• Journal of Communications and Networks
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.421-429
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• 2014

We consider the problem of scheduling communications in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) to ensure battery preservation through the use of the sleeping mode of sensors.We propose a communication protocol for 1-hop WSNs and extend it to multi-hop WSNs through the use of a 1-hop clustering algorithm.We propose to schedule communications in each cluster in a virtual communication ring so as to avoid collisions. Since clusters are cliques, only one sensor can speak or listen in a cluster at a time, and all sensors need to speak in each of their clusters at least once to realize the communication protocol. We model this situation as a mathematical program.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.8 no.8
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• pp.2647-2662
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• 2014

This paper proposes an efficient and low complexity power-loading algorithm for MIMO-OFDM downlink based cognitive radio system that maximizes the sum rate of single secondary user (SU) under constraints on the tolerable interference thresholds between secondary user and primary user's frequency bands and the total transmission power. Our suboptimal algorithm is based on the $2^{nd}$ order interference tracking and nulling mechanism to allocate transmission power of the subcarriers among SU's scheme. The performance of our proposed suboptimal scheme is compared with the performance of the classical power loading algorithms, e.g., water filling, $1^{st}$ order interference tracking, nulling, and other suboptimal schemes. Numerical results show that our algorithm has low complexity but obtains a higher channel capacity than that of some previous suboptimal algorithms in some scenarios. We dedicate also that for a given interference threshold, the $2^{nd}$ order interference tracking mechanism has dynamic number of nulling position instead fixed number of nulling position.

• Journal of information and communication convergence engineering
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2014

This paper presents a concurrent channel time allocation scheme used in the reservation period for concurrent transmissions in 60-GHz wireless personal area networks (WPANs). To this end, the proposed resource allocation scheme includes an efficient method for creating a concurrent transmission group by using a table that indicates whether individual streams experience interference from other streams or not. The coordinator device calculates the number of streams that can be concurrently transmitted with each stream and groups them together on the basis of the calculation result. Then, the coordinator device allocates resources to each group such that the streams belonging to the same group can transmit data concurrently. Therefore, when the piconet coordinator (PNC) allocates the channel time to the individual groups, it should allow for maximizing the overall capacity. The performance evaluation result demonstrates that the proposed scheme outperforms the random grouping scheme in terms of the overall capacity when the beamwidth is $30^{\circ}C$ and the radiation efficiency is 0.9.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1739-1749
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• 2020

Exopolysaccharide produced by the yeast Papiliotrema flavescens, isolated from wine grape berries of Champagne vineyard, was investigated for both chemical and functional characterization. SECMALLS and colorimetric assay analyses showed that the EPS is a high M_W heteropolymer (2.37 × 10⁶ g/mol) majorily consisting of mannose, glucose, xylose and glucuronic acid as monosaccharide constituents, with two substituents (sulphate and phosphate groups), and a minor protein moiety. Structural enchainment of these carbohydrates based on methylation, GC-MS and NMR analyses revealed a linear main backbone built up of α-(1 → 3)-D-mannopyranosyl residues on which are branched side chains consisting of a single β-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid residue and β-(1 → 2)-xylopyranoses (2-5 residues). Suggestion of some xylopyranose side chains containing a mannose residue at the nonreducing terminal end was also proposed. This is first report on EPSs from the grape P. flavescens yeast with such structural characteristics. Furthermore, investigations for valuating the application performance of these EPS in relation with their structural features were carried out in 8% alcohol experiment solutions. Very exceptional viscosifying and foaming properties were reported by comparison with commercial biopolymers such as Arabic, gellan and xanthan gums. The intrinsic properties of the natural biopolymer from this wild grape-associated P. flavescens yeast make it a potential candidate for use in various biotechnology applications.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2005

This paper presents a study on the effects of localized steel-concrete bond degradation on the flexural behaviour of RC beams. A finite element analysis is undertaken to complete the experimental analysis. The first part deals with an experimental study on beams where bond was removed by using plastic tube at different locations and for various lengths. The flexural behaviour was studied at global scale (load-deflection) and local scale (moment-curvature). The second part, a numerical study using a simplified special finite element (rust element) modelling the rust layer occurring between reinforcement and concrete with corrosion was conducted in order to find the relation between the degree of corrosion and the degradation of the steel-concrete bond. The computed value of the corrosion degree corresponding to the total degradation of bond has been used in a second time to model the tests, in order to evaluate the influence of the loss of bond, the steel cross section reduction, and the combination of both. The results enable to evaluate the influence of the different corrosion effects on the flexural behaviour, according to the length and the location of the corroded zone.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.359-375
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• 2017

This paper presents a study of the properties and behavior of self-compacting concretes (SCC) in the hot climate. The effect of curing environment and the initial water curing period on the properties and behavior of SCC such as compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and sorptivity of the SCC specimens were investigated. Three Water/Binder (W/B) ratios (0.32, 0.38 and 0.44) have been used to obtain three ranges of compressive strength. Five curing methods have been applied on the SCC by varying the duration and the conservation condition of SCC. The results obtained on the compressive strength show that the period of initial water curing of seven days followed by maturation in the hot climate is better in comparison with the four other curing methods. The coefficient of sorptivity is influenced by W/B ratio and the curing methods. It is also shown that the sorptivity coefficient of SCC specimens is very sensitive to the curing condition. The SCC specimens cured in water present a low coefficient of sorptivity regardless of the ratio W/B. Furthermore, the results show that there is a good correlation between ultrasonic pulse velocity and the compressive strength.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.100-110
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• 2022

Corrosion of steel reinforcement is the most important mode of concrete structures damages. It strongly depends on the composition and physicochemical properties of the cementitious medium. The use of waste materials as lightweight aggregates in concrete is environmentally recommended in polluted environments such as marine and/or industrial atmospheres in order to reduce its porosity and ensure the requested protection of reinforcing steel. The present study investigated the effect of waste cork addition on corrosion resistance of steel rebar in mortar specimen prepared in the laboratory. The main objective of this study was to improve the corrosion resistance of reinforcing steel. Another objective of this study was to valorize this ecological product and preserve the environment. Results obtained from various electrochemical tests indicated that the presence of a fine cork powder substantially improved the corrosion resistance of steel in the mortar contaminated by chloride ions. This improvement was reflected by a notable decrease in corrosion current density and a shift of corrosion potential of the steel towards more noble values. Moreover, the presence of a fine cork powder in the mortar had no adverse effect on its mechanical properties.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.197-217
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• 2019

In this study, the interfacial stresses in RC beams strengthened by externally bonded prestressed GFRP laminate are evaluated using an analytical approach, based on the equilibrium equations and boundary conditions. A comparison of the interfacial stresses obtained from the present analytical model and other existing models is undertaken. Otherwise, a parametric study is conducted to investigate the effects of geometrical and material properties on the variation of interfacial stresses in damaged RC beams strengthened by externally bonded prestressed GFRP laminate. The results obtained indicate that the damage degree has little effect on the maximum shear stress, with a variation less than 5% between the damaged and undamaged RC beams. However, the results also reveal that the prestressing level has a significant effect on the interfacial stresses; hence the damaged RC beam strengthened with an initial prestressing force of 100 kN gives 110% higher maximum shear stress than the damaged RC beam strengthened with an initial prestressing force of 50 kN. The values of shear stress obtained by the analytical approach are approximately equal to 44% of those obtained from the numerical solution, while the interfacial normal stresses predicted by the numerical study are approximately 26% higher than those calculated by the analytical solution.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.57-64
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• 2022

Architectural Monuments have to overcome the challenge of time due to physical properties. The fundamental issue must be grounded in an understanding of history and art to overcome this challenge and make themsustainable. Many efforts to preserve the monuments through the 19^th century and at the beginning of the 20^th century to record them in scientific form were successful. To be aware of the meaning of the art and not to be 'barbare' anymore was behind the promotion of these activities. Above all, the 19th-century French architect Viollet-le-Duc contrasted the concept of barbarism with the concept of art and tried to redefine architecture as art. The ritual to escape 'barbare' played an important role in the end. This consciousness was also at work in the propaganda for the preservation of medieval architectural monuments in France, led by intellectuals such as Rodin. Also, the concept of 'barbare' served as an important yardstick whenever the cause of their loss was questioned while important monuments were destroyed in the First World War. From the viewpoint of Germany, Dehio was the pioneer of the preservation movement and documentation of monuments. The principle he advocated was preservation, not restoration. The historian Pevsner, who moved to England, also surveyed monuments in various parts of England and left them in the same format as Dehio. These facts show that architecture as art plays a fundamental role in the history of human life.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3101-3103
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• 2016

Background: According to the most recent estimation of GLOBOCAN, Cambodia has the highest incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer in Southeast Asia. A screen-and-treat strategy using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA test) and cryotherapy has been implemented in Cambodia's national cervical cancer screening program since 2013. However, where resources are available, cervical cytology with or without high-risk HPV DNA testing is the preferred screening method used in this country. Aim: This study aims to calculate the prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology and explain the possible factors contributing to a reduced quality of cervical cytology among women participating in a hospital-based cervical cancer screening program in Cambodia. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted using information from the cytology and pathology database in the Department of Pathology of Calmette Hospital between January 2012 and December 2015. Prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology, based on the Bethesda 2001 classification, was calculated. Data on the adequacy of cytological specimens were analyzed in order to explain the factors contributing to a reduced quality of cervical cytology interpretation. Results: Among 6,207 women who participated in the cervical cancer screening program at Calmette Hospital during 2012 and 2015, 388 (6.25%) had abnormal cytology, which could be classified into Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (92 cases; 1.48%), Atypical Squamous Cells - Cannot Exclude High-Grade Intraepithelial Lesion (13 cases; 0.21%), Atypical Glandular Cells (11 cases; 0.18%), Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (221 cases; 3.56%), High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (26 cases; 0.42%), and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (25 cases; 0.40%). Unsatisfactory smears made up 12.2% of the total cases. The most frequently identified factor leading to unsatisfactory smears was the absence of cells from the transformation zone. Conclusions: The present study showed an overall prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology of 6.25%, which is comparable to that in many large population-based studies in the Asia Pacific region. Nevertheless, the remarkably high rate of unsatisfactory smears in this study justifies further improvement in specimen sampling among Cambodian gynecologists.