Development of a framework for truss-braced wing conceptual MDO

The paper describes the development of a multidisciplinary design optimization framework for conceptual design of truss-braced wing configurations. This unconventional configuration requires specialized analysis tools supported by a modular and flexible framework to accommodate different configurations. While the previous framework developed at Virginia Tech was a monolithic Fortran-77 code, the need for more flexibility for complex truss-braced wing configurations was addressed by the development of this new framework, which is based on Phoenix Integration ModelCenter^TM environment. The framework uses updated structural and aerodynamic design modules that enable a more general geometry definition. The new framework, thus, provides a foundation for future design concepts, especially multi-member truss-braced wing configurations. The fuel saving potential of these truss-braced wing configurations is presented by comparing different truss designs with gradually increased level of complexity.     

Multi-User Relaying of High-Rate Space–Time Code in Cooperative Networks

In this paper, we propose high-rate space–time coding for cooperative wireless networks to reduce the overall delay incurred in relaying signals to multiple receivers. The relay structure is optimized in order to achieve maximum SNR at the receiver nodes. The proposed scheme provides a significant reduction in the delay required for the relaying and transmission of the signals to the multiple receivers with a minute loss in performance. We have also shown by simulation that this loss in the performance could be recovered by selecting more number of relays. We propose two relaying strategies for high-rate space–time codes, which are very useful in providing high data-rate in wireless cooperative networks.     

Scheduling Algorithms for Star-Coupled WDM Networks with Tunable Transmitter and Tunable Receiver Architecture

This paper presents the design and analysis of two scheduling algorithms for a reservation-based medium access control (MAC) protocol for wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) multi-channel optical networks. The network architecture is based on a passive star topology with one tunable transmitter and receiver (TT-TR) per node. The main objective of scheduling algorithm design is to reduce the computation time while maximizing the utilization of the network resources. In this paper, we propose two scheduling schemes called SEQSAM (SEQuential Scheduling AlgorithM) and BALSAM (BALanced Scheduling AlgorithM). Let M denote the number of nodes, C the number of channels, and K the maximum number of packets transmitted by one node to another. SEQSAM uses the M × M traffic demand matrix--obtained during the reservation phase of the MAC protocol--to compute a collision-free schedule for the nodes of the network. BALSAM uses the modified MULTI-FIT algorithm (MMFT) [1] to convert the M × M matrix into a corresponding M × C matrix, which is input to the IBS (Interval Based Scheduling) algorithm [2] that schedules the requests of the nodes. The overall time complexity of SEQSAM is O(M ³) compared to BALSAM algorithm's time complexity of O(M ² CK + M ² + MlogM). Note that the lower bound for any scheduling algorithm operating on a M × M matrix is O(M ²). A simulation-based performance study that considers network utilization, computation time, tuning latency, average packet latency and throughput for 1.2 Gbps and 2.4 Gbps data streams is presented.     

Non-toxicity of water soluble multi-walled carbon nanotube on Escherichia-coli colonies

Carboxylic acid functionalized water soluble carbon nanotube (wsCNT) shows no toxic effect against the growth of Escherichia-coli (E. coli), a gram-negative bacteria. Treatment up to 8 microg mL(-1) of wsCNT did not show any toxic effect on E. coli growth that was followed by using bacterial growth kinetics and Spread Plate Technique (SPT). The number of E-coli colonies counts with and without wsCNT showed nearly no change and the bacterial growth kinetics in both the cases showing no toxic effect of wsCNT on the growth of E. coli.     

Color‐emotion associations and color preferences: A case study for residences

This study examines existing beliefs about “color” focusing on color‐emotion associations by discussing how color can be used as a way of communicator to fulfill human needs in residences. Fifty people from various age groups participated in the study. They were asked to match a list of adjectives with the proper color samples from the catalogue of a quite popular color producer firm in Turkey. Results indicate that there is a strong dependency between the choice and use of green at residences. Emotional responses to colors change with value and saturation levels. According to the test results, gender and age are determining factors in the selection of achromatic black. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 32, 144 – 150, 2007     

High Data Rate Alamouti Code From Field Extension

Alamouti code is the only known Orthogonal Space Time Block Code (OSTBC) with rate-1. All other known orthogonal codes have rate less than unity. The orthogonal property of OSTBCs reduces the decoding complexity to a large extent. High data rate Space Time Block Codes for arbitrary number of transmit antennas were recently proposed based on Division Algebras. But these STBCs are not orthogonal. Therefore their decoding complexity is very high. In this paper we propose high data rate Alamouti codes from field extensions for two transmit antennas. Our codes have better coding gain than the both high rate codes from division algebra and the rate-1 Alamouti code. Vishwanath R was born in Hyderabad, India in 1982. He did his B.E. in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Birla Institute Of Technology, Ranchi, India in 2002 and Master of Technology in Communications Engineering in 2005 from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India.. Currently he is pursuing PhD from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India. His research interests include Routing in Optical Networks, Signal Processing, Wireless Communications and Image Processing. He is a member of the IEEE. Bhatnagar Manav R was born in Moradabad, India in 1976. He did his B.E. in Electronics in 1997 and Master of Technology in Communications Engineering in 2005 from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India. He has worked as lecturer in Moradabad Institute of Technology, Moradabad, India from 1998–2003. He is currently pursuing PhD from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India. His research interests include Routing in Optical Networks, Signal Processing in Wireless Communications and Image Processing. He is a member of the IEEE.     

Assessing architectural color preference after Le Corbusier's 1931 Salubra keyboards: A cross cultural analysis

Color preference for the interior of a bedroom of Le Corbusier's Swiss Pavilion was studied using 1931 Salubra color keyboards in a cross-cultural analysis. Results indicate that students from architecture and interior design slightly dislike or are indifferent to Le Corbusier color combinations and prefer pale and low saturated colors for interior architecture. The least preferred colors belong to green and brown hues. Scarce significant gender differences are found that follow a stereotyped tendency, with females preferring pinks, light blues and light greens, while males vivid oranges and Vermilions. Near Easterners are significantly more likely to green colors, while Western Europeans to dark greys. These data indicate that not only hue, but also value and saturation are important color features to inform preference for interior architecture.     

Differential Relay Strategies Over Downlink Channel in Two-User Cooperative Communication System

In this paper, we propose two differential relaying strategies; Active User Strategy (AUS) and Passive Users Relaying Strategy (PURS), which could be used by the base-station to transmit data of two users over downlink channels in a two-user cooperative communication network. Differential schemes are used so the users do not require the knowledge of channel gains for decoding of their data. The performance of both schemes is evaluated for the decode-and-forward, selection relaying, and incremental relaying protocols. For the decode-and-forward protocol, the performance heavily depends upon the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the link between source and relay. We propose a conditional probability of error based approach, which can be used to regulate the erroneous relaying of data. Both AUS and PURS are able to achieve performance gains as compared to the direct transmission differential scheme in the case of selection relaying and incremental relaying protocols at high SNRs. The proposed schemes perform better than their counterpart of the amplify-and-forward differential relaying proposed previously.