Seamless Handover between UMTS and GPRS

UMTS is one step ahead from the 2.5G network GPRS and supports faster data rates with wide coverage area. GPRS and UMTS are already deployed in many countries but seamless handover between GPRS and UMTS still remains as a stumbling block for the service providers to fulfill the continuously increasing customer demand for internet and data access in the IP-based wireless network and to maintain incessant connection for the itinerant service consumers. In this paper we propose a method that mongrelizes 3GPP IMS and MIPv4 to resolve the seamless inter-system handover between UMTS and GPRS with a result of no packet loss and minimum latency so that the itinerant service consumers can get services without any interruption

Free vibration analysis of laminated composite plates based on higher order shear deformation theory by using finite element method

The present work deals with free vibration analysis of laminated composite plates using a present higher order displacement model. The present model is tested on the evaluation of free vibration of laminated composite plates in order to illustrate the deficiency of the classical plate theory and the first order shear deformation theory. The present work is also aimed at conducting a parametric study to investigate the frequency response of laminated composite plates for different material properties, number of layers, fiber orientations, boundary conditions and side to thickness ratios. A finite element computer code was developed and implemented to carry out the work

Correlates of healthy life expectancy in low- and lower-middle-income countries

Background: Healthy life expectancy (HALE) at birth is an important indicator of health status and quality of life of a country's population. However, little is known about the determinants of HALE as yet globally or even country-specific level. Thus, we examined the factors that are associated with HALE at birth in low- and lower-middleincome countries. Methods: In accordance with the World Bank (WB) classification seventy-nine low- and lower-middle-income countries were selected for the study. Data on HALE, demographic, socioeconomic, social structural, health, and environmental factors from several reliable sources, such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations Development Program, Population Reference Bureau, WB, Heritage Foundation, Transparency International, Freedom House, and International Center for Prison Studies were obtained as selected countries. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were performed to reach the research objectives. Results: The lowest and highest HALE were observed in Sierra Leone (44.40 years) and in Sri Lanka (67.00 years), respectively. The mean years of schooling, total fertility rate (TFR), physician density, gross national income per capita, health expenditure, economic freedom, carbon dioxide emission rate, freedom of the press, corruption perceptions index, prison population rate, and achieving a level of health-related millennium development goals (MDGs) were revealed as the correlates of HALE. Among all the correlates, the mean years of schooling, TFR, freedom of the press, and achieving a level of health-related MDGs were found to be the most influential factors. Conclusion: To increase the HALE in low- and lower-middle-income countries, we suggest that TFR is to be reduced as well as to increase the mean years of schooling, freedom of the press, and the achievement of a level of health-related MDGs

Optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis of palm kernel cake protein (PKCP) for producing hydrolysates with antiradical capacity

The enzymatic hydrolysis of palm kernel cake protein (PKCP) with trypsin to obtain PKCP hydrolysates (PKCPH) was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). A central composite design (CCD) was used to study the influence of four independent variables, namely pH, hydrolysis temperature (°C), substrate concentration (w/v) and enzyme/substrate (w/w) ratio on the degree of hydrolysis (DH%). The hydrolysis was carried out using different combinations of four hydrolytic parameters at five levels for 6h. The CCD consisted of 24 experimental points and six replicates of the central points. The data were analyzed using Design-Expert Software. The results showed that all of the variables evaluated significantly influenced the DH% in a second polynomial model, and different combinations of parameters were generated to obtain three different levels of DH (30%, 40% and 50%), namely PKCPH 30, PKCPH 40 and PKCPH 50. The PKCPH with different DH% showed significantly different antiradical properties (p<0.05). The PKCPH 50 preparation had the lowest EC 50 value for DPPH radical scavenging capacity (0.14mg/ml). In the ABTS + radical scavenging capacity and PCL-ACW (photo chemiluminescence-antiradical capacity of water soluble substances) assays, PKCPH 50 showed the highest Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity value (326.67±5.77μmol TEAC/g) and ascorbic acid equivalent value (11.43±0.03μg AAE/mg) of the preparations tested. Moreover, the protein hydrolysates also exhibited a notable reducing effect in a dose-dependent manner. Optimum conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis of PKCP were established in this study to produce an antiradical agent

Investigation of extraction yields of exfoliated graphene in deionized water from organic solvents

Organic solvent is suitable for the exfoliation of graphene. However, for the end application of exfoliated graphene it needs to extract and re-disperse to the required media. Extraction of exfoliated graphene from organic solvents to a polar solvent is a crucial challenge in graphene synthesis. The principal objective of this study is to examine the concentration yields of exfoliated graphene extraction and make a comparison of the estimated percentage concentrations of graphene in between organic solvents and deionized water (DW). Exfoliated graphene from the solvents N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) and N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) were taken. The extraction of exfoliated graphene was conducted by membrane filter using a vacuum filtration system. Concentration of exfoliated graphene solvents were estimated using Beer’s law by preparing separate standard graphs. It is seen that concentrations of exfoliated graphene in DW from both NMP and DMF solvents for all the centrifugation was reduced. These reductions were found to be varied from ~ 21 to 25.5%. Morphology analysis using TEM and FESEM images reveals that the few layers of graphene staked in the sonication assisted liquid phase exfoliated (LPE) graphene in both of NMP and DMF solvents. Very minor levels of aggregation occurred and very slight sedimentation appeared after centrifugation of 30 day

A rare cause of dyspepsia: a case report of gastric diverticulum

A gastric diverticulum is an outpouching from the gastric mucosa. It is extremely rare. It is normally asymptomatic, but some may present with non-specific abdominal pain. A combination of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and radiological contrast study such as oral barium study and computed tomography are needed to make a definite diagnosis and to rule out other associated pathology. Although treatment with medical therapy has been reported to be effective, the use of open and laparoscopic resection also yields a good outcome in the management of complicated gastric diverticulum. We present a case of symptomatic gastric diverticulum which has been successfully treated with medical therapy

Blockchain Applications in Smart Sustainable City Context—A Systematic Mapping Study

The advancement in blockchain applications in the smart sustainable city infrastructure is evaluated in this paper through a comprehensive mapping review. The evaluation is carried out by posing four research questions that address current developments in blockchain technology in the context of smart cities and point out areas where additional study is needed. This study also includes a scoping of blockchain applications in a smart city context to highlight the obstacles to incorporating blockchain technology into smart city infrastructure. Finally, some suggestions for overcoming the problems of incorporating blockchain technology with smart city infrastructure are offered. This research will help researchers and policymakers gain a better understanding of blockchain applications in smart cities

Communication system for controlling smart appliances using power line communication

icrocontroller-based master and slave units are designed with serial ports for communication with a computer and a transmission port to couple the signal to modems at both ends. The programming of the microcontrollers at either endfor formatting the data bits before they are sent down the power line and the development of software for putting in place the required master and slave protocols is presented. Coupling data signals to power line through interfacing circuits is a challenging task as power line and the communication system operate at two extremes -very lowfrequency and high powerfor the power line while communication is working at very highfrequency and very low voltage and current levels. Hence, the coupling circuit to be designed must be capable to withstand the high power system side in order to prevent a damage being done to the electronic side of the communication system. At the same time it must be reliable enough to make sure that data bits are transferred on to the power line with high accuracy. The interfacing circuits are designed and tuned to frequency contents making the bits of data. The frequency performance of these coupling circuits is presented, showing the range a power line can be used for communication ofsuch data

Data transfer over a low voltage power line for data acquisition and monitoring of electrical appliances

This article presents the design and implementation of a data communication system over a low voltage power line, meant primarily for applications of data acquisition from sites and monitoring of electrical appliances at the sites. The hardware developed, the interfacing required and the software used for implementation of the protocol are addressed. The developed system has been tested and results in a noise free and noisy power line system are reported. This paper reviews the previous studies on the power line as a transmission medium, proposes and evaluates the noble protocol for such applications