A new fuzzy‐based method for load balancing in the cloud‐based Internet of things using a grey wolf optimization algorithm

Cloud computing provides high accessibility, scalability, and flexibility in the era of computing for different practical applications. Internet of things (IoT) is a new technology that connects the devices and things to provide user required services. Due to data and information upsurge on IoT, cloud computing is usually used for managing these data, which is known as cloud‐based IoT. Due to the high volume of requirements, service diversity is one of the critical challenges in cloud‐based IoT. Since the load balancing issue is one of the NP‐hard problems in heterogeneous environments, this article provides a new method for response time reduction using a well‐known grey wolf optimization algorithm. In this paper, we supposed that the response time is the same as the execution time of all the tasks that this parameter must be minimized. The way is determining the status of virtual machines based on the current load. Then the tasks will be removed from the machine with the additional load depending on the condition of the virtual machine and will be transferred to the appropriate virtual machine, which is the criterion for assigning the task to the virtual machine based on the least distance. The results of the CloudSim simulation environment showed that the response time is developed in compared to the HBB‐LB and EBCA‐LB algorithm. Also, the load imbalancing degree is improved in comparison to TSLBACO and HJSA.     

Filter-Bank Modulation Based Signal Design and Transmission Techniques for Intensity Modulated MIMO Visible Light Communication Systems

Wireless Personal Communications - Current research in wireless communication undoubtedly points towards the tremendous advantages of using visible light as a spectrum for significantly boosting...     

2D/3D Shaped Radiation Patterns of Sunflower and Conformal Antenna Arrays Using Phase Synthesis

2D and 3D beam synthesis from different antenna array arrangements are investigated in this paper. Planar sunflower, conformal cylinderical and spherical helical array arrangements are studied. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique is used to predict the phase distribution on the array elements. The beam synthesis is achieved by comparing the array factor with a predetermined mask with both upper and lower limits according to the intented application requirements. Different 2D and 3D masks are used in beam synthesis as pencil, flat-top, and cosecant single beam are predicted. The planar sunflower antenna array is investigated due to its high gain, low side-lobe level (SLL) below ??20 dB and its compact size. The phase distribution of sunflower array is estimated using PSO to radiate dual-beams in different planes. Dual-beam with pencil, flat-top, and cosecant beams are obtained with different half-power beam widths. 3D conformal antenna arrays of cylindrical and spherical helical arrangements are studied. Each 3D conformal array consists of four arms shifted in position by 90° orintation angle. Each arm is designed to radiate single beam in a specific direction. Four-beams are considered to radiate in the directions of θ_1,2,3,4?=?30°, and ?₁?=?0°, ?₂?=?90°, ?₃?=?180°, and ?₄?=?270° with SLL optimized below ??17 dB. The array arrangements analysis is based on the array theory formulation, through the implemention of the estimiated equation using a home programmed MATLAB code.

     

Function Follows Form: Correlation between the Growth and Local Emission of Perovskite Structures and the Performance of Solar Cells

Understanding the relationship between the growth and local emission of hybrid perovskite structures and the performance of the devices based on them demands attention. This study investigates the local structural and emission features of CH₃NH₃PbI₃, CH₃NH₃PbBr₃, and CH(NH₂)₂PbBr₃ perovskite films deposited under different yet optimized conditions using X‐ray scattering and cathodoluminescence spectroscopy, respectively. X‐ray scattering shows that a CH₃NH₃PbI₃ film involving spin coating of CH₃NH₃I instead of dipping is composed of perovskite structures exhibiting a preferred orientation with [202] direction perpendicular to the surface plane. The device based on the CH₃NH₃PbI₃ film composed of oriented crystals yields a relatively higher photovoltage. In the case of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃, while the crystallinity decreases when the HBr solution is used in a single‐step method, the photovoltage enhancement from 1.1 to 1.46 V seems largely stemming from the morphological improvements, i.e., a better connection between the crystallites due to a higher nucleation density. Furthermore, a high photovoltage of 1.47 V obtained from CH(NH₂)₂PbBr₃ devices could be attributed to the formation of perovskite films displaying uniform cathodoluminescence emission. The comparative analysis of the local structural, morphological, and emission characteristics of the different perovskite films supports the higher photovoltage yielded by the relatively better performing devices.     

An alternative clustering approach for reconstructing cross cut shredded text documents

In this paper, we propose a clustering approach for solving the problem of reconstructing cross-cut shredded documents. This problem is important in the field of forensic science. Unlike other clustering approaches which are applied as a preprocessing step before the actual reconstruction algorithms, our clustering approach is part of the reconstruction process itself. We define a new cost function which mainly relies on black pixels to measure the cost of pairing two shreds together. The reconstruction algorithm creates multiple clusters which grow by adding additional shreds based on the cost function. Adding a shred may result in merging two or more clusters to produce a larger cluster. We, also, propose a way to involve the user in the reconstruction process. We compare our approach with a recent proposal and conclude that our approach gives better solutions in less time.     

Organic geochemistry characterisation of crude oils from Mishrif reservoir rocks in the southern Mesopotamian Basin,South Iraq: Implication for source input and paleoenvironmental conditions

Seven crude oils from Cretaceous Mishrif reservoir rocks in the southern Mesopotamian Basin, South Iraq were studied to describe oil characteristics, providing information on the source of organic matter input and the genetic link between oils and their potential source rock in the basin. This study is based on biomarker and non-biomarker analyses performed on oil samples. The analysed oils are aromatic intermediate oils as indicated by high aromatic hydrocarbon fractions with more that 50%. These oils are also characterized by high sulfur and trace metal (Ni, V) contents and relatively low API gravity values (19.0–27.2° API). The results of this study indicate that these oils were derived from a marine carbonate source rocks bearing Type II-S kerogen that were deposited under sulphate-reducing conditions. This is primary achieved from their biomarkers and bulk carbon isotope and inorganic element contents (i.e., S, Ni and V). The absence of 18a (H)-oleanane biomarker also suggests a source age older than Late Cretaceous. The biomarker characteristics of these oils are consistent with those of the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous source rocks in the basin. However, biomarker maturity data also indicate that the oils were generated from early maturity source rocks. This appears to result from the type of kerogen of the source rock, characterized by a high-S kerogen (Type II-S).     

Vipulanandan model for the rheological properties with ultimate shear stress of oil well cement modified with nanoclay

In this study, the effect of clay nanoparticles (NC) and temperature on the rheological properties with ultimate shear stress and weight loss of the oil well cement (class H) modified with NC was investigated. The NC content was varied between 0 and 1% by the weight of the cement. The total weight loss at 800 °C for the oil well cement decreased from 6.10% to 1.03%, a 83% reduction when the cement was mixed with 1% of NC. The results also showed that 1% of NC increased the rheological properties of the cement slurry. The NC modification increased the yield stress (τ_o) and plastic viscosity (PV) by 5%–65% and 3%–16% respectively based on the NC content and the temperature of the cement slurry. The shear thinning behavior of the cement slurry with and without NC has been quantified using the Vipulanandan rheological model and compared with the Herschel-Bulkley model. The Vipulanandan rheological model has a maximum shear stress limit were as the Herschel-Bulkley model did not have a limit on the maximum shear stress. Based on the Vipulanandan rheological model the maximum shear stress produced by the 0% and 1% of NC at the temperature of 25 °C were 102 Pa and 117 Pa respectively hence an increase of 15% in the ultimate shear stress due to the addition of NC. The addition of 1% of NC increased the compressive strength of the cement by 12% and 43% after 1 day and 28 days of curing respectively. The modulus of elasticity of the cement increased with the additional of 1% NC by 6% and 76% after 1 day and 28 days of curing respectively. Effects of NC content and the temperature on the model parameters have been quantified using a nonlinear model (NLM). The NLM quantified the effect of NC treatment on all the model parameters.     

Bulk geochemical characteristics and carbon isotope composition of oils from the Sayhut sub-basin in the Gulf of Aden with emphasis on organic matter input,age and maturity

The Sayhut sub-basin is undergoing hydrocarbon exploration province in the Gulf of Aden, South Yemen. In this study, geochemical analyses were performed on three oil samples from two exploration wells in the Sayhut sub-basin. The results were used to describe the source organic matter input, age and maturity and to correlate between crude oils from different pay zones.The high saturated hydrocarbon values of more than 70% indicate that the analysed oils are normal crude oils and not degraded oils. This is supported by a complete suite of their normal alkanes and acyclic isoprenoids. The hydrocarbon distributions of normal alkane and isoprenoid with bulk carbon isotope data also suggest that the analysed oils are grouped into two genetic families and were generated from marine-source rock. The family A presents by one oil sample representing Harshiyat reservoir rock and characterized by relatively high Ph/Ph ratio > 2 and δ¹³C values of their saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon fractions range from ?26.1‰ to ?24.8‰. This oil family was derived from mixed organic matter with high contribution of a terrigenous organic matter input. The family A was deposited under suboxic conditions during the Late Cretaceous age. The family B presents by two oil samples representing Ghaydah and Habshiyah reservoir rocks and characterized by relatively low Ph/Ph ratio < 2 and carbon isotope less than ?23 for their saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon fractions. These oils were generated from source rock containing high contributions of marine organic matter (e.g., algal and microbial) with minor amount of land plant source inputs that was deposited in more reducing conditions. The family B oils are consistent with those of the Paleogene Umm Er Radhuma source rock.The hydrocarbon distribution and oil composition data also indicate that the analysed oils were generated from mature source rocks with a peak oil-window maturity.     

Treatment and restoration of used Mineral-Oil-Based hydraulic fluids from different machines. Part 1: Dewatering,filtration and effect of viscosity modifier

In this work, characterization and treatment of used hydraulic oil samples were performed in three steps. In the first step, the physical and the chemical properties of fresh and used hydraulic mineral oil samples from various centrifugal casting and pipe drawing machines were investigated according to ASTM D 6158. Results show that water content, solid particles count and depletion of additives have considerably affected most of the oil properties. Used oil samples failed in the appearance, thermal stability, oxidation stability, foaming tendency, water content and particles count.

In the second step, a simple methodology for dewatering and filtration was adopted. This methodology involved settling, followed by dry-air bubbling for oil dehydration and finally vacuum filtration. Such process successfully removed considerable portion of solid particles and water in used oil samples. Appearance, pour point, water content, particles count, and acid number were restored to the allowable limits. While water separability, oxidation stability, thermal stability and foaming tendency still failed the limits after treatment. It is obvious that additives will be needed to restore the latter properties.

In the third step, viscosity modifier additive was added to the oil samples to enhance viscous properties. A linear increase in kinematic viscosity was witnessed at 100°C, while at 40°C, an initial linear increase at low viscosities was followed by lower slopes at higher viscosities.     

Phase Inversion Strategy to Flexible Freestanding Electrode: Critical Coupling of Binders and Electrolytes for High Performance Li–S Battery

Development of flexible and freestanding electrode is attracting great attention in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries, but the severe capacity fading caused by the lithium polysulfides (PSs) shuttle effect remains challenging. Herein, a completely new polymeric binder of polyethersulfone is introduced. Not only it enables massive production of flexible/current‐free electrode by a novel concept of “phase‐inversion” approach but also the resultant polymeric networks can effectively trap the soluble polysulfides within the electrode, owing to the higher hydrophilicity and stronger affinity properties than the routine polyvinylidene fluoride. Coupling with polysulfide‐based electrolyte, the Li–S cell shows a higher capacity of 1141 mAh g^?1, a lower polarization of 192 mV, and a more stable capacity retention with 100% Coulombic efficiency over 100 cycles at 0.25C. The advantages of favored binder and electrolyte are further demonstrated in lithium‐ion sulfur full battery with lithiated graphite anode, which demonstrates much improved performance than those previously reported. This work not only introduces a novel strategy for flexible freestanding electrodes but also enlightens the importance of coupling electrodes and electrolytes to higher performances for Li–S battery.