A quadri-dimensional approach for poor performance prioritization in mobile networks using Big Data

Abstract The Management of mobile networks has become so complex due to a huge number of devices, technologies and services involved. Network optimization and incidents management in mobile networks determine the level of the quality of service provided by the communication service providers (CSPs). Generally, the down time of a system and the time taken to repair [mean time to repair (MTTR)] has a direct impact on the revenue, especially on the operational expenditure (OPEX). A fast root cause analysis (RCA) mechanism is therefore crucial to improve the efficiency of the operational team within the CSPs. This paper proposes a quadri-dimensional approach (i.e. services, subscribers, handsets and cells) to build a service quality management (SQM) tree in a Big Data platform. This is meant to speed up the root cause analysis and prioritize the elements impacting the performance of the network. Two algorithms have been proposed; the first one, to normalize the performance indicators and the second one to build the SQM tree by aggregating the performance indicators for different dimensions to allow ranking and detection of tree paths with the worst performance. Additionally, the proposed approach will allow CSPs to detect the mobile network dimensions causing network issues in a faster way and protect their revenue while improving the quality of the service delivered

Robust, Resilient Networked Communication in Challenged Environments

In challenged environments, digital communication infrastructure may be difficult or even impossible to access. This is especially true in rural and developing regions, as well as in any region during a time of political or environmental crisis. We advance the state of the art in wireless networking and security to design networks and applications that rapidly assess changing networking conditions to restore communication and provide local situational awareness. This dissertation examines new systems for responding to current and emerging needs for wireless networks. This work looks across the wireless ecosystem of widely deployed standards. We develop new tools to improve network assessment and to provide robust and reliable network communication. By incorporating new technological breakthroughs, such as the wide commercial success of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), we introduce novel methods and systems for existing wireless standards for these challenged networks. We assess how existing technologies and standards function in difficult environments: lacking end-end Internet connectivity, experiencing overload or other resource constraints, and operating in three dimensional space. Through this lens, we demonstrate how to optimize networks to serve marginalized communities outside of first world urban cities and make our networks resilient to natural and political crisis that threaten communication

In vitro plantlet regeneration from mature zygotic embryos of Pinus pinea L.: overcoming the rooting problems

Na natureza, as plantas e os microrganismos estabelecem associações de várias ordens. Nas culturas in vitro de plantas, mesmo as associações favoráveis com microrganismos foram, durante muitos anos, consideradas como contaminantes. Só mais tarde, as vantagens da inoculação in vitro (co-cultura) foram demonstradas e as técnicas de biotização (bacterização ou micorrização) usadas com o objetivo de melhorar as condições de crescimento in vitro. As dificuldades do enraizamento in vitro de uma das espécies mais importantes da floresta mediterrânica portuguesa, Pinus pinea L., conduziu à escolha deste sistema biológico, como matéria de estudo para a tese. Neste estudo, foram utilizados fungos ectomicorrízicos para otimizar a fase de enraizamento de plantas de Pinus pinea L. micropropagadas via organogénese. A introdução de ectomicorrízas no processo de micropropagação reativou o crescimento das raízes e induziu a melhoria dos vários parâmetros do sistema radicular adventício conduzindo a uma menor perda de plantas durante a aclimatização. Com efeito, a micorrização melhorou a funcionalidade das raízes, facilitando a absorção de nutrientes e de água. Neste trabalho, efetuou-se também uma extensiva caracterização morfológica e molecular das ectomicorrízas associadas a P. pinea. Das várias co-culturas testadas, selecionou-se a interação Pisolithus arhizus/P. pinea para estudar os sinais bioquímicos pré-simbióticos estabelecidos durante as etapas iniciais da co-cultura in vitro. Para possibilitar este estudo foi desenvolvido um novo sistema de co-cultura, o qual já está patenteado. Os resultados indicam que a presença de compostos fenólicos, nomeadamente o ácido o-coumarico, poderão ser importantes mediadores na interação fungo/planta.In nature, plants and microorganisms establish symbiotic associations of various orders. However, for many years such associations were deemed unnecessary in in vitro cultures because the culture medium provides ample amounts of nutrients and plant growth regulators to a growing plant. Only recently, the benefits of biotization (bacterization or mycorrhization) of plants regenerated in vitro were demonstrated by improvements in their growth and vigor. Pinus pinea L., which is of one of the most important species of Portuguese Mediterranean forests, can be regenerated in vitro from embryo cotyledons but the growth of adventitious roots induced in shoots ceases shortly after their formation. Overcoming this particular biological impediment was the study subject of the thesis. In this study, ectomycorrhizal fungi were used to improve adventitious rooting of Pinus pinea L. plants micropropagated through organogenesis. The introduction of ectomycorrhizae during the micropropagation process reactivated the root growth and improved several root characteristics leading to a reduced loss of plants during acclimatization. In fact, the mycorrhization enhanced root functionality facilitating the absorption of nutrients and water. In this work, an extensive characterization of morphological and molecular ectomycorrhizae associated with P. pinea was also undertaken. Of the several fungus species tested, the interaction of Pisolithus arhizus/P. pinea was selected for studying the pre-symbiotic biochemical signals established during the initial stages of co-culture in vitro. To facilitate this study, a novel co-culture system was developed which has been patented. The results indicate that the phenolic compounds, in particular the o coumaric acid ester might be important mediators in the interaction between the fungus and stone pine

In vitro plantlet regeneration from mature zygotic embryos of Pinus pinea L.: overcoming the rooting problems

Regeneração in vitro de plântulas de embriões zigóticos maduros de Pinus pinea L.: superando os problemas de enraizamento Na natureza, as plantas e os microrganismos estabelecem associações de várias ordens. Nas culturas in vitro de plantas, mesmo as associações favoráveis com microrganismos foram, durante muitos anos, consideradas como contaminantes. Só mais tarde, as vantagens da inoculação in vitro (co-cultura) foram demonstradas e as técnicas de biotização (bacterização ou micorrização) usadas com o objetivo de melhorar as condições de crescimento in vitro. As dificuldades do enraizamento in vitro de uma das espécies mais importantes da floresta mediterrânica portuguesa, Pinus pinea L., conduziu à escolha deste sistema biológico, como matéria de estudo para a tese. Neste estudo, foram utilizados fungos ectomicorrízicos para otimizar a fase de enraizamento de plantas de Pinus pinea L. micropropagadas via organogénese. A introdução de ectomicorrízas no processo de micropropagação reativou o crescimento das raízes e induziu a melhoria dos vários parâmetros do sistema radicular adventício conduzindo a uma menor perda de plantas durante a aclimatização. Com efeito, a micorrização melhorou a funcionalidade das raízes, facilitando a absorção de nutrientes e de água. Neste trabalho, efetuou-se também uma extensiva caracterização morfológica e molecular das ectomicorrízas associadas a P. pinea. Das várias co-culturas testadas, selecionou-se a interação Pisolithus arhizus/P. pinea para estudar os sinais bioquímicos pré-simbióticos estabelecidos durante as etapas iniciais da co-cultura in vitro. Para possibilitar este estudo foi desenvolvido um novo sistema de co-cultura, o qual já está patenteado. Os resultados indicam que a presença de compostos fenólicos, nomeadamente o ácido o-coumarico, poderão ser importantes mediadores na interação fungo/planta; ABSTRACT: In nature, plants and microorganisms establish symbiotic associations of various orders. However, for many years such associations were deemed unnecessary in in vitro cultures because the culture medium provides ample amounts of nutrients and plant growth regulators to a growing plant. Only recently, the benefits of biotization (bacterization or mycorrhization) of plants regenerated in vitro were demonstrated by improvements in their growth and vigor. Pinus pinea L., which is of one of the most important species of Portuguese Mediterranean forests, can be regenerated in vitro from embryo cotyledons but the growth of adventitious roots induced in shoots ceases shortly after their formation. Overcoming this particular biological impediment was the study subject of the thesis. In this study, ectomycorrhizal fungi were used to improve adventitious rooting of Pinus pinea L. plants micropropagated through organogenesis. The introduction of ectomycorrhizae during the micropropagation process reactivated the root growth and improved several root characteristics leading to a reduced loss of plants during acclimatization. In fact, the mycorrhization enhanced root functionality facilitating the absorption of nutrients and water. In this work, an extensive characterization of morphological and molecular ectomycorrhizae associated with P. pinea was also undertaken. Of the several fungus species tested, the interaction of Pisolithus arhizus/P. pinea was selected for studying the pre-symbiotic biochemical signals established during the initial stages of co-culture in vitro. To facilitate this study, a novel co-culture system was developed which has been patented. The results indicate that the phenolic compounds, in particular the ocoumaric acid ester might be important mediators in the interaction between the fungus and stone pine

Portugal SB13: contribution of sustainable building to meet EU 20-20-20 targets

Proceedings of the International Conference Portugal SB13: contribution of sustainable building to meet EU 20-20-20 targetsThe international conference Portugal SB13 is organized by the University of Minho, the Technical University of Lisbon and the Portuguese Chapter of the International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment in Guimarães, Portugal, from the 30th of October till the 1st of November 2013. This conference is included in the Sustainable Building Conference Series 2013-2014 (SB13-14) that are being organized all over the world. The event is supported by high prestige partners, such as the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) and the International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment (iiSBE). Portugal SB13 is focused on the theme â Sustainable Building Contribution to Achieve the European Union 20-20-20 Targetsâ . These targets, known as the â EU 20-20-20â targets, set three key objectives for 2020: - A 20% reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels; - Raising the share of EU energy consumption produced from renewable resources to 20%; - A 20% improvement in the EU's energy efficiency. Building sector uses about 40% of global energy, 25% of global water, 40% of global resources and emit approximately 1/3 of the global greenhouse gas emissions (the largest contributor). Residential and commercial buildings consume approximately 60% of the worldâ s electricity. Existing buildings represent significant energy saving opportunities because their performance level is frequently far below the current efficiency potentials. Energy consumption in buildings can be reduced by 30 to 80% using proven and commercially available technologies. Investment in building energy efficiency is accompanied by significant direct and indirect savings, which help offset incremental costs, providing a short return on investment period. Therefore, buildings offer the greatest potential for achieving significant greenhouse gas emission reductions, at least cost, in developed and developing countries. On the other hand, there are many more issues related to the sustainability of the built environment than energy. The building sector is responsible for creating, modifying and improving the living environment of the humanity. Construction and buildings have considerable environmental impacts, consuming a significant proportion of limited resources of the planet including raw material, water, land and, of course, energy. The building sector is estimated to be worth 10% of global GDP (5.5 trillion EUR) and employs 111 million people. In developing countries, new sustainable construction opens enormous opportunities because of the population growth and the increasing prosperity, which stimulate the urbanization and the construction activities representing up to 40% of GDP. Therefore, building sustainably will result in healthier and more productive environments. The sustainability of the built environment, the construction industry and the related activities are a pressing issue facing all stakeholders in order to promote the Sustainable Development. The Portugal SB13 conference topics cover a wide range of up-to-date issues and the contributions received from the delegates reflect critical research and the best available practices in the Sustainable Building field. The issues presented include: - Nearly Zero Energy Buildings - Policies for Sustainable Construction - High Performance Sustainable Building Solutions - Design and Technologies for Energy Efficiency - Innovative Construction Systems - Building Sustainability Assessment Tools - Renovation and Retrofitting - Eco-Efficient Materials and Technologies - Urban Regeneration - Design for Life Cycle and Reuse - LCA of sustainable materials and technologies All the articles selected for presentation at the conference and published in these Proceedings, went through a refereed review process and were evaluated by, at least, two reviewers. The Organizers want to thank all the authors who have contributed with papers for publication in the proceedings and to all reviewers, whose efforts and hard work secured the high quality of all contributions to this conference. A special gratitude is also addressed to Eng. José Amarílio Barbosa and to Eng. Catarina Araújo that coordinated the Secretariat of the Conference. Finally, Portugal SB13 wants to address a special thank to CIB, UNEP, FIDIC and iiSBE for their support and wish great success for all the other SB13 events that are taking place all over the world

Spinoff 2008: 50 Years of NASA-Derived Technologies (1958-2008)

NASA Technology Benefiting Society subject headings include: Health and Medicine, Transportation, Public Safety, Consumer, Home and Recreation, Environmental and Agricultural Resources, Computer Technology, and Industrial Productivity. Other topics covered include: Aeronautics and Space Activities, Education News, Partnership News, and the Innovative Partnership Program

Networking acupuncture in Vietnam

This thesis proposes that medical anthropologists change the way we think about acupuncture in Vietnam. Acupuncture should not be conceived as a discrete medicophilosophical system as has been acupuncture’s textual identity in academic writings to date. Acupuncture is rather a performative network, in the sense used by Bruno Latour, constituted through energetic relationships between science, people, textbooks, classrooms, pedagogic practices, clinical technologies and much more. These come into interaction and their collaborations produce acupuncture in unexpected ways. This conclusion was generated through 15 months of ethnographic fieldwork with acupuncturists in Ho Chi Minh City and catchments from 2007-08. Fieldwork involved observing acupuncturists engage patients, participating in acupuncture classes and volunteering on acupuncture charity teaching and treating missions. A snowballing method was used to generate connections with a mobile and diverse group of medical specialists. First, it will be shown that in Vietnam, science and tradition were united in the creation of a New Medicine that must be considered on its own terms rather than as a grafting of two different types of medical system. The New Medicine modelled pedagogic and legitimacy-making practices which circulated in the city. Second, local formation of acupuncture objects and shaping of clinical treatment flatten out previously taken for granted hierarchies when describing clinical medical knowledge. The technology of vision was integral to the construction of such knowledge and when interrupted caused acupuncture to grind to a halt. Finally, person networks, after Mark Granovetter, were active in the city generating professional success and legality for practitioners but these will also be analysed using a Latourian approach. Recent ethnographic investigations of science and technology are used to help portray, more faithfully, the interactive dynamic of acupuncture experienced during fieldwork. Such writings extend the scope of what can be investigated as participating in the creation of medical realities in southern Vietnam. I argue that medical knowledge is a reality constructed through continual practices. Knowledge is not a commodity or eternally static entity, knowledge is what we do

Bowdoin Orient v.134, no.1-24 (2004-2005)

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