Improving DTN Routing Performance Using Many-to-Many Communication: A Performance Modeling Study

Abstract-Delay-Tolerant Networks (DTNs) have emerged as an exciting research area with a number of useful applications. Most of these applications would benefit greatly by a reduction in the message delivery delay experienced in the network. The delay performance of DTNs is adversely affected by contention, especially severe in the presence of higher traffic rates and node densities. Many-to-Many (M2M) communication can handle this contention much better than traditional oneto-one communication employing CSMA. In this paper, for the first time, we analytically model the expected delivery delay of a DTN employing epidemic routing and M2M communication. The accuracy of our model is demonstrated by matching the analytical results against those from simulations. We also show using simulations that M2M communication significantly improves the delay performance (with respect to one-to-one CSMA) for highcontention scenarios. We believe our work will enable the effective application of M2M communication to reduce delivery delays in DTNs

Cardiovascular risk factors and impending 10-year risk of fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular disease events among an urban population in Tamil Nadu state in South India - A community based cross-sectional study

Background: Coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, cerebrovascular disease, congenital and rheumatic heart illnesses are among the heart and blood vessel disorders classified as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Sudden premature cardiovascular deaths among apparently healthy population can be well prevented by the early recognition of cardiovascular risk factors using validated cardiovascular risk prediction tools. Aims and Objectives: The World Health Organization/international society of hypertension (WHO/ISH) Risk Prediction Charts was utilized to estimate the upcoming 10-year risk of CVD events, and the study’s objectives were to identify the risk factors for high CVD risk among urban residents aged ≥40–79 years in Tamil Nadu State, South India. Materials and Methods: A total of 350 participants were selected for a community-based cross-sectional study using a two-stage selection technique. A pretested questionnaire, anthropometry and laboratory research were used to acquire the required data. Finding the relationship between the risk factors and high CVD risk among the subjects was done using both univariate and multivariate regression analysis. Results: Mean age of subjects was 55.6 years. Hypertensives and diabetics were 35.4% and 27.4%, respectively. An alarming 75.1% subjects were either overweight or obese. The WHO/ISH chart categorized 20.9% subjects with >10% risk of impending CVDs. Risk factors which independently influenced high cardiovascular risk were “being unmarried” (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 31.76; 95% CI; P=0.009), “positive family history” (aOR 4.13; P=0.017), “Sedentary Occupation” (aOR 3.18; P=0.036), and “alcohol usage” (aOR 3.03; 95% CI [1.06–10.27]; P=0.039). Conclusion: The study has identified that more than one-fifth of the subjects were under the >10% CVD risk category thereby underscoring the immediate need for inclusion of CVD risk scoring tools in routine screening programs in all levels of health care settings as an effective health promotion strategy in curtailing the escalating incidence of CVDs events worldwide

Application of Metal-Organic Framework as Reactive Filler in Bisphenol-A-Based High-Temperature Thermosets

Excellent thermoset monomers, bisphenol-A-based biscyanate ester (BADCy) and bispropargyl ether (BPEBPA), are synthesized and thermally cured to high-temperature thermosetting polymers. The nanoporous aluminum fumarate (Al_FA_A), an interesting Metal-Organic Framework (MOF), is synthesized in an eco-friendly manner and used as a reactive nanoparticle filler. The interaction of fumarate π bonds (trans -CH=CH-) in MOF with the reactive end functional groups (-O-C ≡ N) in cyanate ester (CE) and (-CH2-C ≡ CH) in bispropargyl (BP) ethers is focused in these hybrid nanocomposites. The % decrease in enthalpy of curing in the organic and the inorganic blends (~60% for CE and ~ 10% for BP) indicates the interaction exciting between the MOF and the organic component. The addition of the aluminum fumarate MOF increases the glass transition temperature of the polymers. The amount of heat released for every increase in 1°C during the temperature window of curing (ΔHc/TE-TS) of the neat BADCy resin is approximately 2.4 times higher than the blend (BADCy+Al_FA_A). But BPEBPA shows only a 1% higher temperature curing window compared to its blend with MOF. The metal hotspots present in the hybrid nanocomposites may be the reason for the decrease in the thermal stability, and the % char residue is noted at 700°C. The TG-FTIR studies are done to predict the gaseous products (CO2) evolved during thermal degradation

Treatments in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis:time for a more targeted approach?

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive age-related lung disease, the cause of which is not been fully understood. IPF is a devastating disease with mortality worse than many cancers, and treatment options are limited. IPF is thought to occur after recurrent injury to the alveolar epithelium followed by abnormal repair characterized by the formation of fibroblast and myofibroblast foci and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. An updated classification of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias has encouraged a large number of clinical trials. On the whole, these have disappointed. Improvements in molecular techniques have developed our understanding of IPF and with it identified new pathways and potential targets for therapeutic intervention. These insights are leading to interest in biomarkers of disease progression and prognosis and to novel anti-fibrotic agents and a more targeted approach to the treatment of IPF.</p