Graph-Based Radio Resource Sharing Schemes for MTC in D2D-based 5G Networks

Apart from the the increasing demand of smartphones in human-to-human (H2H) communications, the introduction of machine-to-machine (M2M) devices poses significant challenges to wireless cellular networks. In order to offer the ability to connect billion of devices to propel the society into a new era of connectivity in our homes, officies and smart cities, we design novel radio resource sharing algorithms in a H2H/M2M coexistence case to accommodate M2M communications while not severely degrading existing H2H services. We propose group-based M2M communications that share the same spectrum with H2H communications through device-to-device (D2D) communication, as one of the technology components of 5G architecture. First, we formulate radio resource sharing problem as a sum-rate maximization, problem for which the optimal solution is non-deterministic polynomial-time hard (NP-hard). To overcome the computational complexity of the optimal solution, we model the resource sharing problem as a bipartite graph, then propose a novel interference-aware graph-based resource sharing scheme using a fixed M2M transmit power. To further enhance the protection of H2H services, we introduce an adaptive power control mechanism into the interference-aware graph-based resource sharing scheme. M2M transmit power is efficiently adjusted using one among the two following alternative controllers, namely, either the proportional integral derivative (PID) or the fuzzy logic. The latter is proposed within the aim to assure the desired quality-of-service (QoS) of H2H users and increase the efficiency of M2M spectrum usage. In both cases (fixed and adaptive), a centralized and a semi-distributed instantiations are given. Simulation results show that adaptive M2M radio resource sharing scheme using fuzzy logic is the one that achieves the best compromise. In fact, it guarantees H2H performance in terms of throughput and fairness while maximizing the efficiency of M2M spectrum usage. Simulation results also show that in spite of its quite good performance, semi-distributed M2M resource sharing instantiation achieves them with a decline of up to 10% in terms of H2H throughput compared to the centralized instantiation. This is achieved through a markedly lower communication overhead.

     

Potential of soft computing approach for evaluating the factors affecting the capacity of steel–concrete composite beam

Evaluation of the parameters affecting the shear strength and ductility of steel–concrete composite beam is the goal of this study. This study focuses on predicting the future output of beam’s strength and ductility based on relative inputs using a soft computing scheme, extreme learning machine (ELM). Estimation and prediction results of the ELM models were compared with genetic programming (GP) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) models. Referring to the experimental results, as opposed to the GP and ANN methods, the ELM approach enhanced generalization ability and predictive accuracy. Moreover, achieved results indicated that the developed ELM models can be used with confidence for further work on formulating novel model predictive strategy in shear strength and ductility of steel concrete composite. Furthermore, the experimental results indicate that on the whole, the newflanged algorithm creates good generalization presentation. In comparison to the other widely used conventional learning algorithms, the ELM has a much faster learning ability.     

A computationally efficient selected mapping technique for reducing PAPR of OFDM

In orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, high value of peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) is an operational problem that may cause non-linear distortion resulting in high bit error rate. Selected mapping (SLM) is a well known technique that shows good PAPR reduction capability but inflicts added computational overhead. In this paper, using Riemann sequence based SLM method, we applied reverse searching technique to find out low PAPR yielding phase sequences with significant reduction in computational complexity. Additionally, we explored side-information free transmission that achieves higher throughput but sacrifices PAPR reduction. Finally, to overcome this loss in PAPR reduction, we proposed application of Square-rooting companding technique over the output OFDM transmitted signal. Simulation results show that the proposed method is able to compensate the sacrifice in PAPR and achieved PAPR reduction of 8.9 dB with very low computational overhead.     

Studies on polyester packaging. Effects of basic washing on multi‐use PET and PEN bottles

Washing PET or PEN bottles intended for reuse with sodium hydroxide solutions appeared to affect the surface of the materials. The possible hydrolysis of the ester chemical function during the process was investigated. A new method for extracting and separating neutral and acidic products from the polymers was developed, and relative quantification of the isolated molecules was carried out by gas and liquid chromatography. Some adjuvants were no longer present after washing, but others were more easily extracted. A very weak hydrolysis reaction for PEN could not be excluded but it did not seem to occur for PET. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of Transition-Metal V-Doping on the Structural, Magnetic and Transport Properties in La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 Manganite Oxide

We have investigated the structural, magnetic, and electrical transport properties of a series of ABO₃-type perovskite compounds, La_0.67Sr_0.33Mn_1?x V _x O₃ (0≤x≤0.15). The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and data were analyzed using Rietveld refinement technique, it has been concluded that these materials have the rhombohedral structure with $\mathrm{R}\overline{3}\mathrm{C}$ space group. The magnetization and resistivity measurements versus temperature proved that all our samples exhibit a ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition and a metallic to semiconductor one when the temperature increases. Both the Curie temperature T _C and the resistivity transition temperature T _P of the composites decrease, while the resistance increases as the V content increases. It has been concluded that the electrical conduction mechanism in the metallic regime at low temperatures (T<T _P) can be explained on the basis of grain boundary effects and the single electron-magnon scattering process. Resistivity data were well fitted with the relation ρ=ρ ₀+ρ ₂ T ²+ρ _4.5 T ^4.5, whereas the adiabatic Small Polaron Hopping (SPH) and Variable Range Hopping (VRH) models are found to fit well in the paramagnetic semiconducting regime at the high temperature (T>T _P).     

Synthesis and characterization of N‐ and O‐alkylated poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline]

Poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] was synthesized in an aqueous hydrochloric acid medium with a determined feed ratio by chemical oxidative polymerization. This polymer was used as a functional conducting polymer intermediate because of its side‐group reactivity. To synthesize the alkyl‐substituted copolymer, the initial copolymer was reacted with NaH to obtain the N‐ and O‐anionic copolymer after the reaction with octadecyl bromide to prepare the octadecyl‐substituted polymer. The microstructure of the obtained polymers was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H‐NMR, and X‐ray diffraction. The thermal behavior of the polymers was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The morphology of obtained copolymers was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The cyclic voltammetry investigation showed the electroactivity of poly [aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] and N and O‐alkylated poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline]. The conductivities of the polymers were 5 × 10^?5 S/cm for poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] and 5 ×10^?7 S/cm for the octadecyl‐substituted copolymer. The conductivity measurements were performed with a four‐point probe method. The solubility of the initial copolymer in common organic solvents such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and dimethylformamide was greater than polyaniline. The alkylated copolymer was mainly soluble in nonpolar solvents such as n‐hexane and cyclohexane. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

New Flower-Shaped Lead(II) Coordination Polymer at the Nano Scale: Synthesis, Structural Characterization and DFT Calculations of [Pb(o-phen)(N3)2] n Containing the Pb-(μ1,1-N3)(μ1,3-N3) Motif

A new nano-flower lead(II) azido coordination polymer from the ligand, orthophenanthroline (o-phen), [Pb(o-phen)(μ_1,1-N₃)(μ_1,3-N₃)] _n (1), was synthesized by a sonochemical method. Compound 1 was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental analyses and IR spectroscopy. Single crystalline material was obtained using a heat gradient applied to a solution of the reagents. The structure of 1 is a coordination polymer of lead(II) containing the Pb-(μ_1,1-N₃)(μ_1,3-N₃) motif, formed of one-dimensional chains. The structure of the 1 was optimized by density functional theory. Structural parameters and IR spectra for 1 are consistent with the crystal structure. Pure phase PbO nanoparticles were obtained by thermolysis of 1 with oleic acid as a surfactant at 180 and 200 °C an air. PbO nanoparticles were characterized by XRD and SEM.     

A cluster-based trust-aware routing protocol for mobile ad hoc networks

Routing protocols are the binding force in mobile ad hoc network (MANETs) since they facilitate communication beyond the wireless transmission range of the nodes. However, the infrastructure-less, pervasive, and distributed nature of MANETs renders them vulnerable to security threats. In this paper, we propose a novel cluster-based trust-aware routing protocol (CBTRP) for MANETs to protect forwarded packets from intermediary malicious nodes. The proposed protocol organizes the network into one-hop disjoint clusters then elects the most qualified and trustworthy nodes to play the role of cluster-heads that are responsible for handling all the routing activities. The proposed CBTRP continuously ensures the trustworthiness of cluster-heads by replacing them as soon as they become malicious and can dynamically update the packet path to avoid malicious routes. We have implemented and simulated the proposed protocol then evaluated its performance compared to the clustered based routing protocol (CBRP) as well as the 2ACK approach. Comparisons and analysis have shown the effectiveness of our proposed scheme.