E2XLRADR (Energy Efficient Cross Layer Routing Algorithm with Dynamic Retransmission for Wireless Sensor Networks)

The main focus of this article is to achieve prolonged network lifetime with overall energy efficiency in wireless sensor networks through controlled utilization of limited energy. Major percentage of energy in wireless sensor network is consumed during routing from source to destination, retransmission of data on packet loss. For improvement, cross layered algorithm is proposed for routing and retransmission scheme. Simulation and results shows that this approach can save the overall energy consumptio

Stress adaptation and ageing is controlled by senescence-inducing age-related changes in Arabidopsis thaliana : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Biology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Chapter 1 was published as: Kanojia, Aakansha, & Dijkwel, Paul P. (2018, April). Abiotic stress responses are governed by reactive oxygen species and age. Annual Plant Reviews Online 2018, Issue 1. https://doi-org.ezproxy.massey.ac.nz/10.1002/9781119312994.apr0611Senescence is the final stage of leaf development and leads to the death of a leaf. In leaves, chloroplasts are the major source of nitrogen (75%-80%), which is found mainly in proteins. The disassembly of chloroplasts during the senescence process releases a considerable amount of nitrogen, which is then remobilized to other growing parts of the plant. Thus, nutrients from dying parts of the plants are crucial for the initial development of seeds and new plant organs. Therefore, while leaf senescence is a destructive process, efficient senescence also increases viability of the whole plant and its survival to the next season or generation. However, senescence can also be induced prematurely by abiotic stress. Early senescence caused by environmental stress can be undesirable as it may affect the growth and yield of a plant. Plants grown under abiotic stress conditions such as high salinity, drought, cold or heat, display a variety of molecular, biochemical and physiological changes. Plants under environmental stress conditions activate several signalling pathways which, in coordination with hormones such as ethylene and abscisic acid, allow for an adaptive response to stress, resulting in adjustments of plant growth and development, in an attempt to maximise survival chances. Early senescence of old leaves is one of the important strategies adapted by plants for the survival of young growing tissues. The remobilisation of nutrients from old leaves to young tissues allows survival of the whole plant under stressed conditions. However, the outcome of the stress, i.e. survival or death, depends on the strength and duration of the stress in combination with the stress response. A plant’s response to stressed conditions also depends on the age of the plant. It has been reported by multiple studies that the tolerance to stress decreases with age, however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. In chapter 1, it is reviewed and proposed that plants of different age show distinct responses to environmental stress because of senescence-inducing age-related changes (ARCs). Research work in chapter 3 sought to understand the synchrony between ageing and reduction of plant stress tolerance, using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model plant. Transcriptomic studies were carried out to examine the occurrence of senescence-inducing ARCs in Arabidopsis first rosette early expanding leaves (EEL), mid expanding leaves (MEL) and fully expanded leaves (FEL). The transcriptomic dataset showed that, as the leaf grows, genes associated to DNA repair mechanisms are downregulated and genes linked to stress hormone biosynthesis, oxidative stress, senescence and other stress responses, are upregulated. This research confirmed that Arabidopsis young, mature and adult plants, when treated with drought, salt, and dark stresses, had greater stress sensitivity with increased age, consistent with the role of senescence-inducing ARCs in stress resistance. This study suggests that young plants are more tolerant to stress because of negligible senescence-inducing ARCs in young leaves, whereas the gradual accumulation of ARCs in mature leaves, and rapid accumulation in old leaves, results in decreased resistance to stress. Next, to characterise mutants that modulate senescence-induced ARCs, I used stress-sensitive onset of leaf death (old) mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana. The mutants were characterised based on stress responses observed in old13 and old14 mutant plants compared to the wild type (WT) (Chapter 4). The old13 mutant was selected as an appropriate mutant to study the regulatory pathway of senescence-inducing ARCs as I found that the old13 mutant plants are susceptible to stress in an age-dependent manner (Chapter 5). The transcriptomes of old13 leaves compared with the WT samples illustrate that stress susceptibility in the old13 mutant is because of early acquisition of senescence-inducing ARCs. Compared to the WT leaves, old13 showed significant downregulation of genes involved in antioxidant activity, stress tolerance, and cell-wall morphology, while genes involved in oxidative stress, senescence and stress responses were upregulated. Furthermore, transcriptional and metabolomic data illustrated that an unbalanced sugar level in old13 leaves is one of the important senescence-inducing ARCs involved in ageing and stress responses. Chapter 6 includes an attempt to identify the mutated gene in old13 using high throughput next generation sequencing. Further study on old13 gene recognition will offer an exciting opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of the coupling between ageing and stress responses in plants. Together, this study suggests that the occurrence of senescence-inducing ARCs is an intrinsic process integrated into the stress response and ensures certain death in plants

A Study on the Challenges Being Faced by Chandigarh University Students and their Parents during Covid-19 Lockdown

These days when India is locked down, apart from the economy the hardest thing getting suffered is our students’ education. They were in the midst of their classes or examination when this Covid-19 a coronavirus attacked India. Very wisely the India government took the decision to lockdown whole India in very initial stage. Chandigarh University management announced postponing the exams and immediately asked the students to move to their homes, if possible. This decision was taken one week in advance to the Indian Government decision. It was on 14th of March, 2020 when the management of the University decided the wellbeing of their students and asked them to move back. With this effort, most of the students reached their homes and staying with their parents. In all this set back an emotional support is very necessary.  This study was initiated to understand the physical and emotional wellbeing of the students of Chandigarh University. The results found are very positive as most of the students are safe including those who could not leave their hostels because of any reason. They are being taken good care by Chandigarh University Management. In this study, we have tried to find out if the students are facing any challenges and if they are worried for anything. It will support the management to put their best effort forward to make the things even better for the students. The student strength of Chandigarh University belongs to complete India so this study will help all educational institutions to better support their students

An Analysis of Earning the Market Share Vs Buying the Market Share

The current market is going through lot of changes. The companies in all the industries are making lot of exciting strategies to compete with each other and secure a big portion in the overall market share. The two primary strategies used by the companies to acquire the market share are buying the market share and earning the market share. To observe the consumer behavior that which one of the aforementioned strategies affect the customers the most, we conducted an analysis by way of this research paper. An intensive literature review was done apart from going through the audited records of many companies to know about their marketing strategies. Best possible research methodology was used to accomplish the desired objectives. The study was conducted in Chandigarh University, Mohali (Punjab), which happens to be more like a Cosmopolitan. The required data was collected using a structured questionnaire; presented to the respondents post pretesting. The results showed that customer finds the steps used in the buying of market share to be very fascinating and attractive. Though, these strategies works well in short term but in the long term, it’s the Earning the market share strategy (that includes quality of the product and creation of Brand equity) which decides the customer’s tastes

Effect of oxidative stress on ABC transporters: contribution to epilepsy pharmacoresistance

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting around 1%-2% of population worldwide and its treatment includes use of antiepileptic drugs to control seizures. Failure to respond to antiepileptic drug therapy is a major clinical problem and over expression of ATP-binding cassette transporters is considered one of the major reasons for pharmacoresistance. In this review, we have summarized the regulation of ABC transporters in response to oxidative stress due to disease and antiepileptic drugs. Further, ketogenic diet and antioxidants were examined for their role in pharmacoresistance. The understanding of signalling pathways and mechanism involved may help in identifying potential therapeutic targets and improving drug response