Sharda University

About: Sharda University is a education organization based out in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Computer science & Medicine. The organization has 1276 authors who have published 2012 publications receiving 16188 citations.

A Wireless Sensor Network for Greenhouse Climate Control

Abstract: Using a wireless sensor network, the authors developed an online microclimate monitoring and control system for greenhouses. They field-tested the system in a greenhouse in Punjab, India, evaluating its measurement capabilities and network performance in real time.

Diversity of Bacterial Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract: There are growing demands for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using green technology approaches due to their cost-effective and eco-friendly nature. Although, there are considerable number of research reports available related to biological means such as using plants, fungi, and bacteria-assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles. In recent trends, synthesis of AgNPs using bacteria is considered most attractive, simple, green, and cost-effective source(s). This leads to the increase in the number of reports on AgNPs synthesized by different bacterial genera (both gram-positive and gram-negative) and species. The present review article describes the diversity of bacteria (both gram-positive and gram-negative) capable of synthesizing AgNPs and possible applications of AgNPs. Thus, increasing the number of bacteria for the synthesis of AgNPs will be helpful to combat pathogenic bacteria and will open doors for novel avenues and applications.

Social Media in Higher Education: A Framework for Continuous Engagement

Abstract: Distance education or learning has been around for a long time and with the advent of mobile devices like the smart phone, it is inevitable that mobility impacts the distance education arena. Mobile learning in this article is defined as the “mobile” state of the learner. In theory, this amplifies the flexibility of distance and online learning, reducing the significance of geographic location while increasing that of contextuality. The affordances of mobility empower students to participate as part of context-aware ubiquitous learning. There are a diversity of contexts, methods, and technologies used. There is a need to have a stronger connection between mobile technology integration and a learning-theoretical framework to guide research, practice, and policy. It is important to integrate mobile and emerging technologies with education through an appropriate evidence-based learning design framework.

Extremely large anthropogenic-aerosol contribution to total aerosol load over the Bay of Bengal during winter season

Abstract: . Ship-borne observations of spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD) have been carried out over the entire Bay of Bengal (BoB) as part of the W-ICARB cruise campaign during the period 27 December 2008–30 January 2009. The results reveal a pronounced temporal and spatial variability in the optical characteristics of aerosols mainly due to anthropogenic emissions and their dispersion controlled by local meteorology. The highest aerosol amount, with mean AOD500>0.4, being even above 1.0 on specific days, is found close to the coastal regions in the western and northern parts of BoB. In these regions the Angstrom exponent is also found to be high (~1.2–1.25) indicating transport of strong anthropogenic emissions from continental regions, while very high AOD500 (0.39±0.07) and α380–870 values (1.27±0.09) are found over the eastern BoB. Except from the large α380–870 values, an indication of strong fine-mode dominance is also observed from the AOD curvature, which is negative in the vast majority of the cases, suggesting dominance of an anthropogenic-pollution aerosol type. On the other hand, clean maritime conditions are rather rare over the region, while the aerosol types are further examined through a classification scheme based on the relationship between α and dα. It was found that even for the same α values the fine-mode dominance is larger for higher AODs showing the strong continental influence over the marine environment of BoB. Furthermore, there is also an evidence of aerosol-size growth under more turbid conditions indicative of coagulation and/or humidification over specific BoB regions. The results obtained using OPAC model show significant fraction of soot aerosols (~6 %–8 %) over the eastern and northwestern BoB, while coarse-mode sea salt particles are found to dominate in the southern parts of BoB.

Role of glutathione in cancer pathophysiology and therapeutic interventions

Abstract: Glutathione (GSH) is an important intracellular antioxidant that instills several vital roles within a cell including maintenance of the redox state, drug detoxification, and cellular protection from damage by free radicals, peroxides and toxins. Molecular alterations in the components of the GSH system in various tumors can lead to increased survival and enhanced tumor drug resistance. Early identification of the importance of intracellular GSH to detoxification reactions has now led to investigating the potential importance that GSH chemistry has on signal transduction, molecular regulation of cellular physiology and regulation of apoptosis pathway. Several therapeutic agents that target this system have been developed and used experimentally and clinically in an attempt to improve cancer chemotherapy. This review highlights different roles played by GSH that finally regulate tumor growth and advances in the use of GSH-based drugs to specifically target this detoxifying system in cancer treatment as a means to increase therapeutic response and decrease chemotherapeutic drug resistance.