Enhancement of the duty cycle cooperative medium access control for wireless body area networks

This paper presents a novel energy-efficient and reliable connection to enhance the transmission of data over a shared medium for wireless body area networks (WBAN). We propose a novel protocol of two master nodes-based cooperative protocol. In the proposed protocol, two master nodes were considered, that is, the belt master node and the outer body master node. The master nodes work cooperatively to avoid the retransmission process by sensors due to fading and collision, reducing the bit error rate (BER), which results in a reduction of the duty cycle and average transmission power. In addition, we have also presented a mathematical model of the duty cycle with the proposed protocol for the WBAN. The results show that the proposed cooperative protocol reduced the BER by a factor of 4. The average transmission power is reduced by a factor of 0.21 and this shows the potential of the proposed technique to be used in future wearable wireless sensors and systems

Loss of Kruppel-like factor 3 (KLF3/BKLF) leads to upregulation of the insulin-sensitizing factor adipolin (FAM132A/CTRP12/C1qdc2)

Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3) is a transcriptional regulator that we have shown to be involved in the regulation of adipogenesis in vitro. Here, we report that KLF3-null mice are lean and protected from diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance. On a chow diet, plasma levels of leptin are decreased, and adiponectin is increased. Despite significant reductions in body weight and adiposity, wild-type and knockout animals show equivalent energy intake, expenditure, and excretion. To investigate the molecular events underlying these observations, we used microarray analysis to compare gene expression in Klf3(+/+) and Klf3(-/-) tissues. We found that mRNA expression of Fam132a, which encodes a newly identified insulin-sensitizing adipokine, adipolin, is significantly upregulated in the absence of KLF3. We confirmed that KLF3 binds the Fam132a promoter in vitro and in vivo and that this leads to repression of promoter activity. Further, plasma adipolin levels were significantly increased in Klf3(-/-) mice compared with wild-type littermates. Boosting levels of adipolin via targeting of KLF3 offers a novel potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of insulin resistance

Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles by aqueous stem extract of Entada spiralis and screening of their biomedicalactivity

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have been established as antibacterial nanoparticles and have been innovatively developed to overcome the occurrence of antibiotic resistance in the environment. In this study, an environmentally friendly and easy method of the biosynthesis of Ag-NPs plants, mediated by aqueous extract stem extract of Entada spiralis (E. spiralis), was successfully developed. The E. spiralis/Ag-NPs samples were characterized using spectroscopy and the microscopic technique of UV-visible (UV-vis), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Transmission Electron Microscope (FETEM), zeta potential, and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analyses. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) absorption at 400–450 nm in the UV-vis spectra established the formation of E. spiralis/Ag-NPs. The crystalline structure of E. spiralis/Ag-NPs was displayed in the XRD analysis. The small size, around 18.49 ± 4.23 nm, and spherical shape of Ag-NPs with good distribution was observed in the FETEM image. The best physicochemical parameters on Ag-NPs biosynthesis using E. spiralis extract occurred at a moderate temperature (~52.0°C), 0.100 M of silver nitrate, 2.50 g of E. spiralis dosage and 600 min of stirring reaction time. The antibacterial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Proteus vulgaris using an antibacterial disk diffusion assay. Based on the results, it is evident that E. spiralis/Ag-NPs are susceptible to all the bacteria and has promising potential to be applied in both the industry and medical fields

A reconfigurable Ultra Wide Band (UWB) compact tree-design antenna system

A novel compact tree-design antenna (NCTA) with the ability of reconfigurable ultra-wideband (UWB) of 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz to five multi-narrowband applications is proposed. This antenna has a novel radiating element design that consists of seven small circles (7- filter) surrounding a central circle. Moreover, the NCTA incorporates the 7-filter that functioned as filter into the antenna design. The compact 38 mm×38 mm antenna integrates three PIN diode switches, which are connected to a single National Instrument Data Acquisition (NI-DAQ) Board. The DAQ itself is controlled (ON/OFF state) by a virtual instrument known as “Lab VIEW Interface Software”. The activation of specific PIN diode switches in the configuration that is controlled by the DAQ then, in turn, determines the frequency agility. The presented antenna is capable of performing up to five multibands. The operating frequencies are as follows; band 1 (2.72– 11.8 GHz), band 2 (2.4–4 GHz, 5.3–11.6 GHz), band 3 (2.7–6.5 GHz, 7.1–11.6 GHz), band 4 (2.7–4.4 GHz, 5.2–6.5 GHz, 7.1–11.7 GHz) and band 5 (2.6–3.5 GHz, 4.8–7.0 GHz, 7.4 GHz–11.5 GHz). Furthermore, the antenna has a gain of up to 6 dBi which is considered better than that of conventional antenna. The proposed antenna produces a proficient divisive radiation pattern at 4 and 6 GHz. The experimental results exhibit the success of the antenna performance. It is competent as future candidate for cognitive radio and military applications

Isolation and molecular detection of dengue and chikungunya virus from field-collected adult mosquitoes in Kelantan, Malaysia

Background & objectives: Dengue and chikungunya infections are one of the major health problems that have plagued the human population globally. All dengue virus (DENV) serotypes circulate within Malaysia with particular serotypes dominating in different years/outbreaks. In the state of Kelantan, an increasing number of DENV and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) new cases have been reported, including several deaths. This study aimed to isolate and detect these arboviruses from adult mosquitoes in Kelantan. Methods: Adult mo squito samples were collected from January to August 2019 and were identified according to gender, species and locality. The isolation of the virus was done in C6/36 cells. Dengue NS1 antigen was carried out using direct mosquito lysate and mosquito culture supernatant. Detection and serotyping of the DENV was performed using multiplex RT-PCR and CHIKV detection using a one-step RT-PCR assay. Results: Of 91 mosquito pools, four were positive for NS1 antigen comprising two pools (2.2%) of male Ae. albopictus (Pulau Melaka and Kubang Siput) and two pools (2.2%) of Ae. aegypti (Kampung Demit Sungai). DENV 1 was detected in one pool (0.9%) of female Ae. albopictus among 114 tested Aedes pools. Two pools of 114 pools (1.7%) from both male Aedes species were positive with double serotypes, DENV 1 and DENV 2 (Pulau Melaka). However, no pool was positive for CHIKV. Interpretation & conclusion: The presence of DENV and the main vectors of arboviruses in Kelantan are pertinent indicators of the need to improve vector controls to reduce arbovirus infections among people in the localities

Correlation of manufacturing defects and impact behaviors of kenaf fiber reinforced hybrid fiberglass/Kevlar polyester composite

In this study, the impact properties of kenaf fibre reinforced hybrid fiberglass/Kevlar polymeric composite was investigated. In this study, a new fiber arrangement based on kenaf bast fiber as reinforcement to the hybrid fiberglass/Kevlar fiber and polyester as matrix used to fabricate the hybrid polymeric composite. Five different types of samples with different of kenaf fiber content based on volume fraction (0, 15, 45, 60 and 75%) to hybrid fiberglass/Kevlar polymer composites were manufactured. 0% of kenaf fiber has been used as control sample. The results showed that hybridization has improved the impact properties. These results were further supported through SEM micrograph of the manufacturing defects of the polymer composite. Based on literature work, manufacturing defects that occurs in composite system reduced the mechanical properties of the material. Therefore, in this research the correlation of impact behaviors and manufacturing defects of kenaf fiber reinforced hybrid fiberglass/Kevlar polymeric composite has been successfully done. As conclusion, the highest manufacturing defects determined in the composites during the fabrication significantly lowest the results of impact behavior

Embroidered dual band textile antenna for ISM band application on bending performance

This research proposes a development of embroidered dual band textile antenna that could integrate wearable telecommunication device with a garment. The proposed antenna could operate at 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz of WLAN applications. Two versions of the presented antennas are developed from the conventional rectangular patch. Two types of slot structures are loaded on each antenna and the antenna performances are investigated. The research uses silver patted nylon and cotton wearable as conductive and nonconductive materials. Both antennas have successfully achieved reflection coefficient of less than -10dB at the targeted bands. Besides that, the antennas have directional pattern with a gain of more than 2.5dBi. Moreover, antenna performances on bending conditions of 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, 70° and 80° have been carried out in simulation in terms of the reflection coefficient. The proposed antenna could be potential for closed point to point communication such as wireless power transfer for pacemaker application

Circular polarization textile antenna for GPS application

A right-handed circular polarization (RHCP) textile antenna for Global Positioning System (GPS) application is proposed. The circular polarization (CP) is achieved by truncated two opposite edged of the 84 mm square patch. The proposed antenna design use a shieldit super as the radiator and felt fabric as substrates. Such presented antenna attains a good bandwidth of 90 MHz from 1.53–1.62 GHz. Besides, the antenna is capable to perform an axial ratio of less than <3 between 1.56 and 1.62 GHz which covered the GPS operating frequency of 1.575 GHz. Moreover, this paper discussed the parametric study of the truncated patch in order to achieve CP. The simulated result shows that the presented antenna is potential for point-to-point wireless communication system

Eosinophil function in adipose tissue is regulated by Kruppel-like factor 3 (KLF3)

The conversion of white adipocytes to thermogenic beige adipocytes represents a potential mechanism to treat obesity and related metabolic disorders. However, the mechanisms involved in converting white to beige adipose tissue remain incompletely understood. Here we show profound beiging in a genetic mouse model lacking the transcriptional repressor Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3). Bone marrow transplants from these animals confer the beige phenotype on wild type recipients. Analysis of the cellular and molecular changes reveal an accumulation of eosinophils in adipose tissue. We examine the transcriptomic profile of adipose-resident eosinophils and posit that KLF3 regulates adipose tissue function via transcriptional control of secreted molecules linked to beiging. Furthermore, we provide evidence that eosinophils may directly act on adipocytes to drive beiging and highlight the critical role of these little-understood immune cells in thermogenesis

Loss of Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3/BKLF) leads to upregulation of the insulin-sensitizing factor adipolin (FAM132A/CTRP12/C1qdc2).

Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3) is a transcriptional regulator that we have shown to be involved in the regulation of adipogenesis in vitro. Here, we report that KLF3-null mice are lean and protected from diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance. On a chow diet, plasma levels of leptin are decreased, and adiponectin is increased. Despite significant reductions in body weight and adiposity, wild-type and knockout animals show equivalent energy intake, expenditure, and excretion. To investigate the molecular events underlying these observations, we used microarray analysis to compare gene expression in Klf3(+/+) and Klf3(-/-) tissues. We found that mRNA expression of Fam132a, which encodes a newly identified insulin-sensitizing adipokine, adipolin, is significantly upregulated in the absence of KLF3. We confirmed that KLF3 binds the Fam132a promoter in vitro and in vivo and that this leads to repression of promoter activity. Further, plasma adipolin levels were significantly increased in Klf3(-/-) mice compared with wild-type littermates. Boosting levels of adipolin via targeting of KLF3 offers a novel potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of insulin resistance