Energy Efficient Cluster based Routing Scheme for WSN based IoT to Extend Network Lifetime

With the development and advancement of wireless sensor networks (WSN), the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) has achieved prominence in the modern era. With the increasing number of connected devices, WSN has become a key factor in the communication component of the IoT. In IoT-based WSN infrastructure, devices are equipped with intelligent sensors that sense the environment to collect data, process data, and deliver information to the sink or base station (BS). WSN-assisted IoT has become a key technology for various data-centric applications such as health care, smart cities, and the military. Sensor nodes in IoT devices are equipped with bound and irreplaceable batteries. An increased number of connected devices face serious issues of energy depletion, maintenance, and load balancing, which might result in device failure. Energy efficiency is considered a vital parameter in the design of an IoT based WSN, and this can be accomplished through clustering and multihop routing techniques. In this paper, we propose an energy-aware multihop routing scheme (EAMRS) for hierarchical cluster-based WSN-assisted IoT. EAMRS considers the improved low-energy adaptive clustering algorithm (I-LEACH) to select optimal cluster heads (CH). During data transmission, multihop routing is involved by considering routing metrics such as residual energy, distance to BS and optimal route choice to balance the energy load. However, conventional routing schemes fail to achieve the flexibility and adaptability prerequisites of load balancing mechanisms. EAMRS decreases computation overhead and restricts energy usage, resulting in a prolonged network lifetime

Parametric Study on Reinforced Concrete Beam using ANSYS

Concrete structural components such as beams, columns, walls exist in various buildings and bridges. Understanding the response of these components of structures during loading is crucial for the development of an efficient and safe structure. Recently Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is also used to analyze these structural components. In this paper, four point bending analysis is carried out using reinforced concrete beam. The results of the beam with respect to mesh density, varying depths, use of steel cushions for support and loading points, effect of shear reinforcement on flexure behaviour, impact of tension reinforcement on behaviour of the beam are analyzed and discussed. Finite element software ANSYS 13.0 is used for modeling and analysis by conducting non linear static analysis. Keywords: Material nonlinearity, Finite element analysis, Convergence, Steel cushion, Varying depths, ANSYS

Determination of the Thermal Neutron Flux by Measuring Gamma Radiations with High and Low Resolution Detectors

Thermal neutron flux (Фth) of Americium-Beryllium (Am-Be) neutron source has been measured by adopting the foil activation method. The neutrons emitted from Am-Be source are used to activate the indium-115 (115In) foil. The gamma radiations emitted from the activated isomer 116m1In are measured with NaI(Tl) and HPGe detectors. The thermal neutron flux is measured by adopting the cadmium (Cd) foil difference technique in which the Cd foil placed in front of the source to prevent the thermal neutrons from entering into the indium foil. The neutron flux is determined by measuring the gamma radiation emitted from indium foil using a low and high energy resolution NaI(Tl) and HPGe detectors respectively. The measured thermal neutron flux obtained from both detectors has been compared and found that the Фth does not depend on the resolution and type of the detectors used in the present investigations

The study of left ventricular relaxation and filling abnormalities in acute coronary syndrome by doppler echocardiography

Objectives: To study the left ventricular relaxation and filling abnormalities by doppler echocardiography and prognosis of acute coronary syndrome. Methods:  Fifty patients of acute coronary syndrome were included in the study. The left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was studied using doppler transmitral velocities within the apical 4- chambers view (1st study-on the day of admission and 2nd study- after one week). The various parameters studied were peak E (peak rapid filling velocity), peak A (atrial contraction wave), E/A ratio, E-DT (E- deceleration time), IVRT (isovolumetric relaxation time), S-wave (systolic forward flow wave), D-wave (diastolic forward flow wave) and AR-wave (atrial reversal wave). Results: Of 50 patients studied 3 had normal, 36 patients had impaired relaxation, 5 patients had pseudo-normalization, 4 patients reversible and 2 patients irreversible restrictive filling on the day of admission (1st study). In the 2nd study (after one week) 16 were normal, 20 patients had impaired relaxation, 5 patients had pseudo-normalization, 6 patients had reversible and 2 patients had irreversible restrictive filling. Conclusion: Doppler echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in the setting of acute coronary syndrome helps in the management and provides independent noninvasive prognostic information

Molecular tailoring of thermoreversible copolymer gels: some new mechanistic insights

We earlier reported the role of hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions on the transition temperatures of thermoreversible copolymer gels. We show here that the chemical structure of the hydrophobe and its concentration determine the transition temperatures [lower critical solution temperature (LCST)] and the heat of transition of new hydrophobically modified poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) [PNIPAm] copolymer gels. The gels, prepared by copolymerizing NIPAm monomer with hydrophobic comonomers containing increasing lengths of alkyl side groups and a terminal carboxyl acid group, showed lower LCST and lower heat of transition when compared to pure PNIPAm gel. The experimental results were also compared with theoretical calculations based on a lattice-fluid-hydrogen-bond [LFHB] model. We show experimentally and theoretically that a linear correlation exists between the transition temperature and length of the hydrophobic alkyl side group. Also, in apparent contradiction to previous work, we found a reduction in the heat of transition with increasing hydrophobicity. We propose that the presence of the terminal carboxyl acid group on the hydrophobic side chain of the comonomer prevents the association of water molecules around the hydrophobe, thereby causing a reduction in the heat of transition. The LFHB model supports this argument

Performance of transgenic Bt cotton of different Bt events under IPM in rainfed situation

The field experiment was carried out at ARS, Dharwad farm, Karnataka, India during 2010-11 to study the performance of Bt cotton hybrids, viz. Bunny BG-I, Bunny BG-II, JK Durga and Nathbaba developed through different Bt events under IPM practices. The performance of the Bt hybrids with IPM practices (module) was compared with farmers practices. IPM module encompassed, Bt cotton seeds treated with imidacloprid 70WS, sowing of redgram as a refuge, detopping of shoot tip, installation of pheromone traps, and selective use of chemicals for sucking pests control, whereas farmers practice relied only on chemical interventions. The results revealed that among the Bt genotypes, Bunny BG-II under IPM, recorded lower population of aphids, thrips, leaf hopper and mirid bugs (3.94,9.09,2.07/3 leaves and 3.10/25 squares respectively) followed by Bunny BG-I(4.44, 9.74, 2.26/3 leaves and 3.12/25 squares respectively). However non-significant variation among the genotypes was observed under IPM. Further, irrespective of the modules, bollworm population was not observed in any of the Bt cotton genotypes. Although the larval population of Helicoverpa was recorded in Non Bt, the population was considerably low with IPM practice (0.98/plant) as compared to the farmers practice (1.96/plant) due to target specific interventions. The fruiting bodies damage was negligible in both the modules with hybrids containing two genes compared to hybrids with single Bt gene. On the contrary, modules with non Bt cotton registered significantly higher fruiting bodies damage. Among the genotypes, Bunny BG-II integrated in IPM registered higher seed cotton yield of 25.20 q/ha followed by 24.57 q/ha in Nathbaba with more profit. It is evident from the results that performance of Bunny BG-II was found to be better as indicated by lower infestation and higher seed cotton yield under IPM practice

Innate Immunity in Human Embryonic Stem Cells: Comparison with Adult Human Endothelial Cells

Treatment of human disease with human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived cells is now close to reality, but little is known of their responses to physiological and pathological insult. The ability of cells to respond via activation of Toll like receptors (TLR) is critical in innate immune sensing in most tissues, but also extends to more general danger sensing, e.g. of oxidative stress, in cardiomyocytes. We used biomarker release and gene-array analysis to compare responses in hESC before and after differentiation, and to those in primary human endothelial cells. The presence of cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells was confirmed in differentiated cultures by immunostaining, FACS-sorting and, for cardiomyocytes, beating activity. Undifferentiated hESC did not respond with CXCL8 release to Gram positive or Gram negative bacteria, or a range of PAMPs (pathogen associated molecular patterns) for TLRs 1-9 (apart from flagellin, an activator of TLR5). Surprisingly, lack of TLR-dependent responses was maintained over 4 months of differentiation of hESC, in cultures which included cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. In contrast, primary cultures of human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) demonstrated responses to a broad range of PAMPs. Expression of downstream TLR signalling pathways was demonstrated in hESC, and IL-1β, TNFα and INFγ, which bypass the TLRs, stimulated CXCL8 release. NFκB pathway expression was also present in hESC and NFκB was able to translocate to the nucleus. Low expression levels of TLRs were detected in hESC, especially TLRs 1 and 4, explaining the lack of response of hESC to the main TLR signals. TLR5 levels were similar between differentiated hESC and HAEC, and siRNA knockdown of TLR5 abolished the response to flagellin. These findings have potential implications for survival and function of grafted hESC-derived cells

Letter to the Editor

Background Disaster, whether man made or natural, may occur at any place or time. This study was conducted to assess the preparedness of hospitals in handling emergencies as per District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP) at Mangalore, a coastal city on the Western coast of Karnataka. Method A cross sectional study was conducted in 12 hospitals of Mangalore city, located at the Southwestern coast of India in April 2009, using a semi-structured proforma. All surveyed hospitals were included in the DDMP. The respondents were hospital administrators. Results Though all the hospitals surveyed were aware about the existence of DDMP in the district of Dakshina Kannada, 6 (50%) were unaware that their hospitals were included in the same plan. Out of 12 hospitals, 4 (33.3%) said that they had got a letter from DDMP, spelling out their responsibilities. Only 6 (50%) hospitals had a contingency plan for emergency. Mock drill was conducted only by 6 (50%) hospitals. Six (50%) hospitals had blood bank, 5 (41.6%) had trauma center and 8 (66.6%) had burns ward available for emergency. Half of them had more than 2 ambulances and 10(83.3%) had sufficient stock of medicines. Extra beds for emergency were available in 11(91.7%) hospitals with maximum number of 42 beds in one hospital. Conclusion; Most hospitals in Mangalore were not well prepared to manage emergencies in disasters. Facilities like burns ward, blood bank and ambulance services need to be enhanced