Joint Optimization Framework for Operational Cost Minimization in Green Coverage-Constrained Wireless Networks

In this work, we investigate the joint optimization of base station (BS) location, its density, and transmit power allocation to minimize the overall network operational cost required to meet an underlying coverage constraint at each user equipment (UE), which is randomly deployed following the binomial point process (BPP). As this joint optimization problem is nonconvex and combinatorial in nature, we propose a non-trivial solution methodology that effectively decouples it into three individual optimization problems. Firstly, by using the distance distribution of the farthest UE from the BS, we present novel insights on optimal BS location in an optimal sectoring type for a given number of BSs. After that we provide a tight approximation for the optimal transmit power allocation to each BS. Lastly, using the latter two results, the optimal number of BSs that minimize the operational cost is obtained. Also, we have investigated both circular and square field deployments. Numerical results validate the analysis and provide practical insights on optimal BS deployment. We observe that the proposed joint optimization framework, that solves the coverage probability versus operational cost tradeoff, can yield a significant reduction of about $65\%$ in the operational cost as compared to the benchmark fixed allocation scheme.Comment: 30 pages, 15 figures, submitted to IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networkin

Joint Optimal Design for Outage Minimization in DF Relay-assisted Underwater Acoustic Networks

This letter minimizes outage probability in a single decode-and-forward (DF) relay-assisted underwater acoustic network (UAN) without direct source-to-destination link availability. Specifically, a joint global-optimal design for relay positioning and allocating power to source and relay is proposed. For analytical insights, a novel low-complexity tight approximation method is also presented. Selected numerical results validate the analysis and quantify the comparative gains achieved using optimal power allocation (PA) and relay placement (RP) strategies.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures; accepted to IEEE Communications Letters 201

Sensing Models and Its Impact on Network Coverage in Wireless Sensor Network

Network coverage of wireless sensor network (WSN) means how well an area of interest is being monitored by the deployed network. It depends mainly on sensing model of nodes. In this paper, we present three types of sensing models viz. Boolean sensing model, shadow-fading sensing model and Elfes sensing model. We investigate the impact of sensing models on network coverage. We also investigate network coverage based on Poisson node distribution. A comparative study between regular and random node placement has also been presented in this paper. This study will be useful for coverage analysis of WSN.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, IEEE Region 10 Colloquium and the Third ICIIS, Kharagpur, INDIA December 8-10, 200

FACES OF POVERTY, FINANCING THE POOR, NOVEL MANAGEMENT PROPS, AND THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE : Modus Operandi of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh

Reaching the poor, above all rural women, and conducive their participation in development in ways to unleash their full potentials, is a matter of creating an organizational framework ensuring them direct access to and control of resources and designed programs anchored in socio-cultural environments. The Grameen Bank (GB) of Bangladesh, the first micro-credit institution in the world, has succeeded in creating such an environment on a large scale, because of dynamic roles and leadership of GB Founder cum Managing Director and the Nobel Laureate of 2006, Professor Muhammad Yunus. He has successfully tackled many faces of poverty in Bangladesh, and also shown us, most myths on poor either invalid or at least adequate. The classic credit system of GB has been replicating effectively not only in Bangladesh but in many other cultures, both developing and developed countries. This paper is a precis of the author’s hand-in-experiences with GB. For the capacity-building of GB, Yunus has added many novel props in traditional management process, through learning-by-doing approach. Here the core aims to focus on faces of poverty in Bangladesh, GB organizational culture and managerial facets, and the dynamic roles and leadership of Yunus. However, for better understanding such aspects, the author intends to address the GB origin and originality points, its classic credit model and operating system, major diversifications, and development paradigms. Initially, some overviews would be on organizational life-cycle concept to justify the process of GB institutionalization. No system is absolutely perfect, and surely GB is not an exception, notably if we heed on its parallel dual visions - the livelihoods improvement of the poor and to do business with them. Again, some new policies of GB have been raised confusions among many. Some focus, thus, would be on such policy issues

Milieu Features of Food Insecurity and Potential Facets of Rural Aquaculture-Centered Asian Integrated Farming Systems

The food security is now far more complex issue than it was a generation ago, and a fastunfolding food shortage is engulfing the entire world, driving food prices to mind-bogglingly highs. Indeed, due to rapid population increase and diet-globalization as well as recent mounting grain-demands dilemmas - Calorie-for-Calorie and Food-to-Fuel, not a single country in the world, regardless rich or poor, so as to be totally food self-sufficient. Even the individual’s nutritional security now depends much on global food distributions and market prices; and in Asia, along with rapid population growth, rising natural calamities, low productivity, and diminishing per capita resources becoming severe threats to the rural poor dwellers. After some concise overviews on such facets with notable reference to Bangladesh, this article mainly targeted to focus on obligatory-need of integrations of the agricultural sub-sectors, basically for the improvements of rural livelihoods. Prior to that, some brief focuses would be on food and nutritional status in Asian countries with a succinct dietary-learning query on Japan. The farm-resources interdependencies, an old practice in Asia, characterized by various cycles and recycles, offers new hopes; and some innovative integrated farming systems are emerging as de rigueur to enhance the production of animal (poultry, eggs, milk, fish, etc.) and plant (vegetables, fruits, etc.) foods from the same unit of land. The recent surge of interests in aquaculture-centered farming integrations are due to growing concern to maximize productivity through optimum resources-utilization in a world undergoing rapid population growth, severe malnutrition, low productivity, and diminishing per capita resources. Indeed, small-scale such integrated farming practices could play diverse roles towards the improvement of rural livelihoods, if designed and promoted for the disguised family labors including women as homestead and/or near-by pond-dike production programs. The prime purposes here are to provide a precis on concepts, goals, and potential roles of Asian aquaculture-based small-scale integrated farming models, related impacts, and then some field level experiences. The article also recaps the status of Asian livestock and aquaculture as well as rationalized the requisites of a ‘blue revolution’ towards rapid promotion of aquaculture-based farming integrations

IMPACT OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE POLICY ON VALUE OF THE FIRM – A STUDY ON SOME SELECTED CORPORATE MANUFACTURING FIRMS UNDER DHAKA STOCK EXCHANGE

The study is about capital structure policy and its impacts on value of the firm. The outcome of this study was both the primary and secondary data. The study was based on opinions survey of 80 respondents of the 20 manufacturing corporate firms, enlisted under Dhaka Stock Exchange. The empirical analysis of the study was limited to a period of five years ranging 2008-2012. The major findings of the study are: (i) the most important determinant of capital structure policy as rated by the respondents have been financial risk , profitability, availability of fund, productivity, liquidity, operating risk, growth rate, proper timing, corporate tax, stability of sales/ investment etc, (ii) the study reveals that in terms of the average positions of capital structure and financial structure during 2008-2012, Beximco pharma has ranked first followed by Square pharma, Apex Adelchi, DESCO, ACI ltd, Titas gas, Bata shoe,Aftab automobile, Reneata pharma, Square textile ltd etc,(iii) as regards the value of the firm during the study period, Titas gas has obtained first rank followed by Square pharma, DESCO, Beximco pharma, BATBC, ACI, Reneta pharma, Apex Tennary, Apex Adelchi, Bata shoe and so on.(iv) this study has portrayed that the independent variables namely capital structure (CS), debt to equity (DER) & debt to asset (DR), fixed assets to total assets(Tangibility), earnings before interest and taxes to interest charges(ICR), financial leverage multiplier(FLM) have influenced value of the firm(VF) to the extent of 79.1 percent significantly. Therefore, it is recommended that the relevant firm’s authority should take proper measures in order to improve the independent variables having positive influence on value of the firms

Development of Metals Corrosion Maps of Arkansas and Maintenance of Cross-Drains

Corrosion potential of metallic structures in alluvial soils is governed by chemical and electromagnetic properties of the soils. Geotechnical engineers are generally more concerned about different types of soils and their physical and mechanical properties than the chemical aspects. The main objective of this study is to analyze the geotechnical, electrochemical and electromagnetic properties of soils in Arkansas. Important parameters (e.g., soil resistivity) related to corrosion potential of metal culverts have been predicted through neural network (NN) models. The developed NN models have been trained and verified by using laboratory test results of soil samples collected from Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), and survey data obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). Finally, the Geographic Information System (GIS) based corrosion risk maps of three different types of metal pipes have been developed based on the available soil properties, metal properties, and water quality data. The developed maps will help ARDOT engineers to assess corrosion potential of metal pipes prior to the new construction and repair projects and use proper culvert and cross drain materials