Routing for disruption tolerant networks: taxonomy and design

Communication networks, whether they are wired or wireless, have traditionally been assumed to be connected at least most of the time. However, emerging applications such as emergency response, special operations, smart environments, VANETs, etc. coupled with node heterogeneity and volatile links (e.g. due to wireless propagation phenomena and node mobility) will likely change the typical conditions under which networks operate. In fact, in such scenarios, networks may be mostly disconnected, i.e., most of the time, end-to-end paths connecting every node pair do not exist. To cope with frequent, long-lived disconnections, opportunistic routing techniques have been proposed in which, at every hop, a node decides whether it should forward or store-and-carry a message. Despite a growing number of such proposals, there still exists little consensus on the most suitable routing algorithm(s) in this context. One of the reasons is the large diversity of emerging wireless applications and networks exhibiting such “episodic” connectivity. These networks often have very different characteristics and requirements, making it very difficult, if not impossible, to design a routing solution that fits all. In this paper, we first break up existing routing strategies into a small number of common and tunable routing modules (e.g. message replication, coding, etc.), and then show how and when a given routing module should be used, depending on the set of network characteristics exhibited by the wireless application. We further attempt to create a taxonomy for intermittently connected networks. We try to identify generic network characteristics that are relevant to the routing process (e.g., network density, node heterogeneity, mobility patterns) and dissect different “challenged” wireless networks or applications based on these characteristics. Our goal is to identify a set of useful design guidelines that will enable one to choose an appropriate routing protocol for the application or network in hand. Finally, to demonstrate the utility of our approach, we take up some case studies of challenged wireless networks, and validate some of our routing design principles using simulations.     

Design and testing of varying magnetic field effect in a pulsatility blood flow of viscoelastic material: Flexibility analysis in a curved channel

This paper attempts to investigate the peristaltic mechanism of Williamson fluid in a pipe flow under the influence of variable radial magnetic field along with slip effects and compliant walls. Viscous dissipation and thermophoresis effects are also considered. The solutions of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations are obtained using the perturbation technique and results are graphically represented. The effects on heat, mass, velocity, and heat transfer coefficient are studied under various pertinent parameters. The outcomes of the present model can be applied in various fields of biomedical engineering where smart peristaltic pumps can be engineered to transport the biological fluids without any contamination. The scope of the present article is valuable in explaining the blood transport dynamics in small vessels while considering the important wall features with chemical reaction characteristics.     

Morphological and palynological assessment of taxonomically problematic genus Paspalum based on light and scanning electron microscopy

Present research work was carried out to clarify the variations among species of genus Paspalum morphologically and palynologically as this genus is taxonomically difficult due to having multiple similar morphologically overlapping characters which make it difficult to identify. Henceforth present research work was carried out to delimit taxa within the same genus by morphological and palynological tools through light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both these tools are considered as the most useful taxonomic characters for taxonomically problematic genera. The results showed a lot of variations among morphological characters. In Paspalum dilatatum, the upper glume was ovate whereas in the other two species, the upper glume was elliptic. The upper glume apex found in P. dilatatum and Paspalum scrobiculatum was obtuse whereas in Paspalum distichum, upper glume apex was acute. Glume nerves showed variation in all three species. Paspalum distichum was 3 nerved, P. scrobiculatum was 5–7 nerved, and P. dilatatum was 5–9 nerved. All three species showed variation in lemma nerves. Paspalum scrobiculatum had 3 nerved lemma whereas in P. distichum 3–5 nerved and P. dilatatum 5–9 nerved lemma were present. In polar and equatorial view, pollen grains ranged from 25 (20–30) to 37.5 (30–45) μm. Paspalum distichum appeared to be the smallest in size whereas P. dilatatum was the largest. Exine thickness ranged from 0.75 (0.5–1) to 1.35 (1.2–1.5) μm. The higher value of pollen fertility was found in P. scrobiculatum as 87.69% and the lowest value was in P. distichum as 78.08%. Morphological keys were also given for correct identification.     

Machine learning for post-traumatic stress disorder identification utilizing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging

Early detection of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is essential for proper treatment of the patients to recover from this disorder. The aligned purpose of this study was to investigate the performance deviations in regions of interest (ROI) of PTSD than the healthy brain regions, to assess interregional functional connectivity and applications of machine learning techniques to identify PTSD and healthy control using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). The rs-fMRI data of 10 ROI was extracted from 14 approved PTSD subjects and 14 healthy controls. The rs-fMRI data of the selected ROI were used in ANOVA to measure performance level and Pearson's correlation to investigate the interregional functional connectivity in PTSD brains. In machine learning approaches, the logistic regression, K-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM) with linear, radial basis function, and polynomial kernels were used to classify the PTSD and control subjects. The performance level in brain regions of PTSD deviated as compared to the regions in the healthy brain. In addition, significant positive or negative functional connectivity was observed among ROI in PTSD brains. The rs-fMRI data have been distributed in training, validation, and testing group for maturity, implementation of machine learning techniques. The KNN and SVM with radial basis function kernel were outperformed for classification among other methods with high accuracies (96.6%, 94.8%, 98.5%) and (93.7%, 95.2%, 99.2%) to train, validate, and test datasets, respectively. The study's findings may provide a guideline to observe performance and functional connectivity of the brain regions in PTSD and to discriminate PTSD subject using only the suggested algorithms.     

Multi‐Objective Optimization in Distillation Unit: A Case Study

Increasing social pressure and strict legislations have resulted in changing the approach of traditional design practices to incorporate multiple objectives in the design of process plants. Distillation is one of the major operations in the chemical process industry that is widely used for purifying products or recovering solvents or separation of valuable reactants from waste stream. In this paper, a procedure for multi‐objective optimization is discussed with the help of a distillation unit from hydrocarbon recovery plant of a distillate fraction process. The procedure developed here consists of four stages and is based on current design tools. The aim is to support decisions during design phase and optimize the process variables in order to generate a process with improved economics along with satisfaction of environmental objectives. Total potential environment impact and total annualized cost are used as indicator for environmental and economic objectives, respectively.     

Degradation of sulfamonomethoxine with Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles as heterogeneous activator of persulfate

The photocatalytic HCrO(4)(-) reduction was investigated in air equilibrated solution using the spinel CuFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles as sensitizers. The oxide is p-type semi conductor, prepared from nitrates decomposition. The catalytic performance increases with decreasing pH and the concomitant oxidation of salicylic acid contributes significantly to the photoactivity through the charges separation of electron/hole pairs (C(7)H(6)O(3)+6 O(2)+4h(+)+3 H(2)O → 7 CO(2)+4 H(3)O(+)). Evidence has been given to show the advantages of the hetero-system CuFe(2)O(4)/CdS in the chromate reduction. CuFe(2)O(4) acts as electrons pump and the electron transfer to chromate is mediated via CdS hexagonal variety (greenockite). A reduction of 60% occurs and the process is well described by a pseudo first order kinetic with a half life of ～2.8h and a quantum yield of ～0.12% for an initial HCrO(4)(-) concentration of 3 × 10(-4)M. An improvement up to 72% is obtained when the reaction occurs in a stirred reactor and no cadmium was detected after 6h illumination. The results indicate a competitive effect with the water reduction. The hydrogen evolutions are found to be 0.236 and 0.960 cm(3)mn(-1)g(-1) in presence and in absence of HCrO(4)(-), respectively.     

Laser beam machining of zirconia ceramic: An investigation of micro-machining geometry and surface roughness

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - Micro-machining of dental ceramics namely as zirconium oxide is carried out through laser beam machining. Micro-channels of different sizes are...     

以猪小肠黏膜提取物作为α-葡萄糖苷酶和二肽基肽酶IV的酶活力分析体系的建立

α-葡萄糖苷酶和二肽基肽酶IV（dipeptidyl peptidase 4,DPP-4）是II型糖尿病治疗中2 种重要的靶向酶。这两种商品化酶价格昂贵且主要来源于微生物,难以有效用于两种酶抑制剂的筛选,而这两种酶均普遍存在哺乳动物的小肠中。为了获得经济有效、来源于哺乳动物体内的α-葡萄糖苷酶和DPP-4,本研究收集新鲜的猪小肠黏膜分泌物及上皮细胞,对比分析了猪小肠不同部位黏膜提取物的α-葡萄糖苷酶和DPP-4的活力。以猪小肠黏膜提取物作为α-葡萄糖苷酶和DPP-4的酶反应体系,并且利用这两种酶的阳性药（阿卡波糖和抑二肽素A（diprotin A,IPI））分别进行了抑制率验证和评价。阿卡波糖对商品和猪回肠源α-葡萄糖苷酶的半数有效抑制质量浓度（median inhibition concentration,IC50）分别是1.102 4、0.244 7 mg/mL;IPI对商品和猪回肠源DPP-4的IC50分别为19.119 7、41.268 4 μg/mL。通过比较发现,猪回肠黏膜提取物的α-葡萄糖苷酶和DPP-4比活力分别为0.084 1、0.053 4 U/mg,在3 种黏膜提取物中均为最高,因此选择猪回肠黏膜提取物作为商品化α-葡萄糖苷酶和DPP-4的替代物进行抑制剂的筛选。     

Comparison of Bougainvillea spectabilis and Bougainvillea glabra species inhibited in Pakistan based on microscopic studies: Light microscope and scanning electron microscope

The anatomical variations of two plants from the Nyctaginaceae family, Bougainvillea spectabilis and Bougainvillea glabra, were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy methods in this work. Bougainvillea is a dicotyledonous with defensive traits that can withstand extreme (hot and dry) settings; according to the findings, crystal inclusions in cells, woody spines, and an abnormal development pattern are all features that help them survive against predators and are unique to this species. The Bougainvillea plant's leaves are arranged in simple pattern, alternate to each other along stem having an undulate leaves edge and an oval form. The xylem and phloem, palisade, parenchyma midrib, spongy mesophyll, raphide crystal bundles, and trichomes were all visible when bracts and leaves were transversally sectioned and dyed with toluidine blue O (TBO). The presence of crystals was confirmed by a detailed examination of the transverse leaves by using bright-field and cross-polarizing microscopy. Dissecting microscopic examination showed that all the leaves revealed leaves venation pattern that had midvein, lateral veins areoles, and trichomes. Although trichomes have been identified on both sides, a closer look at a cleaned leaf dyed with TBO showed multicellular abundant trichomes on adaxial surface. Stomata complexes were typically found on the abaxial surface of the leaf according to epidermal peels. Present studies also showed that on adaxial side, stomata were lesser in number or were absent and also showed that the morphologies of the pavement cells on the adaxial and abaxial sides of the leaf differed.