Localization performance evaluation of extended kalman filter in wireless sensors network

This paper evaluates the positioning and tracking performance of Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) in wireless sensors network. The EKF is a linear approximation of statistical Kalman Filter (KF) and has the capability to work efficiently in non-linear systems. The EKF is based on an iterative process of estimating current state information from the previously estimated state. Its working is based on the linearization of observation model around the mean of current state information. The EKF has small computation complexity and requires low memory compared to other Bayesian algorithms which makes it very suitable for low powered mobile devices. This paper evaluates the localization and tracking performance of EKF for (i) Position (P) model, (ii) Position-Velocity (PV) model and (iii) Position-Velocity-Acceleration (PVA) model. The EKF processes distance measurements from cricket sensors that are acquired through time difference of arrival between ultrasound and Radio Frequency (RF) signals. Further, localization performance under varying number of beacons/sensors is also evaluated in this paper. © 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

A new ceramide along with eight known compounds from the roots of Artemisia incisa pamp

A new compound (1) (named as artemceramide-B) together with eight known compounds (taraxerol (2), taraxerol acetate (3), β-sitosterol (4), stigmasterol (5), trans-ethyl caffeate, dracunculin (7), scoparone (8) and isoscopoletin (9) were isolated from an ethanolic extract of the roots of Artemisia incisa Pamp (Asteracae). The structures of the compounds were determined through IR, 1D NMR (1H NMR, 13C NMR) and 2D NMR (COSY, NOESY, HSQC and HMBC) analyses. Accurate mass analyses were done with EI-MS, ESI-MS and acid methanolysis of compound 1 followed by GS-MS studies. The relative stereochemistry of artemceramide-B was determined by comparing its specific rotation and spectroscopic data with the literature. Compounds 1-9 were tested for their anti-bacterial potential against five bacteria strains; Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. Compound 1 (new) (MIC: 0.0157, 0.0313 mg/mL) and 7 (MIC: 0.0815 , 1.000 mg/mL) showed excellent activities against S. epidermidis and S. aureus while compound 9 showed excellent activities (MIC: 0.0700 , 1.234, 1.890 and 2.286 mg/mL) against S. epidermidis,S. aureus, K. pneumoniae and E. coli, respectively. Compound 6 (MIC: 2.000 mg/mL) was found to be active against E. coli while neither of the compounds showed potential activity against B. subtilis

Effectiveness of specialized nutritious foods and social and behavior change communication interventions to prevent stunting among children in Badakhshan, Afghanistan: Protocol for a quasi-experimental study

Stunting predominantly occurs during the first 1000 days of life and continues to the age of five years. We will aim to assess the effectiveness of specialized nutritious foods (SNF)and social and behavior change communication (SBCC) strategies during the first 1000 days of life to prevent stunting among children in two rural districts of Badakhshan, Afghanistan. This will be a quasi-experimental pre-post study with the control group utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods. Before launching the program, formative research will be conducted on the acceptability, appropriate use and SBCC strategies needed to support the introduction of intervention package. Repeated cross-sectional baseline and endline surveys will be conducted in both the intervention and the control districts. After the formative research and baseline household survey, an intervention focusing on the provision of SNF, targeting pregnant and lactating women and children 6-23 months, and SBCC strategies will be implemented for at least 12 months. The primary outcome will be a reduction in the prevalence of stunting among children under two years in the intervention group compared to the control group. We will aim to compare the intervention and control group between the pre- and post-intervention assessments to isolate the effect of the intervention by difference-in-differences estimates. The program monitoring and evaluation component will examine the quality of implementation, acceptability of intervention, identification of potential barriers and to learn how to enhance the program\u27s effectiveness through ongoing operational improvements. The results will be beneficial to design interventions to prevent stunting within Afghanistan and other low-middle-income countries

Localization performance evaluation of extended kalman filter in wireless sensors network

This paper evaluates the positioning and tracking performance of Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) in wireless sensors network. The EKF is a linear approximation of statistical Kalman Filter (KF) and has the capability to work efficiently in non-linear systems. The EKF is based on an iterative process of estimating current state information from the previously estimated state. Its working is based on the linearization of observation model around the mean of current state information. The EKF has small computation complexity and requires low memory compared to other Bayesian algorithms which makes it very suitable for low powered mobile devices. This paper evaluates the localization and tracking performance of EKF for (i) Position (P) model, (ii) Position-Velocity (PV) model and (iii) Position-Velocity-Acceleration (PVA) model. The EKF processes distance measurements from cricket sensors that are acquired through time difference of arrival between ultrasound and Radio Frequency (RF) signals. Further, localization performance under varying number of beacons/sensors is also evaluated in this paper. © 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer Reviewe

Hepatoprotective Role of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) in Meat Type Chicken Fed Aflatoxin B1 Contaminated Feed

Milk thistle was added in aflatoxin B1 contaminated poultry feed to investigate and compare its hepatoprotective effects with a commercial toxin binder. Two hundred and forty, day-old broilers were randomly allocated into four major groups A, B, C and D. Group A was kept as control, having aflatoxin free feed, while group B was fed aflatoxin contaminated feed, group C was raised on aflatoxin contaminated feed with toxin binder “Mycoad” @ 3g/kg of feed, while group D was provided aflatoxin contaminated feed along with milk thistle @10g/kg of feed. Aflatoxin B1 was present at the level of 80 µg/kg feed during the first week and 520 µg/kg feed in the remaining experimental period. Serum total protein was significantly (P<0.05) higher in group D, followed by group A, C and B. Serum enzymes including, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values were significantly (P<0.05) lower in group D, followed by C, A and B, which are indicative of hepatoprotective role of milk thistle. Body weight gain and feed intake was decreased by aflatoxin contaminated feed (group B) in comparison with group A and group D. Milk thistle supplementation improved body weight gain and feed intake and was similar to toxin binder treated birds. Average feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly (P<0.05) higher (poor) in group B and were the same in all other groups. Present study demonstrated that milk thistle can potentially be used as mycotoxin binder and to minimize the adverse effects of toxin contaminated feed in broilers production

Validity of Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in Detection of Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: To determine validity of myocardial dobutamine stress echocardiography in detection of coronary artery disease.Methods: In this descriptive study fifty patients with stable angina, undergoing coronary angiography, with or without past history of myocardial infarction were included. Dobutamine stress echocardiography was performed . Then 250 mg of dobutamine was infused. When patient failed to achieve 85% of age predictive maximum heart rate and had no symptoms and signs of ischemia, atropine in a dose of 1mg was added after the last stage. End points for test termination included limiting symptoms, 85% age predicted heart rate, maximum dose of dobutamine, ST- segment depression of &gt; 2mm on ECG, severe hypertension, or a drop in systolic B.P of &gt; 40mmHg from the previous stage or any significant arrhythmia. Images were recorded on video tape at baseline, at minimum dose, at peak dose and at recovery period. . The location of segmental wall motion abnormality was correlated with the location of diseased coronary arteries. Left ventricular wall motion was assessed qualitatively and graded as normal, hypokinetic, akinetic or dyskinetic . For coronary angiography Judkin’s technique was used via right femoral artery approach.Results: Mean age was 53.8±9.7. Men were 70%. Dobutamine stress echo was interpreted as normal in 14%, wall motion abnormality was noted in 86%. Coronary angiography showed 88% had &gt; 50% stenosis in at least one coronary artery. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of dobutamine stress echo were 93%, 83%, 98%, and 63% respectively while for LAD, RCA, CIRC the sensitivities were 84.6%, 73.3%, 72.2% respectively.Conclusion: Dobutamine stress echocardiography has a high sensitivity for identifying patients with coronary artery diseas