Throughput optimization of cooperative non orthogonal multiple access

Telecommunication Systems - This paper derives the outage and packet error probabilities of Non Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) systems. In the first time slot, the Base Station transmits a...     

Seismic analysis of geosynthetic-reinforced retaining wall in cohesive soils

Although a cohesionless backfill is recommended for geosynthetic reinforced earth retaining walls, cohesive soil have been widely used in many regions across the globe for economic reasons. This type of backfill exposes the soil to the crack formation that leads to reduce the stability of the system. In this paper, to investigate the internal seismic stability of reinforced earth retaining walls with cracks, the discretization method combined with the upper bound theorem of limit analysis are used. The potential failure mechanism is generated using the point-to-point method. Two types of cracks are considered, a pre-existing crack and a crack formation as a part of the failure mechanism. The use of the discretization method allows the consideration of the vertical spatial variability of the soil properties. A pseudo-dynamic approach is implemented which allows the account of the dynamic characteristics of the ground shaking. The presented method is validated using the conventional limit analysis results of an existing study conducted under static conditions. Once the proposed technique to consider the cracks is validated, a parametric study is conducted to highlight the key parameters effects on the lower bound of the required reinforcement strength.     

A validated predictive model of coronary fractional flow reserve

Myocardial fractional flow reserve (FFR), an important index of coronary stenosis, is measured by a pressure sensor guidewire. The determination of FFR, only based on the dimensions (lumen diameters and length) of stenosis and hyperaemic coronary flow with no other ad hoc parameters, is currently not possible. We propose an analytical model derived from conservation of energy, which considers various energy losses along the length of a stenosis, i.e. convective and diffusive energy losses as well as energy loss due to sudden constriction and expansion in lumen area. In vitro (constrictions were created in isolated arteries using symmetric and asymmetric tubes as well as an inflatable occluder cuff) and in vivo (constrictions were induced in coronary arteries of eight swine by an occluder cuff) experiments were used to validate the proposed analytical model. The proposed model agreed well with the experimental measurements. A least-squares fit showed a linear relation as (Δp or FFR)_experiment = a(Δp or FFR)_theory + b, where a and b were 1.08 and −1.15 mmHg (r² = 0.99) for in vitro Δp, 0.96 and 1.79 mmHg (r² = 0.75) for in vivo Δp, and 0.85 and 0.1 (r² = 0.7) for FFR. Flow pulsatility and stenosis shape (e.g. eccentricity, exit angle divergence, etc.) had a negligible effect on myocardial FFR, while the entrance effect in a coronary stenosis was found to contribute significantly to the pressure drop. We present a physics-based experimentally validated analytical model of coronary stenosis, which allows prediction of FFR based on stenosis dimensions and hyperaemic coronary flow with no empirical parameters.     

Influence of Dielectric Surface Chemistry on the Microstructure and Carrier Mobility of an n‐Type Organic Semiconductor

This paper examines the microstructure evolution of 3,4,9,10‐perylene‐tetracarboxylic bis‐benzimidazole (PTCBI) thin films resulting from conditions imposed during film deposition. Modification of the silicon dioxide interface with a hydrophobic monolayer (octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS‐18)) alters the PTCBI growth habit by changing the unit cell contact plane. PTCBI films deposited on oxide surface have an orientation of (011), while films atop OTS‐treated oxide surface have a preferred orientation of (001). The quality of the self assembled monolayer does not appear to influence the PTCBI growth preference significantly yet it enhances the carrier mobility, suggesting that charge traps are adequately passivated due to uniform monolayer coverage. High‐quality monolayers result in n‐type carrier mobility values of 0.05 cm²V^–1s^–1 Increasing the substrate temperature during PTCBI film deposition correlates with an increase in mobility that is most significant for films deposited on OTS‐treated surface.     

The effect of genotype and environmental conditions on grain physiochemical properties of Syrian durum wheat cultivars

The physical and chemical characteristics of five Syrian durum wheat cultivars grown under varying environmental conditions were investigated. Two cultivars were grown under irrigated conditions whilst two were grown under rainfed conditions in five different locations. A known cultivar (Sham‐1) was grown alongside the samples in all locations as a control. Test weight, 1000‐kernel weight, the degree of vitreousness, protein content, starch content, amylose content and starch pasting properties were determined for the samples. The effect of the environmental factors and their interaction (site × irrigation) showed that the irrigation factor was more responsible for physical quality variations than the site factor (for instance, site variation of the irrigated conditions was responsible for 61% of the total quality variation and 34% of total quality variations in the rainfed conditions). Starch composition was influenced more by site variations than irrigation, whereas cultivar factor mainly influenced starch quantity, chemical composition and pasting properties (for instance, variations were mostly affected by cultivar (63%) more than site (15%) in the irrigated lands). The interaction of cultivar and site demonstrated significant effects on the degree of vitreousness, amylose content and starch pasting properties.     

Molecular structure and anti-proliferative effect of galangin in HCT-116 cells: In vitro study

Food Science and Biotechnology - Galangin is a naturally occurring plant flavonoid with potential anticancer activity. In present work, the Becke three-parameter hybrid exchange functional method...     

Comprehensive assessment for motor and visually impaired people using a hierarchical model

Universal Access in the Information Society - The evolution of various modern technologies has inspired researchers to assess the effectiveness of these technologies for people with diversified...