Latency and Lifetime Enhancements in Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks : A Q-Learning Approach for Graph Routing

Industrial wireless sensor networks usually have a centralized management approach, where a device known as network manager is responsible for the overall configuration, definition of routes, and allocation of communication resources. Graph routing is used to increase the reliability of communication through path redundancy. Some of the state-of-the-art graph-routing algorithms use weighted cost equations to define preferences on how the routes are constructed. The characteristics and requirements of these networks complicate to find a proper set of weight values to enhance network performance. Reinforcement learning can be useful to adjust these weights according to the current operating conditions of the network. In this article, we present the Q-learning reliable routing with a weighting agent approach, where an agent adjusts the weights of a state-of-the-art graph-routing algorithm. The states of the agent represent sets of weights, and the actions change the weights during network operation. Rewards are given to the agent when the average network latency decreases or the expected network lifetime increases. Simulations were conducted on a WirelessHART simulator considering industrial monitoring applications with random topologies. Results show, in most cases, a reduction of the average network latency while the expected network lifetime and the communication reliability are at least as good as what is obtained by the state-of-the-art graph-routing algorithms

CBC and SBAIT: adding to multiply

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Exatidão cartográfica de três MDE disponíveis para o Estado de Santa Catarina

This study aims to present an independent evaluation of the potential of a digital elevation model (DEM/SC), generated by aerophotogrammetry, for applications requiring detailed datasets in the state of Santa Catarina. A total of 20 control points were collected and compared with elevation values derived from DEM/SC, SRTM v.4.1 and TOPODATA according to PEC-PCD. The DEM/SC met the requirements for the 1:10,000 scale in class C, while the DEM SRTM v.4.1 and TOPODATA fitted with the scale 1:50,000 classes A and B, respectively. The DEM/SC classification is consistent with that informed in the aerial survey report. Therefore, one recommends using the DEM/SC in studies and surveys that require detailed elevation datasets in the state of Santa Catarina.O presente estudo objetivou apresentar uma avaliação independente do potencial de um modelo digital de elevação (MDE/SC), gerado por aerofotogrametria, para aplicações as quais demandem escalas detalhadas no Estado de Santa Catarina. Foram coletados 20 pontos de controle e comparados com valores altimétricos derivados do MDE/SC, SRTM v.4.1 e TOPODATA conforme especificações da PEC-PCD. O MDE/SC atendeu aos requisitos da escala 1:10.000 na classe C, enquanto os MDE SRTM v.4.1 e TOPODATA foram enquadrados na escala 1:50.000 classes A e B, respectivamente. A classificação do MDE/SC condiz com a informada no relatório do aerolevantamento e, assim, recomenda-se o emprego do MDE/SC em estudos e levantamentos os quais demandem escalas detalhadas no Estado de Santa Catarina

Genetic mapping of a new heart rate QTL on chromosome 8 of spontaneously hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND: Tachycardia is commonly observed in hypertensive patients, predominantly mediated by regulatory mechanisms integrated within the autonomic nervous system. The genetic loci and genes associated with increased heart rate in hypertension, however, have not yet been identified. METHODS: An F2 intercross of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) × Brown Norway (BN) linkage analysis of quantitative trait loci mapping was utilized to identify candidate genes associated with an increased heart rate in arterial hypertension. RESULTS: Basal heart rate in SHR was higher compared to that of normotensive BN rats (365 ± 3 vs. 314 ± 6 bpm, p < 0.05 for SHR and BN, respectively). A total genome scan identified one quantitative trait locus in a 6.78 cM interval on rat chromosome 8 (8q22–q24) that was responsible for elevated heart rate. This interval contained 241 genes, of which 65 are known genes. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that an influential genetic region located on the rat chromosome 8 contributes to the regulation of heart rate. Candidate genes that have previously been associated with tachycardia and/or hypertension were found within this QTL, strengthening our hypothesis that these genes are, potentially, associated with the increase in heart rate in a hypertension rat model

Phenology and production of guava tree cv. “Paluma” pruned at different seasons in Mossoro – RN, Brazil.

The pruning allows fruit harvest in different periods, according to the grower decision, being economically viable. The harvest can be scheduled according to the agronomical traits and due to the market price. The experiment was conducted in the didactic orchard of the Federal University of the Semi-Arid Region (UFERSA), from April 2013 to December 2014, in the municipality of Mossoro-RN. It was carried out in a randomized block design, with treatments arranged in a split-plot, which were composed by pruning periods, conducted in April (2013), November (2013) and July (2014). The subplots consisted of pruning intensities (short, medium and long); with four repetitions, where the experimental unit consisted of two plants that was pruned with 8 marked branches. From pruning to harvest, the the following botanical characteristics were evaluated in the marked branches: number of emitted sprouts by branches pruned at the day 15th (NBE); number of established branches by branches pruned at the day 50th (NRE); number of productive branches (NRP); vegetative number (VRN) and the total number of fruits (NFT). The evaluated characteristics presented a significant effect. The long pruning resulted in a higher number of fruits for all evaluated seasons. The best months for pruning was November and July. The guava tree ‘Paluma’ cycle, from pruning to harvest can vary according to the period of pruning, with 132 days in July and 150 days in April.The pruning allows fruit harvest in different periods, according to the grower decision, being economically viable. The harvest can be scheduled according to the agronomical traits and due to the market price. The experiment was conducted in the didactic orchard of the Federal University of the Semi-Arid Region (UFERSA), from April 2013 to December 2014, in the municipality of Mossoro-RN. It was carried out in a randomized block design, with treatments arranged in a split-plot, which were composed by pruning periods, conducted in April (2013), November (2013) and July (2014). The subplots consisted of pruning intensities (short, medium and long); with four repetitions, where the experimental unit consisted of two plants that was pruned with 8 marked branches. From pruning to harvest, the the following botanical characteristics were evaluated in the marked branches: number of emitted sprouts by branches pruned at the day 15th (NBE); number of established branches by branches pruned at the day 50th (NRE); number of productive branches (NRP); vegetative number (VRN) and the total number of fruits (NFT). The evaluated characteristics presented a significant effect. The long pruning resulted in a higher number of fruits for all evaluated seasons. The best months for pruning was November and July. The guava tree ‘Paluma’ cycle, from pruning to harvest can vary according to the period of pruning, with 132 days in July and 150 days in April. durando entre 132 em julho a 150 dias em abril. &nbsp

Harvest timing and potassium doses on post-harvest quality of dwarf-green coconut water

Coconut is an expressive culture in tropical climate regions and its yield and fruit quality is directly linked to several factors, such as climatic conditions, fertilizer management, harvesting fruits period and other factors. Aiming to evaluate post-harvest of irrigated green dwarf coconut water quality due to potassium doses and different harvesting time, an experiment was carried out at the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid - UFERSA from January to November 2015. The experimental design was split-plot randomized blocks. Plots were 5 potassium doses (0, 150, 300, 450 and 600 g plant-1) and the subplots 4 harvesting time of fruits (5, 6, 7 and 8 months after the opening of the inflorescence), 4 blocks and 2 plants for a total of 40 treatment plants. The experimental area consisted of coconut trees of green dwarf variety with four years old. Were evaluated the titratable acidity, soluble solids, ratio, electrical conductivity, pH, total sugar and levels of potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium and chlorine from coconut water. Under the conditions studied, higher doses of potassium decreased qualitative characteristics of coconut water, the absence of potassium fertilization coconut trees had better results. The optimal harvest time is between 6 and 7 months old.O coco é uma cultura expressiva em regiões de clima tropical e seu rendimento e qualidade dos frutos estão diretamente ligados a diversos fatores, como condições climáticas, manejo de fertilizantes, período de colheita dos frutos e outros fatores. Com o objetivo de avaliar a qualidade pós-colheita de água de coco anã verde irrigada por doses de potássio e diferentes épocas de colheita, foi realizado um experimento na Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido - UFERSA de janeiro a novembro de 2015. O delineamento experimental foi dividido - traçar blocos aleatórios. Parcelas foram 5 doses de potássio (0, 150, 300, 450 e 600 g planta-1) e as subparcelas 4 tempo de colheita dos frutos (5, 6, 7 e 8 meses após a abertura da inflorescência), 4 blocos e 2 plantas para um total de 40 estações de tratamento. A área experimental foi constituída por coqueiros da variedade anã verde com quatro anos de idade. Foram avaliados a acidez titulável, sólidos solúveis, razão, condutividade elétrica, pH, teor de açúcar total e níveis de potássio, cálcio, magnésio, sódio e cloro da água de coco. Nas condições estudadas, doses mais elevadas de potássio diminuíram as características qualitativas da água de coco, a ausência de adubação potássica nos coqueiros teve melhores resultados. O tempo ótimo de colheita é entre 6 e 7 meses de idad

Fatal Motorcycle Crashes: A Serious Public Health Problem In Brazil.

The numbers of two-wheel vehicles are growing across the world. In comparison to other vehicles, motorcycles are cheaper and thus represent a significant part of the automobile market. Both the mobility and speed are attractive factors to those who want to use them for work or leisure. Crashes involving motorcyclists have become an important issue, especially fatal ones. Specific severe injuries are responsible for the deaths. Defining them is necessary in order to offer better prevention and a more suitable medical approach. All fatal motorcycle crashes between January 2001 and December 2009 in Campinas, Brazil, were analyzed in this study. Official data have been collected from police incident reports, hospitals' registers and autopsies. Both incidents and casualties were analyzed according to relevant variables. The Injury Severity Score (ISS) was calculated, describing the most potentially fatal injuries. There were 479 deaths; 90.8% were male; the mean age was 27.8 (range 0-73); 86.4% were conductors of the vehicles; blood alcohol was positive in 42.3%; 49.7% died at a hospital; 32.6% died at the scene; 26.1% of the accidents occurred at night, 69.1% were urban and 30.9% occurred on highways. The main causes of injury were collisions (63%) and falls (14%). The mean ISS was 38.5 (range 9-75). With regard to injuries, head trauma (67%) and thoracic trauma (40%) were the most common, followed by abdominal trauma (35%). Traumatic brain injury (67%) and hypovolemic shock (38%) were the most frequent causes of death. Alcohol was a significant factor in relation to the accidents. Head trauma was the most frequent and severe injury. Half of the victims died before receiving adequate medical attention, suggesting that prevention programs and laws should be implemented and applied in order to save future lives.7 Suppl 1S