Specification of multiparty audio and video interaction based on the Reference Model of Open Distributed Processing

The Reference Model of Open Distributed Processing (RM-ODP) is an emerging ISO/ITU-T standard. It provides a framework of abstractions based on viewpoints, and it defines five viewpoint languages to model open distributed systems. This paper uses the viewpoint languages to specify multiparty audio/video exchange in distributed systems. To the designers of distributed systems, it shows how the concepts and rules of RM-ODP can be applied.\ud \ud The ODP ¿binding object¿ is an important concept to model continuous data flows in distributed systems. We take this concept as a basis for multiparty audio and video flow exchanges, and we provide five ODP viewpoint specifications, each emphasising a particular concern. To ensure overall correctness, special attention is paid to the mapping between the ODP viewpoint specifications

Giant spin-orbit splitting of point defect states in monolayer WS2_2

The spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effect has been known to be profound in monolayer pristine transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Here we show that point defects, which are omnipresent in the TMD membranes, exhibit even stronger SOC effects and change the physics of the host materials drastically. In this Article we chose the representative monolayer WS\sub{2} slabs from the TMD family together with seven typical types of point defects including monovacancies, interstitials, and antisites. We calculated the formation energies of these defects, and studied the effect of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) on the corresponding defect states. We found that the S monovacancy (V\sub{S} ) and S interstitial (adatom) have the lowest formation energies. In the case of V\sub{S} and both of the W\sub{S and W\sub{S2} antisites, the defect states exhibit giant splitting up to 296 meV when SOC is considered. Depending on the relative position of the defect state with respect to the conduction band minimum (CBM), the hybrid functional HSE will either increase the splitting by up to 60 meV (far from CBM), or decrease the splitting by up to 57 meV (close to CBM). Furthermore, we found that both the W\sub{S} and W\sub{S2} antisites possess a magnetic moment of 2 $\mu_{B}$ localized at the antisite W atom and the neighboring W atoms. All these findings provide new insights in the defect behavior under SOC point to new possibilities for spintronics applications for TMDs.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure

Myotel: adressing motor behavior in neck shoulder pain by assessing and feedback semg in the daily (work) environment

Subjects with chronic pain differ in motor behavior especially with a decreased ability to relax their muscles. A myofeedback system has been developed that assesses muscle relaxation in an ambulant way during daily activities. The objective of this study was to examine the RMST on technical efficacy for clinical use and explore changes in clinical outcome

Picosecond laser machined designed patterns with anti-ice effect

Micromachining using ultra short laser pulses (USLP) has evolved over the past years as a versatile tool for introducing functional features in surfaces at a micrometric and even at a sub wavelength scale. Being able to control the surface topography at this level provides a method to change the wetting behavior of a great number of materials. In most cases, when a surface has a natural tendency to be wetted (high surface energy), increasing its roughness will increase the spreading of water over it, and when it is naturally hydrophobic this roughness can dramatically enhance the water repellency. In this study, anti-ice properties of water repellent laser machined materials are investigated. Therefore, a stainless steel substrate (AISI 304L) has been textured with regular hatched patterns, using UV and green laser pulses of 6.7ps. In order to decrease the surface energy, a thin hydrophobic\ud coating has been applied on top of these structures. Super-hydrophobic state has been reached for many of the samples, and small hysteresis values have been measured to confirm the socalled, self-cleaning, or “lotus effect” properties of the engineered surfaces

Functional response and life history parameters of Apanteles taragamae, a larval parasitoid of Maruca vitrata

The legume pod borer Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a serious pest of cowpea in West-Africa. The parasitoid Apanteles taragamae Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) that originates from Taiwan is a potential candidate for biological control of M. vitrata. We investigated under laboratory conditions the functional response of the parasitoid by offering each experienced female 10, 20, 30 and 40 larvae of M. vitrata. We studied the influence of different host larval ages on the development, longevity, sex ratio, lifetime fecundity and parasitization rate of the wasp. In a comparative study, we also investigated the life history of A. taragamae and M. vitrata at different temperatures in the range of 20–30C. The parasitoid successfully parasitized two- and three-day-old host larvae (first and second instars). Younger larvae (one-day-old) were parasitized to a lesser extent, and only males developed in them. Older larvae were not parasitized, partly because of defensive host behaviour. The success of arasitization was positively correlated with the density of two-day-old M. vitrata larvae. Parasitoid developmental time and longevity decreased with increasing temperature. The intrinsic rate of population increase (rm) exhibited an optimum curve with a maximum at 24–28C. For the host M. vitrata, rm was maximal at temperatures of 26–30C. The data are discussed in the context of the potential of A. taragamae for biological control of M. vitrata

Prospects of insects as food and feed

In the last 10 years, the interest to use insects as food and feed has increased exponentially. In tropical zones, insects are a common food item as they are more readily available as food in nature than in other climate zones. However, if we want to promote insects as food and feed, harvesting from nature is not an option and the farming of these animals is required. This can be done in environmentally controlled facilities. Insects are not only nutritionally excellent food; they may also have health benefits. When using organic side streams as substrate, chemical and biological contaminants need to be considered. People in western countries are not used to eating insects, and therefore, strategies to “convince” consumers of their hygienic safety, environmental sustainability, and tastiness are necessary. The insect sector is maturing fast, but still faces many challenges, which can only be met when all stakeholders cooperate closely.</p