Angular correlation of scattered annihilation photons, to test the possibility of hidden variables in quantum theory

Angular correlations of the annihilation photons, Compton scattered by plastic scintillators and detected by means of NaI (T1) crystals, have been measured in order to test the possibility of deviations of the experimental results from the predictions of the quantum theory

The GEYSERS optical testbed: a platform for the integration, validation and demonstration of cloud-based infrastructure services

The recent evolution of cloud services is leading to a new service transformation paradigm to accommodate network infrastructures in a cost-scalable way. In this transformation, the network constitutes the key to efficiently connect users to services and applications. In this paper we describe the deployment, validation and demonstration of the optical integrated testbed for the “GEneralized architecture for dYnamic infrastructure SERviceS” (GEYSERS) project to accommodate such cloud based Infrastructure Services. The GEYSERS testbed is composed of a set of local physical testbeds allocated in the facilities of the GEYSERS partners. It is built up based on the requirements specification, architecture definition and per-layer development that constitutes the whole GEYSERS ecosystem, and validates the procedures on the GEYSERS prototypes. The testbed includes optical devices (layer 1), switches (layer 2), and IT resources deployed in different local testbeds provided by the project partners and interconnected among them to compose the whole testbed layout. The main goal of the GEYSERS testbed is twofold. On one hand, it aims at providing a validation ground for the architecture, concepts and business models proposed by GEYSERS, sustained by two main paradigms: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and the coupled provisioning of optical network and IT resources. On the other hand, it is used as a demonstration platform for testing the software prototypes within the project and to demonstrate to the research and business community the project approach and solutions. In this work, we discuss our experience in the deployment of the testbed and share the results and insights learned from our trials in the process. Additionally, the paper highlights the most relevant experiments carried out in the testbed, aimed at the validation of the overall GEYSERS architecture

TGF-β1 Down-Regulation of NKG2D/DAP10 and 2B4/SAP Expression on Human NK Cells Contributes to HBV Persistence

The mechanism underlying persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains unclear. We investigated the role of innate immune responses to persistent HBV infection in 154 HBV-infected patients and 95 healthy controls. The expression of NKG2D- and 2B4-activating receptors on NK cells was significantly decreased, and moreover, the expression of DAP10 and SAP, the intracellular adaptor proteins of NKG2D and 2B4 (respectively), were lower, which then impaired NK cell-mediated cytotoxic capacity and interferon-γ production. Higher concentrations of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) were found in sera from persistently infected HBV patients. TGF-β1 down-regulated the expression of NKG2D and 2B4 on NK cells in our in vitro study, leading to an impairment of their effector functions. Anti-TGF-β1 antibodies could restore the expression of NKG2D and 2B4 on NK cells in vitro. Furthermore, TGF-β1 induced cell-cycle arrest in NK cells by up-regulating the expression of p15 and p21 in NK cells from immunotolerant (IT) patients. We conclude that TGF-β1 may reduce the expression of NKG2D/DAP10 and 2B4/SAP, and those IT patients who are deficient in these double-activating signals have impaired NK cell function, which is correlated with persistent HBV infection

The model of end-to-end call setup time calculation for Session Initiation Protocol

End-to-end call setup delay is one of the most important grade of service (GoS) parameters for VoIP networks with Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). A typical subscriber wants to have a connection established as soon as possible. From the operator’s perspective call setup time is also crucial because he needs to know how probability of successful packet transmission on SIP links is related to a call setup delay. Then he can make calculations how many resources are needed to guarantee such a transmission. In this paper we proposed the model for end-to-end call setup time calculation. The fundamentals of the model are to check all or almost all (highly probable) possible situations during the call setup. Formulas for calculation are included and results of numerical calculation are presented. Comparison against the values obtained from the simulation shows that it is possible to make calculations of end-to-end call setup time and prepare the discrete cumulative distribution function for a trapezoid model in reasonable time using the proposed model

The model of end-to-end call setup time calculation for Session Initiation Protocol

End-to-end call setup delay is one of the most important grade of service (GoS) parameters for VoIP networks with Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). A typical subscriber wants to have a connection established as soon as possible. From the operator’s perspective call setup time is also crucial because he needs to know how probability of successful packet transmission on SIP links is related to a call setup delay. Then he can make calculations how many resources are needed to guarantee such a transmission. In this paper we proposed the model for end-to-end call setup time calculation. The fundamentals of the model are to check all or almost all (highly probable) possible situations during the call setup. Formulas for calculation are included and results of numerical calculation are presented. Comparison against the values obtained from the simulation shows that it is possible to make calculations of end-to-end call setup time and prepare the discrete cumulative distribution function for a trapezoid model in reasonable time using the proposed model