Falcon Optimization Algorithm-Based Energy Efficient Communication Protocol for Cluster-Based Vehicular Networks

Rapid development in Information Technology(IT)has allowed several novel application regions like large outdoor vehicular networks for Vehicle-to-Vehicle(V2V)transmission.Vehicular networks give a safe and more effective driving experience by presenting time-sensitive and location-aware data.The communication occurs directly between V2V and Base Station(BS)units such as the Road Side Unit(RSU),named as a Vehicle to Infrastructure(V2I).However,the frequent topology alterations in VANETs generate several problems with data transmission as the vehicle velocity differs with time.Therefore,the scheme of an effectual routing protocol for reliable and stable communications is significant.Current research demonstrates that clustering is an intelligent method for effectual routing in a mobile environment.Therefore,this article presents a Falcon Optimization Algorithm-based Energy Efficient Communication Protocol for Cluster-based Routing(FOA-EECPCR)technique in VANETS.The FOA-EECPCR technique intends to group the vehicles and determine the shortest route in the VANET.To accomplish this,the FOA-EECPCR technique initially clusters the vehicles using FOA with fitness functions comprising energy,distance,and trust level.For the routing process,the Sparrow Search Algorithm(SSA)is derived with a fitness function that encompasses two variables,namely,energy and distance.A series of experiments have been conducted to exhibit the enhanced performance of the FOA-EECPCR method.The experimental outcomes demonstrate the enhanced performance of the FOA-EECPCR approach over other current methods.

Distributed Fault Estimation for Nonlinear Systems With Sensor Saturation and Deception Attacks Using Stochastic Communication Protocols

This paper is aimed at the distributed fault estimation issue associated with the potential loss of actuator efficiency for a type of discrete-time nonlinear systems with sensor saturation.For the distributed estimation structure under consideration,an estimation center is not necessary,and the estimator derives its information from itself and neighboring nodes,which fuses the state vector and the measurement vector.In an effort to cut down data conflicts in communication networks,the stochastic communication protocol(SCP)is employed so that the output signals from sensors can be selected.Additionally,a recursive security estimator scheme is created since attackers randomly inject malicious signals into the selected data.On this basis,sufficient conditions for a fault estimator with less conservatism are presented which ensure an upper bound of the estimation error covariance and the mean-square exponential boundedness of the estimating error.Finally,a numerical example is used to show the reliability and effectiveness of the considered distributed estimation algorithm.

A CSMA/CA based MAC protocol for hybrid Power-line/Visible-light communication networks:Design and analysis

Hybrid Power-line/Visible-light Communication(HPVC)network has been one of the most promising Cooperative Communication(CC)technologies for constructing Smart Home due to its superior communication reliability and hardware efficiency.Current research on HPVC networks focuses on the performance analysis and optimization of the Physical(PHY)layer,where the Power Line Communication(PLC)component only serves as the backbone to provide power to light Emitting Diode(LED)devices.So designing a Media Access Control(MAC)protocol remains a great challenge because it allows both PLC and Visible Light Communication(VLC)components to operate data transmission,i.e.,to achieve a true HPVC network CC.To solve this problem,we propose a new HPC network MAC protocol(HPVC MAC)based on Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance(CSMA/CA)by combining IEEE 802.15.7 and IEEE 1901 standards.Firstly,we add an Additional Assistance(AA)layer to provide the channel selection strategies for sensor stations,so that they can complete data transmission on the selected channel via the specified CSMA/CA mechanism,respectively.Based on this,we give a detailed working principle of the HPVC MAC,followed by the construction of a joint analytical model for mathematicalmathematical validation of the HPVC MAC.In the modeling process,the impacts of PHY layer settings(including channel fading types and additive noise feature),CSMA/CA mechanisms of 802.15.7 and 1901,and practical configurations(such as traffic rate,transit buffer size)are comprehensively taken into consideration.Moreover,we prove the proposed analytical model has the solvability.Finally,through extensive simulations,we characterize the HPVC MAC performance under different system parameters and verify the correctness of the corresponding analytical model with an average error rate of 4.62%between the simulation and analytical results.

Coati Optimization-Based Energy Efficient Routing Protocol for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Communication

With the flexible deployment and high mobility of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs)in an open environment,they have generated con-siderable attention in military and civil applications intending to enable ubiquitous connectivity and foster agile communications.The difficulty stems from features other than mobile ad-hoc network(MANET),namely aerial mobility in three-dimensional space and often changing topology.In the UAV network,a single node serves as a forwarding,transmitting,and receiving node at the same time.Typically,the communication path is multi-hop,and routing significantly affects the network’s performance.A lot of effort should be invested in performance analysis for selecting the optimum routing system.With this motivation,this study modelled a new Coati Optimization Algorithm-based Energy-Efficient Routing Process for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Communication(COAER-UAVC)technique.The presented COAER-UAVC technique establishes effective routes for communication between the UAVs.It is primarily based on the coati characteristics in nature:if attacking and hunting iguanas and escaping from predators.Besides,the presented COAER-UAVC technique concentrates on the design of fitness functions to minimize energy utilization and communication delay.A varied group of simulations was performed to depict the optimum performance of the COAER-UAVC system.The experimental results verified that the COAER-UAVC technique had assured improved performance over other approaches.

UAV-Assisted FSO Communication System with Amplify-and-Forward Protocol under AOA Fluctuations:A Performance Analysis

Free space optical(FSO)communication has recently aroused great interest in academia due to its unique features,such as large transmission band,high data rates,and strong anti-electromagnetic interference.With the aim of evaluating the performance of an FSO communication system and extending the line-of-sight transmission distance,we propose an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)-assisted dual-hop FSO communication system equipped with amplifyand-forward protocol at the relay node.Specifically,we consider impairments of atmospheric absorption,pointing errors,atmospheric turbulence,and link interruptions due to angle-of-arrival fluctuations in the relay system.The Gamma-Gamma and Malaga distributions are used to model the influence of atmospheric turbulence on the source-to-UAV and UAVto-destination links,respectively.We derive closedform expressions of the probability density function(PDF)and cumulative distribution function(CDF)for the proposed communication system,in terms of the Meijer-G function.Based on the precise PDF and CDF,analytical expressions for the outage probability,average bit error rate,and ergodic capacity are proposed with the aid of the extended generalized bivariate Fox’s H function.Finally,we show that there is a match between the analytical results and numerical results,and we analyze the influence of the system and channel parameters on the performance.

Safety and effectiveness of butorphanol in epidural labor analgesia:A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Epidural analgesia is the most effective analgesic method during labor.Butorphanol administered epidurally has been shown to be a successful analgesic method during labor.However,no comprehensive study has examined the safety and efficacy of using butorphanol as an epidural analgesic during labor.AIM To assess butorphanol's safety and efficacy for epidural labor analgesia.METHODS The PubMed,Cochrane Library,EMBASE,Web of Science,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,and Google Scholar databases will be searched from inception.Other types of literature,such as conference abstracts and references to pertinent reviews,will also be reviewed.We will include randomized controlled trials comparing butorphanol with other opioids combined with local anesthetics for epidural analgesia during labor.There will be no language restrictions.The primary outcomes will include the visual analog scale score for the first stage of labor,fetal effects,and Apgar score.Two independent reviewers will evaluate the full texts,extract data,and assess the risk of bias.Publication bias will be evaluated using Egger's or Begg's tests as well as visual analysis of a funnel plot,and heterogeneity will be evaluated using the Cochran Q test,P values,and I2 values.Meta-analysis,subgroup analysis,and sensitivity analysis will be performed using RevMan software version 5.4.This protocol was developed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA)Protocols statement,and the PRISMA statement will be used for the systematic review.RESULTS This study provides reliable information regarding the safety and efficacy of using butorphanol as an epidural analgesic during labor.CONCLUSION To support clinical practice and development,this study provides evidence-based findings regarding the safety and efficacy of using butorphanol as an epidural analgesic during labor.

Distributed Nash Equilibrium Seeking Strategies Under Quantized Communication

This paper is concerned with distributed Nash equi librium seeking strategies under quantized communication. In the proposed seeking strategy, a projection operator is synthesized with a gradient search method to achieve the optimization o players' objective functions while restricting their actions within required non-empty, convex and compact domains. In addition, a leader-following consensus protocol, in which quantized informa tion flows are utilized, is employed for information sharing among players. More specifically, logarithmic quantizers and uniform quantizers are investigated under both undirected and connected communication graphs and strongly connected digraphs, respec tively. Through Lyapunov stability analysis, it is shown that play ers' actions can be steered to a neighborhood of the Nash equilib rium with logarithmic and uniform quantizers, and the quanti fied convergence error depends on the parameter of the quan tizer for both undirected and directed cases. A numerical exam ple is given to verify the theoretical results.

Communication Resource-Efficient Vehicle Platooning Control With Various Spacing Policies

Platooning represents one of the key features that connected automated vehicles may possess as it allows multiple automated vehicles to be maneuvered cooperatively with small headways on roads. However, a critical challenge in accomplishing automated vehicle platoons is to deal with the effects of intermittent and sporadic vehicle-to-vehicle data transmissions caused by limited wireless communication resources. This paper addresses the co-design problem of dynamic event-triggered communication scheduling and cooperative adaptive cruise control for a convoy of automated vehicles with diverse spacing policies. The central aim is to achieve automated vehicle platooning under various gap references with desired platoon stability and spacing performance requirements, while simultaneously improving communication efficiency. Toward this aim, a dynamic event-triggered scheduling mechanism is developed such that the intervehicle data transmissions are scheduled dynamically and efficiently over time. Then, a tractable co-design criterion on the existence of both the admissible event-driven cooperative adaptive cruise control law and the desired scheduling mechanism is derived. Finally, comparative simulation results are presented to substantiate the effectiveness and merits of the obtained results.

Guest editorial: Network architectures and communication protocols for smart industrial IoT applications

The rapid growth in hardware technologies and the fourth industrial revolution-Industry 4.0 have enabled the Internet of Things(IoT)to be smarter.One of the main drivers in Industry 4.0 is smart and secured Industrial IoT(IIoT)[1].The IIoT results from the widespread use of computers and the interconnectedness of machines.It has made software a crucial tool for almost every industry,from bakeries and arts to manufacturing facilities and healthcare systems[2].The IIoT devices can be mobile and geographically distributed over a long distance,which exposes them to network disturbances,Quality of Service(QoS)degradation,and security vulnerabilities.In addition,the IIoT is a complex network at a large scale,and there is a dire need for network architecture and protocol design to accommodate these diverse domains and competencies and handle the increasing levels of complexity.Therefore,in this special issue,we aim to focus on the challenges of network architectures and communication protocol design in the context of the smart industry.This special issue has attracted numerous high-quality research articles and has accepted fourteen research papers[3–16].

Cooperative User-Scheduling and Resource Allocation Optimization for Intelligent Reflecting Surface Enhanced LEO Satellite Communication

Lower Earth Orbit(LEO) satellite becomes an important part of complementing terrestrial communication due to its lower orbital altitude and smaller propagation delay than Geostationary satellite. However, the LEO satellite communication system cannot meet the requirements of users when the satellite-terrestrial link is blocked by obstacles. To solve this problem, we introduce Intelligent reflect surface(IRS) for improving the achievable rate of terrestrial users in LEO satellite communication. We investigated joint IRS scheduling, user scheduling, power and bandwidth allocation(JIRPB) optimization algorithm for improving LEO satellite system throughput.The optimization problem of joint user scheduling and resource allocation is formulated as a non-convex optimization problem. To cope with this problem, the nonconvex optimization problem is divided into resource allocation optimization sub-problem and scheduling optimization sub-problem firstly. Second, we optimize the resource allocation sub-problem via alternating direction multiplier method(ADMM) and scheduling sub-problem via Lagrangian dual method repeatedly.Third, we prove that the proposed resource allocation algorithm based ADMM approaches sublinear convergence theoretically. Finally, we demonstrate that the proposed JIRPB optimization algorithm improves the LEO satellite communication system throughput.

Cooperative UAV search strategy based on DMPC-AACO algorithm in restricted communication scenarios

Improvement of integrated battlefield situational awareness in complex environments involving dynamic factors such as restricted communications and electromagnetic interference(EMI)has become a contentious research problem.In certain mission environments,due to the impact of many interference sources on real-time communication or mission requirements such as the need to implement communication regulations,the mission stages are represented as a dynamic combination of several communication-available and communication-unavailable stages.Furthermore,the data interaction between unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)can only be performed in specific communication-available stages.Traditional cooperative search algorithms cannot handle such situations well.To solve this problem,this study constructed a distributed model predictive control(DMPC)architecture for a collaborative control of UAVs and used the Voronoi diagram generation method to re-plan the search areas of all UAVs in real time to avoid repetition of search areas and UAV collisions while improving the search efficiency and safety factor.An attention mechanism ant-colony optimization(AACO)algorithm is proposed for UAV search-control decision planning.The search strategy is adaptively updated by introducing an attention mechanism for regular instruction information,a priori information,and emergent information of the mission to satisfy different search expectations to the maximum extent.Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm achieves better search performance than traditional algorithms in restricted communication constraint scenarios.

Cell replacement with stem cell-derived retinal ganglion cells from different protocols

Glaucoma,characterized by a degenerative loss of retinal ganglion cells,is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide.There is currently no cure for vision loss in glaucoma because retinal ganglion cells do not regenerate and are not replaced after injury.Human stem cell-derived retinal ganglion cell transplant is a potential therapeutic strategy for retinal ganglion cell degenerative diseases.In this review,we first discuss a 2D protocol for retinal ganglion cell differentiation from human stem cell culture,including a rapid protocol that can generate retinal ganglion cells in less than two weeks and focus on their transplantation outcomes.Next,we discuss using 3D retinal organoids for retinal ganglion cell transplantation,comparing cell suspensions and clusters.This review provides insight into current knowledge on human stem cell-derived retinal ganglion cell differentiation and transplantation,with an impact on the field of regenerative medicine and especially retinal ganglion cell degenerative diseases such as glaucoma and other optic neuropathies.

A survey on semantic communications:Technologies,solutions,applications and challenges

Semantic Communication(SC)has emerged as a novel communication paradigm that provides a receiver with meaningful information extracted from the source to maximize information transmission throughput in wireless networks,beyond the theoretical capacity limit.Despite the extensive research on SC,there is a lack of comprehensive survey on technologies,solutions,applications,and challenges for SC.In this article,the development of SC is first reviewed and its characteristics,architecture,and advantages are summarized.Next,key technologies such as semantic extraction,semantic encoding,and semantic segmentation are discussed and their corresponding solutions in terms of efficiency,robustness,adaptability,and reliability are summarized.Applications of SC to UAV communication,remote image sensing and fusion,intelligent transportation,and healthcare are also presented and their strategies are summarized.Finally,some challenges and future research directions are presented to provide guidance for further research of SC.

Corneal collagen cross-linking in patients with keratoconus from the Dresden protocol to customized solutions:theoretical basis

Keratoconus is an ectatic condition characterized by gradual corneal thinning,corneal protrusion,progressive irregular astigmatism,corneal fibrosis,and visual impairment.The therapeutic options regarding improvement of visual function include glasses or soft contact lenses correction for initial stages,gas-permeable rigid contact lenses,scleral lenses,implantation of intrastromal corneal ring or corneal transplants for most advanced stages.In keratoconus cases showing disease progression corneal collagen crosslinking(CXL)has been proven to be an effective,minimally invasive and safe procedure.CXL consists of a photochemical reaction of corneal collagen by riboflavin stimulation with ultraviolet A radiation,resulting in stromal crosslinks formation.The aim of this review is to carry out an examination of CXL methods based on theoretical basis and mathematical models,from the original Dresden protocol to the most recent developments in the technique,reporting the changes proposed in the last 15y and examining the advantages and disadvantages of the various treatment protocols.Finally,the limits of non-standardized methods and the perspectives offered by a customization of the treatment are highlighted.

Building Semantic Communication System via Molecules:An End-to-End Training Approach

The concept of semantic communication provides a novel approach for applications in scenarios with limited communication resources.In this paper,we propose an end-to-end(E2E)semantic molecular communication system,aiming to enhance the efficiency of molecular communication systems by reducing the transmitted information.Specifically,following the joint source channel coding paradigm,the network is designed to encode the task-relevant information into the concentration of the information molecules,which is robust to the degradation of the molecular communication channel.Furthermore,we propose a channel network to enable the E2E learning over the non-differentiable molecular channel.Experimental results demonstrate the superior performance of the semantic molecular communication system over the conventional methods in classification tasks.

Home Monitoring of Estrone-3-Glucuronide (E1-3G) Levels in Two Different Ovarian Stimulation Protocols: A Pilot Study

Background: Studies have shown a strong correlation between the growth of E2 in serum and estrone-3-glucuronide (E1-3G) in urine during ovarian stimulation. Thus, we developed theoretical models for using urinary E1-3G in ovarian stimulation and focused on their experimental verification and analysis. Methods: A prospective, observational pilot study was conducted involving 54 patients who underwent 54 cycles of ovarian stimulation. The goal was to establish the growth rate of urinary E1-3G during the course of stimulation and to determine the daily upper and lower limits of growth rates at which stimulation is appropriate and safe. Controlled ovarian stimulation was performed using two different stimulation protocols—an antagonist protocol in 25 cases and a progestin-primed ovarian stimulation protocol (PPOS) in 29 cases, with fixed doses of gonadotropins. From the second day of stimulation, patients self-measured their daily urine E1-3G levels at home using a portable analyzer. In parallel, a standard ultrasound follow-up protocol accompanied by a determination of E2, LH, and P levels was applied to optimally control stimulation. Results: The average daily growth rates in both groups were about 50%. The daily increase in E1-3G for the antagonist protocol ranged from 14% to 79%, while they were 28% to 79% for the PPOS protocol. Conclusion: This is the first study to analyze the dynamics of E1-3G in two different protocols and to estimate the limits of its increase during the entire course of the stimulation. The results confirm our theoretical model for the viability of using urinary E1-3G for monitoring ovarian stimulation.

Recent Developments in Authentication Schemes Used in Machine-Type Communication Devices in Machine-to-Machine Communication: Issues and Challenges

Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication plays a fundamental role in autonomous IoT (Internet of Things)-based infrastructure, a vital part of the fourth industrial revolution. Machine-type communication devices(MTCDs) regularly share extensive data without human intervention while making all types of decisions. Thesedecisions may involve controlling sensitive ventilation systems maintaining uniform temperature, live heartbeatmonitoring, and several different alert systems. Many of these devices simultaneously share data to form anautomated system. The data shared between machine-type communication devices (MTCDs) is prone to risk dueto limited computational power, internal memory, and energy capacity. Therefore, securing the data and devicesbecomes challenging due to factors such as dynamic operational environments, remoteness, harsh conditions,and areas where human physical access is difficult. One of the crucial parts of securing MTCDs and data isauthentication, where each devicemust be verified before data transmission. SeveralM2Mauthentication schemeshave been proposed in the literature, however, the literature lacks a comprehensive overview of current M2Mauthentication techniques and the challenges associated with them. To utilize a suitable authentication schemefor specific scenarios, it is important to understand the challenges associated with it. Therefore, this article fillsthis gap by reviewing the state-of-the-art research on authentication schemes in MTCDs specifically concerningapplication categories, security provisions, and performance efficiency.

Satellite Communications with 5G, B5G, and 6G: Challenges and Prospects

Satellite communications, pivotal for global connectivity, are increasingly converging with cutting-edge mobile networks, notably 5G, B5G, and 6G. This amalgamation heralds the promise of universal, high-velocity communication, yet it is not without its challenges. Paramount concerns encompass spectrum allocation, the harmonization of network architectures, and inherent latency issues in satellite transmissions. Potential mitigations, such as dynamic spectrum sharing and the deployment of edge computing, are explored as viable solutions. Looking ahead, the advent of quantum communications within satellite frameworks and the integration of AI spotlight promising research trajectories. These advancements aim to foster a seamless and synergistic coexistence between satellite communications and next-gen mobile networks.

Design of an Efficient and Provable Secure Key Exchange Protocol for HTTP Cookies

Cookies are considered a fundamental means of web application services for authenticating various Hypertext Transfer Protocol(HTTP)requests andmaintains the states of clients’information over the Internet.HTTP cookies are exploited to carry client patterns observed by a website.These client patterns facilitate the particular client’s future visit to the corresponding website.However,security and privacy are the primary concerns owing to the value of information over public channels and the storage of client information on the browser.Several protocols have been introduced that maintain HTTP cookies,but many of those fail to achieve the required security,or require a lot of resource overheads.In this article,we have introduced a lightweight Elliptic Curve Cryptographic(ECC)based protocol for authenticating client and server transactions to maintain the privacy and security of HTTP cookies.Our proposed protocol uses a secret key embedded within a cookie.The proposed protocol ismore efficient and lightweight than related protocols because of its reduced computation,storage,and communication costs.Moreover,the analysis presented in this paper confirms that proposed protocol resists various known attacks.

Single Photon Detection Technology in Underwater Wireless Optical Communication:Modulation Modes and Error Correction Coding Analysis

This study explores the application of single photon detection(SPD)technology in underwater wireless optical communication(UWOC)and analyzes the influence of different modulation modes and error correction coding types on communication performance.The study investigates the impact of on-off keying(OOK)and 2-pulse-position modulation(2-PPM)on the bit error rate(BER)in single-channel intensity and polarization multiplexing.Furthermore,it compares the error correction performance of low-density parity check(LDPC)and Reed-Solomon(RS)codes across different error correction coding types.The effects of unscattered photon ratio and depolarization ratio on BER are also verified.Finally,a UWOC system based on SPD is constructed,achieving 14.58 Mbps with polarization OOK multiplexing modulation and 4.37 Mbps with polarization 2-PPM multiplexing modulation using LDPC code error correction.