Unified radio and network control across heterogeneous hardware platforms

Experimentation is an important step in the investigation of techniques for handling spectrum scarcity or the development of new waveforms in future wireless networks. However, it is impractical and not cost effective to construct custom platforms for each future network scenario to be investigated. This problem is addressed by defining Unified Programming Interfaces that allow common access to several platforms for experimentation-based prototyping, research, and development purposes. The design of these interfaces is driven by a diverse set of scenarios that capture the functionality relevant to future network implementations while trying to keep them as generic as possible. Herein, the definition of this set of scenarios is presented as well as the architecture for supporting experimentation-based wireless research over multiple hardware platforms. The proposed architecture for experimentation incorporates both local and global unified interfaces to control any aspect of a wireless system while being completely agnostic to the actual technology incorporated. Control is feasible from the low-level features of individual radios to the entire network stack, including hierarchical control combinations. A testbed to enable the use of the above architecture is utilized that uses a backbone network in order to be able to extract measurements and observe the overall behaviour of the system under test without imposing further communication overhead to the actual experiment. Based on the aforementioned architecture, a system is proposed that is able to support the advancement of intelligent techniques for future networks through experimentation while decoupling promising algorithms and techniques from the capabilities of a specific hardware platform

Main competencies to manage complex defence projects

This research adds a comprehensive way of assessing competencies, contrasting with the usual reductionist approach that uses off-the-shelf instruments. The study reveals 27 competencies to manage complex projects based upon a comprehensive analysis of 22 interviews with senior practitioners associated with the most strategic projects from the Brazilian Army. These competencies were divided into 10 groups, namely influencing, communication, team working, cognitive, management, contextual skills, professionalism, project management knowledge, and personal skills and attributes. Surprisingly, both emotional skills and social competencies were not prominent. The results contribute to advance our knowledge by revealing that practitioners involved in complex defence projects value more technical and individual competencies. This study analyses competencies across several complex projects in the defence sector, providing insights to practitioners and expanding the academic debate focused on other industries and single cases. Organisations might use the competencies to recruit, select, and develop human resources involved in complex defence initiatives

Dirac-Surface-State-Dominated Spin to Charge Current Conversion in the Topological Insulator (Bi0.22Sb0.78)2Te3(Bi_{0.22}Sb_{0.78})_2Te_3 Films at Room Temperature

We report the spin to charge current conversation in an intrinsic topological insulator (TI) $(Bi_{0.22}Sb_{0.78})_2Te_3$ film at room temperature. The spin currents are generated in a thin layer of permalloy (Py) by two different processes, spin pumping (SPE) and spin Seebeck effects (SSE). In the first we use microwave-driven ferromagnetic resonance of the Py film to generate a SPE spin current that is injected into the TI $(Bi_{0.22}Sb_{0.78})_2Te_3$ layer in direct contact with Py. In the second we use the SSE in the longitudinal configuration in Py without contamination by the Nernst effect made possible with a thin NiO layer between the Py and $(Bi_{0.22}Sb_{0.78})_2Te_3$ layers. The spin-to-charge current conversion is attributed to the inverse Edelstein effect (IEE) made possible by the spin-momentum locking in the electron Fermi contours due to the Rashba field. The measurements by the two techniques yield very similar values for the IEE parameter, which are larger than the reported values in the previous studies on topological insulators.Comment: 18 pages and 7 figure

Impact of nitrite on the microbiological quality of a Portuguese Salpicão

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Therapeutical evaluation of different dose regimens of praziquantel in schistosomiasis mansoni, based on the quantitative oogram technique

A clinical trial involving 80 patients of both sexes, from ages 15 to 55, with chronic intestinal or hepatointestinal schistosomiasis mansoni, was carried out to evaluate the therapeutical efficacy of different dose regimens of praziquantel. The patients were randomly allocated into four groups with an equal number of cases and were then treated with one of the following dosages: 60 mg/kg for 1 day; 60 mg/kg daily for 2 days; 60 mg/kg daily for 3 days; and 30 mg/kg daily for 6 days. The assessment of parasitological cure was based on the quantitative oogram technique through rectal mucosa biopsies which were undertaken prior to, as well as, 1,2,4 and 6 months post-treatment. Concurrently, stool examinations according to the qualitative Hoffman, Pons & Janer (HPJ) and the quantitative Kato-Katz (K-K) methods were also performed. The best tolerability was observed with 30 mg/kg daily for 6 days whereas the highest incidence of side-effects (mainly dizziness and nausea) was found with 60 mg/kg daily for 3 days. No serious adverse drug reaction has occurred. The achieved cure rates were: 25% with 60 mg/kg for 1 day; 60% with 60 mg/kg daily for 2 days; 89.5% with 60 mg/kg daily for 3 days; and 90% with 30 mg/kg daily for 6 days. At the same time there has been a downfall of 64%, 73%, 87% and 84% respectively, in the median number of viable S. mansoni ova per gram of tissue. Thus, a very clear direct correlation between dose and effect could be seen. The corresponding cure rates according to stool examinations by HPJ were 39%, 80%, 100% and 95%; by K-K 89%, 100%, 100% and 100%. This discrepancy in results amongst the three parasitological methods is certainly due to their unequal accuracy. In fact, when the number of viable eggs per gram of tissue fell below 5,000 the difference in the percentage of false negative findings between HPJ (28%) and K-K (80%) became significative. When this number dropped to less than 2,000 the percentage of false negative results obtained with HPJ (49%) turned significant in relation to the oogram as well. In conclusion, it has been proven that praziquantel is a highly efficacious agent against S. mansoni infections. If administered at a total dose of 180 mg/kg divided into either 3 or 6 days, it yields a 90% cure rate. Possibly, one could reach 100% by increasing the total dose to 240 mg/kg. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the quantitative oogram technique is the most reliable parasitological method when evaluating the efficacy of new drugs in schistosomiasis mansoni.Uma pesquisa clínica compreendendo 80 pacientes de ambos os sexos, de 15 a 55 anos de idade, portadores de esquistossomose mansônica crônica, formas intestinal ou hepatintestinal, foi efetivada para avaliar a eficácia do praziquantel em diferentes esquemas posológicos. Os pacientes foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos, com igual número de casos, sendo tratados com uma das seguintes dosagens: 60 mg/kg em um dia, 60 mg/kg diários por dois dias, 60 mg/kg diários por três dias e 30 mg/kg diários por seis dias. A avaliação da cura parasitológica baseou-se na técnica do oograma quantitativo mediante biópsias da mucosa retal, realizadas antes, bem como um, dois, quatro e seis meses após o tratamento. Concomitantemente, efetuaram se exames de fezes segundo os métodos qualitativo de Hoffman, Pons & Janer e quantitativo de Kato-Katz. A melhor tolerabilidade foi verificada com 30 mg/kg diários durante seis dias, enquanto a maior incidência de efeitos colaterais, em especial tontura e náusea, ocorreu com 60 mg/kg diários durante três dias. Nenhuma reação adversa grave foi observada com o medicamento. Alcançaram se os seguintes índices de cura: 25% com 60 mg/kg em um dia; 60% com 60 mg/kg diários por dois dias; 89,5% com 60 mg/kg diários por três dias e 90% com 30 mg/kg diários por seis dias. Paralelamente houve uma queda de, respectivamente, 64%, 73%, 87% e84% no número mediano de ovos viáveis de S. mansoni por grama de tecido. Assim, constatou se uma correlação direta entre dose e efeito. Os correspondentes índices de cura, segundo os exames de fezes, foram 39%, 80%, 100% e 95% com o método de Hoffman, Pons & Janer e com o de Kato-Katz 89%, 100%, 100% e 100%. A discrepância encontrada nos resultados entre os três métodos parasitológicos decorre da desigualdade na precisão dos mesmos. Quando o número de ovos viáveis por grama de tecido caiu abaixo de 5000, a diferença no percentual de achados falso-negativos entre Hoffmann, Pons & Janer (28%) e Kato-Katz (80%) tornou-se significativa. Quando esse número baixou para menos de 2000, a percentagem de resultados falso-negativos encontrada com Hoffman, Pons & Janer (49%) também passou a ser significativa em relação ao oograma. Em conclusão, ficou provado que o praziquantel é altamente eficaz na infecção pelo S. mansoni. Administrado na dose total de 180 mg/kg, dividida em três ou seis dias, o praziquantel proporcionou 90% de cura. Provavelmente, poderia atingir 100% se a dose total fosse aumentada para 240 mg/kg. Ademais, confirmou-se que o oograma quantitativo consiste no método mais fidedigno para avaliar a eficácia terapêutica de novas drogas na esquistossomose mansônica