Traffic Priority-Aware Medical Data Dissemination Scheme for IoT Based WBASN Healthcare Applications

Wireless Body Area Sensor Network (WBASN) is an automated system for remote health monitoring of patients. WBASN under umbrella of Internet of Things (IoT) is comprised of small Biomedical Sensor Nodes (BSNs) that can communicate with each other without human involvement. These BSNs can be placed on human body or inside the skin of the patients to regularly monitor their vital signs. The BSNs generate critical data as it is related to patient's health. The data traffic can be classified as Sensitive Data (SD) and Non-sensitive Data (ND) packets based on the value of vital signs. These data packets have different priority to deliver. The ND packets may tolerate some delay or packet loss whereas, the SD packets required to be delivered on time with minimized packet loss otherwise it can be life threating to the patients. In this research, we propose a Traffic Priority-aware Medical Data Dissemination (TPMD²) scheme for WBASN to deliver the data packets according to their priority based on the sensitivity of the data. The assessment of the proposed scheme is carried out in various experiments. The simulation results of the TPMD² scheme indicate a significant improvement in packets delivery, transmission delay and energy efficiency in comparison with the existing schemes.     

Mining network-level properties of Twitter altmetrics data

Social networking sites play a significant role in altmetrics. While 90% of all altmetric mentions come from Twitter, the known microscopic and macroscopic properties of Twitter altmetrics data are limited. In this study, we present a large-scale analysis of Twitter altmetrics data using social network analysis techniques on the ‘mention’ network of Twitter users. Exploiting the network-level properties of over 1.4 million tweets, corresponding to 77,757 scholarly articles, this study focuses on the following aspects of Twitter altmetrics data: (a) the influence of organizational accounts; (b) the formation of disciplinary communities; (c) the cross-disciplinary interaction among Twitter users; (d) the network motifs of influential Twitter users; and (e) testing the small-world property. The results show that Twitter-based social media communities have unique characteristics, which may affect social media usage counts either directly or indirectly. Therefore, instead of treating altmetrics data as a black box, the underlying social media networks, which may either inflate or deflate social media usage counts, need further scrutiny.

     

Business undergraduates’ perceived use outcomes of Moodle in a blended learning environment: The roles of usability factors and external support

This study was designed to explore the effects or roles of usability factors (i.e., perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and satisfaction) and external support (i.e., teacher and peer support) on undergraduates’ use outcomes of Moodle in a blended learning environment. The research hypotheses derived from relevant constructs taken from the technology acceptance model, information systems continuance model, and the theory of reasoned action. The study’s dependent variable is use outcomes, which was conceptualized with factors such as academic performance, perceived learning assistance, and perceived impacts on learning. We conducted a cross-sectional survey and collected data from 126 undergraduate students attending a university in the Maritime region of Canada. The partial least squares technique was used to test the hypothesized relationships in the proposed research model. We found that usability factors have positive effects on students’ use outcomes; contrarily to predictions teacher and peer support did not. The findings of the study offer useful insights that can help HE administrators gain an understanding of antecedent factors likely to enhance students’ use outcomes of Moodle.     

New Efficient Algorithms for Multiplication Over Fields of Characteristic Three

In this paper, we first present an enhancement of the well-known Karatsuba 2-way and 3-way algorithms for characteristic three fields, denoted by \(\mathbb {F}_{3^{n}}\) where n≥1. We then derive a 3-way polynomial multiplication algorithm with five 1/3 sized multiplications that use interpolation in \(\mathbb {F}_{9}\). Following the computation of the arithmetic and delay complexity of the proposed algorithm, we provide the results of our hardware implementation of polynomial multiplications over \(\mathbb {F}_{3}\) and \(\mathbb {F}_{9}\). The final proposal is a new 3-way polynomial multiplication algorithm over \(\mathbb {F}_{3}\) that uses three polynomial multiplications of 1/3 of the original size over \(\mathbb {F}_{3}\) and one polynomial multiplication of 1/3 of the original size over \(\mathbb {F}_{9}\). We show that this algorithm represents about 15% reduction of the complexity over previous algorithms for the polynomial multiplications whose sizes are of practical interest.     

Enhanced antibacterial activity of anodic aluminum oxide membranes embedded with nano-silver-titanium dioxide

In this work, the fabrication conditions of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates with different pore size diameters were achieved using oxalic, tartaric, and phosphoric acidic electrolytes. Silver (Ag) nanostructures (NSs) were embedded in AAO template by simple hydrothermal and photoreduction methods. Moreover, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) NSs (nanowires) was deposited into these porous templates by sol-gel method. FESEM results suggested that Ag nanofishstars, nanonecklaces (NNs), and TiO₂ nanowires (NWs) like structures were grown in AAO pores with high-order and -aspect ratios. An anti-adhesive method was used to estimate the nano-size effect of the structures for enhancing antibacterial mechanism against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Gram-negative bacterium, and Staphylococcus aureus Gram-positive bacterium. In this study, the inhibition percentages of the Ag NNs/AAO membrane were 86.4, and 77.4%, respectively whereas that of the Ag film on glass substrate were 65, and 53.9%. Moreover, the inhibition percentages of the TiO₂ NWs/AAO membrane were 85.9, and 70.1%, on the other hand, the TiO₂ film on glass substrate were 60.3, and 45.2%. Results proved that the high porosity of the AAO template improved the contact-killing and release-killing actions of nanoparticles against biofilms.     

Prediction interval-based neural network modelling of polystyrene polymerization reactor – A new perspective of data-based modelling

In this paper, prediction interval (PI)-based modelling techniques are introduced and applied to capture the nonlinear dynamics of a polystyrene batch reactor system. Traditional NN models are developed using experimental datasets with and without disturbances. Simulation results indicate that traditional NNs cannot properly handle disturbances in reactor data and demonstrate a poor forecasting performance, with an average MAPE of 22% in the presence of disturbances. The lower upper bound estimation (LUBE) method is applied for the construction of PIs to quantify uncertainties associated with forecasts. The simulated annealing optimization technique is employed to adjust NN parameters for minimization of an innovative PI-based cost function. The simulation results reveal that the LUBE method generates quality PIs without requiring prohibitive computations. As both calibration and sharpness of PIs are practically and theoretically satisfactory, the constructed PIs can be used as part of the decision-making and control process of polymerization reactors.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of seeds of different cultivars of mungbean

ABSTRACT:  Seeds of 4 cultivars (M-1, M-6, NM-92, and NM-98) of mungbean [ Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] were investigated for proximate composition, antioxidant potential, fatty acids, tocopherols, and minerals profiles. Hexane-extracted seed oil content of the investigated cultivars of mungbeans ranged from 1.20% to 1.56%. Mungbean seeds were found to be a rich source of protein (20.97% to 31.32%). The contents of Fe, Cu, Mg, Na, K, Ca, and Zn were found to be 105.8 to 190.9, 4.8 to 6.3, 48.6 to 51.7, 382.6 to 562.7, 11.6 to 18.8, 359.2 to 482.9, and 24.9 to 47.2 mg/kg, respectively. The mungbean seeds contained linoleic acid in the highest amount, 340.5 to 465.7 mg/100 g of dry seed, followed by palmitic, oleic, linolenic, stearic, and arachidic acids: 278.1 to 401.2, 212.6 to 293.5, 188.7 to 236.8, 135.5 to 168.4, and 22.8 to 24.5 mg/100 g of dry seed, respectively. The seeds were found to be a rich source of tocopherols (α, γ, δ) ranged from 1.1 to 10.1, 60.7 to 80.9, and 4.6 to 11.2 mg/kg, respectively. Methanolic extracts of the seeds of the mungbean cultivars exhibited a good antioxidant activity as determined in terms of measurement of total phenolic contents (TPC) (0.62 to 1.08 g/100 g of dry matter), percent inhibition of peroxidation (49.8% to 89.2%), reducing power (1.19% to 1.45%), and bleaching β-carotene. The results of the present analytical study revealed these 4 mungbean cultivars to be a potential source of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, minerals and protein, all of which are linked with positive health benefits.     

Polymer membrane electrodes for sensitive potentiometric determination of beta-blockers

The construction of PVC matrix-type β-blockers (sotalol, carvedilol, and betaxolol) ion selective electrodes and their use for direct potentiometry of their respective species are described. The proposed sensors are based on the complex ion associates of β-blockers with tungstophosphate (TP) and Ammonium Reineckate (Rein) ionophoris in poly vinyl chloride membrane (PVC) with Dioctylphthalate (DOP) plasticizer. The four electrodes (Beta-TP), (Sota-TP), (Carve-TP), and (Cave-Rein) show stable potential response with near Nernstian slope of 50.8, 33.7, 32.35, and 33 mv per decade, range of concentration 10-2-10-7 M β-blockers. Selectivity coefficients data obtained for 11 different organic and inorganic ions are presented. The electrodes have fast response time (30 and 40 s) and were used over wide range of pH 4.5-8.5. Validation of the method according to the quality assurance standers shows suitability of proposed sensors for use in the quality control assessment of these drugs. The results obtained for the determination of β-blockers with the proposed electrodes show average recoveries of 100.78% and a mean standard deviation of ±1.2. The nominal are obtained. The data agree well with those obtained by standard methods.     

表层套管钻井技术在红山嘴油田的应用

为了降低钻井成本、减少井下事故,实现油气储量经济有效的开采,克拉玛依油田开展了表层套管钻井技术的试验研究,针对油田地质特点,立足于工艺及工具设备的自主研发,进行了套管钻井工艺及工具配套技术的研究,研制出套管悬挂器及随钻扩眼器,并在新疆准噶尔盆地红山嘴油田进行了4口井的现场试验,取得了较好的效果,平均机械钻速相对于常规钻井提高了92.2%。证明套管钻井技术经过完善后,可望达到降低钻井成本、提高效益的目的,具有广阔的发展前景。     

Heat transfer and hydromagnetic electroosmotic Von Kármán swirling flow from a rotating porous disc to a permeable medium with viscous heating and Joule dissipation

Magnetohydrodynamic flow and heat transfer in an ionic viscous fluid in a porous medium induced by a stretching spinning disc and modulated by electroosmosis under an axial magnetic field and radial electrical field is presented in this study. The effects of convective wall boundary conditions, Joule heating and viscous dissipation are incorporated. The governing partial differential conservation equations are transformed into a system of self-similar coupled, nonlinear ordinary differential equations with associated boundary conditions. The Matlab bvp4c solver featuring a shooting technique and the fourth-order Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method are used to numerically solve the governing dimensionless boundary value problem. Multivariate analysis is also performed to examine the thermal characteristics. An increase in rotation parameter induces a reduction in the radial velocity, whereas it elevates the tangential velocity. Greater electrical field parameter strongly damps the radial velocity whereas it slightly decreases the tangential velocity. Increasing magnetic parameter also damps both the radial and tangential velocities. An increment in electroosmotic parameter substantially decelerates the radial flow but has a weak effect on the tangential velocity field. Increasing permeability parameter (inversely proportional to permeability) markedly damps both radial and tangential velocities. The pressure gradient is initially enhanced near the disk surface but reduced further from the disk surface with increasing magnetic parameter and electrical field parameter, whereas the opposite effect is produced with increasing Joule dissipation. Increasing magnetic and rotational parameters generate a strong heating effect and boost temperature and thermal boundary layer thickness. Nusselt number is boosted with increasing Brinkman number (viscous heating effect) and Reynolds number. The simulations are relevant to electromagnetic coating flows, bioreactors and electrochemical sensing technologies in medicine.