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Abstract: Multitude of repair schemes are currently available to retrofit damaged civil engineering structures. Among them, efficient and effective method of repairing damaged structures is the application of Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) because of its distinct advantages over other techniques. In the past, several structures have been successfully rehabilitated using the FRP techniques. To quote some examples, a calcareous masonry bell tower building, about 30 m in height and 1,200 m in width with a rectangular plan was retrofitted with FRP. Pushover curves for the retrofitted and un-retrofitted structures presented have disclosed that FRP intervention enhanced the seismic capacity of the structure. In the case of repairing of underwater pre- stressed piles, corrosion rate measurements indicated that the performance of the wrapped piles is consistently better than that the unwrapped controls. The paper presents a review of using the FRP techniques, their applications, case studies of repairing civil engineering structures, and appropriate concluding remarks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composites are more and more used in the building trade for the set up of reinforcing and strengthening applications devices. As known, GFRP composites offer higher strength and Young modulus than traditional steel devices. The majority of these buildings were built before any provisions for earthquake loadings were established. The failures and damages reported in recent earthquakes attest to the need for efficient strengthening procedures. The effectiveness of increasing the shear strength of brick masonry coating with epoxy-bonding by Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) overlays to the exterior surfaces was evaluated. Out-of-plane failures are common in unreinforced masonry wall (UMW) constructed in seismic regions. This paper deals with the experimental characterization of the mechanical tensile and shear bond behavior of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) sheets externally glued on masonry wall, in terms of load capacity and stress distribution along the bonded length. A combined experimental program was conducted to study the out-of-plane shear behavior of (i) Burned Clay Brick Masonry Walls and (ii) Strengthened with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) over the Burned Clay Brick Masonry Walls surface. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A more reliable system for speechless patients to augment their limited communication abilities is presented in this paper. The normal person can’t understand the sign language shown by speechless patients .To facilitate the communication for them, the sign language is converted into an audible message through gesture recognition. Two things need to be considered in sign language-one is movement of hands and other is position of fingers. This is measured using MEMS accelerometer and Flex sensors. Using Fuzzy logic based Classifier the sensor values are classified and the MSP430 microprocessor is pre-programmed so as to send text output which in turn is converted into an audible message using speakjet IC. All these components will be placed on a wearable glove which will be worn by the user of this system. Data analysis is done using LABVIEW software. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is an internet standard protocol for managing devices on IP network and is one of the key components of NMS (Network management system). It is also used in a variety of application such as remote monitoring and controlling of the network nodes. Lowpan consist of large number of low-cost devices.lowpan faces several challenging issues such as small packet size, low bandwidth, low power, a large number of devices. In order to, overcome these issues, the 6lowpan was originated. The 6lowpan group has defined encapsulation and header compression mechanism that allow,ipv6 packets to be sent to and received from over lowpan based networks.6lowpan is a severely resource constrained network. Hence, existing SNMP protocol need to be modified. The 6lowpan-snmp is an extended modification of the SNMP.The SNMP is mainly used to manage a sensor node which has allocated IP address. These IP networks can be integrated with the 6lowpan by transmitting the SNMP packets over 6lowpan.this can be achieved by compressing SNMP packet and reduce the number of SNMP message over the network. This paper, tries to show effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed scheme on resource-constraint sensor network. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A cold chain is a temperature controlled supply chain. The chain that brings the temperature-sensitive products from the factory to the consumer through an uninterrupted series of steps under a controlled temperature is usually called the “cold chain.” The goods follow complex logistic paths along this chain, and the final distribution often requires the use of refrigerated vehicles. While the temperature is easily controlled and monitored in the factory plants, the refrigerated vehicles can be a crucial point in the whole chain, since the products may undergo transient conditions during the loading operations or even during the whole transport process with great risk to the integrity of the goods. The refrigerated vehicles have to satisfy some thermal requirements, which are mainly related to the insulation and refrigeration capabilities, but this does not assure product integrity because of the unpredictable condition that may occur during the transportation and that could cause a significant change in the product temperature. The only reliable way of verifying the real integrity of the cold chain consists of monitoring the temperature of the products during their distribution. Application proposed in this paper deals with a wireless sensor network that has been specifically designed to monitor temperature-sensitive products during their distribution, with the aim of conforming to the cold-chain. Here sensors are placed along the cold boxes, such as product nodes communicate through a wireless channel with a base station which collects and processes the data sent by all nodes. This will continuously monitor temperature and multiple level of alert is provided in case of any undesirable condition in the product. The alert messages are forwarded to the vehicle driver and to the producer of the product. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]