Optimal multicast routing with quality of service constraints

We consider the problem of optimal multicast routing with Quality of Service constraints motivated by the requirements of interactive continuous media communication, e.g., real-time teleconferencing. We concentrate on distributed algorithms for determining a tree over the network topology, rooted at the source and spanning the intended destinations. Quality of Service requirements for interactive continuous media typically impose constraints on some metric over the individual paths from the source to each destination, usually in the form of an upper bound on the delay. Thus, we focus on the problem of minimizing the cost of the tree while at the same time satisfying a common constraint over individual source-destination paths. We have shown that this problem is intractable, but have also devised centralized polynomial time heuristics that perform well. Here we present distributed algorithms to minimize tree cost while satisfying the constraints on the paths from the source to each destination.     

Sexual behaviour in untreated and treated coeliac patients

BACKGROUND: Sexual behaviour is often altered in chronic illness. AIM: To evaluate sexual behaviour in coeliac patients before and after treatment with a gluten-free diet. PATIENTS: Fifty-five adults with coeliac disease and 51 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. METHODS: Routine clinical and laboratory work-up was used for diagnosis of coeliac disease. Age of first sexual intercourse, prevalence of individuals who were sexually active, frequency of intercourse, reduction in sexual desire, difficulty in attaining orgasm, pain during intercourse, and prevalence of individuals defining themselves as satisfied with their sexual life were investigated by an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire administered before and after one year's treatment with a gluten-free diet in coeliac patients, and only once in controls. Analyses included clinical conditions, demographic and socio-economic data. RESULTS: Compared with controls, untreated coeliac patients had a significantly lower frequency of intercourse and a lower prevalence of individuals satisfied with their sexual life. Patients with overt and subclinical coeliac disease did not show significant differences for any indices of sexual behaviour. Compared with untreated conditions, coeliac patients after one year of treatment had improved values for all indices of sexual behaviour: differences were significant for frequency of intercourse and prevalence of individuals satisfied with their sexual life. CONCLUSION: Untreated coeliac disease, even in its subclinical presentation, is associated with disorders in sexual behaviour which are improved by the dietary treatment.     

Texture evolution of “Amaretti” cookies during storage

The results of a study on texture evolution during 35 days of storage of amaretti, a typical Italian cookie, packaged in two different ways are reported. Amaretti cookies were wrapped in polyvinylchloride (PVC) film or aluminium foil (ALL), to simulate two different permeability conditions and stored at controlled temperature and humidity. Evolution of texture (such as hardness) and a_w were tested instrumentally by a texture analyser and a hygrometer, respectively. Texture was assessed by a cut and puncturing test. Indices for hardening were the area under the curve (N mm) and gradient (N/mm) for the puncturing test and maximum force (N) for the cut test. Both textural tests showed significantly higher hardening of PVC cookies, compared to the ALL cookies. The latter retained good sensorial properties at the end of the storage period, although their internal structure changed from soft and moist to mealy, while the PVC cookies were no longer edible only 10 days after baking. a_w values decreased and increased in PVC and ALL lots, respectively. The results suggest that hardening may be explained by water loss in PVC and moisture redistribution in ALL.     

Theoretical fuel element modelling at CNEA

Computer codes and theoretical developments aiming to model nuclear reactor fuel elements at CNEA are reviewed. The codes PELT, VAINA and BACO for the overall fuel behaviour, as well as the finite element systems ELASTEF, PLASTEF and CTR are described. The influence on the BACO code predictions of including a fuel cracking model is discussed. Also, some examples of the calculated fuel cladding contact pressure are shown for different situations. Applications of the finite element systems to calculate the stress concentration at the skids of the Central Nuclear Atucha fuel rods and to predict local thermal effects of PuO₂ particles in a UO₂ fuel are discussed.     

Spin-rotation invariance and the structure of correlation functions in magnetic systems

We analyze, in the framework of the functional approach to statistical mechanics, general properties of correlation functions in ordered magnetic systems. The aim of this paper is to investigate what consequences can be derived from the requirement of invariance of the theory under local infinitesimal spin rotation. The extension of the method that we introduce, to include anisotropic Hamiltonians, is discussed, and the case of the anisotropy described by an internal field is worked out. Our main results are a set of generalized Ward identities, a microscopic definition of the stiffness constant as a static limit of a local response function, and an exact asymptotic expression for the correlation functions of interest, for zero temperature and small wave length and frequency. Modifications to the hydrodynamic expression for correlation functions in the case where anisotropy is present are also discussed.     

Cultural evolutionary design of adaptive wavelet filters based on lifting scheme for micro-instruments

An evolutionary procedure based on cultural algorithms for the optimal design of adaptive wavelet filters based on lifting scheme is proposed. Numerical results of characterization, based on statistical experiment design, as well as validation, based on the comparison with a genetic optimization algorithm, are presented. Experimental results of the validation on two case studies for reducing uncertainty arising from noise in on-field corrosion rate measurements are highlighted.     

Peptides from water buffalo cheese whey induced senescence cell death via ceramide secretion in human colon adenocarcinoma cell line

Scope: Milk proteins are a source of bioactive peptides. Recent studies have indicated that protein‐derived peptides released in buffalo cheese acid whey exert a cytomodulatory effect in human epithelial colon cancer (CaCo2) cells. The aim of the present study was to explain the molecular mechanism involved in the response of CaCo2 cells to oxidative stress in the presence of peptide fractions of buffalo cheese whey, purified and characterized by mass spectrometry. Methods and results: We demonstrated that treatment of CaCo2 treated with H₂O₂ (H‐CaCo2) cells with a partially purified peptide sub‐fraction (f3) from buffalo cheese acid whey induced a reduction of mitochondrial superoxide anion with subsequent decrease in heat shock protein 70 and 90 expression. Moreover, we observed a 5‐fold decrease in cyclin A expression and cell cycle arrest in G1/G0 phases. These responses were associated with increased activity of alkaline phosphatase and beta‐galactosidase, markers of differentiation and senescence respectively. Conclusions: The structural characterization of the active peptide fraction and the elucidation of the effects induced by its treatment on H‐CaCo2 cells in vitro demonstrated an activity of this peptide sub‐fraction in the modulation of cell cycle, thus suggesting potential application for the development of nutraceuticals as well as health‐promoting functional foods.