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

Seamless Vertical Handoff using Invasive Weed Optimization (IWO) algorithm for heterogeneous wireless networks

AbstractHeterogeneous wireless networks are an integration of two different networks. For better performance, connections are to be exchanged among the different networks using seamless Vertical Handoff. The evolutionary algorithm of invasive weed optimization algorithm popularly known as the IWO has been used in this paper, to solve the Vertical Handoff (VHO) and Horizontal Handoff (HHO) problems. This integer coded algorithm is based on the colonizing behavior of weed plants and has been developed to optimize the system load and reduce the battery power consumption of the Mobile Node (MN). Constraints such as Receiver Signal Strength (RSS), battery lifetime, mobility, load and so on are taken into account. Individual as well as a combination of a number of factors are considered during decision process to make it more effective. This paper brings out the novel method of IWO algorithm for decision making during Vertical Handoff. Therefore the proposed VHO decision making algorithm is compared with the existing SSF and OPTG methods

Diet of Rutilus frisii kutum x Ctenopharyngodon idella hybrid

This research project was carried out in Gulian Fisheries Research Center in 1998. For this purpose, two ponds were selected: Pond No. 1 with 450m2 area and pond No.2 with 250m2 area and then 3500 pieces/hectar of hybrids with 5-7g weight were added to the ponds. In order to determine their main food, they were fed by pelletes and grass according to their mean weight. Meanwhile, by adding mineral and organic fertilizers to the water, a suitable media including phytoplanktons, zooplanktons and benthoses were prepared for feeding of fishes. The stomach contents observations of 160 specimen of hybrids showed that this hybrid is a herbivorous fish and macrophytes were their main diet; and phytoplanktons could be considered as the secondary random food

The Evolution of Urban Australian Meat-Eating Practices

This qualitative study used social practice theory to explore how meat-eating practices are changing in contemporary urban Australia, drawing on a sample of Sydney residents aged 23–45 years. The research used an iterative study design and an inductive analysis approach. Semi-structured face-to-face in-depth interviews were the main mode of data collection, supplemented by observations in places such as markets and local neighborhoods. Research participants explained that the role of meat in their diet has changed in response to shifting conventions and social infrastructures. They have reduced consumption of red meat in favor of meats considered healthier or more ethical. Key factors driving the change include exposure to alternative eating practices brought about through changes in political policy and the advent of globalization. Changing discourses of masculinity and the move toward embracing more fluid representations of gender have, in turn, changed meanings in relation to the meat-eating man and a meat-heavy diet. Rising environmental and health consciousness, and concerns for animal welfare have also contributed to dietary changes. While several participants claimed to have increased their consumption of plant-based foods, meat still continues to maintain a significant presence within their diets. Many participants expressed interest in cutting back further on meat consumption and adopting more plant-based foods but they also identified several challenges—e.g., limited access to plant-based ingredients and recipes, negative meanings associated with vegetarian and vegan diets, and a lack of competence in relation to preparing and consuming appetizing meals using plant-based foods

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

Gestational diabetus mellitus and its complications, role of desynchronosis in pathogenesis (a review)

Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disorder during pregnancy. The International Diabetes Federation estimates that one in six pregnant women (16.8 %) has diabetes. The prevalence of this disease in the human population is striking and, according to various sources, accounts for 14–25 % of all pregnant women. Most cases of hyperglycemia during pregnancy (75–90 %) is due to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Risk factors, etiology and pathophysiology of GDM are being actively studied, but there are still some controversial issues. For example, the development of GDM in the aspect of circadian rhythm disorders. This problem is especially relevant in connection with pregnancy. After all, there is a two-way relationship here – circadian rhythm disorders affect the course of pregnancy, and pregnancy can be the cause of these disorders. In addition, this problem is relevant for women with a history of endocrine disorders, including diabetes mellitus, as there is a clear link between circadian rhythms and the production of hormones, including insulin. The aim of this review was to show the relationship between the development of GDM, its complications, and circadian rhythm disorders in women. Pregnancy complicated by GDM can have a negative effect on the myocardium and liver. Moreover, this disease has a significant impact on the myocardium of the offspring. GDM also can cause other complications for the mother’s health and fetus or newborn. Scientists have identified a fairly significant number of risk factors for GDM. However, circadian rhythm disorders accompanying pregnancy are often underestimated as a risk factor. In general, there are many controversies regarding the relationship between long / short sleep duration and quality and the risk of developing diabetes, as well as how melatonin and its precursor serotonin affect metabolism in critical organs. Thus, the role of circadian rhythm disorders in the development of diabetes and its consequences is not yet fully understood. It is likely that solving the problem of circadian rhythm disorders will be the key to overcoming a significant proportion of cases of GDM. Therefore, there is an urgent need for further, larger-scale studies to investigate the causal links between circadian rhythm disorders, diabetes mellitus, and pregnancy

Neuroethics guiding principles for the NIH Brain Initiative

Neuroscience presents important neuroethical considerations. Human neuroscience demands focused application of the core research ethics guidelines set out in documents such as the Belmont Report. Various mechanisms, including institutional review boards (IRBs), privacy rules, and the Food and Drug Administration, regulate many aspects of neuroscience research and many articles, books, workshops, and conferences address neuroethics. (Farah, 2010; https://bioethicsarchive.georgetown.edu/pcsbi/studies.html; http://www.neuroethicssociety.org/annual-meeting). However, responsible neuroscience research requires continual dialogue among neuroscience researchers, ethicists, philosophers, lawyers, and other stakeholders to help assess its ethical, legal, and societal implications. The Neuroethics Working Group of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, a group of experts providing neuroethics input to the NIH BRAIN Initiative Multi-Council Working Group, seeks to promote this dialogue by proposing the following Neuroethics Guiding Principles (Table 1)

Boys are more likely to be undernourished than girls: a systematic review and meta-analysis of sex differences in undernutrition

BACKGROUND: Excess male morbidity and mortality is well recognised in neonatal medicine and infant health. In contrast, within global nutrition, it is commonly assumed that girls are more at risk of experiencing undernutrition. We aimed to explore evidence for any male/female differences in child undernutrition using anthropometric case definitions and the reasons for differences observed. METHODS: We searched: Medline, Embase, Global health, Popline and Cochrane databases with no time limits applied. Eligible studies focused on children aged 0–59 months affected by undernutrition where sex was reported. In the meta-analysis, undernutrition-specific estimates were examined separately for wasting, stunting and underweight using a random-effects model. RESULTS: 74 studies were identified: 44/74 studies were included in the meta-analysis. In 20 which examined wasting, boys had higher odds of being wasted than girls (pooled OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.40). 38 examined stunting: boys had higher odds of stunting than girls (pooled OR 1.29 95% CI 1.22 to 1.37). 23 explored underweight: boys had higher odds of being underweight than girls (pooled OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.26). There was some limited evidence that the female advantage, indicated by a lower risk of stunting and underweight, was weaker in South Asia than other parts of the world. 43/74 (58%) studies discussed possible reasons for boy/girl differences; 10/74 (14%) cited studies with similar findings with no further discussion; 21/74 (28%) had no sex difference discussion. 6/43 studies (14%) postulated biological causes, 21/43 (49%) social causes and 16/43 (37%) to a combination. CONCLUSION: Our review indicates that undernutrition in children under 5 is more likely to affect boys than girls, though the magnitude of these differences varies and is more pronounced in some contexts than others. Future research should further explore reasons for these differences and implications for nutrition policy and practice

How Can Nutrition Research Better Reflect the Relationship Between Wasting and Stunting in Children? Learnings from the Wasting and Stunting Project

Childhood wasting and stunting affect large numbers of children globally. Both are important risk factors for illness and death yet, despite the fact that these conditions can share common risk factors and are often seen in the same child, they are commonly portrayed as relatively distinct manifestations of undernutrition. In 2014, the Wasting and Stunting project was launched by the Emergency Nutrition Network. Its aim was to better understand the complex relationship and associations between wasting and stunting and examine whether current separations that were apparent in approaches to policy, financing, and programs were justified or useful. Based on the project's work, this article aims to bring a wasting and stunting lens to how research is designed and financed in order for the nutrition community to better understand, prevent, and treat child undernutrition. Discussion of lessons learnt focuses on the synergy and temporal relationships between children's weight loss and linear growth faltering, the proximal and distal factors that drive diverse forms of undernutrition, and identifying and targeting people most at risk. Supporting progress in all these areas requires research collaborations across interest groups that highlight the value of research that moves beyond a focus on single forms of undernutrition, and ensures that there is equal attention given to wasting as to other forms of malnutrition, wherever it is present