Massive multiple-input multiple-output (massive-MIMO) is a promising technology for next generation wireless communications systems due to its capability to increase the data rate and meet the enormous ongoing data traffic explosion. However, in non-reciprocal channels, such as those encountered in frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, channel state information (CSI) estimation using downlink (DL) training sequence is to date very challenging issue, especially when the channel exhibits a shorter coherence time. In particular, the availability of sufficiently accurate CSI at the base transceiver station (BTS) allows an efficient precoding design in the DL transmission to be achieved, and thus, reliable communication systems can be obtained. In order to achieve the aforementioned objectives, this paper presents a feasible DL training sequence design based on a partial CSI estimation approach for an FDD massive-MIMO system with a shorter coherence time. To this end, a threshold-based approach is proposed for a suitable DL pilot selection by exploring the statistical information of the channel covariance matrix. The mean square error of the proposed design is derived, and the achievable sum rate and bit-error-rate for maximum ratio transmitter and regularized zero forcing precoding is investigated over different BTS topologies with uniform linear array and uniform rectangular array. The results show that a feasible performance in the DL FDD massive-MIMO systems can be achieved even when a large number of antenna elements are deployed by the BTS and a shorter coherence time is considered.
Nystatin is the drug of choice for treatment of cutaneous fungal infections with main disadvantage that is the need for multiple applications to achieve complete eradication which may reduce patient compliance. Microparticles offer a solution for such issue as they are one of sustained release preparations that achieve slow release of drug over an extended period of time. The objectives of this study were to fabricate nystatin-loaded chitosan microparticles with the ultimate goal of prolonging drug release and to analyze the influence of polymer concentration on various properties of microparticles. Microparticles were prepared by chemical cross-linking method using glutaraldehyde as cross-linking agent. Five formulas, namely N1C1, N1C2,
... Show MoreA load-shedding controller suitable for small to medium size loads is designed and implemented based on preprogrammed priorities and power consumption for individual loads. The main controller decides if a particular load can be switched ON or not according to the amount of available power generation, load consumption and loads priorities. When themaximum allowed power consumption is reached and the user want to deliver power to additional load, the controller will decide if this particular load should be denied receiving power if its priority is low. Otherwise, it can be granted to receive power if its priority is high and in this case lower priority loads are automatically switched OFF in order not to overload the power generation. The
... Show MoreAutonomous systems are these systems which power themselves from the available ambient energies in addition to their duties. In the next few years, autonomous systems will pervade society and they will find their ways into different applications related to health, security, comfort and entertainment. Piezoelectric harvesters are possible energy converters which can be used to convert the available ambient vibration energy into electrical energy. In this contribution, an energy harvesting cantilever array with magnetic tuning including three piezoelectric bimorphs is investigated theoretically and experimentally. Other than harvester designs proposed before, this array is easy to manufacture and insensitive to manufacturi
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The Iraqi government seeks to overcome the financial crisis by investing and privatizing some projects to achieve sustainable growth. Most of the investment projects in Iraq suffer from many constraints that greatly impact the success of these projects. A survey of the opinions of a group of experts was conducted to identify the most important constraints facing the investment process in Iraq. Then the experts' answers were arranged in a closed questionnaire and distributed to the research sample for which the statistical analysis was conducted. Through it, the most important (17) factors that had the greatest impact on the failure of investment projects in Iraq were reached. One of the main constraints was
... Show MoreSoaking dentures with disinfection solutions is an effective way of keeping dentures in a healthy status; however, immersions in these solutions have a negative effect on the bond strength of denture base and denture teeth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bond strength between denture acrylic teeth and heat-cured Poly (methyl methacrylate) denture base material (with and without nano silica) after disinfection with different chemical disinfectants for a simulated period of six months. One hundred specimens of maxillary central incisors attached to PMMA were divided into two groups; 50 specimens of PMMA without nano silica and 50 specimens of PMMA reinforced with 5 wt% of nano silica. Specimens of each group were immersed in five i
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