CarRing IV- Real-time Computer Network

Ob in der Automobil-, Avionik- oder Automatisierungstechnik, die Fortschritte in der Echtzeitkommunikation richten sich auf weitere Verbesserungen bereits existierender Lösungen. Im Kfz-Bereich führen die steigenden Zahlen computerbasierter Systeme, Anwendungen und Anschlüsse sowie die Verwendung mehrerer proprietärer Kommunikationsstandards zu einem immer komplexeren Kabelbaum. Ursächlich hierfür sind inkompatible Standards, wodurch nicht nur die Kosten, sondern auch das Gewicht und damit der Kraftstoffverbrauch negativ beeinflusst werden. Im ersten Teil der Dissertation wird das Echtzeitprotokoll von CarRing IV (CRIV) vorgestellt. Es bietet isochrone und harte Echtzeitgarantien, ohne dass eine netzwerkweite Synchronisation erforderlich ist. Mit bis zu 16 Knoten pro Ring kann ein CR-IV-Netz aus bis zu 256 Ringen bestehen, die durch Router miteinander verbunden sind. CR-IV verwendet ein reduziertes OSI-Modell (Schichten 1-3, 7), das für seine Anwendungsbereiche sowohl typisch als auch vorteilhaft ist. Außerdem unterstützt es sowohl ereignis- als auch zeitgesteuerte Kommunikationsparadigmen. Der Transparent-Modus ermöglicht es CR-IV, als Backbone für bestehende Netze zu verwenden, wodurch Inkompatibilitätsprobleme beseitigt werden und der Wechsel zu einer einheitlicheren Netzlösung erleichtert wird. Mit dieser Funktionalität können Nutzergeräte über ein CR-IV-Netz miteinander verbunden werden, ohne dass der Nutzer eingreifen oder etwas ändern muss. Durch Multicast unterstützt CRIV auch die Emulation von Feldbussen. Der zweite Teil der Dissertation stellt den anderen wichtigen Aspekt von CR-IV vor. Alle Schichten des OSI-Modells sind in einem FPGA mit Hardware Description Languages (HDLs) ohne Hard- oder Softprozessoren implementiert. Das Register-Transfer-Level (RTL)-Hardwaredesign von CR-IV wird mit einem neuen Ansatz erstellt, der am besten als tokenbasierter Datenfluss beschrieben werden kann. Der Ansatz ist sowohl vertikal als auch horizontal skalierbar. Er verwendet lose gekoppelte Processing Elements (PEs), die stateless arbeiten, sowie Arbiter/Speicherzuordnungspaare. Durch die granulare Kontrolle und die Aufteilung aller Aspekte einer Lösung eignet sich der Ansatz für die Implementierung anderer Software-Level-Lösungen in Hardware. Viele Testszenarios werden durchgeführt, um die in CR-IV erzielten Ergebnisse zu verdeutlichen und zu überprüfen. Diese Szenarien reichen von direkten Leistungsmessungen bis hin zu verhaltensspezifischen Tests. Zusätzlich wird eine Labor-Demo erstellt, die grundsätzlich auf ein Proof of Concept zielt. Die Demo stellt einen praktischen Test anstelle szenariospezifischer Tests dar. Alle Testszenarien und die Labor-Demo werden mit den Prototyp-Boards des Projekts durchgef¨uhrt, d.h. es sind keine Simulationstests. Die Ergebnisse stellen die realistischen Leistungen von CR-IV mit bis zu 13,61 Gbit/s dar.Whether be it automotive, avionics or automation, advances in their respective real-time communication technology focus on further improving preexisting solutions. For in-vehicle communication, the ever-increasing number of computer-based systems, applications and connections as well as the use of multiple proprietary communication standards results in an increasingly complex wiring harness. This is in-part due to those standards being incompatible with one another. In addition to cost, this also impacts weight, which in turn affects fuel consumption. The work presented in this thesis is in-part theoretical and in-part applied. The former is represented by a new protocol, while the latter corresponds to the protocol’s hardware implementation. In the first part of the thesis, the real-time communication protocol of CarRing IV (CR-IV) is presented. It provides isochronous and hard real-time guarantees without requiring network-wide clock synchronization. With up to 16 nodes per ring, a CR-IV network can consist of as many as 256 rings interconnected by routers. CR-IV uses a reduced OSI model (layers 1-3, 7), which is both typical of and preferable for its application areas. Moreover, it supports both event- and time-triggered communication paradigms. The transparent mode feature allows CR-IV to act as a backbone for existing networks, thereby addressing incompatibility concerns and easing the transition into a more unified network solution. Using this feature, user devices can communicate with one another via a CR-IV network without requiring user interference, or any user device or application changes. Combined with the protocol’s reliable multicast, the feature extends CR-IV’s capabilities to include field bus emulation. The second part of the thesis presents the other important aspect of CR-IV. All of its OSI model layers are implemented in a FPGA using Hardware Description Languages (HDLs) without relying-on or including any hard or soft processors. CR-IV’s Register-Transfer Level (RTL) hardware design is created using a new approach that can best be described as token-based data-flow. The approach is both vertically and horizontally scalable. It uses stateless and loosely coupled Processing Elements (PEs) as well as arbiter/memory allocation pairs. By having granular control and compartmentalizing every aspect of a solution, the approach lends itself to being used for implementing other software-level solutions in hardware. Many test scenarios are conducted to both highlight and examine the results achieved in CR-IV. Those scenarios range from direct performance measurements to behavior-specific tests. Moreover, a lab-demo is created that essentially amounts to a proof of concept. The demo represents a practical test as opposed to a scenariospecific one. Whether be it test scenarios or the lab-demo, all are carried-out using the project’s prototype boards, i.e. no simulation tests. The results obtained represent CR-IV’s real-world realistic outcomes with up to 13.61 Gbps

Optimization of a microgrid with renewable energy and distributed generation: A case study

International audienceIn this paper an optimization algorithm is applied on a microgrid with renewable energy and distributed generation. The intermittent electricity in Lebanon leads to widely use diesel generator groups and to install renewable energy in private places in order to cover the consumption during the power cut. The proposed case study consists of three energy hubs integrating renewable energy, diesel engines, and batteries. These three energy hubs cooperate and exchange extra power if needed by applying the proposed algorithm while minimizing the use of diesel engine groups

Optimal centralized control application on microgrids

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An application of a centralized model predictive control on microgrids

International audienceIn this paper, a centralized model predictive control (MPC) is applied on a group of interconnected microgrids (MGs) with the main grid. The objective is to maximize the benefits for all the elements constituting the MGs in addition to the benefits of the main grid. The application of MPC in our study needs a forecasting information about energy prices, production power, and loads. The algorithm is tested on five interconnected MGs connected to the main grid. Results have shown the performance of the proposed algorithm, especially for the benefits of MG owners, the coordination between MGs while respecting of the constraints related to each one of them

Exploring effective strategies to improve wound care

Chronic wounds are those that fail to proceed through an orderly and timely reparative manner, typically characterised by persistent hypoxia and infection. Since oxygen is essential in every stage of wound healing and has bactericidal activity, wound oxygenation methods including hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and normobaric oxygen (NBO) have been proposed as therapeutic modalities in the treatment of chronic wounds. These treatments can significantly elevate the oxygen partial pressure at poorly perfused wounded tissues. However, the molecular mechanisms whereby oxygen improves wound healing remain unclear. The aims of this thesis were to explore the cellular and molecular impacts of high oxygen levels, elevated air pressure, chronic hypoxia and infection on reepithelialisation as a critical step in wound healing. It was hypothesised that increasing oxygen tension in the wounded area would improve steps in reepithelialisation process. This hypothesis was tested on human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells where cell migration, proliferation and differentiation were examined at cellular and molecular levels using scratch assays, Western blotting, ELISA and MTT assays. Data clearly demonstrated that a chronic hypoxic state had a deleterious effect on reepithelialisation via attenuation of the rate of keratinocyte migration with increases in cellular adhesion, metabolic activities and hyperproliferation but no effects were seen on cell differentiation rates. In contrast, oxygenation of the cells via HBO and NBO resulted in a faster rate of cell migration with lower cell proliferation and metabolic activities. However, elevating air pressure alone i.e. hyperbaric air (HBA), did not have any effects on the re-epithelialisation process. Keratinocytes were stimulated with LPS and interleukins (IL-6 and IL-8) or cocultured with THP-1 monocytes to create different inflammatory models under chronic hypoxic and normoxic conditions. Data revealed that IL-6, but not IL-8, attenuated keratinocyte’s migration with a significant increase in cell adhesion and elasticity. Co-culture of monocytes with keratinocytes led to a marginal increase in cell migration under chronic hypoxic conditions. However, LPS stimulation did not lead to any significant effects on migration, proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes. These findings show that oxygen is critical in re-epithelialisation and the results presented here provide understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which HBO and NBO improve wound healing

The effect of ethical leadership on management accountants’ performance: the mediating role of psychological well-being

This paper examined the impacts imparted by ethical leadership on both the performance and well-being of management accountants employed in public shareholding companies operating in Jordan. The mediating effect of psychological well-being was also examined. In testing the study hypotheses, analysis was performed on 93 obtained responses. The structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used. From the outcomes, the ethical leadership level has significant impact on the psychological well-being of management accountants, while ethical leadership indirectly and significantly affects job performance, but only by way of psychological well-being. All these lend support to the mediating role of the psychological well-being of employees in the delineation of the link existing between ethical leadership and employee performance. Limitations and implications of the study are discussed. The directions of forthcoming studies are proposed as well

Quranic Features of Healing and Treatment: an Indexing of Quranic (Medical Instructions) Verses

This paper deals with an important issue in religious thought (religion and modern sciences), which was a great challenge to the eternal validity of the text. Quran, as a revealed book, proved its power in term of legal system, and theological and philosophical presence. However, there has been a controversy on this subject. This paper used the descriptive method in presenting this topic. The researchers found that the major works on this issue have been done by Tantawi Jawhari, Maurice Bucalle, and Zaglul al-Najjar. Additionally, this context has a crucial role to play in classifying some verses as miracles of the Quran

KNOWLEDGE AND MISCONCEPTIONS AMONG LEBANESE COMMUNITY ON IMMUNIZATIONS

Two centuries ago, immunization practices have become the greatest land mark in medical history as they significantly contributed to a decline in several major infectious diseases worldwide thus decreasing both the mortality and morbidity. Moreover, they have been able to eradicate small pox and eliminate poliomyelitis in most regions of the world. However, in recent years the general opinion towards vaccination began shifting due to the emergence of certain opposing views to it, questioning the vaccine\u27s safety and efficacy. This study aims to shed light on the vaccination status in Lebanon by assessing the knowledge, attitude, awareness, and misconceptions among the Lebanese community concerning immunization. This article was a descriptive cross-sectional study that enrolled 388 randomly selected adults in Lebanon. A 23-item questionnaire was distributed among the Lebanese population in Beirut, Mont Lebanon, North, South, Al Bekaa and Al Nabatieh. In total, 388 participants completed the questionnaire. 53.4% were females, and 60% reached the university level. 96.4% agreed to vaccinate their children. 92.5% believed that vaccination protects from diseases, and a significant relationship was found with educational level (p=0.026). Moreover, 96.9% believed that vaccination is safe in general, but we didn’t find any significant relation with their educational level (p=0.13). 73.5% believed that vaccines should not be given in certain health conditions. Only 2.8% thought that vaccination causes learning disabilities like autism with no significant association with educational level (p=0.264). 34.6% thought that it shouldn’t be given to pregnant women. 3.1% assumed that vaccination can cause chronic illnesses and a significant relation was established with their educational level (p=0.01). Furthermore, 8.8% of the participants presumed that natural infection is better than immunization and 15.5% said that better hygiene is actually responsible for decreasing infections and not vaccines. However, both were not significantly related to educational level with (p=0.517) and (p=0.170), respectively. The Lebanese population’s attitude towards immunization was found to be mostly positive with a few misconceptions that didn’t seem to affect their vaccination practice. What influenced their practice was their fear of side effects which may be due to untrustworthy sources of knowledge such as media and family members. Therefore, implementing an awareness system regarding vaccination would further improve the Lebanese population’s attitude towards this subject

Differential Expression of Human Peripheral Mononuclear Cells Phenotype Markers in Type 2 Diabetic Patients and Type 2 Diabetic Patients on Metformin

Background: Although peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) have been demonstrated to be in a pro-inflammatory state in obesity and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), characterization of circulating PBMC phenotypes in the obese and T2DM and the effect of Metformin on these phenotypes in humans is still ill-defined and remains to be determined.Methods: Thirty normal healthy adult volunteers of normal weight, 30 obese subjects, 20 obese newly diagnosed diabetics and 30 obese diabetics on Metformin were recruited for the study. Fasting blood samples were collected and PBMC were isolated from whole blood. Polarization markers (CD86, IL-6, TNFα, iNOS, CD36, CD11c, CD169, CD206, CD163, CD68, CD11b, CD16, and CD14) were measured by RT-qPCR. Gene expression fold changes were calculated using the 2−ΔΔCT method for RT-qPCR.Results: Obesity and T2DM are associated an increased CD68 marker in PBMC. mRNA expression of CD11b, CD11c, CD169, and CD163 were significantly reduced in PBMC from T2DM subjects whereas CD11c was significantly inhibited in PBMC from obese subjects. On the other hand, macrophage M1-like phenotype was observed in T2DM circulation as demonstrated by increased mRNA expression of CD16, IL-6, iNOS, TNFα, and CD36. There were no significant changes in CD14 and CD86 in the obese and T2DM when compared to the lean subjects. Metformin treatment in T2DM reverted CD11c, CD169, IL-6, iNOS, TNFα, and CD36 to levels comparable to lean subjects. CD206 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in PBMC of T2DM while Metformin treatment inhibited CD206 expression levels.Conclusions: These data support the notion that PBMC in circulation in T2DM express different pattern of phenotypic markers than the patterns typically present in M1 and M2 like cells. These phenotypic markers could be representative of metabolically activated macrophages (MMe)-like cells. Metformin, on the other hand, reduces MMe-like cells in circulation

SHREC’20 Track:Retrieval of digital surfaces with similar geometric reliefs

International audienceThis paper presents the methods that have participated in the SHREC'20 contest on retrieval of surface patches with similar geometric reliefs and 1 the analysis of their performance over the benchmark created for this challenge. The goal of the context is to verify the possibility of retrieving 3D models only based on the reliefs that are present on their surface and to compare methods that are suitable for this task. This problem is related to many real world applications, such as the classification of cultural heritage goods or the analysis of different materials. To address this challenge, it is necessary to characterize the local "geometric pattern" information, possibly forgetting model size and bending. Seven groups participated in this contest and twenty runs were submitted for evaluation. The performances of the methods reveal that good results are achieved with a number of techniques that use different approaches