Power-trading in wireless communications: a cooperative networking business model

Managing the power resource in battery operated wireless devices is very crucial for extending the lifetime, here we propose the concept of power trading in wireless communications. We present a business model using sealed bid procurement auction based game theory for power-trading in cooperative wireless communication with quality of service (QoS) constraints. We formulate the problem as an auction in a buyer's market sequentially/repeatedly played with a single source and a multiple relay network. The source, in-need of cooperation of a relay due to lack of battery power to communicate with the destination, broadcasts a cooperation-request specifying its QoS requirements. The QoS that we consider here are the bit error rate and the total delay associated with relaying the source data. The relays respond with their bids in terms of Euros/bit, and the source selects the best relay based on the bids. The relays compete with each other to win the game and profit from power trading. Each relay updates its pricing index via reinforcement learning to win the game during successive bidding intervals of the repeated game. Based on this model our results show that the relay node with the best features such as a better wireless channel and a better geographical position with respect to the source and destination nodes has a better chance of winning the game, and hence giving rise to a dominant strategy. More importantly, we show that the gains from the wireless channels can be converted into economic profits which is an attractive feature of the proposed business model for power trading

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Cis-Bixin and Cis-Norbixin: Potential Application for Fuel Desulfurisation

Green methods have been actively pursued in recent years as an efficient, inexpensive and environmentally safe approach for nanoparticle formation over the conventional chemical methods. Nanoparticle mediated adsorptive desulfurisation has been considered as an alternative, ecofriendly approach for fuel desulfurisation. Fuel desulfurisation is indispensible due to the fact that the combustion of fuels containing sulfur compounds release sulfur oxide compounds into environment and engenders devastating consequences on the chemistry of atmosphere. The present investigation devoted to the possibility of green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using cis-bixin and cis-norbixin carotenoids as reducing and stabilising agents and the possibility of synthesised nanoparticles for removal of sulfur compounds in fuel. Cis-bixin was extracted from the pericarp of the seeds of Achiote (Bixaorellana) tree and cis-norbixin was synthesised from cis-bixin. The synthesized AgNPs from both carotenoids were characterised using UV-Visible spectroscopic technique for Surface Plasmon Resonance and absorbance peaks were obtained at 391 nm for cis-bixin and 405 nm for cis-norbixin AgNPs. The effect of temperature, pH, ionic strength of AgNO3 solution, time and stability of the formed AgNPs under electrolytic conditions were studied using UV-Visible spectroscopy and results revealed that the room temperature was paragon for optimum synthesis and AgNPs were stable in slightly acidic, neutral and slightly basic pHs and in different concentrations of NaCl (upto 0.2 M for cis-bixin and upto 0.3 M for cisnorbixin AgNPs). Synthesised AgNPs were used to investigate the fuel desulfurisation potential by using commercial kerosene as testing fuel material. For the comparative purposes NaBH4 reduced AgNPs were used. The adsorption of sulfur compounds in oil medium onto surface of AgNPs in aqueous medium produce self-assembled sulfur compounds adsorbed AgNP layer (interfacial material) on the oil/aqueous interface. The potential of the synthesised AgNPs for desulfurisation of kerosene was confirmed by analysing the sulfur content in each kerosene sample and formed interfacial material through X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy. The formed interfacial material was further characterised through FTIR spectroscopy. The XRF results revealed that the AgNPs synthesised from cis-norbixin has the highest capability to reduce considerable amount of sulfur in kerosene compared to the other synthesised AgNPs. This study reports the possibility of rapid green synthesis of AgNPs form cis-bixin and norbixin under room temperature and feasible pH conditions followed by the capability for desulfurisation of fuel.Keywords: Green synthesis, Silver nanoparticles, Cis-Bixin, Cis-Norbixin, Fuel desulfurisatio

Two-Stage Approach for the Assessment of Distributed Generation Capacity Mixture in Active Distribution Networks

Distribution networks are limited with spare capacities to integrate increased volumes of distributed generation (DG). Network constraints and congestion, dynamic thermal limits, intermittent outputs, and the need for reduction in greenhouse gas emission increase the complexity of capturing optimal DG mixture that can safely permit the optimal operation. This paper investigates this problem in detail and proposes a two-stage approach for the quantification of optimal DG capacity mixture in an active distribution network. The approach is aimed at operational planning and takes into account dynamic thermal limits, network internal benefit, and network external benefit and then optimizes samples of DG mixtures through sequential simulation. A case study is performed incorporating wind and photovoltaic generation as intermittent DG and diesel units as standing reserve units. Results suggest that specific operating conditions in an active distribution network can dominate the optimal DG mixture. Wind and diesel hybrid operation can be the most beneficial DG mixture compared to any other DG combination. Dynamic thermal limits of assets can potentially control the type of DG of the optimized mixture

Sarvodaya's integrated approach to water and sanitation

Sarvodaya's integrated approach to water and sanitatio

Removal of Rhodamine B from Aqueous Solution on to Modified Jack Wood Sawdust:A Comparative Study

Among many environmental pollutants, dyes releasing from industries play a major role in contaminating the aquatic environment. Most of the dyes are non biodegradable, stable and carcinogenic due to their synthetic nature and aromatic structure. Therefore it is necessary to reduce the pollution load including decolourization of industrial effluents before disposal. Though the adsorption on to commercial activated carbon is a promising method, it is expensive. The present study was carried out to investigate the possibility of using a low cost adsorbent for the removal of carcinogenic dye, Rhodamine B in a more effective manner.Three different forms of sawdust, formaldehyde treated sawdust (SD), base treated sawdust (BTSD) and acid activated charred sawdust (AASD) were prepared and used for the removal of Rhodamine B from an aqueous solution. Batch experiments were carried out to investigate the potential efficiency of the three forms of sawdust to remove Rhodamine B from the aqueous solution as a function of the initial Rhodamine B concentration, Contact time and temperature. Equilibrium was found to be attained at about 30 min, 50 min and 60 min respectively for SD, BTSD and AASD. Based on Langmuir isotherms, the maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 319.5 mgg-1 at 60˚C for AASD among three different forms of sawdust.Various isotherms and kinetic models were fitted to describe the adsorption process and the activation parameters were evaluated in all three types of sawdust. Kinetic data of all three types of sawdust were well fitted for the second order rate model. Based on Langmuir, Frendlich and D-R isotherms, a better adsorption capacity was obtained for the AASD adsorbent compared to SD and BTSD. Thermodynamic parameters suggest that the adsorption of Rhodamine B onto all three type of adsorbent is spontaneous and the process is physisorption. SEM images revealed that AASD has more porous and irregularities in the surface which makes it a better adsorbent. IR spectral data reveal the disappearance of many functional groups in AASD adsorbent compared to SD and BTSD.Keywords: Rhodamine B, Kinetics, Equilibrium, Iisotherms, Modified jackwood sawdus

Meta-model for Collaboration Modeling in Legal Sector

Cost effective and best practice legal services are highly relying on the coordination of collaborativeworkflow activities as well as of several resources needed to perform these activities and their flow ofinformation exchanges among many different participants. In the context of ever increasing numbers of legalcases and involved stakeholders in multi-party collaborations, we have discovered the appropriateness of theadaptation of workflow management systems in legal sector to address the resulting complexities andperformance issues in legal service collaborations. In this work, a meta-model for legal service collaborationmodeling which includes the main semantics of modeling elements, has been introduced as the basis fordefining the choreography for sector collaboration with the objective of facilitating legal collaborationmodeling in such a way as to provide a useful input for the creation of legal workflow specifications forsetting up legal workflow management systems. The meta-model was developed based on BusinessTransaction View meta-model in UN/CEFACT’s recommendations for business collaborations. The proposedmodeling framework could facilitate and guide the complex legal collaboration modeling processes withpromising results in workflow coordination.KEYWORDS: Meta-model, Legal Collaborations, Legal Activity Coordinatio

Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Garcinol Coated Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

Background: Garcinol is a secondary metabolite derived from the plants of Clusiaceae Family. It has shown a broad range of bioactivities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are known to have a significant photocatalytic activity and are widely used in medicine. In this study, garcinol was used to modify the surface of TiO2NPs to enhance the antibacterial activity.Objectives: To synthesize, characterize and determine antimicrobial activity of garcinol coated titanium dioxide nanoparticles G-TiO2NPs.Methods: Garcinol was isolated from the dried fruit rinds of Garcinia quaesita. TiO2NPs were coated by garcinol and characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Diffused Reflectance Spectroscopy. Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) was tested against five microbial species including Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25623), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853),Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) and clinical isolates of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), using broth micro-dilution assay. Time-kill kinetic study was performed to determine the inhibition percentage of Staphylococcus aureus over time.Results: SEM images confirmed the spherical shape of G-TiO2NPs, diameter ranging from 20 - 200 nm. XRD data revealed the anatase phase and rutile phase of TiO2NPs. Formation of G-TiO2NPs caused a red shift of the absorption wavelength. G-TiO2NPs and TiO2NPs showed a MIC range of 250-500 μg/ml and 500-1000 μg/ml against the tested microbial species, respectively. In the time-kill kinetic studies, inhibition percentage (IP) of microbial growth was determined at 60 minute time intervals. TiO2NPs and G-TiO2NPs demonstrated inhibition over 50% at 3 hours.Conclusions: G-TiO2NPs presented a significant enhancement in antimicrobial activity against S. aureus compared to TiO2NPs. Surface modification of TiO2NPs with garcinol has created a synergistic antimicrobial effect against S. aureus.Acknowledgement: University Grant ASP/01/RE/SCI/2017/1

Selection of aggregate suitable to produce pervious concrete for sustainable built environment

Pervious concrete is a tailored concrete to have very high water permeability. The presence of interconnected pores of different sizes and shapes allow the passage of water to flow through easily. Permeable concrete pavement was shown to have significant advantages in storm water management over impervious pavements and minimizing the risk of flooding in urban environment. This research was conducted to determine a suitable aggregate for pervious concrete. The research methodology involved substituting the conventional crushed rock coarse aggregate with the three types of materials such as Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA), River Gravel (RG) and Gravel collected from Cinnamon Estates (CEG) in different percentages in order to determine the optimum percentage of materials that can be added. These materials are directly substituted for the coarse aggregate at 0%, 15%, 30%, 50% and 100% of the virgin material. Likewise three specimens are done, for RCA, RG and CEG with each consist of five batches. The performance of pervious concrete was evaluated through strength development, void content and permeability. The relationships between strength and void content, and permeability and porosity were reported. It was found that the recycled concrete aggregate affect the compressive strength of pervious concrete without influencing the permeability

Common mental disorders among adult members of 'left-behind' international migrant worker families in Sri Lanka

BACKGROUND: Nearly one-in-ten Sri Lankans are employed abroad as International migrant workers (IMW). Very little is known about the mental health of adult members in families left-behind. This study aimed to explore the impact of economic migration on mental health (common mental disorders) of left-behind families in Sri Lanka. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey using multistage sampling was conducted in six districts (representing 62% of outbound IMW population) of Sri Lanka. Spouses and non-spouse caregivers (those providing substantial care for children) from families of economic migrants were recruited. Adult mental health was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire. Demographic, socio-economic, migration-specific and health utilization information were gathered. RESULTS: A total of 410 IMW families were recruited (response rate: 95.1%). Both spouse and a non-spouse caregiver were recruited for 55 families with a total of 277 spouses and 188 caregivers included. Poor general health, current diagnosed illness and healthcare visit frequency was higher in the non-spouse caregiver group. Overall prevalence of common mental disorder (CMD; Depression, somatoform disorder, anxiety) was 20.7% (95%CI 16.9-24.3) with 14.4% (95%CI 10.3-18.6) among spouses and 29.8% (95%CI 23.2-36.4) among non-spouse caregivers. Prevalence of depression (25.5%; 95%CI 19.2-31.8) and somatoform disorder 11.7% (95%CI 7.0-16.3) was higher in non-spouse caregiver group. When adjusted for age and gender, non-returning IMW in family, primary education and low in-bound remittance frequency was associated with CMD for spouses while no education, poor general health and increased healthcare visits was significantly associated in the non-spouse caregiver group. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to explore specific mental health outcomes among adult left-behind family members of IMW through standardized diagnostic instruments in Sri Lanka and in South Asian region. Negative impact of economic migration is highlighted by the considerably high prevalence of CMD among adults in left-behind families. A policy framework that enables health protection whilst promoting migration for development remains a key challenge for labour-sending nations

Myocardial contrast echocardiography and the transmural distribution of flow: A critical appraisal during myocardial ischemia not associated with infarction

AbstractObjectives. This study was undertaken to determine whether myocardial contrast echocardiography can be used to estimate the transmural distribution of flow.Background. Myocardial contrast echocardiography has been shown to reliably measure average transmural blood flow during myocardial ischemia. However, there is controversy regarding its ability to determine the transmural distribution of flow.Methods. The transmural distribution of flow was measured in 21 open chest anesthetized dogs with use of radiolabeled microspheres and sonicated albumin microbubbles (mean size 4.5 μm). In the 11 Group I dogs, myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed at baseline and during left anterior descending artery stenosis. In five of these dogs, it was also performed during left circumflex artery stenosis. In these dogs large (mean 12 μm) hand-agitated bubbles were also used. In the five Group II dogs, myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed before and 45 s after intracoronary injection of 6 mg of papaverine in the presence of a critical left circumflex artery stenosis. The five Group III dogs were studied during cardiopulmonary bypass at baseline and during left anterior descending artery stenosis. Off-line image analysis of the echocardiographic images was performed and timeintensity curves obtained from thess images were correlated with radiolabeled microsphere-derived flows.Results. The ratios of the parameters derived from the endocardium and epicardium during myocardial contrast echocardiography were found to correlate poorly (ranging from R2= 0 to R2= 0.35) with radiolabeled microsphere-derived endocardial/ epicardial flow ratios over a wide range of flow ratios (0.01 to 2.58). These results were not influenced either by the location of the regions of interest (left anterior descending vs. left circumflex artery bed) or by the size of the bubbles (4.5 vs. 12 μm).Conclusions. Myocardial contrast echocardiography cannot be used to assess the transmural distribution of flow during myocardial ischemia not associated with infarction