Performance Analysis of Optimum Combining Technique in OFDM Based Full Duplex Multiantenna DF Relay Network with Narrowband Interference

In this paper, optimum combining technique is applied to minimize the effect of Narrowband Interference (NBI) in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing based full duplex relay network. The NBI signal is assumed to be quasi-static over the duration of a transmitted signal. Multiple antennas are employed at Decode and Forward relay and destination nodes. The Probability Density Function of Signal to Interference Ratio at relay and destination nodes is derived using Hotelling’s T ² distribution. Analytical expression for the end-to-end outage probability of the proposed network is derived using the hypergeometric functions. As the weight vector of the optimal combiner is determined using the statistics of the interference channels, the performance of the proposed network becomes better than the network with maximal ratio combining.     

Regulation of promoter-CAT stress genes in HepG2 cells by suspensions of particles from ambient air

Whole-cell patch recording techniques were used to analyze spontaneous electrical activity in cerebellar Purkinje cells acutely isolated from postnatal rats. Spontaneous activity was present in 65% of the cells examined, and it included simple and complex firing patterns which persisted under conditions that eliminated residual or reformed synaptic contacts. Under voltage clamp, both spontaneous and quiescent cells displayed similar voltage-dependent conductances. Inward current was carried by Na+ through tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive channels and by Ca2+ through P-type and T-type Ca channels. P-type current was present in all cells examined. T-type current was found in <50%, and it did not correlate with spontaneous activity. We found no evidence of a transient (A-type) potassium current or hyperpolarization-activated cationic current in either spontaneous or quiescent cells. Spontaneous activity did correlate with a lower activation threshold of the Na current, resulting in substantial overlap of the activation and inactivation curves. TTX reduced the holding current of spontaneous cells clamped between -50 and -30 mV, consistent with the presence of a Na "window" current. We were unable, however, to measure a persistent component of the Na current using voltage steps, a result which may reflect the complex gating properties of Na channels. An Na window current could provide the driving force underlying spontaneous activity, as well as plateau potentials, in Purkinje cells.     

3D text segmentation and recognition using leap motion

In this paper, we present a method of Human-Computer-Interaction (HCI) through 3D air-writing. Our proposed method includes a natural way of interaction without pen and paper. The online texts are drawn on air by 3D gestures using fingertip within the field of view of a Leap motion sensor. The texts consist of single stroke only. Hence gaps between adjacent words are usually absent. This makes the system different as compared to the conventional 2D writing using pen and paper. We have collected a dataset that comprises with 320 Latin sentences. We have used a heuristic to segment 3D words from sentences. Subsequently, we present a methodology to segment continuous 3D strokes into lines of texts by finding large gaps between the end and start of the lines. This is followed by segmentation of the text lines into words. In the next phase, a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based classifier is used to recognize 3D sequences of segmented words. We have used dynamic as well as simple features for classification. We have recorded an overall accuracy of 80.3 % in word segmentation. Recognition accuracies of 92.73 % and 90.24 % have been recorded when tested with dynamic and simple features, respectively. The results show that the Leap motion device can be a low-cost but useful solution for inputting text naturally as compared to conventional systems. In future, this may be extended such that the system can successfully work on cluttered gestures.     

ContainerCloudSim: An environment for modeling and simulation of containers in cloud data centers

Containers are increasingly gaining popularity and becoming one of the major deployment models in cloud environments. To evaluate the performance of scheduling and allocation policies in containerized cloud data centers, there is a need for evaluation environments that support scalable and repeatable experiments. Simulation techniques provide repeatable and controllable environments, and hence, they serve as a powerful tool for such purpose. This paper introduces ContainerCloudSim, which provides support for modeling and simulation of containerized cloud computing environments. We developed a simulation architecture for containerized clouds and implemented it as an extension of CloudSim. We described a number of use cases to demonstrate how one can plug in and compare their container scheduling and provisioning policies in terms of energy efficiency and SLA compliance. Our system is highly scalable as it supports simulation of large number of containers, given that there are more containers than virtual machines in a data center. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CloudSimSDN-NFV: Modeling and simulation of network function virtualization and service function chaining in edge computing environments

Software-defined networking (SDN) has evolved and brought an innovative paradigm shift in computer networks by utilizing a programmable software controller with open protocols. Network functions, previously served on dedicated hardware, have shifted to network function virtualization (NFV) that enabled functions to be virtualized and provisioned dynamically upon generic hardware. In addition to NFV, edge computing utilizes the edge resources close to end-users, which can reduce the end-to-end service delay and the network traffic volume. Although these innovative technologies gained significant attention from both academia and industry, there are limited tools and simulation frameworks for the effectiveness evaluation in a repeatable and controllable manner. Furthermore, large-scale experimental infrastructures are expensive to setup and difficult to maintain. Even if they are created, they are not available or accessible for the majority of researchers throughout the world. In this paper, we propose a framework for simulating NFV functionalities in both edge and cloud computing environments. In addition to the basic network functionalities supported by SDN in CloudSimSDN, we added new NFV features, such as virtualized network functions allocation, migration, and autoscaling with the support of corresponding network functionalities, such as flow load balancing, rerouting, and service function chaining (SFC) maintenance. We evaluated our simulation framework with autoscaling and placement policies for SFC in the integrated edge and cloud computing environments. The results demonstrate its effectiveness in measuring and evaluating the end-to-end delay, response time, resource utilization, network traffic, and power consumption with different algorithms in each scenario.     

Thermo mechanical behaviour of unsaturated polyester toughened epoxy–clay hybrid nanocomposites

The intercrosslinked networks of unsaturated polyester (UP) toughened epoxy–clay hybrid nanocomposites have been developed. Epoxy resin (DGEBA) was toughened with 5, 10 and 15% (by wt) of unsaturated polyester using benzoyl peroxide as radical initiator and 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane as a curing agent at appropriate conditions. The chemical reaction of unsaturated polyester with the epoxy resin was carried out thermally in presence of benzoyl peroxide-radical initiator and the resulting product was analyzed by FT-IR spectra. Epoxy and unsaturated polyester toughened epoxy systems were further modified with 1, 3 and 5% (by wt) of organophilic montmorillonite (MMT) clay. Clay filled hybrid UP-epoxy matrices, developed in the form of castings were characterized for their thermal and mechanical properties. Thermal behaviour of the matrices was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Mechanical properties were studied as per ASTM standards. Data resulted from mechanical and thermal studies indicated that the introduction of unsaturated polyester into epoxy resin improved the thermal stability and impact strength to an appreciable extent. The impact strength of 3% clay filled epoxy system was increased by 19.2% compared to that of unmodified epoxy resin system. However, the introduction of both UP and organophilic MMT clay into epoxy resin enhanced the values of mechanical properties and thermal stability according to their percentage content. The impact strength of 3% clay filled 10% UP toughened epoxy system was increased by 26.3% compared to that of unmodified epoxy system. The intercalated nanocomposites exhibited higher dynamic modulus (from 3,072 to 3,820 MPa) than unmodified epoxy resin. From the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, it was observed that the presence of d ₀₀₁ reflections of the organophilic MMT clay in the cured product indicated the development of intercalated clay structure which in turn confirmed the formation of intercalated nanocomposites. The homogeneous morphologies of the UP toughened epoxy and UP toughened epoxy–clay hybrid systems were ascertained from scanning electron microscope (SEM).     

Fuzzy Generalized Prioritized Weighted Average Operator and its Application to Multiple Attribute Decision Making

The prioritized weighted average (PWA) operator was originally introduced by Yager. The prominent characteristic of the PWA operator is that it takes into account prioritization among attributes and decision makers. By combining the idea of generalized mean and PWA operator, we propose a new prioritized aggregation operator called fuzzy generalized prioritized weighted average (FGPWA) operator for aggregating triangular fuzzy numbers. The properties of the new aggregation operator are studied out and their special cases are examined. Furthermore, based on the FGPWA operator, an approach to deal with multiple attribute group decision making problems under triangular fuzzy environments is developed. Finally, a practical example is provided to illustrate the multiple attribute group decision making process.     

CdS impregnated cellulose nanocrystals/PVDF composite flexible and freestanding films: Impedance spectroscopic studies

Nanocrystalline CdS impregnated cellulose nanocrystals (CdS‐Cellulose) were embedded in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix and free‐standing flexible films of CdS‐cellulose/PVDF nanocomposite were made by sol‐gel technique. Effect of CdS loadings in cellulose embedded in the host matrix (PVDF) on the impedance properties was studied critically for the above samples. Dielectric constants were studied as a function of frequencies (1–100 kHz) at room temperatures. The dielectric constant increased significantly in CdS‐cellulose/PVDF nanocomposite than that for pristine PVDF film. The higher values of dielectric constant as well as dielectric loss were obtained at lower frequencies. This may be caused due to contributions arising out of space charge, dipole, and electronic polarizations. At higher frequencies, only dipole and electronic polarization were seen to contribute significantly. The nature of the Cole‐Cole plots could be seen to deviate significantly from one impedance semicircular arc before diverging after a frequency of 3,158, 2,147, and 1,925 Hz for CdS‐cellulose/PVDF nanocomposite with increased loading of CdS. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1419–1427, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers