An Efficient Data Aggregation Algorithm for Cluster-based Sensor Network

Data aggregation in wireless sensor networks eliminates redundancy to improve bandwidth utilization and energy-efficiency of sensor nodes. One node, called the cluster leader, collects data from surrounding nodes and then sends the summarized information to upstream nodes. In this paper, we propose an algorithm to select a cluster leader that will perform data aggregation in a partially connected sensor network. The algorithm reduces the traffic flow inside the network by adaptively selecting the shortest route for packet routing to the cluster leader. We also describe a simulation framework for functional analysis of WSN applications taking our proposed algorithm as an exampl

Inclusion of pedagogical universities in international subject rankings: Problems and prospects

The present study actualizes the problem of internationalization of Russian pedagogical education, the solution to which will ensure the “recognition of universities” in the global education market and the entry of Russian and Chinese universities into the international educational market. We associate the solution to this problem with the digitalization of education, the internationalization of the national system of higher education, organization of worldclass research, participation in projects, programs and international professional associations. The study used the method of analysis of open sources of data, a survey of experts (working at the Higher School of Economics (HSE), Kazan Federal University (KFU)) and the method of semi-structured interviews. The empirical basis of the study was the analysis of data from the international rankings Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS), Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE) (including the subject ranking “Education”) and the Moscow International Ranking “Three University Missions” (MosIUR). In the experimental activities, the results of the monitoring study of the participation of Russian universities in MosIUR that have the required validity and are an adequate tool for scientific assessment of changes were used. The study identified and confirmed that international rankings use different source bases for similar indicators. In the TNE ranking, the assessment of the citation of scientific works is carried out according to the international scientometric database Web of Science, while the QS ranking uses the citation index of scientific publications of teachers from the scientometric database Scopus. A monitoring study of the effectiveness of the participation of Russian universities in the MosIUR ranking for 2018–2020 shows the high activity of universities. The analysis of strategies and programs for the development of pedagogical universities included in the MosIUR ranking showed the orientation of universities to solve intra-sectoral problems and consider regional specifics. It has been established that, for pedagogical universities, it is becoming significant to reorient from institutional rankings to subject and branch ones, which measure the international reputation of an educational institution in a particular subject branch. The results of a monitoring study in 2017–2021 showed a low probability of achieving indicators of international rankings ARWU, THE, QS (including the subject ranking “Education”) for Russian pedagogical universities. The most promising for pedagogical universities may be the Moscow International Ranking “Three University Missions”, as well as the use of the experience of leading research universities of the TOP 5–100 project, which occupy high ranks in international rankings – HSE (QS subject ranking “Education”) and KFU (THE, subject ranking “Education”)

Konstantin Ushinsky’s world pedagogical heritage in the context of humanitarization in education

The article presents a comparative analysis of methodological approaches to Konstantin Ushinsky’s pedagogical heritage in different countries. The authors examine literature, strategic and regulatory documents on organizing the educational process in Russian, Chinese, German and American universities in order to determine the humanitarian component of Ushinsky’s heritage. They describe differences in the interpretation of the concept “humanization in higher education” in the studies of scientists from Germany and the USA. They conclude about the unity of interpretations of the concept in Russian and Chinese practices

Методы тонометрии и роль различных проб в ранней диагностике глаукомы (часть 1)

This literature review depicts various tonometry methods (Maklakov, elastotonometry, Goldmann tonometry, tonometry by means of Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) and ICare). The efficacy and accuracy characteristics of different intraocular pressure measuring methods are presented. The article sums up current research on the interdependence of the intraocular pressure and central cornea thickness, the influence of visco-elastic characteristics of the fibrous membrane of the eye on results of some tonometry methods, the correlation of biomechanical indices and interrelation of corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor and intraocular pressure. The review describes various stress tests (mydriatic test, Wurgaft compression tonometry test, Heims position test, Krasnov orthoclinostatic test, corticosteroid provocative testing by B. Becker, W. Mills etc.) and stress-relief tests (pilocarpine and epinephrine tests, determining individual tolerant intraocular pressure) used in early diagnostics of glaucoma and the history of their development and practical application.В обзоре литературы представлены различные методы тонометрии, такие как: тонометрия по Маклакову, эла-стотонометрия, тонометрия по Гольдману, тонометрия на приборе Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) и с помощью прибора ICare. Отображены результаты исследований эффективности и достоверности многих, особенно современных методик исследования внутриглазного давления (ВГД). Приводятся данные исследований различных авторов о зависимости ВГД от центральной толщины роговицы. Приведены работы многих зарубежных и отечественных исследователей, изучавших влияние вязко-эластических свойств фиброзной оболочки глаза (роговицы) на результаты некоторых методов тонометрии, а также проводивших анализ соотношения биомеханических показателей, зависимости корнеального гистерезиса и фактора резистентности роговицы от уровня ВГД. Дан обзор различных проб в ранней диагностике глаукомы: разгрузочных проб (медикаментозные пробы с пилокарпином, эпинефрином, а также пробы на определение толерантного ВГД) и нагрузочных (нагрузка медикаментозным мидриазом, компрессионно-тонометрическая проба М.Б. Вургафта, позиционный тест (проба Хаймса), орто-клиностатическая проба М.М. Краснова, провокационный стероидный тест B. Becker, W. Mills и другие), а также приведена история их разработки и внедрения в клиническую практику

Influence of packing density and surface roughness of vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes on adhesive properties of gecko-inspired mimetics.

We have systematically studied the macroscopic adhesive properties of vertically aligned nanotube arrays with various packing density and roughness. Using a tensile setup in shear and normal adhesion, we find that there exists a maximum packing density for nanotube arrays to have adhesive properties. Too highly packed tubes do not offer intertube space for tube bending and side-wall contact to surfaces, thus exhibiting no adhesive properties. Likewise, we also show that the surface roughness of the arrays strongly influences the adhesion properties and the reusability of the tubes. Increasing the surface roughness of the array strengthens the adhesion in the normal direction, but weakens it in the shear direction. Altogether, these results allow progress toward mimicking the gecko's vertical mobility.The authors acknowledge funding from the EC project Technotubes.This is the accepted manuscript. The final version is available at http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/am507822b

Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of auxin response factor (ARF) gene family in maize

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Auxin signaling is vital for plant growth and development, and plays important role in apical dominance, tropic response, lateral root formation, vascular differentiation, embryo patterning and shoot elongation. Auxin Response Factors (ARFs) are the transcription factors that regulate the expression of auxin responsive genes. The <it>ARF </it>genes are represented by a large multigene family in plants. The first draft of full maize genome assembly has recently been released, however, to our knowledge, the <it>ARF </it>gene family from maize (<it>ZmARF </it>genes) has not been characterized in detail.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, 31 maize (<it>Zea mays </it>L.) genes that encode ARF proteins were identified in maize genome. It was shown that maize <it>ARF </it>genes fall into related sister pairs and chromosomal mapping revealed that duplication of <it>ZmARFs </it>was associated with the chromosomal block duplications. As expected, duplication of some <it>ZmARFs </it>showed a conserved intron/exon structure, whereas some others were more divergent, suggesting the possibility of functional diversification for these genes. Out of these 31 <it>ZmARF </it>genes, 14 possess auxin-responsive element in their promoter region, among which 7 appear to show small or negligible response to exogenous auxin. The 18 <it>ZmARF </it>genes were predicted to be the potential targets of small RNAs. Transgenic analysis revealed that increased miR167 level could cause degradation of transcripts of six potential targets (<it>ZmARF3</it>, <it>9</it>, <it>16</it>, <it>18</it>, <it>22 </it>and <it>30</it>). The expressions of maize <it>ARF </it>genes are responsive to exogenous auxin treatment. Dynamic expression patterns of <it>ZmARF </it>genes were observed in different stages of embryo development.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Maize <it>ARF </it>gene family is expanded (31 genes) as compared to <it>Arabidopsis </it>(23 genes) and rice (25 genes). The expression of these genes in maize is regulated by auxin and small RNAs. Dynamic expression patterns of <it>ZmARF </it>genes in embryo at different stages were detected which suggest that maize <it>ARF </it>genes may be involved in seed development and germination.</p