Multihop Ad Hoc Networking: The Reality

In this article we show that, although pure general-purpose MANET (mobile ad hoc networks) does not yet exist in the real world, the multihop ad hoc networking paradigm was successfully applied in several classes of networks that are penetrating the mass market. We present as examples mesh, opportunistic, vehicular, and sensor networks, where the multi-hop ad hoc paradigm is applied in a pragmatic way to extend the Internet and/or to support well-defined application requirements. We contrast these successful areas of ad hoc networking to the lack of impact of pure general-purpose MANET, demonstrating how a more pragmatic approach is a winner     

提高便携式超声波系统的图像质量

便携式超声波系统是紧急护理点使用的强大诊断工具之一。这种无创成像工具让许多自然灾害如地震、飓风和路侧事故等中的受害者能够快速地得到的诊断和治疗。这种便携式设备大小不一,从膝上型到手持式,重量为10磅甚至更轻,并且可以使用电池供电。由于得到新兴超声波市场的广泛认可,在最近几年发展势头迅猛。     

Use of an artificial neural network algorithm to predict hydrate dissociation conditions for hydrogen+water and hydrogen+tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide+water systems

In this communication, a feed-forward artificial neural network algorithm is developed to estimate the hydrate dissociation conditions for the hydrogen+water and hydrogen+tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide+water systems. To develop this algorithm, the experimental data reported in the literature for hydrate dissociation conditions of the latter two systems with different concentrations of tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide in aqueous phase below its stoichiometric concentration (i.e., ≈0.037 mole fraction or 0.43 mass fraction) have been used. Independent experimental data (not used in training and developing this algorithm) have been employed to examine the reliability of this method. It is shown that the predicted and the experimental data are in acceptable agreement demonstrating the reliability of this algorithm as a predictive tool.     

Distribution of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in milling fractions of durum wheat

The effect of processing on mycotoxin content in milling fractions has been investigated in 10 samples of durum wheat contaminated with T-2 and HT-2 toxins at levels ranging from 97 to 5,954 μg/kg (sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxins). Either naturally contaminated samples or samples artificially inoculated with Fusarium sporotrichioides under field conditions were used. A method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry coupled with immunoaffinity column cleanup was validated in-house for the simultaneous analysis of both toxins in a variety of matrices, including uncleaned wheat, cleaned wheat, screenings, bran, red dog, fine middlings, and semolina. Mean recoveries from samples spiked with T-2 and HT-2 toxins at levels of 100 μg/kg ranged from 85 to 107%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) lower than 14%. The milling process led to an increase of T-2 and HT-2 toxin contents up to 13- and 5-fold in screenings and bran, respectively, compared with occurrence in the uncleaned wheat; however, an overall reduction of T-2 and HT-2 toxins by 54% (RSD, 20%) and 89% (RSD, 3%) was observed in cleaned wheat and in semolina, respectively.     

Interaction between Lipopolysaccharide and Gut Microbiota in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are bacterial surface glycolipids, produced by Gram-negative bacteria. LPS is known to determine acute inflammatory reactions, particularly in the context of sepsis. However, LPS can also trigger chronic inflammation. In this case, the source of LPS is not an external infection, but rather an increase in endogenous production, which is usually sustained by gut microbiota (GM), and LPS contained in food. The first site in which LPS can exert its inflammatory action is the gut: both GM and gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) are influenced by LPS and shift towards an inflammatory pattern. The changes in GM and GALT induced by LPS are quite similar to the ones seen in IBD: GM loses diversity, while GALT T regulatory (Tregs) lymphocytes are reduced in number, with an increase in Th17 and Th1 lymphocytes. Additionally, the innate immune system is triggered, through the activation of toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, while the epithelium is directly damaged, further triggering inflammation. In this review, we will discuss the importance of the crosstalk between LPS, GM, and GALT, and discuss the possible implications.     

Embedded access points for trusted data and resources access in HPC systems

Biometric authentication systems represent a valid alternative to the conventional username–password based approach for user authentication. However, authentication systems composed of a biometric reader, a smartcard reader, and a networked workstation which perform user authentication via software algorithms have been found to be vulnerable in two areas: firstly in their communication channels between readers and workstation (communication attacks) and secondly through their processing algorithms and/or matching results overriding (replay attacks, confidentiality and integrity threats related to the stored information of the networked workstation). In this paper, a full hardware access point for HPC environments is proposed. The access point is composed of a fingerprint scanner, a smartcard reader, and a hardware core for fingerprint processing and matching. The hardware processing core can be described as a Handel-C algorithmic-like hardware programming language and prototyped via a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) based board. The known indexes False Acceptance Rate (FAR) and False Rejection Rate (FRR) have been used to test the prototype authentication accuracy. Experimental trials conducted on several fingerprint DBs show that the hardware prototype achieves a working point with FAR=1.07% and FRR=8.33% on a proprietary DB which was acquired via a capacitive scanner, a working point with FAR=0.66% and FRR=6.13% on a proprietary DB which was acquired via an optical scanner, and a working point with FAR=1.52% and FRR=9.64% on the official FVC2002_DB2B database. In the best case scenario (depending on fingerprint image size), the execution time of the proposed recognizer is 183.32 ms.     

Pressed booster compositions prepared by coating RDX using polymer dispersions

Abstract

The viability of preparing booster compositions from RDX and commercially available aqueous polyurethane, acrylic and ethylene-vinyl acetate dispersions has been assessed. These dispersions were coagulated in hot aqueous slurries of RDX by electrolyte addition and the use of thermal coagulation aids. When polymer coating of the RDX crystals occurred the precipitated polymer particles were deposited across the surfaces of the crystals. These coatings were often porous; however when softer polymers were used, coalescence occurred and more uniform coatings were obtained. Compositions containing these softer polymers were less sensitive to initiation by shock and impact. The flow properties of these compositions were usually improved by applying an additional coating of zinc stearate. The impact sensitiveness, shock sensitivity and cookoff behaviour of a number of candidate booster compositions have been assessed and suitable compositions have been identified.     

14—A SIMPLIFIED KINETIC MODEL FOR THE MECHANISM OF PILLING

A simplified kinetic model describing the mechanism of pilling is proposed. This model involves only three parameters, which relate to the main stages of the process: the total number of pills, the rate of pill formation, and the rate of pill wear-off. These parameters can easily be calculated from the pill curve of the fabric.

The published literature and the authors' own data are used to check the range of application of the proposed model.     

Individualisierte Finanzdienstleistungsberatung für Privatkunden — Konzept und prototypische Umsetzung

The article describes and discusses requirements as well as the business concept to generate financially optimized and individualized advisory suggestions for private customers in the financial industry. On this basis we presently design business and technical components of an advisory system. Within the research cooperation for situation, individualization and personalization (FORSIP) the system is prototypically implemented in the context of retirement planning. In addition we discuss possibilities for a customer-friendly visualization of investment risk and their technically implementation within the prototype.