A socially aware caching mechanism for encounter networks

Managing community content in mobile communities is challenging, since informal groups may emerge spontaneously whenever opportunities exist. To deal with group dynamics, encounter based community support systems can be a solution. In encounter networks, peers exchange content whenever they physically meet, i.e., whenever peers are near to each other. To assure content availability within the community network, content needs to be replicated (cached) and continuously updated. A?well known drawback of this scheme is the fact that the resource usage can be quite high. In this paper we present new caching strategies based on sociological knowledge, aiming at improving the overall content quality. We derive mobility and connectivity aware cache policies and simulate their benefit for knowledge building with urban life simulations. Results show that context precision and recall can be greatly improved in comparison to traditional cache strategies applied in the majority of encounter networks.     

BioPACE

While developing the specifications for electronically enabled Machine Readable Travel Documents, the ICAO paid significant attention to security aspects related to the digital information stored in this type of electronic document. This has resulted in Passive and Active Authentication, Basic Access Control and Extended Access Control. The goal of Basic Access Control (BAC) is preventing unauthorized access to the chip data stored on eMRTDs. The PACE protocol has been developed as a future-proof method to overcome the limitations of BAC and to replace BAC in the future. In this paper the BioPACE protocol is proposed as a supplement to the PACE protocol. Besides verifying if the document holder is indeed the rightful owner, the BioPACE protocol provides a higher convenience for the bearer of the document.     

Flammability of layered silicate epoxy nanocomposites combined with low‐melting inorganic ceepree glass

Tetraphenylphosphonium modified layered silicate epoxy nanocomposite (EP/TPPMMT) combined with low‐melting silicate glass, Ceepree (CP) is investigated by thermal analysis, flammability tests and cone calorimeter at different heat fluxes. Adding CP and TPPMMT does not change the pyrolysis apart from increasing inorganic residue. The total heat evolved (THE) is changed insignificantly, as neither relevant additional carbonaceous charring nor flame inhibition occurs. However, flame retardancy is clearly observed due to an inorganic‐carbonaceous surface protection layer. The peak heat released rate (PHRR) is reduced by around 32–42% when 5 wt% TPPMMT is added, and 51–63% when 10 wt% CP is added. PHRR reduction less than expected is observed when both additives are combined. The reduction is greater than that achieved by using TPPMMT but less than when only CP is used. The morphology of fire residue is investigated by scanning electron microscope on different length scales and turns out to be the key to understanding the efficiency of flame retardancy. The fire residue of EP/CP shows a layered structure, whereas separated columns limit the barrier properties for EP/5%TPPMMT on the micrometer scale. Columns dominating the fire residue structure of EP/5%TPPMMT/10%CP deteriorate the fire retardancy, whereas a more integral structure at the top of the residue causes the improvement over EP/5%TPPMMT. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A constraint-based variability modeling framework

Constraint-based variability modeling is a flexible, declarative approach to managing solution-space variability. Product variants are defined in a top-down manner by successively restricting the admissible combinations of product artifacts until a specific product variant is determined. In this paper, we illustrate the range of constraint-based variability modeling by discussing two of its extreme flavors: constraint-guarded variability modeling and constraint-driven variability modeling. The former applies model checking to establish the global consistency of product variants which are built by manual specification of variations points, whereas the latter uses synthesis technology to fully automatically generate product variants that satisfy all given constraints. Each flavor is illustrated by means of a concrete case study.     

Differential Impact of Hyperglycemia in Critically Ill Patients: Significance in Acute Myocardial Infarction but Not in Sepsis?

Hyperglycemia is a common condition in critically ill patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). These patients represent an inhomogeneous collective and hyperglycemia might need different evaluation depending on the underlying disorder. To elucidate this, we investigated and compared associations of severe hyperglycemia (>200 mg/dL) and mortality in patients admitted to an ICU for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or sepsis as the two most frequent admission diagnoses. From 2006 to 2009, 2551 patients 69 (58–77) years; 1544 male; 337 patients suffering from type 2 diabetes (T2DM)) who were admitted because of either AMI or sepsis to an ICU in a tertiary care hospital were investigated retrospectively. Follow-up of patients was performed between May 2013 and November 2013. In a Cox regression analysis, maximum glucose concentration at the day of admission was associated with mortality in the overall cohort (HR = 1.006, 95% CI: 1.004–1.009; p < 0.001) and in patients suffering from myocardial infarction (HR = 1.101, 95% CI: 1.075–1.127; p < 0.001) but only in trend in patients admitted to an ICU for sepsis (HR = 1.030, 95% CI: 0.998–1.062; p = 0.07). Severe hyperglycemia was associated with adverse intra-ICU mortality in the overall cohort (23% vs. 13%; p < 0.001) and patients admitted for AMI (15% vs. 5%; p < 0.001) but not for septic patients (39% vs. 40%; p = 0.48). A medical history of type 2 diabetes (n = 337; 13%) was not associated with increased intra-ICU mortality (15% vs. 15%; p = 0.93) but in patients with severe hyperglycemia and/or a known medical history of type 2 diabetes considered in combination, an increased mortality in AMI patients (intra-ICU 5% vs. 13%; p < 0.001) but not in septic patients (intra-ICU 38% vs. 41%; p = 0.53) could be evidenced. The presence of hyperglycemia in critically ill patients has differential impact within the different etiological groups. Hyperglycemia in AMI patients might identify a sicker patient collective suffering from pre-diabetes or undiagnosed diabetes with its’ known adverse consequences, especially in the long-term. Hyperglycemia in sepsis might be considered as adaptive survival mechanism to hypo-perfusion and consecutive lack of glucose in peripheral cells. AMI patients with hyperglycemic derailment during an ICU-stay should be closely followed-up and extensively screened for diabetes to improve patients’ outcome.     

Hydroxyoctadecadienoic Acids Regulate Apoptosis in Human THP‐1 Cells in a PPARγ‐Dependent Manner

Macrophage apoptosis, a key process in atherogenesis, is regulated by oxidation products, including hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids (HODEs). These stable oxidation products of linoleic acid (LA) are abundant in atherosclerotic plaque and activate PPARγ and GPR132. We investigated the mechanisms through which HODEs regulate apoptosis. The effect of HODEs on THP‐1 monocytes and adherent THP‐1 cells were compared with other C18 fatty acids, LA and α‐linolenic acid (ALA). The number of cells was reduced within 24 hours following treatment with 9‐HODE (p < 0.01, 30 μM) and 13 HODE (p < 0.01, 30 μM), and the equivalent cell viability was also decreased (p < 0.001). Both 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE (but not LA or ALA) markedly increased caspase‐3/7 activity (p < 0.001) in both monocytes and adherent THP‐1 cells, with 9‐HODE the more potent. In addition, 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE both increased Annexin‐V labelling of cells (p < 0.001). There was no effect of LA, ALA, or the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone (1μM), but the effect of HODEs was replicated with apoptosis‐inducer camptothecin (10μM). Only 9‐HODE increased DNA fragmentation. The pro‐apoptotic effect of HODEs was blocked by the caspase inhibitor DEVD‐CHO. The PPARγ antagonist T0070907 further increased apoptosis, suggestive of the PPARγ‐regulated apoptotic effects induced by 9‐HODE. The use of siRNA for GPR132 showed no evidence that the effect of HODEs was mediated through this receptor. 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE are potent—and specific—regulators of apoptosis in THP‐1 cells. Their action is PPARγ‐dependent and independent of GPR132. Further studies to identify the signalling pathways through which HODEs increase apoptosis in macrophages may reveal novel therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis.     

Development of organosilicone–polyurethanes as stone preservation and consolidation materials

Two organosilicone-modified polyurethanes are investigated as potential materials for the conservation and consolidation of natural stones. The materials are low molecular weight oligomers at the application stage and react with the humidity of the air to give polymers, forming continuous microlayers. The two differ in the length of the organosilicone chain, resulting in pronounced differences in their physical state: one forms a brittle glassy material (T_g ≈ 70°C). and the other, a soft rubbery material (T_g ≈ −100°C). The rate of the polymerization of the prepolymers was investigated at different conditions, showing a strong dependence on the presence of a catalyst and air humidity. Both these favorable conditions exist probably in the natural stone pores, enhancing the formation of the protective hydrophobic internal microlayer. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.