Approaches to resource reservation for migrating real-time sessions in future mobile wireless networks

This paper presents two novel frameworks for session admission control and resource reservation in the context of next generation mobile and cellular networks. We also devised a special scheme that avoids per-user reservation signaling overhead in order to meet scalability requirements needed for next generation multi-access networks. The first proposal, Distributed Call Admission Control with Aggregate Resource Reservation (VR), uses mobility prediction based on mobile positioning system location information and takes into account the expected bandwidth to be used by calls handing off to and from neighboring cells within a configurable estimation time window. In conjunction, a novel concept called virtual reservation has been devised to prevent per-user reservation. Our second proposal, Local Call Admission Control and Time Series-based Resource Reservation, takes into account the expected bandwidth to be used by calls handed off from neighboring cells based only on local information stored into the current cell a user is seeking admission to. To this end, we suggest the use of two time series-based models for predicting handoff load: the Trigg and Leach (TL), which is an adaptive exponential smoothing technique, and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) that uses the Box and Jenkins methodology. It is worth to emphasize that the use of bandwidth prediction based on ARIMA technique still exist for wireless networks. The novelty of our approach is to build an adaptive framework based on ARIMA technique that takes into account the measured handoff dropping probability in order to tuning the prediction time window size so increasing the prediction accuracy. The proposed schemes are compared through simulations with the fixed guard channel (GC) and other optimized dynamic reservation-based proposals present in the literature. The results show that our schemes outperform many others and that the simpler local proposal based on TL can grant nearly similar levels of handoff dropping probability as compared to those from more the complex distributed approach.     

A Novel Buffering Technique for Aqueous Processing of Zinc Oxide Nanostructures and Interfaces,and Corresponding Improvement of Electrodeposited ZnO‐Cu2O Photovoltaics

A novel buffering method is presented to improve the stability of zinc oxide processed in aqueous solutions. By buffering the aqueous solution with a suitable quantity of sacrificial zinc species, the dissolution of functional zinc oxide structures and the formation of unwanted impurities can be prevented. The method is demonstrated for ZnO films and nanowires processed in aqueous solutions used for the selective etching of mesoporous anodic alumina templates and the electrochemical deposition of Cu₂O. In both cases, improved ZnO stability is observed with the buffering method. ZnO‐Cu₂O heterojunction solar cells (bilayer and nanowire cells) synthesized using both traditional and buffered deposition methods are characterized by impedance spectroscopy and solar simulation measurements. Buffering the Cu₂O deposition solution is found to reduce unwanted recombination at the heterojunction and improve the photovoltaic performance.     

Electronic Structure and Optoelectronic Properties of Bismuth Oxyiodide Robust against Percent‐Level Iodine‐, Oxygen‐, and Bismuth‐Related Surface Defects

In the search for nontoxic alternatives to lead‐halide perovskites, bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) has emerged as a promising contender. BiOI is air‐stable for over three months, demonstrates promising early‐stage photovoltaic performance and, importantly, is predicted from calculations to tolerate vacancy and antisite defects. Here, whether BiOI tolerates point defects is experimentally investigated. BiOI thin films are annealed at a low temperature of 100 °C under vacuum (25 Pa absolute pressure). There is a relative reduction in the surface atomic fraction of iodine by over 40%, reduction in the surface bismuth fraction by over 5%, and an increase in the surface oxygen fraction by over 45%. Unexpectedly, the Bi 4f_7/2 core level position, Fermi level position, and valence band density of states of BiOI are not significantly changed. Further, the charge‐carrier lifetime, photoluminescence intensity, and the performance of the vacuum‐annealed BiOI films in solar cells remain unchanged. The results show BiOI to be electronically and optoelectronically robust to percent‐level changes in surface composition. However, from photoinduced current transient spectroscopy measurements, it is found that the as‐grown BiOI films have deep traps located ≈0.3 and 0.6 eV from the band edge. These traps limit the charge‐carrier lifetimes of BiOI, and future improvements in the performance of BiOI photovoltaics will need to focus on identifying their origin. Nevertheless, these deep traps are three to four orders of magnitude less concentrated than the surface point defects induced through vacuum annealing. The charge‐carrier lifetimes of the BiOI films are also orders of magnitude longer than if these surface defects were recombination active. This work therefore shows BiOI to be robust against processing conditions that lead to percent‐level iodine‐, bismuth‐, and oxygen‐related surface defects. This will simplify and reduce the cost of fabricating BiOI‐based electronic devices, and stands in contrast to the defect‐sensitivity of traditional covalent semiconductors.     

On the performance of heterogeneous MANETs

Recent decades have witnessed the birth of major applications of wireless communication technology, further supported by the increasing capabilities of portable devices, low cost and ubiquitous presence. Despite radio technology diversity, a great deal of existing research focuses on a single and isolated wireless technology at a time, where homogeneous elements are identified by IP addresses. This work presents a heterogeneous technology routing (HTR) Framework, targeted towards scenarios where the heterogeneity of devices and networking technologies is present. Our contribution is many fold. It consists of a framework, which encompasses a process for bootstrapping networks, a routing protocol capable of dealing with multiple network interfaces, and a tuning with multipath extensions. We evaluate the performance of the bootstrap, routing and multipath mechanisms by way of simulation and an actual testbed implementation. The multipath evaluation simulates HTR networks with WiMAX, 3GPP LTE and Wi-Fi support. Results show that our proposal can effectively improve the data delivery ratio for ad-hoc networks and that it reduces the end-to-end delay without major impact on network energy consumption. As part of HTR tuning, we investigate next the impacts of tuning the HELLO refresh interval timer on route convergence and its subsequent energy consumption reduction during this phase. We also compare our tuned HTR with the widely used optimized link state routing protocol. Results show that varying the HELLO refresh interval can improve the convergence time and reduce the energy consumption without major impact on network behavior. Our proposal also includes a new distributed address allocation algorithm, namely, the dynamic node configuration protocol (DNCP). This paper conducts a comparative analysis between the Prime, Prophet and the DNCP schemes using static and dynamic topologies in terms of network setup time, energy consumption and control message overhead. Results show that the DNCP had a lower battery power consumption and less control message overhead while it slightly suffers with regard to setup.

     

An Organoid for Woven Bone

Bone formation (osteogenesis) is a complex process in which cellular differentiation and the generation of a mineralized organic matrix are synchronized to produce a hybrid hierarchical architecture. To study the mechanisms of osteogenesis in health and disease, there is a great need for functional model systems that capture in parallel, both cellular and matrix formation processes. Stem cell-based organoids are promising as functional, self-organizing 3D in vitro models for studying the physiology and pathology of various tissues. However, for human bone, no such functional model system is yet available. This study reports the in vitro differentiation of human bone marrow stromal cells into a functional 3D self-organizing co-culture of osteoblasts and osteocytes, creating an organoid for early stage bone (woven bone) formation. It demonstrates the formation of an organoid where osteocytes are embedded within the collagen matrix that is produced by the osteoblasts and mineralized under biological control. Alike in in vivo osteocytes, the embedded osteocytes show network formation and communication via expression of sclerostin. The current system forms the most complete 3D living in vitro model system to investigate osteogenesis, both in physiological and pathological situations, as well as under the influence of external triggers (mechanical stimulation, drug administration).     

A multiparameter wearable physiologic monitoring system for space and terrestrial applications.

A novel, unobtrusive and wearable, multiparameter ambulatory physiologic monitoring system for space and terrestrial applications, termed LifeGuard, is presented. The core element is a wearable monitor, the crew physiologic observation device (CPOD), that provides the capability to continuously record two standard electrocardiogram leads, respiration rate via impedance plethysmography, heart rate, hemoglobin oxygen saturation, ambient or body temperature, three axes of acceleration, and blood pressure. These parameters can be digitally recorded with high fidelity over a 9-h period with precise time stamps and user-defined event markers. Data can be continuously streamed to a base station using a built-in Bluetooth RF link or stored in 32 MB of on-board flash memory and downloaded to a personal computer using a serial port. The device is powered by two AAA batteries. The design, laboratory, and field testing of the wearable monitors are described.     

LD抽运的高性能微型绿光激光器

研制成高性能微型全固态绿光激光器。用独特的整体控温技术提高器件效率 ,全部元件固化为一个整体以提高激光输出功率和光束指向稳定性 ,用 1W的LD纵向抽运Nd∶YVO4 /KTP激光器 ,获得 195mW的TEM0 0 模 0 53μm连续激光输出。输出功率不稳定度≤± 2 % ,光束方向稳定性优于 0 0 1mrad/hr和 0 0 3mrad/ 2 4hrs。该器件体积小 ,效率高 ,使用方便。     

Tunable Nanoparticle and Cell Assembly Using Combined Self‐Powered Microfluidics and Microcontact Printing

The combination of cell microenvironment control and real‐time monitoring of cell signaling events can provide key biological information. Through precise multipatterning of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) around cells, sensing and actuating elements can be introduced in the cells' microenviroment, providing a powerful substrate for cell studies. In this work, a combination of techniques are implemented to engineer complex substrates for cell studies. Alternating GNPs and bioactive areas are created with micrometer separation by means of a combination of vacumm soft‐lithography of GNPs and protein microcontract printing. Instead of conventional microfluidics that need syringe pumps to flow liquid in the microchannels, degas driven flow is used to fill dead‐end channels with GNP solutions, rendering the fabrication process straightforward and accessible. This new combined technique is called Printing and Vacuum lithography (PnV lithography). By using different GNPs with various organic coating ligands, different macroscale patterns are obtained, such as wires, supercrystals, and uniformly spread nanoparticle layers that can find different applications depending on the need of the user. The application of the system is tested to pattern a range of mammalian cell lines and obtain readouts on cell viability, cell morphology, and the presence of cell adhesive proteins.     

Area and volume conservation among the elderly: Assessment and training.

Conducted 2 studies to examine whether the elderly maintain the competence to adequately solve problems of logical thinking. In the 1st study the performance of 60 noninstitutionalized middle-class elderly females was assessed on area and volume conservation tasks. On overall performance only 33.3% of the Ss were classified as conservers. In the 2nd study a training paradigm was used to determine whether simple verbal feedback activated the strategies required for adequate performance on conservation tasks. 22 Ss who failed at least 2 conservation tasks in the assessment study were administered a 20-trial training procedure. Half of these Ss received simple verbal feedback following each response, while half received no feedback. Results on an immediate posttest indicated that the feedback group performed significantly better than the control group on the near transfer posttest task and on the majority of far transfer tasks. The results are discussed in terms of a distinction between competence and performance. (29 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)