Trust and reputation in multi-modal sensor networks for marine environmental monitoring

Greater temporal and spatial sampling allows environmental processes and the well- being of our waterways to be monitored and characterised from previously unobtainable perspectives. It allows us to create models, make predictions and better manage our environments. New technologies are emerging in order to enable remote autonomous sensing of our water systems and subsequently meet the demands for high temporal and spatial monitoring. In particular, advances in communication and sensor technology has provided a catalyst for progress in remote monitoring of our water systems. However despite continuous improvements there are limitations with the use of this technology in marine environmental monitoring applications. We summarise these limitations in terms of scalability and reliability. In order to address these two main issues, our research proposes that environmental monitoring applications would strongly benefit from the use of a multi-modal sensor network utilising visual sensors, modelled outputs and context information alongside the more conventional in-situ wireless sensor networks. However each of these addi- tional data streams are unreliable. Hence we adapt a trust and reputation model for optimising their use to the network. For our research we use two test sites - the River Lee, Cork and Galway Bay each with a diverse range of multi-modal data sources. Firstly we investigate the coordination of multiple heterogenous information sources to allow more efficient operation of the more sophisticated in-situ analytical instrument in the network, to render the deployment of such devices more scalable. Secondly we address the issue of reliability. We investigate the ability of a multi-modal network to compensate for failure of in-situ nodes in the network, where there is no redundant identical node in the network to replace its operation. We adapt a model from the literature for dealing with the unreliability associated with each of the alternative sensor streams in order to monitor their behaviour over time and choose the most reliable output at a particular point in time in the network. We find that each of the alternative data streams demonstrates themselves to be useful tools in the network. The addition of the use of the trust and reputation model reflects their behaviour over time and demonstrates itself as a useful tool in optimising their use in the network

Federated Sensor Network architectural design for the Internet of Things (IoT)

An information technology that can combine the physical world and virtual world is desired. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a concept system that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), WSN and barcode scanners to sense and to detect physical objects and events. This information is shared with people on the Internet. With the announcement of the Smarter Planet concept by IBM, the problem of how to share this data was raised. However, the original design of WSN aims to provide environment monitoring and control within a small scale local network. It cannot meet the demands of the IoT because there is a lack of multi-connection functionality with other WSNs and upper level applications. As various standards of WSNs provide information for different purposes, a hybrid system that gives a complete answer by combining all of them could be promising for future IoT applications. This thesis is on the subject of `Federated Sensor Network' design and architectural development for the Internet of Things. A Federated Sensor Network (FSN) is a system that integrates WSNs and the Internet. Currently, methods of integrating WSNs and the Internet can follow one of three main directions: a Front-End Proxy solution, a Gateway solution or a TCP/IP Overlay solution. Architectures based on the ideas from all three directions are presented in this thesis; this forms a comprehensive body of research on possible Federated Sensor Network architecture designs. In addition, a fully compatible technology for the sensor network application, namely the Sensor Model Language (SensorML), has been reviewed and embedded into our FSN systems. The IoT as a new concept is also comprehensively described and the major technical issues discussed. Finally, a case study of the IoT in logistic management for emergency response is given. Proposed FSN architectures based on the Gateway solution are demonstrated through hardware implementation and lab tests. A demonstration of the 6LoWPAN enabled federated sensor network based on the TCP/IP Overlay solution presents a good result for the iNET localization and tracking project. All the tests of the designs have verified feasibility and achieve the target of the IoT concept

Reinventing the Social Scientist and Humanist in the Era of Big Data

This book explores the big data evolution by interrogating the notion that big data is a disruptive innovation that appears to be challenging existing epistemologies in the humanities and social sciences. Exploring various (controversial) facets of big data such as ethics, data power, and data justice, the book attempts to clarify the trajectory of the epistemology of (big) data-driven science in the humanities and social sciences

Rapidly Dissolvable PRINT Microneedles for the Transdermal Delivery of Therapeutics

In recent years, microneedle devices have become an attractive method to overcome the diffusion-limiting epidermis and effectively transport therapeutics to the body. Microneedles are arrays of micron-sized projections that pierce the skin to administer drugs, manually creating channels for the passage of a therapeutic. Biodegradable or water-soluble microneedles are of high interest due to their safety, low device complexity, and ability to deliver agents of nearly any size. The main limitation of biodegradable microneedles is their arduous manufacturing, requiring long vacuum and centrifugation steps to fill a mold. The fabrication of microneedles via the highly scalable and reproducible Particle Replication in Non-wetting Templates (PRINT®) platform has great promise to expand this growing field by eliminating these obstacles to clinical translation. Herein, the fabrication of 100% water-soluble PRINT microneedles on flexible substrates is demonstrated. The ability of these devices to load therapeutics of nearly any size, shape, and surface charge - while maintaining the function of the cargo throughout - has been shown through the encapsulation of small molecule dyes, proteins, and hydrogel nanoparticles. PRINT microneedle devices were seen to pierce skin and transport cargo in both ex vivo and in vivo studies. Utilizing optical coherence tomography, it was seen that flexible microneedle patches increase the depth and reproducibility of needle penetrations (as compared to rigid patches). The permeation kinetics of the small molecule, protein, and particulate drug surrogates through full thickness murine skin were investigated; microneedles greatly increased the delivered dose of small molecules when compared to topical formulations. Both proteins and nanoparticles were seen to deposit in the skin after application with PRINT microneedles, but the permeation kinetics through this tissue slowed as cargo size increased. PRINT microneedle device application in vivo was optimized on nude murine models, and it was shown that these devices efficaciously deliver small molecule drug surrogates to living tissue. The ability of the PRINT microneedles pierce excised human skin was shown, highlighting the capability of the technology to transition into a clinically-relevant product. Finally, PRINT microneedle devices were adapted to two therapeutically-relevant systems: the delivery of butyrylcholinesterase as a countermeasure against nerve gas overexposure, and the treatment of skin-invading breast cancers by introducing chemotherapeutics via microneedles. Therefore, efficacious water-soluble microneedle devices have been made reproducibly and quickly via PRINT technology, advancing the field of transdermal drug delivery as a whole.Doctor of Philosoph

Light forge : a microfluidic high throughput platform for rapid and affordable detection of drug resistant strains of tuberculosis.

Master of Medical Sciences in Medical Microbiology. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Medical School 2015.Tuberculosis is one of the most deadly infectious diseases currently plaguing the global community. Unfortunately, lack of accessible, reliable and affordable diagnostic tools in the high disease burden, and resource poor regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa has hampered efforts to eradicate the epidemic. This study documents the development of a microfluidic platform called Light Forge, which is capable of detecting genetic drug resistance signatures in M.tuberculosis DNA. The first phase of this study involved a molecular drug susceptibility assay on 7 strains of M.tuberculosis using the high resolution melt analysis at the rpoB, katG, mab-inhA and gyrA loci with the Light Cycler96 . These findings compared with phenotypic drug susceptibility testing and Sanger sequencing. The results from the preliminary tests showed that the commercial system could detect positive strains at sensitivity estimates of 86%, 17% , 0% and 100% for rpoB, katG, mab-inhA and gyrA respectively. Detection of non-synonymous mutation in gyrA region for all test strains halted further testing. The rpoB gene was selected for on chip profiling with the Light Forge system due to the higher sensitivity. The results from the Light Forge showed that the system was capable of detecting test strains with 100% sensitivity, with modest reproducibility and correspondence with the phenotypic drug susceptibility profiles and the sequencing results. A microfluidic TB assay based on the Light Forge system is on the horizon based on the findings of the study. However, more work is required to incorporate other genes and ultimately design the best-equipped device for the clinical setting

Archibald Reiss Days : Thematic conference proceedings of international significance : International Scientific Conference, Belgrade, 7-9 November 2017

In front of you is the Thematic Collection of Papers presented at the International Scientific Conference “Archibald Reiss Days”, which was organized by the Academy of Criminalistic and Police Studies in Belgrade, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University in USA, School of Criminal Justice University of Laussane in Switzerland, National Police Academy in Spain, Police Academy Szczytno in Poland, National Police University of China, Lviv State University of Internal Affairs, Volgograd Academy of the Russian Internal Affairs Ministry, Faculty of Security in Skopje, Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security in Ljubljana, Police Academy “Alexandru Ioan Cuza“ in Bucharest, Academy of Police Force in Bratislava, Faculty of Security Science University of Banja Luka, Faculty for Criminal Justice, Criminology and Security Studies University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Law in Montenegro, Police Academy in Montenegro and held at the Academy of Criminalistic and Police Studies, on 7, 8 and 9 November 2017.The International Scientific Conference “Archibald Reiss Days” is organized for the seventh time in a row, in memory of the founder and director of the first modern higher police school in Serbia, Rodolphe Archibald Reiss, after whom the Conference was named. The Thematic Collection of Papers contains 131 papers written by eminent scholars in the field of law, security, criminalistics, police studies, forensics, informatics, as well as by members of national security system participating in education of the police, army and other security services from Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, Abu Dhabi, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Italy, Australia and United Kingdom. Each paper has been double-blind peer reviewed by two reviewers, international experts competent for the field to which the paper is related, and the Thematic Conference Proceedings in whole has been reviewed by five competent international reviewers.The papers published in the Thematic Collection of Papers provide us with the analysis of the criminalistic and criminal justice aspects in solving and proving of criminal offences, police organization, contemporary security studies, social, economic and political flows of crime, forensic linguistics, cybercrime, and forensic engineering. The Collection of Papers represents a significant contribution to the existing fund of scientific and expert knowledge in the field of criminalistic, security, penal and legal theory and practice. Publication of this Collection contributes to improving of mutual cooperation between educational, scientific and expert institutions at national, regional and international level

Biosensors for Environmental Monitoring

Real-time and reliable detection of molecular compounds and bacteria is essential in modern environmental monitoring. For rapid analyses, biosensing devices combining high selectivity of biomolecular recognition and sensitivity of modern signal-detection technologies offer a promising platform. Biosensors allow rapid on-site detection of pollutants and provide potential for better understanding of the environmental processes, including the fate and transport of contaminants.This book, including 12 chapters from 37 authors, introduces different biosensor-based technologies applied for environmental analyses

2013 Oklahoma Research Day Full Program

This document contains all abstracts from the 2013 Oklahoma Research Day held at the University of Central Oklahoma

On a wildlife tracking and telemetry system : a wireless network approach

Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (p. 239-261).Motivated by the diversity of animals, a hybrid wildlife tracking system, EcoLocate, is proposed, with lightweight VHF-like tags and high performance GPS enabled tags, bound by a common wireless network design. Tags transfer information amongst one another in a multi-hop store-and-forward fashion, and can also monitor the presence of one another, enabling social behaviour studies to be conducted. Information can be gathered from any sensor variable of interest (such as temperature, water level, activity and so on) and forwarded through the network, thus leading to more effective game reserve monitoring. Six classes of tracking tags are presented, varying in weight and functionality, but derived from a common set of code, which facilitates modular tag design and deployment. The link between the tags means that tags can dynamically choose their class based on their remaining energy, prolonging lifetime in the network at the cost of a reduction in function. Lightweight, low functionality tags (that can be placed on small animals) use the capabilities of heavier, high functionality devices (placed on larger animals) to transfer their information. EcoLocate is a modular approach to animal tracking and sensing and it is shown how the same common technology can be used for diverse studies, from simple VHF-like activity research to full social and behavioural research using wireless networks to relay data to the end user. The network is not restricted to only tracking animals – environmental variables, people and vehicles can all be monitored, allowing for rich wildlife tracking studies