A Trace-Time Framework for Prediction of Elevation Angle Over Land Mobile LEO Satellites Networks

Elevation angle is one of the most significant parameters of land mobile satellite channels, subject to rapid variations in the case of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems. In this paper a novel trace-based framework is proposed and analyzed which is capable of predicting elevation angle as a function of time during satellite visibility window. Trace-time based modeling makes the framework practical for real-time evaluation of elevation angle and its alteration incurred by communication links in LEO satellite systems. The proposed method is particularly suitable for development of communication channel models and services in mobile LEO satellite networks where path variability is of great importance.     

Application of self-collimated beams in realizing all-optical photonic crystal-based half-adder

In this paper an all-optical half-adder was proposed by using self-collimation effect in two-dimensional photonic crystals. Self-collimation effect was obtained in XM direction for wavelength 1500 nm by using square lattice rod-type photonic crystal structure. Plane wave expansion and finite-difference time-domain methods were used to obtain the band structure diagram and simulate the optical behavior of the proposed structure, respectively. The maximum delay time and required input intensity are 1 ps and 54 mW/μm², respectively. The normalized power-level margins for logics 0 and 1 were obtained to be about 20 and 70%, respectively. The total footprint of the structure is about 75 μm², which is suitable for all optical integrated circuits.     

Experimental investigation into Fe3O4/SiO2 nanoparticle performance and comparison with other nanofluids in enhanced oil recovery

Nanofluids because of their surface characteristics improve the oil production from reservoirs by enabling different enhanced recovery mechanisms such as wettability alteration, interfacial tension (IFT) reduction, oil viscosity reduction, formation and stabilization of colloidal systems and the decrease in the asphaltene precipitation. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the synthesis of a new nanocomposite has been studied in this paper for the first time. It consists of nanoparticles of both SiO₂ and Fe₃O₄. Each nanoparticle has its individual surface property and has its distinct effect on the oil production of reservoirs. According to the previous studies, Fe₃O₄ has been used in the prevention or reduction of asphaltene precipitation and SiO₂ has been considered for wettability alteration and/or reducing IFTs in enhanced oil recovery. According to the experimental results, the novel synthesized nanoparticles have increased the oil recovery by the synergistic effects of the formed particles markedly by activating the various mechanisms relative to the use of each of the nanoparticles in the micromodel individually. According to the results obtained for the use of this nanocomposite, understanding reservoir conditions plays an important role in the ultimate goal of enhancing oil recovery and the formation of stable emulsions plays an important role in oil recovery using this method.     

Large‐scale fading behavior for a cellular network with uniform spatial distribution

Large‐scale fading (LSF) between interacting nodes is a fundamental element in radio communications, responsible for weakening the propagation, and thus worsening the service quality. Given the importance of channel‐losses in general, and the inevitability of random spatial geometry in real‐life wireless networks, it was then natural to merge these two paradigms together in order to obtain an improved stochastical model for the LSF indicator. Therefore, in exact closed‐form notation, we generically derived the LSF distribution between a prepositioned reference base‐station and an arbitrary node for a multi‐cellular random network model. In fact, we provided an explicit and definitive formulation that considered at once: the lattice profile, the users' random geometry, the effect of the far‐field phenomenon, the path‐loss behavior, and the stochastic impact of channel scatters. The veracity and accuracy of the theoretical analysis were also confirmed through Monte Carlo simulations.     

Low end‐to‐end delay fuzzy networking protocol for mobile wireless sensing

Because of the practical limitations of the energy and processing capabilities, the deployment of many Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) is facing two main challenges of increasing network lifetime and reducing End to End Delay (EED) which become critical when the nodes are mobile and use non‐rechargeable energy sources. One way to help to extend network lifetime is using fuzzy logic in a form of artificial intelligence. To this end we propose a new routing protocol for using mobile WSNs, which holds the nodes in an equal level of energy and decreases energy dissipation of the network. An optimum path is selected based on the cost of each node to increase network lifetime. In order to lessen EED, we also attempt to design a novel zoning‐scheme for the network area. In this scheme, zonation is dynamic and works based on the Data Link (DL) position. The simulation result shows a significant improvement in lifetime and EED by proposed protocol compared with existing protocols. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new quantum-dot cellular automata full-adder

A novel expandable five-input majority gate for quantum-dot cellular automata and a new full-adder cell are presented. Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) is an emerging technology and a possible alternative for semiconductor transistor based technologies. A novel QCA majority-logic gate is proposed. This component is suitable for designing QCA circuits. The gate is simple in structure and powerful in terms of implementing digital functions. By applying these kinds of gates, the hardware requirement for a QCA design can be reduced and circuits can be simpler in level, gate counts and clock phases. In order to verify the functionality of the proposed device, some physical proofs are provided. The proper functionality of the FA is checked by means of computer simulations using QCADesigner tool. Both simulation results and physical relations confirm our claims and its usefulness in designing every digital circuit.     

New polyisobutylene-based model ionomers

Mechanical properties of tri-arm polyisobutylene based ionomers have been investigated. Number average molecular weights (¯M_n's) of the polymers were varied from 8,300 to 34,000. The ionomer of lowest ¯M_n (8,300) exhibits very low extension at break (～ 150%) while the others with ¯M_n's of 11,000, 14,000 and 34,000 show very high extensions, often exceeding 1,000%, and display relatively low permanent set and low hysteresis behavior. Since the ionic bonding is located exclusively at the chain ends, end-linked pseudo networks are formed due to coulombic attractions.At higher temperatures the coulombic interactions are weakened and the networks can be compression molded (～150°C).     

Calcium: A comprehensive review on quantification,interaction with milk proteins and implications for processing of dairy products

Calcium (Ca) is a key micronutrient of high relevance for human nutrition that also influences the texture and taste of dairy products and their processability. In bovine milk, Ca is presented in several speciation forms, such as complexed with other milk components or free as ionic calcium while being distributed between colloidal and serum phases of milk. Partitioning of Ca between these phases is highly dynamic and influenced by factors, such as temperature, ionic strength, pH, and milk composition. Processing steps used during the manufacture of dairy products, such as preconditioning, concentration, acidification, salting, cooling, and heating, all contribute to modify Ca speciation and partition, thereby influencing product functionality, product yield, and fouling of equipment. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the influence of Ca partition on dairy products properties to support the development of kinetics models to reduce product losses and develop added-value products with improved functionality. To achieve this objective, approaches to separate milk phases, analytical approaches to determine Ca partition and speciation, the role of Ca on protein–protein interactions, and their influence on processing of dairy products are discussed.