An Adaptive Transmission Mode Selection Scheme for Cellular Underlaid D2D Communication

In this paper, we propose to use Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) optimization to solve the joint mode selection, channel assignment, and power allocation (JMSCPA) problem to maximize system throughput and spectral efficiency. JMSCPA is a problem where the allocation of channel and power depends on the mode selection. Such problems require two step solution and are called bi-level optimization problems. As bi-level optimization increases the complexity and computational time, we propose a modified version of single-level ABC algorithm aided with the adaptive transmission mode selection algorithm to allocate the cellular, reuse, and dedicated modes to the DUs along with channel and power allocation based on the network traffic load scenarios. A single variable, represented by the users (CUs and DUs) is used to allocate mode selection, and channel allocation to solve the JMSCPA problem, leading to a simpler solution with faster convergence, and significant reduction in the computational complexity which scales linearly with the number of users. Further, the proposed solution avoids premature stagnation of conventional ABC into local minima by incorporating a modification in its update procedure. The efficacy of the ABC-aided approach, as compared to the results reported in the literature, is validated by extensive numerical investigations under different simulation scenarios.

     

A method of estimating the standard gibbs free energy of formation

Standard Gibbs free energy of formation (ΔG_f⁰), an important property needed in design calculations has been estimated using molar refraction, R_M. The linear relationships derived between ΔG_f⁰ and R_M tested with the data on 8 series of hydrocarbons at 228 compounds yielded average deviations comparable to the methods cited in recent literature. The method can be used as an alternative to the existing ones, because of its simplicity combined with reasonable accuracy.     

CARD: A Contact-based Architecture for Resource Discovery in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

Traditional protocols for routing in ad hoc networks attempt to obtain optimal or shortest paths, and in doing so may incur significant route discovery overhead. Such approaches may be appropriate for routing long-lived transfers where the initial cost of route discovery may be amortized over the life of the connection. For short-lived connections, however, such as resource discovery and small transfers, traditional shortest path approaches may be quite inefficient. In this paper we propose a novel architecture, CARD, for resource discovery in large-scale wireless ad hoc networks. Our mechanism is suitable for resource discovery as well as routing very small data transfers or transactions in which the cost of data transfer is much smaller than the cost of route discovery. Our architecture avoids expensive mechanisms such as global flooding and complex hierarchy formation and does not require any location information. In CARD resources within the vicinity of a node, up to a limited number of hops, are discovered using a proactive scheme. For resources beyond the vicinity, each node maintains a few distant nodes called contacts. Contacts help in creating a small world in the network and provide an efficient way to query for distant resources. Using contacts, the network view (or reachability) of the nodes increases, reducing the discovery overhead and increasing the success rate. On the other hand, increasing the number of contacts also increases control overhead. We study such trade-off in depth and present mechanisms for contact selection and maintenance that attempt to increase reachability with reduced overhead. Our schemes adapt gracefully to network dynamics and mobility using soft-state periodic mechanisms to validate and recover paths to contacts. Our simulation results show that CARD is scalable and can be configured to provide desirable performance for various network sizes. Comparisons with other schemes show overhead savings reaching over 93% (vs. flooding) and 80% (vs. bordercasting or zone routing) for high query rates in large-scale networks.     

Stepwise-Graded Si3N4–SiC Ceramics with Improved Wear Properties

The processing of stepwise graded Si₃N₄/SiC ceramics by pressureless co-sintering is described. Here, SiC (high elastic modulus, high thermal expansion coefficient) forms the substrate and Si₃N₄ (low elastic modulus, low thermal expansion coefficient) forms the top contact surface, with a stepwise gradient in composition existing between the two over a depth of ∼1.7 mm. The resulting Si₃N₄ contact surface is fine-grained and dense, and it contains only 2 vol% yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) additive. This graded ceramic shows resistance to cone-crack formation under Hertzian indentation, which is attributed to a combined effect of the elastic-modulus gradient and the compressive thermal-expansion-mismatch residual stress present at the contact surface. The presence of the residual stress is corroborated and quantified using Vickers indentation tests. The graded ceramic also possesses wear properties that are significantly improved compared with dense, monolithic Si₃N₄ containing 2 vol% YAG additive. The improved wear resistance is attributed solely to the large compressive stress present at the contact surface. A modification of the simple wear model by Lawn and co-workers is used to rationalize the wear results. Results from this work clearly show that the introduction of surface compressive residual stresses can significantly improve the wear resistance of polycrystalline ceramics, which may have important implications for the design of contact-damage-resistant ceramics.     

Scientometrics of the international journal Scientometrics

An analysis of 1317 papers published in first fifty volumes during 1978 to 2001 of the international journal Scientometrics indicates the heterogeneity of the field with emphasis on scientometric assessment. The study indicates that the US share of papers is constantly on the decline while that of the Netherlands, India, France and Japan is on the rise. The research output is highly scattered as indicated by the average number of papers per institution. The scientometric output is dominated by the single authored papers, however, multi-authored papers are gaining momentum. Similar pattern has been observed for domestic and international collaboration.     

The isolated air perfused rat heart

A simple method has been developed for continuous monitoring of metabolic activity of an isolated, perfused rat heart by O2/CO2 respirometer. Since respirometer provides vital data on oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production of a preserved organ on a continuous basis over a long period of time, it will be possible to use this method to monitor viability of not only isolated heart but also any given donor organ under preservation.     

Effect of heat-ageing on the thermal and mechanical properties of APP- and SBS-modified bituminous roofing membranes

The effect of heat-ageing on four bituminous roofing membranes, two modified with atactic polypropylene (APP) and two modified with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) was studied using tensile testing and dynamic mechanical thermals analysis (DMA). The samples were heated at 80°C for 7, 28, 84 and 168 days and were tensile tested at 23, 0, −10, −20 and −30°C. Each heat-aged sample was also subjected to thermomechanical testing to find its glass transition temperature T _g . The results show significant variation in the effect of heat-ageing on tensile strength and elongation of membranes. T _g values differ with the modifiers and other ingredients of the membranes and are affected by heat-ageing. The influence of the glass transition zone measured by DMA is also reflected in the tensile test results.

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Resume On a étudié l’influence du vieillissement par la chaleur sur quatre membranes d’étanchéité, deux d’entre elles étant traitées par APP (polypropylène atactique) et deux par SBS (styrène de styrène butadiène), à l’aide de l’essai en traction et de l’analyse thermique mécaniques (DMA). Les échantillons ont été chauffés à 80°C pendant 7, 28, 84 et 168 jours et essayés en traction à 23, 0, −10, −20 et −30°C. Chaque échantillon vieilli par la chaleur a été également soumis à un essai thermomécanique pour identifier sa température de passage à l’état vitreux T _g . Les résultats montrent des différences importantes dans l’influence de la chaleur sur la résistance en traction et l’allongement des membranes. Les valeurs de T _g diffèrent selon les traitements et les autres composants des membranes, et sont affectées par le vieillissement par la chaleur. L’influence de la zone de passage à l’état vitreux mesurée par l’analyse thermique mécainique se traduit aussi dans les résultats de l’essai en traction.

     

Priority-based joint EDF–RM scheduling algorithm for individual real-time task on distributed systems

The Journal of Supercomputing - Multiple tasks arrive in the distributed systems that can be executed in either parallel or sequential manner. Before the execution, tasks are scheduled prioritywise...