A novel dynamic pricing scheme for contributing peers in the VoD system

In this paper we have proposed a dynamic pricing scheme for the contributing peers in the Video on Demand (VoD) system. The scheme provides an effective mechanism to maximize the profit through the residual resources of the contributing peers. A utilization function is executed for each contributing peer to estimate the utility factor based on the parameters such as initial setup cost, holding cost, chaining cost and salvage cost. In this paper, we urge an effective dynamic pricing algorithm that efficiently utilizes a range of parameters with a varying degree of complexity. The key findings of the algorithm are (i) each contributing peers are benefitted by the monetary based on its resource contributions to the VoD system and (ii) a high degree of social optimum is established by proficiently aggregating the contributing peer’s resources with the overall resources of the VoD system. We validate our claim by simulating the proposed dynamic pricing scheme with other standard pricing schemes such as altruism, cost model and game theory perspective. The result of our dynamic pricing scheme shows the best utility factor than other standard pricing schemes.     

Detection of dental abnormalities using SVM and PSVM

Landmarks needed for detecting dental abnormalities in cephalometric analysis were selected from the digital image, and the angle values needed for dental analysis were calculated and stored in a database which is used for developing training dataset. Principal component analysis was applied for dimension reduction to get the desired feature vectors which are trained and tested using support vector machine and proximal support vector machine classifier to detect the dental abnormalities, the performance of the classifiers were also compared.     

Development of compositionally modulated multilayer Zn-Ni deposits as replacement for cadmium

Compositionally modulated multilayer (CMM) Zn-Ni deposits were electrodeposited from single acidic bath (pH = 4.7) by using a potentiostatic sequence. The Zn and Ni composition in the alloy was tailored as a function of distance from the steel substrate. X-ray diffraction studies of the deposit showed the presence of γ-phase with a composition of Ni₅Zn₂₁. The corrosion properties of modulated multilayer coatings were studied in 5% NaCl solution using electrochemical corrosion techniques. The polarization resistance of the deposits varied as a function of Ni content between 1700 and 3440 Ω. CMM Zn-Ni with 20 wt% Ni exposed in ASTM B117 salt spray test did not show any red rust formation after 400 h.     

Controllability results for damped second-order impulsive neutral integrodifferential systems with nonlocal conditions

In this paper, we establish a set of sufficient conditions for the controllability of damped second-order impulsive neutral integrodifferential systems with nonlocal initial conditions in Banach spaces. The approach used is the Sadovskii fixed point theorem combined with a noncompact condition on the cosine family of operators. An example is presented to illustrate the result.     

Development of an image-based model for capillary vasculature of retina

The paper presents a method of development of a detailed network model to represent retinal capillary vasculature. The capillary model is a circular mesh consisting of concentric rings with an increasing diameter. Each of the rings has uniformly distributed bifurcation nodes to represent capillary vessels. The model is customized using the data that has been measured from confocal microscopic images of a mouse retina. The capillary model developed can be connected to networks of larger vessels of the vasculature such as arterial and venous networks to form a complete model of the retinal network. A method to automate such interface connections between capillary and other vascular networks using connecting vessels (i.e., pre-capillary and post-capillary) is also presented in the paper. Such a detailed image-based capillary model together with the arterial and venular networks can be used for various circulation simulations to obtain accurate information on hemodynamic quantities such as the spatial distribution of pressure and flow in the vasculature for both physiological and pathological conditions. The method presented for the development of the capillary model can also be adopted for vasculatures of other organs.     

Joint beam selection and user association strategy for beam space millimetre wave downlink systems

Beam space multiple‐input multiple‐output (B‐MIMO) systems operating at mmWave frequency in downlink uses different beam selection techniques for reducing the required number of radio frequency chains without apparent performance loss. In this paper, a joint beam selection and user association scheme with the objective of sum rate maximization is proposed. The proposed work on beam selection is based on a norm and uncorrrelation based approach, which considers channel correlation among the users so as to avoid inter‐user interference. Two different methods for beam user association with one modelled as a balanced assignment problem based on average sum assignment method and the other method that associates an optimal beam to every user by considering their channel gain values are also proposed along with beam selection. The proposed beam assignment methods are less complex and efficient in finding a suitable beam to every user within the cell. Simulation results show that the proposed method accomplish comparable performance in terms of sum rate and energy efficiency with appreciably low computational complexity relative to the existing methods in a correlated environment.     

Manganese–Schiff base complex immobilized silica materials for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction

Curtailment of platinum catalysts loading in fuel cell is a recent central issue. As substitutes, these days several organic metal chelate compounds having featured moieties of M–N₄ or M–N₂O₂ (M = transition metal ion) are being used as cathode catalysts in fuel cells. Here, in this study, we report in detail the electrocatalytic activity of manganese–Schiff base complexes for oxygen reduction reaction in 0·05 M HClO₄ at room temperature. Actually, [Mn(salen)]⁺: [N,N′-bis(salicylaldehyde) ethylenediimino manganese(III)]⁺ and [Mn(salophen)]⁺: [N,N′-bis(salicylaldehyde)-1,2-phenylenediimino manganese(III)]⁺ were introduced into/onto the MCM-41 type silica spheres and used for the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen. Synthesized materials were characterized by UV–Vis, FT–IR and electrochemical techniques. Significant low overpotential for oxygen reduction in 0·05 M HClO₄ on [Mn(salen)]⁺- and [Mn(salophen)]⁺-incorporated silica-modified glassy carbon electrodes was observed.     

Matching housing supply and demand: an empirical study of Hong Kong's market

This paper has the objective of improving on the issue of forecasting new housing construction, and highlights differences between space demand and investment demand in housing markets. Further, it indicates how these differences will affect construction decisions. The first step is to identify the factors associated with estimating residential property prices in Hong Kong, based on a demand-supply adjustment process. Specifically, this study examines the role of population growth, transaction volume, inflation and interest rate in determining house prices. Second, based on these estimations, a methodology is developed to estimate the investment demand schedule and new construction of residential property.