Use of Clustering-based Routing Protocols in Low Power and Lossy Networks � A Survey

Internet of Things (IoT) is the one of the emerging field today, which consists of various resource-constrained devices that are limited in resources and work in the lossy wireless network. Therefore, IoT requires efficient routing protocol so that devices can communicate fast and power efficiently. Among different protocols available for wireless networks, Routing Protocol for Low Power and Lossy Networks (RPL) is a protocol specially standardized by IETF for efficient communication between IoT devices. Routing technique is one of the important factors of a routing protocol, which affects the performance of a protocol. In recent years, researchers contributed to improving RPL performance by providing various solutions and clustering is one of those ways to improve RPL performance by using Cluster- parent based Destination Oriented Directed Acyclic Graph (DODAG). In this paper, we discuss the various clustering-based routing protocols in a Low power and lossy networks (LLNs) and concludes that this survey might be helpful for future researchers

A face - off - classical and heuristic - based path planning approaches

Robot path planning is a computational problem to find a valid sequence of configurations to move a robot from an initial to a final destination. Several classical and heuristic-based methods exist that can be used to solve the problem. This paper compares the performance of a classical method based on potential field, Lyapunov-based Control Scheme, with those of the standard and stepping ahead Firefly Algorithms. The performance comparison is based on the optimal path distance and time. The results show that the stepping ahead Firefly algorithm finds a shorter path in lesser duration when compared with the Lyapunov-based method. The LbCS also inherently faces the local minima problem when the start, target, and obstacle’s center coordinates are collinear. This problem is solved using the firefly algorithm where the diversification of the fireflies helps escape local minima

Assistive technologies: saviour of Mathematics in higher education

The pervasion and inclusion of new technologies into teaching and learning processes are continuously changing the higher education landscape. Selected and specific technologies termed as “assistive technologies” are being used as key tools for enabling students to access education and actively and independently participate in the education process, improving learning and supporting inclusive education. This paper presents students’ perception of the use of various assistive technologies such as mobile learning, tablet learning, lecture capture, gamification, and online intelligent systems that have been developed for learning and student support at a higher education institute. There is also a broad discussion on how these can be adopted and adapted in mathematics learning in higher education. It is well documented that students have low-esteem toward or while doing the subject and have math phobia, particularly in higher education. An online questionnaire on the students’ perception of using assistive technologies was deployed to the mathematics students. The results show that assistive technologies are indeed a saviour of mathematics with a significantly positive attitude garnered toward using them for learning mathematics

Injectable Opioid use: An insight into the problem

Background: The present study characterizes the socio-demographic variables of injection drug users (IDUs) attending Oral substitution therapy (OST) center. Aims & Objectives: To provide a comprehensive knowledge and better insight regarding the socio-demographic profile and pattern IDUs. Material & Methods: A total of 158 IDUs aged 18 to 60 years who attended the OST centre during one-year period at a government medical college are included in the study. Results: All the IDUs are male with median age of 33.13 years. More than half of the participants are homeless and earn their livelihood by rag picking and rickshaw driving. 35.4% of participants are married. Their mean monthly income is Rs 2823.4 ± 1811.8 and they spend a major amount of it on drug use. Conclusion: All the participants are using Pharmaceutical Opioid injections (POI), mostly as cocktail with benzodiazepines and antihistamines. Sharing of needle and paraphernalia is present in most of the participants especially among the illiterate and low income group IDUs

Plasma modification of poly(2-heptadecyl-4-vinylthieno[3,4-d]thiazole) low bandgap polymer and its application in solar cells

For the first time, we here propose a green methodology to modify a low bandgap polymer for highly efficient solar cells using atmospheric pressure plasma jet or soft plasma operating on different feeding gases (air, Ar and N-2). The physical properties of the modified polymer were investigated using conductivity measurements, UV-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammograms, atomic force microscopy, cathodoluminescence and confocal Raman spectroscopy. Further, we examined the variation of the work function of the polymer before and after plasma treatment using a gamma-focused ion beam. Additionally, photovoltaic cells based on the plasma-modified polymer having ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PHVTT (with or without plasma modification): PC71BM/LiF/Al configuration were fabricated and then characterized. We found that the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the plasma-modified polymer increased dramatically as compared to the control polymer (without plasma treatment). PCE of the control polymer was found to be 4.11%, while after air, Ar and N-2 gas plasma treatment the polymer showed PCEs of 4.85%, 4.87% and 5.14% respectively. Thus, plasma treatment not only alters the surface properties, but also modifies the bulk properties (changes in HOMO and LUMO bandgap level). Hence, this work provides new dimensions to explore more about plasma and polymer chemistry

Mathematics and ICT bring new intelligent traffic light control system

As road networks in urban areas become increasingly complex and complicated when accommodating for the fast-growing numbers and diversity of vehicles and infrastructure, researchers have a tremendous interest in designing intelligent and robust traffic light control systems to manage traffic. Traditional traffic light control (TLC) systems operate on a fixed time basis, whereby each stream of traffic is allocated a fixed amount of time for vehicles to move through the intersection. This system's main drawback is that it does not account for actual traffic densities, leading to longer waiting times and higher fuel consumption. With the emergence and proliferation of digital technologies in the 21st century, humans have begun to use technology in every facet of their daily lives, including getting help in performing dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks that can be automated and repetitive. This paper combines ICT and mathematics to design a new robust system for traffic light control. A novel Intelligent Traffic Light Control System (ITLCS) model is proposed to accommodate the immediate number of vehicles and pedestrians' presence at the intersections. The system has been implemented in selected software for testing and validation, and the analytics are highlighted. The arterial aim is to show the importance of mathematics, which can produce a robust and intelligent system that can achieve a better traffic flow at varying traffic densities when combined with ICT

The relationship between motivational factors and exercise dependence in active runners

39 p.Exercise dependence is a pathological syndrome, commonly seen in runners. Motivational frameworks have been utilized in isolation to understand the psychological mechanisms underpinning this syndrome. However, such theoretical frameworks have not been used in combination. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the relationship of motivational factors, using the combination of achievement goal theory and self- determination theory, with the development of exercise dependence and its symptomalogy. Active runners (N = 215) completed the following measures of achievement goal orientations, psychological needs satisfaction, behavioural regulations and exercise dependence. Logistic regression analyses revealed that ego orientation positively predicted runners to be at risk of exercise dependence (b = 4.78, χ2 (1) = 7.35, p = 0.01) or symptomatic of it (b = 3.39, χ2 (1) = 4.26, p = 0.04). Controlled motivation also positively predicted runners to be exercise dependent (b = 3.27, χ2 (1) = 9.94, p = 0.003) or symptomatic of it (b = 2.86, χ2 (1) = 7.91, p = 0.005). The basic psychological needs were not significant in predicting exercise dependence and its symptomatology. The findings reinforced the applicability of achievement goal orientations and motivational regulations in understanding maladaptive exercise practices. Ego goals and controlled behavioural regulations have a significant relationship to the development of exercise dependence and its symptomalogy. Future research should attempt to analyse any differences in exercise dependence across different types of physical activities with different motivational variables.Bachelor of Science (Sport Science and Management

Perceived Causes of Students’ Poor Performance in Mathematics: A Case Study at Ba and Tavua Secondary Schools

Poor achievement in mathematics is an issue of great concern for many countries across the globe. Fiji is one of the countries in the South Pacific experiencing the same trends, pressures, and concerns. This study aims to seek the views of stakeholders (students, teachers, heads of departments, and school heads) with regards to the causes of poor achievement in mathematics at the senior grades of secondary schools in the districts of Ba and Tavua, Fiji. A descriptive design using both quantitative and qualitative approaches were utilized whereby data were collected from 201 upper secondary school respondents comprising 171 students, 16 mathematics teachers, 7 department heads, and 7 school heads from seven randomly selected schools in the districts of Ba and Tavua. The study found that the students had a negative attitude toward mathematics. It was also found that an ineffective mathematics curriculum in secondary schools was the reason behind poor performance in the subject. Moreover, many of the primary school teachers lacked potential and competence to teach mathematics at primary school levels, and this largely contributed toward the lack of interest amongst students, hence translating into poor achievement at both upper and lower secondary levels. On the other hand, however, it was gathered that secondary school teachers were rather positive, good quality, performing, and fully qualified as far as the teaching of mathematics and delivery of the subject matter was concerned. Review and amendments to the year 12 and 13 mathematics curriculum, use of technologies to teach mathematics, improving the quality of primary school mathematics teachers, reducing the emphasis on exams, introducing internal assessments, projects, and field work in the mathematics curriculum were a few of the significant recommendations made from this study