Foveation-based content adaptive root mean squared error for video quality assessment

Multimedia Tools and Applications - When the video is compressed and transmitted over heterogeneous networks, it is necessary to ensure the satisfying quality for the end user. Since human...     

Dietary Apigenin Exerts Immune-Regulatory Activity in Vivo by Reducing NF-κB Activity,Halting Leukocyte Infiltration and Restoring Normal Metabolic Function

The increasing prevalence of inflammatory diseases and the adverse effects associated with the long-term use of current anti-inflammatory therapies prompt the identification of alternative approaches to reestablish immune balance. Apigenin, an abundant dietary flavonoid, is emerging as a potential regulator of inflammation. Here, we show that apigenin has immune-regulatory activity in vivo. Apigenin conferred survival to mice treated with a lethal dose of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) restoring normal cardiac function and heart mitochondrial Complex I activity. Despite the adverse effects associated with high levels of splenocyte apoptosis in septic models, apigenin had no effect on reducing cell death. However, we found that apigenin decreased LPS-induced apoptosis in lungs, infiltration of inflammatory cells and chemotactic factors’ accumulation, re-establishing normal lung architecture. Using NF-κB luciferase transgenic mice, we found that apigenin effectively modulated NF-κB activity in the lungs, suggesting the ability of dietary compounds to exert immune-regulatory activity in an organ-specific manner. Collectively, these findings provide novel insights into the underlying immune-regulatory mechanisms of dietary nutraceuticals in vivo.     

Alcohol reforming on cobalt-based catalysts prepared from organic salt precursors

Co–MnO catalysts have been prepared by pyrolytic decomposition of the corresponding fumarate or gluconate salts and examined in the reactions of methanol and ethanol reforming. The synthesis parameters were the type of organic salt, the Co:Mn ratio and the temperature of decomposition. The decomposition pathway depends on the type of carboxylate, with the fumarate group being more stable than the gluconate. In-situ XRD measurements of salt decomposition showed that the reducing atmosphere prevailing during thermal treatment, as well as the presence of solid carbon, facilitates reduction of cobalt oxides towards metallic cobalt at temperatures above ∼500 °C. Thus, the reduced form of the catalyst, consisting mainly of metallic cobalt and MnO dispersed in a carbonaceous matrix can be prepared in a single step. It was found that reforming of both methanol and ethanol proceeds under comparable reaction conditions and hydrogen yield is maximized at temperatures of 400–450 °C. The activity of catalysts prepared under an inert atmosphere was considerably higher than the one of catalysts prepared through oxidative pre-treatment.     

Focusing of Novosibirsk Free Electron Laser (NovoFEL) radiation into paraxial segment

Abstract

We demonstrate results of studies of a silicon binary diffractive optical element (DOE) focusing a terahertz laser Gaussian beam into a paraxial segment. The characteristics of the DOE were examined on a Novosibirsk Free Electron Laser beam of 141-μm wavelength.     

Verification of ISS,iISS and IOSS properties applying weighted homogeneity

Several conditions are proposed to check different robustness properties (ISS, iISS, IOSS and OSS) for generic nonlinear systems applying the weighted homogeneity concept (global or local). The advantages of this result are that, under some mild conditions, the system robustness can be established as a function of the degree of homogeneity.     

The magnitude of a product recall: offshore outsourcing vs. captive offshoring effects

The escalation in product recalls in recent years is attributed to the rise of globalisation and associated challenges of offshoring. Extant SCM research suggests that product recalls have a significant negative impact on financial performance, but gaps exist relative to the managerial actions to minimise their impact. Recall response strategies have become more important in the press, given that a single recall may result in the mandatory withdrawal of millions of products from the market, with firms incurring enormous logistics costs and brand damage. In this study, we address this gap in the research, and using a measure of product recall defined as the volume of products withdrawn from the market due to product quality failure. We explore the scale of the recall in the context of pharmaceutical sector global sourcing strategies, exploring whether the variation in global sourcing decisions not only increases the likelihood of a recall, but also influences the capability to minimise the total cost of recall. Our results suggest that offshore outsourcing and captive offshoring have opposite effects in terms of their influence on the magnitude of product recall. We summarise the implications through a compelling set of insights for future global sourcing strategy research themes.