BPC – A binary priority countdown protocol

In modern wireless ad hoc networks, with a high speed PHY, every collision means a significant loss of useful bandwidth. In the last few years different binary contention protocols have been introduced to address this problem. In this work we propose a novel binary contention protocol called binary priority countdown (BPC) protocol, whose goal is to reduce collisions as well as contention time. BPC uses a new priority countdown mechanism which exploits the efficiency of binary countdown, but the priority countdown process is not constrained to a single binary countdown round. This way, the priority space is not defined by the length of binary countdown round, like in other binary countdown protocols proposed in the literature, and arbitrary medium access priorities can be decremented through multiple binary countdown rounds if necessary. The ability of a new priority countdown mechanism to count down any priority number without changing the length of a binary countdown round, allows independent management of priority space. This “independence” of priority space introduces new optimization and adaptation possibilities. Collision memory effect is recognized and described. BPC protocol reveals connection between unary, binary and digit contention protocols. All three groups of protocols can now be seen as members of the same class of contention algorithms. Preliminary simulation results are shown.     

E-business technologies for xRM: Exploring the readiness of public broadcasters

This paper examines the possibilities of enhancing relationship management between public service broadcasters and their stakeholders by harnessing the potential of newest e-business technologies and concepts, such as: social media, digital and interactive TV, and mobile computing. In order to facilitate adoption of relationship management strategy, a framework for leveraging relationship management is proposed. Evaluation was performed within the e-business system of a public broadcaster. This empirical study explored the readiness and expected benefits of relationship management implementation. The research results have indicated that a public broadcaster could achieve a higher level of social responsibility, improve business sustainability, and empower communication and collaboration with all the stakeholders by using emerging technologies for relationship management activities.     

Prediction of traditionally utilised wheat dough technological quality parameters from Mixolab values: development and evaluation of regression models

The research was conducted with the aim to investigate the possibility of Farinograph, Extensograph and Amylograph values prediction with linear and/or multiple Mixolab regression models. In total, 163 flour samples were divided based on Machalanobis distances into three sets: prediction, validation and external sample set. Determination coefficients ranged from 0.145 to 0.640 for linear regression models and from 0.279 to 0.739 for multiple regression models. Internal and external validation of developed regression models was conducted. Testing of developed models resulted in a high share of samples for which predicted values were out of the ranges of method official reproducibility and a high share of samples for which predicted values were out of the quality level range obtained by analytical measurement. It was concluded that it is impossible to develop applicable regression models for prediction of Farinograph, Extensograph and Amylograph parameters on the basis of Mixolab values from standard protocol.     

Ecological efficiency and thermoeconomic analysis of a cogeneration system at a hospital

This work aims with an approach for cogeneration plants evaluation based on thermoeconomic functional diagram analysis. The second law of thermodynamics is used to develop a methodology to analyse cogeneration systems, based on exergoeconomics evaluation. The thermoeconomic optimisation method developed is applied to allow a better configuration of the cogeneration plant associated to a university hospital. Also ecological efficiency is evaluated. The method was efficient and contributes for thermoeconomics modelling and analysis and can be applied to any sort of thermal system, especially those with combined heat and power in thermal parity.     

The influence of spiral jet-milling on the physicochemical properties of carbamazepine form III crystals: Quality by design approach

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of spiral jet-milling process on the physicochemical characteristics of α polymorphic active pharmaceutical ingredient, using Carbamazepine form III as a model drug, and taking into consideration Quality by Design (QbD) approach to pharmaceutical development. A 2^(4-1) factorial screening design was implemented to identify the spiral jet-milling process variables that significantly affect the particle size distribution of milled samples. Diameter of injector nozzles, diameter of ring nozzles and air pressure were selected for further analysis using a 2^(3-1) factorial experimental design. Particle size distribution of additional samples was determined, while physicochemical properties were examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hot-stage polarized microscopy (HSPM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and compared to those of un-milled drug. The gathered results shown that applied experimental design approach is capable to predict material behavior and could help in better understanding of material behavior during jet-milling process. Created design space (DS) provides assurance of product quality, expressed as the powder particle sizes lower than 5 μm, as well as, in initial polymorph form existence after jet-milling through combination and interaction of input variables.     

Effect of supercritical CO2 extraction process parameters on oil yield and pigment content from by‐product hemp cake

This research gives an insight into the possibility of exploiting the one of the food industry's by‐products – pressed hemp cake. The complete recovery of oil from pressed hemp cake was achieved. Residual oil that remained in cake after pressing was extracted with supercritical CO₂ by applying different process parameters. Optimal extraction conditions were determined using response surface methodology. Total pigment contents of the oils obtained were determined. Extraction pressure had the most significant influence on yield and pigment content of extracted hemp cake oil. Depending on the pressure, the chlorophyll a content ranged from 101.11 to 378.28 mg kg^?1 and chlorophyll b from 65.14 to 189.78 mg kg^?1, while total carotene content was in the range from 33.58 to 132.67 mg kg^?1. The remaining oil in pressed hemp cake after supercritical CO₂ extraction was determined to be 0.56 ± 0.08% and the defatted cake was rich in proteins and fibre.     

Visualization of the Centre of Projection Geometrical Locus in a Single Image

Single view reconstruction (SVR) is an important approach for 3D shape recovery since many non‐existing buildings and scenes are captured in a single image. Historical photographs are often the most precise source for virtual reconstruction of a damaged cultural heritage. In semi‐automated techniques, that are mainly used under practical situations, the user is the one who recognizes and selects constraints to be used. Hence, the veridicality and the accuracy of the final model partially rely on man‐based decisions. We noticed that users, especially non‐expert users such as cultural heritage professionals, usually do not fully understand the SVR process, which is why they have trouble in decision making while modelling. That often fundamentally affects the quality of the final 3D models. Considering the importance of human performance in SVR approaches, in this paper we offer a solution that can be used to reduce the amount of user errors. Specifically, we address the problem of locating the centre of projection (CP). We introduce a tool set for 3D visualization of the CP's geometrical loci that provides the user with a clear idea of how the CP's location is determined. Thanks to this type of visualization, the user becomes aware of the following: (1) the constraint relevant for CP location, (2) the image suitable for SVR, (3) more constraints for CP location required, (4) which constraints should be used for the best match, (5) will additional constraints create a useful redundancy. In order to test our approach and the assumptions it relies on, we compared the amount of user made errors in the standard approaches with the one in which additional visualization is provided.     

The kinetic and thermodynamic analysis of ultrasound-extraction of minerals from aerial parts of white lady's bedstraw (Galium mollugo L.)

The present paper deals with the extraction of some minerals (potassium, calcium and magnesium) from ground, dried aerial parts of white lady's bedstraw (Galium mollugo L.) using an aqueous ethanol solution (50% by volume) at different temperatures (from 23 to 40 °C) in the presence and absence of ultrasound. The main goal was to establish the kinetics and the thermodynamics of the two extraction processes. A phenomenological model involving simultaneous washing and diffusion was proved for both ultrasound-assisted and silent extraction of the minerals. The minerals extraction both in the presence and the absence of ultrasound is endothermic and irreversible since the enthalpy change and the entropy change are positive in the ranges of extraction temperature applied. The Gibbs free energy change for the extraction of minerals is negative, indicating that the process is feasible and spontaneous. The minerals yield increased by a factor of 1.02–1.06 and 1.14–1.27 in the absence and the presence of ultrasound, respectively for every 10 °C rise in temperature.