Efficient Range-Free Monte-Carlo-Localization for Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks

Das Hauptproblem von Lokalisierungsalgorithmen für WSNs basierend auf Ankerknoten ist die Abhängigkeit von diesen. Mobilität im Netzwerk kann zu Topologien führen, in denen einzelne Knoten oder ganze Teile des Netzwerks temporär von allen Ankerknoten isoliert werden. In diesen Fällen ist keine weitere Lokalisierung möglich. Dies wirkt sich primär auf den Lokalisierungsfehler aus, der in diesen Fällen stark ansteigt. Des weiteren haben Betreiber von Sensornetzwerken Interesse daran, die Anzahl der kosten- und wartungsintensiveren Ankerknoten auf ein Minimum zu reduzieren. Dies verstärkt zusätzlich das Problem von nicht verfügbaren Ankerknoten während des Netzwerkbetriebs. In dieser Arbeit werden zunächst die Vor- und Nachteile der beiden großen Hauptkategorien von Lokalisierungsalgorithmen (range-based und range-free Verfahren) diskutiert und eine Studie eines oft für range-based Lokalisierung genutzten Distanzbestimmungsverfahren mit Hilfe des RSSI vorgestellt. Danach werden zwei neue Varianten für ein bekanntes range-free Lokalisierungsverfahren mit Namen MCL eingeführt. Beide haben zum Ziel das Problem der temporär nicht verfügbaren Ankerknoten zu lösen, bedienen sich dabei aber unterschiedlicher Mittel. SA-MCL nutzt ein dead reckoning Verfahren, um die Positionsschätzung vom letzten bekannten Standort weiter zu führen. Dies geschieht mit Hilfe von zusätzlichen Sensorinformationen, die von einem elektronischen Kompass und einem Beschleunigungsmesser zur Verfügung gestellt werden. PO-MCL hingegen nutzt das Mobilitätsverhalten von einigen Anwendungen in Sensornetzwerken aus, bei denen sich alle Knoten primär auf einer festen Anzahl von Pfaden bewegen, um den Lokalisierungsprozess zu verbessern. Beide Methoden werden durch detaillierte Netzwerksimulationen evaluiert. Im Fall von SA-MCL wird außerdem eine Implementierung auf echter Hardware vorgestellt und eine Feldstudie in einem mobilen Sensornetzwerk durchgeführt. Aus den Ergebnissen ist zu sehen, dass der Lokalisierungsfehler in Situationen mit niedriger Ankerknotendichte im Fall von SA-MCL um bis zu 60% reduziert werden kann, beziehungsweise um bis zu 50% im Fall von PO-MCL.

Efficient Clustering Protocol Based on Stochastic Matrix & MCL and Data Routing for Mobile Wireless Sensors Network

In this paper, we have already presented a new approach for data routing dedicated to mobile Wireless Sensors Network (WSN) based on clustering. The proposed method is based on stochastic matrix and on the Markov Chain Cluster (MCL) algorithm to organize a large number of mobile sensors into clusters without defining the required clusters number in advance. It is based on mobile sensors connectivity to determinethe optimal number of clusters and to form compact and well separated clusters. Our proposed approach is a distributed method using nodes locations, degrees and theirs residual energies during the cluster head election. Simulation results showed that the proposed approach reduced the loss packets rate by 80%, the energy consumption by 30% and improved the data delivery rate by 70% compared to LEACH-M protocol. Moreover, it outperforms the E-MBC protocol and reduced the average energy consumption and loss packets rate by 60%; as well as it improved the success packets delivery rate by 40%

Contributions to predicting contaminant leaching from secondary materials used in roads

Slags, coal ashes, and other secondary materials can be used in road construction. Both traditional and secondary materials used in roads may contain contaminants that may leach and pollute the groundwater. The goal of this research was to further the understanding of leaching and transport of contaminants from pavement materials. Towards this goal, a new probabilistic framework was introduced which provided a structured guidance for selecting the appropriate model, incorporating uncertainty, variability, and expert opinion, and interpreting results for decision making. In addition to the framework, specific contributions were made in pavement and embankment hydrology and reactive transport, Bayesian statistics, and aqueous geochemistry of leaching. Contributions on water movement and reactive transport in highways included probabilistic prediction of leaching in an embankment, and scenario analyses of leaching and transport in pavements using HYDRUS2D, a contaminant fate and transport model. Water flow in a Minnesota highway embankment was replicated by Bayesian calibration of hydrological parameters against water content data. Extent of leaching of Cd from a coal fly ash was estimated. Two dimensional simulations of various scenarios showed that salts in the base layer of pavements are depleted within the first year whereas the metals may never reach the groundwater if the pavement is built on adsorbing soils. Aqueous concentrations immediately above the groundwater estimated for intact and damaged pavements can be used for regulators to determine the acceptability of various recycled materials. Contributions in the aqueous geochemistry of leaching included a new modeling approach for leaching of anions and cations from complex matrices such as weathered steel slag. The novelty of the method was its simultaneous inclusion of sorption and solubility controls for multiple analytes. The developed model showed that leaching of SO4, Cr, As, Si, Ca, Mg, and V were controlled by corresponding soluble solids. Leaching of Pb was controlled by Pb(VO4)3 solubility at low pHs and by surface precipitation reactions at high pHs. Leaching of Cd and Zn were controlled by surface complexation and surface precipitation, respectively

Digitizing Offline Shopping Behavior Towards Mobile Marketing

The proliferation of mobile technologies makes it possible for mobile advertisers to go beyond the real-time snapshot of the static location and contextual information about consumers. In this study, we propose a novel mobile advertising strategy that leverages full information on consumers’ offline moving trajectories. To evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy, we design a large-scale randomized field experiment in a large shopping mall in Asia based on 83,370 unique user responses for two weeks in 2014. We found the new mobile trajectory-based advertising is significantly more effective for focal advertising store compared to several existing baselines. It is especially effective in attracting high-income consumers. Interestingly, it becomes less effective during the weekend. This indicates closely targeted mobile ads may constrict consumer focus and significantly reduce the impulsive purchase behavior. Our finding suggests marketers should carefully design mobile advertising strategy, depending on different business contexts

Localisation in wireless sensor networks for disaster recovery and rescuing in built environments

A thesis submitted to the University of Bedfordshire in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of PhilosophyProgress in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and radio frequency (RF) technology has fostered the development of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Different from traditional networks, WSNs are data-centric, self-configuring and self-healing. Although WSNs have been successfully applied in built environments (e.g. security and services in smart homes), their applications and benefits have not been fully explored in areas such as disaster recovery and rescuing. There are issues related to self-localisation as well as practical constraints to be taken into account. The current state-of-the art communication technologies used in disaster scenarios are challenged by various limitations (e.g. the uncertainty of RSS). Localisation in WSNs (location sensing) is a challenging problem, especially in disaster environments and there is a need for technological developments in order to cater to disaster conditions. This research seeks to design and develop novel localisation algorithms using WSNs to overcome the limitations in existing techniques. A novel probabilistic fuzzy logic based range-free localisation algorithm (PFRL) is devised to solve localisation problems for WSNs. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm performs better than other range free localisation algorithms (namely DVhop localisation, Centroid localisation and Amorphous localisation) in terms of localisation accuracy by 15-30% with various numbers of anchors and degrees of radio propagation irregularity. In disaster scenarios, for example, if WSNs are applied to sense fire hazards in building, wireless sensor nodes will be equipped on different floors. To this end, PFRL has been extended to solve sensor localisation problems in 3D space. Computational results show that the 3D localisation algorithm provides better localisation accuracy when varying the system parameters with different communication/deployment models. PFRL is further developed by applying dynamic distance measurement updates among the moving sensors in a disaster environment. Simulation results indicate that the new method scales very well

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy in Hematologic Malignancies and Patient-reported Outcomes: A Scoping Review

The inclusion of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy research is critical for understanding the impact of this novel approach from a unique patient standpoint. We performed a scoping review to map the available literature on the use of PRO measures in CAR T-cell therapy studies of patients with hematologic malignancies published between January 2015 and July 2022. Fourteen studies were identified, of which 7 (50%) were investigational early-phase trials, 6 (42.9%) were observational studies, and 1 (7.1%) was a pilot study. The EQ-5D and the PROMIS-29 were the 2 most frequently used PRO measures, being included in 6 (42.9%) and 5 (35.7%) studies, respectively. Despite differences in study designs, there seems to be evidence of improvements over time since CAR T-cell infusion in important domains such as physical functioning and fatigue, at least in patients who respond to therapy. Overall, the studies identified in our review have shown the added value of PRO assessment in CAR T-cell therapy research by providing novel information that complements the knowledge on safety and efficacy. However, there are several questions which remain to be answered in future research. For example, limited evidence exists regarding patient experience during important phases of the disease trajectory as only 4 (28.6%) and 5 (35.7%) studies provided information on PROs during the first 2 weeks from CAR T-cell infusion and after the first year, respectively. Time is ripe for a more systematic implementation of high-quality PRO assessment in future clinical trials and in real-life settings of patients treated with CAR T-cell therapy

EPA Superfund Record of Decision: Murray Smelter Murray City, UT

The Murray Smelter Site ( the Site ) is located in the city of Murray, Utah, in Salt Lake County as illustrated on Figure 1. The Site includes the former operational areas of the Murray Smelter and adjacent Germania Smelter which are referred to as the on-facility area., as well as surrounding residential and commercial areas where airborne emissions from the smelters impacted the environment or where contamination in shallow ground water may be transported in the future. These surrounding areas are referred to as the off-facility area. The on-facility area is approximately 142 acres. Its boundaries are 5300 South Street to the south, State Street to the east, Little Cottonwood Creek to the north, and the west set of Union Pacific railroad tracks to the west. The off-facility area is approximately 30 acres to the west of the on-facility area, approximately 106 acres south and southeast of the on-facility area., an: a small area between 5200 South Street and Little Cottonwood Creek to the east of the on-facility area. The west portion of the off-facility area is bounded by Little Cottonwood Creek to the north, 300 West Street to the west, 5300 South Street to the south, and the on-facility boundary to the east. The south/southwest portion is bounded by 5300 South Street to the north and Wilson Avenue to the south. The off-facility boundaries were determined by EPA based on the results of air dispersion modeling performed in November, 1994. The purpose of the modeling was to identify the area that potentially would have received the greatest amount of deposition resulting from lead and arsenic emissions from the Murray Smelter during its operating period. For environmental Sampling, risk assessment, and risk management purposes. the Site was divided into smaller areas to represent realistic areas of humar and ecological exposure. The 142 acre on-facility area was divided into eleven exposure units (EU\u27s) and the 136 acre off-facility area was divided into eight initial study zones (ISZ\u27s). The riparian area along Little Cottonwood Creek was delineated as the ecological study area