392 research outputs found
Congestion Control using FEC for Conversational Multimedia Communication
In this paper, we propose a new rate control algorithm for conversational
multimedia flows. In our approach, along with Real-time Transport Protocol
(RTP) media packets, we propose sending redundant packets to probe for
available bandwidth. These redundant packets are Forward Error Correction (FEC)
encoded RTP packets. A straightforward interpretation is that if no losses
occur, the sender can increase the sending rate to include the FEC bit rate,
and in the case of losses due to congestion the redundant packets help in
recovering the lost packets. We also show that by varying the FEC bit rate, the
sender is able to conservatively or aggressively probe for available bandwidth.
We evaluate our FEC-based Rate Adaptation (FBRA) algorithm in a network
simulator and in the real-world and compare it to other congestion control
algorithms
How Far Removed Are You? Scalable Privacy-Preserving Estimation of Social Path Length with Social PaL
Social relationships are a natural basis on which humans make trust
decisions. Online Social Networks (OSNs) are increasingly often used to let
users base trust decisions on the existence and the strength of social
relationships. While most OSNs allow users to discover the length of the social
path to other users, they do so in a centralized way, thus requiring them to
rely on the service provider and reveal their interest in each other. This
paper presents Social PaL, a system supporting the privacy-preserving discovery
of arbitrary-length social paths between any two social network users. We
overcome the bootstrapping problem encountered in all related prior work,
demonstrating that Social PaL allows its users to find all paths of length two
and to discover a significant fraction of longer paths, even when only a small
fraction of OSN users is in the Social PaL system - e.g., discovering 70% of
all paths with only 40% of the users. We implement Social PaL using a scalable
server-side architecture and a modular Android client library, allowing
developers to seamlessly integrate it into their apps.Comment: A preliminary version of this paper appears in ACM WiSec 2015. This
is the full versio
On the microscopic origin of the magneto-electronic phase separation in Sr doped LaCoO3
The nanoscopic magneto-electronic phase separation in doped La1-xSrxCoO3
perovskites was studied with local probes. The phase separation is directly
observed by M\"ossbauer spectroscopy in the studied doping range of 0.05 <= x
<= 0.25 both at room-temperature as well as in the low temperature magnetic
phase. Extended with current synchrotron based X-ray spectroscopies, these data
help to characterize the volume as well as the local electric and magnetic
properties of the distinct phases. A simple model based on a random
distribution of the doping Sr ions describes well both the evolution of the
separated phases as well as the variation of the Co spin state. The experiments
suggest that Sr doping initiates small droplets and a high degree of doping
driven cobalt spin-state transition, while the Sr-free second phase vanishes
rapidly with increasing Sr content
Monitoring soil moisture dynamics in multilayered Fluvisols
The identification of drought-sensitive areas (DSAs) in floodplain Fluvisols of high textural pedodiversity is crucial for sustainable land management purposes. During extended drought periods moisture replenishment is only available by capillary rise from the groundwater. However, moisture flux is often hindered by capillary barriers in the interface between layers of contrasting textures. The results of HYDRUS-1D simulations run on multilayered soil profiles were integrated into textural maps to determine the spatial distribution of water dynamics on the floodplain of the Drava River (SW Hungary). Model runs and field data revealed limited moisture replenishment by capillary rise when both contrasting textural interfaces and sandy layers are present in the profile. By implementing these textural and hydraulic relations, a drought vulnerability map (DSA map) of the operational area of the Old Drava Programme (ODP) was developed. According to the spatial distribution of soils of reduced capillary rise, 52% of the ODP area is likely threatened by droughts. Our model results are adaptable for optimisation of land- and water-management practices along the floodplains of low-energy and medium-sized rivers under humid continental and maritime climates
Transcriptome profiling and environmental linkage to salinity across Salicornia europaea vegetation
Background: Salicornia europaea, a succulent obligatory halophyte is the most salt-tolerant plant species in the world. It survives salt concentrations of more than 1 M. Therefore, it is a suitable model plant to identify genes involved in salt tolerance mechanisms that can be used for the improvement of crops. The changes in a plant’s gene expression in response to abiotic stresses may depend on factors like soil conditions at the site, seasonality, etc. To date, experiments were performed to study the gene expression of S. europaea only under controlled
conditions. Conversely, the present study investigates the transcriptome and physicochemical parameters of S. europaea shoots and roots from two different types of saline ecosystems growing under natural conditions.
Results: The level of soil salinity was higher at the naturally saline site than at the anthropogenic saline site. The parameters such as ECe, Na+, Cl−, Ca+, SO4
2− and HCO3− of the soils and plant organs significantly varied according
to sites and seasons. We found that Na+ mainly accumulated in shoots, whereas K+ and Ca2+ levels were higher in roots throughout the growing period. Moreover, changes in S. europaea gene expression were more prominent in seasons, than sites and plant organs. The 30 differentially expressed genes included enzymes for synthesis of Sadenosyl methionine, CP47 of light-harvesting complex II, photosystem I proteins, Hsp70 gene, ATP-dependent Clp proteases, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and ATP synthase.
Conclusion: The comparisons made based on two seasons, plant organs and two different sites suggest the importance of seasonal variations in gene expression of S. europaea. We identify the genes that may play an important role in acclimation
to season-dependent changes of salinity. The genes were involved in processes such as osmotic adjustment, energy metabolism and photosynthesis
Poland, Hungary, the World: selected aspects of contemporary economy, culture, and science
Praca recenzowana / peer-reviewed pape
The effectiveness of a clinically integrated e-learning course in evidence-based medicine: A cluster randomised controlled trial
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the educational effects of a clinically integrated e-learning course for teaching basic evidence-based medicine (EBM) among postgraduates compared to a traditional lecture-based course of equivalent content. METHODS: We conducted a cluster randomised controlled trial in the Netherlands and the UK involving postgraduate trainees in six obstetrics and gynaecology departments. Outcomes (knowledge gain and change in attitude towards EBM) were compared between the clinically integrated e-learning course (intervention) and the traditional lecture based course (control). We measured change from pre- to post-intervention scores using a validated questionnaire assessing knowledge (primary outcome) and attitudes (secondary outcome). RESULTS: There were six clusters involving teaching of 61 postgraduate trainees (28 in the intervention and 33 in the control group). The intervention group achieved slightly higher scores for knowledge gain compared to the control, but these results were not statistically significant (difference in knowledge gain: 3.5 points, 95% CI -2.7 to 9.8, p = 0.27). The attitudinal changes were similar for both groups. CONCLUSION: A clinically integrated e-learning course was at least as effective as a traditional lecture based course and was well accepted. Being less costly than traditional teaching and allowing for more independent learning through materials that can be easily updated, there is a place for incorporating e-learning into postgraduate EBM curricula that offer on-the-job training for just-in-time learning. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration number: ACTRN12609000022268
- …