Sharif Digital Repository

In this paper, we present an algorithm for enhancing synchronizability of dynamical networks with prescribed degree distribution. The algorithm takes an unweighted and undirected network as input and outputs a network with the same node-degree distribution and enhanced synchronization properties. The rewirings are based on the properties of the Laplacian of the connection graph, i.e., the eigenvectors corresponding to the second smallest and the largest eigenvalues of the Laplacian. A term proportional to the eigenvectors is adopted to choose potential edges for rewiring, provided that the node-degree distribution is preserved. The algorithm can be implemented on networks of any sizes as... 

In this work, a bi-objective multi-facility location-allocation problem is investigated, in which the locations of the customers and their arrivals are stochastic. We first formulate the problem as a continuous location-allocation model with no constraints on the capacity of the facilities. Then, we develop an approximated discrete model in which the facilities with limited capacities can be located on a set of candidate points. The proposed model has two objective functions that are evaluated using discrete event system simulation. The first objective is to minimize the expected total time the customers spend in the system until their services begin. The time that each customer spends in... 

Various challenging pollutants are produced in the environment by organic materials of diverse industries including leather, paint, and textile. Nowadays, it is vital to develop efficient manners regarding the fundamental issues and removing pollutants. Such pollutants can be effectively removed from the environment through heterogeneous catalysts. Recently, a huge deal of interest has been attracted by hydrogel-based metal catalysts as heterogeneous and efficient catalysts. In this regard, silver with its unique features is suitable for environmental remediation. Hence, the present review deals with summarizing the present advances in the synthesis of silver-based hydrogel catalysts, as... 

Silver-based nanomaterials have attracted considerable attention due to their antimicrobial activities. In this work, a silver (Ag)-based metal organic framework (Ag-MOF) is embellished with graphene-oxide (GO), leading to the fabrication of a novel Ag-based nanocomposite (GO-Ag-MOF) whose biocidal activity is higher than those of Ag-MOF and GO nanomaterials. The nanocomposite is characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectra, ultraviolet−visible absorption spectra, X-ray powder diffraction, dynamic light scattering, and nitrogen gas adsorption/desorption. The characterization shows that... 

We demonstrate the large deviation property for the mild solutions of stochastic evolution equations with monotone nonlinearity and multiplicative noise. This is achieved using the recently developed weak convergence method, in studying the large deviation principle. An Itô-type inequality is a main tool in the proofs. We also give two examples to illustrate the applications of the theorems  

Feature extraction is one of the most important steps in processing endoscopic data. The extracted features should be invariant to image scale and rotation to provide a robust matching across a substantial range of affine distortions and changes in 3D space. In this study, a method is proposed on the basis of the dual-tree complex wavelet transform. First, a map is estimated for each scale, and then a Gaussian weighted additive function (GWAF) is determined. Keypoints are selected from local peaks of GWAF. The matching and registration are performed by applying normalized mutual information and our modified iterative closest point. Results are reported in terms of robustness to rotation,... 

Slip along fractures or hydrothermal alternation may lead to formation of weak layers of soils intercalated between the existing rock layers. In this situation, characterization of the behavior of rock fractures requires consideration of a complicated interaction of mechanical properties and geometrical characteristics of the fracture, coupled together with the properties of infill materials. Of the most important parameters which may considerably affect the behavior of an infilled fractured rock are the hydraulic properties of the infill material. These properties reflect the water retention ability of the infill material and determine the meniscus arrangements between the particles. This... 

The small-strain shear modulus Gmax is a key material parameter in modeling the behavior of soils subjected to dynamic loading. Recent experimental results indicate that seasonal weather interaction with near-surface soils causes Gmax to change by up to an order of magnitude in some climates, with a hysteretic response upon drying and wetting. The increase in Gmax during drying and the stiffer response during subsequent wetting have been postulated to be due to plastic hardening during drying. To further understand this behavior, a series of isotropic compression tests were performed on compacted silt specimens at different values of matric suction to evaluate changes in the preconsolidation... 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) encompass a wide range of compounds containing carbon–fluorine bonds. Due the strength of this bond and the high electronegativity of fluorine atoms, PFAS display stability, wettability and other characteristics that are unique for industrial applications and products. However, PFAS induce adverse effects on the environment and human health. Here we review the chemistry, synthesis, properties, analysis, occurrence in water, filtration, removal and oxydation of PFAS. We highlight emerging hybrid treatments to remove PFAS from water. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG  

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) encompass a wide range of compounds containing carbon–fluorine bonds. Due the strength of this bond and the high electronegativity of fluorine atoms, PFAS display stability, wettability and other characteristics that are unique for industrial applications and products. However, PFAS induce adverse effects on the environment and human health. Here we review the chemistry, synthesis, properties, analysis, occurrence in water, filtration, removal and oxydation of PFAS. We highlight emerging hybrid treatments to remove PFAS from water. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG  

Purpose: The accuracy of pedicle screw placement during image-guided spine surgery (IGSS) can be characterized by estimating the target registration error (TRE). The major factors that influence TRE were identified, minimized, and verified with in vitro experiments. Materials and methods: Computed-tomography- compatible markers are placed over anatomical landmarks of lumbar vertebral segments in locations that are feasible and routinely used in surgical procedures. TRE was determined directly for markers placed on the pedicles of vertebra segments. First, optimum selections of landmarks are proposed for different landmarks according to the minimum achievable TRE values in different... 

Using multiple antennas at the transmit and receive sides of a passive radar brings both the benefits of MIMO radar and passive radar. However one of the obstacles arisen in such configuration is the receive antennas placement in proper positions so that the radar performance is improved. Here we just consider the case of positioning one receiver among multiple illuminators of opportunity. Indeed it is a start for the solution of optimizing the geometry of the multiple receivers in a passive radar  

SbCl3 supported on montmorillonite K-10 is an efficient catalyst for the ring opening of epoxides with aromatic amines under solvent-free conditions and microwave irradiation to give the corresponding b-amino alcohols in high yields with high regioselectivity  

In this paper, we consider an integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) system with wireless power transfer (WPT) where an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based radar serves a group of energy-limited communication users in addition to its sensing functionality. In this architecture, the radar senses the environment in phase 1 (namely sensing phase) and mean-while, the communications users (nodes) harvest and store the energy from the radar transmit signal. The stored energy is then used for information transmission from the nodes to UAV in phase 2, i.e., uplink phase. Performance of the radar system depends on the transmit signal as well as the receive filter; the energy of the transmit... 

One of the important obstacles in MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) radars is the issue of designing proper transmit signals. Indeed, the capability of signal design is a significant advantage in MIMO radars, through which, the system can achieve much better performance. Many different aspects of this performance improvement have been considered yet, and the transmit signals have been designed to attain such goal, e.g., getting higher SNR or better detector's performance at the receiver. However, an important tool for evaluating the radar's performance is its ambiguity function. In this paper, we consider the problem of transmit signal design, in order to optimize the ambiguity function... 

Two gains play key roles in recently developed MIMO wireless communication systems: "spatial diversity" gain and "spatial multiplexing" gain. The diversity gain refers to the capability to decrease the error rate of the MIMO channel, while the multiplexing gain implicitly refers to the amount of increase in the capacity of the MIMO channel. It has been shown that there is a fundamental tradeoff between these two types of gains, meaning interplay between increasing reliability (via an increase in the diversity gain) and increasing data rate (via an increase in the multiplexing gain). On the other hand, recently, MIMO radars have attracted much attention for their superior ability to enhance...