We describe a cross-layer architecture we are developing in order to offer mobility support to wireless devices executing multimedia applications which require seamless communications. This ...architecture is based on the use of pairs of proxies, which enable the adaptive and concurrent use of different network interfaces during the communications. A cloud computing environment is used as the infrastructure to set up (and release) dynamically the proxies on the server-side, in accordance with the pay-as-you-go principle of cloud based services.
Using accurate first-principles calculations based on many-body perturbation theory we predict that two-dimensional MoS\(_2\) hosts edge excitons with universal character, intrinsic to the existence ...of edges and lying well below the onset of bulk features. These excitons are largely insensitive to edge terminations or orientation, persisting even in the presence of metallic screening at zigzag edges, with large binding energies of \(\sim\)0.4 eV. Additional excitons can also emerge in ultranarrow ribbons, or as a function of the chemical nature of the termination. The chemical, structural, and electronic similarities with Se- or W-based transition-metal dichalcogenides suggest that these optical features could be common in this class of materials.
Acoustic technology is one of the most effective tool in investigating seabed characteristics because of the sound property to propagate for long distance in the water. For this reason analysis of ...acoustic spectra of seafloor is suitable to identify many physical aspects such as reflectivity, absorption coefficient, etc. connected to different kind of seabed. With this purpose, the work presented wants to show preliminary results in analysis of seabed acoustic profiles performed with echosounding technique. In particular we propose results obtained during surveys in Biograd Na Moru (Croatia), in which raw acoustic data of the seafloor are collected by a double frequency echosounder. The very preliminary analysis shows differences in echoes shapes connected to the presence of different features of seabed (sand, rocks, seagrass). The aim of the work is to investigate if there is the possibility to use acoustic features of seabed to build a classification method in order to recognize different aspects of seafloor and its composition.
Objective
Hereditary periodic fever syndromes (HPFs) develop as a result of uncontrolled activation of the inflammatory response, with a substantial contribution from interleukin‐1β or tumor necrosis ...factor α (TNFα). The HPFs include familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), hyperimmunoglobulinemia D with periodic fever syndrome (HIDS), TNF receptor–associated syndrome (TRAPS), and cryopyrinopathies, which are attributable to mutations of the MEFV, MVK, TNFRSF1A, and CIAS1 genes, respectively. However, in many patients, the mutated gene has not been determined; therefore, the condition in these patients with an HPF‐like clinical picture is referred to as idiopathic periodic fever (IPF). The aim of this study was to assess involvement of X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP), which plays a role in caspase inhibition and NF‐κB signaling, both of which are processes that influence the development of inflammatory cells.
Methods
The XIAP gene (X‐linked) was sequenced in 87 patients with IPF, 46 patients with HPF (13 with HIDS, 17 with TRAPS, and 16 with FMF), and 182 healthy control subjects. The expression of different alleles was evaluated by sequencing XIAP‐specific complementary DNA mini‐libraries and by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses. The functional effect of XIAP on caspase 9 activity was assessed by a fluorimetric assay, and cytokine secretion was evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.
Results
Sequencing disclosed a 1268A>C variation that caused a Q423P amino acid substitution. The frequency of 423Q‐homozygous female patients and 423Q‐hemizygous male patients was significantly higher in the IPF group than in the control group (69% versus 51%; odds ratio 2.17, 95% confidence interval 1.23–3.87, P = 0.007), whereas no significant difference was detected in the HPF group (59%) compared with controls. In primary lymphocytes and transfected cell lines, 423Q, as compared with 423P, was associated with higher XIAP protein and messenger RNA expression and lower caspase 9 activation. In lipopolysaccharide‐activated monocytes, 423Q was associated with higher secretion of TNFα.
Conclusion
These results suggest that 423Q is a predisposing factor for IPF development, possibly through its influence on monocyte function.
The Mediterranean area concentrates the major natural risks related to the water cycle, including heavy precipitation and flash-flooding during the fall season. The capability to predict such ...high-impact events remains weak because of the contribution of very fine-scale processes and their non-linear interactions with the larger scale processes. These societal and science issues motivate the HyMeX (Hydrological cycle in the Mediterranean Experiment, http://www.hymex.orgl) experimental programme. HyMeX aims at a better quantification and understanding of the water cycle in the Mediterranean with emphasis on intense events. The observation strategy of HyMEX is organized in a long-term (4 years) Enhanced Observation Periods (EOP) and short-term (2 months) Special Observation Periods (SOP). HyMEX has identified 3 main Mediterranean target areas: North-West (NW), Adriatic (A) and South-East (SE). Within each target area several hydrometeorological sites for heavy rainfall and flash flooding have been set up. The hydrometeorological sire in Central Italy (CI) is interested by both western and eastern fronts coming from the Atlantic Ocean and Siberia, respectively. Orographic precipitations play an important role due to the central Apennine range, which reaches nearly 3000 m (Gran Sasso peak). Moreover, convective systems commonly develop in CI during late summer and beginning of autumn, often causing localized hailstorms with cluster organized cells. Western fronts may heavily hit the Tiber basin crossing large urban areas (Rome), whereas eastern fronts can cause flash floods along the Adriatic coastline. Two major basins are involved within Cl region: Tiber basin (1000 km long) and its tributary Aniene and the Aterno-Pescara basin (300 km long). The first HyMeX SOP1.1 was carried out from Sept. till Nov. 2012 in the NW target area The Italian SOP1.1 was coordinated by the Centre of Excellence CETEMPS, University of L'Aquila, a city located in the CI heart. The CI area was covered by a uniquely dense meteorological instrumentation thanks to a synergy between Italian institutions and NASA-GSFC. The following RADARs were operated: a Doppler single-polarization C-band radar located at Mt Midia; the Polar 55C Doppler dual-polarization C-band radar located in Rome; a Doppler C-hand polarimetric radar located at Il Monte (Abnazo); a polarimetric X-band mini-radar in L' Aquila; a polarimetric X-hand portable mini-radar in Rome; a single-polarization X-band mini-radar in Rome. DISDROMETERs were also deployed: 4 Parsivel optical disdrometers in Rome (at Sapienza, CNR-ISAC and CNR-INSEAN); 1 2D-video disdrometer in Rome; 3 Parsivels optical disdrometer respectively in L'Aquila (Abnazo), Avezzano (Abruzzo) and Pescara (Abnazo). Other INSTRUMENTS were available: 1 K-band vertically-pointing micro rain-radar (MRR), 2 Pludix X-band disdrometers, 1 VLF lightning sensor, 1 microwave radiometer at 23-31 GHz in Rome (at Sapienza); the raingauge network with more than 200 stations in Central Italy. Three overpasses in CI were also performed by the Falcon 20 aircraft equipped with the 950Hz cloud radar RASTA Analysis of the SOP1.1 main events in CI will be described by focusing on the raindrop size distribution statistics and its geographical variability. Intercomparison of rainfall estimates from disdrometers, raingauges and radars will be illustrated with the aim to provide a quality-controlled and physically consistent rainfall dataset for meteorological modeling validation and assimilation purposes.
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