Fuzzy TOPSIS-based Secure Neighbor Discovery Mechanism for Improving Reliable Data Dissemination in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) being an indispensable entity of the Internet of Things (IoT) are found to be more and more widely utilized for the rapid advent of IoT environment. The reliability of data dissemination in the IoT environment completely depends on the secure neighbor discovery mechanism that are utilized for effective and efficient communication among the sensor nodes. Secure neighbor discovery mechanisms that significantly determine trustworthy sensor nodes are essential for maintaining potential connectivity and sustaining reliable data delivery in the energy-constrained self organizing WSN. In this paper, Fuzzy Technique of Order Preference Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS)-based Secure Neighbor Discovery Mechanism (FTOPSIS-SNDM) is proposed for estimating the trust of each sensor node in the established routing path for the objective of enhancing reliable data delivery in WSNs. This proposed FTOPSIS-SNDM is proposed as an attempt to integrate the merits of Fuzzy Set Theory (FST) and TOPSIS-based Multi-criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach, since the discovery of secure neighbors involves the exchange of imprecise data and uncertain behavior of sensor nodes. This secure neighbor is also influenced by the factors of packet forwarding potential, delay, distance from the Base Station (BS) and residual energy, which in turn depends on multiple constraints that could be possibly included into the process of secure neighbor discovery. The simulation investigations of the proposed FTOPSIS-SNDM confirmed its predominance over the benchmarked approaches in terms of throughput, energy consumption, network latency, communication overhead for varying number of genuine and malicious neighboring sensor nodes in network

Association of triglycerides/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio with insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is frequently observed in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Recent studies advocated that triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) can be used as a simple clinical indicator of IR. Hence, the present study was performed to investigate the use of TG/HDL-C and its association with IR in PCOS.Methods: Forty-one patients with PCOS and 40 healthy age matched women were randomly enrolled. Demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained. Insulin resistance was defined by the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI).Results: In PCOS group, the insulin, HOMA-IR and TG/HDL-C ratio were significantly higher (p=0.001) than controls while, QUICKI was lower (p=0.001). Insulin, HOMA-IR were positively correlated with TG/HDL-C (ρ=0.303, p=0.006 and ρ=0.312, p=0.005 respectively) while, QUICKI was negatively correlated (ρ=-0.698, p=0.001). In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, area under the curve (AUC) for model based on QUICKI levels was better 0.898 (95% CI: 0.811-0.955, p=0.001) than HOMA-IR 0.636 (95% CI: 0.522-0.740, p=0.03). A cut-off value 3.23 for TG/HDL-C is proposed from the model based on QUICKI with best combination of sensitivity 83.3% and specificity 86.7%.Conclusions: Results of present study support that TG/HDL-C ratio may be a simple indicator of IR in PCOS patients which helps clinicians to identify IR in small centers, where the assays for insulin measurement are not available

Artificial Neural Network Controller in Two-Area and Five-Area System with Security Attack and Game-Theory Based Defender Action

Smart grids are the latest technology to generate and dispatch an optimal amount of power. Thus, there is a need for stability analysis in smart grid systems. If the smart grid is incorporated into the power system, then the phasor measurement unit (PMU) is used to measure the voltage, current, and frequency. Additionally, the central control unit monitors and controls the power. However, there is a possibility of inserting wrong data into the smart grid as the PMUs are transmitting the data through the Internet and other wireless protocols. There is a need to find solutions to this threat to make the power flow safe and secure in the future. In this paper, two-area load frequency control (LFC) is used for testing the game-theory based security treatment and improving the system’s stability by using an artificial neural network. The two-area system and five-area system are used to test the stability of the power system

Diurnal variations in the aerosol physical, optical and altitude distributional characteristics over three locations in eastern India: Implications to black carbon radiative forcing

A qualitative assessment on the effect of boundary layer dynamics in the estimation of clear sky black carbon (BC) radiative forcing has been made considering the debate on the lower bound and possible uncertainties in the aerosol radiative forcing estimation. Comprehensive measurements made on aerosol optical and physical properties, near surface BC mass concentrations and Lidar derived aerosol back scatter intensity profiles at three selected locations in India (Visakhapatnam, Kharagpur, and Kolkata) are utilized for this purpose. Sensitivity analysis carried out to estimate the errors in short wave (SW) BC forcing computation indicated that non-incorporation of diurnal changes in the boundary layer depth into the models may lead to over estimation of diurnally averaged (as the study is limited to short wave radiative forcing, diurnally averaged forcing refers to day-time averaged) BC forcing. The relative errors may vary between 7 to 70% depending on the season and the location changes in boundary layer depth day-time behaviour. The results reported in the present study, though specific to the study locations, clearly indicate that a more systematic approach is needed to investigate the sensitivity of aerosol radiative forcing to various atmospheric parameters and processes within the boundary layer, particularly at stations characterised by strong anthropogenic influence and large diurnal temperature variability that affect the boundary layer depth

Reliability Based Performance Evaluation of Stone Column Improved Soft Ground

The present study considers the effect of variation of different geotechnical random variables in the design of stone column-foundation systems for assessing the bearing capacity and consolidation settlement of highly compressible soil. The soil and stone column properties, spacing, diameter and arrangement of stone columns are considered as the random variables. Probability of failure (Pf) is computed for a target degree of consolidation and a target safe load by Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS). The study shows that the variation in coefficient of radial consolidation (cr) and cohesion of soil (cs) are two most important factors influencing Pf. If the coefficient of variation (COV) of cr exceeds 20%, Pf exceeds 0.001, which is unsafe following the guidelines of US Army Corps of Engineers. The bearing capacity also exceeds its safe value for COV of cs > 30%. It is also observed that as the spacing between the stone column increases, the probability of reaching a target degree of consolidation decreases. Accordingly, design guidelines, considering both consolidation and bearing capacity of improved ground, are proposed for different spacing and diameter of stone columns and geotechnical random variables

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ALUMINIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES

Objective: In the present study, synthesized alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles were characterized and their antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative organisms were studied.Methods: The synthesis was carried out by coprecipitation method using aluminium sulfate and NaOH as precursors. The synthesized aluminium oxide nanoparticles were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX) techniques. Besides, this study determines the antibacterial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Al2O3 nanoparticles against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans) and gram-negative (E. coli and Proteus vulgaris) bacteria. Results: The average crystallite size of Al2O3 nanoparticles was found to be 35 nm by X-ray diffraction. FT-IR spectrum exhibited the peaks at 615 and 636 were assigned to the aluminium oxide stretching. The EDX measurements indicated the presence of Al along with O peaks. It indicates the purity of the sample. The antimicrobial assay revealed that E. coli showed a maximum zone of inhibition (39 mm) at 50 mg/ml concentration of Al2O3 nanoparticles.Conclusion: In conclusion, aluminium oxide is a good antibacterial agent against both gram positive and gram-negative organisms

Hypohyperdontia: Agenesis of three third molars and mandibular centrals associated with midline supernumerary tooth in mandible

Agenesis of teeth in a patient who also presents with a supernumerary tooth is one of the rare numerical anomalies in human dentition. Agenesis of third molars was shown to be associated with other missing permanent teeth. A review of literature on hypodontia including third molar agenesis, hyperdontia and a concomitant presence of these two conditions which is termed as hypohyperdontia is presented along with a case showing agenesis of three third molars, both mandibular central incisors and a midline supernumerary tooth

Nitric oxide status in patients with chronic kidney disease

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at an increased risk of cardiovascular (CVD) morbidity and mortality, mainly due to atherosclerosis. Decreased production or reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) can result in endothelial dysfunction (ED). Multiple mechanisms are known to cause a state of NO deficiency in patients with CKD. Patients in various stages of CKD grouped as group-1 (CKD stage 1 and 2), group-2 (CKD stage 3 and 4), group-3 (CKD stage 5) and healthy controls were included in the study. Each group of patients and controls comprised 25 subjects. Plasma nitrites, L-arginine, asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) and citrulline were measured in all the subjects. Patients in all stages of CKD had lower NO and higher ADMA levels compared to controls. Further, group-2 and group-3 patients had lower levels of NO and higher levels of ADMA than group-1 patients. L-arginine levels showed no difference between patients and controls. However, group-3 patients had lower L-arginine levels compared to group-1 patients. Citrulline levels were decreased in group-3 patients. NO production was decreased in patients in all stages of CKD. The decrease could be due to decreased availability of the substrate, L-arginine or due to an increased ADMA, a potent inhibitor of endothelial NO synthase. Therapeutic interventions directed towards improvement of NO production in addition to management of other CVD risk factors may prevent development of ED and facilitate proper management of CKD patients who are at increased risk for CVD

Carbamylated hemoglobin can differentiate acute kidney injury from chronic kidney disease

Carbamylated hemoglobin (CarHb) was found to have a potential role in the differentiation of patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) from chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study was aimed at the evaluation of the diagnostic performance and usefulness of CarHb in the differentiation of AKI from CKD. Forty patients with renal disease and twenty age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Urea, creatinine, Hb, and CarHb were measured in all the subjects. Patients with AKI and CKD were found to have significantly increased levels of CarHb when compared to controls (P < 0.05 for both groups). Patients with CKD had significantly increased levels of CarHb when compared to patients with AKI (P < 0.05). CarHb showed significant positive correlation with urea in patients with renal disease (r = 0.776, P < 0.0001). Significant area under curve (AUC = 0.840, P < 0.0001) was obtained for CarHb and a cut-off value of 98.33 μg VH/g Hb resulted with the best combination of 85% sensitivity and 75% specificity. CarHb may provide clinical utility since patients with AKI and CKD have similar clinical presentation usually. A cut-off value of 98.33 μg VH/g Hb has been found to be useful to differentiate AKI from CKD