Efficient Clustering Using Modified Bacterial Foraging Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Personal Communications - Improving security and reliability is a main concern in many wireless transmission systems. In this paper, we explore the security and reliability in cognitive...     

A time stamp-based algorithm to improve security and performance of mobile ad hoc network

Mobile ad hoc network is open medium and infrastructure-less network. Mobile ad hoc network is susceptible to various security attacks such as, black hole attack, gray hole attack, bad mouthing attack, sybil attack and worm hole attack due to open medium, infrastructure-less features and lack of in-built security. In black hole attack and gray hole attack, attacker falsely sends route reply and dropped data packets received from source node. Due to these attacks, performance of mobile ad hoc network decreases. This paper proposes a time stamp-based algorithm which is an enhanced version of existing IDSNAODV algorithm. Proposed algorithm modifies existing palling process to validate identity of observer nodes using a time stamp-based approach. Based on defined set of rules and recorded activities report, source node decides the nature of target node. The performance of proposed algorithm is evaluated using the network simulator. The proposed algorithm shows improved performance for packet delivery ratio, throughput and routing overhead as compared to existing algorithm.

     

Partial purification and some properties of the lipase present in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) mesocarp

The fatty layer obtained by centrifuging a homogenate of oil palm fruit mesocarp contains an active lipase. The lipase which was partially purified using a combination of ammonium sulphate fractionation, ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography, indicated an optimum activity at pH 4.5 and a temperature of 30°C. The enzyme exhibited good activity towards its natural substrate, palm oil as well as glycerol trioleate and glycerol tripalmitate. It also showed a linear reaction rate for the first 20 min of incubation. Sodium cyanide, resorcinol, cholesterol, lecithin and glycylglycine strongly inhibited its activity while phenol, L-cysteine and EDTA enhanced its activity. It is suggested that the lipase is associated with the membrane of the oil droplets.     

Contribution of abnormal sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase activity to systolic and diastolic dysfunction in human heart failure

Two of the most significant characteristics of failing human myocardium are an increased diastolic [Ca2+]i and a prolonged diastolic relaxation. These abnormalities are more pronounced at higher frequencies of stimulation and may be caused by an altered Ca2+ resequestration into the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The force-frequency relationship was determined in multicellular preparations obtained from non-failing (n=6) and failing human myocardium (n=11). The active force in non-failing tissue increased as a function of the frequency of stimulation. In failing myocardium, an increase in frequency of stimulation (>1 Hz) was accompanied by a decrease in active force. Changes in the frequency of stimulation and active force were also associated with changes in intracellular calcium concentrations. The diastolic force in failing myocardium was augmented following an increase in frequency of stimulation, whereas in non-failing tissue, no increase in diastolic force was observed. Associated with the increase in diastolic force was an increase in intracellular diastolic calcium concentrations. The SR Ca2+ ATPase activity was reduced in failing compared to non-failing myocardium. SR Ca2+ ATPase was positively correlated with diastolic force in non-failing myocardium. The relationship between Ca2+ ATPase activity at 1 micromol/l [Ca2+] and active force between 0.5 and 2.0 Hz was different between failing and non-failing myocardium. The diastolic force demonstrate an inverse relationship with the SR Ca2+ ATPase activity in failing myocardium. These data suggest that a reduction in SR Ca2+ ATPase activity contributes to the impairment in both systolic and diastolic function of failing human hearts.     

Functional characterization of a Nup159p-containing nuclear pore subcomplex

Nup159p/Rat7p is an essential FG repeat-containing nucleoporin localized at the cytoplasmic face of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) and involved in poly(A)+ RNA export and NPC distribution. A detailed structural-functional analysis of this nucleoporin previously demonstrated that Nup159p is anchored within the NPC through its essential carboxyl-terminal domain. In this study, we demonstrate that Nup159p specifically interacts through this domain with both Nsp1p and Nup82p. Further analysis of the interactions within the Nup159p/Nsp1p/Nup82p subcomplex using the nup82Delta108 mutant strain revealed that a deletion within the carboxyl-terminal domain of Nup82p prevents its interaction with Nsp1p but does not affect the interaction between Nup159p and Nsp1p. Moreover, immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that Nup159p is delocalized from the NPC in nup82Delta108 cells grown at 37 degrees C, a temperature at which the Nup82Delta108p mutant protein becomes degraded. This suggests that Nup82p may act as a docking site for a core complex composed of the repeat-containing nucleoporins Nup159p and Nsp1p. In vivo transport assays further revealed that nup82Delta108 and nup159-1/rat7-1 mutant strains have little if any defect in nuclear protein import and protein export. Together our data suggest that the poly(A)+ RNA export defect previously observed in nup82 mutant cells might be due to the loss from the NPCs of the repeat-containing nucleoporin Nup159p.     

Column Leaching Test to Evaluate the Use of Alkaline Industrial Wastes to Neutralize Acid Mine Tailings

Acid mine drainage is a serious environmental problem caused by the oxidation of sulfide minerals that releases highly acidic, sulfate, and metals-rich drainage. In this study, alkaline industrial wastes were mixed with acid mine tailings in order to obtain neutral conditions. A series of column leaching tests were performed to evaluate the behavior of reactive mine tailings amended with alkaline-additions under dynamic conditions. Column tests were conducted of oxidized mine tailings combined with cement kiln dust, red mud bauxite, and mixtures of cement kiln dust with red mud bauxite. The pH results show the addition of 10% of alkaline materials permits the maintenance of near neutral conditions. In the presence of 10% alkaline material, the concentration of toxic metals such as Al, Cu, Fe, Zn are significantly reduced as well as the number of viable cells (Thiobacillus ferrooxidans) compared to control samples.