Performance and security measure of clustering protocols for sensor networks

Micro sensor nodes are now easily available and are very cheap. These resource constrained nodes are spread in remote locations to gather data. There are some energy efficient clustering protocols that are known to work well for sensor networks. The performance of these algorithms are mainly measured by the their energy consumption. In this thesis, we develop a performance measure for these algorithms that includes the energy spent, the time delay incurred in the whole process and the information loss. We have formulated a novel metric, the entropy based information loss metric, which to the best of our knowledge has not been previously addressed. We then optimize the joint performance measure which is a combination of these different metrics to yield the optimal clustering configuration.;Security is a key concern in many sensor network scenarios. In this thesis we analyze the performance differences in existing clustering protocols when security is added. In particular, we analyze how the optimal configuration of the LEACH protocol changes when we apply a pre deployment key distribution based security protocol to it.;The final contribution of this thesis is a new secure clustering protocol for sensor networks. In particular, this is a grid based secure solution to a commonly used clustering protocol, the LEACH protocol. We show that our protocol, the GS-LEACH protocol is more energy efficient than any of the existing secure flavors of LEACH. In addition, our protocol is more scalable to regions of different shapes and sizes and provides uniform coverage due to the grid structure of the clusters, thereby guaranteeing a better quality of the information collected

Establishment and application of a multiomics systems biology approach for cell culture process development and optimization

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Clone selection and process lever optimization using an AMBR® 15 system for conversion of a roller bottle process to a suspension, perfusion bioreactor platform

Due to the high capital costs for a new roller bottle facility, a new suspension bioreactor perfusion platform was pursued as a potential option to improve the supply network for an existing commercial roller bottle cell culture process. The first step in developing the bioreactor process was the adaptation of the current commercial working cell bank to serum-free, suspension conditions. Subcloning of this serum-free, suspension adapted pool was performed to reduce the pool to the top 50 clones based on titer and activity. In deep well plates and shake flask cultures, the top 50 clones were further screened to yield the top 10 clones based on yield, activity, and important product quality attributes including sialylation and Mannose-6-Phosphate (M6P) content, which were determined by high throughput analytical methods specifically designed for this molecule. In parallel with these activities, an ambr® 15 perfusion scale down model was developed to evaluate multiple process levers (e.g. medium osmolarity, target viable cell concentration, cell specific perfusion rate, etc.) for the serum-free, suspension adapted pool using definitive screening designs. After ambr® 15 scale down model development, the Top 10 clones identified in subcloning were evaluated in the top conditions identified from the process lever optimization study. Several of the best combinations of clones / bioreactor conditions were then repeated in 10L bench scale bioreactors to ensure reproducible cell culture performance. Furthermore, the 10L cultures were harvested and purified to mock drug substance to confirm significant product quality attributes were consistent between the ambr® 15 scale down model and bench scale bioreactors and within desired commercial specification ranges. These results suggest that the ambr® 15 perfusion scale down model can be deployed for clone selection, process optimization, and process characterization activities for the current suspension, perfusion bioreactor process, as well as development of future perfusion processes, to ensure successful launch at large scale

Challenges we just couldn’t IgG-nore: Case studies of process optimization for next- generation, highly engineered multispecifics

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Performance and security measure of clustering protocols for sensor networks

Micro sensor nodes are now easily available and are very cheap. These resource constrained nodes are spread in remote locations to gather data. There are some energy efficient clustering protocols that are known to work well for sensor networks. The performance of these algorithms are mainly measured by the their energy consumption. In this thesis, we develop a performance measure for these algorithms that includes the energy spent, the time delay incurred in the whole process and the information loss. We have formulated a novel metric, the entropy based information loss metric, which to the best of our knowledge has not been previously addressed. We then optimize the joint performance measure which is a combination of these different metrics to yield the optimal clustering configuration.;Security is a key concern in many sensor network scenarios. In this thesis we analyze the performance differences in existing clustering protocols when security is added. In particular, we analyze how the optimal configuration of the LEACH protocol changes when we apply a pre deployment key distribution based security protocol to it.;The final contribution of this thesis is a new secure clustering protocol for sensor networks. In particular, this is a grid based secure solution to a commonly used clustering protocol, the LEACH protocol. We show that our protocol, the GS-LEACH protocol is more energy efficient than any of the existing secure flavors of LEACH. In addition, our protocol is more scalable to regions of different shapes and sizes and provides uniform coverage due to the grid structure of the clusters, thereby guaranteeing a better quality of the information collected.</p

The Demographic Diversity of Food Intake and Prevalence of Kidney Stone Diseases in the Indian Continent

Food intake plays a pivotal role in human growth, constituting 45% of the global economy and wellbeing in general. The consumption of a balanced diet is essential for overall good health, and a lack of equilibrium can lead to malnutrition, prenatal death, obesity, osteoporosis and bone fractures, coronary heart diseases (CHD), idiopathic hypercalciuria, diabetes, and many other conditions. CHD, osteoporosis, malnutrition, and obesity are extensively discussed in the literature, although there are fragmented findings in the realm of kidney stone diseases (KSD) and their correlation with food intake. KSD associated with hematuria and renal failure poses an increasing threat to healthcare infrastructures and the global economy, and its emergence in the Indian population is being linked to multi-factorial urological disorder resulting from several factors. In this realm, epidemiological, biochemical, and macroeconomic situations have been the focus of research, even though food intake is also of paramount importance. Hence, in this article, we review the corollary associations with the consumption of diverse foods and the role that these play in KSD in an Indian context

A REVIEW ON PRESENT AND FUTURE OUTLOOK OF 3D PRINTING IN TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS

Objective The suitability of different printing processes for the direct or indirect printing of microneedle arrays, as well as the modification of their surface with drug-containing coatings, has been investigated. Methodology 3D printing refers to a group of technologies that use numerically controlled apparatus to create a physical object from a virtual representation. The transdermal route has been introduced as an alternative to the bolus system. The skin is also identified to pose a barrier to permit molecules. The loss that occurred is compensated by transdermal delivery. 3D printing has several advantages in terms of waste reduction, design flexibility, and lowering the high cost. The compatibility of 3D printing techniques with printed medicine products is a factor in their selection. The variety of printable materials that are presently being used or could be utilized for 3D printing of transdermal drug delivery (TDD) devices. 3D printing has the potential to change today's "one size fits all" production and be used across the medication development process. Conclusion The impact and limitations of using 3D printing as a production process for transdermal drug delivery devices are required to be evaluated. This review discusses the present and future overlook of 3D printing technology of transdermal drug delivery system and some advantages and disadvantages of 3D printing technology over conventional drug delivery approach

Discerning the proximate composition, anti-oxidative and prebiotic properties of de-oiled meals: Mustard and Rice-bran

The de-oiled meals are the less economically viable counterparts obtained from post oil-extraction process. These de-oiled meals are extremely rich constituents of various nutrients such as carbohydrate, protein, dietary fibre and minerals. However, in addition to the nutrition, it also has a significant content of various anti-nutritional factors that can be removed by simple processing methods. These de-oiled meals are largely discarded and disposed of as waste, leaving only a small portion to be used for feeding animals. The progressively increasing demand for alternative sources of naturally occurring feed stuffs necessitates utilisation of de-oiled meals to its full potential for feeding animals and fishes that are being raised/cultured for commercial objectives. In this paper, we have analysed the nutrient, anti-oxidants, as well as anti-nutritional composition of the two de-oiled meals mustard and rice-bran, followed by evaluation of their prebiotic properties with respect of Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria. The de-oiled meals were good sources of protein, carbohydrate crude fibre, polyphenols and flavonoid. They were found to contain low amounts of phytates and tannates and demonstrated prebiotic activities comparable to that of commercial inulin. The de-oiled meals also inhibited amylase enzyme activity. The mustard meal had the highest amylase inhibitory activity i.e., 49.75%. Therefore, these edible oil industry wastes have a great potential to serve as a nutrient dense food for animals and their utilisation will help to reduce the burden on environment as well as meet the ensuing demand gap

Viral Interference with DNA Repair by Targeting of the Single-Stranded DNA Binding Protein RPA

<div><p>Correct repair of damaged DNA is critical for genomic integrity. Deficiencies in DNA repair are linked with human cancer. Here we report a novel mechanism by which a virus manipulates DNA damage responses. Infection with murine polyomavirus sensitizes cells to DNA damage by UV and etoposide. Polyomavirus large T antigen (LT) alone is sufficient to sensitize cells 100 fold to UV and other kinds of DNA damage. This results in activated stress responses and apoptosis. Genetic analysis shows that LT sensitizes via the binding of its origin-binding domain (OBD) to the single-stranded DNA binding protein replication protein A (RPA). Overexpression of RPA protects cells expressing OBD from damage, and knockdown of RPA mimics the LT phenotype. LT prevents recruitment of RPA to nuclear foci after DNA damage. This leads to failure to recruit repair proteins such as Rad51 or Rad9, explaining why LT prevents repair of double strand DNA breaks by homologous recombination. A targeted intervention directed at RPA based on this viral mechanism could be useful in circumventing the resistance of cancer cells to therapy.</p></div

DNA damage after UV irradiation and etoposide in the presence of LT or OBD. A

<p>: Representative images of comet assays from uninduced MEF cells or OBD expressing cells after 40 J/m² UV, or 100 µM etoposide (E). <b>B</b>: Top Panel: CASP calculated tail moments (TM) from analysis of comet assays of uninduced or LT expressing MEFs immediately after UV at 4, 40 or 400 J/m². Data are shown for a representative experiment, where at least 100 comets were quantitated for each cell line. Bottom Panel: Uninduced or OBD-expressing MEFs were untreated or exposed to etoposide (E), 0 and 100 µM, for 45 or 60 minutes. CASP calculated tail moments (TM) from analysis of alkaline comet assays are shown. <b>C</b>: Quantification of DNA damage with or without TiQA (30 mM) pretreatment in uninduced or OBD expressing MEFs after exposure to 40 J/m² UV Irradiation. CASP calculated tail moment (TM) from analysis of comet assays are shown for a representative experiment, where at least 100 comets were quantitated for each condition. <b>D, E</b>: LT/OBD Does Not Affect Formation of UV Photolesions. <b>D</b>: MEFs inducibly expressing LT or uninduced controls (CON) were exposed to 0, 4, 40 and 400 J/m² UV irradiation and then stained immediately with antibody against CPD to measure the degree of damage by FACS analysis. <b>E</b>: As in D, except stained immediately with anti-64PP antibody.</p