1,057 research outputs found
Efficient Charging and Data Collection in UAV-Aided Backscatter Sensor Networks
No full textBackscatter communication based wireless charging of the sensor nodes and data collection from them is a promising solution due to ultra-low power consumption. However, challenges of short transmission range requirement, high self-interference, and simultaneous operation with multiple backscatter nodes (BSNs) need to be addressed. To this end, this paper presents a novel framework for joint field data collection and wireless charging in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-aided wireless sensor network via monostatic backscatter communication at millimeter waves. The framework is divided into three tasks, namely, energy-optimized UAV transceiver design, UAV constraints aware BSN clustering, and optimized resource allocation per cluster. To strike a balance between serving efficiency and self-interference, optimum BSN cluster size is estimated offline, which in turn governs BSN clustering optimization. With UAV communication energy and clustering information, a joint sum energy transfer and sum data collection maximization problem is formulated by considering the minimum required charging and data collection constraints. To handle non-convexity, an alternating optimization approach is devised, estimating optimal backscatter reflection coefficients, data collection time, and power distribution among the BSNs using successive convex approximation. Finally, via Monte-Carlo simulations, performance of the proposed system is compared with the current state-of-the-art
Utilizing biomarkers in colorectal cancer: an interview with Ajay Goel
No full text Ajay Goel speaks to Rachel Jenkins, Commissioning Editor. Ajay Goel, PhD, is a Professor and Director, Center for Gastrointestinal Research, and Director, Center for Translational Genomics and Oncology, at the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Dr Goel has spent more than 20 years researching cancer and has been the lead author or contributor to over 240 scientific articles published in peer-reviewed international journals and several book chapters. He is also a primary inventor on more than 15 international patents aimed at developing various biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of gastrointestinal cancers. He is currently using advanced genomic and transcriptomic approaches to develop novel DNA- and miRNA-based biomarkers for the early detection of colorectal cancers. In addition, he is researching the prevention of gastrointestinal cancers using integrative and alternative approaches, including botanical products such as curcumin (from turmeric) and boswellia. Dr Goel is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the American Gastroenterology Association (AGA) and is on the international editorial boards of several journals including Gastroenterology, Clinical Cancer Research, Carcinogenesis, PLoS ONE, Scientific Reports, Epigenomics, Future Medicine, Alternative Therapies in Heath and Medicine and World Journal of Gastroenterology. He is also actively involved in peer-reviewing activities for more than 100 international scientific journals and various grant review panels of various national and international funding organizations. His research has been actively funded by various private and federal organizations, including funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the NIH, American Cancer Society (ACS) and other state organizations. He has won more than dozen awards and honors, including the Union of European Gastroenterology Federation's Distinguished Researcher Award, multiple Poster of Distinction Awards from the AGA, and Visiting Professorships from various national and international academic institutions and academic bodies. Some of his key research interests include: Understanding the basic genetics and epigenetic basis of gastrointestinal cancers; Use of epigenetic markers, both DNA and RNA, for the early detection of colorectal, pancreatic and other gastrointestinal cancers; Personalized medicine and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers; Chemoprevention, using complementary and alternative approaches using nutraceuticals such as curcumin, green tea, resveratrol and other botanicals. </jats:p
Resource Efficient Actuation in UAV-aided Sensor-Actuator Networks
No full textIntegrating uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) into wireless sensor-actuator networks (WSANs) offers flexibility and improved system performance. However, imprecise localization and limited battery capacity constrain the UAV operation. This paper explores the use of battery swap station (BSS)-assisted UAV to facilitate timely actuation in WSANs while addressing the above limitations. The UAV collects data via backscatter communication from the sensor nodes and delivers to the energy-constrained actuator nodes along with the required energy. Incorporating UAV location uncertainty and Nakagami-m wireless channel fading, closed-form expressions are derived for the ergodic capacity in backscatter communication and the expected energy harvesting rate. To minimize the maximum delay in actuation, an optimization problem is formulated. To reduce complexity, the problem is transformed into an equivalent node visit sequence optimization and solved using sequential deep reinforcement learning (SDRL). We verify the accuracy of our analysis through Monte Carlo simulations. Our results show that the proposed SDRL-based strategy consistently offers reduced actuation delay with a significantly small computation overhead
Alternative technique of cervical spinal stabilization employing lateral mass plate and screw and intra-articular spacer fixation
No full textAim: The author discusses an alternative technique of segmental cervical spinal fixation. Material and Methods: The subtleties of the technique are discussed on the basis of experience with 3 cases with a follow-up of between 30 and 36 months. Technique: The technique involves debridement of facetal articular cartilage, distraction of facets, jamming of ′Goel spacer′ into the articular cavity and fortification of the fixation by lateral mass plate and screw fixation. The ′double-insurance′ method of fixation is safe for vertebral artery, nerve roots and spinal neural structures and the fixation is strong. Conclusions: The discussed technique is safe and provides a strong fixation and a ground for ultimate arthrodesis
Author Reply Re: Goel A. Research training during residency. Indian J Urol 2017;33:257-8
No full textAlkali-free bioactive glass composition, U.S. Patent 9,238,044
No full textThe present invention relates to development of bioactive glass/glass-ceramic composition that are able to promote a fast deposition layer of carbonated hydroxyapatite upon immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) for time periods as short as one hour. Such composition might include fluorides, and a variety of oxides (or their precursor compounds), such as Na2O—Ag2O—SrO—CaO—MgO—ZnO—P2O5—SiO2—Bi2O3—B2O3—CaF2, be prepared by the melt route or by the sol-gel process, with the specific composition and the preparation route selected according to the intended functionalities, which can present controlled biodegradation rate and bactericidal activity. The powders derived from glass melts purred in cold water (frits) may completely densify by sintering at temperatures up to 800° C. without devitrification, resulting in bioglass compacts with high flexural strength (˜85 MPa). The bioactive glass powders prepared by sol-gel densify at lower temperatures due to their higher specific surface area and reactivity
From Tainted to Sainted: the Interracial Marriage as Cultural Evangelism
No full textThe article talks about interracial relationships viewed as cultural evangelism. The author mentions that viewing interracial marriage as the ultimate indicator of racial progress leaves the cognitive imprint that underlies all race relations. Professor Goel introduces the four archetypes of interracial relations that emanated from the four historical institutions such as the Civilized White and Colored Savage, the White Colonizer and Colored Subject, the White Master and Colored Slave, and the White Missionary and Colored Heathen. An analysis of the social and legal aspects of interracial marriages and interracial families is also presented
Community-based organisations: role in settling immigrants
No full textIt has been well acknowledged in the literature that successful settlement of new arrivals (both international and interstate) and their families is crucial for theirintegration and well-being in a host society. This will also result in population sustainability and meetingindustry requirements in regional areas. This chapter posits that community-based organisations (CBOs) are in a unique position to provide settlement services which are socially inclusive and evolve community participation under immigration department policy guidelines. Thechapter illustrates how a community development approach is a useful theory/constructto guide the practice of a community-based organisation that isproviding settlement services to new immigrants. This is demonstrated by using a case study of the 'Settling our Future' program provided through one of the community-basedorganisations in aregional city of South Australia.The author demonstrates that community development principles and approaches are the backbone of providing effective servicesto meet the needs of new arrivals in the regional town. The chapterfurther examines the role of the community development worker as a facilitator in establishing, developing and sustaining these initiatives which have a community basis
Single-port access adrenalectomy: Our initial experience
No full text10.1089/lap.2011.0179Journal of Laparoendoscopic and Advanced Surgical Techniques219815-81
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