Structured Peer-to-Peer Real Time Video Transmission over Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks

Video communication over Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANET) has several applications such as road safety, commercial advertisements and on-road entertainment. In this paper we present a structured peer-to-peer (P2P) network designed for the distribution of live-content, with low bandwidth consumption, within a VANET. This P2P network is modelled using a media distribution graph. The implementation of a structured network allows a peer to schedule consecutive data chunks produced by the media source by means of a scheduling algorithm. In our analysis we obtain a bound for the maximum delay between the media source and any of the peers of the network and the buffer size needed to allow consecutive scheduling. We study a type of media distribution graph and we calculate its order and diameter, which means that under stable conditions we can ensure certain quality-of-service parameters. The results of simulation over NS2 show the fitness of the mathematical analysis.     

The effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation on root surface: shear-bond strength and SEM–EDX study

To investigate the effects of Nd:YAG laser and 17% EDTA treatment on root-dentin mineral content using scanning electron microscope–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX) and on shear-bond strength of epoxy-resin-based sealer (AH Plus) to root dentin. Twelve extracted premolars were decoronated and roots were sectioned, so that 24 two-root halves were obtained. Element levels of each half were examined by SEM/EDX, and AH Plus build-ups were created. After shear-testing, the test surfaces were reground and subjected to a 5.25% NaOCl. Two subgroups were created according to the surface treatment (n = 12): G1, with 17% EDTA for 5 min; G2, with the Nd:YAG laser. The element level analysis and shear-bond strength test were repeated for each half; the data were recorded (MPa) and analyzed (paired samples t-test). The EDTA treatment increased the O, C, Ca/P ratio (p < 0.001), decreased Ca, P content (p = 0.000), but did not change Na, Mg content (p > 0.05). The Nd:YAG laser increased O, Ca/P ratio (p < 0.001), and decreased the Ca, P content (p = 0.000). The C, Mg, Na content did not change with the Nd:YAG laser (p > 0.05). Both 17% EDTA and Nd:YAG laser had an effect on the mineral content of roots. The 17% EDTA treatment decreased the shear-bond strength of AH Plus to root dentin (p = 0.000); however, the Nd:YAG laser did not affect the bond strength (p = 0.238). Thus, an Nd:YAG laser can be used for disinfection of the root canal when AH Plus is used as a sealer.     

The importance of detailed data utilization on the performance evaluation of a grid-independent hybrid renewable energy system

In this study, a multi-source hybrid power system consisting of wind turbine (WT), photovoltaic (PV) solar unit, proton exchange membrane (PEM) FC and battery is proposed. The WT and PV generation systems are considered as the main power sources for utilizing the available renewable energy. The FC system is proposed as the back-up generation combined with electrolyzer unit and battery picks up the fast load transients and ripples. In such a hybrid system, energy management plays an important role for the overall system performance and durability. From this perspective, a fuzzy logic based intelligent controller is considered in this study. Besides, a detailed minute-scale meteorological and load demand data is utilized in the simulation process and the importance of utilization of such detailed data is presented. This detailed analysis may be valuable for evaluating the feasibility of grid-independent hybrid renewable energy units for upcoming power systems.     

The effect of hydrogen on the electronic,mechanical and phonon properties of LaMgNi4 and its hydrides for hydrogen storage applications

Density functional theory calculations are used herein to explore the effect of hydrogen on the electronic, mechanical and phonon properties of LaMgNi₄ and its hydrides. The polycrystalline elastic moduli, Poisson's ratios and Debye temperatures are calculated based on the single-crystal elastic constants and Voigt-Reuss-Hill approximations. It is also found that all these materials are metallic behavior, ductile and anisotropic in nature. The mechanical anisotropy is discussed via several anisotropy indices and three-dimensional (3D) surface constructions. The effect of high temperature on the free energy, entropy, and heat capacity are also studied by using the quasi-harmonic Debye model. LaMgNi₄ and its hydrides are found to be energetically, mechanically and dynamically stable. Also, they are thermodynamically stable and the order of phase stability is LaMgNi₄H₇ > LaMgNi₄H₄ > LaMgNi₄H > LaMgNi₄. In addition, the highest gravimetric hydrogen storage capacity is found to be 1.74 wt% for LaMgNi4H₇.     

避难城 贝尔谢巴市贝丝哈罗契姆

正灰色贝尔谢巴,一个即使在寒冬也极度干燥、尘土飞扬的城市。贝尔谢巴向干涸的河床缓缓移动,沿着河床,另一头便是沙漠。当地的标准建筑一般采用灰色的清水混凝土,与城市的黄色尘土相呼应。大学、市政厅、索罗卡医院和"内格夫中心"都位于城市主干道上,全部由清水混凝土建造。在贝尔谢巴西边,能看到交叉路口上的战斗机;在贝尔谢巴南边,能看到一辆远离战场的装甲车。贝尔谢巴就位于战斗机和装甲车中间。在两年前的"铸铅行动"中,这里曾遭遇多番"格拉德"型导弹袭击。内格夫旅十字路口位于城市东北方向的入口处,     

Water Deficiency and Induced Defense Against a Generalist Insect Herbivore in Desert and Mediterranean Populations of Eruca sativa

In natural and agricultural ecosystems, plants are often simultaneously or sequentially exposed to combinations of stressors. Here we tested whether limited water availability (LWA) affects plant response to insect herbivory using two populations of Eruca sativa from desert and Mediterranean habitats that differ in their induced defenses. Considering that such differences evolved as responses to biotic and possibly abiotic stress factors, the two populations offered an opportunity to study ecological aspects in plant response to combined stresses. Analysis of chemical defense mechanisms showed that LWA significantly induced total glucosinolate concentrations in the Mediterranean plants, but their concentrations were reduced in the desert plants. However, LWA, with and without subsequent jasmonate elicitation, significantly induced the expression of proteinase inhibitor in the desert plants. Results of a no-choice feeding experiment showed that LWA significantly increased desert plant resistance to Spodoptera littoralis larvae, whereas it did not affect the relatively strong basal resistance of the Mediterranean plants. LWA and subsequent jasmonate elicitation increased resistance against the generalist insect in Mediterranean plants, possibly due to both increased proteinase inhibitor expression and glucosinolate accumulation. The effect of LWA on the expression of genes involved in phytohormone signaling, abscisic acid (ABA-1) and jasmonic acid (AOC1), and the jasmonate responsive PDF1.2, suggested the involvement of abscisic acid in the regulation of defense mechanisms in the two populations. Our results indicate that specific genotypic responses should be considered when estimating general patterns in plant response to herbivory under water deficiency conditions.

     

Oral administration of liposomal insulin

There have been several attempts published in the literature related with orally effective insulin formulations, which are increasing in popularity. Some of the results indicate that it is possible to reduce blood glucose level by orally administered liposomal insulin formulations, but there is general need to understand the mechanism and effective components of the liposome formulations. In our study, liposomal insulin formulations were prepared using insulin (Humulin R) or protamine- containing insulin (Humulin N) with cholesterol, dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (egg) (DPPC)-cholesterol mixture, and mucoadhesive agent (methyl cellulose, MC)-added DPPC-cholesterol mixture. A tablet formulation of insulin was also prepared. Formulations of liposomal insulin were introduced to mice and rats orally and reduced blood glucose levels were observed. The composition of phospholipid (DPPC, cholesterol and MC mixture) was found to be quite effective in reducing blood glucose levels. The pH of the solution and the presence of the protamine sulfate were found to be important. The application site was also found to be important because liposomal insulin formulations administered through the mouth or esophagus resulted in reduced blood glucose levels. Reduced blood glucose levels were also observed when tablet formulations of insulin were administered to rats orally.     

Properties of t-zirconia prepared by a composite-assisted nonhydrolytic sol-gel

High surface area and highly crystalline tetragonal Ni-Si-doped ZrO₂ samples were prepared using a nonhydrolytic sol-gel method. The synthesis involved the condensation of zirconium chloride and isopropyl ether in the presence of a chitosan-based composites containing Ni and Si (Ni@Si-CS), followed by calcination to remove the CS. The interactions between the zirconium precursor and the Ni@Si-CS composites were studied and correlated with the effect on morphologies, crystalline structure, phase compositions, and surface area. These parameters were evaluated for different Ni@Si-CS to ZrO₂ mass ratios. It was found that increasing the concentration of Ni@Si-CS composite led to smaller grains of ZrO₂ nanocrystals and an overall material with a higher surface area. The stability of the tetragonal/cubic phases following calcination at 800°C was correlated with the presence of low amounts of Ni²⁺ in the sublattice of ZrO₂ and the presence of the Si-chitosan, which acted as steric stabilizer.     

Low incidence of myocardial recovery after left ventricular assist device implantation in patients with chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND: Mechanical, histological, and biochemical improvement has been described in patients after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. Explantation of the LVADs without heart transplantation has been described in selected patients who received this therapy as a bridge to transplantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective review of patients receiving a mechanical bridge to transplantation at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital after July 21, 1991, was performed to determine the incidence of patients in whom the device was successfully explanted. From August 1, 1996, to February 1, 1998, we prospectively attempted to identify potential explant candidates by the use of exercise testing. During this time, we recruited 39 consecutive patients after insertion of the Thermo Cardiosystems vented electric device to participate in the following study. Approximately 3 months after device implantation, a maximal exercise test with hemodynamic monitoring and respiratory gas analysis was performed with the LVAD in the automated mode. The electric device was interfaced with a pneumatic console such that the rate could be decreased to 20 cycles/min. Hemodynamic measurements were recorded as the device rate was decreased. A repeat exercise test was then performed if the patient remained hemodynamically stable. A retrospective chart review of 111 LVAD recipients at our institution identified only 5 successful explant patients. Eighteen of the 39 patients were studied. Fifteen patients exercised with maximal device support. At peak exercise, VO2 averaged 14.5+/-3.6 mL. kg-1. min-1; LVAD flow, 8.0+/-1.3 L/min; Fick cardiac output, 11.4+/-3.3 L/min; and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, 13+/-4 mm Hg. Seven patients remained normotensive and could exercise at a fixed rate of 20 cycles/min. In these patients, peak VO2 declined from 17.3+/-3.9 to 13.0+/-6.1 mL. kg-1. min-1. In one of these patients, the device was explanted. CONCLUSIONS: Significant myocardial recovery after LVAD therapy in patients with end-stage congestive heart failure occurs in a small percentage of patients. Most of these patients have dilated cardiomyopathy. Exercise testing may be a useful modality to identify those patients in whom the device can be explanted.     

Effect of Exogenously Applied L-Tryptophan on Allelochemical Activity of Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)

The effect of L-tryptophan on root elongation of lettuce seedlings (Lactuca sativa), as well as on allelochemical activity of three species of root growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), was studied under controlled axenic conditions. L-Tryptophan exhibited an hormonelike effect, promoting root elongation of lettuce seedlings at 10^–5 and 10^–3 mM by ca. 20%, but at 10 mM, root elongation was inhibited by ca. 52% compared to the control (L-tryptophan-free). Comamonas acidovorans 26, Agrobacterium sp., and Alcaligenes piechaudii promoted root elongation of lettuce seedlings by 15, 30, and 44%, respectively. When 10 mM L-tryptophan was applied, Agrobacterium sp. and A. piechaudii inhibited root elongation by 57.6 and 63.5%, respectively. However, at the same concentration of L-tryptophan, C. acidovorans 26 promoted root growth. It is suggested that L-tryptophan reverted root growth promotion through enhancing the secretion of indole-3-acetic acid by the rhizobacteria. L-Tryptophan may have both a direct effect on root growth and an indirect effect through affecting activity of root growth-mediating bacteria. Since the growth of C. acidovorans 26 was exclusively inhibited by L-tryptophan (10 mM), it is conjectured that reduced population of this bacterium could not generate IAA at a level sufficient to inhibit root elongation. Despite the mild root growth promoting effect of C. acidovorans 26, its consistent root growth promotion, perhaps justifies further experimentation.