Fast distributed multi-hop relative time synchronization protocol and estimators for wireless sensor networks

The challenging problem of time synchronization in wireless sensor networks is considered in this paper, where a new distributed protocol is proposed for both local and multi-hop synchronization. The receiver-to-receiver paradigm is used, which has the advantage of reducing the time-critical-path and thus improving the accuracy compared to common sender-to-receiver protocols. The protocol is fully distributed and does not rely on any fixed reference. The role of the reference is divided amongst all nodes, while timestamp exchange is integrated with synchronization signals (beacons). This enables fast acquisition of timestamps that are used as samples to estimate relative synchronization parameters. An appropriate model is used to derive maximum likelihood estimators (MLE) and the Cramer-Rao lower bounds (CRLB) for both the offset-only, and the joint offset/skew estimation. The model permits to directly estimating relative parameters without using or referring to a reference’ clock. The proposed protocol is extended to multi-hop environment, where local synchronization is performed proactively and the resulted estimates are transferred to the intermediate/end-point nodes on-demand, i.e. as soon as a multi-hop communication that needs synchronization is initiated. On-demand synchronization is targeted for multi-hop synchronization instead of the always-on global synchronization model, which avoids periodic and continuous propagation of synchronization signals beyond a single-hop. Extension of local MLE estimators is proposed to derive relative multi-hop estimators. The protocol is compared by simulation to some state-of-the-art protocols, and results show much faster convergence of the proposed protocol. The difference has been on the order of more than twice compared to CS-MNS, more than ten times compared to RBS, and more than twenty times compared to TPSN. Results also show scalability of the proposed protocol concerning the multi-hop synchronization. The error does not exceed few microseconds for as much as 10 hops in R4Syn, while in CS-MNS, and TPSN, it reaches few tens of microseconds. Implementation and tests of the protocol on real sensor motes confirm microsecond level precision even in multi-hop scenarios, and high stability (long lifetime) of the skew/offset model.     

Fault tolerant control based on neural network interval type-2 fuzzy sliding mode controller for octorotor UAV

In this paper, a robust controller for a six degrees of freedom (6 DOF) octorotor helicopter control is proposed in presence of actuator and sensor faults. Neural networks (NN), interval type-2 fuzzy logic control (IT2FLC) approach and sliding mode control (SMC) technique are used to design a controller, named fault tolerant neural network interval type-2 fuzzy sliding mode controller (FTNNIT2FSMC), for each subsystem of the octorotor helicopter. The proposed control scheme allows avoiding difficult modeling, attenuating the chattering effect of the SMC, reducing the number of rules for the fuzzy controller, and guaranteeing the stability and the robustness of the system. The simulation results show that the FTNNIT2FSMC can greatly alleviate the chattering effect, tracking well in presence of actuator and sensor faults.     

Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior in Dissimilar SAF 2205/API X52 Welded Pipes

The welding of a duplex stainless steel SAF 2205 DSS(UNS 31803) and high strength low alloy steel API X52 by shielded metal arc welding process was conducted using two different filler metals,the duplex E2209 and austenitic E309 grade.The microstructures of the dissimilar metal joints have been investigated by optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,energy-dispersive spectroscopy(EDS) and X-ray diffraction.EDS analysis at the interface X52 weld metal showed an evident gradient variation of Cr and Ni between boundaries of fusion and type II,where the highest hardness value was recorded.Tensile strength and toughness values of the weld metal produced by E309 electrode are slightly higher than those of the weld metal produced by E2209 electrode.Potentiodynamic polarization tests of different regions of the welded joints evaluated in 3.5%NaCl solution exhibit a high corrosion resistance of both weld metals.     

Probabilistic logic with minimum perplexity: Application to language modeling

Any statistical model based on training encounters sparse configurations. These data are those that have not been encountered (or seen) during the training phase. This inherent problem is a big challenge to many scientific communities. The statistical estimation of rare events is usually performed through the maximum likelihood (ML) criterion. However, it is well-known that the ML estimator is sensitive to extreme values that is therefore non-reliable. To answer this challenge, we propose a novel approach based on probabilistic logic (PL) and the minimal perplexity criterion. In our approach, configurations are considered as probabilistic events such as predicates related through logical connectors. Our method was applied to estimate word trigram probability values from a corpus. Experimental results conducted on several test sets show that the PL method with minimal perplexity has outperformed both the “Absolute Discounting”, and the “Good-Turing Discounting” techniques.     

Evaluation of the antioxidant ability of hydrazine-purified and untreated commercial carnosine in beef patties

The aim of this research was to reevaluate the inhibition of oxidative changes in beef patties packaged in modified atmosphere (70% O(2)+20% CO(2)+10% N(2)) by carnosine (50 mM). The need for reevaluation was because it had been postulated that hydrazine present as contaminant in commercial carnosine could contribute to the antioxidant activity. Beef patties with either commercial or purified hydrazine-free carnosine were stored at 2±1?°C for 20 days and evaluated for colour (a* and H*), TBARS, metmyoglobin formation (% of total surface myoglobin), psychrotrophic microbial counts and sensory odour. Results indicated that both forms of carnosine effectively inhibited lipid oxidation and color changes in beef patties throughout storage, showing no significant differences (P>0.05) between them. It was concluded that the antioxidant effect was brought about by the carnosine molecule and not by hydrazine.     

Thermal field in SOFC fed by hydrogen: Inlet gases temperature effect

In the present work, the effect of the hydrogen and the air temperature values on the temperature distribution in a Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell is studied by the aid of a two-dimensional mathematical model. Two different configurations of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cells are examined: i) the Anode Supported Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (ASP_SOFC) and ii) the Electrolyte Supported Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (ESP_SOFC). In order to describe the temperature distribution within the SOFC, the coupling of the mass and energy transport phenomena along with the electrochemistry is required. The studied parameters are: a) the hydrogen and the air temperature values and b) the geometry configurations. The complex system of the governing equations is numerically solved with the finite differences method and the calculation of the temperature distribution within each domain of the SOFCs is calculated via the 2-D mathematical model processed by FORTRAN language. Finally, the mathematical model predictions for the temperature distribution under the influence of the studied parameters are thoroughly discussed.     

Effect of different concentrations of carbon dioxide and low concentration of carbon monoxide on the shelf-life of fresh pork sausages packaged in modified atmosphere

This paper reports the effects of different concentrations of carbon dioxide and the presence of low levels of carbon monoxide on quality attributes throughout storage of fresh pork sausages. Four pork forelegs (initial pH 5.5-5.7) were used to prepare a total of 120 fresh sausages, which were packaged in different atmospheres containing (%O(2)/%CO(2)/%N(2)): 0/20/80; 0/60/40; 40/20/40; 40/60/0; 80/20/0; and 0.3% CO/30% CO(2)/rest argon. The packs were stored for 20 days at 2±1 °C in the dark. Three packs for each atmosphere were opened every 4 days for subsequent analysis of pH, colour CIE L*, a*, b*, TBARS formation, microbial psychotrophic aerobes and sensory discolouration and off-odour. Results showed that increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide promoted oxidation of both myoglobin and lipids, most probably due to its effect of lowering pH. Therefore, preservation of colour and odour of fresh pork sausages packaged in modified atmosphere was better achieved using atmospheres containing low CO(2) concentrations (20%) rather than high (60%). However, their shelf-life depended also on the concentration of O(2); 20% CO(2) with high O(2) (80%) enhanced the red colour, but shortened shelf-life, while 20% CO(2) in the absence of O(2) extended freshness to 16 days. The atmosphere containing 0.3% CO, together with 30% CO(2), maintained the red colour for 20 days, but failed to keep fresh odour longer than 16 days.