Impact of mobility constraints on epidemic broadcast mechanisms in delay-tolerant networks

In this paper, we investigate the effect of mobility constraints on epidemic broadcast mechanisms in DTNs (Delay-Tolerant Networks). Major factors affecting epidemic broadcast performances are its forwarding algorithm and node mobility. The impact of forwarding algorithm and node mobility on epidemic broadcast mechanisms has been actively studied in the literature, but those studies generally use unconstrained mobility models. The objective of this paper is therefore to quantitatively investigate the effect of mobility constraints on epidemic broadcast mechanisms. We evaluate the performances of three classes of epidemic broadcast mechanisms - P-BCAST (PUSH-based BroadCast), SA-BCAST (Self-Adaptive BroadCast), and HP-BCAST (History-based P-BCAST) - with a random waypoint mobility model with mobility constraints. Our finding includes that the existence of mobility constraints significantly improves the reach ability and dissemination speed of epidemic broadcast mechanisms while degrading their efficiency.

Delay tolerant routing protocols for energy-neutral animal tracking

This paper investigates communication protocols for relaying sensor data from animal tracking applications back to base stations. While Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs) are well suited to such challenging environments, most existing protocols do not consider the available energy that is particularly important when tracking devices can harvest energy. This limits both the network lifetime and delivery probability in energy-constrained applications to the point when routing performance becomes worse than using no routing at all. Our work shows that substantial improvement in data yields can be achieved through simple yet efficient energy-aware strategies. Conceptually, there is need for balancing the energy spent on sensing, data mulling, and delivery of direct packets to destination. We use empirical traces collected in a flying fox (fruit bat) tracking project and show that simple threshold-based energy-aware strategies yield up to 20% higher delivery rates. Furthermore, these results generalize well for a wide range of operating conditions.

Viivesietoisten verkkojen nykytila ja tulevaisuuden haasteet

Delay and disruption tolerant networks (DTNs) are computer networks where round trip delays and error rates are high and disconnections frequent. Examples of these extreme networks are space communications, sensor networks, connecting rural villages to the Internet and even interconnecting commodity portable wireless devices and mobile phones. Basic elements of delay tolerant networks are a store-and-forward message transfer resembling traditional mail delivery, an opportunistic and intermittent routing, and an extensible cross-region resource naming service. Individual nodes of the network take an active part in routing the traffic and provide in-network data storage for application data that flows through the network. Application architecture for delay tolerant networks differs also from those used in traditional networks. It has become feasible to design applications that are network-aware and opportunistic, taking an advantage of different network connection speeds and capabilities. This might change some of the basic paradigms of network application design. DTN protocols will also support in designing applications which depend on processes to be persistent over reboots and power failures. DTN protocols could also be applicable to traditional networks in cases where high tolerance to delays or errors would be desired. It is apparent that challenged networks also challenge the traditional strictly layered model of network application design. This thesis provides an extensive introduction to delay tolerant networking concepts and applications. Most attention is given to challenging problems of routing and application architecture. Finally, future prospects of DTN applications and implementations are envisioned through recent research results and an interview with an active researcher of DTN networks.

Revocation and update of trust in autonomous delay tolerant networks

A Delay Tolerant Network (DTN) is a dynamic, fragmented, and ephemeral network formed by a large number of highly mobile nodes. DTNs are ephemeral networks with highly mobile autonomous nodes. This requires distributed and self-organised approaches to trust management. Revocation and replacement of security credentials under adversarial influence by preserving the trust on the entity is still an open problem. Existing methods are mostly limited to detection and removal of malicious nodes. This paper makes use of the mobility property to provide a distributed, self-organising, and scalable revocation and replacement scheme. The proposed scheme effectively utilises the Leverage of Common Friends (LCF) trust system concepts to revoke compromised security credentials, replace them with new ones, whilst preserving the trust on them. The level of achieved entity confidence is thereby preserved. Security and performance of the proposed scheme is evaluated using an experimental data set in comparison with other schemes based around the LCF concept. Our extensive experimental results show that the proposed scheme distributes replacement credentials up to 35% faster and spreads spoofed credentials of strong collaborating adversaries up to 50% slower without causing any significant increase on the communication and storage overheads, when compared to other LCF based schemes.

Decentralised key management for delay tolerant networks

Public key authentication is the verification of the identity-public key binding, and is foundational to the security of any network. The contribution of this thesis has been to provide public key authentication for a decentralised and resource challenged network such as an autonomous Delay Tolerant Network (DTN). It has resulted in the development and evaluation of a combined co-localisation trust system and key distribution scheme evaluated on a realistic large geographic scale mobility model. The thesis also addresses the problem of unplanned key revocation and replacement without any central authority.

Hydrolytic reactions of tetrasulphur tetranitride in a homogeneous medium

The hydrolytic reactions of tetrasulphur tetranitride are studied in a homogeneous medium. Alkaline hydrolysis gives sulphite, thiosulphate, sulphate and sulphide whereas the products in acid hydrolysis are mainly sulphur dioxide, elemental sulphur and hydrogen sulphide, with traces of polythionates. Under optimum conditions, tetrasulphur tetranitride reacts with sulphite consuming 2 moles of sulphite per mole of sulphur nitride to give 2 moles of trithionate. The reaction of sulphur nitride with thiosulphuric acid gives pentathionate and tetrathionate.

Localized data gathering paradigms for small and marginal farm lands in Semi-Arid region – Issues and Concerns

In this work we explore the application of wireless sensor technologies for the benefit of small and marginal farmers in semi-arid regions. The focus in this paper is to discuss the merits and demerits of data gathering & relay paradigms that collect localized data over a wide area. The data gathered includes soil moisture, temperature, pressure, rain data and humidity. The challenge to technology intervention comes mainly due to two reasons: (a) Farmers in general are interested in crop yield specific to their piece of land. This is because soil texture can vary rapidly over small regions. (b) Due to a high run-off, the soil moisture retention can vary from region to region depending on the topology of the farm. Both these reasons alter the needs drastically. Additionally, small and marginal farms can be sandwiched between rich farm lands. The village has very little access to grid power. Power cuts can extend up to 12 hours in a day and upto 3 or 4 days during some months in the year. In this paper, we discuss 3 technology paradigms for data relaying. These include Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and DTN (Delay and Disruption Tolerant Network) technologies. We detail the merits and demerits of each of these solutions and provide our final recommendations. The project site is a village called Chennakesavapura in the state of Karnataka, India.

Involvement of Src family of kinases and cAMP phosphodiesterase in the luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor-mediated signaling in the corpus luteum of monkey

Background: In higher primates, during non-pregnant cycles, it is indisputable that circulating LH is essential for maintenance of corpus luteum (CL) function. On the other hand, during pregnancy, CL function gets rescued by the LH analogue, chorionic gonadotropin (CG). The molecular mechanisms involved in the control of luteal function during spontaneous luteolysis and rescue processes are not completely understood. Emerging evidence suggests that LH/CGR activation triggers proliferation and transformation of target cells by various signaling molecules as evident from studies demonstrating participation of Src family of tyrosine kinases (SFKs) and MAP kinases in hCG-mediated actions in Leydig cells. Since circulating LH concentration does not vary during luteal regression, it was hypothesized that decreased responsiveness of luteal cells to LH might occur due to changes in LH/CGR expression dynamics, modulation of SFKs or interference with steroid biosynthesis. Methods: Since, maintenance of structure and function of CL is dependent on the presence of functional LH/CGR its expression dynamics as well as mRNA and protein expressions of SFKs were determined throughout the luteal phase. Employing well characterized luteolysis and CL rescue animal models, activities of SFKs, cAMP phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDE) and expression of SR-B1 (a membrane receptor associated with trafficking of cholesterol ester) were examined. Also, studies were carried out to investigate the mechanisms responsible for decline in progesterone biosynthesis in CL during the latter part of the non-pregnant cycle. Results and discussion: The decreased responsiveness of CL to LH during late luteal phase could not be accounted for by changes in LH/CGR mRNA levels, its transcript variants or protein. Results obtained employing model systems depicting different functional states of CL revealed increased activity of SFKs pSrc (Y-416)] and PDE as well as decreased expression of SR-B1correlating with initiation of spontaneous luteolysis. However, CG, by virtue of its heroic efforts, perhaps by inhibition of SFKs and PDE activation, prevents CL from undergoing regression during pregnancy. Conclusions: The results indicated participation of activated Src and increased activity of cAMP-PDE in the control of luteal function in vivo. That the exogenous hCG treatment caused decreased activation of Src and cAMP-PDE activity with increased circulating progesterone might explain the transient CL rescue that occurs during early pregnancy.

Profiling of Luteal Transcriptome during Prostaglandin F2-Alpha Treatment in Buffalo Cows: Analysis of Signaling Pathways Associated with Luteolysis

In several species including the buffalo cow, prostaglandin (PG) F-2 alpha is the key molecule responsible for regression of corpus luteum (CL). Experiments were carried out to characterize gene expression changes in the CL tissue at various time points after administration of luteolytic dose of PGF(2 alpha) in buffalo cows. Circulating progesterone levels decreased within 1 h of PGF(2 alpha) treatment and evidence of apoptosis was demonstrable at 18 h post treatment. Microarray analysis indicated expression changes in several of immediate early genes and transcription factors within 3 h of treatment. Also, changes in expression of genes associated with cell to cell signaling, cytokine signaling, steroidogenesis, PG synthesis and apoptosis were observed. Analysis of various components of LH/CGR signaling in CL tissues indicated decreased LH/CGR protein expression, pCREB levels and PKA activity post PGF(2 alpha) treatment. The novel finding of this study is the down regulation of CYP19A1 gene expression accompanied by decrease in expression of E-2 receptors and circulating and intra luteal E-2 post PGF(2 alpha) treatment. Mining of microarray data revealed several differentially expressed E-2 responsive genes. Since CYP19A1 gene expression is low in the bovine CL, mining of microarray data of PGF(2 alpha)-treated macaques, the species with high luteal CYP19A1 expression, showed good correlation between differentially expressed E-2 responsive genes between both the species. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that PGF(2 alpha) interferes with luteotrophic signaling, impairs intraluteal E-2 levels and regulates various signaling pathways before the effects on structural luteolysis are manifest.

Performance of New Dynamic Benefit-Weighted Scheduling Scheme in DiffServ Networks

In this paper, we design a new dynamic packet scheduling scheme suitable for differentiated service (DiffServ) network. Designed dynamic benefit weighted scheduling (DBWS) uses a dynamic weighted computation scheme loosely based on weighted round robin (WRR) policy. It predicts the weight required by expedited forwarding (EF) service for the current time slot (t) based on two criteria; (i) previous weight allocated to it at time (t-1), and (ii) the average increase in the queue length of EF buffer. This prediction provides smooth bandwidth allocation to all the services by avoiding overbooking of resources for EF service and still providing guaranteed services for it. The performance is analyzed for various scenarios at high, medium and low traffic conditions. The results show that packet loss is minimized, end to end delay is minimized and jitter is reduced and therefore meet quality of service (QoS) requirement of a network.

Estudo estrutural do pênis de fetos humanos normais e anencéfalos no segundo trimestre de gestação

A anecencefalia é o Defeito do Tubo Neural (DTN) mais severo em fetos humanos. Há uma demanda crescente para reposição tissular em doenças crônicas e cirurgias reconstrutoras. Tecidos fetais têm sido utilizados como substitutos para órgãos sólidos. Comparar a estrutura e morfologia do corpo cavernoso e corpo esponjoso de pênis de fetos humanos anencéfalos e de controle a fim de propor um novo modelo para estudos biológicos e transplantes teciduais. Foram estudados 11 pênis de fetos de controle de 14 a 23 Semanas Pós Concepção (SPC), e cinco pênis de fetos anencéfalos de 18 a 22 SPC. Os órgãos foram removidos e processados pelas técnicas histo e imunohistoquímicas rotineiras. A análise do tecido conjuntivo, células musculares lisas e fibras elásticas foram realizadas em lâminas dos espécimes. Os dados foram expressos em Densidade de àrea (Da) utilizando-se um software de processamento digital. As médias foram comparadas utilizando-se o Teste - T não pareado e quando aplicável, a regressão linear simples foi utilizada. Foi considerada significância estatística se p<0,05. O septo intercavernoso encontrava-se presente em todas as amostras. Não foram observadas diferenças da Da do tecido colágeno e musculatura lisa dos pênis de fetos anencéfalos quando comparados aos normais. A regressão linear simples sugere que durante o desenvolvimento humano há um aumen2to gradual do tecido colágeno (R2=0,45) e uma diminuição da musculatura lisa (R =0,62) no corpo cavernoso de ambos os grupos. A elastina encontrava-se presente apenas em fetos a partir da 20 SPC. Não houve diferença na estrutura da genitália entre fetos normais e enencéfalos. Apresença da elastina em fetos a partir da 20 SPC é um dado objetivo da manutenção da capacidade de ereção nestes grupos. A histo e imunohistoquímica sugerem que o desenvolvimento do pênis destes fetos encontra-se inalterado. Futuros estudos deverão ser realizados com o objetivo de avaliar fetos anencéfalos como um potencial grupo de doadores teciduais e um adequado modelo para estudos biológicos.

延迟/中断可容忍网络研究进展

DTN网络是一类延迟/中断可容忍网络,具有长延时、某一时刻不存在端到端链路或者链路频繁中断、节点存储/计算能力低等特点,与现在的地面有线网有着根本的区别,所以现有网络协议,如TCP协议等无法满足DTN网络应用.在介绍DTN网络起源和特点的基础上,详细描述了DTN网络中几个典型的网络协议;比较了不同的DTN网络路由算法;对DTN网络在深空探测、野生动物研究、湖水质量检测、偏远地区通信等领域的应用作了介绍;最后对DTN网络未来的研究趋势进行了分析与展望.

两种不同穗型水稻品种灌浆期间物质生产特性的比较

选用直立穗型水稻品种辽粳 32 6和弯曲穗品种奥羽 316 ,在相同栽培条件下 ,比较两品种灌浆期间物质生产与分配、群体生长率 (CGR)、净同化率 (NAR)及与物质生产密切相关的叶绿素含量、叶面积指数 (LAl)、比叶重等指标。结果表明 ,和弯曲穗品种奥羽 316相比 ,直立穗品种辽粳 32 6在灌浆后期仍能保持较强的物质生产能力 ,其抽穗后生产的干物质量占其生物产量的 5 3.77% ,比其经济产量高出 12 %。灌浆期间 ,直立穗品种辽粳 32 6的比叶重较高 ,叶绿素含量较高 ,LAI下降较慢 ,各项生理指标优于弯曲穗品种奥羽 316。抽穗后 ,直立穗品种辽粳 32 6具有比弯曲穗品种奥羽 316更强的生产能力 ,因而更符合高产栽培的需要。

生物制剂对沙地樟子松苗木成活生长及生理特征的影响

采用Pt菌剂、ABT生根粉、HRC吸水剂和GGR 6植物生长调节剂等生物制剂,研究了不同生物制剂对2年生樟子松苗木田间试验的造林成活率、植株高度、单株生物量、细根量和盆栽试验苗木的叶片光合和水分利用效率等生理特征的影响。结果表明:(1)Pt3(3号菌剂)、ABT(ABT生根粉)和HRC(HRC吸水剂)均显著地提高樟子松苗木的成活率,它们分别比对照处理苗木成活率高29.3%、23.6%和9.4%,而GRR(GGR植物生长调节剂)和Pt1(1号菌剂)处理苗木的造林成活率同对照处理苗木成活率差异不显著;(2)Pt3、ABT处理均显著地促进了苗木细根生长,分别比对照处理多34.72和15.18 cm,而HRC、CGR和Pt1同对照处理没有显著差异;回归分析表明细根量与苗木成活率呈显著正相关,说明生物制剂提高成活率是通过细根量的增加来实现的;(3)Pt3和ABT处理的苗木高度比对照多2.2、1.5cm和1.1cm,单株生物量干重分别大1.73、0.72g和0.33g,针叶长度、单个针叶面积和单株植株针叶数量分别多1.54和0.096cm、0.188cm2和0.116cm2、31和23束;而Pt1和GGR处理对苗木高度和单株生物量影响不显著;(4)Pt3和ABT处理显著地提高了苗木叶片叶绿素含量和光合速率及水分利用效率等生理指标方面,而其它生物制剂对苗木生理指标影响不显著。生物制剂通过提高苗木生长量和增强生理活动提高樟子松沙地造林成活率。

青藏高原地区矮嵩草草甸植物群落生长分析

对中国科学院海北高寒草甸生态系统定位站地区的矮嵩草草甸植物群落进行了函数生长分析研究。叶面积和地上生物量采用三次多项式的指数方程拟合。研究结果表明 ,LAI的增长过程呈 S形 ,可分为 3个时期 ,与群落中莎草类植物的物候划分相一致 ;6月至 8月上旬 LAI的增长速率较高 ,约持续 70 d,最大 LAI为 3 .5左右 ;ULR与 LAI的变化趋势相反 ,受两者的共同影响 ,CGR在 6月下旬最大 ;地上净初级生产量的增加在 6月下旬左右最大 ,从 5月中旬至 7月下旬的 80余天时间内 ,矮嵩草草甸可生产的地上净生物量约占年地上总生物量的 92 .5% ;生长季节内具有相对丰富的降雨和适宜的温度 ,是保证植物完成生长发育过程的有利因素。