Benefits and Challenges of Internet of Things for Telecommunication Networks

Recently, Internet of things (IoTs) has become the main issue in designing monitoring systems such as smart environments, smart cars, and smart wearable devices. IoTs has transformed the life of people to be more adaptable and intelligent. For example, in a healthcare monitoring system, using smart devices will improve the performance of doctors, nurses, patients, and the healthcare industry. The IoTs revolution is known as the fourth industrial revolution and would change the way humans interact with machines and lead the way to a high-technology machine-to-machine interaction. In fact, almost every device around us would be connected to Internet, collecting and exchanging data with other devices on the cloud. In this chapter, we will introduce the benefits of IoTs on telecommunication networks and its challenges to give a complete overview for researchers to know how to improve our life and society by building smart IoTs systems

Space trajectories optimization using variable-chromosome-length genetic algorithms

The problem of optimal design of a multi-gravity-assist space trajectories, with free number of deep space maneuvers (MGADSM) poses multi-modal cost functions. In the general form of the problem, the number of design variables is solution dependent. To handle global optimization problems where the number of design variables varies from one solution to another, two novel genetic-based techniques are introduced: hidden genes genetic algorithm (HGGA) and dynamic-size multiple population genetic algorithm (DSMPGA). In HGGA, a fixed length for the design variables is assigned for all solutions. Independent variables of each solution are divided into effective and ineffective (hidden) genes. Hidden genes are excluded in cost function evaluations. Full-length solutions undergo standard genetic operations. In DSMPGA, sub-populations of fixed size design spaces are randomly initialized. Standard genetic operations are carried out for a stage of generations. A new population is then created by reproduction from all members based on their relative fitness. The resulting sub-populations have different sizes from their initial sizes. The process repeats, leading to increasing the size of sub-populations of more fit solutions. Both techniques are applied to several MGADSM problems. They have the capability to determine the number of swing-bys, the planets to swing by, launch and arrival dates, and the number of deep space maneuvers as well as their locations, magnitudes, and directions in an optimal sense. The results show that solutions obtained using the developed tools match known solutions for complex case studies. The HGGA is also used to obtain the asteroids sequence and the mission structure in the global trajectory optimization competition (GTOC) problem. As an application of GA optimization to Earth orbits, the problem of visiting a set of ground sites within a constrained time frame is solved. The J2 perturbation and zonal coverage are considered to design repeated Sun-synchronous orbits. Finally, a new set of orbits, the repeated shadow track orbits (RSTO), is introduced. The orbit parameters are optimized such that the shadow of a spacecraft on the Earth visits the same locations periodically every desired number of days

Repeated Shadow Track Orbits for Space-SunSetter Missions

This paper introduces a new set of orbits, the “Repeated Shadow Track Orbits.” In these orbits, the shadow of a spacecraft on the Earth visits the same locations periodically every desired number of days. The 2 perturbation is utilized to synchronize the spacecraft shadow motion with both the Earth rotational motion and the Earth-Sun vector rotation. Motivation for the design of new shadow track orbits comes from the need to save energy. The general mathematical model to design a Repeated Shadow Track Orbit (RSTO) is presented within this paper. RSTOs' conditions are formulated and numerically solved. Results show the feasibility of RSTOs. An optimization process is also developed to maximize the shadow duration over a given site. A Genetic Algorithm (GA) technique is utilized for optimization

Human value systems and types of managers : a theoretical and empirical investigation in Egyptian society

Numerous studies in the behaviour sciences are concerned with the role of human values as a determinant of human behaviour. In recent years an increasing attention is being paid to the subject of human values in the managerial context. Students of managerial behaviour agree that the value system of an individual manager is one of the factors which affect his behaviour at work. The main objective of this research is to investigate the feasibility of classifying the managerial workforce in Egypt into different types according to their systems of values, and to demonstrate how data about types of managers could be used in improving managerial performance in Egypt. Another objective of this study is to investigate the role of culture in the formation of the value system of a specific cultural group. To carry out these investigations, a theoretical framework was developed. Two instruments were included in this framework: (1) The Personal Value Questionnaire (P.V.Q.) [developed by G.W. Ailport]. (2) The Managerial value Questionnaire (M.V.Q.) [developed in this study). Both instruments were based on the work of the German philosopher Edward Spranger "Types of Men", in which he classified human personalities into six types according to six classes (dimensions) of values (i.e. Theoretical, Economic, Aesthetic, Social, Political and Religious values). The data of this study was derived from: (1) A national sample of 256 Egyptian managers. (2) Two cultural groups ((246 Egyptian business students] and (595 American business students from D. Palmer's study of "Personal Values and managerial Decision]). The Egyptian Managers: Personal and managerial value profiles of the Egyptian managers were identified. Although the two profiles appeared to be dissimilar, a link between them was found. This indicates that the value system of the Egyptian manager is not simply a unitary system which expresses a single profile (a rank order of importance) of the six value dimensions in both personal and managerial lives. Rather, it is an interlocking network of dominant ( personal) and variant (managerial) patterns of values. When used as a discriminatory variable, the managerial value profile proved to be useful in identifying four types of managers that exist in Egyptian society (i.e. Economic, Social, Political, and Religious managers). The four types differ in their primary value orientations and are expected to differ in their organizational performance, especially in their perception of daily problems, their interpretation of the organization policies and goals, and their dealing with individuals and groups. The analysis of the managerial value profiles of the four types of managers suggests that only the Economic and Religious managers could be motivated to serve the objectives of business organizations in Egypt. They are expected to give a predominant position to such organization's goals as high productivity, organizational growth and profit maximization. The Two Cultural Groups: A cultural contrast of the personal value profiles of Egyptian and American business students marked five significant differences between the two groups. The analysis of these differences emphasized the role of Islamic culture in shaping the personal value profile of the Egyptian group. Finally, a proposed model (including six dimensional equations) for the classification of a specific manager into one of the four types (i.e. Economic, Social, Political, and Religious managers) was designed

Outcomes of the Q value-based nomogram in managing pediatric versus adult keratoconus: a prospective interventional study

Background: Keratoconus (KCN) is an ectatic disorder of the cornea characterized by stromal weakness and apical protrusion of the cornea, and is associated with a gradual and painless reduction in visual acuity. KCN in pediatric patients has certain important characteristics, such as a progressive and aggressive nature. We aimed to analyze the visual, refractive, and topographic outcomes of implanting a single 210° arc-length Keraring segment according to a novel, objective, Q value-based nomogram (Q-N) for the treatment of pediatric versus adult KCN. Methods: This prospective, multicenter, non-randomized, open-label trial included 47 eyes of 47 patients who were allocated to one of two groups. The adult group included 33 eyes of patients greater than or equal to 18 years of age, whereas the pediatric group included 14 eyes of patients aged 14 – 17 years. All patients underwent femtosecond laser-assisted implantation of a single 210° arc-length Keraring segment according to the Q-N and were followed up for 6 months. All eyes underwent visual acuity measurement, cycloplegic refraction, and corneal topography at baseline and 6 months after surgery. Results: The study groups were comparable in terms of sex proportions and KCN grades (both P > 0.05). The adult group exhibited significant postoperative improvements in mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), sphere, cylinder, spherical equivalent (SE), and Kmax (all P < 0.001) with a mean change of -0.56 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR), - 0.40 logMAR, 3.07 diopters (D), 0.70 D, 3.42 D, and - 5.26 D, respectively. The pediatric group exhibited significant postoperative improvements in mean UDVA, CDVA, sphere, SE, and Kmax (all P < 0.05) with a mean change of - 0.62 logMAR, - 0.34 logMAR, 3.18 D, 3.67 D, and - 5.37 D, respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the mean change in visual, refractive, and topographic variables (all P > 0.05). No postoperative complications were observed in either group. Conclusions: Use of the objective Q-N was efficient in the treatment of pediatric KCN, with postoperative improvements in the mean visual, refractive, and topographic parameters, comparable to outcomes in adult keratoconus. Q-N achieved good corneal remodeling with subsequent improvements in visual, refractive, and topographic outcomes in both adult and pediatric patients with keratoconus. To verify our preliminary findings, we recommend further multicenter randomized clinical trials using the Q-N nomogram in a larger sample of pediatric patients with KCN as an adjunct treatment before or after CXL

The Burr XII-Burr XII Distribution: Mathematical Properties and Characterizations

We introduce a new continuous distribution called the Burr XII-Burr XII distribution. Some of its properties are derived. The method of maximum likelihood is used to estimate the unknown parameters. An application is provided with details to illustrate the importance of the new. The new model provides adequate fits as compared to other related models with smallest values for A-IC, B-IC, CA-IC and HQ-IC. Characterization results are presented based on two truncated moments, hazard function as well as based on the conditional expectation

A Study of Electrode Material Performance During Food Processing by Pulsed Electric Fields

Upon the application of high-field pulses across a liquid food product (such as milk, juices, or beer), electric charge accumulates across the membrane of any microbial cell present in the processing zone between the two electrodes. Within a few hundred nanoseconds, this charge accumulation results in an irreversible membrane breakdown which causes the cell to lose its viability. By this means, an extended shelf-life could be achieved. Thus, the use of pulsed electric fields (PEFs) provides an alternative method to preserve liquid food products instead of the conventional thermal pasteurization. The advantages of using the PEF processing over conventional thermal pasteurization include greater retention of the original nutritional value and fresh-like taste, less usage of processing energy, and lower contamination from the processing equipment. Physical and electrical contact between the liquid food product and the metallic electrodes during the PEF processing is unavoidable and causes some metallic ions to be released from the electrodes into the processed food. This undesirable release of metallic ions from the electrodes can affect food safety and taste, degrade food compounds/color, and shorten the electrode lifetime over a long period of use. As such, it represents one of the main challenges for the commercialization of such non-thermal preservation technique. In this study, the concentration of released metallic ions in PEF-processed milk, orange juice, and beer has been determined using the inductively coupled plasma – atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) under various operating conditions. It has been found that the mitigation of arcing events protects the electrode surface from experiencing “pits”, which is one source of metallic ion release. For electrochemical reactions, satisfying a “zero net charge delivery” reduces the metallic content of PEF-processed foods considerably. Allowing the charging current of the generator’s capacitor to flow through the PEF processing chamber is used here to ensure the zero net charge delivery with mono-polar pulses. Lower metallic content has been obtained by using pulses of shorter width; this observation agrees with the nature of an electrically-driven electrochemical process. Variation in the voltage peak, within the typical PEF conditions, did not have a significant effect on metal release. The comparison of the behavior of electrodes coated with chromium, nickel, silver, and titanium has revealed the superior performance of titanium. A solid titanium electrode did not lead to any detectible metal release after PEF processing of milk (neutral) and orange juice (acidic); whereas, the concentration of iron from stainless steel electrodes was detectible in both liquids. The temperature of the PEF processing zone did not influence the metallic content when varied in the range from 1° to 30ºC. The study also highlights the applicability of the PEF processing on carbonated beer, in particular through a sealed and pressurized processing chamber. Brewery regulations in Canada do not necessitate the thermal pasteurization of carbonated beer; hence, PEF processing finds a potential application in the beer industry. Sensory panels have shown that PEF-processed beer is preferred when compared to thermally pasteurized beer with respect to flavor, aroma, and foam condition. Untrained panelists preferred samples processed with low-dosage of PEF in week 0, but preferred samples with high-dosage in week 12 of the shelf-life. Trained panelists reported a metallic feeling in the PEF-processed beer which could be due to the presence of metallic ions that was detected analytically

Absolute Measurements for Uranium Verification Content in Radiographic Containers

Depleted Uranium (DU) is used for its very high density in civilian uses include radiation shielding in medical radiation therapy, industrial radiography equipment, containers used to transport radioactive materials. Absolute measurements have been performed for verification of uranium mass content in gamma radiography by using detector’s model developed with MCNP in nuclear safeguard inspection for these samples. Both the experimental results obtained as well as MCNP results are used to estimate the 238U mass content. The determined and the declared 238U masses values are found in an agreement with accuracy from -1.74 % to 1.80 %