Geographic model for cost estimation of FTTH deployment: overcoming inaccuracy in uneven-populated areas

A geographic approach is proposed to accurately estimate the cost of FTTH networks. In contrast to the existing geometric models, our model can efficiently avoid inaccurate estimation of the fibre infrastructure cost in the uneven-populated areas

Geometric versus geographic models for the estimation of an FTTH deployment

Optical access networks provide a future proof platform for a wide range of services, and today, several operators are deploying fibre to the home (FTTH) networks. Installing an FTTH infrastructure, however, involves very high investment cost. Therefore, a good estimation of the investment cost is important for building a successful business strategy and, consequently, to speed up the FTTH penetration. In this paper, for calculating the amount of cable and fibre in the outside plant together with the associated civil works, and the number of required network elements, two different approaches are investigated: (1) geometric modelling of the fibre plant based on approximate mathematical models and (2) geographic modelling of the fibre plant based on map-based geospatial data. The results obtained from these two approaches can then be used as input for preliminary investment cost calculations and/or techno-economic evaluations. Compared to more complex and accurate geographic modelling, we verify that especially with uneven population density and irregular street system, simple geometric models do not provide accurate results. However, if no geospatial data is available or a fast calculation is desired for a first estimation, geometric models definitely have their relevance. Based on the case studies presented in this paper, we propose some important guidelines to improve the accuracy of the geometric models by eliminating their main distortion factors

Research on optical core networks in the e-Photon/ONe network of excellence

This papers reports the advances in Optical Core networks research coordinated in the framework of the e-Photon/ONe and e-Photon/ONe+ networks of excellence

International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Probiotics.

Position statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) provides an objective and critical review of the mechanisms and use of probiotic supplementation to optimize the health, performance, and recovery of athletes. Based on the current available literature, the conclusions of the ISSN are as follows: 1)Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host (FAO/WHO).2)Probiotic administration has been linked to a multitude of health benefits, with gut and immune health being the most researched applications.3)Despite the existence of shared, core mechanisms for probiotic function, health benefits of probiotics are strain- and dose-dependent.4)Athletes have varying gut microbiota compositions that appear to reflect the activity level of the host in comparison to sedentary people, with the differences linked primarily to the volume of exercise and amount of protein consumption. Whether differences in gut microbiota composition affect probiotic efficacy is unknown.5)The main function of the gut is to digest food and absorb nutrients. In athletic populations, certain probiotics strains can increase absorption of key nutrients such as amino acids from protein, and affect the pharmacology and physiological properties of multiple food components.6)Immune depression in athletes worsens with excessive training load, psychological stress, disturbed sleep, and environmental extremes, all of which can contribute to an increased risk of respiratory tract infections. In certain situations, including exposure to crowds, foreign travel and poor hygiene at home, and training or competition venues, athletes' exposure to pathogens may be elevated leading to increased rates of infections. Approximately 70% of the immune system is located in the gut and probiotic supplementation has been shown to promote a healthy immune response. In an athletic population, specific probiotic strains can reduce the number of episodes, severity and duration of upper respiratory tract infections.7)Intense, prolonged exercise, especially in the heat, has been shown to increase gut permeability which potentially can result in systemic toxemia. Specific probiotic strains can improve the integrity of the gut-barrier function in athletes.8)Administration of selected anti-inflammatory probiotic strains have been linked to improved recovery from muscle-damaging exercise.9)The minimal effective dose and method of administration (potency per serving, single vs. split dose, delivery form) of a specific probiotic strain depends on validation studies for this particular strain. Products that contain probiotics must include the genus, species, and strain of each live microorganism on its label as well as the total estimated quantity of each probiotic strain at the end of the product's shelf life, as measured by colony forming units (CFU) or live cells.10)Preclinical and early human research has shown potential probiotic benefits relevant to an athletic population that include improved body composition and lean body mass, normalizing age-related declines in testosterone levels, reductions in cortisol levels indicating improved responses to a physical or mental stressor, reduction of exercise-induced lactate, and increased neurotransmitter synthesis, cognition and mood. However, these potential benefits require validation in more rigorous human studies and in an athletic population

Zmiennosc genetyczna, indukowana u zyta ozimego [Secale cereale L.], soi uprawnej [Glycine max Meroll.] i astra chinskiego [Callistephus chinensis L. Ness]

Opisano mutanty indukowane: u astra chińskiego (Callistephus chinensis) - mutant o koszyczkach homogamicznych (wszystkie kwiaty obupłciowe), u soi (Glycine max) - bobikowe o silnych pędach i wielkolistny o nowym typie wzrostu, u żyta (Secale cereale) - krotkoźdźbłowe, xanthina o żółtej barwie całych roślin, horyzontalny o płożącym typie wzrostu i mutanta o opóźnionym starzeniu (zielony do zbioru). Średnie wartości wysokości roślin u mutantów krótkoźdźbłowych były niższe niż u odmiany wyjściowej Pancerne L-P i nie przekraczały wysokości 100 cm. Mutant xanthina był płodny, natomiast mutant horyzontalny musi być utrzymywany i rozmnażany w stanie heterozygotycznym.Optimal treatments for mutation induction were established as follows: for China aster - treating seeds with gamma rays of 6-9 rad; for soya bean - irradiating seeds with fast neutrons of 100 rad, for rye - soaking the grains in water solutions of NEU (0.04% concentration) and of SA (1.5-2.0-2.5 mM concentration). The most interesting mutants of each species are kept in collection. They include the following mutants of China aster (homogamic) of soya bean (with tall and strong stems, with great leaves) and of winter rye (short-straw mutants, xanthina, with horizontal type of growth and with late senescence, combined with long spikes)

Which resilience for the optical Internet? An e-Photon/One+ outlook

The paper provides an overview of the resilient schemes currently adopted in network architectures based on IP over Automatically Switched Optical Networks (ASONs)/Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS) based optical networks, namely the Optical Internet. In addition it outlooks the raising challenges and possible solutions in implementing advanced resilient schemes capable of satisfying the requirements of the different applications carried by a single multi-layer network infrastructure

Two-neutron interferometry measurements

The results of analysis of two-neutron correlations in the region of small relative velocities are presented. The influence of spurious correlations on the form of correlation function is considered in detail. Data analysis and computer simulations were performed for a specific detector configuration with close angular position and different distances between the target and detector modules. The features of different methods of cross-talk elimination are examined. The proposed method is verified and the first results of cross-talk free correlation functions are presented for the Ar-Au reaction at 60 MeV/u measured with the DEMON detector at GANIL. © 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe