201,276 research outputs found
Long–term information collection with energy harvesting wireless sensors: a multi–armed bandit based approach
No full textThis paper reports on the development of a multi–agent approach to long-term information collection in networks of energy harvesting wireless sensors. In particular, we focus on developing energy management and data routing policies that adapt their behaviour according to the energy that is harvested, in order to maximise the amount of information collected given the available energy budget. In so doing, we introduce a new energy management technique, based on multi–armed bandit learning, that allows each agent to adaptively allocate its energy budget across the tasks of data sampling, receiving and transmitting. By using this approach, each agent can learn the optimal energy budget settings that give it efficient information collection in the long run. Then, we propose two novel decentralised multi–hop algorithms for data routing. The first proveably maximises the information throughput in the network, but can sometimes involve high communication cost. The second algorithm provides near–optimal performance, but with reduced computational and communication costs. Finally, we demonstrate that, by using our approaches for energy management and routing, we can achieve a 120% improvement in long term information collection against state–of–the–art benchmarks
Nonlinear Autoregressive Models and Long Memory
No full textThis note shows that regime switching nonlinear autoregressive models widely used in the time series literature can exhibit arbitrary degrees of long memory via appropriate definition of the model regimes.Long memory, Nonlinearity
A Report of the Mosquito Host Range of Pythium guiyangense Su
No full textMosquito causes problems in both disease transmission and disturbance to people's daily life. The controlling methods used now are mainly application of chemical pesticides which result in serious harm to environment. Biological control of the pest is one of the ideal ways. But, lack of suitable agent makes it difficult to extend this technique in wider scope. _Pythium guiyangense_ Su is a newly found fungal pathogen of mosquitoes and is promising for practical use. Here we summarize a list of mosquitoes that can be infected by the fungus so far, which shows the potential significance of the application of the fungus in the future
Forecast horizon of 5th – 6th – 7th long wave and short-period of contraction in economic cycles
No full textThe purpose of this essay is to determine the forecast horizon of the fifth, sixth and seventh long wave. As the period of each long wave can change according to the data, it has been used a deterministic approach, based on historical chronologies of USA and UK economies worked out by several scholars, to determine average timing, period and forecast error of future long waves. In addition, the analysis shows that long waves have average upwave period longer than average downwave one. This result is also confirmed by US Business Cycles that have average contractions shorter than expansions phase over time.Forecast Horizon, Long Waves, Kondratieff Waves, Business Cycles, Asymmetric Path
Possible technological determinants and primary energy resources of future long waves
No full textThe purpose of this paper is to conjecture the possible underlying technological determinants of future long waves, based on prominent studies of scholars and leading forecasting companies; in particular, this research assumes the converging of nano-bio-info-cogno technologies to be the foundation of 5th and 6th economic cycles, whereas the future technological revolution that may underpin the 7th long wave is assumed to be Faster-Than-Light technologies. The positive effects of these future technological revolutions on worldwide economic system are a high increase of productivity, employment rate, consumption and economic growth that lead to longer, happier, and healthier living as well as general well-being.Long Waves, Technological Revolution, Forecasting, Foresight
A proof of concept of a BioMEMS glucose biosensor using microfabricated SU-8 films
No full textThe present project investigated and proved the concept of developing a novel
BioMEMS glucose micro-biosensor using a simple one-step microfabrication process of
the widely used SU-8 polymer. More specifically, the study focused on the investigation
of the suitability of the SU-8 polymer as a matrix for enzyme immobilisation that is
carried out during the microfabrication process. A comparative study between
commercially available SU-8 and “customised” SU-8 solutions showed that the
optimum concentration of photo-initiator for stress reduction can be achieved easier
with “customised” SU-8 solutions. The most appropriate type of microstructure for the
SU-8 matrix and the corresponding required microfabrication process were defined and
encapsulation of the enzyme GOx in the SU-8 solution was accomplished. A detailed
experimental investigation of the immobilised enzyme’s activity inside the SU-8 matrix,
was carried out using amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide in a 3-electrode setup.
SU-8 films were immersed in a buffer solution and the platinum working electrode
was brought in close contact with the film. Films without enzyme showed negligible
variation in current upon the addition of glucose, as opposed to films with encapsulated
enzyme which showed a very clear increase in current. Experiments using films of
increased thickness or enzyme concentration, showed a higher response, thus proving
that the enzyme remained active not only on the film’s surface, but inside the matrix as
well. In the fluorescence spectroscopy experiments, the utilisation of the tris (4,7-
diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) ruthenium(II) dichloride oxygen indicator, which was
also captured in the polymer matrix during the microfabrication process, was proven to
be very sensitive to glucose concentration changes during the glucose oxidation and
there was no photo-bleaching.
The experimental investigations proved that the proposed concept of using SU-8
matrices for the immobilisation of biomolecules, is a valid proposal for the construction
of a BioMEMS glucose biosensor. An important outcome was the successful
immobilisation of glucose oxidase in SU-8 microfabricated structures. The enzyme still
showed activity despite the “hostile” conditions during microfabrication The proof of
principle of enzyme immobilisation in SU-8 films opens up new possibilities for
combining BioMEMS with biosensors and organic electronics
Ultrastructural Study on the Formation of Sclereids in the Floating Leaves of Nymphoides Coreana and Nuphar Schimadai
No full textEvaluation of cell damage in organotypic hippocampal slice culture from adult mouse: a potential model system to study neuroprotection
No full textThe use of organotypic hippocampal slice culture (OHSC) has become a powerful tool for studying cell damage in different neuropathological states, since it reproduces the basic morphological and functional properties of hippocampal neuronal network. However, the conventional OHSCs are established from postnatal animals rather than adult. Here we reevaluated the features of cell death in adult OHSC in detail and found potential utility for the study of neuroprotection. Organotypic culture of hippocampal slices from adult mice under conventional conditions led to a time-dependent and reproducible cell death. Around 6 days in vitro (DIV), slices lost 50% of the cells, based on LDH release assessment. The cell death was greater than 90% after DIV 15. The cell loss was linearly correlated (r=0.944, P<0.01) with the time in culture. The electrophysiological responses to the stimulus in the cultured adult slices were accordingly reduced. The cell degeneration during adult OHSC might be utilized as a tool for studying neuroprotective effects in drug development. To illustrate this potential use, adult OHSCs were challenged with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). We found that the continuous supplementation of 300 ng/ml BDNF promoted cell survival of adult OHSC. Using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses of neuronal markers, we also demonstrated the pro-survival effects of BDNF on neurons in the adult OHSC system. It is suggested that OHSCs from adult mice might provide an alternative model system for neuronal degeneration, suitable for studying physiological factors and pharmacological compounds contributing to neuronal survival
[[alternative]]Translation and Commentary of Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night
No full text[[abstract]]This thesis consists of two parts. The first part is the commentary of my translation of Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night. The second part is the translation of the four-act play. The commentary consists of five chapters. The first chapter provides the motives, goals, and structure of the thesis. The second chapter introduces the author and the story of the play. The third chapter discusses the common problems encountered when translating a play for performance, and proposes two perspectives on “differences of historical and cultural backgrounds” and “quality of translated text”, with the discussion on translation strategies usually employed. The fourth chapter discusses the translation strategies of the play, and proposes perspectives on “maintaining the original cultural elements in original text” and “adjusting the translation in accordance with colloquial customs. The fifth chapter, for future references, comes up with conclusions and sums up my notions in translating the play.
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