MAR : message-aware routing for opportunistic wireless ad hoc networks

In this paper we study the problem of routing in opportunistic wireless network, and propose a novel routing mechanism, message-aware routing (MAR). Using MAR, the messages can be prioritized at mobile nodes and the resources will be allocated accordingly. The MAR uses the message-aware socializing model to classify mobile nodes into different social groups. In MAR, nodes only maintain up-to-date routing information for the nodes in the same social group and the messages for the nodes in the same social group will have higher priority to be delivered. The MAR improves the routing efficiency in terms of reduced traffic and a higher delivery success rate. Further, MAR is constructed in decentralized way and does not require any centralized infrastructure. Experiments using NS2 simulator show that the MAR achieves higher delivery rate than the Epidemic and Prophet routing.

Expression of the male reproduction-related gene (Mar-Mrr) in the spermatic duct of the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Phosphorylated sperm proteins are crucial for sperm maturation and capacitation as a priori to their fertilization with eggs. In the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, a male reproduction-related protein (Mar-Mrr) was known to be expressed only in the spermatic ducts as a protein with putative phosphorylation and may be involved in sperm capacitation in this species. We investigated further the temporal and spatial expression of the Mar-Mrr gene using RT-PCR and in situ hybridization and the characteristics and fate of the protein using immunblotting and immunocytochemistry. The Mar-Mrr gene was first expressed in 4-week-old post larvae and the protein was produced in epithelial cells lining the spermatic ducts, at the highest level in the proximal region and decreased in the middle and distal parts. The native protein had a MW of 17 kDa and a high degree of serine/threonine phosphorylation. It was transferred from the epithelial cells to become a major protein at the anterior region of the sperm. We suggest that it is involved in sperm capacitation and fertilization in this open thelycal species and this is being investigated.