An effective technique for increasing capacity and improving bandwidth in 5G narrow-band internet of things

In recent years, the wireless spectrum has become increasingly scarce as demand for wireless services has grown, requiring imaginative approaches to increase capacity within a limited spectral resource. This article proposes a new method that combines modified symbol time compression with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MSTC-OFDM), to enhance capacity for the narrow-band internet of things (NB-IoT) system. The suggested method, MSTC-OFDM, is based on the modified symbol time compression (MSTC) technique. The MSTC is a compressed waveform technique that increases capacity by compressing the occupied symbol time without losing bit error rate (BER) performance or data throughput. A comparative analysis is provided between the traditional orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system and the MSTC-OFDM method. The simulation results show that the MSTC-OFDM scheme drastically decreases the symbol time (ST) by 75% compared to a standard OFDM system. As a result, the MSTC-OFDM system offers four times the bit rate of a typical OFDM system using the same bandwidth and modulation but with a little increase in complexity. Moreover, compared to an OFDM system with 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (16QAM-OFDM), the MSTC-OFDM system reduces the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by 3.9 dB to transmit the same amount of data

Doubling the Number of Connected Devices in Narrow-band Internet of Things while Maintaining System Performance: An STC-based Approach

Narrow-band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) is a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) method that was first launched by the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) Rel- 13 with the purpose of enabling low-cost, low-power and wide-area cellular connection for the Internet of Things (IoT). As the demand for over-the-air services grows and with the number of linked wireless devices reaching 100 billion, wireless spectrum is becoming scarce, necessitating creative techniques that can increase the number of connected devices within a restricted spectral resource in order to satisfy service needs. Consequently, it is vital that academics develop efficient solutions to fulfill the quality of service (QoS) criteria of the NB-IoT in the context of 5th generation (5G) and beyond. This study paves the way for 5G networks and beyond to have increased capacity and data rate for NB-IoT. Whereas, this article suggests a method for increasing the number of connected devices by using a technique known as symbol time compression (STC). The suggested method compresses the occupied bandwidth of each device without increasing complexity, losing data throughput or bit error rate (BER) performance. The STC approach is proposed in the literature to work with the conventional orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) to reduce bandwidth usage by 50% and improve the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). Specifically, An STC-based method is proposed that exploits the unused bandwidth to double the number of connected devices while keeping system performance and complexity. Furthermore, the {\mu}-law companding technique is leveraged to reduce the PAPR of the transmitted signals. The obtained simulation results reveal that the proposed approach using the {\mu}-law companding technique increases the transmitted data by twice and reduces the PAPR by 3.22 dB while maintaining the same complexity and BER

Predictors of high calcium score in patients with negative myocardial perfusion imaging

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the major cardiovascular diseases. Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) plays an important role in the diagnosis and prognosis of CAD.Objective: The aim of the present study was to reduce the generalization of doing calcium score for all coronary cardiac patients with negative myocardial perfusion imaging. Patients and methods: A retrospective cohort study analysis using data from Alfa Scan Center, a major outpatient radiology center in Cairo, Egypt, and conducted in Cardiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University that included a total sample of 1168 participants with negative myocardial perfusion imaging not known to have history of CAD, and age ranged between 20 to 80 years from both sexes. All patients were subjected for SPECT-MPI after the intravenous injection of 99mTc-sestamibi.Results: There was statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding age, gender, weight, chest pain, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, family history of CAD, beta blockers, aspirin, resting diastolic blood pressure (DBP), rest ECG abnormalities and exercise duration. Age, gender, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were the predictors of any coronary artery calcification (CAC > 0) in patients with negative myocardial perfusion imaging. Age, gender and Duke Treadmill Score were the predictors of significant coronary artery calcification (CAC > 100) in patients with negative myocardial perfusion imaging.Conclusion: Calcium score for all not known coronary cardiac patients with negative MPI is a mandatory, particularly if they are old, male gender and have multiple risk factors

Heteroaromatization with 4-phenyldiazenyl-1-naphthol. Part II: Synthesis of some new benzochromens, benzochromenopyrimidines, benzochromenotriazolopyrimidines, benzochromenopyrimidotriazepine and antimicrobial activities

Synthesis of several new of benzochromenes (4-7), benzochromenopyrimidines (8 and 9), 14-(4-chlorophenyl)-12-(phenyldiazenyl)-14H-benzo[7,8]chromeno[3,2-e][1, 2, 4]triazolo[1, 5-c]pyrimidines, 4-amino-16-(4-chlorophenyl)-14-(phenyldiazenyl)-16H-benzo[7', 8']chro-meno[2',3':4,5]pyrimido[1,6-b][1,2,4]triazepine-3-carbonitrile (10a-e, 13) and 9-(benz-ylideneamino)-7-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(phenyldiazenyl)-7, 9-dihydro-8H-benzo[7,8]chromeno [2,3-d]pyrimidin-8-imine (12), form starting from 2-amino-4-(p-chlorophenyl)-6-phenyl-diazenyl-4H-benzochromene-3-carbonitrile (3). The structure of these new compounds was confirmed using IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR as well as MS spectroscopy. The structure activity relationship studies of the target compounds in agreement with the in vitro essays and confirmed higher potent antimicrobial activity against some of the tested microorganisms. The structure-activity relationship study revealed that the antimicrobial activity of benzochromenopyrimido triazepine nucleus was more beneficial than benzochromeno-triazolopyrimidine nucleus for antimicrobial activity

THE ETHICS OF ISLAMIC DA’WAH IN RELATING WITH NON-MUSLIMS(أخلاقيات الدعوة الإسلامية في التعامل مع غير المسلمين)

Powerful nations have resorted to the denial of their morals and do not abide by them, they legalize killings and treachery under the disguise of necessity and need, which serves to achieving their interests, and devoid of the standards of morality. Despite all that, they suspect Islamic da’wah of being spread by sword, that Muslims are morally unfair to non-Muslims, and that Islam persecutes Non-Muslims.The importance of this paper is to show the advancement of Islamic da’wah and its ethico-relation with non-Muslims; the people of the Book and others, in peace and war. The paper treats the Islamic da’wah ethics with non-Muslims through the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet S‘AW, and a glimpse of the rightly guided Khaliphs. The paper uses the descriptive analytical inductive method to prove that the world is in need of the ethics of da’wah to achieve security, moral progress, and material advancement. Islam is disapproves anyone who misbehaves in his dealing with Muslims and non-Muslims. Ethics is a social necessity that no society can survive without. The Islamic da’wah emphasizes that the ethics of Muslims are indivisible; morality is one unit in all heavenly messages. One cannot be loyal to a sect, and be betrayal to the others. When moralities are lacked and corrupted, the members of the society become disintegrated and disoriented; they can no longer live in harmony and peace, and they cannot build any civilization. Keywords: Ethics, Da’wah, Islam, Relationship, non-Muslims. ملخصالدول القوية تلجأ إلى نقض أخلاقها ولا تلتزم بها، فيبرورن القتل والغدر تحت مسمى الضرورة والحاجة، بما يتناسب مع تحقيق مصالحهم بعيدا عن معايير الأخلاق الحسنة، ومع ذلك يثيرون شبهات حول الدعوة الإسلامية في أنها انتشرت بالسيف وسوء اخلاق المسلمين مع غير المسلمين، وأن الإسلام يضطهد غير المسلمين. تبرز أهمية هذه الورقة في إظهار رقي الدعوة الإسلامية بأخلاقها وتعاملها مع غير المسلمين؛ من أهل الكتاب وغيرهم في السلم والحرب. فتعرض أخلاق الدعوة الإسلامية مع غير المسلمين من خلال القرآن والسنة النبوية ولمحة من عصر الخلفاء الراشدين وفق المنهج الوصفي الاستقرائي التحليلي، لتصل إلى أن العالم بحاجة الى أخلاق الدعوة حتى يتحقق له الأمن والرقي المعنوي مع الرقي المادي.إن الإسلام بريء من كل من يسيء الأخلاق في تعامله مع المسلمين وغير المسلمين. إن مكارم الأخلاق ضرورة اجتماعية لا يستطيع أي مجتمع أن يعيش بدونها. إن الدعوة الإسلامية تركز على أن أخلاقيات المسلم غير قابلة للتجزئة فالأخلاق وحدة واحدة في جميع الرسالات السماوية. لا يمكن لإنسان أن يكون وفيا أمينا مع جماعة، ويكون غادرا خائنا مع آخرين. عند فقد الأخلاق وفسادها يتفكك أفراد المجتمع ويتصارعون، فلا يمكن لهم العيش في أمن وسلام ولا يستطيعون بناء حضارة.كلمات مفتاحية: الأخلاق- الدعوة – الإسلام – التعامل- غير المسلمين

Environmental life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis of triboelectric nanogenerators

As the world economy grows and industrialization of the developing countries increases, the demand for energy continues to rise. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have been touted as having great potential for low-carbon, non-fossil fuel energy generation. Mechanical energies from, amongst others, body motion, vibration, wind and waves are captured and converted by TENGs to harvest electricity, thereby minimizing global fossil fuel consumption. However, only by ascertaining performance efficiency along with low material and manufacturing costs as well as a favorable environmental profile in comparison with other energy harvesting technologies, can the true potential of TENGs be established. This paper presents a detailed techno-economic lifecycle assessment of two representative examples of TENG modules, one with a high performance efficiency (Module A) and the other with a lower efficiency (Module B) both fabricated using low-cost materials. The results are discussed across a number of sustainability metrics in the context of other energy harvesting technologies, notably photovoltaics. Module A possesses a better environmental profile, lower cost of production, lower CO2 emissions and shorter energy payback period (EPBP) compared to Module B. However, the environmental profile of Module B is slightly degraded due to the higher content of acrylic in its architecture and higher electrical energy consumption during fabrication. The end of life scenario of acrylic is environmentally viable given its recyclability and reuse potential and it does not generate toxic gases that are harmful to humans and the environment during combustion processes due to its stability during exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Despite the adoption of a less optimum laboratory manufacturing route, TENG modules generally have a better environmental profile than commercialized Si based and organic solar cells, but Module B has a slightly higher energy payback period than PV technology based on perovskite-structured methyl ammonium lead iodide. Overall, we recommend that future research into TENGs should focus on improving system performance, material optimization and more importantly improving their lifespan to realize their full potential

Patterns of Faculty Participation in the Areas of Social Responsibility

The study aimed to identify the patterns of participation of faculty members in the areas of social responsibility. To achieve the objectives of the study, the social survey method was relied on the sample. The study sample consisted of (136) faculty members in a university in the Saudi higher education sector. The questionnaire was used to collect data. Its stability coefficient was (0.830) and it was applied electronically to the study sample. The results of the study revealed that there is daily interaction between a faculty member, students and community institutions to contribute to all areas of responsibility and spread its culture, in addition to the tendency of the educational institution (the field of study) to achieve balance and harmony between its fields (teaching, community service / scientific research) so that the faculty member can participate in all the desired activities and events and adapt to the requirements of the institution and society, there are also some obstacles such as lack of funding for research and studies Common and directed by the faculty member towards the community, the imposition of routine procedures from the university that hinder the faculty member from participating in community initiatives, the lack of opportunities for community partnerships between the university and the private and public sectors of the state and NGOs

A Fuzzy Case-Based Reasoning Model for Software Requirements Specifications Quality Assessment

Different software Quality Assurance (SQA) audit techniques are applied in the literature to determine whether the required standards and procedures within the Software Requirements Specification (SRS) phase are adhered to. The inspection of the Software Requirements Specification (iSRS) system is an analytical assurance tool which is proposed to strengthen the ability to scrutinize how to optimally create high-quality SRSs. The iSRS utilizes a Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) model in carrying out the SRS quality analysis based on the experience of the previously analyzed cases. This paper presents the contribution of integrating fuzzy Logic technique in the CBR steps to form a Fuzzy Case-Based Reasoning (FCBR) model for improving the reasoning and accuracy of the iSRS system. Additionally, for efficient cases retrieval in the CBR, relevant cases selection and nearest cases selection heuristic search algorithms are used in the system. Basically, the input to the relevant cases algorithm is the available cases in the system case base and the output is the relevant cases. The input to the nearest cases algorithm is the relevant cases and the output is the nearest cases. The fuzzy Logic technique works on the selected nearest cases and it utilizes similarity measurement methods to classify the cases into no-match, partial-match and complete-match cases. The features matching results assist the revised step of the CBR to generate a new solution. The implementation of the new FCBR model shows that converting numerical representation to qualitative terms simplifies the matching process and improves the decision-making of the system

Induction of cryptic antifungal pulicatin derivatives from <i>Pantoea agglomerans</i> by microbial co-culture

Microbial co-culture or mixed fermentation proved to be an efficient strategy to expand chemical diversity by the induction of cryptic biosynthetic pathways, and in many cases led to the production of new antimicrobial agents. In the current study, we report a rare example of the induction of silent/cryptic bacterial biosynthetic pathway by the co-culture of Durum wheat plant roots-associated bacterium Pantoea aggolomerans and date palm leaves-derived fungus Penicillium citrinum. The initial co-culture indicated a clear fungal growth inhibition which was confirmed by the promising antifungal activity of the co-culture total extract against Pc. LC-HRMS chemical profiling demonstrated a huge suppression in the production of secondary metabolites (SMs) of axenic cultures of both species with the emergence of new metabolites which were dereplicated as a series of siderophores. Large-scale co-culture fermentation led to the isolation of two new pulicatin derivatives together with six known metabolites which were characterised using HRESIMS and NMR analyses. During the in vitro antimicrobial evaluation of the isolated compounds, pulicatin H (2) exhibited the strongest antifungal activity against Pc, followed by aeruginaldehyde (1) and pulicatin F (4), hence explaining the initial growth suppression of Pc in the co-culture environment