Pricing mechanism for interconnection between phone operators and virtual mobile VoIP operators

Lately software based virtual mobile voice over Internet Protocol (VMVoIP) services have become available to end-users which may endanger profit of regular telephone operators from phone calls. In this situation, telephone operators should decide on a proper mechanism for interconnection with such VMVoIP operators which secures mutual benefit of both operators. In this paper, we study both monopolistic and oligopolistic markets of VMVoIP in which a single VMVoIP and several VMVoIP operators available in the market respectively. We model the interaction among a phone operator, VMVoIP operators and end-users as a leader-follower dynamic game and find a sub-game perfect Nash equilibrium (SPNE) for the game. The SPNE shows the phone operator’s best pricing strategy (i.e., wholesale price for VMVoIP operators and retail price for end-users) and its best decision on the interconnection with VMVoIP operators. We further study economic interpretation of the SPNE. We show that in specific end-users’ demands, the phone operator may increase its total profit by allowing the interconnection and taking right price discrimination strategy.     

Stability of electronic nose (e-nose) as determined by considering date-pits heated at different temperatures

Variability and sensitivity of a portable electronic nose (32 sensors) was assessed by considering different variables for measurement (i.e., reference, standard, first and second purges, sample draw time, waiting time for the volatiles released in the headspace, and mass of sample or headspace volume of the jar containing sample). In this study, dried date-pits were used a model sample. The highest stability was achieved when both reference and standard (i.e., dried date-pits, no heating treatment) were used before test sample measurement. Higher sample draw time more than 10 s significantly decreased the stability, whereas optimum second purge was observed at 50 s. Optimum time to generate volatile was observed as 24 h. A sample of 100 g increased the signal intensity compared to the 50 g sample for the 60°C and 100°C treated samples, while an opposite trend was observed for the 150°C treated sample. Finally, the responses of volatile components in date-pits heated at different temperatures (60°C, 100°C, and 150°C) were measured using the optimum operating conditions. Principal component analysis explored the relationships between the volatile features and classified date-pits heated at different temperatures. The results showed that an electronic nose was able to classify date-pits based on their volatile components generated by different degrees of heating (93.3% accuracy).     

Text-to-picture tools,systems, and approaches: a survey

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Text-to-picture systems attempt to facilitate high-level, user-friendly communication between humans and computers while promoting understanding of natural...     

A novel vacuum wastewater treatment plant integrated with a solar absorption system

In this investigation, a novel use of the solar absorption refrigeration systems was introduced by using it to enhance the operation of vacuum wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater treatment systems require a source of heat for evaporation, a cooling section for condensation and a mean of evacuation to facilitate evaporation. The solar absorption system can take over the first two tasks. Among the commercially available vacuum evaporators, one was selected and modified by replacing the conventional heat pump with the solar absorption system. Two validated mathematical models available in the literature, one for solar absorption subsystem and one for vacuum evaporation subsystem, were integrated together to perform the analysis. The impacts of solar absorption subsystem parameters along with vacuum evaporator subsystem parameters on the overall performance were investigated using the developed program. System performance was evaluated in terms of evaporation rate and condensate rate production. It was found that the degree of superheat had the greatest impact on the rate of evaporation. At low levels of supply temperature to the vacuum chamber, using only heat provided by the absorption system, the evaporation rate exceeded 60 kg/h. If the hot water was further heated by passing through the solar collector storage tank, the evaporation rate exceeded 200 kg/h.     

Emperor based resource allocation for D2D communication and QoF based routing over cellular V2X in urban environment (ERA-D2Q)

Wireless Networks - Cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) communications have elicited significant scrutiny in recent years owing to amenities such as comfort, efficiency, and an enhanced...     

Characterization and mineral beneficiation of Egyptian glauconite for possible industrial use

A thorough characterization of a glauconite sample collected from a core drilled on the southeast edge of the Abu Tartur Plateau in the Western Desert of Egypt was carried out. The sample, which represents the upper part of the Campanian Duwi Formation, was examined using a petrographic polarizing microscope as well as X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence methods. The magnetic behavior of the different size fractions was tested using a Frantz isodynamic separator prior to the beneficiation process. This process was conducted by both magnetic separation, using an Eriez rare earth roll magnetic separator, and heavy liquid gravity methods during the search for a higher grade of K₂O. A correlation between the mineral composition and magnetic behavior of the particles was shown. Two potassium oxide concentrates were obtained, having 6.8 and 6.22% K₂O, from an original sample containing 4.41% K₂O by weight. A blend of both products yielded a product having 6.42% K₂O with an overall recovery of 41.5%, which may satisfy the requirement of a natural fertilizer. The association of this product with phosphate and pyrite will help to remediate alkaline soils. In addition, a sulfur-rich coproduct containing 11.32% S with a recovery of 31.6% was obtained.     

Radiolabeling,Preparation, and Bioevaluation of 99mTc-Azathioprine as a Potential Targeting Agent for Solid Tumor Imaging

Radiochemistry - Azathioprine, an antitumor agent, was labeled with 99mTc using stannous chloride dihydrate as a reducing agent. Factors such as the amounts of the reducing agent and substrate, pH,...     

Design,Fabrication and Experimentation of a Deep Drawing Machine

This paper presents the work implemented in designing, fabricating and operating a model of a cheap hydraulic DDM （deep drawing machine）, which is currently utilized in the manufacturing processes lab in the IED （Industrial Engineering Department） at An-Najah National University. The machine is used to conduct different experiments related to the deep drawing process. This work was implemented in three stages： the first was the design stage, in which all design calculations of the DDM elements were completed based on the specifications of the product （cup） to be drawn; the second was the construction stage, in which the DDM elements were fabricated and assembled at the engineering workshops of the university; the last was the operating and experimentation stage, in which the DDM was tested by conducting different experiments. The experience gained from designing and constructing such a mechanical lab equipment was found to be successful in terms of obtaining practical results that agree with those available in literature, cost-effective relative to the cost of a similar purchased equipment, as well as enhancing students＇ abilities in understanding the deep drawing process in particular and machine elements design concepts in general.