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Semantic Technologies for User-Centric Home Network Management
Get PDFHome area network (HAN) management is problematic for ordinary home
users. Lack of user expertise, potential complexity of administration tasks,
extreme diversity of network devices, price pressures producing devices with
minimal feature sets, and highly dynamic requirements of user applications
are some of the main challenges in HANs. As networking becomes enabled
in many more HAN devices, these problems are set to increase. A viable
solution to address these challenges lies in various levels of automation in
Home Area Network (HAN), and at a slightly deeper level of self-governance
in general, now often termed as autonomic computing. HANs are good
candidate for autonomic network management, such as policy-based network
management (PBNM), to automate network managing tasks. However, a
significant challenge here is the transformation of user requirements to a form
that is understandable to the HAN system. Semantic computing enables a
system interpreting semantics of instances at different levels of abstraction
(e.g. concepts related to users and network) without requiring it to know
the interlinks among different system concepts (e.g. how a user is linked
to its networked devices and applications). The research work presented
in this thesis proposes a framework for the implementation of user-driven,
semantic-aware, policy-based HAN management. Our goal is to transform
user preferences into network configurations so that we can give control to
HAN users to make their networks behave as per their requirements
Development of a Carotenoid-enriched Hen Egg as a Novel Food to Augment Serum and Macular Carotenoids in Healthy Individuals
No full textThe carotenoids lutein (L) zeaxanthin (Z) and meso-zeaxanthin (MZ) accumulate as macular pigment (MP) in the macula lutea, the central region of the retina responsible for central and fine detail vision. These carotenoids confer protection against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of blindness in the developed world. The light-filtering properties of MP may also improve visual performance and resolution. The first body of this work (referred to as the Meso-zeaxanthin Ocular Supplementation Trial, or the “MOST” Study) was to assess the serum and macular response to three different macular carotenoid formulations in normal subjects (n = 27) and in patients with AMD (n = 27). Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three interventions. Group 1: 20 mg L, 0.860 mg Z; Group 2: 10 mg L, 2 mg Z, 10 mg MZ; Group 3: 3 mg L, 2 mg Z, 17 mg MZ. Serum L, Z and MZ were quantified at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks using HPLC. MP optical density (MPOD) was assessed at baseline, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks at 0.25⁰, 0.5⁰, 1.0⁰ and 1.75⁰ of eccentricity using customised heterochromatic flicker photometry (cHFP). MP increased significantly at 0.25⁰, 0.5⁰, 1⁰ and 1.75⁰ of eccentricity in all Groups, with the exception of the 1.75⁰ eccentricity in Group 3. MP response was statistically similar for AMD versus normal subjects, with the exception of a significantly greater response for AMD subjects at 1.75⁰ eccentricity in Group 2. Serum L and Z increased significantly in Group 1 and Group 2, with no significant change in Group 3. Serum MZ increased significantly in Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3. While all three formulations achieved a significant and comparable increase in MPOD within eight weeks, the formulation containing L:MZ:Z in a 10:10:2 ratio (Group 2) was uniquely efficacious in terms of achieving maximum concentrations of circulating levels of all three carotenoids, thereby optimising the bioavailability of these compounds for capture by the target tissue (retina). The second body of this work (referred to as the Egg Xanthophyll Intervention Trial, or the “EXIT” Study) developed a novel, carotenoid-enriched hen egg as an alternative to traditional supplements to augment MP. This was achieved through the incorporation of oil-suspended carotenoids into the hen feed given to egg-laying hens. Yolk carotenoid concentrations were measured by HPLC. 568 ± 72 μg/yolk L and 732 ± 110 μg/yolk MZ were successfully incorporated into the egg yolks. Human macular and serum response to supplementation with carotenoid-enriched eggs were also investigated in an eight-week clinical study. The “enriched” group (n = 25) was supplemented with L:MZ eggs (described above) concurrently with a control group (n = 25) supplemented with standard hen eggs. Serum carotenoids and MP optical density were measured using HPLC and heterochromatic flicker photometry respectively. The novel carotenoid-enriched egg was successful in augmenting serum L, Z and MZ. It was not successful as a means to augment MP in the current study, likely due to the short eight-week study period. Further work is required to demonstrate a significant effect by this form of supplementation on MP levels
Integration of QoS Metrics, Rules and Semantic Uplift for Advanced IPTV Monitoring.
Get PDFIncreasing and variable traffic demands due to triple play services pose significant Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) resource management challenges for service providers. Managing subscriber expectations via consolidated IPTV quality reporting will play a crucial role in guaranteeing return-on-investment for players in the increasingly competitive IPTV delivery ecosystem. We propose a fault diagnosis and problem isolation solution that addresses the IPTV monitoring challenge and recommends problem-specific remedial action. IPTV delivery-specific metrics are collected at various points in the delivery topology, the residential gateway and the Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer through to the video Head-End. They are then pre-processed using new metric rules. A semantic uplift engine takes these raw metric logs; it then transforms them into World Wide Web Consortium’s standard Resource Description Framework for knowledge representation and annotates them with expert knowledge from the IPTV domain. This system is then integrated with a monitoring visualization framework that displays monitoring events, alarms, and recommends solutions. A suite of IPTV fault scenarios is presented and used to evaluate the feasibility of the solution. We demonstrate that professional service providers can provide timely reports on the quality of IPTV service delivery using this system
An Evaluation of the GAA Healthy Club Project
Get PDFIntroduction The sports club has recently been identified as a new setting for health promotion. In Ireland, a Gaelic Athletics Association (GAA) sports club exists in almost every community with a remit that extends beyond promoting Gaelic games. The Healthy Club Project (HCP) was devised by the GAA and HSE in an attempt to both harness current and encourage future health promotion efforts within a GAA club setting. The purpose of this study was to carry out a process and impact evaluation of the HCP. Methods Eighteen GAA clubs self-selected to take part in phase one of the HCP. Data were collected using pre and post questionnaires containing a healthy club index, adapted from a tool developed by Kokko, Kannas et al. (2009). Club representatives and stakeholders involved in the HCP also took part in focus groups to describe the process, and outcomes of engaging in health promotion through sport. Quantitative analysis was carried out using SPSS and qualitative data was processed using thematic content analysis. Results Twelve clubs completed the baseline and follow up questionnaires, a retention rate of 75%. Analysis revealed that clubs progressed from being on average moderately health promoting at baseline to high health promoting at follow up, scoring lowest for policies and highest for ideologies. In total, clubs delivered 72 health initiatives, with physical activity, emotional wellbeing and health awareness/first aid proving to be the most popular topics covered. Results also showed that clubs viewed health promotion as a natural progression of work already underway in their club, and could see positive implications resulting for engaging in this type of work. Conclusion The analysis endorses GAA sport clubs as a viable setting for health promotion in an Irish context. Clubs are actively engaging in some health related activities and are eager to engage further. Clubs however, require support to ensure health is included on the agenda of the club, and embedded into all club operations
Non-invasive genetic monitoring of pine marten (Martes Martes) and stone marten (Martes Foina) in and around the Nietoperek bat hibernation site, Poland POLAND
Get PDFMiędzyrzecz Fortified Front (MFF), NW Poland, was built by the Germans during World
War II. The middle section of the MMF, the “Central Sector Wysoka”, consists of a line of
tunnels that connect to above ground fortifications. After World War II, the system was
deserted, and due to its use by hibernating bats from Central Europe, it became designated as
a NATURA 2000 site. It is now one of the ten largest bat hibernation sites in the European
Union, with 38,500 bats belonging to 10 different species (Four species listed under Annex II
of the Habitats Directive) recorded during the January 2015 bat census. The surrounding area
consists of fragmented forest and farmland that supports pine marten and stone marten
populations. During recent bat censuses, marten scats have been found in the tunnels as well
as circumstantial evidence that marten have been predating on the hibernating bats. In order
to assess the potential impact, (if any) of marten at this site, a non-invasive survey was
conducted to collect marten scats. The aims of the study were to conduct molecular analysis
that identified the species, sex and individual from scat samples. Secondly, a molecular based
dietary study was conducted on scats to identify the presence of bat DNA in the scats.
Scat and hair tube surveys were used to collect samples for molecular analysis. DNA was
extracted from these non-invasively collected samples. Existing TaqMan® MGB probe based
qPCR assays were used for species identification and sex determination. Bat species-specific
primers were designed to identify bat DNA in the scats using a SYBR® Green Dye qPCR
assay. Microsatellite analysis was used for individual animal identification.
Results confirm that both pine marten and stone marten are present in the tunnels. The scat
distribution of both species is similar above and below ground with only pine marten scats
being found in the north of the survey area. Evidence of both species has been found in the
tunnels throughout the year and not only when the bats are hibernating. Scats from multiple
individuals of both species have been identified in the tunnels indicating that tunnel use is by
more than one or two individuals. Scat densities in the tunnels are more associated with
access points than with higher bat densities. Dietary analysis has confirmed the presence of
bat DNA in scats from both marten species, with DNA from Myotis daubentonii and Myotis
myotis occurring with the highest frequency. While the degree of marten consumption of bats
appears high the impact on the resident bat population at present appears low
PEGylated liposomes of anastrozole for long-term treatment of breast cancer: in vitro and in vivo evaluation
No full textEinstein's cosmology review of 1933: a new perspective on the Einstein-de Sitter model of the cosmos
No full textWe present a first English translation and analysis of a little-known review of relativistic cosmology written by Albert Einstein in late 1932. The article, which was published in 1933 in a book of Einstein papers translated into French, contains a substantial review of static and dynamic relativistic models of the cosmos, culminating in a discussion of the Einstein-de Sitter model. The article offers a valuable contemporaneous insight into Einstein's cosmology in the 1930s and confirms that his interest lay in the development of the simplest model of the cosmos that could account for observation, rather than an exploration of all possible cosmic models. The article also confirms that Einstein did not believe that simplistic relativistic models could give an accurate description of the early universe
An Evaluative Implementation Study of the Productive Ward in Ireland
Get PDFThis study uses an ‘action evaluation’ approach to examine the effects of a national Quality Improvement (QI) initiative, the Productive Ward: Releasing Time to Care™ Programme (PW) on a pilot cohort of ward-based teams in the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE). In particular it measures their ‘engagement’ and explores their experiences and views in relation to implementation and efficacy. It is one of the first studies to examine the impact of QI activities and interventions on ‘work engagement’ (WE).
With the researcher–evaluator integrated within the implementation, this study uses an explanatory, sequential, mixed method design (with an experimental test outcome) to gather data through four empirical phases for the purpose of in-depth analysis.
The first phase, a survey, measured work engagement in the PW group and compared the results to a matched control group. The second phase involved a qualitative interview study with participants from the PW group. The third phase was a longitudinal 12-month repeat WE survey. The final phase utilised the improvement performance measure, Direct Patient Care (DPC) times, from the PW group for comparison with corresponding WE scores.
Overall findings established higher WE scores amongst the PW group that were maintained over the 12-month period. In-depth interview analysis identified key determinants from the participants’ accounts which impacted implementation, including project management structures, prior preparation, training and negative experiences. Further qualitative analysis also highlighted key outcomes/outputs that the programme had delivered, including many positive experiences which naturally align with the construct of WE.
This study validates previous assertions that QI activities, like PW, can actively ‘engage’ participating employees. It also identifies a number of key implementation determinants that can help or hinder efficacy and provides guidance for practitioners who are considering introducing the initiative