An algebraic theory of dynamic network routing

We develop a non-classic algebraic theory for the purpose of investigating the convergence properties of dynamic routing protocols. The algebraic theory can be regarded as a generalization of shortest-path routing, where the new concept of free cycle generalizes that of a positive-length cycle. A primary result then states that routing protocols always converge, though not necessarily onto optimal paths, in networks where all cycles are free. Monotonicity and isotonicity are two algebraic properties that strengthen convergence results. Monotonicity implies protocol convergence in every network, and isotonicity assures convergence onto optimal paths. A great many applications arise as particular instances of the algebraic theory. In intra-domain routing, we show that routing protocols can be made to converge to shortest and widest paths, for example, but that the composite metric of Internet Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP) does not lead to optimal paths. The more interesting applications, however, relate to inter-domain routing and its Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), where the algebraic framework provides a mathematical template for the specification, design, and verification of routing policies. We formulate existing guidelines for inter-domain routing in algebraic terms, propose new guidelines contemplating backup relationships between domains, and derive a sufficient condition for signaling correctness of internal-BGP.     

Characteristics of WWTP sludge after drying in greenhouse for agricultural purposes

The sludge generated by sewage treatment which meets regulatory standards can be used in agriculture. With this understanding, the focus of this study is the evaluation of the agricultural characteristics and inorganic substances in excess activated sludge, which was subjected to drying in a greenhouse. The variables (factor) evaluated during the drying process were: type of sludge (digested or not digested), addition of lime to the sludge, and the physical layout and rotation of sludge in the greenhouse. The parameters monitored for this assessment were moisture, volatile solids and pH. The greenhouse cover and sides were made of translucent plastic to allow the penetration of solar radiation and prevent water from entering. A impermeable floor was used. The sludge was generated in sewage treatment plants located in the metropolitan region of Grande Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil. The solar drying of wastewater sludge in a greenhouse presented satisfactory results.     

FAME Production and Fatty Acid Profiles from Moist Chlorella sp. and Nannochloropsis oculata Biomass

In the present study, we investigated the production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) from moist Chlorella sp. and Nannochloropsis oculata biomass using a hydrolysis–esterification process. Additionally, we evaluated for the first time the fatty acid profile before and after this process. Hydrolysis of the lipid fraction was performed on a moist biomass in the presence of differing amounts of an acid catalyst in both 50 and 100 % w/w water relative to the biomass. The esterification of the crude extracts of the free fatty acids (FFA) was then investigated. The experiments show that in the presence of 50 % w/w water relative to the biomass, the hydrolysis–esterification process results in higher FFA and FAME yields. The analysis of the fatty ester profiles did not reveal any degradation of the FFA from the microalgae biomass under the hydrolysis–esterification conditions. The results were compared with both extraction–transesterification and direct transesterification processes using dry biomass. The extraction–transesterification and hydrolysis–esterification processes resulted in similar FAME yields and similar profiles of the fatty esters from dry and moist biomass materials, respectively.     

Development of an Educational Environment for Simulating Multistatic UWB Radars for Locating an Intruder Inside Indoor Environment

This work describes a educational tool developed in Java language for simulating a multi-static radar. This radar is used to identify the presence of an intruder inside a residence. In order to obtain high resolution, the radar operates with ultra-wideband pulses (Gaussian monocycle), which have maximum spectral amplitude at 1 GHz and half power bandwidth of approximately 1 GHz. For the estimation of the intruder's position, the optimization technique particle swarm optimization (PSO) is employed. The simulator allows that the users define the parameters to be used by the radar and obtain the estimation of the intruder's position. Besides that, the software automatically generates animations of the wave propagation inside the residence, graphics of the signal at the receiving points and a final report with all the information related to the simulations.     

Correlation between light intensity and exposure time on the hardness of composite resin

This study evaluated the correlation between light intensity emitted by the curing units and exposure time on the of degree polymerization of dental composites by measured Knoop hardness. Specimens with 5 mm diameter and 2 mm height were prepared in a copper mold, covered with a mylar strip and polymerized for 30 sec by curing units with 50, 130, 180, 220, 280 and 520 mW/cm², respectively. The output for all units was measured using a Curing Radiometer (Demetron). Other specimens were polymerized for 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150, 165 and 180 sec utilizing units of 130, 220 and 280 mW/cm². Knoop hardness values of the top and bottom surfaces were measured after 24 h. The results indicate that the curing units with higher light intensity presented improved values of Knoop hardness on the top and bottom regions. As expected, the top surface always presented improved Knoop hardness values in relation to the bottom, after exposure for 30 sec. The values obtained on the surface were statistically superior compared to the values on the bottom (p<0.05) for the intensity of 130, 220 and 280 mW/cm² after 30, 45 and 60 sec of exposure. ©2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers     

Low prevalence of human papillomavirus in a geographic region with a high incidence of head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND: The main purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in patients with head and neck carcinomas from Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were included in the study, from 1995 to 1996. Forty-two were male and 3 female, with age ranging from 32 to 82 years (median 61). Five patients (11%) did not have previous history of use of tobacco and 38 (90.5%) were heavy smokers. Tumor sites were pyriform sinus, 10; tongue, 11 (oral, 6; base, 5); larynx, 7; floor of mouth, 3; tonsil, 6; retromolar area, 3; inferior gingiva 2; buccal mucosa, 2; and maxillary sinus in 1 patient. Twenty-five were stage IV, 17 stage III, and 3 stage II. RESULTS: The presence of HPV DNA was detected in 5 of 45 patients (11%), all of them with HPV 16. Two patients had HPV DNA in normal mucosa and tumor tissue, 1 patient had HPV DNA only in the normal mucosa and tumor tissue, 1 patient had HPV DNA only in the normal mucosa, and 2 patients were positive for HPV DNA in tumor tissue. Four patients were male and 1 was female; 2 patients were nonsmokers. Three patients had tonsil carcinoma, 1 patient had a tongue carcinoma, and 1 patient had a pyriform sinus cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The role of chemical carcinogens seems to be more important in the genesis of head and neck cancer than is HPV infection. The presence of HPV DNA in 5 of 45 patients stimulates further investigation to determine the role of HPV as a risk factor for head and neck carcinoma.     

ACTH-producing carcinoma of the pituitary with haematogenic metastases

Two laboratories equipped with CAS 200 (Becton Dickinson Image Cytometry Systems, San Jose, CA) instruments participated in this study of variability of DNA analysis of bladder tumor specimens. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded specimens were disaggregated and centrifuged onto microscope slides from ten bladder tumor specimens and two specimens of normal urothelium. Sources of variability considered were Specimen, Slide, Run, Laboratory, and Error. Slides were systematically scanned and 200 cells measured followed by the operator selecting 100 nuclei with abnormal morphology. DNA index (DI) and hyperdiploid fraction (HDF) were calculated from the DNA frequency distributions. For systematic sampling, 92% of the variability was due to Specimen indicating that differences in HDF values between specimens reflect biological differences. With selective sampling, only 67% of the variability in HDF is due to Specimen differences. Other factors, Laboratory, Error, and Laboratory x Specimen interaction each accounted for approximately 10% of the variability. Similarly variability of DI with selective sampling was also higher, and less specimen dependent than systematic sampling. It is important that sampling schemes and selection criteria be carefully documented in order to control variability. Enriched (or selective) sampling for abnormal cells has the potential to increase sensitivity but specimen classification based on these measurements must depend on determination of the frequency of such cells in the total population.     

Algebra and algorithms for QoS path computation and hop-by-hop routing in the Internet

Prompted by the advent of quality-of-service routing in the Internet, we investigate the properties that path weight functions must have so that hop-by-hop routing is possible and optimal paths can be computed with a generalization of E.W. Dijkstra's algorithm (see Numer. Math., vol.1, p.269-71, 1959). We define an algebra of weights which contains a binary operation, for the composition of link weights into path weights, and an order relation. Isotonicity is the key property of the algebra. It states that the order relation between the weights of any two paths is preserved if both of them are either prefixed or appended by a common, third, path. We show that isotonicity is both necessary and sufficient for a generalized Dijkstra's algorithm to yield optimal paths. Likewise, isotonicity is also both necessary and sufficient for hop-by-hop routing. However, without strict isotonicity, hop-by-hop routing based on optimal paths may produce routing loops. They are prevented if every node computes what we call lexicographic-optimal paths. These paths can be computed with an enhanced Dijkstra's algorithm that has the same complexity as the standard one. Our findings are extended to multipath routing as well. As special cases of the general approach, we conclude that shortest-widest paths can neither be computed with a generalized Dijkstra's algorithm nor can packets be routed hop-by-hop over those paths. In addition, loop-free hop-by-hop routing over widest and widest-shortest paths requires each node to compute lexicographic-optimal paths, in general.     

Dispersion characteristics of asymmetric coupled anisotropic dielectric waveguides using FDFD

The formulation is developed in the frequency domain and the finite difference method is used for the numerical solution of the scalar wave equation, written in terms of the transverse components of the magnetic field. As a result a conventional eigenvalue problem is obtained without the presence of spurious modes due to the implicit inclusion of the divergence of the magnetic field equal to zero. The formulation is developed to include biaxial anisotropic dielectrics with an index profile varying arbitrarily in the cross section of the waveguide under analysis. This formulation is then applied to the analysis of the influence on the dispersion characteristics of the dimensions of asymmetric coupled rectangular uniaxial anisotropic dielectric waveguides. As expected, the reduction of the height or the width of one of the rectangular dielectric waveguides causes the dispersion curves to move towards higher frequencies.