Optimized communication in 5G-driven vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs)

University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.Next generation Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks will be dominated by heterogeneous data and additional massive diffusion of Internet of Things (IoT) traffic. To meet these objectives, a radical rethink of current VANET architecture is essentially required by turning it into a more flexible and programmable fabric. This research endeavours to provide next generation 5G-driven VANET architecture, with solutions for efficient and optimized communication. This thesis first introduces an innovative 5G-driven VANET architecture to provide flexible network management, control and high resource utilization, leveraging the concepts of SDN, C-RAN and Fog Computing. A new Fog Computing (FC) framework (comprising of zones and clusters) is proposed at the edge of the network to support vehicles and end users with prompt responses, and to avoid frequent handovers between vehicles and RSUs. The key results are improved throughput, reduced transmission delay and minimized control overhead on the controller. Furthermore, a novel Evolutionary Game Theoretic (EGT) framework is presented to achieve stable and optimized clustering in the Fog Computing Framework. The solution of the game is presented to be an evolutionary equilibrium. The equilibrium point is also proven analytically and the existence of an evolutionary equilibrium is also verified using the Lyapunov function. The results are analysed for different number of clusters for different populations and speeds. An optimal cost is suggested that defines an optimum clustering thus reducing an overhead of frequent cluster reformation. In addition, this thesis provides a Hybrid-Fuzzy Logic guided Genetic Algorithm (H-FLGA) approach for the SDN controller, to support diversified quality of service (QoS) demands and dynamic resource requirements of mobile users in 5G-driven VANET architecture. The proposed Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) is used to optimize weights of multi-objectives, depending on the Type of Service (ToS) requirements of customers. The results proved that the proposed hybrid H-FLGA performs better than GA. The results improve spectral efficiency and optimizes connections while minimizing E2E delay and further facilitates the service providers to implement a more flexible customer-centric network infrastructure. Furthermore, an end-to-end (E2E) network slicing framework is proposed to support customized services by managing the cooperation of both the RAN and Core Network (CN), using SDN, NFV and Edge Computing technologies. A dynamic radio resource slice optimization scheme is proposed to slice the overall bandwidth resources for mission critical and non-mission critical demands. The results meet ultra reliability and E2E latency of mission-critical services

Selective deposition of dietary α-Lipoic acid in mitochondrial fraction and its synergistic effect with α-Tocoperhol acetate on broiler meat oxidative stability

The use of bioactive antioxidants in feed of broiler to mitigate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in biological systems is one of promising nutritional strategies. The aim of present study was to alleviate ROS production in mitochondrial fraction (MF) of meat by supplemented dietary antioxidant in feed of broiler. For this purpose, mitochondria specific antioxidant: α-lipoic acid (25 mg, 75 mg and 150 mg) with or without combination of α-tocopherol acetate (200 mg) used in normal and palm olein oxidized oil (4%) supplemented feed. One hundred and eighty one day old broiler birds were randomly divided into six treatments and provided the mentioned feed from third week. Feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) remained statistically same in all groups while body weight decreased in supplemented groups accordingly at the end of study. The broiler meat MF antioxidant potential was significantly improved by feeding supplemented feed estimated as 1,1-di phenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, 2,2-azinobis-(3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS+) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The maximum antioxidant activity was depicted in group fed on 150 mg/kg α-lipoic acid (ALA) and 200 mg/kg α-tocopherol acetate (ATA) (T4) in both breast and leg MF. Moreover, TBARS were higher in leg as compared to breast MF. Although, oxidized oil containing feed reduced the growth, lipid stability and antioxidant potential of MF whilst these traits were improved by receiving feed containing ALA and ATA. ALA and ATA showed higher deposition in T4 group while least in group received oxidized oil containing feed (T5). Positive correlation exists between DPPH free radical scavenging activity and the ABTS + reducing activity. In conclusion, ALA and ATA supplementation in feed had positive effect on antioxidant status of MF that consequently diminished the oxidative stress in polyunsaturated fatty acid enriched meat

Self-reported health and smoking status, and body mass index: a case-control comparison based on GEN SCRIP (GENetics of SChizophRenia In Pakistan) data

Introduction Individuals with schizophrenia are at a high risk of physical health comorbidities and premature mortality. Cardiovascular and metabolic causes are an important contributor. There are gaps in monitoring, documenting and managing these physical health comorbidities. Because of their condition, patients themselves may not be aware of these comorbidities and may not be able to follow a lifestyle that prevents and manages the complications. In many low-income and middle-income countries including Pakistan, the bulk of the burden of care for those struggling with schizophrenia falls on the families.Objectives To determine the rate of self-reported physical health disorders and risk factors, like body mass index (BMI) and smoking, associated with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in cases of schizophrenia compared with a group of mentally healthy controls.Design A case-controlled, cross-sectional multicentre study of patients with schizophrenia in Pakistan.Settings Multiple data collection sites across the country for patients, that is, public and private psychiatric OPDs (out patient departments), specialised psychiatric care facilities, and psychiatric wards of teaching and district level hospitals. Healthy controls were enrolled from the community.Participants We report a total of 6838 participants’ data with (N 3411 (49.9%)) cases of schizophrenia compared with a group of healthy controls (N 3427 (50.1%)).Results BMI (OR 0.98 (CI 0.97 to 0.99), p=0.0025), and the rate of smoking is higher in patients with schizophrenia than in controls. Problems with vision (OR 0.13 (0.08 to 0.2), joint pain (OR 0.18 (0.07 to 0.44)) and high cholesterol (OR 0.13 (0.05 to 0.35)) have higher reported prevalence in controls. The cases describe more physical health disorders in the category ‘other’ (OR 4.65 (3.01 to 7.18)). This captures residual disorders not listed in the questionnaire.Conclusions Participants with schizophrenia in comparison with controls report more disorders. The access in the ‘other’ category may be a reflection of undiagnosed disorders