Dissimilarity metric based on local neighboring information and genetic programming for data dissemination in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs)

This paper presents a novel dissimilarity metric based on local neighboring information and a genetic programming approach for efficient data dissemination in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs). The primary aim of the dissimilarity metric is to replace the Euclidean distance in probabilistic data dissemination schemes, which use the relative Euclidean distance among vehicles to determine the retransmission probability. The novel dissimilarity metric is obtained by applying a metaheuristic genetic programming approach, which provides a formula that maximizes the Pearson Correlation Coefficient between the novel dissimilarity metric and the Euclidean metric in several representative VANET scenarios. Findings show that the obtained dissimilarity metric correlates with the Euclidean distance up to 8.9% better than classical dissimilarity metrics. Moreover, the obtained dissimilarity metric is evaluated when used in well-known data dissemination schemes, such as p-persistence, polynomial and irresponsible algorithm. The obtained dissimilarity metric achieves significant improvements in terms of reachability in comparison with the classical dissimilarity metrics and the Euclidean metric-based schemes in the studied VANET urban scenarios

Effect of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and IBA on Rooting of Cuttings in Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa Chev.)

The present study was conducted under a polyhouse with kiwifruit cuttings. The entire programme of the study was divided into two experiments comprising hardwood and semi-hardwood cuttings. The experiments were laid out in Randomized Block Design, with three replications per treatment. Experiment I was carried out on hardwood cuttings of kiwifruit cultivar Allison and comprised of nine treatments, viz., T1 (IBA 5000ppm), T2 (Bacillus subtilis), T3 (Bacillus licheniformis), T4 (Bacillus subtilis + IBA 4000ppm), T5 (Bacillus licheniformis + IBA 4000ppm), T6 (Bacillus subtilis + IBA 3000ppm), T7 (Bacillus licheniformis + IBA 3000ppm), T8 (Bacillus subtilis + IBA 2000ppm) and T9 (Bacillus licheniformis + IBA 2000ppm). In Experiment II, all the above-mentioned nine treatments were imposed on semi-hardwood cuttings of kiwifruit. Ttreatment IBA 5000ppm recorded best root characteristics (per cent rooted cuttings, number of primary roots secondary roots, length of roots total root length, root biomass); shoot characteristics (shoot length, shoot diameter, shoot biomass) and leaf characteristics (number of leaves and leaf area) in both hardwood and semi-hardwood cuttings. This treatment also resulted in maximum net benefit per 100 cuttings in comparison to other treatments. Among the two types of cuttings studied, hardwood cuttings showed better results on root characteristics. However, semi-hardwood cuttings gave better results on shoot and leaf characteristics

Critical Properties of Symmetric Nuclear Matter in Low-Density Regime Using Effective-Relativistic Mean Field Formalism

The effective field theory motivated relativistic mean-field (E-RMF) formalism is employed to study the equation of state (EoS) for the infinite symmetric nuclear matter at finite temperature using the recently developed forces FSUGarnet, IOPB-I, G3, and the well known NL3 force parameter. The EoS is then used to estimate the critical temperature $T_c$, pressure $P_c$ and density $\rho_c$ of the symmetric nuclear matter for the liquid-gas phase transition. As $T_c$ is not a constrained parameter in both experiments and theoretical calculations, there is a large uncertainty around its value. Although, the critical parameters are correlated among themselves. It is revealed that vector self-coupling $\zeta_0$ of used forces play determining role in EoS in finite temperature limit. Keeping the incompressibility in acceptable limit i.e. 240$\pm$ 20 MeV, the lower value of $\zeta_0$ gives a better result of $T_c$ when compared to the several experimental data. The critical parameters however show weak correlation with the properties at saturation density at zero temperature. The compressibility factors calculated with these parameters are in agreement with the universal value of liquid-gas systems. Stability conditions are examined along with binodal and spinodal regions. Besides this, the thermodynamic properties like specific heat and latent heat are also worked out. We have carried out detailed consistency check of our calculations using critical exponents and standard scaling laws. All the exponents are well within the theoretical mean-field results

Properties of hot finite nuclei and associated correlations with infinite nuclear matter

This work aim to study the various thermal characteristics of nuclei in view of the saturation and critical behavior of infinite nuclear matter. The free energy of a nucleus is parametrized using the density and temperature-dependent liquid-drop model and interaction among nucleons is worked out within the effective relativistic mean-field theory (E-RMF). The effective mass (m,$^*$) and critical temperature of infinite symmetric nuclear matter ($T_c$) of a given E-RMF parameter force play a seminal role in the estimation of thermal properties. A larger (m$^*$) and $T_c$ of the E-RMF set estimate larger excitation energy, level density, and limiting temperature $(T_l)$ for a given nucleus. The limiting temperature of a nucleus also depends on the behavior of the nuclear gas surrounding the nucleus, making the equation of state (EoS) at subsaturation densities an important input. A stiff EoS in the subsaturation region estimates a higher pressure of the nuclear gas making it less stable. Since the $T_c$ plays an important part in these calculations, we perform a Pearson correlation statistical study of fifteen E-RMF parameter sets, satisfying the relevant constraint on EoS. Effective mass seems to govern the thermal characteristics of infinite as well as finite nuclear matter in the framework of E-RMF theory.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figure

Thermal effects in hot and dilute homogeneous asymmetric nuclear matter

We present a comprehensive analysis of hot and dilute isospin-asymmetric nuclear matter employing the temperature-dependent effective-relativistic mean-field theory (E-RMF). The E-RMF is applied to study the effect of $\delta$ and $\omega-\rho$ meson cross-coupling on the thermal properties of asymmetric nuclear matter using two recently developed IOPB-I and G3 parameter sets. These sets are known to reproduce the nuclear matter properties in agreement with various experimental and observational constraints. We consider the nuclear matter to be homogeneous and study the equation of state (EoS) for densities, temperature and asymmetry which are relevant for astrophysical simulations such as supernovae explosion. The effect of temperature is investigated in reference to the density-dependent free symmetry energy and its higher-order derivatives using the well known parabolic approximation. The larger value of $\lambda_\omega$ cross-coupling in G3 in addition to the $\delta$ meson coupling in G3 smoothen the free symmetry energy. Thermal effects on various state variables are examined at fixed temperature and isospin asymmetry by separating their T=0 and the finite-T expressions. The thermal effects are mainly governed by effective mass with larger effective mass estimating larger thermal contribution. The effect of temperature on isothermal and isentropic incompressibility is discussed which is in harmony with various available microscopic calculations. The liquid-gas phase transition properties are examined in asymmetric matter with two conserved charges in the context of different slope parameter and comparable symmetry energy in IOPB-I and G3 set. The spinodal instability, binodal curve and critical properties are found to be influenced by the slope parameter $L_{sym}$

Evaluation of genetic association of the INK4 locus with primary open angle glaucoma in East Indian population

INK4 locus at chromosome 9p21 has been reported to be associated with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and its subtypes along with the associated optic disc parameters across the populations of European, Japanese and African ancestries. The locus encodes three tumor suppressor genes namely CDKN2A, ARF, CDKN2B and a long non-coding RNA CDKN2B-AS1 (also known as ANRIL). Here, we report association study of 34 SNPs from INK4 locus with POAG in a population of Indo-European ancestry from the eastern part of India (350 patients and 354 controls). With 81% power to detect genetic association we observed only nominal association of rs1011970 (uncorrected p = 0.048) with POAG and rs10120688 (uncorrected p = 0.048) in patients without a high intra-ocular pressure (IOP<21 mm of Hg) compared to controls. This study, in contrast to the previous reports, suggests lack of significant genetic association of INK4 locus with POAG in East Indian population which needs to be replicated in larger studies in diverse world populations

Prognostic signifi cance of diff erentiating necrosis from fl uid collection on endoscopic ultrasound in patients with presumed isolated extrapancreatic necrosis

Abstract Background Extrapancreatic necrosis is diagnosed on computed tomography (CT) as extrapancreatic changes that are more than fat stranding; both fl uid collections and necrosis would have a similar appearance. Th e aim of this study was to determine the prognostic signifi cance of diff erentiating peripancreatic necrosis from fl uid collection on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in patients with presumed isolated extrapancreatic necrosis

Massive Hemolysis Causing Renal Failure in Acute Hepatitis E Infection

Abstract Acute viral hepatitis is usually a self-limiting illness. However, it can lead to complications that can be life-threatening, such as acute liver failure. Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in the setting of acute viral hepatitis can lead to a massive hemolysis, manifesting as acute kidney injury and markedly raised bilirubin levels; although cases are rare. Here, we report such a case. The patient had a viral hepatitis E infection and presented with kidney injury requiring dialysis. Examination showed very high mixed hyperbilirubinemia due to massive intravascular hemolysis. The patient experienced a long, protracted course of illness, requiring renal replacement therapy with other supportive management, which led to improvement over a period of four weeks. This case highlights the importance of recognizing associated hemolysis in a patient with viral hepatitis who presents with very high bilirubin levels or associated kidney injury. Such patients will require aggressive supportive care with prompt fluid and electrolyte management