Distributed Clustering Based on Node Density and Distance in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are special type of network with sensing and monitoring the physical parameters with the property of autonomous in nature. To implement this autonomy and network management the common method used is hierarchical clustering. Hierarchical clustering helps for ease access to data collection and forwarding the same to the base station. The proposed Distributed Self-organizing Load Balancing Clustering Algorithm (DSLBCA) for WSNs designed considering the parameters of neighbor distance, residual energy, and node density.  The validity of the DSLBCA has been shown by comparing the network lifetime and energy dissipation with Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy (LEACH), and Hybrid Energy Efficient Distributed Clustering (HEED). The proposed algorithm shows improved result in enhancing the life time of the network in both stationary and mobile environment

Feeding behaviour of Perca fluviatilis in Amirkelayeh lagoon

The diet survey of Perca fluviatilis of Arnirkelayeh lagoon was carried out during four seasons of 2001. After collecting the fish samples by different fishing gear such as gillnet, seine, castnet and dipnet, fishes were measured and diet was studied. Also according to this research from 143 specimen, fishes were in the age range of 1+- 6+, total length of 9.5-33.5 cm (T.L= 19.83±4.46 cm) and weight of 10.5 - 350 g (Mean weight of 114.45±77.55g). According to obtained results, the relative lenght gut was 0.58±0.09, index of fullness was 129.5±257.4, fullton's condition factor was 1320.7±534.1 and vacuity index was 7.69%. Perca jluviatilis was fed from 18 kinds of food with respect of frequency were: water bug, Odonata, Gammarus, plant materials, Chironomids, Tinca tinca, Hemiptera, Perca fluviatilis, Snail, Syngnathus abaster, Gambusia holbrooki, Pungitius platygaster, diptera, branchiopoda, trichoptera, tubifex, frog and shrimp. By consideration of composition eaten foods and their frequency percentage in Amirkelayeh lagoon Perca fluviatilis, it can be concluded that this fish is an omnivorous and cannibalism species. Also, feeding habit of Perca fluviatilis changes according to age, season and sex

Beyond wasted and stunted—a major shift to fight child undernutrition

Child undernutrition refers broadly to the condition in which food intake is inadequate to meet a child's needs for physiological function, growth, and the capacity to respond to illness. Since the 1970s, nutritionists have categorised undernutrition in two major ways, either as wasted (ie, low weight for height, or small mid-upper arm circumference) or stunted (ie, low height for age). This approach, although useful for identifying populations at risk of undernutrition, creates several problems: the focus is on children who have already become undernourished, and this approach draws an artificial distinction between two idealised types of undernourished children that are widely interpreted as indicative of either acute or chronic undernutrition. This distinction in turn has led to the separation of programmatic approaches to prevent and treat child undernutrition. In the past 3 years, research has shown that individual children are at risk of both conditions, might be born with both, pass from one state to the other over time, and accumulate risks to their health and life through their combined effects. The current emphasis on identifying children who are already wasted or stunted detracts attention from the larger number of children undergoing the process of becoming undernourished. We call for a major shift in thinking regarding how we assess child undernutrition, and how prevention and treatment programmes can best address the diverse causes and dynamic biological processes that underlie undernutrition

Moir\'e patterns on STM images of graphite from surface and subsurface rotated layer

We have observed with STM moir\'e patterns corresponding to the rotation of one graphene layer on HOPG surface. The moir\'e patterns were characterized by rotation angle and extension in the plane. Additionally, by identifying border domains and defects we can discriminate between moir\'e patterns due to rotation on the surface or subsurface layer. For a better understanding of moir\'e patterns formation we have studied by first principles an array of three graphene layers where the top or the middle layer appears rotated around the stacking axis. We compare the experimental and theoretical results and we show the strong influence of rotations both in surface and subsurface layers for moir\'e patterns formation in corresponding STM images.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure

Volumetric laser endomicroscopy and its application to Barrett's esophagus: results from a 1,000 patient registry.

Volumetric laser endomicroscopy (VLE) uses optical coherence tomography (OCT) for real-time, microscopic cross-sectional imaging. A US-based multi-center registry was constructed to prospectively collect data on patients undergoing upper endoscopy during which a VLE scan was performed. The objective of this registry was to determine usage patterns of VLE in clinical practice and to estimate quantitative and qualitative performance metrics as they are applied to Barrett's esophagus (BE) management. All procedures utilized the NvisionVLE Imaging System (NinePoint Medical, Bedford, MA) which was used by investigators to identify the tissue types present, along with focal areas of concern. Following the VLE procedure, investigators were asked to answer six key questions regarding how VLE impacted each case. Statistical analyses including neoplasia diagnostic yield improvement using VLE was performed. One thousand patients were enrolled across 18 US trial sites from August 2014 through April 2016. In patients with previously diagnosed or suspected BE (894/1000), investigators used VLE and identified areas of concern not seen on white light endoscopy (WLE) in 59% of the procedures. VLE imaging also guided tissue acquisition and treatment in 71% and 54% of procedures, respectively. VLE as an adjunct modality improved the neoplasia diagnostic yield by 55% beyond the standard of care practice. In patients with no prior history of therapy, and without visual findings from other technologies, VLE-guided tissue acquisition increased neoplasia detection over random biopsies by 700%. Registry investigators reported that VLE improved the BE management process when used as an adjunct tissue acquisition and treatment guidance tool. The ability of VLE to image large segments of the esophagus with microscopic cross-sectional detail may provide additional benefits including higher yield biopsies and more efficient tissue acquisition. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02215291

Redefining risk research priorities for nanomaterials

Chemical-based risk assessment underpins the current approach to responsible development of nanomaterials (NM). It is now recognised, however, that this process may take decades, leaving decision makers with little support in the near term. Despite this, current and near future research efforts are largely directed at establishing (eco)toxicological and exposure data for NM, and comparatively little research has been undertaken on tools or approaches that may facilitate near-term decisions, some of which we briefly outline in this analysis. We propose a reprioritisation of NM risk research efforts to redress this imbalance, including the development of more adaptive risk governance frameworks, alternative/complementary tools to risk assessment, and health and environment surveillance

Children who are both wasted and stunted are also underweight and have a high risk of death: a descriptive epidemiology of multiple anthropometric deficits using data from 51 countries.

BACKGROUND: Wasting and stunting are common. They are implicated in the deaths of almost two million children each year and account for over 12% of disability-adjusted life years lost in young children. Wasting and stunting tend to be addressed as separate issues despite evidence of common causality and the fact that children may suffer simultaneously from both conditions (WaSt). Questions remain regarding the risks associated with WaSt, which children are most affected, and how best to reach them. METHODS: A database of cross-sectional survey datasets containing data for almost 1.8 million children was compiled. This was analysed to determine the intersection between sets of wasted, stunted, and underweight children; the association between being wasted and being stunted; the severity of wasting and stunting in WaSt children; the prevalence of WaSt by age and sex, and to identify weight-for-age z-score and mid-upper arm circumference thresholds for detecting cases of WaSt. An additional analysis of the WHO Growth Standards sought the maximum possible weight-for-age z-score for WaSt children. RESULTS: All children who were simultaneously wasted and stunted were also underweight. The maximum possible weight-for-age z-score in these children was below - 2.35. Low WHZ and low HAZ have a joint effect on WAZ which varies with age and sex. WaSt and "multiple anthropometric deficits" (i.e. being simultaneously wasted, stunted, and underweight) are identical conditions. The conditions of being wasted and being stunted are positively associated with each other. WaSt cases have more severe wasting than wasted only cases. WaSt cases have more severe stunting than stunted only cases. WaSt is largely a disease of younger children and of males. Cases of WaSt can be detected with excellent sensitivity and good specificity using weight-for-age. CONCLUSIONS: The category "multiple anthropometric deficits" can be abandoned in favour of WaSt. Therapeutic feeding programs should cover WaSt cases given the high mortality risk associated with this condition. Work on treatment effectiveness, duration of treatment, and relapse after cure for WaSt cases should be undertaken. Routine reporting of the prevalence of WaSt should be encouraged. Further work on the aetiology, prevention, case-finding, and treatment of WaSt cases as well as the extent to which current interventions are reaching WaSt cases is required

Coupled Motions Direct Electrons along Human Microsomal P450 Chains

Directional electron transfer through biological redox chains can be achieved by coupling reaction chemistry to conformational changes in individual redox enzymes

Prognostic value of different anthropometric indices over different measurement intervals to predict mortality in 6-59-month-old children

Objective: To compare the prognostic value of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) and weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) for predicting death over periods of one, three and six months follow-up in children. Design: Pooled analysis of 12 prospective studies examining survival after anthropometric assessment. Sensitivity and false-positive ratios to predict death within one, three and six months were compared for three individual anthropometric indices and their combinations. Setting: Community-based, prospective studies from 12 countries in Africa and Asia Participants: Children aged 6-59 months living in the study areas Results: For all anthropometric indices, the receiver operating characteristic curves were higher for shorter than for longer durations of follow-up. Sensitivity was higher for death with one month follow-up compared to six months by 49% (95% CI: 30-69%) for MUAC <115 mm (p<0.001), 48% (95%CI: 9.4-87%) for WHZ <-3 (p<0.01) and 28% (95%CI: 7.6-42%) for WAZ <-3 (p<0.005). This was accompanied by an increase in false-positives of only 3% or less. For all durations of follow-up, WAZ <-3 identified more children who died and were not identified by WHZ <-3 or by MUAC <115 mm, 120 mm or 125 mm but the use of WAZ <-3 led to an increased false-positive ratio up to 16.4% (95%CI: 12.0-20.9%) compared to 3.5% (0.4-6.5%) for MUAC <115 mm alone. Conclusions: Frequent anthropometric measurements significantly improve the identification of malnourished children with a high risk of death without markedly increasing false-positives. Combining two indices increases sensitivity but also increases false-positives among children meeting case definitions.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Anthropometric criteria for best identifying children at high risk of mortality : A pooled analysis of 12 cohorts

Objective: To understand which anthropometric diagnostic criteria best discriminate higher from lower risk of death in children and explore programme implications. Design: A multiple cohort individual data meta-analysis of mortality risk (within six months of measurement) by anthropometric case definitions. Sensitivity, specificity, informedness and inclusivity in predicting mortality, face validity and compatibility with current standards and practice were assessed and operational consequences modelled. Setting: Community-based cohort studies in 12 low-income countries between 1977 and 2013 in settings where treatment of wasting was not widespread. Participants: Children aged 6 to 59 months Results: Of the 12 anthropometric case definitions, four (weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) <-2), (mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) <125 mm), (MUAC <115 mm or WAZ <-3), and (WAZ <-3) had the highest informedness in predicting mortality. A combined case definition (MUAC <115 mm or WAZ <-3) was better at predicting deaths associated with weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) <-3 and concurrent wasting and stunting (WaSt) than the single WAZ <-3 case-definition. After assessment of all criteria, the combined case definition performed best. The simulated workload for programmes admitting based on MUAC <115 mm or WAZ <-3, when adjusted with a proxy for required intensity and/or duration of treatment, was 1.87 times larger than programmes admitting on MUAC <115 mm alone. Conclusions: A combined case definition detects nearly all deaths associated with severe anthropometric deficits suggesting that therapeutic feeding programmes may achieve higher impact (prevent mortality and improve coverage) by using it. There remain operational questions to examine further before wide-scale adoption can be recommended.publishedVersionPeer reviewe