On a Distributed Cognitive MAC Protocol for IEEE 802.11s Wireless Mesh Networks

A distributed frequency agile medium access control (MAC) extension to the IEEE 802.11s for the next generation wireless mesh networks is proposed. The introduced protocol enhancements are capable of concurrent deployment of existing frequency opportunities in order to coordinate simultaneous data transmissions. The root concept is mainly based on the deployment of well-known ISM frequency bands, where the legacy 802.11-based wireless equipments operate, as the common control channel in order to establish contemporaneous transmissions. We apply the aforementioned key concept to the IEEE 802.11s common channel framework to attain two important goals: To improve the channel utilization using the concept of cognitive radio, and to lower the access delay. Through extensive event-driven simulations, taking into account primary user appearance in non-ISM frequency bands, performance of the proposed MAC enhancement is evaluated showing its higher efficiency compared to the existing solutions, in addition to its better wireless medium management.     

Comparative Performance Evaluation of RF Localization for Wireless Capsule Endoscopy Applications

This paper presents an assessment of the accuracy of cooperative localization of a wireless capsule endoscope (WCE) using radio frequency (RF) signals with particular emphasis on localization inside the small intestine. We derive the Cramer–Rao lower bound (CRLB) for cooperative location estimators using the received signal strength (RSS) or the time of arrival (TOA) of the RF signal. Our derivations are based on a three-dimension human body model, an existing model for RSS propagation from implanted organs to the body surface and a new TOA ranging error model for the effects of non-homogeneity of the human body on TOA of the RF signals. Using models for RSS and TOA errors, we first calculate the 3D CRLB bounds for cooperative localization of the WCE in three major digestive organs in the path of GI tract: the stomach, the small intestine and the large intestine. Then we analyze the performance of localization techniques on a typical path inside the small intestine. Our analysis includes the effects of the number of external sensors, the external sensor array topology, number of WCEs used in cooperation and the random variations in the transmitted power from the capsule.     

Antibacterial effect of dental cements evaluated using agar diffusion test

Purpose: Secondary caries can occur around the restoration, fixed prosthesis, and orthodontic band margins because of cariogenic bacteria. Long-lasting antibacterial effectiveness of dental cements used contemporarily can reduce this phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to examine the antibacterial activities of nine dental cements (BisCem^®, Super-Bond C&B, Rely X^TM, Panavia^TM F 2.0, Variolink^® II, Unitek^TM Multi Cure, Multilink^® Automix, Clearfil^TM Esthetic Cement, Transbond^TM LR) using agar diffusion test. Materials and methods: The test materials were inserted into the wells of Muller Hinton agar plates inoculated with Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus salivarious. The diameters of the inhibition zones produced around the materials were measured after 24 h of incubation. Two-Way ANOVA, the Kruskal-Wallis, and the Mann–Whitney U tests at a significance level of p < 0.05 were analyzed for the results. Results: Unitek Multi Cure cement exhibited a significant difference from the control group against both S. mutans and S. salivarious (p < 0.05). While the zone of inhibition of Unitek Multi Cure cement was shorter (8.50 ± 1.77) than the control group (12.63 ± 1.30), Unitek Multi Cure had antibacterial effect against S. mutans and S. salivarious (p < 0.05). S. mutans displayed a significantly lower resistance to Unitek Multi Cure, BisCem, and Superbond C&B than S. salivarious (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Conventional glass ionomer cement, Unitek Multi Cure, exhibited greatest in vitro antibacterial activity against both S. mutans and S. salivarious. Formation of dental caries had been suppressed by the fluoride-releasing GICs.     

Accuracy of RSS-Based RF Localization in Multi-capsule Endoscopy

In this paper, we derive and analyze cooperative localization bounds for endoscopic wireless capsule as it passes through the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We derive the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) variance limits on location estimators which use measured received signal strength (RSS). Using a three-dimension human body model from a full wave simulation software and log-normal models for RSS propagation from implant organs to body surface, we calculate bounds on location estimators in three digestive organs: stomach, small intestine and large intestine. We provide analysis of the factors affecting localization accuracy, including various organ environments, external sensor array topology, number of pills in cooperation and the random variations in transmit power of sensor nodes. We also do localization accuracy analysis for the case when transmit power of the sensor is random with known priori distribution. The simulation results show that the number of receiver sensors on body surface has more influence on the accuracy of localization than the number of pills in cooperation inside the GI tract, The large intestine is affected the most with the transmit power randomness.     

Extracting the Optical Parameters of the Fabricated (Al/Bare Borosilicate Crown Glass,BK-7/Ag) Multiple Layers

Significant effort has been devoted in this work to convert bare glass substrate with high transmittance, into reflective layers to know its suitability for modern applications. The glass substrate has been carefully chosen for its durability, high permeability, and ability to withstand any external stresses as a result of the accumulation of layers that reduce its permeability to convert it with the thin films coated on it into reflective materials. In parallel, the thin layer to be coated on the substrate is selected from films that can withstand external influences and their great optical properties, not to mention that they are cheap and can produce highly reflective surfaces. The optical measurements (transmittance and reflectance spectra) have been performed in the UV, Vis and NIR regions of the spectrum, that is, in the range between 300 and 1200 nm. Such measurements have been made for the bare glass substrate, the glass substrate with the Al (top side), and the glass substrate with Ag on it (bottom side), and then the optical measurements have been made for the three layers. The corresponding optical parameters of each layer have been calculated and ultimately a reflective layer with high electrical conductivity and excellent optical properties has been obtained that can be adapted for different application purposes.

     

Experimental and numerical modelling of the three-dimensional incompressible flow behaviour in the near wake of circular cylinders

An experimental investigation was carried out to study the structure of the flow field around three-dimensional circular cylinders. The study of the flow field around an obstacle was performed in a wind tunnel using a particle image velocimetry (PIV) system. The flow of a fluid around an obstacle with a different velocity to the oncoming flow was examined. The results showed the dependence of the flow structure around the obstacle on its Reynolds number, and the spacing between a pair of obstacles. Detailed quantitative information of turbulence parameters in the vicinity of the obstacle was attained. Extensive wind tunnel experimental results are presented and compared with numerical simulation. A three-dimensional numerical model with Reynolds stress model (RSM) turbulence and a non-uniform grid system were used to examine the effects of a single cylinder and two cylinders in tandem on the flow. The principal objective was to analyse three-dimensional flow past a single cylinder and two circular cylinders placed in tandem by combining the application of a PIV experimental technique and an RSM turbulence model.For the case of two cylinders in tandem, the flow patterns are characterized in the gap region as a function of the distance between the cylinders. A good level of agreement was found between the experimental results of flow and numerical simulation.     

The electrochemical investigation of salts partition with ion exchange membranes

The regenaration of acid and base from the solutions containing metallic salts was achieved by salt splitting method (SSM) using not only anion-exchange membranes (AEM) but also cation-exchange membrane (CEM). In these experiments, while the ion exchange membrane was anion-exchange membrane, acid solutions were used as an anolyte and different salts of potassium were used as a catholyte. In addition to these experiments, while the ion exchange membrane was cation-exchange membrane, base solutions were used as a catholyte and different salts of potassium were used as an anolyte. The effects of current density, initial concentrations of anolyte and catholyte solutions, the type of salt solution and the type of the ion-exchange membranes on the recovery ratio of bases and acids were investigated. The results of the experiments were investigated with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program. The obtained results show that this technique can be used not only for recovering the acid and base wastes of industry but also for removing the impurities in order to obtain pure acids and bases in laboratory conditions.     

Effects of different surface treatments on shear bond strength between ceramic systems and metal brackets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets bonded to different kinds of ceramic surfaces after different surface conditioning methods. A total of 120 ceramic disks were divided into two main groups in terms of feldspathic or lithium disilicate. Each ceramic group was further subdivided into six subgroups depending on surface treatment (n = 10). The ceramic surfaces were conditioned by one of the following methods: Group C: control group; Group P: %37.5 orthophosphoric acid; Group HF: %9.6 hydrofluoric acid; Group L: Nd-YAG laser irradiation; Group SB: sandblasting with 50 µm Al₂O₃ particles; and Group DB: grinding with a diamond bur. Surface roughness value was evaluated with a digital profilometer. Surface topographies of one specimen from each group were observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) after surface treatments. All samples were primed with silane before the bracket bonding, including the control group. Metal brackets were bonded to the specimens with a light curing composite resin. The samples were stored in distilled water for 24?h and thermocycled 2500× at 5 and 55 ºC for 30?s. Shear bond strengths between the ceramic surface and the bracket were measured with a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Failure modes were classified as adhesive, cohesive, or mixed. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's tests (α = .05). Group SB had significantly rougher surface compared with the other groups in each ceramic system (p < .05), and Group SB demonstrated significantly higher shear bond strengths than other groups as well. Within the limitations of this study, surface conditioning methods, except for sandblasting and grinding, were associated with lower shear bond strengths; however, thermocycling may have had negative effects on bond strengths of specimens. Furthermore, in each ceramic system, there was a significant difference between surface-conditioning methods and surface roughness with regard to shear bond strength.