Semantic-based resource discovery, composition and substitution in IEEE 802.11 mobile ad hoc networks

We present a general framework for resource discovery, composition and substitution in mobile ad-hoc networks, exploiting knowledge representation techniques. Key points of the proposed approach are: (1) reuse of discovery information at network layer in order to build a fully unified semantic-based discovery and routing framework; (2) use of semantic annotations in order to perform the orchestration of elementary resources for building personalized services adopting a concept covering procedure, and to allow the automatic substitution of no more suitable/available components. Using ns-2 simulator, we evaluated performances of the proposed framework with reference to a disaster recovery scenario. In particular, the impact of the number of available services and active clients has been investigated in various mobility conditions and for several service covering threshold levels. Obtained results show that: (1) the proposed framework is highly scalable, given that its overall performance is improved by increasing the number of active clients; (2) the traffic load due to clients is negligible; (3) also for a very small number of available service providers very high hit ratios can be reached; (4) increasing the number of providers can lead to hit ratios very close to 100% at the expense of an increased traffic load. Finally, the effectiveness of cross-layer interaction between routing and resource discovery protocols has been also evaluated and discussed.     

Exploitation of Acha (Digitaria exiliis) and Iburu (Digitaria iburua) flours: Chemical characterization and their use for sourdough fermentation

This study aimed at characterizing the chemical and microbiological composition of Acha (Digitaria exiliis) and Iburu (Digitaria iburua) flours and at exploiting their potential for sourdough fermentation. Both the flours had a gross composition similar to other cereals. As shown by two-dimensional electrophoresis analysis, Acha flour had a higher number of prolamins with respect to Iburu flour. The opposite was found for the number of glutelin spots. The concentration of total free amino acids of Iburu flour was higher than that of Acha flour (1348 ± 34 vs. 100 ± 20 mg/kg). Pediococcus pentosaceus was the dominant species in both the flours. Several isolates were used to ferment Acha or Iburu flours. After 8 h fermentation at 30 °C, pH ranged from 3.41 to 3.83 and from 4.20 to 4.66 for Acha and Iburu sourdoughs, respectively. The highest values of TTA and concentration of lactic acid were found in almost all Iburu sourdoughs. The synthesis of acetoin and γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) was only found in Iburu sourdoughs. Data from the kinetics of acidification, synthesis of lactic and acetic acids, acetoin, and liberation of total free amino acids were elaborated by Principal Component Analysis. Sourdoughs from Acha and Iburu flour were clearly differentiated.     

Binary trees for dissimilarity data

Binary segmentation procedures (in particular, classification and regression trees) are extended to study the relation between dissimilarity data and a set of explanatory variables. The proposed split criterion is very flexible, and can be applied to a wide range of data (e.g., mixed types of multiple responses, longitudinal data, sequence data). Also, it can be shown to be an extension of well-established criteria introduced in the literature on binary trees.     

Determination of Phenolic Compounds in Strawberries (Fragaria ananassa Duch) by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detection

This paper describes a method for simultaneous identification and quantification of phenolic compounds in strawberries followed by a reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection. The studied phenolics were flavonoids (flavonols: quercentin, rutin, and kaempferol; flavanols: catechin and epicatechin; anthocyanidins: cyanidin and pelargonidin) and phenolic acids (hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives: gallic and ellagic acids; hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives: ferulic, coumaric, and cinnamic acids). The mobile phase consisted in a gradient prepared from formic acid in water (2 %, pH 3) and formic acid in methanol (2 %, pH 3), flow rate 0.7 mL min^?1 at 25 °C. Analyses were performed, using methanol as extractant, before and after acid hydrolysis with the aim of determining free and conjugated phenolic compounds in strawberries. The acid hydrolysis conditions (6 mol L^?1 HCl, 50 min at 90 °C) were shown to be suitable both for phenolic standards and strawberry extracts. Method validation, using phenolic standard solutions, included: linearity study, limits of detection and quantification, and calibration and analytical sensitivity quantifications. Precision and accuracy were studied in strawberry extracts. The results indicate that the developed method was linear, sensible, precise, and accurate, and the convenience of methanol can substitute acetonitrile as the most commonly used solvent in HPLC. The method was employed for knowing the phenolic profile in seven strawberry cultivars from Italy and Argentina, and besides, total phenolic content was analyzed by the Folin–Ciocalteu method; the total antioxidant activity was investigated using the ABTS method. Good correlations were observed among latter parameters, and total phenolics were obtained as the sum of each phenolic compound analyzed by photodiode array detection-HPLC.     

Molecular tools for exploring polyploid genomes in plants

Polyploidy is a very common phenomenon in the plant kingdom, where even diploid species are often described as paleopolyploids. The polyploid condition may bring about several advantages compared to the diploid state. Polyploids often show phenotypes that are not present in their diploid progenitors or exceed the range of the contributing species. Some of these traits may play a role in heterosis or could favor adaptation to new ecological niches. Advances in genomics and sequencing technology may create unprecedented opportunities for discovering and monitoring the molecular effects of polyploidization. Through this review, we provide an overview of technologies and strategies that may allow an in-depth analysis of polyploid genomes. After introducing some basic aspects on the origin and genetics of polyploids, we highlight the main tools available for genome and gene expression analysis and summarize major findings. In the last part of this review, the implications of next generation sequencing are briefly discussed. The accumulation of knowledge on polyploid formation, maintenance, and divergence at whole-genome and subgenome levels will not only help plant biologists to understand how plants have evolved and diversified, but also assist plant breeders in designing new strategies for crop improvement.     

Assembly of ligand-stripped nanocrystals into precisely controlled mesoporous architectures

The properties of mesoporous materials hinge on control of their composition, pore dimensions, wall thickness, and the size and shape of the crystallite building units. We create ordered mesoporous materials in which all of these parameters are independently controlled. Different sizes (from 4.5 to 8 nm) and shapes (spheres and rods) of ligand-stripped nanocrystals are assembled using the same structure-directing block copolymers, which contain a tethering domain designed to adsorb to their naked surfaces. Material compositions range from metal oxides (Sn-doped In(2)O(3) or ITO, CeO(2), TiO(2)) to metal fluorides (Yb,Er-doped NaYF(4)) and metals (FePt). The incorporation of new types of nanocrystals into mesoporous architectures can lead to enhanced performance. For example, TiO(2) nanorod-based materials withstand >1000 electrochemical cycles without significant degradation.     

Integration of binding peptide selection and multifunctional particles as tool-box for capture of soluble proteins in serum

In this paper, we report on a general approach for the detection of a specific tumoural biomarker directly in serum. Such detection is made possible using a protein-binding peptide selected through an improved phage display technique and then conjugated to engineered microparticles (MPs). Protein biomarkers represent an unlimited source of information for non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic tests; MP-based assays are becoming largely used in manipulation of soluble biomarkers, but their direct use in serum is hampered by the complex biomolecular environment. Our technique overcomes the current limitations as it produces a selective MP—engineered with an antifouling layer—that ‘captures’ the relevant protein staying impervious to the background. Our system succeeds in fishing-out the human tumour necrosis factor alpha directly in serum with a high selectivity degree. Our method could have great impact in soluble protein manipulation and detection for a wide variety of diagnostic applications.     

Teletraffic analysis of hierarchical cellular communication networks

The sustained increase of users and the request for advanced multimedia services are amongst the key motivations for designing new high-capacity cellular telecommunication systems. The proposals that are being pursued by several studies and field implementations consider hierarchical architectures and dynamic resource allocation. A hierarchical cellular communication network is analyzed, taking user mobility into account and exploiting dynamic channel-allocation schemes. In particular, a finite number of users has been considered, moving at different speeds in a geographical region covered by a finite number of cells structured in two hierarchical levels: micro- and macrocells. For such a system, mobility and traffic models have been developed, both based on queueing networks analyzing maximum packing (MP), a dynamic channel-allocation scheme. The obtained results, validated by simulation experiments, allow the evaluation of main system-performance parameters in terms of new-call and handoff blocking probabilities, and forced-termination probability as a function of load and system parameters.