Trust Based Intrusion Detection Technique to Detect Selfish Nodes in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

The applications and protocols conceived for mobile ad hoc networks rely on the assumption of cooperation amongst the mobile nodes because of lacking infrastructure. All nodes have to spend their precious resources (e.g. battery power, memory, computational power, and network bandwidth) for routing and packet forwarding operations for other nodes, in a cooperative way in the network. However, there are some nodes that may intentionally turn themselves to behave selfishly in order to conserve their valuable resources. The selfish behaviour of such nodes drastically reduces the desired degree of cooperation amongst the mobile nodes. Over the course of time, the non-cooperative activities of, such selfish nodes would paralyze the normal functioning of the whole network. Therefore, these types of nodes should be detected and isolated from the network, as soon as they begin to exhibit their selfish behaviour. In this paper, a dynamic trust based intrusion detection technique is presented to detect and isolate the selfish nodes from the network, where the direct trust degree based on direct communication interactions and indirect (recommended) trust degree based on the neighbours’ recommendations are taking into account to accurately judge the selfishness nature of the nodes. The results obtained throughout the simulation experiments clearly show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed intrusion detection technique.     

Glycolamide-functionalized ionic liquid: Synthesis and actinide ion extraction studies

A glycolamide-functionalized ionic liquid (G-FIL) was synthesized for the first time and was evaluated for the extraction of actinide ions such as Am³⁺, Pu⁴⁺ and UO₂²⁺ and fission product element ions such as Eu³⁺, Sr²⁺ and Cs⁺. The extraction of the trivalent metal ions was found to be exceptionally high at low acid concentrations, which rapidly decreased with increasing acidity. In view of the high viscosity of the G-FIL, the studies were carried out using its diluted solution in a commercial ionic liquid, viz. 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C₄mim][Tf₂N]).     

Flow and heat transfer in serpentine channels

Serpentine channels are often used in microchannel reactors and heat exchangers. These channels offer better mixing, higher heat and mass‐transfer coefficients than straight channels. In the present work, flow and heat transfer experiments were carried out with a serpentine channel plate comprising of 10 units (single unit dimensions: 1 × 1.5 mm² in cross section, length 46.28 mm, D_h 1.2 mm) in series. Pressure drop and heat‐transfer coefficients were experimentally measured. Flow and heat transfer in the experimental set‐up were simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models to understand the mechanisms responsible for performance enhancement. The CFD methodology, thus, developed was applied to understand the effect of various geometrical parameters on heat transfer enhancement. A criterion was defined for evaluation of heat transfer performance (heat transfer per unit pumping power), thus, ensuring due considerations to required pumping power. The effect of geometrical parameters and the corresponding mechanisms contributing for enhancement are discussed briefly. Based on the results, a design map comprising different serpentine channels showing heat transfer enhancement with pumping power was developed for Reynolds number of 200 which will be useful for further work on flow and heat transfer in serpentine channels. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 1814–1827, 2013     

Development and application of highly specific PCR for detection of chicken (Gallus gallus) meat adulteration

In order to prevent fraud in the sale and strengthen quality assurance, authentic identification of chicken meat is essential. In the present investigation, a chicken (Gallus gallus)-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed for the unambiguous identification of chicken meat. The PCR assay employs pair of primers designed against chicken nuclear 5-aminolevulinate (ALA) synthase gene. Highly chicken-specific diagnostic amplicon of 288 bp was established upon PCR and was evident in all the nine breeds/strains of chicken species. Sensitivity of PCR in detecting chicken meat adulteration was established to be at 0.1 % in the foreign meat matrix, while limit of detection (LOD) of chicken DNA was 10 pg. Suitability of the developed chicken-specific PCR was validated and confirmed in raw, cooked/heat treated (60, 80, 100, and 121 °C), and micro-oven cooked meat samples. Possibility of cross-amplification of adulterating DNA was excluded by cross-checking the developed PCR assay with several animal and avian species. The PCR assay developed in this study is highly promising for applications involving circumstances that require authentic identification of chicken meat.     

Comparative Study on the Role of DPT on the Formation of HMX in Semi-Batch and Continuous Process

3,7-Dinitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazabicyclo-[3,3,1]nonane (DPT) is a key intermediate in the preparation of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro 1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), one of the most powerful high-melting explosives. The present investigation focuses on DPT formation during semi-batch and continuous processes. Qualitative and quantitative picture has been brought out to realize the role of DPT in HMX formation. The study reveals that only two thirds of DPT is formed in the continuous process as compared to that of semi-batch process. The calculated final yield of HMX on reaching steady state in the continuous process is comparable to the semi-batch process. This study also illustrates the usefulness in understanding the role of DPT in the final yield of HMX.     

Wide range fully integrated VCO with new cells-based varactor

This article presents a wide range inductance–capacitance voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) with a unit cells-based varactor. The unit cell represents the minimum possible integrated varactor based on p–n junction diodes, where N⁺ diffusions are central rectangles, surrounded by doughnut shaped P⁺ diffusions, with their respective contacts. The varactors are designed using the AMS 0.35?µm BiCMOS process. A physical model has been derived from the measurement of a set of eight fabricated varactors. Measurements indicate that the VCO, which is intended to be used in DVB-H, oscillates from 1.087 to 2.032?GHz, with a 61% tuning range. The phase noises of ?124?dBc/Hz at 1?MHz offset and ?108?dBc/Hz at 100?kHz offset are obtained.     

Effect of coexcipients on drug release and floating property of nifedipine hollow microspheres: A novel gastro retentive drug delivery system

A gastro retentive drug‐delivery system for nifedipine was developed by incorporating the drug in cellulose acetate hollow microspheres capable of floating on the gastric and intestinal fluid. The microspheres were prepared by solvent diffusion–evaporation technique in the presence of coexcipients like polyethylene glycol, dibutyl phthalate, and poly(ε‐caprolactone) using ethyl acetate as a dispersing solvent. Size of the microparticles depends upon the type and concentration of the excipient used. Microparticles exhibited floating properties on the simulated‐gastric fluid for >12 h. Their percentage buoyancy followed the rank order of: blank (no coexcipients) > dibutyl phthalate > polyethylene glycol > poly(ε‐caprolactone) after 15 h of floating. Release of nifedepine was enhanced by the addition of coexcipients. The drug release followed non‐Fickian transport in almost all formulations. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 486–494, 2006     

Crack Bridging in Polymer Nanocomposites

Carbon nanotube reinforced composites offer enhancements in fracture properties since the reinforcing nanotubes provide a bridging mechanism to resist crack growth. In this paper, a study of crack bridging by nanotubes in a nanotube-reinforced polymer composite is presented. The process of crack bridging is idealized as normal pullout of the participating nanotubes from the polymer matrix. The resistance to crack growth due to bridging is taken as the aggregate of the resistance offered by all the nanotubes, ignoring any interaction among the nanotubes themselves. The pullout of a single nanotube from the polymer matrix is modeled as an axisymmetric, nearly one-dimensional problem. This is done by assuming that fracture along the nanotube–polymer interface is dominated by shear openings, and that the nanotube behaves as a rigid body. When the polymer is a linear elastic material, the force–displacement relation for pullout is obtained as a function of dimensionless variables representing the interfacial fracture energy and the pullout length scale. Applying the correspondence principle, the elastic results are extended to the case where the polymer is a linear viscoelastic material with a single relaxation time. The force–displacement relation is then a function of the viscoelastic properties of the polymer and the pullout velocity as well. Using these results, the apparent enhancement in the fracture energy of the composite is obtained. This provides a guideline to design these composites for desired fracture properties in terms of the interfacial strength of the nanotube–polymer interface and the volume fraction of the nanotubes. Results of numerical simulations of nanotube pullout are compared to the predictions of the analytical model.     

Radio frequency plasma nitriding of aluminium at higher power levels

Nitriding of aluminium 2011 using a radio frequency plasma at higher power levels (500 and 700 W) and lower substrate temperature (500 °C) resulted in higher AlN/Al₂O₃ ratios than obtained at 100 W and 575 °C. AlN/Al₂O₃ ratios derived from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis (and corroborated by heavy ion elastic recoil time of flight spectrometry) for treatments preformed at 100 (575 °C), 500 (500 °C) and 700 W (500 °C) were 1.0, 1.5 and 3.3, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that plasma nitrided surfaces obtained at higher power levels exhibited much finer nodular morphology than obtained at 100 W.     

Lipoprotein (a) in Chronic Renal Failure: Effect of Maintenance Hemodialysis

Background:  Coronary artery disease accounts for significant morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Besides the higher prevalence of traditional risk factors, several uremia-related factors may play a role in accelerated atherosclerosis, such as elevated levels of lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)). The effect of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) on Lp(a) levels is not well understood. The present work was carried out to study the Lp(a) levels in Stage 4 and Stage 5 CKD patients as well as the effect of MHD on Lp(a) levels in patients with Stage 5 CKD.
Methods:  The study subjects included 15 patients with Stage 4 CKD, 15 patients with Stage 5 CKD, and 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Plasma Lp(a) was measured by ELISA in all the subjects at the time of entry into the study and after 4 weeks of MHD in patients with Stage 5 CKD. Patients on MHD were dialyzed two to three times weekly for 4 hr during each session.
Results:  Mean Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in patients with CKD than in control patients. In patients with Stage 4 CKD, the Lp(a) level was 34.0 ± 19.5 mg/dL, whereas in Stage 5 CKD the level was 49.0 ± 30.9 and in healthy controls it was 22.2 ± 16.4. In patients with Stage 5 CKD, 4 weeks of MHD led to a significant fall in Lp(a) levels by 23.6% (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:  The results of this study show that increases in Lp(a) levels start early during the course of CKD and become more pronounced with increased severity of disease. Initiation of MHD lowers Lp(a) levels and may have a long-term beneficial effect on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.