Smart integration of sensors,computer vision and knowledge representation for intelligent monitoring and verbal human-computer interaction

Journal of Intelligent Information Systems - The details presented in this article revolve around a sophisticated monitoring framework equipped with knowledge representation and computer vision...     

A Routing Protocol for Enhanced Efficiency in Cognitive Radio Networks

This paper proposes a novel routing protocol enriched with an assigning mechanism that enables for efficient data flow coordination, among communication nodes with heterogeneous spectrum availability in distributed cognitive radio networks. Efficient routing protocol operation, as a matter of maximum-possible routing paths establishments and minimum delays is obtained, by utilizing a signaling mechanism that was developed based on a simulation scenario. This simulation scenario includes a number of secondary communication nodes, operating over TVWS （television white spaces） under the ＂spectrum of commons＂ regulation regime. The validity of the proposed routing protocol for enhanced efficiency in cognitive radio networks is validated, by conducting experimental simulations and obtaining performance evaluation results. Simulation results verified the efficiency of the proposed routing protocol for minimizing routing delays among secondary communication nodes and indentified fields for further research.     

Biotechnological conversions of biodiesel derived waste glycerol by yeast and fungal species

Fifteen eukaryotic microorganisms were tested for their ability to assimilate biodiesel derived waste glycerol and convert it into value-added metabolic products. For this purpose yeast and Zygomycetes strains were cultivated in nitrogen-limited raw glycerol-based media (initial glycerol concentration 30 g/L). Yeasts tested accumulated restricted lipid quantities (up to ∼22%, wt/wt, in the case of Rhodotorula sp), while differentiations in their fatty acid composition were recorded in relation to the yeast strains employed and the fermentation time. On the contrary, fungi accumulated higher quantities of lipid inside their mycelia (ranging between 18.1 and 42.6%, wt/wt, of dry biomass) that contained in variable amounts the medically important GLA (γ-linolenic acid). Moreover, Yarrowia lipolytica, Pichia membranifaciens and Thamnidium elegans were further studied in media having increased initial glycerol concentrations. In these conditions Y. lipolytica secreted significant amounts of acetic acid (29.2 g/L), as well as mannitol (19.4 g/L) while P. membranifaciens reached 28.4 g/L of biomass at glycerol concentration 90 g/L. T. elegans produced 11.6 g/L of oil, with 71.1%, wt/wt, of fat in biomass, while the maximum concentration of GLA was 371 mg/L. Detailed analysis of T. elegans lipids indicated that the phospholipids fraction was particularly rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.     

Comparative effects of different test day challenges on performance in the 5-choice serial reaction time task.

The 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT) is a valuable cognitive test that permits the simultaneous assessment of several different cognitive modalities, including attention, impulse control, processing speed, and cognitive flexibility. Increasing task difficulty on test days through various challenges can further enhance the versatility of this test by selectively enhancing the cognitive load on different aspects of the task. Systematic comparisons of the effects of different test day challenges on 5-CSRTT performance are essential to verify how these challenges affect different task measures and which manipulations are best suited for future studies of different aspects of cognition. We trained Wistar rats in the 5-CSRTT under standard conditions, then challenged them on the test days by (1) decreasing the duration of the stimulus to be detected, (2) increasing the time interval between trials (intertrial interval, ITI), (3) randomly varying the ITI, or (4) adding a flashing light distractor. All test day challenges produced distinct profiles of performance disruption that reflected differential effects on different cognitive modalities. Decreased stimulus duration selectively impaired attentional performance, while increased ITI increased impulsive-like premature responses and decreased trials completed. Variable ITI induced only mild, nonsignificant disruptions in response inhibition and processing speed, while the flashing light distractor produced comprehensive impairment affecting multiple aspects of 5-CSRTT performance, including disrupted attention and increased premature and timeout responses. This improved understanding of the effects of different test day challenges in the 5-CSRTT will allow researchers to use these manipulations of a valuable cognitive test to their full potential. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of oregano and rosemary essential oils on lipid oxidation of stored frozen minced gilthead sea bream muscle

The study aimed to determine the effect of oregano and rosemary essential oils addition to minced gilthead sea bream muscle on lipid oxidation during frozen storage. Each essential oil was added to minced fish muscle at 500 mg/kg concentration which then was stored at ?22 °C for 12 months. Oregano essential oils inhibited the formation of conjugated diene and triene hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric reactive substances when compared with untreated samples after the first month and rosemary essential oils after the first and third month of frozen storage. Oregano and rosemary essential oils could be used as ingredients to prevent oxidation in stored frozen minced gilthead sea bream muscle, when long term preservation is not needed. The rate of lipid oxidation depends on antioxidant source. The rosemary essential oil proved to be more efficient in preventing lipid oxidation of minced gilthead sea bream muscle than oregano essential oil.     

Analytical rheology as a tool for the structural investigation of citrus pectin

Rheological analysis of citrus pectin at pH 3 and 7 elucidates its structural dynamics, revealing distinct behaviors influenced by pH. At pH 3, pectin exhibits shear-thinning, with solvent-independent unified rheological profiles identifying three concentration regimes: 0.5%–1.5%, 2%–3%, and 3.5%–4%. These regimes, alongside Cox–Merz superpositions, outline the semi-dilute (c*) and concentrated (c**) transitions at 1.5%–2% and 3%–3.5%, respectively. Moreover, a Morris equation exponent of 0.65 indicates flexible, mobility-restricted macromolecules. Conversely, at pH 7, increased viscosities and Morris plot linearity for p = .1 suggest rigid chain behavior due to electrostatic repulsion among ionized acidic groups. This rigidity leads to concentration-dependent self-assembly structures that diverge from expected unified rheological profiles, a deviation amplified by heating–cooling cycles. This study clarifies the impact of pH on citrus pectin's rheology and emphasizes the intricate relationship between polymeric chain rigidity, self-assembly, and viscosity. By providing a refined understanding of these mechanisms, our findings contribute to the broader field of polysaccharide research, offering insights critical for developing and optimizing pectin-based applications in various industries.     

pH-Dependent Protonation of Surface Carboxylate Groups in PsbO Enables Local Buffering and Triggers Structural Changes

Photosystem II (PSII) catalyzes the splitting of water, releasing protons and dioxygen. Its highly conserved subunit PsbO extends from the oxygen-evolving center (OEC) into the thylakoid lumen and stabilizes the catalytic Mn₄CaO₅ cluster. The high degree of conservation of accessible negatively charged surface residues in PsbO suggests additional functions, as local pH buffer or by affecting the flow of protons. For this discussion, we provide an experimental basis, through the determination of pK_a values of water-accessible aspartate and glutamate side-chain carboxylate groups by means of NMR. Their distribution is strikingly uneven, with high pK_a values around 4.9 clustered on the luminal PsbO side and values below 3.5 on the side facing PSII. pH-dependent changes in backbone chemical shifts in the area of the lumen-exposed loops are observed, indicating conformational changes. In conclusion, we present a site-specific analysis of carboxylate group proton affinities in PsbO, providing a basis for further understanding of proton transport in photosynthesis.     

Milk quality characteristics of Boutsiko,Frisarta and Karagouniko sheep breeds reared in the mountainous and semimountainous areas of Western and Central Greece

In this study, the chemical and microbiological characteristics of ovine milk from three indigenous Greek breeds was assessed. The breeds selected for this study were Boutsiko, Frisarta and Karagouniko. The milk yield of each breed was recorded at the early, mid‐ and late stages of lactation for two consecutive years. Among the three breeds, the average milk compositions obtained were similar for protein, lactose and total solids; however, fat values were significantly lower in Frisarta milk compared with Boutsiko and Karagouniko milk. The major fatty acids (FAs) in ovine milk were palmitic and oleic. The microbiological quality of Boutsiko and Karagouniko milk was superior to Frisarta milk.     

Closed Formulas for the Failure Probability of a Strict-Consecutive-k-out-of-n:F System

A consecutive-k-out-of-n:F system is strict if it operates in such a way that isolated failure strings of length less than k (which do not cause system failure) do not occur, or are immediately corrected. This paper gives closed formulas for the failure probability of a strict-consecutive-k-out-of-n:F system.