An optimal bandwidth allocation and data droppage scheme for differentiated services in a wireless network

This paper presents an optimal proportional bandwidth allocation and data droppage scheme to provide differentiated services (DiffServ) for downlink pre‐orchestrated multimedia data in a single‐hop wireless network. The proposed resource allocation scheme finds the optimal bandwidth allocation and data drop rates under minimum quality‐of‐service (QoS) constraints. It combines the desirable attributes of relative DiffServ and absolute DiffServ approaches. In contrast to relative DiffServ approach, the proposed scheme guarantees the minimum amount of bandwidth provided to each user without dropping any data at the base‐station, when the network has sufficient resources. If the network does not have sufficient resources to provide minimum bandwidth guarantees to all users without dropping data, the proportional data dropper finds the optimal data drop rates within acceptable levels of QoS and thus avoids the inflexibility of absolute DiffServ approach. The optimal bandwidth allocation and data droppage problems are formulated as constrained nonlinear optimization problems and solved using efficient techniques. Simulations are performed to show that the proposed scheme exhibits the desirable features of absolute and relative DiffServ. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aflatoxin M1 in fresh milk collected from local markets of Karachi,Pakistan

During 2016–2017, 156 samples of fresh milk samples were collected from local markets of Karachi, Pakistan and analysed for aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) contamination using ELISA technique. AFM₁ was detected in 143 (91.7%) samples, ranged from 20 to 3090 ng L^?1 with a mean level of 346.2 ng L^?1. In 125 (80.1%) samples, the AFM₁ contamination was greater than the maximum limit (ML = 50 ng L^?1) set by EU. However, in 51 (32.7%) samples, the AFM₁ level was higher than the ML of 500 ng L^?1 as assigned by the USA. Statistical analysis showed that the AFM₁ level in milk samples from summer was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that obtained in winter. It was concluded that the AFM₁ levels in the tested samples appear to be a serious public health problem. Therefore, immediate measures should be taken and re-evaluation done for the procedures for farming, transportation, refrigeration, and storage for the control of AFM₁ level in milk samples.     

Defining Shape Complexity of Extrusion Dies—A Reliabilistic View

Complexity of the profile being extruded plays a critical role in die design, die reliability, process aberrations, and product defects. Engineering common sense dictates that a more complex die should require a larger amount of extrusion force or pressure. This has been experimentally substantiated by the authors in a recent study. According to a basic definition, therefore, extrusion shape complexity is the ratio of the pressure required to extrude a complex profile to the pressure required for a solid circular profile of the same area. Most of the complexity definitions reported in published literature are based on this interrelationship between extrusion pressure and profile complexity. From a die reliability viewpoint, a complex profile is more difficult to extrude than a simple one, and it generates more stresses in the die. It should therefore lead to an earlier die failure. Another study by the authors confirms that the working life of hot extrusion dies is definitely affected by profile complexity. Reported complexity definitions provide some sort of index to measure extrudability, and can thus be used for pressure prediction to a certain degree. Unfortunately, none of these definitions addresses the very important issue of die reliability, and they generally yield a counterintuitive trend of increasing die life with increasing complexity. None of these definitions includes all the significant geometrical features of a die profile. This article reports the development of two new definitions of shape complexity (linear and power-law) incorporating all significant geometrical features of an extrusion die profile. Die failure data from a large commercial extrusion facility have been collected and analyzed. Regression-based models have been developed for prediction of die failure on the basis of complexity.     

Reversible Photocontrol of Microtubule Stability by Spiropyran-Conjugated Tau-Derived Peptides

Spatiotemporal modulation of microtubules by light has become an important aspect of the biological and nanotechnological applications of microtubules. We previously developed a Tau-derived peptide as a binding unit to the inside of microtubules. Here, we conjugated the Tau-derived peptide to spiropyran, which is reversibly converted to merocyanine by light, as a reversible photocontrol system to stabilize microtubules. Among the synthesized peptides with spiropyran/merocyanine at different positions, several peptides were bound to the inside of microtubules and stabilized the structures of microtubules. The peptide with spiropyran at the N-terminus induced polymerization and stabilization of microtubules, whereas the same peptide with the merocyanine form did not exert these effects. Reversible formation of microtubules/tubulin aggregates was achieved using the peptide with spiropyran conjugated at the N-terminus and irradiation with UV and visible light. Spiropyran-conjugated Tau-derived peptides would be useful for spatiotemporal modulation of microtubule stability through reversible photocontrol of binding.     

Process and Pitfalls of Online Teaching and Learning with Design Study “Lite” Methodology: A Retrospective Analysis

Design studies are an integral method of visualization research with hundreds of instances in the literature. Although taught as a theory, the practical implementation of design studies is often excluded from visualization pedagogy due to the lengthy time commitments associated with such studies. Recent research has addressed this challenge and developed an expedited design study framework, the Design Study “Lite” Methodology (DSLM), which can implement design studies with novice students within just 14 weeks. The framework was developed and evaluated based on five semesters of in-person data visualization courses with 30 students or less and was implemented in conjunction with Service-Learning (S-L). With the growth and popularity of the data visualization field—and the teaching environment created by the COVID-19 pandemic—more academic institutions are offering visualization courses online. Therefore, in this paper, we strengthen and validate the epistemological foundations of the DSLM framework by testing its (1) adaptability to online learning environments and conditions and (2) scalability to larger classes with up to 57 students. We present two online implementations of the DSLM framework, with and without Service-Learning (S-L), to test the adaptability and scalability of the framework. We further demonstrate that the framework can be applied effectively without the S-L component. We reflect on our experience with the online DSLM implementations and contribute a detailed retrospective analysis using thematic analysis and grounded theory methods to draw valuable recommendations and guidelines for future applications of the framework. This work verifies that DSLM can be used successfully in online classes to teach design study methodology. Finally, we contribute novel additions to the DSLM framework to further enhance it for teaching and learning design studies in the classroom. The preprint and supplementary materials for this paper can be found at https://osf.io/6bjx5/.     

Improved nursing home end-stage renal disease patient participation in physical therapy with onsite,more frequent dialysis

Introduction

For end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients residing in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), the logistics and physical exhaustion of life-saving hemodialysis therapy often conflict with rehabilitation goals. Integration of dialysis care with rehabilitation programs in a scalable and cost-efficient manner has been a significant challenge. SNF-resident ESRD patients receiving onsite, more frequent hemodialysis (MFD) have reported rapid post-dialysis recovery. We examined whether such patients have improved Physical Therapy (PT) participation.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective electronic medical records review of SNF-resident PT participation rates within a multistate provider of SNF rehabilitation care from January 1, 2022 to June 1, 2022. We compared three groups: ESRD patients receiving onsite MFD (Onsite-MFD), ESRD patients receiving offsite, conventional 3×/week dialysis (Offsite-Conventional-HD), and the general non-ESRD SNF rehabilitation population (Non-ESRD). We evaluated physical therapy participation rates based on a predefined metric of missed or shortened (<15 min) therapy days. Baseline demographics and functional status were assessed.

Findings

Ninety-two Onsite-MFD had 2084 PT sessions scheduled, 12,916 Non-ESRD had 225,496 PT sessions scheduled, and 562 Offsite-Conventional-HD had 9082 PT sessions scheduled. In mixed model logistic regression, Onsite-MFD achieved higher PT participation rates than Offsite-Conventional-HD (odds ratio: 1.8, CI: 1.1–3.0; p < 0.03), and Onsite-MFD achieved equivalent PT participation rates to Non-ESRD (odds ratio: 1.2, CI: 0.3–1.9; p < 0.46). Baseline mean ± SD Charlson Comorbidity score was significantly higher in Onsite-MFD (4.9 ± 2.0) and Offsite-Conventional-HD (4.9 ± 1.8) versus Non-ESRD (2.6 ± 2.0; p < 0.001). Baseline mean self-care and mobility scores were significantly lower in Onsite-MFD versus Non-ESRD or Offsite-Conventional-HD.

Discussion

SNF-resident ESRD patients receiving MFD colocated with rehabilitation had higher PT participation rates than those conventionally dialyzed offsite and equivalent PT participation rates to the non-ESRD SNF-rehabilitation general population, despite being sicker, less independent, and less mobile. We report a scalable program integrating dialysis and rehabilitation care as a potential solution for ESRD patients recovering from acute hospitalization.     

Effects of red rice flour addition on the rheological,textural, sensory and bioactive properties of wheat flour-based pan breads

Red rice, rich in fibre and phenolic contents, is one of the underutilised grains. Therefore, the present study developed the wheat/red rice flour (RRF) composites followed by its utilisation in pan breads. It led to an increase in ash and fibre contents of resultant flour combinations, but gluten network became weaker. The values for water absorption were unaffected with RRF replacements ≤15% of wheat flour. Moreover, the proximate estimates of RRF added breads demonstrated increased moisture and fibre contents. Substituted bread combinations were harder with increased gumminess and springiness values; however, cohesion decreased. The per cent change in cohesion and hardness of individual breads upon storage was lesser in composites compared to control suggesting decline in staling phenomenon. Nutritional assessment of both RRF containing flour and breads showed higher total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to their respective controls. Composite breads also demonstrated reduced glycaemic index suggesting its importance for diabetic patients.     

Multistage-batch bipolar membrane electrodialysis for base production from high-salinity wastewater

Bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) is considered a state-of-the-art technology for the conversion of salts into acids and bases. However, the low concentration of base generated from a traditional BMED process may limit the viability of this technology for a large-scale application. Herein, we report an especially designed multistage-batch (two/three-stage-batch) BMED process to increase the base concentration by adjusting different volume ratios in the acid (V_acid), base (V_base), and salt compartments (V_salt). The findings indicated that performance of the two-stage-batch with a volume ratio of V_acid:V_base:V_salt = 1:1:5 was superior in comparison to the three-stage-batch with a volume ratio of V_acid:V_base:V_salt = 1:1:2. Besides, the base concentration could be further increased by exchanging the acid produced in the acid compartment with fresh water in the second stage-batch process. With the two-stage-batch BMED, the maximum concentration of the base can be obtained up to 3.40 mol∙L^–1, which was higher than the most reported base production by BMED. The low energy consumption and high current efficiency further authenticate that the designed process is reliable, cost-effective, and more productive to convert saline water into valuable industrial commodities.     

Metal Complexes for Cancer Sonodynamic Therapy

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) for cancer treatment is gaining attention owing to its non-invasive property and ultrasound‘s (US) deep tissue penetration ability. In SDT, US activates the sonosensitizer at the target deep-seated tumors to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which ultimately damage tumors. However, drawbacks such as insufficient ROS production, aggregation of sonosensitizer, off-target side effects, etc., of the current organic/nanomaterial-based sonosensitizers limit the effectiveness of cancer SDT. Very recently, metal complexes with tunable physiochemical properties (such as sonostability, HOMO to LUMO energy gap, ROS generation ability, aqueous solubility, emission, etc.) have been devised as effective sonosensitizers, which could overcome the limitations of organic/nanomaterial-based sonosensitizers. This concept introduces all the reported metal-based sonosensitizers and delineates the prospects of metal complexes in cancer sonodynamic therapy. This new concept of metal-based sonosensitizer can deliver next-generation cancer drugs.