Efficient Protocol Research Articles

One-Pot Synthesis of Polycyclic Sultams Enabled by Gold-Catalyzed Hydroamination of o-Alkynylbenzenesulfonamides and Subsequent Iodine(III)-Mediated Counteranion-Assisted Intramolecular Annulation.

Herein we present a facile and efficient one-pot synthetic protocol for the construction of polycyclic sultams. This protocol involves gold-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination of o-alkynylbenzenesulfonamides followed by HTIB-mediated counteranion-assisted intramolecular annulation. The transformation tolerates a wide range of functional groups, resulting in the formation of highly functionalized and valuable polycyclic sultam skeletons in moderate to excellent yields. These polycyclic sultams are widely used as key building blocks in organic science.

Access authentication via blockchain in space information network.

Space Information Network (SIN) has significant benefits of providing communication anywhere at any time. This feature offers an innovative way for conventional wireless customers to access enhanced internet services by using SIN. However, SIN's characteristics, such as naked links and maximum signal latency, make it difficult to design efficient security and routing protocols, etc. Similarly, existing SIN authentication techniques can't satisfy all of the essentials for secure communication, such as privacy leaks or rising authentication latency. The article aims to develop a novel blockchain-based access authentication mechanism for SIN. The proposed scheme uses a blockchain application, which has offered anonymity to mobile users while considering the satellites' limited processing capacity. The proposed scheme uses a blockchain application, which offers anonymity to mobile users while considering the satellites' limited processing capacity. The SIN gains the likelihood of far greater computational capacity devices as technology evolves. Since authenticating in SIN, the technique comprises three entities: low Earth orbit, mobile user, and network control centre. The proposed mutual authentication mechanism avoids the requirement of a ground station, resulting in less latency and overhead during mobile user authentication. Finally, the new blockchain-based authentication approach is being evaluated with AVISPA, a formal security tool. The simulation and performance study results illustrate that the proposed technique delivers efficient security characteristics such as low authentication latency, minimal signal overhead and less computational cost with group authentication.

Surface Functionalization with Polymer Brushes via Surface-Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization: Synthesis, Applications, and Current Challenges.

Polymer brushes have received great attention in recent years due to their distinctive properties and wide range of applications. The synthesis of polymer brushes typically employs surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) techniques. To realize the control of the polymerization process in different environments, various SI-ATRP techniques triggered by different stimuli have been developed. This review focuses on the latest developments in different stimuli-triggered SI-ATRP methods, such as electrochemically mediated, photoinduced, enzyme-assisted, mechanically controlled, and organocatalyzed ATRP. Additionally, SI-ATRP technology triggered by a combination of multiple stimuli sources is also discussed. Furthermore, the applications of polymer brushes in lubrication, biological applications, antifouling, and catalysis are also systematically summarized and discussed. Despite the advancements in the synthesis of various types of 1D, 2D, and 3D polymer brushes via controlled radical polymerization, contemporary challenges remain in the quest for more efficient and straightforward synthetic protocols that allow for precise control over the composition, structure, and functionality of polymer brushes. We anticipate the readers could promote the understanding of surface functionalization based on ATRP-mediated polymer brushes and envision future directions for their application in surface coating technologies.

Mathematical Modeling and Analysis of Energy Aware Probabilistic Distribution Based Cluster Head Selection Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks

From a mathematical perspective, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are increasingly recognized for their utility across multiple sectors such as environmental oversight, healthcare monitoring, and process automation within industries. A paramount obstacle within WSNs is the management of energy efficiency, given that the sensor nodes are typically powered by batteries with finite energy reserves. The criticality of developing efficient routing protocols cannot be overstated, as they are instrumental in extending the operational lifespan of the network and guaranteeing dependable data communication. This study is centered around the mathematical modelling and performance evaluation of an innovative routing methodology that integrates machine learning algorithms to augment energy efficiency within WSNs. The novel routing strategy dynamically adjusts its operations in response to the immediate environmental and network states, aiming to minimize energy expenditure and elevate the network's overall efficiency. Through comprehensive numerical simulations, this research scrutinizes the efficacy of the machine learning-enhanced routing protocol against conventional routing methodologies, accentuating its advantages in energy savings and reliability in data transmission. The simulation framework encompasses a variety of network configurations, traffic distributions, and environmental contexts, employing metrics such as energy utilization, network longevity, packet delivery ratio, and latency to offer an in-depth examination of the machine learning-based routing approach's performance. Findings from the simulations affirm the algorithm's enhanced energy efficiency, which contributes to prolonged operation of sensor nodes and steadfast data communication across dynamically changing network landscapes. The implications of this study highlight the transformative potential of machine learning in redefining routing protocol design and optimization within energy-restricted WSNs. By elevating both energy efficiency and network functionality, this research marks a significant stride towards realizing sustainable and dependable WSNs, paving the way for their broader application in essential services.

An Efficient and Reliable Byzantine Fault Tolerant Blockchain Consensus Protocol for Single-Hop Wireless Networks

An Efficient and Reliable Byzantine Fault Tolerant Blockchain Consensus Protocol for Single-Hop Wireless Networks

An Energy Efficient Clustering Routing Protocol Based on Arithmetic Progression for Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks

An Energy Efficient Clustering Routing Protocol Based on Arithmetic Progression for Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks

GazePair: Efficient Pairing of Augmented Reality Devices Using Gaze Tracking

As Augmented Reality (AR) devices become more prevalent and commercially viable, the need for quick, efficient, and secure schemes for pairing these devices has become more pressing. Current methods to securely exchange holograms require users to send this information through large data centers, creating security and privacy concerns. Existing techniques to pair these devices on a local network and share information fall short in terms of usability and scalability. These techniques either require hardware not available on AR devices, intricate physical gestures, removal of the device from the head, do not scale to multiple pairing partners, or rely on methods with low entropy to create encryption keys. To that end, we propose a novel pairing system, called GazePair, that improves on all existing local pairing techniques by creating an efficient, effective, and intuitive pairing protocol. GazePair uses eye gaze tracking and a spoken key sequence cue (KSC) to generate identical, independently generated symmetric encryption keys with 64 bits of entropy. GazePair also achieves improvements in pairing success rates and times over current methods. Additionally, we show that GazePair can extend to multiple users. Finally, we assert that GazePair can be used on any Mixed Reality (MR) device equipped with eye gaze tracking.

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii carrier detection: a simple and efficient protocol.

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is a substantial cause of nosocomial infections, classified among the most significant multidrug-resistant pathogens by the World Health Organization and by the US Centers for Disease Control. Limiting the spread of CRAB is an important goal of infection control, but laboratory methods for identification of CRAB carriers are not standardized. In this work, we compared different selective agar plates, tested the efficiency of A. baumannii identification by PCR for species-specific genes, and used PCR-based detection of common resistance genes to confirm the carbapenem-resistant phenotype. During a prospective study, we also determined the optimal sample enrichment time. Based on our results, we propose a simple and efficient protocol for the detection of CRAB carriage using skin sampling, short enrichment, selection on appropriate agar plates, and PCR-based identification, resulting in a turn-around time of 24 hours.

Sampling Protocol for Measuring Mean Diameter at Breast Height of Forked Urban Trees

The sustainable management of urban green areas requires clear and efficient protocols for measuring the biometric properties of tree vegetation. Specifically, operational in situ sampling solutions are essential to inventory forked (multi-stemmed) trees. This study aimed to assess the efficiency of two different sampling protocols for mean tree diameter at breast height (DBH) measurement of forked urban trees. The protocols were tested on a dataset of 76 forked trees, each having more than three stems and sampled in urban areas of Kyiv, Ukraine. First, we tested the efficiency of mean tree DBH estimations using measurements of randomly selected one, two, or three stems (random sampling, or RSM). Second, we examined different combinations of the thinnest, thickest, and average stems (identified visually) for each tree to estimate mean tree DBH (targeted sampling, or TSM). The distributions of mean tree DBH and root mean square errors (RMSE) were utilized to compare the utility of the two approaches. The TSM of three stems (the thinnest, thickest, and average) provided the highest accuracy of mean tree DBH estimation (RMSE% = 6.3% of the mean), compared to the RSM (RMSE% = 12.1%). The TSM of the four thickest stems demonstrated the overestimation of mean tree DBH for forked trees with five or more stems. Accurate mean tree DBH estimates can be derived with negligible systematic errors applying the RSM over a large number of measured trees. However, these estimates will not likely match the measurements from previous inventories due to random stem selection. We recommend using the TSM with measuring three specific stems as a balanced solution in terms of estimation accuracy, bias, and time costs.

An Efficient Method for the Production of High-Purity Bioinspired Large Unilamellar Vesicles.

In order to recapitulate complex eukaryotic compartmentalization, synthetic biology aims to recreate cellular membrane-lined compartments from the bottom-up. Many important cellular organelles and cell-produced extracellular vesicles are in the size range of several hundreds of nanometers. Although attaining a fundamental characterization and mimicry of their cellular functions is a compelling goal, the lack of methods for controlled vesicle formation in this size range has hindered full understanding. Here, we show the optimization of a simple and efficient protocol for the production of large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) with a median diameter in the range of 450-550 nm with high purity. Importantly, we rely on commercial reagents and common laboratory equipment. We thoroughly characterize the influence of different experimental parameters on the concentration and size of the resulting vesicles and assess changes in their lipid composition and surface charge. We provide guidance for researchers to optimize LUV production further to suit specific applications.

An efficient four-component protocol for synthesis of poly-substituted pyridines with SiO2 as a robust recyclable catalyst

A four-component protocol for the development of poly-substituted pyridines derivatives by using SiO2 as a recycle catalyst. The protocol offers good to excellent yields (85%-95%) under milder conditions in a short reaction time of 2-3 hours. The use of a less expensive catalyst makes this protocol more convenient. SiO2 has been identified as a convenient catalyst for the synthesis and can be reused for up to three cycles.

Advancing Wireless Sensor Networks through Performance Evaluation of M-PDCH Routing Protocol for Enhanced Quality of Service

Objective: The decisive aim of this investigation is to improve the capabilities and limitations of PEGASIS with Double Cluster Head (PDCH), for enhancing the overall Quality of Service (QoS) in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). Methods: This research is intended at the application of efficient routing protocol for wireless sensor networks. It works on the principle of the formation of cluster head and clustering. This is accomplished to achieve high QoS for WSN. Improving the efficacy of a WSN protocol is decisive for optimizing communication, resource utilization, and overall effectiveness. An innovative and novel protocol named Mobile-PDCH (M-PDCH) has been devised, developed, and tested. Here several parameters have been carefully investigated for enhancing the performance of a WSN protocol such as energy consumption, delay, and packet loss. A simulation environment has been created to evaluate, compare, and validate the performance and to suggest the desired applications of the proposed protocol. Findings: In the hierarchical category, PDCH performs better compared to all the other protocols. But it suffers from high packet drop, which decrease the performance of the protocol. To improve the performance of sensor networks, there is a need for adaptive routing protocol. The examination of simulation outcomes for the recommended protocol, M-PDCH, has been conducted in comparison with PDCH. The findings indicate that the protocol exhibits superior performance. The proposed algorithm improves the packet drop by 29.75%, reduces delay by 23.28%, and lowers energy consumption by 19.18% when compared to PDCH. Novelty: A novel adaptive routing protocol termed M-PDCH has been proposed for the enhancement of the WSN life span and durability of the sensor nodes. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm produces better results compared to PDCH protocol. The various QoS parameter results are compared, verified, and validated with existing protocol PDCH. Keywords: WSN, PDCH, Design issues, Metrics, QoS, HRP

Advancing Efficiency Sustainability in Poultry Farms through Data Envelopment Analysis in a Brazilian Production System.

The production efficiency factor is widely used to measure the zootechnical performance of a batch of broilers. The unit cost of production brings new elements to improve efficiency evaluation and financial sustainability for this activity in agriculture. This research aims to evaluate the production efficiency level of the crop to maximize the return on investment. This study uses Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with the computational processing of the SIAD software (Integrated Decision Support System). The variables selected were poultry housing, age at slaughter, feed consumed, mortality, and unit cost. The chosen output variable was the total available weight. The analysis spans 31 decision-making units (DMUs) composed of integrated producers, unveiling a frontier of efficiency delineated by the most exemplary DMUs. Notably, only two DMUs, specifically DMU 4 and DMU 23, approached the threshold of maximum relative efficiency. This research illuminates the critical role of unit cost in enhancing the assessment of production efficiency and financial sustainability within the agriculture environment. By setting benchmarks for efficient management and operational protocols, our findings serve as a cornerstone for improving practices among less efficient DMUs, contributing significantly to the literature on agricultural efficiency and offering actionable insights for the poultry farming sector.

Regioselective synthesis of (Z)‐5‐methylene‐containing morpholin‐2‐ones

AbstractAn efficient, one‐pot, protecting‐group‐free, and regioselective protocol to obtain enantiomerically pure (Z)‐5‐methylene‐containing morpholin‐2‐ones, using α‐amino acids and 5‐bromo‐4‐methoxy enones as selective starting materials, is reported. The reaction was fully selective in providing the (Z)‐regioisomer in all cases, regardless of the α‐amino acid used; however, when a secondary amino group was used, only the (E)‐isomer was observed. The synthesized compounds were obtained at yields of up to 92%, and their structure was unambiguously assigned by x‐ray and 2D‐NMR experiments.

Medical Sensors and their Integration in Wireless Body area Networking for Pervasive Healthcare Delivery

Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) integrate diverse sensors like heart rate monitors, electrocardiograms, pulse oximeters, respiration rate sensors, gyroscopes, and skin conductance sensors into a network for pervasive healthcare delivery. This interconnected system enables real-time monitoring and data fusion, ensuring accurate and comprehensive health assessments. Efficient communication protocols, cloud integration, and power management enhance the reliability and longevity of wearable devices. Security measures and user-friendly interfaces prioritize the protection of sensitive health data and ease of access. Machine learning algorithms contribute to predictive analytics for early detection of health issues. WBANs offer a holistic approach to personalized healthcare, allowing for continuous and remote monitoring of physiological parameters. The seamless integration of these sensors establishes a foundation for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.

Energy-Efficient Dynamic MAC Protocol for M2M Communication

In the Internet of Things, which is vital for smart city applications, a vast network of battery-operated Machine Type Communication Devices (MTCDs) requires Machine Type Communication. These MTCDs connect directly to a network with a base station, facilitating a wide range of smart city functionalities. The development of energy-efficient communication protocols is essential to support the deployment of energy-constrained battery-operated devices. These protocols aim to minimize energy consumption, thereby enhancing network lifetime. Additionally, they must address scalability, reduce collisions and delays, and ensure a high Quality of Service (QoS) to effectively manage the vast number of devices involved. Clustering is a viable strategy to enhance scalability and energy efficiency in network communications. However, within this framework, particularly in the proposed Power Efficient Dynamic MAC protocol for M2M Communication (PMAC), there's still a need for energy-efficient communication between the Machine Type Communication Devices (MTCDs). This requirement is crucial to optimize the overall performance and sustainability of the network. In this paper, we analyses the Energy Efficient CSMA/CA (E-CSMA/CA) protocol, specifically developed for facilitating communication between Machine Type Communication Devices (MTCDs) in short-range communications. This analysis is set within the context of smart city applications, with a particular focus on smart metering. This approach underscores the importance of efficient, reliable communication protocols in modern urban infrastructure, especially for applications like smart metering that are integral to the smart city ecosystem.

Establishment of protoplasts isolation and transient transformation system for kiwifruit

Protoplast isolation and transient transformation have proven to be valuable tools for studying gene function in plants. However, these techniques are rarely utilized in most woody plants due to the lack of an efficient protoplast isolation system. In this study, we successfully established a protocol for isolating and purifying protoplasts from kiwifruit callus. First, loose kiwifruit callus was induced using young true leaves as explants on MS medium containing 0.5 mg·L−1 zeatin and 0.5 mg·L−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), followed by propagation on medium supplemented with 1.0 mg·L−1 2,4-D + 0.5 mg·L−1 6-benzylaminopurine + 0.5 mg·L−1 1-naphthlcetic acid. Subsequently, the callus subcultured at 15 d was digested with an enzyme solution consisting of 2.0 % Cellulase R-10, 0.5 % Macerozyme R-10, and 0.7 M mannitol for 7 h in the dark to obtain protoplasts at a yield of approximately 2.8 × 106 protoplasts·g−1FW with viability reaching up to 95.2 %. Furthermore, we optimized the conditions for transient transformation in kiwifruit protoplasts, achieving an approximately 43.5 % transformation efficiency using a concentration of PEG4000 at 40 %. By employing this method, we successfully verified the subcellular localization of AcMYB6l-GFP fusion protein. In conclusion, we have successfully established an efficient protocol for protoplast isolation and transient transformation in kiwifruit, laying a foundation for future research on gene function and molecular breeding in Actinidia.

Whole-transcriptome sequence analysis of pumpkin ovules in response to heat shock during unfertilized ovary culture

Unfertilized ovary culture is one of the most effective approaches to induce haploids in Cucurbitaceae. Previous studies have greatly contributed to inducing more and better haploids, but there has been less contribution to the mechanism involved. Our previous research established efficient haploid regeneration protocol of unfertilized ovary culture and found that heat shock can effectively promote ELSs’ induction. In this study, firstly, we accurately calculated the contribution of heat shock to ELSs’ induction via unfertilized ovary culture of pumpkin, and then performed whole-transcriptome sequence using “Yi-Chuan-Ling 4″, which is more sensitive to heat shock and has a higher induction rate. The results show that heat shock treatment was obviously beneficial to the unfertilized ovary culture of pumpkin, and the average induction rate in the treatment group (35°C,5d) was 26.6 times higher than in the control group (25°C,5d) . Through whole-transcriptome sequencing, we obtained 4579 differentially expressed (DE) RNAs, including 3133 mRNAs, 120 lncRNAs, 814 circRNAs, and 512 miRNAs. GO annotation analysis showed that DEmRNAs were associated with cellular processes, metabolic processes, biological regulation, response to stimulus, and so on. The ceRNA network was constructed using differential expressed RNAs. It captured the gene MSTRG.28850.1, which was related to embryogenesis and regulated by miRNA Nov-m0336–5 p. In conclusion, these findings might provide an important reference for mechanism research regarding embryogenesis induction and accelerate the application of unfertilized ovary/ovule culture in Cucurbita breeding.

Imprinting-based smart syringe: A fast, efficient, and selective approach for extraction of methyl gallate from Caesalpinia pulcherrima extract

A simple, facile, quick, highly selective, and efficient extraction protocol for a medicinal compound methyl gallate (MG) is developed for the first time using molecularly imprinted-based solid phase extraction (MISPE). Density functional theory (DFT) was employed to calculate the binding energies of the complex of MG with the functional monomer in the gas and in the implicit solvent to evaluate the best combination of the functional monomer, crosslinker, and porogen for MG. Decisively, the synthesis of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and its respective non-imprinted polymer (NIP) was conducted using methacrylamide (MAAm) as a functional monomer, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM) as a crosslinker, and methanol as a porogen. The polymers were characterized by SEM, FT-IR, BET, and TGA, while the adsorption properties of MG-MIP/NIP were evaluated by batch rebinding experiments. Theoretical modeling was done by Langmuir, Freundlich, Scatchard analysis, LF-isotherm, and kinetic models. The MG-MIP appeared to have a higher binding capacity towards MG compared to the corresponding NIP: 57.6 mg/g compared to only 17.6 mg/g rendering an imprinting factor 3.3. Moreover, in competitive recognition studies, the synthesized MG-MIP showed good selectivity towards MG compared to its structural analogs, confirming the presence of MG-specific imprinting sites. In competitive recognition tests and real-sample analysis, HPLC was used to determine the concentration of MG and the analogous compounds. Furthermore, the volume and elution times of the washing solvent (DI water) and elution solvent (acetonitrile) were optimized. Finally, MG-MISPE frits were successfully designed for selective enrichment of MG from Caesalpinia pulcherrima methanolic extract using a syringe, PTFE membrane, and MG-MIPs. Hence, MG-MISPE is a promising alternative of traditional extraction methods for selective extraction and enrichment of MG from complex plant matrices. The approach has potential to be applied to any compound of interest.

Markov chain‐based analysis and fault tolerance technique for enhancing chain‐based routing in WSNs

SummaryWireless sensor networks (WSNs) are faced with the challenge of energy conservation, which makes efficient routing protocols crucial for prolonging network lifetime. In addition, delay time from sensors to the base station is critical in applications such as military, medical, and security monitoring systems. Chain‐based protocols like PEGASIS, CCBRP, and CCM have been developed to address routing in WSNs, with the aim of reducing energy consumption and delay. However, node failures are inevitable due to energy reduction and node mobility. Therefore, fault tolerance techniques must be integrated into routing protocols. A new fault tolerance method has been proposed to prevent early chain failures in WSNs by formulating network availability and reliability using Markov chain analysis. The results indicate that chain‐based routing protocols with one spare node are more reliable than those with two spare nodes.