Automated Construction of Node Software Using Attributes in a Ubiquitous Sensor Network Environment

In sensor networks, nodes must often operate in a demanding environment facing restrictions such as restricted computing resources, unreliable wireless communication and power shortages. Such factors make the development of ubiquitous sensor network (USN) applications challenging. To help developers construct a large amount of node software for sensor network applications easily and rapidly, this paper proposes an approach to the automated construction of node software for USN applications using attributes. In the proposed technique, application construction proceeds by first developing a model for the sensor network and then designing node software by setting the values of the predefined attributes. After that, the sensor network model and the design of node software are verified. The final source codes of the node software are automatically generated from the sensor network model. We illustrate the efficiency of the proposed technique by using a gas/light monitoring application through a case study of a Gas and Light Monitoring System based on the Nano-Qplus operating system. We evaluate the technique using a quantitative metric—the memory size of execution code for node software. Using the proposed approach, developers are able to easily construct sensor network applications and rapidly generate a large number of node softwares at a time in a ubiquitous sensor network environment

Annotation of detoxification genes from <i>Helicoverpa assulta</i> genome (ASM2961881v1).

Annotation of detoxification genes such as Cytochrome P450s (CYPs), carboxyl/cholinesterases (CCEs), glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters from Helicoverpa assulta genome (ASM2961881v1).</p

Worm-Based Alternate Assessment of Probiotic Intervention against Gut Barrier Infection

The epithelial barrier is the frontline defense against enteropathogenic bacteria and nutrition-linked xenobiotic stressors in the alimentary tract. In particular, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) insults the gut barrier and is increasingly implicated in chronic intestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease. For the efficient development of intervention against barrier-linked distress, the present study provided a Caenorhabditis elegans-based assessment instead of extensive preclinical evaluations using mammalian models. In particular, EPEC infected the gut and shortened the lifespan of C. elegans, which was counteracted by colonization of E. coli strain Nissle 1917 (EcN). In addition to the competitive actions of EcN against EPEC, EcN improved the gut barrier integrity of worms via the Zonula occludens ortholog (Zoo-1) induction, which was verified in the murine infection and colitis model. The worm-based assessment provided a crucial methodology and important insights into the potent chronic events in the human gut barrier after the ingestion of probiotic candidates as a mucoactive dietary or therapeutic agent

Understanding IPTV churning behaviors: focus on users in South Korea

Purpose - This study aims to investigate customers’ churning out of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service, one of the most prevalent forms of IT convergence. Design/methodology/approach - Based on the review of current literature, a research model is introduced to depict the effects of select independent variables on customer churning behavior. First of all, the two groups are compared in terms of predictor variables, including switching barriers, voice of customer (VOC), membership period and degree of contents usage. Then, a curvilinear regression was applied to understand the association relationship between the level of IPTV contents usage and variables of switching barriers, VOC and membership period. Third, a logit regression was performed to predict customer churning through the variables of switching barriers, VOC, membership period and level of IPTV contents usage. Findings - Through the empirical analysis, this study analyzed the factors affecting customer churning behavior of IPTV service providers based on switching barriers, VOC and contents usage. Originality/value - Although several studies on IPTV have been undertaken globally, they have largely depended on self-reporting surveys to examine dynamics between antecedent variables and IPTV performance in terms of customer satisfaction, usage intension and customer retention. This empirical study is performed to understand influential factors of IPTV service defection through the weblog analysis of 3,906 service users, who represented both service defectors and non-defectors during a specific month

Corporate Social Responsibility as a Strategic Means to Attract Foreign Investment: Evidence from Korea

This study examines how foreign investment can be driven by corporate social responsibility (CSR). By specifying the underlying mechanism of foreign investors’ stock picking behavior, we argue that CSR can attract foreign investment. Given that CSR actions are taken to meet various needs of its stakeholders, the host firm can convey a reliable signal to foreign investors as well as the stakeholders. As such, foreign investments can be increased in the host firm. This idea is examined in a sample of Korean firms. We hypothesize that Korean firms, as host firms, will have more foreign investments, instantiated by foreign ownership, if they are more actively engaged in CSR. To test this argument, we collected a panel dataset of the Korea Economic Justice Institute (KEJI) Index between 2004 and 2009 to measure CSR performance of the firm. We estimated foreign ownership with respect to CSR performance. As a result, we found a positive effect of CSR performance on foreign ownership. Given the importance of foreign investment in host countries, this study opens an avenue that can account for foreign investors’ stock-picking behavior

Effects of Mycotoxins on Mucosal Microbial Infection and Related Pathogenesis

Mycotoxins are fungal secondary metabolites detected in many agricultural commodities and water-damaged indoor environments. Susceptibility to mucosal infectious diseases is closely associated with immune dysfunction caused by mycotoxin exposure in humans and other animals. Many mycotoxins suppress immune function by decreasing the proliferation of activated lymphocytes, impairing phagocytic function of macrophages, and suppressing cytokine production, but some induce hypersensitive responses in different dose regimes. The present review describes various mycotoxin responses to infectious pathogens that trigger mucosa-associated diseases in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts of humans and other animals. In particular, it focuses on the effects of mycotoxin exposure on invasion, pathogen clearance, the production of cytokines and immunoglobulins, and the prognostic implications of interactions between infectious pathogens and mycotoxin exposure