A Reinforcement Learning Based Routing in Cognitive Radio Networks for Primary Users with Multi-stage Periodicity

Wireless Personal Communications - Designing an efficient routing protocol for cognitive radio networks is critical due to the dynamic behavior of the primary users. Based on empirical studies, the...     

On the analysis of reputation for agent-based web services

Maintaining sound reputation requires robust control and investigation. In this paper, we analyze a reputation mechanism that objectively maintains accurate reputation evaluation of selfish agent-based web services. In the proposed framework, web services are ranked using their reputation as a result of provided feedback reflecting consumers’ satisfaction. However, selfish web services may alter their public reputation level by managing to get fake feedback. We investigate the payoffs of different scenarios by focusing on the issues that discourage web services to act maliciously. We also analyze the details of the proposed mechanism by discussing simulation and empirical results that fully depict the system parameters and show the feasibility of the proposed approach.     

Space syntax analysis of tourists’ movement patterns in the historical district of Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

Although many researchers study the walkable environment and physical activities, very few studies demonstrate the important functions of walkable places on tourists’ walking experiences, particularly in Southeast Asian cities. This article evaluates pedestrian networks’ connectivity in Kuala Lumpur’s historic district to support pedestrian tourists’ movement patterns. The methods used in this study are gate observation and space syntax (integration value) analysis. The results indicate that pedestrian movement in the study areas is oriented more to land uses and elements of attractors than to connectivity of walkways. The findings suggest that pedestrian-oriented environments could contribute to the walkability of city centers through the integration of diverse place uses and street activities. The findings can be a useful reference for future urban studies and urban design of walkability to regenerate historical city centers that have lost their importance for tourists.     

Survivin as a Preferential Target for Cancer Therapy

Cancer is typically a consequence of imbalance between cell death and proliferation in a way favorable to cell proliferation and survival. Most conventional cancer therapies are based on targeting rapidly growing cancerous cells to block growth or enhance cell death, thereby, restoring the balance between these processes. In many instances, malignancies that develop resistance to current treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy often present the greatest challenge in subsequent management of the patient. Studies have shown that under normal circumstances, cells utilize different death mechanisms, such as apoptosis (programmed cell death), autophagy, mitotic catastrophe, and necrosis to maintain homeostasis and physiological integrity of the organism, but these processes often appear to be altered in cancer. Thus, in recent years developing various strategies for administration of cytotoxic chemotherapeutics in combination with apoptosis-sensitizing reagents is receiving more emphasis. Here, we review the properties of the anti-apoptotic protein, survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family and the clinical feasibility and anti-cancer potential of drugs targeting this protein. We also discuss some key points and concerns that should be taken into consideration while developing drugs that target apoptotic proteins, such as survivin.     

Improving the quality of meat‐free sausages using κ‐carrageenan,konjac mannan and xanthan gum

High consumption of processed red meat can cause health issues. Therefore, production of high‐quality meat‐free food alternatives is necessary. The main objective of this study was to use hydrocolloids including κ‐carrageenan, konjac mannan and xanthan gum at 0, 0.3, 0.6, 1.0 and 1.5% w/w to improve the quality of meat‐free sausages formulated by soy protein isolated, texturised soy protein, corn starch, vegetable oil and spices. With the addition of the tested hydrocolloids, the lightness of the sausages improved. κ‐Carrageenan and konjac mannan significantly improved the water‐holding capacity and texture and reduced the cooking loss of the samples, while xanthan gum showed no considerable effect on these parameters. Konjac mannan and κ‐carrageenan (up to 0.6%) improved the general acceptability of the sausages, while inclusion of xanthan gum made no significant difference. Unlike xanthan gum, κ‐carrageenan followed by konjac mannan was highly successful in improving the overall quality of meat‐free sausages.     

Water-Gas Shift Reaction in a Microchannel Ni-based Catalytic Coated Reactor: Effect of Solvents

Medium-temperature shift (MTS) reaction was investigated in a microchannel reactor using the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method to coat porous layers of Ni-K/CeO₂ catalyst on stainless-steel plates. The electrolyte suspensions of the catalyst were prepared in isopropanol, ethanol, methanol, and acetone as solvents. All EPD experiments were carried out under similar conditions (i.e., for a contact time of 3 min, at a voltage of 140 V, and in the presence of 0.3 wt % polyethylenimine as the dispersant). The effect of the different solvents on the coated catalytic layers was studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and 2D and 3D optical imaging. The experimental results proved that the best performance for the MTS reaction in the plate microreactor was achieved with isopropanol as the solvent.