A structural approach for PoP geo-location

Inferring PoP level maps is gaining interest due to its importance to many areas, e.g., for tracking the Internet evolution and studying its properties. In this paper we introduce a novel structural approach to automatically generate large scale PoP level maps using traceroute measurement from multiple locations. The PoPs are first identified based on their structure, and are then assigned a location using information from several geo-location databases. We discuss the tradeoffs in this approach and provide extensive validation details. The generated maps can be widely used for research, and we provide some possible directions.     

Food safety knowledge and practices among college female students in north of Jordan

Young adults have inadequate knowledge about measures needed to prevent foodborne illnesses. The objectives of this study were to assess the level of food safety knowledge and to investigate the association between the level of food safety knowledge and the socio-demographic and academic variables among college female students staying at dorms in north of Jordan. Information concerning socio-demographic and academic characteristics and food safety knowledge were collected using self-administered questionnaire. Food safety questions included 5 major scales that covered key food safety concepts. A total of 867 female students participated in the study (mean age = 20.07 ± 1.81 years). The overall passing percentage of food safety knowledge was 33.9%. Students were most knowledgeable about prevention of cross contamination and disinfection procedures and had the most difficulties with items related to cooking responsibilities and with food sources of foodborne pathogens. Chi-square results revealed that students who were seniors and in majors related to health sciences, always prepared foods by themselves, reported that they had excellent or very good food safety knowledge, ate out 3 times or less from restaurants, and previously got food poisoning were more likely to pass food safety knowledge questions (P < 0.05). In conclusion, improving students’ knowledge about food safety is an issue that should be taken in consideration; therefore there is a need for developing food safety educational programs that cover key food safety concepts. The school and university setting would be an effective place to reach and teach the young with food safety concepts.     

Macromolecular synthesis and ultrastructural changes induced in human larynx carcinoma cells following photodynamic therapy in vitro

Human larynx carcinoma cells (HEp2) were sensitized with different concentrations of Hematoporphyrin and irradiated with a He-Ne laser at different fluences. The degree of PDT-effects were estimated by two parameters: a) macromolecular synthesis and b) observations using electron microscopy. All experiments were evaluated after 68 hr at 37 degrees C. The results showed that PDT exposure of HEp2 cells is characterized by: 1) inhibition of macromolecular synthesis and 2) different cellular and subcellular lesions. Summing up, these studies indicate the existence of a strong correlation between different PDT exposures and the degree of biochemical and ultrastructural changes in human larynx carcinoma cells in vitro.     

Automatic segmentation and skeletonization of neurons from confocal microscopy images based on the 3-D wavelet transform

We focus on methods for the preprocessing of neurons from three-dimensional (3-D) confocal microscopy images, which are needed for a subsequent detailed morphologic analysis. Due to the specific image properties of confocal microscopy scans, we had to include several heuristic approaches which are based on multiscale edges to guarantee meaningful results: (1) a reliable segmentation of objects of different sizes independent of image contrast, and, based on it, (2) the computation of skeleton points along the branch central axes, and (3) the reliable detection of branching points and of problematic regions. These are preprocessing steps to gather information which is needed by the subsequent construction of a graph representing the geometry of the neuron and a final surface reconstruction.     

Investigation of the Effect of Fe3O4 Particles on the Interface of Gf‐Pr‐Fa Magnetic Composites

The aim of this study is to characterize and to assess the quality and performances of a new class of soft magnetic composites, with ferrite additive, used for aircraft‐type instruments as well as in electronic and chemical industries. The ferrite additive introduced in the structure of the composite induces desired magnetic properties and thus improve the quality of the interface. A major structural defect of the organic matrix composite is recognized by the presence of void space, which must be reduced. It was found that the paramagnetic behaviour of the molecules of oxygen could control the scattering of the air bubbles in the mass of the organic matrix. Thus, the ferrite particles introduced in the material mixture play the role of a “vacuum cleaner” which “aspirates” the voids raised on the interface. Moreover, if when producing the composite, an external vibrating magnetic field is active, it could be possible to obtain the scattering of this void space in the mass of the organic matrix. Therefore, it is expected an enhancement of the interface fitness.     

Plant Food Supplements with Anti-Inflammatory Properties: A Systematic Review (I)

Plant food supplements (PFS) receive great acceptance by European consumers. However, quality and efficacy of these products remain a question of concern. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize and critically evaluate the evidence for or against the efficacy of PFS for coping inflammatory conditions by considering epidemiological and human intervention studies. The review, which consists of two parts, considers Olea europea L., Camellia sinensis L., Vitis vinifera L., and Matricaria recutita L., which are herbal material frequently used also as food. The search retrieved 1251 publications. By applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, the final number of papers was 91. Vitis vinifera L. showed promising results, but other trials should be performed in order to assessing the efficacy. Surprisingly, it was impossible to draw conclusions for the anti-inflammatory effect of Camellia sinensis L. as green tea. No studies were found on the leaves of Olea europea L. whereas more human trials are needed to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of olive oil. Only one study for Matricaria recutita L. was selected. In conclusion, it is advisable to conduct further studies with more homogeneous population and larger number of subjects by avoiding the heterogeneity of the herbal preparations considered.     

制革工业中降低环境污染的脱毛-浸灰工艺

1引言环境保护已经是全球关注的重大问题。工业污染被认为是一个主要的污染源,因此控制工业污染已经成为国家环境监控部门一个重要的工作任务。在巴基斯坦,制革行业被认为是一个十分严重的污染行业。     

Reducing verification effort in component-based software engineering through built-in testing

Today component- and service-based technologies play a central role in many aspects of enterprise computing. However, although the technologies used to define, implement, and assemble components have improved significantly over recent years, techniques for verifying systems created from them have changed very little. The correctness and reliability of component-based systems are still usually checked using the traditional testing techniques that were in use before components and services became widespread, and the associated costs and overheads still remain high. This paper presents an approach that addresses this problem by making the system verification process more component-oriented. Based on the notion of built-in tests (BIT)—tests that are packaged and distributed with prefabricated, off-the-shelf components—the approach partially automates the testing process, thereby reducing the level of effort needed to establish the acceptability of the system. The approach consists of a method that defines how components should be written to support and make use of run-time tests, and a resource-aware infrastructure that arranges for tests to be executed when they have a minimal impact on the delivery of system services. After providing an introduction to the principles behind component-based verification and explaining the main features of the approach and its supporting infrastructure, we show by means of a case study how it can reduce system verification effort.     

Correlation between sizing formulation and compressive behavior of concentrated glass bundle suspensions

The correlation between sizing formulation, bundle mechanical characteristics, and bundle–matrix static and dynamic interactions are investigated. Two glass‐fiber sizing formulations are considered, one containing polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and the other polyester/PVAc, as conventionally used in sheet molding compounds (SMC). Axial compression tests are conducted on dry two‐dimensional (2D) random suspensions. The forced packing is governed by the bending of fiber bundle segments between bundle‐bundle contact points. Benchmarking of the experimental curves with a modified theoretical model provides an estimation of the fiber bundle bending rigidity under forced packing conditions. This value is found to depend on the bundle sizing as well as on the interaction with solvents present in the matrix as is the case for SMC. Free flow and molding experiments are performed on planar SMC sheets using the two different fiber bundles as reinforcements. The results confirm the dependence of the molding energy and the SMC rheology on the bundles chemical and mechanical characteristics. POLYM. COMPOS., 26:370–376, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers