Enhanced Cluster Based Routing Protocol for MANETS

Mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) are a set of self organized wireless mobile nodes that works without any predefined infrastructure. For routing data in MANETs, the routing protocols relay on mobile wireless nodes. In general, any routing protocol performance suffers i) with resource constraints and ii) due to the mobility of the nodes. Due to existing routing challenges in MANETs clustering based protocols suffers frequently with cluster head failure problem, which degrades the cluster stability. This paper proposes, Enhanced CBRP, a schema to improve the cluster stability and in-turn improves the performance of traditional cluster based routing protocol (CBRP), by electing better cluster head using weighted clustering algorithm and considering some crucial routing challenges. Moreover, proposed protocol suggests a secondary cluster head for each cluster, to increase the stability of the cluster and implicitly the network infrastructure in case of sudden failure of cluster head.Comment: 6 page

Enclaving the City: New Models of Containing the Urban Populations - A Case Study of Cairo

This article builds on theoretical foundations from enclave urbanism, authoritarian planning and neoliberal urbanisation to explore contemporary socio-spatial transformation(s) happening in Cairo, Egypt. Relying on a nationwide road development project, inner-city neighbourhoods in Cairo are turning into urban enclaves, whereby populations are being separated by a multiplicity of transport-related infrastructure projects. As these rapid planning processes are occurring, our article aims to explain why these developments are crucial and unique in the context of the post-Arab Spring cities. We argue that the new road infrastructure is creating a spatially and socially fragmented city and transforming the urban citizenry into a controllable and navigable body. We use an inductive approach to investigate the effects of the new road infrastructure and its hegemonic outcomes on the city. On a conceptual level, we propose that the enclaving of the city is a containment method that has erupted since the mass mobilisations of the Arab Spring. In doing so, we use qualitative analysis to explain empirical evidence showing how the city is being transformed into nodes of enclaves, where communities are getting separated from one another via socio-spatial fault lines

Cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein (C-FLIP): a novel target for cancer therapy

Cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) has been identified as a protease-dead, procaspase-8-like regulator of death ligand-induced apoptosis, based on observations that c-FLIP impedes tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), Fas-L, and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis by binding to FADD and/or caspase-8 or -10 in a ligand-dependent fashion, which in turn prevents death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) formation and subsequent activation of the caspase cascade. c-FLIP is a family of alternatively spliced variants, and primarily exists as long (c-FLIP(L)) and short (c-FLIP(S)) splice variants in human cells. Although c-FLIP has apoptogenic activity in some cell contexts, which is currently attributed to heterodimerization with caspase-8 at the DISC, accumulating evidence indicates an anti-apoptotic role for c-FLIP in various types of human cancers. For example, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that specifically knocked down expression of c-FLIP(L) in diverse human cancer cell lines, e.g., lung and cervical cancer cells, augmented TRAIL-induced DISC recruitment, and thereby enhanced effector caspase stimulation and apoptosis. Therefore, the outlook for the therapeutic index of c-FLIP-targeted drugs appears excellent, not only from the efficacy observed in experimental models of cancer therapy, but also because the current understanding of dual c-FLIP action in normal tissues supports the notion that c-FLIP-targeted cancer therapy will be well tolerated. Interestingly, Taxol, TRAIL, as well as several classes of small molecules induce c-FLIP downregulation in neoplastic cells. Efforts are underway to develop small-molecule drugs that induce c-FLIP downregulation and other c-FLIP-targeted cancer therapies. In this review, we assess the outlook for improving cancer therapy through c-FLIP-targeted therapeutics

Human β-galactoside α-2,3-sialyltransferase (ST3Gal III) attenuated Taxol-induced apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells by downregulating caspase-8 activity

Taxol triggers apoptosis in a variety of cancer cells, but it also upregulates cytoprotective proteins and/or pathways that compromise its therapeutic efficacy. In this report, we found that Taxol treatment resulted in caspase-8-dependent apoptosis in SKOV3 human ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, Taxol-induced apoptosis was associated with caspase-3 activation. Interestingly, Taxol treatment upregulated α-2,3-sialyltransferase (ST3Gal III) expression and forced expression of ST3Gal III attenuated Taxol-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, ST3Gal III overexpression inhibited Taxol-ttiggered caspase-8 activation, indicating that ST3Gal III upregulation produces cellular resistance to Taxol and hence reduces the efficacy of Taxol therapy

Improve Image Security Over wireless Sensor Network

The major weaknesses of Wireless Sensor Network is the energy consumption, because the difficult battery replacement or recharge . The energy consume can be regulator by more than one layers. In this paper goals to reduce the energy consume in the physical layer, because the most of the energy consume occurs in the physical layer. This reduce will be achieved via the use of Zigbee transceiver standard at the physical layer with the reduced complexity and lower power consumption than other system used in wireless sensor networks. Furthermore, such use will also enhance energy efficiency and bit error rate of the wireless sensor network. In this paper will apply the chaotic interleaver and chaos encryption to get best encryption (two level encryption) and reducing in time processing and enhancement simulation for bit error rate and peak signal to noise ration by transceiver image cameraman though an AWGN and Rayleigh fadingnbsp channels are displayed

Can Shadows Reveal Biometric Information?

We study the problem of extracting biometric information of individuals by looking at shadows of objects cast on diffuse surfaces. We show that the biometric information leakage from shadows can be sufficient for reliable identity inference under representative scenarios via a maximum likelihood analysis. We then develop a learning-based method that demonstrates this phenomenon in real settings, exploiting the subtle cues in the shadows that are the source of the leakage without requiring any labeled real data. In particular, our approach relies on building synthetic scenes composed of 3D face models obtained from a single photograph of each identity. We transfer what we learn from the synthetic data to the real data using domain adaptation in a completely unsupervised way. Our model is able to generalize well to the real domain and is robust to several variations in the scenes. We report high classification accuracies in an identity classification task that takes place in a scene with unknown geometry and occluding objects

A Dose-escalation Study of Recombinant Human Interleukin-18 in Combination With Ofatumumab After Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation for Lymphoma

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is an immunostimulatory cytokine that augments antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity mediated by human natural killer cells against antibody-coated lymphoma cells in vitro and that has antitumor activity in animal models. Ofatumumab is a CD20 monoclonal antibody with activity against human B-cell lymphomas. A phase I study of recombinant human (rh) IL-18 given with ofatumumab was undertaken in patients with CD20 lymphoma who had undergone high-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Cohorts of 3 patients were given intravenous infusions of ofatumumab 1000 mg weekly for 4 weeks with escalating doses of rhIL-18 as a intravenous infusion weekly for 8 consecutive weeks. Nine male patients with CD20 lymphomas were given ofatumumab in combination with rhIL-18 at doses of 3, 10, and 30 μg/kg. No unexpected or dose-limiting toxicities were observed. The mean reduction from predose levels in the number of peripheral blood natural killer cells after the first rhIL-18 infusion was 91%, 96%, and 97% for the 3, 10, and 30 μg/kg cohorts, respectively. Serum concentrations of interferon-γ and chemokines transiently increased following IL-18 dosing. rhIL-18 can be given in biologically active doses by weekly infusions in combination with ofatumumab after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation to patients with lymphoma. A maximum tolerated dose of rhIL-18 plus ofatumumab was not determined. Further studies of rhIL-18 and CD20 monoclonal antibodies in B-cell malignancies are warranted

Spermidine/Spermine N1-Acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1)—A Potential Gene Target for Selective Sensitization of Glioblastoma Cells Using an Ionizable Lipid Nanoparticle to Deliver siRNA

Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1) responsible for cell polyamine catabolism is overexpressed in glioblastoma multiforme (GB). Its role in tumor survival and promoting resistance towards radiation therapy has made it an interesting target for therapy. In this study, we prepared a lipid nanoparticle-based siRNA delivery system (LNP-siSAT1) to selectively knockdown (KD) SAT1 enzyme in a human glioblastoma cell line. The LNP-siSAT1 containing ionizable DODAP lipid was prepared following a microfluidics mixing method and the resulting nanoparticles had a hydrodynamic size of around 80 nm and a neutral surface charge. The LNP-siSAT1 effectively knocked down the SAT1 expression in U251, LN229, and 42MGBA GB cells, and other brain-relevant endothelial (hCMEC/D3), astrocyte (HA) and macrophage (ANA-1) cells at the mRNA and protein levels. SAT1 KD in U251 cells resulted in a 40% loss in cell viability. Furthermore, SAT1 KD in U251, LN229 and 42MGBA cells sensitized them towards radiation and chemotherapy treatments. In contrast, despite similar SAT1 KD in other brain-relevant cells no significant effect on cytotoxic response, either alone or in combination, was observed. A major roadblock for brain therapeutics is their ability to cross the highly restrictive blood–brain barrier (BBB) presented by the brain microcapillary endothelial cells. Here, we used the BBB circumventing approach to enhance the delivery of LNP-siSAT1 across a BBB cell culture model. A cadherin binding peptide (ADTC5) was used to transiently open the BBB tight junctions to promote paracellular diffusion of LNP-siSAT1. These results suggest LNP-siSAT1 may provide a safe and effective method for reducing SAT1 and sensitizing GB cells to radiation and chemotherapeutic agents

CHEOPS: The ESA Mission for Exo-Planets Characterization Ready for Launch

The European Space Agency (ESA) Science Programme Committee (SPC) selected CHEOPS (Characterizing Exoplanets Satellite) in October 2012 as the first Small-class mission (S1) within the Agency’s Scientific Programme. It is considered as a pilot case for implementing “small science missions” in the agency with the following requirements: science driven mission selected through an open Call; an implementation cycle, from the Call to launch, drastically shorter than for Medium-class (M) and Large-class (L) missions; a strict cost-cap to ESA, with possibly higher Member States involvement than for M or L missions. The CHEOPS mission is devoted to the characterization of known exoplanets orbiting bright stars, achieved through the precise measurement of exoplanet radii using the technique of transit photometry. It was adopted for implementation in February 2014 as a partnership between the ESA Science Programme and Switzerland, with a number of other Member States delivering significant contributions to the instrument development and to operations. The CHEOPS instrument is an optical Ritchey-Chrétien telescope with 300 mm effective aperture diameter and a large external baffle to minimize straylight. The compact CHEOPS spacecraft (approx. 300 kg, 1.5 m size), based on a flight-proven platform, will orbit the Earth in a dawn-dusk Sun Synchronous Orbit at 700 km altitude. CHEOPS completed the Preliminary Design Review at the end of September 2014, and passed the Critical Design Review in May 2016. In the course of 2017, flight platform and payload have been integrated and tested, and then followed by satellite level activities, targeting flight readiness by the end of year 2019. Implementation and validation of the ground segment, which is composed of the MOC (Mission Operations Centre), located in Torrejón (Madrid, Spain) and the SOC (Science Operations Centre), located at the University of Geneva (Switzerland) was achieved in parallel. CHEOPS will be launched as a secondary passenger on a Soyuz from Kourou by end of 2019. The paper describes the latest CHEOPS development status, focusing on the activities for verification and validation of the satellite and the system at large, including the ground segment and the activities in preparation for S/C launch and its operations. Additional details can be found on the ESA and UBE websites referred in [8]

Demographics and microbiological profile of Pneumonia in United Arab Emirates

Background. Pneumonia is a common respiratory disease, which has a mortality rate of approximately 14% worldwide. The management of pneumonia is based on the patient and microbiological profile existing in the community. There is a paucity of data regarding patient demographics and the microbiological profile for pneumonia in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of inpatients with pneumonia in the UAE. Epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data was collected from patients over the age of 16 years admitted to a single university hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia between the years 1997 and 2002. Patients were categorised as having community acquired (CAP) or hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP). Results. Among the 361 patients, 186 were females and 175 males. The mean age (±SEM) of the males was 59±1.6 years and of the females, 56.9±1.5 years. The annual hospital admission rate for pneumonia increased from 410 per million population in 1997 to 760 in 2002. The pneumonia was community acquired in 289 (80%) and hospital acquired in 72 (20%). Hospitalisation for CAP showed a significant seasonal variation with peak admission rates in March and April and the nadir in August and September. The overall mortality rate was 13%, and was significantly higher for HAP (24%) than for CAP (10%, p<0.01). The common microorganisms isolated from sputum culture in CAP were Haemophilus.influenzae (18.6%) and Streptococcus.pneumoniae (10%). The common pathogen in HAP was Pseudomonas.aeruginosa in (50%). 4 out of 17 (23%) H. influenzae isolates were resistant to amoxicillin and 2 of 9 S. pneumoniae isolates (22%) were resistant to penicillin. Conclusions. The hospitalisation rate for CAP has increased over the years and showed a clear seasonal trend in the UAE. H. influenzae was the most common organism among patients with CAP and P. aeruginosa in HAP. The mortality rate for HAP was significantly higher than for CAP. The drug resistance pattern was similar to reports from centres elsewhere in South East Asia