiene produced changed, showing a maximum with catalyst deactivation because 1,3-butadiene is an intermediate in the sequential reaction process which involves both the production and consumption of 1,3-butadiene. This was verified by a simultaneous TG/reaction experiment showing that 1,3-butadiene was a precursor of green oil. The catalyst showed a self-regenerative behavior in its activity and the amounts of C4 species produced during the early stage of deactivation because two opposite factors, which contributed to either the lowering or the promotion of activity, were involved in the process. A specific type of polymer species, produced during the initial period of deactivation, is proposed to be responsible for the promotion of catalyst activity.     

Value management and common accounting performance measures for corporations

Management is aware that the value of firms is the ultimate measure of company performance. However, management has been using common accounting measures as an operating guide because the linkage between operational planning and value is vague and complex and, therefore, difficult to apply. Managers need to have clear targets and performance measures to track progress. This paper examines if a set of common accounting performance measures are linked tightly to the overall value of the firm. An abductive learning network (ALN) approach, an artificial intelligence technique, is used in this research because an ALN approach is non-parametric and can capture a subtle dynamic relationship between input and output variables, which is not obvious in linear statistical analysis. Empirical results show that an ALN model is very effective in synthesizing the value of the firm using six common accounting variables. The results also provide four strategic variables that can be used for devising strategic and operating plans to maximize the value of firms.     

A hybrid extended finite element/level set method for modeling phase transformations

A hybrid numerical method for modelling the evolution of sharp phase interfaces on fixed grids is presented. We focus attention on two‐dimensional solidification problems, where the temperature field evolves according to classical heat conduction in two subdomains separated by a moving freezing front. The enrichment strategies of the eXtended Finite Element Method (X‐FEM) are employed to represent the jump in the temperature gradient that governs the velocity of the phase boundary. A new approach with the X‐FEM is suggested for this class of problems whereby the partition of unity is constructed with C¹(Ω) polynomials and enriched with a C⁰(Ω) function. This approach leads to jumps in temperature gradient occurring only at the phase boundary, and is shown to significantly improve estimates for the front velocity. Temporal derivatives of the temperature field in the vicinity of the phase front are obtained with a projection that employs discontinuous enrichment. In conjunction with a finer finite difference grid, the Level Set method is used to represent the evolution of the phase interface. An iterative procedure is adopted to satisfy the constraints on the temperature field on the phase boundary. The robustness and utility of the method is demonstrated with several benchmark problems of phase transformation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

利用高酸值餐饮废油脂制备生物柴油

以高酸值餐饮废油脂为原料,在酯化反应后再经两步酯交换反应制备生物柴油。在酯化反应中添加吸水剂可降低油脂的酸值,经一次酯化反应即可将油脂的酸值降至2m g/g左右,满足酯交换反应的要求。考察了酯化反应中吸水剂的添加方式、种类及其用量对酯化反应的影响,以及酯交换催化剂的种类及用量对脂肪酸甲酯(FAME)收率和产物组成的影响。实验结果表明,以凹凸棒土为吸水剂(用量为餐饮废油脂中游离脂肪酸质量的3%),且在酯化反应30m in时加入,酯化效果较好;以质量比为1∶1的NaOH和KOH混合物为催化剂进行两步酯交换反应时,催化剂的最佳用量依次为1.00%和0.75%(质量分数,基于油脂的质量),FAME收率最高达到96.33%。     

StoryGrid [educational computing]

The StoryGrid project undertook studying the role new interface technologies might play in education, particularly at the high school level. Unfortunately, technology often seizes center stage in high school classrooms; i.e., it becomes the topic of instruction. We believe that learning about technology would be most successful when technology is not the topic, but simply a tool used during instruction. StoryGrid, therefore, was designed to support and to enhance existing narrative activity in classrooms by adhering to the following goals: trigger reflection and interpretation, accommodate individual expression and encourage student discourse.     

Compact Dipole Antenna for Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting Service

A compact dipole antenna for the terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (TDMB) application is presented. The length of the antenna is about 0.06λ at the TDMB resonance frequency of 190 MHz. Miniaturization of the antenna is achieved by using meander structures and lumped elements. The proposed antenna has two resonance frequencies and covers the TDMB band from 174 MHz to 216 MHz in Korea. The antenna has good impedance bandwidth and radiation characteristics for the TDMB. The experimental results of the designed dipole antenna are presented and analyzed.